Wu Wangfu, White Tiger Palace.

Once again, I roughly flipped through Xu Da's handwritten book, even though I don't know how many times I had read it, some paragraphs in the letter still made Zhu Yuanzhang feel like a case.

Because many of these arguments are unheard of by Zhu Yuanzhang after years of tireless study and inquiry. Some of these truths have solved some of his long-standing doubts.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little regretful.

Although Xu Da's handwritten letter was sprinkled with more than 3,000 words, it was still far from being able to record all the content of the two answers at that time, after all, the two had talked for several hours, and many of the topics in the letter that interested Zhu Yuanzhang were only briefly summarized.

It would have been nice to have a book by the side to record the whole process!

Putting down Xu Da's handwriting, Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at the outside of the hall again, but no one had arrived, so he simply got up and left the bookcase and walked to the side screen of the hall that Mao Xiang was curious about.

Turning the screen, on the wall on the west side of the main hall, there is a picture scroll about three feet high and more than three feet wide at this time, which is Zhu Yuanzhang recently copied according to the hand-drawn manuscript of Zhu Yuan sent by Xu Da.

Population change trend of Chinese dynasties.

Because of this scroll, Zhu Yuanzhang recently specially ordered to set up a guard outside the White Tiger Palace, and strictly ordered that no one except himself should enter without an order.

Standing by the wall and looking at this picture again, Zhu Yuanzhang was still thinking.

There are two horizontal and vertical axes on the map, with the population at the top and the bottom and the time on the left and right, a long curve that seems to travel through thousands of years, and the whole presents a meandering state.

There are many text annotations on the map, all of which are simplified.

However, compared to the scroll itself, these simplified characters, which can be understood with a little scrutiny, are the least noticeable.

On the Zhangyu picture scroll, from the unverifiable prehistoric estimate of millions of people to the peak of 150 million people in the Song, Liao, Western Xia and other places where China coexisted, the ups and downs again and again, let Zhu Yuanzhang seem to see the Jin Ge Iron Horse again and again, and the rise and fall of dynasties again and again.

The rise and fall of the ages are all in this picture.

After tasting the feelings repeatedly, Zhu Yuanzhang did not doubt the words of the young man in Xu Daxin.

Zhu Yuanzhang also has a hunch that if he breaks through this picture, he may really be able to add 500 years to the country he has built for nine deaths.

But he didn't get involved.

These days, he really felt that the reason for the repeated changes of dynasties may indeed be hidden in this picture. However, the curve that has fallen again and again is that the king has no way, the traitorous ministers are chaotic and the country is chaotic, the law is severe, and the taxes are harsh?

It seems to be both, and it doesn't seem to be either.

Then, it is probably like those things in Xu Da's handbook that he has never heard of, such as the saying that 'the root of the Yellow River flood lies in Guanzhong'. Perhaps, this should also be a kind of learning that he had never heard of, a new kind of learning beyond the Confucianism, Law, Taoism, Mo, and other doctrines that he could come into contact with.

In recent years, with the higher and higher status, and now about to ascend to the Ninth Five-Year Plan, in the face of more and more vast territory, Zhu Yuanzhang has become more and more confused in the process of governance. He has always been a studious person, but the things he is about to face are far from being solved by Li Shanchang, who was still called Li Shiyuan, who was still called Li Shiyuan, 'knowing people and being good at their duties, and not being fond of killing'.

What Zhu Yuanzhang began to think about was the matter of the next hundred years and thousands of years, and the question of how to keep the country he had laid for as long as possible.

For this matter, only in recent times, Zhu Yuanzhang has twice sought talents on a large scale, and once in early October, he sent his close ministers to visit various places with coins and silks to seek the relics. Another time, at the end of last month, he ordered the generals who were fighting in all directions to visit the virtuous talents and send them to Jinling every place they went.

However, although many people have been recommended over the years, none of them can really satisfy him. Some of them are either pedantic or ruined, and even make him so angry that he wants to cut people.

But you can't cut people.

After all, if you really cut people, it will hinder the talents from coming to take refuge.

Therefore, even if he couldn't look down on it, Zhu Yuanzhang had to treat him kindly, and rewarded him with coins and silks to return the way he came.

This time, there is finally one.

Zhu Yuanzhang can be sure that this is not only a person with a full stomach, but also a point that he likes more, he is a person who can work hard. This can be seen from the simple but very practical phrase 'keep to the right' that he already knows.

Feeling this, Zhu Yuanzhang made up his mind early to give the greatest courtesy to that worldly master.

Send five hundred years of national ancestry, heh, five hundred years, he is too little. However, Zhu Yuanzhang also understands that throughout the annals of history, after the Shang and Zhou dynasties, which dynasty can last for more than 500 years?

