My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

The sweat on Zhu Biao's back had seeped through the innermost layer of his silk clothing.

But he knew that taking a step back now would mean falling into an abyss.

"Father! Every word and thought I have spoken and considered is for the sake of the eternal stability of the Ming Dynasty."

"What comes after has merely broadened my horizons, like reading a wondrous book unlike anything I've ever read. But after reading the book, how to govern a country ultimately rests on the land beneath our feet!"

He crawled forward half a step on his knees, his voice trembling with excitement, yet every word was clear.

"If Your Majesty suspects that I am being influenced by others, I hereby swear: if the Academy of Science is established, its first director will be a trusted confidant appointed by Your Majesty. Every expenditure of silver, the origin of every craftsman, and the use of every achievement will be reported directly to Your Majesty and decided solely by Your Majesty!"

"New courses must first be approved by Father before they can be taught! The appointment and removal of examiners, the formulation of questions, and the final list of successful candidates in the scientific examinations are also determined by Father's vermilion brush!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flickered slightly, and his sharp gaze seemed to soften a little, but the deep-seated doubts did not dissipate.

He leaned back on the dragon throne and silently looked at his son.

After a long silence, he spoke slowly.

"You've thought of everything. You've even considered how to put our minds at ease."

His tone remained calm, revealing neither praise nor criticism.

Zhu Biao knew that the most crucial moment had arrived, and kowtowed.

"It's not that I've thought things through, but this matter is of utmost importance. Without Your Majesty's supervision, it would be like a tree without roots, and it would be impossible for it to survive."

"Your subject... Your subject simply feels that he has seen the direction and cannot bear to see a pearl go to waste."

"If Your Majesty still finds it inappropriate, or if the time is not yet right, I will pretend that I never mentioned it today, and all the regulations shall be burned immediately."

Zhu Yuanzhang gripped the jade ruyi in his hand and gently tapped it on the table.

He remained silent for a moment, then his gaze fell on Zhu Biao again.

He always felt something was wrong, that there was something wrong with the bill.

This time, after returning from Chen Mo's place, something seemed different, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

In particular, is there a problem with proposing to establish a science and technology institute this time?

There are absolutely no problems.

Whether it's the reason or the idea, it's all good!

But it was precisely this situation, where there seemed to be no problem at all, that made him feel most uneasy.

Zhu Biao was the crown prince whom he had raised and nurtured with great care.

He understood his kindness and his occasional idealism, so it was normal for him to bring up such a thing.

but……

Zhu Yuanzhang scanned Zhu Biao back and forth.

He just felt something was wrong.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time.

Finally, the suffocating calm on his face slowly melted away, turning back into a complex and profound expression.

"Get up. The ground is cold."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao immediately stood up.

Zhu Yuanzhang said this while playing with the jade ruyi.

"We understand your intentions. You want to find a new leg for the Ming Dynasty and accelerate its productivity. Your intentions are good."

"The Academy of Science and Technology, the New School, the Science Department... You are permitted to secretly prepare and draft detailed plans. Remember, it is only preparation."

His gaze sharpened again.

"But there are a few ironclad rules that you should keep in mind: First, this matter is top secret, and no third person other than you and me should know the full story."

"Secondly, all regulations must comply with the Great Ming Code and ancestral rules, and must be plausible on the surface."

"Third, and most importantly—"

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned forward slightly, his eyes piercing.

"You can learn from him and use his methods, but you must never believe in him or become like him."

"But Biao'er, you must remember that you are the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, the heir apparent. Your heart can only hold the laws of the Ming Dynasty, the Zhu family's empire, and the path we've laid out for you!"

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang patted the dragon throne beneath him.

"This chair of ours will be yours sooner or later."

"Even if we control you and restrain you now, when we close our eyes and kick the bucket one day, no one in this world can stop you from doing whatever you want."

"So, we won't stop you."

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, then warned.

"We don't care what kind of bewitching potion Chen Mo gave you, whether it's good or bad, sweet or bitter..."

"No matter what, remember this—you are a member of the Zhu family! You are the son of Zhu Yuanzhang! You are the future head of the Zhu family!"

"That little bit of curiosity in your heart, that tiny spark, can only burn for the Zhu family, and can only illuminate the path of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Do you understand?"

"Your subject understands!"

Zhu Biao kowtowed.

Old Zhu sighed and waved his hand.

"Those scientific regulations clearly state how to prevent the outflow of technology, how to control the thinking of craftsmen, and how to ensure that technology will always remain a compliant tool in our hands. Do you understand?"

Zhu Biao kowtowed again.

"Your subject... obeys the decree! I will certainly abide by Father's instructions!"

"Alright, go ahead. Write the report carefully, no need to rush."

"Your subject takes his leave."

After Zhu Biao left the main hall, Zhu Yuanzhang sat alone on the empty throne, his fingers caressing the warm jade ruyi, his gaze fixed on the void.

"Mao Xiang"

"Your subject is here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure flashed through the shadows, and a person knelt down under the imperial desk.

"From today onwards, those in the Eastern Palace should open their eyes a little wider and their ears a little longer."

"We've been keeping a close watch on the Crown Prince's study and sleeping quarters, the people, things, and documents he comes into contact with along his daily routes, including discarded scraps of paper."

"Everything, big or small, is reported to us in secret."

"In addition, the Crown Prince's safety has been raised to another level!"

"We don't want the Crown Prince to one day do something he shouldn't have!"

"yes!"

Mao Xiang lowered his head even further.

"This matter is top secret. It must not be known to any outsiders except a very few of your closest confidants."

"Also, be extremely careful during the investigation, lest you alert the enemy, and especially not let the Crown Prince notice."

"I swear on my life that I will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"

Mao Xiang kowtowed again.

"Go."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

Just as when Mao Xiang arrived, he silently blended into the shadows and disappeared.

Zhu Yuanzhang was left alone in the main hall once again.

He slowly leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, but the frown lines between his brows deepened.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and looked outside the hall.

"Chen Mo, Chen Mo...you've shown our son an incredible illusion."

"But no matter how beautiful the illusion, it's still fake."

"Let's see if you can really use Biao'er to plant your own tree in this Daming Palace..."

A glint of light flashed in Old Zhu's eyes.

"We can still use the rules of the Ming Dynasty to prune your tree into a beautiful but never fruitful bonsai in our Imperial Garden."