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

Zhu Di was taken aback when he heard Zhu Zhanjun's voice, and looked at the small figure rushing over with some surprise.

It was Zhu Zhanjun.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone.

When he was still a few meters away from Zhu Di, Zhu Zhanjun suddenly knelt down and slid nearly three meters to Zhu Di's side.

Indulge in silky smoothness!

Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, Zhu Zhanji, and others were dumbfounded.

No, that sliding kneeling technique that takes three meters is something they need to think about for a while.

Everyone was stunned.

Zhu Zhanjun held up a thick booklet with both hands.

"Grandpa Emperor, the people's congratulatory petition has arrived!"

Zhu Di was slightly taken aback. He bent down and took the booklet. He saw that the cover was neatly inscribed with the four characters "A Memorial of Congratulations from All People".

He opened it and saw that it was filled with handwritten words.

"This is..." Zhu Di looked up.

Zhu Zhanjun puffed out his chest and said loudly:

"The other day, I was thinking that my grandfather had been on the throne for many years, working diligently to govern the country, conquering the Tatars in the north, pacifying the various barbarians in the south, compiling the Yongle Encyclopedia, opening the Grand Canal, and embarking on voyages to the Western Ocean... With such merits, we should hear what the people have to say!"

"So the grandson issued a notice through the Da Ming Xin Bao, asking all the people of the world, whether they are old farmers in the fields, craftsmen in the market, students in the school, or soldiers in the border areas, to write down what they want to say to their imperial grandfather and send it to him."

He pointed to the booklet.

"These are the congratulatory letters received from Yingtian Prefecture and even the surrounding counties. I had them copied here one by one. Your Majesty, please take a look..."

Zhu Di randomly turned to a page, where he saw the following text:

"I am Wang Er, a commoner from Daxing County, Shuntian Prefecture. I moved to the outskirts of Beijing in the first year of the Yongle reign and received government land. Now my family of five has a house and grain, cotton in winter and cotton in summer. Every year during festivals, the government office distributes rice and meat. I don't know anything else, but I know that I live a peaceful life now and sleep soundly at night. I wish Your Majesty a long life and that the Ming Dynasty will prosper forever."

Turn another page.

"I am Li Xiu, a student from Huating County, Songjiang Prefecture. The county school has been newly built, and the teacher said that the imperial court has waived our tuition fees and even provided us with writing materials. My father said that in the past only the children of landlords and rich people could study, but now even a fisherman's son like me can read and understand reason. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Next page.

"Old soldier Zhao Tiezhu, formerly a soldier of the Yanshan Guard, now resides in Xuanfu. He's lame, but the court still provides him with a monthly stipend of rice, and the county has allocated him two mu of land for retirement. Hearing that His Majesty is about to embark on another northern tour, this old soldier wishes he could ride alongside him again! Your Majesty, please take care of your health. Our Great Ming army is strong and well-equipped; the Tartars dare not come!"

Zhu Di turned the pages one by one, initially only moved, but the more he read, the hotter his eyes became.

These words are simple and unadorned, without any fancy words, yet each word carries immense weight.

He received congratulations from civil officials and nobles all night, but this was the first time he felt a lump in his throat.

Yang Rong cupped his hands in greeting.

"Your Majesty, I have also heard about the Prince of Jiyang's actions."

"Upon hearing the news, people in the capital flocked to submit their letters, and long queues formed in front of the newspaper office for days on end."

"Many illiterate villagers asked others to write for them, or even personally pressed their seals to show their sincerity."

The people around looked at each other in bewilderment.

Yang Rong beat me to it again.

They had no idea that Zhu Zhanjun was doing these things.

But that doesn't stop me from going up and giving a few words of praise.

Zhu Di closed the book and remained silent for a long time.

Suddenly, he threw his head back and burst into laughter.

"Excellent! What a wonderful petition of congratulations from all the people!"

He reached out and pulled Zhu Zhanjun to his side, patting his grandson's shoulder heavily:

"Zhanjun, this gift is the best I have received today!"

He raised the booklet, faced the assembled officials, and spoke in a deep voice.

"Having ruled the country for nearly ten years, my only wish can be summed up in four words: national prosperity and peace for the people!"

