Chen Biao and Zhu Sheng moved back home.
The happiest person was Chen Ying and Chen Biao's youngest brother. Chen Jin could once again play the game of jumping on his older brother and then being pushed away by him.
The second oldest, Chen Chong, is so terrified of his younger brother, who has ADHD, that he doesn't even have the energy to scream. He now avoids going home if possible, attending classes and staying in the school dormitory, fearing that Chen Biao will ask him to take care of his younger brother.
But Chen Biao wouldn't let him have his way. Every day off, Chen Chun would go home to see his brother, running around after him, screaming, "You can't run over there," "You can't run out of the door," "You can't climb trees," "You can't even climb walls."
Chen Biao held the hot milk and nodded with satisfaction.
Although my second brother is still a screamer, his screams finally came in handy, which is a cause for celebration.
Compared with the second and third brothers, the fourth and fifth brothers are still bedridden, with low-grade fever every now and then, which makes Chen Biao very worried.
Even more worrying is that Xiao Si cries non-stop if he doesn't sleep with Xiao Wu. But when he does, he bullies Xiao Wu, snatching his blanket , pillow, and toys, shoving his legs over Xiao Wu's stomach, and pushing him toward the edge of the bed. He only behaves himself when Chen Biao is around.
To prevent Xiao Si from squeezing Xiao Wu out, Chen Biao put rails on their cribs. Then, Xiao Wu was forced by Xiao Si to cling tightly to the rails.
Chen Biao was so angry that he picked up Xiao Si and threw him aside to sleep, ignoring him even though he cried.
Xiao Si cried for half a day and finally calmed down.
Chen Biao put Xiao Si back to Xiao Wu, and Xiao Si finally behaved well for a few days.
A few days later, Chen Gou'er's dog nature resurfaced. Chen Biao repeated the operation again. The cycle continued.
Chen Biao wrote all of this in a letter, criticizing his father for giving Xiao Si such a bad name, which made Xiao Si become so bad-tempered.
When Chen Biao sent out his angry letter, Zhu Sheng sent a letter to Zhu Yuanzhang, and Ji Renshou sent a letter to his junior brother Liu Ji.
Except for Chen Biao's letter, Zhu Sheng's and Ji Renshou's letters were all sealed with wax to prevent anyone other than the recipient from opening the envelope.
Three letters to different people, all delivered to the same place.
When Liu Ji opened the letter, he had just washed his hair and was lying on a rattan chair to dry it.
When he opened the letter, he didn't care about his disheveled hair and immediately rushed to find Zhu Yuanzhang.
Coincidentally, Zhu Yuanzhang was also rushing towards Liu Ji.
Zhu Yuanzhang: "Bo Wen!"
Liu Ji: "My Lord!"
The two of them braked suddenly at the same time and almost collided with each other.
The two held hands and looked at each other with tears in their eyes, gasping for breath and unable to speak for a long time.
Liu Ji glanced at the onlookers and said, "My Lord, let's go inside and talk."
Zhu Yuanzhang, sweating profusely from anxiety, said: "Okay, okay."
The two were probably too anxious and forgot to let go, leaving hand in hand. The atmosphere was very weird.
The onlookers: "..." It's weird, really weird.
Song Lian was discussing matters with Zhu Yuanzhang. When he saw Zhu Yuanzhang running out after opening the letter, he immediately followed him and witnessed this scene.
Xu Da, who was strolling around, naturally would not miss the excitement here and would always appear in front of the excitement on time.
Xu Da said, "What are they doing? It's a bit disgusting."
Song Lian rolled his eyes at Xu Da and said, "My lord and your advisor have a bond as close as fish in water. What's so disgusting about that?"
Xu Da spoke frankly: "I feel even more disgusted."
Song Lian turned away and went to find the king and his minister who had left together.
If Liu Ji can listen to it, is there anything that I, Song Lian, can’t listen to? Humph!
Xu Da hesitated for a moment, then remembered that Biao'er's letter had just arrived, and his commander-in-chief "Zhu Yuanzhang" was probably still "Chen Guorui" and was very safe, so he immediately followed him happily.
Watch the fun, watch the fun!
The "secret" that Zhu Yuanzhang and Liu Ji wanted to discuss did not need to be hidden from Song Lian and Xu Da.
