Chapter 180

A day passed in the blink of an eye!

The great battle subsided.

"Yes!" The generals responded in unison, their voices very resonant.

Night fell quietly.

Zhu Ying finished his inspection of the city and returned to the Daning border army camp.

In the camp!

The vast camp drill ground.

The soldiers were sitting around together, lively and bustling.

"Oh wow!"

A soldier shouted excitedly: "The kitchen staff really went all out today; there's actually mutton!"

Following his gaze.

A large sheep was being roasted over a bonfire, the aroma of the meat mouth-watering.

"Haha, we're going to eat our fill today!"

Another soldier agreed, also looking excited.

"Brothers, eat to your heart's content today! This is something the General specifically requested from the Grand General for us."

"Our Daning border army was the first to capture the Yuan Capital and made the greatest contribution; this is the Grand General's reward for us!"

"It's been so long since we've had meat; today we can finally eat as much as we want..."

In the camp drill ground, many bonfires were burning brightly, illuminating the entire ground.

On the bonfires, whole sheep were being roasted, and there was even beef, which was forbidden to be slaughtered in the Great Ming.

These were spoils of war captured from the city, and now, within the scope of the authority granted by Guo Ying's reward, they became delicacies at the soldiers' victory feast.

After all!

The current Yuan Capital and the captured Northern Yuan cities were still under military control, not yet taken over by the civil government, and the laws of the Great Ming had not yet been fully implemented.

This Northern Expedition had crushed the Northern Yuan and yielded a rich harvest, with countless cattle and sheep captured.

The entire Daning border army drill ground was filled with a rich aroma of meat, greatly increasing the soldiers' appetites.

Many soldiers were excited, eating meat in large mouthfuls while talking loudly, laughter and cheers rising one after another.

Unfortunately, because the Northern Expedition had not yet completely ended, in order to maintain military discipline and combat effectiveness, they could not drink alcohol, so the soldiers could only enjoy the pleasure of eating meat to their hearts' content.

On the command platform in the center of the drill ground, Zhu Ying walked up with long strides, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers below, and then he shouted loudly: "Brothers!"

This shout rang out under the night sky, instantly piercing through the noisy atmosphere and causing the entire drill ground to fall silent.

The tens of thousands of Daning border army soldiers below all looked at Zhu Ying on the command platform, each of their eyes filled with fanaticism and reverence.

To every Daning border army soldier, having followed Zhu Ying in campaigns for many years, Zhu Ying had long since become a god of war in their hearts, and even more, the soul of the entire Daning army.

Over the years, the Daning border army had conquered Liaodong and stepped on the Northern Yuan, experiencing countless battles of all sizes, with rich combat experience and fierce fighting ability.

Even compared to the armies led by Lan Yu and the others, the Daning border army had participated in more and more intense battles.

Under Zhu Ying's command, the Daning border army had created miracles.

Despite experiencing countless cruel battles, compared to other guard battalion armies, the Daning border army's casualties were extremely small.

On the battlefield, seventy percent of the soldiers would be injured and thirty percent would sacrifice their lives, sometimes even reaching eighty percent injured, but most were able to survive and recover.

While other guard battalion armies, in true head-on combat and offensive battles, often suffered seventy percent casualties, with only twenty percent injured.

Even when facing the one hundred thousand iron cavalry of the Northern Yuan—the strongest cavalry in the world—Zhu Ying had led the Daning border army to successfully crush them and deal the Yuan army a crushing defeat.

The difficulty and achievement of this went without saying.

To these soldiers, the fact that they were able to live until now and achieve countless battle merits was all thanks to their General, Zhu Ying.

Every time they went into battle to kill the enemy, Zhu Ying was always the first to charge, and his bravery and excellent command made the soldiers deeply admire and trust him.

"Greetings to the General!"

The next moment.

Across the entire drill ground, tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices ringing through the void under the night sky, even more deafening.

This could also show Zhu Ying's status and the soldiers' reverence for him from these shouts.

"Brothers!"

Zhu Ying said in a high voice: "Today is the day of great celebration for our army's capture of the Yuan Capital!"

"As the first army to capture the Yuan Capital, our entire Daning border army has become famous, and we have also received the Grand General's reward."

"Although there is no alcohol today, there is plenty of meat!"

"Brothers, eat your fill; this is also an encouragement for everyone's all-out efforts in killing the enemy."

"When the Northern Expedition ends, I will personally host a banquet in Daning Prefecture to drink and enjoy ourselves with everyone!"

Zhu Ying's voice spread out, carrying encouragement for all the soldiers.

"The General is mighty!"

"The General is wise!"

"Swear to follow the General to the death..."

