My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 9: Old Zhu beats the child, he has nothing to do anyway
Today is a day off, and Zhu Yuanzhang has a rare day off in the palace. This is a good opportunity for him to reply to the letter from Immortal Li Han. He still has many questions in his mind that have not been answered.

He was very curious about whether Zhu Di was incompetent after becoming emperor and what happened to the Ming Dynasty later.

Xu Da’s illness could not be delayed any longer, so he had to continue looking for medicine.

He also promised Lou Ying that he would help him find more medicine next time.

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help laughing when thinking of Lou Ying's resentful look when he left without getting the elixir.

Lou Ying studied medicine since he was young and was obsessed with it. He had extremely high medical skills and excellent medical ethics. He treated the poor without charging a penny and his fame had already spread far and wide.

When Lou Ying was recommended to come to the Imperial Medical Service, he was still reluctant. It was only when he heard that there were a large number of medical books in the Imperial Medical Service that could be read freely that he reluctantly agreed.

I think Lou Ying is also a wonderful person.

The Queen Ma was able to recover this time, all thanks to the medicine given by the immortal. We must thank the immortal very much, otherwise people will think that I, Zhu, am impolite.

Although the immortal said in the letter that "this will not happen again", he was just being polite. If I took it seriously, I would be really ignorant.

However, what gift should I give to the immortal?
The last time he gave the jade ruyi to the immortal, he was very happy. But if he gave the jade again, it would seem that Old Zhu was a bit cliché.

Just then, a batch of new tributes arrived at the palace, including a Yuan Dynasty blue and white vase with peony pattern and dragon ears, which Zhu Yuanzhang liked very much.

The immortal likes jade, which shows that he is an elegant man like Zhu, and a gentle gentleman. I think the immortal also likes this blue and white porcelain vase.

With Li Han, a prophetic god, why would Zhu Yuanzhang worry about not being able to establish a Ming Dynasty that would last forever?

After choosing the gift, Zhu Yuanzhang prepared paper and ink and began to write back.

However, he was stumped as to what name to use to reply to the letter.

Should I confess my identity or continue to reply under the name of "Lao Zhu"?

Just as he was thinking, suddenly, a tall figure broke in from outside the door.

"Dad, Dad, where is the magic medicine you gave my mother? Let me see it."

Zhu Yuanzhang's train of thought was suddenly interrupted. He was about to get angry, but he saw that the person who came was none other than his own Zhu Di, the fourth son of the Zhu family.
Zhu Di rushed in and said excitedly:
"Dad, when I visited mom just now, she told me that it was the magic medicine you found that cured her lung disease. What kind of magic medicine is this? I'm so curious. Can you show it to me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was already angry because his train of thought was interrupted, and when he saw that the person coming was Zhu Di, he became even angrier.

When reading the letter last night, Zhu Yuanzhang was furious when he learned that Zhu Di forced Zhu Yunwen to disguise himself as a monk and escape, and his life or death was unknown.

Now, this stupid boy has walked into trouble!

It’s better to do it today than to wait for another day. I’m free anyway, so I might as well give him a beating to vent my anger first.

"Dad, I heard from that brat Li Jinglong that all the doctors in the palace were helpless against my mother's illness, but you, Dad, used the magic medicine that cured her illness."

"Li Jinglong also said that once this medicine is taken out, it will immediately emit brilliant light and be filled with a magical aura. Taking a sip of it can extend one's lifespan."

Zhu Di became more and more excited as he spoke, and didn't notice at all that Zhu Yuanzhang's face was getting darker and darker.

"Dad, you wouldn't hide and absorb the immortal energy by yourself, would you?"

"Hey, Dad, why aren't you talking? Why is your face getting darker and darker?"

Zhu Di finally realized that something was wrong and slapped his head, "Dad, I suddenly remembered that my mother asked me for something, so I'll leave first."

