The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

West Mountain.

It was the time of year when the north was experiencing continuous rain during the transition from spring to summer. Inside a makeshift tent on the mountain, a group of soldiers were taking shelter from the rain while complaining about the harsh conditions outside.

Zang Xian entered the tent trembling, threw his straw hat aside, and stared at Qian Ning with great resentment.

"Why didn't you make more preparations when you came? Have someone change you into a fur robe." Qian Ning seemed quite concerned.

Zang Xian gritted his teeth and said, "Governor Qian, it's not that I'm trying to find fault, but what are you after? Why not enjoy the good life in the capital and come to the Western Hills to start a mine? If you're going to start a mine, why do you have to come to this remote mountain forest? And if you're going to come, why do you have to drag me along?"

Emotions progress gradually.

Zang Xian's main point was to express his dissatisfaction with Qian Ning's actions.

Qian Ning wasn't annoyed at all, and said with a smile, "What's the point of always staying in the capital? Have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."

This can be considered as Qian Ning giving him face.

Zang Xian could only swallow his anger, accept the tea, and sit down to the side. He said helplessly, "It was fine when we left, but it started raining halfway there. That damned carriage even leaked, and we couldn't find anything to cover ourselves from the rain. We ended up getting a cloak from a passing merchant. All my men came here soaked in the rain."

Qian Ning remarked with emotion, "It wasn't easy. It's good that you came. Actually, I was giving you a chance!"

"Chance?"

Zang Xian wanted to say, "I don't need this kind of opportunity."

All I want is to live a peaceful life in the capital.

Qian Ning walked over and whispered, "I overheard that from that young prince. He said he's choreographed quite a few operas and has many new tunes. He knows you're good at this, and His Majesty values ​​it the most. Don't you want to learn and perform well before His Majesty?"

"Governor Qian, are you joking with a lowly person like me?"

Zang Xian found it unbelievable.

You listened to the Little Prince's boasting and dragged me all the way from the capital? Just to learn a new opera?

Qian Ning said, "Do you think I'm that easy to fool? Tang Bohu just came from Juyong Pass today. The first two days were boring, and there wasn't much entertainment on the mountain. That young prince had two maids with him, who were very pretty and had great voices. They sang a few songs, and the brothers under his command were truly... mesmerized."

Zang Xian chuckled and said, "Just for this? You want to bring me from the capital? We can talk about that after we get back to the capital."

Qian Ning sneered, "You want to reap the rewards without going through the hardships together? You really don't want to put in any effort at all! Don't you think about it? That young prince even brings two maids with him when he goes out, which shows he knows how to enjoy life. If you don't take this opportunity to curry favor with him and that Tang Bohu, what chance will you have to fawn over him when you return to the capital and he becomes a prince?"

Zang Xian was originally full of anger.

He was taken aback upon hearing this.

Clearly, Qian Ning's statement has some merit.

But he quickly dismissed the idea. He thought bitterly to himself, "Qian Ning, you just don't want me to have a good life in the capital. You don't want me to be free from your influence in front of His Majesty. You deliberately transferred me out here so that I can suffer with you!"

You, Qian Ning, are truly a despicable person!

Even when you suffer, you have to drag someone down with you.

Zang Xian patiently asked, "Where is that young prince?"

"You're still complaining here? The young prince and Mr. Tang are still surveying the site for the new mine today," Qian Ning said with a sneer.

Zang Xian frowned and asked, "Can they really find out the truth?"

"You know what, we've already located a site right here. There are exposed coal seams all around, deep in these old mountains and forests. You can't argue with that!"

Qian Ning said with a hint of smugness, "That's what you call striking first. They don't fight battles they're not sure they can win. That's why they've earned His Majesty's trust. They're already exploring the second location. Speaking of which, the Western Hills really are a geomantically auspicious place around the capital."

Zang Xian said, "That's right. They don't even allow cutting firewood around here. The forests here have grown so lush. In a few more years, I guess there won't even be a place to put your feet."

Qian Ning chuckled, "Isn't it because you're afraid of ruining the feng shui of the area? Now that the opportunity is right in front of you, whether you want to curry favor or not is up to you!"

Zang Xian said helplessly, "We're already here, how can we go back? But I didn't bring any musical instruments, and I don't have any people from the music academy with me..."

"Why didn't you do this sooner?" Qian Ning said sternly. "Fortunately, I still have some ready-made ones here."

Zang Xian said, "Commander Qian went up the mountain... and brought his mother's skin with him?"

Qian Ning scoffed, "Do you think I came up the mountain to suffer? I finally got out, so of course I want to enjoy myself. It's just that the weather isn't great right now, but it should clear up soon. Listening to music and watching dancers perform in the mountains and forests is quite a unique experience."

Upon hearing this, Zang Xian looked at them with a strange expression.

I was thinking to myself, "You really feel comfortable coming all the way to the Western Hills to enjoy the cold wind?"

Is it because Jiang Bin is not in the capital that you can be so careless? If you summon me again... will there be no one left to curry favor with His Majesty?

You, Qian Ning, are truly treacherous!

……

……

On the western hill.

Zhu Yi was leading Tang Yin on a stroll through the deep mountains and forests.

"Tell me, young master, you actually know about prospecting for coal seams? What's the purpose of all this?"

Seeing Zhu Yi's serious expression, Tang Yin couldn't help but ask curiously.

Zhu Yi casually said, "Several hundred years from now, I like to travel around and appreciate the scenery. I have traveled to many places around the capital, especially from the capital to the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall. I am quite familiar with this area. In the next few hundred years, many coal mines will be developed in the Western Hills. I just need to find the corresponding mines based on the terrain."

"..."

Tang Yin was speechless for a moment.

He thought to himself, "This guy really does have a mind that's hundreds of years ahead of its time; he does everything differently."

After a long pause, Tang Yin asked, "Did you find it?"

Zhu Yi said, "Based on the changes in terrain, we need to make a proper assessment. Do you think it's that easy to find? Wait, this angle… bring me my octant!"

"What?" Tang Yin asked, frowning.

Zhu Yi smiled and said, "The octant, and the sextant which will be improved in the future, were originally used for navigation, but they can also be used for exploration. You may not understand if I explain it in detail, but you'd better learn it, otherwise you'll be at a loss if someone asks you."

Tang Yin was stunned when he heard this.

You're coming up with all sorts of new and interesting things, and now I have to learn them?

Do I look like someone my age who can learn anything? Am I going to be your student in my old age?

"Almost there, this is it! Walk down a few dozen steps, and this should be an open-pit mine. Part of the mountain has probably been cut down, and they need to clear the trees in front of us. This is a very large mine," Zhu Yi said to himself.

Tang Yin leaned closer and asked, "What is your purpose in doing all this? Is it to curry favor with the Emperor? Is it to become your adopted son, a prince in the future? The Crown Prince?"

Zhu Yi laughed and said, "Can you please stop with all your questions and complaints? Just follow me and let others think you did it. Ask your questions when it's late at night and no one's around! If those Imperial Guards behind us notice something's wrong and tell Qian Ning, that shrewd guy can easily find something on you."

Tang Yin felt a jolt.

He immediately realized that he was now the target of everyone's criticism.

Everyone treats him like a sage, but if he falls from grace, he will not only be disgraced, but beheaded!