The soldiers on the entire drill ground shouted excitedly again, their voices filled with support and love for Zhu Ying.

"Start eating!"

Zhu Ying laughed, his hearty laughter infecting everyone present.

Afterward.

He sat directly on the command platform, sitting in a circle with the generals under his command.

The old brothers from the past were all still there, and at this moment, they surrounded the command platform, each one a general above the rank of Garrison Commander.

Chen Heng, Zhang Wu, Liu Zhen, Wei Quan, and the others were all there.

"Brothers, what are you still standing there for?"

Zhu Ying glanced around and laughed: "Eat!"

Afterward.

Zhu Ying was the first to tear a piece of mutton from the bonfire and eat it in large mouthfuls, eating with great relish.

Although the food of this era was not as delicious as in later generations, after so many years, Zhu Ying had long since gotten used to it.

"Did you hear that? The General has started eating!"

"Let's start eating too!"

"The Northern Yuan's cattle and sheep are famously delicious; we can't let them go to waste!"

"Eat..."

The generals responded one after another, without the slightest bit of reserve.

Like Zhu Ying, they tore mutton from the bonfire and ate it in large mouthfuls.

In the army, the atmosphere was just this pure; everyone was a brother fighting for a common goal, regardless of status or rank.

Especially in Zhu Ying's army, there was no scheming or intrigue; everything was dealt with honestly.

This pure and sincere atmosphere was what Zhu Ying liked the most, and his years of military life had allowed him to be completely immersed in it.

Under Zhu Ying's influence, the Daning border army had completely become what Zhu Ying wanted it to be, with camaraderie and brotherhood in it.

At this time.

Xiao Han walked quickly behind Zhu Ying, looking respectful, and bowed slightly: "General, the Prince of Ning is here."

"Since he is here, invite him in."

Zhu Ying still had a smile on his face and said calmly.

A few days ago, Zhu Ying had learned of Zhu Quan's identity, but he did not think much of it, nor did he feel afraid because of Zhu Quan's princely status.

In his view, Zhu Quan was born into the royal family, which was just his good fortune, and there was nothing special to pay attention to.

Before long, Zhu Quan walked quickly onto the command platform.

He was still wearing the royal robes that represented his status, but at this moment, he did not have the slightest airs of a prince, and he had a sincere smile on his face as he said: "General Zhu, I have come uninvited; please forgive me."

Zhu Quan also appeared very gentle at this moment.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Ning, you are too polite."

Zhu Ying responded with a smile, his tone carrying a hint of respect: "This is the victory feast of our Daning border army, and as the Prince of Daning Prefecture, you should naturally celebrate with us."

"Come, please sit."

"Just don't mind that our military generals don't know the etiquette."

As Zhu Ying spoke, he enthusiastically invited Zhu Quan to sit down, his attitude generous, neither losing respect for the princely title nor failing to show the boldness of a military general.

"Haha."

Zhu Quan laughed heartily and said: "I have always longed for military life; how could I mind?"

Saying this.

Zhu Quan did not hesitate and sat directly beside Zhu Ying.

Likewise.

This was his first time attending such an occasion, and his eyes were full of curiosity and excitement; he was clearly very interested in this lively military camp scene.

It could be seen that he also enjoyed this atmosphere of the whole army being happy together and longed to be able to integrate into it.

"Come, Your Highness, don't be a stranger."

Zhu Ying smiled, reached out and tore a sheep leg from the bonfire, and handed it to Zhu Quan, very naturally, without any fawning.

"Thanks."

Zhu Quan took the sheep leg, a grateful smile on his face, and without the slightest disdain, he immediately took a bite, then smiled and said: "General Zhu, although I am a prince, don't keep calling me Prince of Ning; just call me by my name. I won't call you General Zhu either; you are a bit older than me, so I'll call you Brother Zhu."

Zhu Quan's eyes revealed sincerity and friendliness; he truly wanted to befriend Zhu Ying, having put down his princely status and airs, hoping to establish a friendship with Zhu Ying like that of ordinary friends.

It could be seen that Zhu Quan was full of affection and respect for Zhu Ying; he longed to become true friends with Zhu Ying, not just because of the interaction caused by status and position.

"Haha," Zhu Ying laughed upon hearing this and said: "Since that's the case, then I won't be polite."

"Brother Zhu Quan."

This address was naturally very hearty; he also appreciated Zhu Quan's personality of not putting on airs and was willing to befriend him.

Compared to Zhu Di's deep scheming, he still preferred the Prince of Ning, Zhu Quan, who did not have so many thoughts and even fewer twists and turns.

Being with Zhu Di.

One had to be on guard; being with Zhu Quan, there was no need.

