The time jumps back to when Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly had the idea of using a large vest to write a letter to his beloved son.
At this moment, he slapped his head and remembered that several new great scholars under his command did not know Biao'er's identity. After asking Li Shanchang for his opinion, he decided to reveal Chen Biao's identity to Wang Xi and Ye Chen.
As for Ye Zheng's three disciples, they have been sent to other places occupied by Zhu Yuanzhang to assist the garrison generals and do not need to be taken into consideration for the time being.
In the past, Li Shanchang would have worried that some powerful scholars would come to dilute his credit.
After experiencing Zhu Yuanzhang's several outrageous maneuvers, Li Shanchang gave up. He figured that "serious" scholars probably wouldn't bother with their master. He'd just rip off as many powerful scholars as he could, immediately tying them up and preventing them from escaping. Otherwise, he'd probably die suddenly.
Song Lian and Ye Zheng had gained Zhu Yuanzhang's trust in Yangzhou, and Wang Xi and Ye Chen's efforts in Yingtian Prefecture had also shown Zhu Yuanzhang their sincerity. Li Shanchang jumped to his feet and raised his hands, agreeing to use Chen Biao's secret to tie up these two great scholars and reduce the chance of his own sudden death.
After Zhu Yuanzhang consulted Li Shanchang, he also sought his wife's opinion before entertaining Wang Xi and Ye Chen at Chen's house as Chen Guorui.
Wang Xi and Ye Chen had long been curious about the mysterious Chen family patriarch. Upon hearing the invitation, they readily went.
When he arrived at Chen's house, Chen Guorui didn't see Zhu Yuanzhang, but saw Zhu Yuanzhang chatting and laughing with his wife.
Wang Xi was a straightforward person, and when interacting with Zhu Yuanzhang, he was very similar to Zhu Yuanzhang's fellow generals. When he had doubts, he immediately spoke directly, "Did the head of the Chen family also invite the Marshal and his wife?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said: "No, I am Chen Guorui."
Wang Wei: “…”
Wang Xi laughed heartily and said, "Marshal, you really know how to joke."
Ma Xiuying smiled and said, "Guo Rui is Chongba's courtesy name. After Chongba changed his name to Yuanzhang, he also gave himself a courtesy name, Guo Rui. However, he was illiterate and had no use for it, so this courtesy name is only known to me and a few of his childhood friends."
Wang Xi was stunned and didn't come back to his senses for a while.
Ye Chen, who was more careful than Wang Xi and had been deep in thought since entering, said, "The Marshal is Chen Guorui, the head of the Chen family. Then, could Biao'er be the Marshal's hidden eldest son?"
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard the word "Biao'er", he immediately beamed with joy and said, "My son is amazing! Hahahahaha!"
Ye Chen smiled bitterly. "Impressive, indeed. With such a successor, the Marshal will have no worries for at least a hundred years. But why did the Marshal go to such unnecessary trouble? Biao'er is so smart. If he had announced it earlier, the Marshal's subordinates would definitely feel much more at ease."
In this era, when choosing a lord, civil officials and military commanders not only considered whether they were in tune with their own preferences, but also considered whether there was an heir. If a lord had no heir, and his business ventures met with misfortune, even the largest forces would fall apart in an instant.
One of the things Zhu Yuanzhang was criticized for was that, while he claimed to have sons, he kept them all hidden. Others also hid their children, but only one or two, not all. Zhu Yuanzhang's actions were unconventional. Many people speculated that Zhu Yuanzhang's sons likely died young, and that he simply fabricated them to reassure his subordinates.
However, Zhu Yuanzhang had just turned thirty and was in the prime of his life, so even if his subordinates were worried about this matter, it was not particularly urgent.
Furthermore, Zhu Yuanzhang's old subordinates all had an attitude of "I have seen Marshal Zhu's son, Marshal Zhu's son is very powerful", which made others gradually believe that Zhu Yuanzhang did have a son, but Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely suspicious and refused to let his son show himself in public.
Now Zhu Yuanzhang said that he was Chen Guorui, and the famous prodigy Chen Biao in Yingtian City was his eldest son.
Why not show such an outstanding eldest son to others?
Even though he was worried about the child's safety, Zhu Yuanzhang felt it was unnecessary to keep the child with him.
All the doubts made Ye Chen confused.
