Tang He and Xu Da watched Zhu Yuanzhang complain, then both shot their Commander a look dripping with envy and disdain.
Go on, keep showing off.
So what if you’ve got a son who’s an immortal child?
…Actually, it was a pretty big deal.
Zhu Yuanzhang was already twenty-seven when he finally had his first child, and it was a son. That alone had delighted him beyond measure.
Who would have thought that after examining the baby, a physiognomist would proclaim:
“Born with innate wisdom. His nobility cannot be described.”
The implication was that as long as this child lived, the Zhu family might one day ascend to the imperial throne.
The imperial throne?!
At the time, Zhu Yuanzhang had only just outlived Guo Zixing and absorbed his forces. Among the many powers vying for supremacy at the end of the Yuan dynasty, he was still an insignificant player.
He had ambitions.
He was working toward them.
But he lacked confidence.
Even though the physiognomist had added another sentence—
“But Heaven may reclaim him. He must hide his identity and conceal Heaven’s secrets until he reaches twenty years of age before returning to his rightful place. Once he does, he will ensure the Zhu family’s prosperity for ten thousand generations.”
—Zhu Yuanzhang had been so overjoyed that he tossed his son into the air.
His Elder Sister Ma had been frightened out of her wits.
Still holding the shoe sole she had been sewing, she smacked Zhu Yuanzhang hard on the head, snatched their son back into her arms, and ordered Zhu Yuanzhang to get lost.
Afterward, little Zhu Biao—living under the alias Chen Biao—truly demonstrated the abilities of an immortal child.
As a result, Zhu Yuanzhang developed the bad habit of complaining…
…which was really just another form of showing off.
Seeing that his two childhood friends had no intention of humoring him, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately protested,
“I’m genuinely troubled!”
“Mhm, mhm.”
Tang He answered perfunctorily.
“Mm, mm.”
Xu Da echoed just as carelessly.
Tang He turned to Xu Da.
“Since little Biao wants a big ship, let’s defeat Xu Shouhui first. He has plenty of them.”
Xu Da nodded.
“He also has many shipbuilders. Maybe little Biao won’t like Xu Shouhui’s ships and will want to build his own.”
Tang He sighed.
“Building ships yourself costs a fortune.”
Xu Da laughed.
“With little Biao, our little God of Wealth, what does spending money matter? He keeps accounts down to the last copper. He’d never let himself take a loss.”
Zhu Yuanzhang repeatedly slapped the bathwater with his palm while coughing loudly.
Neither Tang He nor Xu Da paid the slightest attention to their Commander.
Instead, they continued discussing how to defeat Xu Shouhui and acquire ocean-going ships for their little God of Wealth.
Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang exploded.
“Shouldn’t I, the Commander, be the one deciding our next campaign? Since when do the two of you get to make the decisions? Do you even remember there’s still a Commander here?!”
Tang He asked calmly,
“If we’re not attacking Xu Shouhui, then should we attack Zhang Shicheng instead?”
Xu Da added,
“Or should we tell little Biao we’re not sailing because we don’t have enough large ships?”
Zhu Yuanzhang barked,
“When did I say we weren’t attacking Xu Shouhui?! Of course we’re attacking him! And don’t you dare tell Biao we don’t have enough ships!”
Tang He and Xu Da rolled their eyes in perfect unison.
If there was anyone who insisted on saving face in front of his son no matter the cost…
It was their Commander, Zhu Yuanzhang.
Whenever little Biao wanted something, Zhu Yuanzhang would move heaven and earth to get it.
If he truly couldn’t fulfill the request…
He would simply claim,
“Commander Zhu has other plans.”
In short…
Zhu Yuanzhang would rather die than admit “I don’t have it” or “I can’t do it” in front of his son.
The result?
Little Biao had become convinced that Zhu Yuanzhang feared “Chen Guorui’s” enormous wealth.
Poor Zhu Yuanzhang’s reputation had suffered for it.
