Chapter 138

"General Zhang,"

"This expedition against Northern Yuan, although dangerous, is also a once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity. If one can achieve battle merits on the battlefield, the future career path will surely be a smooth one."

"Furthermore, if we really crush Northern Yuan this time, there will be much less warfare on the northern frontier in the future."

"This battle must be grasped well." Zhu Ying suddenly said with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhang Yu's face lit up with a smile, and then he said heartily: "What General Zhu says is absolutely correct!"

"Compared to the Battle of Liaodong, the difficulty of this northern expedition is undoubtedly greater, but the opportunities for merit hidden within are also more abundant."

"As long as one can grasp them tightly, promotion and nobility are inevitable!"

"However, compared to General Zhu, I am certainly not as good at winning battle merits in this battle."

"General Zhu must grasp it well."

"Not to mention a promotion in rank, at the very least, the title of nobility will surely be improved. Perhaps after the northern expedition, General Zhu will become a true Marquis of Champion." Zhang Yu said with a smile, his eyes full of admiration for Zhu Ying.

In the end.

Although Zhang Yu also showed longing for this northern expedition, he still felt he was not as good as Zhu Ying.

Hearing this.

Zhu Ying smiled slightly and responded with cupped hands: "Then I will borrow General Zhang's auspicious words."

In reality.

In Zhu Ying's heart, what he wanted to obtain in this northern expedition was not something Zhang Yu could imagine.

He not only thought about the imperial court's official positions and noble rewards, but also dreamed of the supreme glory that all generals had longed for and could not resist since ancient times: sealing Mount Langjuxu.

Once this feat was achieved, he, Zhu Ying, would surely be famous far and wide, leaving a heavy and colorful stroke in the long river of history, becoming a famous general known to all.

Of course.

Among Zhu Ying's many goals, there was also a most critical and secret one, which was the Heirloom Seal of the Realm.

In Zhu Ying's view, this Heirloom Seal of the Realm had extraordinary significance; it was a treasure he had to get his hands on no matter what.

"Having received the mandate from heaven, may one enjoy eternal prosperity!"

These eight words—as long as one obtains it, the future is limitless!

Time passed quickly.

Night fell silently.

The tents had been set up, and under the dim moonlight, one tent after another had risen from the ground; even the stables had been completed.

Night fell.

No training.

Except for the soldiers on patrol, the twenty thousand soldiers had all settled down, and the military camp became quiet.

Zhu Ying returned to his tent, sat on the couch, and looked thoughtful.

"Zhu Di."

"Li Jinglong."

"Guo Ying."

"The butterfly effect brought by my time-travel seems to have already caused history to deviate, and I don't know if the Jingnan Campaign will still happen in the future." Zhu Ying thought secretly.

And thinking of this, a trace of melancholy flashed in Zhu Ying's eyes, in this era that was both strange and familiar.

Every move Zhu Ying made could be like throwing a stone into a calm lake, triggering unexpected chain reactions and changing the course of history.

Now.

There were already changes that had truly appeared before his eyes.

As for what direction the future would develop in, Zhu Ying felt as if he were in a fog, unable to see clearly; this uncertainty also made Zhu Ying feel a sense of strangeness in his heart.

History was no longer history!

After a moment of contemplation.

Suddenly.

Zhu Ying seemed to remember something, and a flash of excitement appeared in his eyes: "Right, there are still three treasure chests that haven't been opened; it's time to see what treasures can be opened."

Having said that.

Zhu Ying calmed his mind and issued a command: "Open all treasure chests."

The next moment.

He saw a flash of light before his eyes, the panel appeared, and prompt text appeared before his eyes.

"Opened two ordinary treasure chests."

"Obtained 【100 Refined Steel Sabers】."

"Obtained 【Throat-Sealing Poison】 recipe."

"Opened First Rank treasure chest."

"Obtained Yellow Rank, Low-grade 【Blood-Burst Powder】 recipe."

In the blink of an eye, all three treasure chests were opened.

Looking at the prompts on the panel, Zhu Ying revealed a trace of disappointment.

"Only these steel sabers are somewhat practical."

"What use can Throat-Sealing Poison and Blood-Burst Powder have?" Zhu Ying thought while beginning to study the recipe for 【Throat-Sealing Poison】.

After understanding it.

"Throat-Sealing Poison, seals the throat upon seeing blood... this can be equipped for the Black Guard death soldiers; in case they are unfortunately captured while performing a mission, they can have a means to commit suicide and preserve their integrity."

