Chapter 125: The Goodwill of Yan Prince Zhu Di!

You must know!

Aside from getting to know Zhang Yu, Zhu Ying's connection to Beiping Prefecture was limited to the thin bond of his ancestral home.

Since fleeing famine to Beiping Prefecture at the age of eight, he had grown up in Beiping City, but the trajectory of his fate had quietly changed the moment he joined the Daning border army.

Following Lin Fu and Shen Yuer's pursuit to this place, the family had settled down in Daning, so the connection to Beiping Prefecture in the past naturally didn't count for much.

"Yan Prince? What could people from his mansion possibly want?"

Zhu Ying thought to himself, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes.

However, after a brief thought, he didn't dwell on it too much, his expression straightened, and he ordered steadily: "Go, welcome them into the mansion, I will wait in the outer hall."

"Yes!" Hearing this, Lin Fu turned and left quickly.

Not long after, in the main hall of the mansion!

A young man of about eighteen, wearing a gray-black robe, walked in slowly with steady and powerful steps.

Every step he took was solid, his spine held straight like a spear, and his whole body exuded an indescribable heroic spirit.

Zhu Ying looked up, and with just one glance, he reached a conclusion in his heart: "This person must be from the military."

Having been in the army for so long, Zhu Ying knew well that military life could bestow a unique temperament upon a person; even if not every soldier maintained a standard military posture at all times, that capability and tenacity baptized by the battlefield were distinctly different from ordinary commoners.

"Zhu Neng, Battalion Commander of the Yan Prince's Mansion guards, greets General Zhu."

Zhu Neng stepped into the main hall, instantly straightened his back, clenched his right fist, placed it on his left chest, performed a standard military salute, and then bowed, his movements flowing like water, fully displaying the dashing spirit of a soldier.

"Zhu Neng?"

Zhu Ying was slightly startled in his heart, thinking to himself: "So it's him, a meritorious official of the Campaign to Pacify the South!"

Previously, Zhang Yu's figure was still circling in his mind, and now Zhu Neng had appeared here; both of these men were capable generals under Zhu Di, leaving a heavy mark in the long river of history.

Thinking of this, a warm smile quickly appeared on Zhu Ying's face, and he said enthusiastically: "Battalion Commander Zhu, please rise! I wonder what brings Battalion Commander Zhu to Daning this time?"

Zhu Neng cupped his hands, his expression respectful, and said loudly: "By the order of His Highness the Yan Prince, I have come specifically to present a great gift to General Zhu!"

"The Yan Prince wants to give me a great gift?"

Zhu Ying was full of astonishment, his eyes carrying a look of extreme surprise. He thought for a moment, seemingly wanting to say something, but was momentarily speechless, his confusion growing heavier.

Seeing this, Zhu Neng revealed a meaningful smile and asked in return: "May I ask General Zhu, is your ancestral home in Beiping Prefecture?"

Zhu Ying nodded and answered truthfully: "Exactly, my ancestral home is Beiping City."

Zhu Neng nodded slightly and then said: "The Great Ming recruitment laws stipulate that young men enlisting are prioritized to be organized into the place of their ancestral home."

"Only if the guard battalion at the ancestral home is full will they be transferred to other prefectures."

"General Zhu enlisted in the 20th year of Hongwu. At that time, the Beiping military guard battalion was widely recruiting new soldiers. According to common sense, General Zhu should have been organized into the Beiping army."

Saying this, Zhu Neng sighed lightly, his tone filled with regret.

Zhu Ying understood the reason for this in his heart, but merely smiled indifferently, his expression calm, as if narrating a trivial matter unrelated to himself: "Perhaps everything was a twist of fate."

However.

Since Zhu Neng had said so much, he naturally had investigated Zhu Ying's ancestral home and the reason for coming here. Zhu Ying became increasingly curious about the purpose of Zhu Di sending Zhu Neng here.

Zhu Neng's expression straightened, becoming serious, and he said: "General Zhu, the reason you entered the Daning border army has been thoroughly investigated by the Prince."

"Everything was due to collusion between officials and merchants, with someone attempting to harm General Zhu's life."

"Therefore, by the Prince's imperial order, I have brought this criminal official to General Zhu's mansion."

Whenever mentioning the Yan Prince Zhu Di, Zhu Neng's expression also carried a fanatical reverence.

Hearing this.

A look of surprise appeared on Zhu Ying's face, and he couldn't help but blurt out: "Criminal official?"

"Bring him up!"

Zhu Neng suddenly raised his volume and shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the main hall.

In response.

