[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut":3,"chapter-starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-100":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Starting from the Battlefield: Gathering Attributes to Build the All-Heavens Ming Dynasty",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2341907,4577,"Chapter 100: Zhu Ying","starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-100",100,"\u003Cp>Of course!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this matter was mentioned by Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao himself also had some thoughts on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this could truly come to pass, Zhu Ying would become a genuine pillar in his hands, and he could rely on him with greater peace of mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunling certainly needs more time to consider.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe Yunying is more suitable,” said Lady Lu, with a thoughtful expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunying is over a year younger than Yunling—wouldn’t that mean waiting even longer?” Zhu Biao asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Compared to Yunling, Yunying’s temperament is calmer and more sensible; moreover, both are legitimate daughters. Since Zhu Ying is a state minister whom His Majesty and my lord both value highly, he deserves special treatment,” Lady Lu said earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Lady Lu’s words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then nodded: “You’re not wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We certainly must carefully evaluate this in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s still early; Yunling and the others are young. Let’s observe for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must pay close attention to this matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Zhu Biao’s words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu’s heart stirred, a hint of joy flashing across her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yunling were betrothed to Zhu Ying, it would not benefit Lady Lu—but if Yunying were betrothed to Zhu Ying, the outcome would be entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the former Crown Princess Chang died in childbirth,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>while Zhu Xiongying was still alive, Chang’s four children lived in Kunninggong under the care of Empress Ma; with Zhu Xiongying present, they rarely returned to Donggong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the fifteenth year of Hongwu,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xiongying contracted smallpox; Empress Ma tended to him personally, yet neither could be saved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress of Great Ming and the Crown Prince’s eldest grandson passed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yuanzhang’s world collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao’s world collapsed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Empress Ma and without Zhu Xiongying, the three younger siblings lost their elder brother’s protection; finally, Zhu Biao made his decision!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He entrusted his eldest daughter, Zhu Yunling, to the care of Consort Chen, a secondary consort within Donggong; his second daughter, Zhu Yunying, to Lady Lu; and Zhu Yunwu, as a young child, to a palace maid—also placed under Lady Lu’s care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu was deeply favored in Zhu Biao’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu could fully control Zhu Yunying, but for Zhu Yunling, raised by another secondary consort, she naturally felt uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she governed Donggong and was deeply favored, she dared not overstep with the other secondary consorts; after all, she maintained the identity of Donggong’s principal lady—even if that title was not fully legitimate, she fiercely upheld it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other secondary consorts knew this well and dared not offend Lady Lu, so Donggong maintained a strange equilibrium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured, my lord.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will pay close attention to this matter,” Lady Lu immediately pledged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Zhu Biao had entrusted this to her, whoever was eventually betrothed to Zhu Ying would be decided by her alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had won this round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You may withdraw; I must attend to state affairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao waved his hand toward Lady Lu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I receive your command,” Lady Lu bowed deeply, then slowly withdrew from the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Lady Lu departed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old minister Dai Sigong requests an audience with the Crown Prince.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice came from outside the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Sigong stepped in quickly, bowed deeply: “Old minister bows before the Crown Prince.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dai Taoyi, rise,” Zhu Biao smiled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank Your Highness,” Dai Sigong said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve come about the hemostatic powder, correct?” Zhu Biao asked with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The formula has been verified, but many herbs require imperial allocation. With our wars now underway and wounded soldiers mounting daily, I humbly beg that sufficient herbs be swiftly allocated to Taiyi Academy to accelerate the preparation of the hemostatic powder, thereby saving countless soldiers’ lives,” Dai Sigong said at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A physician’s heart is benevolent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Great Ming’s chief physician, even in history he died peacefully in his bed, and Zhu Yuanzhang himself praised him as a man of virtue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dai Taoyi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already prepared it for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A decree already lay prepared on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An attendant beside him stepped forward, lifted the decree, and placed it in Dai Sigong’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have issued an order: the Herbs Depot shall fully cooperate with Taiyi Academy—herbs shall be supplied without limit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This decree also instructs the Herbs Depot to urgently procure all herbs required for the hemostatic powder, at any cost; from now on, Taiyi Academy shall focus entirely on preparing the hemostatic powder.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Prepare it fully, and deliver it directly to the Ministry of War, so they may dispatch soldiers to escort it to Liaodong,” Zhu Biao told Dai Sigong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Sigong’s face lit up with emotion; he immediately bowed: “Your Highness is wise!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao waved his hand with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Dai Sigong withdrew,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao gazed at the decree just written, still unsealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on it,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>it was clearly an imperial favor to Zhu Ying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words “Champion” in the title of nobility stood out especially prominently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Ying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My father and I place great hopes on you; we intend to shape you into a young rising star among our generals. I hope you do not become like those arrogant men from Huaixi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Biao murmured to himself, staring at the decree on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he picked up the Crown Prince’s seal and stamped it firmly upon the decree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the entire Great Ming Empire,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>perhaps throughout all history, only the Crown Prince’s seal could issue a decree equal to the Emperor’s—this might be the only instance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Send this decree urgently to Liaodong by the Imperial Guard,” Zhu Biao closed the decree and said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I receive your command.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The attendant beside him immediately took the decree and hurried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Inner Court of Donggong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunwen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you hear and understand what your mother just said?