The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

But now.

It's not worth killing Lan Chen for a little money...

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed softly, rubbing his forehead.

"Alright, alright, we'll give you more banknotes."

The value of the paper money has decreased, but it is not worthless.

If one is worthless, then just give us a few more.

Lan Chen naturally knew when to stop.

One banknote is worthless, but a hundred banknotes are still valuable.

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately shouted, "Bring up the water basin!"

Wang Sancai carried a basin of water and a silver needle to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the silver needle and pricked it into his thumb.

Despite the stinging sensation, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't even flinch as he squeezed the blood into the basin.

About four drops of blood were dripped.

Zhu Yuanzhang then withdrew his fingers.

That should be enough.

After dripping the blood, Lan Chen took the basin of water with blood streaks and drew talismans on the ground.

While waiting, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly felt dizzy.

He supported himself on the table with his left hand and held his forehead with his right.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Huan quickly stepped forward: "Your Majesty!? Should we go and summon Dai Sigong?"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand.

"No need, I'm just a little tired, it should be fine."

I stayed up all night, and I've also lost some blood these past few days, though not much.

But for an elderly person over fifty, it does have some impact.

Fortunately, after a while, the dizziness gradually subsided.

When Zhu Yuanzhang looked up again, Lan Chen had already finished drawing the talisman.

A familiar ship, enveloped in a pale blue mist, slowly drifted into the study.

Jiang Huan brought over wooden steps.

Lan Chen boarded the ship.

Zhu Yuanzhang said to Jiang Huan, "Jiang Huan, you come along too."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan also boarded the ship.

Then Lan Chen maneuvered the boat, slowly drifting away from the study and disappearing through the doorway.

Next, all we need to do is wait for Lan Chen to return with his father.

Four drops of blood can probably last for a day.

While waiting for Zhu Wusi to arrive, Zhu Yuanzhang was not idle.

"Wang Sancai".

"This servant is here."

"Is the imperial kitchen's meal preparation complete?"

"Your Majesty, everything is ready. The food can be served as soon as the stove is opened," Wang Sancai replied with a bow.

"As usual, it mainly consists of shrimp, goose, lamb, chicken, and fish."

"Served with fragrant rice."

"The soups include garlic and vinegar blood soup, shredded goose and vermicelli soup, three-delicacy soup, garlic cheese, bean soup, and tea."

Wang Sancai presented the menu with both hands.

Zhu Yuanzhang took it, glanced at it, and then put it aside.

I wonder if Dad will be able to get used to these foods.

Immediately afterwards, Zhu Yuanzhang had Wang Sancai bring over a bronze mirror.

He stood in front of the bronze mirror, examining his reflection in the dragon robe.

"She's gotten a bit old and ugly."

There was still a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

He looked very listless.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Wang Sancai, "Go and fetch us some ice water."

Wang Sancai nodded and turned to leave the study.

Because the palace well was not far from the emperor's study.

The water in the well is cold even without ice.

A moment later, Wang Sancai brought over a basin of ice-cold well water.

Zhu Yuanzhang plunged straight in, the cold water seeping through his facial pores.

A cool sensation seeped into my mind, and my fatigue dissipated considerably. Perhaps this could only temporarily maintain my mental state.

But Zhu Yuanzhang still hoped that he could be in the best possible condition to welcome his father's arrival.

……

The third year of Zhiyuan.

The boat, carrying a thin, bluish mist, slowly came to a stop on the country road.

With the help of Jiang Huan.

Lan Chen stepped onto this muddy ground once again.

Fortunately, it wasn't a rainy day.

Otherwise, on muddy ground after rain, it's really hard to even stand up.

The key issue is that I'm already injured; if I fall, it will only worsen my injury.

Just then.

Lan Chen and Jiang Huan suddenly froze on the spot.

The two looked at each other, as if they had realized something.

"Um...do you know the way?"

Jiang Huan remained silent: "I only remember some scenes."

Lan Chen scratched his head: "Aren't you a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Logically, you should have a very good memory, right?"

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard is involved in many areas, but that doesn't mean we can do everything."

He is skilled in interrogation and investigation.

Having a good memory and being able to memorize routes in one go is something that only skilled bodyguards like the Embroidered Uniform Guards are good at tracking.

Lan Chen was injured, and the operation of the ship had also taken a toll on his strength.

Jiang Huan was also worried about leaving Lan Chen alone here.

The two could only wait.

I hope someone will pass by and ask for directions to Zhu Wusi's house.

……

One hour later.

In the study.

Because Lan Chen and Jiang Huan were late in arriving, drowsiness overwhelmed Zhu Yuanzhang, and he leaned against his desk and closed his eyes.

Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep.

I slept for about a few minutes.

A sound came from the study.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly awoke with a start: "Father?!"

When he looked up, he heard Wang Sancai's footsteps.

There was a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

After rubbing his temples, he asked, "How much time has passed?"

Wang Sancai reported, "Your Majesty, an hour has passed."

It's almost noon.

To combat his drowsiness, Zhu Yuanzhang stood up and walked around.

He couldn't help but frown: "That's strange, an hour has passed, why haven't they returned yet?"

"Could something have happened?"

An hour should be enough time to bring his father back.

But he has yet to return.

Either Lan Chen is up to something again, or... something has happened.

Zhu Yuanzhang was anxious but helpless.

All I can do is pray that everything goes well.

……

at the same time.

On Lan Chen's side.

The two waited by the roadside for an hour, but didn't see a single person.

I wonder if it's because the location is too remote.

So not many people pass by.

Jiang Huan paced back and forth: "Waiting like this isn't a solution."

"Shall I carry you on my back?"

Lan Chen sat by the roadside, looking up at Jiang Huan.

"Do you know the way? Don't go to other villages, you'll only go further and further away."

Using bloodlines as an anchor point for traversal.

Therefore, this place is not too far from Zhu Wusi's location.

Wandering aimlessly when you don't know the way.

It's highly likely they'll drift further and further apart.

Rather than doing that, we might as well wait here.

The people in this village definitely know Zhu Wusi from this village.

But if we go to other places, we might not recognize each other.

"Wait a little longer, no rush, someone will pass by eventually."

Since there's a road here, it means that people will pass through here.

It was just bad luck that no one passed by.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan didn't say anything more.

Fortunately, hard work pays off.

After waiting for a full hour and a half, or three hours.

Finally, villagers began to pass by this road.

the most important is.

This person was actually Zhu Yuanzhang's elder brother, Zhu Chongliu.

Although they can't remember the way.

But they still remember people's faces.

"Zhu Chongliu!"

Zhu Chongliu looked up at the sound, somewhat surprised: "Didn't you leave?"

Zhu Chongliu naturally remembered the two people in front of him.

After all, the first time he had eaten meat since the famine years was when the two people in front of him treated him.

Looking at the two young men before him, Zhu Chongliu asked, "What are you doing here? Where is that old man?"