Chapter 174: Proclaimed to All Under Heaven! The Champion Marquis

The next day!

Within Yingtian City!

Inside and outside the inner city, every bustling marketplace was thronged with activity. The Ministry of Rites had issued the proclamation to the Capital Prefecture, and as soon as the news spread, it rapidly engulfed the entire city.

As the capital, Yingtian was naturally the first to learn of such a momentous event.

The site of the proclamation was already packed solid long before it began.

Citizens poured in from all directions, cramming the area to capacity; each person stretched their necks, eyes brimming with anticipation, for they knew that a proclamation announced to all under heaven must concern matters of paramount importance, and none wished to miss this historic moment.

Even the term “deafening clamor” failed to capture the sheer volume of people at the proclamation site.

Amid the eager anticipation of countless citizens, the proclamation ceremony finally commenced.

An official clad in formal robes ascended the podium, holding the imperial edict with solemn expression; he cleared his throat and proclaimed loudly: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees!”

The moment those eight words were spoken, the previously noisy crowd fell utterly silent; everyone held their breath, fearing to miss a single syllable.

Their faces were filled with reverence.

“Today, our northern campaign has achieved a great victory, its results sufficient to stir the hearts of all Great Ming subjects.”

“We hereby order the Ministry of Rites to proclaim this to all under heaven, to uplift the morale of our Great Ming people.”

The official’s voice rang clear and strong, echoing through the surroundings.

“For centuries, the Mongol cavalry of the Northern Yuan was hailed as peerless, invincible upon earth.”

“In bygone days, the Mongols used the might of their cavalry to forcibly breach the gates of our Huaxia, enslaving our Huaxia people for over a hundred years, subjecting them to endless suffering and humiliation.”

At this point,

the official’s eyes flickered with anger, and with the memory of past disgrace; below, the citizens too wore expressions of grief and indignation, for they had never forgotten that dark chapter of history.

After all, the Great Ming had only been established for a little over twenty years.

The tyranny of the Yuan court still remained vivid in memory.

Though a new generation of youth had grown up, the elders still lived, and had recounted the Yuan’s cruelty to their descendants.

They knew well the brutality of the Yuan court.

“Now, the Great Ming has taken it upon itself to launch a northern campaign against the Northern Yuan, vowing to eradicate them.”

“Recently, within Northern Yuan territory, our northern expeditionary forces met the enemy’s hundred-thousand-strong cavalry in direct confrontation.”

“At that time, our Great Ming army consisted mostly of infantry; our cavalry numbers were far inferior to the Northern Yuan’s, placing us at a severe disadvantage in manpower, unable to stand against the Northern Yuan cavalry head-on.”

“Yet! The Great Ming is the true heir of Huaxia, producing countless outstanding talents.”

“The Marquis of Champion and Commander of Danning, Zhu Ying, employed the Longmen Formation—once used by the glorious Tang dynasty to counter cavalry—and inflicted heavy losses upon nearly half of the Northern Yuan’s cavalry, greatly weakening the enemy’s strength.”

The official’s voice rose sharply, his eyes filled with admiration.

As soon as these words were spoken,

the name “Marquis of Champion” rang out.

Many citizens could not help but burst into exclamations of awe, deeply impressed by the Marquis’s bravery and tactical brilliance.

“After the formation, Commander Zhu Ying led our Great Ming’s forty thousand cavalry against nearly sixty thousand Northern Yuan cavalry.”

“Under the disadvantageous conditions of enemy strength and our weakness, General Zhu Ying displayed unmatched ferocity, leading from the front, risking his life for the glory of Huaxia and the Great Ming.”

The official’s description made the citizens feel as if they were witnessing the battlefield’s dire imbalance, imagining the fierce carnage; the image of General Zhu Ying charging ahead grew ever more towering in their hearts.

“After a day of brutal combat, General Zhu Ying led our Great Ming’s forty thousand cavalry to a decisive victory against the sixty thousand Northern Yuan cavalry, slaying nearly twenty thousand enemy troops and capturing countless others.”

“The northern campaign has achieved a momentous triumph!”

“This battle has shattered the Northern Yuan Mongol cavalry’s centuries-long reputation of invincibility, dismantled their myth of being unmatched under heaven.”

“From this day forth, the Northern Yuan Mongol cavalry is no longer the force it once was; our Great Ming cavalry is now the undisputed best under heaven.”

“Once, our Huaxia gates were breached by Mongol cavalry; a hundred years of humiliation—today, we have finally avenged it!”

