Chapter 154: Imperial decree arrives! Bestowing title of honor! Shen Yuer is stunned!

"Killing Northern Yuan Second Prince 【Dibaonu】, picking up 200 points of all attributes, picking up 500 days of lifespan, rewarding two First-Rank treasure chests." The panel prompt sounded at the right time.

"Done."

"Son of the Yuan Emperor." Zhu Ying was happy in his heart.

Military merit, results, and treasure chests!

All in hand.

The surrounding Yuan soldiers, who were still putting up a desperate fight, when they saw with their own eyes their Second Prince being thrown from his warhorse and falling heavily into the dust and blood,

Despair and panic surged on the faces of the Yuan soldiers, and instantly their blood color faded, becoming pale.

"The Second Prince is dead!"

A Yuan army officer shouted with a trembling voice, carrying endless fear and despair, echoing on this chaotic and noisy battlefield.

This sound.

Seemed to have sounded the death knell for the annihilation of this Yuan army.

The next moment.

The morale and fighting will of the Yuan troops inside and outside the city disintegrated instantly.

"It's over, we are all finished!"

"The Second Prince is dead."

"We are finished..."

"Surrender, if you don't surrender, it's a dead end!"

"I surrender..."

The wailing sounds that followed one after another and the sounds of calling for surrender intertwined, also sounding the end of this Yuan army.

"We have been heavily surrounded by the Ming army and have no way to escape!"

"I surrender, please spare my life!"

The sound of calling for surrender grew louder and louder, making more and more Yuan soldiers throw away the weapons in their hands and kneel to surrender.

The death of Dibaonu!

The death of the Northern Yuan Second Prince was also the death of the main general of this army.

It completely crushed the last resistance will of the Yuan army.

Even their courage to break out was swallowed by fear, and the Yuan troops fell like wheat in the wind, surrendering one after another.

And Zhu Ying kept charging, killing step by step to the city gate.

Watching the countless Yuan troops throwing away their weapons and surrendering inside and outside the city, Zhu Ying took a deep breath, added with majestic internal breath, and then shouted loudly: "Those who surrender will be spared! Those who don't will be killed!"

This loud shout carried endless majesty and murderous intent, like rolling thunder, echoing in the sky above the battlefield for a long time.

This sentence also determined the life and death of countless Yuan troops.

The Great Ming soldiers charging inside and outside the city heard their general's loud shout and also raised their weapons, shouting in unison: "The General has an order!"

"Those who surrender will be spared."

"Those who don't will be killed without mercy."

The shouts of tens of thousands of Great Ming soldiers shook the sky and the earth.

It completely enveloped the entire city pass, carrying endless threats and murderous intent.

"Surrendered."

"I surrender."

"Spare my life, my lord."

"Spare my life, General..."

Countless Yuan troops were frightened, their bodies trembling, and they knelt to beg for mercy one after another.

One person led ten people, ten people led a hundred people.

For a time.

More and more Yuan troops did not dare to have the thought of resistance and threw away the weapons in their hands, kneeling to beg for mercy.

"How can our Great Yuan sons surrender to the barbarians?"

"Fight these Han people to the death."

"Kill..."

But there were also a few Yuan troops who were putting up a desperate fight, still making their final struggle, their eyes flashing with crazy light, waving the weapons in their hands in vain, charging toward the Great Ming soldiers.

It's just that these struggles of theirs were also the powerlessness before death.

With Dibaonu dead.

This fierce battle was nearing its end; next, it was only necessary to clear the remaining enemies in the city, and this battle could end.

Zhentangcheng front gate!

The city pass had already been firmly controlled by the Ming army; outside the city, the logistics army soldiers were busy shuttling.

They were in groups of several, carrying stretchers, carefully transporting the wounded soldiers, while others were carefully collecting corpses; the heavy footsteps and the painful groans of the wounded intertwined, forming a tragic picture.

Under the tight guard of numerous personal guards, Guo Ying, Zhu Di, and Li Jinglong arrived before the front gate.

What caught the eyes of the three was a tragic scene.

Corpses everywhere.

Blood flowing like a river.

However.

They were in high positions, so they were naturally very calm about this.

And at this moment.

The gazes of the three all gathered on the city gate before them.

Broken city gate fragments were scattered messily on the ground, and blood and scorch marks remained on the bricks and stones.

Several city wall bricks and stones were scattered in a disorderly manner, and the originally tall and solid seven city walls now only had uneven edges, ready to collapse at any time.

But seeing this.

One could also see the thrilling battle when Zhu Ying broke the city.

Guo Ying's eyes were full of shock and confusion; he pointed his finger at the city gate and asked the personal guard beside him with a shocked voice: "Was this broken by General Zhu with one person and one saber?"

"Reporting to the Grand General!" The personal guard commander was solemn, his body leaning forward slightly, his tone full of awe: "Tens of thousands of soldiers witnessed General Zhu breaking the city pass with a fierce posture."

