Chapter 114: Shen Wansan: Zhu Ying is that Zhu Ying! Earl of Champions

Outside Zhu Ying's camp, the cold wind was biting, and the canvas of the tent was blown until it rattled!

After entering winter, Liaodong, located in the north, had indeed gradually entered a season of bitter cold.

"General." Liu Lei stood straight, his expression respectful, and bowed to Zhu Ying with cupped hands: "As per the old rules, the hot water is already prepared."

Zhu Ying was draped in a red cloak and clad in heavy battle armor. Although his overall attributes were formidable, after a day of campaigning, his face still bore the fatigue left by the battlefield.

Looking at Liu Lei.

Zhu Ying smiled slightly, raised a hand, and said: "Let the brothers all go rest. Now that Liaoyang is settled, there is no need for us to worry too much about the subsequent war."

"Yes."

Liu Lei responded, bowed again with cupped hands, turned around with crisp and decisive movements, and strode out of the tent to convey Zhu Ying's order.

Zhu Ying watched Liu Lei's departing back and smiled faintly.

Then he turned slowly and stepped into the tent.

Inside the tent!

As the General now in charge of the Daning border army, things were naturally different.

The roaring charcoal fire kept the entire tent warm, and a steaming bathtub was placed to the side, with water vapor rising in clouds.

Zhu Ying raised his hands, slowly shedding the battle armor stained with blood and emitting a metallic, rusty smell. Then, he undressed and stepped into the bathtub.

"Refreshing!"

Soaking in the bathtub, Zhu Ying couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh, his tense muscles gradually relaxing under the immersion of the hot water.

Leaning against the edge of the bathtub, he narrowed his eyes slightly, his thoughts drifting back to the gains of this campaign, and an excited smile appeared on his face involuntarily.

"This Battle of Liaoyang has really yielded quite a harvest."

Zhu Ying thought to himself: "One Second Rank treasure chest, three First Rank treasure chests, five ordinary treasure chests, and an extra treasure map."

"Nine treasure chests, and one Second Rank treasure chest that I have never obtained before."

"As long as my luck is slightly good, divine weapons, secret martial arts manuals—all of these can be obtained."

Most of these treasure chests were obtained in this Battle of Liaoyang.

Basically, they were obtained by beheading generals. After breaking into the city, as soon as Zhu Ying saw those Yuan generals, he would charge and kill them like a tiger pouncing on prey, seizing every opportunity to behead them.

After all, generals above the rank of Battalion Commander possessed invisible official destiny, and their value was much higher than that of ordinary soldiers.

Zhu Ying could not suppress the anticipation in his heart. He took a deep breath, his eyes glinting with excitement, and immediately recited in his heart: "Open all treasure chests."

Instantly!

The command was responded to.

"Open five ordinary treasure chests."

"Obtained 【1000 liang of gold】."

"Obtained one 【Compass】."

"Obtained one blueprint for the advanced mechanism 【Mechanism Crossbow Tower】."

"Obtained Huang Jie, Low-grade martial skill 【Baji Fist】."

"Obtained ten bottles of 【Hemostatic Powder】."

"Open three First Rank treasure chests."

"Obtained Xuan Rank, Low-grade martial skill 【Berserk】."

"Obtained 【Cement】 manufacturing manual."

"Obtained 【Smokeless Coal】 mining technology manual."

"Open Second Rank treasure chest."

"Obtained 【Great Ming Hongwu Era—Surrounding Map】."

The system panel prompts sounded one after another in Zhu Ying's mind.

Nine treasure chests, all opened.

"This... damn it."

Zhu Ying widened his eyes, his face filled with astonishment. This astonishment was not caused by joy, but was filled with bewilderment and disbelief.

Compared to the gains from the previous eight treasure chests, the result of this Second Rank treasure chest seemed to be the worst luck imaginable.

"A compass, alright, after all, it was just opened from an ordinary treasure chest. It will be useful for marching and fighting in the future, so I won't lose my way like I did in the Jianzhou Jurchen territory."