"Eh," Zhu Quan immediately responded with a smile, and then said to Zhu Ying solemnly: "Brother Zhu."

This address was full of enthusiasm and sincerity, as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years.

And this scene!

In the days to come, looking back, both of them felt that some past events were unbearable to look back on.

Especially Zhu Quan, whenever he thought of this "Brother" today, he would feel embarrassed.

But at this moment.

Naturally, neither of them thought much of anything; it was very pure.

"My age in the army has been increased by nearly two years, but my real age is indeed older than Zhu Quan's."

"His calling me Brother Zhu doesn't seem to be wrong."

Zhu Ying thought to himself.

He didn't think much of it either.

He continued to enjoy the joy of the victory feast with everyone.

Seeing that his relationship with Zhu Ying had become much closer, Zhu Quan also let go a little.

While eating mutton, he asked with a smile: "Brother Zhu, are you really prepared to lead the army in the Northern Expedition to pursue them?"

He was curious and concerned, clearly caring very much about this question.

This question!

Attracted the attention of the other generals.

The generals stopped what they were doing one after another and looked at Zhu Quan, then at Zhu Ying.

Regarding this matter.

Chen Heng and Zhang Wu naturally knew something about it; they both knew what Zhu Ying's goal was.

Naturally, they would follow, but the other generals did not know.

"Even if I didn't want to, the Emperor would eventually issue a decree to pursue."

Zhu Ying smiled, his face full of confidence.

Upon hearing this.

"With Father's grand plans, indeed," Zhu Quan also nodded, agreeing with Zhu Ying's words; he knew Zhu Yuanzhang's ambition well, and pursuing the Northern Expedition was an inevitable decision.

"Since I have been enfeoffed with this title of Marquis of Champions, which all military generals through the ages have pursued, then I should naturally do what a Marquis of Champions ought to do."

"This battle must be fought."

"The Yuan Emperor must die."

"The Northern Yuan must be thrown into chaos."

"This is the true meaning of this Northern Expedition."

"Only then can the Han people in our northern frontier truly be at peace for a few years."

"Otherwise, the people of the northern frontier will not be at ease."

Zhu Ying said very seriously.

Upon hearing this.

The surrounding Daning border army generals also responded one after another: "Swear to follow the General to the death!"

It could be seen that every general was sincerely willing to follow Zhu Ying, and they would not ask much; following their General was the right thing to do.

And Zhu Quan was also very moved; looking at these generals who still had the smell of blood on them and were full of murderous intent, he couldn't help but exclaim: "Brother Zhu is amazing!"

"In the past, the Daning border army guarding Daning Prefecture was not too outstanding, with the Beiping army being the best in the northern frontier, but with Brother Zhu leading the troops and becoming the Daning Regional Military Commissioner, the Daning border army has already become the strongest army in the northern frontier."

During the conversation.

Zhu Quan's eyes were full of admiration and envy; clearly, he perhaps also longed to be like Zhu Ying in his heart.

"If the Northern Expedition ends and I can guard Daning Prefecture together with Brother Zhu, how good that would be."

Zhu Quan said with a kind of expectation; clearly, this was what he thought in his heart.

He knew Zhu Ying's ability and prestige well; if he could guard Daning Prefecture together with Zhu Ying in the future, he would surely be able to protect the peace of one side, and at the same time, he could make his governance of Daning Prefecture more perfect and gain recognition from Ying Tian.

Clearly, the latter sentence was what Zhu Quan really thought in his heart.

If that were really the case, it would truly be a great thing for him.

"Haha," Zhu Ying responded with a smile: "If I could stay in Daning Prefecture, that would naturally be excellent."

This was naturally not a pretense; he also hoped to continue guarding Daning Prefecture.

But the expressions of the surrounding Daning battle generals changed, as if they had thought of something.

After this Northern Expedition battle, with the battle merits Zhu Ying had achieved, each one was enough to be rewarded individually.

First to break through the border city, capturing countless cities, crushing the Northern Yuan iron cavalry, capturing the Yuan Capital... anyone could imagine that after the Northern Expedition, Zhu Ying would definitely be promoted.

Zhu Ying might not serve as the Daning guard battalion commander in the future; he would definitely move to a higher position.

Although they knew that Zhu Ying's promotion was a good thing, the moment they thought of Zhu Ying leaving in the future, their hearts were filled with unease and even more with reluctance.

Zhu Quan's words naturally made the Daning generals think of the future.

If their General really left, what would they do?

They had become accustomed to fighting under Zhu Ying's leadership and were full of reliance and trust in Zhu Ying; they could not imagine how to spend the days without Zhu Ying.

"General."

