Chapter 137: Zhu Di: How can he look so much like Zhu Xiongying?

The name of Zhu Ying!

After the war in Liaodong was settled, the news quickly swept across almost ninety percent of Great Ming's territory.

Even Mu Ying, far away in the southwestern frontier of Yunnan Prefecture, heard of the settlement of Liaodong and Zhu Ying's military exploits and achievements.

The reason why Zhu Ying's name could spread rapidly among the group of Great Ming generals was all because of military merit!

If it were just ordinary minor merits, it would definitely not have caused such a sensation.

Even generals like Lan Yu, who were arrogant and came from Huaixi, although they could comment on Zhu Ying in terms of age and conduct, once it involved commanding troops and launching expeditions, they all chose to remain silent.

The three words "Earl of Champion" were the result of Zhu Ying's achievements!

Recognized by imperial power!

Outside the military camp where the Beiping Army was stationed, it was planned in an orderly manner, and the place for the Daning Border Army to station had been prepared.

Under the clear sky!

At this time, Zhu Di and Li Li Jinglong walked side by side toward the camp gate.

Zhu Di wore a black royal robe, manifesting the majesty of his royal prince status.

Li Li Jinglong wore battle armor, following behind Zhu Di.

Suddenly, a series of faint trampling sounds came from afar.

In an instant, the sound became clearer, as if thousands of troops and horses were galloping over.

Tap tap.

Tap tap tap.

A dense and powerful sound of horse hooves came surging from afar.

Looking up, one could see tens of thousands of cavalry coming like a rolling torrent.

In the army, there were many Great Ming battle flags, the flags fluttering in the wind, displaying the might of Great Ming.

The Daning Border Army had always used cavalry as the vanguard, and this time was no exception. They arrived first, while the subsequent thirty thousand infantry followed steadily behind; this was the embodiment of the cavalry's speed advantage.

When they were less than a few dozen paces from the Beiping camp gate, Zhu Ying, who was in the lead, suddenly raised a hand and shouted: "Halt!"

The next moment.

The cavalry behind him pulled on their reins with force.

For a time, the horses let out successive neighs, their hooves pawing the ground, raising clouds of dust.

The twenty thousand cavalry almost stopped their forward pace in unison at the same moment.

At this moment, even though they were just standing quietly in front of the Beiping camp gate, the terrifying killing aura accumulated from countless battles came rushing toward them like a surging flood.

That momentum was as if it could freeze the surrounding air.

"What an elite cavalry!"

Zhu Di couldn't help but exclaim, his eyes full of appreciation.

"Indeed, this army actually has such powerful military might!"

"Truly an elite."

Li Li Jinglong echoed, revealing a trace of shock.

The two looked at each other, neither hiding the surprise in their eyes.

Obviously, this was the first time they had seen the Daning Border Army.

Just one glance, just standing a few dozen paces away, the suffocating killing aura rushing toward them—how could Zhu Di and Li Li Jinglong not feel it!

Especially Zhu Di, as the commander of the Beiping Army, who had long been rolling in the battlefield, could see the difference between elite troops and weak troops at a glance.

"Earl of Champion Zhu Ying, truly lives up to his reputation!"

Li Li Jinglong said with great emotion: "Such elite troops are indeed the elite army that has experienced the bloody battles of Liaodong."

"That must be Zhu Ying."

Zhu Di's gaze was locked tightly on the spot a few dozen paces away.

He saw a general wearing a bright red cloak, his whole body wrapped tightly in battle armor, standing on his horse.

Under the gaze of Zhu Di and Li Li Jinglong, Zhu Ying dismounted nimbly, his movements smooth and continuous without the slightest hesitation, and he tossed the battle helmet on his head toward Liu Lei behind him.

Liu Lei was quick-eyed and nimble-handed, steadily extending both hands to catch the battle helmet.

At the same time, Liu Lei, leading a group of personal guards, also dismounted quickly, following closely behind Zhu Ying.

As for the cavalry behind, they made no move, stopping in place, waiting quietly for the next instruction.

"Royal robe on his body."

Zhu Ying looked ahead and thought to himself: "This person should be the famous Yongle Emperor in history, Zhu Di."

"In history, he is an emperor with the merit of sealing Seal Langjuxu."

"Today, I have actually seen him with my own eyes."

Zhu Ying looked up, his gaze instantly locking onto Zhu Di, who was in the center of the camp gate.

