Chapter 149: Good News Arrives! Zhu Yuanzhang

Ying Tianfu, within the imperial palace, the Fengtian Hall stood solemn and dignified.

Since the horn of the northern expedition sounded, the court sessions, once held every three days, now occurred nearly daily.

After all, with major war imminent, matters were numerous and complex.

Moreover, this war placed enormous strain on the state treasury and the Great Ming’s internal finances. To ensure the northern expedition advanced smoothly and all systems remained stable, Zhu Yuanzhang led by example, treating court sessions with utmost seriousness.

“Your Majesty,” Tang Duo stepped forward from the ranks, his voice clear and confident: “Generals Guo Ying, Lan Yu, and Li Jinglong have all arrived at the northern frontier for several days.”

“By now, they must have launched their offensive against the Northern Yuan.”

“This campaign, our Great Ming has prepared thoroughly—grain, supplies, cannons, and iron shot are all abundantly stocked. We shall surely annihilate the Northern Yuan in one decisive blow!”

As he spoke, Tang Duo raised his head, stealing a glance at Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression.

“On the battlefield, circumstances shift by the moment.”

Upon the dragon throne, Zhu Yuanzhang’s face was grave, his tone steady: “We must proceed with caution, not the slightest negligence.”

He rose from humble origins.

Zhu Yuanzhang treated every matter with caution; this great war concerned the very foundation of the Great Ming, so naturally he showed deep caution and concern for the battlefield’s developments.

Even with thorough preparation, true victory lies on the battlefield.

It shifts by the moment—cannot be judged by ordinary logic.

“Your Majesty may rest assured,” Tang Duo straightened instantly, his expression stern, his voice decisive: “The Ministry of War monitors the northern frontier constantly. Should any change occur, I shall report it immediately.”

With that, Tang Duo clasped his fists and bowed deeply to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang gave a slight nod, a hint of satisfaction crossing his face.

Then he turned his gaze to a minister and spoke: “Qin.”

His voice was low, yet carried undeniable authority.

“Your servant is here.”

Minister of Works Qin Da hurried forward from the ranks, stepped ahead, bowed low, his posture deeply respectful.

“Your Majesty, with war now erupted, the Ministry of Works dares not slacken for a moment.”

“Currently, all our craftsmen are working day and night, racing to produce cannonballs.”

“Yet, compared to traditional solid cannonballs, our ministry has adopted a new technique—embedding iron needles and spikes within the shells. The manufacturing process is far more complex, so production speed lags behind that of solid cannonballs.”

Qin Da raised his head slightly, observing Zhu Yuanzhang’s expression. Seeing no displeasure, he exhaled softly and continued: “But please, Your Majesty, rest assured—the entire Ministry of Works will give its utmost, never delaying the war’s needs.”

“As soon as a batch is completed, we shall immediately hand it over to the Ministry of War for swift transport to the northern frontier.”

Qin Da’s words were earnest, filled with determination.

Zhu Yuanzhang listened, nodded in satisfaction, and a faint smile appeared on his face: “Qin, your enhancement of the cannonball’s power is no small achievement.”

“Once battlefield feedback confirms these new shells kill more effectively, I shall reward you handsomely.”

Qin Da’s face lit up with surprise and gratitude; he bowed again: “Your servant thanks Your Majesty’s boundless grace!”

His voice trembled with emotion.

“Father,” Zhu Biao stepped forward with a smile, speaking gently: “For this northern expedition, all the ministers have fulfilled their duties faithfully.”

“This northern campaign, our army is high-spirited and thoroughly prepared—it shall surely succeed.”

“Once the Northern Yuan falls, our borders shall know lasting peace.”

As he spoke, Zhu Biao radiated confidence in victory.

“The Crown Prince speaks truly,” Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao, a tender smile on his face, nodding in agreement.

Whatever Zhu Biao said was naturally right.

At that very moment!

“Report!” A loud, urgent cry echoed from outside the hall.

Immediately, Jiang Huan, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, entered the hall in his flying-fish robe, strides hurried.

The flying-fish robe stood out vividly against the hall’s golden splendor.

Seeing his figure, the court ministers all felt a tightening in their chests.

For court officials and even the Huaixi generals, though they might be locked in bitter rivalry, they shared one common fear: utter dread and caution toward the Embroidered Uniform Guard, directly answerable only to Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang.

And for Jiang Huan himself, they hated him with gritted teeth.

