Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 130 Lu Ben, the father of the Lu family: The ancestral graves of the Lu family are smoking!

Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze was chilling.

In that instant, his entire aura became extremely fierce and terrifying!

Even Liu Ying, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who had long served Zhu Yuanzhang and had handled many major cases, couldn't help but change his expression at this moment.

I just felt a chill down my spine.

He was naturally aware that the emperor had a bad temper.

But never before has it given people such a frightening feeling as it does now.

It seems that what the Crown Prince's concubine did was quite serious.

It might even be said that it touched upon His Majesty's taboo.

Otherwise, the emperor would never have reacted this way.

However, Liu Ying was filled with curiosity about this.

According to reports from the secret informants stationed in the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince's concubine, Lady Lü, had not done anything excessive.

Not only is it not excessive, but it is also exceptionally virtuous.

He doted on the eldest grandson of the emperor to the core, and he was exceptionally kind and attentive to the crown prince and the pregnant crown princess, Lady Chang.

In the past two days, Lady Lü has been treating Crown Princess Chang even better.

Not only did they prepare three meals a day for the Crown Princess as before, but they also made a variety of dishes.

Now it has been increased to five meals a day.

They were incredibly dedicated and responsible.

It's flawless from every angle.

Anyone who sees this must praise her; the Crown Prince's concubine is an exceptionally good person.
It's impeccable in every aspect.

It can be said that the Crown Prince's concubines are now busy with everything inside and outside the Eastern Palace.

Without her, things would be far less chaotic than they are now, and the current order would be impossible.

Why is His Majesty reacting this way after hearing what I have reported?
This shouldn't be happening, it really shouldn't be happening!

But a moment later, an idea arose in my mind.

Could it be... that His Majesty believes that what the Crown Prince's concubine did was all an act?
Or perhaps they intend to use the act of cooking for the Crown Princess as a pretext to employ some means to harm her?

For now, that's the only way to think about it.

Otherwise, he truly couldn't understand why the emperor was reacting so strongly.

It reached a point that he absolutely did not expect.

Zhu Yuanzhang's reaction was naturally strong, after all, this had already confirmed his conjectures and deductions in some aspects.

He took his sister to see his eldest grandson, Xiong Ying, at the East Palace a few days ago, which really provoked Lady Lü.

This made Lady Lü unable to tolerate it any longer, and she wanted to take action to harm her eldest son's wife.

The number of meals has increased from three meals a day to five meals a day.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not believe that Lady Lü was not involved in this scheme.

It now seems 90% certain that Lu is a venomous snake!

In my past life, my eldest son's wife died in childbirth, and it was this wicked woman who deliberately caused trouble behind the scenes!
And this wicked woman already knew about this wicked plan.

Now, they've only been provoked by some things they've done, and couldn't hold back, so they took action prematurely.

Zhu Yuanzhang's murderous intent was hard to suppress.

However, he managed to suppress it in the end.

The reason is simple: at this point, what Lady Lü did was not enough to prove that she was plotting to harm her own eldest son's wife.

It also prevents the formation of favorable evidence to prove to one's own son, Biao'er, and to convince him that Lady Lü is indeed such a venomous snake.

Now, all he can do is continue to wait.

Let this viper, Lü, be exposed step by step, leaving behind the clear facts of her crimes.

Then I can solve it in one fell swoop.

"Good job. Keep an eye on it; we can't let our guard down on this."

Report any developments over there to me promptly.

That eunuch surnamed Lü from the Eastern Palace also needs to be kept a close eye on.

After a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang tried to calm himself down and looked at Liu Ying as he spoke.

Liu Ying immediately agreed...

After Liu Ying left, Zhu Yuanzhang tapped his fingers on the imperial desk, his expression distant and cold.

Whether Lady Lü is a human or a ghost, we'll soon find out!
In three or four months at most, the outcome will be clear.

If, at that time, it turns out that, as I suspect, Lady Lü is indeed a venomous snake.

Then I won't hold back.

Not only will Lady Lü die, but her entire family and three clans will also die.

Of course, these three clans do not include one's own family.

We can't very well have to slit our own throats and go with Lady Lü.

If possible, given Zhu Yuanzhang's deep resentment towards the Lü family, it would have been best to exterminate their entire clan.

However, compared to executing three generations of a family, executing nine generations is ultimately somewhat unrealistic.

More often than not, it's just a way to vent anger or threaten people.

So much time has passed, and we've already experienced the chaos of the late Yuan Dynasty.

Where can I check these nine clans?

The three races are more suitable.

If it can be proven that Lady Lü is a thoroughly wicked woman, eliminating her will put my mind at ease.

Moreover, both his eldest son's wife and his son Xiong Ying should be able to escape the catastrophe...

……

In Chongming, the naval headquarters for defending against Japanese pirates had undergone significant changes by this time.

