Chapter 168: Zhu Yuanzhang: The Marquis of Champion, a leader of the younger generation

Inside the Fengtian Hall, it was as solemn and grave as ever, a sense of majesty enveloping the entire hall.

The Imperial Guards standing inside and outside the hall were all clad in armor, holding weapons, adding a touch of solemnity.

The civil and military officials, dressed in Great Ming official robes, were arranged in an orderly fashion within the hall. They stood in two rows, their postures straight, their expressions respectful, presenting their reports in order.

The matters presented at the court session were all of national importance.

The voices of the officials presenting their reports echoed in the hall, some speaking with passion, others analyzing with composure. Every word concerned the national governance of Great Ming, and since the Northern Expedition began, a large portion of every court session had been related to the Northern Expedition.

Just at this moment!

A burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, breaking the rhythm of the court.

Guo Zhen, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, dressed in bright armor, walked into the hall with hurried yet steady steps.

After entering the hall.

With an irrepressible look of excitement on his face, Guo Zhen looked respectfully at Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon throne and reported loudly: "Reporting to Your Majesty!"

"Grand General Guo Ying has sent an urgent report: a great victory in the Northern Expedition."

"The urgent report soldiers are currently waiting outside the hall."

The reason Guo Zhen was so happy was naturally because the Grand General leading the Northern Expedition this time was his father.

As his voice fell.

The civil and military officials, who had been focused on the court session, all turned their gazes toward Guo Zhen.

For a moment.

Time seemed to stand still in the hall, and everyone was captivated by this sudden news.

"A great victory?"

Zhu Yuanzhang, on the dragon throne, also had ripples of emotion on his originally calm and majestic face.

He leaned forward slightly, filled with a bit of anticipation.

As for the civil and military officials in the court ranks, curiosity and anticipation appeared on everyone's face as well.

Without a doubt!

The two words "great victory."

Were enough to stir up countless waves and move people's hearts.

"Summon them, summon them in immediately."

Zhu Yuanzhang shouted immediately, his voice carrying a rare sense of urgency.

A smile of anticipation quickly appeared on his aged face, and as soon as this smile appeared, it dispelled the serious atmosphere of the court.

Zhu Biao, on the steps, was also captivated by this news.

To be called a great victory, there must have been a major achievement in the Northern Expedition; otherwise, they would not have declared it a great victory.

"His Majesty has an edict."

Yun Qi, who was serving on the side, dressed in gorgeous eunuch attire, announced in a sharp and clear voice: "Summon the urgent report soldiers to enter the hall for an audience."

In response.

Outside the hall!

Three urgent report soldiers dressed in light, short garments, their faces weary but filled with the excitement of seeing the Imperial presence.

They walked into the hall in an orderly and rapid manner, one in front and two behind.

In this solemn hall, their footsteps were exceptionally clear.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."

After entering the hall, the three urgent report soldiers performed their salutations in unison.

At the same time.

The three of them held the urgent reports they carried high, presenting them.

"No need for formalities, rise."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand eagerly, his tone impatient.

Subsequently, Zhu Yuanzhang asked directly: "What great victory is there in the Northern Expedition?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

The lead urgent report soldier immediately held the bamboo tube urgent report high and replied in a resonant voice: "This is the victory report written by the Grand General himself, please read it, Your Majesty."

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could speak, Yun Qi, who was serving on the side, quickly walked toward the urgent report soldiers. After quickly picking up the report, he turned around and carefully presented it on the table in front of Zhu Yuanzhang.

"I must see what kind of great victory the Northern Expedition army has brought me this time."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, his voice hearty.

His hand quickly opened the urgent report, his old eyes squinting, staring intently at the text above.

At this moment, the gazes of all the civil and military officials were focused on Zhu Yuanzhang.

Every eye was filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Under their gaze, the expression on Zhu Yuanzhang's aged face changed from a smile to astonishment, his eyes gradually widening, as if he had seen the most incredible thing in the world.

Finally.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were wide open, as if in disbelief.

