Chapter 118: Lan Yu: How does this Zhu Ying look so much like Xiongying?

This Li Chenggui is truly a character not to be underestimated!

Had it been those reckless types, they would have likely been unable to restrain themselves and led their great army to charge over long ago. Yet, this Li Chenggui forcibly suppressed the impulse in his heart, or perhaps, he allowed his subordinates to find a way out.

This is a person who knows how to bend and stretch.

He is worthy of being the ambitious hero who will successfully usurp the throne in the future.

Of course!

For Zhu Ying, with his archery skills, it would not be a difficult task to shoot and kill Li Chenggui with a single arrow; if he were to act, he would surely succeed.

But Zhu Ying also knows clearly in his heart that once this arrow is shot, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Goryeo army would inevitably launch a frantic counterattack because their commander was killed, and the Liaodong war, which had finally calmed down with great difficulty, would surely fall back into a quagmire of chaos.

Furthermore.

Zhu Ying has only four hundred soldiers under his command.

Zhu Ying himself might be able to kill to his heart's content relying on his own strength, and could easily retreat unscathed from the chaotic army, fearing nothing.

But these four hundred brothers who followed him into battle would very likely be buried in this land, unable to enjoy the fruits of victory from the pacification of Liaodong.

Zhu Ying is by no means a foolish person who would easily disregard the lives of his soldiers for a moment of impulsive anger.

Moreover.

Considering it from the perspective of the Great Ming, if he were to truly commit such an impulsive act as shooting Li Chenggui, this would not be considered a merit, but rather an unforgivable fault.

In this way, not only would countless soldiers sacrifice their lives in vain, but it would also cause the situation in Liaodong to fall into a state of renewed conflict, which is unpredictable and even more counterproductive.

"General!"

Liu Lei, with a face full of smiles, rode his horse to Zhu Ying's side, his voice filled with excitement: "These Goryeo people have actually retreated. It seems they truly fear the heavenly might of our Great Ming!"

Zhu Ying smiled faintly, though his expression revealed a hint of coldness, and he said indifferently: "The Goryeo people are merely uncivilized barbarians."

"Now that the Great Ming has successfully recovered Liaodong and dealt with Nahachu, in time, we will surely let these Goryeo people know the heavenly might of our Great Ming as well."

At this moment!

A personal guard, with a face full of longing, chuckled and said: "Not to mention anything else, this subordinate has heard that Goryeo women are all bright and moving, full of charm! If there is a chance, this subordinate must follow the General to kill into Goryeo in the future, grab a few Goryeo women, and enjoy myself properly."

"Yo, Cao Da, don't look at your lack of ability, your heart is quite big!"

"Still want to grab a few? Do you have that capability? Do you think you have the same capital as the General?"

The surrounding soldiers burst into loud laughter, and the originally tense atmosphere became much more relaxed due to these few jokes.

"Since they have already retreated,"

Zhu Ying's gaze was firm as he spoke loudly, then decisively turned his horse's head: "Then there is no need to waste any more time."

"Let's go, to the next place."

At this moment.

In Zhu Ying's mind, another location marked on Nahachu's treasure map appeared involuntarily.

The other treasure site was no more than a few dozen miles away from here.

Although there was only one treasure map left by Nahachu, it clearly marked two treasure points.

Zhu Ying had already successfully collected the gold and silver treasures from one of the locations into his own storage space.

And the other location hid the armor and weapons that Nahachu had painstakingly hoarded and forged.

These items were all originally prepared by Nahachu for a future counterattack against the Great Ming.

The armor and weapons were to be used to innovate military equipment and improve the army's combat effectiveness, while the gold and silver treasures were to serve as military funds, providing material security for the war.

However, now all of this would become Zhu Ying's spoils of war, benefiting him.

Time passed quickly, and soon.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

In Liaoyang City, goose-feather-like heavy snow began to drift down from the sky.

The snow fell extremely densely, and in just half a day, the entire Liaoyang City was covered by this pure white snow; looking out, everything within sight was a pure white.

Not only Liaoyang City, but the entire Liaodong region and various parts of Daning also welcomed this first heavy snow since the beginning of winter at the same time.

This snow was like a generous gift from nature, draping this land that had been baptized by the flames of war in a clean white dress.

The countless fresh blood in the Liaodong land was also covered by the white snow, and the natural power of heaven and earth cleaned away the traces of man-made disasters of war.

Above the city gate!

