The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 22: Cook a pot of turtle soup!

"Your Highness, Liu Bowen requests an audience."

Not long after, Yu Huatian entered the Wenhua Hall and reported in a low voice.

Zhu Xiong Ying slowly opened her eyes, a smile appearing on her face, and uttered a single word: "Send!"

"Your subject, Liu Bowen, pays his respects to Your Highness!"

Liu Bowen walked into the Wenhua Hall and looked at the small figure sitting on the main seat. He even had a slight illusion.

Like
This Crown Prince was born for this position.

This feeling wasn't just because of Zhu Xiong Ying's identity, but because of that aura!
A feeling of being in complete control of the imperial court, and a constant longing in my heart for the countryside.

"Mr. Qingtian, you may dispense with the formalities."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled, raised his right hand slightly, and looked at Yu Huatian, saying, "Mr. Qingtian is old, please bring him a stool."

Upon hearing these words, Liu Bowen was first slightly taken aback, and then his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Mr. Qingtian

Ever since he joined Zhu Yuanzhang's forces and obtained a position similar to an advisor, no one has ever called him that again.

but,

In Liu Bowen's heart, it was precisely this title that touched him the most.

Two or three scholars return to their hometown, where they till the fields without flowers or wine.

This is the state of mind one has after experiencing storms, war, and political upheavals.

"Your Highness, I thank you!"

Liu Bowen bowed deeply and then sat down on the stool.

"Your Highness, I have a question. Why did Your Highness defend me in court?"

Liu Bowen looked at Zhu Xiong Ying and finally asked about the important matter.

In the imperial court today, Liu Bowen is universally hated. Not only the military generals of Huaixi, but even the civil officials, led by Li Shanchang, are eager to get rid of him.

The Crown Prince was staying in Yingtian Prefecture to oversee the country. Logically, he should win over Li Shanchang, the Left Chancellor of the Secretariat, so that he could safely pass through his regency period.

but
Zhu Xiong Ying, however, for Liu Bowen's sake, dragged out dozens of officials to be flogged in court and even directly questioned Li Shanchang.

Such behavior would have been overlooked by an ordinary child, who would have simply been considered young and ignorant.

But Zhu Xiong Ying's intelligence meant he couldn't possibly have missed these things.

"I have never offered any arguments; I simply do not wish for a renowned minister to grow old in obscurity."

Zhu Xiong Ying spoke calmly.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen was slightly taken aback, and then fell silent!

A renowned minister in his twilight years
"In the past, when my grandfather raised an army, Mr. Qingtian assisted him, which enabled the army to grow strong and become invincible."

"Now that a prosperous era has arrived, how can we abandon our meritorious officials as if they were worn-out rags?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled faintly and spoke.

Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen slowly shook his head: "I am but a glib talker, how could I possibly deserve the title of meritorious official?"

Unexpectedly,

Before Liu Bowen could finish speaking, Zhu Xiong Ying stopped him, his smile fading. "In the twentieth year of the Zhizheng era, Chen Youliang captured Taiping. At that time, his arrogance was at its peak. Mr. Qingtian said to the Emperor, 'Heaven's way is that those who act later will prevail. We should wait in comfort and wait for the enemy to tire themselves out. Why should we not succeed? We should empty the treasury, open the gates of sincerity to win over the hearts of the soldiers, ambush them when the opportunity arises, seize their power and achieve victory, and establish our kingdom. This is the key to our great Ming Dynasty.' This is to strengthen the spirit of our Ming Dynasty."

"In the twenty-seventh year of the Zhizheng era, the strategy for destroying the Yuan dynasty was difficult to determine. Mr. Qingtian poured out his blood to make a decisive military decision!"

"In the first year of Wu's reign, Mr. Qingtian advised the Emperor to 'buy good deeds' to appease the people."

"With the establishment of the Ming Dynasty, Mr. Qingtian has once again taken on the most daunting task of inspecting officials, overseeing all the officials!"

"Isn't Mr. Qingtian a meritorious official? Even the Emperor would be furious if he heard this!"

Upon hearing these words, Liu Bowen's face trembled!
He never expected that the Crown Prince would remember his deeds so clearly.

