Chapter 47 Father and Son Reunion The pancakes my sister makes are much more fragrant than this…
These words were not only spoken to Huo Qubing, but also to Zhu Yuanzhang himself.
Sunlight streamed through the window and fell onto the desk, illuminating a fleeting, complex expression in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes. This legendary figure, who rose from beggar to emperor, now showed a hint of hesitation.
There is always room for maneuver.
Jiang Ge silently recited the words in his heart, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below. Huo Qubing's tall and upright figure stood out, and although the young general was silent, his sharp eyes remained undiminished.
He hasn't started to lose yet, and he has a sense of disorientation about the historical outcome.
As the sun rose higher, we couldn't let idle chatter interfere with our work. Cicadas began to chirp in the sycamore trees in the courtyard, reminding everyone of the passing of time.
"Alright, enough talk, let's get to work." The history of the Han Dynasty could be told for three days and three nights; there are so many details involved. Jiang Ge rubbed his temples. These famous figures from different dynasties each carried a heavy historical burden.
Not to mention Huo Qubing.
Django didn't want anyone to provoke Huo Qubing, so he had to pause for now.
Everyone agreed, saying that getting things done was more important. Zhou Yu gently waved his feather fan, Hei Fu straightened his clothes, and even the usually carefree Yuchi Jingde became unusually serious.
On his first day at work, Huo Qubing was still unfamiliar with the work in Songyang County. He looked around and found that this unfamiliar environment was completely different from his usual surroundings; miscellaneous tasks had replaced the fierce battles.
On the first day, someone will naturally show you around and help you get familiar with the work.
Django secretly considered his options, looking for someone who could not tell the young general too much history, and who also knew how to be tactful.
Also, work should be consistent.
Blackie.
The task of familiarizing Huo Qubing with the work was assigned to Hei Fu, mainly because it would be easier for Hei Fu to guide him through the area. This honest-looking man from the Qin Dynasty scratched his head and gave Huo Qubing a simple, genuine smile.
Hei Fu knew that after Qin came Han, and he also knew about Liu Bang, Xiang Yu, and Lü Zhi, but what did these things have to do with him?
If the sky falls, the emperor will hold it up.
However, Jiang Ge's suggestion made Zhou Yu frown. The handsome Zhou Yu's brows furrowed, and he stopped waving his feather fan, clearly having doubts about this arrangement.
"Magistrate Jiang, Qin and Han..." Can these two dynasties be put together? Zhou Yu hesitated, his gaze shifting back and forth between Huo Qubing and Hei Fu.
Can two people separated by hundreds of years really live in peace?
Jiang Ge waved her hand, "It's alright. There won't be a fight. Historically, the Qin Dynasty suffered the most, but Hei Fu is good-tempered, and Huo Qubing is a man of few words." She added in her mind, "Besides, I'm here watching."
Everything will be alright.
As Jiang Ge spoke, he couldn't help but glance at Huo Qubing a few more times. The young general was gazing absently outside the county government office, the sunlight gilding his features.
I don't want to waste any more time.
Hei Fu smiled gently at Huo Qubing: "I'll show you around."
Thanks to his unassuming appearance, Hei Fu seemed exceptionally trustworthy. Huo Qubing nodded; he needed time to process this.
For Huo Qubing, familiarizing himself with the layout of Songyang County didn't even take a morning. This genius general, who could accurately locate the Xiongnu royal court even in the vast desert, only needed to understand the general layout, and the road of every street in Songyang County would appear in his mind.
However, he still chose to follow Heifu, perhaps because Heifu's simple and honest demeanor reminded him of his time in the army, or perhaps he simply needed someone to distract him. The two walked one after the other on the cobblestone path, the sunlight casting long shadows of them.
As for Django, she was dragged to the brick kiln by Zhu Yuanzhang. This Hongwu Emperor, who always wore simple clothes, had a special fondness for brick kilns. Today was the day that the new bricks in the kiln he was personally in charge of were fired, making it a special day worth celebrating.
Zhu Yuanzhang was adept at whatever job he did.
When Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the brick kiln, he didn't need to say a word. The workers, upon seeing him, acted like children being watched by their teacher, obediently carrying bricks and getting to work. Some people, seeing him, were so nervous that they couldn't even hold a brick properly, dropping it with a clatter to the ground, the sound particularly jarring in the silent kiln. Old Zhu merely glanced at them, and the man turned pale with fright.
"Old Zhu, what did you do to them?" Jiang Ge couldn't help but ask. These workers knew that it wasn't easy to find a job, so they rarely slacked off. But working cautiously and being diligent from the heart were two different things.
She noticed a young worker whose hands were trembling, his back soaked with sweat. Zhu Yuanzhang simply smiled mysteriously, revealing a kind smile: "I've always been very good to my subordinates."
Is it good?
They peel them at the drop of a hat.
However, Django did not argue with Zhu Yuanzhang on this issue; perhaps Zhu really did show leniency.
The fire in the brick kiln gradually died down, but the heat emanating from the kiln entrance still scorched the air. The workers gathered in front of the kiln, their faces still glowing with the lingering red light. Zhu Yuanzhang stood at the very front, his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed intently on the kiln entrance, as if awaiting a grand triumph.
"Open the kiln!" he commanded. Several workers immediately stepped forward and used iron hooks to pry open the bricks sealing the kiln. A wave of heat hit them, mixed with the smell of earth and fire, making their cheeks burn.
