Daming: Dad, you are really not good at governing the country

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang had been thinking about something in his mind several months ago.

He lived in the palace for a long time and enjoyed all kinds of delicacies from all over the world, but he wanted to show the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty in the diet and add some unique and new features to the palace food culture.

With this idea in mind, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to hold a "Ming Dynasty Chef God" selection contest in the name of "promoting food culture and demonstrating the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty."

Once this news came out, it was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, causing a thousand waves.

Those who claim to have excellent cooking skills in the world are all eager to try and sign up enthusiastically.

For a moment, the registration scene was extremely lively.

The crowds surged like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea.

The organization of this competition fell upon the Ministry of Rites' Fine Food Department.

As the main person in charge, doctor Jiang Yongming felt under a heavy pressure.

This not only concerns the reputation of the imperial court, but is also a matter of personal concern to the emperor, and there is no room for error.

Unexpectedly, when preparations for the competition were in full swing, Jiang Yongming's family suddenly encountered an accident.

His old mother, who had been bedridden for many years, suddenly became seriously ill.

He is like a candle in the wind, his life hanging by a thread, and he urgently needs a large sum of money to treat his illness.

His wife and children at home all relied on Jiang Yongming's meager salary to make ends meet. For a time, the whole family was in dire straits.

Just at this time, a group of mysterious people quietly approached Jiang Yongming.

These people had gloomy faces and their eyes were fierce and threatening.

They bluntly stated that if Jiang Yongming's family was not acted according to their wishes in the "Ming Dynasty Chef God" selection, it would be harmful to Jiang Yongming's family.

Jiang Yongming was shocked and frightened as he looked at his dying mother on the hospital bed.

Thinking of the frightened faces of his wife and children, he finally nodded and agreed reluctantly under this threat.

After rounds of selection, the three "Ming Dynasty Chef Gods" who finally stood out - Fan Zhengqing, Liu Xiaoshuang and Su Mingzhi - all had unspeakable secrets behind them.

It turns out that Fan Zhengqing used to be the imperial chef of the Yuan court, Liu Xiaoshuang's parents were remnants of the White Lotus Sect, and Su Mingzhi was a spy planted by the Prince of Jin's Mansion.

Zhu Gang had heard some scattered rumors in the court recently, and he had a vague feeling that there might be a conspiracy behind this "Ming Dynasty Chef God" competition.

But what exactly the conspiracy was, it was so complicated that he couldn't figure it out for a while.

On this day, Zhu Gang was deep in thought in his study.

The palace suddenly received an order from Zhu Yuanzhang, ordering him to enter the palace immediately and only allowing him to bring one guard with him.

Zhu Gang's face was solemn as he paced back and forth in the study, his fingers subconsciously tapping the jade pendant on his waist.

He turned to look at Xie Yuer and said anxiously, "Yuer, the palace is in trouble now.

The supervisor of the pavilion's renovation seemed to be secretly colluding with the forces at court.

At the grain and fodder purchasing point, the forces behind those merchants are complicated and intricate, and they all need to be dealt with carefully.

This visit to the palace must have something to do with the matter of the 'Ming Dynasty Kitchen God'."

Xie Yuer nodded slightly when she heard that, a hint of worry flashed across her eyes, but she calmed down in an instant.

She likes to wield swords and often practices martial arts with martial artists in the backyard. Everyone in the palace knows that she is obsessed with martial arts.

At this moment, Xie Yuer thought for a moment, and then suggested: "Husband, you can arrange for Uncle Fu to secretly watch over the repairs.

He is a loyal and honest person who does things prudently. If there is anything unusual, he will inform us in time.

To purchase food and fodder, he asked Miaoyun to find some trustworthy merchants.

Purchase separately to spread the risk.

My husband, please be careful when you enter the palace this time."

Zhu Gang nodded slightly and was about to speak again.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

A rapid knock on the door broke the silence in the house like a sudden rain.

