Chapter 140

After Zhu Ying left the tent, he had a smile on his face, clearly having reached a partnership intention after a conversation with Zhu Di, and the two talked very happily.

This time, Zhu Ying's restaurant being able to open smoothly in Beiping Prefecture would undoubtedly bring Zhu Ying extremely considerable profits again, which for him was a business that was sure to make a profit without losing.

"Your Highness." Yao Guangxiao spoke softly, carrying a bit of thoroughness in understanding the world, looked at Zhu Di, and said slowly: "This, perhaps, is another purpose for Your Highness agreeing to introduce Zhu Ying."

"The wine from Zhu Ying's winery is a unique wonder in the world. In the past, the Shen family obtained his wine supply and used it to earn countless money."

"Being able to partner with him this time is undoubtedly opening up a business route that is sure to make a profit." Zhu Di's eyes revealed his optimism about the prospects of this partnership.

"Since I was pushed by you to walk on this path, it is very difficult to have a way back; I must seize every opportunity."

Following closely.

Zhu Di said again slowly, his voice low but firm, ambition, unmasked.

After speaking.

He raised his head slightly, his gaze looking toward the direction of Yingtian, where it seemed to be his final destination.

"This Zhu Ying is a smart person."

Yao Guangxiao frowned slightly, seemingly thinking about Zhu Ying's thoughts, and said in a deep voice: "He knows how to avoid suspicion, and even more knows that he cannot be too deeply involved with the Prince."

"And precisely because he is a smart person, it is even better."

"That is why I proposed supplying wine instead of partnering to open a restaurant."

"If he were not a smart person, I would not partner with him."

Zhu Di stood with his hands behind his back, expressing his understanding of Zhu Ying's approach, while the smile on his face contained both recognition of Zhu Ying and confidence in his own vision.

"Zhu Ying's fate is peculiar and has already broken the destined constant principles." Yao Guangxiao said in a deep voice, a trace of emotion hanging on his face: "The real age is only seventeen, yet he has already achieved such success, which is rare in the world."

Seemingly amazed by the huge contrast between Zhu Ying's age and achievements.

"I do not believe in destiny." Zhu Di raised his head and said in a deep voice, his eyes carrying a momentum of fighting to the end, as if challenging fate.

Or perhaps hinting at the throne!

Gaze returning!

Inside Zhu Ying's tent.

"Send this letter to Uncle Lin as soon as possible and let Uncle Lin decide for himself." Zhu Ying sat in front of the desk, holding a pen, writing the letter quickly, while saying to Liu Lei.

After writing the letter, Zhu Ying picked it up and read it carefully again, confirmed it was correct, carefully put it into an envelope, and handed it to Liu Lei: "After it is settled, the business route in Beiping Prefecture can also be opened."

"I didn't expect the Prince of Yan to call the General just to partner in business." Liu Lei respectfully extended both hands, took the letter, put it into his bosom, and said with emotion at the same time, a look of surprise appearing on his face, seemingly surprised by the partnership between the Prince of Yan and Zhu Ying.

"Beiping Prefecture, this is a good place." Zhu Ying smiled, as if seeing the huge business opportunity brought by the Beiping Prefecture business route.

"Indeed."

"Beiping Prefecture is more prosperous than Daning Prefecture." Liu Lei agreed.

"However."

"Prince of Yan, Zhu Di."

Zhu Ying said in a deep voice, but his expression became serious: "He is not a simple person."

Although partnering.

But Zhu Ying revealed his vigilance toward Zhu Di; although it seems they can partner to make money for now, if something happens in the future, everything will change in an instant.

"General." Liu Lei thought of something, leaned slightly toward Zhu Ying, lowered his voice and said: "There is one more thing."

Then, Liu Lei carefully took out a secret letter from his sleeve.

"Black Guard message."

Liu Lei held up the secret letter and reported respectfully: "The first batch of more than three hundred Black Guards has entered Beiping Prefecture, and they have already found the Shen family's business route transport, intercepted a batch of goods worth several thousand taels from the Shen family, and beheaded all the Shen family members who were escorting the goods."

Liu Lei's voice revealed coldness, as if stating a matter that could not be more ordinary.

Hearing this!

A cold sneer appeared on Zhu Ying's face, filled with killing intent.

Regarding the Shen family, he had long regarded them as irreconcilable enemies; in his heart, there was no need to show any mercy for anything belonging to the Shen family.

"Pass the order to the Black Guard." Zhu Ying said coldly: "Continue. I want to make it impossible for the Shen family's business to continue in Beiping Prefecture."

The light of hatred flashed in Zhu Ying's eyes; if he could, Zhu Ying would love to immediately wipe the Shen family from this world completely.

