Chapter 115: Zhu Yuanzhang's Wild Joy, Recovering the Mountains and Rivers!

Great Ming Capital, Yingtian!

The thick city walls cast majestic shadows under the sun. At the city gate, the common people lined up, entering and exiting in an orderly fashion, their conversations and footsteps intertwining.

Suddenly, a burst of urgent hoofbeats came from afar, the rhythm tight and powerful.

*Tap-tap. *

*Tap-tap-tap. *

Only to see an urgent report soldier holding a command flag, his body leaning forward, lying tightly on the horse's back, galloping toward the capital.

The soldier's face was filled with irrepressible excitement and joy, sweat sliding down his cheeks and soaking the clothes on his chest.

"Liaodong victory report!"

"Great victory!"

"Liaodong great victory..."

As he gradually approached the city gate and saw the common people lining up outside, the soldier strained his throat and shouted excitedly.

That voice was filled with excitement and pride, echoing in the air.

Clearly!

This kind of great victory report did not need to be concealed; proclaiming it would boost morale.

"Did you hear that? Liaodong great victory!"

An old man widened his eyes, full of surprise, pulling the person beside him and saying.

"It must be that a great victory was achieved in Liaodong!"

A young man waved his arms, his face flushed red, his voice filled with irrepressible excitement.

"I suspect it's not just a great victory; perhaps Liaodong has been successfully recovered!"

A scholar-looking person, eyes glinting with light, his tone filled with anticipation.

"Liaodong has been the territory of our Huaxia Han people since ancient times. Back then, the Tatars ravaged the Central Plains, and our Han Central Plains fell. After the Emperor founded the Great Ming, he drove the Tatars away and unified the Central Plains. Now Liaodong has also been recovered. The Emperor is truly the Son of Heaven, the heaven-ordained Emperor, the Emperor who revitalized our Huaxia Han people." An elder in the crowd, stroking his beard, said with great emotion.

"That's right!"

"Great Ming for a thousand generations!"

"Liaodong, lost for hundreds of years, has finally returned."

"Great Ming for a thousand generations, long live the Emperor."

The emotions of the common people were instantly ignited, and the successive cheers soared into the clouds.

For a time, the entire Yingtian City was immersed in this morale-boosting news, everywhere filled with joy and pride.

Han glory, dignity!

At this moment, it was displayed.

The dignity lost in the past seemed to have returned at this moment.

Inside the Great Ming Imperial Palace, Fengtian Hall!

The magnificent palace was solemn and majestic, the flying eaves and arched beams glinting with golden light under the sun.

Inside the hall, the carved beams and painted pillars, and the golden brick floor, fully displayed the luxury and majesty of the royal family.

The urgent report soldier traveled unimpeded, and amidst the sounds of shouting victory, hurried along the long imperial road.

Wherever he passed, not only did the common people cast curious and expectant gazes, but even the Imperial Guards straightened their bodies, their eyes glinting with excitement.

Inside the great hall.

The soldier knelt on the ground with a *thud*, holding the urgent report high with both hands, shouting loudly: "Reporting to the Emperor!"

"Liaodong great victory."

"Please, Emperor, take a look."

His forehead was slightly beaded with sweat, his eyes filled with excitement and reverence.

Hearing this!

The smile slowly appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's originally majestic face, his eyes filled with gratification.

At this moment, he already understood what the battle results of this great victory were.

"Present it to me."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly, raised a hand, his voice steady and majestic.

Yun Qi, who was serving to the side, although not young, was still very agile and immediately ran toward the hall.

He respectfully held up the victory report with both hands, his body leaning forward slightly, and carefully presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

The moment he took the victory report, a flash of sharpness crossed Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, but after opening it, the smile on his face grew even brighter.

Zhu Biao's gaze landed on the victory report for the first time, his eyes filled with anticipation and a hint of tension.

The gazes of all the civil and military officials were also drawn like magnets, all converging here.

Some frowned slightly, as if thinking about something, while others showed excitement, their eyes glinting with light.

"Liaodong great victory, it must be the recovery of Liaodong."

An official said in a low voice, his face filled with a very confident expression.

"Our Great Ming has completely recovered the territory that belonged to our Han people."

Another official looked up, his eyes filled with longing.

"The Emperor's name will surely be remembered in history forever."

An old official with white hair, stroking his beard, said with emotion.

"Liaodong has a large population, reaching five or six million. Most of these are our Han descendants. After the great war ends, the next step is governance."

