Chapter 178: Zhu Biao: Father! Zhu Ying

For Zhu Yuanzhang, capturing the Yuan capital and seizing the dozens of cities built by the Northern Yuan was merely acquiring more population and territory.

As long as the Northern Yuan still existed.

The threat from the north remained like a sword hanging overhead, ready to invade the Great Ming at any moment.

As long as the Northern Yuan endured, the northern frontier would never know peace.

Thus, his greatest wish was to dismantle the Northern Yuan and plunge it into fragmentation.

This was the true purpose of the northern expedition, and its greatest achievement.

When the ministers withdrew, Zhu Yuanzhang softly called out: “Biao’er.”

Then, with hope in his gaze and a touch of worry, he asked: “Do you think our northern expeditionary army can dismantle the Northern Yuan this time?”

Zhu Yuanzhang was now old and frail, his heart filled only with the desire to clear all obstacles for Zhu Biao before he died, solving every problem himself.

Only then could Zhu Biao, in the future, fully develop the people’s livelihood and make the Great Ming even stronger.

Become a figure like Emperor Wen of Han.

That way.

Future histories would surely record the fine tale of father and son.

“Father.”

Zhu Biao smiled, his expression firm: “The achievements of our northern expeditionary army have already surpassed our expectations.”

“We originally hoped that if our army could reach the Northern Yuan capital within a year, it would be a great victory.”

“Yet now, less than eight months have passed, and we’ve achieved such glorious results—it is truly remarkable.”

“I believe our northern expeditionary army will not disappoint us.”

As he spoke.

Zhu Biao had complete confidence in the northern expeditionary army, with not a shred of doubt.

“Mm.” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded; after Zhu Biao’s words, the heavy stone in his chest seemed to lift, his expression relaxing considerably.

“By the way.”

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to remember something, a faint smile appearing as he asked: “When you met Zhu Ying’s wife and child recently, what did you think? She’s from a merchant family—did she carry that merchant’s air?”

“She has no merchant’s air; instead, she carries the bearing of a refined lady,” Zhu Biao replied seriously, smiling slowly. “She showed no excessive fear before me, her manners dignified and proper—she truly deserves Zhu Ying.”

“Deserving is good enough,” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, then sighed softly, adding with regret: “Pity—Zhu Ying married too early; otherwise, he could have been my grandson-in-law.”

At this moment!

Zhu Biao’s expression turned enigmatic; he gazed at his father and spoke slowly: “Father, do you truly believe in reincarnation and the cycle of rebirth?”

Zhu Yuanzhang froze, then chuckled: “Foolish boy, what has happened to you?”

“Why say such a thing?”

“Whether reincarnation exists, we don’t know—but if it does, that would be a great blessing.”

At the mention of reincarnation, Zhu Yuanzhang’s weathered face darkened with deep sorrow.

Clearly, he was thinking of his wife.

Reincarnation and rebirth!

Every memory of the past surged into his heart at once.

If it truly existed, it would be the greatest gift.

“Father.”

Zhu Biao tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with longing and remembrance: “When I met Zhu Ying’s wife and child last time, do you know what I saw?”

“Zhu Ying’s son looks exactly like Xiongying when he was young.”

“No—he looks exactly like Xiongying before he turned two.”

“If I hadn’t watched Xiongying… sigh!”

“I truly thought he was Xiongying.”

Zhu Biao felt profound emotion—this was a thought he would only voice before Zhu Yuanzhang.

After all, seeing someone so identical to Xiongying felt like a vision from another life; the complex emotions were beyond words.

Sometimes, Zhu Biao truly wished that child was Xiongying, reborn through reincarnation.

“Really that similar?” Zhu Yuanzhang, seeing Zhu Biao’s expression, asked in surprise.

“Yes,” Zhu Biao nodded firmly, his tone serious: “Identical! Otherwise, why would I suddenly bring this up?”

As he said this.

A bitter smile appeared on Zhu Biao’s face, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Seeing Zhu Biao like this, Zhu Yuanzhang slowly rose, walked to his side, and gently patted his shoulder: “It’s all over. Everything is over.”

Yuan capital!

Before the city, intense killing intent hung thickly, like a heavy gloom enveloping the entire city. The entire Yuan capital was encircled by Great Ming forces, completely sealed off.