"These were all done by General Zhu alone."

"The soldiers all call General Zhu a god-man, saying he has natural divine strength, like the Overlord reborn; General Zhu's strength is invincible!"

Hearing this.

"Such strength is truly natural divine strength!"

Guo Ying stared at the broken walls and ruins before him, his face full of disbelief, and muttered to himself: "General Zhu is naturally gifted; perhaps it is really so."

"But this is really not something that human power can do!"

Not only Guo Ying.

Zhu Di was also deeply shocked; he stared tightly at the broken city gate, an unusual light flashing in his eyes, containing both amazement at Zhu Ying's bravery and a faint trace of unease.

"Such a brave general, if used by this Prince, one man could rival a thousand armies," Zhu Di thought unwillingly in his heart; he knew clearly that the Yuan army's defensive layout in the city this time was tighter than before, yet even so, Zhu Ying was still able to forcibly break the city; this divine strength made him marvel, while also making him feel a heavier sense of threat.

"It is already about to be night; the battle in the city should be coming to an end soon."

"Let us enter the city first and let the logistics army continue to clean up the battlefield," Li Jinglong suggested at the right time, breaking the silence.

Guo Ying nodded slightly in agreement: "Naturally."

Just at this moment.

A battle general of the Huizhou Guard ran over with hurried steps.

When he reached Guo Ying, he immediately bowed, cupped his hands, and respectfully reported to Guo Ying: "Reporting to the Grand General, General Zhu Ying has already led the army to completely conquer this city; the main general guarding this city for the Northern Yuan, the Yuan Emperor's second son Di Baonu, has already been personally beheaded by General Zhu Ying!"

"Our army has won a complete victory!"

As soon as these words fell.

"The Yuan Emperor's second son? The Northern Yuan Second Imperial Prince! He actually died just like that?"

Guo Ying said in surprise, his expression instantly freezing, filled with disbelief.

Zhu Di was even more heavily impacted; he frowned and murmured in a low voice: "A royal noble, just like that, beheaded by Zhu Ying?"

As a royal, he knew deeply that the status of a royal noble was special and that they should have had the qualification to surrender.

But Zhu Ying directly beheaded Di Baonu, which made him think of his own status, and a trace of unease surged in his heart.

"On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. This is naturally unavoidable; could it be that we should just watch Di Baonu escape?"

Hearing Zhu Di's murmuring, Li Jinglong spoke up, his expression calm, waving his hand lightly, not feeling that there was anything inappropriate about Zhu Ying's actions.

Guo Ying also smiled and echoed, a trace of disdain on his face: "That is well said. As long as we can conquer the city, kill the enemy, and win, let alone General Zhu killing this prince, even if he slaughtered the Northern Yuan Emperor, it would be fine!"

Hearing the two men's words, Zhu Di fell silent; he subconsciously clenched his fists and then slowly loosened them.

He understood that on the battlefield, such things were understandable.

Swords have no words, and there is no such thing as status or no status.

But perhaps Zhu Di was thinking of Di Baonu's status, and his own status.

Now that Di Baonu, with his royal status, was killed by Zhu Ying just like an ordinary Yuan soldier, if in the future he really did that rebellious act, would Zhu Ying treat him the same way if he wanted to deal with him?

Perhaps, this is what is called a guilty conscience!

Having a ghost in one's heart!

"Grand General, in this battle our army killed countless enemies and captured many."

"General Zhu Ying had already planned to annihilate all the Yuan soldiers in the city when he attacked the city."

"First, he attacked with infantry, charging into the city, and then he had the Daning cavalry detour to the rear of the city to cut off the Yuan army's retreat, forming an encirclement."

"Now the results have been achieved, a complete victory!"

"The results of this battle have not yet been counted, but they will definitely be rich, and the number of captured Yuan soldiers is countless."

The Huizhou Guard general reported excitedly, his face overflowing with excitement.

He was originally in the Daning army, but now he was serving as a Command Assistant in the Huizhou Guard; but since they had achieved a great victory, he also had military merit, so naturally, he was particularly excited.

Of course.

This battle.

Although they were not the vanguard army and didn't get to eat the meat, following the Daning border army to conquer also meant they got to drink some soup.

The merit of breaking the city, the merit of killing the enemy.

Rich rewards!

Guo Ying regained his senses and immediately shouted: "General Li!"

Li Jinglong bowed and saluted, his movements crisp and neat: "This subordinate is here!"

"Since the battle in the city has been settled, the subsequent cleanup matters cannot be delayed."

"You personally mobilize the logistics army to enter the city to clean up the battlefield and rescue the surrendered soldiers."

"In addition, this city is the grain storage place for the Northern Yuan border cities; immediately send people to check the granary. If we can capture the Northern Yuan army's supplies, it is a great thing for our army."

