Chapter 259: Xu Da's Recovery

A moment of silence...

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly smiled and said, "Good, good… daring to use it the first time makes you stronger than those who only say 'powerless'."

He then looked at Zhu Yong and said, "Yong Er, the formulas you've produced over the years, Lao Liu has already studied them."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Hmm, Lao Liu likes this, so I gave it all to him. The concoctions he refines are more or less the same. I think these things can save lives, stronger than waging war."

Zhu Yuanzhang heard that and instantly burst into laughter.

Then, very satisfied, he patted his second son.

"Alright, we'll stay here on guard; you all should rest, eat, and not waste yourselves." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said.

No one moved.

Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing further.

The night grew deeper.

The moon climbed onto the treetops, then gradually set in the west.

Midnight, third watch, fourth watch…

Finally, a pale fish‑belly light spread across the horizon.

The door opened, an imperial doctor rushed out, excitedly shouting incoherently, "The fever's gone! The fever's completely gone! Lord Xu is awake!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sprang to his feet and strode into the room.

On the bed, Xu Da was already awake; though still weak, his eyes were clear.

Seeing Zhu Yuanzhang enter, he struggled to sit up and said, "His Majesty…"

"Stay prone! Don't move, recover well." Zhu Yuanzhang pressed him down.

Xu Da's eyes reddened, "His Majesty… this old minister's life…"

"It was Lao Liu who saved him, and it was Yong Er who gave the medicine." Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head toward the arriving Zhu Su and Zhu Yong, "Lao Liu, Yong Er, come over."

The two walked to the bedside.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and pointed at Zhu Su, "Tiande, remember this face; Lao Liu, from now on, will be your lifesaver."

Xu Da looked at Zhu Su, his lips trembling, "Sixth Prince… old minister…"

Zhu Su quickly waved his hand, "Xu Shu, don't say that; it was the Second Prince's prescription, I just followed the formula."

Xu Da looked again at Zhu Yong, his eyes even redder.

Zhu Yong gave a simple smile, "Xu Shu, as long as you're fine. Later I'll have someone bring a few old hens over to nourish you."

Xu Da was stunned for a moment, then smiled, and as he smiled, tears fell.

……

Five days later.

Xu Da could already get out of bed and walk.

That morning, Zhu Yuanzhang brought Empress Ma himself to visit Xu's residence.

Empress Ma held Miss Xie's hand, said many words, and had a pile of tonics delivered.

Before leaving, Zhu Yuanzhang called Xu Da aside.

"Tiande, recover well; once you're fully healed, we have a great task for you."

Xu Da clasped his fists and said, "I shall not disappoint His Majesty's great expectations."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and got into the carriage.

In the carriage, Empress Ma leaned on his shoulder and whispered, "Zhong Ba, Lao Liu this child, his medical skill is so good, should we build a branch of the Imperial Hospital for him in the future?"

Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment and said, "Hmm, later let Biao Er and Yong Er discuss it."

The carriage gradually moved farther away.

At the gate of Xu's residence, Xu Da stood there, watching the carriage disappear before slowly walking back.

Sunlight fell on his face, making it rosier.

……

Three days later.

Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict establishing a Medical Research Institute under the Imperial Hospital, appointing Zhu Su as director, to study those strange and exotic formulas.

The Imperial Edict sent shockwaves through court and bureaucracy.

But no one dared to say anything.

After all, Xu Da's life was the best proof.

No one knew whether they would ever need the medical skills and formulas of Sixth Prince Zhou…

……

Evening, Wu Wang Fu.

Outside the window, Moonlight was like water.

From afar came the whistle of a steam locomotive, the Nanjing‑to‑Suzhou railway under construction; people from the Ministry of Works worked day and night, and it was said half the line was already laid.

"Dad!"

The door was pushed open, and a small figure rushed in.

It was Zhu Qiong Jiong, a four‑year‑old little fellow, lively as a tiger, holding a small wooden hammer, just like a miniature Zhu Yong.

Just a little replica…

"Dad, play with me!" the little one ran to Zhu Yong's side, eagerly saying.

Zhu Yong smiled and lifted his son, "Alright, what shall we play?"

"Beat the bad guys! Brother Xiong Ying said, one hammer strike from dad can kill a hundred bad guys!" Zhu Qiong Jiong waved his small wooden hammer and shouted loudly.

Zhu Yong burst into laughter, "Alright, then let's go beat the bad guys."

Father and son stepped out of the study and entered the courtyard.

In the Moonlight, the four‑year‑old kid swung a wooden hammer, with proper form.

Zhu Yong watched, and felt a sudden deep satisfaction.

This life is pretty good.

A father, a mother, an elder brother, a daughter‑in‑law, children, and friends.

I can also use memories from my past life to do something for this era.

Worth it.

……

At the same moment, the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao was also looking at a folded document.

It was sent by the Ministry of Works, concerning progress on steam engine improvements.

"Prince, following Prince Wu's line of thought, the Ministry of Works has identified the problem; the newly built steam engine can have its lifespan extended by more than double."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Good, continue the improvements."

After the Ministry of Works officials withdrew, Zhu Biao stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the lights of Yingtian City dotted the night like stars.

He recalled the words Xu Da had said while holding his hand during the day: "Crown Prince, this old minister's life was saved by you and two princes.

This old minister's life, it's worth it."

Zhu Biao smiled lightly.

Is it worth it?

Not yet, far from it.

Great Ming has only been founded for thirteen years; there is still a great many things to do.

Railways have already been laid, the train that second brother mentioned is being built, and there are steamships as well…

With second brother here, with Lao Liu here, with these brothers, and with those things that keep getting better.

Great Ming will keep getting better.

In the Moonlight, Zhu Biao's silhouette stretched long.

From afar, the foreman's gong sounded.

"Heaven is dry, be careful with fire..."

The sound faded farther and farther, disappearing into the night.

……

Ten days later, Xu Da recovered completely.

His first act was to enter the palace to give thanks.

On the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang, before the entire court of civil and military officials, personally stepped down from the throne and helped Xu Da, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet.

"Tiande, rise."

Xu Da stood up, his eyes slightly reddened.

Zhu Yuanzhang patted his hand, turned to the ministers and said, "Esteemed ministers, Xu Tiande has followed us for thirty years, raising troops from Haizhou and fighting up to today, bearing dozens of sword and arrow wounds, never once complaining.

This time he almost died from a back abscess, but Lao Liu and Yong Er saved him."

He paused, his voice suddenly rose, yet became extremely stern: "Today we make this clear—henceforth, anyone who dares to meddle with Lao Liu's research institute, or claim those medicines are heretical, I will be the first to refuse!"

The ministers knelt, "We obey your command!"

After the court session ended, Zhu Su found Zhu Yong.

"Second Prince, thank you."

Zhu Yong was startled and asked, "Thank what?"

"Those prescriptions, and also, you let me go treat Xu Shu," Zhu Su said earnestly.

Zhu Yong smiled and replied, "That's your duty, but Lao Liu, your research institute must be properly managed in the future; those medicines can save many people."

Zhu Su nodded vigorously, "I understand."

The two brothers walked side by side out of the Fengtian Gate.

The sunlight was just right.

In the distance, the whistle of the Ministry of Works' steam locomotive research sounded again.

That sound, like the heartbeat of this era, thumped steadily and firmly.