Chapter 42: Zhu Biao: Bestow an Additional Title!

"The entire tribe of the Jianzhou Tatars has been raided and thoroughly pinned down by the forces led by Zhu Ying, preventing them from offering any further support to the Yuan court."

"Following months of fierce combat, Zhu Ying has remained alone with four thousand cavalry deep in the northern frontier territories. To this day, he still retains over three thousand two hundred men, having traded less than a thousand casualties for tens of thousands of Tatar heads."

"This is a triumph for our Great Ming, a glorious joy for our nation."

"In accordance with the military merit statutes of Great Ming, I hereby promote Zhu Ying to the rank of Garrison Commander, and bestow upon him a hundred pieces of gold."

"May His Majesty be pleased to take note of this."

At these words, the voice of Yun Qi ceased. The reading of the dispatch had concluded.

Upon hearing of these battle results and achievements, the expressions of the many ministers in the imperial court, previously composed, underwent a dramatic shift.

"Leading four thousand troops deep into the enemy's heartland, not only did he survive, but out of four thousand men, fewer than a thousand fell in battle."

"How is this even possible?"

"Even if the Jianzhou Tatars are weak, they are still a populace of a million, with every able-bodied person trained for war and nearly a hundred thousand troops at their disposal. Yet they had no countermeasure against such a slaughter by this Zhu Ying? Are the Tatars truly that foolish, or is Zhu Ying's military prowess simply that terrifying?"

"A minor tribe they may be, but even with their own horse pastures, their cavalry can scarcely exceed twenty thousand strong. Previous military reports stated that after the Danning frontier army broke into their territory and shattered a force of ten thousand enemy horsemen, our Great Ming also seized a vast number of warhorses."

"Now, Zhu Ying has once again led his forces to annihilate another ten thousand Tatar cavalry. This has effectively crippled the Jianzhou Tatars' cavalry forces entirely."

"What brilliant methods, what a formidable man."

"First he obliterated the Tatar cavalry, stripping them of their mobility, allowing him and his own horsemen to gallop across foreign lands at will, leaving the Tatars utterly helpless."

"Just how did he manage to pull this off?"

"With such a meager force, he managed to annihilate a Tatar cavalry many times the size of his own? That is simply beyond belief!"

"Indeed."

"In foreign lands, upon the enemy's home turf, Zhu Ying actually managed to annihilate the enemy forces while retaining over three thousand of his original four thousand men. I cannot even begin to imagine how he achieved this feat."

"This young man is truly extraordinary."

...

Confronted with such battle achievements, the hearts of the ministers were deeply shaken.

Naturally, this was especially true for the military officials in the court.

"Eldest son."

"What do you make of this Zhu Ying?" Zhu Yuanzhu smiled and looked toward Zhu Biao.

"Judging by this, he is indeed a fierce general of our Great Ming, and now stands preeminent among the new generation of our nation's military commanders," Zhu Biao immediately replied with a smile.

As these words fell, the gathered officials in the court cast sidelong glances.

Without a doubt, Zhu Biao's casual remark actually carried a profound underlying meaning.

Within the military of Great Ming today, the Huaixi faction still held the highest status and wielded immense influence. Naturally, imperial authority could never tolerate a situation where a single faction dominated completely. Consequently, the court had always favored promoting generals outside the Huaixi clique. Yet when it came to actual combat and commanding troops, those others had often proven somewhat disappointing.

The implications of Zhu Biao's words just now, however, revealed great expectations for Zhu Ying.

"Hahaha."

Zhu Yuanzhang let out a hearty laugh.

Then he said, "Biao'er is right."

"Among the younger generation, this Zhu Ying is indeed exceptional."

Having received such high praise from Zhu Yuanzhang, the civil and military officials of the entire court fully grasped the intentions of both father and son.

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

"Zhu Ying braved great danger, plunging into perilous territory to pin down the Tatars and spare our Danning Prefecture from being attacked from front and rear. This is a supreme achievement."

