The Great Ming Demon Pill: Your Majesty, please address me as the Crown Prince!

The next day.

Meng Ji's high-pitched voice echoed within the Qian Yuan Palace.

"...Prince Zhu Zhanjun of Jiyang is exceptionally intelligent and has repeatedly presented remarkable artifacts to the nation, rendering great service to the country. He is hereby granted permission to establish the 'Bowen Academy' in the capital, whereby he may recruit talented individuals to specialize in the study of physics, mathematics, and craftsmanship, in order to benefit the military and the country. Furthermore, an old residence outside the Xihua Gate of the Imperial City is granted to serve as the site for the academy. All expenses for repairs and recruitment shall be covered by the Imperial Treasury. This is the imperial decree."

After the imperial edict was read aloud, Meng Ji respectfully presented the yellow silk scroll with both hands, saying, "Your Highness, please accept the edict."

Zhu Zhanjun stretched out his small hand and accepted the imperial edict.

"Grandson thanks His Majesty for his grace!"

He was quite excited.

Although this was only a small step for Zhu Di, it was a giant leap for him toward the throne.

The power of this museum to recruit its own talent is extremely important.

Meng Ji smiled and looked at the Prince of Jiyang who had recently become incredibly prominent, and said in a gentle voice, "His Majesty has high hopes for Your Highness and has specifically instructed me that Your Highness may act as you see fit in all matters concerning the Bowen Hall, without being bound by convention."

"If Your Highness needs anything, simply send someone to find this old servant, and this old servant will make the arrangements for you."

Zhu Zhanjun gave Meng Ji a deep look.

This last sentence should be attributed to Meng Ji on his own initiative.

These old eunuchs who frequented the harem were all shrewd and calculating.

For Meng Ji, giving him the title of Prince of Jiyang was a worthwhile investment.

After all, Zhu Gaochi didn't like eunuchs very much.

If he can rise to power, it will also benefit Meng Ji.

Many thoughts flashed through Zhu Zhanjun's mind, but he remained calm and composed.

"Steward Meng, you're too kind."

"Then I'll have to trouble Steward Meng."

Meng Ji nodded with a smile, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then took his leave to return to the Qianqing Palace to report back.

…………

The Eastern Palace.

The atmosphere was extremely serious.

Zhu Zhanji's face was pale.

"Father! What does Grandfather mean by this?"

"Not only was Zhanjun allowed to live in the palace, but now he's even been granted special permission to open a 'Broad Learning Hall,' allowing him to recruit talented individuals on his own!"

"Is this an attempt to emulate the actions of Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, in the past?"

"Back then, Li Tai's ambition to seize the throne arose from his opening of the literary academy and recruitment of scholars, ultimately leading to the calamity of fratricide! Grandfather, are you...are you going to repeat the same mistake?!"

Crown Prince Zhu Gaochi sat in the grand chair, his chubby face turning purple.

His lips trembled a few times before he spoke slowly.

"Your grandfather's actions have their own profound meaning."

"Zhan Jun... is indeed intelligent, having invented such a powerful military tool as the telescope. It is only right that the Emperor rewards him."

Zhu Zhanji gritted his teeth.

"But, Father!"

"Father, you are the true Crown Prince!"

"I am the rightful heir apparent!"

"Grandfather, with such high regard for Zhanjun, where does that leave the Eastern Palace?"

"If this continues, will our whole family have to move out of this Eastern Palace?"

Zhu Zhanji's voice echoed in the hall, and Zhu Gaochi's eyelids twitched wildly.

He was also extremely dissatisfied.

But should we let him cause trouble with Zhu Di?

That would be worse than letting him die.

Zhang, standing nearby, had a contorted expression.

"That little rascal, so young, yet so cunning!"

"Relying on his cleverness, he devised some strange and ingenious tricks to please his father!"

She grew angrier as she spoke, stood up, and took a few hurried steps in the warm room.

"And the King of Han! He must be the one instigating this!"

"If you can't fight for it yourself, you instigate your son to do it!"

