Chapter 206: Lao Deng Is About to Abdicate

"I was thinking… first set up a dedicated bureau in the Imperial Hospital, call it… call it the Medical Bureau, find a few trustworthy physicians to focus on these."

"As for the alcohol, have the Ministry of Works cooperate, but don't tell them the specifics—just say it's for the Imperial Hospital. Penicillin is the most troublesome; it needs a separate location and can't be stored in the Imperial Hospital."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Continue."

"Once the cowpox trial succeeds, first promote it in the Capital City, observe the results; if they're good, then spread it nationwide. As for medical texts, first teach the Imperial Hospital staff, and once they've mastered them, pass them on."

Zhu Biao smiled, "Alright, there will be regulations. You handle these matters; if you lack people or funds, ask elder brother."

"Thank you, elder brother!" Zhu Su bowed solemnly.

Zhu Yong watched from the side, feeling a sudden surge of emotion.

In his previous life, Zhu Su was indeed a capable prince, later ennobled as King of Zhou, authored the "Wine Huang Bencao", and was a truly pragmatic man.

In this life, with these things, he can go even farther.

"By the way, Second Prince, if the cowpox trial succeeds, who should use it first?" Zhu Su asked, suddenly recalling something.

Zhu Yong replied without hesitation, "First give it to me, then to elder brother, and finally to Xiong Ying."

Zhu Xiongying is Zhu Biao's eldest son, six nominal years old this year, clever and lively, the beloved child of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma.

Zhu Biao's eyes flickered at the words.

"Also your several nephews and nieces, and Huan Huan, all should use it; test it on your own children first, and once it's proven, give it to others," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Su gave a firm nod.

…

The three spent over half an hour in the study, going through how each item should be arranged, kept secret, and promoted.

Finally, Zhu Biao stood up and patted the shoulders of his two younger brothers.

"Second brother, Sixth Prince, do you know how many lives these things can save?"

Zhu Yong said naively, "I know, that's why we must get it right."

Zhu Su's eyes reddened again, and he choked out, "Elder brother, Second Prince, I will definitely do it well and not disappoint you."

Zhu Biao laughed, "Enough, stop crying at every turn. Come, let's eat; we've been hungry all morning."

The three left the study and headed toward the main courtyard.

In the courtyard, the sunlight was perfect.

Zhu Huanhuan was building a snowman with two little maids, while Zhu Qiong Jiong was being held by his wet nurse, sunbathing in the corridor.

Guanyin Nu stood nearby, smiling as she watched her daughter play.

Seeing the three approach, Zhu Huanhuan ran over and shouted, "Elder uncle! Sixth Uncle!"

Zhu Biao scooped her up and said, "Huan Huan's gotten heavier; elder uncle can barely hold her now."

"Huan Huan isn't heavy!" the little girl pouted.

Zhu Su teased her, "Then who ate that big chicken leg you just had?"

"It… it was the dog that ate it!"

The crowd burst into laughter.

Entering the main courtyard, the luncheon was already set.

Zhu Biao sat down, looked at the full table, and suddenly said, "Second brother, do you still remember Hongwu Second Year, when we first ate together?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, "I remember; back then I had just entered the palace, mother prepared many dishes, and I ate half the table by myself."

"Yes, at that time Imperial Father laughed heartily, saying that a son who can eat is a blessing; now, in the blink of an eye, eight years have passed," Zhu Biao laughed.

Eight years have passed.

From Hongwu Second Year, when we recognized each other, to Hongwu Tenth Year.

From a mountain youth, to King Wu, to Grand General Zhenglu, to father of two children.

Zhu Yong felt a sudden daze.

He lifted his wine cup and said, "Elder brother, Sixth Prince, here, have a drink."

The three raised their cups and drank in one gulp.

…

In the afternoon, Zhu Su took the stack of papers and hurried back to the palace; having obtained the Blueprint, he didn't want to wait a moment.

Zhu Biao lingered a bit longer, speaking with Zhu Yong in the study.

"Second brother, how should we report these matters to Imperial Father?" Zhu Biao asked.

"Regarding Imperial Father, I haven't told him about these things either; later, elder brother, you can just go back and inform him," Zhu Yong said with a smile.

He always shows good things to his own elder brother first; as for his father, now elder brother is regent, and although his father still handles state affairs, he often stays in the harem with his mother.

Otherwise, he goes farming; Zhu Yuanzhang himself took some potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn and opened a plot of land inside the palace.

Zhu Biao nodded; knowing that his second brother always tells him first when he has something good made Zhu Biao feel warm inside.

As for Lao Deng, he's about to abdicate.

Zhu Biao said with a smile, "I'll keep an eye on Sixth Prince's side; for the Imperial Hospital staff, I'll have the Brocade Guard check them as well to ensure they're trustworthy."

Zhu Yuanzhang personally ordered the formation, tasked with investigations; Zhu Biao said he found it very handy to use.

Zhu Yong understood that elder brother was ensuring absolute safety.

"Also, regarding the Ministry of Works, the steam engine can now run half a month without breaking; they're working on that thing you mentioned… the firing gun? Anyway, it's something more powerful than the Flintlock Gun."

Zhu Biao lowered his voice and said.

Zhu Yong's eyes brightened, "Progress?"

"A little, but it's still early; no rush, take it slowly," Zhu Biao smiled.

Zhu Yong nodded.

He knew these things couldn't be rushed.

It's like penicillin; you have to cultivate the strain, conduct repeated experiments, and it takes a year, two years, or even longer.

But as long as the direction is correct, it will eventually succeed; once success comes, it's time for the harvest.

When Zhu Biao rose to take his leave, the sky had already darkened.

Zhu Yong saw him off at the doorway, watching the Eastern Palace carriage disappear around the street corner.

From behind came Guanyin Nu's voice: "Prince, has the elder brother left?"

"Hmm." Zhu Yong turned around, seeing her standing under the porch, holding Zhu Qiong Jiong in her arms, while Zhu Huanhuan tugged at her sleeve.

"Come inside! It's cold out there," Zhu Yong walked over, took his son and said with a smile.

The four of them entered the mansion gate.

As night deepened, the lights of Wu Wang Fu lit up one after another.

In the study, that stack of papers had already vanished.

But Zhu Yong knew they would become experiments in the Imperial Hospital, become blueprints in the Ministry of Works, become countless lives to be saved in the future.

In the tenth year of Hongwu, some things had already changed the world.

And some things are quietly changing.