Ming Dynasty: A hundred-year-old immortal cultivator, Zhu Yuanzhang’s biological father

"Boy, behave yourself. Don't joke with elders. That's the rule!"

Seeing the old man's serious look, Zhu Xiongying said, "Okay, okay, there's no one here, stop pretending, eat, eat, eat your garlic cloves and show your family tradition!"

Got it!
What a waste!
Zhu Yuanzhang was speechless. He wanted to be a strict elder and educate Zhu Xiongying in a strict manner like many loyal families.
But it's useless!
However, Zhu Yuanzhang smacked his lips, shook his head and smiled. If he really educated his grandson into a wooden lump, he would probably feel even worse.

For example, Zhu Yunwen.

The old man still likes Zhu Huai's temperament. When it comes to joking, he will always do it regardless of status or age.

When it’s time to be serious, I always strive to be proud of myself and never break the rules!
The grandfather and grandson were talking and laughing while eating.

Jiang Li approached cautiously.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression changed suddenly without any trace.

"Master."

Jiang Li whispered into Zhu Yuanzhang's ear.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were bright and shining, and then he waved his hand, and Jiang Yu retreated like a ghost again.

To be honest, Zhu Xiongying has always been curious about this ghostly Jiang Li.

"Grandpa, who is he?"

Zhu Yuanzhang groaned and said, "He is a servant of our royal family."

Zhu Xiongying nodded and continued to eat.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little curious: "Why don't you ask me?"

Zhu Xiongying thought for a moment and said, "Grandpa, if you want me to hear it, you will tell me. If you don't tell me, it means you don't want me to hear it."

"Stinky boy!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and scolded: "You are lucky, the girl from the Xu family did a great thing for you."

"What a fool!"

"Oh, that girl deserves your praise for pointing at the emperor and scolding him for not being a man! You didn't make a mistake in paying her!"

Zhu Xiongying asked suspiciously, "When did I ever point my finger at you and scold you? At most, I just complained in front of you."

"Ah!"

Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes at Zhu Xiongying and said, "Do you know what that girl did?"

Zhu Xiongying shook his head and asked in confusion: "What happened to Xu Miaojin?"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "She took a risk and mobilized the connections in Suzhou Prefecture. Tsk, knowing that we don't want the Xu family to be active in politics, that girl actually dared to take a risk!"

Zhu Xiongying looked at the old man suspiciously, his heart tightening: "What did she do?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Don't be nervous. He risked his life to interfere in the affairs of Suzhou Prefecture, but he did it for you."

"He asked Suzhou Prefecture to transfer two weaving merchants to Jiaozhi for development."

"I'm afraid she wants to increase your business vitality? That girl is thoughtful!"

Zhu Xiongying was touched when he heard this, but soon he said nervously: "Grandpa, will you...will you be wary of her? There might be another arranged marriage or something."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Xiongying and said, "No, I won't do that anymore. How dare I be scolded by you?"

Zhu Xiongying smiled bitterly and said, "Grandpa, please stop teasing me. Is Miss Xu...really okay?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "It's okay, as long as it's for your own good, but if the Xu family dares to have any other intentions, they will be in great trouble!"
........................

April is clear and the rain is clear, and it is clear that Nanshan is a household.

There are no willow catkins rising in the wind, only sunflowers leaning towards the sun.

After lunch, Zhu Yuanzhang took another sip of strong tea and said goodbye to Zhu Huai.

The old man kept thinking about the 'national Japan' and 'real Japan' on the southeast coast, and had no intention of staying here with Zhu Xiongying to enjoy himself.

Just after lunch, the old man waved goodbye to me.

Zhu Xiongying sent the old man to the door.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to remember something, looked at Zhu Xiongying, thought for a while, and said: "The stinky boy is about to enter a new age this year, and we have forgotten everything!"

"This is a big deal, we need to prepare well for you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Huaidao meaningfully.

Zhu Xiongying scratched his head and replied in confusion: "Forget it, I don't even know what month my birthday is. It's just a ceremony anyway. It doesn't matter whether I celebrate it or not."

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped, his face turned solemn, and he said to Zhu Huai: "The beginning of etiquette and righteousness is to straighten your appearance, harmonize your expression, and follow your words. Only then will etiquette and righteousness be complete. When the relationship between the ruler and his subjects is correct, between father and son, and between the old and the young is harmonious, the ruler and his subjects are correct, the father and son are close, and the old and the young are harmonious, then etiquette and righteousness will be established."

"This is a serious and grand event. How can it be said to be just a ceremony?"

"Okay, don't think too much. On the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, we'll give you a surprise."

Zhu Xiongying asked in confusion: "Huh? I don't even know when my birthday is!"

"Just remember, it's June 16th!"

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Xiongying stared and muttered, "June 16? Grandpa, you really just said that! I don't even know about this, so what do you know? Do you have to be so perfunctory?"

