Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

The woman was shocked and quickly declined: "No, sir, you gave too much money."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "Don't be polite, sister-in-law. We are merchants, and this little money is nothing. I just hope you can use this money to improve your family's life."

The woman was so moved that her eyes filled with tears. She thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you very much, young master. You are such a kind person! May the Bodhisattva bless you with a peaceful life."

After leaving the stall, Zhu Biao said with emotion: "Uncle Han, you are always so generous, which is really admirable."

Zhu Han shook his head and said seriously: "Biao'er, this is not generosity, but responsibility. We are the royal family, and we should help the people solve their problems. Besides, this money may not be a big deal to us, but for them, it is the hope of life."

The two continued walking and came to a blacksmith shop. The fire in the blacksmith shop was burning brightly, and a blacksmith with a full beard was swinging a hammer, beating a piece of red-hot iron with sweat dripping down his back. When Zhu Han and Zhu Biao walked into the shop, the blacksmith immediately put down his work and saluted respectfully.

"Gentlemen, what do you want to make?" The blacksmith's voice was rough and powerful.

Zhu Han looked around and noticed some crude farm tools piled up in the corner. He asked, "Brother Blacksmith, did you make all these farm tools?"

The blacksmith nodded and said with a simple smile, "Yes, sir. These are the tools that our villagers use to till the fields. Although they are crude, they are strong and durable."

Zhu Han thought for a moment and said, "Brother Blacksmith, we want to buy some farm tools, and we would also like you to make more and give them to the villagers. Of course, we will pay you for them."

Upon hearing this, the blacksmith's eyes flashed with surprise: "Sir, you are such a kind person! The villagers are worried about not having the right farm tools. Don't worry, I will make more and ensure the quality is top-notch."

Zhu Han nodded with satisfaction, and asked some more questions about the business of the blacksmith shop, encouraging him to keep working hard and provide more help to the villagers.

After leaving the blacksmith shop, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao continued to walk slowly in the market, where the hawking sounds were heard one after another, and the two stopped from time to time to talk with the vendors and passing villagers to understand their living conditions and needs.

"Uncle Han, look over there, someone is selling homemade bamboo baskets." Zhu Biao pointed to a stall not far away, his eyes flashing with curiosity and interest.

Zhu Han looked in the direction of Zhu Biao's finger and saw an old woman sitting in front of a simple stall, weaving a bamboo basket with her hands, her movements were skillful and powerful. There were all kinds of bamboo products on the stall, each of which revealed the craftsman's meticulousness and delicacy.

The two men walked forward. The old woman looked up and saw that they were two distinguished young men. She smiled amiably and said, "Gentlemen, would you like to buy some bamboo baskets?"

Zhu Han smiled and nodded, then squatted down to carefully examine the bamboo baskets on the stall: "Old man, your craftsmanship is really superb. These bamboo baskets are both beautiful and practical."

The old woman smiled from ear to ear: "No, no, it's just some rough work. If you like, pick a few and take them away."

Zhu Han selected a few bamboo baskets and was about to pay when Zhu Biao stopped him: "Uncle Han, let Biao pay for this. We are here for the people, how can we let you spend money?"

Zhu Han smiled and shook his head when he heard this: "Biao'er, I appreciate your kindness. But today is different from the past. This money is my small contribution to the folks."

Seeing this, the old woman waved her hand and refused: "My two lords, this is unacceptable. I made these bamboo baskets to earn some money to supplement my family income. How can I let you spend money?"

Zhu Han insisted, "Old man, please accept it. We are here to understand the suffering of the people and do what we can for you. This money is just a token of our appreciation."

Seeing Zhu Han's firm attitude, the old woman had no choice but to accept the silver gratefully and thanked him repeatedly: "Thank you very much, gentlemen. Thank you very much, gentlemen. May the Bodhisattva bless you with a peaceful life."