Therefore, if he can really add five hundred years of national glory to his Zhu family, he can also be satisfied.

was facing the wall hanging pictures with a lot of emotion, and suddenly heard someone reporting aloud outside the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly retracted his thoughts, quickly turned out of the screen, and returned to the back of the bookcase.

Outside the temple.

Cui Liang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, stood in front of the steps and said respectfully: "Back to the Lord, the minister has ushered Zhu Xiucai into the palace." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang, who subconsciously visited after the bookcase, raised his hand slightly, and felt that he should hold it a little, not to appear urgent, this is the way to control people, so he only raised his voice slightly: "Let him come in." ”

Soon, Zhu Yuan, who was personally reminded by Cui Liang to change into a cyan robe on the way here, stepped into the door, walked to the middle of the main hall, and bowed: "Villain Zhu Yuan, meet His Royal Highness King Wu." ”

Hearing a certain name with his own ears, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer had the initial displeasure, and felt that it might be some kind of fate, and at this time, he didn't care that the young man just looked at him quietly, and said softly: "Get up, Xiao Xiucai, you come forward." ”

Zhu Yuan stood up, took two steps forward, and raised his gaze slightly again to look over.

This is a middle-aged man in a dragon-patterned red robe and a folded black veil, and, well...... decrypted, not ugly, not 'Zhang Mazi', more biased to the once circulated portrait of Zhu Yuanzhang's dragon robe.

Actually, it can also be imagined.

If you are so ugly that you can't bear to look at it directly, how can you let Guo Zixing take in as a guard and marry his daughter after not seeing him for long.

However, looking at Zhu Yuanzhang's appearance, Zhu Yuan suddenly remembered some statements about physiognomy in his previous life, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyebrow shape often can't escape the word 'gang' in his personality.

Or 'strong', or 'rigid', or 'upright'.

Think about Zhu Yuanzhang, who is not tactful to people and things at all, think about Emperor Chongzhen who said that he would die more than 200 years later, and even, think about 600 years later...... Zhu Yuan thinks that personality will also be inherited.

The genetics of the old Zhu family, that is quite powerful.

When Zhu Yuan quietly looked up at Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Yuanzhang was also looking at Zhu Yuan.

The sickly young man with a pale face, the thin man who couldn't help but be weak, was really like the embryo of the scholar in the lyrics and songs. Even if you understand that you will definitely not make a mistake, but, thinking about Xu Da's handwriting and thinking about the picture scroll behind the screen, Zhu Yuanzhang still inevitably feels that it is really against common sense for such a young man to know so much knowledge.

The big and small looked at each other for a short time, and Zhu Yuanzhang took the lead in speaking, and said in a tone of voice: "Xiao Xiucai, where did you come from, your parents are here, who are you learning from?" ”

Straight to the point.

Zhu Yuan had already repeatedly considered all the responses, and at this time he arched his hand and said: "The villain does not want to deceive His Highness, I told General Xu that the villain is fifteen years old, but it is actually false, Your Highness, can you allow the villain to state my origin in a letter after asking the right question today?" ”

As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang saw Zhu Yuan, he felt that this little boy was not like fifteen years old, and there was a high probability that he was even younger. At this time, listening to his confession, I didn't care about these trivial things, but wondered: "Why do you want to state it in letters?" ”

Zhu Yuan said: "Because the villain said it at this time, His Highness will not believe it." ”

Not only will you not believe it, but you may also be treated as a demon and directly pulled out and slashed.

Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled: "If you write a letter, I can believe it?" ”

"Still can't," Zhu Yuan said honestly, "Therefore, the villain hopes to agree with His Highness for a three-year period." ”

Another three-year period?

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly remembered that Mao Xiang had reported that Zhu Yuan and Imperial Physician Dai had also made an appointment for a three-year period.

Feeling that this question exceeded his expectations from the beginning, Zhu Yuanzhang paused slightly, and still followed Zhu Yuan's words: "Then why wait three years before I believe it?" ”

Zhu Yuan sorted out his thoughts a little and began to enlarge his moves: "In addition to the letters, the villain also has a volume of "Book of Heaven", which will be dedicated to His Highness at the same time, however, both the letter and the "Book of Heaven" need to be opened by His Highness three years later before they can be fulfilled. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned again.

He thinks that today's incident is starting to be a little weird.

"Book from Heaven"?

Could it be that......

The more Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it, the more he deviated, and his thoughts ran to Qin Shihuang's overseas quest for immortals, and Tang Taizong's drug addiction and death, and his expression gradually became displeased, not to mention that he is now in the prime of life, even if he has reached his old age, he has never engaged in these things.

