Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 167 How can there be a crown prince who lasts for forty years?

"Imperial physician! Imperial physician! Quick! Take a look at Biao'er!"

Zhu Yuanzhang called out, his voice filled with tension.

Immediately after Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, an imperial physician stepped out from the side.

Together with Zhu Yuanzhang, they lifted Zhu Biao onto a chair and began to treat him.

When Zhu Yuanzhang learned that his son, Biao, had actually skinned and stuffed Lady Lü with straw, he was overjoyed.

I feel that my son has indeed not disappointed me.

It's still pretty good.

Even though Lady Lü did such a thing, Biao'er didn't show her any favoritism.

This shows that our own son is unambiguous when it comes to matters of principle.

Later, they learned that their own son, Biao'er, had actually come here in person to watch how Lady Lü was executed.

That was both surprising and delightful.

What pleases me is that my son, Biao'er, made a decision and showed a determination that far exceeded my expectations in this matter.

Surprisingly, this behavior also reveals just how angry and heartbroken Biao'er was.

This incident will cause immense trauma to Biao'er's heart.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't sit still any longer. He put aside his official duties and quietly made his way here to listen to what was happening inside.

At the same time, they also thoughtfully brought along the best physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy to guard outside.

This explains why Zhu Yuanzhang was able to appear in time when Zhu Biao fainted and immediately order the imperial physicians to treat him.

When facing his eldest son, Zhu Yuanzhang was truly meticulous.

It takes everything into account.

Seeing his son Biao'er collapse, Zhu Yuanzhang truly wished to bring Lady Lü back to life so he could kill her again to vent his hatred.

What a bastard he is! He's ruined his own son's life!

What a wonderful person my son is!

If anything happens to them, I won't let them off the hook!

No! Even if Biao'er is no good or bad, they still won't be spared.

Fortunately, the imperial physicians were highly skilled, and Zhu Biao was not in any major condition.

After just three silver needles, Zhu Biao slowly woke up.

This put Zhu Yuanzhang's mind at ease.

"Father."

Zhu Biao opened his eyes and saw his father, the Emperor.

He was taken aback at first, and then wanted to stand up and bow to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang reached out and pressed him down.

"Biao'er, don't move. Let the imperial physician examine you more."

Upon hearing his father's words, Zhu Biao realized that there was an imperial physician nearby.

He readily agreed and sat down, nodding and giving the imperial physician a gentle smile.

The imperial physician forced a smile in response, but in reality, by this point, his thoughts about this usually mild-mannered crown prince had undergone a significant change.

I no longer think of the Crown Prince as simply gentle and refined.

Although he was previously quite far away.

But I could also vaguely hear some noises coming from inside.

I roughly know what's going on inside.

Peel and stuff!

Or rather, skin the person next to you alive and stuff them with straw.

The thought of this is terrifying.

As a result, the crown prince was able to sit there and watch the whole thing.

Putting aside the enormous mistakes the Crown Prince's concubine made and how outrageous her actions were, let's not even talk about how serious the errors were.

Just from the fact that His Highness the Crown Prince could sit here motionless and watch him being skinned and stuffed with straw, one can see the Crown Prince's character.

Beneath this gentle exterior lies a resilient, resolute, and ruthless side.

The imperial physicians quickly completed their diagnosis and treatment of Zhu Biao.

It's nothing serious, just a result of excessive emotional fluctuations, a mixture of grief and indignation, and extreme anger.

After that, relax and get some rest. He'll prescribe two more doses of calming medicine, and there shouldn't be any major problems.

Zhu Yuanzhang had Eunuch Wang accompany him to get the medicine.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao also left from here and went to the Wuying Hall...

“…Biao’er, you did a great job.”

This is how you should deal with a vicious woman.

There can be no tolerance whatsoever.

They must be dealt with using the most cruel punishments!

Such a beast deserves the punishment she has received for her actions!
Our Biao'er has really grown up!

"Biao'er's behavior today has truly impressed us."

Zhu Yuanzhang praised Zhu Biao highly.

