My father, Zhu Di, was granted a second life by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chapter 96 Sending Ji Gang to Pick Up the Secret Guard

The old emperor liked promising children.

Although Zhu Jixi has temporarily lost out in the struggle for the throne, this has not prevented him from being a skilled military commander.

Seeing that his eldest grandson was about to return to his fiefdom, the old emperor was suddenly filled with reluctance and a deep sense of parting. He specially sent Huang Liang to the Prince of Jin's residence in the capital to invite Zhu Jixi to the palace for a visit.

Influenced by the old emperor's emotions, Zhu Jixi came to the Qianqing Palace with boundless sorrow.

With parting imminent and the reunion seemingly far off, family members couldn't help but embrace and weep.

The one who cried the most was Zhu Gaoxi.

Despite his tears, Zhu Gaoxi didn't let it interfere with business. He choked back sobs as he told Zhu Jixi that he was preparing to send two mimeograph machines and a large bag of sweet potatoes.

Zhu Jixi was deeply moved and immediately arranged to go to the Prince of Wu's residence to retrieve it. He also asked Sanbao to demonstrate the operation of the mimeograph machine and to bring along the operating instructions and precautions for planting sweet potatoes.

The old emperor, with tears in his eyes, personally saw his eldest grandson off from the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Jixi was greatly encouraged and vaguely felt a strong sense of ambition to make a comeback in the future.

As he passed the Eastern Palace, Zhu Jixi cast a defiant glance at him from afar, his words brimming with provocation.

Clearly, the burning passion for seizing the throne had not been extinguished in his heart.

Zhu Gaoxi saw this but remained calm and continued to play the emotional card to the fullest extent.

Upon arriving at the Prince of Wu's residence, Ji Gang's basic skills test was underway. Zhu Gaoxu walked over and whispered, "This guy is quite capable. Ten or so people went up against him, and none of them were a match for him."

"Brother, this man has boasted that he wants to become a high-ranking guard in the Prince's Palace. I'm not sure what to do. Could you please help me assess him and see if he's really capable?" Zhu Gaoxi earnestly pleaded with Zhu Jixi.

"That's not difficult," Zhu Jixi replied with a smile, then turned to his accompanying guard Huang Bin and instructed, "Go up and exchange a few blows with him, but stop when you've made your move."

Huang Bin acknowledged the order, leaped onto the martial arts platform, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Brave warrior, I, Huang, have come to learn a few moves from you."

"This humble general dares not accept such praise, but humbly requests your guidance, sir," Ji Gang replied politely.

Huang Bin made a quick and fierce attack, but Ji Gang dodged nimbly, avoiding his attacks and buying time.

After more than a hundred rounds, the two sides were still unable to determine a winner.

Huang Bin became impatient and his moves became increasingly fierce. He attacked relentlessly and neglected his defense.

Ji Gang discovered the flaw, avoided the real problem, concentrated his forces, and launched a fierce attack on its weak point.

Huang Bin hastily tried to protect himself, but lost his balance and stumbled back several steps.

Ji Gang immediately withdrew his move, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you for yielding."

Zhu Jixi reached out to help Huang Bin up, and praised Ji Gang, "Well done, you're skilled, brave and resourceful."

"This humble general Ji Gang thanks Your Highness," Ji Gang said humbly, bowing respectfully.

"Brother, why don't we promote him to be a junior officer?" Zhu Gaoxi asked Zhu Jixi.

"Huang Bin is a fourth-rank commander, while Xiao Qi is only a seventh-rank officer," Zhu Jixi said after a moment's thought. "Let him be a centurion, a sixth-rank officer."

"I'll do whatever my brother says," Zhu Gaoxi obeyed without question.

Zhu Jixi praised Ji Gang highly, believing that his future was limitless.

Ji Gang was so moved that he was speechless, and he was determined to serve the Prince of Jin's heir to the death.

Zhu Gaoxi then suggested that Ji Gang should contact Li Jinglong in the future.

Zhu Jixi readily agreed and greatly encouraged Ji Gang.

I will never forget the kindness shown to me.

As Ji Gang knelt in gratitude, his eyes glistened with tears. His gratitude towards the Prince of Jin was like a surging river, flowing endlessly.

Deeply grateful and wholeheartedly willing to be at the beck and call of the Prince of Jin, Ji Gang's expression was so admirable that even Zhu Gaoxi was impressed.

