Chapter 65: The Fish Takes the Bait

A series of recent events all pointed to one conclusion: there was an immortal guiding the eldest grandson behind the scenes.

Naturally, this time would be no exception.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked full of anticipation, "Eldest grandson, why don't you accompany Grandfather to court and discuss this matter with the ministers?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di standing nearby felt his teeth itch with irritation, yet he was utterly helpless.

Among all his brothers, he might have been able to vent his dissatisfaction freely.

But in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, even if he were given ten times his courage, he wouldn't dare.

To everyone's absolute astonishment, Zhu Xiongying replied with utmost decisiveness, "Not going. I don't have the idle time for that!"

With that, he trotted over to the experimental furnace and began directing the soldiers in their work.

He left Zhu Yuanzhang and the high-ranking officials hanging in the atmosphere.

Suppressing the rising fury in his heart, Zhu Di demanded, "Imperial Father, do you truly believe such absurd nonsense? The imperial court allocates countless silvers every year for river embankment construction, yet it yields virtually no results, does it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang once again filtered out Zhu Di's words as if he had heard nothing at all.

He hurried eagerly to Zhu Xiongying's side and coaxed, "Eldest grandson, the common folk in the Jiangnan region are subjects of Great Ming, and your subjects as well. Can you bear to watch them live in such deep distress?"

Seeing that Zhu Xiongying remained completely unmoved, the corners of Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth twitched a few times. He lowered his voice and whispered, "Eldest grandson, as long as you help Grandfather resolve this matter, Grandfather promises you one condition. Whatever you ask, as long as Grandfather can do it, I will not back down. How about that?"

In Zhu Xiongying's mind, Zhu Yuanzhang did not hold a particularly high reputation for trustworthiness.

Still, he paused what he was doing and asked suspiciously, "Imperial Grandfather, is what you said true? You'll agree to anything?"

Knowing he had a chance, Zhu Yuanzhang patted his chest and declared, "I am the Emperor of Great Ming, and my words are carved in gold and spoken as jade. Naturally, I won't go back on my word!"

Zhu Xiongying hurriedly straightened his robes, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Since that is the case, this iron mine is gratefully accepted by your grandson!"

Gasp!

Not only was Zhu Yuanzhang dumbfounded, but all the gathered dignitaries were also completely baffled.

The imperial grandson was truly audacious beyond reason. The imperial court strictly prohibited private mining, and all mineral deposits belonged exclusively to the state.

To make such a demand now was tantamount to overturning the Emperor's past decrees, committing the grave crime of insubordination and supreme disrespect.

Squeezing out a strained smile, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Eldest grandson, Imperial Grandfather cannot break his word, but perhaps you could choose another condition?"

"Hmph!"

Zhu Xiongying puckered his lips in displeasure. He hadn't even proposed an excessive demand yet, and they were already starting to reject him. If this kept up, he might as well just play by himself!

Lanshan quickly stepped forward to help the Emperor extricate himself from the awkward situation. "Your Imperial Highness the Grandson, you are the most reasonable of men. Everything has an order of precedence. His Majesty issued an imperial decree years ago stating that all mineral deposits under heaven belong to the imperial court. Therefore, your request places His Majesty in a genuine predicament!"

Zhu Xiongying nodded feignedly, tilted his head in deep thought for a moment, and said, "Since Imperial Grandfather finds it difficult, then Your Grandson will change the condition. How about this: I get first priority in using the iron refined from this mine!"

Zhu Yuanzhang had no idea what scheme his eldest grandson was plotting, but he understood one thing: with a deposit this massive, the yield would certainly not be low.

Even if this little fellow used some, how much could he possibly consume?

Trading a minor loss for a colossal benefit to the imperial court was an absolute, blood-soaked profit.

Magnanimously, he declared, "I agree!"

Originally, the situation in the Jiangnan region was a grave and thorny problem. How did it become so comical the moment it fell into his eldest grandson's hands?

He waved his hand to signal the ministers to step back, telling them to stop messing around with useless chatter—the imperial grandson was still young, and they shouldn't let him be led astray.

