Chapter 133

As a loud cry suddenly sounded, it was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the originally tense atmosphere.

Immediately after!

The bedroom door opened slowly, and a midwife was brimming with joy; she held an infant wrapped tightly in red cloth steadily in her hands and walked out with light steps.

"Congratulations to General Zhu! Congratulations to General Zhu!"

The midwife couldn't suppress the excitement in her heart and congratulated loudly.

"The Lady has given birth to a boy for the General."

As the midwife spoke, she shook the infant in her arms slightly, her eyes excited.

Zhu Ying's fame in Daning Prefecture was known to everyone.

He was even the hero of all the commoners in Daning; being able to come to the Zhu Fu to deliver a baby was an honor.

Now that the delivery was successful, this midwife was both happy and relieved.

"Mother and child are safe!"

The midwife added.

These last four words were like a reassurance, making the hearts of everyone present, which had been hanging high, fall back down.

Saying this.

The midwife walked quickly to Zhu Ying and looked at him as if asking for credit.

"Hu."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying breathed a sigh of relief, and a joyful smile appeared on his originally tense face, which also carried a sense of relief.

In this era, giving birth was undoubtedly a ghost gate; the parturient faced great danger, and a slight carelessness could lead to an accident.

Now that he heard mother and child were safe, how could the heavy stone in Zhu Ying's heart not fall?

Regaining his composure!

Zhu Ying walked forward slowly, carefully taking his son from the midwife's hands; the moment he touched him, Zhu Ying's hands trembled slightly—that was the tension and excitement of being a father for the first time.

Looking at him, the little guy's wrinkled face, his eyes still tightly closed, didn't look very good.

But Zhu Ying knew that this was what a newborn baby looked like, and everything had just begun.

Life had just arrived.

"Congratulations, Young Master!"

Lin Fu walked forward excitedly, his excitement even greater than if he had had a son himself, and tears of joy flickered in his eyes.

"Congratulations to the General for having a son!"

The surrounding personal guards gathered around one after another, everyone revealing excitement, cupping their hands to congratulate Zhu Ying one after another.

The sound came one after another, filling the entire courtyard, all celebrating their General for having a son.

"I have a son."

Zhu Ying held his son tightly, his arms exerting a little force, wanting to protect his son tightly in his arms.

And his gaze was fixed on his son's little face, his heart surging with an indescribable complex mood.

The wonderful feeling of blood connection, the great significance of offspring inheritance, all these feelings were so real, and these feelings impacted Zhu Ying's heart.

"Young Master."

Lin Fu reminded him with a smile on the side, his eyes squinting into a line: "It's time to give the little Young Master a name."

"Zhu Xi."

Zhu Ying said with a firm and clear voice, almost without any hesitation.

He had long since thought of the name.

Not only the boy's name, but the girl's name had also been set in his heart early on.

After knowing that Shen Yuer was pregnant, Zhu Ying had already decided that if it was a boy, he would name him Xi, implying brightness and prosperity!

If it was a girl, he would name her Qi, carrying gentle and beautiful expectations.

"Zhu Xi, a good name!"

Lin Fu immediately gave a thumbs up and praised, carrying a kind of indescribable excitement.

"Old Madam."

Lin Fu raised his head, looking at the sky, tears flickering in his eyes, and muttered to himself: "Do you see it in heaven? The little Young Master is born, named Zhu Xi. The Young Master has an heir."

At this very moment, Lin Fu's heart was filled with emotion; this moment was more meaningful than his Young Master's marriage before.

And it was at the moment Zhu Ying gave his son a name.

"Detected that the host has offspring, opening derivative child panel, family panel."

"Rewarded with one First Rank treasure chest."

"For every year the offspring grows, rewarded with one First Rank treasure chest, can be claimed until twenty years old."

"Family panel opened, can randomly bestow talents to offspring."

"Does the host want to open random bestowal?"

At this time, a virtual panel prompt suddenly appeared slowly before Zhu Ying, emitting a faint light.

"There is actually this unexpected joy?"

Zhu Ying opened his eyes slightly, a flash of surprise, looking at the panel prompt before him, and his heart was also filled with joy.

Subsequently, Zhu Ying's gaze fell slowly on the line of words "randomly bestow talents to offspring".

"Randomly bestow talents?"

Zhu Ying frowned slightly, revealing a look of contemplation.