Because he had read too many history books, the emperors who sought immortality and had no results were in front of him, so he didn't believe it at all.

However, thinking about the various miracles of this little boy, Zhu Yuanzhang inevitably had some unconscious expectations in his doubts, and stared at Zhu Yuan in an accentuated tone: "Little Xiucai, do you have to contribute that immortal technique to me?" ”

Zhu Yuan was stunned for a moment before he reacted.

What does this mean?

Hurriedly arched his hand again: "Your Highness, the villain doesn't understand the art of immortality, this "Book from Heaven" ...... The villain can't tell His Highness what the content is at this time, but it has nothing to do with asking for immortals, the content is only to confirm the villain's life experience, as well as the source of the villain's knowledge, and more, the villain can't say it anymore. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang slowed down.

After a little consideration, it's just that this little boy's background and life experience, and a book of heaven that I don't know what the content is, and I will wait for three years to wait for three years, as long as this little boy's knowledge is real, everything else is irrelevant, so I nodded and said: "That's the case, I ...... Promise you. ”

found that he had just broken the gong, and Zhu Yuanzhang no longer forcibly used the unaccustomed word 'I'.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang agreed simply, Zhu Yuan realized that he forgot to say the preconditions, so he said: "Your Highness, the villain hasn't finished talking yet." ”

Zhu Yuanzhang gestured: "You say? ”

Zhu Yuan said: "Write the "Book of Heaven", the villain hopes to live in seclusion for three years, within three years, the villain hopes that His Royal Highness can forget my existence, three years later, His Royal Highness will finish reading the "Book of Heaven", if he can be satisfied, the villain will serve His Royal Highness again. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang was surprised again: "Why is this?" ”

Zhu Yuan shook his head: "The villain can't explain it." However, according to the villain's view, His Royal Highness's army is invincible, and three years later, it is expected to recover the old land of China within the Great Wall and rebuild the foundation of the prosperous era. The knowledge of the villain is just suitable for ruling the world. If at that time, His Royal Highness can recognize the villain, and the villain is willing to send His Royal Highness a prosperous era unseen in a thousand years. ”

This is, of course, just a pretext.

The real reason is to avoid the 'butterfly effect' and minimize its own interference in history.

A prosperous era unseen in a thousand years?!

Zhu Yuanzhang keenly noticed the key sentence in Zhu Yuan's words, and his mood fluctuated again. Immediately, he found that the rhythm of the conversation between the two had been unconsciously carried away by this little boy, he didn't like this feeling, so he said: "If I don't agree, what if I don't agree?" ”

Zhu Yuan's expression did not fluctuate, and he continued: "If His Highness does not agree, the villain can serve His Highness from today, but the villain's knowledge may only be able to exert one-twelfth." What's more, from now on, the villain hopes that His Royal Highness will never ask the villain's origin again, because the villain can't answer. ”

Zhu Yuanzhang became more and more curious.

Why can you only give full play to your tenths of your talents when you start working now, and why can't you ask about the origin of this little boy in the future. However, if it is mentioned at this time, the reason will probably return to the "Book of Heaven".

It's a circle.

Pondering for a moment, thinking about the time since he crossed the river to conquer Yingtian to the present, he endured for more than ten years before ascending the throne and becoming the emperor, if it is...... If you can really change to a prosperous era that has not been seen for a thousand years, what does it matter if you wait for another three years?

What's more, this little boy's words are also reasonable.

In the next few years, his main mind will still be on using troops against the north, and the appearance of the little boy in front of him falling with the wind is obviously impossible to carry a gun and lead the army to fight.

After making up his mind, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "In this case, I promise you." ”

Zhu Yuan bowed again: "Your Highness Xie." ”

After saying this, the hall suddenly fell into a short silence.

The main thing is that Zhu Yuanzhang had prepared all kinds of rhetoric, but he didn't expect that this little boy didn't play his cards according to common sense at all, disrupted his rhythm, and forgot what to say for a while.

Zhu Yuan didn't forget.

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't speak, Zhu Yuan waited for a while, and quickly took the initiative to say: "Has Your Highness ever seen the picture painted by the villain?" ”

The courtesy he received along the way made Zhu Yuanzhang feel that Zhu Yuanzhang valued him.

However, after all, there is a layer of separation.

Although he was promised at this time, Zhu Yuan still had to show his talent again, so that he could have more weight here in Zhu Yuanzhang.

The 'Population Chart of the Chinese Dynasties' is an important bargaining chip that Zhu Yuan has prepared for himself.

Zhu Yuan spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang also came back to his senses, nodded slightly, got up and said, "Come with me." ”

As he spoke, he left the bookcase and turned to the screen on the west side of the main hall.

Zhu Yuan hurriedly followed.