Time Travel: After Seizing the Throne, I Lead the Ming Dynasty to Take Off

“Not following the rules…” Zhu Yuanzhang muttered to himself, his expression momentarily frozen – from last year to this year, he knew almost everything inside the story, so he knew all too well that his foolish son was right about that.

Seeing his father hesitate.

Zhu Quan nodded and emphasized, "Yeah, like he'll pull some kind of trick again, though I don't know what he'll come up with."

Zhu Quan finished speaking.

Zhu Yuanzhang fell silent and carefully reviewed the current situation in his mind.

He then said, "You mean he's not even attacking the Northern Desert? That can't be."

“We’ve seen the ambition in his eyes with our own eyes. Once he has enough ability, how could he possibly stay idle?”

He felt that something else might go wrong.

But this won't happen.

“You don’t know, he was a wolf cub…” At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment, then shook his head seriously and solemnly with a look of emotion: “No, that’s not right… He’s not a wolf cub, he’s already the wolf king.”

After saying that, he breathed a long sigh of relief and smiled – of course, the alpha wolf should lead the entire pack to protect and expand the territory!

Zhu Quan, half-believing and half-doubting, said frankly, "Is that really so? Father, didn't you just say that Fourth Brother would definitely be able to escape? But something unexpected happened. In the blink of an eye, Fourth Brother was sent to the capital."

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but show a hint of embarrassment: "This...this is different!"

However, Zhu Quan's words reminded him of something, pulling him out of his previous surprise and excitement: "But this time, the fourth prince has been escorted to Yingtian Prefecture... I wonder how our eldest grandson will deal with him..."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, and couldn't help but worry about Zhu Di—at this moment, he finally realized that he had a son whose fate was unknown.

Zhu Quan thought to himself, "My second and third brothers are examples of what's to come; I'm afraid they're in grave danger! Speaking of Zhu Yunwen, this Emperor Qianlong, he's truly ruthless."

He was pessimistic about the matter, but he knew his father couldn't stand such talk, so he could only grin and keep quiet.

……

After the start of summer, the weather in Yingtian Prefecture became increasingly hot.

The weather in May was particularly hot and humid, especially with the dark clouds rolling over the Forbidden City, which seemed ready to collapse at any moment, turning the world into a steam oven, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, the ice in two large ice vats was melting into water at an almost visible speed, bringing a touch of coolness.

But at this time.

"Rumble rumble rumble—"

A dazzling flash of lightning ripped through the dark sky, followed by a deafening clap of thunder—summer thunderstorms always come quickly and suddenly; the rain outside quickly turned into a cacophony of crackling sounds…

Zhu Yunwen, who was lying on the cool couch with his eyes closed and taking a nap, suddenly opened his eyes.

After pondering for a moment, he seemed to suddenly realize something, stood up, got off the couch, and ran to the nearest window without even putting on his shoes, then opened it.

The palace maids and eunuchs nearby were terrified. They hurriedly picked up the shoes, their faces filled with fear and anxiety, and said cautiously, "Your Majesty... shoes! Although it is hot now, the floor of Qianqing Palace is cool. Your Majesty's health is precious, you must be careful not to catch a cold..."

Zhu Yunwen was wearing a light and loose white robe.

The wind blowing in from the window, carrying rain vapor, made his sleeves flutter.

He ignored the instructions of the eunuchs and palace maids.

Standing tall and elegant by the window, gazing at the torrential rain outside, he sighed thoughtfully, "This rain is so heavy and sudden... Could it be..."

He remembered that in the 26th year of the Hongwu reign in history, which is now the first year of the Kaiqian reign, there would be a major flood, but he couldn't remember exactly when it would happen... However, the rainy season is usually in the summer, and this rain came so suddenly and so heavily... so he couldn't help but worry.

Think of this.

Zhu Yunwen turned to the eager eunuch beside him who was diligently carrying his shoes and ordered, "Xiao Anzi, go and convey the imperial edict to the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works, summoning Fu Youwen and Qin Kui to see me!"

In order to cope with this major flood, he did make preparations in advance—he instructed the Ministry of Works to organize the reinforcement of river embankments and the dredging of river channels to ensure smooth drainage, and he instructed the Ministry of Revenue to take advantage of the normal market conditions to allocate and procure grain in advance...

Although he wasn't sure if it would be this rain, he figured that making preparations in advance would prevent any problems.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xiao Anzi replied immediately.

Then, carrying the shoes in her hand, she stepped forward and said, "These days, Eunuch Sanbao is not often in Qianqing Palace, but he has instructed us servants that His Majesty is busy with state affairs and must take good care of His Majesty's health. Let me help His Majesty put on his shoes first."

"Alright, go and deliver the decree, and have them serve you." Compared to whether or not he was wearing shoes, Zhu Yunwen was more worried about the possible flood that was about to occur.