Chapter 607: All Hidden Dangers in Liaodong Eliminated

Sun Chuanting was deeply worried inside, but he couldn't say it out loud. That feeling was hard to bear.

"Alright, there's nothing wrong with my body." Sun Chengzong said with a smile: "Nothing at all, don't worry. If I die here, then that counts as dying with my horse wrapped in leather."

Having said that, Sun Chengzong burst into loud laughter.

Sun Chuanting felt helpless. You old man are something else, I can't afford to provoke you.

"Young man, don't put on such a gloomy face." Sun Chengzong looked at Sun Chuanting and said: "At my age, there's nothing left to seek. Money is useless now—I can't even spend it all. As for women, they're useless too—I can't enjoy them anymore."

"The only thing I seek is the ideal in my heart, or perhaps to leave a name in history. And the ideal in my heart is nothing more than the Great Ming growing strong. The Great Ming as it is now is already enough to comfort my old heart."

"As for leaving a name in history—if I really die here, then that will be my name in history. In one's lifetime, to be able to achieve what one seeks is already a very good thing. So if I really do die here, remember to beat drums and gongs to send me back."

Looking at Sun Chengzong, Sun Chuanting said helplessly: "Old sir, please take a rest. I wouldn't dare."

The people nearby listened to the two bickering and didn't find it strange.

This whole journey, the two had gotten through it like this—bickering all the way. The others found it hard to interject between the old and the young, and it was clear that Sun Chengzong thought highly of Sun Chuanting. So everyone had gotten used to it.

Just at that moment, the sound of horse hooves suddenly came from ahead, moving very fast.

Everyone quickly looked over—a dozen or so cavalrymen were galloping toward them from the distance.

Raising the telescope hanging at his chest for a look, Sun Chuanting said with a smile: "They're our scouts."

"You want to fight a battle here? I'm afraid you won't get the chance." Sun Chengzong looked at Sun Chuanting and said with a smile: "They won't make it this far."

Sun Chuanting said helplessly: "You old sir are content—you've reached the top of officialdom in your lifetime, your ideals have been realized, and you'll surely leave a name in history in the future."

"But this young man here still wants to earn merit, still wants to rely on achievements to rise in rank, and in the future spread his ambitions and also leave a name in history."

Hearing Sun Chuanting's words, Sun Chengzong immediately burst into loud laughter.

And at that moment, the dozen or so cavalrymen arrived before the two of them. The man at the front shouted loudly: "Report of victory!"

"Another report of victory." Sun Chengzong said helplessly: "When did they become so unable to put up a fight?"

"There's no chance for you to make a move." Sun Chengzong continued his teasing, and at the same time he looked at the newcomer and said: "Cui Geng, tell us what's going on."

"Yes, Marshal." Cui Geng laughed and said: "We've won again. In this battle just now, we smashed the Inner Khalkha and killed the chieftain of the Jarut tribe. Everyone is in pursuit—Marshal Xiong sent me back to report."

Cui Geng said with a laugh, the whiskers on his face jumping up and down.

Sun Chuanting sighed from the side, the expression on his face helpless.

This time, being able to stay in Liaodong had taken a great deal of effort. After all, there was a Lu Xiangsheng beside him competing for the same spot.

Who would have thought that after staying behind, he'd done nothing at all—he never even got a chance to make a move. The only thing he'd done was follow Sun Chengzong, constantly cleaning up behind the main force, without a single opportunity to fight.

How could Sun Chuanting possibly be happy?

It wasn't just him—the personal troops following behind him were also somewhat frustrated.

From the very start, this campaign had progressed very smoothly.

The armies of Ordos and Khorchin had joined together to form a Mongol allied force, and they directly started fighting the Inner Khalkha.

Behind them were the Great Ming Liaodong armies led by Wang Zaijin, Xiong Tingbi, and Bi Ziyan. From the initial small-scale harassment to the current frontal engagement, they had advanced with unstoppable momentum, never encountering any real resistance.

This made Sun Chuanting very depressed.

During the earlier tactical drills, he had even imagined whether Ligdan Khan might come to help. If Ligdan Khan did come to help, that would be perfect—he could be wiped out in one go.

But who would have thought—Ligdan Khan never came at all, not even a single message. That made things even more depressing.

"Good! Good good good! Good!"

Beside Sun Chuanting, Sun Chengzong stroked his beard and laughed loudly in praise.

Then, Sun Chengzong said: "This battle was fought beautifully. I'll immediately draft a routine memorial and send it to the capital. I believe His Majesty must be waiting for news of this victory."

Sun Chuanting beside him felt helpless. His Majesty must be waiting for news of this victory.

Everyone knew this—if it weren't for the fact that he'd been away from the capital for too long, His Majesty would definitely be the one fighting this battle in Liaodong.

Under such circumstances, His Majesty would certainly be looking forward to it. But this battle wasn't actually anything too impressive—no one paid it much mind.

After all, the hidden dangers in Liaodong had already been eliminated. Hong Taiji was dead, the Jianzhou barbarians had been wiped out—there was nothing left.

As for these Mongols, they couldn't stir up any trouble at all.

But since Sun Chengzong wanted to report the good news, Sun Chuanting could only go along, since they had indeed won.