After a while, as if he had read the victory report completely without any omissions.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly put it down, a look of unprecedented emotion appearing on his aged face.

Even when Nahachu was beheaded in the past and Liaodong was recovered, Zhu Yuanzhang had still appeared extremely calm.

But today, the emotion he revealed seemed truly difficult to calm.

Under the gaze of all the civil and military officials.

"Good, good, very good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily to the end, hiding nothing at this moment.

The laughter echoed in the hall, filled with joy and pride.

"I really did not expect."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and continued: "The Northern Expedition could bring me such great news."

"Heaven blesses Great Ming, Heaven blesses Huaxia."

This appearance made the officials in the court curious.

"Father Emperor."

Zhu Biao asked with a smile, his face filled with concern and curiosity: "What kind of great victory is the Northern Expedition?"

The civil and military officials were also craning their necks, their gazes all focused on Zhu Yuanzhang.

"For hundreds of years."

Zhu Yuanzhang gripped the victory report in his hand, held it high, his aged face overflowing with an indescribable excitement.

"The Mongol cavalry has roamed the world, sweeping across the eight wildernesses. Wherever their iron cavalry passed, there were mountains of corpses and seas of blood; no one could stop them, no army could block them."

"In the past, the Mongol iron cavalry trampled the Central Plains, destroyed the Song, and swept across our Huaxia."

"Enslaving our Huaxia Central Plains for a hundred years."

"But now, everything has changed."

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone suddenly became excited: "Biao'er."

"The Northern Yuan's one hundred thousand iron cavalry, our Northern Expedition army has defeated them."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, his laughter resounding through the court, filled with excitement and agitation.

"The Northern Yuan's one hundred thousand iron cavalry has been defeated?"

The civil and military officials in the court were all stunned.

Especially the Minister of War, Tang Duo, who opened his eyes wide in disbelief: "The Northern Yuan's one hundred thousand iron cavalry, previously the many officials of the Ministry of War discussed it and had no countermeasures, only able to send more soldiers and more cannons. Now, they have been defeated just like that?"

Before Tang Duo could think more.

Subsequently.

Zhu Yuanzhang handed the victory report in his hand to Yun Qi on the side, his expression gradually becoming serious: "Read it!"

Restoring his majesty, beyond doubt.

"This servant obeys the edict."

Yun Qi held the victory report with both hands, his movements solemn.

After slowly opening it, he faced the civil and military officials and read aloud: "Your subject Guo Ying, reports the victory results of the Northern Expedition to Your Majesty!"

The voice resounded in the hall, clearly audible.

"Since our Northern Expedition's two armies broke through ten Northern Yuan border cities and breached the Northern Yuan border defense line, the Northern Yuan mobilized heavy troops to guard the location of their capital."

"Additionally."

"The Northern Yuan mobilized one hundred thousand iron cavalry from the hinterland of their northern frontier, using cavalry to block us at the Northern Yuan Royal Pasture, intending to defeat our Northern Expedition army head-on."

"Facing one hundred thousand Northern Yuan iron cavalry, your subject was unable to cope; the combat power of the Northern Yuan cavalry is unparalleled in the world!"

"Our Northern Expedition army's total cavalry is no more than sixty thousand, all primarily infantry, fundamentally unable to engage the Northern Yuan iron cavalry."

"And the Northern Yuan iron cavalry was located on a vast, boundless plain. Your subject racked his brains, unable to engage, unable to defeat the enemy."

"At the critical moment."

Yun Qi's voice suddenly rose: "The Northern Expedition's Second Army's Daning Regional Military Commissioner, Marquis of Champion Zhu Ying, proposed a method to defeat the enemy."

"He deployed a formation from the prosperous Tang Dynasty, specifically designed to counter cavalry charges, known as the 【Long Menzhen】."

"Your subject saw the Marquis of Champion's confidence in this battle, so he handed over the authority to mobilize the Second Army to him to deploy the formation and engage."

"On the day the formation was completed and the battle engaged."

"The Marquis of Champion used the Long Menzhen to trap over forty thousand Northern Yuan iron cavalry, severely damaging the combat power of the Northern Yuan cavalry."

