Chapter 289: Miasma‑Prevention Pharmacy

The fifteenth year of Hongwu, the tenth day of the fifth month.

Yingtian Prefecture, Eastern Palace.

A basin of ice in the study exhaled a faint chill, yet Zhu Biao's forehead still beaded with a thin layer of sweat.

He sat at the desk, cradling a thick stack of papers in his hands, his brows tightly knit.

These were brought back by Zhang Wu from Australia, said to be something the Sixth Prince had him deliver personally to the Crown Prince.

"Prescription for Preventing Miasma."

Zhu Biao flipped it over and over many times; he recognized every character, but when they were read together…

"Thirty Wu Mei, five qian of Pi Hui Lei, three qian of Qianjin vine, two liang of Guoshan Dragon, one liang of Jin Bu Huan…"

What are all these?

And the brewing method later: "Alternate civil and martial fire, simmer until one bowl of water remains, strain the dregs, add a splash of yellow wine, drink warm on an empty stomach…"

Zhu Biao lifted his head and looked out the window.

In the courtyard the sunlight was just right; Zhu Xiongying was reading under a tree with a few study companions, the clear sound of reading drifting in.

He set the prescription down and rubbed the bridge of his eyebrows.

Every craft has its specialty; this thing, he couldn't understand.

"Someone, come."

"Prince," the inner attendant bowed.

"Go to Prince Zhou's mansion, summon Prince Zhou, and tell him I have matters to discuss with him."

"Understood."

……

Half an hour later, Prince Zhou Zhu Su strode into the study.

The twenty‑one‑year‑old Prince Zhou, dressed in a moon‑white ordinary robe, was slender and fair‑skinned, bearing a scholarly elegance. Yet on closer look, his cuffs bore a few ink stains, and his fingers still held traces of grass juice that wouldn't wash off.

"Elder brother, did you summon me?" Zhu Su saluted, then asked curiously.

Zhu Biao waved his hand: "Sixth Prince, sit, take a look at this."

He handed over the stack of prescriptions.

Zhu Su took it, opened the first page, and his eyes lit up instantly.

"Prescription for Preventing Miasma, this is…"

"Your Second Prince sent it back from Australia, saying the White-bearded Old Man gave it this year. I can't make sense of it; you know medicine, take a look." Zhu Biao leaned back in his chair, lifted his tea cup, and said.

Zhu Su said nothing further, turning the pages one by one.

The study fell quiet, only the rustle of pages turning.

Zhu Biao sipped his tea slowly, his gaze falling on the Sixth Prince's face.

Zhu Su was the quietest among the brothers, having loved to linger in the herb garden since childhood, tinkering with all the plants.

While others read the Four Books and Five Classics, he read the Bencao Gangmu.

While others practiced martial arts, riding and archery, he studied herbal compatibilities.

Zhu Yuanzhang once scolded him for having no prospects, saying he spent all day dealing with roots and bark.

He didn't argue, just kept his head buried in research.

Later, Zhu Yong brought back the penicillin extraction method, the cowpox cultivation method, and the Barefoot Doctor handbook; it was Zhu Su who, page by page, delved into them with others, testing repeatedly, turning the schematics into tangible medicines and medical texts.

Now the Imperial Hospital's royal physicians, upon seeing him, must respectfully address him as "Prince Zhou".

"Fine stuff," Zhu Su suddenly said, lifting his head, his eyes flashing, "Elder brother, this is truly fine stuff."

Zhu Biao set down his tea cup: "What do you mean?"

Zhu Su pointed at the prescription, his finger trembling slightly: "Look at these—Pi Hui Lei, Qianjin vine, Guoshan Dragon, Jin Bu Huan… Some of these herbs I know, some I've heard of but never seen.

But this method of combination—ruler, minister, assistant, envoy—fits together perfectly, surpassing the Imperial Hospital's old formulas by more than tenfold."

He turned to the later pages and continued: "And also this—preventive measures: avoid drinking raw water, don't spend the night in low‑lying damp places, bathe with water boiled from certain herbs, and even how to identify miasma zones and discern the types of miasma…"

Zhu Su inhaled deeply and said, "Elder brother, if this prescription truly works, places like Yunnan, the Two Guang provinces, and the South Sea could each save tens of thousands of lives annually."

Zhu Biao fell silent for a moment, then softly asked, "When did the thing your Second Prince sent back get missed?"

Zhu Su was momentarily stunned, then laughed.