Guo Ying arranged things methodically, his face full of majesty.

"This subordinate obeys!" Li Jinglong accepted the order happily, a confident smile on his face.

Although he was only a half-baked expert at attacking and commanding troops on the battlefield, he had always been at ease with handling these logistics and miscellaneous matters.

"Your Highness the Prince of Yan, there are many surrendered soldiers in the city; they need to be moved out of the city for custody, and then escorted to the Ming territory for custody. Beiping Prefecture can serve as a place to hold the surrendered soldiers."

"This matter still needs you to arrange." Guo Ying turned his head and said to Zhu Di.

"This subordinate obeys." Zhu Di also accepted the order, a trace of thought on his face, as if he were calculating how to properly arrange these surrendered soldiers.

"The battle here is over. The five Northern Yuan border cities attacked by the two-route army will not have much obstruction."

"Next is to attack with full force, directly attacking the Northern Yuan new capital!"

A light of anticipation flashed in Guo Ying's eyes.

This Northern Expedition had already achieved significant results, killing countless enemies; the wish for a great victory in the Northern Expedition seemed not far away.

"Grand General, the results of this battle still need to be counted quickly, and a report needs to be sent urgently to Yingtian," Li Jinglong reminded with a smile, a trace of eagerness flashing in his eyes, his hands rubbing together unconsciously.

Guo Ying laughed: "You fellow, you are afraid that the military merit will be reported a little late!"

The words fell.

"Hahaha." The two looked at each other and laughed, the atmosphere relaxed and happy.

"Regarding this battle report, after the results are counted, I will report it myself," Guo Ying said, his tone carrying a bit of heroism.

"The Grand General is wise!" Li Jinglong immediately echoed, his face full of smiles, his eyes squinting into a slit.

Daning Prefecture, Zhu Fu!

It had been more than half a month since Zhu Ying set out on the Northern Expedition.

Today, the front of Zhu Fu was bustling with activity; the streets on both sides were crowded with commoners, who were whispering and discussing, their faces filled with curiosity and excitement.

Some stood on tiptoe, trying to look into the mansion, while others whispered and guessed what big event would happen today.

The prefecture's county soldiers stood neatly on guard all around, the long spears in their hands flashing with cold light in the sun, maintaining order.

Bu Wan, as the Prefect of Daning Prefecture, also came to the front of Zhu Fu today.

He was wearing his official uniform, his expression solemn, his gaze looking forward from time to time, his hands behind his back, pacing back and forth occasionally, revealing a trace of nervousness and expectation.

Zhu Fu's mistress, Shen Yuer, wearing a plain-colored long dress and holding her son Zhu Xi, who was a few months old, stood in front of the mansion gate, her face carrying a trace of nervousness and expectation.

The little guy was looking around curiously in his mother's arms, waving his little hands from time to time, making babbling sounds in his mouth.

The steward Lin Fu and the servants in the mansion stood neatly to the side, everyone with a respectful expression on their faces, their eyes fixed tightly on the front.

At this moment!

A series of rhythmic stomping sounds followed.

After a period of time.

Over a hundred Jin Wuwei guards wearing red cloaks stood neatly in front of the Zhu Fu gate.

Their postures were upright, like statues, their red cloaks fluttering in the breeze, manifesting the majesty of the imperial family.

A Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander held a golden imperial edict and walked forward with steady steps; his eyes were focused and serious, every step he took was solid and powerful, symbolizing the majesty of the Ming Crown Prince.

"Wife of the Earl of Champion, Zhu Ying, Shen Yuer, listen to the edict!"

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander's voice was loud, like a great bell, breaking the noise of the scene.

Shen Yuer's heart tightened, and she subconsciously hugged her son in her arms; feeling his mother's nervousness, Zhu Xi also stopped playing, opening his big eyes, looking ignorant.

"This subject's wife listens to the edict."

Subsequently, Shen Yuer slowly knelt down.

The servants behind her and the commoners gathered on the street also knelt down one after another.

Even Bu Wan, as the Prefect, did not dare to be the slightest bit negligent and immediately knelt down, his head slightly lowered, his face full of respect.

In the Ming Dynasty, seeing the imperial edict was like seeing the Emperor himself; those without a title who received the imperial edict all needed to pay homage.

"By the order of the Crown Prince, it is said!"

"Daning Commandery Commander, Earl of Champion Zhu Ying, by imperial order led troops on the Northern Expedition; in the first battle of the Northern Expedition, he was brave and invincible, breaking a majestic city on the Northern Yuan border in one day, establishing merit for the country, and should be heavily rewarded."

"Now."

"Record the first merit of the Earl of Champion Zhu Ying in the Northern Expedition; after the results of the Northern Expedition are achieved, he will enter the capital to receive rewards based on his military merit."