Several people dressed in ordinary commoner clothes were seen escorting a person who was tied up and had their head covered with a black cloth into the main hall.

These people, like Zhu Neng, walked with steady steps, their eyes sharp, and the aura in their every move was exactly the same as Zhu Neng's. A discerning person could see at a glance that they were from the military, and very likely guards from the Yan Prince's Mansion.

Their steps were orderly, each step taken with great rhythm, clearly well-trained.

"This person is the mastermind who colluded with others to frame General Zhu into Daning Prefecture, attempting to use the mountain bandits of Daning Prefecture and the border wars to take General Zhu's life."

Zhu Neng pointed at the person with the hood, a trace of disgust flashing in his eyes: "And this person's original official position was the recruitment officer of Beiping Prefecture, responsible for recruitment matters."

Hearing this!

Zhu Ying's originally smiling face instantly darkened, his gaze shooting toward the bound person like a knife, killing intent surging.

Zhu Ying knew clearly in his heart that it was precisely because the Shen family colluded with this person to abuse power for personal gain that he was harmed and ended up in Daning.

If not for his possession of that magical attribute-looting panel, he would likely have already lost his life on the battlefield.

It was not just the battle to suppress bandits, but also in the land of the Jianzhou Jurchens on the northern frontier and on the Liaodong battlefield; with the way he charged without fear of death, an ordinary person would have died countless times over.

"Remove his hood."

Zhu Ying raised his hand and commanded in a cold voice.

"Take it."

Zhu Neng immediately made a gesture. The Yan Wangfu guards escorting the criminal official stepped forward quickly, and one of them reached out and yanked the hood off the man's head.

A middle-aged man's face was revealed. At this moment, his face was full of panic, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat that slid down his cheeks, his eyes filled with terror and despair, and his body was trembling incessantly.

The middle-aged man raised his head, and the moment he saw Zhu Ying, his face instantly turned as pale as paper, his lips trembled, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

Clearly.

He naturally recognized Zhu Ying.

And.

He knew even better what Zhu Ying's current status was.

"It really is you!"

Zhu Ying said coldly, his voice sounding as if it were squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying boundless hatred.

With just one glance, Zhu Ying recognized this person.

Before leaving Beiping for Daning, Zhu Ying had seen this man in Beiping City, after which he was sent directly to the Daning military camp. Seeing him here now, the anger in his heart burned even brighter.

"General Zhu, spare my life! Spare my life!"

The criminal official flopped to his knees on the ground, kowtowing while crying out, his forehead striking the ground with dull thuds.

With tears and snot streaming down his face, he was filled with fear and pleading: "Everything was done at the instruction of the Shen family; I had no choice! General Zhu..."

Clearly.

He did not know he was wrong; he only knew he was afraid.

He was afraid of death.

When the name of Zhu Ying resounded throughout Liaodong, the news naturally reached Beiping Prefecture.

Upon hearing the name Zhu Ying, he had prayed in his heart that this Zhu Ying would not be the one the Shen family had used their authority to arrange into the Daning border army.

Ever since Zhu Ying began to stand out, he had been promoted step by step.

The Shen family was large and powerful, and as long as they left no evidence, they were fine; although they were wary, they also thought Zhu Ying would not dare to go too far.

But this criminal official was different.

He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles every day, terrified that the matter would be exposed.

When the Yan Wangfu guards arrived at his residence, he knew that everything was over.

If it were any other dynasty in the past, perhaps his embezzlement might have left him a sliver of a chance to live, but with the Great Ming having been founded for only twenty-one years, and with Emperor Hongwu Zhu Yuanzhang—who hated corrupt officials the most—still on the throne, the money he had embezzled left him with no way out.

"General Zhu, the Prince has already sent people to verify the facts."

Zhu Neng stepped forward and said with a serious expression: "This criminal official is named Li Tao; he has been in the position of recruitment officer for six years and has accepted no less than a thousand jin in bribes."

"According to our Great Ming laws, he should be executed."

"Therefore, the Prince has handed this criminal official over to General Zhu for disposal."

As he spoke.

Zhu Neng took a disposal document stamped with the seal of the Beiping Prefecture Criminal Division from his bosom and handed it to Zhu Ying.

The paper of the document was slightly yellowed, and the bright red seal was striking, as if it were telling of the seriousness of this case.

Zhu Ying's expression changed slightly, and a complex emotion surged in his heart.

He had not expected that Zhu Di would actually offer him such a favor.

Zhu Ying's gaze lingered on the document for a moment, then he raised his head, cupped his hands in a salute to Zhu Neng with a serious expression, and said: "Please trouble Battalion Commander Zhu to bring a word to His Highness the Prince of Yan: this favor, Zhu Ying has noted it down!"

