sovbooks Chapter 49: He had to realize the problem himself.
Chapter 49: He had to realize the problem himself.
After listening to Zhu Gaoxi's request, Zhu Yuanzhang asked warily, like a miser, "You brat, what mischief are you up to now?"
"Grandpa, this is what I think. Guo Ming's health has not yet recovered, and he is not suitable to go to the harsh border region. It would be better for him to take a job in the Wu Prince's mansion first, rather than staying at home all day, getting anxious and frustrated for no reason," Zhu Gaoxi said sincerely and with goodwill.
"You're quite understanding," Zhu Yuanzhang teased.
"Grandson is willing to share grandfather's burdens," Zhu Gaoxi said righteously and solemnly.
"You're getting a good deal and still acting innocent. Ten grandsons of the emperor aren't as cunning as you," the old emperor muttered under his breath, pouting.
"Grandpa agreed?" Zhu Gaoxi raised his fist and began to massage the old emperor's legs.
"We need to ask Guo Ming what he thinks first, so it's not just wishful thinking on your part."
With his leg meridians unblocked, Zhu Yuanzhang comfortably closed his eyes.
"Grandpa loves his grandson the most, and grandson loves grandpa the most," Zhu Gaoxi said earnestly, trying to deliver sweet words.
"Simply knowing how to flatter is useless; you need real skills," Zhu Yuanzhang scoffed.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxi immediately became interested. "How about I show off my skills to my grandfather?"
"What new tricks do you have up your sleeve?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, his eyes slightly open.
"Grandpa, wait a moment, I'll be right back," Zhu Gaoxi said mysteriously, then jumped off the bed, ran outside the hall, and ordered Sanbao to fetch the mimeograph machine.
Zhu Gaoxi went to a side hall to find a book, preparing to demonstrate the mimeograph machine's amazing functions to the old emperor in person.
I never imagined that Zhu Yunwen was studying inside.
"Brother didn't go to the main hall for class?" Zhu Gaoxi walked over and sat affectionately on Zhu Yunwen's lap.
Zhu Yunwen quickly reached out and hugged him, "My elder sister is getting married tomorrow, so the teacher has given her a day off."
"My elder sister and I discussed buying you a gift to express our gratitude," Zhu Yunwen said emotionally, "We owe the school a lot to you."
"Brother, are we blood brothers?" Zhu Gaoxi jumped down upon hearing this and asked very seriously.
"Of course," Zhu Yunwen answered without hesitation.
"We're brothers, family, why all this thanking?" Zhu Gaoxi asked with a slight smile.
"No need," Zhu Yunwen replied, always tongue-tied, unable to win an argument with him.
"Yes, it's what a younger brother should do, no need to thank me."
As Zhu Gaoxi spoke, he suddenly remembered something, "Are you going to the princess's residence tomorrow?"
"Go," Zhu Yunwen said, not understanding what Zhu Gaoxi meant.
"Remember to call me," Zhu Gaoxi instructed.
To be honest, Zhu Gaoxi really had no confidence in Zhu Yunwen. One sharp look from Zhu Yunwen was enough to scare him out of his wits.
"We definitely have to go together."
Seeing Zhu Yunwen so confident for the first time, Zhu Gaoxi smiled and invited him, "Brother, if you have time, why don't you go help out at the school?"
"No problem, I was just about to tell you," Zhu Yunwen readily agreed.
Seeing Sanbao carrying a mimeograph machine into the gate, Zhu Gaoxi casually picked up a book from the bookshelf and walked out of the side hall.
"Grandpa, look what treasure I brought you!" Zhu Gaoxi exclaimed happily.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorial he was holding, walked over, and examined it closely. "What is this?"
"Grandpa, this is a mimeograph machine, it can be used to print books."
As Zhu Gaoxi introduced the items, he took the wax paper, paper, and stylus from Li Hui.
Sanbao deftly placed the mimeograph machine on the table and made sure it was stable.
"This thing can be used to print books?" Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, somewhat skeptical. "Printing books requires woodblocks."
"Grandpa, this is a mimeograph machine. It doesn't need a woodblock; it uses wax paper for printing, which saves a lot of manpower," Zhu Gaoxi said, handing the wax paper to the old emperor and holding up the iron pen. "Use this iron pen to carve words on the wax paper. Grandpa, let Sanbao demonstrate it on the spot?"
"Alright, let Sanbao try, and let's see what's going on," Zhu Yuanzhang said, sitting down in a chair.
Sanbao casually carved a passage of text, turned on the mimeograph machine, laid the wax paper flat on the screen, placed the paper under the screen frame, and then pressed the ink roller onto the wax paper.
In no time at all, one was printed.
"Grandpa, look!" Zhu Gaoxi excitedly handed it to Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly took it, held it in the light, and examined it closely. He muttered to himself, "It's really quite clear. Not bad, not bad. Using this method to print books is inexpensive, and the books are also inexpensive." Zhu Yuanzhang looked out the window, "In this way, even poor people can read books. If we could afford books when we were young, we could have learned more characters..."
As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, his eyes became blurred with tears.
"Grandpa," Zhu Gaoxi said, worried that the old emperor was too saddened, and quickly pulled him to sit down.
Zhu Yuanzhang sat down on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window, looking at Zhu Gaoxi with great satisfaction: "Your little head is so clever and quirky, you have so many ideas."
Seeing that the old emperor had something to say, Sanbao immediately cleaned the table, picked up the mimeograph machine, and left.
"This isn't also a dream your uncle had asked you to have, is it?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked, looking at Zhu Gaoxi.
Zhu Gaoxi answered earnestly without dodging or avoiding the question, "It was indeed my uncle's idea of enabling more people to study that inspired me."
Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but point at Zhu Gaoxi and laugh, scolding him: "You brat, you went to so much trouble to tie yourself to your uncle!"
"You, as my grandfather, really don't know what you're thinking?"
Zhu Gaoxi revealed his true feelings, saying, "My grandson only wishes that his grandfather lives to be a hundred years old and happy."
"We know that you and Youdun don't think highly of the Crown Prince. Sometimes, the Crown Prince is indeed not as quick-witted as you two. But the position of Crown Prince is related to the foundation of the country and cannot be changed at will. Otherwise, it will cause chaos in the world and cause great suffering to the people."
The old emperor stared blankly out the window. "Yunwen is becoming more and more skilled in handling government affairs and gets along well with the court officials. I'm getting old and don't know how many more days I have left. I don't want things to change anymore."
"Grandpa, don't worry. Your grandson isn't trying to compete for anything. He's just trying his best to do something meaningful. Brother Youdun has no other thoughts either. He just hopes that Grandpa will be healthy and strong," Zhu Gaoxi comforted him.
Zhu Yuanzhang was very sad. Zhu Gaoxi knew in his heart that he could not argue with him or impose his own ideas on him.
Some problems can only be realized by the old emperor himself.
"We know you two are sensible," the old emperor said affectionately, stroking Zhu Gaoxi's head.
"Grandpa, I heard that Sixth Uncle returned to Beijing today. Is it because of my sister's wedding?" Zhu Gaoxi changed the subject.
"It's just a coincidence. His eldest son fell ill a couple of years ago and couldn't return to the capital. Now that he's recovered, he's come back to see us."
The old emperor feared his health wouldn't last more than a few years, so he wanted to allow his sons to return in turn to see him while he was still alive.
No sooner had he finished speaking than Huang Liang came in to report, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Prince has arrived and is waiting outside the hall."
"Sixth Prince is back?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked excitedly, hurriedly straightening his clothes. "Let him in quickly!"
Zhu Gaoxi stood up, walked to the old emperor's side, and took his hand.