Four days ago, though the two Northern Yuan satellite cities had thirty thousand troops defending them, these troops were already defeated, their morale low, like birds startled by arrows.

Facing the Great Ming’s surging northern offensive, after only three days of relentless assaults and synchronized artillery fire that shook the heavens and earth, both satellite cities fell swiftly, collapsing at a single blow.

Even though the Northern Yuan’s Grand Marshal Manzi exhausted himself trying to hold the line, he could not stop the Great Ming army’s fierce advance.

Over thirty thousand Yuan troops instantly disintegrated, scattering like frightened beasts.

After all, these Yuan troops were patched together from various tribes, their hearts never united.

Moreover, after news spread that the Yuan Emperor had secretly retreated northward—even without any official announcement—the morale of the troops further collapsed, becoming as scattered as sand.

At this moment!

At the three gates of the Yuan capital, Great Ming forces launched attacks from three sides, leaving only the northern gate open.

This was the strategy of “encircle three, leave one open.”

If the Yuan troops were fully surrounded, they might, in desperation, fight to the death, making the battle extraordinarily bloody.

But by leaving one gap, the Yuan troops would cling to a sliver of hope, further shattering their morale.

This battle!

Was the decisive one of the northern expedition.

Once this capital fell, the Northern Yuan would face its official farewell.

Even if the Yuan Emperor truly escaped to the northern frontier, to their ancestral lands, the name “Northern Yuan” would be hollow in name only.

After losing its capital and numerous cities, the Northern Yuan could no longer maintain imperial dignity—it could only revert to its former state as nomadic tribes, blocked beyond the Great Wall by the Great Ming, its threat to the Great Ming greatly diminished.

“Where are the Danning frontier troops?”

Zhu Ying, riding his black-forged steed, sword in hand, roared loudly.

His voice thundered through the air, radiating a chilling aura.

“Kill, kill, kill.”

Behind Zhu Ying, no foot soldiers remained—only cavalry, all of them.

Through this northern campaign, Zhu Ying not only breached cities and slew enemies, but also captured ten thousand Northern Yuan iron cavalry.

After the great battle, he used his battlefield merits to request a reorganization, converting all Danning foot soldiers into cavalry, greatly increasing his army’s combat power and making the Danning frontier troops stronger, entirely mounted.

“Soldiers!”

Zhu Ying’s voice was low but commanding: “Follow me—kill!”

With that,

Zhu Ying slammed his heels into his steed. The Black Forged let out a piercing neigh, like a bolt of black lightning, charging swiftly toward the Yuan capital’s gate—its speed, as expected of a treasure-horse.

Liu Lei led his personal guard, waiting silently for a moment.

When Zhu Ying had pulled fifty paces ahead, Liu Lei roared: “Personal Guard Battalion—follow the General, kill!”

His voice thundered, filled with unstoppable momentum.

Then he led his cavalry guard forward like a surging flood, hooves shaking the earth.

Zhu Ying remained as fearless and fierce as ever.

Above the city walls, arrows rained down like locusts, yet none could touch Zhu Ying.

The Yuan soldiers on the walls had already sunk to rock-bottom morale; even their arrow volleys were sparse and powerless.

Zhu Ying barely exerted any effort before easily reaching the gate.

“Break!”

Zhu Ying roared, raising his sword high, channeling all his strength, his internal qi surging violently, all focused into the blade.

Then,

Zhu Ying slashed downward with all his might—the force was enough to cleave through anything.

The instant the blade met the gate.

A deafening “BOOM” echoed—the immense power instantly split the gate open. Internal qi exploded outward, unleashing an invisible yet devastating force that shattered the massive gate into fragments, iron shards flying, sparks erupting.

“The God of Killing… the Ming God of Killing is here again.”

“Zhu Ying!”

“That killer Zhu Ying again.”

“Retreat, flee quickly!”

“He’s a demon.”

“We’re no match for him.”

“Flee…!”

The Yuan soldiers screamed in terror, their voices filled with dread and despair.

Unlike previous city breaches, when Mongol troops would surge out frenziedly to fight, now after Zhu Ying shattered the city gate, those Mongol soldiers looked as if they had seen the most terrifying monster in the world and scattered in blind panic.

Even if some Mongol officers tried to restore order, it was utterly useless in this chaos.