Watching Zhu Di making up a lame excuse, Zhu Yuanzhang grinned with an extremely sharp look that made Zhu Di terrified.

"Old Four, don't leave in a hurry. Come, let me show you some magical medicine."

Zhu Di quickly laughed and said, "Dad, next time, I'll watch it next time."

After saying this, he was about to leave the palace, but he heard Zhu Yuanzhang shouting:
"Good boy, where are you going!"

Zhu Di shuddered, and then saw Zhu Yuanzhang pulling out his horsewhip and whipping him hard.

"what!"

"Dad, calm down, can't I just stop looking?" Zhu Di was no fool. He ran around the pillars in the hall, shouting:

"Dad, be gentle, please spare me, ah!"

The father and son were circling around the pillar, one chasing the other, when a voice came from outside the hall.

"Fourth cousin, did you get the elixir? Let me see it."

As soon as he finished speaking, a handsome young man walked in.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked carefully and was surprised. Isn’t this Li Jinglong?
It just so happens that these two funny guys from the Jingnan Campaign are together, so just beat them up together!

As soon as Li Jinglong came in, he saw Zhu Yuanzhang beating Zhu Di, and immediately felt something was wrong, and hurriedly said:
"Uncle, are you beating my uncle? Go ahead and do your work. I won't bother you."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled sinisterly, "God of War of the Ming Dynasty, now that you are here, don't even think about leaving!"

"The Ming God of War?"

Li Jinglong was stunned, and then he saw Zhu Yuanzhang waving a horse whip towards him.

"what!"

For the entire morning, the screams coming from the inner hall made the palace maids and eunuchs shudder.

It is said that His Majesty is very protective of his children, but I didn't expect that His Majesty would be so cruel when it comes to beating his children.

After beating these two guys, Zhu Yuanzhang’s anger subsided. He waved his hand and told them to leave quickly so as not to delay him from replying to the letter.

Zhu Di and Li Jinglong left the inner hall in tears. Zhu Di couldn't understand why he was beaten so badly.

"My dear nephew, why would my father beat me?"

Although Zhu Di was Li Jinglong's uncle, the two were of similar age and had similar interests, just like brothers.

"You must have offended my uncle and made him angry."

Li Jinglong took a deep breath and said unhappily.

"This is really unfair. I am usually like this. My father never said anything. He even praised me for having the demeanor of a military commander!"

"You feel wronged, but I feel wronged too! What did I do to offend anyone? If I hadn't come to you, would I have been beaten like this? No, this beating will be on you."

"but……"

Li Jinglong stroked the beard that had begun to stubbornly break through the ground on his chin and said:
"Why did my uncle call me the Great Ming God of War? Fourth uncle, do you think my uncle saw that I have the talent to be a great commander?"

"You? You have the talent to be a general? Bah!" Zhu Di gave Li Jinglong a disdainful look.

Zhu Di couldn't understand why his father called Li Jinglong the God of War. Although this guy was well-read and read some military strategies, he was still far inferior to him, Zhu Di.

It is obvious that he, Zhu Di, has more of the temperament of a god of war, okay?
Li Jinglong didn't mind. He really took Zhu Yuanzhang's words "God of War of the Ming Dynasty" to heart.

Our uncle has a unique vision and is good at identifying talented people!
Thinking of this, Li Jinglong suddenly felt that the pain in his body was not so severe.

I am the God of War of the Ming Dynasty, this little injury is nothing!
……

After severely beating Zhu Di and Li Jinglong, Zhu Yuanzhang felt better and relieved, and no longer worried about the Jingnan Campaign.

Since the immortal has already made it clear and I have learned the secret, everything can still be salvaged.

Perhaps, the immortal is trying to wake himself up by communicating with his so-called "descendants"?
Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up. Could it be that the "Old Zhu" in the letter was actually himself?

If I continue to conceal it, it would be extremely disrespectful to the Immortal.

It seems that it is time to confess to the Immortal.

(End of this chapter)