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

Li Jinglong stared blankly at Zhu Changye, feeling that this old Taoist priest was far more extraordinary than he seemed!

What exactly is the relationship between the old Taoist priest and the Emperor?

How the hell do you know about something like this?!

While Li Jinglong was shocked, he was also somewhat relieved, as if he had found a lifeline.

Sure enough, heaven was on his side and didn't leave him with a dead end!

"It's nothing, just some family matters."

At this moment, Zhu Changye slowly spoke.

Take it easy.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong was stunned once again.

What? It's just a family matter?

Can you really air your dirty laundry in public?

It's like saying my wife cheated on me with another man, and I can't just say that... Pshaw! That's an inappropriate analogy!

Li Jinglong was completely dizzy, his eyes wide open, looking at Zhu Changye with some fear.

What kind of extraordinary person is this, able to view the affairs of an imperial family with such nonchalance?

"Ahem, Brother Zhu... ptooey, Master Zhu." Li Jinglong fawned over Zhu Changye, smiling as he asked, "May I ask what your relationship is with His Majesty? Are you relatives? Or something else?"

Zhu Changye smiled and said, "Our relationship is alright."

Our relationship is okay...

This statement may seem perfunctory, but it does reveal some meaning.

First of all.

The old Taoist priest answered the emperor's question calmly and without surprise, which shows that the emperor was not in a superior-subordinate relationship with the old Taoist priest, but was an equal, or even... the emperor was a subordinate...

Li Jinglong's eyes flickered. After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Master Zhu, could you tell me what happened to the Prince of Chu?"

He was trying to gauge Zhu Changye's reaction to see how much he knew.

Zhu Changye laughed and said, "The King of Chu has been running rampant in Yingtian Prefecture, accumulating wealth, exploiting the people, and annexing land... He has committed many crimes, which I cannot list."

Li Jinglong's heart pounded like a drum, and his face twitched.

He realized that the old Taoist priest and the emperor definitely had a deep relationship!

absolute!

Li Jinglong took a deep breath, looked at Zhu Changye calmly, and asked with a smile, "Master Zhu, what do you think we should do about the Prince of Chu?"

Zhu Changye pondered for a moment: "In my opinion, the emperor is subject to the same laws as the common people. This is what the emperor says to the people, but it doesn't work in practice."

"Moreover, the Prince of Chu is His Majesty's own son. His Majesty values ​​family ties the most. If an ordinary person committed this crime, they would lose their head. As for the Prince of Chu... I think exile to Lingnan is appropriate."

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong's eyelids twitched violently.

Zhu Changye was still speaking.

"His son, Zhu Qisheng, killed someone on horseback in the street, which was an accident. However, he showed no remorse after killing the person and instead fled the scene. His crime was heinous."

“Countless people saw him fleeing at the time, and many of them recognized Zhu Qisheng. If he is not severely punished, how can His Majesty face the people? Where will the laws of the Ming Dynasty be placed? How will the people view the royal family? Therefore, I believe that he should be exiled to Lingnan.”

"Lord Cao, this is my suggestion."

Zhu Changye looked intently at Li Jinglong.

Li Jinglong pondered, "Is the punishment too severe?"

Zhu Changye laughed and said, "The King of Chu has committed a serious crime, which is why His Majesty is undecided and has asked you to make the decision, isn't that right?"

"Of course, this crime is indeed a bit too serious, but as long as I left your residence, I believe that His Majesty, no matter how much he values ​​family ties, will not make things difficult for you because of this."

Li Jinglong's pupils suddenly contracted.

That old Taoist priest has quite the big mouth!

Of course, the old Taoist priest did indeed have the ability to get the Empress to hoe the ground for him; he was no ordinary person.

I've never seen this person before!

It was like... like it suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Weird.

Li Jinglong took a deep breath, hurriedly stood up and bowed: "Thank you, Master Zhu, for clearing up my doubts."

Zhu Changye quickly offered a gesture of support to Li Jinglong: "No need to be so polite. I am merely offering some suggestions. Whether or not to implement them is up to Duke Cao."

As they were talking, the steward of the Li family came over and whispered in Li Jinglong's ear, but Li Jinglong kicked him away.

"You dog of a lackey! Are you blind? I, Master Zhu, am one of your own! Speak your mind!"

The steward trembled. How long had it been? And now they were already family again?

Return Master Zhu?

My lord, you're getting on in years. Calling others "sir" is beneath you. You're still the Duke of Cao. Have some self-respect!

The steward, full of complaints, hurriedly said, "The newly appointed Vice Commander of the Governor's Office has come to pay his respects to you, sir."

Upon hearing that Li Jinglong had official business, Zhu Changye tactfully rose to take his leave, saying, "Duke Cao, you may continue with your business. I shall take my leave."

Li Jinglong pulled Zhu Changye along, saying, "No rush, Master Zhu, let's have some tea first. We haven't had any tea yet."

Then, Li Jinglong said to the steward in an annoyed tone, "Let him wait outside! We have important guests to receive, we'll see him later!"

Not much effort.

Madam Yuan came over carrying two wooden boxes, both well-packaged and looking very precious: "Master, the pre-Qingming Longjing tea has arrived."

Li Jinglong chuckled and handed it to Zhu Changye: "Master Zhu, please don't be so polite. It's nothing special, just take it back and have a drink."

ha?

Master Zhu?!

Yuan was dumbfounded.

He was just called Brother Zhu a moment ago, how come his seniority has changed in the short time it takes him to go in and get some tea?

This is rising way too fast!

Zhu Changye looked at the Dragon Well and nodded with a smile: "Thank you, Duke Cao."

He had never tasted such fine tea before, and he didn't hesitate to accept it if someone offered it to him.

