Chapter 25: Prince of Yan, Zhu Di! The Black-Robed Monk!

Upon hearing this, Chen Heng could not help but tremble inwardly. It was evident from these words that Zhu Ying was all alone in this world.

"Ha," Zhu Ying said with a cheerful smile as he caught Chen Heng’s expression. "General, do not worry about me. I will return alive. Once the war is settled, I shall treat you to a drink."

"I will look forward to that day," Chen Heng replied with a smile. "But when you return, it will not be you treating me, but I treating you."

"Agreed," Zhu Ying said, nodding firmly. He clasped his hands in a salute. "General, I must head to the camp to make preparations. Until we meet again."

Chen Heng nodded, saying nothing more. However, as he watched Zhu Ying’s retreating figure, his heart was filled with turbulent thoughts: "Barely sixteen, yet already a commander of a thousand, with a boundless future ahead—why must you be so reckless?"

In truth, even Chen Heng could not fathom why Zhu Ying fought with such desperation. His willingness to throw his life away on the battlefield, engaging in such suicidal tactics, was a temperament far beyond that of a sixteen-year-old boy.

Returning to his camp, Zhu Ying opened his status panel.

Host: Zhu Ying
Age: 14
Strength: 654 points (One point corresponds to one catty of force.)
Speed: 612 points (The higher the value, the faster the speed.)
Physique: 531 points (The stronger the physique, the higher the defense and the faster the recovery from injury.)
Stamina: 525 points (The higher the stamina, the more tireless and energetic one remains.)
Spirit: 512 points (The higher the spirit, the clearer the mind.)
Lifespan: 88 years, 1456 days
Storage Space: 5 cubic meters

These were the fruits of Zhu Ying’s labor over the past few days of campaigning; all his attributes had successfully broken through the 500-point threshold.

"Leading troops alone in these northern borders, against the Tatars and foreign tribes, I must push all my attributes past one thousand points. Only then will I truly have the strength to rely upon in this era," Zhu Ying thought to himself.

Regaining his focus, he said, "Open the treasure chest." This was the reward for reaching over 500 points in all attributes.

"Opening common treasure chest."
"Obtained 5 bottles of Yellow-grade low-tier [Bigu Pills]," the panel prompted.

"Bigu Pills? To think I could open these," he mused. "That is fine. I do not know how long I will be stationed in the north, so having these pills provides a useful resource reserve. My five-cubic-meter space is still mostly empty; I should load up on more arrows, rations, and water. In critical moments, these things can save lives." With that thought, he headed toward the logistics camp to stock up on supplies.

***

Beiping Prefecture! The provincial capital, Beiping City!

As the fourth son of the current Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, held his fief in Beiping, commanding fifty thousand border troops to defend the territory.

Inside the Prince’s residence, a military general approached the majestic man in royal robes sitting on the main seat. This was the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, the fourth son of the Ming Emperor.

"Reporting to Your Highness," the general said respectfully. "The mobilization order from the Ministry of War has arrived. The Beiping border troops are to head to Daning to join forces and attack the Yuan."

"How many troops does the Ministry of War require?" Zhu Di asked, looking at the general.

"Forty thousand, leaving ten thousand to guard the border passes," the general replied.

"The orders of the Ministry of War cannot be defied. Moreover, the Duke of Song is leading the army himself, and they are already nearing the borders of Daning," Zhu Di said with a stern expression. "Zhang Yu, as the Commander of the Beiping Garrison, you must not let the reputation of our Beiping troops be tarnished."

"This subordinate will not fail Your Highness," Zhang Yu replied confidently, bowing.

"According to what I know, Daning Prefecture has already sent troops north," Zhu Di said casually. "What are the results?"

"Your Highness, here is a secret report sent back from Daning Prefecture for your perusal," Zhang Yu said, stepping forward and pulling a sealed document from his robe.

Zhu Di took it and opened it. A look of surprise crossed his eyes. "Dealing with barbarians like the Jianzhou Tatars is simple enough, and wiping out their tribe is not difficult. But who is this Zhu Ying? A single man killing a hundred enemies? Slaying enemy generals and capturing flags?"

"Among the fifty thousand border troops in Daning, only Chen Heng and Liu Zhen possess the talent for command and significant valor. I have never heard of this Zhu Ying before," Zhu Di said, his expression serious.

"Reporting to Your Highness," Zhang Yu immediately clarified, "this Zhu Ying is not a seasoned officer of Daning, but a new recruit who has only been in the service for a few months."

"A new recruit of only a few months?" Zhu Di’s face lit up with astonishment. "We have no such fierce warrior in our Beiping army." His tone was filled with a hint of regret.

"Your Highness," Zhang Yu added respectfully, "it is said that Bu Wan has already reported Zhu Ying’s achievements to Yingtian. Given the timeline, perhaps the Emperor is already aware of his feats."

Hearing this, Zhu Di said slowly, "If he has caught the eye of my Imperial Father, his future will be limitless."

"Your Highness," Zhang Yu asked tentatively, "should we secretly send someone to win him over?"

Zhu Di frowned and stared at Zhang Yu. The latter’s expression changed, and he immediately knelt. "This subordinate has overstepped. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

"Go and prepare for the march," Zhu Di said in a low voice. "If you encounter this man, you may attempt to make contact, but do not be too obvious."

"This subordinate acknowledges the order," Zhang Yu said, retreating respectfully.

After Zhang Yu left, Zhu Di murmured, "You have truly gone too far! My Imperial Father is still alive, and my eldest brother is in his prime. Are you trying to lead me to ruin?"

As Zhu Di’s voice faded, a deep, resonant voice echoed from within the hall: "Amitabha! This poor monk acts for the Prince of Yan—planning for the future, planning for the Mandate of Heaven."

"The future? The Mandate?" Zhu Di said coldly. "You will be the death of me."

"In the past, I said I would bestow upon Your Highness a 'white hat.' Your Highness need only observe the changes from Beiping. The matters of the future have their own destiny. Your Highness possesses the countenance of an Emperor."

Another voice emerged from within. Zhu Di’s expression was complex. He seemed to think of his father, and even more so of his eldest brother. Yet, the words of this man who called himself a "poor monk" had pricked at him day after day for years, fueling his hidden ambitions until, unknowingly, he had fallen completely under their influence.

Inside the inner hall, incense burned. A middle-aged monk in black robes sat cross-legged on a mat, fingers rolling prayer beads, maintaining an air of calm as if everything were within his grasp.

If Zhu Ying could see this man, he would surely exclaim: "The Black-Clad Sorcerer Monk, Yao Guangxiao." He was the key strategist who would later help Zhu Di successfully usurp the throne.

Furthermore, it was he who had met Zhu Di in Yingtian after the passing of Empress Ma, and upon their first meeting, told him he would gift him a "white hat."

What is a "white hat"? Place the character "white" above the character for "Prince," and it forms the character for "Emperor."