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

"Seventy-five!" Xu Da's booming voice sent dust fluttering down from the thatched roof. "Fourth Brother wants to see you over for a meeting!"

Zhu Qiwu brushed the dust off his hands and carefully put the rice seeds he had been rewarded with by the system into his pocket. As he passed through the camp, he saw several new recruits wiping their rusty iron swords. He noticed a bronze pocket watch on one of their wrists—it was the reward he had received for signing in last week, which he had given to a fellow villager who had joined the army.

Inside the central command tent, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned as he stared at the sand table. Tang He stood beside him, holding a crumpled document: "The prefect of Chuzhou says that if we retreat thirty li, they will open the granaries to distribute grain."

"What utter bullshit!" Zhou Dexing slammed his hand on the table, making the candlesticks shake violently. "Last month in Hezhou, they said the same thing, and as a result, our brothers fought Chen Yexian for three days on empty stomachs!"

Zhu Qiwu noticed his fourth brother unconsciously tapping his sword hilt with his right index finger, a habitual gesture when he was thinking. Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the tent, and a guard escorted in a ragged old man: "This old man has been lurking suspiciously outside the camp gate, saying he wants to see Young Master Zhu."

The old man knelt down with a thud and pulled out an oiled paper package from his robes: "I am the steward of Chen Wannian, a grain merchant from Chuzhou. My master is willing to donate five thousand shi of grain, only begging your army not to attack the city!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "Chen Wannian? He just delivered three hundred cartloads of military rations to the Yuan army last month; he certainly knows how to hedge his bets." His gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Zhu Qiwu. "Qiwu, what do you think?"

The tent fell silent instantly. Xu Da scratched the back of his head and muttered, "Fourth Brother always likes to test Seventh Brother, even though he clearly already has his own ideas."

Zhu Qiwu stepped forward and pulled out rice seeds from his pocket: "Fourth Brother, do you remember the 'new rice cultivation method' I mentioned last month? These seeds can grow in saline-alkali soil, and the yield per mu is three times that of ordinary rice. If we take Chuzhou, we can cultivate that wasteland north of the city..."

"Wasteland?" Tang He interjected. "Even weeds can't grow properly there; planting anything there is a waste of effort."

“That’s why we need a curved-shaft plow.” Zhu Qiwu unfolded the system-generated blueprints. “This type of plow is lighter than a straight-shaft plow, turns the soil deeper, and with the new rice seeds, we can see a harvest in three months.” He turned to Steward Chen, “Go back and tell Chen Wannian to surrender the city by noon tomorrow. We only want the grain stored in the official granaries; we won’t touch the private property of the merchants.”

Butler Chen trembled all over: "What if...what if Master refuses?"

Zhu Qiwu smiled and unfastened a bronze trumpet-shaped object from his waist: "This is an improved version of the 'Thunderclap Bomb,' with a range of three hundred paces, exploding upon impact." He casually tossed it to Xu Da, "Brother Xu, take some men to the high ground east of the city to test its power."

Half an hour later, a deafening explosion startled birds into flight. Steward Chen, his face ashen, scrambled out of the camp. Zhu Yuanzhang, gazing at the rising black smoke in the distance, suddenly reached out and ruffled Zhu Qiwu's hair: "Quite a few tricks up your sleeve. Is this curved plow really as miraculous as you say?"

"If Fourth Brother doesn't believe me, how about we make a bet?" Zhu Qiwu blinked. "If the autumn harvest yields less than three shi per mu, I'm willing to lead three hundred personal guards to attack the Yuan army camp."

"Nonsense!" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and scolded. "Do you think the Yuan army is made of clay?" He turned to his generals and ordered, "Tang He will lead three thousand men in a feigned attack on the west gate, Zhou Dexing will lead five hundred light cavalry to the north gate to cut off reinforcements, Xu Da will follow me in a frontal assault—Qiwu, you will take the newly formed peasant battalion to the east of the city to reclaim wasteland."

Zhu Qiwu accepted the order and left the main tent, only to hear Zhou Dexing complaining behind him: "Sending new recruits to clear wasteland? Fourth Brother, are you trying to keep idle people around?"

"You know nothing!" Xu Da's voice was extremely low. "I've seen Seventh Brother's curved-shaft plow; it's ten times better than our current plows. Once we take Chuzhou, the wasteland will turn into fertile fields, and we'll have our own granaries!"

The following morning, a white flag was hoisted atop the city walls of Chuzhou. Zhu Yuanzhang, mounted on his chestnut horse, watched the city gates slowly open, then suddenly frowned: "Where's Chen Wannian? Why is only a deputy general coming out?"

The lieutenant, trembling, handed over the surrender document: "Master Chen... Master Chen fled last night with his family, leaving behind a message... saying that if your army is willing to withdraw, he is willing to surrender all his family property..."

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression changed drastically, but Zhu Qiwu suddenly burst into laughter: "Fourth Brother, this is a godsend!" He pointed to the smoke rising from the city, "Chen Wannian's granary must be in the east of the city. If we go in now, we'll be there just in time for breakfast!"