"Afterward, the Marquis of Champion personally led forty thousand cavalry who had been prepared and waiting, engaged the remaining nearly sixty thousand iron cavalry, and won the battle."

Yun Qi's voice became increasingly high-pitched: "The Marquis of Champion personally beheaded the Northern Yuan Grand General Guili Chi, directly killing nearly twenty thousand Northern Yuan cavalry. Our Great Ming cavalry won a great victory."

"In terms of cavalry, our Great Ming only had forty thousand!"

"Although over forty thousand Northern Yuan cavalry were trapped by the formation, there were still nearly sixty thousand!"

"For hundreds of years, since the Mongols were established, since the Yuan existed! The Yuan's cavalry has been unparalleled in the world, sweeping across the world, invincible!"

"Today!"

Yun Qi's voice reached its peak, as if to pierce through the roof of the hall: "Our Great Ming's Marquis of Champion, worthy of the name Champion, used inferior cavalry to head-on defeat the elite of the Northern Yuan cavalry, a great victory!"

"From now on, our Great Ming cavalry shall be the best in the world, unparalleled!"

Yun Qi read aloud, his hoarse voice resounding throughout the entire court.

Even as a eunuch, even as a broken man. But at the moment of reading this victory report, Yun Qi's voice was also very high-pitched and moved.

His face was also full of excitement and pride.

And in the court. All the civil and military officials looked on in shock.

If it were just an ordinary achievement of breaking a city, Zhu Ying had already achieved success in the first battle of the Northern Expedition, and the victory report had returned to Ying Tianfu.

At that time. Although the officials were surprised that Zhu Ying had made new contributions, with Zhu Ying's performance in the Liaodong battle, it seemed that all the civil and military officials had become accustomed to it, and all felt that it was not strange for Zhu Ying to make battle contributions.

After all.

Zhu Ying's name had appeared too many times in the court during the Liaodong battle, and he had also gained the regard of the current Emperor and Crown Prince.

But this time.

It is different from the past!

Northern Yuan iron cavalry!

This term had already become synonymous with the former Mongols and the Great Yuan.

Even though the Northern Yuan had been driven out of the Central Plains by Great Ming, the strength of the Northern Yuan iron cavalry remained.

But this time.

The Northern Yuan iron cavalry, which had been powerful for hundreds of years, was defeated!

And it was defeated at the hands of the Great Ming cavalry.

The significance of this needs no further explanation!

This will be a great victory recorded in history!

How could this not be moving and shocking!

"No wonder Guo Ying attached such importance to it, not hesitating to send an urgent report back in the name of a great victory; it turns out he achieved such a victory." An official couldn't help but whisper, full of amazement.

"The Northern Yuan iron cavalry, with infinite fame, unparalleled in the world! They were actually defeated at the hands of our Great Ming cavalry. This... this is truly a great victory, a great victory like never before." Another somewhat aged official also sighed, his face full of excited flush.

"Recorded in history forever, no wonder the Emperor is so happy. From now on, the name of the Northern Yuan iron cavalry will no longer be the best in the world, and our Great Ming cavalry will be the best in the world."

"The fame of the Northern Yuan iron cavalry is gone."

"Our Great Ming drove the Northern Yuan out of the Central Plains, reshaped the Huaxia Great Ming, and recovered Liaodong, which completely reshaped our Huaxia map. And this time, defeating the Northern Yuan iron cavalry head-on also completely washed away the blood debt of the former Mongol iron cavalry invading the Central Plains and slaughtering our Huaxia."

"From now on, the Mongol iron cavalry and the Northern Yuan iron cavalry are dust in history! Our Great Ming iron cavalry is the strongest!"

"Not bad."

"This great victory is magnificent."

"Our Great Ming iron cavalry shall be the best in the world."

"Not bad..."

After hearing this victory report. Many officials in the court couldn't help but discuss it, and many even cheered loudly at the end, unable to hide their excitement.