The situation has long been completely under control.

The cleanup and reorganization is also underway.

Who can continue to be used, and who needs to be dismissed? Let them leave the Japanese-prepared navy and send them to the northern inland areas far from the sea to farm as ordinary people.

Everything is progressing steadily.

The connection between the Japanese navy and pirates runs deep.

It wasn't just the mid- to high-ranking officers; many of them had connections with pirates.

The same applies to many officers at the grassroots level, and even many soldiers.

With so many people involved, it's impossible to just kill them all at once.

The best way to sever their connection with the sea is to remove them from the navy, cancel all their privileges, turn them into ordinary people to farm, and send them to the northern inland areas far from the sea.

This will not only resolve the issue but also further promote prosperity in the north.

Zhu Di was in charge of the naval defense office against Japanese pirates, and he handled everything meticulously.

Having made the bold move of leading three hundred men to the meeting alone that day, and subsequently handling the matter with clear rewards and punishments and proper methods, he eliminated those incompetent middle and high-ranking members of the Japanese naval forces.

In dealing with the generals and soldiers, he was known for his clear distinction between rewards and punishments and his decisiveness in killing.

Zhu Di now enjoys a great reputation in the naval forces defending against Japanese pirates.

No one dared to underestimate this young prince.

So much so that many people are saying that the offspring of dragons are indeed the offspring of dragons, and are extraordinary.

Even though he was such a young prince, when he actually started doing things, he was so orderly and resourceful.

Zhu Di sat there, listening to the faint cries and pleas coming from outside, but remained unmoved.

These ordinary soldiers in the anti-Japanese naval force had previously followed those people to commit all sorts of evil deeds at sea.

At this point, he was relieved of his military post and sent to the north to become an ordinary farmer. He then realized his mistake.

They've learned to beg and plead!
But it was all too late!

In the present Ming Dynasty, soldiers hold a very high status.

It far exceeds that of ordinary people.

Under Zhu Yuanzhang's personal control, the soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were generally well-treated.

The issues of receiving salaries without working and withholding rations and pay are not considered serious.

In many military units, this practice has been completely eliminated.

The social status of soldiers is also extremely high.

In this situation, it's understandable that these ordinary soldiers, stripped of their military posts and reduced to farming, would react in this way.

For them, this is definitely not a happy thing.

However, Zhu Di's mind is not on this at present.

But it was at sea.

He was eager to know if Yu Tongyuan and his men would turn the tables this time, taking their ships out to sea and pretending to trade with pirates.

Did they tear off a large chunk of flesh and blood from the Fangbu pirates?

If we can manage that, we'll be able to accomplish a lot more this time.

The two pirate groups led by Chen Fang at sea were truly arrogant.

We need to carefully level them all from now on...

A day later, Yu Tongyuan and the others returned.

Upon receiving the news, Zhu Di immediately went to greet him personally...

"Your Highness, we are incompetent and have disappointed you."

Those who failed to capture the Fangbu pirates.

Those bastards were alert; sensing something was wrong, they ran away beforehand.

Yu Tongyuan knelt on one knee before Zhu Di and reported, his face full of shame.

Zhu Di helped Yu Tongyuan up.

"Lord Nan'an, there's no need for this. This matter is inherently uncertain, and we're just stirring things up."

It would be best to have a harvest, but it's normal if there is no harvest.

This wasn't originally part of our mission.

Moreover, this is not because the Marquis of Nan'an and others were incompetent.

It was the enemy's cunning that allowed them to sense something was wrong and retreat; it was not a fault of their own.

"You've worked hard, Marquis of Nan'an."

As Zhu Di spoke, he personally picked up the pot and poured a cup of water for Yu Tongyuan, inviting him to drink.

Yu Tongyuan accepted it, feeling a warm glow in his heart.

I just think this Prince Yan is quite something.

Not only are they brave and resourceful, but their way of handling things is also particularly admirable.

He has a strong charisma that makes people unconsciously want to work hard for him.

"Let these people enjoy their freedom for a while longer."

We will eventually wipe them out here!

Whether it's the Chen clan's pirates or the Fang clan's pirates, they are all destined to die!

After committing so many atrocities at sea for so many years, it's time to take them down!

"We'll do what Wu Zhen dares not do, and is unwilling to do!"

Zhu Di looked at Yu Tongyuan, his voice carrying a hint of pride.

Yu Tongyuan immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said that he would definitely clear the sea.

"Lord Nan'an, now that things have come to this, I will no longer hide anything."

Some things can be said to the Marquis of Nan'an in advance, so that the Marquis of Nan'an has a general idea.

When my father was in Zhongdu, the Marquis of Nan'an and others escorted Prince Ming to see my father.

My father said he would give your Chaohu Navy a way out, a way to live well without having to resort to illegal activities like smuggling salt.

My father did not explain this to you at the time.