Bare-chested, Xu Da threw an arm around his Commander’s shoulder and leaned in.
“Boss… have you ever thought about this?”
“You keep blaming everything on ‘Zhu Yuanzhang.’ When you finally reveal the truth someday, how are you going to explain yourself?”
Playing the rogue, Zhu Yuanzhang replied,
“Didn’t the physiognomist say Biao can’t return to his rightful identity until he’s twenty? We’ve still got a long way to go.”
Xu Da couldn’t help laughing.
So…
You really intend to let “Zhu Yuanzhang” take the blame for another decade or more?
Was that really a good idea?
Tang He sighed.
“Can’t we ask the physiognomist whether little Biao can return earlier? Keeping this secret is exhausting.”
To conceal his identity, Zhu Yuanzhang had actually created an entirely fictional “Chen Guorui.”
Most of the time, one of his personal guards impersonated Chen Guorui, while Zhu Yuanzhang himself occasionally disguised himself as the man and earned a few modest military achievements under that identity.
The Chen family estate was also surrounded by layers of protection.
Tang He lived on one side.
Xu Da lived on the other.
In fact, the entire street was filled with old companions who had followed Zhu Yuanzhang from their hometown.
Everyone acted together.
Those who performed their roles well were rewarded by being allowed to mooch meals at the Chen residence.
Those who couldn’t act were mercilessly ostracized by the troupe of born performers, forced to stand outside smelling the delicious aromas drifting from the Chen household while diligently memorizing their scripts.
Logically speaking…
Such a deception should have fallen apart long ago.
But Zhu Yuanzhang’s strict military discipline simply defied common sense.
So did the loyalty of his old comrades.
Truthfully, Zhu Yuanzhang had begun with nothing but a begging bowl.
After Guo Zixing nearly starved him to death, he returned to his hometown and recruited twenty-four impoverished farmers to help him.
Those twenty-four men all went on to become the famous Twenty-Four Huaixi Generals of the early Ming.
Every one of them turned out to be a naturally gifted military commander.
That alone was already absurd enough.
So it was perfectly normal that little Zhu Biao, who sincerely believed he was Chen Biao…
…had been kept completely in the dark.
After hearing Tang He’s suggestion, Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his wet hair.
“If physiognomists could really rewrite fate…”
“…would someone like me, Zhu Chongba, ever have become Emperor?”
Xu Da and Tang He found that perfectly reasonable.
Both sighed together.
Then the three of them enthusiastically resumed discussing how to defeat Xu Shouhui…
…and obtain ships for Chen Biao.
Meanwhile, Chen Biao had already directed the servants to prepare the broth, dipping sauces, and every ingredient for the hotpot.
For his mother, he made delicate steamed cakes from minced chicken, fish, and beef mixed with flour.
His mother had already given birth to three children.
Her body had been severely weakened, and her stomach was delicate.
Yet she still insisted on accompanying his father on campaigns to oversee logistics.
Every time she returned home, Chen Biao would prepare all kinds of nutritious, easily digestible dishes to help her recover.
Wait.
Every time she came home…
Chen Biao narrowed his eyes.
Previously, every single time Mother came back…
…she had been pregnant.
After giving birth to his third younger brother last time, both his father and mother had patted their chests and sworn they wouldn’t have another child so soon.
This time…
Mother surely wouldn’t be returning with another baby bump…
…right?
Probably not.
Even if Dad was unreliable…
Mother was dependable.
She’d never joke with her own health.
…
…
Reliable, my foot!
Chen Biao stared at the slight swell of his mother’s belly.
His face darkened.
Covering her stomach, Madam Ma smiled awkwardly.
“It was an accident.”
“It really was an accident.”
Drawing a deep breath into his diaphragm, Chen Biao bellowed at the top of his lungs,
“Dad!”
“I’m here! I’m here!”
With his still-wet hair wrapped in a towel, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled with unmistakable guilt.
