Drinking and chatting, the atmosphere gradually improved. Zhu Mo thought of the only two acquaintances he had in the capital, so he felt he should inform them. He immediately said:
“Old Daoist, you two have arrived just in time… I’ll be heading to Jiangnan tomorrow, and I have no idea when I’ll be back… You two must take care of yourselves in the future…”
Oh?
The old Daoist and Li San feigned surprise.
The old Daoist asked, “Isn’t Young Master Zhu in the Hanlin Academy? Why are you going to Jiangnan again? Heh heh, we two old folks are indeed quite fortunate to catch you…”
Zhu Mo had never had many friends in the capital. They had talked a lot that day, and the two owed him favors. Speaking naturally became more open. He sighed and said:
“To tell you both the truth, I’m going to Jiangnan this time to handle an extremely difficult matter… If I succeed, all the common people in the world will benefit. If I fail, I don’t wish to stay in the Great Ming anymore, and I’m truly prepared to go to Nanyang…”
These were his true thoughts, and he had intended this from the start. But to the ears of the two, it was no trivial matter—
Is he really leaving?
If he goes to Nanyang, how can they ever find him again?
The old Daoist immediately advised, “Youngsters are still youngsters, why be so stubborn? Even if it’s a matter of utmost importance, if you can’t accomplish it, then so be it. Must you make things difficult for yourself? Moreover, if the sky were to fall, there are always tall people to support it. Why are you so anxious?”
Zhu Mo mused for a moment and said, “Old Daoist, this is truly a matter of utmost importance. If I fail, the sky will indeed fall…”
Oh?
The old Daoist and Li San understood clearly, but they never expected Zhu Mo to be under such pressure.
Seeing Zhu Mo’s troubled expression, the old Daoist suddenly felt a pang of sympathy: Alas, am I being too impatient? To let this child handle such a significant and difficult task… He’s still just a child after all…
Li San, understanding the situation, softly chided, “Hmph, if it’s such a critical matter, why don’t those dignitaries in the Hanlin Academy handle it? And the Grand Secretariat, the Six Ministries, why don’t all those capable people do it? Why must it be Young Master Zhu? This old servant truly wants to curse their ancestors for eight generations!”
The old Daoist chimed in, “Indeed, what kind of times are these? Why must one young man bear such great responsibility? Doesn’t the court have the Yan family, and also Xu Jie, Zhang Juzheng? Why don’t they go? Alas, Li San, what is happening to the world? Only Young Master Zhu still carries the common people of the world in his heart…”
Alas…
Li San also sighed, but a thought surfaced in his mind—
What is wrong with His Majesty today? Why is he speaking so strangely?
He even speaks of the world being in a bad state. If the world knew this, wouldn’t it become a laughingstock? Emperor Jiajing speaking ill of his own era?
…
Zhu Mo, hearing their words, felt a warmth surge in his heart—
These two are truly good people, they can understand my predicament… It’s good that I’ve made these two friends, who are much better than those people in the court.
With this thought, Zhu Mo felt a genuine concern: After all, establishing the weaving bank and anti-Japanese war bonds is still just my idea. If it’s truly implemented, it’s not guaranteed to succeed.
He could put on a brave face in front of outsiders, but he didn’t need to pretend with friends. He immediately said:
“Old Daoist, let me tell you, I’m just taking it one step at a time with this matter. If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just slip away, who cares about the deluge!”
Uh,
This?
The old Daoist and Li San exchanged glances. Li San was quite frightened.
But the old Daoist burst into laughter, saying, “Hahaha, that’s the spirit, Young Master Zhu! Who cares about the deluge… Li San, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, yes, who cares! If a man doesn’t look out for himself, heaven and earth will destroy him!”
Li San chimed in, but his heart was filled with trepidation—
This,
These words are treason!
Zhu Mo is now an imperial envoy. Slipping away? That’s punishable by death!
Is this Emperor truly not himself? Could he really be his illegitimate son from among the common people?
But when he stealthily glanced at the old Daoist again, he saw an unprecedented joy. In forty years, he had never seen the Emperor this happy…
This is not like an Emperor at all, but clearly an ordinary old man enjoying family bliss!
…
Zhu Mo took a large gulp of the Lingzhi Longjing tea and said:
“You two haven’t eaten yet, have you? It’s just right today, I’ll make a few small dishes for you.”
Before he finished speaking, Zhu Mo had already gone into the kitchen to busy himself.
The small courtyard suddenly quieted down. The old Daoist’s lips curled into a smile, his eyes sparkling with a light, and he seemed lost in thought.
Li San poured tea for the old Daoist and chuckled softly, “He’s truly a fearless newborn calf… Young Master Zhu still has spirit in his bones, carrying such a monumental task alone, it’s truly difficult for him…”
Upon hearing this, the old Daoist’s heart ached, and he was filled with mixed emotions—
Thinking back,
He himself had ascended the throne at the age of fourteen. At that time, Yang Tinghe led hundreds of officials to force him into submission. He was alone, battling wits and strategy, and only then did he secure the throne… Wasn’t he as isolated and helpless as Zhu Mo back then?
And now,
His lost son is about to venture alone into a dragon’s den and a tiger’s lair, which made him feel immense grief.
But after the heartache, he felt a deep sense of helplessness—
What can be done?
Isn’t this the destiny of royalty?
Fortunately, heaven is compassionate and has found this son. Otherwise, the world and the Great Ming would truly be irrecoverable.
With this thought, he made a silent resolution—
No matter who it is, if they dare to harm a single hair on Zhu Mo’s head, he will surely exterminate their nine generations of kin!
After all, he is already in his twilight years.
There isn’t much he can do for his son. Helping him ascend the throne smoothly might be the last battle of his life…
…
The master and servant sat in silence.
Li San looked at the old Daoist, feeling that the atmosphere today was exceptionally warm, tinged with a touch of inexplicable sadness.
The old Daoist rarely drank tea, yet today he poured and drank cup after cup, having consumed several pots. In Li San’s eyes, this was truly rare, as if he was particularly cherishing every moment of today.
While he was wondering about this, Zhu Mo had already brought out steaming roasted fish, along with a plate of fried rice.
“Come, you two, this is the oil-residue shrimp salted rice I invented!”
“These two roasted fish are just perfect now…”
The old Daoist, having lived in the deep palace for decades cultivating the Tao, hadn’t smelled the scent of human cooking for many years. At this moment, he detected a strange aroma. Initially, he was quite displeased and almost reprimanded them, but seeing Zhu Mo’s beaming smile, his heart inexplicably softened, and he said with a smile:
“Alright, alright, I’ll try this roasted fish!”
Just as he picked up his chopsticks, Zhu Mo pressed them down.
“Old Daoist, what’s the rush! Don’t you know the etiquette for eating roasted fish?”
Oh?
The old Daoist and Li San exchanged bewildered glances.
“Do you want some vinegar…”
Zhu Mo sighed, took out some glutinous vinegar, and smeared some on the roasted fish that had already been torn in half.
“Here, Old Daoist, eat more. Eating more fish is good for you!”
As Zhu Mo spoke, he tore off half of the fish and placed it on the plate in front of the old Daoist.