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed: "I also have my own difficulties."
After sighing, he proudly told the story of the unfortunate fortune teller's opinion and his unfortunate experience.
My son, a divine boy! Isn't he awesome!
Wang Xi: “…” Awesome.
Ye Chen: “…” He had seen foxes before, and foxes really whimpered, not “The great Chu will rise, and Chen Sheng will be king.”
When Zhu Yuanzhang saw their expressions, he knew they didn't believe it.
He was too lazy to talk any more and just talked about his troubles.
My divine boy son is good in every way except that he is extremely distrustful of Zhu Yuanzhang. He tries to hide himself as much as possible and refuses to show any talent.
If Li Shanchang had not beaten Chang Yuchun that day and said that he wanted Chen Biao to teach a group of second-generation generals, Chen Biao's name as a child prodigy would not even have spread.
Now I want my son to enlighten those second-generation generals and let him quietly build up his own prestige and power, but Biaoer will definitely find ways to shirk it.
Zhu Yuanzhang pinched his chin. "So I have an idea. Since he's so afraid of Marshal Zhu, I can give him a direct order as Marshal Zhu. He will definitely not refuse. What do you two gentlemen think?"
Before Wang Xi and Ye Chen could say anything, Li Shanchang, who had gone to the Chen family's cellar and found a jar of plum wine, came over with the jar in his arms and said coldly, "It's nothing. Marshal, how many accusations have you made against Marshal Zhu? Have you thought about how Biao'er will view you when he finds out who you are?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "We'll talk about it a dozen years from now. Besides, I'm Biao'er's biological father. What can he do to me?"
Just make do with it, how can your father not want you?
Zhu Yuanzhang even felt a little excited when he thought about his son's red face with anger.
Ma Xiuying knew Zhu Yuanzhang's bad taste and rolled her eyes at him: "Aren't you afraid that your son will ignore you?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said cheerfully, "He is unwilling to do so."
Li Shanchang placed the wine jar on the table with a clang. "Even if you're not worried about the future, Biao'er is a thoughtful person. He's already wary of Marshal Zhu. If you scare him again, aren't you afraid he'll get sick? Children are fragile. Even though Biao'er is a deity descended to earth, he's still just a human child."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "So I called Wang Zichong and Ye Jingyuan. You two talented people must have a solution!"
Li Shanchang asked, "Are these two talented people just summoned by you, Marshal, to deceive your son? Marshal, do you have the nerve to do this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and said, "Mr. Li is so talented, won't you help me deceive my son? The person who helps me deceive my son is my confidant, hahahaha."
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was laughing too wildly, Ma Xiuying couldn't help but pinch the back of Zhu Yuanzhang's hand lightly to make him restrain himself.
Zhu Yuanzhang coughed dryly, restrained his laughter, and looked at Wang Xi and Ye Chen expectantly.
Wang Xi finally came to his senses. He turned to look at Ye Chen, then turned back and questioned Li Shanchang with his eyes.
The stiff movement of his neck made him look like an iron man with rusty and unoiled joints.
Li Shanchang said, "What the Marshal said is true."
Wang Xi slowly raised his hand to support his forehead.
Just when Li Shanchang was worried that Wang Xi couldn't handle the excitement, he suddenly looked up to the heavens and laughed wildly: "I knew it! I knew it! The Marshal is the one chosen by Heaven! It's Heaven's will! Heaven will eventually let someone who cares about the people become the emperor! Hahahahahaha!"
Li Shanchang: "..."
He silently opened the seal of the wine jar, lowered his head, took a deep breath of the wine, and squinted his eyes in intoxication.
He was worried about Wang Xi, this crazy scholar, and he was really thinking too much.
Wang Xi couldn't stop laughing. He laughed so hard that tears fell like rain and his body became hunched.
Ye Chen didn't laugh. He just closed his eyes for a moment, exhaled slowly, and said, "Did Brother Clan and Brother Song know about this a long time ago?"
Wang Xi's laughter stopped abruptly, and his bloodshot eyes stared at Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang, who often fought on the battlefield, was actually a little scared by Wang Xi's red eyes.
