BSI Chapter 27 Planting Sweet Potatoes, Harvesting Li Hui
Chapter 27 Planting Sweet Potatoes, Harvesting Li Hui
Zhu Yunwen was busy with state affairs, and Zhu Yunxi was absent-minded. Xu Miaojin refused to enter the palace again, so Zhu Yuanzhang had to choose another companion for Zhu Gaoxi, Prince An, Zhu Ying, and select ten eunuchs who knew some martial arts to guard him closely in the vegetable garden.
Zhu Yuanzhang was aging at a visible rate, which made Zhu Gaoxi feel a deep sense of reluctance.
In March, devastating news arrived: Prince Zhu Shuang of Qin had died, reportedly poisoned by his cook for mistreating his servants.
Zhu Gaoxi returned to the Qianqing Palace to soothe the pain in his grandfather's heart.
Zhu Yuanzhang could be moved to tears at any time and place.
Zhu Yunwen served him day and night without ever taking off his clothes.
After Hua Lian died, he and Zhu Gaoxi became noticeably more distant, keeping their distance. The box of pastries was sent by him.
Being in a compromising situation, it's difficult to clear one's name of suspicion.
Zhu Gaoxi solemnly assured Zhu Yuanzhang that he could not possibly be his brother.
Zhu Yuanzhang, of course, trusted Zhu Yunwen.
It had nothing to do with evidence; it was all instinct.
Zhu Yuanzhang believed he had a fairly accurate assessment of his two grandsons who were always in front of him.
Although Yunwen was physically weak and competitive, he was not stupid.
Zhu Gaoxi, on the other hand, was full of wicked schemes. Although he was kind at heart, he was always coming up with all sorts of tricks.
Even so, Zhu Yuanzhang never expected that Zhu Gaoxi would poison him.
Because it's not easy to make a drug that only causes stomach aches and has no toxic side effects.
Upon hearing that his adoptive father was coming to the capital, Zhu Gaoxi unconsciously adopted an arrogant demeanor as he walked, feeling inexplicably relaxed and lowering his guard against Zhu Yunwen.
The three generations of the family were eating peaches in the courtyard. Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Yunwen with great pride, "We have entrusted the task of defending against the barbarians to the princes, which will keep the borders quiet and give you the title of Emperor of Peace."
Zhu Yunwen pondered for a moment and asked, "If the barbarians are not at peace, the princes will defend them; but if the princes are not at peace, who can defend them?"
He's trying to weaken the power of the princes! Zhu Gaoxi immediately perked up his ears.
Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time before asking in return, "What do you think?"
"Win them over with virtue and govern them with propriety. If that fails, reduce their fiefdom; if that fails again, depose them; if that still fails, launch a military campaign against them." Zhu Yunwen seemed to have made preparations long ago.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly in approval, but his expression remained solemn.
If that happens, it will be a tragedy of bloodshed, which is the last thing he wants to see.
Zhu Gaoxi wanted to refute, but couldn't bring himself to say it. He couldn't make any promises on behalf of his adoptive father, otherwise he might not even know how he died.
All the rules in this world are inseparable from power and strength.
Zhu Yunwen had power.
The cheap dad is powerful.
Zhu Gaoxi naturally hoped that things would develop according to the established historical trajectory.
Upon meeting his adoptive father, Zhu Gaoxi immediately told him about Zhu Yunwen's intention to reduce the power of the princes.
Zhu Di laughed heartily after hearing this, then carried Zhu Gaoxi into the house, undressed him, and had Sheng Yin treat him.
The news of his beloved son being poisoned terribly frightened him.
This reckless paternal love is truly speechless; Zhu Gaoxi obediently accepted the inspection.
Only after Sheng Yin indicated that the poison had been cleared did Zhu Di clumsily dress Zhu Gaoxi.
Upon entering the Qianqing Gate, Zhu Di saw Zhu Yunwen personally come out to greet him. He coldly scrutinized Zhu Yunwen for a while before casually remarking, "My nephew has grown taller recently."
Zhu Yunwen's icy face suddenly stiffened, then returned to normal. "Thank you for your strange thoughts, Fourth Uncle."
"Fourth Prince, do not be disrespectful to the Crown Prince," Zhu Yuanzhang said as he stepped forward.