Chen Biao looked at his utterly unreliable father.
Then at his mother, who was smiling ingratiatingly.
Finally, he swept his gaze over his two elder cousins, two uncles, and all the servants nearby…
…and forcibly swallowed all his complaints.
In ancient times, filial piety came before everything else.
Whatever he shouted at his father behind closed doors was one thing.
In public…
He absolutely had to preserve his parents’ dignity.
“Let’s eat first.”
“We’ll rest for a while after eating, then bathe.”
He spoke in a muffled voice before gently reminding,
“Mother, watch your step.”
Madam Ma nodded.
“How are Shuang’er and Gang’er?”
Since Chen Biao was too short to support her, he simply walked beside her.
“Shuang’er can already recite the Three Character Classic. He’s taking his afternoon nap now.”
“Gang’er has already started eating vegetable puree and meat puree…”
Chen Biao’s two younger brothers—
Chen Shuang, four years old by traditional East Asian reckoning…
…and Chen Gang, two years old—
were both still very young.
There were no reliable methods of contraception in this era.
Madam Ma accompanied Zhu Yuanzhang on campaign after campaign, giving birth to one child after another.
Chen Biao himself was only five years old…
…yet he already had two younger brothers.
His gaze drifted back to his mother’s stomach.
Well…
Looks like next year I’ll be raising three.
Because Chen Biao had displayed innate wisdom from birth, Zhu Yuanzhang confidently allowed him to pursue his ambitions.
Madam Ma likewise had complete confidence in giving birth and handing the children over to Chen Biao to raise.
Chen Biao held no resentment toward his mother for giving birth but not personally raising them.
He knew exactly how stubborn his father was.
Without Mother looking after him, Father’s days serving under Zhu Yuanzhang would probably be much harder.
In these chaotic final years of the Yuan dynasty, merely securing a place to survive was difficult enough.
Since Chen Biao was perfectly capable of taking care of his younger brothers, he was more than willing to lighten his mother’s burden.
The only thing that truly troubled him…
…was the fear that bearing too many children in succession would destroy her health.
Seeing the concern in Chen Biao’s eyes, Madam Ma’s heart tightened painfully.
Zhu Yuanzhang also found himself completely at a loss.
These days, everyone believed that the more children one had, the greater the blessing.
Although Chen Biao had repeatedly warned them that having too many children damaged a woman’s health, neither Zhu Yuanzhang nor Madam Ma had taken it very seriously.
After the birth of Gang’er, they had indeed tried a few methods of contraception.
Unfortunately…
The contraceptive methods available in this era simply weren’t reliable.
Madam Ma became pregnant anyway.
As his parents, Zhu Yuanzhang and Madam Ma could have rightfully told Chen Biao not to interfere.
But he was their firstborn.
Despite being so young, he had shouldered countless responsibilities for the family.
Neither of them could bring themselves to say such words.
Fortunately, Chen Biao also understood what kind of era this was.
He quickly talked himself through it and forced a cheerful smile back onto his face.
Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Madam Ma breathed a sigh of relief.
“Cousin. Cousin. Long time no see.”
Chen Biao greeted them first.
Li Bao’er and Chen Wenzheng had already fought on the battlefield and earned military merit, becoming famous young warriors within the army.
Yet whenever they faced this almost miraculous younger cousin, both became inexplicably stiff.
They hurriedly greeted Chen Biao with exaggerated respect, leaving him utterly helpless.
“Cousin… Elder Cousin… you can relax a little…”
Li Bao’er and Chen Wenzheng immediately bent forward and nodded repeatedly.
“Yes! Yes! Of course!”
Chen Biao: “…”
He decided it was best to pretend those two cousins didn’t exist.
That would probably make them feel more comfortable.
After the long journey, everyone tidied themselves up a bit and washed their hands and faces before sitting down to eat.
At that moment, Chen Ying also returned.
Chen Ying was Zhu Yuanzhang’s adopted son.