At the same time, in the capital.

Zhu Youxiao was indeed waiting for the report of victory from Liaodong.

Regarding this battle in Liaodong, Zhu Youxiao wasn't actually too worried in his heart. Even if they lost on the grasslands, it wouldn't matter much. So what if they did?

There was still Sun Chuanting and the others—the Mongols couldn't possibly take the chance to come to Liaodong, they couldn't stir up trouble. As long as they appeared beneath the city walls, they were doomed.

All he was waiting for was a reassuring piece of news, and at the same time, something that could enhance his authority.

"Your Majesty, wonderful news!" Wei Chao ran in from outside, his expression extremely excited. He rushed into the room and with a thud knelt down.

Seeing this, Zhu Youxiao was startled. He frowned at Wei Chao and said: "What wonderful news has you acting like this?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, Noble Consort Gong and Noble Consort Shun are with child!" Wei Chao said in an excited tone.

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao was stunned—he hadn't expected to have children this soon.

Noble Consort Gong and Noble Consort Shun were naturally Da Yu'er and Hailanzhu, whom Zhu Youxiao had brought back from Liaodong. Da Yu'er was Noble Consort Gong, Hailanzhu was Noble Consort Shun—the two now held status within the palace.

After returning this time, Zhu Youxiao had only visited Da Yu'er and the others' side once. It wasn't that Zhu Youxiao didn't want to go more often—it simply couldn't be helped, since the two of them had accompanied him for so long in Liaodong, while the women in the capital were all waiting for him.

Under such circumstances, it wasn't very appropriate for him to go to Da Yu'er's side too often. He could only do his best to soothe the women here in the capital, while Da Yu'er's side would have to be set aside for now.

But Zhu Youxiao hadn't expected Da Yu'er and the others to actually be pregnant—it was too fast, and they'd gotten pregnant at the same time.

This made Zhu Youxiao feel something was a bit odd.

Of course, having children was definitely a good thing.

Zhu Youxiao said: "Everyone gets a reward today. Prepare the carriage now—I'll go over and take a look."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Chao quickly acknowledged.

By the time Zhu Youxiao arrived at Da Yu'er's place, Empress Zhang had already arrived.

As the big boss of the palace, Empress Zhang could learn of anything that happened within the palace faster than Zhu Youxiao himself.

When the two met, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, "Baozhu has come over as well."

"Our family is gaining new members, so of course I had to come and see." Empress Zhang also spoke with a smile on her face.

For Empress Zhang, jealousy did not exist.

She had already borne Zhu Youxiao two children, and the eldest legitimate son was her own. She now feared nothing, and no one could compete with her.

Besides, Bumbutai and the others were Mongols, so she cheerfully displayed her magnanimity.

Zhu Youxiao nodded.

This was also a good thing, saving trouble later on. Hadn't he deliberately favored only Empress Zhang at first, letting her have children first, precisely for this reason?

Zhu Youxiao looked at Empress Zhang and said, "I'll go see them first. This side is left to you."

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. Your consort knows what to do. I'll have some experienced palace maids sent over right away to attend to them properly and make sure nothing goes wrong." As she spoke, Empress Zhang wore a somewhat teasing smile.

"You!" Zhu Youxiao reached out and pinched Empress Zhang's nose, saying, "Never mind that. I'm going in."

With that, Zhu Youxiao stepped inside.

After entering, he discovered that the two sisters were actually staying in the same room.

Zhu Youxiao felt quite helpless.

Could this be the impression he had left on them in Liaodong?

Walking to the side of Bumbutai's bed, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, "How do you feel?"

Seeing that she and Hailanzhu were about to rise and pay their respects, Zhu Youxiao smiled and said, "No need, don't get up. You two are the treasures of the palace now. I won't allow anyone to make you move about carelessly."

"Your Majesty." Bumbutai said with a coy pout.

Hailanzhu smiled from the side as well, watching Zhu Youxiao and Bumbutai flirt with each other.

The two sisters could finally breathe a sigh of relief now—they hadn't had such a good state of mind before.

When they had no children, they truly lacked confidence. After all, they had come from the Mongol side and really didn't have much assurance.

But now it was different—carrying the child of the Great Ming Emperor meant their status rose with the child. Of course, this was only a beginning; the child had not yet been born.

Zhu Youxiao chatted with the two sisters for a while, comforted them, and then left.

He would come here often in the future, but he couldn't stay too long.

Zhu Youxiao was still at ease about the situation in the palace. Ever since he had come to Great Ming, the harem had remained fairly peaceful.

Coupled with the very good relationship between himself and Empress Zhang, there was basically no infighting. With Empress Zhang managing affairs here, he was very reassured.

By the time Zhu Youxiao returned to the Qianqing Palace, Empress Zhang had come again.

This time she brought some furnishings and a list of names, which were to be sent to Da Yu'er and her sister's quarters. Empress Zhang wanted Zhu Youxiao to review them.

"You don't need to bring this to me, do you?" Zhu Youxiao looked at Empress Zhang, his tone somewhat helpless.

"How could that be? If Your Majesty didn't review it, it would seem as though your consort had selfish motives." Empress Zhang said with a smile.