With just one glance, Zhu Ying determined his identity based on the other party's attire and temperament.

However, Zhu Ying did not show his inner thoughts on his face; he had a calm expression and just strode toward Zhu Di.

Zhu Di's gaze had been locked tightly on Zhu Ying.

As Zhu Ying's figure got closer and closer.

Suddenly.

Zhu Di's expression changed slightly. A strange light flashed in his originally calm eyes. In his line of sight, Zhu Ying's figure and appearance gradually became clear from the blur in the distance.

When Zhu Di finally saw Zhu Ying's face clearly, especially when he saw Zhu Ying's eyes, his expression instantly became extremely complex, and a kind of indescribable astonishment even surged in his eyes, his heart pounding wildly.

"Impossible."

Zhu Di was shocked in his heart: "Absolutely impossible. How can this pair of eyes be so similar? It's just too similar!"

At this moment.

Zhu Di's heart was like a surging storm, and memories of the past came rushing in like a tide.

At the moment he saw Zhu Ying, especially that pair of eyes, Zhu Di's heart was shaken violently.

In his ears, a familiar voice seemed to ring vaguely.

"Fourth Uncle."

"Fourth Uncle... I brought Twelfth Uncle and Seventeenth Uncle to find you."

"Fourth Uncle, what are you doing today? I heard you are getting married. Congratulations. I wonder what the aunt looks like?"

"Fourth Uncle..."

Those childish and familiar shouts made Zhu Di's face become somewhat dull at this moment. His eyes were empty, as if he had fallen into deep memories, his feet as if nailed to the ground, unable to move a fraction.

Just at this moment, Zhu Ying had already walked to Zhu Di's front.

"This subordinate Zhu Ying pays respects to the Prince of Yan."

Zhu Ying came to Zhu Di, bowed and cupped his hands in salute.

However, at this moment, Zhu Di seemed to be still immersed in his own turbulent inner world, and did not respond to Zhu Ying's salute at all.

Li Li Jinglong, standing to the side, saw Zhu Di in a daze, and couldn't help but feel a trace of surprise in his heart.

"Your Highness."

Li Li Jinglong hurriedly tapped Zhu Di's arm lightly with his hand.

This tap finally brought Zhu Di back to his senses.

When he saw Zhu Ying before him, Zhu Di woke up completely. The dullness on his face instantly disappeared, replaced by a perfectly appropriate smile, which made it almost impossible for people to notice his previous strangeness.

"General Zhu Ying, I have long heard of your great name."

Zhu Di said with a smile, his tone carrying a bit of enthusiasm, very familiar: "Now that I finally see you, it is indeed as I knew. General Zhu is young and promising, heroic and spirited!"

When speaking, Zhu Di's eyes revealed appreciation.

"Your Highness is too kind."

Zhu Ying first thanked him humbly, then responded with a smile: "I have long heard that Your Highness governs the army strictly. In the past, this subordinate saw the powerful combat strength of the Beiping Border Army in Liaodong, and I have always been curious about what Your Highness looks like."

"Now that I see you, Your Highness truly possesses the heroic spirit of a general!"

In historical records, Zhu Di loved battlefield killing all his life and was determined to expand the territory.

If one praised him as weak, it would inevitably make him unhappy, but praising him for having the style of a general would definitely make him full of joy.

Sure enough.

After hearing Zhu Ying's praise, the smile on Zhu Di's face became even richer.

"General Zhu truly knows how to speak."

Zhu Di said with a loud laugh, and at the same time reached out and patted Zhu Ying on the shoulder. The action seemed very close, as if he wanted to treat Zhu Ying as one of his own.

"Meeting General Zhu today is truly a fortunate event for this Prince." Zhu Di added.

"I wonder who this general is?" Zhu Ying turned his head, his gaze falling on Li Li Jinglong beside Zhu Di, his face showing a look of doubt.

"By the way."

Zhu Di seemed to have just remembered. He immediately reached out his hand, pointed to Li Li Jinglong beside him, and introduced: "This is the deputy general sent by the imperial court to command the Northern Expedition, Duke of Cao Li Li Jinglong!"

"Of course, although General Li is the deputy in name, in fact, many matters such as military power control and troop deployment are the responsibility of General Li."

"This Prince is just assisting from the side."

"General Zhu, don't look at General Li as young; he has truly obtained the true teachings of his father."

