Chapter 406

Zhu Youjian paid even greater attention to news about Su Qiao.

Naturally, he took it even more seriously.

When Zhu Yuanzhang learned that Su Qiao had gone to Suzhou Prefecture to personally command battle, he was stunned.

He was somewhat bewildered.

"That guy Su Qiao knows how to fight?"

Zhu Youjian mentally grumbled: If you're asking me, who am I supposed to ask? I'm asking precisely because I think he can't fight and I'm worried he'll be in danger!

But he dared not say it outright to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Youjian could only suggest cautiously: "I don't know, Grandpa—would you consider sending someone over?"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised an eyebrow. "Who should we send? The only ones who can fight are your uncle Si—could he go?"

"Father, I can go!" Zhu Di, who had been silent for ages, immediately popped up.

Both Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Youjian were startled.

Zhu Yuanzhang burst into curses: "You good-for-nothing brat, have you gone wild? The moment you hear you might leave, you're more eager than anyone!"

Zhu Di: "Father, if it weren't to save Su Qiao, I wouldn't even bother moving!"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared. "You don't really think Su Qiao's in danger, do you? If he had no confidence, would he go to Suzhou? I've never seen him at a loss—but Zhu Youjian's right: no matter how slim the risk, we should send someone to back him up."

Zhu Di said without hesitation: "Father, then it's even more fitting that I go—do you think my battle skills are weak?"

"Oh? Are you going to brag about your rebellion skills now?" Zhu Yuanzhang grumbled.

Zhu Di quickly explained: "No, Father, don't put words in my mouth—I didn't mean that!"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Fine. Since you're so eager, go to Suzhou and check things out. But don't dawdle—those little dwarfs dare harass the Great Ming? They've got guts!"

Zhu Di: "Father, rest assured—I'll smash their skulls!" He was practically pounding his chest in pledge.

"If you leave, who'll handle your post?"

Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang realized a problem.

Previously, when Zhu Di left, it was always brief—around ten days or so.

It wouldn't disrupt anything major.

Now, Zhu Di was going to help Su Qiao deal with the Japanese pirates—who knew how long it would take?

If it dragged on, it would harm state affairs.

But Zhu Di had already prepared: "Father, don't worry—I've got experience. Whenever I leave, I appoint the Crown Prince to oversee state affairs."

Gao Chi suddenly appeared too: "Father, come back soon! This has happened too many times—you vanish, and Gao Xu and Gao Sui nearly storm the Crown Prince's palace and beat me to death—I'm frail!"

Zhu Yuanzhang: "…."

Zhu Youjian: "…."

Zhu Di: "Wait till I get back—I'll kill you!"

For undermining me!

…

Zhu Yuanzhang ultimately assigned Zhu Di to Suzhou—he didn't trust anyone else.

In his view, Su Qiao was extremely important and could not afford any mishap.

So after Zhu Di hastily arranged matters on his end, Zhu Yuanzhang directly teleported him to Jin Ling.

That is, Nanjingcheng!

Zhu Di appeared suddenly, alone.

No guards, no attendants, not even a horse.

Standing chilly in the open grassland, he was painfully awkward.

Fortunately, Zhu Youjian had earlier given him a jade pendant—equivalent to the Emperor's personal authority.

He took the pendant to the Nan Zhenfu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; as soon as he showed it:

All the Embroidered Uniform Guard members knelt on the ground.

"Your Majesty!"

"Hmm. Mobilize troops, arrange a horse—I need to reach Suzhou quickly!"

This was the late Ming, over a century removed from Zhu Di's era.

No one recognized Zhu Di.

Besides, Zhu Di was not wearing a dragon robe but plain civilian clothes.

He carried only Zhu Youjian's jade pendant—effectively acting as a special envoy.

Naturally, he could no longer pretend to be the Wen Zong Emperor.

Zhu Di's request was not difficult.

The commander of Nan Zhenfu immediately issued orders.

Though many Embroidered Uniform Guard members were dispatched to Suzhou Prefecture as scouts,

Nan Zhenfu still controlled all Embroidered Uniform Guard units in the south—manpower remained sufficient.

In just half a day, they assigned Zhu Di fifty elite soldiers and sturdy horses.

"Good. Let's go!"

Zhu Di looked them over, thoroughly satisfied, mounted his horse, and headed straight for Suzhou Prefecture.

Speed is vital in warfare—the situation was urgent. He didn't know whether the Japanese pirates had yet attacked the city or what Su Qiao's current condition was.

He needed to see for himself!

259, pacify the people!

At this moment, Su Qiao did not know Zhu Di had arrived.

He arranged for Zhang Xueceng to resettle the common people back to their homes.

Most of the common people resumed their normal lives, but there were exceptions.

Earlier, Japanese pirates bypassed Ningbo Prefecture, intending to attack villages near Suzhou Prefecture.

They discovered the Great Ming was implementing a scorched-earth plan; after visiting two or three villages in succession, they found no people.

The Japanese pirates were furious, so they directly ordered the village to be burned down.

There were at least five such villages.

If it were not for Fujita Shirogoro later worrying that Great Ming troops would arrive and fearing danger.

There might have been more than five villages.

When the people of these five villages returned, they found their original homes gone.

Burned to the ground, they all burst into loud weeping at once.

According to Zhang Xueceng's original plan for handling this, he would simply let them fend for themselves and do nothing.

But after Su Qiao received the news, he personally went there, bringing Ma Kui and the other members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Seeing the Embroidered Uniform Guard arrive, the common people were so terrified they dared not speak.

They feared that angering the government officials would cost them their lives.

They were afraid!

Even though their homes were gone, they at least still had their lives; if they angered the government officials, who knew if their families would be destroyed.

Ordinary common people were terrified to the extreme of government officials.

So, when Su Qiao arrived with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he saw a group of villagers cowering, not daring to cry out, hiding far away on the side.

Afraid of offending a noble person!

"My lord Su, why bother with these lowly people? This humble official knows you have a compassionate heart. How about this: this humble official will directly take some silver from the prefectural treasury as compensation for them. What do you think?"

This Zhang Xueceng was quite skilled at flattery.

He previously did not want to get involved.

Now Su Qiao had come personally; moreover, he was even very concerned and worried about these common people.

It was obvious he truly cared about these common people.

Then he could not pretend to know nothing; otherwise, if he angered the Imperial Envoy, would he not have no good days left?

That was why he proposed compensation.

How could Su Qiao not understand his meaning?

It was merely putting on a show for him to see.

"My lord Zhang, compensation is indeed due. The Japanese pirates have been annihilated, and their lair has been interrogated and revealed. The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the soldiers of the Ningbo Guard Post are likely already there. When cutting weeds, one must uproot them! The Japanese pirates have plundered for so many years; they must have accumulated considerable wealth. It is fitting to take the money from there to relieve the common people; this is the proper course of action!"