Chapter Eight: Helping Old Zhu Choose Together

"My dearest grandson! Are you certain that mineral salt can also be purified...?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked utterly incredulous. "That stuff is poisonous!"

The people of the Ming Dynasty almost exclusively used sea salt. Because the journey was long and transportation inconvenient, the cost was high, and the retail price was expensive. There was plenty of mineral salt inland, but because it contained toxins, no one dared to touch it.

If mineral salt could be purified for consumption, the price of salt would drop, allowing the common people to finally afford pure, quality salt. This feat would surely be recorded in the annals of history and grant him eternal fame!

"Of course it can...!" Zhu Xiongying turned back and nodded firmly. "The reason inland mineral salt is toxic is because it contains harmful minerals. After purification, those minerals are removed, and naturally, it becomes safe to use!"

Zhu Biao was even more stunned upon hearing this. Is this really his own son? How does he know even more than he does?

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and immediately agreed, "Very well! If inland salt can truly be purified for eating, I will grant you ten percent of the profits!"

Zhu Xiongying set down his brush, his chubby little hands cupped in a slight bow. "Thank you, Imperial Grandfather!"

Immediately after, another drawing was placed in Zhu Yuanzhang’s hands. He glanced at it. The steps were exactly the same as the previous one, and the drawing technique hadn't improved at all! Zhu Yuanzhang’s face darkened. Oh no, he had been played by this kid again! Why did it feel like this boy had become a completely different person lately? He was so cheeky!

Zhu Xiongying covered his mouth to hide his laughter. "Imperial Grandfather, your word is law; you cannot go back on it!"

"Fine, fine...!" Having obtained the purification method, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately sent people to carry it out.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Xiongying left the Imperial Study, preparing to return to the Eastern Palace. However, they hadn't gone far before the head eunuch, Yun Qi, came running up to them, breathless. "Your Highness, please wait!"

Zhu Biao turned back. "Oh? Does the Emperor have further instructions?"

"It is... it is the Grand Imperial Grandson! His Majesty has some business with him. Please, Your Highness, return to the Eastern Palace first; I will personally escort the Grand Imperial Grandson back shortly!" Yun Qi was panting heavily from his run.

Zhu Biao looked at his son. "Since the Emperor is looking for you, go back and see him."

"Alright!"

The little one nodded with a smile and followed Yun Qi back to the Imperial Study. As soon as he stepped through the door, he saw Zhu Yuanzhang’s face, which had crinkled into a smile like a blooming chrysanthemum. "Haha, my dearest grandson..."

"Clatter..."

Before he could finish, the little one reached into his robes and pulled out a dozen lighters, placing them on the imperial desk.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment, frowning at Yun Qi behind him. He assumed that when Yun Qi had gone to fetch the boy, he had revealed his true intentions. The palace was full of prying eyes; if this were overheard and spread, what would become of his dignity?

However, Yun Qi looked completely innocent, waving his hands repeatedly. "Your Majesty, I... I didn't say a word!"

"Imperial Grandfather, don't blame him. I guessed it myself!" Zhu Xiongying spoke up at the right moment, clearing Yun Qi of the suspicion.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt even more awkward. "You... how did you know?"

"Lighters are so convenient, surely Imperial Grandfather would need them!" The little one was sensible and didn't expose the old man's vanity.

Zhu Yuanzhang was very satisfied. This grandson was worth the affection! "Yes, exactly! These things are much more convenient than fire-starters!"

With this excuse, the old man regained his confidence. His gaze darted around, and he began to select from the various lighters. Yun Qi curiously leaned in to look as well. Seeing the pictures of various beauties on them, his eyes nearly popped out of his head!

"Imperial Grandfather, look, these are the Four Great Beauties! And this one, with the translucent robes! That one with the beauty mark on her chest is also quite nice...!" Zhu Xiongying pointed at the patterns, helping the old man choose.

These were just little gadgets gifted by the system, yet they had the old man so captivated! He would have to send one to his good-for-nothing father later as well!

...

Two days later, a rider on a swift horse galloped into the city. The rider’s face was covered in dust and weariness. He raced straight toward the imperial palace and appeared during the morning court session!

"Urgent report... urgent report..."

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Yellow River has flooded. Henan Province is severely affected, the crops have completely failed, and hundreds of thousands of people are homeless!"

As soon as the soldier finished speaking, an uproar broke out in the court.

"What? A flood on the Yellow River? Did it really happen?"

"How could the Yellow River flood so suddenly?"

"He was right, the Grand Imperial Grandson was right about everything!"

"The Grand Imperial Grandson truly has an immortal guiding him!"

"What does the flood have to do with the Grand Imperial Grandson...?"

The arrangements for the flood had been made in the Imperial Study, with only a few high-ranking officials present. Some of the lower-ranking officials were still unaware of the matter! They only knew there had been movements in the court, as if something was being prepared! Hearing this bombshell, they were completely bewildered, especially when they heard mentions of an "immortal."

Zhu Yuanzhang, seated on his high throne, was already prepared and showed no signs of panic. He asked in a deep voice, "Have the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue completed their preparations?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, all is ready!" The ministers of the three departments stepped forward and answered in unison.

The matters had been arranged three days ago. If they hadn't been ready by now, they wouldn't deserve to keep their official hats!

"Good! Go now, immediately! Do your duty! There must be no riots! And do not let the remnants of the Northern Yuan take this opportunity to stir up trouble!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the table, issuing a death order. He understood that the people only rebelled against the court when they could no longer survive. If there was any hope of life, who would choose this path of certain death?

"Yes!"

The three ministers immediately left the court to organize the disaster relief.

...

Meanwhile, at the Lu estate outside the city, the sound of a child crying was constant.

"Grandfather, you don't know about that strange insect; it wouldn't let go once it pinched me, it was agonizing!"

"Mother brought many imperial physicians, and that’s the only reason it’s slightly better now!"

"Zhu Xiongying is truly detestable...!"

Six-year-old Zhu Yunwen leaned against Lu Ben, crying and complaining, feeling terribly aggrieved. Crown Princess Lu sat in the hall, clutching her handkerchief and wiping away tears. "I can't even bear to lay a finger on this child, yet he was bullied by that motherless child, Zhu Xiongying!"

Lu Ben, whose head had been injured that day, was currently bandaged with a cloth strip. "Hmph! Just because he has the Emperor’s favor, does he think he can act lawlessly? Can't the Crown Prince handle him?"

"The boy is protected by the Emperor; who dares to handle him? I tried every way to persuade the Crown Prince to go and reprimand him, but who knew that when he came back, he actually scolded Yunwen for being unruly!"

At this, the Crown Princess's sobbing grew louder. She still couldn't understand how things had changed so much after one visit.