Chapter 9: Eating and drinking
After arriving at the imperial city and checking in, Deng Qianqiu wandered around the palace.

Captain Hu didn't like him, and everyone under him could see it. However, since they didn't see through Deng Qianqiu's background, they didn't dare to provoke him easily.

Of course, Deng Qianqiu was a little worried by the bad behavior of many of his colleagues. He knew that Hu Jian was afraid of him and might not attack him, but there were many people who wanted to cling to Hu Jian. It was easy to mess with the King of Hell, but it was hard to deal with the little devils...

Well... it seems that I still need to think of a way to reach a gentleman's agreement with Hu Jian. It would be best if we don't interfere with each other in the future.

So Deng Qianqiu's job became a solitary one. Fortunately, Deng Qianqiu was happy with it. He usually walked around the palace, and when the sun was high in the sky, he would find a shady place to take a nap.

But today, Deng Qianqiu heard the wailing sounds from a distance.

Following the sound, I saw the King of Qin and the King of Jin being pressed on a bench. It should be the eunuch from Nanjing, who was waving a whip and beating them severely.

Deng Qianqiu looked at the familiar scene in front of him, feeling as if he had seen it before.

Fortunately, practice makes perfect. Not only the King of Jin and the King of Qin were used to being beaten, but even spectators like Deng Qianqiu were used to it.

He squinted his eyes and carefully observed the eunuchs who were carrying out the torture, but found that these eunuchs were particularly hard-working. It was obvious that the emperor, who was far away in Nanjing City, had specifically instructed them to punish the eunuchs severely.

The cries of pain from Jin Wang Zhu Gang shook the rubble.

Besides screaming, Qin Wang Zhu Chong also shouted: "It's unfair, it's unfair to me, I didn't do anything, I have been recovering from my injuries these days, who did I offend?"

Zhu Gang shouted, "Second brother, stop talking. This is your fault. You answered the questions randomly."

Zhu Chong was furious: "You also answered the questions randomly. If not, how could we all suffer this unprovoked disaster?"

Hearing the word "answer", Deng Qianqiu, who had been standing silently by the side, shuddered suddenly and thought: No way, no way, it can't be anything about me.

Subconsciously, he wanted to hide.

After the beating, the two princes screamed in agony and lay on the execution bench, not daring to move.

Then Zhu Chong sighed, "If you want to beat me, just beat me. Why do you want to deduct our monthly salary? Oh, I don't want to live anymore."

However, an eunuch stood up and said with a smile: "Your Highnesses, His Majesty has another order."

Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang lay on the stools, looking at each other in bewilderment. Just now they had received an imperial edict, which had deducted their salaries and imposed beatings. This second edict would probably take their lives.

The eunuch smiled and said, "This decree is for His Royal Highness Prince Jin. Your Royal Highness Prince Jin, please listen carefully."

Zhu Chong heard this and laughed, "Ah? It's none of my business. Father is still very perceptive. He is a wise man."

Zhu Gang was so frightened that he wanted to shout, "Deng Qianqiu, that stinky boy, misled me."

Before he could finish what was in his mind, he heard the eunuch say loudly: "The imperial edict says: Jin Wang Zhu Gang is usually naughty. I am concerned about his young age, so I sent him to Fengyang to hone his skills, hoping that he can understand my heart, change his past mistakes, and share my worries. Therefore, I have tested and taught him many times. This time, when I asked him about the major problems of the country, Jin Wang was able to answer fluently and won my heart. It can be seen that Jin Wang has made rapid progress, which comforts me and makes me overjoyed. I rule the world, reward those who have merit, and punish those who have faults. Jin Wang has made great progress this time, so I will order him to come to Nanjing to see me, and I will personally commend him. As for Jin Wang's surrounding officials, I also commend them, respect you!"

Zhu Gang held his breath. He was frightened out of his wits just now, but in the blink of an eye, he was so surprised that he couldn't speak.

In this imperial edict, Zhu Yuanzhang was generous in praising Zhu Gang's progress. In addition to being pleased, he also used words like overjoyed.

And...his father wants to recall him back to Nanjing?
Zhu Gang suddenly felt that the pain in his body had magically disappeared without a trace. Although he was lying on the stool, he felt that his back had straightened a little: "Father... Father loves me?"

Qin Wang Zhu Chong was also so shocked that his mouth opened as wide as an egg, with a look of surprise and disbelief on his face, and his eyes seemed to be saying: What level is he, he...he...is not even as good as me...

"Hahahaha...hahahaha..." Zhu Gang said happily, "That's my answer. Does it suit my father's wishes?"

The eunuch hurriedly said: "Your Highness... you are still injured..."

"This is nothing." Zhu Gang took the imperial edict and read it carefully. Only then did he realize that what was happening before his eyes was not a dream. He couldn't help but feel red in the eyes: "Father is finally not confused. He sees my good points. Father is wise."