He knew that his son Biao was definitely upset about what happened today.

At this time, the best way for him, as a father, to comfort his son was to highly praise Biao'er's actions.

Biao felt that what he did was absolutely right.

That can alleviate some of the guilt, remorse, and pain in your heart.

"To be honest, none of us expected that you would do such a good job this time, Biao'er."

We were thinking that if our Biao'er couldn't properly punish this vicious woman this time, we would make up for the skinning and stuffing of her with straw.

Now it seems we underestimated our Biao'er.

"Father, if I cannot make up my mind to execute such a wicked woman, how can I not do so?"

That child is too indecisive and has let down Consort Chang too much.

I am not worthy to be the crown prince.

"I will have no face to inherit the throne from my father in the future."

"Hahaha……"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang let out a hearty laugh, his mood exceptionally pleasant.
"Biao'er has really grown up, he has really grown up!"

In another twenty years, when we get old, we'll step down from the throne and hand it over to you.

We can rest assured that Biao'er will be the emperor.

Let me help you get on the horse, give you a push, and I'll hand this responsibility over to you.

Then your mother and I will go sightseeing and enjoy life to the fullest.

Take a good look at the land of our Great Ming Dynasty.

Speaking of which, we are the rulers of the Great Ming Dynasty, possessing the entire world.

In reality, he spent most of his days going back and forth between the Qianqing Palace, Kunning Palace, Wuying Hall, and Huagai Hall.

This picturesque landscape is more beautiful than any other place I've ever seen.

Zhu Biao was taken aback by Zhu Yuanzhang's words.

Then he quickly said, "Father, you can't do this."

This throne is yours, Father, and the world is yours too.

"Only you, Father, are capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility of ruling the world; I am not fit."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "What's wrong with that?"

In another twenty years, it will be almost the thirtieth year of the Hongwu reign.

You've been the crown prince for thirty years now.

Where can you find a crown prince who has reigned for thirty years?

"You're not worried, but we are."

If this were in another dynasty, a son would probably be scared half to death if he heard the emperor say such a thing.

Zhu Biao was not afraid, nor did he kneel down, kowtow, or admit his mistake.

Because he knew that his father, the emperor, meant what he said sincerely.

There was no falsehood whatsoever, and there was no deliberate probing whatsoever.

"If he's the crown prince for thirty years, then he'll be the crown prince for thirty years."

As long as Father is in good health, I would be willing to be the Crown Prince for forty years!

"Haha, you might be willing, but we're not."

You're trying to work your father to death!

You've been the crown prince for forty years, and I'll be eighty by then. It's long past the time for me to enjoy my retirement. Do you still expect me to keep working?

Even if I were the crown prince for thirty years, I'd be seventy by now.

It is rare for someone to live to seventy; by then, the yellow earth will be buried around their neck.

You still want us to continue helping you maintain your empire?

Even the wealthiest landlords don't exploit their people like this.

Zhu Yuanzhang made a joke about his son.

"Besides, this family business will eventually be handed over to you, Biao'er."

With us here, there won't be any problems with the transfer of power.

If any of these officials or others feel there's a problem, we can speak to them about it personally.

They were persuaded to change their minds.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao was both touched and somewhat amused.

What my own father, the Emperor, meant by saying something personally was not as simple as it seemed.

Speaking directly to his own father, the Emperor, who would dare disagree?

“Father, there’s really no need. The power you’ve given me is already far too great.”

Although he was called the crown prince, in many ways he was practically the emperor.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "Not nearly there."

Most of the emperor's power is still in our hands.

If we pass away in the future, Biao'er, you will have to stand up for yourself.

While we're still here, it's safer to hand over power to you, Biao'er, and let you get used to it.

They won't be unaccustomed to their newfound power and cause trouble at the beginning.

Besides, even if some trouble does occur or some things are not done well, I, the retired emperor, can still find a way to smooth things over for you.

It won't get out of control.

That's settled then.

When we reach seventy years old, we'll abdicate early and hand the throne over to you, Biao'er.

We've been emperor for thirty years, which is a very long time.