Then.

Zhu Ying shifted his gaze to the recipe for 【Blood-Burst Powder】.

Attributes presented.

Blood-Burst Powder: After taking it, one can increase strength and physique by five times within one stick of incense; after the medicine wears off, one will be weak for ten days.

Seeing this.

Zhu Ying's eyes instantly lit up, and a look of surprise appeared on his face: "This Blood-Burst Powder is simply a divine medicine for turning the tables in a desperate situation!"

"If the army takes it at a critical moment, their combat power will instantly explode; who could contend with them?"

The more Zhu Ying thought, the more excited he became, even imagining that if he were to establish a kingdom in the future, what kind of combat power would his army have if they took this Blood-Burst Powder?

Of course, that was too far away.

Even if it were just for the Black Guard to use now.

This was also a divine medicine for surviving a desperate situation.

Immediately.

Zhu Ying got up from the couch, walked quickly to the table, and quickly picked up paper and pen; in a short while, he had finished copying the two recipes.

After writing them down.

Zhu Ying shouted loudly toward the outside of the tent: "Liu Lei!"

"General!"

Hearing the call, Liu Lei quickly entered the tent, bowed, and waited for Zhu Ying's command.

Zhu Ying handed the two recipes to Liu Lei, his expression serious: "Here are two recipes, one is a deadly poison, and one is a medicine powder to increase combat power."

"You immediately have the Black Guard's physician prepare them according to the recipes, and then have the Black Guards carry them with them; be sure to be careful and cautious, and do not make any mistakes."

Liu Lei took the recipes with both hands and nodded heavily: "Subordinate obeys!"

Subsequently, Liu Lei quickly turned and strode out of the tent to complete the mission.

And after Zhu Ying finished giving his instructions.

After watching Liu Lei leave.

"Next, just wait for the main army to gather and start the northern expedition journey." Zhu Ying thought secretly.

Inside the Prince of Yan's tent!

The candlelight flickered.

There were only two people in the tent.

Zhu Di sat on the chair in the main seat and suddenly asked: "Monk, do you say people can be resurrected after death?"

Yao Guangxiao sat on a meditation cushion to the side; hearing Zhu Di's question, he raised his head slightly, a flash of surprise in his eyes, then returned to calm, with a faint smile, teasing: "What's wrong with the Prince today? Why are you suddenly saying such nonsense? Could it be because you couldn't directly command the army and are dissatisfied?"

As he spoke, he gently turned the prayer beads in his hand.

Zhu Di shook his head slightly, his eyes carrying a bit of loneliness, and said: "I have already seen through the matter of military power."

"The Emperor's move is nothing more than wanting to temper me, so that I can guard this northern frontier gateway for Big Brother in the future."

Speaking of this, Zhu Di's gaze looked outside the tent, through the thick canvas, toward Yingtian, toward his father's expression.

Yao Guangxiao looked at Zhu Di, his smile gradually disappearing, replaced by a trace of concern, and said: "Since the Prince has already seen through it, why are you so unhappy?"

Zhu Di was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "People cannot be resurrected after death; this is the common law of heaven and earth."

"But today, I felt as if I saw my nephew from the past come back to life."

Speaking of this.

Zhu Di seemed to be suppressing some emotion deep in his heart, while his face had a complexity intertwined with nostalgia and doubt.

"The Imperial Grandson?"

Yao Guangxiao's body jolted slightly upon hearing this name.

His previously calm face instantly became serious, and his eyes revealed a trace of shock: "Impossible! The Imperial Grandson's fate was already exhausted; I watched him pass away with my own eyes and even chanted scriptures to pray for him."

"And..."

Yao Guangxiao paused slightly and said with deep emotion: "If the Imperial Grandson were still alive, I would not dare to speak recklessly about giving the Prince a white hat."

"After all, his status was too heaven-sent; whether in terms of etiquette or imperial court influence, no one could compare."

"Perhaps, this is also a kind of jealousy from heaven."

Yao Guangxiao said, carrying some emotion.

Zhu Di nodded, not refuting, because he knew every word Yao Guangxiao said was true.

If Zhu Xiongying were alive.

In terms of etiquette.

He was the undisputed legitimate eldest grandson of the Emperor.

In terms of supporters.

The entire Huaixi was Zhu Xiongying's supporter.

And the Six Ministries of the imperial court, everything of Zhu Biao's would be his natural supporters.

Let alone Zhu Di being a prince.