Through letters from Chen Biao, Zhu Sheng, and Ji Renshou, as well as Chen Ying's onlooker report, they pieced together the entire process of the battle between Ji Renshou and Zhu Sheng, the suffering of Biaoer, and the exposure of his identity by Ji Renshou.
The letter Zhu Sheng wrote to Zhu Yuanzhang was to tell Zhu Yuanzhang that Ji Renshou might have guessed Biao'er's true identity.
In fact, half of the content of Ji Renshou's letter to Liu Ji was directly addressed to Zhu Yuanzhang, indicating that he had guessed Biao'er's true identity.
However, Ji Renshou did not discover this through the dispute between Liu Ji and Zhu Sheng over Biaoer, but because Biaoer's own "academic proposition" was exposed.
Chen Biao said that he wanted to learn from the strengths of many schools, not to believe in any doctrine blindly, nor to follow the authority of any saint. As long as the words were useful to the people and to China, they should be orthodox doctrines.
Ji Renshou told Chen Biao at the time that what Chen Biao said was also a theory, but he later changed the subject and did not tell Chen Biao what theory it was.
In this world, there is indeed a doctrine that can ignore any school of thought or saint, and that is the way of being a monarch and the learning of being an emperor.
Ji Renshou believed that Liu Ji was arrogant and Zhu Sheng was mature and conservative, but they allowed Chen Biao to have such thoughts and must have deliberately cultivated Chen Biao to be like this.
For ordinary people, even if they are from a noble family, if they have such thoughts, they will be ostracized by the mainstream public and will find it difficult to achieve success in their careers in the future.
Considering Liu Ji and Zhu Sheng's feelings towards Chen Biao and their moral character, it is impossible that they deliberately corrupted Chen Biao. So why didn't they worry about Chen Biao's future?
There is only one possibility, what Chen Biao wants to learn is the way to be a king and the art of being an emperor!
Inferring the cause from the result, Ji Renshou also understood why Zhu Sheng tactfully told him that if he did not join Zhu Yuanzhang's army, he should not meddle in other people's affairs.
Because this is a competition between Zhu Sheng and Liu Ji for the future crown prince!
Zhu Yuanzhang: "I don't understand. Tiande, do you understand?"
Xu Da shook his head vigorously.
Song Lian had no choice but to sort out the matter from the beginning.
Liu Ji was worried that Zhu Sheng would lead Chen Biao astray, so he asked Ji Renshou to come out of retirement under the pretext of taking care of his friends and students.
Ji Renshou was also a recluse, older, and had the same position as Zhu Sheng. If he said something completely different from Zhu Sheng, Biaoer, with his intelligence, would definitely listen to both sides and not be swayed by the thoughts of one person.
At the same time, Liu Ji calculated people's hearts and predicted that Zhu Sheng would use more tactful means to persuade Ji Renshou to leave. Ji Renshou hated "ghostly tricks" the most, and he was afraid that Zhu Sheng would arouse rebelliousness and take the initiative to join the game.
This was Liu Ji's plan within the plan.
Zhu Sheng said in the letter that he actually understood Ji Renshou's character better and guessed Liu Ji's plan.
So Zhu Sheng took advantage of the situation and used more crude and straightforward means to provoke Ji Renshou and bring the matter to light. First, he wanted to force Ji Renshou to make a quick decision, either to surrender to Zhu Yuanzhang or leave Yingtian immediately; second, he wanted to wake up Ji Renshou, let Ji Renshou know Liu Ji's little tricks, provoke the relationship between Ji Renshou and Liu Ji, and fight back against Liu Ji.
After understanding the two's plans, Ji Renshou was broad-minded and not angry. He was just curious about how powerful Chen Biao, the focus of the confrontation, was that made the two fight so fiercely for the students.
After some testing, Ji Renshou discovered that Chen Biao was actually practicing the way of the emperor. He immediately understood Chen Biao's identity and took the initiative to join the game.
Ji Renshou said that if Zhu Yuanzhang did not mind, he would be willing to settle down in Yingtian Primary School and become a teacher in Yingtian.
Xu Da held his head and squatted on the ground, howling, "I'm dizzy, completely dizzy. You scholars, can't you just say what you want to say directly? Why do you have to go through so many twists and turns? What's so worth going through? Why did you even get involved with Biao'er?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a long moment, then he breathed a sigh of relief and wondered, "How come this guy is just like Mr. Ye, making all the wrong deductions, yet somehow managed to guess Biao'er's true identity by accident?"