“The Marquis of Champion, Commander of Danning, Zhu Ying, is under twenty years of age, yet possesses the valor of a fierce general and exceptional command talent—he is truly both literary and martial, an outstanding talent of the Great Ming.”

“During the Liaodong campaign, the Marquis of Champion Zhu Ying already rendered great service to the Great Ming: numerous fortified cities in Liaodong were captured, and the Northern Yuan’s Grand Chancellor Naha’chu fell by his hand.”

“Today, he again led our Great Ming cavalry to a direct, frontal defeat of the Northern Yuan cavalry—this is a feat of national protection, a display of our Great Ming’s heavenly might.”

Under this proclamation,

the proclamation document drafted by the Ministry of Rites spared no praise for Zhu Ying.

After such embellishment,

the citizens held deep respect and admiration for this young general.

“In the past, His Majesty conferred upon Zhu Ying the title of Marquis of Champion, invoking the name of the ancient Champion Marquis to inspire the people.”

“Today, Marquis Zhu Ying has not betrayed His Majesty’s grace—he has once again rendered great service to the nation.”

“Upon the Crown Prince’s petition, the Marquis Zhu Ying’s title is hereby elevated to Marquis, granted the title of ‘Champion Marquis,’ as imperial favor, proclaimed to all under heaven: our Great Ming now possesses a Champion Marquis, just as the mighty Han dynasty once had, who shattered the barbarian invaders!”

“Today, we proclaim this to stir the hearts of all under heaven—witness it together!”

As the official finished reading, Yingtian City erupted in celebration; thunderous cheers rose from the crowd below.

Even throughout the entirety of Yingtian City,

the onlookers, upon hearing this news, were deeply moved.

An elderly man with white hair wept uncontrollably, gazing skyward and sighing: “Heaven has eyes! Our Great Ming has achieved such a great victory!”

Beside him, a middle-aged man clenched his fist, voice trembling with excitement: “The Mongol cavalry once roared so arrogantly—breaching our Huaxia gates, enslaving us for a hundred years, subjecting countless kin to humiliation—today, we have finally avenged it!”

“Exactly!” another young man chimed in: “The Mongol cavalry once claimed to be invincible under heaven—now they’ve been crushed by our Great Ming cavalry! What a triumph!”

“I’ve long heard of the name of Marquis Zhu Ying.”

“During the Liaodong campaign, he shone brilliantly—they say he rose from a common soldier to Commander of Danning in barely over a year, all earned through real battlefield merit.”

“I have a distant cousin serving in the Danning frontier troops—he says that among the barbarians of the northern border, the Marquis is seen as a death god; even children dare not cry when they hear his name at night.”

“And it’s said that in every major battle, the Marquis always leads from the front, charging ahead—his troops are endlessly inspired.”

“Indeed! Our Great Ming is blessed to have a talent like the Marquis. This proves our Great Ming values military merit above all—His Majesty and the Crown Prince are wise: with battlefield achievements, one earns promotion and noble rank. Such fairness and justice—how could our Great Ming not flourish?”

“Are you still calling him Marquis? General Zhu Ying is now our Great Ming’s Champion Marquis!”

“In ancient times, Huo Qubing shattered the Xiongnu and raised the glory of Han—today, our Great Ming’s Champion Marquis is no less magnificent: under twenty, he led cavalry to crush the invincible Mongol cavalry—truly magnificent!”

“Indeed magnificent! Champion Marquis, mighty and glorious!”

“Our Great Ming cavalry—unrivaled under heaven!”

“Our Great Ming’s heavenly might—invincible under heaven!”

“Champion Marquis! Champion Marquis...”

As the discussion grew fiercer, the citizens’ shouts rose in waves, surging like a tidal flood through the entire city of Yingtian.

The three words “Champion Marquis” echoed throughout Yingtian, inside and out.

These cheers rolled like successive waves of sound, spreading outward across the entire city.

Even within the imperial palace, the passionate cries were clearly audible.

Within the Wenyuan Pavilion!

Zhu Yuanzhang had been intently reviewing memorials, his brush dancing across the paper.

Suddenly,

a faint, distant roar reached his ears; he paused, his hand freezing mid-stroke, slowly lifting his head to listen closely.

As the shouts grew clearer, his aged face gradually softened with emotion.

“Zhu Ying...”

Zhu Yuanzhang murmured, his eyes filled with complex emotion: “My son has granted you an extraordinary honor.”

