Zhu Yuanzhang, who commanded the wind and rain, lived a long and arduous life.

Ying Tianfu.

"Have you heard? The imperial court says it will rain tomorrow."

"How is that possible? It hasn't rained for a month. Will it rain tomorrow?"

"That's strange. The imperial court didn't give us any information before, so why are they suddenly saying it will rain? Can we trust Zhu Yuanzhang's words?"

"Shh~ Are you out of your mind? How can you address someone by their name like that? Change your address immediately, lest the Imperial Guards hear you and report it to the authorities. At best, you'll be flogged; at worst, you'll be executed by slow slicing."

"Hmph~ I knew it! That old emperor, if he's so capable, he should have executed me. I've been fleeing from Huaibei all this time, eating everything imaginable—tree bark, grass, even the insects on the ground. He's left me hungry, how can I respect him!"

"Why? Why aren't the grain merchants in Yingtian Prefecture supplying us with grain? Why isn't it raining? Is it because you, Zhu Yuanzhang, committed too many atrocities and are now being punished by Heaven? Why should we bear the consequences of your sins, Zhu Yuanzhang? We need justice! We need the truth!"

"Yes, justice! Justice!!"

"Justice! The truth!!"

"Justice! The truth!!"

"Justice! The truth!!"

"......."

The voices of the disaster victims and displaced people were boiling with excitement.

The sounds started out discordant, gradually became consistent, and finally merged together.

It created an unstoppable, deafening sound, filled with boundless rage.

….….….….….…

Instigated by certain individuals, the pent-up discontent erupted, and the disaster victims turned their anger towards Zhu Yuanzhang, showing a strong tendency to cause a major disturbance in Yingtian Prefecture if it didn't rain the next day.

That day, both the Imperial Guards and the officials were extremely busy.

The Imperial Guards were busy arresting those who instigated the unrest, while the officials were worried about what to do if it didn't rain tomorrow.

"The Director of the Imperial Observatory has spoken too confidently. What if it doesn't rain tomorrow?"

"Yes, public anger is hard to quell."

"Who leaked this information? Could it be Deputy Supervisor Lü?"

"Shh~ Be careful what you say. This is not something we should discuss. The Embroidered Uniform Guard is investigating again, and I believe we will have results soon."

"......."

The officials moved around and discussed the matter.

 …

The next day arrived.

Today's matter is of great importance, and the people are all paying close attention to it. Therefore, after the morning court session, Zhu Yuanzhang led all the officials directly to the Imperial Observatory.

However, no new director was found at the Imperial Observatory.

Not only that.

According to officials from the Imperial Observatory, the new director, Zhu Changye, has never visited the Imperial Observatory, let alone performed any rituals or rainmaking ceremonies.

The news spread, shocking all officials.

"What? This... Bufa Bufa didn't come, and he didn't even show up. Isn't the new Director of the Imperial Observatory joking?"

"Exactly, how can we pray for rain if no one else is here?"

"Oh dear, what should we do? The area outside the capital is teeming with angry people."

"......."

The officials were sweating profusely with headaches.

This is a big deal. If it's not handled properly, even if it doesn't rain at noon today, Zhu Yuanzhang might get angry and someone else's head might roll.

now.

Zhu Yuanzhang also frowned.

The weather is still dry today, even drier than yesterday, with no sign of rain at all.

"grandfather!"

Just then, Zhu Xiong Ying walked over.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and said irritably, "Xiong Ying, where is your master?"

"Now the entire Yingtian Prefecture, the imperial court and the people are watching this matter. Where are they?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was always very good-tempered with his family, but today the matter was so serious that he was finding it difficult to handle, and he was quite anxious.

Zhu Xiong Ying took out a letter: "Grandpa, I went to Tianyun Temple to invite Master this morning as you instructed, but Master didn't come. He asked me to give you this letter."

"letter?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback, then took the letter and opened it.

The letter contained only a few words.

Before noon, the imperial city walls reassured the people.

[At noon, a heavy rain will surely fall on Yingtian Prefecture.]

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly: "Xiong Ying, let me ask you, do you believe in your master?"

Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and said, "Grandpa, I definitely believe you!"

"How specific are you?"

"How much faith do you have? Master pulled me back from the brink of death and even saved Grandma. Yesterday, you kept praising Master. How much faith do you have?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

"Yes, your master saved our sister."

"Good! U.A., that's a good reminder!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and patted Zhu Xiong Ying on the shoulder, then led his officials toward the outside of the imperial city.

The officials were suspicious.

Judging from His Majesty's demeanor, he is heading towards the outskirts of the imperial city, where a large number of people are gathered. Could it be that he intends to meet with the people?

this….

Is Your Majesty so confident?

You know, today is unusually dry; anyone with a normal mind can see that there's not a single sign of rain.

How dare they face the common people?

The officials had countless questions in their hearts, but they all kept quiet, keeping the questions to themselves.

"Rain? Ha, it would be a miracle if it rained on this day." Lu Ben chuckled, feeling unusually pleased.

Yesterday, the new prison warden spoke with such conviction, even specifying the time. I thought he was really capable, but looking at the day now, I realize he's just a figurehead.

As expected, he was the right person to take the position of Imperial Observatory!

soon.

Zhu Yuanzhang led everyone to the gate of the imperial city.

They could vaguely hear the voices of public discontent, and it seemed that a huge crowd had already gathered on the other side of the wall, all there to demand an explanation.

Here, after Zhu Yuanzhang stopped, they all stopped and waited.

At this moment, the sun was scorching.

The entire palace seemed to be enveloped in a giant steamer, so hot and stuffy that it was hard to breathe.

Those delicate flowers and plants withered and died under the scorching sun.

Even the strongest guards appeared somewhat listless under the high temperature.

After waiting for a long time, someone finally couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"It's almost noon, is it really going to rain? Will it really rain?"

Marquis Lu Zhongheng of Ji'an wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Marquis Yan'an, Tang Shengzong, sighed: "This new director of the Imperial Observatory doesn't even know how to set up a formation or ritual for praying for rain. Does he really think he's a god? Even the strategist Liu Bowen back then wouldn't dare to speak like that."

Zhu Yuanzhang didn't care about the rudeness of these fierce generals.

He used to scold his troops in the same way when he was in charge.

Feeling that the time was about right, Zhu Yuanzhang walked towards the city wall of the imperial city.

….….….….….…

Outside the city gate.

A huge crowd of people gathered, creating a bustling atmosphere, all waiting for noon to arrive.

"His Majesty has arrived!!"

The next moment, a sharp eunuch's voice rang out from the city tower, causing everyone to kneel down in worship of that figure.

Zhu Yuanzhang was dressed in a yellow robe, his face majestic, with two eunuchs behind him each holding a whisk.

The momentum is overwhelming.

And it gives the impression that His Majesty exudes a spontaneous confidence today.

This left the officials behind somewhat puzzled. They hadn't seen the new supervisor set up, nor had they even seen him. Why was His Majesty so confident?

Surrounded by a crowd, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the city wall of the imperial city and looked down at the dark mass of disaster victims below.