Hongwu Survival Guide

Chapter 5 "Book from Heaven"

Prince Wu's Mansion, White Tiger Palace.

Once again, I briefly flipped through Xu Da's handwritten handwriting. Even though I had read it countless times, some passages in the letter still made Zhu Yuanzhang feel like he was overwhelmed.

Because many of the theories are based on Zhu Yuanzhang's tireless study and inquiry over the years, which are still unheard of knowledge.Some of these principles solved some of his long-standing doubts.

Zhu Yuanzhang has some regrets.

Although Xu Da wrote more than [-] words in this handwritten letter, it was still far from being able to record all the content of the two people's conversations at that time. After all, the two talked for several hours, and many topics in the letter that interested Zhu Yuanzhang were just Brief summary.

At that time, it would be great if there was a book to record the whole process!

Putting down Xu Da's handwriting, Zhu Yuanzhang looked up and looked outside the hall again, but no one had arrived, so he simply got up and left the book case, and walked towards the screen on the side of the hall that Mao Xiang was curious about.

Turning around the screen, on the wall on the west side of the main hall, there is now a picture scroll about three feet high and more than ten feet wide. In the upper middle, there is a line of simplified characters that are also written according to the script, which are very different from the font of this era.

The trend chart of population change in the past dynasties of China.

Because of this picture scroll, Zhu Yuanzhang recently ordered to set up a barrier outside the White Tiger Hall, strictly ordering that no one else enter without permission except himself.

Standing by the wall and looking at this picture again, Zhu Yuanzhang is still full of thoughts.

There are two horizontal and vertical axes on the map, the upper and lower are the population, and the left and right are time. A long curve that seems to pass through thousands of years is cruising in it, and the whole presents a meandering state.

There are many text labels on the picture, all in simplified characters.

However, compared to the scroll itself, these simplified characters that can be understood with a little consideration are the least noticeable point.

On the scroll of Zhangyu, from the unverifiable prehistoric population of millions to the peak population of 5000 million in the land of China where Song, Liao, and Xixia coexisted, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to see the ups and downs again and again. The gold and iron horses time after time, the rise and fall of dynasties time after time,.

The ups and downs of the ages are all in this picture.

Repeatedly tasting and feeling, Zhu Yuanzhang did not doubt the words that the young man in Xu Daxin said.

Zhu Yuanzhang also had a premonition that if he broke through this picture, he might really be able to add 500 years to the country he had built after his narrow escape.

But he didn't break through.

These days, he really felt that the reason for the repeated changes of dynasties in the past may indeed be hidden in this picture.However, the curves that fell again and again, are the kings without justice, treacherous ministers disrupting the country, severe punishments and harsh laws, and excessive taxes?
It seems like they are, and it seems they are not.

Then, it is probably like the knowledge in Xu Da's handwriting that he has never heard of, such as the saying that the root of the Yellow River flood lies in Guanzhong.Perhaps, this should also be a kind of knowledge that he has never heard of, a brand-new knowledge beyond the theories of Confucianism, Law, Taoism, Mohism, etc. that he can come into contact with.

In recent years, as his status has risen and he is about to enter the Ninth Five-Year Plan, facing an ever-expanding jurisdiction, Zhu Yuanzhang has more and more confusion in the process of governance.He has always been a studious person, but what he is about to face is far from being able to be solved by Li Shanchang, who was still called Li Shiyuan back then, "know people and do things well, and don't like killing people".

What Zhu Yuanzhang began to think about was already a matter of a hundred years and a thousand years in the future, and how to keep the country he had built for as long as possible.

For this matter, only in the recent period, Zhu Yuanzhang has sought talents on a large scale twice. Once in early October, he sent his close ministers to visit various places with coins and silk, looking for leftover talents.Another time, at the end of last month, I ordered the military generals who were fighting in all directions to search for talents and send them to Jinling wherever they went.

However, although many people were recommended one after another these days, none of them really satisfied him.Some of them were either pedantic or corrupt, and even made him so angry that he wanted to kill someone.

But it can't kill people.

After all, beheading people will hinder talented people from coming to seek refuge.

Therefore, even if he didn't like it, Zhu Yuanzhang had to treat each other well, and rewarded him with coins and silk to let him return the same way.

This time, there is finally one.

Zhu Yuanzhang can be sure that this is not only a man with a lot of articles, but also what he values ​​more, he is a person who can do things.This matter can be seen from the fact that he already knows the simple but very practical phrase 'keep to the right'.

With a premonition of this, Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind early on to give that worldly expert the greatest courtesy.