Of course, if we don't live to seventy, then you'll have to take over earlier, Biao'er.

"Father, you will surely live to be a hundred years old!"

Zhu Biao grew anxious and quickly spoke up. Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and waved his hand, "We don't want to live to be a hundred years old."

Living to be a hundred years old is too painful.

It's not just that people become physically inconvenient and their thinking slows down at that age.

They are also prone to various ailments, and may even be unable to control their bowel and bladder functions.

Moreover, if one truly lives to that age, one will likely watch as one's descendants pass away one after another before one's own.

Instead, I'm sad for no reason...

Everything Zhu Yuanzhang said was true.

He was originally rather indifferent to the question of his own life and death.

I have never thought about immortality.

Moreover, in his previous life, he always felt that living to sixty years old would be quite good.

As it turned out, he lived to be seventy-one.

This was a really big surprise for him.

But what has happened in these seventy-one years?
Xiong Ying, Mei Zi, Biao Er, Lao Er, Lao San... one after another, they walked ahead of him.

This kind of pain is truly unimaginable for most people.

Also, in modern times, I see many people making fun of themselves.

He said that most of the meritorious officials who followed him in conquering the country were dead by the time he passed away.

This became a major piece of evidence of his rampant slaughter of meritorious officials.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew that someone was deliberately trying to frame him.

He had killed meritorious officials, but he had only killed a portion of those who had committed heinous crimes.

It's definitely not as outrageous as the rumors suggest.

Furthermore, why were so many of the founding heroes of the Ming Dynasty dead when I passed away?

The biggest reason was not that he killed meritorious officials.

It was because he, as the founding emperor, had sat on the throne for a full thirty-one years!

Many of the people who followed him in conquering the world were older than him.

Even the younger ones were mostly over sixty years old by the thirty-first year of the Hongwu reign.

Do you really think this is modern times, with advanced medical conditions and other aspects, where most people live to be over sixty and have an easy life?

He also compared himself to many emperors, such as Liu Bang, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Zhao Kuangyin.

But how many of the founding emperors of all dynasties reigned longer than I did?

In thirty-one years, how many people will be born, grow old, get sick, and die?
Having started over this time, I'm not as driven as I was before in many things.

Take appropriate rest and maintain good health.

If you take proper care, you can avoid sudden serious illness.

It's very likely that they will live longer than in their previous life.

To put it bluntly, he was still acting as emperor even when he was seventy years old.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very afraid of his son Biao, but Biao still had no chance to succeed him.

Moreover, he felt that while his own people were still around, the best choice would be to pass the throne to his son, Biao'er, so that he and his sister could travel around and enjoy life, while also keeping an eye on things for Biao'er.

These were things that Zhu Yuanzhang had been considering for a long time.
Of course, she would tell Zhu Biao at this time.

Of course, he had his own good intentions.

The purpose was to use something more attention-grabbing to divert most of Jia Biao'er's attention from the things that the wicked woman Lü had done, as well as Lü's death.

That way, Biao'er won't be so heartbroken.

"Let's talk about this later, Father."

After thinking for a while, Zhu Biao gave this reply.

Then, looking at Zhu Yuanzhang, he said:

"Father, what should we do about Lü Ben?"
"I believe their entire family should be executed!"

Since the Lü family has done such a thing, Lü Ben, as the father, and the entire Lü family will inevitably be implicated.

After thinking for a moment, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "It is acceptable to exterminate his entire clan."

Based on what we know now, it seems that Lü Ben, as the father, knew about what Lü Shi was doing.

Moreover, Lü Ben secretly provided assistance to the Lü family.

It was Lü Ben who carried out the assassination of Granny Cui.

"Just listen to Biao'er, exterminate his entire clan!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely angry with the Lü family.

Because judging from the current situation...

This basically confirms his conjecture that his eldest grandson, Xiong Ying, had smallpox in his previous life.

It is also highly likely that this wicked woman secretly committed the poisonous act!

Even Zhu Yuanzhang felt that executing his entire clan was too lenient.

