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THE PRINCE OF HERBS

1389 AD, Ming Dynasty, China "Guardsmen! Take him to his exile in Yunnan, right now!" "Fu Huang!..." "Shut up! Oh... how can my own son stab me from behind... Not only other people I can't trust, and now I can't even trust my own son either!... It's far more painful..." *** "Tomorrow morning," Xie Wang said slowly. "Tomorrow morning... you will see dozens of dead bodies lying all over the streets in Yunnan." Xie Wang looked straight to Zhu Su, his eyes as sharp as a knife, "This is a war. The battle between me, Yuan Prince, and you Ming Prince. A battle to determine who is the most suitable to be the next ruler of Yunnan!" *** "Your Highness... Bad news, Your Highness!" Wu Qi was breathless as he answered, "All streets in Yunnan... are full of dead bodies..." Zhu Su stunned. It can't be, Witchcrafts of Xie Wang is the hell real?!? He just walked not any longer, yet he had found a dead body was lying face down on the street. The farther he walked, the more corpses he found. And finally, he arrived at the town square, where people had been crowded together. *** "I am Zhu Su, the fifth son of Hongwu Emperor, I promise to smash the Witchcrafts of Xie Wang, and get you all free from the outbreak!" Zhu Su sharpened his voice. "The promise from a leader is not a children's game. Bear it in mind!" A man in early forties, who seemed to be the leader of rebels, held his spear up, shouted, "Fine! We appreciate your determination, Ming Prince, so keep your promise! If you fail to keep it up, then I'll make sure that Ming honor, as well as yours, will be ruined!" *** A biographical novel of Prince Zhu Su, the fifth prince of the Hongwu Emperor who was the founder of Ming Dynasty, who devoted himself for medical science and humanity. But before he could fulfil his devotion, he was forced to go through royal disputes, conflicts, power struggles, punishments, rebellions, and even death threats. Could he overcome those problems and reached his noble dream? Find out in this novel. This is a work of biographical novel about a real historical figure. Some characters, plot premise, and certain sections of the story are based on historical events and figures, but there are some parts which are pure fiction. Some of names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner; any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. This novel is an original work of myself, not a translated work. Last but not least; I hope you enjoy this story. And thank you very much for your appreciation and support! Have a nice day!

amelia_siauw · History
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AN EVOCATIVE IDEA

The night sky was such a welcome sight, appearing like magic. Stars lighted the sky like snow-flakes in the night. One of the stars at the far-right line glowed dazzlingly, then it slid down, scattering a charm that was hard to put into words. Zhu Su kept on looking at it. The sheen of the night sky was seemingly bewitching him to sit still and be reluctant to leave this place.

Also, letting Gao Qing's words continue echoing in his mind.

"... Have you ever wanted to publish a medical book with your own name as the author?..."

"... Think about it deeply. If you really have a great passion for Yi, don't be half-hearted. Exerting all your mind and your every effort to master it..."

This was the first time he heard that idea. No one had ever given him the idea heretofore. A prince wrote a book? Moreover, a medical book? He only knew that the great achievement of the emperors, princes, or other royalty was, that they were able to govern the country well, improve the people's standard of living, or strengthen military forces. At best, they achieved great talent in calligraphy, poetry, painting, or music. Or like his father who wrote a book about Daoism. But, a medical book? That was only done by the experts, and they were also usually appointed by the authorities. Like when he appointed Li Heng to compile Xiu Zhen Fang, that was often done by the authorities, like the emperors of Song Dynasties had often done before. But if the ruler himself wrote his own medical work... it was really a new stuff for Zhu Su.

"... Since it is our own ideas, then we must complete it by ourselves till the end."

Again, the star on the right shone, glided down, and spread its luster. Not only the idea jolted him, it also made his mind get turbulent. Excitement, enthusiasm, great pleasure, all exploded in his mind, but on the other hand, a sense of worry, overthinking, doubtful about this and that appeared at the same time. Who was usually successful in writing a book were the scholars who had great support from the authorities, both materially and morally. And he? Now he was obliged to work to fend for his life, it even did not give satisfying results. Very few patients visited Gao Qing's hut, at most was no more than three people came in one day. There was even a moment when no patient came. The conclusion was clear, he had no material support. They also lived a very simple life, their time had been spent on doing household activities. Getting up early, drawing water, going to the backyard and taking the plants to eat, turning on the stove to cook, then cleaning the hut. Next, examining the patients, discussing Xuanxue and Wushu Xuanxue, after that they were usually too tired, just lying down and he would immediately sleep tight. Only this time was different, since his drowsiness lost by the immense passion and it then pushed him to sit still, kept looking at the night sky.

And remember, his current status was an escapee. An anonymous, abandoned person in a foreign country and he did not even master the native language of the country. Even if he succeeded in completing any work, it was only for himself, at most the others who read it only his son, Hu Nayin, and Gao Qing.

Hoping for moral support? He would only get pessimism instead.

Zhu Su took a deep breath, "If only this advice was given to me when I still became Zhou Wang, I would have exerted all my efforts, because I was sure that I would be able to make it happen. Why do I meet Gao Qing right now? And the moment he tells me, is when I become an escapee?"

This idea sounded like a mockery in his ear. Because the reason why it came to him was just to prove that it could not be realized.

The night breeze rustled, caressing the nape of his neck and making him shiver instantly. Zhu Su felt as if he was very small compared to the splendor of the whole world, as well as to the vast sky above him. He felt like a speck of dust, did not matter at all. The purplish-black night sky was still concealing mystery that could never be revealed, forever. The secrets of human, the secrets of the universe... all of it, would never be revealed.

Nature is so powerful. It is so mysterious... so magnificent... any human being, will not be able to conquer it no matter how hard they try and how eager they want to. Instead, it is Nature who writes the destiny of humankind.

No... you are wrong. Human destiny is not written by Heaven, instead, it is humans themselves who write their own lives.

Zhu Su blinked. He looked up. The sound just appeared that way, without shape, without form, only a sound which shot as fast as lighting into his ear.

"But... how can I reach my dream when it is very difficult to even fend for my living?" Though he knew no one existed there, yet he was lured to respond to it.

Do you know? That the greatest strength of a man rises when he reaches the lowest point?

"So... do you mean?!..."

The way for you has opened. It is up to you, whether you want to continue, or not. You are born with a head, two eyes, two ears, one mouth, two legs, and two hands. The tools you can use to realize your mission in life have been complete. Alright, that's all you need to reach your goals. The others are not important. Although Fate is very important, still, something is more important than that. That is, willpower.

"Willpower..."

Zhu Su's hands squeezed into a fist. He got to his feet. His eyes, which were once full of doubtful, now glowed in enthusiasm. He pressed his lips, thus said with great determination.

"I will try what Mr. Gao has suggested. To create my own work!"