"Seeing the words of the people today, I realize that my actions are seen and remembered by them."

"This land belongs to the people; this prosperous age belongs to all!"

"By imperial decree: Starting next year, taxes across the land will be reduced by half!"

"Furthermore, those over eighty years of age will be given rice and meat, and the tuition fees for schools in all prefectures and counties will be increased!"

Upon the issuance of the decree, the officials were shocked and prostrated themselves, shouting, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Zhanji stood in the crowd, staring blankly at Zhu Zhanjun, who was being embraced by Zhu Di.

No, buddy.

What about the Buddhist scriptures I wrote in blood?

I almost got anemia!!!

Zhu Di took a deep breath, suppressing the surging emotions in his chest, and solemnly handed the "Memorial of Congratulations from All People" to Meng Ji beside him for safekeeping.

His gaze swept over the civil and military officials below the stage, as well as the people eagerly waiting in the dimly lit distance, and he smiled faintly.

"My lords..." Zhu Di's voice boomed, "Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for celebration with the people, and I am deeply gratified. However, I have something else I wish to share with all the people, to demonstrate the might of my Great Ming Dynasty!"

After saying this, he nodded slightly to Meng Ji, who was standing to the side.

Meng Ji understood and immediately turned around, gesturing towards the enormous object covered in yellow silk.

The guards, who had been waiting for a long time, received the order and, in pairs, each grabbed a corner of the covering. Under the watchful eyes of countless curious and inquisitive people, they pulled together!

"Whoosh!"

A huge piece of bright yellow silk cloth slid down like a tide, revealing what lay beneath.

It was an unprecedentedly huge sphere, its dark yellow, sturdy fabric gleaming faintly in the lamplight, with sturdy rattan baskets hanging below, and firewood and a specially made oil stove piled up beside them.

Its unusual shape and large scale far exceed ordinary people's imagination.

"What is this?"

"Judging by its shape, it resembles a bag or a ball, with a basket underneath. Could it be... a giant lamp?"

"No, no, look at the firewood and oil beside that basket; it must be for starting a fire. Why is it placed here?"

"Your Majesty's words, intended for all people to witness and to demonstrate the might of the Ming Dynasty, could it be some newly made ritual object or auspicious omen?"

"..."

A buzz of discussion immediately arose among the civil and military officials, who whispered among themselves and speculated wildly.

Most people looked puzzled, completely unaware of the purpose of this item.

Only a few close advisors, such as Yang Rong and Huang Huai, knew something about it, but they still found it hard to believe. They simply held their breath and stared intently at the scene.

Zhu Di seemed oblivious to the murmurs below. He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed intently on the hot air balloon, and said in a deep voice, "Light the fire!"

Kuang Zhong personally led several artisans from the Bowen Museum forward to quickly inspect the equipment before lighting the oil stove.

The specially made fuel ignited with a roar, and orange flames rose, emitting a steady whooshing sound.

Hot air continuously pours into the balloon above through the opening.

Amidst countless astonished gazes, the enormous sac began to swell and fill at a visible speed, slowly rising from the ground and causing the wicker basket below to sway slightly.

The flames illuminated the gradually expanding sphere, making it resemble a giant beast awakening, exuding a sense of oppression that was a mixture of heat and the unknown.

"It's up! The ball... it's inflated!"

"Oh my god, is it...is it going to fly?"

"This...this could be the legendary Kongming lantern? But it's huge!"

"Incredible, absolutely incredible!"

"Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!"

"..."

Exclamations, doubts, and excited discussions rang out throughout the West Garden, causing a stir not only among the officials but also in the distant areas where commoners had gathered.

People stood on tiptoe and craned their necks, trying to see every detail of that magical object.

Zhu Di watched as the hot air balloon gradually filled with heat, the balloon bag fully expanded, and the wicker basket was already about a foot off the ground, slightly suspended.

His heart was filled with excitement. He turned around, his gaze falling on Zhu Zhanjun beside him, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.

"Zhanjun, today you will accompany your imperial grandfather to ascend to heaven, how about it?"

Countless gazes turned to Zhu Zhanjun, who looked completely bewildered.

What the hell?!

What did Your Majesty say?

Ascending to heaven?