"Come on, Mr. Zhu, it's still early, let's try it out first and see how it tastes?"

.

….…….….….….

Outside the Li residence.

Wang Qingquan only reported to the Five Military Command today. He was a fifth-rank commander and had just been transferred to the capital. His position was not yet stable, so he took advantage of the time after his shift to pay his respects to all his colleagues in the Five Military Command and get acquainted with them.

at this time,

He was carrying a basket of local specialties he had brought from the countryside, including "Da Jiu Jia" (a type of herb), free-range eggs, cured meat, and dried pickled fish...

Zhu Yuanzhang strictly stipulated that government officials were not allowed to accept or receive bribes.

But Wang Qingquan's work was different. It reflected Zhu Yuanzhang's favorite aspects of everyday life and human relationships, so there was nothing wrong with it.

Just as he was waiting, the steward arrived.

"Lord Wang, please wait a moment. Our master is currently entertaining distinguished guests. This old servant will take you to the side hall to rest for a while."

Wang Qingquan nodded: "Okay, thank you for your help."

It was already getting dark when Wang Qingquan sat upright in the armchair in the side hall.

He waited for a long time, until it was almost time to light the lamps, when he could no longer sit still. So he called over the steward and asked, "If I may ask, who exactly is Duke Cao entertaining?"

The manager said awkwardly, "I don't know him, but he must be very important."

Wang Qingquan pondered that being received in such a manner by someone like Li Jinglong showed the other party's noble status.

Who could it be?

Wang Qingquan thought to himself: No matter who it is, I should try to please and flatter this person.

As it grew darker, Wang Qingquan began to get anxious.

Also at this time.

Li Jinglong finally emerged from the main hall.

Wang Qingquan also stood up and secretly walked to the door of the side hall.

"The Duke of Cao actually came out first!"

Wang Qingquan stared wide-eyed, somewhat incredulous.

When seeing guests off after a banquet, the guests should ideally be the ones to leave first.

If the host comes out first, there's only one explanation... that the guest is more distinguished than the host!

How many people are more distinguished than the Duke of Cao?

Within the Ming Dynasty, they were few and far between!

Wang Qingquan curiously craned his neck to look.

A short while later, he saw Zhu Changye.

what?

An old Taoist priest?

Wang Qingquan thought he was some high-ranking official, or at least a member of the imperial family. How could he be a Taoist priest?

Could it be that Duke Cao is a believer in Taoism and specially invited this Taoist priest?

not far away.

Li Jinglong said to Zhu Changye with a smile, "Master Zhu, don't forget, there's also this."

As he spoke, he picked up two exquisite boxes and handed them to Zhu Huai.

Zhu Changye said somewhat embarrassedly, "Duke Cao, you've gone to so much trouble. I thank you very much."

Li Jinglong laughed heartily: "Master Zhu, it's an honor for me that you accepted my gift. I'm overjoyed, why be so polite?"

Zhu Changye nodded, glancing at the sky: "Alright then, this humble Taoist will take his leave."

"Let me see you off!"

To Wang Qingquan's astonishment, Li Jinglong personally escorted Zhu Changye out of the mansion.

Wang Qingquan was utterly astonished. He stared blankly at the basket of local specialties in his hand, suddenly questioning the meaning of life.

What's going on?!

I was still thinking about how to give gifts to the Duke of Cao when, to my surprise, the Duke of Cao started giving gifts to someone else, and to a Taoist priest no less.

Has the era changed?

Why is it so.

No, no, could it be that Duke Cao has always been so kind and approachable?

Yes, yes, that must be it!

Li Jinglong returned to the main hall of the second courtyard, and Madam Yuan, barely suppressing her curiosity, finally had to speak out.

"Sir, who is he?"

“That Longjing tea, we only have twenty catties in total, and you gave it all away? Isn’t that your most precious tea? Usually when Uncle Dongguan and the others come, you are reluctant to take it out to entertain them, how come you gave it all away all at once?”

Mr. Yuan poured out his grievances.

Li Jinglong chuckled: "No matter who he is, he's definitely someone like you or me who can't possibly be related to! It's our honor to be able to establish a connection with him!"

"Let me tell you, from now on, when you see Grandpa Zhu, show him some respect!"

With a sudden change in tone, Li Jinglong slapped the steward behind him across the face: "Didn't you all remember that?!"

"Next time Master Zhu comes, don't announce it! He can come and go anywhere in the Li residence, understand?"

The steward touched his face, looking aggrieved: "I understand, this old servant understands!"

"Master...Master, Lord Wang is still waiting in the side hall."

Li Jinglong then remembered and said with his hands behind his back, "I'll go take a look."

Upon seeing Li Jinglong arrive, Wang Qingquan quickly stood up and bowed respectfully, saying, "This humble official, Wang Qingquan, is the Vice Commander of the Five Armies Commandery. I pay my respects to Grand Commander Li."

Li Jinglong nodded: "Oh, is there something you need?"

Li Jinglong sat down by himself, holding his teacup and slowly blowing on it.

Wang Qingquan hurriedly said, "These are some local specialties from Chengdu. I brought them to Lord Li so he could have a taste."

Li Jinglong glanced at it briefly and nodded, saying, "Oh, is there anything else?"

Wang Qingquan: "..."

This is wrong!

Why did your attitude change so drastically?

"No... nothing else, then I'll take my leave."

Wang Qingquan chuckled awkwardly.

Li Jinglong nodded: "Mm."

Wang Qingquan tentatively took a step.

Li Jinglong didn't even move, let alone get up to see him off; he continued to blow on the steam rising from his teacup.

"Grand Commander, I'm leaving now."

Wang Qingquan emphasized.