Chapter 78: Mother Blocks the Door

Zhu Gaoxu knew that since Lao Zhu had brought it up, he must have a way to resolve it.

He just didn't know what role he himself was to play in it.

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu said nothing and continued eating his pastry; he knew Lao Zhu would say it himself soon enough.

Sure enough, it was exactly as Zhu Gaoxu had thought.

Watching Zhu Gaoxu single-mindedly eating his pastry, Lao Zhu poured him a cup of tea and continued, "I was originally thinking of finding a way to make that group of old fogies shut up, but I didn't expect someone from the Ministry of War to come looking for me just now."

The Ministry of War?

Hearing that the Ministry of War was going to intervene, Zhu Gaoxu finally put down the pastry in his hand, picked up the tea Lao Zhu had just poured to clear his throat, and then signaled for Lao Zhu to continue.

But Lao Zhu did not continue talking about the Ministry of War; instead, he took a detour and said, "I heard that you just got into a fight with Hu Weiyong's eldest grandson over at Yan Zhenzhi's place? And you even drew a blade?"

Zhu Gaoxu was not surprised that Lao Zhu knew he had beaten up Hu Wenzheng; with so many Embroidered Uniform Guards around at the time, it certainly couldn't be hidden.

It was just that Zhu Gaoxu didn't know why Lao Zhu was bringing this up now.

He didn't think Hu Wenzheng was some big shot who couldn't be touched.

Besides, this matter at most counted as a bit of roughhousing between two juniors, and it had already been resolved.

Could it be that Lao Zhu knew about me extorting Hu Weiyong?

That doesn't seem right either; even if he knew, Lao Zhu should be happy to see it happen.

Just as Zhu Gaoxu was pondering the meaning of Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Lao Zhu spoke again.

"You had just finished beating up that grandson of Hu Weiyong when the people from the Ministry of War came to me, telling me that the Three-Eyed Gun is the true weapon of the Ming, and everything else is just crooked ways, saying that the reason I was able to conquer the river lands was because of the Three-Eyed Gun, and that I shouldn't abandon the root to pursue the branches."

Hearing this from Lao Zhu, Zhu Gaoxu finally understood what Lao Zhu meant.

That old brat Hu Weiyong moves fast enough.

He just suffered a setback here, and immediately arranged for people from the Ministry of War to cause trouble for him behind his back.

It was obvious he was using this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone.

He could both state his position, telling Lao Zhu that he already knew about the Daming Gun and making Lao Zhu extinguish any thoughts of controlling it alone, while also warning Zhu Gaoxu that it would be impossible to successfully build the Daming Gun.

But Zhu Gaoxu felt this offensive was a bit small-time; it didn't seem like Hu Weiyong's character.

Yet he didn't know that at the time, it wasn't just the Ministry of War; over half the officials of the Central Secretariat and some military generals had also come.

It was just that the Ministry of War had taken the lead.

Regarding this, Lao Zhu did not tell Zhu Gaoxu; some pressure he would just bear himself.

Waving his hand, Zhu Yuanzhang interrupted Zhu Gaoxu's train of thought and continued, "Don't let your imagination run wild; this matter actually isn't bad."

"I am taking this opportunity to declare that we shall have the Daming Gun and the Three-Eyed Gun compete against each other; the time is set for seven days from now. I will not express a stance throughout the process; whoever wins, I will listen to them."

The meaning of Lao Zhu's words was very clear: he was giving Zhu Gaoxu a heads-up.

I'll give you seven days; when the time comes, wipe out those old stubborn fools for me and save me some face.

If you lose... well, I gave you a chance.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't feel anything wrong with this.

Zhu Yuanzhang is the Emperor; in a competition like this, if it's not certain to win, he must find a scapegoat.

If he loses, Zhu Gaoxu is that scapegoat; if he wins, it is naturally due to Lao Zhu's keen eye for talent.

Zhu Gaoxu had the awareness to be a scapegoat, of course, provided there were benefits.

Originally, Zhu Gaoxu was still thinking of finding an opportunity to ask Lao Zhu for some benefits; now, hadn't the opportunity just arrived?

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu said directly, "Imperial Grandfather, you can rest assured about this matter; when the time comes, your grandson will certainly save you face."

"It's just that your grandson intends to equip the New Army with this Daming Gun, but the army is hard to lead right now; your grandson is penniless, and not everyone is willing to follow me."

Zhu Yuanzhang heard Zhu Gaoxu asking for benefits so obviously, but he didn't haggle with him.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew Zhu Gaoxu's abilities, and he truly wanted to see just how much trouble this grandson of his could stir up.

And so, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't dawdle and generously said, "For the time being, the New Army you lead will have the same treatment as the Imperial Guard. For individual benefits like pre-battle and post-battle, disability, and death subsidies, you may increase them slightly. I will open the door of convenience for you; you just make sure to train me a pack of wolf cubs!"

Hearing these words from Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Gaoxu was overjoyed and immediately indicated that it was absolutely no problem.

The grandfather and grandson chatted for a few more moments, and then Zhu Gaoxu asked to take his leave.

Walking out of the Imperial Palace, Zhu Gaoxu did not return to the Military Camp immediately, but decided to go home and take a look first.

But just as he entered the house, Zhu Gaoxu saw his mother waiting for him in the courtyard with a feather duster.

"You little brat, you've gotten cocky, haven't you? Daring to brandish a blade in the street, indulging your subordinates to hurt people at such a young age—when you grow up, won't you turn the world upside down?"

While speaking, she rushed toward Zhu Gaoxu with the feather duster.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu dared not walk inside; without a word, he turned and fled.

Don't look at Zhu Gaoxu as having short legs; he had the support of Internal Energy, and he ran as if flying, feeling not the slightest bit of fatigue.

He had no shadow left the moment he stepped out the door, and Xu Miaoyun, seeing she couldn't find Zhu Gaoxu, walked back inside while cursing, feeling quite unreconciled.