Zhu Ying frowned slightly, comforting himself.

"Mechanism Crossbow Tower, this should be used as a defender, and it's an advanced mechanism, not bad."

"Once I truly establish my own foundation, I can use it to defend the city; the effect shouldn't be bad." Zhu Ying's fingers tapped lightly on the edge of the bathtub, his eyes filled with contemplation.

"Baji Fist is also not bad, at least it's ranked. It's a killing technique; I can teach it to my loyal followers in the future."

Zhu Ying nodded slightly, acknowledging this gain.

"The things opened from these three First Rank treasure chests are also okay. At least there is one Xuan Rank martial skill. Once you enter this level, that's extraordinary." Zhu Ying's eyes flashed with a bright light.

"Cement, smokeless coal, these two also seem not bad."

"Especially cement; this thing has great utility in this era. Not only can it reinforce city defenses, but it can also repair roads. The effect is huge. Even for reinforcing river embankments or bridges, the role of cement is not small. I didn't expect to open this; this First Rank treasure chest is still considered worth it."

A gratified smile appeared on Zhu Ying's face.

However.

When Zhu Ying's gaze fell on the map opened from the only Second Rank treasure chest, his smile stopped instantly, replaced by a look of wanting to cry but having no tears.

After campaigning for so long, the only Second Rank treasure chest he obtained actually opened a map with no value.

Even opening a martial arts manual or a divine weapon would have been fine!

After all.

The previous map opened for the 【Imperial Jade Seal】 was acceptable; after all, that was "receiving the mandate from heaven, may you live forever and prosper"!

But now, it just opened a map of the Great Ming Hongwu era and its surroundings.

Zhu Ying was filled with helplessness and couldn't help but complain in his heart: "I already had the 【Imperial Jade Seal】 map before. Even if you opened the 【Nine Tripod Cauldrons of Huaxia】 map, that would be fine; after all, that is also a symbol of imperial power in Huaxia. In the future, when I create a country, I can hold the Imperial Jade Seal in my left hand and point to the Nine Tripod Cauldrons with my right, and I could even call myself the orthodox ruler of Huaxia. But opening this surrounding map, and it being the most precious Second Rank treasure chest—this luck is too poor."

"Extract map."

Zhu Ying sighed helplessly. Since the treasure chest had already been opened, there was no regret medicine, and it couldn't be reopened, so he could only extract the map first to see what it was.

The next moment.

Zhu Ying felt his hand sink slightly, and there was an extra leather map.

Unfolding the map slowly, he saw the territory of the Great Ming Empire clearly presented on it, along with the countries surrounding the Great Ming—north, south, east, and west—all at a glance.

"This map is not a world map; at most, it's an Asian map. The various countries of Nanyang, the Northern Yuan in the north, the Golden Horde Khanate north of the Northern Yuan, the Eastern Chagatai Khanate in the west, etc. Just in terms of the Asian region, this is very detailed." Zhu Ying examined the map carefully, muttering to himself.

"A Second Rank treasure chest! And it's just this thing."

"I could have accepted it if it were opened from an ordinary treasure chest or a First Rank treasure chest." Zhu Ying was filled with helplessness, feeling depressed in his heart.

Having finally obtained a Second Rank treasure chest, it actually opened this thing, making it really hard for him to calm his mood.

"Huang Jie, Low-grade, Baji Fist."

"Xuan Rank, Low-grade, Berserk."

"Extract all." Zhu Ying calmed his emotions and issued the command.

The next moment.

He felt a strong surge in his consciousness, as if an invisible force was instilling the mental formulas of the two martial arts into his consciousness.

"Baji Fist, a killing technique. It's ranked, not bad."

Zhu Ying felt the various pieces of information about Baji Fist in his mind and nodded secretly.

"As for this Berserk, Xuan Rank, Low-grade, it can actually increase strength and internal qi in a short period of time."

"The initial stage increases it by onefold, the middle stage by twofold, and the late stage by threefold."

