Zhu Ying was a very extroverted person, while Zhu Quan was relatively shy and introverted because he had lived in the palace for a long time.

But that was not a big deal. Under Zhu Ying's leadership, the atmosphere quickly became lively.

Before Zhu Quan came, he had of course received relevant information from his father and had a certain understanding of Zhu Ying.

The clever Zhu Quan quickly understood what his father meant.

From a certain perspective, Zhu Quan was actually trying to curry favor with Zhu Ying.

This was easy for Zhu Quan to accept.

After all, given his background, a bastard prince has a high status outside the palace, but inside the palace, he is just like that.

My mother, Yang, was just an ordinary concubine, and she didn't have a big family. Her father was a minor official in the capital.

His debut was based on his good looks, and it was a gift from God.

He was appreciated by his father because he was smart and studied hard.

"Uncle Seventeen, in today's Ming Dynasty, what kind of military force do you prefer?" Zhu Ying asked.

As soon as the conversation started, Zhu Ying took the initiative and kept guiding the content of Zhu Quan's conversation.

Zhu Quan did not hesitate and said directly: "It depends on the situation at the time. If it is a field battle, cavalry is naturally the best. If it is defending a city, it is different."

"I don't have too many preferences for the types of troops. Whether it's infantry, cavalry, or logistics, they all have their uses. I'll choose to deploy them based on the specific situation I'm facing."

Zhu Ying sighed a little. His question was more of a trap. It seemed that Zhu Quan's answer was irrelevant, but in fact he had strong military capabilities.

No wonder the old man values ​​it so much.

Thinking of this, Zhu Ying did not hesitate and asked directly: "I wonder what Uncle Seventeen thinks of firearms."

Hearing this question, Zhu Quan did not answer immediately, but after thinking for a while, he said:

"Firearms are powerful in attacking cities and conquering territories. They are almost unstoppable when used in conjunction with a large army. If used well, a thousand men can be as effective as ten thousand."

“Especially for defending a city, with dozens of generals setting up the gates, as long as there is enough gunpowder, a few thousand men can be fearless against tens of thousands of people.”

Zhu Ying nodded slightly after listening.

Throughout the early Ming Dynasty, under the influence of Zhu Yuanzhang, people attached great importance to gunpowder and firearms.

Especially the princes and generals who led troops to fight understood its power.

However, for the cavalry on the grassland, it seems a bit too bulky at present.

At present, the power and range of muskets are still far behind those of crossbowmen.

The artillery was powerful enough, but it was too heavy to catch up in an area as vast as the grassland.

Today's grassland cavalry are also familiar with the existence of firearms and basically will not engage in head-on confrontation with the Ming army.

When encountering the Ming army, they mainly used roundabout tactics to avoid the impact of firearms.

"If there is a kind of fire gun that can kill people even at a hundred steps and can fire once every ten breaths, what do you think, Uncle Seventeen?"

Zhu Ying asked.

Zhu Quan was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then he seemed to have thought of something and said in a deep voice: "That will change the situation of wars in ancient and modern times over the past thousands of years."

After finishing speaking, he added: "If there really is such a divine weapon for the country, all the barbarians can be pacified, which will be ten times more powerful than a large army. With sufficient gunpowder, hundreds of people can fight against thousands, or even tens of thousands."

What a keen insight! No wonder he wins the old man's favor.

Zhu Ying thought to himself.

Limited by the social environment of the Ming Dynasty, the most crucial thing is that Zhu Quan is only fourteen years old, but he has no unfamiliarity with military affairs and can be called a military genius.

If he is given time to grow, he will be no worse than Xu Da and Feng Sheng, and may even be stronger.

This was indeed the case with Zhu Quan in history, but after being fooled by Zhu Di and succeeding in the Jingnan Rebellion, he eventually surrendered his military power and became obsessed with Taoist culture.

