Chapter 33: The Dilapidated Palace

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Zhu Yuanzhang found it difficult to press further after hearing Zhu Gaoxu's explanation.

Feeling slightly frustrated, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly thought of something, then laughed heartily: "Hahaha, good, then let's wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow, besides conferring upon you the title of General, I have other surprises for you!"

Zhu Gaoxu did not know why, but listening to Lao Zhu's laughter always made him feel a bit creeped out.

However, thinking that he would become the youngest general in Huaxia tomorrow, he did not dwell on it further.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu looked quite happy, the corners of Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth curled up slightly.

Still too young!

Since this little monkey was unwilling to say more for now, Zhu Yuanzhang did not ask further.

After chatting for a few moments, Zhu Yuanzhang had Zhu Gaoxu withdraw, and he began reviewing memorials with Zhu Biao.

Upon exiting the Study, Zhu Gaoxu saw Mao Xiang, who had been waiting for a long time at the entrance.

Zhu Gaoxu remained in the palace, and Mao Xiang, who was responsible for his protection, naturally did not leave either.

Zhu Gaoxu did not say anything about this; after all, Mao Xiang had often stayed in the palace before.

If one were to talk about familiarity, the man was more familiar with the Imperial Palace than he was.

"Mao Xiang, you say this palace is so big, is there anything fun to see?"

"Your Highness, it is getting late; it would be best if you did not wander about blindly."

Having followed by Zhu Gaoxu's side for so long, Mao Xiang clearly knew that this master was too good at finding trouble, so how could he dare to take him wandering aimlessly through the Imperial Palace.

But Zhu Gaoxu acted as if he hadn't heard; since Mao Xiang wouldn't tell him, he would find it himself.

Thus, ignoring Mao Xiang, Zhu Gaoxu began to stroll through the vast Imperial Palace.

After turning left and right, Zhu Gaoxu arrived in front of a dilapidated palace.

Looking at the palace overgrown with weeds, Zhu Gaoxu could not imagine how such a place could exist within the Imperial Palace.

"Where is this?"

Zhu Gaoxu stopped his steps and turned to ask Mao Xiang, who had been following behind him.

Looking at the dilapidated palace, Mao Xiang's eyes suddenly narrowed as if he had thought of something, and he hurriedly said: "Your Highness, this is not a place we should come to. It is already dark, so we had better return quickly. I imagine the Emperor is already looking for us."

After speaking, he flashed in front of Zhu Gaoxu, clearly intending to use force if Zhu Gaoxu did not agree.

Looking at Mao Xiang's nervous appearance, Zhu Gaoxu spread his hands to signal Mao Xiang to relax.

Knowing that he certainly wouldn't be able to get in this time, Zhu Gaoxu simply stopped lingering.

Just as Zhu Gaoxu turned around to leave, a loud noise suddenly came from inside the palace, followed by a large cloud of dust drifting out.

Just as Zhu Gaoxu subconsciously turned to see what was happening, he suddenly felt his body lighten, and his feet left the ground.

Looking up, he discovered that it was Mao Xiang who had grabbed him and was running rapidly toward the distance.

Watching the dilapidated palace grow further and further away, until Mao Xiang turned a corner and it completely disappeared from Zhu Gaoxu's field of vision.

What exactly was inside there?

Zhu Gaoxu could not help but start to speculate.

Mao Xiang, however, seemed to let out a long sigh of relief, scurrying back to the Imperial Garden with Zhu Gaoxu before finally setting him down on the ground.

"Your Highness, we should return."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded, not asking what had happened at that palace just now.

He knew that even if he asked, Mao Xiang likely wouldn't tell him.

This was probably what one would call a royal secret.

"Then let's go."

Just as they crossed the Imperial Garden, that Eunuch Li from Zhu Yuanzhang's side popped out from nowhere.

"Oh, my little ancestor, you have really made this servant search for you."

Eunuch Li called out in a shrill, rooster-like voice, then came before Zhu Gaoxu to pay his respects.

Zhu Gaoxu knew that this Eunuch Li was likely not someone to be trifled with; he could tell as much from his father Zhu Di's attitude toward the man.

"I was just wandering around the palace; where is the Emperor?"

"Oh, my little ancestor, the Imperial Palace is no place to wander blindly. The Emperor is currently reviewing memorials. His Majesty told me to tell you to rest in the palace first, and we shall meet at the morning court tomorrow."

Zhu Gaoxu naturally had no objections; he nodded and followed behind Eunuch Li.

Meanwhile, Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting in the Fengtian Hall, preparing for today's Simulation.

After the morning court, he had started meeting his fourth son and that little monkey, followed by eating and chatting, leaving him no opportunity to start the Simulation.

Now that night had fallen, he finally had time to begin.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the Dragon Throne, stroked his beard, and then clicked on the Simulation interface.

【Ding! The host has 1 simulation attempt remaining for today!】

"Start the simulation of the little monkey's strategy for governing the North!"

Zhu Yuanzhang had thought for a long time and decided to simulate the strategy for governing the North that Zhu Gaoxu had mentioned this morning.

Although he knew the power of this method just by listening to it.

He still wanted to know if the time required for Zhu Gaoxu's method was truly as short as he had claimed.

After all, stopping the decline in one year and recovering in three years sounded too incredible.

【Ding! Simulation starting!】

The system did not keep Zhu Yuanzhang waiting and quickly provided the answer.

【In the thirteenth year of Hongwu, various natural disasters began to appear in the northern provinces.】

【Severe droughts occurred in the Henan and Hebei regions; victims were starving for thousands of miles, and the number of commoners dying of hunger reached the thousands daily.】

【The other northern provinces were the same.】

【During the year of natural disasters, the imperial court decided to implement a policy of stationing troops to cultivate land, conscripting soldiers from the South and having them bring their families to the disaster-stricken provinces in the North.】