The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 138 Fang Xiaoru's Respect

Inside the rear hall.

As soon as Zhu Xiong Ying finished speaking, the place instantly became noisy and chaotic.

Zhu Yunwen's large, dark eyes widened in shock, and he cried out, "Brother, I've heard that people die in war! I don't want you to go!"

The younger children, thinking of their elder brother's care, all had tears welling up in their eyes.

Zhu Jixi, who had just asked the question, had bright eyes and said enviously, "Eldest brother is so amazing!"

"I also want to go to war with my elder brother and become a great general someday!"

The usually calm and magnanimous Zhu Gaochi stepped forward after the others had finished speaking and said with concern, "Brother, if you go to the front lines, please take good care of yourself. My brothers and I will definitely wait for your safe return!"

This is the situation.

Zhu Xiong Ying was deeply moved.

He walked to the middle, first patted his younger brother Zhu Yunwen on the head, and said a few words of comfort.

He turned around, facing the innocent little faces, a warmth filling his heart, and said, "Ji Xi, Gao Chi—brothers, don't worry!"

"We will definitely come back safe and sound when the war is over!"

1

"As for this Northern Expedition, according to my grandfather's wishes, it is not only to recover Liaodong, but also to completely crush the remnants of the Yuan dynasty!"

"After we destroy the remnants of the Yuan dynasty, in the future, we will lead you and countless other men of the Ming dynasty to reclaim the northern deserts and expand the territory of our Ming dynasty to the west of the Western Regions and the far north!"

"Let the people of our Great Ming Dynasty no longer suffer from the harassment of the northern frontier, nor live in constant fear!"

"And you must also remember one thing: Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the Ming Dynasty—"

"Furthermore, now is the time to diligently pursue your studies and not neglect your martial arts!"

"Just as my grandfather said, the descendants of the Zhu family must be able to break through enemy lines on horseback and bring peace and stability to the country on foot."

A series of grand pronouncements, full of motivational platitudes.

This made the grandsons of the emperor, including Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Yunwen, and Zhu Yuntong, all have their eyes light up and their hearts pound with excitement.

Then, they said in unison, "Please rest assured, elder brother, we will study hard and practice martial arts diligently in the capital, and in the future, we will follow you to protect the Ming Dynasty!"

On the same day, outside the imperial city.

Inside the West City Library.

The rows of houses here were originally built during the year to house literati such as Luo Guanzhong who were revising novels and plays.

Although they did not hold any official positions, the royal family would provide them with a salary, which was enough for them to settle down in the capital.

Because the Lunar New Year is approaching, we also had a few days off.

To the naked eye, the once bustling library now appears somewhat empty and quiet.

Inside the east wing.

A charcoal fire was burning, and several old desks were placed on either side, piled high with various items.

There were unfolded scripts and play scripts, and even worn-out calligraphy brushes.

Luo Guanzhong and Jia Zhongming did not leave for their holiday today.

They were sitting at their respective desks, writing furiously.

After an incense stick had burned, Jia Zhongming was the first to put down his pen.

He approached, sipping his hot tea as he spoke, and said with a smile, "Brother Guanzhong, don't worry about it!"

"You've revised the last chapter of your 'Admonitions on Integrity' three times already; any more revisions and it'll be rejected!"

"Speaking of which, the end of the year is approaching, we should take a couple of days off and write again after the New Year!"

Luo Guanzhong sighed, raised his eyes, and said, "Didn't the palace issue a decree? This storybook that promotes good and punishes evil must be printed before spring!"

"So we need to finalize the draft within the next couple of days. As for the details, we absolutely cannot be careless!"

"Just as the eldest grandson of the emperor often instructed, the way we teach should be simple and easy to understand. We should avoid using obscure words and grand principles, and make sure that even ordinary people can understand it."

They talked about Zhu Xiong Ying, the eldest grandson of the emperor.

The longer I stayed in the capital, the more I saw and heard, and the more I admired him.

Jia Zhongming put down his teacup, saying with deep feeling, "Speaking of which, His Highness the Crown Prince is truly a rare find!"

"Throughout history, royal children have either indulged in pleasure or only studied the classics without understanding the affairs of the state. How could there be anyone like the eldest grandson of the emperor, who has the world in his heart?"

"In these past two years, first the smallpox vaccine was invented, then Zhongshan Academy was established, and practical subjects were set up—and then we were pacified, and people were educated with popular vernacular stories and plays! Such insight and vision at such a young age are truly unprecedented!"

Luo Guanzhong always admired heroic young people.

Upon hearing this, he nodded and said, "That's exactly right! I've lived to such an old age and read countless emperors and generals in history books, but I've never seen such a remarkable person as the eldest grandson of the emperor! It's clear that the two emperors in the palace have done a good job of educating him—"

I've noticed that once my best friend starts talking, the conversation quickly drifts off-topic.

Jia Zhongming quickly interjected, "By the way, Brother Guanzhong should have heard about it too!"

"The eldest grandson of the emperor, at such a young age, will be joining the army on the northern expedition to Beiping on the third day of the first lunar month!"

"I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince personally requested permission to go to the front lines; he can't stay in the capital forever—"

How could Luo Guanzhong not know this?

He exclaimed, "The conduct of the eldest grandson of the emperor is truly what a member of the Ming imperial family should be like, and it is a blessing for all the people of the land!"

"But considering his age, how old is he? Such a young man with such talent and a heart for the world is truly admirable."

After several encounters.

Like everyone else, he was the eldest grandson of the emperor.

Luo Guanzhong had long admired him.

Just as they were talking, footsteps came from outside.

The two looked up and saw the library servant knock on the door and enter, smiling as he said, "Gentlemen, the palace has sent New Year's gifts, saying they were personally entrusted by His Highness the Crown Prince!"

In fact, it happened on the eve of this year's Lunar New Year.

With the permission of his grandmother, Empress Ma, Zhu Xiong Ying, using the name of the royal family, had his subordinates prepare small gifts for Luo Guanzhong, Jia Zhongming, Fang Xiaoru, Wang Pu, and others as a gesture of goodwill and hospitality.

It's not entirely about winning people's hearts, but more about appreciating their hard work over the past year.

After the servants brought the items in, Luo Guanzhong and Jia Zhongming both bowed and thanked them.

Upon opening it, one finds cured pork, rice wine, pastries, candies, and Xuan paper, ink, and a brush.

The value here may not be high; the important thing is the recognition of friendship!

Upon seeing all this, Luo Guanzhong couldn't help but think of Liu Bei, the emperor he had written about.

He stroked his beard and said, "Zhongming, take a look! The eldest grandson of the emperor is truly thoughtful and benevolent!"

"It is our good fortune to have met and encountered each other!"

Filled with ambition and deep thought, Jia Zhongming nodded in agreement, "That's exactly right!"

"It is said that the lifelong pursuit of ancient scholars was nothing more than to encounter an enlightened ruler and realize their ambitions!"

"The eldest grandson of the emperor is benevolent and responsible, just like the sages of ancient times—what do you think, Brother Guanzhong?"

However, inside the Fang residence.

After returning from the university, Fang Xiaoru also received New Year's gifts sent by Zhu Xiong Ying.

Seeing the gifts, I couldn't help but think of the day I first met the eldest grandson of the emperor.

Fang Xiaoru paced back and forth, inwardly praising, "Throughout history, countless princes and grandsons have been raised in the deep palace, unaware of the hardships of the common people and ignorant of the nature of war. But the eldest grandson of the emperor is different. He has the people in his heart and the Ming Dynasty on his shoulders. He is the hope of the Ming Dynasty! He is also the kind of person we scholars should serve to the death!"