Di Ming

Chapter 39 Bohu
"Cough cough..." Qi Jiguang suddenly coughed violently.

“Godfather…” Zhu Yin quickly and cleverly stood on tiptoe, stretched out his little arm, and patted Qi Jiguang’s back.

Upon hearing the second "godfather," Qi Jiguang coughed even more violently.

Zhu Yin couldn't help but look resentful. Fine, if you disagree, then disagree. Don't cough.

It's like I'm forcing you.

Although Qi Jiguang was coughing, a smile appeared on his face. He waved his hand and said breathlessly:

"Zhu Yin, do you really want to acknowledge me as your father? Have you thought this through? I am a dismissed official, a man of punishment, no longer a governor or commander-in-chief."

"Moreover, the emperor and his court officials all believe that I am a remnant of the Jiangling Chancellor's faction."

“If you acknowledge me as your father, not only will you not benefit from it, but you will probably also be implicated.”

"Have you thought this through?"

As Qi Jiguang spoke, he observed Zhu Yin's expression.

To everyone's surprise, the little boy showed no sign of disappointment or hesitation, and instead calmly and resolutely said:

"When I was in Liaodong, I heard of my adoptive father's great name and longed to be with him. I regret that I was not born twenty years earlier so that I could join his army, wear armor and wield weapons, and be a soldier under his command."

“Initially, the southern Japanese pirates and northern barbarians wreaked havoc on the world. Civil and military officials were helpless, and the emperor and father were worried. No one could stop their aggression, and they could only watch the common people shed blood.”

"And my adoptive father, with the talent of a valiant general and the bearing of a renowned commander, at the tender age of twenty, with unwavering loyalty, forged a mighty army that had fought a hundred battles and trained a strong and iron-blooded force. He fought in the south and the north, annihilating all the villains, sweeping away their dens, and eliminating the wicked and stubborn."

"The Japanese pirates lost their courage in the Eastern Sea, and the sea was calmed; the Tartars apologized at the border, and the smoke of war was extinguished."

"The years have passed in the hustle and bustle of war, the frost and moon have faded, the mountains and rivers are as new as ever, and the heroes, weary from their journey, have now been almost forty years!"

"To establish a great man's illustrious name throughout his life, to build a hero's eternal achievements, truly a pillar of the Ming Dynasty, a pillar of the nation, a renowned general of China, and a blessing to the country!"

"Though I have lost the emperor's favor and offended the court officials today, I will surely be remembered in history and my name will be remembered for generations to come. What is there to regret?"

"The historian's pen is like a clerk's pen; the Grand Historian should say: The Great Ming Dynasty had Grand Tutor Zhang in civil affairs and Junior Guardian Qi in military affairs. And the state relied on this to preserve its stability."

"Now that Yin has acknowledged the Junior Guardian as his father, how could he be a person who seeks personal gain and avoids harm, or who engages in opportunistic trickery?"

"I only wish to listen to your great teachings, be inspired by your virtuous influence, enjoy your company, and fulfill my filial duties, all in the name of loyalty and righteousness."

Zhu Yin's voice was clear and childish, but these words did not sound like they came from the mouth of a nine-year-old child.

And he spoke very sincerely.

Qi Jiguang suddenly burst into laughter.

"I asked you a question, and you actually wrote a poem!"

"Hahaha!"

"The emperor doesn't know me, the world doesn't know me, even my wife doesn't know me. But who would have thought that today, there would be an adopted son who knows me, Qi Jiguang!"

He felt a surge of heroic spirit, as if all the pent-up emotions in his heart had been swept away.

The gloom that had lingered for years has vanished completely.

"My son, though you are young, you are my kindred spirit, despite our age difference." Qi Jiguang was in high spirits, with no trace of dejection left.

“You are right. I have a clear conscience, I can face the sun and the moon, I can face the world. I have accomplished what a man should do, I have lived up to the ambition of a great man. I can die without regret.”

"In that case, future historians will write their words in detail, judging me whether they know me or not, and their final judgments will surely reveal my true feelings."

"No one is more impartial than the annals of history."

"Then why should I hold a grudge? Why not live a life of tranquility and return home!"

He gently patted Zhu Yin's tender shoulder, as if afraid of hurting him. He said calmly:
"As the saying goes, white hair can feel like new friendship, and meeting someone for the first time can feel like meeting an old friend. You and I are only meeting for the first time today, yet we are already destined to be father and son. Is this not the will of Heaven?"

“My child, your words have truly saved me from my suffering and brought me peace of mind. I am willing to take you as my godson, and from now on we will be father and son.”