"Zhu Ying's wife is virtuous and kind."

"Now."

"Bestow upon Zhu Ying's wife, Shen Yuer, the title of Fourth Rank Lady, enjoy the corresponding salary of the title, and enjoy the privilege of not kneeling when seeing the Emperor."

"And, additionally bestow five hundred taels of gold, five hundred bolts of brocade, one box of tribute fruits, and one hundred servants."

"Respect this!"

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander read aloud, his voice spreading.

Shen Yuer was stunned when she heard the imperial edict.

Her eyes were wide open, filled with shock and disbelief, her lips slightly parted, but she couldn't make a sound.

At this moment, she was like someone frozen in place.

Although Shen Yuer came from a merchant family and had not received much academic education, she knew the weight of the title of Lady very well.

In the Ming Dynasty, for women, the status of a Lady was as precious as a man's title.

When she was in the Shen family, she didn't know how many times she had heard the legitimate wives of those so-called brothers talk about how glorious it would be if they could obtain the status of a Lady.

But the current Emperor hated merchants, and for a merchant's wife to want to obtain a title was simply a fantasy.

Yet.

She never expected that this title of Lady, which countless women dreamed of, would actually fall upon her.

"Lady Zhu, please receive the edict." The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander smiled and reminded her softly, the smile on his face carrying a bit of respect.

Obviously, this was respect for Zhu Ying.

But Shen Yuer was still immersed in shock and couldn't regain her senses for a while. Bu Wan, who was kneeling on the side, saw this, touched her lightly, and hurriedly reminded: "Yuer, why don't you receive the edict and thank the Emperor!"

Shen Yuer then regained her senses, hurriedly kowtowed, and shouted in reply: "This subject's wife thanks the Emperor for his great grace, thanks the Crown Prince for his great grace!"

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander held the imperial edict and walked slowly to Shen Yuer, his tone carrying respect: "Lady Zhu, please rise."

After all, Zhu Ying was now famous in the Ming army and had become a model in the army, so his wife was naturally highly respected.

Shen Yuer stood up slowly, and the maid behind her immediately stepped forward to support her.

Shen Yuer handed Zhu Xi in her arms to Lin Fu, and Lin Fu took the child with both hands, his movements gentle.

"This subject's wife receives the edict and thanks the Emperor."

Shen Yuer took the imperial edict respectfully with both hands, trembling slightly; this was her first time receiving an imperial edict.

"Come, carry the rewards from the Emperor and the Crown Prince into the mansion!"

After handing over the imperial edict, the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander immediately ordered his subordinates.

"Yes."

The Jin Wuwei guards responded in unison, carrying the boxes and entering one after another; the boxes rubbed against the ground, emitting dull sounds.

At the same time.

One hundred servants were also brought into the mansion; they lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound, their steps moving lightly, as if they were afraid of disturbing this solemn atmosphere.

Being in the slave register, their lives and deaths were all in the master's single thought.

"Lady, this is the slave contract for the one hundred servants, please keep it well."

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander took out a box and handed it to Shen Yuer.

"Thank you very much." After Shen Yuer thanked him, she took the box with both hands and put it away carefully.

"Prefect Bu."

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander's gaze turned and landed on Bu Wan.

"Here."

Bu Wan immediately bowed, his heart feeling uneasy, yet faintly carrying a trace of expectation.

"By the order of the Crown Prince, please ask the Prefect to make preparations; in these few months, His Highness the Prince of Ning will enter Daning to take up his fief."

"At that time, please ask the Prefect to cooperate well with the Prince of Ning in managing the government affairs of Daning Prefecture; after assisting in the completion, you can return to Yingtian to report on your duties."

"The Crown Prince said that Prefect Bu has governed Daning Prefecture well over these years, settling the people and handling government affairs, and has worked hard; the imperial court will not ignore the Prefect's merit."

"After you return to the capital, the Crown Prince will personally meet with you."

Hearing this, Bu Wan was so excited that his face turned red, his eyes instantly moistened, tears swirling in his eyes, his body trembling slightly.

For a subject, being recognized by his lord is a great honor.

The current Crown Prince personally sent Jin Wuwei guards to pass on the message; what kind of grace is this!

"Please convey to the Crown Prince that this subject, Bu Wan, swears to serve the Ming Dynasty to the death and will never fail the expectations of the Emperor and the Crown Prince."

"As long as this subject serves in Daning Prefecture for one day, I will perform my duties diligently every day and will not fail the imperial grace!"

Bu Wan calmed his mood, bowed to the Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander, his movements solemn and pious, as if he were declaring his loyalty to heaven and earth.

"Prefect Bu, there is no need for such courtesy; I will convey your words truthfully to the Crown Prince."

The Jin Wuwei Battalion Commander replied with a smile.

"Yes." Bu Wan nodded heavily.

(End of chapter)