Zhu Ying's voice was solemn, and his face also revealed a look of gratitude.

"General Zhu's words, this subordinate will certainly deliver!" Zhu Neng replied with a smile, also revealing a look of satisfaction.

Clearly.

This was what the Prince of Yan wanted.

Zhu Neng naturally understood why the Prince had sent him thousands of miles to Daning Prefecture; it was to gain Zhu Ying's favor and befriend him.

Using the life of a criminal official to befriend Zhu Ying was naturally a great gain, and it also pushed the value of this Li Tao to the limit.

Zhu Ying pondered for a moment, looked at Zhu Neng, and asked: "Since you have investigated this person, I wonder if you have also investigated the Shen family?"

Clearly.

Zhu Ying was also curious about how far Zhu Di had investigated.

"General Zhu, this is the complete document of the investigation; please take a look."

Zhu Neng immediately took a booklet from his bosom and handed it to Zhu Ying with both hands.

Zhu Ying took it and quickly opened it to read.

As he read, his expression grew colder and colder.

"The Shen family acts extremely covertly, and the person who contacted this criminal official has already disappeared."

Zhu Neng explained: "Therefore, there is currently no conclusive evidence."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying did not say much, only saying in a deep voice: "In any case, many thanks to His Highness the Prince of Yan. This time, the Prince sending this person to me is a great gift; Zhu Ying is satisfied."

Zhu Ying was not at all surprised that the Shen family had escaped from this matter.

Zhu Ying knew very well what kind of old fox Shen Wansan was.

That he could become a tycoon of the Great Ming, and had already become a great tycoon during the former Yuan Dynasty, was enough to prove his methods and ability.

If he had stumbled over such a small matter, he would not be Shen Wansan.

However.

The one uncontrollable point about the Shen family was that Zhu Ying was no longer the Zhu Ying of the past.

Zhu Neng was very satisfied with Zhu Ying's attitude and said with a smile: "As long as General Zhu is satisfied! The task entrusted by the Prince this time has been completed, and this subordinate should return to Beiping to report."

As he spoke, Zhu Neng cupped his hands in a salute: "General Zhu, I hope that one day, I can see you again in Beiping."

"If there is an opportunity to return to Beiping City in the future, I will definitely go to pay a visit to His Highness the Prince of Yan!" Zhu Ying immediately cupped his hands in return and said politely.

"Farewell!"

Zhu Neng did not linger, turned around and strode away, quickly leaving the main hall with a group of guards, leaving only Li Tao collapsed inside the hall, like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

After Zhu Neng and the others left, without needing Zhu Ying's order, Liu Lei immediately led several personal guards forward, their movements quick and practiced, firmly controlling Li Tao.

Zhu Ying looked at the Li Tao before him, his expression seemingly calm, yet the killing intent in his eyes was undisguised. He walked toward Li Tao step by step, each step landing heavily, each step making Li Tao tremble all over.

"How much blood money did the Shen family give you?" Zhu Ying asked coldly, the entire hall seeming to become oppressive.

"General Zhu, spare my life! This lowly one... this lowly one will never dare again! Spare my life..."

Li Tao knelt on the ground, his body shivering, kowtowing like a pestle pounding garlic, his forehead already bleeding and staining the ground red.

Zhu Ying did not hesitate in the slightest and strode forward.

With a *swish*, he drew the Qinghong sword at his waist.

A flash of cold light from the blade flickered like a bolt of lightning. With a *crack*, Li Tao's head instantly fell to the ground, blood spraying out like a fountain, spreading across the floor of the hall and emitting a thick, bloody stench.

"Enemy killed, looted 1 point of Strength." The panel's notification sound rang in his mind.

Regarding death, regarding slaughter!

Several personal guards were long accustomed to this, watching everything with cold expressions, their faces showing not a ripple of emotion.

Only Lin Fu felt his scalp go numb, his face turning slightly pale.

This was the first time he had seen his own Young Master kill someone with his own eyes, and he could not help but feel a chill in his heart.

It also made him understand what his Young Master had experienced on the battlefield over the past year and how much suffering he had endured to have such composure.

"Liu Lei, arrange for a few people to clean up; throw the corpse directly into the mass grave."

Zhu Ying said in a deep voice, his tone without a ripple, as if what had just happened was merely a trivial matter.

"Yes!"

Liu Lei respectfully accepted the order, and with a wave of his hand, two personal guards quickly stepped forward, lifted Li Tao's corpse, and walked out, the body dragging a long trail of blood on the ground.

