diymy Chapter 28 Commitments and Entrustments
Chapter 28 Commitments and Entrustments
After Zhu Di left the capital, Prince Xiang, Zhu Bai, was summoned back to the capital.
Zhu Gaoxi found his uncle, who always spoke with an air of superiority, quite amusing and tried various methods to amuse him, but all failed.
"My eldest and second eldest brothers died young, and I am truly heartbroken. Gao Xi, I hope you will never understand this feeling of being torn apart," Zhu Bai said, covering his face and weeping.
Zhu Gaoxi was completely bewildered.
Could there really be such a kind and virtuous person in the world?
There were no selfish motives or ulterior motives, only the bond of blood ties.
Influenced by this, Zhu Gaoxi couldn't help but feel sad and shed tears.
When Zhu Yunwen came out of the Qianqing Palace and saw the intimate behavior of the two, his expression immediately turned from sunny to gloomy. Without saying a word, he hurried past them.
With his grandfather absent, Zhu Yunwen didn't even bother to pretend.
Consort Guo was unwell, so Zhu Yuanzhang went to the inner palace to keep her company.
Zhu Gaoxi stood up, stretched, and said to Zhu Bai, "Uncle Twelfth, let's go back to the vegetable garden. Uncle An goes there every day at this time."
Upon hearing the sound, Zhu Bai got up and led Zhu Gaoxi to the vegetable garden. Just as they were about to turn the corner, he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure.
Miao Jin?!
How did she end up in the palace?!
Zhu Yunwen walked alongside her.
"Miaojin!" Zhu Gaoxi waved his hands, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably.
"Little one, do you know I'm going to the palace?" Miao Jin ran over, squatted down, and asked.
Zhu Gaoxi shook his head. How would he know? Zhu Yunwen now felt it was a waste of energy to even glance at him.
"I'll go see Consort Ning first, then I'll come find you later," Miao Jin said, affectionately patting his chubby face.
"Let's go, Miaojin," Zhu Yunwen said coldly.
Zhu Gaoxi had no choice but to step aside.
Back in the vegetable garden, Zhu Bai said with a solemn expression, "Perhaps Consort Ning is seriously ill. Let's go and check on her when there are fewer people around tonight."
Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Ying nodded quickly, as they had the same idea.
That evening, in Jingren Palace, the flickering candlelight made Consort Guo's sallow complexion appear even more pronounced.
"Gao Xi cried?" Consort Guo Ning asked weakly, her eyes closed as if she were too weak to open them.
Zhu Gaoxi immediately rushed to the bedside.
"Silly child, why are you crying?" Guo Ningfei's voice was weak and peaceful.
Perhaps, dying before Zhu Yuanzhang would have been the best outcome for Consort Guo, sparing her from being forced to commit suicide.
However, that overwhelming pain gripped his heart like a powerful hand, making it hard for him to breathe.
Zhu Bai carried him back to the vegetable garden, and Zhu Gaoxi held onto his sleeve, refusing to let go.
He's still a baby; he needs someone to be with him. He trusts Zhu Bai, and being with him gives him a sense of security.
Zhu Bai had no choice but to send a palace attendant to consult Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang readily agreed.
A few days later, Zhu Bai left the capital, and Zhu Gaoxi saw him off with great reluctance.
He was extremely dejected, and Zhu Bai comforted him, saying, "The stew will be ready in a couple of days."
"Really?" Zhu Gaoxi asked incredulously. Since his cold war with Zhu Yunwen, his information channels had been almost completely cut off.
"I never lie," Zhu Bai said frankly.
Such words might be considered boasting by others, but if they come from a virtuous and upright person like Zhu Bai, I believe them.
After two days and nights of anticipation, Zhu Gaoxi's first words to Zhu Youdun were utterly pathetic: "I have seen Miaojin."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhu Gaoxi wanted to slap himself twice.
How can you be so careless about your love rival?
Zhu Youdun looked haggard and had a faint expression. So much had happened in the short few months he had been gone.
My maternal grandfather died for him.
His father was indifferent to fame and fortune, focusing wholeheartedly on the research of medicine and famine relief herbs. Only he was too sharp and aroused suspicion.
