Chapter 42 Zhu Yuanzhang is really a kind father
Chen Biao couldn't walk anymore.
He moved a small stool and sat in front of his mother's delivery room, holding his chin with both hands and staring blankly at the door.
Zhu Yuanzhang also moved a small stool and sat side by side with Chen Biao.
Chen Biao said, "Dad, it's so hard for women to give birth."
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and rubbed his hands anxiously, as if he wanted to rub off a layer of skin.
Chen Biao said, "Giving birth is when a woman needs a doctor the most, but because of the gender differences, most families are reluctant to let doctors into the delivery room. Midwives rely on experience to deliver babies and don't have much medical skills."
Zhu Yuanzhang continued to nod: "That's right."
Chen Biao added, "Dad, did you see the forceps the doctor is holding? Those are obstetric forceps. As long as they are used correctly, they can greatly increase the chances of a safe delivery for the mother."
Zhu Yuanzhang opened his eyes wide: "Really?!"
He didn't ask his son why he knew that. He just wanted to know whether this thing called forceps could save his Xiuying.
Chen Biao leaned his body against his father and said, "Yeah. Mom will be fine."
Zhu Yuanzhang felt his son trembling and held him in his arms, hugging him tightly. "Of course, your mother is blessed with great fortune, so she will be absolutely fine! Don't be afraid, Dad is here."
Chen Biao wanted to say, what's the point of having Dad around? He can't help Mom with the baby.
But at this time he couldn't make a sound, he just hugged his father's neck tightly, absorbing the warmth from his father's body.
"Dad, only someone who understands medical principles and the anatomy of the human body can use forceps. Such a person must be a famous doctor." Chen Biao whispered, "But in this world, women who work as doctors are discriminated against and even regarded as inferior."
Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it carefully and said: "Yes, that's the truth."
Chen Biao said sadly, "Dad, I want to do good for Mom. How about we spend money to open a medical school so that girls can also attend? When there are more female doctors, Mom will be healthier and safer."
Zhu Yuanzhang said firmly, "Okay! Let's open a medical school, open to both men and women! Oh, Biao'er, after the Marshal ascends the throne, let's propose that he strictly manage the household registration system. Doctors will be registered as doctors, and their children will all be doctors. That way, we won't have to worry about a shortage of doctors!"
Chen Biao let go of Zhu Yuanzhang's neck and looked at his mentally retarded father with the eyes of a fool: "Dad, are you still going to say that soldiers are soldiers, and their descendants can only be soldiers; farmers are farmers, and their descendants can only be farmers; craftsmen are craftsmen, and their descendants can only be craftsmen?"
Zhu Yuanzhang held his son in one hand and scratched his head with the other. "Uh, no, no? Isn't that right? Isn't that what the ideal society of Datong in the Book of Rites says? The people have their own positions?"
Chen Biao's eyes were filled with pity. What kind of book was his father reading ? Did he only understand the literal meaning of the book?
Chen Biao said weakly, "Dad, you should ask more questions when reading, and don't believe all the annotations. Think about it carefully. If merchants can only be merchants, won't your descendants never be able to become officials?"
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.
He wanted to say that he didn't want wealthy businessmen to be officials in the first place, and he didn't trust them to be good to the people. But his current identity was "rich businessman", so he couldn't say it.
Chen Biao, unaware of his father's inner struggles, said, "The 'men have their roles and women their destinations' in the Book of Rites doesn't just mean 'have' in the superficial sense. It also means that people can freely choose their own jobs and destinations. In an ideal country, if people have the ability and interest, they can work hard to pursue the jobs they want."
"For example, Dad, even though we are wealthy businessmen, if you have a heart that wants to save the world and the people, you can become a general."
"I believe an ideal world is one where everyone has the power to choose, as long as it's reasonable, legal, and moral. For example, as a scholar, I could study Confucianism today, think Legalism is also good tomorrow, and then want to study Taoism or Buddhism the day after tomorrow. I can study whatever I want, without prejudice or disputes."
"Similarly, military commanders tired of fighting could study and pursue literature; scholars seeking to defend their country could choose between a brush and a sword; officials would study the craftsman's skills for the benefit of the people, and craftsmen who created useful props could also become officials; singing, dancing, and acting could all be respected professions, not the so-called lowly classes."
