The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 32

Chapter 32: The Old Monk’s Donation

Zhu Gaoshi felt uneasy. Could it be that there was an oversight in the memorials he had reviewed? Just as he was bowing his head, looking dejected, and pouting in preparation for a scolding, Zhu Di calmly said, “There are some more memorials beside the Dragon Throne. Have someone move them to the Eastern Palace later for you to review together.”

“These memorials aren’t urgent. Tomorrow is fine, or the day after; I’m not in a hurry.”

“If you feel unwell, immediately summon a physician from the Imperial Medical Office. You are the Regent; you have that authority.”

Hearing these words, Zhu Gaoshi’s hanging heart finally settled. As long as he wasn’t subjected to a furious verbal lashing, everything would be fine.

Standing up, the jade belt around his waist loosened slightly, and Zhu Gaoshi adjusted it.

“If Your Majesty has nothing else, then I will take my leave.”

Zhu Di didn’t stop Zhu Gaoshi.

A eunuch named Xiao Bití quickly stepped forward to assist Zhu Gaoshi. With Xiao Bití’s support, Zhu Gaoshi limped out of the Imperial Study.

Yao Guangxiao didn’t rush to leave. He reached into his sleeve, took out a small amount of money, and said,

“Your Majesty, I recently heard that the northern region is suffering from a severe disaster. This is some silver I’ve saved up over the years.”

“Consider it the last thing this old body can do for the people.”

Zhu Di didn’t even raise his eyelids, continuing to peruse the memorials, and replied indifferently, “Where did you get this news?”

“How come I don’t know about a disaster in the north?”

Although many matters were currently handled and reviewed by Zhu Gaoshi, Zhu Di personally reviewed all the submitted memorials. The Cabinet and the Six Ministries would independently filter out the important and unimportant parts. Then they would submit them. Perhaps he might miss one or two unimportant memorials during review, but reports of regional disasters were generally categorized as important. He reviewed all important memorials. There was no possibility of missing important memorials.

Zhu Gaoshi was kind-hearted and wouldn’t conceal such a matter. The officials of the Six Ministries were also law-abiding, and in the past ten years, there had been no instances of deception. The officials carefully selected during the Hongwu era were of good character and worked diligently.

“However, I’ll accept this token of your heart, old monk.”

Zhu Di accepted Yao Guangxiao’s meager savings without a change in expression. Yao Guangxiao only realized the implications afterward, caught between accepting the action or trying to take back his money. He had been planning to use that money to buy wine; now his drinking money was gone.

However, the absence of a northern disaster was good news. It seemed that Xi Mei’s background indeed had some problems.

“Good that there is no disaster. Then I shall take my leave,” Yao Guangxiao said, rising to leave.

“Hmm, feel free to visit often. If you don’t want to travel so far,”

“You can stay in the palace. You’re getting old, and you can’t withstand bumps and falls.”

These words were a reminder to his old friend, implying, “Be careful; don’t die before me.”

Yao Guangxiao smiled faintly and left the palace.

……

Just outside the palace,

Zhu Gaosui said, “Second Brother, I’ll go back to the Northern Town Garrison to gather personnel.”

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu immediately became unhappy.

“Third Brother, Father said we’ll investigate this case together.”

“What do you mean? Are you bullying me because I lack manpower?”

Over the years in the Capital City, Zhu Gaoxu’s confidants had been largely eliminated, leaving only the soldiers and servants of the Han Wangfu (Han Prince’s Mansion). Unlike Zhu Gaosui, who could command the entire city’s Brocade Guard.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu’s expression, Zhu Gaosui felt helpless.

“Investigating a case, Second Brother, do you even know how to investigate a case?”

“What did Father just say? Do you remember?”

The most important aspects of investigating a case are sharp observation skills, instantaneous memory, and information organization abilities. Every word Zhu Di had spoken was etched in Zhu Gaosui’s mind, and he could repeat them verbatim.

In contrast, Zhu Gaoxu:

Silence…still silence.

What did the old man say just now? Three days to investigate the case…then go to that tavern, then find someone called Zhuang Mu. That’s all he remembered.

“Isn’t it just about finding that Zhuang Mu? What else could it be?”

Zhu Gaosui covered his face, speechless. Indeed, his second brother was a simpleton. Perhaps in terms of martial arts, he would never catch up to Zhu Gaoxu. But in terms of intellect and reasoning, Zhu Gaoxu would never surpass him. Thinking of this, he felt much better.

“Second Brother, don’t bother yourself. You don’t even remember what Father said.”

“If you were to investigate this case, thirty days wouldn’t be enough, let alone three.”

“Just stay home and wait for my good news. The credit will be ours.”

Zhu Gaoxu was immediately dissatisfied.

“Third Brother, what do you mean by that?”

“Father spoke so quickly; you remembered everything?”

Before Zhu Gaoxu could continue, Zhu Gaosui’s lips curled into a slight smile, followed by a seamless and immediate response. He calmly said,

“If you really have no leads, you can go to that tavern with a sign that reads: ‘Dreams as Wine.’”

“Find the owner, Zhuang Mu.”

“He should know something. I don’t care what methods you use, three days.”

He had recited Zhu Di’s exact words without a moment’s hesitation, leaving Zhu Gaoxu speechless.

Zhu Gaoxu said with a slightly dissatisfied tone, “It’s just a good memory. What’s so great about that?”

“Third Brother, even without you, I can still solve this case.”

Zhu Gaoxu said confidently.

But then he saw Zhu Gaosui’s extremely disdainful look – disbelief written all over his face. Being someone who valued his reputation, Zhu Gaoxu certainly couldn’t lose face in front of Zhu Gaosui.

“We’ll see. Let’s see how I solve this!”

Zhu Gaoxu left angrily.

Zhu Gaosui, however, didn’t immediately head to Jin Chuan Street. He first checked the movement of people entering and leaving the Capital City in recent days. Investigations always started with personnel flow. Whether in the Capital City or other regions, most crimes were committed by outsiders. Then it would involve locals with criminal records, and finally, the investigation would start from the crime scene and spread outwards. This procedure would usually identify the culprit and significantly reduce investigation time.

……

Jin Chuan Street.

In the tavern, Zhuang Mu felt extremely sleepy. He had been hoping to hold on and wait for the arrival of this “Yongle” Emperor. But in the end, he couldn’t resist the onslaught of sleepiness.

“Xi Mei, I’m going upstairs to sleep. If that guest from yesterday comes,”

“Tell him to come earlier next time.”

This was the limit of his ability to wait; his eyelids were practically drooping. If he hadn’t been forcing himself, he would have fallen asleep long ago.

Xi Mei, though unclear why Zhuang Mu liked sleeping so much, didn’t ask further and nodded in agreement.

“Okay.”

At that moment, the tavern door was pushed open.

(End of Chapter)

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