After leaving the stall, Zhu Han said to Zhu Biao: "Biao'er, look at this old woman. Although her life is hard, she still remains optimistic and tenacious. This is a true portrayal of the people of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement: "Uncle Han is right. Although the people live in hardship, they have never given up hope for life. As members of the royal family, we should help them solve their problems and let them live a better life."

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao continued to stroll in the market. Every time they passed a stall, they would stop and have a cordial conversation with the stall owners and passing villagers, asking about their living conditions and providing help to the best of their ability.

At this time, they came to a cloth stall. The stall was full of colorful cloth, which looked particularly bright in the sun. The stall owner was a middle-aged woman with a kind face, who was busy measuring cloth for an old woman. Seeing Zhu Han and Zhu Biao coming, she quickly put down her work and greeted them enthusiastically: "Two gentlemen, do you want to buy cloth?"

Zhu Han smiled and responded: "We do want to buy some cloth, but we want to know how much livelihood these cloths can bring to you after they are sold?"

The stall owner heard this and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He then said with emotion: "Young Master is really considerate of the people. To be honest, the harvest this year is not good, and the cloth sales are not as good as in previous years. But as long as we can sell some, we can always add some food to the family."

Zhu Han nodded, took out a silver ingot from his bosom and placed it on the stall: "You can use this silver to buy some goods. The livelihood of the people is also the concern of our royal family."

The stall owner was surprised and quickly declined: "That's impossible, sir, you have already helped us a lot."

Zhu Biao advised: "Sister-in-law, please accept it. We are here to understand the real life of the people and to help them as much as we can."

Seeing this, the stall owner had tears in his eyes and gratefully accepted the money: "Thank you, gentlemen. May the Buddha bless you." After leaving the cloth stall, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao continued to move forward. Not far away, a vendor selling candied haws caught their attention. The vendor was a young man, dressed simply, holding a bunch of red candied haws in his hand, and greeting the passing children with a smile on his face.

Zhu Han walked over, bought a few strings of candied haws, and handed one to Zhu Biao: "Try it, it's the taste of childhood."

Zhu Biao took the candied haws with a smile, took a bite, and the sweet taste instantly melted in his mouth: "It's so sweet, just like when I was a child."

At this time, a ragged little boy timidly walked up to them and looked at the candied haws in their hands eagerly. Seeing this, Zhu Han gently handed the candied haws in his hand to the little boy: "Here, this one is for you."

The little boy was surprised and delighted. He quickly took the candied haws and said gratefully, "Thank you, big brother!" Then he couldn't wait to take a bite, with a happy smile on his face.

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao looked at the satisfied look on the boy's face, and their hearts were filled with warmth. Zhu Han whispered to Zhu Biao, "Seeing these children has made me more determined to work for the welfare of the people."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement: "Yes, Uncle Han. As members of the royal family, we should not only enjoy wealth and glory, but also help the people solve their problems. This is our responsibility and our mission."

Zhu Han smiled and nodded, his eyes gently sweeping over the laughing children and grateful villagers around him, his heart filled with relief. He turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Highness, seeing this scene, I am more convinced that our efforts are meaningful. Next, we need to continue to deeply understand the people's sentiments and provide more valuable suggestions for Your Majesty."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Uncle Han is right. Our trip is not only to help the people solve their current difficulties, but also for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty. We must report everything we see and hear to our father."

As the two were talking, an old man in his sixties came over tremblingly and bowed deeply to Zhu Han and Zhu Biao: "My two lords, I have something to say."

Zhu Han quickly stepped forward to support the old man and said gently, "Old man, please speak. We are all ears."

The old man sighed and said slowly: "I am the elder of the village and have seen many ups and downs over the years. Although there is relief from the court, the people's lives are still difficult. I dare to ask, do you two gentlemen have any way to fundamentally improve our lives?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and answered seriously: "Old man, improving people's livelihood is not a one-day job. We need to start from many aspects. First, we will suggest that the court reduce taxes so that the people have more surplus grain and silver to live on. Secondly, we will encourage farming and build water conservancy projects to deal with natural disasters. Thirdly, we will strengthen education so that the people's descendants can have more opportunities and no longer repeat the hardships of the older generation."