After seeing Zhu Jixi off, Zhu Gaoxi had Sanbao bring Ji Gang to the secret room.

"You must set off immediately with Wu Liang to Huai'an. Settle the secret guards at Mei Yan Cloth Shop, disguise them, and enter the capital in batches. They will first stay at Dan Yan Restaurant, and then seize the opportunity to sneak into the Prince's Mansion," Zhu Youdun coldly ordered.

Danyanlou was Wu Liang's property, and it was run by his confidants.

"All actions will be subject to Wu Liang's arrangements," Zhu Gaoxi added.

Ji Gang respectfully accepted the order and withdrew.

These thirty secret guards are the mobile force of the Wu Prince's mansion hidden in the shadows, and must never be known to outsiders.

Zhu Gaoxi gave Wu Liang some more instructions, and then told him and Ji Gang to set off for Huai'an immediately.

The secret guards could not stay in the palace for long periods of time. They had to have a reliable place to stay and a suitable public identity outside, such as coachman, servant, shop assistant, carpenter, blacksmith, cook, etc.

Zhu Gaoxi felt that his assets were limited and could not accommodate enough people. At present, he only had a school and a bookstore, and the bookstore was still in the trial operation stage and had not even been given a formal name yet.

"Brother, what do you think of the name 'Yun Jing Bookstore'?" Zhu Gaoxi asked, looking up at Zhu Youdun.

Zhu Youdun nodded in agreement, immediately picked up a brush and wrote four large characters, handed them to Li Hui, and sent someone to make them into a plaque.

"Meiyan Cloth Shop is Father's business, brother. Why don't we open a cloth shop in the capital? We can transfer a few managers and experienced workers directly from Meiyan Cloth Shop," Zhu Gaoxi said with a worried look, unable to think of a better solution.

Zhu Youdun pondered for a moment and said, "Let's take over a restaurant. I heard that Zuixianlou is for sale. Let's send someone over to talk to them."

The restaurant is a business of welcoming and seeing off guests, so it's easy to come into contact with many people and gather information. Zhu Gaoxi naturally agreed wholeheartedly. At the same time, he asked Wu Sheng to keep an eye on the cloth shop's business, hoping that the restaurant and the cloth shop could open at the same time.

Back at the Qianqing Palace, the old emperor was getting impatient and somewhat dissatisfied. He muttered under his breath, "He doesn't care about state affairs and I don't know what he's busy with outside."

"Grandpa, I was wrong. I shouldn't have stayed outside for so long," Zhu Gaoxi said, tears streaming down his face. "I just couldn't bear to part with Brother Jixi. I don't know when we'll see each other again."

"Xi'er is sentimental, we know that, don't cry, okay?" The old emperor hurriedly reached out to wipe away Zhu Gaoxi's tears.

No matter how eloquent one is, one must excel at their job. Zhu Gaoxi sat down at his desk and began reading quickly, burying himself in the first batch of memorials. The old emperor nodded slightly in satisfaction.

That evening, back in the vegetable garden, Yishiha came to report that the Crown Princess was experiencing severe pregnancy symptoms, and the entire Eastern Palace was frantically searching for a female physician.

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxi instructed Yishiha to continue keeping a close watch.

"I heard that Princess Yongjia is about to give birth. Brother, after Lady Xia arrives in the capital, she should go to the Marquis of Wuding's residence first. Perhaps it will be useful. She can get an identity and gain some experience."

It would be more appropriate for Miaojin to discuss the woman's matter with her brother.

Zhu Youdun understood immediately upon hearing this, smiled gently, and agreed on the spot.

It is better to plan ahead and take precautions. Female doctors were extremely rare in ancient times, and a talent like Lady Xia was hard to come by. She didn't necessarily have to get into the Eastern Palace through Li Jinglong's connections; the Crown Prince might have invited her out of admiration.

Only by doing everything possible to improve Xia Niangzi's safety could Zhu Gaoxi feel a little more at ease.

"Li Jinglong hates us to the core. There's no guarantee he won't sabotage us in secret. If all else fails, we should find a cook with basic medical knowledge and hand her over to Li Jinglong. Let's see what tricks he has up his sleeve," Zhu Youdun said thoughtfully.

"We need to find a way to make him understand that we're not to be trifled with either, and that trying to play dirty tricks will only lead to trouble," Zhu Gaoxi decided, determined to teach Li Jinglong a lesson.

"No rush, let's wait until he makes a move," Zhu Youdun advised gently.