He himself found it somewhat absurd. This child had only known him for less than a day, and he was already his adopted son?

Is there something wrong?
Overjoyed, Qi Jiguang scratched his gray head and looked up at the green hills and the setting sun.

Hmm, this doesn't seem like a dream.

Zhu Yin was overjoyed and quickly bowed deeply, saying, "Your son greets his godfather!"

He was happy not only because he recognized Qi Jiguang as his godfather, but also because he resolved Qi Jiguang's inner conflict.

Once the knot in my heart was untied and my psychological problems were addressed, my physical ailments became easier to treat.

This time, Qi Jiguang did not stop him, but accepted his generous gift without hesitation. However, Qi Jiguang was also troubled.

Where is the meeting gift?

How can you not give a gift after adopting a godson?
The money is gone, but Zhu Yin is not short of it.

They sold everything they could, leaving them penniless. All those rooms were just filled with furniture.

That is, some weapons and books are still there.

But these things are not suitable as a gift for a child.

Thinking of this, Qi Jiguang said, "Yin'er is not yet nine years old, and doesn't he have a courtesy name yet?"

Zhu Yin was speechless.

Why are you still asking? I'm so young, how would I know how to choose a courtesy name?
He replied, "Father, I am nine years old (by Chinese reckoning) and have not yet been given a courtesy name."

But Qi Jiguang said, “Although it is rare for someone of this age to be given a courtesy name, my son is intelligent and precocious. He is small in stature but has great potential. He can be given a courtesy name ahead of time.”

"As your father, I will give you a courtesy name as a token of our first meeting. What do you say?"

After Qi Jiguang figured it out, he suddenly felt enlightened and his state of mind was elevated to a higher level.

For example, once you become thick-skinned, you act more unrestrainedly.

Zhu Yin was taken aback, a look of adorable blankness appearing on his little face.

hold head high?
How about I give you a courtesy name as a gift?
He's definitely not his biological father.

Are they really that poor? What about jade pendants and antiques? What about the emperor's gifts? Exquisite daggers, lightweight soft armor...? They don't even have any of those?

He suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

"Thank you for the name, Godfather," Zhu Yin could only say obediently, afraid that Qi Jiguang would give him a bad name.

Qi Jiguang asked, "What is your birth order in your family?"

Zhu Yin honestly replied, "I am an only child."

"An only son?" Qi Jiguang stroked his beard and nodded, his expression becoming more refined. "That means he's the firstborn, the eldest son. The eldest son, Bo Ye."

"Your name is Yin. Yin means tiger. Hmm, how wonderful it would be to have Bohu as your courtesy name. Let's take Bohu as your courtesy name, Zhu Bohu, very good, very good!"

Qi Jiguang was radiant and dignified, looking somewhat smug.

"Bohu?" Zhu Yin's mouth gaped slightly. "Is Father joking?"

"A joke?" Qi Shaobao was taken aback. "Why would my son say such a thing? Is it because Bohu's choice of words is not good enough?"

"Beautiful, beautiful," Zhu Yin said weakly, "But...but...Tang Bohu?"

"Haha!" Qi Jiguang laughed rather unkindly. "His name is Tang Yin, courtesy name Bohu. Your name is Zhu Yin, also courtesy name Bohu, isn't that perfect?"

"If you become as famous as him in the future, it will be a legendary story in history."

"In ancient times, it was common to see people with the same character in their name."

Qi Jiguang was right; it was common for people to have the same courtesy name in history.

Just because someone used the character "表" (biǎo) in the past doesn't mean that someone else shouldn't use it.

As long as the surnames are different, it doesn't matter if the given name is taken from someone else's.

"Alright." It wasn't that Zhu Yin disliked the name Bohu, but he felt that his father wasn't serious at all, just picking a ready-made courtesy name without putting any thought into it.

That old bastard is actually a bit cunning.

As the newly formed godson and godfather were talking, Qi Baoguo suddenly appeared, looking furtive and embarrassed.

He was very happy to see the worry between his father's brows dissipate, replaced by a relaxed and carefree expression.

But he still spoke up, saying, "Father, I've come to collect rent from Young Master Zhu."

"Uh...can I pay for one month first?"

"Hmm...this is how I calculated it." Qi Baoguo noticed the strange expressions on his father's and Zhu Yin's faces and became a little nervous, explaining:
"Eight people, each charged seven coins per month. One dog, two coins. Seven horses, four coins each. Total eight taels and six coins."

"Young Master Zhu, then... I'll accept eight taels and six mace?"

PS: Read it every day, keep going, go for it! Go for it!

(End of this chapter)