Zhu Xiongying was speechless. He naturally thought that the old man was talking nonsense.

June 16th...haha.

In the afternoon, Zhu Xiongying spent the whole afternoon in his study sorting out ideas about the tea-horse exchange in Jiaozhi, and then asked someone to give the document to Tie Xuan to send to Jiaozhi to Xie Jin.

Zhu Xiongying stretched lazily. It seemed that he hadn't seen Tan'er for a long time. He didn't know what this girl was doing all day.

The weather in the evening was very good, and it was not too hot in early summer.

……

By the time Zhu Xiongying arrived at Tan'er's house, it was already dusk.

The golden sunset spread over the rows of houses, and the sky above every household was filled with dense evening fireworks.

When Zhu Xiongying arrived at Tan'er's house, he found two big geese tied in front of the door and two wooden boxes with "Double Happiness" labeled on them.

Zhu Xiongying was a little curious and walked in with his hands behind his back.

There were many people gathered in the courtyard, surrounding the main hall so tightly that no one could get in or out.

Zhu Xiongying pushed aside the crowd and asked, "What are you doing in there?"

These are all Zhao family’s neighbors, and I guess they are all here to watch the fun.

Someone glanced at Zhu Xiongying and said with a smile: "Come and ask for the bride price!"

Nacai is the first of the six rituals in ancient times.

In ancient times, weddings were called "hunli" and were usually held at dusk, hence the name.

"Contract marriage? Whose marriage?" Zhu Huai was a little suspicious.

The man said to Zhu Xiongying excitedly: "Of course it's the daughter of the Zhao family."

Zhu Xiongying said "oh" and asked calmly, "Who is the man's family?"

"I heard that he is the son of the Yang family, the doctor of the Ministry of Works."

Zhu Xiongying put his hands behind his back, walked in front of the crowd, and looked towards the central hall.

No wonder Tan'er didn't come to see me these two days. It turns out she was in trouble.

…………

Inside the house. Zhao Sili looked a little embarrassed. There were many neighbors gathered outside. The other party was a doctor of the Ministry of Works, a fifth-rank official in Beijing. He couldn't let him lose face.

So Zhao Sili could only stammer and say to Yang Mingsheng: "Lord Yang, it is really... my daughter is unlucky, and she is already engaged..."

Yang Mingsheng interrupted Zhao Sili and said, "Master Zhao, please stop lying to me. I have been saying this since last year."

"I am not a fool. How can a marriage be arranged for half a year without taking place?"

Zhao Sili thought that after he said it tactfully, the other party would understand his intention.

Now after hearing what Yang Mingsheng said, he seemed even more hesitant.

This is why Zhao Sili has been urging the old man to get Zhu Xiongying and Zhao Tan'er married as soon as possible!
Privately, countless Beijing officials came to Zhao Sili for help, but he couldn't keep refusing without reason. They said they would get married more than half a year ago, but there is still no result until now. Isn't this clearly deceiving others?

"Forehead."

Zhao Sili was a little embarrassed, looking at Yang Mingsheng and said: "Sir Yang, I'm really not joking, really... Hey!"

Seeing Zhao Sili looking embarrassed, Zhu Xiongying simply walked in with his hands behind his back.

Zhao Sili was delighted to see Zhu Xiongying.

Zhu Xiongying clasped his fists towards Zhao Sili and said, "Father-in-law."

"My dear son-in-law, you are here?"

Zhu Xiongying nodded: "Yes, what are you doing?"

Yang Mingsheng looked at Zhu Xiongying suspiciously, and then looked at Zhao Sili.

Father-in-law...son-in-law...

These two people...are they not playing me?

Yang Mingsheng looked Zhu Xiongying up and down and asked, "Are you the son-in-law of Mr. Zhao?"

Zhu Xiongying cupped his hands and said, "I am not talented, that's right."

Yang Mingsheng asked: "What do you do?"

Zhu Xiongying thought about it and lied casually: "Business, um, OK, sir, please don't bother my father-in-law."

"He didn't lie to you. Tan'er and I are indeed engaged."

Yang Mingsheng was a little unhappy.

His face turned black as he asked, "Really? I'm just a merchant, but Lord Zhao is the commander of the Five Military Commanders' Office... Lord Zhao, are you really not lying to me?"

"Are you, my good son-in-law, really just a businessman?"

Zhao Sili nodded: "Yes, but he is a rather special businessman."

Yang Mingsheng smiled slightly: "What else is so special about merchants?"

Yang Mingsheng looked at Zhu Xiongying, but couldn't see anything special about him.

If you say yes, there is. This guy is as gentle as jade, and has a kind of nobility unique to scholars, but can this thing be eaten?
Zhu Xiongying politely cupped his fists to Yang Mingsheng: "Father-in-law is just talking nonsense, there is nothing special. Anyway, thank you for your hard work. Our Tan Er is indeed more attractive, but she has already been taken. Thank you for your hard work."