While Zhu Ying was discussing military affairs with Zhu Quan, Zhu Yunhuan was having a great time.

The game of Go is too profound, while Gobang is where the fun lies. It is simple to play, easy to get started and it is easy to get addicted to it.

"Sister, it's your turn, hurry up." After playing more than ten games, Zhu Yunhuan urged.

"oh."

Zhu Mingyue responded and made a move.

Zhu Yunhuan was very dissatisfied when he saw this, because if he played the next word it would be five stars in a row, which would mean he won.

Seeing my sister Zhu Mingyue's absent-minded look, I didn't feel any sense of victory.

"Sister, don't worry, big brother is here. He can definitely help you." Zhu Yunhuan lost interest in playing chess and turned to comfort her.

Zhu Mingyue subconsciously looked towards the lobby with a hint of melancholy.

To be honest, this was actually her second time meeting her eldest brother. Before that, she came here with the Emperor.

Young girls' minds are always much more sensitive, and the more worried they are, the more likely they are to overthink.

When it comes to matters like marriage, she has no right to make the decision and can only follow arrangements.

Moreover, since she grew up in the palace, Zhu Mingyue was not very familiar with her maternal family, or the Chang family had no intention of having much contact with this granddaughter.

Zhu Yunhuan is okay, but he is young and his words are useless.

"Sister, wait here. I'll go see how eldest brother and Seventeenth Uncle are talking." Zhu Yunhuan stood up and said, and was about to walk towards the lobby.

Zhu Mingyue grabbed Zhu Yunhuan's sleeve and shook her head, saying, "No, wait until Big Brother finishes talking about the important matters. I definitely can't disturb Big Brother at this time. I'm too impatient. I'll talk to Big Brother later when we have dinner."

"Okay." Zhu Yunhuan turned around and sat down. His mind quickly changed. He wanted to play a few more games of Go with his sister.

But looking at my sister's appearance, I had no choice but to give up.

After about half an incense stick of time, Zhu Ying and Zhu Quan finally came out.

"Stop playing. Dinner is about to start. Come and eat first. I'll play a game with you later." Zhu Ying saw that a chessboard was set up in front of Zhu Yunhuan and Zhu Mingyue in the pavilion in the yard.

Knowing the impact of Gobang on the current situation, and thinking that the two were having a great time, he spoke up.

Upon hearing this, the two children quickly stood up and came over: "Brother, Uncle Seventeen."

"Well, Gobang is a bit interesting, but it's just a game, just for entertainment, don't let it get you into trouble."

Zhu Ying asked casually and finally gave some instructions.

"Yes, big brother." Zhu Yunhuan replied, glanced at his sister, and wanted to tell her about his sister with his throat rolling.

Zhu Mingyue noticed it and quickly pulled Zhu Yunhuan's sleeve to stop him.

Zhu Ying noticed it immediately, but didn't say anything.

Instead, he invited everyone to the restaurant in the back after they were done.

Then he said to Zhu Mingyue: "Little sister, as your elder brother, I haven't been with you for many years. I know you may not be used to it."

"I have been alone for so many years. Now that I have brothers and sisters, it doesn't feel strange to me. It feels familiar."

"An elder brother is like a father. I am the eldest brother after all. If you encounter any difficulties, just tell me."

"If I can't handle it, I still have grandpa. We are all family, there is no need to have different opinions."

Just a few simple sentences reveal Zhu Ying's love and care for the two children.

In fact, Zhu Ying was quite accepting of these two brothers and sisters who suddenly appeared.

This sudden concern made Zhu Mingyue's eyes moist, her hands clenched, her voice choked, and she couldn't say anything after talking for a long time.

Seeing his sister like this, Zhu Yunxun, who was standing beside him, became anxious and said on her behalf, "Brother, some time ago, someone said that my sister has reached the age to get married, and they want to find a family for her."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying asked, "Mingyue doesn't want to get married now?"

"Not really."