"After Beiping Prefecture, if the Shen family wants to continue doing business in other prefectures, the Black Guard will continue to follow them, kill."

Zhu Ying added word by word: "In short. I want the Shen family's goods! And I also want the lives of the Shen family members!"

"I don't care how you do it specifically, I just want the result."

Zhu Ying revealed a ruthless aura in his eyes.

Liu Lei immediately bowed and said respectfully: "Subordinate understands."

In the blink of an eye!

Five days passed!

Daning Prefecture, Liaodong Prefecture, all the main armies summoned by the imperial court to participate in the northern expedition had gathered.

Thirty thousand main combat troops were all gathered in the border area of Beiping Prefecture, with tents stretching endlessly, and military flags snapping in the wind.

Where the camp gate was. Generals gathered.

Led by Zhu Di, Li Jinglong, and generals like Zhu Ying and Mu Sheng were lined up neatly at the camp gate waiting.

They were dressed in battle armor, with long swords at their waists, their expressions solemn.

At this moment.

Seemingly waiting.

After a while.

In front of the generals, numerous personal guards escorted several generals who came.

Guo Ying took the lead, while Lan Yu and Chang Mao were one step behind.

"Welcome, Grand General." Seeing Guo Ying arrive, led by Zhu Di, the generals bowed to Guo Ying one after another, their movements uniform.

Seeing Zhu Di, Guo Ying did not dare to be formal, immediately dismounted, walked forward with clean and neat movements, and said with a gentle smile on his face: "Your Highness, Prince of Yan, no need for formalities."

"In terms of etiquette, it should be me paying respects to Your Highness."

As Guo Ying spoke, he extended both hands to help Zhu Di up.

"Grand General." Zhu Di replied with a serious face: "Etiquette cannot be abandoned. Now I am a general in the northern expedition army, not the Prince of Yan of Beiping."

Zhu Di's eyes revealed respect for the rules in the army.

Seeing this, Guo Ying said no more and swept his gaze over the generals behind Zhu Di.

Li Jinglong, he naturally knew.

When he saw Zhu Ying and Mu Sheng.

Guo Ying immediately said with a smile: "This must be the Daning border troops Regional Military Commissioner Zhu Ying."

"Subordinate Zhu Ying, pays respects to Grand General." Zhu Ying immediately cupped his hands in salute.

"Good." Guo Ying immediately praised with a smile: "I have long heard of General Zhu's name in Yingtian, and now that I see you, you are indeed a young hero."

As he spoke, he sized Zhu Ying up, the admiration in his eyes becoming more and more obvious.

"Grand General, you flatter me." Zhu Ying responded with a smile, his smile polite and modest.

Regarding these flattering and praising words, Zhu Ying was already used to it.

Almost everyone who was not familiar with him, if they were in a higher position, would say such a sentence!

If their position was lower than Zhu Ying's, it would be "long heard of your great name," "want to learn from General Zhu," and so on. Anyway, it was just polite talk.

Although they were military generals, in Zhu Ying's view, everyone who could survive in the current Hongwu imperial court did not have small heart-eyes.

They crawled and fought in a complex political environment, practicing a skill of observing words and expressions and steering with the wind.

"Mu Sheng." Guo Ying's gaze fell on Mu Sheng again, and he asked with a smile: "I haven't seen your father for a long time; is he well?"

"Reporting to Grand General." Mu Sheng replied with a serious face: "When I came to the northern frontier, my father was well; this time being able to come to the northern frontier to participate in the northern expedition, it was all promoted by my father, letting me come to the northern frontier to conquer and learn, so that I can better serve Great Ming in the future."

"Mu Ying sending you to the northern frontier is right."

Guo Ying said with a smile, nodding slightly, expressing his approval of Mu Ying's approach: "Although those small alien tribes around Yunnan Prefecture harass the border constantly, they are all small-scale wars; this time our Great Ming northern expedition, this is the real great battle."

At this time!

Li Jinglong said: "Grand General, since you are here, it is time to enter the camp to discuss matters."

"Yes, yes, yes." Guo Ying also nodded, his expression instantly becoming serious, as if he had changed into a different person.

"General Lan, General Chang." Guo Ying shouted behind him, his voice loud.

Lan Yu and Chang Mao also walked over slowly. Seeing Zhu Di, Lan Yu and Chang Mao walked forward and performed a very reluctant salute; from their movements and expressions, it could be seen that their relationship with Zhu Di was not very good.

Lan Yu curled his lips slightly, a flash of disdain in his eyes, while Chang Mao rolled his eyes, his face full of reluctance.