Zhu Ying had already shed the armor stained with smoke and blood, wearing only a black and red military uniform.

Although he had no armor on, he looked even more spirited.

A thick red cloak was draped over his shoulders, adding a touch of warmth to Zhu Ying.

At this moment!

Zhu Ying stood quietly on the city gate, his gaze fixed on the boundless white snowfield in front of the city.

"From spring and summer, I have fought all the way to this winter."

Zhu Ying murmured softly to himself, a look of emotion appearing on his face: "Time really passes so fast! Before I knew it, I have been in the army for more than a year."

In this year or so, he has experienced countless life-and-death tests, growing from an unknown little soldier step by step into a prominent general today.

And all of this feels like a dream.

"Unknowingly, I, who have lived a second life, am already fifteen years old."

"In a few months, I will be another year older, welcoming my sixteenth birthday."

Zhu Ying's thoughts drifted back to the past involuntarily, thinking of his past and present lives, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

"Shen Wansan, the Shen family..."

Zhu Ying's eyes turned cold instantly: "I didn't expect that you wanted to take my life back then, but by a stroke of luck, you gave me a chance to change my destiny."

"When I have a chance in the future, I will definitely repay your Shen family well!"

Thinking of this, a cold smile that was hard to detect appeared on Zhu Ying's face.

"General."

Liu Lei walked in front of Zhu Ying with steady steps and said softly: "The Grand General invites the General to discuss matters."

"It seems that Liaodong has been completely recovered."

Zhu Ying nodded slightly and smiled: "Go tell the brothers of the border army to pack their bags and prepare to return to Daning."

Zhu Ying has been waiting for this day for a long time.

Especially in Daning, there are two people who are crucial to him, waiting for him to return with full anticipation.

Not long after.

Zhu Ying arrived at the main hall of the former Grand Marshal's Mansion.

At this time, the charcoal fire in the hall was already burning brightly, illuminating the entire hall with warmth, forming a sharp contrast with the cold, icy, and snowy world outside, like two completely different worlds.

"General Zhu, please."

Zhu Ying walked steadily to the entrance of the hall. The two personal guards guarding outside the hall saw this, immediately stood straight, and then quickly and neatly opened the hall door.

"Thank you for your trouble." Zhu Ying smiled slightly and thanked them.

He walked into the hall with a calm expression. As soon as he stepped in, two maids walked up lightly.

Their movements were skillful and gentle, and they steadily took off the cloak from Zhu Ying's shoulders, then carefully hung it on the coat rack nearby.

After entering the hall, Zhu Ying's gaze quickly scanned the situation inside the hall.

Many generals who had participated in the expedition to Liaodong were gathered here, including some generals who had been recuperating in the wounded soldiers' camp, such as Chang Mao and others.

All generals at the level of Battalion Commander and above were present.

And unlike the scenes of discussing matters in the past, today the hall was filled with neat tables and chairs, and various exquisite wine sets were placed on the tables.

Clearly, this meeting had a strong celebratory atmosphere, perhaps it was a victory banquet.

"Zhu Ying, come over here!"

As soon as Bu Wan saw Zhu Ying enter, he immediately waved at him with a face full of enthusiasm.

Zhu Ying smiled slightly and walked towards Bu Wan immediately.

And the moment he stepped into the hall.

Zhu Ying also keenly sensed several gazes full of jealousy shooting at him like sharp arrows.

"It's them again."

Zhu Ying sneered inwardly; he didn't even need to turn his head to see, he clearly knew who they were.

However, with Zhu Ying's current strength and authority, he was too lazy to even take a look, walking straight towards Bu Wan.

"My lord."

Zhu Ying arrived beside Bu Wan, with a smile on his face, and then sat down steadily in the position adjacent to Bu Wan.

Clearly.

This position was reserved specifically for him.

In the third position on the left side of the hall.

Fu Youde sat in the first position, and Bu Wan sat after Fu Youde.

From the order of this seating, one could clearly highlight Zhu Ying's current status in the army.

"Today is a victory banquet, we must drink to our heart's content later, and not stop until we are drunk!"

Bu Wan said with a face full of smiles and high spirits.

"This is naturally a good thing, it's rare to have such an opportunity to celebrate with all the generals."

Zhu Ying raised the corners of his mouth and responded with a smile.

"It is said that the imperial court's decree of reward has already arrived."

Bu Wan lowered his voice slightly, his eyes full of appreciation and gratification for Zhu Ying: "In my opinion, it is highly likely that you will get your wish this time and become the Regional Military Commissioner of Daning."