"However, this thing makes people weak. If you practice to the initial stage and use this martial skill, you have to lie in bed for at least five days."

"This is also a life-saving martial skill for critical moments. My overall attributes have reached 5000 points now. If I were really forced to this point, it would probably be a trap, trapped in an encirclement of ten thousand troops. No, this doesn't seem like it could take my life." Zhu Ying thought to himself about the pros and cons of this martial skill.

Coming back to his senses, Zhu Ying said softly: "Attribute panel."

Instantly, a transparent panel appeared before his eyes.

Host: Zhu Ying

Age: 15 years old

Internal Qi: 5068 points

Strength: 5135 points

Speed: 5022 points

Constitution: 5042 points

Stamina: 5023 points

Spirit: 5014 points

Lifespan: 328 years 262 days

Storage Space: 59 cubic meters

Cultivation Method: Post-Heaven Xuan Art... Hard-Refining Art

Martial Skills: Accumulating Power Saber Slash 【Late Stage】, Wild Dance Saber Technique 【Late Stage】, Mountain-Collapsing Fist 【Initial Stage】, Divine Arrow Continuous Shot 【Middle Stage】, Tiger Roaring Art 【Initial Stage】, Golden Bell Cover 【Middle Stage】, Baji Fist 【Entry Level】, Berserk 【Entry Level】.

Skill Points: 3 points 【Can improve proficiency of any martial skill】

"The Battle of Liaodong, success and fame, strength skyrocketed!" Zhu Ying looked at his overall attributes, his face filled with excitement, and his heart was filled with emotion.

Beiping Prefecture!

The streets and alleys in the city were silent, with only the occasional sound of the night watchman beating the drum.

Inside the Prince's Mansion, the lights were bright. Zhu Di, dressed in a prince's robe, sat in the study, gripping a secret report tightly in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly, then unfolding it slowly, a look of emotion appearing on his face.

"Liaodong is finally going to be settled."

"Nahachu is also dead."

"In eight months, nearly three hundred thousand troops under Nahachu were annihilated."

"Liaodong, which has been separated from our Huaxia Han people for hundreds of years, has returned." Zhu Di muttered to himself, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.

As a Prince of the Great Ming and the son of the current Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Di's heart was filled with glory and pride.

This kind of victory meant the return of ancestral land, worthy of pride for every citizen of the Great Ming and every citizen of the Han people.

This is like the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun lost during the Song Dynasty, which had always been a pain for the Han people, and Liaodong had been lost for even longer, with the Han people enslaved by the Yuan court for hundreds of years.

The emergence of the Great Ming was to reshape the dignity of the Huaxia Han people and reshape the soul of the Han people!

The return of Liaodong made the Great Ming even more orthodox and restored the glory of the Han people!

"The current Emperor is talented and bold; being able to recover Liaodong makes the Emperor's prestige even greater."

Yao Guangxiao was still sitting on the meditation cushion as before, dressed in a black monk's robe, his expression calm, as if everything before him was plain, looking like a high monk who had seen through the world.

"If there is an opportunity in the future, this Prince will definitely do better than the Imperial Father."

Zhu Di looked up, his eyes glinting with firm light, and even more so with a longing for the future.

"The Prince will have the opportunity."

Yao Guangxiao smiled slightly, his smile filled with confidence, as if everything was under his control.

"Do you know whose hands Nahachu died in?" Zhu Di turned his head, his gaze like a torch, landing on Yao Guangxiao, and asked.

Yao Guangxiao looked up, his gaze flickering slightly, thinking for a moment, and said slowly: "Could it be that Zhu Ying again?"

Hearing this answer.

Zhu Di nodded affirmatively.

Then he said: "This lad is a fierce general, a brave general."

"Many of the great merits of the Liaodong campaign were almost all obtained by him. Nahachu can be considered an owl-like hero; perhaps he was also unwilling to die at the hands of Zhu Ying."

"The Battle of Liaodong, the Battle of the Northern Frontier!"