I'll just say the timing isn't right; when the time is right, you'll find out.

Now, let me speak to you on behalf of my father.

Zhu Di looked at Yu Tongyuan and spoke earnestly.

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, Yu Tongyuan immediately tried to kneel on one knee, but Zhu Di reached out and helped him up.

Let him not have to do that.

"I suppose I don't need to say anything; given the intelligence of the Marquis of Nan'an, he should have already guessed quite a bit."

That's right, my father intends to abolish the maritime ban and re-establish the Maritime Trade Office.

With the government taking the lead, foreign trade began.

We must wrest this lucrative maritime trade, this particularly profitable territory, back from the hands of those treacherous officials, unscrupulous merchants, and pirates.

Maritime trade is an extremely lucrative business, and one of the most important conditions for running it well is to have a particularly powerful navy to protect and escort it.

And this navy was the Chaohu Naval Force!

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, Yu Tongyuan became excited.

Although in the past few days, following Zhu Di here, he used swift and decisive methods to subdue the Japanese naval forces, and there were already some speculations about his intention to take the opportunity to deal a heavy blow to the Fang tribe pirates.

But that was ultimately just speculation.

Now that he had received such a clear answer from Zhu Di, all his worries and anxieties vanished, leaving only endless joy.

Previously, he may not have had such a deep understanding of maritime trade.

But now, after a period of contact recently.

Only now do I realize just how lucrative the maritime trade business really is!

In the future, their Chaohu naval force will be transformed into the Ming Dynasty navy to protect and escort the normal operation of merchant fleets.

Their treatment will certainly not be too bad.

The one in power truly kept his word and did not deceive us!
They really did provide such a good way out.

This is the best home for the Chaohu Navy!
He couldn't help but think of Liao Erge.

If only Brother Liao had been less resentful and could have lived until now, how wonderful that would have been?
There's no need to risk taking them to smuggle salt for everyone's benefit anymore, as before.

You don't have to die.

Isn't this upright way of life much more respectable than smuggling salt?
If you can live an upright life, who would want to do something shady?

Originally, everyone, including him, thought that it was very likely that the emperor had said these words after Liao Erge was beheaded, in order to appease them.

Whether it can be achieved is uncertain.

They simply couldn't understand how there could be any legitimate way for the Chaohu Navy to live a life no worse than that of smuggling salt.

Who would have thought that less than a year would have passed?

The higher-ups have already finalized the specific plans.

They let themselves and others know.

Moreover, this plan sounds very reliable; it's not just a hoax.

Those who rise to power truly keep their word!
And he understood why, when the superior met with them, he said that this matter needed to be kept secret and could not be told to them for the time being.

Think about it, this directly eliminated the Wu brothers, Wu Zhen and Wu Liang, and also trapped so many Japanese naval forces here for reorganization.

If even the slightest word got out, it would be a pipe dream to think that this matter could be accomplished so cleanly and efficiently.

The considerations of those in higher positions are the most correct.

Perhaps... perhaps my own second brother Liao, if he were still alive.

It's quite possible that the higher-ups won't allow their Chaohu naval force to escort the Maritime Trade Office's trade.

After all, Brother Liao has a fiery temper and is very capable.

Compared to the rest of us, they are much stronger.

The Chaohu Navy has always held a special status.

It's normal for someone in a higher position to be worried...

After such a thought arose in his mind, he quickly shook his head, trying to banish it from his thoughts.

Try not to think so much.

Some things shouldn't be investigated too deeply or overthought.

Overthinking and delving too deeply can actually make people feel uncomfortable.

When you need to close one eye, you need to close the other eye.

He is now certain that their Chaohu naval forces have finally overcome their hardships.

Moreover, the Wu brothers, who have always opposed us, have also suffered great misfortune and are probably not going to live.

That's enough.

……

Crown Prince Zhu Biao had already left the Eastern Palace to attend to state affairs in the Wenhua Hall.

"Sister, try this and see if it's delicious."

Lady Lü was carrying a tray with a large bowl of steamed egg custard on it.

She greeted the Crown Princess Chang with a smile on her face.

"Oh? Why are you eating again?"
It's only been an hour since breakfast.

Crown Princess Chang asked, sounding somewhat surprised.

"Sister, you are different now than before."

My sister isn't eating alone; it's two people eating together.

Eating more is good for the fetus in your womb.

This is the Crown Prince's child.

Only when the older sister eats well can the child grow up healthily.

"Who doesn't eat more when they're pregnant?"

Lady Lü said with a smile.

He put down the tray and picked up the spoon, gently stirring the steamed egg custard a few times.

This will help the steamed egg custard cool down faster.

This makes it even more delicious when you eat it next.

"Sister, I added some fresh milk and sesame oil to this."

Steamed egg custard prepared this way is even more delicious and flavorful.

Sister, you must eat more.