"That I can have today is all thanks to your strong support and trust, my lord."

"This kindness, this subordinate will never forget."

Zhu Ying heard this, bowed his hands with a solemn expression, and thanked him earnestly.

If it weren't for Bu Wan's strong promotion behind the scenes, and if it weren't for Bu Wan's bold delegation of power, giving him the opportunity to lead troops in battle, Zhu Ying would never have been able to achieve such significant accomplishments in such a short time, let alone become a Regional Military Commissioner.

Just as Bu Wan and Zhu Ying were talking.

Opposite the hall, Lan Yu and the bandaged Chang Mao sat side by side.

Chang Mao's face carried a trace of unwillingness and anger; he leaned slightly towards Lan Yu and lowered his voice: "Uncle, do you really have no thoughts at all?"

"Look at this kid, he is so proud of himself now. I heard that the imperial court has already issued a decree to promote him to Regional Military Commissioner."

"In just a short year, he was first granted the title of Earl, and now he is going to be a Regional Military Commissioner. This kid has completely soared to success."

"If he is allowed to make more military merits in the future, our Huaixi people will have fewer and fewer opportunities to go to the battlefield, and we will be completely trampled under his feet, never to see the light of day again!"

However.

Lan Yu seemed not to have heard Chang Mao's words at all. He stared intently at Zhu Ying, who was talking to Bu Wan, his eyes revealing an indescribable astonishment.

At this moment, he seemed to be attracted by some quality in Zhu Ying, and he was lost in thought, turning a deaf ear to Chang Mao's words.

"Uncle, what are you dazing about?"

Chang Mao saw that Lan Yu had no reaction, and couldn't help but feel a little anxious, reaching out to pat Lan Yu's shoulder gently.

"Ah? What did you say?"

Lan Yu was startled, as if waking from a dream, and turned his head to look at Chang Mao, asking with a blank face.

"Uncle, I asked what you are dazing about? Are you even listening to me?" Chang Mao was full of helplessness, his tone carrying a trace of complaint.

"Nothing... nothing."

Lan Yu's gaze glanced at Zhu Ying again, and an inexplicable doubt arose in his heart: "Why do I feel that this kid looks somewhat like Xiongying?"

Saying this.

He turned his head to look at Chang Mao beside him, and then his gaze landed on Zhu Ying again.

Upon closer inspection, although their appearances were not exactly the same, from the outline of their faces, they really seemed to have some similarities.

There is a saying in China that "a nephew resembles his uncle."

At this moment, this sentence appeared in Lan Yu's mind involuntarily.

"I say, eldest uncle."

Chang Mao continued, "Haven't I already come out of the wounded soldiers' camp? Why are you still looking so distracted?"

"Don't worry. The Battle of Tieling happened so long ago, and with the Crown Prince mediating, I imagine the Emperor won't make things difficult for us anymore."

"I wasn't thinking about that at all." Lan Yu glared at Chang Mao with annoyance, feeling somewhat irritated inside.

The Tieling campaign had long since ended, and he had already put the matter behind him; now that Chang Mao was bringing up old business again, it made him feel very displeased.

"Eldest uncle."

Chang Mao remained relentless, his peripheral vision glancing at Zhu Ying: "Look at how this kid is riding high right now. If there are more wars in the northern frontier in the future, will we still have a chance to earn merit?"

"Especially you, eldest uncle! You are currently only a Marquis; you are just one great achievement away from the rank of Duke."

"This Liaodong battlefield was supposed to be a perfect opportunity, but as soon as this kid popped up, he snatched all the credit. We Huaixi people have lost all face!"

Hearing this.

Lan Yu's expression turned gloomy in an instant, and he said coldly: "On the battlefield, one relies on their own ability! Since our skills were inferior, what is there to complain about?"

"Eldest uncle, I just can't swallow this."

Chang Mao gritted his teeth, his gaze fixed fiercely on Zhu Ying: "Look at him. He's just a mere Garrison Commander, yet he dares to be this arrogant, riding over our heads and throwing his weight around."

"If he gets promoted again in the future, our Huaixi faction will truly be trampled under his feet forever, with no hope of ever rising again."

Regarding this.

Lan Yu just shook his head helplessly and said: "So what if you don't like the look of him? Do you dare to make a move against him? If you really dare to act rashly, that person in Ying Tianfu won't let you off easily."