Xu Da was the first to react, brandishing his sword and shouting, "Charge! Let's storm Chuzhou and feast!"

Three thousand rebel soldiers surged into the city gates like a tidal wave. Zhu Qiwu led fifty personal guards straight to the east of the city and, sure enough, found more than a dozen granaries in the backyard of a large mansion. Just as he was about to order the moving of the granaries, he suddenly heard a faint crying sound coming from deep within them.

"There are people inside!" The captain of the guards approached with a torch in hand. Behind the grain pile, a dozen or so ragged children were huddled together. The oldest was no more than twelve or thirteen years old, and the youngest was still an infant.

Zhu Qiwu crouched down and gently lifted a child's sleeve, discovering his arm covered in purplish-blue whip marks: "These children..."

“They were slaves bought by Chen Wannian,” a slightly older girl said timidly. “The master said… said that when we grow up a bit, we’ll be sold… sold to those kinds of places…”

Zhu Qiwu felt a surge of anger rush to his head. He took off his outer robe and wrapped it around the smallest infant, then ordered his personal guards: "Take all the children back to camp and find some old women to take care of them. Pass the order down: anyone who dares to mistreat children will be punished according to military law!"

On the way back to camp, a system notification suddenly sounded: [Rescued twelve innocent children, reward: Complete Medical Skills (Beginner), one Golden Wound Medicine Recipe]. Zhu Qiwu looked at the sleeping baby in his arms, and the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up.

That evening, Zhu Yuanzhang held a victory banquet in his central command tent. Tang He, after downing half a jug of wine, patted Zhu Qiwu on the shoulder: "Seventh Brother, that thunderclap bomb today was really powerful! The Yuan army was screaming and crying, even their commander-in-chief fell off his horse!"

“That’s nothing,” Zhou Dexing wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth. “Seventh Brother also said that he’d teach us how to grow rice in the spring, saying it could yield six shi per mu! Six shi! Enough to feed a hundred households!”

Zhu Yuanzhang put down his wine cup and looked intently at Zhu Qiwu: "Qiwu, tell your fourth brother the truth, where did you learn all these strange skills and tricks?"

The tent fell silent instantly. Xu Da's chopsticks froze in mid-air, soup and wine spilled onto his clothes, and even Zhou Dexing stared wide-eyed. Zhu Qiwu knew this problem was bound to arise sooner or later.

He put down his chopsticks and took out a jade pendant from his pocket—the only thing he had brought with him when he traveled through time, engraved with strange symbols: "Fourth Brother, do you remember when I was ten years old, I fell seriously ill and woke up like a completely different person?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's fingers trembled slightly. It was one of his most painful memories: seven days and seven nights of high fever, the imperial physicians all said there was no hope, but on the morning of the eighth day, his younger brother suddenly opened his eyes, looked at him with unfamiliar eyes, and said a bunch of things he couldn't understand.

“Actually…” Zhu Qiwu took a deep breath, “I was enlightened by a deity.” He pointed to the jade pendant, “This deity taught me farming, fighting, and healing, and also said… said I was destined by heaven.”

"Nonsense!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his fist on the table. "If you are destined by Heaven, then what am I?"

"Fourth Brother is a true Son of Heaven!" Zhu Qiwu laughed. "The immortals said I'm here to assist the true dragon, just like Jiang Ziya assisted King Wen of Zhou, and Zhuge Liang assisted Liu Bei..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Tang He interrupted him. "This is getting more and more far-fetched. Seventh Brother, just tell me straight, who did you learn these skills from?" Zhu Qiwu scratched his head: "Actually... I dreamt about it. In my dream, there was an old man with a white beard who taught me these things every day. After I woke up, I remembered them all."

This explanation clearly didn't satisfy everyone, but Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly laughed: "Whether it's a divine message in a dream or just wishful thinking, as long as it's useful to us, that's fine." He raised his wine cup, "Come, let's toast to Zhu Yuanzhang's 'divine dream'!"

Everyone laughed and clinked glasses, but Zhu Qiwu noticed a thoughtful glint in his fourth brother's eyes. He knew this explanation could only temporarily appease them, but at least his foothold in this era was preserved.

Three days later, on the wasteland north of Chuzhou City, three hundred peasant soldiers wielded curved plows, their blades churning black waves in the sunlight. Zhu Qiwu squatted on the edge of the field, instructing several new recruits on how to adjust the plowshare depth, while system notifications continuously sounded:

[Teach farmers farming techniques and reward them with a bag of high-quality cotton seeds]

Improved agricultural tools were widely used, and a comprehensive guide to water conservancy was awarded.

[Reclaim ten acres of wasteland, and receive a reward...]

Zhu Qiwu beamed with joy, when suddenly he heard familiar footsteps behind him: "Qiwu, look who's here."

He turned around and saw his fourth brother leading a middle-aged scholar towards him. The man was wearing a faded blue robe and holding a folding fan. Although his face was haggard, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.