Xu Da held his head and looked up: "Is the whole process of reasoning wrong?"
Zhu Yuanzhang unfolded the letter Chen Biao had written to him and said, "That's completely wrong. First of all, Biao'er's ideas are his own. No one taught him, and no one can even influence his thoughts. It's us who have been deeply influenced by him."
Several people, including Xu Da, nodded. Indeed, they were still carefully studying the thin heavenly book.
Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Biao'er also mentioned in his letter that Mr. Ji asked him about orthodox doctrines. He said that differentiating between different doctrines is a matter for those who study doctrines. We ordinary people worship whatever gods are useful. If God doesn't rain, we will even tear down the Dragon King Temple. Black cat, white cat, tabby cat, as long as it catches mice, it is a good cat. Why should we consider the distinction between different schools of thought?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: "Look, what Biaoer is learning is not the way of an emperor at all, but the way of ordinary people."
Xu Da lowered his head, stood up, and said with a helpless smile, "That's right. It's just like when I'm using troops. No matter what method works, it's fine. Who would think about what military book this is from when they're fighting? Besides, when I was praised as a military genius, I had never read a book."
Hearing Xu Da reveal his shortcomings, everyone couldn't help but smile.
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and shook his head, saying, "Biao'er doesn't know he's Zhu Yuanzhang's son. He just thinks he's an ordinary citizen, at most a little rich. So, his thoughts are just those of an ordinary person. Mr. Ji thinks too much."
Ordinary people don't care about Neo-Confucianism, the School of Mind, or the Hundred Schools of Thought. A good doctrine is one that can keep them from starving or freezing to death.
It’s just that the needs of the common people coincide with the principles that the emperor should learn.
Xu Da said, "If what Biao'er is talking about is the way of the emperor, then I think everyone should learn this way of the emperor. But then again, it's strange that only the emperor learns this. Isn't this a principle that everyone should understand?"
Zhu Yuanzhang joked, "Biao'er told Mr. Ji that he believed everyone could become a sage. Tiande, you also said that everyone can learn the way of the emperor. I think your level of sageliness is almost the same as Biao'er's."
Xu Da clasped his fists and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Marshal! It would be even better if there were a reward of gold!"
Zhu Yuanzhang cursed, "Get lost! Enough of the nonsense! Tell me, how should I reply?"
Liu Ji's face darkened and he remained silent.
Obviously, his schemes were countered by Zhu Sheng and Ji Renshou, which dealt him a heavy blow. He was now trying to calm down.
Song Lian sighed inwardly and took the initiative to take on the task, saying, "Ji Shanfu is a man of great talent. He is not only proficient in both the School of Principle and the School of Mind, but is also well versed in the School of Heluo. Although he stumbled upon this by accident, since he has taken the initiative to surrender, my lord, please consider it a pleasant surprise. Bowen, you must not be so arrogant and quarrel with others in the future."
Song Lian's implication was that while Liu Ji was clever, others weren't stupid either. Even if it was just an accident, discovering Biao'er's identity was still quite a headache.
Zhu Yuanzhang held his forehead and said, "All the generals I trust know Biao'er's identity, and all the counselors who came to surrender also know Biao'er's identity. Why do I feel that Biao'er's identity has become an open secret?"
Xu Da interrupted: "Only Biao'er doesn't know."
After a pause, Xu Da continued, "Chang Yuchun doesn't know either. But is Chang Yuchun considered a civil official or a military commander now?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said uncertainly, "He must still be a military commander, right?"
Zhu Yuanzhang and Xu Da's jokes finally made the atmosphere a little better.
Liu Ji's expression softened. He bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "It's my fault."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Nothing, nothing. I agreed to your letter. If there is any mistake, it is mine."
Liu Ji was somewhat moved. Although Zhu Yuanzhang was not much like a lord in many aspects, he was able to take the blame for his subordinates. Just based on this point, Zhu Yuanzhang was better than most lords in history books.
Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Besides, after watching you, Bowen, plan everything for you, it's quite satisfying to see you make some harmless mistakes occasionally. Hahahaha, besides, isn't this a great result? I'll tell Baishi, and he'll definitely be happy. Lately, he's turned away when he sees me, and refuses to talk to me about anything other than official business."