After hearing this, the old man's eyes flashed with hope: "You two gentlemen are right. I would like to thank you on behalf of the villagers. If this can really be done, it will be a blessing for us!"

Zhu Biao also took over the conversation and said sincerely: "Don't worry, old man, our trip is to understand the people's sentiments and seek welfare for the people. We will report every word you say to the emperor truthfully, and strive to make the court's policies closer to people's livelihood."

At this time, a young farmer at the side couldn't help but interrupt and said, "My two lords, most of the young people in our village have never been to school and can only make a living by guarding a few acres of thin land. It would be great if there were more educational opportunities!"

Zhu Han's eyes became more determined when he heard this: "Don't worry, education is the foundation of the country, and the court will definitely pay attention to it. We will suggest to the emperor to set up more schools in various places, so that more children have the opportunity to read and learn, and become the pillars of the country in the future."

After hearing this, the young farmer's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he thanked them repeatedly: "Thank you, gentlemen, and thank the court! We will definitely cherish this hard-won opportunity, study hard, and serve the country!"

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao continued to move forward amid the villagers' gratitude and expectations. Every time they met a villager, they listened patiently to each other's voice and gave sincere responses and suggestions. As time went by, the two of them got to know the people better and better.

In the evening, the two came to a dilapidated farmhouse. The owner of the farmhouse was a middle-aged widow who lived a hard life with her two children. When she saw Zhu Han and Zhu Biao, she was surprised and shy, and quickly invited them into the house.

The room was simple, with only a few worn-out pieces of furniture, but it was neatly arranged. The middle-aged widow, Mrs. Li, seemed a little uneasy. She hurriedly brought out two old wooden stools and asked Zhu Han and Zhu Biao to sit down. Two children, a boy and a girl, stood timidly beside their mother, looking at the two uninvited guests with curiosity and shyness.

Zhu Han smiled gently and said, "Mrs. Li, you're welcome. We came here today just to learn about the living conditions of the villagers and see if there is anything we can do to help."

Sister Li's eyes were slightly red, and she said gratefully: "It is a great blessing for the two gentlemen to come. But our family is poor, and I am afraid that we have nothing to repay you."

Zhu Biao quickly comforted her, "Mrs. Li, you are too kind. As members of the royal family, it is our duty to help the people. But your family's situation seems to be quite difficult. Do you have any specific difficulties that we can report to the court?"

Mrs. Li sighed, a trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes: "My family is not rich to begin with, and we suffered a disaster last year, and the harvest was almost gone. Although the government has provided relief, the two children at home are still growing up, and that little food is not enough to feed them. As a mother, I can only work day and night, take on more needlework, and barely make a living."

Zhu Han felt even more distressed when he heard this. He turned to Zhu Biao and said, "Your Highness, there are probably many cases like Sister Li. We must record these problems in detail and report them to our father to get more help."

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes firm, "Uncle Han is right, we can't let any of the people be isolated and helpless in difficult situations." As he spoke, he took out a small bag of silver from his arms and handed it to Sister Li, "Sister Li, this is a small gift from Uncle Han and me, I hope it can temporarily alleviate your family's urgent needs."

Sister Li waved her hands repeatedly, firmly refusing to accept the money: "This is unacceptable. You two young masters have helped us so much. How can I accept your money again?"

Zhu Han gently held Sister Li's hand and said sincerely: "Sister Li, please accept it. Although this money is not much, it is also a small token of our appreciation. More importantly, we want you to know that the court has not forgotten you and your fellow villagers. We will do our best to get more help for you."

Zhu Han insisted on putting the silver into Li's hand despite her refusal. The two children seemed to feel the warmth and approached timidly, looking at the two young masters with clear eyes, which were shining with gratitude.

At this time, the little boy plucked up his courage and whispered: "Thank you, big brothers. When I grow up, I want to help others like you." (End of this chapter)