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

Over the years, quite a few people have died suddenly while practicing Taoism and alchemy.

His own son, the Prince of Lu, was one of them.

Jingzhou is a place where Taoism flourished.

Many people practice Taoism by consuming elixirs, and naturally, many are also poisoned by these elixirs.

Perhaps the doctors in Jingzhou will have a solution.

After some thought, Zhu Yuanzhang went to his desk and wrote a letter to Zhu Bai, the Prince of Xiang, who was far away in Jingzhou.

The letter essentially instructed Zhu Bai to find a doctor in Jingzhou who could treat erysipelas.

……

evening.

As the sun set, Lan Chen lay in the courtyard, waiting for Jiang Huan to return.

Shortly after, Jiang Huan pushed open the door and entered.

Ms. Chen stepped forward to greet them.

Lan Chen also sat up.

"You're back? There's something I'd like you to do for me."

Jiang Huan took off her clothes and listened to what Lan Chen had to say.

"What is it?"

"Can your Embroidered Uniform Guard investigate household registrations? I'm looking for someone."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan pondered for a moment.

She didn't immediately agree: "Let me take a shower first."

After saying that, Jiang Huan went into the bathroom.

Lan Chen stood at the door and said, "You can wash your things; it won't stop us from talking."

Although Jiang Huan was somewhat helpless, she still responded.

"Who should I look for?"

"The family of doctors in Shanghang, Fujian, is surnamed Li."

Silence fell over the air.

Seeing that Lan Chen didn't continue, Jiang Huan frowned: "That's it?"

Lan Chen nodded: "That's all, that's all."

The key issue is that I don't know any other information.

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Huan, still fully clothed, pushed open the door and exclaimed, "Are you kidding me?!"

"Although Shanghang is only one county with a dozen or so medical households, the Li surname is the most common."

"How can I be sure who you're looking for if you don't give me a name?"

If it's a relatively rare surname, it's not difficult to find it using just this information.

After all, there aren't many households in a county; in more developed areas, there are probably around thirty.

In a slightly poorer and more remote area, there are five or six households.

Shanghang County has a medium-sized population, with about a dozen medical households.

Of these dozen or so households, two or three are probably surnamed Li.

"I'm not sure who I'm looking for either."

Jiang Huan remained silent and slammed the door shut.

Just as Lan Chen thought Jiang Huan was going to refuse, a voice came from inside the room.

"Although we, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, have intelligence, household registration is not under our jurisdiction."

"To access the records, His Majesty's permission is required. Once permission is granted, one may proceed to the Yellow Register Archives in Houhu to make inquiries."

The household registration system had an original copy at the central government level, while local governments had copies.

Starting from the fourteenth year of the Hongwu reign, the Yellow Registers were updated every ten years.

Four volumes were created in total: one yellow volume for the central government and three blue volumes for the provinces, prefectures, and counties.

When was the Yellow Register last updated?

"The twenty-fourth year of Hongwu."

Lan Chen seemed to be deep in thought.

It's only been two years since the last update, so it's not a very outdated version.

We should be able to find Li Shizhen's ancestors.

It seems I'll have to go to the palace again tomorrow to see the emperor.

……

The next day.

evening.

After finishing his day's court assembly, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to his study.

They hadn't even warmed their seats on the dragon throne yet.

Then Wang Sancai announced, "Your Majesty, Lan Chen has arrived."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "It's already evening, what's the point of going to the palace?"

"According to Commander Jiang, it seems they are going to check household registrations."

Household registration?

Why are they checking my household registration for no reason?

With his doubts in mind, Zhu Yuanzhang met with Lan Chen.

"Your humble servant Lan Chen pays his respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his forehead and said bluntly, "Get up. I heard from Jiang Huan that you want to check the household registration?"

"Yes."

"Why are you checking household registration records?"

"Looking for someone."

"Who should I look for?"

"have no idea."

After a brief silence, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up: "Are you going to leave on your own, or should we scold you a couple of times before you leave?"

Lan Chen coughed lightly.

"Your Majesty, I am truly not joking with you."

"Really? I'm not kidding you."

At least you need a name to find someone.

He had never heard of searching for someone without a name.

Lan Chen quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I truly do not know this person's name, but I do know the names of his descendants."

"The reason I'm seeking help is to resolve the poison in my body."

Hearing this explanation, Zhu Yuanzhang finally regained his composure.

"You mean you want to find someone from the future to treat your erysipelas?"

Lan Chen nodded: "Yes, this person is named Li Shizhen. His medical skills are superb, comparable to those of Bian Que and Zhang Zhongjing."

"In fact, it's even worse."

"This person can not only help me cure erysipelas, but also diagnose Your Majesty's illnesses and prolong your life."

"We're not sick."

"His Majesty is ill."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he felt that the boy was insulting him.

"If you say I'm sick again, I'll kill you."

"Your Majesty, you're sick."

This statement left Zhu Yuanzhang completely bewildered.

"What dialect is this? We can't understand it."

Lan Chen coughed lightly: "It's the language of the Western Regions."

Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat surprised.

Lan Chen, that kid, isn't just staying at home cultivating Taoism; he rarely even leaves Yingtian Prefecture, yet he can even speak the language of the Western Regions.

"What do you mean by that?"

May you live a long and healthy life.

Something felt off, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and looked at Lan Chen.

Could this kid be secretly cursing me?

Lan Chen immediately continued, "In short, finding Li Shizhen will not only cure my poison, but perhaps... Your Majesty's life can also be extended by a few years."

"Living to the thirty-fifth year of the Hongwu reign may not be a dream."

After Zhu Biao passed away.

Zhu Yuanzhang fell seriously ill in the winter as a result, though he did not die.

However, his physical condition continued to deteriorate.

This is also why Zhu Yuanzhang was in a hurry to launch the Lan Yu case.

If he hadn't wanted to pave the way for Zhu Yunwen, he would have collapsed last winter.

Did he live to see the 35th year of the Hongwu reign?

He was granted a four-year extension of his lifespan.

If I really have this ability, then perhaps I will have more time.

It won't be too rushed.

That would kill two birds with one stone.

"We approve."

"I'll leave this matter to Jiang Huan. You should rest well these next few days."

"After I've recovered, I plan to go see my sister and Biao'er."

Lan Chen nodded: "Yes."

After saying this, Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes.

Get ready to take a break.

But whenever I close my eyes, the tragic image of my father and mother starving to death always echoes in my mind.

That scene haunted him, preventing him from sleeping.

Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to open his eyes, only to find that Lan Chen had not left yet.

"Why are you still here?"

As if sensing Lan Chen's intention, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "The palace doesn't provide meals."

"Your Majesty has so many dishes, one more won't make a difference, will it?"

They certainly have thick skin.

"Officials at all levels of the imperial court have meal standards, but you don't have those standards."

Eating beyond one's rank's dietary standards will be punished if discovered.

Even the standards between herself and the Crown Prince were different.

Even if it's Zhu Biao, unless there are special circumstances, he cannot eat with him at mealtimes.

The Crown Prince's dietary standards were one level lower than those of the Emperor.

At the same time, it's also to prevent poisoning; eating them separately can avoid being poisoned by a single act.

However, Lan Chen does need to eat more meat to recover.

"Thirty strings of cash."

"Take it and get out of here."