Hearing this, Chang Mao's face turned extremely ugly. He clenched his fists tightly, the anger in his heart burning, yet he was helpless.

"Chang Mao."

Lan Yu suddenly leaned into Chang Mao's ear and asked in a low voice: "Look closely, does this Zhu Ying really look a bit like Zhu Xiongying?"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Mao felt as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt. The expression on his face turned to extreme shock, and he subconsciously raised his voice in response.

At this moment, the gazes of many generals in the great hall were drawn by Chang Mao's sudden exclamation, and they turned their heads one after another, looking at Chang Mao with puzzled expressions.

No one understood why Chang Mao would lose his composure and appear so astonished.

"Lan Yu and that Chang Mao have been staring at you the whole time." Bu Wan noticed the anomaly across the room, frowned slightly, glanced at Lan Yu and Chang Mao, and said with some dissatisfaction: "They must be plotting some bad ideas again."

"Let them be."

Zhu Ying's expression was calm. He glanced indifferently across the room and said dismissively: "As long as they don't actively provoke me, I can't be bothered to pay them any mind."

"In any case, we are returning to Daning in just a few days."

With Zhu Ying's current strength and the power he held, if these Huaixi people really wanted to play any underhanded tricks, Zhu Ying naturally had enough confidence and means to deal with them.

Whether it was open conflict or secret struggle, he would not fear them in the slightest.

"Indeed."

Bu Wan nodded, his expression firm as he said: "As long as we act upright and behave properly, even if these Huaixi generals are powerful, what can they do to us?"

"You have the deep trust of the Emperor and the Crown Prince behind you; they won't dare to make a move against you lightly."

The gaze turned back!

Chang Mao, looking very displeased, lowered his voice and said to Lan Yu: "Eldest uncle, what nonsense are you spouting? Zhu Xiongying has been gone for so many years, why are you suddenly bringing him up? And... how can this Zhu Ying be mentioned in the same breath as Zhu Xiongying? Is he even worthy?"

Chang Mao's tone was filled with anger and disdain.

For many Huaixi generals, the 15th year of Emperor Hongwu was a pain in their hearts that could never be touched.

In that year, the Imperial Grandson Zhu Xiongying, in whom they had placed high hopes and supported with all their might, unfortunately passed away.

And Empress Ma, whom they regarded as their matriarch and who was respected by the entire Huaixi faction and even all the court officials, also passed away that year.

For the Huaixi group, that year was undoubtedly a massive, unprecedented setback; it was as if the whole world had plunged into darkness, and the road ahead had become completely lost in confusion.

At this moment, being scolded by Chang Mao's angry outburst.

Lan Yu was not angry. He just looked at Zhu Ying quietly, his gaze carrying a trace of complex emotion, as if he were remembering something.

"If you don't look closely, it's really hard to notice."

"But looking carefully, he really does have some of the contours of Zhu Xiongying when he was young."

Lan Yu murmured softly to himself: "Before, when he wore his armor and was fully armed, you couldn't tell at all."

"But now that he is in casual clothes, sitting here, I realized they really do look somewhat alike."

"Sigh, perhaps I'm just overthinking it."

A trace of faint sorrow appeared on Lan Yu's face. As a rough man who was usually reckless in character, he revealed such delicate emotions at this moment.

"Eldest uncle,"

Chang Mao looked at the sorrowful expression on Lan Yu's face, and the anger in his heart gradually dissipated, his tone becoming softer: "Stop letting your imagination run wild!"

"Zhu Xiongying is gone; that is an unchangeable fact."

"If he were still here, how could our Huaixi faction have fallen to such a state? Who would dare to ride over our heads and throw their weight around? But the dead cannot return to life; we must look forward."

"I naturally understand that." Lan Yu sighed deeply: "It's just that seeing this Zhu Ying, I don't know why, I suddenly felt a bit moved."

"I also know that the dead cannot return to life, and the past is ultimately the past."

Lan Yu's eyes revealed a trace of helplessness and longing. As the great-uncle of the former Imperial Grandson, how could he not be concerned?

A mother's brother is like a father!

This bond of blood, thicker than water, was always deeply branded in his heart.

"Alright, eldest uncle."

Seeing Lan Yu's low spirits, Chang Mao tried to change the subject: "Let's not talk about these unhappy things. We must have a good drink later; having been on campaign for so long, aside from the occasional secret sip, I've been stifled for ages."

"This time, we must drink to our heart's content."

At this moment!

"The Grand General arrives!"

