Chapter 6, The Harsh Reality

No way, how can we even play like this! On paper, the old man is a king, but in reality, he is just a pig leader, and Zhu Youcong is just that little piglet? All he does every day is eat, sleep, and eat again, and at most he can stroll around the pen to digest a bit. Only when the caretaker is in a good mood will they let us out for a walk.

Did the summoning take effect? After waiting for a while, it seems to have stopped shaking, but why is it so dark? Could it be...? Could it be...? Don't play around anymore! Zhu Youcong, who has experienced a time travel once, feels as if he has returned to the state he was in when he first arrived

The sound of a porcelain vase crashing to the ground suddenly startled Zhu Youcong from his dream, making him feel as if the entire room was shaking. An earthquake? The chubby boy, in disbelief, performed a swift somersault and hurriedly dove under the bed, covering his head in a panic. However, due to his rather... ample physique, his plump bottom was left sticking out halfway, while his calves kicked frantically inside.

Three quarters past the hour of the ugly

Child... child, this... this is picking up the glass beads that just fell! Regardless of whether anyone believes it, I will say it this way, and I believe it myself; you can choose to believe it or not. Zhu Youcong struck a pose of indifference, as if a dead pig is not afraid of boiling water.

Cōng ér ... ...

"It’s nothing. I suppose the Fourth Brother was frightened by the earth dragon turning over. We shall stay here to keep him company!" It seems that at least Zhu Youzong did not believe the nonsense of a certain shameless little fatty. He continued, "Moreover, the room of the Fourth Brother is quite warm; we have also sent someone to fetch some clothing."

February 7

Father... Zhu Youcong truly could not find any words to comfort the Prince of Fu. He did not dare to say that the court would provide relief to the disaster victims, as the historical records regarding the late Ming period are predominantly filled with accounts of heavy taxation and oppression.

Hmm? What happened to Cong'er?

Well, that's all! Looking at the pile of assorted ornaments that my three older brothers helped me choose, Zhu Youcong, who had just suffered a setback, really couldn't muster any interest. Moreover, he didn't understand why it was such a big deal; after all, it was just a piece of artificial crystal. It was worth a bit more than glass, but did it really warrant such a tender gaze as if it were a lover? And such gentle caresses? Ugh... Even if you have a thing for objects, shouldn't you choose something better? Why on earth did you pick a glass pig?

After a general explanation by Prince Fu, Zhu Youcong finally understood. The princes have many restrictions in their fiefs, such as the prohibition of meeting with other princes; they are not allowed to leave their fiefs without permission; even for visiting ancestral graves outside the city, they must apply for approval before proceeding; if they leave the city for leisure without reason, local officials must promptly report this, and all relevant officials will face severe penalties, with civil officials being dismissed and military officials demoted and sent to the frontier. Apart from their birthdays, princes are not allowed to drink with officials; any matters issued by the royal court must be immediately reported by local officials and must await imperial approval before being carried out, otherwise, they will be punished severely. Officials of the royal court are also replaced by those who have failed to pass the highest examinations or have been demoted to county magistrates, turning into positions of idleness. They are not allowed to engage in the affairs of the four classes of society, and their official careers are permanently cut off, with no interaction with farmers or merchants. In simple terms, the princes are like a group of domesticated pigs; within their own small territory, they can do as they please, but they must never leave this enclosure.

"Cōng'er, you must not!" Before Zhu Youcōng could finish speaking, the Prince of Fu, as if struck by lightning, hurriedly covered Zhu Youcōng's small mouth and looked around to confirm that everyone had been sent away before whispering, "Cōng'er, you must absolutely not speak such treasonous words!"

Could it be this unfortunate? Zhu Youcong, who traversed due to a substandard property, gestured incessantly with both hands, invoking figures from the Buddha to Guanyin, from the Three Pure Ones to the Jade Emperor, and even the Virgin Mary and Jesus, as well as Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie. At this moment, he paid no heed to the distinction between theism and atheism; he recited all the renowned and obscure figures he had heard of, both ancient and modern, from around the world, whether they were immortal, enlightened, or divine.

Ah? Zhu Youcong was quite puzzled. Isn't it just about providing relief to the disaster victims and gaining some popularity? How could it have become such a grave offense? Why would his father be so anxious about it?

Is this the Prince of Fu? Historically, this prince, who was indifferent to everything and only knew how to indulge in pleasures and amass wealth, would possess such a compassionate heart? Zhu Youcong really wanted to reach out and see if someone was wearing a human skin mask to deceive him.

"In these troubled times, compounded by such natural disasters, why does Father not rescue the disaster victims from their plight..." Zhu Youcong made an effort to present an innocuous expression in an attempt to persuade.

