Even Today, I Still Don’t Know That My Biological Father Is Zhu Yuanzhang

In the chaotic final years of the Yuan dynasty, the Red Turban Army led by Zhu Yuanzhang has captured Jiqing, renaming it Yingtian Prefecture and establishing it as their core stronghold. Amidst this turmoil, two wealthy merchant families, the Shens and the Chens, have aligned themselves with opposing warlords. The Shen family, led by the famous Shen Wansan, supports Zhang Shicheng, while the Chen family secretly backs Zhu Yuanzhang by managing logistics and supplying grain. The Chen family patriarch is a mystery; no one knows his identity, and a bounty of ten thousand taels of gold is offered for his head by both Zhang Shicheng and the Yuan court. The secret patriarch is actually Chen Biao, a five-year-old boy who is a transmigrator from modern times. He had previously posed as an immortal child to save his family from starvation, but now finds himself trapped in a dangerous political landscape where his family’s wealth makes them targets.

Chen Biao is acutely aware of history. He knows that Zhu Yuanzhang, the future Emperor Hongwu, will eventually slaughter many of his officials and deeply resent the wealthy. He fears that his family, having helped Zhu Yuanzhang build his power, will suffer the same fate as Shen Wansan, who died in exile. His father, Chen Guorui, is actually Zhu Yuanzhang in disguise, having created a fictional identity to hide his true lineage and protect his son, whose destiny was foretold to be imperial. Zhu Yuanzhang lives under the alias Chen Guorui, posing as a wealthy merchant who serves the Red Turban Army, while his true identity remains a closely guarded secret known only to his closest generals, Xu Da and Tang He.

The story follows Chen Biao as he navigates his dual life as a child merchant and the hidden heir to a future dynasty. He uses his modern knowledge to improve the Chen family’s business, introducing innovations like honeycomb coal and Chaoshan beef hotpot. Despite his young age, he exerts significant influence over military and economic decisions, often clashing with his father’s naive enthusiasm for Zhu Yuanzhang. Chen Biao is pragmatic and cynical, understanding the brutal realities of the era, while Zhu Yuanzhang, disguised as his father, remains an idealistic fan of his own future reputation.

A key turning point occurs when news arrives that Zhang Mingjian, a warlord in Yangzhou, has resorted to cannibalism due to starvation. Only eighteen households remain in the city. Zhu Yuanzhang wishes to recruit Zhang Mingjian’s troops, but Chen Biao warns him of the moral and practical dangers, knowing that Zhang Mingjian will eventually be executed by Zhu Yuanzhang. Chen Biao also reveals that he has already warned the locals in Yangzhou to flee, though to little avail. This incident highlights the growing tension between Chen Biao’s historical knowledge and Zhu Yuanzhang’s political ambitions.

As the story progresses, Chen Biao continues to manage the Chen family’s extensive trading network, which serves as a front for Zhu Yuanzhang’s military operations. He faces constant pressure from Zhu Yuanzhang to provide more resources, while also worrying about the future of his family. The narrative explores the complex dynamics within the Chen household, including Chen Biao’s relationship with his younger brothers and his role as a caretaker for his mother, who accompanies him on campaigns. The story sets the stage for the eventual rise of the Ming dynasty, with Chen Biao positioned as a pivotal figure whose actions will shape the course of history.