The strongest eldest son of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 50 Labor reform is good! Continue the reform!

"Yes, Father!"

"Every day we have to dig, water, and weed, leaving us with aching backs and sore waists. At night we can only sleep in simple thatched huts, and we often don't have enough to eat. Zhu Yao doesn't care about our lives at all!"

The three sons, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Su, and Zhu Gui, took turns denouncing Zhu Yao's "atrocities" and recounting their miserable lives in the wilderness these past few days.

They had to get up before dawn every day to work, often going hungry and cold, and enduring wind and sun. If they slacked off even slightly, they would be scolded or even punished with extra work.

At first, Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, his fists clenched tightly, cursing Zhu Yao a thousand times in his heart, wishing he could go back immediately and give Zhu Yao a good scolding. But as he listened, the anger on his face gradually subsided, and he secretly became happy.

He looked at his three sons. Although their clothes were tattered and their faces were covered in mud, they were much stronger than before, and their eyes had become firm. The decadent, extravagant, and willful air about them had completely disappeared, replaced by a down-to-earth and resilient demeanor.

He suddenly realized that Zhu Yao was not abusing them, but was truly training them.

These days, they have learned to dig the ground, plant vegetables, survive in the wasteland, and endure hardship. This is exactly what he has always wanted to see!

After crying for a while, the three sons gradually calmed down. Zhu Su wiped away his tears and said softly, "Father, although Zhu Yao is very strict, many people in this wasteland have helped us. They themselves are not even able to get enough to eat, yet they still bring us sweet potatoes and wild vegetables. They are so pitiful."

Zhu Gui nodded, her voice full of sympathy: "Yes, Father, we never knew before how hard life was for ordinary people. From now on, we will never be spoiled, willful, or wasteful again. We will treat ordinary people well."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed. He patted his three sons on the shoulders, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

Not only did they learn to endure hardship, but they also learned to sympathize with the people. This labor reform was truly worthwhile!

Despite his relief, the three sons were still full of resentment when Zhu Yao was mentioned, saying, "Dad, we know Zhu Yao means well, but he's too strict. We still don't like him, and we never want to be controlled by him again!"

"Please take us back quickly, we'll definitely behave well when we get back!"

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but laugh when he saw his three sons looking aggrieved and dissatisfied. He comforted them while secretly thanking Zhu Yao in his heart.

If Zhu Yao hadn't intervened to discipline his three sons, they probably would never have been able to change their spoiled and dissolute nature.

Upon hearing this, the three sons looked even more aggrieved, exchanging glances.

Zhu Shuang quickly said, "Father, there's something even worse! My eldest brother said that once we learn to farm and can support ourselves by foraging in the fields, he'll send us to the academy he runs to study and learn lessons, including memorizing texts, writing, and moral principles!"

"Yes, Dad, what we dislike most is going to class and studying!"

"Back in Jinling, when the palace teachers gave lectures, we either skipped class or caused trouble; we couldn't sit still at all. Zhu Yao even forced us to go to the academy, but we really didn't want to go!"

Zhu Gui clung to Zhu Yuanzhang's sleeve, tears streaming down his face, pleading, "Father, please take us away from here! We'll never be spoiled and willful again. We'll go back to Jinling with you. We'll behave well. Please don't make us study here, and please don't let our elder brother discipline us anymore!"

"It's so uncomfortable!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up instantly, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

These three sons were mischievous and uneducated. The palace teachers came and went, but none of them could control them. They couldn't even read all the characters, let alone study and learn principles.

He pondered to himself:

Since Zhu Yao was able to come up with the method of labor reform to temper them, his academy must also have some merit. Perhaps, here, these three rascals can really calm down, learn something, and change their temperaments.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, and he said firmly, "No! You must study here!"

"When you've learned your lesson, when you've matured, when you can truly stand on your own two feet, then you can come back to Jinling with me!"

"If you don't do well in your studies, you'll stay here, farming and studying, until you do well, without uttering a single complaint!"

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Su, and Zhu Gui, the three sons, were stunned. Their aggrieved expressions froze on their faces, and they couldn't even cry. After a long while, they finally came to their senses and began to wail, but they dared not refute Zhu Yuanzhang's words anymore.

They knew that once their father made up his mind, there was no turning back.

Hu Weiyong was amazed to see the father and his three sons having such a heartwarming conversation. If this had happened before, Zhu Yuanzhang would have already started fighting.

"My lord, since you and the three young masters are enjoying your time together, I shall take my leave now," Hu Weiyong said cautiously.

"Alright, you may step down now." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

Hu Weiyong quickly withdrew.

He hurried back to the Liu residence.

The atmosphere instantly became somewhat awkward as soon as Hu Weiyong entered the hall.

No one took the initiative to speak.

Zhu Yao stood up first, a casual smile on his face, and cupped his hands to the two men: "Mr. Liu, Manager Gu, I suppose you two haven't seen each other for a long time and must have a lot to talk about. I won't disturb you any longer. Please excuse me."

After saying that, Zhu Yao turned and left the hall without waiting for a response from the two of them.

As they walked out of the hall, Butler Chen Zhong hurriedly came to greet them, his face showing some worry. He lowered his voice and said, "Young Master, after you left, I was serving you. I felt that Mr. Liu and that Manager Gu didn't get along. When they looked at each other, there was no trace of affection in their eyes, only an undisguised murderous intent. It was unsettling to watch."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao waved his hand lightly, his tone calm, as if he had already expected it: "What's so strange about this? It's perfectly normal."

"Mr. Liu was an old man by my father's side. He followed my father through thick and thin and made many contributions, but he was secretly poisoned. After he survived by chance, he did not return to Jinling. Instead, he took the initiative to stay with me. Obviously, he lost power in the struggle of my father's Chamber of Commerce and was ostracized and had nowhere to turn."

"As for that Manager Gu, he's my father's newly promoted head manager, deeply trusted by him and wielding great power. He's clearly an ambitious man. He and Mr. Liu are, respectively, an old official and a rising star; one has lost power, the other has gained power. They're obviously two opposing groups, like fire and water. How could they possibly come to blows?"

He paused, then ordered in a serious tone, "Go and make arrangements so that everyone in the manor stays away from the main hall. No one is allowed to approach, and no one is allowed to eavesdrop on their conversation. We should just do our own thing and not get involved in their fight, lest we get burned."