An official dressed in official robes said with a solemn expression.

"With Tie Xuan as Prefect, it should be possible to settle and pacify it very quickly."

An official belonging to the palace cabinet nodded slightly, thoughtfully.

"If Liaodong is settled, the next step will be the main stage for us civil officials, focusing on governance..."

The many civil officials in the hall each had their own thoughts, discussing in low voices.

"Good, good, good!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang finished reading the victory report, an extremely joyful look appeared on his face, and he said the word "good" three times in a row, his voice echoing in the great hall.

"Generals."

Zhu Yuanzhang held up the victory report in his hand and laughed: "Liaodong."

"Is about to be completely recovered."

"Our Great Ming has taken back the ancestral land that our Han people lost for hundreds of years."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes held dominance and a kind of imperial pride, and his voice was filled with majesty, his dominance leaking out.

Without waiting for the officials to offer congratulations, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, handed the victory report to Yun Qi, and said loudly: "Read it."

"Read it out loud for me."

"Let the officials know the battle results of the Liaodong great victory."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice carried unquestionable majesty.

Yun Qi held the victory report, faced the officials in the Fengtian court, took a deep breath to calm his excited mood, and then read loudly: "Your subject Feng Sheng, memorializing the Emperor!"

"Now."

"After the Battle of Tieling, all war affairs in Liaodong have been settled. Our Great Ming army conquering Liaodong has fully surrounded and besieged Liaoyang."

Yun Qi's voice was crisp and loud, echoing clearly in the great hall.

"After gathering before the city walls."

"Your subject ordered the army to divide into four routes to attack the four city gates of Liaoyang."

"The great war began."

"Zhu Ying, Regional Commander of the Daning border army, was the first to break through the north gate of Liaoyang and kill his way into the city!"

As Yun Qi read, he involuntarily raised his volume, as if recreating that intense battle scene.

"After half a day of fierce fighting and charging, the other three gates of Liaoyang were also captured by our army."

"General Zhu Ying is brave and invincible, killing his way into the Grand Marshal's Mansion in Liaoyang City to engage in a decisive battle with Nahachu."

"He personally beheaded Northern Yuan Grand Marshal Nahachu and annihilated all six thousand five hundred-plus personal guards under Nahachu."

Hearing this, the officials showed surprised expressions, some whispering to each other, some shaking their heads slightly, seemingly marveling at Zhu Ying's bravery and the battle results of this report.

"Nearly thirty thousand of the one hundred thousand Yuan troops in Liaoyang City were killed by our Great Ming soldiers, and the rest were all captured."

"Liaoyang battle settled."

"One battle settles the universe."

"All war affairs in Liaodong can be completely pacified within a month, and the territory recovered."

"Currently, over eighteen thousand Yuan prisoners have been captured in all of Liaodong. How to deal with these prisoners, please let the Emperor decide."

"Your subject Feng Sheng, bowing!"

Yun Qi's voice carried a sense of solemnity; even though his voice was feminine, it still resounded through the court.

As this voice fell, the reactions of the officials in the court were varied.

Many had joyful expressions about the recovery of Liaodong, their eyes glinting with excitement, while many officials also had a look of shock, their faces filled with disbelief.

"Nahachu is actually dead." An official widened his eyes and said in surprise.

"This person was a person of great power in the Northern Yuan, a generation of owl-like heroes."

"He actually died just like this." Another official was also the same, filled with emotion.

"Zhu Ying! It was actually him again who beheaded Nahachu."

A young official, eyes filled with admiration, said in a low voice.

"Now hearing Zhu Ying's name, why do I feel not as surprised as before? It seems that Nahachu dying at his hands is a matter of course, without any surprises." An old official stroked his beard, thoughtfully.

"Man Jier, Alishili—these Northern Yuan battle generals all died at his hands, and this Nahachu ultimately did not escape Zhu Ying's saber." An official shook his head slightly, his tone filled with exclamation.

"Liaodong's Northern Yuan nobles almost all died at Zhu Ying's hands. The Crown Prince bestowed the name 【Champion】 upon Zhu Ying; he seems to truly be worthy of it." An official nodded and praised.

"Since the Battle of Liaodong started, Zhu Ying's name has constantly resounded in this Fengtian Hall. This Battle of Liaodong has become Zhu Ying's battle to make a name for himself." An official belonging to the Ministry of War was even more emotional.