"For this Northern Expedition, with General Li commanding the troops, our Great Ming heavenly army will definitely be able to defeat the enemy."

From Zhu Di's words, it was not difficult to hear his admiration for Li Li Jinglong.

However.

Hearing the three words "Li Li Jinglong," Zhu Ying's expression stiffened for a moment, and his eyes widened.

"Damn it."

Zhu Ying exclaimed secretly in his heart, seemingly having ten thousand kinds of helplessness.

"Li Li Jinglong? That super big fool who was called the first-generation Great Ming God of War by later generations, but pitted Zhu Zhu Yunwen to lose the world."

"What exactly is the imperial court thinking? Actually letting this Li Li Jinglong lead the troops?"

"Old Zhu, you really made a random appointment this time."

"There was no such link in history. Originally, the Northern Expedition against the Northern Yuan was led by Lan Yu. Now how did it change? Li Li Jinglong actually popped out."

"This is a complete pit-maker. It seems that in the subsequent marching and fighting, I must try my best to avoid being pitted by him."

Zhu Ying's heart was extremely complex, secretly complaining.

Others might not know Li Li Jinglong's true ability and thought he had inherited his father Li Li Wenzhong's ability to command troops.

But in fact, this guy was just a paper tiger with a superficial appearance. As for real troop commanding and fighting, he was completely half-knowledgeable, a half-bucket of water shaking.

What's more, Li Li Jinglong had stayed in Ying Tian for many years, in that comfortable greenhouse, and had never experienced the cruelty and bloodiness of the battlefield.

In that prosperous Ying Tian City, he might be able to talk eloquently in the court, but he had never seen a real life-and-death contest, so how could he command this corps-level battle?

"So it is General Li."

Zhu Ying quickly adjusted his expression, returned to calm, and immediately bowed and cupped his hands, performing a military salute, saying: "This subordinate pays respects to General Li."

This action, this salute, made people unable to pick out a single flaw.

"General Zhu."

Li Li Jinglong was full of smiles, walked up a few steps, and said very enthusiastically: "I, like the Prince of Yan, have long heard of General Zhu's great name!"

"General Zhu might not know, but when I was in Ying Tian, whether in the court or among the people, General Zhu's name was already like thunder in the ears."

"Seeing you today is my good fortune."

"It's a pity that we are on the march, and alcohol is forbidden in the army, otherwise I would really want to get drunk with General Zhu."

When Li Li Jinglong spoke, the expression on his face also carried a look of disappointment, as if he really wanted to have a big drink with Zhu Ying.

"After the triumphant return of the Northern Expedition, there will be opportunities to drink freely with General Li."

Zhu Ying responded with a smile.

Although Zhu Ying was extremely critical of Li Li Jinglong's ability in his heart, now that Li Li Jinglong was a general commanding troops, Zhu Ying naturally would not be stupid enough to take the initiative to tear his face, after all, doing so was meaningless.

Moreover, Zhu Ying knew in his heart that above Li Li Jinglong, there should be a Grand General responsible for coordinating and commanding the overall situation.

If Li Li Jinglong wanted to deploy troops for an expedition, he also needed the consent of that Grand General.

On the overall situation, he should not be pitted by Li Li Jinglong.

Fortunately, he was not appointed as the Grand General!

"Well said."

Zhu Di, who was to the side, also said with a smile, his gaze sweeping between Zhu Ying and Li Li Jinglong: "After the triumphant return of the Northern Expedition, we will all get drunk together."

Zhu Di's voice was hearty, as if he had already seen the scene of a triumphant victory.

"Good!"

Li Li Jinglong responded loudly.

"Your Highness."

Zhu Ying put away his smile, cupped his hands and asked: "I wonder if the camp for our Daning Border Army has been arranged properly? This time this subordinate led the cavalry to arrive first, and still needs to set up camp for the subsequent army."

"General Zhang." Zhu Di did not hesitate and shouted loudly immediately.

In response.

Zhang Yu walked over quickly from the side.

After seeing Zhu Ying, a happy smile immediately appeared on Zhang Yu's face, and he shouted very enthusiastically: "General Zhu!"

"General Zhang." Zhu Ying also responded with a smile, his eyes carrying the joy of an old friend reuniting: "It has been a year."

"Indeed, it has been a year."

