My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Che remained silent for a long time.

After a long while, Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Chen Mo, then at his son Zhu Biao, who was pale but focused, and moved his lips, but ultimately said nothing.

He turned around abruptly and walked towards the stairs without saying a word.

Liu Che's reaction was slightly different.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if trying to expel the shock and bewilderment in his chest.

Then, he nodded slightly to Chen Mo and turned to go upstairs.

In the lobby, only Chen Mo and Zhu Biao, who was still somewhat dazed, remained.

Zhu Biao watched the backs of his father and the unfamiliar emperor, his heart filled with turmoil.

He was intelligent and perceptive, and naturally sensed the thoughts of both Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Che.

Zhu Biao turned to Chen Mo and bowed deeply in respect.

"Manager Chen, thank you for your hospitality today. I will repay you handsomely in the future."

Chen Mo looked at Zhu Biao, a smile on his face that was a mixture of helplessness and a little excitement.

"Sure, you can come and ask me anytime you have questions in the future."

"If there's anything you don't understand, you can come and ask me."

"Although I don't have many experts or specialties, I have read the books of a great man and studied his ideas."

"Oh~!"

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

"Then I'll have to trouble Manager Chen to teach you."

Chen Mo smiled.

"You've had a lot of information today. Go back and rest, and digest it all."

"We can talk about ideology later."

At this point, a cunning glint flashed in Chen Mo's eyes.

Then I can teach Zhu Biao and Li Chengqian some of my own tricks; maybe it will actually work...

"Well then, I'll head back now."

Zhu Biao cupped his hands in greeting and went upstairs as well.

He did not return to his own room immediately, but instead went into Zhu Yuanzhang's room next door.

Upon opening the door, they found Zhu Yuanzhang standing motionless by the window, staring blankly out the window.

"Biao'er, you're back."

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone was somewhat heavy.

"Um."

Zhu Biao nodded, his gaze unconsciously sweeping across the entire room.

Snow-white walls, soft lighting, spotless windows, and that bed that looked excessively soft…

Even if you've already seen it downstairs, you'll still be amazed when you see it again.

"1.3 billion tons...1.3 billion tons..."

Old Zhu muttered to himself, repeatedly pondering this number that felt like a mountain pressing down on him.

He recalled his impoverished days as a monk at Huangjue Temple, the hardships he endured when he joined the army, and the bloody battles that led to the conquest of the Ming Dynasty...

He thought he was about to create an unprecedented golden age, a golden age in which the people could recuperate and develop.

But it wasn't until now, standing in this ordinary guest room just a few hundred years later, that he truly realized.

His proud achievements and the prosperous era he created seem so insignificant and trivial in the face of the terrifying productivity of later generations!

An unprecedented sense of powerlessness, like an icy tide, instantly overwhelmed him.

But then, that feeling of powerlessness was forcefully dispelled by the indomitable spirit and the determination to rise from the bottom that was inherent in him!

He suddenly raised his head, and a terrifying glint flashed in his cloudy old eyes.

"We refuse to accept this!!"

A deep, hoarse voice burst forth from the depths of Zhu Yuanzhang's throat.

"Why can future generations enjoy the same blessings as the people of our Great Ming Dynasty?! Why can they wield such divine power, but we can't?!"

Zhu Biao wore a bitter smile.

"Father, Manager Chen just said that the gap is too big."

"The gap between these two is probably harder to bridge than climbing to heaven."

"A huge gap? Difficult? Difficult as climbing to heaven?!"

A resolute look appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

"Our Zhu Yuanzhang, back then a beggar monk, was able to sit on this dragon throne! What could be more difficult than that?!"

He gazed out the window at the artificial yet still brightly lit night view of Hengdian, his voice resolute.

"Change! It absolutely must be changed! Change it to the extreme!"

"Isn't it just about valuing craftsmen? Let's go back and elevate the status of artisans! Reward them! Generously reward those skilled craftsmen who can improve techniques!"

"Isn't it just about figuring out the principles? Let's tell those scholars in the Hanlin Academy to stop focusing solely on the Four Books and Five Classics and start figuring out why the kettle lid moves when the water boils!"

"If one generation isn't enough, then two generations! If two generations aren't enough, then ten generations!"

"Even if... even if we never see the Ming Dynasty produce those billion tons in our lifetime, we still have to blaze this trail! We have to plant the seeds!"

Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, his gaze unusually sharp.

"Even if... even if future generations curse us for being short-sighted and greedy! Even if they tear down this palace and sell the iron to develop some kind of productive force!"

Even if... even if after Zhu Yuanzhang dies, he has to beg on the streets to have even a sliver of a chance for change.

"This Ming Dynasty absolutely must change!!"

"I refuse to believe it! If it works here, why can't it work in my Great Ming Dynasty!!!"

"Father! Your son will certainly strive to make the Ming Dynasty a reality as soon as possible!"

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yuanzhang, who was making an oath, and his face was also serious.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

As expected of his target!

She knows how to share the burden with her father.

Unlike that kid... all he does all day is annoy him!

If that kid were in the Ming Dynasty, he would definitely have been taught a severe lesson.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Biao again.

"Biao'er! Come here more often! Spend more time with that kid!"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke.

"Let's learn more about their technology and knowledge! Then we can bring it back to the Ming Dynasty!"

"I have a feeling that kid is still hiding something!"

"yes!"

Zhu Biao nodded.

"Alright, you can go back now! Get some rest."

When Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, Zhu Biao did not refuse, bowed, and left the room.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked to the bedside and pressed hard on the elastic mattress, feeling its unfamiliar softness.

"Sleeping on such a soft couch, is this what a man should do?"

He muttered something under his breath.

"Alright, let's rest for a while. Tomorrow... we'll continue to learn from that Chen kid!"