Morale had collapsed completely; these Mongol soldiers wished they could grow extra legs to flee the horrific battlefield as fast as possible.

But how could Zhu Ying let them escape so easily?

He swung his battle blade, and the black blade shot forth like a streak of dark light, charging after the fleeing Mongols.

After catching up to them, Zhu Ying swung his blade with ferocious force; in flashes of cold light, one Mongol soldier after another fell beneath his blade.

“Slain a Northern Yuan soldier: +1 Strength, +5 days of lifespan.”

“Slain a Northern Yuan soldier: +1 True Qi…”

For Zhu Ying, those pleasant notification tones rang endlessly in his mind.

Zhu Ying seized the opportunity like a ravenous beast, slaughtering wildly—each swing of his blade claimed the lives of several Mongol soldiers.

Behind Zhu Ying, Liu Lei led his personal guard like a sharp spear, charging deep into the city.

Large numbers of Danning cavalry followed close behind, surging into the city like a tidal wave, unleashing a frenzy of slaughter.

Facing Mongol troops with shattered morale and total collapse, Zhu Ying’s soldiers followed one principle: those who raised weapons to resist—kill; those who knelt and surrendered, dropping their arms—spare.

Time slowly passed; within the entire Yuan capital, chaos reigned.

Especially at the North Gate, countless people scrambled desperately to flee outside, the scene utterly chaotic.

Tens of thousands crowded at the city gate; despair and terror spread like plague, every face etched with panic.

At the North Gate, alongside fleeing Mongol soldiers were Northern Yuan nobles, dragging their families, faces pale with fear.

Many civilians were also caught up in this flood of escape, bewildered and helpless, wanting only to flee the city as quickly as possible before it was consumed by war.

With two guard cities breached, the Yuan court’s deliberations ceased, and the imperial palace guards seemed to vanish without a trace.

This sudden turn of events threw many nobles, previously unaware, into panic.

They realized: the Emperor had fled, and Ming troops were about to breach the city—where should they go?

Thus, over these past days of the Ming army’s advance, the entire Yuan capital swarmed with fleeing people; even though Grand Marshal Wang Man struggled desperately to maintain order, he could not halt this tide of escape.

“Don’t block the way!”

“Get out of the way!”

“The Ming army has begun attacking the city—run!”

“The gate is blocked—move forward, you at the front!”

“Hurry…”

At the entire North Gate of the Yuan capital, shouts and screams intertwined, deafeningly chaotic, the scene reaching absolute frenzy.

They shoved and pushed each other, refusing to yield.

What had once been a wide gate was now completely jammed, like a giant vortex swallowing everyone—this chaos and despair were suffocating.

As the capital, all three gates of the Yuan capital were now completely blocked.

One could imagine how terrifying this scene was—like the end of the world.

But now, the Mongol defeat was certain.

The chaos within the city was beyond any Mongol force’s ability to suppress—they had no chance to suppress it.

Time slipped away quietly!

The situation within the Yuan capital grew ever more chaotic: defeated troops everywhere, refugees flooding every corner, the entire city sinking into an endless abyss of darkness.

Inside the palace, Wang Man stood silently in the great hall, his gaze complex as he stared at the dragon throne.

That throne, once symbolizing supreme power, now seemed a joke—a replay of the Jingkang Humiliation of the Song dynasty.

“Your Majesty.”

Wang Man whispered softly: “Though you abandoned me, at least you took my family with you.”

“For this, I shall die ten thousand deaths to repay you.”

“Surely by now you have reached safety deep in the northern frontier—the Ming army cannot possibly catch you.”

His voice carried both resignation and loyalty, echoing through the empty hall.

“Report!”

A blood-soaked Mongol officer rushed into the hall, his face terrified: “Your Excellency, the Ming army has breached the city—masses of Ming troops have already stormed inside!”

“Our Great Yuan… truly is defeated.”

The officer’s voice was filled with despair, as if the world had collapsed in that instant.

Wang Man slowly turned, calmly facing the officers before him, his face showing no hint of blame.

After all, even the Emperor had fled—what right did he have to scold his own troops?

Moreover, since the two guard cities fell, most of the troops had already retreated to the northern frontier, with no reinforcements sent back to the Yuan capital.

Even those remaining in the capital numbered only a few ten thousand—and now they were fleeing in panic.