Even if he held more military power, he could not be an opponent; no matter what, it would be difficult for him as a prince to contend with him!

"However, why does the Prince have this emotion?" Yao Guangxiao asked curiously, carrying a bit of probing meaning.

"Zhu Ying, do you still remember?" Zhu Di said.

"Naturally I remember. The Prince values him quite highly and has tried many times to win him over."

"With the Daning border troops coming this time, he must be among them."

Yao Guangxiao nodded slightly as he spoke.

Suddenly, Yao Guangxiao seemed to think of something, a flash of surprise in his eyes, and asked: "Could it be that the Prince saw the shadow of the former Imperial Grandson in Zhu Ying? Does he look like the Imperial Grandson?"

Yao Guangxiao's voice carried a trace of curiosity.

It was just pure curiosity.

After all, people cannot be resurrected after death.

This is the foundation of heaven and earth.

Zhu Di shook his head slightly, his eyes carrying emotion, and said: "His appearance is not similar to Xiongying's childhood, but that pair of eyes is extremely similar."

"If I hadn't watched Xiongying being buried with my own eyes, I would have really thought he had returned."

Zhu Di said, closing his eyes, as if recalling Zhu Xiongying's face, the eyes of his nephew and Zhu Ying's eyes gradually overlapping in his mind.

Yao Guangxiao smiled and comforted: "The Prince is overthinking!"

"The Imperial Grandson has already passed away, and there are many people in the world; it is not strange to have similar people."

"Let alone similar eyes, even if they looked exactly the same, it would not be impossible."

"The Prince does not need to take this matter too much to heart."

Yao Guangxiao's voice was peaceful, trying to let Zhu Di put down the doubts in his heart.

Zhu Di nodded and smiled faintly: "It is indeed me overthinking."

"Meeting him today might be an arrangement of fate, making me recall the past."

Zhu Di's smile carried a trace of relief, but deep in his heart, a trace of worry remained hidden; this worry was like a seed buried deep in his heart, difficult to completely eliminate.

At this time, Yao Guangxiao suddenly raised his head, his expression becoming serious, and asked: "If this Zhu Ying really is the former Imperial Grandson, what does the Prince intend to do?"

The words fell.

Yao Guangxiao's gaze stared tightly at Zhu Di, a gaze that seemed capable of piercing through the human heart, wanting to peek at Zhu Di's truest thoughts.

Upon hearing this question, the smile on Zhu Di's face instantly vanished, replaced by a cold and stern look, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

A moment later, he turned his head, his gaze meeting Yao Guangxiao's, and asked back: "What do you think I would do?"

Zhu Di's voice was low and cold, carrying a chill that made people shudder.

Yao Guangxiao stared at Zhu Di for a moment, then suddenly laughed.

"I do not know what the Prince would do, but I am certain that the Imperial Grandson is no longer in this world."

"The white hat I promised to give the Prince will surely be delivered."

Yao Guangxiao's smile carried a trace of confidence.

"I am waiting for that day."

Zhu Di said firmly, the light of ambition flashing in his eyes, seemingly revealing the desire for power deep in his heart.

"However, I am also quite curious about this Zhu Ying and want to see his physiognomy and measure his fate."

"I wonder if the Prince can introduce us?" Yao Guangxiao asked with a smile, revealing a trace of anticipation in his eyes.

"You want to see him?" Zhu Di's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, a flash of hesitation in his eyes.

All along, Yao Guangxiao had been secretly staying in the Prince of Yan's mansion, and very few people knew of his existence.

Now that Yao Guangxiao proposed to see Zhu Ying, Zhu Di could not help but feel some worry.

After all, Yao Guangxiao knew many of his secret matters; he was worried that once Yao Guangxiao came into contact with Zhu Ying, it would trigger some unpredictable events, which might break his original plans and even endanger his future.

"Seeing him alone will not be a problem."

"If the Prince introduces us privately, even if I meet him, who would believe it if he told others?"

"I am already a person who has left the secular world for a long time; in the eyes of outsiders, I am already a dead person."

Yao Guangxiao seemed to see through Zhu Di's worry and said with a smile.

Zhu Di frowned, lost in thought, struggling in his heart, constantly weighing the pros and cons.

For a long time, Zhu Di slowly asked: "What do you want to see him for?"

"Just as I said, to see his physiognomy and explore his fate."

Yao Guangxiao smiled slightly.

Zhu Di thought for a moment, finally nodded, and said: "Tomorrow, I will call Zhu Ying to the camp."