“The title of Second-Generation Champion Marquis shall forever cling to you, etched in history.”

“I hope you do not betray my son’s expectations—otherwise, I will show no mercy.”

Clearly,

Zhu Yuanzhang still harbored some concern over such acts of elevating a minister’s prestige and proclaiming it to all under heaven.

Meanwhile, within the Eastern Palace Hall, Zhu Biao also heard the roaring cheers.

He too had been reviewing memorials; upon hearing the sound, he gently set down his brush, a warm, satisfied smile spreading across his face.

“Champion Marquis!”

Zhu Biao whispered, moved: “Our Great Ming now has a Champion Marquis.”

“Let this victory inspire us—today it is Yingtian, tomorrow it will be all of Great Ming.”

“In ancient times, Champion Marquis Huo Qubing sealed his glory at Langjuxu, achieving great feats—yet heaven envied him.”

“My Champion Marquis, Zhu Ying, shall endure forever within the Great Ming, guarding our realm.”

“I believe my choice was right.”

Zhu Biao’s eyes brimmed with confidence and resolve; he felt no regret over this proclamation.

Indeed,

he could already envision the scenes of Zhu Ying achieving even greater victories for the Great Ming.

At this moment!

Within the Zhu residence, the scene was equally jubilant.

Lin Fu stood in the courtyard, listening to the distant shouts from outside the gate, his face flushed with excitement.

He hurried into the main hall and said to Shen Yuer: “Madam, did you hear that?”

“Master has been enfeoffed as a Marquis—indeed, the most honored of all marquises: the Champion Marquis!”

“Hahaha.”

“It’s a pity the old lady is no longer with us—if she could see Master’s present glory, she would be overjoyed.”

Lin Fu spoke, unable to suppress a laugh, tears of joy glistening in his eyes.

“Mm.” Shen Yuer nodded gently, her face beaming with happiness: “If my husband heard this news, he’d be delighted too.”

“This is the Marquis of Champion!”

At this moment.

Shen Yuer’s heart swelled with pride for her husband—every woman longed for her husband to be a peerless hero, and she was undoubtedly fortunate, for her husband had truly become a hero revered by the people.

Just then, a guard rushed into the hall, bowing respectfully to Shen Yuer and Lin Fu: “Madam, Steward, many carriages have arrived outside the mansion, claiming to bring congratulations for Master.”

“Here are the gift scrolls.”

Saying this,

the guard presented a thick stack of gift scrolls with both hands.

Lin Fu took one, opened it at random, and saw written: “Gift scroll from Minister of Rites Lu Ben.”

He could not hide his astonishment.

He opened another: “Gift scroll from Minister of War Tang Duo.”

He understood—the owners of these scrolls were all high-ranking officials of the imperial court.

“Young Madam,” Lin Fu said solemnly, “these scroll owners are all powerful court figures. I fear we must not neglect them.”

“What should we do?” Shen Yuer asked, slightly flustered—this was her first time facing such a situation, and she felt at a loss.

“Accept the scrolls, but not the gifts,” Lin Fu declared gravely. “This matter must be handled by you personally.”

“The Emperor and Crown Prince have already shown Master great favor. If we accept these gifts, it may appear we are forming factions for personal gain.”

“Therefore, we must proceed with utmost caution.”

Hearing this,

“Mm.” Shen Yuer nodded immediately—she understood the gravity of the matter and would never let her husband down.

Together, she and Lin Fu walked toward the mansion gate, preparing to receive the visitors and their scrolls.

Meanwhile, at the Shen household, the atmosphere was entirely different.

In the inner hall of the Shen mansion, Shen Wansan and his sons sat in silence, each face grim and pale.

Shen’s steward rushed in, breathless, and reported to Shen Wansan: “Master, it’s true… Zhu Ying has really been enfeoffed as a marquis.”

“Marquis of Champion!”

“And the current Emperor has issued a public proclamation—now all of Yingtian City, and soon all under heaven, will know the name of Marquis Zhu Ying.”

“According to our spies outside the Zhu mansion, many court dignitaries have sent envoys with gifts. The Zhu mansion is packed with visitors—thousands of people, a sea of faces.”

As Shen Wansan listened, his face darkened further; he clenched his fists so tightly that veins bulged on his knuckles.

At this moment, the distant shouts of “Marquis of Champion!” echoed like blades piercing their eardrums.

With Zhu Ying’s rising fame, the Shen family now faced a grave threat—a sword hanging above their heads, ready to fall at any moment.