A trace of regret flashed in Zhang Yu's eyes, and he shook his head slightly, saying: "It's a pity that when General Zhu got married, I couldn't go to congratulate you, which is really a pity."

"Haha, my marriage was relatively hasty, so I didn't take care of everything, so please don't blame me, General Zhang."

"However."

"After the triumphant return of the Northern Expedition, I will have a good drink with General Zhang."

"But when we arrive at Beiping Prefecture, General Zhang will have to treat me to a drink."

Zhu Ying said with a smile.

"That is natural." Zhang Yu nodded heavily, then said: "But now military affairs are the priority. I will take General Zhu to arrange the stationing of the Daning Border Army first."

"Good." Zhu Ying nodded, then turned to Zhu Di and Li Li Jinglong, cupping his hands: "Your Highness, General Li, then this subordinate will go to settle the army first."

"General Zhu, please go." Zhu Di smiled slightly.

Immediately.

Under Zhang Yu's guidance, Zhu Ying followed quickly, preparing to settle the army and set up camp.

Watching Zhu Ying's departing back, a thoughtful expression appeared on Zhu Di's face, his eyes carrying a trace of confusion and contemplation, as if he had seen something in Zhu Ying that made him difficult to understand.

"There is actually such a similar pair of eyes in this world."

Zhu Di muttered in his heart: "Too like Zhu Xiongying."

"However, it cannot be him."

"I watched Zhu Xiongying being buried with my own eyes. But..."

Zhu Di's eyes carried deep doubt: "If I didn't know Zhu Xiongying was already dead, I might have thought he was Zhu Xiongying."

"But it is precisely not him. If it were him, who could compare to his unique endowment? Even if Big Brother really... I couldn't stop Zhu Xiongying!"

Regarding the future, Zhu Di had imagined it countless times in his heart.

In the blueprint planned for him by Yao Yao Guangxiao, his Big Brother's life span probably wouldn't be long.

And in the future, if Father Emperor still wanted to choose the position of Crown Prince, he would inevitably select from the legitimate sons.

Zhu Di was full of confidence in himself; he knew deeply that compared to his second and third brothers, he was definitely the most outstanding.

Therefore, Zhu Di firmly believed that as long as his Big Brother passed away, he would have a great advantage in this competition for the position of heir.

But.

If Zhu Zhu Xiongying were still alive, then all of Zhu Di's confidence and advantages would instantly vanish.

Zhu Di deeply understood his Father Emperor's mind. In Father Emperor's heart, the only true relatives from beginning to end were Big Brother's family, and this also included Zhu Zhu Xiongying.

In Father Emperor's eyes, Zhu Zhu Xiongying was the legitimate eldest grandson and the best candidate for the future throne besides Big Brother.

If it weren't for the fact that his eldest nephew Zhu Zhu Xiongying passed away, he might have already been granted the title of Imperial Grandson.

Of course.

Like the current situation.

If it really was as Yao Yao Guangxiao predicted, that Big Brother's life span was insufficient and he unfortunately passed away.

Then the most likely candidate for the future Crown Prince would be Zhu Zhu Xiongying, because he was the true legitimate eldest grandson and possessed incomparable advantages in the order of succession to the throne.

But.

None of this would happen.

Because Zhu Di had once seen Zhu Zhu Xiongying's burial with his own eyes, and it was buried together with the Empress.

That scene was still vivid in his mind!

This also made Zhu Di's heart have a kind of rejoicing.

Without Zhu Zhu Xiongying, he would not face too much pressure on the road to competing for the throne in the future.

"Your Highness."

Li Li Jinglong looked at Zhu Di, who was lost in thought, and said with a strange look: "What are you in a daze for? Just now as well."

"Nothing." Zhu Di shook his head and said with a smile: "Just seeing this Zhu Ying for the first time, I felt some emotion."

Zhu Di used words to cover up his true thoughts in his heart, not wanting Li Li Jinglong to see his strangeness.

Hearing this.

Li Li Jinglong nodded, seemingly feeling the same, his gaze looking toward the direction Zhu Ying left, and said slowly: "This Zhu Ying is indeed worthy of being young and successful."

"Unlike us who inherited titles and possessed noble status from birth, he killed his way up step by step from the lowest-level soldiers."

"Only eighteen years old, he was granted the title of Earl and served as a Regional Military Commissioner, yet in his words and deeds, there is no trace of the impetuousness of a young man, which is truly amazing."