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu sat on her chair; Zhu Yunwen stood before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your son heard and understood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will remember it well,” Zhu Yunwen nodded obediently at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Ying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your grandfather and my lord both hold him in high esteem; crucially, he is not of the Huaixi faction. Once he is won over, you will have a powerful ally in the military.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When you return to Yingtian, you must treat him with the utmost respect and courtesy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you gain his support, you will have a far greater chance of winning in the future,” Lady Lu said with solemn gravity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand,” Zhu Yunwen nodded seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lady.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Princess Yunying has arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Lu’s trusted palace maid stepped forward and bowed respectfully to report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let her in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shi immediately withdrew her gaze and spoke at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A little girl, about ten years old, dressed in a red palace gown, walked in slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw Lu Shi, her eyes held an indescribable fear, as if she were terrified beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I pay my respects… I pay my respects to Mother Consort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling came forward and knelt directly before Lu Shi, her voice trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shi lifted her head and glanced at her, her expression cold, her eyes filled with revulsion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chang Shi had two sons and two daughters; the eldest son was already dead, and the two daughters posed no threat, so although Lu Shi treated them slightly poorly, it was not excessive—only Zhu Yunzhong was targeted in every way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rise,” Lu Shi said, raising her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Mother Consort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling replied respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she saw Zhu Yunwen standing beside Lu Shi, Zhu Yunling dared not greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Lu Shi’s restrictions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one in the Eastern Palace dared to befriend Zhu Yunzhong and his siblings; even Zhu Yunwen was strictly forbidden from associating with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So although nominally siblings, their relationship was no better than that of strangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Royal blood holds no kinship—this was no falsehood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know why I summoned you?” Lu Shi asked Zhu Yunling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do not,” Zhu Yunling replied nervously, shaking her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She remained kneeling, too afraid to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From today on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will arrange a tutor to teach you reading and writing, and palace matrons to instruct you in proper etiquette—you will learn well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Zhu Yunling dared not refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their three siblings had lost their biological mother, their elder brother’s protection, and their former Empress Dowager’s care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for their father, he paid them no attention whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this was what it meant to have no mother and no father’s love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the entire Eastern Palace controlled by a stepmother, how could they ever have good days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After your instruction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each month I will personally examine you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you fail, there will be punishment,” Lu Shi said coldly and sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes,” Zhu Yunling nodded, her voice trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shi waved her hand, unwilling to say more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunling slowly rose and retreated fearfully from the inner chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why have you suddenly sent someone to teach her these things?” Zhu Yunwen asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your grandfather intends to betroth one of your father’s daughters to Zhu Ying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Originally it was Zhu Yunling, but after my efforts, I included this girl as well—these past years have been a test.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this girl is used well, she can help you win Zhu Ying’s favor; even if not, at least she must prevent Zhu Ying from siding with Zhu Yunzhong,” Lu Shi said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Yunzhong has no outstanding qualities whatsoever, and Father ignores him completely—why should we still fear him?” Zhu Yunwen asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the moment he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shi glared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yunwen immediately bowed low: “Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunwen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Although I now control the Eastern Palace and have suppressed Zhu Yunzhong,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“the throne is still not settled—everything remains uncertain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Yunzhong is the legitimate son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are illegitimate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As long as our status is not officially legitimized, we will forever remain illegitimate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Though Zhu Yunzhong appears to have no support, he is born with the backing of Huaixi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know why, after all these years, I still remain only a concubine despite controlling the Eastern Palace?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The root of it all is Huaixi—they refuse to elevate me, even though that woman has been dead for years, they still refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To them, I and you will always be concubines, illegitimates.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shi’s eyes blazed with fierce hatred and resentment as she lowered her voice to Zhu Yunwen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should not have underestimated him, nor taken him lightly,” Zhu Yunwen immediately knelt before Lu Shi and apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunwen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are my son, and my very life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just know this: as long as we mother and son stand united, I will never harm you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That throne will be yours—and only yours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoever stands in your way, whoever tries to take your place—I will kill them,” Lu Shi said, her face twisted with madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of her own son, she showed no concealment of her ambition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will stand with Mother,” Zhu Yunwen declared firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yunwen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not think our current situation is secure—if we lose, we will be utterly destroyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My strictness toward you is for your own good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We cannot afford to lose!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Shi knelt down, speaking with deep earnestness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beiping Prefecture!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Family!