As he spoke, he suddenly realized something, and looked around warily, especially at Qin Wang Zhu Gang, and then said, "Quick, quick, send this king to the bedroom to rest." Back in the bedroom, Zhu Gang held the imperial edict and stood up with difficulty. Without waiting for the imperial physician to apply medicine to him, he said excitedly, "Call Deng Qianqiu... No, please Deng Qianqiu."

The young eunuch beside him didn't dare to hesitate, and soon found Deng Qianqiu.

Looking at Deng Qianqiu standing in front of him, Zhu Gang said happily: "Hahaha, look, my Crouching Dragon and Phoenix are here."

Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick... Deng Qianqiu felt that Zhu Gang was cursing.

"Haha, look at this decree."

Deng Qianqiu didn't answer, but smiled and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness."

"This is all thanks to you." Zhu Gang said, "If it weren't for your guidance, how could I be here today? You see, my father admires me very much now. Although I don't know what medicine he took and beat me up again, you can see that the words in this decree are really sincere. Haha, to tell you the truth, my father finally doesn't want to leave me in Fengyang anymore, and wants to summon me to Nanjing City. Even the officials and clerks around me have been promoted."

As he spoke, Zhu Gang excitedly grabbed Deng Qianqiu's hand and said, "This is all the result of my keen eye for talent. With a talent like Qianqiu, I have no worries about not achieving great things!"

When Deng Qianqiu heard the word "big event", he felt his scalp tingling, and quickly retracted his hand, saying hurriedly: "Your Highness, you can't do this, you can't do this."

Zhu Gang chuckled: "The important thing I'm talking about is to make my father favor me more. What are you thinking about?"

"Ah...this..."

Zhu Gang continued with a beaming smile, "In two days, I will go to Nanjing to see my father. You wait for good news here. With me here, you will definitely benefit. Now that my father favors me, I will summon you to Nanjing City to live a good life with me. It's just a matter of a word."

Deng Qianqiu suddenly became excited, and there was light in his eyes. He really wanted to eat delicious food!

Deng Qianqiu then said, "I have heard from others that those who can share wealth and honor are all outstanding people. Your Highness is indeed worthy of being the son of the dragon. I really admire him."

Zhu Gang waved his hands and said, "It doesn't matter! In the future, if I have a bite of meat to eat, you will also have a bite. Who let me be a Bole? I am a Bole, and you are a thousand-mile horse. Just tell me what official you want to be in the future, and what kind of woman you like, as long as I have it, I will give it to you."

"Ah... this..." Deng Qianqiu's blood boiled when he heard this. He felt a throbbing sensation in his heart, yet also a bit shy.

It is impossible not to be tempted when encountering such great wealth. Deng Qianqiu really doesn't want to eat plain porridge and steamed cakes every day.

"Ahem... Your Highness, could you please reward me with some money? I'm short of money lately." Deng Qianqiu said awkwardly.

At this moment, Zhu Gang's face slightly fell, and his eyes, which had been shining, gradually lost their luster. He coughed and said, "This, this... Qianqiu, this king values ​​you very much, you know that you should take a long-term view when doing things. How can a man only think about money? A man born in this world should have lofty ambitions! Okay, okay, let's not talk about money, let's not talk about this."

Wozhi, this is how you play, right?
Seeing Deng Qianqiu unhappy, Zhu Gang could not help but continue to encourage him: "Let's put the money aside for now. No matter what, when I return to the capital and win the favor of my father, you can follow me and enjoy the good life. How can you be short of money? Come, Qianqiu, sit down."

An eunuch brought a brocade cushion to Deng Qianqiu, and Deng Qianqiu had to sit down.

Zhu Gang then patiently said, "Last time, the question you answered was very good, which benefited me a lot. But... do you think, apart from this, what other worries does our Ming Dynasty have?"

"Discuss?" Deng Qianqiu's face was a little more serious at this time, and he said, "Your Highness, many things are taboo to talk about."

Zhu Gang laughed loudly, "Hahaha... This is you and I asking for advice from each other. If you have anything to say, just say it. There are no outsiders here. Today, I can say with confidence that although you, Deng Qianqiu, and I are half-siblings, when I see you, I feel close to you. It's not an exaggeration to say that we are brothers. Is there anything that cannot be said between you and me?"

He spoke with great passion.

But in Deng Qianqiu's eyes, he looked just like Lao Liu who had painted a rosy picture for him in his previous life.

Deng Qianqiu said: "If we just discuss it privately, it's fine, but some things should not be said to others."

Zhu Gang said sternly, "You and I are like brothers, and we have nothing to hide from each other. If I were to spread Brother Deng's words casually, Heaven would hate me!"

(End of this chapter)