The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

The candlelight flickered.

But her husband's voice sounded somewhat faint.

Empress Ma was worried about her beloved son, but she also knew that matters of state were of paramount importance.

She hesitated for a moment, which was taken as tacit agreement, and then suddenly asked, "Did Xiong Ying know that the smallpox vaccine was largely due to his idea?"

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "My sister doesn't know. If we told my grandson about this, he would definitely insist on going along!"

At this point, Old Zhu changed the subject, stroking his beard, and said, "After our eldest grandson returned to the palace, did he tell you about those things, sister?"

Seeing his wife nod, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty sighed and said with concern, "After his grandson suffered a serious illness years ago, he seemed to have been reborn and has grown up very quickly!"

"But the more things seem like this, the more worried we become, to be honest!"

"Especially those strange and unusual ideas, although their initial intentions are good, there's a clear gap between them and our own considerations!"

"How could a child as young as Da Sun understand these things?"

"At first we suspected that someone was secretly proselytizing, but after the Embroidered Uniform Guard's investigation in recent days, we have not found any clues."

"From this perspective, our eldest grandson is indeed clever, truly clever, but he's taken the wrong path..."

From joining the righteous army back then to becoming the ruler of the Ming Dynasty today.

Apart from Crown Prince Zhu Biao and his eldest grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, Zhu Yuanzhang rarely personally taught his other sons and grandsons.

He noticed the subtle changes in his eldest grandson and was deeply worried.

Empress Ma glanced sideways and said, "If that's the case, why did you agree to Xiong Ying's request to set up a school and establish a workshop for artisans...?"

"Could it be that by observing his methods of employing and handling people, he could discover more problems and help correct them?"

His wife immediately revealed the secret.

Zhu Yuanzhang readily admitted, "We do indeed have this plan!"

"Today, we informed Dingchen to assist in the management. Furthermore, when the eldest grandson left this afternoon, we also granted him permission to leave the palace once every ten days to inspect the projects..."

Unexpectedly, Empress Ma's next words left Emperor Zhu stunned, unable to react for a long time, and even doubting that he had heard correctly.

"Yes, I understand Chongba's intention!"

"Since you also acknowledge that Xiong Ying is intelligent, possesses a clever and insightful mind, and is able to comprehend principles that ordinary people cannot conceive of, he is truly a prodigy..."

"Do you think that in some things, U.A. might not have been wrong, and of course, you weren't wrong either..."

Thinking back to his grandson's previous words and actions.

Empress Ma, with her keen intellect, unconsciously raised this question.

More than a decade has passed.

Although she did not concern herself with the affairs of the outer court, the palace was not completely airtight.

In many cases, even if the husband doesn't say it, the news will still reach his ears.

Deep down, they opposed Zhu's "exclusive use of punishment, imposing on the innocent, and disturbing and imprisoning the people."

Therefore, she repeatedly advised her enraged husband, saving Song Lian, Guo Jingxiang, Li Wenzhong, and many other innocent people.

These words were spoken only after careful consideration!

On ordinary days.

As the ruler of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang did not believe he had done anything wrong!

I feel that everything we do is for the benefit of all people, and everyone should understand and carry it out without hesitation.

Now, Empress Ma's words surprised him greatly.

A moment later, she saw her husband's expression turn serious.

Empress Ma shook her head, letting the matter drop and lightly dismissing it, saying, "I just said that because it came to mind, Chongba, don't take it to heart!"

"In a month and a half, it will be Bao'er's birthday. From the time of the Haozhou uprising, this child has been loyal and brave, making outstanding contributions to the Ming Dynasty!"

"I was thinking of having Xiong Ying go and celebrate his uncle's birthday!"

Empress Ma had always taken good care of her nephew Li Wenzhong and her adopted son Mu Ying.

This statement is less of a discussion and more of a decision!

In royal family affairs, the wife has the final say.

In addition, after regaining his senses.

Thinking back on those things, including my second sister, Zhu Funu.

Yu felt somewhat guilty towards his nephew.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Yes, I'll have the Imperial Treasury select some gifts to prepare... It just so happens that my eldest grandson and my nephew are a perfect match!"

……

The following day, at the Eastern Palace.

After summoning his officials and giving them instructions, Zhu Biao, accompanied by his relatives and friends such as Chang Mao and Xu Yungong, as well as some civil and military officials, and Dai Sigong, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy, and others, set off for Taiping Prefecture, a hundred miles away.

Traveling by Yangtze River, including stops along the way, it only took two days to reach the destination.

After meeting with local officials, Zhu Biao explained his purpose and immediately began setting up tents around the villages in the epidemic area.

The next day, he gathered all the people who had not been infected together.

Dressed in a plain-colored round-necked robe, he walked onto the high platform and announced loudly: "The current emperor was born into a farming family in Huaixi. In the past, a great plague killed almost all of his close relatives!"

"Thus, the royal family and the common people alike felt the pain of smallpox!"

"Thanks to the Emperor's benevolent virtue of cherishing life, and moved by Heaven's grace, the method of smallpox vaccination has been bestowed upon us. After vaccination, one will be free from this disease for life..."

"I am willing to get vaccinated along with everyone. Each person vaccinated will receive a bag of millet... Let's begin!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone.

First came Crown Prince Zhu Biao, then Chang Mao and other relatives, and then officials at all levels.

Seeing this, and seeing that there was food to be had, many people began to try it.

On the second day, the third day, the fourth day...

Ten days have passed in the blink of an eye.

I watched as all the people who had been vaccinated rested in the tent, experiencing only mild itching, pain, and redness, with no other discomfort.

Even those who succeeded and rushed back to their villages to take care of their relatives did not get infected.

As this "miracle" spread, more and more people were willing to get vaccinated!

Early May.

On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Zhu Biao then returned to Yingtian Prefecture and went to the palace to report back.

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the throne in the main seat, while Xu Da and other important officials were seated on tables on either side.

Zhu Biao stood to the left, his arms exposed.

"Father, you are wise!"

"This is the smallpox vaccination I performed in the epidemic area of ​​Taiping Prefecture; it has now successfully scabbed over!"

"During this period, there were only slight itching and small rashes, no fever, and no ulceration. Furthermore, an examination by the imperial physician confirmed that the inoculation was successful!"

"The same was true for Zheng Guogong Changmao and the many common people who accompanied them!"

"More importantly, none of the people from the villages where smallpox was inoculated contracted the disease when they returned home and interacted with smallpox patients!"

"Now, the effects are evident; even local epidemics have stopped spreading..."

Call ~

Inside the hall.

Upon hearing this news, the ministers glanced up silently and all gasped in shock.

I initially thought the news that had been coming from Taiping Prefecture for the past ten days was fake!

But the facts are undeniable, leaving them no choice but to believe them!

Furthermore, just as the grain theft case was causing widespread discontent across the land, the emperor brought out this trump card, a truly opportune moment!

If it was done intentionally.

Then weren't these officials always being manipulated?

At a time when many people felt a chill in their hearts and were filled with fear.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced around and slowly said, "The success of this smallpox vaccine is all thanks to the method devised by our eldest grandson. Everyone in the world should remember his kindness!"