Afterward, several more personal guards entered with brooms and buckets, beginning to carefully clean the bloodstains in the hall.

"Young Master, is this the person who framed you into the Daning army?"

Lin Fu walked to Zhu Ying's side and asked with an ugly expression.

He did not feel uncomfortable because Zhu Ying had killed this person, but rather, upon thinking of his Young Master being harmed by this man, his heart was filled with anger, and a hint of ruthlessness was revealed in his eyes.

"He was merely a pawn bought by others."

Zhu Ying's expression was extremely cold as he said in a deep voice: "The true culprit is the Shen family; once the Shen family is dealt with, that will be true revenge."

"Young Master, although the Shen family are merchants, they have vast wealth, are said to be as rich as a nation, and must have many people in the imperial court and government colluding with them."

"Taking revenge on the Shen family in the future is inevitable, but Young Master must also be cautious and careful." Lin Fu said with a serious expression, urging him earnestly.

Zhu Ying turned his head, looked at Lin Fu, smiled slightly, and said gently: "Uncle Lin, rest assured, I already have plans in my heart for how to deal with the Shen family."

Training death soldiers—isn't that one part of it?

Once the death soldiers are formed, the Shen family will be the first to be operated on.

On the surface, Zhu Ying cannot engage in slaughter, but in the shadows, who would be able to find out?

Zhu Ying's personality is just like that: he returns every grievance, and since the Shen family is already locked in a life-and-death struggle with him, Zhu Ying's revenge will be a life-and-death struggle.

"As long as Young Master has a plan in mind." Lin Fu nodded with relief upon hearing this, the worried look on his face gradually fading.

"By the way, Uncle Lin."

Zhu Ying's gaze was soft as he said: "Go and purchase some items needed for the wedding later, such as the phoenix coronet, ceremonial robes, and red makeup."

As he spoke, the corners of Zhu Ying's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a hint of longing.

"Young Master, you are..." Lin Fu was stunned at first, then reacted, a look of joy appearing on his face, his eyes instantly lighting up: "Could it be that Young Master is going to marry Yuer?"

"Yuer followed me thousands of miles to be here, and even gave up everything."

Zhu Ying's eyes were full of tenderness: "I naturally must give her a proper status."

"Then Young Master, should we make some invitations to invite guests?" Lin Fu asked immediately.

"Except for Prefect Bu Wan, there is no need to send invitations to others." Zhu Ying pondered for a moment and said: "This time, I intend to marry Yuer under the witness of my brothers-in-arms in the army."

"Firstly, to properly feast these brothers who have shared life and death, and secondly, it can be considered to fit my identity as a military general; I do not like the vulgar banquets of officialdom."

"Holding a wedding banquet in the military camp is quite unique." Lin Fu said with a smile: "I will listen to Young Master."

"I have put several thousand more jin into the treasury; let the personal guards go and purchase more wine and meat. As for the wedding date, let's pick the next good day." Zhu Ying said with a smile.

"Young Master, rest assured, this old servant will definitely handle it perfectly!" Lin Fu nodded immediately, his face full of smiles, so excited he almost ran toward the outside of the hall, his steps even becoming light as if he had become ten years younger, his heart full of joy and anticipation for Zhu Ying starting a family.

After Lin Fu left.

Zhu Ying also wore a look of contemplation.

"Prince of Yan, Zhu Di."

"The Yongle Emperor after the Campaign of Defending the South."

"He is showing favor to me."

"He is already pulling in military generals with a purpose at this time?"

"Zhu Biao hasn't died yet."

"Or perhaps, this was instigated by that Yao Guangxiao, who is historically known for knowing the art of dragon-slaying?"

Looking at the bloodstains on the ground being gradually cleaned, Zhu Ying was also pondering the purpose of Zhu Di's favor.

Zhu Di.

Yao Guangxiao.

Others might not know, but how could Zhu Ying not know?

"Whatever."

"Zhu Yuanzhang is still alive and well."

"Zhu Biao is the same."

"And it will be many years before the Campaign of Defending the South begins."

"Let Zhu Di plot if he wants; it's none of my business."

"However, I will still have to find an opportunity to repay this favor in the future."

"Killing this Li Tao can be considered barely resolving a bit of hatred." Zhu Ying thought to himself.

After the bloodstains in the hall were cleaned.

"General, just received news."

Liu Lei ran over quickly, his expression respectful: "The main army returning from Liaodong has already returned to their respective camps in batches; the Daning City military camp will be back in at most one day."