"I think this is how the future should be." Chen Biao shook his head. "The descendants of doctors can only be doctors, the descendants of soldiers can only be soldiers, the descendants of scholars must learn literature, and artisans and farmers cannot change their professions throughout their lives... In such a country, the rulers may be able to rest easy for a while, but for the entire country and nation, it will not only hinder development, but may also set history back."
Chen Biao tugged at his father's beard and said, "Dad, in the Han Dynasty, anyone who was good at farming or invented useful tools could be awarded a title."
Zhu Yuanzhang lowered his head: "Is that so."
Chen Biao was helpless: "Dad, the Marshal now has a great scholar under his command. If you don't understand, just go and ask."
Zhu Yuanzhang hugged his son a little tighter and said, "Biao'er, I don't really trust them."
Chen Biao was puzzled: "Why?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Because although they now appear to be concerned about the country and the people, they once served the Yuan Dynasty. Can people really change so drastically all of a sudden?"
Chen Biao was surprised and asked, "Dad, you are actually thinking about this?"
Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed Chen Biao's head and said, "Why are you so surprised? You can't understand why your father is thinking about this?"
Chen Biao rubbed his father's palm. "No, no. I just didn't expect that Dad could be so thoughtful. Dad, only saints can maintain their original heart no matter what situation they encounter. No one is saintly, so who can be selfless? If they meet a foolish and unjust monarch, they may retreat after testing the waters for a while; but if they meet an ideal and wise monarch, they will unleash all their talents."
"Those who risk their lives for their ideals are worthy of admiration, but those who temporarily compromise for themselves and their families are not necessarily bad people. Isn't it the same for us? Before we met the Marshal, we were just ordinary wealthy businessmen. After meeting him, we spent all our wealth to help him end the chaos."
"But Dad, it's not wrong for you to have some doubts. Just like blindly believing in books is worse than having no books at all, listening to both sides will lead to a clearer understanding, and then supplementing it with your own thinking, this is the wise approach." Chen Biao said, "But what you just said... well, if it's your own idea, I suggest you read it again. If someone is misleading you, I suggest you distance yourself from him."
Zhu Yuanzhang hummed softly.
He rested his chin on Chen Biao's head and thought that if Biao hadn't held him back, he wouldn't know how many times he would have made mistakes.
After all, he really had no experience and could only try it step by step on his own.
Phew, from now on, before making a decision in an area I’m not good at, I must ask Biaoer first.
The father and son waited outside the delivery room, talking about forceps, female doctors, household registration, and medical school, and then some philosophy.
The sun went from noon to setting in the west, and then to the lanterns lighting up.
The doctor, drenched in sweat, finally left the room. "Master, the lady is fine. She just fell asleep due to exhaustion. She gave birth to two sons, but there's a problem..."
Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted excitedly, "Madam, are you okay? I'm glad you're okay! Can I go in and see you?!"
The doctor continued what he hadn't finished saying: "Master, your two sons..."
Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted again: "Oh, it doesn't matter, don't worry about it, I'm mentally prepared, bury it."
Doctor: "No, sir, your two sons..."
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I have already chosen small coffins and burial plots for them. Children who died young cannot have tombstones erected, but I still want to give them a decent burial. Alas, my two sons who were not destined to be together."
The doctor couldn't bear it any longer and raised his voice, "Master! Your two sons are not dead yet!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised: "Not dead yet? Such a lucky guy?"
Chen Biao, who was listening in, had been rolling his eyes for a long time.
When he saw the doctor's relaxed expression when he left the delivery room, he guessed that not only was his mother fine, but the two children she had given birth to were likely alive as well.
As a result, his father was only thinking about burying his son, and said that the coffin and the grave were already prepared.
When did his father prepare the coffin and grave? !
The mother hasn't even given birth yet, but he's already dug the grave, ready to bury the child?!
What kind of father is this! If this kind of father were to live in modern times, he would be removed by his son when he gets old!
Zhu Yuanzhang finally did not interrupt the doctor again.
The doctor wiped the sweat from his face and said, "They all survived. The baby that implanted first is healthy, and the one that implanted later needs to be taken care of. It's just that when we used the forceps... we used a little too much force. The baby that was pulled out first has a bar on the back of his head. I'm worried he'll have brain problems in the future."