Zhu Gaoxi could sense You Dun's inner pain, but there was nothing he could do about it.
The position of crown prince is crucial to the foundation of the country. Since Zhu Yunwen has already been established as the imperial grandson, he has not made any major mistakes and cannot be replaced.
Furthermore, since Consort Guo fell seriously ill, Zhu Yuanzhang's energy has been waning.
The old emperor could no longer withstand a crisis involving the replacement of the heir.
Everyone can only passively accept it.
Upon seeing the sweet potatoes planted by Zhu Gaoxi, Zhu Youdun was astonished. "These are treasures; we must preserve them carefully."
Zhu Youdun looked into Zhu Gaoxi's eyes and said, "You have a special talent, and what you are doing is of great significance. If you can ensure that the soldiers are well-fed, I will be able to safeguard the security of the coast."
Zhu Gaoxi was well aware of all this. What he cared about most was whether he could win over Zhu Youdun's heart and make Zhu Youdun his long-term meal ticket.
However, Zhu Youdun's attention was completely drawn to the sweet potato, and he took out paper and pen and drew one picture after another.
"If there were a large experimental field that could be freely cultivated, perhaps we could try to increase rice yields," Zhu Gaoxi said.
"A vast experimental field?" Zhu Youdun put down his pen, pondered for a moment, then turned his head and said intently, "If you can ensure that all the people have enough to eat, I will respect you."
That's exactly what he was waiting for. Zhu Gaoxi stretched out his fat paw and pressed it against Zhu Youdun's palm, "It's a deal."
"This is no easy task. With the population growing and land annexation becoming more and more serious, every dynasty has faced this problem," Zhu Youdun said.
Zhu Gaoxi was full of confidence. With the advanced hybrid rice technology of later generations and the measures to control the population surge, it should not be difficult to achieve this.
I just don't know how many years of lifespan would be needed to exchange for it.
Thinking of this, Zhu Gaoxi suddenly realized a serious problem: he seemed to have never seen any books related to hybrid rice in the Life Extension Shop.
Oh no, what if I can't find the book?
Seeing Zhu Gaosui's sudden change in expression, Zhu Youdun felt even more that his words were unbelievable, shook his head, and continued to draw sweet potatoes.
Underestimating people!
We must find a way to make this happen!
It will broaden your horizons.
No, keep your promise!
If Zhu Youdun were to follow him loyally, he could stand out from the crowd.
They've made a killing!
Zhu Gaoxi was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.
The next day, in the Qianqing Palace, he was so sleepy that he couldn't keep his eyes open. He fell asleep as soon as he lay down, which startled Zhu Yuanzhang so much that he broke out in a cold sweat.
"Grandfather, don't worry, he was playing around at night and didn't sleep much," Zhu Youdun reassured him.
Zhu Yuanzhang covered Zhu Gaoxi with a quilt and said to Zhu Youdun, "Your maternal grandfather's matter was my grandfather's idea, it has nothing to do with Yunwen, you brothers should not be estranged."
"You'll understand if you've had a stew."
"Take all the Feng family members who are willing to go with you. You don't need to report to the court," Zhu Yuanzhang said thoughtfully.
Feng Sheng's five sons and more than ten grandsons were all brave and skilled in battle. He had worried that they would be difficult to control, so he entrusted them to Youdun for safekeeping, which would be a way of repaying Feng Sheng's loyalty over the years.
"Thank you, Grandpa," Youdun said from the bottom of his heart.
"Grandpa's health is not as good as before. I'm giving you two imperial edicts to keep safe. If anything changes in the future, you can act accordingly." Zhu Yuanzhang placed two rectangular cardboard boxes in Zhu Youdun's hands. They looked like very ordinary calligraphy and paintings. "You are to transfer 30,000 of the elite naval forces at sea and disperse them to various places to settle down. If Yunwen asks you to hand over military power in the future, you must obey his orders."
Youdun knelt on the ground and bowed solemnly, saying, "Youdun will definitely remember Grandpa's instructions."
"Don't be reckless, just live on, remember?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a low voice.
"Grandpa's teachings will be remembered forever."