Chapter 57: Zhu Yuanzhang Issues an Imperial Decree: Appointed as Assistant Commissioner-in-Chief

After a long silence, the ministers in the Wenhua and Fengtian Halls looked at each other in dismay.

Zhu Ying.

This was the third time they had heard this name.

The first time he made his mark, he single-handedly cut down a hundred men, slaying enemy generals and seizing their banners.

The second time, he annihilated ten thousand Tartar cavalry, breaking the backbone of their mounted forces.

And this time, his feat was even more astounding—he had actually slain the Tartar chieftain and breached their ancestral court.

Every single time he appeared, his achievements were enough to shake the imperial court to its core.

"Could this man truly be the reincarnation of the Champion Marquis?"

"With merely a few thousand cavalrymen, he drove those Tartars into such a wretched state and inflicted such heavy casualties?"

"To charge deep into the Tartar ancestral court and behead their leader—such a military achievement is truly monumental."

"Though those Tartars are a minor tribe with a population of barely a million, they still commanded tens of thousands of troops. To think they were brought to such a pass by Zhu Ying and his few thousand cavalry."

"This young man is bound to win even greater favor from the Emperor and the Crown Prince."

...

Within the imperial court, everyone understood the sheer weight of the military merit Zhu Ying had earned.

While it might not yet compare to Huo Qubing, the legendary Champion Marquis of old, who drove deep into the Xiongnu heartland and performed the封狼居胥 (sealing sacrifices at Mount Langjuxu to proclaim supreme victory), this feat immensely displayed the might of the Great Ming military and greatly boosted the morale of the entire army.

Even when Zhu Zhuo heard of this victory, an expression of profound astonishment and deep admiration rose upon his valiant and heroic face.

"Good, good, truly magnificent!"

"Zhu Ying."

"He is worthy of being called a fierce warrior of our Great Ming. He has truly displayed the style of our Great Ming's commanders on this northern frontier, and manifested the magnificent spirit of the sons of Han."

"To stir up a storm deep within enemy territory with a handful of troops and bog down the enemy was already exceedingly rare, but for him to raid the enemy's ancestral court and behead their leader as well—"

"Splendid, simply splendid!" Zhu Yuanzhang burst into hearty, joyous laughter, filled with immense gratification.

"Imperial Father."

"Zhu Ying."

"He truly possesses the demeanor of the Champion Marquis of old."

Zhu Biao evaluated with a smile on his face.

If General Feng Sheng's previous praise in the military was known to only a handful of people within the ranks, now, with Zhu Biao's personal appraisal, the entire court—and soon the entire realm—would know of it.

The demeanor of the Champion Marquis.

What an supreme honor was this?

Who was the Champion Marquis?

He belonged to the ultimate glory of the Han dynasty's generals—sealing victories at Mount Langjuxu with boundless splendor.

For a military general to be bestowed with the title or likened to the Champion Marquis was an honor beyond measure.

For Zhu Biao to give such praise was the greatest possible favor and reward he could bestow upon Zhu Ying.

Precisely because of this evaluation, the civil and military officials throughout the court could not help but wear looks of profound astonishment.

To receive such high praise from Zhu Biao meant that a brilliant future and boundless prospects had been firmly secured for Zhu Ying.

The entire court, and indeed the whole realm, knew well that the reigning Emperor was growing old, and all matters were now being paved for the Crown Prince, Zhu Biao. To gain the favor of Zhu Biao meant securing a prominent place in the future court of Great Ming.

"What the Crown Prince says is entirely true."

"Zhu Ying."

Indeed possesses the demeanor of the Champion Marquis.

"Although those Tartars are merely a minor tribe, incomparable to the Xiongnu who once dominated the northern steppes, they still commanded tens of thousands of soldiers—outnumbering Zhu Ying tenfold at the very least."

"Yet, despite such a disparity in forces, he managed to shatter their ancestral court and behead their leader."

"Such valor deserves reward, and he deserves to be entrusted with heavy responsibilities," Zhu Yuanzhang agreed with a hearty laugh.

"Imperial Father."

"The Duke of Song's report this time is precisely to request rewards for Zhu Ying."

"In the military of our Great Ming, merit comes first, and every achievement must be rewarded."

"We must not treat Zhu Ying shabbily," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"How does the Crown Prince think he should be enfeoffed and rewarded?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a smile, once again handing the decision-making power over to his son.