"Your Highness, you must make a decision!"

"If this continues, how will my family survive?!"

Zhu Gaochi felt a splitting headache and a tightness in his chest.

He closed his eyes and spoke slowly.

"Zhanji, you are the eldest grandson, you should have the demeanor of an eldest grandson."

"These days... you should stay quiet and study, be careful with your words and actions, and lest someone take advantage of you."

He then looked at Zhang, who looked like she had been bristling with anger.

"You should say less, the walls have ears."

"Things...haven't gotten to that point yet."

........................

The Prince of Han's Palace.

"Good! Good lad! You've really made me proud!" Zhu Gaoxu grinned broadly. "The Bowen Pavilion? Recruiting its own talent? Haha, I never even got that kind of treatment back in the day!"

The Princess Consort of Han smiled.

"The Emperor was very pleased with what he saw."

"Among all these imperial grandsons, he is still unique."

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes flickered.

"Damn it, am I going to have to rely on my son for status too?"

"Zhu Gaochi was favored by the old man, just like Zhu Zhanji."

"Today, I also have Zhanjun!"

.....................

Qianyuan Palace.

[Ding! Host has selected to open 3 silver treasure chests!]

[Ding! You have obtained 1 turtle. Do you wish to claim it?]

[Ding! You have received 1 pair of stockings. Do you wish to claim them?]

[Ding! You have received 1L of mineral water. Would you like to claim it?]

[Ding! Host has selected to open 7 golden treasure chests!]

[Ding! You have obtained several tomato seeds. Would you like to claim them?]

[Ding! You have received several potatoes. Would you like to claim them?]

[Ding! You have received 1 tube of toothpaste. Would you like to claim it?]

[Ding! You have obtained some corn. Do you wish to claim it?]

[Ding! You have obtained several pumpkins. Do you wish to claim them?]

[Ding! You have obtained several onions. Do you wish to claim them?]

[Ding! You have obtained a comb*1. Do you wish to claim it?]

[Ding! Host has selected to open 6 Prism Treasure Chests!]

[Ding! You have obtained a Saltpeter Mine Map*1. Do you wish to claim it?]

[Ding! You have received a Fruit Seed Gift Pack*1. Do you wish to claim it?]

[Ding! You have obtained 3 Famous Ministers Profile Cards (providing information on currently unknown famous ministers). Do you wish to claim them?]

[Ding! You have obtained 1 Premium Durian]

[Ding! You have gained the Aura of Domination (increases personal charm and the probability of capturing famous ministers by 50%). Do you wish to claim it?]

[Ding! You have obtained the "Adventure" quest. Tomorrow, at 7 PM, go to the Danfen Building on the sixteenth floor to refresh the adventure!]

Zhu Zhanjun raised an eyebrow as he looked at all the rewards.

The Golden Treasure Chest gave him a big surprise today.

Wow, so many fruit and vegetable seeds have been discovered!

He had originally intended to ask Zheng He to collect these items for him during his later voyages to the Western Ocean.

It seems that it's no longer necessary.

The Prism Treasure Chest is even more powerful.

Apart from a certain durian, he was quite satisfied with the other rewards.

Although the firearms of the Ming Dynasty were relatively rudimentary, saltpeter was also a very important resource.

Give him a map of a saltpeter mine; it's worth a fortune.

[Aura of Dominance] Increases his chances of meeting famous ministers.

The 【Famous Ministers Profile Card】 can provide him with information about famous ministers who are not yet well-known.

This is extremely important for him, the grandson of the emperor, who is now fighting alone.

He urgently needs to find talented people.

As for the last reward, "Serendipity," he was somewhat puzzled.

What is the 16th floor, the Danfen Building?

What will I encounter if I go?

We'll probably only know when the time comes.

Overall, it was worth the price of admission.

Zhu Zhanjun nodded in satisfaction.

As if he had just thought of something, his gaze fell on the [Famous Ministers' Profile Card].

Zhu Zhanjun had a sudden thought and silently recited the instructions to use the [Famous Minister Information Card].