The Young Dragon of the Ming Dynasty: Bound to an Industrial Blueprint from the Start

Zhu Gaoxu's gaze lingered on Zhu Zhanji's face for a moment, then swept over the carriage's regulations and the palace guard insignia faintly visible beneath the guards' armor, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Alright, Wang Bin, why are you arguing with a child and a servant?" Zhu Gaoxu said, his voice not loud, but with a penetrating force. The fierce general named Wang Bin immediately shut up and stepped back.

Zhu Gaoxu dismounted cleanly and swiftly.

He walked up to the carriage, looked at Zhu Zhanji again, and forced a smile that could be described as "amiable": "Young man, whose family are you from? Is this carriage yours?"

Zhu Zhanji's mind raced, but he promptly revealed a hint of timidity on his face, shrinking behind Chun Tao and whispering, "I, my name is Zhanji, and my mother gave me this carriage."

"Zhanji?" Zhu Gaoxu pondered the name for a moment, a hint of realization flashing in his eyes. Then, his smile seemed to become slightly more genuine. "Zhu Zhanji? The eldest son's little prodigy?"

The moment he said this, the surroundings fell silent.

The guards of the Crown Prince's residence became more vigilant, while the Prince of Han's entourage also put aside their slight disdain and began to examine the chubby little baby again.

"So it's my nephew." Zhu Gaoxu laughed heartily, took two steps forward, and ruffled Zhu Zhanji's hair with his large hand without warning, the force making Zhu Zhanji grit his teeth inwardly.

"You're quite good-looking, like your mother. Why are you here all alone? Aren't your parents worried?"

"Yes, yes, Second Uncle," Zhu Zhanji suppressed the urge to run away, trying his best to act like a frightened yet polite child.

"Zhanji came out with his attendants to broaden his horizons, and now he is preparing to return to his residence."

"Broadened horizons? Hmm, not bad, you have some ambition, better than your father who's always buried in books." Zhu Gaoxu nodded, his tone neither praising nor criticizing.

He glanced at the obstructing carriage. "Since we've run into each other, it must be fate. This place is all messy. Your second uncle is also on his way to your father's. I'll give you a ride. Come on, ride with your second uncle!"

Without waiting for Zhu Zhanji's response, she bent down and picked him up in one swift motion.

Zhu Zhanji felt his body lighten as he was gently placed in front of the tall, black horse's saddle.

The strong smell was a mixture of leather, sweat, and a rusty odor, perhaps from the lingering blood from weapons stained with blood from long battles.

"Your Highness!" Chun Tao and the head of the guards exclaimed at the same time.

"What's the panic? My own nephew, how could he possibly fall?" Zhu Gaoxu snorted unhappily, then nimbly mounted his horse, sitting behind Zhu Zhanji. His strong arms encircled him, and with a pull of the reins, he commanded, "Go!"

As the black horse began to stride forward, the King of Han's entourage immediately swarmed around it.

The guards from the Crown Prince's residence and Chun Tao could only hurriedly follow in their carriage.

The view from horseback is expansive, but the ride is also very bumpy.

"I heard your imperial grandfather bestowed upon you an estate to play on?" Zhu Gaochi's voice came from above, casual as if he were discussing the weather.

"You're quite the charmer, kid. Is Zhuangzi fun?"

Zhu Zhanji replied in a tone that was both childlike boastful and innocent: "The village is huge! There are mountains and fields, and the farmers grow lots of vegetables and even raise little rabbits! My grandfather said that this is to teach me that rice and grain are hard-earned."

"Ha, rice and grain don't come easily," Zhu Gaoxu seemed to scoff, abandoning the topic of the village and instead asking, "Boy, are you afraid of riding a horse?"

"Yes, with my second uncle here, I'm not afraid," Zhu Zhanji said against his will, his little hands gripping the front bridge of the saddle tightly.

"Haha, that's more like a Zhu family steed!" Zhu Gaoxu seemed satisfied, spurring the horse's belly hard, and the black horse sped up. "Hold on tight! I'll show you what a real steed is!"

The horses' hooves pounded as they galloped through the streets, which were gradually returning to order, towards the imperial city.

The arrival of Prince Zhu Gaoxu caused ripples to spread throughout the originally orderly and solemn Crown Prince's residence. The gatekeepers, stewards, and maids all held their breath and hurried along.

Although the King of Han and the Crown Prince were brothers, one was always by the emperor's side, commanding troops in battle and enjoying the emperor's favor; the other stayed in Beijing, managing all affairs and walking on thin ice.

How could those below be completely unaware of the subtle tensions between brothers?

Zhu Gaoxu, however, paid no attention. He carried Zhu Zhanji and strode into the mansion. He casually waved to the officials of the Crown Prince's residence who had rushed over upon hearing the news, saying, "Inform my elder brother that the second prince has arrived and has picked up his son along the way."

His voice was loud and clear, with a rough and bold tone characteristic of a martial artist, and it had a strong penetrating power.

Before long, Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi came out of his study to greet him.

He had clearly just stepped away from official duties, wearing only a light cloak over his regular clothes, with his usual gentle smile on his face, but there was a hint of weariness in his eyes, as well as the complex and indescribable emotions he felt upon seeing his younger brother.

"Second brother! When did you arrive in Beiping? Why didn't you let me know beforehand so I could prepare?"

Zhu Gaochi stepped forward, his gaze first falling on his son, who was being held by Zhu Gaoxu. "Zhanji, why did your second uncle have to bring you back?"

"Big brother!" Zhu Gaoxu put Zhu Zhanji down, then ruffled his hair before turning to Zhu Gaochi and grinning.

"I was on military duty and just returned from Juyong Pass. I was sent ahead by my father’s secret decree to handle some matters ahead of the northern tour. I happened to run into my nephew on the way and brought him back. Your son is quite bold, daring to run into the market all by himself."

Zhu Gaochi could only smile wryly and shake his head: "Although Zhanji is young, he has too many thoughts. No one can control him. He is used to being free. Not long ago, he even ran off to stay in the manor outside the city. Tell me, what's so fun about running off to the wilderness if you don't want to stay in the palace?"

"But I'll have to trouble you, Second Brother. Quickly, let's go inside and talk. Zhanji, go and pay your respects to your mother first, and don't wander off again."

Zhu Zhanji obediently replied "Yes," bowed to Zhu Gaoxu, and then said to Zhu Gaochi, "Father, I take my leave."

Then Chun Tao led them toward the inner courtyard.

As he turned around, he heard Zhu Gaoxu say to Zhu Gaochi, "Brother, Father Emperor wants us brothers to discuss and come up with a plan for the northern tour..."

The voices faded as the two figures walked into the study and disappeared into the distance.

Zhu Zhanji's heart stirred.

Northern tour itinerary! My grandfather is coming back from Nanjing?

After paying his respects to Madam Zhang, she couldn't help but offer him some words of concern and advice. Especially when she heard that he had been sent back by the Prince of Han, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't say much, only telling him to go back to his room to rest.

But how could Zhu Zhanji possibly rest?

About half an hour later, he seized an opportunity, took a copy of the Book of Poetry, and quietly slipped out to the corridor outside the study.

This is where he usually "reads." There is a small low couch in the corner, and through the curtain and carved screen, you can vaguely hear the conversation inside. Because of his persona of "being fond of books since childhood," the servants are used to it.