"This is Li Shanchang, a native of Hezhou," Zhu Yuanzhang introduced. "Having heard that we were reclaiming wasteland in Chuzhou, he came specifically to seek refuge with us."

Li Shanchang bowed respectfully, saying, "Young Master Zhu's reputation for benevolence and righteousness has spread far and wide. I, Li Shanchang, am unworthy, but I am willing to serve you."

Zhu Qiwu stood up and sized up the future founding prime minister of the Ming Dynasty. History books say that Li Shanchang was resourceful, good at domestic affairs, and one of Zhu Yuanzhang's most capable assistants. Now, he certainly seemed to have an extraordinary demeanor.

“Mr. Li, you’ve come at the right time.” Zhu Qiwu pointed to the freshly turned soil. “We are currently testing new rice varieties and are in dire need of agricultural experts. I wonder if you have any knowledge of farming?”

Li Shanchang's eyes lit up: "To be honest, young master, I grew up in the countryside and know a little about farming. I wonder about the new rice variety you mentioned..."

Zhu Qiwu took out rice seeds from his pocket and handed them over: "This is a variety imported from overseas. It's drought- and salt-tolerant, and can yield up to six shi (a unit of dry measure) per mu (a unit of land area). However, the planting method is different from ordinary rice, and it requires guidance from an expert like Mr. Li."

Li Shanchang took the rice seeds, sniffed them lightly, and then rubbed them between his fingers: "Indeed extraordinary! Rest assured, young master, Shanchang will do his utmost!"

Zhu Yuanzhang watched his younger brother and Li Shanchang chatting happily, a pleased smile appearing on his lips. He turned to Xu Da and said, "Go and summon Zhou Dexing. Have him take some men to clear out that low-lying area west of the city. Qi Wu said it's suitable for growing lotus roots there, and we can harvest lotus root starch in the autumn."

Xu Da accepted the order and left. Zhu Yuanzhang then looked at Zhu Qiwu, who was instructing the farmers. Sunlight shone on his younger brother, bathing him in a golden glow. At that moment, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly felt that perhaps there really was a deity secretly helping him—otherwise, how could he explain Qiwu's endless stream of ingenious schemes and plans?
"Fourth Brother!" Zhu Qiwu suddenly ran over. "Mr. Li said that draining the low-lying area is key. I drew a diagram; do you think it will work?"

Zhu Yuanzhang took the blueprints, which detailed the location and depth of the drainage ditches, as well as several tool designs he had never seen before. The more he looked at them, the more astonished he became: "Seventh Five, this...this was all drawn by you?"

“Of course!” Zhu Qiwu proudly raised his chin. “However, Mr. Li offered many good suggestions, saying that this would save 30% of the manpower.”

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Li Shanchang, who quickly bowed and said, "Young Master is exceptionally intelligent; I was merely adding a few words."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, "Excellent! With you two, one a scholar and the other a warrior, what great undertaking can I, Zhu Chongba, not accomplish!" He turned to his personal guards and ordered, "Pass down the order: an extra feast tonight! Slaughter five pigs to reward the entire army!"

Amid cheers, Zhu Qiwu's system notification sounded again: [I have acquired the important talent Li Shanchang. Reward: a book on governance strategies and the talent recruitment system is now available.]

He quietly checked the newly unlocked system functions, and his eyes suddenly widened—a talent recruitment system? Did this mean that he could actively seek out famous ministers and generals from history?
"Seventy-five!" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice pulled him back to reality. "What are you daydreaming about? Come with me to see the granary. Mr. Li said that although Chen Wannian has fled, there are still at least 20,000 shi of grain stored in the granary."

Zhu Qiwu closed the system interface and quickly followed. As he passed the camp, he saw the twelve rescued children learning needlework from several old women, and the oldest girl was already helping to take care of the babies.

"Young master!" The girl's eyes lit up when she saw him, and she ran over carrying her youngest child. "Look, my little sister can smile!"

Zhu Qiwu squatted down and gently poked the baby's cheek with his finger. The baby giggled and grabbed his finger, its little mouth opening and closing like a little fish.

"So cute," Zhu Qiwu said softly. "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

The girl tilted her head and thought for a moment: "I want to study medicine, to save people like you, young master. And I... I'll farm, grow lots and lots of food, so everyone has enough to eat!"

Zhu Qiwu felt his eyes welling up. He looked up at the sky and took a deep breath: "It will, it definitely will."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood aside, quietly watching this scene. He suddenly realized that his younger brother possessed a special charm—he treated both soldiers and civilians with genuine sincerity. This charm was more convincing than any political maneuvering.

"Fourth Brother, let's go." Zhu Qiwu stood up, carrying the baby, and walked towards the old women. "After we've inspected the granary, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

Zhu Yuanzhang caught up: "What is it?"

Zhu Qiwu smiled mysteriously: "It's about how to ensure more people have enough to eat."

Three months later, in the fields outside Chuzhou City, golden waves of rice rippled in the wind. Zhu Qiwu stood on the ridge, watching the farmers busily harvesting, the system notification sound ringing almost incessantly: (End of this chapter)