“As long as His Majesty lives, our Great Yuan still has hope to return and strike again.”

Wang Man said firmly: “Generals, as subjects, as warriors—you have done your utmost.”

“Today, I will not stop you.”

“If you wish to die with the state, stay here with me and wait for the Ming army.”

“If you wish to flee to the northern frontier and save your lives, take off your armor and blend into the refugees.”

“The Ming army won’t harm civilians—escape while you can.”

Wang Man’s voice carried exhaustion and resolve, as if making his final stand.

Hearing this,

Many of the dozen or so officers immediately showed signs of wavering.

“Your Excellency.”

One officer stepped forward, his face anxious: “My family remains in the northern frontier—if I die, they will become slaves. I cannot die with Your Excellency.”

“I am the same.”

“Your Excellency, take care.”

“I take my leave…”

Instantly, half the officers hurried out, their figures hurried, terrified, fleeing in disarray.

“Generals.”

Wang Man laughed aloud, his laughter tinged with tragic grandeur: “You are all fine sons of Great Yuan, brave warriors.”

“Let us fight our final battle for the Yuan.”

Saying this,

Wang Man drew his battle blade.

Then,

He sat directly on the steps before the dragon throne, his gaze resolute and fearless, waiting quietly.

The remaining nine officers also drew their blades, their faces etched with loyalty and determination, standing silently beside Wang Man, ready for their final battle.

Clearly, in every age, in every nation, there are always men of loyalty and righteousness.

Their loyalty and courage deserve admiration.

For them—and perhaps for anyone—dying for one’s country is the most honorable death.

Time passed second by second.

“Kill, kill, kill!”

“Those who hold weapons—kill!”

“Surrender, drop your weapons—live!”

“Grand General’s order: Our Great Ming is a benevolent army—we do not massacre civilians. Civilians return to your homes, and you shall be spared from war.”

“Any soldier hiding among civilians—kill on sight.”

“Kill…”

Countless cries of slaughter echoed throughout the Yuan capital, rising and falling like a stirring war song.

Countless Ming troops surged into the city like a tidal wave.

Compared to the brutality and inhumanity of foreign invaders, Ming soldiers showed restraint upon entering the city.

Because Guo Ying had issued strict orders before battle, forbidding his troops from indiscriminate slaughter.

After all,

This former Yuan capital would now become a Ming city, its civilians Ming subjects.

This differed from the northern frontier, where one could follow steppe customs: kill anyone taller than a cartwheel.

But within a city, the Ming could fully control the situation.

After all, during the height of the Tang and Han dynasties, this land had belonged to the Central Plains—the Hetao region.

At the palace gate, Zhu Ying raised his blade high and swung it down with full force—CRASH! The palace gate shattered, iron shards flying.

“Tell the men.”

Just before charging into the palace, Zhu Ying shouted: “Once inside the palace, loot freely—take whatever you can carry!”

“Anything valuable—you can keep it.”

At this moment,

Zhu Ying’s voice brimmed with passion, announcing a grand celebration to his troops.

“General, wise indeed!”

Behind Zhu Ying, the many Danning soldiers shouted excitedly, each one thrilled, their eyes glinting with greed.

Zhu Ying still had this much authority.

Moreover, Zhu Ying knew the imperial treasury had already been moved by the Yuan Emperor, but some treasures too heavy to carry must have been left behind.

Through the golden eagle’s reconnaissance, Zhu Ying had long tracked the Yuan army’s movements.

Quickly.

Zhu Ying led his troops straight into the Yuan capital’s imperial palace.

It was the first time he had breached a nation’s capital and stepped inside its palace.

That sense of accomplishment stirred Zhu Ying’s heart deeply.

When Zhu Ying arrived at the imperial audience hall, the barbarian generals and their officers rose at once, swords in hand, faces grim.

In their eyes lay resentment, yet also resolve.

Clearly.

They had prepared to meet the death approaching them.

Zhu Ying’s elite guards surged into the hall, taking positions at all four sides, blocking every escape route.

But without Zhu Ying’s order, they did not strike—only watched coldly at the Yuan officers.

“So many Yuan officers.”

Zhu Ying looked at the Yuan officers in the hall and smiled: “A fine gift left for me.”

……

(End of Chapter)