The strong acting skills and emotional intelligence he had cultivated under Chen Biao were put to good use at this moment. He sighed and said, "When I went to Yangzhou as Chen Guorui, Biaoer was worried about me and followed me without authorization. Song Jinglian and Ye Zizheng happened to be there too, and they caught Biaoer and me red-handed. Fortunately, Jinglian and Zizheng were quick-witted and quickly resolved the matter, otherwise I would have been exposed to Biaoer."
After finishing speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang touched his head, looking frightened: "That was a close call."
Li Shanchang silently glanced at his master. His master's acting skills were becoming more and more exquisite, and he was becoming more and more like a master.
Wang Xi wiped away his tears, restrained his frantic demeanor, and bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Congratulations, my lord, on having this unicorn child."
Ye Chen also bowed and said: "Congratulations to the Lord for having this Qilin child. The Lord's great cause will surely succeed!"
Li Shanchang asked, "Should I also call you Marshal, Lord?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, "Didn't you say to delay the title of king? Calling him Marshal is also fine. Sit down, everyone. Lord Li has been craving for wine for a long time."
Li Shanchang said, "Then call me Lord in private. Now that you have a few more great sages, you have established your authority and should establish your aura as a powerful leader. Lord, I dare not address you as 'Lord' in front of Zi Chong and Jing Yuan. Just call me by my courtesy name."
When Ma Xiuying saw that the atmosphere had eased, she stood up and went to the kitchen to get wine glasses, bowls and chopsticks, and filled everyone's glasses with wine.
Yingtian was busy with things, so Zhu Yuanzhang's meeting was naturally at night. Ma Xiuying was pregnant and needed to rest early, so she didn't want to stay up late with these people.
After such a big scare, Wang Xi and Ye Chen didn't say anything about eating midnight snacks causing indigestion, and they were not polite.
After they had finished most of the food on the table, the Chen family servants replaced the large amount of fish and meat on the table with some cold vegetables and fruits as a side dish for the next round of drinking. Only then did they start talking about business.
Wang Xi sorted out his thoughts and, like Song Lian and Ye Zheng before him, asked to what extent Chen Biao's identity needed to be concealed.
Then Wang Xi said helplessly: "My lord, if we want to keep it secret from others, we must first keep it secret from our own people. Are there too many people who know Biao'er's identity?"
Listen, what do you mean everyone on this street knows Biao'er's identity? Can you really keep it a secret like this?
Zhu Yuanzhang said embarrassedly, "This... this has a very important reason. You all know that without a reliable successor, our brothers might become disunited. There's nothing I can do about it."
Wang Xi nodded: "That's indeed the case."
Li Shanchang glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang.
That's bullshit indeed.
After Zhu Yuanzhang had a son, he showed off everywhere, including to all his close brothers.
Originally, this could be concealed by pretending to send the child away. But after Biaoer showed his supernatural powers, Zhu Yuanzhang showed off again.
This time, Zhu Yuanzhang did not show off to anyone he met, but he did not let go of any of his fellow villagers who were in Yingtian. Only then did he seek out a fortune teller to read his face.
Of course, Zhu Yuanzhang could still keep it a secret as long as he sent Biao'er away.
But how could Zhu Yuanzhang bear to send Biao'er away? If it weren't for the fact that swords and spears are blind, he might have tied Biao'er's swaddling clothes to his chest and taken Biao'er with him wherever he went to fight.
Li Shanchang was terrified every day, always feeling that he would be exposed.
But he never expected that Zhu Yuanzhang's poor friends would actually use their acting skills to the fullest and keep the matter a secret.
Maybe his master is really destined to be his master.
Wang Xi and Ye Chen believed Zhu Yuanzhang's lies and thought that Zhu Yuanzhang had no choice but to reveal Chen Biao's existence to his trusted generals.
They didn't know how blindly Zhu Yuanzhang's poor buddies and trusted generals trusted and worshipped him, and they would never betray him. They thought that Zhu Yuanzhang's situation was the same as everyone else's, and when Zhu Yuanzhang was in a low position, it was normal for his trusted generals to be uneasy, so they needed to use Chen Biao's identity to appease him.
Wang Xi and Ye Chen fell into deep thought.
If you want to keep the secret from Chen Biao, it would be best to send Chen Biao away from Yingtian.
But from Zhu Yuanzhang's tone, it seemed that he was unwilling to be separated from his son. Besides, Chen Guorui had been using this identity for several years, so it was impossible for him to disappear suddenly.