"This minister believes he should be heavily rewarded."

Song Ne, Grand Academician of the Huagai Hall, stepped forward and proclaimed in a loud voice.

"This minister seconds the motion."

"Garrison Commander Zhu has rendered great service and deserves a reward."

"Placing himself in mortal peril, he not only pinned down the enemy but also severely crippled them with a magnificent harvest of heads. He richly deserves a heavy reward."

"We humbly second this motion."

Encouraged by Song Ne, the other ministers, adept at reading the political winds, chimed in with their agreement.

After all, this clearly aligned with the desires of the emperor and the crown prince.

Furthermore, the Huaixi faction held overwhelming prestige within the military, causing widespread apprehension within the court.

In short, following the imperial will was always the wisest course.

"Biao'er."

"How do you think we should reward this Zhu Ying?" Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and asked with a smile.

Clearly, advanced in age as he was, every step Zhu Yuanzhang now took was aimed at paving the way for his son.

"In this minister's view,"

"The war in Danning Prefecture is far from settled, and for Zhu Ying to rise from a common soldier to the rank of Garrison Commander within a mere half-year is already a profound grace."

"The magnitude of this latest victory is ample proof of Zhu Ying's extraordinary courage and his loyalty to the country."

"Promoting him to Garrison Commander is merely one form of favor."

"This minister believes he should also be granted a hereditary title of nobility." Zhu Biao smiled and stated firmly.

As these words echoed through the hall, every single minister present was struck with astonishment.

A title of nobility!

Compared to official ranks, this was far more difficult to attain.

It was the ultimate symbol of status.

"What title does Biao'er think should be conferred?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile.

He harbored no opposition whatsoever to Zhu Biao's proposal.

Zhu Ying's name had now entered the Fengtian Hall on two separate occasions.

Moreover, unlike the very first time, this latest report had been personally submitted by Feng Sheng, the Duke of Song. This showed that Zhu Ying's military exploits had genuinely moved Feng Sheng, or else the latter would not have praised his achievements with such emphasis in the military dispatch.

"This minister believes he can be conferred the hereditary title of [County Baron]." Zhu Biao smiled, his tone turning resolute.

At this pronouncement, many among the court officials wore expressions of utter shock.

A title of nobility!

Even among the high-ranking ministers standing in this very hall, few possessed one, for such titles were almost exclusively earned through military merit. It was exceedingly difficult for civil officials to attain nobility; apart from the founding fathers and scholars who had received titles during the establishment of the dynasty, very few civilian ministers had been ennobled since.

Naturally, even those who had been ennobled back then had long since turned to dust and bones, passing away long ago.

County Baron.

A title of nobility that still existed in the Hongwu era—though it was the lowest rank of nobility, the addition of the word "hereditary" made its value immensely high.

In history, the ranks of County Baron and County Viscount existed only during the Hongwu reign and were later abolished, as higher titles such as Earl, Marquess, and Duke became even more prestigious.

The abolition was intended to elevate the exclusivity and dignity of those higher ranks.

It could be said that if Zhu Ying were truly granted this title now, he would undoubtedly be catching the very last train.

"How do my lords view the Crown Prince's proposal?" Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, sweeping his gaze across the court.

Though phrased as a consultation, his mind was already made up.

Whatever his Biao'er decided, he would support without reservation.

For Zhu Yuanzhang, ever since the passing of his wife and grandson, his sole remaining kin in this world was Zhu Biao—at least in the heart of Zhu Chongba.

Zhu Yuanzhang had many offspring, but Zhu Chongba had only one son left.

"The Crown Prince is wise."

"We humbly second the motion."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is truly wise."

...

The entire assembly of civil and military officials raised their voices in acclaim.

Not a single soul offered any objection to Zhu Biao's decision.

To oppose Zhu Biao at this moment would be tantamount to opposing the living Yama on the dragon throne!

No one was foolish enough to do that.

Unless they had grown tired of living and deliberately wished to incur the wrath of the terrifying sovereign above.