When Zhu Biao arrived at the Western Side Hall, he was greeted by a strange sight.
Zhu Yuanzhang was crouched beside a Grand Tutor's Chair, lifting one side as though studying its construction.
"Your son pays his respects, Father." Zhu Biao bowed.
But Zhu Yuanzhang gave no response.
Looking up again, he saw Zhu Yuanzhang stroking the Grand Tutor's Chair and muttering, "Marvelous. Truly marvelous..."
For some reason, the scene struck Zhu Biao as familiar.
Wasn't this... how Father suddenly became obsessed with cricket fighting back then?
Could he have switched to Grand Tutor's Chairs now?
With that thought, Zhu Biao raised his voice. "Father?"
Zhu Yuanzhang did not even look up. "If you have something to say, say it!"
Hearing this, Zhu Biao could only reply, "Father, you were the one who summoned me."
At those words, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to realize something abruptly and froze.
Then he rose and slapped his thigh, reproaching himself with rare frankness. "I let my guard down, and that negative status slipped through the gap again!"
Negative status?
What did that mean?
Bewildered, Zhu Biao asked with concern, "Father, are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Zhu Yuanzhang waved a hand, then recalled the various questions from the earlier group chat and began giving instructions. "In a moment, I'll write an order. Take some men to the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial College and select reliable people from each. Have them search their book collections for records concerning 'Western calendar' and 'Common Era.' I want to know what each means."
As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang first wrote "Western calendar" and "Common Era" on a sheet of white paper.
Then he continued, "Besides that, they must consult writings about the countries of the Western Ocean and see whether these three terms appear: 'Spaniards,' 'Westerners,' and