And
When he advised against attacking Chen Youliang, it was a secret conversation with Emperor Hongwu! When Emperor Hongwu told the Crown Prince about it, wasn't he also thinking of him?

"Mr. Qingtian, you are a hero and pillar of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Xiong Ying stood up and slowly bowed halfway to Liu Bo Wen.

Such etiquette, if it were ordinary, would be fine; it's just the respect that royal children show to their elder ministers.

But at this time
Zhu Xiong Ying is the grandson of the current regent!
This simple act of courtesy elevates Liu Bowen to a very high status!
"Your Highness, you mustn't!"

Liu Bowen was shocked and immediately stood up, then prepared to kneel down.

Unexpectedly,

Zhu Xiong Ying bowed but did not rise, only muttering a sentence:
"My great Ming Dynasty can accommodate you, sir."

"My great Ming Dynasty also needs you, sir."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen was struck dumb!

He never imagined that he was so important in the Crown Prince's heart!

Zhu Xiong Ying looked up and saw Liu Bowen's shocked expression. She sighed slightly and said, "Mr. Qingtian made an agreement with Grandmother to help Grandfather for five years."

"Xiongying is also aware of this matter."

"But the Ming Dynasty cannot be without you, sir!"

"Sir, Xiong Ying humbly begs you to do even more for the Ming Dynasty!"

"I, Zhu Xiong Ying, am willing to suffer divine retribution for the transgression of seizing the opportunity to mourn, even if it means shortening my lifespan and dying, rather than let my Great Ming Dynasty lose such a talented person as you!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bowen was no longer just shocked, but trembled all over!

Liu Bowen never experienced the gratitude of being appreciated or the vow to shorten his lifespan for a higher position.

In the past, he served as an official in the Yuan Dynasty and was attacked by officials in the court.

Later, he served as a staff officer in the Red Turban Army. Although Zhu Yuanzhang trusted him, he also treated him as a strategist and advisor.

Now, His Highness the Crown Prince actually wants to shorten his lifespan and die so that I can stay?
Even Liu Bowen, who had longed to fulfill the five-year promise and return home to till the fields, was now in tears.

"Your Highness, your words are too kind to this old man!"

"Your Highness, I am willing to go through fire and water for you! For the sake of the Ming Dynasty, I will devote myself wholeheartedly and dare not slacken in the slightest!"

At this moment, Liu Bowen was completely won over by Zhu Xiong Ying.

It's not just because of what Zhu Xiong Ying said, but also because of what Zhu Xiong Ying did!
He completely opposed the current prime minister and had dozens of officials dragged out and flogged in court!

He did all this simply to save his old body and do some more for the Ming Dynasty.

Words can deceive, but actions are always the most sincere expression!
Liu Bowen was indeed intelligent, and he was also deeply grateful to Zhu Xiong Ying!

He flicked his sleeve and then suddenly knelt down.

His gray head bowed low, two streams of clear tears falling down his face, he was so moved!
"Sir, please get up!"

"From now on, we will ask you, sir, to offer advice and strategies to Xiong Ying!"

Upon seeing this, Zhu Xiong Ying quickly stepped forward to help him up and personally wiped away his tears.

"Your humble servant obeys the imperial decree!"

Liu Bowen nodded with tears in his eyes, his gaze filled with emotion.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled happily after having someone escort Liu Bowen back.

This is Liu Bowen, whose wisdom and intelligence are comparable to Zhuge Liang in historical records! The joy of bringing him under my command is definitely much greater than the joy of taking women into the harem in those mindless novels!
The most crucial thing is that he's currently lacking talent! Liu Bowen is a true all-rounder!
Thinking of this, Zhu Xiong Ying waved his hand and called Yu Hua Tian: "Yu Hua Tian, ​​have someone cook a pot of turtle soup."

"I just swore to shorten my lifespan and die, now I need to make up for it!"

Good things are good things, but lifespan can't be shortened, right?
What if God takes it seriously?

but
After his initial amusement, Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the mountain of memorials piled up on his desk and fell into deep thought.

It seems I'm missing a laborer!
(End of this chapter)