But he didn't hesitate too much and immediately ordered decisively: "Bestow!"

Although he didn't know what talents could be randomly bestowed, he understood in his heart that if he could get talent bestowal after birth, it would certainly be helpful for his son's future.

"Random talent bestowal."

"..."

The panel prompt before Zhu Ying flickered with light constantly.

The next moment, a golden halo fell gently onto Zhu Xi, whom Zhu Ying was holding.

"Successfully bestowed talent 【Politics】." The panel prompted.

Seeing this, Zhu Ying nodded slightly and immediately realized.

"So that's it." Zhu Ying revealed a satisfied smile, pondering to himself: "Talent bestowal is what one will be most good at in the future, 【Politics】, that should be handling government affairs."

"This talent addition is not bad; Xi'er is good at handling government affairs, so in the future if I create a country, he can be responsible for national affairs, and I can go conquer without worries."

Thinking of this, Zhu Ying couldn't help but laugh loudly, his heart full of longing for the future.

Regaining his composure.

Zhu Ying immediately held his son, walking in a hurry, but appearing careful, toward the room where Shen Yuer was.

After entering the room.

Looking at Shen Yuer, who was extremely weak after just giving birth, Zhu Ying's eyes were immediately filled with heartache.

Shen Yuer's face was pale, without any blood, fine sweat beads hung on her forehead, and a few strands of hair were messily stuck to her cheeks.

One could imagine how much pain she had just experienced.

"Yuer." Zhu Ying walked to the side of the bed, holding Shen Yuer's hand gently.

Zhu Ying comforted her gently: "You have worked hard."

Shen Yuer opened her eyes slowly; seeing Zhu Ying return, a smile barely appeared on her bloodless face, and that smile was full of exhaustion and happiness: "Husband, I have given birth to a son for you, you have an heir."

"It's best that you are okay." Zhu Ying held Shen Yuer's hand tightly, full of concern: "You have worked hard."

This sentence was both heartache and gratitude.

Then, Zhu Ying put down the infant in his arms gently, carefully showing him to Shen Yuer: "Look, our son."

"I have already named him, Zhu Xi."

Zhu Ying looked at Shen Yuer, his eyes full of tenderness.

Hearing this, a light of maternal love immediately flowed from Shen Yuer's eyes; she smiled and said softly: "En, Xi'er."

"Go invite a doctor and prescribe nourishing medicine."

Zhu Ying stood up and ordered the maids in the room, his voice carrying an unquestionable majesty.

"Everyone who participated in the delivery will be rewarded with ten taels of silver, and the servants in the residence will have plenty of wine and meat today."

"Reward the midwife with one hundred taels of silver." Zhu Ying said loudly.

"This servant thanks the Master."

All the maids knelt down, all incomparably excited.

Especially the midwife outside the room, who was smiling like a flower at this moment.

"Yuer." Zhu Ying walked to the side of the bed again, looking at Shen Yuer gently: "What you need to do now is rest well; the military affairs in Huizhou are finished, and I will accompany you well in the residence in the coming days."

"En." Shen Yuer smiled gently; although her face was still weak, she was full of happiness, as if as long as Zhu Ying was by her side, all the pain became insignificant.

After leaving the room, Zhu Ying's face was brimming with a joyful smile, and he shouted loudly: "Liu Lei."

"You go to the government office and register my son's household; the ancestral home is in Daning, and the name is Zhu Xi, as my eldest son."

Zhu Ying said to Liu Lei with a face full of smiles.

"No need to go to the government office."

A hearty voice came from outside, and Bu Wan was seen walking over with big strides.

Behind Bu Wan, there were several servants, each holding a brocade box in their hands.

"Uncle Bu."

Seeing Bu Wan arrive, Zhu Ying immediately walked forward quickly, with a sincere smile, cupping his hands and bowing, the action full of etiquette for an elder.

From the address, it could be clearly heard that the relationship between Zhu Ying and Bu Wan was closer.

"Just heard that Yuer gave birth, so I hurried to bring a few gifts."

Bu Wan said with a smile, the smile on his face being the concern of an elder for a younger generation.

"Just a few pieces of jade and ginseng, not too precious."

Bu Wan said, signaling the servants behind him to present the brocade boxes.

"Uncle Bu is too polite." Zhu Ying smiled and replied, thanking him immediately.

He naturally knew that Bu Wan was honest as an official, and the Hongwu Dynasty treated officials very poorly, with pitifully little salary.

