Chapter 56: The Dispatch of Victory Reaches Yingtian, Zhu Yuanzhang's Great Surprise!

Peiping Prefecture!

The Prince of Yan's Mansion.

The Inner Hall.

"Four thousand cavalry charging deep into the northern frontier, holding down tens of thousands of troops of the Jianzhou Tartars with a mere four thousand men."

"Wiping out tens of thousands of Tartar cavalry with those four thousand riders, stripping the Tartars of their cavalry might, and resolving the peril of our own cavalry being pursued and surrounded."

"Harassing the Tartar tribes to disperse their massive forces, and finally launching a surprise attack on the Tartar royal court."

"Every step linked seamlessly to the next."

"This young man is truly extraordinary."

Holding the confidential report in his hands, Zhu Di could not help but wear an expression of shock.

For a man of his stature—the mighty Prince of Yan—to be moved thus, only Zhu Ying's battle achievements could have caused it at this moment.

"The national fortune of the Great Ming is flourishing; it is no surprise that brilliant new military commanders are emerging."

"After this feat, this Zhu Ying will surely catch the Emperor's eye in Yingtian."

Standing before Zhu Di, the black-robed monk Yao Guangxiao spoke.

"He already has."

"His Imperial Majesty has already issued an imperial decree, conferring upon Zhu Ying the hereditary title of Baron of the First Class."

"To be ennobled at not even sixteen years of age—what an unmatched honor, one that few have ever attained." Zhu Di smiled.

"Does Your Highness fail to grasp the profound intent of the Emperor?" Yao Guangxiao asked cryptically.

"What profound intent?" Zhu Di was slightly startled.

Yet instantly thereafter.

Upon catching the look in Yao Guangxiao's eyes, Zhu Di snapped back to reality: "The Huaixi faction boasts many fierce and arrogant generals who rely on their past merits and act imperiously. While His Imperial Majesty harbors much anger toward them, these Huaixi veterans command immense prestige within the army. As the Great Ming is currently engaged in numerous wars, these fierce generals are still needed, so His Majesty has no choice but to endure them."

"All along, His Majesty has desired to cultivate a new generation of commanders to replace the Huaixi men, but the results have ultimately fallen short. Aside from Elder Brother Mu Ying, who guards the Yunnan Prefecture, the rest are hardly outstanding."

"The emergence of Zhu Ying perhaps aligns with what His Majesty desires in his heart."

Yao Guangxiao nodded. "Precisely so."

"Judging by the results Zhu Ying has demonstrated this time, he will once again deeply please the Dragon's heart and win even greater imperial favor."

"As long as Zhu Ying does not die, he will undoubtedly secure a place among the top-tier commanders of the Great Ming in the future."

Hearing such a definitive response, a brilliant glint flashed across Zhu Di's eyes.

"Why is this young man not in my Peiping Prefecture?"

"Were he in Peiping, my command would gain yet another formidable and skilled general," Zhu Di said with a trace of disappointment.

"Your Highness."

"Find a way to obtain Zhu Ying's Eight Characters of birth; this humble monk might be able to divine his destiny."

"Let us see if he can be put to use by Your Highness in the days to come," Yao Guangxiao smiled.

"Very well."

Without the slightest hesitation, Zhu Di nodded in agreement.

***

Time flew by in the blink of an eye.

The capital of the Great Ming, Yingtian.

The Fengtian Grand Hall!

Civil and military officials gathered in full assembly.

"Reporting to Your Imperial Majesty."

"Presently,"

"The Duke of Song has already led his forces into Liaodong, initiating the military campaign against Naghachu."

"Faced with the punitive expedition of our Great Ming, Naghachu has shifted his strategy from initial offense against us to defense."

"The Ministry of War is closely monitoring the situation in Liaodong. The moment any battle report is delivered, the Ministry will immediately memorialize Your Majesty."

Tang Duo, Minister of War, reported respectfully.

"Naghachu."

"In this battle, this Emperor will no longer tolerate him." Zhu Yuanzing let out a cold snort, suffused with murderous intent.

"Liaodong possesses dozens of cities and a population of several millions. Aside from the Mongols, the majority are Han people."

"Having been severed from their ancestral soil for many years, they have also been separated from Chinese governance for a long time."

"Following this conquest comes the task of governance and reconstruction."

"Minister Zhao."

"You must attach utmost importance to this matter."