We can’t let the young Biaoer suffer the pain of losing his father, right?
With Biao'er's intelligence, he might even suspect Zhu Yuanzhang. If that happens, father and son will kill each other, which would be really fun.
What's more...
"Is the well-field system really Biao'er's idea?" Wang Xi said in disbelief.
Zhu Yuanzhang said proudly, "It was Biao'er's idea. The legendary head of the Chen family is actually Biao'er, and Chen Guorui is just Biao'er's handyman. Hehe. Isn't my son amazing?"
Whenever Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, he would add "My son is so awesome, isn't he?", which made Li Shanchang roll his eyes.
Every time he mentioned Biao'er, the Marshal's simple and conceited nature was immediately exposed. Fortunately, the two great sages in front of him were not serious scholars and did not care about the Marshal's nature.
Wang Xi took a few deep breaths and said excitedly, "I wonder what a grand scene it will be when the Crown Prince returns to the throne!"
Ye Chen thought more: "My lord, you hope that Biao'er can give you more ideas, but Biao'er is very afraid of Marshal Zhu and is unwilling to help. That's why you want to write to Biao'er?"
Zhu Yuanzhang scratched his head and said honestly, "That's true, but that's not the most important thing. Uh, Biao'er is too afraid of Marshal Zhu. How can this be? I have to change my image in my son's mind."
Li Shanchang: "Puff."
Zhu Yuanzhang was furious: "Mr. Li!"
Li Shanchang covered his mouth with his sleeve and said, "My Lord, didn't you say that you are not worried about what will happen in more than ten years?"
Zhu Yuanzhang stiffened his neck and said, "Although I'm not worried, I look like a tyrant in Biao'er's eyes. How can this be allowed?"
Li Shanchang smiled. My Lord, don't you think you are a tyrant?
Wang Xi picked up the wine glass and pretended to drink, hiding the smile on his face. My Lord, you look like a tyrant to me.
Ye Chen smiled. My Lord, you are a tyrant. Don't deny it. Look at how accurate your son's judgment is.
Seeing the three scholars all showing sarcastic expressions, Zhu Yuanzhang drank a glass of wine awkwardly and said, "Okay, okay, I'm a tyrant, okay? But even if I am a tyrant, I won't kill meritorious officials for no reason. Whose merits are greater than mine?"
Li Shanchang said, "That's true. Biao'er is being overly cautious."
In terms of military power, Zhu Yuanzhang conquered more cities personally than any of his generals; in terms of literature, whether good or bad, the well-field system was enough to make Zhu Yuanzhang famous in history.
Therefore, when Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor in the future, he would definitely be the one who contributed the most to his founding of the country.
Wang Xi said, "Biao'er is well-versed in history books. He might know the fear a child with a strange vision might face in troubled times , and worry about bringing misfortune to his family. This matter is very simple. As long as..."
Before Wang Xi finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately said, "Mr. Wang! I'll leave this matter to you!"
Wang Xi: “…Ah?”
Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "You're the first person to say this is a simple matter. I don't ask for anything else, as long as Biaoer has a better impression of Marshal Zhu and stops thinking that Marshal Zhu will kill Chen Guorui's entire family."
Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his head. "Every time I have to explain to Biaoer that I won't kill my entire family, it's really hard to hold back my laughter. I'm afraid that one day I won't be able to hold it back anymore."
Li Shanchang and Ye Chen couldn't help laughing. Wang Xi bowed repeatedly and said, "I'll do my best, I'll do my best. That's all I can say. Let me write the letter for you, my lord. I can write with both hands, so I can use my left hand to write for you. Please tell me more about Biaoer so that I can figure out how to write the letter."
…
Chen Biao, who received the letter, opened it with trembling hands.
Before he could read what was written in the letter, the sharp cursive script made Chen Biao look domineering.
Chen Biao wiped his face with a very bitter expression.
I heard that Zhu Yuanzhang started studying not much earlier than him and his father. Look at this calligraphy, it's so good that it can be used as a copybook!
Zhu Yuanzhang also studied calligraphy late into the night and spent most of his time on horseback. How could his handwriting be so good? Why is my father's handwriting so poor?!
Dad, you should study hard!
