Heaven-Defying Divine Medicine! My Son Zhanjun Has the Bearing of a Great Emperor!

Zhu Zhanjun's proposal of a "banner" issue caused the recently eased atmosphere to become tense again.

Giving official recognition to private armies was too significant a matter.

It was so significant that Zhu Gaochi, the Regent Crown Prince, dared not agree lightly.

This was not only an issue of the Ancestral System, but also a major political taboo.

If he agreed to give a banner to the second son's troops today, would other vassal kings follow suit tomorrow?

Wouldn't that turn the Great Ming into the Warlord Separatism of the Late Han Dynasty?

"This... Second Son, this matter is of great importance and requires long-term consideration."

Zhu Gaochi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and began to deflect, "Look, you should lead your troops to rescue the Emperor first, that's the urgent matter. As for the legitimacy, once you've achieved great merit and return triumphantly, Father will personally ask the Imperial Grandfather for you, and I guarantee you'll get the most prestigious title in the world!"

"Father, don't just string me along with promises."

Zhu Zhanjun pouted, seeing through his father's delaying tactic at a glance, "My three thousand brothers, who followed me through thick and thin, can't possibly be without even a name. If we win the battle, who will the merit be attributed to? To the 'Zheng Prince's Mansion Household Guards'? It won't sound good in the Historical Records either."

He paused, his tone becoming serious, "Father, I won't make things difficult for you. You just need to give me a temporary banner, allowing me to fight outside the pass under this banner. After Grandpa is rescued, the fate of this army will be decided by Grandpa's word. Is that acceptable?"

He kicked the ball back to Zhu Di.

Zhu Gaochi was relieved upon hearing this.

A mere temporary banner offered much more room for maneuver.

At least politically, there was still room for negotiation.

Just as he was about to agree, a violent coughing fit interrupted his thoughts.

"Cough... Cough cough cough!"

Zhu Gaochi clutched his chest and coughed violently. His already pale face instantly turned red, and he swayed precariously.

"Your Highness!"

"Father!"

Crown Princess Zhang and Zhu Zhanjun exclaimed simultaneously, rushing forward to support him.

"Quick! Send for the Imperial Physician!"

Crown Princess Zhang was so anxious that tears were about to fall.

"Don't... don't bother..."

Zhu Gaochi weakly waved his hand, gasping for breath, "It's an old problem... I was startled today and caught a cold... I'll be fine after a rest..."

Zhu Zhanjun supported his father's stout and frail body, his brow furrowed tightly.

He knew that his father's body was completely due to years of overwork, coupled with not being favored by Zhu Di, leading to suppressed emotions and lack of exercise, making him a complete sub-healthy individual.

Historically, his cheap father died less than a year after becoming emperor, and health problems were the biggest hidden danger.

He was about to set off for Mobei, a journey of a thousand miles, with an uncertain fate.

What if, just as he left, his father fell ill? Who would manage the affairs in the capital?

Rely on someone like Fang Bin?

Beijing City would probably be sold by him the next day.

He had to find a way to stabilize the rear!

[Ding! Detected that Host's close relative (Father: Zhu Gaochi) has critically low vital signs and is at risk of sudden death, which will seriously affect the Host's subsequent plans.]

[System Mall "Health Zone" has been temporarily opened for the Host.]

[Recommended Item: Pill for Cultivating Origin and Solidifying Foundation (Beginner). Effect: Clears old illnesses in the body, replenishes depleted Vital Energy, and significantly enhances physical functions and lifespan. Exchange Price: 10,000 National Fortune Points.]

Ten thousand National Fortune Points?

Zhu Zhanjun glanced at his system panel.

When the system was activated, the Great Ming was on the verge of collapse in terms of national fortune, with only a meager 50,000 initial National Fortune Points.

The mission to rescue Zhu Di was not yet complete, and now he had to spend one-fifth of it?

"Exchange!"

Zhu Zhanjun did not hesitate at all.

Money could be earned again if lost, and National Fortune Points could be accumulated again if spent. But if his father was gone, he would be truly gone!

Moreover, a healthy Zhu Gaochi could hold the rear for him, providing value far exceeding ten thousand National Fortune Points.

[Exchange successful! Pill for Cultivating Origin and Solidifying Foundation has been stored in System Space, Host can retrieve it at any time.]

Almost the moment the system prompt sounded, a warm jade bottle appeared in Zhu Zhanjun's hand.

He subtly tucked the jade bottle into his robes, then said to Crown Princess Zhang, "Mother, please help Father back into the carriage to rest. It's windy outside. The Imperial Physician will only prescribe some tonics, which treat the symptoms but not the root cause. I happen to have something good here."

With that, he supported Zhu Gaochi, half-dragging and half-carrying him back into the warm carriage.

"What good thing? Don't you pull out any more strange contraptions to scare me, you brat," Zhu Gaochi said weakly.

"Of course it's a good thing."

Zhu Zhanjun mysteriously pulled out the jade bottle from his chest and poured out a pill the size of a longan, emitting a faint fragrance.

"What is this?"

Madam Zhang asked curiously.

"Pill for Cultivating Origin and Solidifying Foundation."

Zhu Zhanjun, without batting an eye, began to spin a tale. "A few years ago, I liked to wander around, remember? Once, on Zhongnan Mountain, I met a scruffy Old Daoist. He said he had a connection with me and forced it on me. He claimed it could cure all illnesses, bring the dead back to life, and regenerate flesh and bone. I thought he was a swindler at the time, so I just kept it on me and forgot about it. Father, why don't you... try it?"

This story was full of holes.

But coming from Zhu Zhanjun, the "Chaos Demon King" who never played by the rules, it seemed somewhat plausible.