"Zhu Ying already holds the post of Garrison Commander and carries the hereditary title of Baron."

"Having rendered such exceptional service this time, he should naturally be promoted by one rank to Assistant Regional Commander, commanding tens of thousands of troops."

"In addition,"

"Grant him a thousand pieces of gold, a set of commander's armor, a fine sword, and a master-crafted bow," Zhu Biao said thoughtfully and directly.

"Tang Duo."

"Did you hear what the Crown Prince said?"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and turned his gaze to the Minister of War, Tang Duo.

"This minister has heard it."

"I will immediately issue the military decree to promote Zhu Ying to Assistant Regional Commander, commanding tens of thousands of troops," Tang Duo replied without hesitation.

"Imperial Father."

"Let this decree be drafted by my own hand."

"Zhu Ying is a young and valiant general of our Great Ming, and I must treat him with utmost importance," Zhu Biao said with a smile.

Hearing this, the civil and military officials in the court showed no sign of displeasure, feeling only envy for the extraordinary favor Zhu Biao bestowed upon Zhu Ying.

For the Crown Prince himself to personally draft an imperial decree—

Such a privilege was normally reserved only for times when the Emperor was away on a distant journey.

Yet for Zhu Biao, such restrictions simply did not apply.

An imperial decree!

Whatever Zhu Biao wrote carried the same weight, and he could even utilize the Emperor's personal seal at will.

He was historically acclaimed as the Crown Prince with the most unshakeable position, and this was by no means an exaggeration.

"Very well."

"I cannot stay long in this position either. Zhu Ying is an excellent man and well worth your high regard, Biao'er."

"Draft this decree of reward yourself, and issue it yourself," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

"This son thanks Imperial Father," Zhu Biao acknowledged immediately.

...

The morning audience was dismissed.

Inside the East Palace Hall!

Zhu Biao held his brush, meticulously drafting an imperial decree.

Attending nearby were the subordinate officials of the East Palace.

Once the decree was completed, Zhu Biao took out his personal seal and stamped it firmly onto the document.

"Deliver this to the Ministry of War and have them dispatch it to Liaoning with all haste," Zhu Biao folded the decree and handed it to the attendant official nearby.

"This minister obeys the decree."

The official reverently received the decree and withdrew respectfully.

"Zhu Ying."

"Sixteen years of age."

"Truly a remarkable talent."

"However..."

"His ancestral home is in Beiping Prefecture; why did he go to Daning Prefecture to enlist?"

Looking at the dossier containing Zhu Ying's background information before him, a trace of puzzlement surfaced on Zhu Biao's face.

Generally speaking, recruitment across various prefectures was strictly managed, and soldiers would not cross prefectural boundaries unless directly mobilized by the imperial Ministry of War or conscripted by the Five Chief Military Commissions.

Just as Zhu Biao was deep in thought, a glamorous young noblewoman stepped gracefully into the hall, holding a bowl of chicken soup. Following closely behind her was a young boy in his early teens.

"My lord."

"You must be fatigued from handling state affairs, so this concubine has simmered some chicken soup for you."

The young woman approached and addressed Zhu Biao with utmost gentleness.

She was none other than the Secondary Consort of the East Palace, Lady Lü.

Hearing this, Zhu Biao raised his head, a faint smile touching his lips as he nodded, "Very well, set it down."

"This son pays his respects to Father."

The young boy beside Lady Lü also respectfully bowed and kowtowed to Zhu Biao.

He was none other than the eldest young master of the East Palace, Zhu Yunwen—Zhu Biao's current eldest son.

"Why is Yunwen not attending the Daben Hall?"

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Yunwen and asked with a hint of sternness in his voice.

"My lord."

"Today is a rest day."

"Have you forgotten, my lord?" Lady Lü said with a gentle smile.

Hearing this, Zhu Biao came to a sudden realization and nodded slightly, "It seems I have wronged him."

"Oh, by the way."

"Where is Yunlü?"

"I have not seen him for many days now," Zhu Biao asked, looking at Lady Lü.

Upon hearing Zhu Biao mention Zhu Yunlü—his second son, yet a legitimate son by virtue of status—a cold glint flashed deep within Lady Lü's eyes. On the surface, however, she maintained her gentle and understanding smile.

"My lord, for some unknown reason, Yunlü has taken to shutting himself away in his room all the time, and he has skipped his lessons at the Daben Hall on many occasions as well."