Chapter Sixteen: The Use of Zhao Rui!

Applying soothing medicine to Chang Sheng’s badly beaten backside and having him carried home, Zhu Yunruo felt utterly exhausted. If only he didn’t have to fight for this cursed throne, he could be merrily playing alongside Chang Sheng and the sons of the nobles, indulging in pleasure without a care. He might even imitate the high-ranking officials’ spoiled sons, swaggering through the streets with their lackeys, teasing pretty girls, and snatching married women away as if they were spoils of war.

For a prince of the blood, none of this would be considered scandalous. Even if the old Zhu found out, he would likely turn a blind eye or at most issue a mild reprimand. After all, many of old Zhu’s own sons had committed far more outrageous deeds without facing severe consequences.

But no—that was impossible. For his own future, to live longer, he absolutely had to seize this throne. To contend for the crown, he must become the exemplary grandson that old Zhu would approve of. Otherwise, why would old Zhu appoint him heir apparent?

Publicly demanding the position of crown prince was already an act of great defiance. If he were to commit any further offenses or taboo acts, he might as well give up now and go wherever it was comfortable.

Thus, Zhu Yunruo sternly reprimanded Chang Sheng and mercilessly expelled all the sons of the meritorious officials and nobles. Unreliable allies were nothing but burdens; it was best to keep them as far away as possible when not needed.

Yet even this was far from enough. What else could he do to win old Zhu’s favor? Zhu Yunruo fell into deep contemplation.

Like many time travelers he had read about in novels, his initial plan was to petition Zhu Yuanzhang directly, candidly pointing out the institutional flaws of the Ming dynasty to earn the emperor’s admiration. Indeed, this seemed a shortcut.

Although old Zhu was a remarkable historical figure known as the one who “drove out the barbarians and rebuilt China,” the Ming dynasty he founded was riddled with systemic shortcomings and countless flaws. Any one of these could astonish him.

However, that path was immediately blocked. Old Zhu refused to hear his governance proposals, arguing that he had no experience in ruling a country. Having lived secluded in the deep palace, his ideas were mere armchair strategizing.

This made sense. It was akin to a recent graduate from a prestigious university who, after only a month at a large corporation, submitted a lengthy report criticizing the company’s flaws, only to be dismissed with a curt order: “If you’re ill, get treatment; if not, you’re fired.”

Zhu Yunruo was no different. A fourteen-year-old child raised in the palace, expounding on state affairs, was simply not worth the emperor’s or ministers’ time.

Of course, it was not entirely hopeless. After all, he was a royal grandson with a special status. If one day old Zhu’s mood turned favorable and, like a teacher assigning homework, asked him to write or say something, that would be his chance.

Until then, all he could do was wait.

But he had to do something.

Sitting in his study, Zhu Yunruo pondered silently.

At that moment, someone gently pushed open the door and tiptoed inside.

Looking up, he saw none other than Zhao Rui, a eunuch arranged by Lady Lü to attend to him.

“Your Highness,” Zhao Rui greeted with a smiling face, “please do not overwork yourself. You must take care not to harm your health.”

“I have brought you some of the toys you loved in your childhood. Would you like to rest and play with them first?”

Lady Lü’s orders were twofold: first, to monitor Zhu Yunruo’s every move and report promptly; second, to tempt him with food, drink, and amusements, leading him to indulgence and moral decay, thus preventing him from competing with Zhu Yunwen for the crown.

Zhu Yunruo frowned slightly.

Naturally, he disliked anyone planted by Lady Lü.

Just as he prepared to refuse, Zhao Rui noticed his displeasure and quickly said, “If Your Highness does not like those toys, I can bring you a dozen stunning beauties.”

“They are all extraordinarily beautiful and graceful.”

“Shall I invite them to sing and dance for Your Highness’s entertainment and join in your amusement?”

Ugh...

Zhu Yunruo shot Zhao Rui a sidelong glance, thinking inwardly, This man is truly shameless. I am only a child of barely fourteen—how can you try to lure me with such charms?

Still, outwardly he said, “Then have them come in and have a look.”

Overjoyed, Zhao Rui shouted in a quacking voice, “By order of the prince, all may enter!”

One after another, a procession of young women clad in shimmering silk entered.

Indeed, each was exquisitely beautiful and enchanting.

Zhu Yunruo looked at Zhao Rui again, surprised by the skill of this spy Lady Lü had placed beside him. She was truly willing to invest heavily to drag him down.

The quality of these girls was impressively high!

Curious, he said, “With singing and dancing and beautiful companions, how can we lack food and drink?”

“Immediately have the kitchen prepare some delicacies, and bring along those toys from my childhood you mentioned just now. I want to enjoy them all together.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Zhao Rui’s delight grew.

Soon, a large collection of wooden objects was brought in.

Many were exquisitely crafted.

Zhu Yunruo picked them up repeatedly, secretly admiring them.

No wonder the Zhu family later produced an emperor who was a carpenter.

It seemed the bloodline carried the spirit of a woodworker.

Could such craftsmanship and design have been produced by a mere child?

As he examined them, a thought suddenly struck him.

Of course!

Mechanical inventions!

Why, upon arriving in this era, had he only focused on offering governance advice, neglecting the most crucial—mechanical innovation?

Industrial development was the foundation of modern civilization!

Even if the Ming dynasty was constrained by smelting technology and natural conditions, with mechanical civilization only achievable through long-term effort, his knowledge was limited but being a royal grandson, he could still nudge progress forward slightly.

A small push might mean a great technological leap.

His thoughts began to diverge.

What should he invent?

A steam engine?

Impossible.

Though he roughly understood its basic principles, that was all. The gap between principles and a practical steam engine was vast.

Steelmaking?

Technology insufficient—unrealistic.

Cement?

Also inadequate technology—not feasible.

Firearms?

Still no.

...

Zhu Yunruo sifted through countless items in his mind, growing increasingly confused.

Though he had completed nine years of compulsory education and earned a university degree in his previous life, most of his knowledge was theoretical and conceptual.

He had little experience with actual manufacturing.

In a modern society with internet access and countless tools, building something himself would be easy.

With money, time, and a bit of skill, anyone could make various objects.

But in this era, it was impossible.

He only knew that glass was made primarily from quartz sand and sodium carbonate, but little more.

All other manufacturing knowledge was similarly superficial; the details were completely unknown.

In his former life, these were “useless” facts he only glanced at when bored, through documentaries, random videos, or books—not systematic or in-depth study, and so not well remembered.

Now, attempting to create something with his bare hands, he was completely at a loss.

His eyes scanned the objects before him, resting finally on the scholar’s desk and the four treasures of the study...

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. He had it!