Yang Mingsheng's face darkened, and he thought to himself that this Zhao Sili might be mentally retarded!
Last year, I came to propose marriage, but he kept it a secret. I thought he was some important person, but it turned out to be just a businessman.

He said to Zhu Huai with a fake smile: "I'm sorry, I was rude. If that's the case, then I've really made a fool of myself."

"However, this official and Lord Zhao are also destined to be together. Since you are Lord Zhao's virtuous son-in-law, if you need any help, you can go to the Ministry of Works to find me."

The meaning of this statement is very clear, you are just a businessman.

This is how officials always speak. They only speak half-heartedly, and those who don’t understand might think they are sincerely supporting you.

Zhu Xiongying naturally heard the sarcasm in Yang Mingsheng's words, but he just smiled and said nothing.

He had long stopped arguing about these things.

Yang Mingsheng said to the neighbors gathered outside: "Go away."

After hearing Lord Yang's words, the crowd did not dare to stay any longer and scattered instantly.

Yang Mingsheng clasped his fists and said to Zhao Sili, "Then, Mr. Zhao, I will take my leave now."

Zhao Sili quickly returned the gift: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Yang. I hope you will visit me more often in the future."

Zhu Xiongying also saluted towards Yang Mingsheng and said, "Master Yang, take care."

Yang Mingsheng nodded very officially and didn't even pay much attention to Zhu Xiongying.

The gap in status was too big. As a doctor in the Ministry of Works, he was unwilling to say much to Zhu Xiongying. If it weren't for Zhao Sili, he wouldn't even bother to say a few words to Zhu Huai.

Yang Mingsheng just turned around and was about to leave.

In the courtyard, Tang He walked over with a smile.

Yang Mingsheng was stunned.

Tang knew him, so when he saw Mr. Tang, he bowed and clasped his hands in a flattering manner: "Old Duke."

Tang He ignored Yang Mingsheng and walked straight to Zhu Huai. He patted Zhu Xiongying on the shoulder and said, "I've been looking for you for a long time. I didn't expect you to be here with my daughter."

Zhu Xiongying looked at Tang He suspiciously and asked, "What does the old Duke want to talk to me about?"

Tang He smiled and said to Zhu Xiongying, "I'm here to invite you to dinner as a token of my gratitude. Haha, call Lan Yu and the others. Oh, and that guy, Xiao Zhao, you can come over too, and get acquainted with them."

Zhao Sili was stunned for a moment, then said happily: "Thank you, old man!"

Tang He said: "Thank this boy, you are benefiting from him."

Zhu Xiongying knew that his son Tang Sheng might be fine, so he came specially to thank him.

Even at an old age, they are still busy taking care of their descendants. It seems that this is the case for every elderly person in every household.

Even when people grow old, they never give up caring for their children and grandchildren.

Zhu immediately understood Tang He's painstaking efforts and said with a smile, "Old Duke, you are too polite. I have already sent you ginseng. Please don't bother me anymore. I feel ashamed to accept it."

Tang He waved his hands: "Bullshit! You are not allowed to refuse! You must go! If I don't persuade you to drink, no one dares to persuade you! Young man, you have grown up, how can you not handle the drinking party? Let's go!"

not far away.

Yang Mingsheng stared blankly at the scene in front of him. Suddenly, his cheeks turned red and he began to doubt his life.
This,
This, this, this! !

Yang Mingsheng stared blankly at the scene in front of him, looked at Zhu Xiongying in disbelief, and looked at Tang He infatuatedly.

He rubbed his eyes hard, as if to say, are you kidding me?

Didn’t you just say you were a businessman?

Oh, a special businessman.

Damn it, is this special?
That's Duke Xin! Tang He!
Why are you trying so hard to please Old Zhao's son-in-law?
He had some doubts about life.

Although Tang He was a great scholar, who else but Tang He could have been so successful and still alive among the group of people who followed the emperor to conquer the world?
Tang He's status is unquestionable!
Such a high-ranking figure is beyond Yang Mingsheng's reach!

But now... uh.

Zhao Sili was a little excited at this time.

He knew that he was able to integrate into the circle of top dignitaries entirely because of Zhu Huai's existence.

The guests at this dinner were people like Duke of Liang and Duke of Kaiguo.

Although Lan Yu said at that time that he would take some time to get together with Zhao Sili, Zhao Sili knew that it was just a casual remark. He had been in the officialdom for so long that he could naturally tell the difference.

Now that Duke Xin has actually called me over, I have truly been integrated into the team.

Zhao Sili said happily: "Old man, I'm going to change my clothes."

Tang He said: "Don't bother, we are all family, no need to be picky." (End of this chapter)