Yet.

Jiang Huan was Zhu Yuanzhang’s sharpest blade, granted authority to execute first and report later. Though ministers seethed with resentment, none dared offend him lightly.

Still, courtiers often submitted memorials—openly or covertly—requesting the abolition of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Each was summarily rejected by Zhu Yuanzhang, ignored without comment.

In Zhu Yuanzhang’s view, without the Embroidered Uniform Guard’s surveillance, officials across the land would know no reverence.

“What does Jiang Huan want?”

“Has he uncovered another official’s corruption?”

“Jiang Huan, that executioner.”

“...”

As they watched Jiang Huan, many ministers openly revealed disgust and hatred in their eyes.

Yet this time, Jiang Huan had not come to expose any minister’s wrongdoing—he had received a pigeon message from the northern frontier.

In this era, pigeon messages were used, but long-distance transmission remained unreliable; thus, pigeons served only as backup.

True emergencies still relied on urgent dispatches.

Within the imperial city, the Embroidered Uniform Guard alone handled all pigeon messages from regional commands.

“What is it?”

Zhu Yuanzhang, watching Jiang Huan sprint into the hall, remained calm, his tone steady: “What is it?”

After entering the hall,

Jiang Huan immediately bowed and announced loudly: “Your Majesty, a pigeon message has returned from the northern frontier!”

Here, he raised his head slightly, eyes alight with excitement, voice rising: “Good news!”

Had it been any other matter—say, exposing corrupt officials in the provinces—Jiang Huan would never have barged into the Fengtian Hall so recklessly.

After all, this was the critical phase of the northern expedition, when unity among ministers was essential; such actions could not be taken lightly.

But since it was good news, Jiang Huan would not miss this golden opportunity—he rushed to deliver such a morale-boosting report without delay.

“Good news?” Zhu Yuanzhang blinked, a flicker of surprise in his eyes, fixing his gaze on Jiang Huan: “You’re certain this is good news from the northern frontier?”

Not only Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned—Zhu Biao and all court ministers wore expressions of disbelief.

The northern expedition had only just begun—how could good news arrive so soon, even if the Yuan court were utterly weak?

“Your servant dares not deceive Your Majesty,” Jiang Huan straightened, face solemn, voice firm: “This report was written in the hand of General Li Jinglong, deputy commander of the northern expedition’s second army. It is true, unquestionably genuine good news.”

As he spoke, excitement glimmered in Jiang Huan’s eyes.

“Bring it here,” Zhu Yuanzhang’s interest surged, curiosity flashing across his face; he gestured: “Let me see what kind of good news this is.”

Yun Qi, standing nearby, hurried forward, swiftly took the message from Jiang Huan’s hands, then rushed to Zhu Yuanzhang’s side, raising the report high with both hands.

Zhu Yuanzhang reached out, snatched the report, and scanned its contents at once.

As he read, his weathered face grew increasingly astonished.

After finishing, he reread it several times, as if verifying its authenticity.

Yet seeing Li Jinglong’s sworn guarantee of the battle results, Zhu Yuanzhang ultimately chose to believe it.

“This battle report is too astonishing,” Zhu Yuanzhang thought inwardly: “Even in my own campaigns across south and north, I never achieved such a glorious result.”

“When Liu Bowen defended Hongdu, he slew countless enemies—but never reached such staggering numbers.”

“Over a thousand enemies slain, more than ten Yuan officers beheaded.”

“The northern frontier says Zhu Ying possesses the might of Xiang Yu—but now it seems, even Xiang Yu would pale beside him.”

At this thought, Zhu Yuanzhang’s heart churned and remained unsettled for a long time.

“Father,” Zhu Biao, watching Zhu Yuanzhang’s face, could not help asking: “Is this good news from Jiujiang? The northern expedition has barely begun—how could there be such swift news?”

Especially seeing Zhu Yuanzhang’s complex expression, Zhu Biao secretly feared Li Jinglong might have falsified the report.

After all, Li Jinglong was on his first battlefield; Zhu Biao had always held great regard for this cousin.

After all,

He was the legitimate son of Zhu Biao’s maternal uncle.

His own first cousin.

“Biao,” Zhu Yuanzhang looked up, his gaze carrying hidden meaning: “Have you forgotten Zhu Ying’s ferocity?”

Hearing this, Zhu Biao’s eyes widened: “So it’s real? And Zhu Ying did this?”