"But it's also good."

"Compared to letting those fierce Huaixi generals shine on the Liaodong battlefield, it's better to let this Zhu Ying shine."

"If those fierce Huaixi generals had completely obtained the merit of pacifying Liaodong this time, then in the future, in the imperial court, in their actions, they would only be more arrogant." An official's gaze flickered, revealing a sense of pleasure.

"..."

Listening to this victory report, the officials in the court discussed continuously, feeling happy for the recovery of Liaodong while also feeling emotional that Zhu Ying had again rendered great service.

Of course, for those fierce Huaixi generals who had not achieved true great merits, many officials in the court held a wait-and-see attitude, or even gloated, happy to see it happen.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

"This is Nahachu's head."

"It was specially ordered to be presented by the Grand General."

At this time, the urgent report soldier took a wooden box from his back and presented it respectfully with both hands. His movements were careful, his face filled with reverence.

Hearing this!

Zhu Yuanzhang took a look, waved his hand casually, and said with a calm expression: "No need to look."

"Nahachu is indeed a character."

"There is no need to smash his bones and scatter the ashes; just find a place to bury him."

Although Zhu Yuanzhang acted ruthlessly, for this kind of defeated general with some status, he did not need to vent his anger.

After all, being in this supreme position, some things naturally did not need to be taken too far.

"Congratulations, Imperial Father."

Zhu Biao turned around, bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang with a solemn face, his eyes filled with reverence and joy.

"Now that Nahachu is dead."

"The remaining Yuan troops in Liaodong can no longer resist our Great Ming's military edge."

"Liaodong can be said to have been settled."

"Liaodong has been separated from our Han control for hundreds of years, and now it has been recovered by our Great Ming. Imperial Father's name will be remembered in history forever!!"

Zhu Biao's voice was firm and powerful, echoing in the great hall.

"Your subjects congratulate the Emperor."

"Recovering Liaodong will surely leave a name in history."

The civil and military officials turned around in unison and bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang. Their movements were orderly, their voices loud, filled with respect for Zhu Yuanzhang.

Looking at the congratulations from the court, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly, not showing too much wild joy.

After all, he had climbed from a beggar, from a monk, to this supreme position. Walking all the way here, he had experienced countless life-and-death situations, countless slaughters, and endless iron-clad horses.

For countless common people, Zhu Yuanzhang was an existence like a saint—expelling the Tatars, founding the Great Ming, establishing peace in the Central Plains. This kind of achievement was already enough to leave a name in history, which could not be compared to recovering Liaodong.

Looking at the enthusiasm in the court.

At this time.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised a hand and pressed it down slightly, signaling the officials to be quiet. Having been on the imperial throne for many years, every gesture carried majesty.

And the court immediately quieted down, everyone holding their breath, waiting for the Emperor's next sentence.

"The merit of recovering Liaodong is not mine."

Zhu Yuanzhang was very serious, and when his gaze fell on Zhu Biao, his eyes instantly became incomparably soft.

"But the Crown Prince's."

This voice was low and powerful, echoing in the great hall, but it represented a special meaning.

As these words fell.

Many officials in the court immediately understood what Zhu Yuanzhang meant.

Some nodded slightly, some flickered their eyes, as if thinking about something.

"This Liaodong war, from the scheduling of grain and supplies, to the selection of generals for the expedition, to the mobilization of troops!"

Zhu Yuanzhang sat steadily on the dragon throne, his gaze overlooking the court, seemingly careless, but actually very serious.

"Everything was asked by the Crown Prince, and everything was decided by the Crown Prince."

"I was just a bystander, nothing more than cooperating with the Crown Prince to review some memorials."

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone carried affirmation and praise for Zhu Biao.

"The Emperor is absolutely right."

Minister of War Tang Duo immediately stood out and said loudly.

"This time, pacifying Liaodong involves government affairs and military affairs! His Highness the Crown Prince has done everything himself for all matters, making decisions one by one. This great merit of pacifying Liaodong belongs to His Highness the Crown Prince's strategic planning."

Tang Duo said again, without any concealment of his full support for Zhu Biao.

"Your subject seconds this."

Zhao Mian, Minister of Revenue, also immediately stood out to second.

Only to see Zhao Mian bow slightly, his expression respectful: "Our Great Ming has been moving troops to Liaodong for more than eight months. His Highness the Crown Prince has been reviewing memorials in the Fengtian Hall every day, and has asked about and decided on all matters related to the Liaodong war! Being able to pacify Liaodong this time, His Highness the Crown Prince has rendered great service." Zhao Mian's voice was equally firm, echoing in the great hall.