The doctor was a little worried at first, but after hearing that Zhu Yuanzhang had already dug the grave, he calmed down.
Even if the child turns out to be a fool, it is better to keep him alive than to bury him. The Marshal has a large family and can afford to raise a foolish son.
Chen Biao took a breath and said, "Are you stupid?"
Zhu Yuanzhang was very calm: "If you are stupid, then you are stupid."
The doctor said, "Not necessarily, it's just a possibility. But he may not look good with a line on the back of his head."
Chen Biao pressed his cheeks tightly with both hands: "A bar behind the head?!"
Zhu Yuanzhang remained calm: "If there are bars, there are bars."
Chen Biao was so angry that he kicked his father: "Dad! Are you too calm? He's your son!"
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. "They tortured your mother so much, I'm glad I didn't hate them. Besides, I've already prepared coffins and burial plots for them. Isn't that good for them? Even if your mother were here, I can still say with confidence that I treated them well!"
Chen Biao kicked his father again: "I beg you not to tell Mom! Doctor Tang, please don't tell Mom about the nonsense Dad just said!"
The doctor wiped his sweat off his forehead again and said, "I didn't hear anything. Madam has bled, and you are not clean. It's best to wait until tomorrow to visit. The two children can be seen. Do you want to go in and see them?"
Chen Biao pulled his father's hand and dragged him inside: "Of course I want to see it!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked unhappy.
Chen Biao was so angry that he wanted to jump up and kick Zhu Yuanzhang's knee!
He thought that husbands hating their children because they nearly caused their wives to have a difficult labor was just a literary phenomenon. He wondered if such idiots really existed in real life!
Chen Biao said with a stern face, "Dad, I advise you to correct your thoughts! These are the children my mother risked her life to give birth to. If you treat them coldly, my mother will be very sad."
Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a while, then raised the corner of his mouth: "Biao'er, do you think my expression is not cold?"
Chen Biao looked at his father's stiff fake smile and punched his father on the waist.
Hit your kidneys!
Don't treat me perfunctorily!
Zhu Yuanzhang said with a gloomy face, "Alright, alright, I'll treat them well. Look, that second brother was so disobedient, but I didn't kill him, did I?"
Chen Biao thought about Chen Chun and retracted his fist: "Don't say that to Chun'er. Chun'er has become very well behaved."
Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes fiercely. Yeah, yeah, good boy, hehe.
After hearing that Ma Xiuying was not in danger, the father and son felt much more relaxed and finally felt like playing around again.
Although Zhu Yuanzhang had just disliked his two younger sons, when he saw his youngest son, a fatherly smile appeared on his face: "Let me see where the bar is? Hahahaha, there really is a bar right in the middle of the back of his head. It's so ugly!"
Chen Biao held his forehead with one hand.
Mm, a fatherly smile. It was such a kind smile.
Zhu Yuanzhang turned the two children over and over and said: "The one who implanted first will be the fourth child, as he is the strongest. The skinny one who looks like a monkey will be the fifth child, as he is a whole circle smaller than the fourth."
Chen Biao stood on tiptoe: "Yes. Stop playing and give me a hug. Daddy will hold me up."
Zhu Yuanzhang handed his frail fifth son to Chen Biao and said, "Here."
When his second and third brothers were born, Chen Biao was still young and was unable to see his younger brothers first.
When he saw his newborn brother for the first time, he was overjoyed: "Dad, my fourth brother looks like you, and my fifth brother looks like mom!"
Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled. "Biao'er, don't talk nonsense to please me to help your brother. Take a closer look at these two ugly red monkey-like children. How do they look like me and your mother?"
Chen Biao: "...all babies are like this when they are born."
Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head: "No, you were white and chubby when you were born, so cute!"
Chen Biao: “…” Should I be proud at this time?
He was very glad that his two younger brothers were not born with knowledge, otherwise they would definitely rebel against their own father in the future.
Chen Biao changed the subject: "Dad, what names are you going to give your fourth and fifth brothers?"
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Call them Dog and Cat for now. Modest names are easier to keep them. We'll give them names when they're a year old, to save your mother's grief. We'll also keep the coffin and the burial plot for them, in case you need to find a good one when the time comes."
Chen Biao: “…” Dad, you are such a kind father!