"The one who gained the most was not Feng Sheng, nor those fierce Huaixi generals, but this Zhu Ying who was originally unknown." Zhu Di was very emotional.

Nahachu's life, the annihilation of tens of thousands of Yuan troops, and Liaodong belonging to the Great Ming.

All these battle results also laid the foundation for the emergence of a new sharp battle general of the Great Ming.

"After the Liaodong war ends, Zhu Ying will definitely be promoted to Guard Commander, commanding the Daning border army."

Yao Guangxiao said very affirmatively, his tone filled with unquestionable confidence.

"The position of Daning Guard Commander is naturally beyond doubt."

"However."

"Such a hero, how can he be used by this Prince." Zhu Di frowned slightly, a look of frustration appearing on his face, standing up and pacing back and forth in the study.

"Prince."

Yao Guangxiao looked at Zhu Di, his expression calm, and said slowly: "You have let Jin Zhong investigate for so long, so there should be some clues. If you want to subdue Zhu Ying, you must first investigate his background thoroughly, and even more so, investigate how he entered Daning."

"I have already let Jin Zhong go to check. After all, in my Beiping Prefecture, even if there is only a name, some clues can be found."

"But I hope that this can make Zhu Ying be used by this Prince. If not, then I will have to use some other means; otherwise, this lad will definitely be a great enemy of this Prince." Zhu Di narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold, sharp light flashing in his eyes.

At the same time!

Also in Beiping City, inside the Shen family's main hall, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

The candlelight flickered, reflecting the gloomy faces of the crowd.

"Father." Shen Rong walked into the main hall with hurried steps, his expression panicked, his voice carrying a hint of trembling: "It's been investigated clearly."

Shen Wansan sat in the main seat, dressed in a gorgeous silk robe, appearing very noble and honorable. He stared at Shen Rong, his old face filled with anxiety and heaviness, as if he had foreseen something bad.

So even though Shen Rong hadn't spoken yet, Shen Wansan already had a guess in his heart.

"It's true!"

Shen Rong swallowed his saliva, his voice dry as he said: "That Zhu Ying of the Daning border army is exactly that lad. My Shen family has made a great enemy."

Shen Rong's complexion was extremely ugly, as if shrouded by a layer of dark clouds.

At this moment.

Shen Wansan, sitting in the main seat, was the same. His complexion instantly turned deathly pale, his lips trembled slightly, and he muttered: "How could it be him? How could it possibly be him!"

"He is just a lad of ten-plus years; how could he have such an encounter? He became a General, and was even granted an Earl title. Earl of Champions."

Every time Shen Wansan said a word, his complexion became uglier.

"Father."

Shen Rong looked at Shen Wansan anxiously, his eyes filled with worry: "What should we do? Back then, we schemed to send Zhu Ying to Daning, wanting his life, and the assassins sent to deal with Lin Fu and Shen Yuer also failed. They must be able to guess that we sent them. Now that Zhu Ying has gained power, he will definitely not let us go."

Shen Rong's voice carried a strong worry.

Their Shen family was already among the top tier of merchants; not to say they were wealthy enough to rival a country, but they had countless family assets. However, living in the Great Ming, what they feared most was the power of the Great Ming!

And Zhu Ying, coincidentally, now had power!

At this moment.

Shen Rong's two younger brothers stood to the side, their complexions equally ugly.

Once, they viewed Zhu Ying as an ant that could be easily dealt with. With their money and power, Zhu Ying was easily transferred to Daning Prefecture.

In their imagination, Zhu Ying would die silently in Daning, and everything would have no flaws, and no one would even suspect their Shen family.

But now everything has changed.

Zhu Ying not only did not die in Daning, but also rose to prominence in Daning by suppressing bandits and defending against enemies, taking advantage of the Great Ming's external military actions, and was promoted and rewarded.

Now he has become a General commanding tens of thousands of people, and was granted an Earl title, and it is the highest 【Champion】 rank for a martial general.

