Chapter 166: The Eighth Year of Hongwu

The eighth year of Hongwu, Spring Festival.

Just after the hour of Yin, Yingtian Fu was still cloaked in the darkness before dawn, while the Imperial City was already brightly lit.

In Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang sat alone on the dragon throne, gently rubbing a jade pendant in his hand, which had been Consort Sun's favorite in life.

There were not many candles lit inside the hall, and under the dim yellow light his figure seemed somewhat lonely.

"His Majesty, it's time to change clothes; we will go to Fengtian Hall to perform the ancestral rites soon," the eunuch cautioned as he stepped forward.

Zhu Yuanzhang gave a hum, rose, and spread his arms to have the eunuch assist him in changing.

His ceremonial robe was heavy, and the twelve‑chapter pattern faintly glimmered in the candlelight.

He suddenly recalled the dream from last night.

In the dream, Sun was wearing the coarse cloth she had back in Chuzhou, standing at the small courtyard gate and laughing at him, "Zhong Ba brother, dinner is ready."

When he woke, his pillow was damp.

"His Majesty…" the eunuch began, then fell silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew what the eunuch wanted to say.

Since that day he quarreled with the Crown Prince and was "guarded" by Zhu Yong outside Qianqing Palace, he had not summoned Zhu Biao again.

Between father and son, it was as if an invisible wall separated them.

"Where is the Crown Prince?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"His Highness the Crown Prince rose at the very beginning of the Yin hour; he should now be in the Eastern Palace preparing the ancestral rites," the eunuch replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said nothing further.

……

At the same time, Wu Wang Fu.

Zhu Yong was awakened by Huanhuan's cries.

The three‑year‑old little girl, wrapped in a thick cotton coat like a tiny meatball, sat on the bed wiping her tears.

"What's wrong, Huanhuan?" Guanyin Nu hurriedly scooped up her daughter.

"Daddy… Daddy hasn't given the New Year money…" Huanhuan sobbed.

Zhu Yong, unable to laugh or cry, felt under his pillow a red cloth pouch containing several brand‑new Hongwu Tongbao.

"Here, Huanhuan's New Year money."

Huanhuan instantly stopped crying and clutched the copper coins, refusing to let go.

Guanyin Nu scolded, "Prince, don't spoil her."

"It's the New Year, just for a bit of festivity," Zhu Yong said with a smile.

He got up to dress, and mid‑movement suddenly felt as if something else had appeared within him.

Zhu Yong's mind stirred.

He knew it was another system sign‑in reward.

Last year it was steel‑forging and plate‑armor techniques; this year…

He took out the item the system gave him, unwrapped the oiled paper, and found a thick stack of blueprints.

The blueprints were intricate, showing boilers, pistons, connecting rods, and many symbols and annotations that made sense when disassembled but were incomprehensible when assembled.

But at the top of the blueprints, in large characters Zhu Yong could read, it said

【Steam Engine Diagram】

【Boiling water produces steam that drives pistons, can replace the power of oxen and horses】

Zhu Yong scratched his head, "Goodness, they've given the whole steam‑engine principle outright. I don't want to waste brainpower; let the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works handle this!"

This contraption… is even more complex than a Flintlock Gun.

"Prince, what is this?" Guanyin Nu came over, asking curiously.

"It's from the White-bearded Old Man, who says it can replace oxen and horses for work," Zhu Yong said with a smile.

Guanyin Nu had grown accustomed to her husband receiving "immortal gifts" every first day of the year, moving from initial surprise to calm acceptance.

"Should we present it to Imperial Father?"

"Alright, after breakfast I'll go to the palace," Zhu Yong nodded.

……

At the Mao hour, Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang led the princes and imperial grandchildren in the ancestral rites.

Zhu Biao stood half a step behind him, and the father and son exchanged no words throughout.

After the rites concluded, the ministers entered the palace to offer their salutations.

Inside Fengtian Hall, the officials bowed in unison, shouting "Ten thousand years!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, gazing at the officials below; his eyes lingered on Zhu Biao for a moment before moving away.

The salutations lasted for one hour.

After it ended, Zhu Yuanzhang returned to Qianqing Palace; just as he sat down, a eunuch reported, "His Majesty, Prince Wu requests an audience."

