Chapter 56: Lao Zhu Sends a Meal

Facing his own father, Zhu Gaoxu had nothing to hide.

He said immediately: "Recently, Imperial Grandfather asked me to develop a new type of firearm. Its power and effectiveness should be more than ten times that of the current Three-Eyed Gun. I have named it the Daming Gun."

Zhu Di's eyes lit up upon hearing this. Although he had already heard some rumors, hearing Zhu Gaoxi admit it personally made Zhu Di even more shocked.

"Good, a truly good Daming Gun!"

Zhu Di first exclaimed in approval, then lowered his head slightly to ponder for a moment. After a long while, Zhu Di looked up and said to Zhu Gaoxi: "Is there currently the capacity to manufacture this kind of firearm?"

This question clearly touched upon the core issue.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang had not told Zhu Gaoxi to keep it a secret, Zhu Yuanzhang had been shocked at the time, and it was estimated that someone would soon bring news of it.

It might be the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it could be a eunuch, or it was even possible that Zhu Gaoxi would be called into the Imperial Palace just for this matter.

At that time, they would certainly ask who else knew about this, and then whether or not to speak would become a problem.

If you don't speak, there is a risk of exposure; if you do speak, why would a Feudatory Prince be inquiring about such things?

Zhu Di seemed to sense Zhu Gaoxi's dilemma; he knew that this son of his possessed wisdom beyond his years.

Thinking of this, Zhu Di did not feel surprised, so he laughed and said: "If you don't want to say, it doesn't matter. I was just asking out of curiosity."

"The manpower is sufficient, with a monthly production of over a thousand units."

Zhu Gaoxi suddenly spoke up, and Zhu Di subconsciously clenched his hands upon hearing this.

For a time, neither of them spoke again. The Study became completely quiet, and a strange feeling permeated the air.

After a long silence, Zhu Di suddenly said in a low voice: "Your New Army should be equipped with this new firearm, right?"

Zhu Gaoxi was stunned after hearing this, as if he had thought of something; he did not reply, only nodded.

"If possible, ask for more, and when you go to the North, equip the Northern Border Army."

Sure enough, although he had already been ninety-nine percent certain in his heart, this sentence from Zhu Di raised the probability to one hundred percent.

Looking back from later generations, Zhu Di had ambition, and at the same time, he had talent.

What was the concept of five Northern Expeditions?

People with talent are never content with mediocrity, and those in high positions are never content with loneliness.

Zhu Di possessed both, and at the same time, he was a member of the Imperial family.

Before, he dared not, but now it was different.

Zhu Yuanzhang's doting and regard for Zhu Gaoxi were a bit too much.

So much so that the Crown Prince Zhu Biao was unaware of many things, yet Zhu Gaoxi knew them clearly.

This made Zhu Di unable to help but give birth to some wild thoughts.

But Zhu Gaoxi did not refute this.

"This child understands."

Everything still depended on the development of history. If Zhu Biao really died early, then Zhu Gaoxi would help Zhu Di complete his great cause without hesitation.

There was no other reason; civil war would only consume the national strength of Great Ming.

If Zhu Biao did not die, then it would only depend on what Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Whoever he decided to pass the throne to would likely be the next generation Emperor of Great Ming.

It was still too early to talk about this; Zhu Yuanzhang was in his prime and still had many years to live.

Moreover, he also believed that Zhu Di would not be so foolish as to bare his fangs so early.

Before he transmigrated, Zhu Di was able to feign madness and stupidity, which showed how deep his hidden motives were. It was estimated that Zhu Di telling him this today was, firstly, a probe, and secondly, a subtle way of communicating.

It is a long story, but these thoughts had circled through Zhu Gaoxi's mind in just a single breath.

And seeing that Zhu Gaoxi had agreed, Zhu Di was overjoyed in his heart.

Just as the father and son were about to say more, a servant knocked on the door of the Study.

"Your Highness, someone has come from the palace."

Zhu Gaoxi had thought that someone would come from the palace, but he had not expected them to come so quickly.

Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Di exchanged a glance. Although they knew it was impossible for Lao Zhu to know the content of their conversation in the Study, both of them saw a trace of guilt in the other's eyes.

Even a hero like Zhu Di had no confidence in such matters.

The two did not dare to delay and hurriedly stood up to walk out of the Study.

When the two saw the person who had arrived, they were both startled.

The person who had come was actually Eunuch Li.

One must know that Eunuch Li was Zhu Yuanzhang's personal eunuch and the Grand Superintendent of the Inner Court.

For ordinary small matters, even if it were to deliver a message to the Yan Wangfu, there was no need for someone of his level to come.

And since the other party had come this time, it could only mean that the matter was very important.

Seeing Eunuch Li standing in the courtyard, Zhu Di took two quick steps forward and said politely: "Eunuch Li, what brings you to my humble abode?"

Eunuch Li smiled and said in a shrill voice: "This old servant has a life of toil. The Emperor heard that our Nanyang Commandery Prince has not been eating well lately, so he specifically had the Imperial Kitchen prepare a few imperial dishes for our Nanyang Commandery Prince to nourish his body."

After speaking, Eunuch Li waved his hand, and a young eunuch behind him hurriedly stepped forward carrying a food box.

Seeing this, Zhu Di hurriedly pulled Zhu Gaoxi along to offer thanks.

While Zhu Gaoxi was offering thanks, he was muttering to himself.

This move by Lao Zhu this morning was clearly an implication for Zhu Di to stop the punishment of Zhu Gaoxi.

But he had asked Lao Zhu to step in this morning, yet Lao Zhu had not agreed; why did he take the initiative to do so at this time instead?