Being able to bring a few pieces of jade, this must have been bestowed by the imperial court in the past, and this friendship was incomparably precious.

"You kid have good luck, the first child is a son." Bu Wan patted Zhu Ying on the shoulder and said with a smile, also congratulating him immediately: "Congratulations."

"Thank you, Uncle Bu." Zhu Ying responded happily.

"I just heard it." Bu Wan raised his head slightly and said with a smile, "Zhu Xi. A good name! However, this kind of name is literary and doesn't fit your kid's character."

Bu Wan said, looking at Zhu Ying with a slightly teasing look.

"I am a military general, so I naturally don't want my first son to enter the path of a military general, so it is a bit more literary." Zhu Ying explained with a smile.

"That's fine." Bu Wan nodded slightly, a flash of expectation in his eyes: "When little Zhu Xi grows up, I will be his teacher and teach him to read and write."

"With Uncle Bu's teaching, it is naturally what I want." Zhu Ying smiled immediately, his face full of facilitation.

"Alright." Bu Wan waved his hand and said with a smile: "I have come to see, so I won't delay your joy. When the full month comes, you can't be short of my wine."

"Also, here is a transfer record from the Ministry of Revenue of the imperial court, you can see it yourself."

Bu Wan said, taking out a record from his bosom and handing it to Zhu Ying.

Then, fearing to delay Zhu Ying's affairs, he turned and left.

Seeing this, Zhu Ying followed Bu Wan out of the residence gate, looking at Bu Wan's departing back, his heart full of gratitude.

Then, he opened the record and looked.

"Ministry of Revenue transfers grain to Daning, to Beiping."

"The grain and grass required for thirty thousand troops for half a year will be transported within three months."

Looking at the news on this record, Zhu Ying understood it at a glance.

"It seems that the imperial court is preparing to use troops against Northern Yuan after the spring."

Zhu Ying also carried a kind of anticipation in his eyes, as if he had already seen the upcoming great war.

After all.

From this record, one could clearly see the purpose of the imperial court.

Clearly, the mobilization of these grain and baggage supplies was carried out secretly and belonged to top secret.

However, Bu Wan brought it to Zhu Ying, naturally because Zhu Ying was the Daning Regional Military Commissioner and had the right to know.

"Grain and baggage supplies transported to Daning and Beiping Prefecture."

Zhu Ying lowered his head slightly, continuing to ponder: "This time, our Daning Prefecture also has a share in the troop dispatch. Just don't know who will be the Grand General."

"The Grand General who defeated Northern Yuan in history and made Northern Yuan fall apart was Marquis Lan Yu, but after the Battle of Liaodong, the imperial court should not let Marquis Lan Yu lead the troops alone, right?"

Looking at this record, Zhu Ying fell into deep thought.

However, after pondering for a moment, Zhu Ying also put the record away directly.

"Whatever."

Zhu Ying shook his head slightly, a free and easy smile on his face: "Three months of planning time, it will be after the New Year and spring before troops are used."

"It's still early."

Thinking about it.

Zhu Ying's own son had just been born, so now he just needed to accompany Shen Yuer and her son well.

As for the war, wait for the imperial court's edict.

Beiping City, Yan Wang Fu!

"Father." Zhu Gaochi held a record in both hands, walking into the main hall carefully, full of respect: "This is the baggage transfer record just sent by Prefect Fang."

Zhu Gaochi said, holding the record high and handing it to Zhu Di.

Zhu Di reached out and took the record, his gaze sweeping over it quickly, then looked at Zhu Gaochi and asked: "Have you read this record?"

"Returning to Father." Zhu Gaochi immediately cupped his hands and replied, his movements crisp and neat: "Already read it."

"What is your opinion?" Zhu Di's gaze carried a bit of testing, staring tightly at Zhu Gaochi, as if wanting to see his true ability from his answer.

"In the opinion of the son," Zhu Gaochi cleared his throat and replied in an orderly manner: "The imperial court is about to use troops against Northern Yuan. The grain and baggage transferred from the Ministry of Revenue this time are not small, enough for thirty thousand troops for half a year, and will be transported to Daning and Beiping Prefecture in three months."

"It can be seen that this troop dispatch will certainly be the Beiping Prefecture, Daning Prefecture, and even the Great Army stationed in Liaodong by the imperial court marching together."

