The strongest eldest son of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 49 Damn it, how can this kid talk so much?!

After a moment of contemplation, Liu Bowen cupped his hands to Zhu Yao and said, "Young Master Zhu, I understand your weariness of court intrigues and your dislike of the constraints of officialdom. However, you possess unparalleled talent and should have the well-being of the people in mind."

"As the ancients said, 'When one is successful, one should benefit all under heaven.' Fan Zhongyan of the Northern Song Dynasty once wrote a poem that said, 'Be the first to worry about the world's troubles and the last to enjoy its pleasures.' You have the ability to assist His Majesty, pacify the people, and quell disputes. Why would you willingly choose to live in seclusion in the countryside and bury your talents?"

"I earnestly request you, young master, to set aside your concerns and enter the court as an official. With your talent, you will surely be able to assist His Majesty, bring benefits to the people, and leave your name in history. This is how you can live up to your life and your talent."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao waved his hand lightly, his face still showing his indifference, and said firmly, "Mr. Liu, thank you for your kindness, but my mind is made up. I will never serve as an official in the court. Please do not try to persuade me any further."

He paused, then slowly began to recite a poem:

"When asked why I dwell in the green mountains, I smile but do not answer, for my heart is at ease."

The peach blossoms drift away on the flowing water, disappearing into a world apart, unlike anything on earth.

"I am tired of the intrigue and power struggles in the court, and I don't want to get involved in the conflict between the emperor and the prime minister. I just want to stay in this Liu mansion, roast sweet potatoes, play Go, and live a few peaceful and carefree days. That's enough for me."

Upon hearing this, the group was taken aback.

Liu Bowen was the first to react, "...living freely in the mountains, laughing at worldly questions, what a fine poem!"

"Cough cough..." Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Liu Bowen with annoyance.

Then Zhu Yuanzhang's face showed a hint of helplessness.

Damn it, how can this kid talk so much?!

Hu Weiyong, who was standing to the side, was secretly pleased with himself after listening to their conversation.

Zhu Yao's insistence on not serving as an official in the court meant that he had one less potential competitor, and it also proved that Zhu Yao was just an unambitious country bumpkin who only knew how to enjoy himself and was not worth fearing.

The copper pot was still steaming, and the spicy aroma lingered. However, the atmosphere in the courtyard had become more subtle. Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yao, still not giving up on the idea of ​​bringing him to court. He secretly planned to persuade him slowly in the future.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat there, listening to Zhu Yao and Liu Bowen exchanging poems, but he found them obscure and incomprehensible. He couldn't figure out the deeper meaning of the poems for a long time, and he only knew that Zhu Yao was determined not to serve as an official in the court.

Looking at Zhu Yao's resolute expression, he muttered to himself:

You little brat, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences. When I get fed up with you one day, I won't waste any more words on you. I'll just send someone to arrest you and take you to Nanjing. Let's see if you still dare to refuse to become an official!

After muttering to himself, he suddenly remembered something, and the helplessness on his face faded a bit. He asked with a hint of doubt, "Yao'er, I remember we have three sons. Why haven't I seen them this time in Chenzhou? Where did they all go?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yao waved his hand casually and said with a smile, "They're undergoing labor reform in the wasteland in the backyard. They're not so easy to see."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but complain, "Dad, to be honest, you're really good at business, managing the Chamber of Commerce very well, but your ability to teach your son is truly terrible!"

"You usually just yell at them and ignore them, never teaching them how to be good people or how to conduct themselves properly. They've all become spoiled brats, arrogant and willful. As their older brother, I have no choice but to step in and teach them a lesson."

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback. He had never heard the term "labor reform" before, and it was quite novel to him. He quickly asked, "Labor reform? What's that? Where exactly are they located? We need to go and see!"

"Of course, that's no problem."

Zhu Yao waved to the servant beside him and ordered, "Take my father to the wasteland outside and have him check on my three younger brothers."

The servant bowed and replied, "Yes, young master."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, preparing to follow the servants, but when he turned around, he noticed that Zhu Yao, Liu Bowen, and Hu Weiyong were still sitting in the same spot. He frowned and asked, "Why aren't you three coming with us to take a look?"

Zhu Yao shrugged and said casually, "Dad, I've been to the place where they work many times. There's nothing to see there, so I won't go. I'll stay in the yard and continue eating hot pot."

Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it and agreed. Since Zhu Yao was in charge of educating his three younger brothers, he would definitely visit often. So he nodded and didn't insist any further.

Liu Bowen, who was standing nearby, quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Master, I am not fully recovered from my illness and am still a little weak. I need to rest for a while, so I will not accompany you. Please forgive me."

Seeing that Liu Bowen's face was indeed a little pale, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded understandingly: "It's alright, it's alright, you should rest well, don't push yourself."

Hu Weiyong sat to the side, making plans in his mind.

He had no interest in seeing any of that so-called labor reform; he just wanted to take advantage of Zhu Yuanzhang's absence to privately talk to Zhu Yao and find out what gave Zhu Yao his confidence.

Thinking of this, he imitated Liu Bowen, rubbed his forehead, and said with a tired expression, "Master, I am also feeling a bit tired. The journey has been arduous, and my body is not in good shape. I would like to stay and rest for a while."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, his eyes widened, and he said sternly, "You're no good! You're young and strong, why are you working so hard? Come with me!"

Hu Weiyong panicked and quickly stood up, forcing a stiff smile as he bowed and replied, "Yes, yes, yes, I obey. I will accompany you, sir."

He followed behind Zhu Yuanzhang, inwardly groaning:

Why?

If Zhu Yaoneng doesn't want to go, then so be it.

If Liu Bowen could skip it, why can't I?

This is so unfair! But he dared not utter a single complaint and could only grit his teeth and follow along.

Before long, led by a servant, Zhu Yuanzhang and Hu Weiyong arrived at the wasteland in the backyard. From a distance, they saw three boys dressed in tattered clothes, their faces covered in mud, squatting in the ground, struggling to dig in the dirt. Their bodies were covered in dust, their hair was messy, and they looked no different from beggars on the roadside.

Zhu Yuanzhang recognized his three sons at a glance. Seeing their disheveled state, his heart ached, and he immediately roared at the servants, "That brat Zhu Yao! How dare he mistreat our sons like this! Just wait until we get back, we'll teach him a lesson!"

Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's voice, the three sons abruptly raised their heads. Seeing that the person was their father, their pent-up grievances erupted instantly. They dropped their farm tools, rushed to Zhu Yuanzhang, hugged his legs, and burst into tears.

"Father! You've finally arrived! That Zhu Yao has gone too far!"

"He abandoned us in this wasteland, giving us no good food or clothes, and forcing us to dig and plant vegetables. We can't take it anymore!"