Chapter 112: Already Have a Way to Take Death

Zhu Yong sent him out, and when he returned, Guanyin Nu was already standing under the corridor.

"Prince, has the elder sister‑in‑law given birth?" Guanyin Nu asked curiously.

"Yes, she gave birth to a son, mother and child are safe, and our child will be born in about a month," Zhu Yong said, supporting her.

Guanyin Nu touched her belly and whispered, "I don't know whether it's a son or a daughter."

"Sons or daughters are both fine; they're all my treasure," Zhu Yong chuckled.

The next day.

Zhu Yong rose early and took Guanyin Nu into the palace.

In Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was holding a newborn infant, laughing so broadly her mouth could not close.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat beside her, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

Zhu Biao sat at the lower seat, while Chang Wan, her face still a bit pale, lay in a side hall of Kunning Palace, though her spirit was fine.

"Father, Mother, Second Prince, sister‑in‑law," Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu saluted.

"Come up quickly, Yong Er, Minmin, come see your great nephew," Empress Ma beckoned.

Zhu Yong walked over and saw a tiny infant in swaddling clothes, its skin rosy, eyes closed, sleeping soundly.

"Father the Emperor has bestowed a name: Xiong Ying, Zhu Xiongying," Zhu Biao said softly.

"Good name, Xiong Ying, heroic and valiant," Zhu Yong chuckled.

Zhu Xiongying appeared several years earlier than expected.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "Our legitimate eldest grandson will, in the future, be like his father and his second uncle, able to govern the state with literature and secure the nation with martial skill."

At that moment, Zhu Di, Zhu Shuang, and Zhu Gang also arrived.

The three gathered around the infant, and Zhu Di whispered, "Second Prince, he's so small."

"You were this small when you were born," Zhu Yong replied.

Empress Ma handed the baby to the wet nurse and said to everyone, "Everyone sit down and speak."

Everyone took their seats.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Chang Wan, "Girl Wan, you've worked hard; raise the child well, and if you need anything, tell your mother."

"Thank you, Father," Chang Wan whispered.

Empress Ma took Guanyin Nu's hand and said, "Minmin, you're also near, what has the imperial physician said these days?"

"The physician says the fetal position is correct; everything is fine," Guanyin Nu replied.

"Then that's good; if anything feels uncomfortable, speak up immediately, don't endure it," Empress Ma reminded.

Just then, a eunuch reported from outside, "Your Majesty, General Xu, General Chang, General Lan request an audience."

"Let them in," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and Lan Yu entered, all beaming with joy.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Crown Prince!" the three saluted.

"No need for ceremony, sit down; you all have remarkably swift news," Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

Chang Yuchun laughed loudly, "I heard it last night; I was so happy I didn't sleep a single night! I am now a grandfather!"

Xu Da also laughed, "The Crown Prince has welcomed a legitimate son; it is a great joy for the nation."

Lan Yu moved beside Zhu Biao and said, "Your Highness, may I see the little imperial grandson?"

Zhu Biao had the wet nurse bring the child over; Lan Yu looked and grinned, "He resembles Your Highness and also the Crown Princess; he will surely be extraordinary and valiant."

After some laughter, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said, "By the way, Yong Er, the Salt Method and Sugar Method you presented are effective; yesterday the Ministry of Revenue reported that in just these two months around the Yingtian region, the Salt Tax increased by three hundred thousand taels, white sugar sold five hundred thousand jin, yielding a profit of one hundred thousand taels."

Zhu Yong replied simply, "As long as they're useful."

"It's not just useful; it's of great use. With salt prices lowered, the people benefit; sugar sales increase the treasury. These two items equal the annual expenses of a hundred thousand troops."

Zhu Yuanzhang said happily.

This second son truly is his lucky star!

Xu Da and the others all nodded.

They are all versed in military affairs and understand the importance of money and provisions for an army.

With money, one can train elite soldiers and forge superior weapons.

"Father, I, your son, think these two technologies should be gradually promoted nationwide; especially white sugar, we could establish official workshops to monopolize its sale, with all profits entering the treasury," the son said.

Zhu Biao said.

"Approved! See to it yourself," Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

Just then, the infant cried.

The wet nurse hurriedly soothed, and Chang Wan took over, gently comforting.

Empress Ma laughed, "Alright, Xiong Ying is hungry; let's go talk outside and let girl Wan feed the child."

Everyone left the inner chamber and went to the outer hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Yong, "Yong Er, how have you been training troops these past months in the capital?"

"Father, the Longxiang Army is already battle‑hardened," Zhu Yong replied.

"That's good; although the north is peaceful, the grasslands are vast, with remnants still roaming, Goryeo is subdued, but Wa Country over there has been restless lately," Zhu Yuanzhang said, nodding.

Zhu Yong's eyes brightened, "Father, any changes in Wa Country?"

"The scouts report that Prince Huailiang of the Southern Wa Dynasty has lately repeatedly raided the coast and plundered merchant ships, but this is not urgent; after Xiong Ying reaches a month old and your child is born, we will discuss it."

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"Dare to base the nation on our silver mines, Wa Country already has a way to take death."

"Indeed," Zhu Yong replied.

He noted it in his heart.

Wa Country… sooner or later I have to go there.

Everyone had lunch in Kunning Palace and then dispersed.

Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu got into the carriage and began heading back to the residence.

Inside the carriage, Guanyin Nu leaned on Zhu Yong's shoulder and said softly, "Prince, the Crown Princess gave birth to a son; the Imperial Father and Imperial Mother are so happy."

"Hmm, the legitimate eldest grandson, of course they're happy," Zhu Yong said.

"What if I have a daughter…" Guanyin Nu said with some worry.

"What's wrong with a daughter? A daughter is also my treasure; father and mother won't mind, so don't worry," Zhu Yong said earnestly.

Guanyin Nu then felt at ease.

They returned to Wu Wang Fu.

Zhu Yong helped her sit down and asked, "Hungry? I'll have Xiao Zhu prepare something to eat."

"Not hungry, Prince, I want to go sit in the courtyard," Guanyin Nu said, shaking her head.

"Alright."

Husband and Wife went to the courtyard and sat on a stone bench.

On a spring afternoon, the sun shone brightly; peach blossoms were in full bloom in the courtyard, a sea of pink.

"Prince, what name should we give our child?" Guanyin Nu asked.

"Jade blossoms fill the cosmos, great vessels and sacred jade ornaments, at the start of life one is praised, and a splendid legacy is jointly recorded."

(This is the generation poem of the later Tang King, but I couldn't write it for him, so I used it.)

"Zhu Qiongwu, Zhu Huanhuan… sounds nice," Guanyin Nu recited once and smiled.

Although the male name sounds a bit militaristic, as long as it's chosen by the Prince, it's fine.

The two are still picking a name here! As if they'd forgotten there's a domineering father around; later they might not even have a chance to name the child.

"As long as you like it," Zhu Yong chuckled.

The two sat quietly, watching the tree full of peach blossoms.

The wind blew, petals drifted down and settled in Guanyin Nu's hair.

Zhu Yong gently brushed them away for her.

Time was peacefully still.