Chen Biao felt a pang of jealousy. What did it mean to be a natural emperor? Look at this talent! How could Comrade Chen Guorui compare with others?
Many people say that a person's handwriting reflects his character, which is of course not entirely true. However, Zhu Yuanzhang's handwriting is indeed domineering and unbridled, and one can see his inner arrogance and self-confidence at a glance.
After Chen Biao evaluated Zhu Yuanzhang's calligraphy, he calmed down and carefully read the handwritten letter Zhu Yuanzhang wrote to a five-year-old child.
Alas, the fact that "Zhu Yuanzhang wrote a letter to a five-year-old child in his own handwriting" itself is an ominous sign.
Chen Biao suppressed the fear and panic in his heart and read the letter carefully word by word.
Then Chen Biao silently placed the letter on the table, raised his middle fingers with both hands, and raised them above his head.
"Chen Guorui!!!!"
Zhu Wenzhen and Li Wenzhong walked home arm in arm, holding the malt sugar they brought back for Chen Biao. When they walked into the courtyard, they heard Chen Biao roaring in a baby voice.
Li Zhen stood in the courtyard, gazing at the study door with a doting look.
Li Wenzhong asked, "Dad, what happened to Biao'er?"
Li Zhen said lovingly, "You're cursing."
Zhu Wenzheng said: "I heard it, scolding Fourth Uncle. What's wrong with Fourth Uncle?"
Li Zhen sighed, "Guo Rui again... Well, you'll know once you get in."
Li Wenzhong and Zhu Wenzheng exchanged a glance. Why are you still keeping us in suspense? Should we go in?
Li Zhen said, "Okay, Biao'er has finished scolding you, you can go in."
Li Wenzhong was curious: "Dad, why are you standing here and not going in?"
Li Zhen said, "My son called his father unfilial, so I sent everyone away so that Biao'er wouldn't have to worry so much."
Li Wenzhong was dumbfounded. What were he worried about? He was worried about scolding his own father? Dad, your son is still here. If you're teaching your uncle's son bad things, aren't you afraid of teaching your own son bad things too?
Li Zhen understood Li Wenzhong's expression and glanced at Li Wenzhong's legs.
Biao'er is Biao'er, and you are you. You dare to scold me? Break your legs!
Li Zhen said, "Biao'er must be very angry, you should comfort him."
After saying that, he went to make some pear water for Chen Biao to moisten his throat.
Li Wenzhong: "Wenzheng, I don't think we should go in... Hey? Wenzheng, why are you running so fast?"
Zhu Wenzheng said cheerfully, "Biao'er is scolding Fourth Uncle! Of course I'll go in and watch the fun!"
Li Wenzhong sighed to the sky. He really believed that if his uncle became emperor, Zhu Wenzheng would be in great danger.
With Zhu Wenzhen's personality, even his own father would break his legs!
Chen Biao roared for a long time, and only stopped when his throat was smoking.
He sat cross-legged on the table, gulping down boiled water from a kettle while continuing to curse under his breath.
The pitiful thing is that Chen Guorui is his biological father, and whatever he scolds will backfire on him. It is so sad that anyone who hears it or sees it will cry.
Zhu Wenzheng ran in excitedly, stuffed the cloth bag of malt sugar into Chen Biao's arms, and then asked with his hands on the table, "Biao'er, I heard you scolding Fourth Uncle from a distance. What stupid thing did Fourth Uncle do again?"
Chen Biao complained in his hoarse little voice, "My father actually went to Marshal Zhu and told him that I had to teach in dreams as a fairy, so that I could assist Marshal Zhu's own son and save Marshal Zhu from a century of worry."
Zhu Wenzhen tilted his head: "Ah? Did you tell Marshal Zhu?" What is Fourth Uncle up to again?
Chen Biao nodded vigorously: "Marshal Zhu wrote me a personal letter, asking me to study hard and assist his son in the future."
Zhu Wenzhen picked up the letter that Chen Biao had placed upside down on the table: "Is this a letter written by Marshal Zhu? Let me take a look... Hey, these words, wow..."
Fourth uncle is so shameless!
Chen Biao exclaimed in admiration: "It's really well written, isn't it? The Marshal's handwriting is just like him, as domineering as his personality."
Zhu Wenzheng suppressed his laughter and said, "Yes, yes, yes, ah, yes, yes, that's right."