"And with three months as the period, it means that troops will be used after the New Year and spring."

Listening to Zhu Gaochi's answer, Zhu Di nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

This son of his, although a bit fat and physically weak, was not good at martial arts or military affairs.

But he was extremely capable in government affairs, and many government affairs of the Wang Fu were handled by Zhu Gaochi, and everything was handled steadily and orderly.

"Not bad." Zhu Di praised.

"Father." Zhu Gaochi raised his head slightly, his eyes flashing with thought: "This troop dispatch is like this, it can be seen that the imperial court is determined to defeat Northern Yuan."

"However, who will be the Grand General commanding the troops, these have not yet been decided."

"In the opinion of the son, since there is Beiping Prefecture, Father will certainly be able to command an army and become the main general to conquer."

Zhu Gaochi said, looking at Zhu Di with a certain look.

"En." Zhu Di nodded; he had expected this long ago.

Just at this moment.

"Report." Jin Zhong walked into the main hall with hurried steps, full of seriousness, and bowed to Zhu Di.

"What is it?" Zhu Di waved his hand, signaling Jin Zhong to rise, then asked.

"The Prince reminded the subordinate to pay special attention to the Daning Regional Military Commissioner Zhu Ying, and this time I have received news of Zhu Ying again." Jin Zhong replied respectfully: "Just a few days ago, Zhu Ying's wife successfully gave birth to a son."

Hearing this, Zhu Di nodded slightly: "Prepare a generous gift in the name of the Yan Wang Fu and send it to Daning to congratulate Zhu Ying for having a son on my behalf."

"The subordinate obeys." Jin Zhong bowed, his movements quick and capable, and retreated immediately.

After he retreated, Zhu Gaochi said with a bit of a smile: "Father's vision is extraordinary, and this Zhu Ying is the only one who can be treated so seriously by Father."

"Talents naturally have the way of treating talents." Zhu Di said calmly, his gaze deep: "Our Beiping Prefecture is adjacent to Daning Prefecture, and being on good terms with this Zhu Ying is not a bad thing."

For deeper reasons, Zhu Di naturally would not say. After all, what he was planning was too big, and even his own son could not be told randomly.

"The son is taught." Zhu Gaochi replied very politely, his face full of humility.

"You."

"You are not young anymore."

"It's time to think about the issue of offspring." Zhu Di said with a bit of concern.

"The son... this..."

Zhu Gaochi looked at him awkwardly, not knowing how to answer.

Great Ming capital, Ying Tian!

Wenyuan Pavilion main hall.

The Ministers of the Ministry of War, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of Personnel, and Ministry of Justice gathered here.

The main hall was solemn and grave, and the atmosphere was heavy.

The expressions of all the ministers were very serious.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon chair, and even without speaking, he revealed majesty and dominance.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood quietly on the side, his face carrying a gentle expression.

"Emperor, Crown Prince."

Tang Duo stood out, walked forward a few steps, cupped his hands, and reported respectfully: "After nine months, the Daning border army, Beiping border army, and the Metropolitan Commandery army have all had their lost military strength fully replenished and have returned to full military system."

"Besides this, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue have communicated with each other, and all the pensions for the fallen and disabled soldiers have been issued without omission."

"Please read these detailed records, Emperor and Crown Prince."

Yun Qi immediately walked forward quickly, received the record with both hands, and respectfully presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang opened the record, flipped through it quickly, a look of satisfaction on his face, and nodded: "Not bad. Tang Qing is worthy of being the pillar of our Great Ming."

Hearing this praise, Tang Duo bowed immediately, his face full of gratitude: "Thank you, Emperor, for the praise."

And in his heart, Tang Duo was also relieved.

He didn't dare to have the slightest omission for such a big task; after all, the Zhu Yuanzhang in front of him was a big killing god with ruthless methods.

But fortunately, he passed the test.

"Emperor, Crown Prince."

Minister of Revenue Zhao Mian stood out and also reported respectfully: "After nine months, the commoners and refugees in Liaodong affected by the war have also been settled."

"With the joint efforts of Daning Prefecture and Liaodong Prefecture, many refugees have been properly settled, and the household population situation in Liaodong has also been counted."

"Now the population of Liaodong still has more than 4.8 million, among which more than 500,000 have fled to Daning Prefecture for settlement."