"After a great war, damage is inevitable; the Ministry of Revenue must swiftly implement measures to pacify and stabilize Liaodong."

"Furthermore, the Ministry of Personnel must also exert its efforts."

Standing upon the terrace, Zhu Biao spoke with a stern expression.

Minister of Revenue Zhao Mian immediately stepped forward: "This subject accepts the decree. The moment Liaodong is pacified, the Ministry of Revenue's provisions and grain will be transported thither, and our ministry will formulate and execute various administrative policies for the region."

Following Zhao Mian's words, Minister of Personnel Chen Jing immediately stepped forward: "This subject will screen suitable officials and submit them for the Crown Prince's review. Once approved, they can be dispatched to govern Liaodong."

"Splendid." Zhu Biao nodded in satisfaction.

Upon the dragon throne.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised no objection to Zhu Biao's commands, wearing instead a gentle and benign smile.

Only after Zhu Biao finished speaking did Zhu Yuanzhang continue.

"War brings forth consumption of grain and provisions on a massive scale."

"Aside from levies, the Ministry of Revenue must also pay heed to the livelihood of the people."

"There must be no oppressive acts inflicted upon the common folk," Zhu Yuanzhang said with utmost solemnity.

Rising from the lowest rungs of society, he naturally possessed a profound understanding of the suffering of the common people.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"The grain and provisions levied by the Ministry of Revenue are gathered from various prefectures, and everything falls within the legal taxation limits. We will never use harsh governance against the myriad people," Tang Duo stated immediately.

"Good." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction.

***

At that very moment!

"Report!"

"Urgent dispatch from Liaodong! A memorial from the Duke of Song!"

A courier charged swiftly into the Fengtian Hall, holding the battle report high above his head.

"Father."

"It seems there is another victory from Liaodong."

Zhu Biao smiled and said.

"Indeed."

Zhu Yuanzhang also smiled and nodded.

With a wave of his hand, he commanded: "Yun Qi, dispense with the formalities and read it aloud directly."

"This Emperor trusts that the Duke of Song has surely brought us good tidings."

In Feng Sheng, Zhu Yuanzhang placed absolute confidence.

To launch this conquest of Liaodong and reclaim the territories that rightfully belonged to the Han people, Zhu Yuanzhang had prepared for a very long time—amassing sufficient troops, ample provisions and grain, and skilled generals. He could not fathom any possibility of defeat.

Yun Qi, the imperial attendant at his side, bowed respectfully, then strode quickly down the steps to receive the memorial from the courier.

In a resounding voice, he began to read: "This subject Feng Sheng memorializes Your Imperial Majesty."

"Presently,"

"The twenty-thousand-strong expeditionary army for Liaodong has been fully mobilized. Marquis of Yongchang Lan Yu leads one hundred thousand troops to attack Kaiyuan, while Duke of Yingguo Fu Youde leads one hundred thousand troops to attack Jincheng. Dividing into two routes to vanquish Naghachu, achievements will surely be secured before long."

"Furthermore,"

"The reason this subject submits this report today is to convey the battle results of Garrison Commander Zhu Ying in the northern frontier of the Jianzhou Tartars."

"Having received Zhu Ying's battle report, this subject dared not delay and thus memorialized Your Majesty for your sovereign decision."

"Garrison Commander Zhu Ying led four thousand troops deep into the heartland of the Jianzhou Tartars, raiding their royal court and slaying countless Tartars. Zhu Ying fiercely breached the Tartar royal court and personally beheaded the chieftain of the Jianzhou Tartars, Ahachu."

"He has severely battered the Jianzhou Tartars."

"When the former Commander of Daning issued orders to Zhu Ying, he was commanded to hold down the Tartars for half a month and await the arrival of our main forces before retreating. Yet Zhu Ying led his troops deep into Tartar territory for nearly two months, destroying dozens of Tartar tribes and slaying countless enemies. Now, he has even beheaded the Tartar chieftain and severely crippled them, rendering the Jianzhou Tartars incapable of trespassing upon the borders of the Great Ming for a short time, nor able to provide reinforcements to Northern Yuan."

"This is a monumental merit."

"This subject petitions for rewards on behalf of Zhu Ying."

"I beseech Your Majesty to confer honors upon him."

Yun Qi's voice echoed loudly through the hall.

Yet the moment this battle report was read aloud,

the entire imperial court fell into absolute silence.

Clearly,

every single person present was utterly stunned by the astonishing feats achieved by Zhu Ying.