It would be best to eliminate their entire clan.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang only thought about these things in his mind and did not actually do them.

One reason is that Biao had already stated that his entire family would be executed.

On the other hand, the idea of ​​executing nine generations of a family would indeed have a wide-ranging impact.

It will indeed involve many innocent people.

Of course, there are also more practical reasons.

That is, there are too many clans, and many of the relationships between them have long since faded, and some are even impossible to verify.

Finding all nine generations of relatives is truly difficult.

It would be better to exterminate the entire family.

"Father, is Granny Cui in any danger?"

Zhu Biao was somewhat afraid that Granny Cui, a person with superb medical skills, would be involved.

On the one hand, Granny Cui was completely innocent; on the other hand, Granny Cui's medical skills were truly exceptional.

He was able to tell that Consort Chang was going to have a difficult labor when she was only four months pregnant.

And it gave such an accurate diagnosis.

This demonstrates the excellence of Granny Cui's medical skills.

It would be a great pity if such a person were to die because of such trivial matters.

"Don't worry, Biao'er, it'll be alright. I'll definitely protect her!"

……

Two furtive people were watching Granny Cui from a distance.

Just as they were about to reach a secluded and deserted place, they tied up Granny Cui.

Then it was thrown into the river.

Seeing that there were fewer people around, the two quickened their pace and hurried toward Granny Cui.

Just then, two muffled thuds sounded.

Instead, two thick sticks struck the back of their heads hard.

Before the two people could fall to the ground, someone grabbed them from behind and swiftly dragged them to a corner.

Granny Cui, who was walking ahead, vaguely heard some noises.

Looking back, however, nothing was found.

He shook his head, thinking that perhaps he was just getting old and was experiencing auditory hallucinations.

I didn't think much of it and kept walking...

……

At the Lü residence, Lü Ben was in a very good mood.

Xiao Jiu has already drunk quite a bit.

"Have Lü Chu and the others returned yet?"

Lü Ben summoned someone to inquire.

"Reporting to your master, not yet."

Upon hearing this answer, Lü Ben couldn't help but shake his head.

Why are you taking so long?

They just got rid of Granny Sun, why hasn't she come back yet after so long?

Could something have gone wrong?
However, this thought only flashed through his mind for a moment before he dismissed it.

impossible.

It was just a small job.

If they can't even do these things well, then they've wasted their lives at this age!
Lu Ben shook his head and smiled, realizing he had indeed been worrying too much.

He immediately sat back down.

He picked up the book and began to read it leisurely.

Using the profound words of sages as a drinking companion feels quite nice...

After a while, some noise could be heard from ahead.

This displeased Lü Ben somewhat.

Who is so bold?

Such ignorance and noise here have disturbed my enjoyment of reading.
A moment later, the noise not only did not disappear, but grew louder and louder.

This made Lü Ben's anger uncontrollable, and it surged up fiercely.

These people really don't want to live anymore!
He was the Crown Prince's father-in-law, and in the future, he would also be the Emperor's father-in-law.

Even the emperor's maternal grandfather!

Yet they dare to make such a racket?

He couldn't hold back any longer. He stood up, a book in his hand, his face gloomy and slightly drunk, and tried to walk outside.

He's about to explode!
As soon as he stepped out of the study, the manor's steward came running towards him at breakneck speed.

"Master...Master! No...something's wrong!"

"The officials...the government has come to arrest them!"

what?
Lu Ben was taken aback upon hearing this.

For a moment, everyone thought they had misheard.

Which government office?
Who has such audacity?

Do you even know where you are, yet you dare to come and take people away?
"who is it?
"Get him in here and see me!"

Lu Ben was furious and full of imposing manner!

As soon as the voice fell, a large group of terracotta warriors entered.

The leader was Xu Huizu.

"Who dares to be so arrogant as to break into my home? Do they know what kind of place this is...?"

He stopped mid-sentence and couldn't continue.

Because he recognized the people who came as members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!
Jinyiwei?
How could it be the Embroidered Uniform Guard?!

Why are the Imperial Guards here?!
(End of this chapter)