He was already familiar with Li Bao’er and Chen Wenzheng.
With Chen Ying helping keep the conversation going, the two cousins finally relaxed somewhat.
Then…
The steaming pot of clear beef bone broth was brought to the table.
They relaxed even more.
Chen Wenzheng’s eyes sparkled.
“Brother Biao, are your restaurants going to serve this dish?”
“Not yet.”
Chen Biao shook his head.
“The defining feature of this beef hotpot is freshness.”
“And freshness equals luxury.”
“Eating it at home doesn’t count the cost.”
“But if I sold it commercially, the price would be beyond what ordinary people could afford.”
Chen Wenzheng laughed.
“Then you don’t know our situation.”
“Our Commander has been winning battle after battle. The officers under him have more money than they know what to do with.”
Chen Biao earnestly advised,
“Wealth shouldn’t be flaunted.”
“Especially at a critical time like this.”
“If you don’t establish the image of people who aren’t obsessed with money or luxury during the early days of your enterprise…”
“…be careful you don’t become the examples Commander Zhu uses when cracking down on extravagance later.”
Everyone simultaneously turned to look at Zhu Yuanzhang.
Zhu Yuanzhang: “…”
“It won’t come to that… it won’t…”
Misunderstanding everyone’s reaction, Chen Biao sighed.
“I know what you’re all thinking.”
“My family’s the richest.”
“If Commander Zhu ever starts executing wealthy merchants…”
“…my father will definitely be the first one beheaded.”
Xu Da immediately nodded.
“Exactly.”
Tang He hurriedly echoed,
“Couldn’t have said it better.”
Madam Ma suppressed a smile.
“That’s a fair point.”
“Guorui, you’d better be careful.”
Chen Wenzheng, Li Bao’er, and Chen Ying merely laughed awkwardly without saying a word.
Zhu Yuanzhang rubbed his forehead.
“…Enough, enough.”
“We’re eating.”
“Why talk about something so depressing?”
Chen Biao glanced at his father.
His father was Zhu Yuanzhang’s biggest fan.
Whenever the topic turned to how careful one needed to be serving under Zhu Yuanzhang…
His father always changed the subject.
He refused to admit that Zhu Yuanzhang might one day execute his old brothers-in-arms.
Since they had only just reunited after so long apart, Chen Biao couldn’t be bothered arguing with him in front of everyone.
Filial piety.
Filial piety.
In front of outsiders, he absolutely had to give Comrade Chen Guorui—the head of the household—sufficient face.
With a wave of his little hand, Chen Biao declared that everyone could begin eating and explained how to enjoy the Chaoshan beef hotpot, which he had renamed the Yingtian Beef Hotpot.
As mentioned before, the essence of Chaoshan beef hotpot was freshness.
Each cut of beef had to be cooked for only a matter of seconds.
Leave it in too long, and it became tough.
Chen Biao had long ago ordered specially made metal skimmer baskets.
Beside each platter stood a small wooden sign listing exactly how many breaths each cut should be cooked.
Just as he was about to demonstrate…
Zhu Yuanzhang charged in first.
Splash!
He dumped several entire platters of beef into the pot at once.
Chen Biao: “…”
Xu Da grabbed the large skimmer and stirred furiously.
“It’s cooked!”
Immediately, the tableful of grown men attacked with chopsticks and ladles flying everywhere.
In the blink of an eye…
The crystal-clear broth was completely empty.
Chen Biao: “…”
“Meat! More meat!”
Zhu Yuanzhang shouted.
“Coming!”
Tang He dumped another basin of sliced beef into the pot.
This time, the broth disappeared beneath the mountain of meat.
Chen Biao: “…”
Xu Da stirred with all his might until the paper-thin slices completely fell apart.
While chewing, Zhu Yuanzhang complained,
“Biao’er, why did you slice the meat so thin?”
“It doesn’t feel satisfying to eat.”
Chen Biao: “…”
“Next time we’ll just make chunky beef hotpot.”
