The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Looking at elders all over the world.

Who doesn't like others praising their own children and grandchildren?

Even setting aside his status as emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang was no exception to the common practices.

His wrinkles smoothed out, and he pointed to the desk in front of him, jokingly saying, "Dingchen, there are no outsiders here, why are you being so polite?"

"I remember back then, after we captured Changzhou, you led your troops to defend the city, and after a few drinks, you were full of heroic ambitions—it wasn't like this at all!"

"To be honest, I still miss the old you, so straightforward! You'd say whatever was on your mind!"

"On the contrary, I'm becoming more and more timid as I get older..."

"Don't stand, sit down..."

In the past, during the sixteenth year of the reign of Emperor Taizong (1356), when Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng were facing off, Tang He, who held a large army, harbored resentment.

So, drunk, he uttered wild words, patting his chest and saying, "I govern this city as if sitting on the rooftop; if I look left, it's to the left; if I look right, it's to the right."

Such wavering stance is a major taboo on the battlefield and will undermine morale!

If it were someone else, they would have killed Tang He long ago!

However, out of consideration for his childhood friend and knowing his character well, Zhu Yuanzhang simply said, "General Tang is one of my trusted old generals. These are just words spoken in the heat of the moment; don't take them seriously!"

For many years afterward, Old Zhu said he didn't care, but being petty, he kept writing it down in his little notebook.

Except at the very beginning of the founding of the state, Tang He was not among the six founding dukes.

Even seven years ago, when the imperial edict was bestowed, the entire matter was recorded.

Even today, they still can't resist using it to whip the corpse!

The gist of her words is that she liked the rebellious version of you from the past!

Zhu Xiong Ying stood to the side, took the teapot from the eunuch, and poured water for the two elders.

Upon hearing this, Tang He's old face turned pale, and his body swayed precariously.

I have to say, Old Zhu is really wicked!

Never forget to give yourself a good talking-to!

Most people would be terrified.

As for Grandpa Tang, if he hadn't become more cautious and low-key, how could he have ended up with a good ending?

"Your Majesty, my lord...my lord..."

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and chuckled, "I was just saying it casually, Dingchen, don't take it to heart!"

"As for what we discussed today, you'd better get it done properly for our grandson. If anything goes wrong, we'll hold you responsible..."

During a casual chat.

Then, turning to his good grandson, he gave a general account of Tang and his assistant's affairs.

Seeing the change in Lao Zhu's attitude, and with proper arrangements made.

It was the smallpox vaccine donated yesterday that had worked!

Zhu Xiong Ying made up his mind.

After that, in terms of civilian and military affairs, if we could produce gunpowder, sugar, and glass, and improve green manure...

Old Zhu was absolutely terrified!

Moreover, judging from his usual interactions, Lao Tang treats him well and is a kind-hearted person who can handle the coordination well!

As for why Old Zhu made such an arrangement, it was simply to bring the Tang family and him, the eldest grandson of the emperor, closer together!

Even a hundred years from now, may we be able to take good care of them!

From this, it can be seen that Lao Zhu was genuinely good to his relatives and old friends.

Upon understanding, Zhu Xiong Ying quickly bowed to Tang He and expressed her gratitude: "I'll be relying on Grandpa Tang for the next while!"

Tang He was extremely flustered. He stole a glance at the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, and a bitter taste in his mouth. He said solemnly, "Your Highness, you flatter this old minister! Serving you is my duty, how can you say it's hard work!"

He finished speaking.

The old friends chatted for a while longer.

When Tang He stepped out of the warm pavilion and looked back at the magnificent palace behind him, he felt his clothes were soaked and his legs felt weak.

Since Chongba became the emperor, the pressure he exuded has grown heavier and heavier, making it hard for people to breathe!

A ruler is a ruler, and a subject is a subject.

They're no longer the same friends who herded cattle together!

Liao Yongzhong, Zhu Liangzu, Wang Guangyang, Hu Weiyong, Hu Mei, and others who had followed him all the way have mostly been executed. It is unknown when it will be Tang Dingchen's turn.

"Your Grandpa Tang was a good man! He was from the same village as us, and three years older than us. He joined the Red Turban Army first, and when he learned that we were having a hard time in the temple, he wrote a letter to persuade us to join the army..."

"If it weren't for him, there would be no us today! No Ming Dynasty today!"

"But then again, your Grandpa Tang also has the flaws of an ordinary person. For example, many years ago, he was a heavy drinker and couldn't control his cravings, but these are just minor transgressions!"

"We should spend more time with our eldest grandson and help him remember the kindness we received!"

I watched my friend Tang leave.

He was worried that his eldest grandson was too young to understand his intentions.

Zhu Yuanzhang pulled his beloved grandson into his arms and reminisced about the past.

He knew Old Zhu's thoughts perfectly.

Zhu Xiong Ying replied readily, "Grandfather, rest assured, I remember everything!"

"We will never forget Grandpa Tang's kindness to our Zhu family..."

"Good! Our eldest grandson is the most sensible!"

After offering a few words of praise, Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "As for the school you want to build and the workshops for artisans, your father said the funds will be provided by the Crown Prince... If anything is still lacking, remember to let us know!"

With Lao Zhu's words, it's like having a guarantee.

Zhu Xiong Ying went around to the back and earnestly patted his back, saying, "Grandson thanks His Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang squinted slightly, enjoying the moment, and said, "By the way, those scholars our grandson took a liking to last time, your imperial grandfather has been sending people to keep an eye on them for you these past few days!"

"Ding Xian, Lian Zining, Huang Zicheng, Wang Pu, Jian Yi, Zheng Ci, Deng Wenkeng, Hou Yong... these people are all quite good!"

"Apart from the top three graduates who are already in office, our eldest grandson can select a few of the rest to help manage..."

Upon hearing this, one can only feel that Old Zhu is incredibly meticulous and has considered everything so thoroughly.

But they soon realized something was wrong.

Why are some of the names different from the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinations that he saw?

Suddenly I remembered Old Zhu's preferences.

Zhu Xiong Ying blinked and cleared his throat, saying, "Grandpa, I've never heard of Wang Pu and Jian Yi before..."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "My grandson doesn't know, but I thought the character 'Quan' in 'Wang Quan' sounded unpleasant, so after we summoned him a month ago, I specially changed his name to 'Wang Pu'!"

"As for Jian Yi, whose original name was Rong, he was an honest man, so we changed his name to Yi. Qi Tai was originally named Qi De, but seeing his frankness and prudence, we changed De to Tai..."

In fact, over the years, Old Zhu has not only been keen on changing the names of his officials.

Furthermore, after establishing their business empire, they also devised official names for their family members.

For example, he changed his own name to Zhu Yuanzhang and named his father Zhu Wusi Zhu Shizhen.

The reason for this was that during the Yuan Dynasty, a four-class system was implemented.

The regulations stipulated that "commoners without official positions are not allowed to have names; their names shall be determined by their birth order and the combined age of their parents."

From this perspective, Zhu Yuanzhang re-established the Han dynasty, reorganized China, achieved internal integration, and rebuilt systems such as etiquette.

It enables everyone to stand tall and be an upright person.

The contribution is truly immense!

Zhu Xiong Ying pretended to think for a moment, and then made a decision.

"Grandfather, if I really had to choose, I would say Wang Pu, Jian Yi, Hou Yong, and Deng Wenkeng—these four would suffice!"