And Zhu Di also looked at the two, returning a salute neither cold nor hot, his eyes revealing a trace of indifference.

"It seems the relationship between Zhu Di and Lan Yu and the others is not that harmonious."

Zhu Ying thought secretly when seeing this scene.

However, regarding Lan Yu and Chang Mao, Zhu Ying naturally would not give them any good face; he glanced at them, too lazy to pay attention, turned his head slightly, and cast his gaze elsewhere, as if these two did not exist at all.

And the two were the same, also showing a look of disdain toward Zhu Ying.

Subsequently.

Led by Li Jinglong, the generals gathered toward the main camp one after another.

Outside the camp, the personal guards held long spears, their postures tall and straight, guarding vigilantly; generals below the rank of Regional Military Commissioner were not allowed to enter.

Inside the camp!

Guo Ying sat in the main seat, his face carrying a majestic expression, his eyes revealing his determination for this northern expedition.

Zhu Di and Lan Yu sat in the left and right head seats. Then beside Zhu Di were Li Jinglong, Zhu Ying, Zhang Yu, and Mu Sheng; while beside Lan Yu were Chang Mao and the three Regional Military Commissioners under his command.

They sat in order of rank, their expressions solemn, waiting for the start of the military council.

"Bring the map up." Zhu Di shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the tent.

Zhu Neng and other personal guards acted immediately; they directly brought up a huge sand table map and placed it in the middle of the tent.

That map was made extremely delicately, with mountains, rivers, and cities presented before everyone's eyes.

"Grand General." Zhu Di pointed to the sand table map in front of him and said: "Since I have guarded Beiping Prefecture, although I have not left Great Ming to truly clash with Northern Yuan, I have also sent many spies into Northern Yuan to investigate."

"Regarding Northern Yuan's many troop deployments, as well as cities, this map has markings."

Zhu Di's finger moved slowly on the map, introducing the information on the map in detail, revealing his familiarity with the situation around Beiping Prefecture.

"Among the generals in the camp, the one who knows Northern Yuan best is none other than His Highness the Prince of Yan."

Guo Ying said with a smile, nodding slightly, expressing his approval of Zhu Di's ability: "This time our Great Ming northern expedition, we still need the Prince of Yan to give more opinions."

"This is my duty, and I cannot shirk it." Zhu Di responded with cupped hands.

It could be seen that Zhu Di was indeed second only to Zhu Biao among Zhu Yuanzhang's sons.

His ability was not bad, and he could bend and stretch. At this moment in the military camp, he did not put on the airs of a prince and participated in the preparations for the northern expedition entirely as an ordinary general.

If it were other princes, perhaps they would really put on airs, be arrogant in the army, and be difficult to convince the crowd.

"Northern Yuan, although it has been driven out of the Central Plains." Zhu Di stood up, walked to the sand table map, pointed his finger at Northern Yuan's territory on the map, and said with a cold smile: "But it is said that the Northern Yuan Emperor covets our Huaxia's Central Plains day and night."

"In the Northern Yuan territory bordering Beiping Prefecture, Northern Yuan has even built dozens of cities, the largest of which is called the New Capital, which is the location of Northern Yuan's capital."

As he spoke.

Zhu Di's gaze swept over, revealing disdain for Northern Yuan.

"This matter." Guo Ying nodded and said: "I have heard of it."

"Northern Yuan, although it is a grassland nomadic ethnic group, ever since it entered the Central Plains, it has become obsessed with the city building of our Huaxia, running to the grassland to build cities everywhere."

"So now Northern Yuan is also divided into many factions."

"One faction advocates returning to their nomadic tent ways of the past, while the other faction, which is the Northern Yuan imperial family and the Emperor, advocates building cities and continuing to use our Huaxia etiquette, as well as official systems, all of which are followed."

"So now Northern Yuan looks like a whole piece, but in reality, their internal turmoil is constant."

Guo Ying shook his head slightly, a trace of cold smile appearing on his face, feeling mocking toward Northern Yuan's internal disputes.

Regarding this, the generals also nodded one after another.

Their understanding of Northern Yuan was exactly this.

If strictly calculated, it was that Northern Yuan Empire was divided into a conservative faction and a Sinicization faction.

Undoubtedly, this Sinicization faction was the descendant of Kublai Khan, which was the orthodox imperial family of Northern Yuan.

"Kublai Khan is interesting." Zhu Ying couldn't help but laugh while listening to this, revealing a playful smile: "No wonder later generations teased him as Liu Bilie."

"I didn't expect his descendants to be influenced by him; this is determined to be a Han person."