Zhu Ying has now entered Yingtian Prefecture and entered the eyes of the current Emperor.

The future is bound to be limitless!

The hereditary Earl title and the position of Daning General are definitely not Zhu Ying's end point.

Reaching the peak of officialdom might be Zhu Ying's end point.

And now.

Their Shen family has offended Zhu Ying to death, and there is no possibility of any easing.

If there was any before, it would be through Shen Yuer, perhaps letting Zhu Ying show mercy to the Shen family in the future for the sake of her surname Shen, but as they sent assassins to assassinate Lin Fu and Shen Yuer, this easing has been completely blocked by their Shen family.

There is no room for any turning back between their Shen family and Zhu Ying; it must be a life-and-death struggle!

"What are you panicking about."

Shen Wansan slapped the table hard, stood up, and glared at Shen Rong with a gloomy face: "Old man is not dead yet. As the eldest son of my Shen family, how can you be so unsteady?"

"Father." Shen Rong looked at Shen Wansan anxiously, lowered his head, and dared not speak again, but the waves in his eyes showed that his heart was hard to calm.

"Second son." Shen Wansan looked at his second son, Shen Wang, his expression serious: "How is the migration going?"

"Reporting to Father."

Shen Wang hurriedly stepped forward and said respectfully: "According to your instructions, after the marriage alliance with the Lv family, our Shen family migrated 70% of our family assets to Yingtian Prefecture. Now we have purchased quite a few industries in Yingtian Prefecture, and the mansion is also prepared. If we want to migrate, we can migrate at any time."

"No time to lose." Shen Wansan's gaze was firm, without any hesitation, and he said immediately: "Start migrating to Yingtian Prefecture tomorrow."

"Father."

Shen Rong looked up, his face carrying a hint of unwillingness: "Wouldn't this be too much of a fuss? Although we tricked Zhu Ying into Daning, everything complied with the imperial court's recruitment rules, and our Shen family didn't do anything too excessive on the surface. Even if we sent assassins, they were dead soldiers, and they couldn't find us. Migrating directly to Yingtian Prefecture, wouldn't that be abandoning the industries around Beiping Prefecture?"

As soon as these words fell.

The crowd's gazes converged on their father again.

"Zhu Ying was originally a naive youth."

Shen Wansan said slowly, his voice low and hoarse: "And from his past personality, it can be seen that this lad is definitely a character who must take revenge for every grievance."

"He now holds military power, and Daning Prefecture borders Beiping Prefecture. If he really wants to fight our Shen family to the death regardless of everything, wouldn't our Shen family really fall into his trap?"

Shen Wansan said, a flash of worry in his eyes, and shook his head slightly: "Since he has gained power now, our Shen family will avoid his sharp edge."

Shen Wansan sat up straight, his gaze firm, his tone filled with unquestionable decision: "Although our Shen family is a giant wealthy family, we are ultimately commoners. Commoners do not fight with officials; this is a hard truth from ancient times."

"But once we reach Yingtian Prefecture, that is not a place where he can act recklessly."

Shen Wansan raised his chin slightly, a flash of calculation in his eyes.

"Furthermore..." Shen Wansan paused, his body leaning forward slightly, a look of planning in his eyes: "Yingtian Prefecture is the capital of the Great Ming after all. Our Shen family has married into many powerful families, and spent so much money to handle things—isn't it just to make the family go to a higher level?"

"Yingtian Prefecture has greater opportunities for our Shen family."

"Relying on the relationship with the Lv family, if we can obtain the mining rights for coal and salt, that is true profiteering."

"Of course, no matter what, as long as there are people in the imperial court, things are easy to handle."

As Shen Wansan spoke, he rubbed his beard lightly, the corners of his mouth rising slightly, outlining a confident smile.

Listening to Shen Wansan's words.

Shen Rong and his brothers sat around to the side. At first, their faces still carried some confusion and worry, but as Shen Wansan explained, they gradually realized, nodding one after another.

