The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 97 The Zhu Family's Debts

The next day, in the imperial city.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion of the Huagai Hall.

After the morning court session, Zhu Yuanzhang, as usual, moved to this location to handle daily court affairs.

Thinking of the situation in the southwest, he was planning to find his eldest son, Zhu Biao, to inquire about the details of the preparations for war.

Suddenly, a palace attendant entered and said that a courtier was requesting an audience.

Old Zhu paused for a moment when he heard the name.

"Tao Chengdao?"

After realizing what was happening, he raised his eyes, stroked his beard, and laughed, "That old fellow! He's been retired for over ten years, and we've tried to invite him to the palace for a chat during holidays, but we couldn't get him to come. Today he actually came on his own initiative! Quickly, let him in!"

After Zhu Yuanzhang became the emperor, like other ancient emperors, he was suspicious by nature.

He harbored suspicion towards many veteran officials, such as Li Shanchang, who was executed last year!

Tao Chengdao was the only exception.

This person was pure and simple, obsessed only with the research and development of firearms, and had absolutely no interest in factional struggles for power!

Even while serving as an official, he never sought personal gain, nor did he form any cliques.

Such a pure and innocent heart naturally earned the emperor's deep trust!

However, a short while later, Tao Chengdao, with his white hair and beard, arrived, guided by a palace attendant.

Upon seeing the emperor, Tao Chengdao, as always, performed a grand salute and prostrated himself, saying, "This old minister pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling the eunuchs to come forward and help him up. With a sigh in his eyes, he said, "Chengdao, please rise! Please take a seat! Usually, you enjoy your retirement at home, and we wouldn't want to bother you with trivial matters. Why did you agree to come to the palace to see us today?"

He looked at his old friend who was twenty years older than him.

Old Zhu was very approachable and started chatting about everyday things without even realizing it.

After rising, Tao Chengdao sat down in a chair, leaning slightly forward. His words, filled with admiration and respect, were earnest as he said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty!"

"This old minister has come to see you today for two reasons: first, to pay my respects to Your Majesty and to thank you for your unwavering kindness and generosity towards this old minister and the Tao family over the past ten years!"

"Secondly, after hearing my son Jingchu's words, I am deeply moved and restless. There are some things I must discuss with His Majesty in person!"

These words immediately piqued Zhu Yuanzhang's interest.

If he remembered correctly, this old friend's youngest son, Tao Jingchu, should be working at Zhongshan Academy, which is led by his eldest grandson!

As for the other sons of the Tao family, most of them followed in their fathers' footsteps and served as officials in the Ordnance Bureau and the Ministry of Works.

Could it be related to our eldest grandson?

Left and right, good grandson is a man who can't sit still.

Old Zhu immediately thought of this.

Tao Chengdao was unaware that the emperor at his desk had already figured out most of it.

He stroked his long beard and said in detail, "Your Majesty, as you know, thanks to the Crown Prince's recommendation, my son is now working at the university, in charge of firearms operations!"

"Just yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince personally inspected the firearms workshop and had a long talk with my son for more than an hour."

"After Jingchu returned to the manor, he was extremely excited and told the old minister about some of the matters."

Tao Chengdao spoke excitedly and very quickly, briefly describing the improvement methods for fire-fighting equipment.

"Upon hearing this, this old minister was utterly astonished, considering him a genius!"

"This old minister has devoted his entire life to firearms, yet he never imagined these tricks. The eldest grandson of the emperor, at such a young age, possesses such a pragmatic and worldly-wise vision, and such a heart for protecting the country and ensuring its peace. This is truly a great blessing for the Ming Dynasty and for all the people under heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately remembered.

At the beginning of the month, our eldest grandson seemed to have mentioned a strategy for improving military equipment.

At that time, however, he was focusing all his attention on preparations for the northern expedition and the local anti-corruption efforts that had been underway since the previous year.

I didn't pay much attention or think about it carefully!

After all, without decades of accumulation, how can one improve upon the shortcomings of these skills?

The fact that the Holy Grandson could make Tao Chengdao bow down to him clearly shows that he got everything right.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "I've always known you to be a prophet, and you only recognize the truth!"

"When it comes to firearms, no one else can compare."

When Old Zhu got into a good mood, he didn't hold back his sarcastic remarks.

They reminisced about their experiences fighting side by side back then.

Tao Chengdao, disliking beating around the bush, rose and bowed, saying directly, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"This old minister has been retired for over ten years, enjoying Your Majesty's favor and living a life of luxury. I had no intention of bothering with court affairs. But after seeing the strategies spoken by the Crown Prince, this old minister's dormant heart has instantly come alive again!!"

"Although I am now over seventy years old, I am still strong and healthy. My eyesight is not poor and my hands do not tremble. I can still do some work by the forge."

"I only wish to dedicate myself to improving the firearms of the Ming Dynasty once again."

I noticed that Tao Chengdao's old eyes were bright and his spirits were high.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused in stroking his beard, then smiled and asked, "I've heard that in recent years, Chengdao, you've been using the 'fire dragon emerging from the water' technique to research the art of flight. If this matter is delayed because of this, will you still continue?"

But the emperor was fully aware of everything he did.

Tao Chengdao was not surprised. He straightened his back and replied frankly, "Your Majesty!"

"If we could borrow the methods of the eldest grandson of the emperor, we could try to improve the various firearms of our great Ming Dynasty."

"This old minister will certainly continue to try, to go to the heavens and take a look on behalf of Your Majesty—"

That said, even as an emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang was still very curious about what was in the sky.

For this reason, under the surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Tao Chengdao's trip was not stopped!

Old Zhu praised, "After all these years, Chengdao, your personality is still the same as before, just like when we first met you—full of fighting spirit and never giving up!"

"As for what you just said, we approve! Just the other day, our eldest grandson was praising you highly and wanted to meet you—but remember your health is the most important thing, don't overwork yourself! Leave the trivial matters to the subordinates!"

"This old minister thanks Your Majesty!"

That afternoon.

When Zhu Xiong Ying passed by Hua Gai Hall, he learned from Old Zhu that Tao Cheng Dao had come out of seclusion.

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He couldn't be happier to get Old Tao, the master of firearms, to step forward!

As long as you follow the correct path he provides, and you have the practical skills of Lao Tao and Xiao Tao.

Why worry that one day we cannot take the Ming Dynasty's firearms technology to a whole new level?

Seeing that Zhu Xiong Ying had many things to do, Zhu Xiong Ying reported that he would leave the palace the day after tomorrow to meet Luo Guanzhong and others.

Permission was granted.

He was just about to slip away when he was stopped again!

Zhu Yuanzhang put down his vermilion pen, stroked his beard, and said, "Our eldest grandson should know that the roots of our Zhu family are in Fengyang—"

Old Zhu paused for a moment after saying this.

Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes flickered, sensing something amiss. He tilted his head back and nodded, saying, "Grandson certainly understands!"

"Fengyang is the place where my grandfather rose to power, and it contains the imperial tombs of my great-grandfather and great-grandmother, as well as the ancestral tombs of my great-great-grandfathers —"

"Last year, my grandfather told me that during the plague, many people in our family died. Fortunately, our neighbors helped us, and Grandpa Liu Jizu gave us land, which allowed us to bury my great-grandfather and the others! Our Zhu family owes a lot of debts of gratitude—"

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