After the former Great Yuan destroyed Song, Kublai Khan entered the Central Plains; at that time, those Yuan imperial family members and nobles advised Kublai Khan not to go south, as he would be influenced by the Han people, but Kublai Khan didn't listen at all, and then, he became Liu Bilie.

And what's even more ridiculous is that after Kublai Khan entered the Central Plains, he realized the harm of his former fellow clansmen and even raised an army to go north, sealing Mount Langjuxu!

In the end, he knew deeply the harm of the grassland alien tribes, killed the chicken to warn the monkey, and those fellow clansmen of his were killed quite miserably.

It was precisely because of this, the cause of the past, the result of today.

Northern Yuan's internal disputes today were also the hidden danger buried by Kublai Khan back then.

Northern Yuan was powerful enough to suppress and pacify, but now Northern Yuan was weak, and all this was naturally difficult to pacify.

"Fortunately, a character like Liu Bilie appeared in history, leaving behind the internal hidden dangers of Northern Yuan, which is the blessing of our Huaxia."

Zhu Ying thought secretly in his heart, carrying emotion for history and thinking about the current situation.

At this time, Guo Ying's gaze turned and swept over the generals in the tent.

"Generals." Guo Ying shouted loudly, his voice full of majesty and power: "The Emperor trusts us and mobilized thirty thousand northern expedition troops, all of which are the elites of our Great Ming."

"This battle is still the same as attacking Liaodong, divided into two routes."

"One route, commanded by main general Lan Yu and deputy general Chang Mao; the second route, commanded by main general Zhu Di and deputy general Li Jinglong."

"This great battle starts, from where to move troops, from where to combine troops, generals can speak freely."

As he spoke.

Guo Ying revealed his anticipation for the generals, hoping they could offer advice for the northern expedition.

Lan Yu immediately stood out, carrying a kind of heroic spirit, and shouted loudly: "Since it is our Great Ming's main attack, then naturally we must have high morale, head-on toward Northern Yuan, killing them until not a single piece of armor remains."

"Our Great Ming mobilized troops, Northern Yuan spies must have already received the news, I believe their border strongholds must have defenses; either they shrink into the cities, or they want to fight our Great Ming heavenly army with cavalry power."

"Only these two paths are possible."

Hearing this!

The generals in the tent nodded one after another.

Although Lan Yu was arrogant, his troop command and expedition were nothing to say.

His bravery and wisdom on the battlefield were seen by everyone, and everyone expressed approval for his analysis.

"Grand General." Zhu Di also stood up and immediately said: "Northern Yuan has been looting our Han people to build cities on the border bordering our Great Ming, intending to use the power of cities to block our Great Ming's military edge."

"As far as I know, Northern Yuan has built ten border cities on the border, with high walls and thick walls, guarding each other, all to guard against our Great Ming's military edge."

"This battle, if we want to attack Northern Yuan, we must first break Northern Yuan's few border cities."

"I am also willing to be the vanguard, attacking these border cities on the left, pulling them out one by one; in this way, we will surely break Northern Yuan's border defense line."

Zhu Di's eyes also revealed firm determination, as if he had already prepared to charge and fight.

"Marquis Yongchang's words are very correct."

"His Highness the Prince of Yan's words are also not bad."

Just after Zhu Di finished speaking, there were generals who echoed.

"If we want to attack Northern Yuan and kill into Northern Yuan's old nest, we must first pull out all of Northern Yuan's border cities. This time, I am also willing to lead troops to attack."

"I am also willing to be the vanguard and kill into Northern Yuan."

"I am also willing..."

Other generals also nodded one after another, expressing their intentions.

Seeing Lan Yu and Zhu Di, as well as the generals in the camp, all asking for orders, Guo Ying nodded, a look of gratified smile appearing on his face.

He walked slowly to the sand table map and looked carefully at the ten border cities of Northern Yuan on the map. Those ten border cities were like ten nails, nailed to the border between Great Ming and Northern Yuan, blocking the advance of the Great Ming army.

"The names of these Northern Yuan cities are aimed at our Huaxia."

Guo Ying swept over the cities on the sand table, and a cold smile hung on his face.

These cities, Zhenhan City, Zhenxia City, Nuhan City... it can be said that these ten cities were all aimed at Great Ming, all aimed at various meanings of enslavement toward Huaxia.

Looking at these names, Guo Ying's eyes revealed anger and disdain.

"Marquis Yongchang." Guo Ying glanced at him, his face became sharp, and he shouted loudly.

"Subordinate is here." Lan Yu responded immediately, his voice loud and powerful, as if swearing his loyalty and determination to Guo Ying.

"I order you to lead fifteen thousand troops under your command, from the left route, to strike directly at this so-called Zhenhan City, and pull out all five surrounding border cities."

(End of chapter)