While speaking, Li Li Jinglong's eyes were full of admiration and disbelief.

"Not only that,"

Zhu Di took over the conversation: "He is well-versed in human relationships. Just now, his words were appropriate, neither humble nor arrogant, and his etiquette was complete, without any discourtesy."

"This Prince has experienced many battles and can be considered to have seen many people, but to meet someone of Zhu Ying's age with such mature wisdom and ability to handle the world is truly the first time."

Zhu Di revealed a trace of appreciation, but under this appreciation, it faintly revealed some complex and difficult-to-distinguish emotions.

Of course!

In the depths of Zhu Di's heart, even though he knew very well that his eldest nephew Zhu Zhu Xiongying had passed away, just a moment ago, Zhu Ying's eyes, which resembled Zhu Zhu Xiongying's, still made Zhu Di's heart jump violently.

Zhu Di understood too well what it would mean for him if Zhu Zhu Xiongying were still alive.

As the legitimate eldest grandson, Zhu Zhu Xiongying was deeply loved by Father Emperor. If he were alive, the succession of the throne would be like cast iron, and no one else would have a say.

His own covetous ambition for the throne would also never be realized.

"Fortunately, it is not Zhu Xiongying!"

Thinking of this, Zhu Di sighed lightly, raised his head slightly, his thoughts flying.

At this time!

Daning Border Army station.

The twenty thousand soldiers under Zhu Ying were busy.

Heavy tents were easily lifted by them and arranged neatly in designated positions.

There were also soldiers carrying various logistics materials, and the collision of metal equipment made crisp sounds.

Their movements were nimble, and they were already well-versed in tasks like setting up camp.

"General Zhang."

Zhu Ying turned to look at Zhang Yu, his expression carrying a trace of concern: "This time the main general has been decided, I wonder who the Grand General commanding the troops is?"

"According to what the Prince said," Zhang Yu's expression was serious, and he said: "This time our Great Ming mobilized thirty thousand troops, divided into two routes."

"Similar to the layout when attacking Liaodong in the past, one Grand General commands the entire army, and two main generals each lead a route army."

"The Grand General was personally appointed by the current Emperor, and is Marquis Wu Ding Guo Ying."

"The main general of the first route is Marquis Marquis Yongchang Lan Yu, the deputy is Chang Mao, and the main general of the second route is the Prince of Yan, with Duke of Cao Li Li Jinglong as deputy."

"So that's how it is."

Zhu Ying nodded slightly, revealing a look of sudden realization.

Under such a layout.

It is indeed the most stable move.

The existence of the Grand General is also to control the two main generals.

"This Northern Expedition, the imperial court is determined to achieve success in one battle and completely pacify the Northern Yuan."

"The biggest goal of the battle is to completely crush the Northern Yuan so that it no longer has the ability to invade our Great Ming border."

"Precisely because of this, such a huge military force was mobilized, and many capable generals and elite soldiers were gathered."

"The key to this battle far exceeds the Battle of Liaodong."

Zhang Yu said seriously, and he naturally saw through the significance of this Northern Expedition.

However.

Zhu Ying had his own clear understanding of the imperial court's idea of completely pacifying the Northern Yuan so that there would be no future trouble of invading Ming.

"Wanting to completely settle it, you're thinking too much!"

Zhu Ying smiled faintly in his heart.

Even if this Northern Expedition could successfully crush the Northern Yuan, and even capture and execute the Northern Yuan Emperor, this regime of the Northern Yuan might perish, but the various tribal groups that made up the Northern Yuan would still survive.

Zhu Ying knew the historical trend well. After the Northern Yuan perished, three large tribal groups—the Tatars, Oirats, and Uriankhai—would form, and they would still frequently harass Great Ming's northern frontier.

And!

Zhu Ying also clearly remembered that after Zhu Di, his great-grandson Zhu Qizhen, the fool emperor known to the world as the "Great Ming God of War," almost wiped out the elite troops that Great Ming had accumulated for many years in the Tumu Crisis.

That change caused Great Ming to suffer a great loss of vitality!

If it weren't for the appearance of Yu Qian at a critical moment, who turned the tide and organized the Defense of Beiping, Great Ming might have really followed the footsteps of the Southern Song Dynasty, forced to retreat south, and be content with the south of the Yangtze River, losing the vast northern territory of the country.

……

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 138 =====