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

"When I went to the Imperial Kitchen, I sent Cai'er to the Duke of Cao's residence."

Li Zhen's residence was very close to the palace.

When he had free time, Zhu Yuanzhang would go and chat with Li Zhen.

Now that Li Zhen has passed away, Zhu Yuanzhang has been staying at the Duke of Cao's residence for the past few days.

He helped Li Wenzhong with Li Zhen's funeral arrangements.

"When I was in the Imperial Kitchen, Cai'er came back and told me that Chongba was at the Duke of Cao's residence and had not returned to the palace."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao suddenly stood up.

My hair stood on end.

My father is still at the Duke of Cao's residence! Then who is this person before me?!

Zhu Biao stared warily at Zhu Yuanzhang in front of him.

Empress Ma's voice was slow and deliberate: "So, who are you?"

He pondered for ten breaths.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly stood up and looked at Empress Ma: "I am Zhu Yuanzhang, but not the Zhu Yuanzhang of this era."

Not this era?

Empress Ma gazed at Zhu Yuanzhang, whose temples were gray and whose face was aged.

A bold conjecture suddenly popped into my mind.

"So, you're the future Chongba?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly: "Sister, you're still as clever as ever."

With just a slight hint, one can guess.

Empress Ma looked on in disbelief, and Zhu Biao asked in surprise, "So, Father, you've learned magic?"

Only magical powers can allow someone to travel back in time.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "I don't know how, but someone else does."

"Lan Chen!"

Lan Chen was sitting on the steps outside when Jiang Huan began to vigorously pound his back.

The pancake was too dry.

Without water, it's difficult to slide down.

Seeing no movement outside, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly went outside.

Seeing that Lan Chen was choking, he quickly brought him two glasses of water to help him choke.

Then, Zhu Yuanzhang dragged Lan Chen to Empress Ma and Zhu Biao.

Empress Ma and Zhu Biao exchanged a glance.

Zhu Biao stepped forward and asked, "Father, if I'm not mistaken, Lan Chen should be Lan Yu's son, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly surprised: "You knew?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "I often hear Lan Yu complain to me that Lan Chen just stays at home all day, refining pills and cultivating Taoism."

"He's neither good at literature nor martial arts, he's a disgrace."

"I even considered severing my father-son relationship with him several times, but after I persuaded him a few times, he gave up."

No matter what, he's still my biological son.

After that, Lan Yu seemed to stop caring about Lan Chen and let him roam free.

Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally unaware of the circumstances of each meritorious official's family.

Only when you appear before him will he understand.

If it weren't for the Lan Yu case, he probably would never have known that Lan Yu had a son, Lan Chen.

But Zhu Biao is different, because Lan Chen is Lan Yu's son, and Lan Yu and Zhu Biao are very close.

Therefore, Zhu Biao was naturally aware of Lan Yu's family situation.

Zhu Biao looked at Lan Chen with curiosity.

Unexpectedly, the boy actually succeeded in his cultivation and developed a Taoist technique.

Actually, they are of the same generation and are cousins.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Biao'er, we have something to say to your mother."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao nodded and turned to look at Lan Chen: "Let's go, come with me."

Lan Chen coughed lightly.

Jiang Huan remained silent, glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang, and then stopped in front of Lan Chen.

Although Zhu Biao didn't understand the situation, he respected it.

As the three left.

Zhu Yuanzhang then said, "Before I came to see you again, I went back to when I was ten years old and met my parents."

Empress Ma instantly understood Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts.

He then joked, "Oh dear, if my in-laws knew that our Zhu Chongba would become emperor in the future, they would surely be very proud, wouldn't they?"

Be well-versed in various historical records.

She naturally knew how difficult it was for Zhu Yuanzhang to rise from a beggar monk to the supreme ruler.

Among all the founding emperors in history, none had a lower starting point than Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly: "When we first told our father, he didn't believe us."

"We specifically brought him to the Hongwu era before he believed it."

"We told him about you, and our father is extremely pleased with you as his daughter-in-law."

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang took out two eggs from his pocket.

He stuffed the eggs into Empress Ma's hand: "Sister, our father only gave us four eggs. You eat two, and we'll eat two."

Looking at the perfectly clean egg in my hand.

These eggs were taken away right after the chicken laid them.

Otherwise, if it is not removed in time, a layer of chicken droppings will be attached to the surface of the eggshell.

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke with great emotion and opened his heart, recounting the interesting things that had happened in the past few days.

Empress Ma listened silently, occasionally offering a few words of agreement.

……

The back garden.

"Are you really from the future?" Zhu Biao asked, glancing sideways.

Lan Chen, leaning on Jiang Huan's back, nodded: "Absolutely. Do you think one night of grief could age someone's skin like this?"

"That's true."

"Can you tell me what will happen in the future?" Zhu Biao asked curiously.

Lan Chen looked into Zhu Biao's inquisitive eyes.

After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Are you sure you want to know?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "Just knowing it, what's wrong with that?"

Jiang Huan, who had been silent all along, also spoke up and advised, "There are some things that it's better for His Highness the Crown Prince not to know."

The future.

For Zhu Biao, there was nothing good news.

Zhu Biao didn't seem to care: "I'm not as fragile as you think. I can accept anything."

Upon seeing this, Lan Chen immediately threw out the first bomb.

What year is it?

"The eleventh year of Hongwu."

"Yes, four years later, the eldest grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying, passed away prematurely."

As he finished speaking, Zhu Biao gradually stopped in his tracks.

Heroic.

Zhu Biao feigned composure, barely maintaining his composure: "Continue."

Although Zhu Biao did not show any signs of sadness.

But his tone betrayed Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao's tone had lost its initial cheerfulness and curiosity.

"In the same year, the Empress will also pass away due to illness."

This news struck Zhu Biao like a heavy blow.

It made his breathing rapid.

"How could this happen..."

First it was U.A., then it was the Queen Mother.

"Do you know the cause of the illness?"

Lan Chen shook his head: "This humble subject is staying at home and is unaware of the situation."

Historical records only mention Zhu Xiong Ying's death with the two characters "疾薨" (ji hong).

Zhu Biao's fists were clenched, and he felt somewhat powerless.

The most painful thing is knowing the ending but being unable to change it.

After pondering for a moment, Lan Chen said, "If Your Highness wishes to save the Crown Prince, you can start by taking precautions against smallpox."

"smallpox?"

The deaths of Zhu Xiong Ying and Empress Ma were likely caused by infectious diseases.

Smallpox was prevalent during the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, some people speculated that both Zhu Xiong Ying and Empress Ma died of smallpox.

It's reasonable, but there's not much historical evidence to back it up.

"In short, Your Highness should pay more attention to the Crown Prince."

"The Grandson's mother died young."

"Do not neglect the Crown Prince because you are busy with state affairs."

Whether it was smallpox, other diseases, or even the work of the Lü family.

If Zhu Biao had paid more attention, he might have been able to change Zhu Xiong Ying's fate of dying young.

Zhu Biao was slightly taken aback.

How come there's bad news in just a few words?

Chang also passed away.

Zhu Biao sighed softly, "Thank you, I will pay close attention."

"No need to thank me. Saving the Crown Prince is saving myself."