The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

As dusk settles, the city lights begin to twinkle.

Inside a side hall of Kunning Palace.

After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, he glanced at his eldest grandson standing beside him and, seeing his absent-minded expression, casually asked, "Is our eldest grandson perhaps feeling unwell?"

Empress Ma also noticed that her beloved grandson, who was massaging her back, had slowed down his movements. She then pulled him into her arms and asked, "Are you a little tired from studying at the main hall today?"

I saw the concern of my two closest relatives.

Zhu Xiong Ying composed herself and said, "Thank you for your concern, Grandfather and Grandmother!"

"Grandson isn't tired, but I was just thinking about the letter I wrote to Uncle Mu a few months ago when I heard Grandfather talking about court affairs. Why haven't I received a reply yet?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang knew that his eldest grandson was still thinking about that open-pit mine.

Using this as an excuse, I wanted to test his words!

Just a few days earlier, he received a memorial from his adopted son, Mu Ying, detailing the investigation conducted over the past two months.

It must be acknowledged that Hao Dasun was not wrong; Yunnan is indeed rich in various minerals, enough to serve as part of the imperial reserves!

Before Zhu could speak, Empress Ma laughed and said, "Your Uncle Mu is very busy every day dealing with the mess in the southwest!"

"In addition, the two places are far apart, so a round trip will take quite some time, won't it?"

"That's possible, it might arrive in a couple of days..."

He glanced at his eldest grandson, whose eyes were gleaming.

Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "My dear sister, you don't know, but our grandson isn't just waiting for his uncle's reply. He's trying to subtly inquire about something!"

Old Zhu stroked his beard and said, "Since Grandson wants to know, we won't hide it from you. Your Uncle Mu just sent an urgent report from Yunnan the day before yesterday, mentioning the mineral exploration!"

"But the situation is critical; these mines cannot be developed yet..."

"We'll talk about it when we need it in the future!"

On this matter.

Empress Ma already knew the inside story.

Seeing that her beloved grandson still wanted to say something, she looked at him with loving eyes, clapped her little hands, and said, "Xiong Ying, you have to listen to your royal grandfather on this! You can't rush it!"

"Do you remember what I said last time...?"

Zhu Xiong Ying had not forgotten.

Even today, he had no intention of changing his grandfather's mind.

The university, along with its affiliated workshops, is almost finished.

This was simply to verify some points and lay the groundwork for future firearms plans.

Meeting Empress Ma's wise gaze, Zhu Xiong Ying said, "Grandson understands!"

"But Your Majesty, if in the future the nation urgently needs those iron and copper mines... will you lift some of the bans?"

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up his water cup, paused slightly, and casually said, "Of course!"

But once the words were spoken...

He noticed his eldest grandson's big, dark eyes were darting around.

How could he not understand that this shrewish grandson was digging a pit, just waiting for his grandfather to jump in!

Zhu Xiong Ying felt reassured and turned her head, saying, "Grandmother, did you hear what Grandfather said clearly?"

"Within three years, I will have someone make a series of powerful weapons to equip our Ming army, so that we can wreak havoc on all sides, making all the barbarian bandits on the grasslands and along the coast tremble in fear, and displaying the might of our Ming Dynasty!"

"At that time, we'll probably need a lot of iron and copper. Grandfather, you can't go back on your word..."

These few words are not so much a simple longing, but more like a declaration!

If it were in the past...

Zhu Yuanzhang would only assume that his eldest grandson was trying to make him and his sister happy.

But in the past six months, we have witnessed the smallpox vaccine and its various words and actions.

There was no longer the slightest thought of looking down on them.

Not to mention the troubles of the grasslands and the Japanese pirates.

It has always been a thorn in his side.

Old Zhu put down his water glass, pulled his grandson over, and said earnestly, "If our grandson can really develop a weapon to defeat the enemy, no matter how much copper or iron he needs, just leave it to us!"

Old Zhu is definitely going to take the big picture I'm drawing today!

This also shows that Empress Ma's words three months ago hit the nail on the head.

He would only get Lao Zhu to agree and change his mind if he offered something that aligned with his actual interests.

Going in headfirst like last time was a major mistake!

Ultimately, Zhu Yuanzhang was an unparalleled emperor with a simple materialistic tendency.

Furthermore, human affairs should be the foundation, while destiny should be secondary!

Compared to later emperors like the Jiajing and Chenghua, the use of ghosts, gods, and magic was merely a tool for governance, not a matter of superstition and blind obedience!

It is a blessing for the people of the world to have such a monarch.

Zhu Xiong Ying bowed and said, "Then, on behalf of the people and the soldiers at the front, I would like to thank Your Majesty in advance."

Side.

Seeing this scene of filial piety between grandmother and grandson, Empress Ma smiled more.

That being said, Chongba only shows so much trust and tolerance when he's with Biao'er and Xiong Ying!

This time, let's hope that Xiong Ying can bring something different to the Ming Dynasty!

When he grows up, he will share the burden for his grandfather and father!

……

Two days later.

Zhu Xiong Ying finished her studies and, with the permission of her teacher Liu Sanwu, left Dabentang early.

Thinking back on his previous thoughts, he headed straight for the East Palace.

In fact, over the years, he has lived in the inner palace and has only visited this place a handful of times.

After the death of his birth mother, Lady Chang, neither the original owner nor he had any attachment to the Eastern Palace.

Within the entire palace, it had long been the domain of Crown Princess Lü, who had absolute power, and there was no need for her to frequently come to pay her respects and observe her mood!

Speaking of Lady Lü, two months ago, she successfully gave birth to a son for Biao'er's father, Zhu Yunxuan!

This also led to the Lü family's position becoming increasingly secure.

Zhu Xiong Ying's consistent principle is "I will not offend others unless they offend me."

As long as this nominal stepmother behaves herself and does her job well, then all will be well!

But people change.

It's better to be safe than sorry.

If one day they dare to do something detrimental, I don't care how Old Zhu will deal with it if he finds out.

He definitely won't let this go!

As for his younger brother Zhu Yunwen, with him around, he can forget about sitting on the throne for the rest of his life...

"Your Highness! I've inquired, and His Highness the Crown Prince wasn't in the Wenhua Hall today; he's been in the Chunhe Hall!"

Outside Wenhua Hall.

Panting, Lai Shun descended the steps and jogged to the shade of a tree to report to the eldest grandson of the emperor.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying...

I immediately realized something was wrong!

Chunhe Hall is the main residence of the Crown Prince, where he lives daily.

However, given Biao'er's father's diligent attitude, over the years, all matters, large and small, have generally been discussed and decided together with ministers and officials in the Wenhua Hall.

Especially since March, he has been presiding over the Guo Huan case, staying up all night and working tirelessly, and no amount of persuasion could dissuade him.

Every two or three days, he would ask the imperial kitchen to cook a bowl of chicken soup for his adoptive father, worried that he might not get enough nutrition and something bad might happen...

In the past two years, he has only been able to govern from his bedside in his palace when he is unwell.

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned, then stepped forward and said, "Let's go! Come with me to Chunhe Hall!"

"yes!"

To everyone's surprise, after passing through two gates and just as they were about to reach the steps of the Chunhe Hall, they were stopped by several unfamiliar eunuchs.

"Her Majesty the Crown Princess has decreed that no one may enter without being summoned!"