A loud, resonant shout came from outside the hall, instantly breaking the atmosphere within.

Immediately after, Feng Sheng was seen walking slowly into the hall, dressed in a black and red military uniform.

His shoulders were draped in a bright red cloak, which swayed gently with his steps, further highlighting his majesty and presence.

After Feng Sheng entered the hall, two maids quickly stepped forward and skillfully removed his cloak, hanging it to the side.

"Welcome, Grand General!"

All the generals seated in the hall stood up upon seeing this, bowed in unison, and shouted in one voice, their sound echoing throughout the entire hall.

"Haha, everyone is here."

Feng Sheng's face was filled with a hearty smile as his gaze swept over every general present: "This banquet is held to celebrate our successful reclamation of Liaodong. Everyone, please be at ease!"

"Thank you, Grand General!" The generals thanked him in unison, their voices uniform and loud.

However, they did not sit down immediately, but waited quietly for Feng Sheng to walk to the main seat.

"Everyone sit. Today is a victory banquet, so there is no need to be constrained."

Feng Sheng smiled and waved his hand, his tone very easygoing: "Besides, there are distinguished guests coming in a while."

Hearing that distinguished guests were coming, Zhu Ying's heart stirred. His gaze subconsciously looked toward the empty seat beside Feng Sheng, then at the other empty seats in the hall, and he secretly pondered: "It seems to be an important figure from Ying Tianfu."

"Otherwise, with Feng Sheng's status as Grand General, he would not treat this with such solemnity."

Feng Sheng scanned the people in the hall and then said loudly: "Since everyone is here, what are we waiting for?"

"Someone, bring the wine and the meat!"

"Today, we shall drink and eat to our heart's content to celebrate the reclamation of Liaodong!"

Feng Sheng's voice was powerful and filled with excitement.

A group of maids dressed in plain silk garments emerged one after another as the curtain at the back of the hall was lifted.

They held wine pots steadily in one hand, while the other hand supported large platters piled high with enticing roasted meat, the aroma of the meat mixed with the unique fragrance of spices drifting through the air.

Then, they placed the wine and meat at each seat one by one.

"Generals!"

Feng Sheng stood up slowly again, carrying a sense of solemnity and even more majesty.

His voice echoed in the hall.

At this moment!

His eyes flashed with excitement and the thrill of securing Liaodong.

He looked around at every general present.

"Today, everyone is gathered here."

Feng Sheng paused slightly, a joy he could not suppress appearing on his face: "I have a piece of tremendous good news to announce!"

"The cities throughout Liaodong have all been conquered by our Great Ming soldiers!"

Feng Sheng's voice rose again, his tone impassioned: "Liaodong, this ancestral land that has been separated from our Han people for hundreds of years, has finally been completely reclaimed!"

Speaking to this point.

Feng Sheng's eyes revealed even more excitement. As the Grand General of this campaign, there was no doubt that the merit of reclaiming Liaodong was enough for him to leave a heavy mark in the history books.

At his level of official rank, this was what he pursued.

Of course.

The greater the merit, the more it served as the foundation for his family's prosperity.

It was a protective talisman!

"This reclamation of Liaodong took us exactly nine months."

Feng Sheng's gaze swept slowly over the crowd, his eyes full of emotion regarding this difficult journey: "In these nine months, the countless battles were cruel beyond words; every victory was bought with lives."

"This glory of reclamation belongs to every general present..." Feng Sheng's voice grew louder, and he cupped his hands, performing a solemn military salute to everyone: "And it belongs even more to all the Great Ming soldiers who set out for Liaodong!"

"I will not say any more empty, flowery words here."

Feng Sheng nodded slightly, a sincere smile appearing on his face: "Today's banquet is a victory banquet held to celebrate the reclamation of Liaodong!"

"And not just inside this hall!"

A trace of gratification appeared in Feng Sheng's eyes: "I have already issued an order to lift the alcohol ban in the army!"

"Except for the soldiers on duty, the entire army can have their fill of wine and meat today and drink to their heart's content!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a slight commotion broke out in the hall, and the faces of the generals were filled with surprise and excitement.

This was a reward for the entire army.

"This is a special grace granted by the current Emperor," Feng Sheng added, his voice carrying respect for the imperial favor.

"We thank the Emperor for his great grace!"

All the generals in the hall cupped their hands in unison and bowed toward the south, where Ying Tian was located.

Under imperial power, no one dared to ignore imperial favor.

(End of chapter)