“Sigh.” Shen Wansan let out a long, bitter sigh, his aged face etched with sorrow and helplessness.

How could he have foreseen this?

He had spent decades in commerce, always cautious and steady, rarely suffering such a crushing blow.

At this moment,

Shen Yan’er stormed into the inner hall, eyes red with fury, glaring at her father and shouting: “Father, you should never have married me to Lu Hao! Had I married Zhu Ying, I’d now be the Marquis of Champion’s lady, honored and exalted—how could I have ended up like this?”

Her voice brimmed with regret and resentment, tears welling in her eyes.

Faced with his daughter’s accusation, Shen Wansan had no reply.

He lowered his head, filled with remorse and self-blame.

The situation had slipped entirely beyond his control—he felt utterly powerless and hopeless.

…………

Northern Frontier, Northern Yuan territory.

Wind howled, sandstorms blotted out the sky—a desolate wasteland.

In the distance, a Northern Yuan cavalry commander led fewer than a hundred horsemen and several thousand routed Yuan infantry, fleeing in disarray. Their faces were etched with exhaustion and terror; weapons lay scattered everywhere.

Suddenly, a piercing shriek split the sky like thunder.

Before the Yuan commander could react, an arrow shot like lightning, piercing his armor and driving straight through his body.

The force hurled him from his horse, slamming him hard into the yellow sands.

“General’s divine might!”

“Kill!”

“Brothers, flank and encircle—leave not a single one of these fleeing Yuan scum alive!”

“Kill!”

Wei Quan, mounted on his horse, swung his long saber, shouting excitedly.

His face glowed with exhilaration, his killing intent boundless.

Not just him.

“Kill, kill, kill!”

“Slaughter every last Tartar!”

“Kill…”

Tens of thousands of cavalry surged forward like a tidal wave, hooves thundering, shaking the earth.

They advanced swiftly from both flanks, like twin blades shearing through the fleeing Yuan forces, encircling them completely.

Cavalry held overwhelming advantage over infantry, especially when the Yuan troops were demoralized and utterly defenseless.

“Slain Northern Yuan ten-thousand-commander. Gain 30 points to all attributes. Gain 30 days of lifespan. Reward: Tier-One Treasure Chest.”

After the Wan Army charged forward, Zhu Ying, holding his Precious Carved Bow, stood coldly expressionless.

That arrow had been his.

He lightly squeezed his horse’s flanks; his steed Wufeng shot forward like a released arrow.

As he galloped, he drew arrows from his quiver behind him, his gaze sharp as an eagle’s, fixed on the fleeing Yuan soldiers.

He loosed an arrow.

“Slain Northern Yuan soldier. Gain 1 point Strength. Gain 5 days of lifespan.”

“Slain Northern Yuan soldier. Gain 1 point Constitution…”

A continuous stream of notifications echoed in his mind.

Zhu Ying’s archery was superb—each arrow was like a summons from Death, claiming Yuan soldiers’ lives.

His arrows fell like rain; several Yuan soldiers were pierced and collapsed into pools of blood. Yet Zhu Ying did not stop—he kept firing furiously at the fleeing Yuan troops, killing one after another.

It had been nearly a month since the defeat of the Northern Yuan cavalry.

With the threat of the Northern Yuan cavalry gone, the two Great Ming armies were gradually uniting, advancing toward each Northern Yuan guard city.

Now, after one such guard city had fallen, the Yuan troops inside fled in all directions, and Zhu Ying’s frontier troops scattered to pursue and inflict maximum casualties.

Time passed swiftly—the thousands of fleeing Yuan troops were soon overtaken by Zhu Ying’s cavalry.

After fierce combat, the Yuan soldiers either died or surrendered.

Zhu Ying led his troops back in victory, returning to camp.

Night blanketed the earth; bonfires blazed across the camp.

Inside his tent, Zhu Ying lay on his bed, a satisfied smile on his face.

“Sixteen treasure chests now.”

Zhu Ying murmured, smiling with delight: “All attributes over six thousand points.”

“This northern campaign has truly boosted my strength immensely.”

Zhu Ying closed his eyes, recalling the battles of the past month.

Deeply satisfied.

In these battles!

He had charged ahead as always, never missing a chance to strengthen himself.

His total enemy kills had surpassed thirteen thousand—truly a bountiful harvest.

The northern campaign had now reached this point.

The Northern Yuan had few cards left to play.

……

(End of Chapter)