Li Wenzhong also came in and happened to hear their conversation. He also leaned over to see what Marshal Zhu's handwritten letter looked like.
He had a strange expression on his face: "This word is too good."
Uncle, is this really okay for you? Finding someone who writes so well to write for you, once your identity is exposed, Biaoer will definitely laugh at you.
Chen Biao continued to admire, "That's right. I heard that Marshal Zhu started learning calligraphy only a year or two earlier than my father. How can the gap of one or two years be so huge!"
Zhu Wenzheng: "Actually, it's been less than one or two years."
Li Wenzhong: "Just think of it as one or two years."
They looked at each other and said in unison: "As expected of you, Marshal!"
Praise him, praise him to death! This will make his adoptive father even more embarrassed when his identity is exposed!
Chen Biao said, "I'm going to keep this letter and show it to my father when he gets home, so he doesn't keep using the excuse of being on the march and fighting and not having time to practice calligraphy. That's not the point. The point is that the Marshal said he wants to train me now! Let me work for him! I'm only five years old!"
Chen Biao was extremely anxious.
He knew the Marshal was short of men, but was he so short that he had to send a five-year-old to fill the shoes? While it wasn't tiring to teach others...
Zhu Wenzhen and Li Wenzhong read the letter head to head at a rapid pace.
The letter said that Chen Guorui confessed to Zhu Yuanzhang that Chen Biao had a dream in which an immortal master taught him scriptures to assist Zhu Yuanzhang's children.
Assisting Zhu Yuanzhang can only protect one generation. If you select a young boy to train, maybe he can assist Zhu Yuanzhang's descendants for three generations and ensure Zhu Yuanzhang has no worries for a hundred years.
Zhu Yuanzhang said he believed it and encouraged Chen Biao to study hard. When he ascended the throne to become emperor, he would let Chen Biao be the prince's companion.
Zhu Yuanzhang also said that the matter of being taught by an immortal was of great importance, and that he would not meet with Chen Biao, lest his enemies should think too much and harm him. However, he would give Chen Biao some tests to check how well he had learned and to prevent him from being lazy.
The first test is to let Chen Biao enlighten Yingtian’s group of troublesome younger generations.
Zhu Wenzhen and Li Wenzhong looked at each other and guessed the reason why Zhu Yuanzhang wrote the letter.
It is definitely because Biaoer doesn't want to be an enlightenment teacher that his adoptive father came up with this bad idea!
Li Wenzhong said, "Biao'er, this is a good thing."
Zhu Wenzheng didn't dare to contradict Zhu Yuanzhang on important matters: "Yes, it's a good thing. From now on, you will be the prince's companion and a close minister! You will definitely become a prime minister in the future!"
Chen Biao sat cross-legged on the table with his two short hands folded in his lap. He glanced at his two silly brothers, then lowered his head and said nothing.
Li Zhen came in with pear juice: "Biao'er, the Marshal would not deceive a child."
Chen Biao said in a muffled voice: "I know."
Although Zhu Yuanzhang was a tyrant, he was able to build a kingdom from scratch and was not a despicable person. If Zhu Yuanzhang had the intention to kill, he would have done so immediately and would not have lied to a child.
So when Zhu Yuanzhang told Chen Biao to study without worry, he was really assuring Chen Biao that he would protect Chen Biao and let Chen Biao be a younger brother to the prince who was hiding somewhere unknown.
Chen Biao thought a lot and thought of the deeper reasons behind Zhu Yuanzhang's actions.
Most emperors in history books are accompanied by miraculous rumors, and most emperors, especially the founding emperors, must have had wise ministers and good generals who brought the miraculous rumors to them.
Wow, the magical double buffs are superimposed.
Zhu Yuanzhang had generals under his command who were rumored to have supernatural powers.
For example, his father, Chen Guorui. There is a folk legend that when his grandmother gave birth to his father, she dreamed of a golden Pixiu flying into her arms.
Then there was Uncle Xu, Xu Da, whose stories of being taught military books and martial arts by an immortal were so vivid that they could be told vividly. After Uncle Xu revealed his true identity, he admitted, while drunk, that he had spread many of the rumors himself to scare the enemy.
Chen Biao once wondered whether Zhu Yuanzhang's keeping his son hidden so closely would result in his son having less prestige when he succeeded to the throne.