Zhu Yuanzhang felt guilty. Although capable people should be given more work, he did exploit Li Shanchang a little too much.
Liu Ji's face turned wooden. He rubbed the emotion in his heart and threw it to feed the dog.
He took back what he said before, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't act like a lord at all!
Song Lian and Xu Da were both laughing so hard that they couldn't straighten their backs. They had seen enough of Liu Ji's jokes.
Liu Ji was extremely depressed.
Xu Da is fine; he's just as much of a spectator as his lord. But how come even Song Lian, known for his modesty, is becoming increasingly emotionally explicit? Is this a case of "the company of bad company corrupts the good"?
Liu Ji fell ill that night because he was too angry and had been standing for too long with his long, wet hair in late autumn.
Zhu Yuanzhang felt extremely guilty. It was surely not his fault that he mocked Liu Ji too much, right?
…
Ji Renshou was stunned for a long time after receiving Zhu Yuanzhang's handwritten reply.
It's not the study of the emperor, but simply the study of the common people? Is that right?
Zhu Yuanzhang also excerpted a passage from Biao'er's letter. He wanted to keep the original copy for himself, so he would just excerpt it in his own clumsy handwriting.
Ji Renshou sat there for a long time, watching Chen Biao chattering about his daily life to Zhu Yuanzhang, and the intelligence and clarity revealed in the warmth and nostalgia.
Afterwards, Ji Renshou took a basin, lit a fire, and threw his manuscripts into .
When Ji Renshou's wife saw this, she felt very distressed: "This is the hard work of most of your life, what are you doing?"
Ji Renshou used a fire poker to poke the brazier, making the fire burn more vigorously: "Since it's useless, why not burn it?"
Ji Renshou's wife was extremely anxious.
Ji Renshou laughed: "It's just half a lifetime of vanity, burn it, so why feel bad about it?"
After saying this, Ji Renshou seemed to have burned the fire too hot, so he flung open his robes, exposing his chest and abdomen in the deep autumn. He continued to sprinkle manuscripts into the brazier while singing with a smile: "For thirty years I have been searching for the swordsman, and the leaves have fallen and branches have sprouted again. Ever since I saw the peach blossoms, I have no doubts until now. Hahahaha!"
Ji Renshou's wife was speechless when she saw Ji Renshou laughing crazily.
At this moment, Chen Biao rushed in hurriedly and said in silence: "I was scared to death when I saw the fire! Is it Mr. Ji who is warming himself by the fire?"
Chen Ying, who was now able to walk with the help of a cane, limped over and followed, anxiously saying, "Biao'er! If there's a fire, you should have let others put it out instead of rushing forward alone! What if you get burned?"
Chen Biao slapped his head and said, "Oh, oh, oh, right, I was so anxious that I lost my mind. Mr. Ji, I'm here to bring you some eggplants. They've just been harvested in the farm, so fresh, and they're delicious when roasted. How about roasting them in the brazier?"
Ji Renshou smiled and said, "Okay."
Chen Biao said: "I'll go get the seasoning!"
After saying that, he ran away again, and Chen Ying couldn't catch up at all.
Chen Ying said helplessly, "Mr. Ji, Biao'er has a lively personality and does whatever he wants. I'm sorry for offending him."
Ji Renshou smiled and shook his head: "No offense, no offense, I can use useless things to bake a delicious meal of Kunlun purple melon for Biaoer, which is worthy of the paper and ink consumed."
Chen Biao acted very quickly.
He not only brought seasonings, but also fresh meat, dried mushrooms, rolled bean products, and high-quality fruit charcoal.
With Ji Renshou, a great scholar who used to give lectures frequently, some of the rules and regulations of Yingtian Primary School were finally improved. Chen Biao handed over the general affairs of Yingtian Primary School to Ji Renshou, which made his life much easier.
Chen Biao was thinking about how to repay Ji Renshou, but Ji Renshou was a noble scholar, and giving him material possessions would be an insult, which gave Chen Biao a headache.
Now, an idea flashed in Chen Biao's mind. Life is nothing but eating and drinking. Food and drink are not extraneous things. Taking Ji Renshou to eat and drink well can also be considered as a reward, right?
Chen Biao made a barbecue and invited Zhu Sheng and Zhu Yi, hoping to "break the ice" in the relationship between Mr. Zhu and Mr. Ji.
