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

"You...you..."

Wu Changjiang's eyes widened instantly, and his face flushed red.

He had lived most of his life and was always respected.

When have I ever been insulted with such vulgar language?

Zhang Mao's words, "Fuck your mother," struck him like a heavy hammer blow to the heart.

He felt a surge of hot blood rush to the top of his head, his vision went black, his ears rang, and he could no longer hear the chatter of the crowd around him.

He swayed twice, his outstretched fingers trembled, his lips moved violently but he couldn't utter a single word. His face turned from red to white, then from white to blue, and finally his eyes rolled back. With a strange "hoarse" sound from his throat, he fell straight backward!

"Sir! Sir!"

"Mr. Wu! What's wrong?!"

The students surrounding him were shocked and rushed forward to help Wu Changjiang, who had collapsed.

Chaos erupted at the scene, with screams filling the air.

Some people frantically shook Wu Changjiang's body, some anxiously shouted "Quickly, go and get a doctor," while many others were at a loss, looking in horror at their teacher's pale face and barely breathing appearance.

A slightly more quick-witted student remembered a first-aid method and hurriedly shouted, "Quick! Quickly pinch the philtrum!"

Immediately, another student reached out a trembling hand and pressed hard on the philtrum acupoint under Wu Changjiang's nose.

After pressing the buttons several times without any response, the student became so anxious that sweat beaded on his forehead, and he increased the pressure on his hands.

Just when everyone's hearts were in their throats, thinking that Wu Changjiang was about to be so angry that he passed out, they heard him gurgle, then he gasped for breath, his eyelids twitched violently a few times, and finally he slowly opened his eyes.

He was surrounded by students.

"Sir, how are you?"

"Mr. Wu, how are you feeling?"

Wu Changjiang was panting heavily, seemingly unable to speak.

A student nearby quickly said.

"The gentleman has probably fainted. It's too hot outside, let's get him to the clinic quickly."

The students around nodded in agreement and helped Wu Changjiang leave quickly.

Yu Qian looked completely bewildered.

Is that all?

Zhu Zhanqi, Zhang Mao, Liu Zhong, Zheng Yu, Li Heng, Zhu Yi and others standing nearby immediately burst into laughter.

Zhu Zhanqi couldn't help but shake his head and say.

"This old guy isn't any good either."

"They came with such a fierce attitude, yet they can't stand being scolded."

Liu Zhong gave a thumbs up.

"Mao-ge, you're awesome!"

Zheng Yu said excitedly.

"Brother Mao, I was just about to argue with him, but you're ruthless."

"Just send a greeting to his mother."

Zhu Yi laughed loudly.

"Let's see if this old bastard dares to cause trouble again!"

Zhu Zhanjun patted Zhang Mao on the shoulder with satisfaction.

"Well done!"

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

Half a day later.

The Eastern Palace.

"What?"

"Did Wu Daru faint from being scolded?"

Zhu Zhanji's face froze for a moment, then he was overjoyed.

"Okay, okay!"

He hadn't expected Zhu Zhanjun to be so arrogant.

Not only did they serve bran as porridge, but they also verbally abused Wu Changjiang until he fainted?

It's practically handing him leverage.

This matter could be made into a major issue.

However, there's no need for me to take action myself.

Zhu Zhanji immediately stood up, walked a few steps around the room with his hands behind his back, and then turned to Jin Yingdao.

"Jin Banban, prepare the horse; I want to personally visit Wu Daru."

Jin Ying quickly replied.

"Yes, Your Highness."

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

Qianqing Palace.

Yang Rong's expression was solemn.

"Your Majesty, the situation... is more serious than we anticipated."

"Since the news of the disaster, people from Fengyang, Huai'an and other places have been flocking to the city. Now, the number of disaster victims gathered outside Nanjing has exceeded 80,000 and is still increasing."

"The ten soup kitchens jointly set up by the Ministry of Revenue and Shuntian Prefecture consumed a huge amount of grain every day."

"Minister Xia just reported again that at this rate, the grain reserves in the Taicang granary can only last for another half month at most. If the subsequent grain shipments cannot be replenished in time, I'm afraid..."

He didn't say anything more, but everyone in the hall looked solemn.

Zhu Di's brows furrowed into the shape of a "川" (river).

"How much longer will it take for the grain transport from the southern provinces to resume?"

"The fastest batch will not arrive in Beijing for another twenty days," Yang Shiqi replied, bowing. "And if they encounter wind and rain along the way, the arrival time will be even more unpredictable."

A suffocating silence fell over the hall.

With dwindling food supplies, an ever-growing number of 80,000 disaster victims, and the unknown future of twenty days ahead, this is practically an unsolvable dead end.

Huang Huai, Hu Guang, and others looked at each other, racking their brains for a good solution but to no avail.

Zhu Gaochi remained silent.

Zhu Gaoxu rolled his eyes upwards; he was about to fall asleep.

Zhu Gaosui remained expressionless.

Zhu Zhanji, sitting in the corner, looked down at his nose, seemingly lost in thought, like a sculpture.

It was at this moment.

Outside the hall, an official dressed in a scarlet robe, who was slightly short and stocky, strode in, his face showing obvious excitement.

This person is Chen Ying, the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.

After entering the hall, Chen Ying first paid his respects according to etiquette. Before Zhu Di could ask any questions, he said with a joyful expression, "Your Majesty! I have important matters to report!"

Zhu Di was preoccupied with the matter of disaster relief grain, and said in a cold tone, "Speak."

"Your Majesty, I witnessed a remarkable sight during my inspection of the city's outskirts today!" Chen Ying's voice rose several decibels, full of vigor. "His Highness the Prince of Jiyang has established a soup kitchen in the west of the city. It is large in scale and orderly, distributing soup twice a day. According to my rough estimate, the number of disaster victims aided is no less than 30,000!"

"Oh?" Zhu Di's previously somber expression suddenly brightened, and he leaned forward slightly. "Zhan Jun? He set up soup kitchens? And provided relief to 30,000 people?"

"Absolutely true, Your Majesty!" Chen Ying affirmed. "I saw it with my own eyes. There was a long queue outside the soup kitchen, but everyone was able to get a bowl..."

As soon as Chen Ying finished speaking, the previously oppressive atmosphere in the Qianqing Palace suddenly changed.

Zhu Di suddenly sat up straight on his throne and laughed loudly.

"Good! Good! Good!"

"My good grandson!"

"As expected, you haven't disappointed me!"

"Without making a sound, they have already saved 30,000 disaster victims!"

He turned to Zhu Gaoxu, who was also looking astonished, and with a broad smile, exclaimed, "Gaoxu! What a fine son you have raised! You have done a good job of educating him!"

"Zhanjun, though young, possesses such a kind heart and sense of responsibility; he is truly a blessing to our Great Ming Dynasty, and I am deeply gratified!"

Zhu Gaoxu was lost in thought when he was suddenly praised. He was taken aback at first, but then he realized what was happening and grinned from ear to ear, puffing out his chest.

He hurriedly stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Majesty flatters me! It's all thanks to Your Majesty's virtuous influence. That lad Zhanjun was merely imitating Your Majesty and doing his duty! This lad, haha, is just like me—kind-hearted and unable to bear seeing the people suffer!"