However, Chen Biao quickly overturned this conclusion.
Zhu Yuanzhang's son did not need much prestige, as long as Zhu Yuanzhang himself had enough prestige.
The crown prince's succession to the throne is not a usurpation of the throne. As long as the emperor has enough prestige and supports the crown prince's succession to the throne, even if the crown prince is a fool or a madman, he can inherit the throne.
Not to mention the several foolish and crazy emperors of the previous dynasty, even after Zhu Yuanzhang, he insisted on pushing the crown prince to the throne. What prestige did the crown prince have? It was still Zhu Yuanzhang who said who would be the emperor.
But now it seems that although Zhu Yuanzhang knew that there was no need to enhance the prestige of his son who was in hiding, he could still help his son select his team in advance.
Founding emperors would worry about how long their throne would last. If a son had a "virtuous childhood friend" who had received divine guidance from an immortal, there would be no need to worry about his son becoming a tyrant and ruining the family.
Moreover, if the immortal skipped over him and went to teach his son, wouldn't that further prove that it was a foregone conclusion that he would become emperor?
It is understandable that Zhu Yuanzhang did not fear himself but instead valued himself.
But! This cannot extinguish the anger in Chen Biao's heart!
Chen Guorui! Can't you discuss this with me first?! I know you're a Zhu Yuanzhang fanatic! I know Zhu Yuanzhang has been criticized by scholars recently and is doubting himself. You're probably even more anxious than Zhu Yuanzhang! But how can you, out of loyalty to the emperor, give your precious son to Zhu Yuanzhang to appease him?!
The more Chen Biao thought about it, the angrier he became, and the more aggrieved he felt, his eyes turned red.
He sniffed and wiped the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand: "My father, my father just thinks that his commander is the most important, and I, his son, am not important at all!"
Li Zhen quickly wiped Chen Biao's tears: "Why would Biaoer think that?"
Chen Biao pursed his lips, tears streaming down his face. "For the sake of the Marshal, he even disregarded his son's safety."
Li Zhen hurriedly said, "How is that possible? Guo Rui trusts the Marshal and knows that he will definitely protect you, so that's why he did this."
Chen Biao was already stuck in a dead end: "What if? People's hearts are hidden. What if the Marshal wants to kill me? He doesn't care about me at all! He only cares about himself as the Marshal!"
Li Zhen saw Chen Biao crying harder and harder, and she felt a headache. "That's not the case, Biao'er. Think about it, Mr. Li has recommended you to the Marshal, and you will become this young master sooner or later. Guo Rui told the Marshal about your magical powers because he loves you, to increase your bargaining chips and protect your safety."
Chen Biao grabbed Li Zhen's clothes, buried his head in Li Zhen's arms, and choked with sobs: "I don't believe it. He didn't even tell me and made the decision on his own. He just doesn't value me, he just thinks the Marshal is more important. He's not doing this to protect me, he's just doing it to make the Marshal happy. Selling his son for fame!"
Li Zhen said sternly, "Biao'er! You can't say that about your father! Your father isn't that kind of person! Think about it, your father is so good to you and always goes along with you. What other father would be like your father?"
Chen Biao's body trembled: "But, but..."
Li Zhen said, "No buts. Let's respond to the sky right away and ask your father for clarification!"
After saying that, he picked up Chen Biao and was ready to set off immediately.
Zhu Wenzheng and Li Wenzhong were dumbfounded: "Leaving now? There's still a lot to do in Yangzhou!"
There are plans for the reconstruction and renovation of Yangzhou City, plans for selling and renting houses in and outside the city, a public opinion campaign on operas, novels, and nursery rhymes, and mutual help in rural communes... There are a lot of plans written, and they have just started!
Li Zhen scolded, "You two are already grown men! Biao'er has already written the documents for you. Don't you know how to follow them?! If you can't even do this, how can you be a garrison commander? Tell the commander-in-chief as soon as possible and go back to study for a few more years!"
Zhu Wenzhen and Li Wenzhong were so yelled at by Li Zhen, who rarely cursed, that they didn't dare to raise their heads.
Only after Li Zhen left with Chen Biao, who was biting his lips and sobbing in grievance, did they both raise their heads.
Zhu Wenzheng: "When my uncle gets angry, he's really scary."