Give 500 years to Guozuo, heh, 500 years, he thinks it's too little.However, Zhu Yuanzhang also understood that, looking at the annals of history, after the Shang and Zhou dynasties, which dynasty could last for more than 500 years?
Therefore, if he can really add 500 years to Zhu's family, he will be satisfied.

He was full of emotions facing the wall picture, and suddenly heard someone shouting loudly outside the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately withdrew his thoughts, quickly turned out of the screen, and returned to the desk.

outside the temple.

Standing in front of the steps, Cui Liang, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites, said in a respectful voice, "Report to the Lord, I have brought Zhu Xiucai to the palace."

Zhu Yuanzhang, who subconsciously looked out after the book case, raised his hand slightly, and felt that he should hold it more and not appear urgent. This is the way to control people, so he only raised his voice slightly: "Let him in."

Soon, Zhu Yuan, who was reminded by Cui Liang on the way here and changed into a blue robe, stepped into the door, walked to the center of the hall, bowed and said: "Villain Zhu Yuan, I pay my respects to His Royal Highness King Wu."

Hearing a certain name with his own ears, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer had the initial displeasure, and thought it might be some kind of fate. At this time, he didn't care about the young man's gaze quietly looking at him just now, and said softly: "Get up, little scholar, You come forward."

Zhu Yuan stood up, took two steps forward, and looked up slightly again.

This is a middle-aged man wearing a dragon-patterned red robe and black gauze with folded corners, and, um... deciphered, it's not ugly, it's not 'Zhang Pocky', but more like the portrait of Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon robe that was once circulated.

In fact, it is also conceivable.

If it was too ugly to look at directly, how could it be possible for Guo Zixing to be taken as a bodyguard and married as a daughter after not seeing him for a long time.

However, looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's appearance, Zhu Yuan suddenly remembered some sayings about facial features in his previous life. Zhu Yuanzhang's facial features often cannot escape the word "rigid" in his character.

Or 'hard', or 'stubborn', or 'just straight'.

Think about Zhu Yuanzhang who is not tactful to people or things at all, think about Emperor Chongzhen who will die when he says he will die more than 200 years later, and even think about 600 years later... Zhu Yuan thinks that personality is also inherited.

The genes of the old Zhu family are quite powerful.

When Zhu Yuan quietly looked up at Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang also looked at Zhu Yuan.

The sick young man with a pale complexion, with a frail and thin stature, really looks like the embryo of a scholar in the lyrics and song.Even though he knew that he would definitely not mistake the person, but thinking about Xu Da's handwriting and the picture scroll behind the screen, Zhu Yuanzhang still felt that it was against common sense for such a young man to know so much knowledge.

The two looked at each other briefly, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke first, and said in a tone of voice: "Little scholar, where did you come from? Where are your parents? Who did you learn from?"

Straight to the point.

Zhu Yuan had also carefully considered all the responses, and at this time he cupped his hands and said, "The villain does not want to lie to Your Highness. I told General Xu that the villain was 15 years old, but it was actually a lie. Your Highness, can you allow the villain to ask the truth today? State my origins in a letter?"

Just when Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Yuan, he felt that this young man was not like 15 years old, and the probability was even smaller.Listening to his confession at this time, he didn't care about these trivial matters, but was curious: "Why do you want to state it in a letter?"

Zhu Yuan said: "Because the villain said it at this time, His Highness will not believe it."

Not only would he not believe it, but he might be treated as a monster and be pulled out and slashed.

Zhu Yuanzhang wondered: "If you write a letter, can I believe it?"

"It's still not possible," Zhu Yuan said honestly, "Therefore, the villain hopes to agree with His Highness for a period of three years."

Another three-year period?

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly remembered that Mao Xiang had previously reported that Zhu Yuan had also made an appointment with the imperial physician Na Dai for a period of three years.

Feeling that this question was right from the very beginning, Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a moment, and continued to follow Zhu Yuan's words: "Then why did I have to wait for another three years before I believed it?"

Zhu Yuan sorted out his thoughts a bit, and began to expand his strategy: "Besides the letters, the villain also has a volume of "Book from Heaven", which will be dedicated to His Highness at the same time. However, His Highness needs to open the letter and "Book from Heaven" after three years. Fulfilled."

Zhu Yuanzhang had another meal.

He thinks that today's matter is starting to be a little weird.

"Book from Heaven"?
Could it be that...

The more Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, the more he became biased, and his thoughts ran to such things as Qin Shihuang's overseas pursuit of immortals and Tang Taizong's death from taking drugs. .