"Not bad." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, pondered for a moment, and said: "I still follow the old rules; for Liaodong Prefecture, prioritize settling the people, and now that it has entered winter, the grain, charcoal, and other cold-protection items required by Liaodong Prefecture should be supplied with priority."

"The subject understands." Zhao Mian replied immediately.

As Zhao Mian retreated, Minister of Personnel Chen Jing also stood out immediately.

"Reporting to the Emperor." Chen Jing walked forward a few steps and said respectfully: "In these nine months, the Ministry of Personnel has focused on dispatching officials to Liaodong. After screening by the Ministry of Personnel and approval by the Crown Prince, the Ministry of Personnel has mobilized more than 70 officials of various sizes under the Prefect, and more than 500 civil servants. Now the entire Liaodong Prefecture has completely implemented our Great Ming laws, implemented our Great Ming national policies, and the Liaodong government has gotten on the right track."

"However, according to the report from Prefect Tie Xuan, Liaodong Prefecture has been under the control of Northern Yuan for many years, and Nahachu has been bellicose and exploited the Han people, which has also caused the loss of financial resources in the entire Liaodong Prefecture. In a short time, it is difficult to restore the productivity of Liaodong Prefecture."

"Therefore, Prefect Tie Xuan submitted a memorial, hoping that the Emperor and the Crown Prince could grant more grace to Liaodong Prefecture as appropriate and have more reductions and exemptions in taxes."

"This matter." Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly, a look of deep thought on his face: "I will discuss it with the Crown Prince."

"The subject understands." Chen Jing bowed and retreated respectfully.

Just as everyone was discussing enthusiastically, Minister of Justice Shen Jin, with a solemn expression, walked out of the ranks steadily.

Shen Jin walked forward a few steps, stood still a few steps away from the throne, cupped his hands, bowed slightly, and reported loudly: "Reporting to the Emperor, Crown Prince."

"The Ministry of Justice has dispatched officials to perform their duties in Liaodong Prefecture for nine months."

"During this period, we have fully cleared up unjust, false, and wrong cases, widely deployed informants, gone deep into the streets and markets, and brought those villains who were hidden in the dark and did evil in the past, as well as the nobles left behind by Northern Yuan, to justice." Shen

Jin said, raising his head slightly, his eyes secretly looking at Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao on the throne, with a serious and cautious expression.

"Now, after careful sentencing by the Ministry of Justice, a total of more than 1,570 people have been sentenced to capital punishment."

"And the cases still under trial are as many as more than 5,780, involving a total of more than 30,000 people."

Shen Jin's voice was unhurried, and every word was clearly conveyed to every corner of the main hall, making everyone's heart tremble.

This number was really not small.

But thinking of the cruelty of the Northern Yuan nobles, this number didn't seem to be too many.

Hearing this report, Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon chair, his expression calm, and he just nodded slowly.

Subsequently.

Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth slightly, his voice low and revealing coldness: "Shen Qing, I have known about your personal ability and the overall case-handling ability of the Ministry of Justice, so no need to say more."

"But one point must be kept in mind: everything must be punished according to our Great Ming laws."

"Those who have committed heinous crimes and deserve to die, do not be lenient, send them to the west."

"And for those good people who are honest and have no faults, do not target them for no reason."

When Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, his eyes were as sharp as an eagle, revealing his attitude toward the fair execution of the law.

"The subject understands!"

Shen Jin heard this and immediately bowed to receive the order, his movements quick and capable.

As time passed.

After all the matters that needed to be explained were reported, the four Ministers of the Ministry bowed according to etiquette, retreated in an orderly manner, and walked out of the Wenyuan Pavilion main hall one after another.

At this moment!

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the backs of the people leaving, his tense face gradually relaxed, and the majestic momentum on his body also quietly unloaded.

Subsequently.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head to the side, looked at Crown Prince Zhu Biao beside him, revealed a smile, and said: "Biao'er, Liaodong Prefecture, this time it is completely owned by our Great Ming."

The words were also full of relief after twists and turns.

Zhu Biao bowed slightly, his face carrying a consistent gentle smile, and responded: "Father Emperor uses both grace and power, using thunderous means and benevolent heart, so Liaodong naturally returns with all its heart."

When Zhu Biao spoke, he was full of respect for Zhu Yuanzhang, and his tone was also extremely humble.

"By the way." Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to have suddenly remembered something and smiled: "I just received a piece of news."

"Zhu Ying has offspring."

(End of chapter)