After Zhu Di and his son bowed, he explained, "Father, it was the same when my elder brother was alive."
"Now that Yunwen is the Crown Prince, princes entering the palace should first perform the rites of a subject to a ruler and should not speak disrespectfully," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a frown.
"I will keep your teachings in mind, Father," Zhu Di said, turning to bow to the Crown Prince in the traditional courtly manner.
"Fourth Uncle, please don't stand on ceremony. Grandfather, Fourth Uncle was just joking with me," Zhu Yunwen explained politely.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction.
After his adoptive father finished reporting on the border defense, Zhu Gaoxi took him to the vegetable garden after leaving the Qianqing Palace, intending to give him a surprise.
"Your grandfather just said that you and a group of eunuchs planted a lot of vegetables?" Zhu Di hadn't expected his son to be so self-taught in farming; it sounded like a fantasy.
"Daddy, sweet potatoes!" Zhu Gaoxi proudly showed his prize to his adoptive father, which he had exchanged for five years of his lifespan at the life-extending shop.
"What is a sweet potato?" Zhu Di was completely confused and went up to examine the green leaf.
"It grows in the soil, and it looks a bit like taro. It will be ready to eat in three months," Zhu Gaoxi explained with gestures.
"In pieces?" Zhu Di asked, frowning.
Zhu Gaoxi nodded.
"Delicious?" Zhu Di didn't understand why this thing was grown.
"High yield, disease resistant, drought resistant, and can be grown in barren land," Zhu Gaoxi only remembered these advantages.
"Not bad," Zhu Di said thoughtfully. After a moment, he asked, "Can it be grown in Beiping too?"
"Yes," Zhu Gaoxi answered loudly.
"Oh my, son, you're a real lucky charm!" Zhu Di exclaimed excitedly, picking up his son and showering him with kisses.
Zhu Gaoxi's chubby face was instantly ravaged and turned red.
"Three months from now, your father will come to pick you up. If your father is busy, have your second brother come and bring this... with you." Zhu Di did not remember the name.
"Sweet potato," Zhu Gaoxi suggested.
After strolling through the vegetable garden, Zhu Gaoxi was taken by his adoptive father to the Prince of Yan's mansion in the capital.
"I'm not going back yet," Zhu Gaoxi said earnestly. "I want to stay in the palace with my grandfather."
With only two years left before Zhu Yuanzhang's death, Zhu Gaoxi wanted to make the most of this time to prolong his life as much as possible. He dared not even imagine what would happen once his grandfather passed away. He needed to find out as soon as possible whether Zhu Yuanzhang's life could be extended after his death, perhaps through a form of worship.
It concerns life and death, so we cannot be careless.
Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxi felt extremely heavy-hearted, and he really wished he could live for hundreds of years in one breath.
"If you're not going back, let Gou'er follow you. He's quite skilled," Zhu Di said as he walked out the door. "Gou'er, come here."
Hearing the name, Zhu Gaoxi thought it would be quite lewd, but he didn't expect it to be a rather spirited young eunuch, around sixteen or seventeen years old.
Zhu Di led Gou'er to Zhu Gaoxi and introduced him, "This is Gou'er. He is clever and obedient. His surname is Li, and he is from Annam. He is related to Grand Tutor Li."
"My great-grandfather's generation was five degrees of kinship with Grand Tutor Li, a very distant relationship," Gou'er said, scratching his head sheepishly.
"Let me change your name. How about Li Hui? The 'Hui' in 'glorious'," Zhu Gaoxi said as he walked up to him, liking him more and more as he looked at him.
"Thank you for bestowing this name upon me, Your Highness," Gou'er said, kneeling on the ground, flattered and overwhelmed.
"Get up quickly," Zhu Gaoxi said, offering a slight helping hand. "Can you read?"
"This servant has never been to school and doesn't recognize it," Gou'er said nervously, rubbing his hands together, worried that the young prince would dislike him.
"It's alright, I'll teach you," Zhu Gaoxi said, giving Zhu Di a satisfied look.
"You brat," Zhu Di picked him up, tucked him under his arm, took him outside, and put him on the ground. "Learn a few moves from the dog and show them to your father."