Zhu Gang and Xie Yuer looked at each other suddenly. A trace of panic flashed across Zhu Gang's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

He shouted, "Who?"

Although the voice was squeezed out from between his teeth and he tried his best to remain calm, he still couldn't hide a hint of nervousness.

At this moment, Wang Chengyi, the attendant of Prince Jin's Mansion, who was standing outside the door, was so anxious that his voice began to sound like tears.

He shouted loudly: "Your Highness, there is urgent news from the palace!

His Majesty suddenly issued an order, ordering you to enter the palace immediately, without any delay!

And... and you are only allowed to bring one guard!" Zhu Gang and Xie Yu'er's hearts skipped a beat, as if they were hit by a heavy hammer.

This decree came too suddenly and was filled with indescribable weirdness.

Zhu Gang was silent for a moment and took a deep breath.

His eyes instantly became as sharp as an eagle, revealing determination and calmness.

Although he tried his best to remain calm, his clenched fists were shaking slightly, revealing Zhu Gang's inner uneasiness.

He continued pacing in the room while thinking.

His steps seemed steady, but he would occasionally pause unconsciously, as if he was weighing the severity of the situation with every step.

"Yu'er."

Zhu Gang suddenly stopped and looked at Xie Yuer with a firm gaze.

“This intention is too strange, there must be a deeper meaning behind it.

I don't know what dangers await me ahead, but I cannot enter the palace in such a muddleheaded way."

After saying that, he quickly walked to the desk, spread out the rice paper, dipped the brush in ink and picked up the writing brush.

The tip of the pen moved on the paper like a dragon or snake, and in a moment several lines of words were written.

However, when he was writing, the tip of the pen trembled slightly, which ultimately exposed Zhu Gang's inner nervousness.

After finishing writing, he handed the paper to Xie Yuer, "You should quickly find a trusted confidant to deliver this letter to my trusted ministers in the court as quickly as possible.

Let him secretly inquire about the news and find out why my father suddenly summoned me.

This matter must be kept secret and not a single word of it should leak out."

After everything was arranged, Zhu Gang fell into deep thought again.

After a cup of tea, he continued, "After I entered the palace, the safety of the palace will depend on you.

You must pay close attention to the two things mentioned above.

If there is anything unusual, we will follow our previous agreement."

Xie Yuer nodded vigorously, her eyes revealing determination and courage.

She frowned slightly, flicked her hand lightly, and pulled out a delicate dagger from her waist.

The dagger flipped quickly in Xie Yuer's hand like a butterfly, with skillful and smooth movements.

In the candlelight, the dagger flashed a cold light.

Then she handed the dagger to Zhu Gang, "My husband, carry this dagger with you for self-defense.

Don’t underestimate it because it is small, but it is extremely sharp and can help you at a critical moment.”

Zhu Gang was slightly stunned, and looking at the dagger in Xie Yuer's hand, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

"Yu'er, I didn't expect you to be so skilled."

Xie Yuer smiled playfully, with a hint of pride in her eyes.

"Hubby, don't underestimate me.

During these years in the palace, I learned some self-defense skills from the martial arts master in the palace.

Although I can't match my husband's bravery on the battlefield, it is more than enough to protect myself.

If anyone dares to come to the palace to cause trouble, I will make sure they never return."

After saying this, she looked at Zhu Gang seriously again, her eyes full of trust and support.

"Don't worry, my husband. I will take good care of the palace.

Be careful on your way there. I am waiting for your safe return at home."

Zhu Gang nodded, his eyes full of relief.

He gently held Xie Yuer's hand and said seriously, "Yuer, it's hard to predict whether this trip will be a good or bad one.

But as the King of Jin, I have a responsibility and cannot retreat.

You must take care of yourself and guard the palace well.

If I..."

"My husband, please stop saying such discouraging words!"

Xie Yuer interrupted Zhu Gang, tears glistening in her eyes.

"You will definitely return safely. We will protect the palace together." (End of this chapter)