The first brick was carefully removed. Its dark red color gleamed with a calm luster in the sunlight, its edges were smooth, and it made a crisp sound when tapped. Zhu Yuanzhang took it, his rough fingers stroking the surface of the brick, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
"Good bricks!" He grinned, turning to look at Django. "More solid than Zheng He's bricks, right? The ventilation we modified in the kiln really worked!"
Upon hearing this, the workers' tense expressions finally relaxed. Some cheered quietly, while others wiped their sweat and smiled. The young worker whose hands had been trembling earlier squeezed forward and mustered his courage to ask, "Lord Zhu, are these bricks usable?"
Zhu Yuanzhang shoved the brick into his hand and said, "You decide for yourself!"
The young man hurriedly caught it, examined it carefully, and then gently tapped it. His eyes gradually brightened: "Really... such a sturdy brick!"
"Of course!" Zhu Yuanzhang proudly raised his chin. "What kind of bricks haven't we seen back then? With a few more modifications to this kiln, the bricks we fire will be good enough to build city walls!"
Seeing his beaming face, Jiang Ge couldn't help but laugh: "Old Zhu, your brick kiln is better than the old craftsmen's."
Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, "Good things should be made to be good!" He turned and waved to the workers, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and move all the bricks out to dry! There's an extra meal today, everyone get half a pancake!"
The workers cheered and busily began moving bricks. The heat from the kiln hadn't yet dissipated, but the brick kiln seemed more vibrant than ever before. Zhu Yuanzhang stood to the side, watching the new bricks being neatly stacked, his eyes reflecting the firelight like a flame of hope.
"Old Zhu, you've fired these bricks really well. You'll definitely have no trouble selling them." Jiang Ge looked at these new bricks as if they were gold; they could all be sold for money.
Django was happy at that moment.
"Magistrate Jiang, our Biao is both clever and obedient. Even if you ask him to make bricks for you, he can make the best bricks in the world." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was faint. He had not been to Zhu Biao's mourning hall for several days. The body was decomposing day by day, and preparations were underway for burial.
As a father, he couldn't stop the passage of time or prevent death from coming. If there was a way to let Biao live a few more days, that would be good too.
Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind his back in front of the brick kiln, gazing at the newly fired blue bricks, his eyes gradually softening. He suddenly turned to Jiang Ge and said, "Our Biao'er, those are the real workhorses."
He bent down, picked up a brick, and weighed it in his hand: "Look at this brick. When Biao'er was supervising the construction, he even personally tested the mortar in the joints between the bricks. He said, 'Father, this city wall must stand for a hundred years, and every brick must withstand wind and rain.'" As Old Zhu spoke, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up. "That boy is even more meticulous than we are when it comes to doing things."
“I remember one year there was a flood in Jiangnan,” Zhu Yuanzhang’s gaze drifted into the distance, “Biao’er led his men to rush there overnight, and didn’t sleep for three days and three nights. He not only resettled the disaster victims, but also personally drew up new water conservancy maps. The old craftsmen all said that the Crown Prince’s plan was more comprehensive than theirs.”
Speaking of Zhu Biao.
Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly perked up and counted on his fingers: "Biao'er mastered the Four Books at the age of ten, could review memorials on our behalf at the age of thirteen, and began to reorganize the accounts of the Ministry of Revenue at the age of twenty. The methods that officials used to falsify accounts in private were transparent to him, and he began to handle state affairs at the age of twenty-two."
As he spoke, his voice gradually lowered: "What's most precious is that child's character. I have a bad temper and am quick to kill. Biao'er always manages to persuade me, and he always says, 'Father, governing a country requires a balance of firmness and gentleness.'" Zhu Yuanzhang stroked the brick in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white. "He handles state affairs with both reason and human compassion, and everyone in the court is convinced of his abilities."
Sparks danced in the wind at the kiln, and Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes reflected the flickering flames: "If Biao were still here... the Ming Dynasty would be much more secure than it is now. He knew how to let the people recuperate and how to control those arrogant and unruly generals." Old Zhu suddenly sighed heavily, "What a pity... he didn't live long enough..."
Jiang Ge saw a drop of water slide down Zhu Yuanzhang's face, unable to tell whether it was from the intense heat of the kiln or something else. This iron-fisted emperor, at this moment, was like an ordinary father, rambling on about his most beloved son.
"Please accept my condolences." Jiang Ge didn't know how to comfort this old father who had lost his child, so she could only pat Zhu Yuanzhang on the shoulder and say, "Please accept my condolences."
Zhu Yuanzhang wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes: "Magistrate Jiang, our Biao'er can do anything well. If you let him be a yamen runner, he would definitely be better than Hei Fu and the others."
The conversation was convoluted and roundabout.
The central idea is simply to get Django to hire Zhu Biao, while also taking a jab at Hei Fu and his group.
"Don't worry, Old Zhu. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will definitely recruit Zhu Biao so that you and your son can be reunited." These words were not just to comfort Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Biao's personal abilities were recorded in historical books, and Jiang Ge was also eager to see what kind of person Zhu Biao was, who could overshadow the Yongle Emperor.
The sun was blazing.
The cooks brought over the prepared food. Today they made flatbreads with a little oil, which smelled quite delicious. Zhu Yuanzhang took a piece and ate it.
Halfway through the meal, he suddenly spoke:
"The pancakes my girl makes are way more fragrant than this..."
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Author's note: I will be updating every morning at 9 AM from now on [eating melon emoji]. I will stick to daily updates and strive to improve myself. Thank you all for your support.
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