The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 56

Chapter 56: The Affectionate Zhao Prince and the Deputy Commander

Yao Guangxiao, though holding the official rank of a second-rank Zishan Doctor and Crown Prince’s Tutor, held no real power. Yet, his standing in the hearts of many was far greater than any other minister in court. Logically, many should have vied for his favor. However, the reality was quite different. He lacked offspring, friends, and even relatives. In a sense, Yao Guangxiao was a solitary man. At the very least, he had three sons and Zhu Zhanji along with numerous grandchildren. Even though his sons were sometimes troublesome, it was still better than having no one to talk to, as Yao Guangxiao did.

“Haha, I merely wrote what was in my heart; right and wrong, merit and demerit, will be judged by future generations,” he said, his tone calm.

“Daily meditation and chanting of Buddhist scriptures; I feel no loneliness.”

But Zhu Di knew his old friend’s mind well.

“No loneliness? You go to the tavern punctually every day.”

“Old monk, we’ve known each other for thirty years. I know your heart better than you know yourself.” Zhu Di tapped Yao Guangxiao’s chest, speaking earnestly, “We’ve been friends for thirty years. When have you ever touched alcohol?”

“Sometimes, you see others clearly, but you are remarkably blind to yourself.”

All signs pointed to this: Yao Guangxiao, at his age, inevitably felt lonely. Otherwise, why would he go to Zhuang Mu’s tavern from the Jici Temple punctually every day? Was it really just for a drink?

Having known him for over thirty years, Zhu Di understood Yao Guangxiao very well. His control over material desires was exceptionally strong; he could restrain himself regardless of how much he liked something. Zhuang Mu’s wine was indeed delicious, but it couldn’t possibly be the reason for Yao Guangxiao’s unwavering daily visits, rain or shine.

“Even if I were willing, Zhuang Mu might not be, and besides, it’s been a custom for years.”

“It wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?”

During the Yuan Dynasty’s final years, the Hongwu Era (reign of the Hongwu Emperor), and even until the fourth year of the Jianwen Emperor’s reign, adopting foster sons was common. War and strife naturally left many children homeless and orphaned. Adoption then became the norm, with these orphans becoming foster sons, personal guards, death squads, and so on. During the Hongwu era, Mu Ying, who guarded Yunnan, was his father’s adopted son. And Liang Guo Gong Lan Yu had eight hundred foster sons under his command.

Zhu Di chuckled, “Haha, old monk, you’re truly lonely. You wouldn’t actually want to adopt Zhuang Mu as your foster son, would you?”

Yao Guangxiao silently looked at Zhu Di.

Noticing the change in Yao Guangxiao’s expression, Zhu Di cleared his throat.

“Ahem, you shouldn’t ask me; you should ask that young man, Zhuang Mu.”

After a moment of thought, Yao Guangxiao smiled with a sense of relief. “Forget it. My time is short. I’ve lived through so much.”

“Enduring a little more solitude for half a year or a year shouldn’t be a problem.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di fell silent. Honestly, he didn’t want his old friend to leave so soon. Lately, Yao Guangxiao had been saying that his life was nearing its end, that he had at most a year or two left. This saddened Zhu Di. If Yao Guangxiao truly died, who would he play chess with?

So, Zhu Di warned, “Old monk, don’t say such things in front of me again.”

“If I hear you say that again, and after a year or two you’re still alive, I’ll put you in a coffin and let you greet Heaven early.”

With that, Zhu Di left. Yao Guangxiao smiled faintly, watching Zhu Di depart. Zhu Di was right; he did feel lonely, which is why he frequently went to drink with Zhuang Mu. However, Zhu Di was wrong about one thing. His lifespan was unlikely to be a year or two. He went to drink because he felt his body was failing, and before he died, he wanted to experience the taste of alcohol. But he disliked the noise of the restaurants. By chance, he came to Zhuang Mu’s tavern and started buying and drinking there every day. Loneliness was one aspect; the other was that Zhuang Mu’s wine eased his bodily pain.

This year, he was eighty-four years old, his body failing, his time short. If he could live past this year, he would consider it a gift from heaven.

…

Zhao Prince’s Mansion.

Zhu Gaosu was fretting over the unauthorized wearing of the Dragon Robe. At that moment, Deputy Commander Di Ping entered.

Seeing Di Ping, Zhu Gaosu’s anger flared.

“Have you found him?”

“No, not yet.”

Zhu Gaosu glared at Di Ping, furious. “Then what are you still standing there for? Go find him!”

“Are you waiting for the person to fall into your hands?”

“Tomorrow is the deadline. If the Emperor blames me, I’ll lose my position as Commander, and you won’t fare any better.”

Knowing that Zhu Gaosu was dissatisfied with him because of Zhuang Mu’s poisoning, Di Ping didn’t want to be a nuisance. But…

“Your Highness, Your Majesty has new instructions,” Di Ping said, bowing.

Hearing this, Zhu Gaosu’s impatience subsided somewhat. But seeing Di Ping bowing silently, his anger flared again.

“Damn it, just speak!”

Di Ping quickly said, “Your Majesty said to investigate a Taoist Priest who visited that tavern today.”

“His Taoist name is Flying Yuan True Lord.”

Zhu Gaosu was instantly displeased. More investigations. They hadn’t even found the person who wore the Dragon Robe, and now he was to investigate a Taoist priest? The Emperor was truly capricious.

Seeing Di Ping still standing there, Zhu Gaosu’s frustration grew, and he threw a document from his desk at Di Ping.

“What are you still standing there for?!”

“Are you waiting for me to investigate for you?”

Investigating a Taoist priest was simple; a few Brocade Guards sent to the Taoist temple would find out everything. Yet Di Ping was still standing there. Sometimes Zhu Gaosu really didn’t understand how Di Ping became a Deputy Commander.

Di Ping picked up the document, bowed, and placed it back on Zhu Gaosu’s desk.

“Your Highness, it’s not that I don’t want to investigate,” he explained.

“But the Brocade Guards responsible for monitoring the Jinchuan area didn’t see any Taoist priest enter or leave the tavern.”

“After receiving Your Majesty’s instructions, I checked the records of all the Taoist temples in the surrounding area.”

“And I found no record of a Taoist priest named Flying Yuan True Lord.”

Normally, he could have reported this to Zhu Gaosu without asking for his opinion first. If every decision required Zhu Gaosu’s approval, Di Ping might as well quit his job. But the issue was that he couldn’t find any information about this so-called Taoist priest. That’s why he had reported it to Zhu Gaosu.

Zhu Gaosu had calmed down; he looked at Di Ping seriously.

“Have you checked the records of those entering and leaving the city?”

“Yes, I’ve checked. There’s no record of any Taoist priest entering or leaving the Capital City, let alone the Jinchuan area.”

Tonight’s writing is complete; I wish you all sweet dreams. (End of Chapter)

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