Oh? Still calling it a bug? Not a bird anymore? ... But it's so dark ...! ... Oh right, I am under the bed too! Zhu Youcong has finally come to his senses and crawled out in a disheveled manner. When did so many people appear in the room? ! The disheveled Prince Fu, the princess barely draped in an outer garment, three brothers dressed in thin clothes looking as if they were on fire, and a group of maids with mouths agape wide enough to fit an elephant's leg!

Father... Mother... How embarrassing, so many people saw my ostrich appearance, sob. I haven't even had the chance to shape that wise and decisive image of myself, and now it's ruined! Zhu Youcong was contemplating whether to find a way to eliminate this group of people in front of him. But among them were his parents and three older brothers, what to do? Surely he couldn't commit patricide and fratricide? He needed to think of a way to distract them quickly!

Look, what are you looking at? Zhu Youcong rolled his eyes in his heart as he watched Zhu Youhua winking at him incessantly, thinking sinisterly: "If you keep looking, I will draw circles and curse you with amnesia!"

Do not even mention significant matters such as providing relief to disaster victims to win people's hearts. Last time, when Zhu Youcong's brothers went out to survey the fields, it also went through early requests and late reports, with layers of approvals and countless red stamps. Ultimately, it was only after being reviewed by the Imperial Clan Court and approved by the Emperor that it could proceed. The bookstores at home were even more difficult to obtain; it took the late Empress Xiaoning, Zheng, crying, causing a scene, and even attempting to hang herself to finally persuade Emperor Shenzong. For this, Emperor Shenzong was not spared from criticism. A few days ago, sending Xiao Changzi to the capital was under the pretext of inviting renowned doctors to treat the young prince.

Ah... I wonder how much of my grain and salary the officials across the regions will withhold this year! The Prince of Fortune has undergone a transformation. Just moments ago, someone who was concerned about the country and its people immediately began to worry about his own purse.

"You all may leave now!" After dismissing the maidens, Prince Fu embraced Zhu Youcong and sighed, "Alas... ever since the defeat at Sarhu in the forty-sixth year of the Wanli reign of the late emperor, the factional struggles in the court have intensified, and now we are faced with this upheaval..."

Cōng'er, although you are still young, you will eventually inherit your father's throne. Let your father explain it to you slowly, so as to avoid any unnecessary troubles in the future

I... ? ... Zhu Youcong could hardly restrain himself from grabbing his fat father's neck and shaking him vigorously. What time is it, and you are still only concerned about your own rations! ? Do you not realize this is an earthquake? ! Although the tremors felt at the Wang residence were not too severe, with no buildings collapsing and no injuries reported, who knows where the epicenter is? Who knows if the areas around the epicenter will produce a large number of refugees? ? It is important to remember that this is the chaotic end of the Ming dynasty, where a single call can rally tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of displaced people! ? Although the tremors felt at the Wang residence were not too severe, with no buildings collapsing and no injuries reported, who knows where the epicenter is? Who knows if the areas around the epicenter will produce a large number of refugees? ? It is important to remember that this is the chaotic end of the Ming dynasty, where a single call can rally tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of displaced people! ! I wonder if this fat father has been rendered foolish by being kept under the control of the feudal prince, as he cannot even think of providing relief to the disaster victims and winning people's hearts at this time? https://www.hetushu.com.com

Sigh... The King of Fu paid no attention to Zhu Youcong's nonsense and turned to his other three sons, saying: "Your fourth brother is fine, hurry back, don't catch a cold!"

Oh my God! Just strike me with lightning and send me back to the prehistoric era! Zhu Youcong cried out in his heart. Initially, he was only worried about the issue of the general, and after much effort, he finally selected Lu Xiangsheng; then he became concerned about the finances, and after racking his brain for a long time, he came up with the idea of making bone china. ... It turns out ...? ... It turns out you have dug a pit here waiting for me? Are you making me, this domesticated pig, confront the pack of wolves and leopards after defeating the caretaker? This difficulty is too great, aren't you afraid that this fat pig of mine might accidentally get knocked out and turned into cured meat or sausage?

"Fourth brother, is there anything else that catches your eye?" Zhu Youceng asked Zhu Youcong while holding a glass ornament.

Father King

Change, it must change! One Lu Xiangsheng is not enough; we can find more people and form a high-IQ criminal group, right? Then we can let them come up with a way for me to escape this circle. As for now? Hmm, Zhu Youcong looked up at the window; dawn was approaching. After a night of turmoil, the loud noises outside had gradually subsided. Sleep, it's time to sleep! Zhu Youcong, this heartless one, perhaps was driven mad by the consecutive blows, actually fell asleep half in the embrace of the King of Fortune, with a stream of drool hanging from the corner of his mouth!