"Pass on my order." Zhu Ying's expression turned serious as he said: "Tell Chen Heng, Liu Zhen, Zhang Wu, and the other generals above the rank of Vice Regional Military Commissioner to arrange the military affairs of their respective camps and then come to Daning City immediately."

"The war is settled; it is time to discuss merits and award rewards."

"When they return, the rewards they are due must not be a single bit less."

Upon hearing this.

"This subordinate will immediately send someone to pass the order! By the way, Prefect Bu Wan wants the General to go to the prefectural office for a meeting." Liu Lei added.

"Prepare the horses!"

Zhu Ying did not hesitate in the slightest; upon hearing Bu Wan's invitation, he immediately stood up.

Although he had just returned to Daning, far from the smoke and clamor of the battlefield, numerous complex matters followed one after another.

As the Regional Military Commissioner of a guard battalion, holding a high position and great power, his responsibilities were extremely significant, and he was naturally exceptionally busy.

In front of the Daning Prefectural Office!

Zhu Ying galloped over on his horse.

A yamen runner with sharp eyes immediately came up to meet him, bowed, and said: "General Zhu, the Prefect is already waiting in the main hall of the prefectural office."

"Hmm." Zhu Ying nodded and dismounted.

Liu Lei behind him also quickly dismounted and took hold of Zhu Ying's mount, Wufeng.

Led by the yamen runner, Zhu Ying strode toward the main hall of the prefectural office.

Stepping into the main hall.

He saw Bu Wan sitting upright in the chair of the main seat, dressed in official robes and wearing an official hat, appearing dignified and solemn.

On the left and right sides of the hall stood six officials in official robes, clearly subordinates of the Daning Prefectural Office.

"I thought you wouldn't be able to get out of the bed of tenderness."

Bu Wan saw Zhu Ying enter and teased him with a smile, his face carrying a hint of laughter, and his tone also carried a sense of familiarity.

The six officials in the hall saw this and stood up one after another, bowing respectfully.

"It's not like the Prefect has something to summon me for; otherwise, I really would like to have a good rest." Zhu Ying responded with a smile, his expression relaxed, his relationship with Bu Wan being very harmonious.

"Haha!"

Bu Wan laughed heartily, enjoying this relaxed atmosphere, his laughter echoing in the main hall and dispelling some of the serious air.

"Greetings, General Zhu!"

The six officials in the hall cupped their hands in unison and saluted Zhu Ying.

"Greetings, everyone."

Zhu Ying immediately cupped his hands in return, his attitude humble and polite.

He was not arrogant because of the difference in official rank; he treated everyone with respect.

That kind of Huaixi arrogance and rampant behavior was something Zhu Ying truly could not learn.

"These six are the clerks of the six departments of the prefectural office."

Bu Wan introduced with a smile: "This one on the far left is the clerk of the Military Department; he will have many dealings with General Zhu in the future."

As he spoke, he pointed to an official on the left.

"This subordinate, Huang Yao, clerk of the Military Department, greets General Zhu!" The Military Department clerk Huang Yao immediately stepped forward one step and bowed respectfully to Zhu Ying, his movements fully showing a subordinate's respect for a superior.

Although the Military Department was under the Prefect's jurisdiction, it still had a very deep connection with Zhu Ying.

"Clerk Huang, no need for formalities!"

Zhu Ying smiled and cupped his hands in return, his attitude amiable.

Regarding the division of authority in the prefectural office.

Zhu Ying was also very clear; these six departments of the prefectural office were like the six ministries of the imperial court, each performing its own duties and managing the various affairs of the prefecture.

And this Military Department was mainly responsible for the repair of weapons for the troops within the prefecture, the allocation of supplies and baggage, the recruitment of soldiers, and the distribution of pay and provisions, which would inevitably be closely related to his military affairs in the future.

"Many thanks, General Zhu!"

After Huang Yao thanked him, he stood straight.

Then he said with a respectful expression: "General Zhu, regarding the casualties of the border army, the Military Department has already finished the register; it requires the General's seal before it can be reported to the Ministry of War, and then the Ministry of War can issue the compensation."

"In addition, the military strength lost by the border army also needs to be recruited again."

Huang Yao spoke with clear logic and a steady tone, clearly having been prepared to report this for a long time.

"Have these registers been drafted?" Zhu Ying asked: "If they have been drafted, you can send them directly to my residence; I will review them as soon as possible and then stamp them."

Regarding military affairs, Zhu Ying was also very serious; it was not that he did not trust Huang Yao, but he knew well that officialdom was complex, and this matter concerned the compensation for his brothers-in-arms, so it could not tolerate the slightest carelessness, and he had to review it personally.

(End of chapter)