Because he had read too many history books, and the emperors who sought longevity but had no results were in front of them, so he didn't believe it at all.

However, thinking about the mysteries of this young boy, Zhu Yuanzhang inevitably had some unconscious anticipation in his doubts, and stared at Zhu Yuan with an accentuated tone: "Little scholar, do you want to contribute that longevity technique to me?"

Zhu Yuan was stunned for a moment before he realized it.

Where is this from?

Hastily cupped his hands again: "Your Highness, the villain does not understand the art of longevity, this "Book of Heaven"... the villain can't tell His Highness what the content is at this time, but it has nothing to do with seeking immortality, the content is only to prove the villain's life experience, There is also the source of the villain's knowledge, and there are more, the villain can't say any more."

Zhu Yuanzhang slowed down his expression.

After a little consideration, it's just this young man's background and background, and there is also a book from the sky with unknown contents. After waiting for three years, he will have to wait for three years. As long as this young man's knowledge is solid, nothing else matters, so he nodded and said: "That being the case, I... promise you."

Finding that he had just broken his merits, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer forcibly used the unfamiliar word "I" in a polite manner.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang agreed simply, Zhu Yuan realized that he forgot to mention the prerequisites, so he said again: "Your Highness, the villain hasn't finished yet."

Zhu Yuanzhang signaled: "You said?"

Zhu Yuandao: "Writing "Book from Heaven", I hope that I can live in seclusion for three years. Within three years, I hope Your Highness will forget my existence. After three years, Your Highness will finish reading "Book from Heaven". People will do the work of dogs and horses for His Highness."

Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised again: "Why is this?"

Zhu Yuan shook his head: "The villain can't explain it. However, according to what the villain sees, His Highness's army is invincible. Three years later, it is hoped that we will recover my old China within the Great Wall and rebuild the foundation of the prosperous age. The knowledge of the villain is suitable for Get off the horse and rule the world. If His Highness can recognize the villain by then, the villain is willing to send His Highness a prosperous age that has not been seen in a thousand years."

This is of course just an excuse.

The real reason is to avoid the 'butterfly effect' and to minimize its own interference in history.

A prosperity unseen in a thousand years? !

However, Zhu Yuanzhang keenly noticed the key point in Zhu Yuan's words, and his mood fluctuated again.Immediately, he found that the rhythm of the conversation between the two had been taken away by the young boy unconsciously. He didn't like this feeling, so he said, "What if I don't agree?"

Zhu Yuan's expression didn't fluctuate, and he continued: "If Your Highness refuses to agree, the villain can serve His Highness from today onwards. However, the knowledge of the villain may only be able to use one out of ten. What's more, from now on, the villain will be able to serve His Highness. I hope His Highness never asks where the villain is from again, because the villain can't answer."

Zhu Yuanzhang became more and more curious.

Why can you only use one out of ten of your talents when you start working now, why can't you ask this little boy about his background in the future.However, if it is mentioned at this time, the reason will probably go back to "Book of Heaven".

This is a circle.

He pondered for a moment, thinking about how he had endured for more than ten years to ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor from the time he crossed the river to conquer Yingtian. If... he could really change into a prosperous world that has never been seen in a thousand years, what's the point of waiting another three years?

What's more, the young man's words are also reasonable.

In the next few years, his main focus will still be on using troops against the north, and it is obviously impossible for the young boy in front of him to collapse with the wind, and it is obviously impossible to lead the army on a horse with a gun.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "In that case, I promise you."

Zhu Yuan bowed again: "Thank you, Your Highness."

After saying this, the hall suddenly fell into a brief silence.

The main reason is that Zhu Yuanzhang had prepared all kinds of speeches, but unexpectedly, this young boy played cards completely out of common sense, disrupting his rhythm completely, and forgot what to say in the next moment.

Zhu Yuan did not forget.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak, Zhu Yuan waited for a while, and quickly asked: "Have you ever seen the picture drawn by the villain, Your Highness?"

The courtesy received along the way made Zhu Yuan feel that Zhu Yuanzhang valued him.

However, after all, there is a layer separated.

Although he got the promise at this time, Zhu Yuan still wanted to show his talent again so that he could have more weight with Zhu Yuanzhang.

The 'Population Chart of Chinese Dynasties' is an important bargaining chip that Zhu Yuan prepared for himself.

When Zhu Yuan opened his mouth, Zhu Yuanzhang also came back to his senses, nodded slightly, stood up and said, "Come with me."

After speaking, he left the desk and turned to behind the screen on the west side of the main hall.

Zhu Yuan hurriedly followed.

(End of this chapter)