Everyone lived under the same roof, and although he didn't know why the atmosphere suddenly became awkward, Chen Biao hoped that the delicious barbecue could dilute the awkwardness.
Zhu Sheng and Zhu Yi came empty-handed and saw Ji Renshou burning a large box of manuscripts, and they fell silent.
While Zhu Yi was scratching his head, Zhu Sheng sat down beside Ji Renshou, picked up a manuscript, and said, "How can the sacred teachings be changed so easily?"
Ji Renshou said, "What is holy learning? Guiding people to be good is holy learning. The sages said, 'Teach according to the students' abilities.' So holy learning should have different effects on different people."
Zhu Sheng was silent and sighed, "You are willing to give it up."
How can one easily abandon the path they've pursued for most of their lives? Isn't that tragic?
While Ji Renshou and Zhu Sheng were exchanging witty remarks, Chen Biao was preparing the barbecue ingredients and did not hear anything.
As Chen Biao brushed meat sauce on the cut eggplants and put them on the barbecue grill to bring out the aroma, the two elderly scholars were in no mood to talk about ideals and beliefs.
"It smells so good!" Ji Renshou had already put on his robe again and just rolled up his sleeves. "Biao'er, your cooking skills are surprisingly good!"
Chen Biao said proudly, "When it comes to eating, I'm not behind anyone. Mr. Ji, would you like to try it?"
Chen Ying ordered a low table to be brought over, and everyone was given bowls, chopsticks, and plates. Ji Renshou placed the eggplant with meat sauce on the plate and used his chopsticks to pick up a piece of eggplant flesh soaked in gravy.
The eggplant flesh melts in your mouth, and the rich meaty aroma mixed with the fresh fragrance of eggplant is so addictive.
Ji Renshou praised repeatedly and quickly ate half of the eggplant.
Soon, everyone else was also immersed in the delicious barbecue, eating while praising Biaoer as the youngest and most amazing chef.
Chen Biao puffed out his chest proudly.
Barbecue is more fun than just eating it; the fun lies in making it yourself. Chen Biao taught Ji Renshou, Zhu Sheng, and the others how to grill delicious food. When the ingredients ran out and everyone was a little stuffed, Ji Renshou's box of manuscripts was completely burned.
Ji Renshou's wife took the barbecue sauce recipe written by Chen Biao and sighed in her heart.
Forget it, if her husband doesn’t feel sorry for her, why should she feel sorry for him?
I spent most of my life's hard work in exchange for a delicious meal. My husband said it was worth it, so then it was worth it.
After that, Ji Renshou devoted himself to teaching in Yingtian.
Although he lived in poverty for most of his life, after selling some of his property in his secluded place, he was able to buy a small house on the outskirts of Yingtian City.
However, Chen Biao tried to persuade Ji Renshou to stay: "The treatment at Yingtian Primary School is very good. Teachers are rewarded based on the students' progress. You are the vice-principal and acting principal, and you will also receive a share of the profits. Why don't you wait a year or two and move to a bigger house in the city? Even if you think living at the Chen family's house is inconvenient, Yingtian Primary School has staff dormitories!"
After Chen Biao showed off the treatment of teachers and staff of Yingtian Primary School, he also made some big promises, including medical insurance, pension insurance, housing provident fund, and collective housing construction.
He patted his chest and said, "Who says that teachers with high moral standards must live in poverty? If good people must live in poverty, then greedy people will become rich. How can we guide people to be good? The benefits our elementary school provides to teachers are not about becoming rich or famous, but just a stable life! Mr. Shanfu, please don't refuse!"
Seeing that Ji Renshou seemed to be still hesitating, Chen Biao continued, "The sages said, 'Cultivate oneself, manage the family, govern the country, and bring peace to the world.' If a gentleman can't ensure his wife doesn't worry about food and clothing, can't provide his children with enough food and clothing, can't provide his parents with a place to rely on in their old age, and even treats those around him poorly, how can people trust him to be kind to strangers? I don't like this anyway. Sir, please don't refuse!"
Ji Renshou sighed: "Since you've said this, how can I refuse?"
Chen Biao happily turned around and said cheerfully, "If I can convince Mr. Shanfu, I can definitely convince Mr. Yunsheng too. Hehe, I'll go now!"
