"But he seemed unwilling to serve as an official in the imperial court."
Zhu Yuanzhang frowned. He also longed to invite Li Boyang to serve him. In fact, he had issued three recruitment orders to the Shen family six months ago, but Li Boyang refused them all, citing that the time was not yet right.
Liu Bowen said calmly:
"Your Majesty, times have changed. In my opinion, we should give it another try. Perhaps the teacher will agree."
"Very well, so be it, my dear minister. Immediately draft an imperial edict to summon Li Boyang to court."
As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, Li Boyang shook his head.
Zhu Yuanzhang asked in confusion:
"What's wrong, strategist Bowen? Is there a problem with this move?"
Liu Bowen said in a firm and powerful voice:
"Our teacher is an extraordinary person. He cannot be summoned by a single imperial edict. The emperor himself must make the trip. Otherwise, we cannot see his sincerity."
Zhu Yuanzhang hesitated. After all, his status was different now. He was the ruler of the world and no longer the little novice monk in Huangjue Temple.
It would be beneath his dignity to personally seek out talented individuals as he did when he was conquering the country.
Liu Bowen noticed Zhu Yuanzhang's hesitation and added, "Your Majesty, in ancient times, Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang three times at his thatched cottage, which led to the establishment of the Shu Han state. You are a remarkable man, renowned throughout the land. Your Majesty's personal visit to invite you would surely be a celebrated story."
After a long pause, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly uttered:
"As you suggest, I will personally visit Mr. Boyang tomorrow."
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Chapter 150 Emerging from the Mountain
Early the next morning.
Zhu Yuanzhang arrived at the Shen residence accompanied by Liu Bowen.
Zhu Yuanzhang was dressed in plain clothes, with a hat covering half of his head, clearly not trying to be recognized.
Even after becoming emperor, he still felt somewhat ashamed to personally visit people to invite them.
However, considering the affairs of the martial arts world, there was no other way but to reluctantly go to their door.
"The Emperor has arrived at the Shen residence. Go and inform the master immediately."
Unfortunately, all the servants guarding the Shen residence had seen Zhu Yuanzhang before, and Zhu Yuanzhang was recognized as soon as he arrived outside the Shen residence.
The gatekeeper immediately shouted that the emperor's arrival at the Shen residence was an unparalleled honor in the eyes of a commoner like him, and he wished everyone knew about it.
The servant didn't notice that Zhu Yuanzhang's expression turned somewhat unpleasant when he roared. It was already embarrassing enough that he had come to invite someone, but this servant seemed to want everyone to know. No wonder he was unhappy.
The Emperor has arrived at the Shen residence.
Soon, the whole Shen family knew about it.
They rushed out to greet him, eager for the chance to catch a glimpse of the emperor, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they felt they would miss out on something to brag about.
"Your Majesty has arrived. I, Shen Wansan, have failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me."
Before long, Shen Wansan welcomed Zhu Yuanzhang into his residence.
Zhu Yuanzhang had no time to waste with Shen Wansan's words and asked directly:
"Is Mr. Boyang at home?"
"Is His Majesty here to see Master Boyang?"
Shen Wansan suddenly realized that the emperor had come to the Shen residence without giving him any prior notice. It turned out that he hadn't come to see him after all.
"I will go find Mr. Boyang now. Your Majesty may go to the living room and wait a moment."
Zhu Yuanzhang calmly said, "No need, just take me there."
Since he'd already come to their door, and he wasn't stupid, why would he bother having Li Boyang come to see him in the living room? He must have done all the preparatory work beforehand, otherwise all his previous efforts would have been in vain.
Meanwhile, in the small courtyard where Li Boyang of the Shen family lived.
Li Boyang had already brewed a pot of tea in the courtyard, just waiting for the guests to arrive.
He couldn't possibly be unaware of the commotion that had erupted at the Shen residence.
Thinking of Zhu Yuanzhang's purpose in coming to his door, a strange smile flashed across his lips; his second wish had been fulfilled.
Sure enough, just as the tea was boiling, Shen Wansan brought Zhu Yuanzhang to the courtyard.
Li Boyang showed no intention of standing up to pay his respects. He sat on the stone bench, picked up the teapot, poured two cups of tea, and calmly said:
"So it is His Majesty the Emperor himself who has arrived. Please forgive me for not being able to greet him properly."
"How could I dare to let Master Boyang come to greet me? I have come here today specifically to visit you."
With a broad smile, Zhu Yuanzhang casually walked over to Li Boyang, sat down, and drank a cup of wine. Anyone who didn't know better would think the two were old friends, but in reality, they had only met a few times.
"Oh, His Majesty already rules the entire world, I wonder what matters he needs the help of someone as idle as me."
Although he knew perfectly well that Zhu Yuanzhang had come to him to clean up the Jianghu (江湖, a term referring to the martial arts world), he still had to pretend to be different.