Seeing that his brother had spoken, Zhu Mingyue finally had the courage to speak, and continued: "It's just that our current mother, I..."

Having said this, Zhu Mingyue didn’t know how to continue.

She couldn't possibly say that she didn't believe in Lu.

Such behavior would be considered unfilial in the current Ming Dynasty.

When Zhu Ying heard the word "mother", she reacted.

After all, she is my stepmother, so Zhu Mingyue must have remembered some things from the past.

It is normal for a child to be treated differently by his or her stepmother since they are not biological children. This is also the case in later generations, and some cases are even more exaggerated.

Now that Zhu Yuanzhang is in charge of the imperial palace, there is no chaos in the harem, and I guess they haven't been bullied too much. There's just a natural distrust between them.

"Don't worry, Mingyue. I'll help you with this matter. I'll ask for you tomorrow. If he really has found someone, I'll also ask for you."

"Brother will help you to see what kind of person you are. If possible, I will help you to come to my place and meet you first."

"If you are not satisfied, I will help you withdraw."

"how."

Zhu Ying said with a smile. With his current status, regardless of what will happen later, just relying on his elder brother, it is not difficult for him to interfere in the marriage.

Even compared to the two children's stepmother, Mrs. Lu, Zhu Ying has more say.

"Thank you, big brother." Upon hearing this, Zhu Mingyue's heart knot instantly untied, and the corners of her eyes turned into crescent shapes.

He stood up and bowed to his elder brother Zhu Ying to express his gratitude.

"We are all family, so it would be awkward to say thank you. Besides, I am your eldest brother, so naturally I have to help you choose a good family for your marriage. How can I let my sister suffer a loss?"

Zhu Ying waved his hand and said to Zhu Mingyue.

Hearing this, Zhu Mingyue nodded heavily, and when she looked towards her elder brother, admiration was already slowly creeping in her eyes.

Zhu Yunhuan, who was standing by, felt the same way and was extremely happy when he saw this.

In private, he and his sister talked a lot about their elder brother, suspecting and speculating about all kinds of things.

Until the eldest brother said this today, the two of them truly recognized the eldest brother from the bottom of their hearts.

If anyone dares to say bad things about the eldest brother, he will definitely get furious.

Daming’s father is not just a metaphor, he is almost the same as a real father.

To put it another way, being disrespectful to one's elder brother is the same as being disrespectful to one's parents. In serious cases, it even violates the laws of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Quan sat quietly beside them, watching Zhu Ying and the two children, with envy in his eyes.

As the seventeenth prince, he seems to have many brothers, but in fact, such a warm scene is hard to come by in the palace, and it is good enough if there are no conflicts.

Zhu Yuanzhang was truly busy with state affairs and it was impossible for him to take good care of all his descendants.

A son depends on his mother's status, so it is inevitable that he will suffer some grievances.

Although the situation improved a lot after Zhu Quan was appreciated by his father, he still did not have a truly close relationship with him.

The careful Zhu Ying sensed Zhu Quan's expression next to him and understood what he was thinking.

After the food came, Zhu Ying, as the eldest brother, not only frequently served food to the two children, but also to Zhu Quan beside him.

Zhu Quan at this moment.

He felt that he was not an elder at the uncle level, but like the two kids, he was also Zhu Ying's younger brother.

Coupled with the delicious taste that he had never tasted before, Zhu Ying became even more mysterious in Zhu Quan's heart.

At this moment, Zhu Quan suddenly felt a little envious of Zhu Yunhuan.

"Brother Ying, can I come over often?"

Halfway through the meal, Zhu Quan couldn't help but ask Zhu Ying.

In view of the awkwardness of seniority, Zhu Quan changed his name to a folk name. He did not want to create any rift between him and Zhu Ying because of his seniority.

Zhu Ying smiled and said, "Uncle Seventeen, what are you talking about? You are being polite. We are a family. My door is always open to you."