"In that case, thank you, Your Highness." Yao Guangxiao put his hands together and thanked him.

Early the next morning, the sky was slightly bright!

Daning border troops station.

Zhu Ying stopped cultivating, put on his clothes, donned his battle armor, and walked out of his tent.

"General."

Liu Lei had already been waiting outside the tent, holding a basin of clear water.

Zhu Ying nodded, took the towel, and washed up simply.

Subsequently, Zhu Ying shouted loudly: "Drill!"

"Yes!" Liu Lei immediately turned and shouted loudly: "Personal Guard Battalion, drill!"

The sound spread out.

The next moment.

The seven hundred personal guards around Zhu Ying's tent gathered quickly, their movements uniform, quickly lining up in seven rows, standing neatly and solemnly.

Zhu Ying strode to the front of the team, looked up and swept over every soldier, then turned around and shouted loudly: "Drill!"

Led by Zhu Ying himself, they ran toward the military camp's drill ground.

The personal guards followed closely, the sound of neat footsteps starting to beat.

This was the tradition of the Daning border troops: drill every morning, run five laps around the drill ground, and then eat breakfast.

And every time they drilled, Zhu Ying would lead by example, and the commanders, battalion commanders, and even garrison commanders would follow behind.

This was not only a training method but also the key to enhancing the army's cohesion; this was also the uniqueness of Zhu Ying's troop training, borrowing from the training concepts of later generations, allowing soldiers to cultivate tacit understanding and unity during training, and enhancing trust and obedience to the general.

Soon, on the drill ground, rows of border soldiers were already dressed in neat battle armor; they did not carry weapons, and with each military battalion as a unit, they formed neat phalanxes and started to drill.

"Daning border troops!" Zhu Ying stood at the very front, using all his strength to shout loudly.

The sound was as loud as thunder, piercing the silence of the morning, echoing throughout the entire camp, as if to shatter the sky.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The twenty thousand border soldiers shouted in unison, the sound deafening, as if to shake the heavens and earth.

This uniform shouting, carrying endless momentum and power, wave after wave, echoed throughout the entire military camp, making people's hearts surge and their blood boil.

Inside the entire Daning military camp, the sound of shouting and killing was like thunder, rushing straight into the clouds.

Immediately after.

"Boom, boom, boom."

The heavy and powerful footsteps intertwined, like war drums beating. Led by Zhu Ying, the twenty thousand border soldiers, like a steel flood, started to run in an orderly fashion around the drill ground.

Their steps were uniform, and every time they stepped, the earth trembled.

At this moment!

Inside the adjacent Beiping military camp.

The Beiping soldiers were already eating breakfast.

Hearing the sudden vibration and the sound of shouting and killing.

Many Beiping soldiers were jolted up, appearing very alert.

"Is this the sound coming from the Daning military camp?"

"What are the Daning border troops doing? Such a big formation?"

"They seem to be training?"

"Are you kidding? We're about to fight, and instead of resting well, they're still training?"

"What can they train?"

"They're crazy..."

Many Beiping soldiers looked toward the direction of the Daning border troops, very surprised and puzzled.

Of course.

There were also those who mocked.

Inside the main camp.

Zhu Di had also not been awake long.

Although he was a prince of noble status, he was also extremely self-disciplined and got up very early every day.

Hearing the shouting and killing coming from outside, and the trembling under his feet.

Zhu Di was also full of confusion and shouted to the outside: "What's going on outside?"

"Reporting to the Prince."

"It's the Daning border troops training."

The personal guard outside the tent replied immediately.

"Training?"

A look of surprise also appeared on Zhu Di's face.

Clearly, he also did not expect the Daning border troops to still be training at this time.

"Your Highness."

At this time!

The tent curtain opened, and Li Jinglong strode in; seeing Zhu Di, a look of emotion appeared on his face: "Now I finally understand why the troops under Zhu Ying are so powerful; with a great battle imminent, these Daning border troops have no fear of the great battle, and are still training."

"And Zhu Ying, as the Regional Military Commissioner, is also training."

"Not only him."

"All the generals under Zhu Ying are training."

"I just asked."

"Regardless of whether it's sunny or rainy, the Daning border troops must run five laps around the drill ground every day."

"From the Regional Military Commissioner down to the soldiers, it's all the same."

As soon as he came in.

Li Jinglong said to Zhu Di, appearing very emotional.

And hearing this.

Zhu Di was also completely surprised.

(End of chapter)