Ji Renshou laughed and scolded, "Why don't you practice on me first?"
Chen Biao made a face: "Mr. Shanfu is more easygoing and easier to talk to!"
After saying that, he turned and ran away without waiting for Ji Renshou to answer.
Chen Ying pounded the ground with his cane and gritted his teeth, "Biao'er is still asking why Jin'er is so restless and always likes to run around? Just look at himself!"
Ji Renshou's face was full of doting: "He is in the growth stage now. He will grow stronger if he moves more."
Chen Ying was speechless.
He found that no matter who it was, after spending some time with Biao'er, they would become extremely doting on her. Fortunately, Biao'er had strong self-control, otherwise he would definitely be spoiled.
Isn't there a strict person who can control Biaoer?
Chen Ying resigned himself to his fate and continued to chase after him with his crutch.
Ji Renshou returned to the study and wrote down what Chen Biao said today.
A gentleman's detachment from external things is a gentleman's moral code. However, if one wants to encourage goodness, one should make good people's lives better, rather than portraying their miserable lives as good.
There are different levels of enlightenment. Although Biao'er is young, he is worthy of being my teacher.
…
With Ji Renshou's help, Yingtian's autumn harvest and planting celebrations were held very successfully.
Ji Renshou was at a loss for words. He had clearly said that he only wanted to be a teacher, but in the end he was forced to work for Zhu Yuanzhang.
However, he had not expected to be entrusted with such an important task right after his arrival. Li Shanchang, Zhu Yuanzhang's top civil official, even wrote a letter to thank him, showing no disdain for this parachuted-in person.
The atmosphere among Zhu Yuanzhang's literati is really... weird?
Sometimes they are full of intrigue and sometimes they are so warm and cozy. Isn't that weird?
After a while of joy, the people began to busy themselves with filling their stomachs and surviving again.
Chang Yuchun had lost confidence in returning to the front. He began to train the Zhu family army, surrendered soldiers, and civilians in the city on how to defend the city, and occasionally led his troops out to suppress bandits to hone his skills.
What gave him a headache was that when he went to the mountains to suppress bandits, nine out of ten times the bandits would surrender upon hearing the news, submit to him, and be willing to work in a prisoner-of-war labor reform camp.
On several occasions, the bandits cut off the heads of the mountain kings and came to pay homage, saying that they had been waiting for General Chang for a long time.
Chang Yuchun himself was once a bandit and knew that many bandits were forced to go to the mountains because they had nowhere else to go.
But after going up the mountain, he had a good life, which was much better than being an ordinary citizen. There were only a few people who could be as ruthless as him and quit the bandits. So Chang Yuchun never showed mercy to bandits.
But now…
Chang Yuchun sighed deeply when he saw another group of bandits coming down the mountain with their own mountain king to surrender.
He sighed, and the bandits below actually fell to the ground and cried. When asked why they were crying, they said that General Chang actually sighed for people like them, who were just like ants, and took pity on their helplessness. It was really touching.
Chang Yuchun felt that he would never dare to sigh in front of others again.
With Chang Yuchun helping Zhu Yuanzhang consolidate his rear, Zhu Yuanzhang advanced steadily and steadily, and Chen Youliang's territory gradually decreased.
When the weather was freezing, the two sides temporarily ceased fighting.
In the first month of the year, Han Song saw that Zhu Yuanzhang's territory was gradually expanding, so he named Zhu Yuanzhang the Duke of Wu, hoping that Zhu Yuanzhang would support Han Song.
Zhu Yuanzhang accepted Han Song's reward, and then turned around and pretended nothing happened.
Support? No way. I still have to fight Chen Youliang to the death.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Yingtian from afar, his face full of worry.
Ma Xiuying put clothes on Zhu Yuanzhang and looked towards Yingtian together.
At this time, no one disturbed the couple. They all knew that they were missing Biao'er and their other children who were far away in Yingtian.
Even if they took a temporary break to recuperate, Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying had to travel between the occupied cities to inspect Chang Yuchun's achievements and had no time to respond to Tian.
How could they not be sad to see their young children left alone in Yingtian?
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Yingtian celebrates the Lantern Festival.
Zhu Yuanzhang and others were not in Yingtian this year, but Yingtian continued to hold celebrations with lantern festivals and fireworks.
While Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying were looking towards Yingtian side by side, Chen Biao, who was dressed in fluffy clothes and looked chubby, was sitting on the roof, holding his chin with his hands, staring blankly at the sky.
Chen Ying's legs and feet have recovered and she sits aside to protect Chen Biao, who suddenly has the urge to climb onto the roof to watch the fireworks.
Li Wenzhong was taking care of the second and third cousins of the Chen family in the yard; Zhu Wenzhen, who finally agreed to come back, was holding the fourth cousin of the Chen family in his left hand and the fifth cousin of the Chen family in his right hand, as if he was using his body to weigh which cousin was heavier.
"Biao'er, if you are sad, it's okay to cry." Chen Ying comforted.
Chen Biao glanced at Chen Ying and said unhappily, "Brother Ying, although I'm a little unhappy it's not enough to make me cry. I just wonder when this chaotic world will end."
Chen Ying said, "I think it will be soon. The Marshal has the support of the people, and the speed of attacking cities and territories is very fast. With General Chang guarding the rear, it is also very stable. I think we can reach Chen Youliang's lair next year."
Chen Biao is not so optimistic.
Although he did not understand this history, he knew that it was impossible for Zhu Yuanzhang to seize the world so quickly.
Chen Biao continued to hold his chin in his hand and watch the fireworks in the sky, whispering, "I have to find a way to speed up the end of this chaotic world."
Chen Ying didn't hear clearly: "Huh?"
Chen Biao stretched out his hands to Chen Ying: "It's nothing. Carry me down. If you don't go down now, Brother Zheng will make Xiao Si and Xiao Wu cry."
Chen Ying picked up Chen Biao and jumped directly from the roof, landing steadily.
Chen Biao was surprised: "Brother Ying, if you jump down like this, you won't break your legs again, right?"
Chen Ying: "...Biao'er, stop being such a pessimist."
Seeing Chen Biao jumping down from the roof, Zhu Wenzhen stuffed Chen Gouer and Chen Maoer into the cradle and turned around and ran away.
Chen Biao yelled at the top of his lungs, "Brother Zheng! If you dare to play with my brother, then don't run away!"
Zhu Wenzheng also yelled at the top of his lungs: "I'm incompetent! I'm incompetent! Come and chase me!"
Li Wenzhong held his forehead.
Zhu Wenzhen has made numerous contributions this year, and his uncle is very happy. He said that he is considering letting Zhu Wenzhen be the Grand Marshal of the Grand Marshal's Office that will be built this year.
Zhu Yuanzhang inherited many of his policies from the Yuan Dynasty. The Grand Military Governor's Office was the highest military commanding body of the Yuan Dynasty, reporting directly to the emperor. He appointed Zhu Wenzheng as Grand Military Governor, ranking above Chang Yuchun and Xu Da, marking the first step in establishing the Zhu Dynasty.
Li Wenzhong truly doubted Zhu Wenzheng's ability to be the supreme military commander. This idiot who tossed his two younger cousins, less than a year old, around for fun, then had his six-year-old chase him around the yard? Supreme military commander?
…
After the first month of the year, Zhu Yuanzhang continued to fight.
During the war, he improved commercial taxes and land taxes, abolished the grain tax in the village, fully implemented the well-field system and military settlements, and established a militia system.
He used the excuse that "Chen Guorui was in charge" to let Chen Biao take notice of these systems.
Now that his territories were expanding, economic policies urgently needed improvement. Zhu Yuanzhang, having been a "great merchant" for so many years, was no longer the humble man he once was. His policies were highly practical, and Chen Biao praised them highly in his letter.
Zhu Yuanzhang felt happier than eating honey, and more proud than having swallowed up half of Chen Youliang's territory.
Unfortunately, his pride didn't last long.
Just when Zhu Yuanzhang decided to devote all his efforts to conquering Chen Youliang, the Yuan general Chagan Temur took advantage of the internal strife among the Red Turban Army in Shandong and launched a massive attack on Shandong by five armies, advancing both by land and sea, and successively conquering Zhangqiu, Jinan and other places.
The powerful Shandong Red Turban Army was left with only the empty city of Yidu.
If Shandong fell, the Yuan army would be able to enter Jiangnan immediately. The Jiangnan uprising army was shocked, and even Zhang Shicheng, a separatist warlord who had been recruited by the Yuan Dynasty, was restless.