Things are different now than before; once you have a child, you should eat more.

My sister is very precious now.

Lu said to Chang with a smile on her face.

Mrs. Chang shook her head: "If we eat like this every day, won't we get as fat as a pig in the end?"

Madam Lü covered her mouth and chuckled, "No way, my sister is a daughter of a military family and is in good health."

Even if you eat more, you won't gain much weight.

Besides, she's pregnant.

Many of the things we eat will end up in the child's body.

The child will help the older sister with a lot of things.

Besides, who doesn't gain weight when they're pregnant?
Later on, it didn't matter if my sister's weight really increased.

You'll recover after giving birth.

Chang Shi held Lü Shi's hand and said, "Sister, you should spend more time with the Crown Prince."

I also want to get pregnant soon.

Having children gives a person something to rely on, and also helps them to produce more offspring for the prince.

Upon hearing this, a blush rose on Lady Lü's beautiful face.

She was exceptionally shy and charming.

"Oh dear, sister, I'm not in a hurry."

"When it comes to having children, just let nature take its course."

He said he wasn't in a hurry, but he was actually incredibly anxious inside.

She wished she could pester Prince Zhu Biao every night and drain him dry.

"Haha, my little sister is getting shy."

When the Crown Prince returns today, I will talk to him and ask him to sleep at your place more often.

Now that I'm pregnant, and the Crown Prince is working so hard, it would be best if Sister Lü could be there to keep him company.

"Oh dear~ Sister, you're still saying that, you're so embarrassing~"

"Hahaha……"

When the Crown Princess Chang saw Lady Lü's appearance, she couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The mood is very good.

After chatting and joking for a while, they saw that the steamed egg custard was at the right temperature.

Lady Lü then scooped up a spoonful and said:

"Sister, try my cooking and see if it suits your taste."

If it doesn't meet the requirements, I'll make some adjustments later.

As he spoke, he even tried to feed the Crown Princess Chang.

Madam Chang laughed and said, "Does my sister really think of me as a three-year-old child?"
Let me handle this.

It's not time for you to feed me, little sister, yet.

"Little sister, you're already working so hard every day, I can't let you have to go through this."

"Sister, it's okay, I'm not tired at all. Meeting such a wonderful sister is my greatest fortune."

However, while saying this, he obediently handed the spoon in his hand to the Crown Princess.

After taking a spoonful of egg custard, Chang's eyes lit up.

"Little sister, you have to admit, this steamed egg custard is really delicious!"

"If it tastes good, then you should eat more, sister."

"I said with a smile on my face."

Chang then scooped up another spoonful and continued eating.

Originally, she thought she'd be lucky to eat half a bowl, but she ended up finishing the whole bowl...

"belch!"

Mr. Chang let out a burp.

"Little sister, your cooking skills are truly amazing. You can even make steamed egg custard look so delicious."

The taste is simply amazing.

I am truly blessed to have met my sister.

There's always an endless supply of delicious food.

"Sister, it's not that my cooking is delicious, it's that you're giving me face."

My cooking skills are so-so that I can only make some barely edible dishes.

Tell me what you want to eat for lunch, and I'll make it for you.

“I feel bad that I always make you cook all day long.”

Chang said somewhat embarrassedly.

"Sister, what are you saying?"

"We're sisters, why are you being so polite?"

After thinking for a while, Chang still couldn't come up with what she wanted to eat.

"Little sister, you decide what to do. I don't know what to eat either."

"Okay, sister, I'll do it myself."

After exchanging a few more words with Madam Chang, Madam Lü left with the tray and bowl.

Upon arriving at a secluded spot, a fleeting, sinister glint appeared on his face.

That stupid woman, Chang!

Eat! Eat!
I'll see if I don't completely dominate her!
Even if she dies, that stupid woman won't even know how she died!

Even on your deathbed, you should remember the good things about yourself!

The more she thought about it, the more smug she became.

I felt that everything was stable.

What she feared most was that Chang would have a poor appetite and eat little after becoming pregnant.

Now it seems that my worries were unnecessary.

Thinking this through, I immediately decided to make that foolish woman, Chang, a big bowl of braised pork with preserved mustard greens for lunch...

……

Lü Ben was in a good mood.

The court is in turmoil, and the emperor is making frequent moves, often implicating countless officials.

For example, right now, the sudden arrest of the Wu Zhen and Wu Liang brothers has once again caused turmoil in the court, and many people are feeling uneasy.

But Lü Ben remained calm and composed.

The reason for this is because of his special status.

His daughter was a concubine of the Crown Prince.

From now on, she will be able to become an Imperial Noble Consort.

With this connection, he's not afraid of this kind of thing.

Having such a daughter is truly a great blessing.

The ancestral graves of the Lü family are emitting auspicious smoke!

Lu Ben was filled with joy as he thought...

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(End of this chapter)