“Mother, let’s eat over there.”
Smiling gently, Madam Ma nodded.
“All right.”
Chen Ying immediately put down his chopsticks and helped Madam Ma to a small table nearby.
Chen Biao set up another hotpot for them.
He first served Madam Ma the steamed meat cake before he and Chen Ying leisurely cooked slices of beef for her while chatting.
Pregnancy had greatly reduced Madam Ma’s appetite.
Following Chen Biao’s instructions, Chen Ying patiently cooked the meat little by little.
Madam Ma dipped each small slice into the sauce before eating.
Without realizing it…
She ended up eating quite a lot.
Wiping her mouth, she sighed happily.
“You’re still the best, Biao’er.”
“Your father has hired countless chefs for me.”
“I’ve tasted delicacies from every corner of the world…”
“…yet I couldn’t eat any of them.”
The moment she said that, Chen Biao understood what she truly meant.
She was gently reassuring him that Father treated her very well.
He didn’t need to worry.
Chen Biao secretly curled his lips.
In this era…
His father truly did treat Mother exceptionally well.
But…
That was only by this era’s standards.
His father’s secondary wives and concubines had never appeared before him.
Still, simply by looking at the household expense accounts, Chen Biao could calculate exactly how many women lived in his father’s inner quarters.
Forget it.
Since he’d already come to this era…
Why judge everything by modern standards?
With a teasing smile, Chen Biao said,
“Mother’s simply too frugal.”
“I bet even if Father served you the finest delicacies, you still wouldn’t have much appetite.”
Madam Ma laughed.
“And what you’ve prepared for me isn’t considered delicacies?”
“The cow came from the grasslands.”
“The chickens were raised at home.”
“The fish came from our own pond.”
“The vegetables were all freshly picked from our own garden.”
“They didn’t come from mountains or seas.”
“So of course they aren’t mountain-and-sea delicacies.”
By now, Zhu Yuanzhang had completely finished all the meat and vegetables.
He had even poured the remaining broth over his rice and cleaned the bowl spotless.
Patting the belly that was already slightly larger than Madam Ma’s not-yet-visible pregnancy, he slowly walked over.
“Biao’er is absolutely right.”
“His lifestyle may look refined, but he’s never extravagant.”
Turning to Madam Ma, he asked,
“Elder Sister, why did you leave one meat cake?”
Madam Ma picked it up with her chopsticks.
“I knew you’d be craving it.”
“I saved it for you.”
Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth.
Madam Ma fed it to him.
Everyone else tactfully looked away.
The Commander and his wife already had three children…
…yet they were still this lovey-dovey!
Only Chen Biao kept watching.
Complaining, he said,
“Mother, you spoil Father too much.”
Madam Ma smiled.
“Your father works hard outside every day.”
“If I don’t spoil him, who will?”
After swallowing the meat cake, Zhu Yuanzhang wiped his mouth.
“Exactly.”
Chen Biao resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
As servants cleared the table, he changed the subject.
“Dad.”
“You said Commander Zhu needs more money and grain again?”
“Didn’t we just deliver military provisions?”
“Were they intercepted?”
Military operations were highly confidential.
But Zhu Yuanzhang had never hidden such matters from Chen Biao.
The servants attending them were all trusted confidants as well.
“You know Zhang Mingjian in Yangzhou, don’t you?”
“Miao Daheng told me… I mean, told our Commander…”
“…that Zhang Mingjian has rebelled against the Yuan Prince of Zhennan, Boluo Puhua, and seized Yangzhou.”
“But now he’s completely out of grain.”
“They’re so hungry they’re eating human flesh.”
While picking his teeth, Zhu Yuanzhang continued,
“If we can provide enough grain…”
“…we’ll be able to win over this fierce and capable general!”
Chen Biao’s eyelid twitched.
“Why would we recruit someone like that?”
“So he can come to Yingtian Prefecture and host cannibal banquets?”