"Allow him in," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Yong strode in, holding a long, rectangular wooden box.

"Father, Happy New Year," he said innocently.

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened a bit as he said, "Yong Er, you're here, sit down—what business do you have?"

"Yes, the White-bearded Old Man gave me something again," Zhu Yong opened the box and took out the stack of blueprints.

Zhu Yuanzhang took it, unfolded it, and immediately frowned.

He could not understand anything on the blueprints at all.

"This is…"

"Steam engine schematic, it says that heating water can generate power to replace oxen and horses for work," Zhu Yong explained.

Zhu Yuanzhang examined the annotations on the Blueprint closely, and grew increasingly alarmed.

Although he did not understand machinery, after years of seeing the various Blueprints Zhu Yong presented, he had developed a basic sense of judgment.

This thing… if it can truly be made, it would perhaps rival the Flintlock Gun of those days.

"Yong Er, do you think this contraption… can replace oxen and horses?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

"The Blueprint says so, and I don't understand it either," Zhu Yong replied honestly.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused briefly and said to the eunuch, "Go, summon the Crown Prince, and also the Minister of Works."

"Understood."

Soon, Zhu Biao and Minister of Works Xue Xiang entered Qianqing Palace one after the other.

The father and son exchanged a glance, and Zhu Biao bowed, "Imperial Father."

"Hmm, come and look at this," Zhu Yuanzhang handed him the Blueprint.

Zhu Biao took it, glanced at it briefly, and his eyes lit up.

"Imperial Father, this… this is…"

"Yong Er presented it, saying it's called a steam engine," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Xue Xiang leaned in to look; being from the Ministry of Works and well‑versed in machinery, after a short glance he exclaimed, "This device… if it were realized, it could change the world!"

"What do you mean?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Xue Xiang pointed to the annotations on the Blueprint, excitedly saying, "Your Majesty, see here it states 'steam drives the piston, connecting rod turns the flywheel,' meaning the steam generated by heating water can power the machine.

If it can truly be realized, then grinding grain, pumping water, even pulling carts could all be done by this steam engine instead of human or animal power!"

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both felt a jolt in their hearts.

"Minister Xue, can your Ministry of Works produce this Blueprint?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Xue Xiang examined it repeatedly, hesitantly saying, "Your Majesty, the Blueprint is detailed, but the materials and techniques listed are many that I have never heard of.

Especially this boiler, which must withstand steam pressure and demands extremely high‑quality iron, not to mention these sealing devices…"

He listed a host of technical difficulties.

Zhu Yuanzhang understood; the device is excellent, but with Great Ming's current craftsmanship, it cannot be made.

At least not within a short time.

"Father, the thing given by the White-bearded Old Man couldn't be made at first, but after a few years it could," Zhu Yong suddenly said.

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled, then recalled that it was indeed so.

He thought of the Flintlock Gun, plate armor, and steel‑forging techniques, all of which could be researched now.

This steam engine… will probably have to wait a few years, but despite the regret, it is a treasure with great potential, and he was still very pleased.

"Minister Xue, take this Blueprint back, let the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works study it carefully; do not rush, take it slowly," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"I obey your command," Xue Xiang carefully stored the Blueprint.

Zhu Biao looked at the stack of Blueprints and suddenly said, "Imperial Father, if this steam engine can truly be made, it will be an earth‑shattering change for Great Ming.

Then waterwheels would no longer depend on rivers, mills could be built anywhere, even…"

He paused, his eyes flashing, and said, "It could even be used to power ships, allowing them to sail without relying on sails."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes brightened.

He recalled the World Map that Zhu Yong had presented.

If there truly were ships that could sail without sails…

"Biao Er, keep an eye on this; report any progress from the Ministry of Works to us at any time," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"Understood, Imperial Father," Zhu Biao replied.

The father and son, because of this sentence, broke the stalemate that had lasted many days.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Biao and suddenly said, "Biao Er, that day… it was Father who was muddled."

Zhu Biao was stunned, then bowed and said, "Imperial Father, it was I, your son, who rushed forward."

"Enough, it's all past. Today is Spring Festival; let's not discuss this. At noon you will all eat in Kunning Palace, let the family gather."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

"Understood," Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong replied in unison.