A flash of admiration crossed Shen Rong's eyes as he looked at Shen Wansan, secretly feeling emotional in his heart. Although his father was old, he had experienced two dynasties after all, and his insight and ability to steer the family were far beyond what they could compare to.

"Father."

Shen Rong bowed slightly, his expression respectful but carrying a hint of his own thinking: "Even if we migrate, we cannot abandon the industries in the north."

"My son feels that someone must remain in Beiping Prefecture."

"Hasn't it been rumored among the people? The current Emperor and the Crown Prince have long had the intention to move the capital, and have been secretly exploring the selection of a new capital."

"Having someone remain in Beiping Prefecture, whether the new capital is in the north or the south, our Shen family can seize the best opportunity to purchase industries in the new capital, strengthen our Shen family, and seize the opportunity."

After Shen Rong finished speaking, he looked up cautiously, looking at Shen Wansan, his eyes filled with the expectation of being recognized.

Clearly, this decision still had to wait for Shen Wansan to make the final decision.

Hearing Shen Rong's proposal, Shen Wansan was startled, and a look of contemplation slowly appeared on his old face.

He leaned back in his chair, gazing deeply into the corner of the main hall, falling into deep thought.

A moment later.

Shen Wansan withdrew his gaze, looked at Shen Rong, and a gratified smile appeared on his face.

"Rong'er,"

Shen Wansan said gently: "This time you were right."

"Although the industries are migrating to Yingtian Prefecture and our Shen family will focus on development in the south in the future, the north cannot be abandoned."

Shen Wansan's eyes were filled with expectation. As his eldest son, who would serve as the head of the Shen family and steer the Shen family in the future, he was naturally placed with high hopes.

"Thank you, Father, for the praise." Shen Rong was instantly excited, straightened his body, his eyes glinting with joy. Being able to get his father's affirmation made him very happy in his heart.

"Wang'er." Shen Wansan raised his eyes slightly, his old eyes still like torches, landing on his second son, Shen Wang, again.

Hearing this, Shen Wang's body stiffened, his heart felt anxious, and a look of unease instantly appeared on his face.

He naturally understood what Shen Wansan was going to say next, and couldn't help but feel a burst of tension in his heart.

"Father."

Shen Wang's voice trembled slightly. Due to Shen Wansan's majesty, he could only bite the bullet and respond.

"Tomorrow, our entire Shen family will migrate to Yingtian Prefecture."

Shen Wansan stared at Shen Wang, his gaze firm: "You stay in Beiping Prefecture. From now on, the business in the north will be temporarily left to you to manage."

Shen Wansan's tone was resolute, without any room for discussion.

Shen Wang slowly stood up, cupped his hands, lowered his head slightly, and responded respectfully: "Yes."

Although his voice was steady, his slightly trembling hands revealed the tension and unease in his heart; of course, there was more unwillingness.

The Shen family is migrating to Yingtian Prefecture, and the main family will be in Yingtian in the future; Beiping Prefecture will ultimately be a side branch.

"Also."

Shen Wansan's voice suddenly turned cold, and a cold, sharp look appeared in his old eyes: "Those who participated in targeting Zhu Ying to join the Daning border army!"

The slightly relaxed expressions of the three sons instantly tightened, and they turned to look at Shen Wansan one after another.

"All those in the Shen family who knew about it, solve them."

Shen Wansan said coldly, his voice seeming to carry a hint of chill: "Although we have migrated to Yingtian Prefecture, the roots of our Shen family are still in Beiping. Even if Zhu Ying knows it was our Shen family who harmed him, I want him to have no evidence."

"The Great Ming laws are strict; without evidence, that is framing! If he really dares to act recklessly, the national laws will not let him go."

As Shen Wansan spoke, he clenched his fists, a triumphant cold sneer appearing on his face, filled with calculation.

"Father is wise."

Shen Rong and his brothers hurriedly flattered in unison, their faces piled with smiles, but their hearts were each thinking their own thoughts.

The atmosphere in the main hall became increasingly oppressive and filled with calculation.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 115 =====