In an instant, Zhu Ying’s name echoed again through the court—after a year’s silence.

For over a year, the Great Ming had known no war.

“Yun Qi.” Zhu Yuanzhang no longer hesitated—he handed the report directly.

But as Yun Qi reached for it, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly remembered something and added: “Just summarize briefly—read only the battle results.”

Clearly, Zhu Yuanzhang had noticed Li Jinglong’s embellishments in the report.

He had lavished praise on Zhu Ying’s bravery, overflowing with flattery.

“Your servant obeys,” Yun Qi replied respectfully, stepped to the side of the steps, cleared his throat, and announced loudly: “Your servant Li Jinglong submits to Your Majesty!”

“Your servant, alongside Prince Yan, has been ordered by the Emperor to launch the northern expedition to eradicate the northern threat.”

“Today, our army has arrived before the Northern Yuan’s Zhenxiacheng. General Zhu Ying, commander of Danning, led the vanguard in assaulting the city.”

“After one day of fierce battle, General Zhu Ying breached Zhenxiacheng, led troops into the city, slew over a thousand enemies, beheaded more than fifteen officers, including the Yuan commander Mahawu, and captured Zhenxiacheng.”

“On the first day of the northern expedition, we breached a fortified Yuan city and claimed the first victory.”

"General Zhu Ying’s ferocity is unmatched in this age."

"I deeply revere and admire him."

"I hereby send this good news via pigeon letter to report the victory to His Majesty."

"I and all the generals of the northern expedition shall utterly destroy the Northern Yuan and restore peace to our Great Ming’s northern frontier."

Yun Qi’s voice echoed through the imperial court—though not loud, it was piercingly clear, each word striking the ministers’ hearts like a heavy hammer.

After the battle report was read, the ministers, upon hearing the casualties Zhu Ying had inflicted, exchanged stunned glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.

"A thousand enemy slain?"

"Are you joking?"

"Even if his blade had curled from overuse, he couldn’t have cut down that many!"

"This number seems wildly exaggerated."

"Li Jinglong is new to the battlefield—could he be falsifying the battle report?"

"A thousand enemy slain, and nearly all the officers of the Northern Yuan’s border fortress? How is that possible?"

"I also believe this casualty count is definitely fabricated."

"But there’s no reason—he’s a first-time commander, has no prior ties to Zhu Ying, and this report goes straight to His Majesty; he wouldn’t dare lie."

"Could Zhu Ying really have killed that many Northern Yuan soldiers?"

……

At this moment, the ministers in court began murmuring among themselves, just as they had when Zhu Ying’s name first reached the court.

That time, Zhu Ying had slain a hundred enemies and was hailed as a fierce warrior of Daning; his fame had reached court, and many had found it unbelievable.

Now, the number was even higher—and surpassed a thousand. It was like a fairy tale!

Even the invincible Western Chu Overlord, in his prime, could not have achieved such a feat, could he?

"Father." Zhu Biao, his face full of doubt, turned again to Zhu Yuanzhang and asked, "Is this number truly accurate? A thousand enemy slain? This is simply beyond reason."

Zhu Biao, who had always held Zhu Ying in high regard, now could not help but question the authenticity of the battle report.

"This battle report was drafted temporarily in Jiujiang, but its contents have been verified by the Regional Military Commissioner."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke calmly, "This report is authentic."

"Moreover, Jiujiang said the true figures in the official report are even higher than those presented here."

As he spoke, a faint, enigmatic smile appeared on his face.

Upon hearing this, even Zhu Biao’s expression became complex and hard to read.

Clearly, the contents of the report had vastly exceeded his expectations, leaving him stunned.

"A thousand enemy slain."

"This is no longer within human capability."

"How on earth did Zhu Ying accomplish this?"

Zhu Biao could not help but ponder inwardly.

"I offer my congratulations to His Majesty."

"On the very first day of our northern expedition, we have breached the Northern Yuan’s border fortress."

"This is a joy for our Great Ming."

Tang Duo immediately stepped forward and proclaimed loudly.

"We concur."

"Congratulations to His Majesty."

"The Northern Yuan’s border fortress was painstakingly constructed, at great expense, solely to resist our Great Ming’s advance."

"Now it has been breached by our Great Ming."

"This is our Great Ming’s joy—His Majesty’s joy…"

(End of Chapter)

(End of chapter)