Zhang Shicheng understood that as long as the Yuan Dynasty had finished conquering other places and had time to spare, it would definitely attack him and would not allow him to establish his own territory.
Everyone's attention was focused on Yidu.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat in the tent for a long time without saying a word.
Zhu Yuanzhang went through many hardships after joining the Red Turban Army, but it was indeed after joining the Red Turban Army that he had everything he has now, so his feelings towards the Red Turban Army are very complicated.
At least when Zhu Yuanzhang first joined the Red Turban Army, he believed in their slogans; when the Red Turban Army won victory after victory, he thought the Red Turban Army could really drive out the Yuan bandits, and he really regarded Han Song as the orthodox successor to the Yuan Dynasty.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought that his future rival for the throne might not be the Yuan Dynasty, but Han and Song.
However, the Red Turban Army in Shandong was constantly attacking from within, and the people were living in dire straits. They were easily defeated by the Yuan army, and the people still offered food and drink to welcome the royal army.
In Shandong, the Red Turban Army really became bandits hated by the people.
Such Red Turban Army, such Han Song...
Zhu Yuanzhang's subordinates thought that Zhu Yuanzhang was worried about the situation that would follow, and the advisers and generals quarreled endlessly.
Some of them thought that they should shrink the front line and wait for the confrontation with the Yuan army; some thought that they should send people to pretend to establish a relationship with the Yuan generals, and then continue to fight Chen Youliang with all their strength at all costs.
Liu Ji believed that all efforts should be made to conquer Chen Youliang. He debated with many scholars and generals, and even imitated the Confucian generals of the Han Dynasty, holding a feather fan and wearing a silk scarf, showing great momentum.
Zhu Yuanzhang was in a daze for a while, then came to his senses and said, "According to Mr. Bowen's advice, we should first write a letter to the Yuan general to pretend to form an alliance. If the Yuan general replies in agreement, we will continue to attack Chen Youliang with all our strength."
Liu Ji glanced at everyone and said proudly, "Yes, my lord."
Zhu Yuanzhang said to Xu Da: "Tian De, you take over the position of Marshal temporarily, and I will return to Tian De."
Xu Da was stunned for a moment, then replied, "Yes."
Zhu Yuanzhang asked Ma Xiuying, and Ma Xiuying continued to stay in the army to comfort the soldiers. He rode alone on horseback, with only a dozen personal soldiers, and rushed back to Yingtian at full speed overnight.
Except for Ma Xiuying, no one knew why Zhu Yuanzhang was so hurriedly responding to the sky.
When Zhu Yuanzhang was on his way back, a loud explosion was heard on the outskirts of Yingtian City. Chen Biao covered his heart, which was beating fast with fear, and slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though he knew the ingredients and proportions of the formula, Chen Biao still spent a full year and a half to safely make this powerful weapon.
RDX. A high explosive widely used during World War II.
The starting point of modern gunpowder is dynamite.
Chen Biao skipped yellow explosives such as nitroglycerin and fulminate of mercury and directly developed RDX because although RDX was invented later than these yellow explosives, it was the easiest high explosive to make, with the materials being the most easily obtained and requiring no modern technology or tools to make. As long as you know the formula and have pots and pans, you can make it.
There was even someone on the Internet teaching how to rub RDX by hand, and then this person was jailed for spreading dangerous information (dog head).
But the hot knowledge, the formula and reaction equation of RDX, will be learned in high school...
Ahem, it’s in Chen Biao’s memory treasure trove, he just needs to keep trying.
Now he's done.
As we all know, when gunpowder weapons became mainstream, many nations that were good at fighting became good at singing and dancing. However, the gunpowder weapons used were not black powder, but yellow powder.
The power of a gun made of black powder is not as strong as that of a crossbow.
Chen Biao took a deep breath.
Well, with this powerful weapon, Zhu Yuanzhang should be able to end the troubled times early, right?
Although it didn't have modern technology and was made purely by hand, the output of this thing was extremely low. But now black powder is also made purely by hand, and the output is about the same.
Even if the craftsmen don't know how to use this high-strength gunpowder to make new weapons in a short period of time, and only use it as explosive packs, attacking the city will be a piece of cake.
Chen Biao put his hands on his hips and looked up.
I finally feel a little bit like a time traveler.
Science student, very good!