Li Wenzhong nodded vigorously.
Zhu Wenzheng: "Once Biao'er leaves, we'll be in trouble."
Li Wenzhong nodded vigorously.
Zhu Wenzheng: "But when I think about how my adoptive father will be even more worried, I just...hahahahahahaha."
Li Wenzhong covered Zhu Wenzheng's mouth and said, "Shut up!"
He once again confirmed that Zhu Wenzhen would be doomed after his adoptive father ascended the throne!
…
Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his hands in Yingtian and said, "Zichong, Zichong, will Biaoer really change his impression of Zhu Yuanzhang after reading the letter I wrote?"
Wang Xi said, "Yes."
Zhu Yuanzhang was pleased and asked, "Will he start to admire me from now on?"
Wang Xi said, "I don't know whether he admires me or not, but I think he's relieved. As long as you bind your offspring to Biao'er and promise Biao'er that he will be the crown prince's companion in the future, Biao'er will no longer be afraid to show off his talent."
Wang Xi was very confident.
The Strategies of the Warring States states, "Parents who love their children make far-reaching plans for them." Given Biao'er's intelligence, he would surely understand that the talented people around Zhu Yuanzhang might suffer misfortune, but the talents Zhu Yuanzhang reserved for the crown prince would remain safe as long as he did not depose the crown prince.
The crown prince had been hidden, and since he was unknown, there was naturally no such thing as a "deposed crown prince." Biao'er was the team Zhu Yuanzhang left behind for his uncertain future successor.
Therefore, before Zhu Yuanzhang determined his successor, Biao'er did not have to worry about safety issues and could display his talents with confidence.
Zhu Yuanzhang continued to rub his palms: "I'm really looking forward to it."
Will his good friend finally praise Zhu Yuanzhang?
Wang Xi couldn't help laughing when he saw Zhu Yuanzhang like this.
He didn't expect that after Zhu Yuanzhang put down his airs as a general, he would treat his family in this way in private.
"Marshal, Marshal, this is bad!" A personal guard rushed in, "Young Master Biao will soon enter Yingtian City!"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Biao'er is back? How come so soon? What's the rush? Isn't it still early? Zi Chong, I'm going back to Chen's house first. I'll take the documents back to Chen's house for review."
The personal guard said anxiously, "General! Young Master Biao came back crying! He cried all the way! Master Li came back at full speed, holding Young Master Biao in his arms! I was only one step faster than Master Li! General, please think of how to comfort Young Master Biao! Young Master Biao's eyes are swollen from crying!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was furious: "What? Biao'er cried all the way? Who bullied Biao'er? I'm going to chop him down!"
The personal guard was speechless: "Marshal, besides you, who else could make Master Biao cry like this? Master Biao read the letter you wrote and said that you only have Marshal Zhu in your heart, not him. You saw Marshal Zhu was besieged and sad, so you sold...you used your son to please the Marshal, regardless of his life or death...There are even more serious words, Marshal..."
The personal guard glanced at Wang Xi.
Wang Wei: “…”
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Wang Xi, his face full of disbelief: "Zichong, didn't you say that Biao'er would change his impression of Zhu Yuanzhang?"
The personal guard spoke for Wang Xi, saying, "Master Biao's impression of the Marshal has indeed changed a lot. He wasn't crying for the Marshal, but for Master Chen."
Zhu Yuanzhang: "..." He didn't know what to say for a moment.
Yes, Biaoer’s impression of Marshal Zhu has improved, but Biaoer’s impression of his biological father Chen Guorui has deteriorated. Is that what you mean?
Could it be that the impressions of Zhu Yuanzhang and Chen Guorui in Biaoer's eyes were made from the same wooden stick, with one end being longer and the other shorter?
Not to mention Zhu Yuanzhang, even Wang Xi was panicked.
He could never imagine why Chen Biao would cry because of this.
Chen Guorui was seeking a future for his son, so how could Biaoer have thought that Chen Guorui was selling... using his son to please the Marshal?
What on earth is this kid thinking!
Wang Xi said stubbornly, "My Lord! I'll go with you! I'll defend you!"
Zhu Yuanzhang, weeping, grabbed Wang Xi's hands and said, "Zichong! You wrote the letter, you must defend me!"
Quibbling... Wang Xi was furious. My Lord, you should read more!