Compared to seizing territory, this kind of head-on defeat of the arrogant Northern Yuan cavalry is a great victory that can truly inspire people!

The shame of Huaxia for hundreds of years has been washed away!

For a moment!

As Yun Qi's voice paused for a moment, the entire court had a silent boiling.

On the faces of the officials, there was excitement, pride, and also longing for the success of the Northern Expedition.

"Zhu Ying." Zhu Biao was also smiling at this moment, his face filled with gratification and amazement.

"I really did not misjudge you."

"You are actually so outstanding, leading our Great Ming cavalry to head-on defeat the Northern Yuan iron cavalry."

Zhu Biao thought to himself, valuing Zhu Ying even more.

And at this moment!

Yun Qi continued to read: "This time! Our Great Ming's battle with the Northern Yuan's one hundred thousand iron cavalry has ended! Your subject and the generals in the army have counted the battle results!"

The voice broke the clamor of the court again.

"Of the Northern Yuan's one hundred thousand iron cavalry, fewer than twenty thousand escaped!"

"Our army captured over thirty thousand Yuan cavalry, and killed over forty thousand in total."

"Our army lost fewer than ten thousand, a great victory."

"This battle not only successfully defeated the Northern Yuan's strongest elite cavalry but also captured countless warhorses and supplies. Your subject will report the detailed statistics to the Ministry of War and to Your Majesty via the Regional Military Commissioner."

"Additionally." Yun Qi paused slightly: "The Northern Yuan's one hundred thousand iron cavalry has been defeated, and the obstacles in our army's path have been cleared! Your subject will lead the Northern Expedition army to break through the Yuan capital as soon as possible, destroy the Yuan court, and will not fail Your Majesty's expectations."

Reading to this point.

This victory report was finished.

It can be said.

After reading this victory report.

Guo Ying did not ask for credit for himself, nor did he ask for credit for Li Jinglong.

Instead, he truthfully reported the causes and consequences of the great battle at the Northern Yuan Royal Pasture, and even the final results of defeating the Northern Yuan iron cavalry in detail. Zhu Ying's battle contributions were not omitted by even a single point, and were completely reported.

It can be said.

This victory report, besides reporting the achievement of defeating the Northern Yuan iron cavalry and shaping the prestige of the Huaxia iron cavalry, was also Guo Ying personally asking for credit for Zhu Ying.

This battle was fought too beautifully.

Guo Ying also clearly knew that without the Long Menzhen that Zhu Ying deployed to counter the Northern Yuan cavalry, he would not have been able to change the situation of the battle.

After all, in the end, at the beginning of the great battle, although Great Ming broke through cities all the way, they ultimately underestimated the Northern Yuan's national strength and underestimated the Northern Yuan's military strength.

An army of three hundred thousand for the expedition was ultimately not enough.

But this crisis was still turned around by Zhu Ying.

"May Zhu Qing."

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly stood up from the dragon throne. Although he was old, he still had a majestic aura that suppressed the court.

Following that.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked loudly with an excited smile, his eyes overlooking the court: "How does it feel?"

"A great victory in the Northern Expedition, a major defeat of the Northern Yuan iron cavalry, your son congratulates Father Emperor."

Zhu Biao was the first to stand out, bowing to congratulate Zhu Yuanzhang.

His face was also full of joy and pride, as if he were proud of his father and his country.

"Your subjects congratulate Your Majesty."

The civil and military officials also congratulated Zhu Yuanzhang one after another. Their voices were orderly and resonant, echoing in the hall.

The entire court resounded with congratulations.

"Hahaha."

Seeing this scene. Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed, and he was extremely happy about this great victory.

The laughter was also filled with satisfaction and pride.

The Northern Expedition battle!

Even if it hasn't been completely settled.

But hearing that the Northern Yuan iron cavalry was defeated head-on by Great Ming.

At this moment.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt that all his efforts and dedication had been rewarded at this moment.

"May Zhu Qing."

Zhu Yuanzhang spread his hands and said majestically: "From now on."