Following the two Ministers most closely related to the Liaodong war standing out, the officials in the court, no matter how slow their reaction, immediately understood what the current Emperor's intention was.

So all the court officials stood out one after another, each with a solemn face, shouting in unison: "Pacifying Liaodong, His Highness the Crown Prince has rendered great service! It should be recorded in history books, recording His Highness the Crown Prince's steering of the Liaodong war, recording the merit of recovery!"

Their voices were orderly and uniform, resounding through the court, seemingly representing the common will of the entire court.

Or rather, this was also echoing Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial heart.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Yuanzhang also nodded with great satisfaction, a gratified smile appearing on his face, his eyes filled with expectation for Zhu Biao.

This was exactly what he wanted.

Just as he said before, he, Zhu Yuanzhang, founded the Great Ming from a humble beginning, reshaping the dignity of the Han people!

The name-leaving in history that others seek had already been obtained by Zhu Yuanzhang, and in the future, there would surely be a volume in history recording him, and all his achievements would be recorded there.

So!

This name-leaving in history for recovering Liaodong, Zhu Yuanzhang could do without; he wanted to give it to his son.

Let history record his son's name as well.

They, father and son, would both leave their names in history.

"Crown Prince."

Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Biao with a smile, his eyes filled with paternal love: "Did you hear that."

"Liaodong recovered, you have rendered great service."

"This is what the officials said, and it will also be recognized by the people of our Great Ming."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was incomparably gentle, filled with a father's recognition and pride for his son.

For Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao was not just his Crown Prince, but his own eldest son, his own flesh and blood.

He was also the only relative left in this world with whom he could speak his heart.

"Your subject, thank you, Imperial Father."

At this moment, Zhu Biao had thousands of words in his heart, but at this moment they all converged into a single word of thanks.

Zhu Biao bowed slightly, tears of emotion glinting in his eyes.

He naturally understood his father's painstaking efforts. Although he had a reputation for benevolence in the court and in the world, it was ultimately not a solid achievement, and the merit of governance was ultimately obtained by the current Emperor in the court.

This time, Liaodong recovered, it must be an act of leaving a name in history.

What Zhu Yuanzhang could think of was paving the way for his son—not just his son's ability to handle military and political affairs, but also paving the way for his virtuous reputation and his place in history.

"Lv Ben."

Zhu Yuanzhang shouted loudly, his voice carrying majesty.

"Your subject is here."

As Minister of Rites, Lv Ben stood out and bowed respectfully, though his figure was slightly hunched.

"It won't be long before Liaodong is pacified."

"Once the news returns, the recovery of Liaodong will inevitably be announced to the world."

"At that time, regarding the Crown Prince's merits, your Ministry of Rites must properly draft an edict to announce to the world, letting the people of the world know the merit of recovering Liaodong."

Zhu Yuanzhang ordered with a serious face, his eyes filled with the importance he attached to this matter.

Lv Ben bowed immediately, saying firmly: "Your subject will definitely not fail the Emperor's order."

Clearly, he also understood the fundamental meaning behind this task; if it was not handled well, it would be a crime.

"En." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction.

It could be seen that he attached great importance to this merit of recovering Liaodong and leaving a name in history for Zhu Biao.

"Imperial Father."

Zhu Biao bowed and memorialized very solemnly: "Now that Liaodong is about to be completely recovered, the generals who went on the expedition to Liaodong should also be rewarded based on merit."

"Especially Zhu Ying."

"Whether it is the merit of Tieling or this time beheading Nahachu in Liaoyang, he has rendered great service and should be heavily rewarded."

As the words fell.

The gazes of the court officials converged on Zhu Yuanzhang again.

Clearly.

Liaodong is about to be settled.

The rewards for the battle generals should also be implemented.

Especially those many Huaixi generals sent from the capital region; their rewards would definitely be implemented after they returned.

"Indeed."

"Zhu Ying's merit should be heavily rewarded."

"Not just Zhu Ying."

"All soldiers who rendered service on the Liaodong battlefield this time should be rewarded according to merit."

"Especially the Daning border army."

"They fought bravely, and they also let me see the combat power of the border army."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with a smile immediately; he would naturally not have any objection to rewarding meritorious officials.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 116 =====