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inner hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Wansan sat in the main seat, flanked by several of his sons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After so long,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“why has no word returned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Wansan asked his eldest son, Shen Rong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This question,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was not asked for any other reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It concerned Zhu Ying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Shen Yuer, who had left the Shen family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Liaodong is far from the northern frontier, and the imperial court is currently mobilizing troops to reclaim Liaodong—messages are inevitably delayed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father need not worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just a child,” Shen Rong smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just a child—no need to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“our Shen family has now successfully allied with the Lu family—done and sealed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No one can change it now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my view, Zhu Ying is dead—either in Liaodong or the northern frontier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard this battle was brutal; the Ming suffered heavy casualties—just look at the amount of medicine the court purchased, the losses were substantial.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Wang, Shen Mao, and the other brothers also spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether Zhu Ying was still alive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They gave it no real thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A teenager in such a deadly battlefield had no chance of survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Certain death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhu Ying may be dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m thinking of that girl, and Lin Fu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The reason we targeted Zhu Ying all comes down to the Lü family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Shen family has always been merchants—we don’t care about face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Lü family cares deeply about face, so Zhu Ying must be eliminated before the marriage can proceed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That girl has always been devoted to Zhu Ying, and Lin Fu is his household slave—if they’re still alive and this gets out, it will enrage the Lü family,” Shen Wansan said grimly, his aged face lined with thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, rest assured.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The people we sent have already found them. We’ll strike the moment an opportunity arises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And this time, once we act, it will be permanent—no more leaks about that girl. Our Shen family will be completely secure,” Shen Rong sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shen family’s steward stepped quickly into the inner hall, his expression grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him arrive,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>all eyes immediately turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Wansan asked at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lin Fu and the girl have reached Huizhoucheng.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right now, Danning and Liaodong are both under strict military control—there’s almost no chance to strike them within the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the steward lowered his voice in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep watching them. Strike the moment an opportunity arises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since it’s already been this long, as long as we succeed, that’s enough,” Shen Wansan said gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant understands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this time in Danning, they uncovered another piece of news.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not sure if it’s connected to Zhu Ying,” the steward said hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What news?” Shen Wansan demanded at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Rong and the others fixed their gazes on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A fierce general has emerged in the Danning army—hailed as the God of War of the Danning frontier troops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Danning frontier troops launched their offensive into the Northern Frontier, this man slaughtered a hundred enemies in his first battle, then kept earning merit, shattered countless Jian Nu  tribes, and even killed the Jian Nu  chieftain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After returning to Liaodong, he stormed Jincheng, a fortress heavily fortified by the Northern Yuan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s said to be under seventeen years old, yet already holds the rank of Assistant Commandant, commands ten thousand troops, has won the Emperor’s favor, been granted a hereditary noble title,” the steward said solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve heard of this son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The news came from a general in the Beiping army.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s truly formidable—in less than a year of enlistment, he rose to command ten thousand troops and is now a model for the entire army,” Shen Rong added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does this have to do with Zhu Ying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Wansan fixed his gaze on the steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spent decades in commerce, witnessing the fall of the Yuan court and the rise of the Great Ming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this steward had served him for years—he would never speak without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This Danning frontier general, who rose so swiftly and earned the Emperor’s favor, his name is Zhu Ying!” the steward said, voice trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Wansan’s face turned ashen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re saying this general, who rose through the ranks and was granted a noble title, is named Zhu Ying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean this Zhu Ying is the same Zhu Ying who left our Shen family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Wansan’s eyes widened, locking onto the steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shen Rong and the others dropped their smirks, staring at the steward with grim intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were true, their Shen family was in grave danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had angered a future pillar of the Great Ming—a powerful minister with command of the military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely imagining it was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant doesn’t know if it’s that Zhu Ying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this man who rose so rapidly is undeniably named Zhu Ying—and this news came from Huizhoucheng,” the steward said with a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Ying’s name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had indeed spread through the army, and most widely within the Danning region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Zhu Ying was a Danning frontier general—his fame across the entire army was a point of pride for Danning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father, it absolutely can’t be him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That boy is just a child—he can brew wine, but beyond that, he’s an ordinary man. How could he possibly shine in the army? Kill a hundred enemies? Kill a Jian Nu  chieftain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It can’t possibly be him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In my memory, that Zhu Ying would die the moment he stepped onto the battlefield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother is right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This must be a coincidence—same name, same surname. Our Great Ming has so many people; it’s not unusual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It must be…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: First day of February—requesting monthly votes, please, please, please! Five thousand characters delivered. After the New Year, I’ll give my all—daily ten thousand. Muah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2876,"2026-06-20T23:30:09.614Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f9a5752a935ee9c158c7a2555cda8b263477fa4bd69ac2ebe110a077ad7bfd8f","starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-101","starting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-chapter-99",204,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fstarting-from-the-battlefield-gathering-attribut-cover.jpg"]