"The Northern Yuan iron cavalry is no longer unparalleled in the world, our Great Ming iron cavalry is the only one unparalleled in the world."

As his voice fell.

"Great Ming iron cavalry, unparalleled in the world."

"Long live Your Majesty, long live Great Ming."

The civil and military officials echoed in unison.

At this very moment.

The civil and military officials also had a feeling of sharing honor.

Although they did not go to the battlefield and did not participate in the Northern Expedition.

But they all participated in the planning of the Northern Expedition and the allocation of supplies and baggage, so they were naturally part of this great victory.

Their faces were full of pride and arrogance!

"Father Emperor."

Zhu Biao turned around and requested of Zhu Yuanzhang with a solemn face: "The Marquis of Champion is brave and unparalleled, and his command of troops is superb."

"Leading our Great Ming cavalry to head-on defeat the Northern Yuan iron cavalry this time truly promotes the prestige of our Great Ming and promotes the prestige of our Huaxia."

"Your son requests again to reward the Marquis of Champion heavily."

Zhu Biao continued: "At the very least, let the achievements of the Marquis of Champion be known to the world, and let all the people of the world know the great victory of our Great Ming defeating the Northern Yuan iron cavalry."

With Zhu Biao's opening. The Grand General Fu Youde, who had conquered Liaodong in the past, also stood out and said immediately: "The Marquis of Champion is loyal and brave, and has made countless contributions to the country! I second the Crown Prince's request."

Similarly, Fu Youde's voice was firm, filled with recognition and praise for Zhu Ying.

"Your subject seconds."

"The Marquis of Champion should be rewarded heavily."

"Your subject seconds..."

Officials stood out one after another to echo.

As officials walked out one after another, the entire court was suddenly filled with echoes.

The voices of the officials rose and fell, but the goal was the same: to reward Zhu Ying.

To be able to have no one in the entire court oppose it.

Even those who were unwilling in their hearts had to echo.

It is enough to prove one point.

Zhu Ying used his battle contributions to suppress all those who were unconvinced.

Furthermore!

The court was originally the home ground of civil officials, not military generals, not Huaixi.

The reason why no one opposed it was not only because Zhu Biao spoke.

There was also the real key, which was that Zhu Ying was not Huaixi, nor was he a person of any faction in the court.

And Zhu Ying had no background, his background was clean, and no faction dared to easily offend Zhu Ying, because once Zhu Ying leaned toward their opposing faction, that would not be a good thing.

So not offending him was the best choice.

Unless they had truly reached the opposite side.

In the court!

This is more complicated than the battlefield; the battlefield is just killing, while the killing in the court is bloodless.

And at this moment!

Looking at the echoes in the court.

Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed, and then said majestically: "Reward! Zhu Ying has made contributions to the country this time, made a name for the country, and washed away the shame for Huaxia! He has won the name of unparalleled in the world for our Great Ming cavalry! Naturally, he must be rewarded heavily."

"The Marquis of Champion is the leader of our Great Ming's younger generation!"

Zhu Yuanzhang also affirmed and praised Zhu Ying's contribution in this battle.

"However."

Zhu Yuanzhang's tone softened slightly: "The Northern Expedition has not completely ended."

"The final reward will naturally be after the Northern Expedition ends, when all battle contributions are gathered, so that I can promote and reward based on battle contributions."

"And the Crown Prince's words are to let me reward him right now."

Saying this.

Zhu Yuanzhang also looked at Zhu Biao with some helplessness.

After all, this was proposed by his own son.

In Zhu Yuanzhang's heart, the rewards for all Northern Expedition generals were to be carried out after the Northern Expedition ended.

Even for Zhu Ying, it was the same.

After all, Zhu Ying was no longer the small military officer of the past.

But since he had promised at this moment, Zhu Yuanzhang's aged face was also filled with contemplation, as if he were thinking about how to reward Zhu Ying.

"Biao'er."

"How to reward the Marquis of Champion, do you have any ideas in your heart?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao again, carrying an inquiry.

Since it was proposed by Zhu Biao, he might as well let him think about it.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 169 =====