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could ask another question, Zhu Xiongying's small hand began rummaging inside his robe.

Under the astonished gazes of everyone present, he pulled out a small pouch and dumped the grey powder inside directly onto the ground, instantly kicking up a cloud of dust.

Then he offered an explanation, "This substance is called cement. It is a supreme treasure for constructing river embankments and city walls. When mixed with fine sand, I guarantee it will be indestructible!"

Water was water, and mud was mud. Spoken of separately, anyone could understand them.

But what on earth was it when put together?

Especially this pile of greyish-white powder on the floor—what purpose could it possibly serve?

Pfft!

Zhu Di sneered nearby, his eyes filled with absolute disdain.

Restrained by the presence of the Imperial Father, he dared not voice any snide remarks to his nephew.

The ministers likewise wore skeptical expressions. The imperial grandson's antics at this moment were simply too difficult to believe.

There was only one exception among those present, and that was Zhu Yuanzhang. After sweeping a cold glance over the crowd, he smiled again and asked, "Eldest grandson, how does one use such a divine material?"

Zhu Xiongying flashed a wicked smile, turned his head to look at Zhu Di, and asked, "Fourth Uncle, interested in making a wager?"

"Hmm?" Zhu Di frowned, his internal vigilance instantly spiking.

It had been just like this last time. When he made a wager with this brat, he hadn't gained a single shred of advantage and had instead become the laughingstock.

Seeing Zhu Di being so defensive against him, Zhu Xiongying grinned widely and said, "If Fourth Uncle doesn't dare to bet, then never mind. They say small bets bring joy, and big bets bring wealth!"

Afterward, he glanced around at the other officials as if searching for a willing taker. Finding no responses, he shrugged and instructed the nearby soldiers to fetch some fine sand and water.

After combining them according to a certain ratio, he poured in the water and began stirring the mixture.

Until the blend was roughly integrated and grew somewhat viscous, Zhu Xiongying nodded in satisfaction.

All these actions took place right before everyone's eyes, without a shred of concealment.

Zhu Di looked at his nephew, then at the thick, viscous substance in the wooden basin, and his confidence instantly surged back. "Since we have nothing better to do, I might as well humor you as my nephew. What do you want to wager?"

Waiting for precisely these words, Zhu Xiongying snapped his fingers, producing a crisp "clack."

Excitedly, he proclaimed, "I wager that three hours from now, after the cement in the wooden basin solidifies, it will turn rock-hard—so hard that even swords, spears, and sledgehammers will find it difficult to smash to pieces!"

From Zhu Di's perspective, that disgusting-looking sludge in the wooden basin was merely children's play-acting.

Only a child of his nephew's age would play with such things; which of them, as grown adults, would ever study such nonsense?

Even once it dried, it would be nothing more than mud bricks at best, whose hardness could never compare to bluestone. And even bluestone couldn't withstand the blows of an iron hammer.

After calculating in his heart that victory was guaranteed, he calmly replied, "The stakes!"

Far from stopping the two of them from fooling around, Zhu Yuanzhang watched his eldest grandson with a beaming smile.

Then, glancing at his own son and shaking his head slightly, he thought to himself, *How is it that I have been clever my whole life, yet birthed such a foolish son?*

Seeing that Zhu Di had taken the bait, Zhu Xiongying hurriedly wiped away imaginary drool and said loudly, "Fourth Uncle, since this is to resolve the problem of refugees in the Jiangnan region, let's wager ten thousand taels of silver this time. Win or lose, this entire sum will ultimately be used for disaster relief. How's that?"

Zhu Yuanzhang clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Good! We'll settle on this then. Eldest grandson, I am truly delighted that you have such a noble mindset."

He then turned back to look at Zhu Di and demanded, "Fourth Brother, you have no objections, do you?"

Zhu Di hastily responded, "No... none at all... What my nephew says is right. Regardless of who ultimately wins, it's all for the sake of the people in the Jiangnan region."