Indeed! Of the things the Second Prince sent back, which one was missed?

Improved spinning wheels doubled the efficiency of Jiangnan's weavers, sea‑salt sun‑drying methods drove salt prices down to cabbage‑leaf levels, and refined white sugar made Great Ming sugar a hot export overseas.

Flintlock guns, plate armor, steam engines, steel‑forging methods, cement…

And those life‑saving medicines—penicillin, cowpox, the Barefoot Doctor handbook.

Which of them does not benefit the myriad people?

"Elder brother, I must take this prescription back to study it thoroughly; some herbs will need to be gathered, some attempted to be cultivated, and the brewing method must be repeatedly tested to ensure flawless promotion."

Zhu Su carefully stored the prescription.

Zhu Biao nodded: "Handle it as you see fit; if you need anything, just speak up."

"Understood," Zhu Su stood, then added, "Elder brother, is the Second Prince alright over in Australia…?"

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "He should be fine; Zhang Wu said he's lost some weight but is in good spirits. Shuang'er has also arrived, so the two brothers are together and can look after each other."

Zhu Su hummed softly, saying quietly, "When I've fully researched these prescriptions, I'd also like to go to Australia and see for myself."

Zhu Biao glanced at him and laughed, "If you want to go, just go; tell me then."

Zhu Su grinned, bowed, and took his leave.

……

After Zhu Su left, Zhu Biao sat in the study for a while longer.

He got up, walked to the window, and looked at the courtyard outside.

Zhu Xiongying was still reading under the tree; the ten‑year‑old boy sat upright, his voice clear and bright.

The few companions beside him read reverently, reciting together.

This child is increasingly looking like a Crown Prince.

A faint smile lifted at the corner of Zhu Biao's mouth.

He suddenly recalled the words written in his second brother's letter.

"Here in Australia the sun is poisonous, scorching people to the point of skin peeling, but the minerals are truly abundant; a casual dig yields several hundred thousand jin.

Shuang Er has arrived, just in time for him to practice his skills; this youngster is ambitious and can hold out.

"Elder brother, rest assured, I'm watching; no rogue will emerge."

No rogue will emerge.

Zhu Biao smiled.

With the second brother present, indeed no rogue can arise.

He turned and walked back to the desk, picking up another report.

It was sent by Mu Ying from the South Sea.

The letter said that the South Sea is humid and hot, miasma runs rampant, the soldiers are unaccustomed to the water and soil, and many have fallen ill. Although they have already been using the formula previously given by King Zhou for prevention, some still cannot endure.

If there were a targeted remedy, that would be good.

Zhu Biao looked at that letter and recalled the stack of papers in Zhu Su's hand earlier.

The second brother's remedy arrived truly in time.

He lifted his brush and began to reply to Mu Ying.

"Mu Ying, the miasma remedy has been obtained; King Zhou is currently formulating it, and it will be dispatched to the South Sea soon…"

Halfway through writing, he suddenly remembered something and put down his brush.

Does the second brother over in Australia also need this remedy?

Australia is so vast; surely there are places plagued by miasma as well.

He thought for a moment and added a sentence at the end of the letter:

"Additionally, Australia also suffers from miasma; I, the Prince, have ordered a copy of the remedy to be transcribed and sent with a ship to Australia. If you, Mu Ying, have any insights, you may also pass them on to the second brother."

Having finished, he set down his brush and looked out the window.

The setting sun sank in the west, dyeing the courtyard a golden hue.

Zhu Xiongying had finished his reading, was speaking with his companions, and laughing heartily.

Zhu Biao looked at his son's smiling face, and a complex emotion suddenly welled up inside him.

The second brother is expanding territories in Australia, Mu Ying is defending the Coastal Defense in the South Sea, Xu Da is watching the Grassland in the north, and Deng Yu is stabilizing the situation in Goryeo.

There are also Shuang Er, Gang Er, Di Er… each has gone to his own fief and begun to hold his own.

They have all grown up.

But in his heart, they are still those brothers who once followed behind, calling "elder brother."

"Prince, it's time for dinner," the inner attendant whispered in.

Zhu Biao came to himself and nodded.

He stood up, walked to the doorway, and suddenly turned back to glance at the report on the desk.

Mu Ying's letter, Zhu Su's remedy, the things the second brother sent back from Australia…

A faint curl rose at the corner of his mouth.

Great Ming, growing ever larger.

And ever better.