Chen Heng could not help it at this moment; his face carried anxiety and a plea as he looked at Zhu Ying and said: "If you are promoted in the future and don't stay in Daning, can you take me with you? I am willing to follow you to the death."

Chen Heng's words were full of firmness; he was willing to follow Zhu Ying, no matter where he went.

And as soon as his voice fell, the eyes of the generals lit up, as if they had seen a glimmer of hope.

Afterward, they looked at Zhu Ying one after another, pleading: "I also want to follow the General; please don't abandon us."

At this moment, all dozens of battle generals here were the same.

Their faces were full of expectation and longing, hoping that Zhu Ying would agree to their request.

It was imaginable!

How high Zhu Ying's status was in their hearts.

They had experienced countless life-and-death situations with Zhu Ying and had long since forged a deep friendship.

In their hearts, Zhu Ying was not only their General but also their brother and reliance.

"Zhu Ying's prestige in the Daning border army is truly unrivaled."

Zhu Quan thought to himself, also full of exclamation.

"If he can stay in Daning, that would be for the best, but if he cannot be kept, I hope this Daning border army can stay in Daning."

Zhu Quan knew the importance of the Daning border army well and also hoped to be able to use the power of the Daning border army to protect the safety of Daning Prefecture.

After all, in the current Daning Prefecture, there existed the Daning Guard and the Huizhou Guard.

And in Guo Ying's heart, he was secretly astonished, his heart beating wildly.

As an old general from before the founding of the country, an old general who followed Zhu Yuanzhang in his conquests, through Hu Weiyong, and through those powerful elites who died under Zhu Yuanzhang's butcher knife, Guo Ying had already seen through this Emperor's character.

For subjects, majesty and suppression—this was the Emperor's foundation.

Such grace had never existed before.

Nor had anyone dared to think of it.

But now, it had truly fallen upon Zhu Ying, a general not yet twenty years old.

And a general not yet twenty years old who had been enfeoffed as a Marquis, and the most honorable Marquis of Champions at that!

This was enough to make everyone jealous.

"Could it be the Crown Prince?"

Guo Ying thought to himself; the imperial edict promoting Zhu Ying to Marquis of Champions was proposed by the Crown Prince, so it seemed this announcement might also have been drafted by the Crown Prince.

After all.

In the Great Ming Hongwu reign, the Crown Prince was the only one who could issue edicts.

"In this way."

"Zhu Ying's future is unimaginable," Guo Ying thought to himself.

And the two people on the left and right below Guo Ying.

Zhu Di and Zhu Quan both had looks of shock in their eyes.

"As expected of Eldest Brother."

"Such grace and reward, such high regard, truly unique in the entire court."

"Eldest Brother, it seems you also know Zhu Ying's ability, which is why you would bestow such deep grace," Zhu Di's heart was also incredibly complex.

His Eldest Brother!

His prestige was too great.

And his boldness was also too great.

If it were him, if he were the Crown Prince, perhaps he would not give Zhu Ying such great grace.

Perhaps, promoting him to the rank of Marquis would be one thing.

But announcing it to the world, letting all the people of the world know Zhu Ying's military merit and results, and making him a hero of the entire Great Ming Empire—this was too much of a boost to his prestige.

"No wonder Eldest Brother kept telling me to learn well from Zhu Ying when I came; now it seems he is indeed worth learning from."

"Routing one hundred thousand Northern Yuan iron cavalry."

"Marquis of Champions."

"He looks like he is not much older than me, yet he has achieved such accomplishments."

Zhu Quan stared at Zhu Ying, his heart also filled with inexplicable emotion.

And as the protagonist of this imperial edict, Zhu Ying.

Could not help but feel emotion in his heart: "Zhu Biao! He truly has great boldness!"

"This announcement to the world, announced along with the great victory of the Northern Expedition—although Zhu Yuanzhang is an Emperor for the ages, his guard against his subjects is extremely heavy; this act of announcing to the world to boost prestige is definitely not his doing, it must be the Crown Prince Zhu Biao."

Regarding this announcement to the world, Zhu Ying just had a guess, and immediately thought of who it was that added his name to this announcement.

Through history!

He knew Zhu Yuanzhang too well.

The only one who could do this was Zhu Biao.

"What a pity."

"If Zhu Biao had not died young, he might not have failed to become a wise monarch surpassing Zhu Di."

At this moment.

Zhu Ying could not help but feel emotion in his heart.

However.

Seeing that the generals in the tent were all so shocked and speechless, Zhu Ying was very calm.

What they pursued, Zhu Ying actually did not care for.

The so-called prestige and fame.

The so-called gold medal for exemption from death, for Zhu Ying, was optional.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was an Emperor for the ages, if he wanted to kill him, Zhu Ying would not show mercy; he would absolutely turn this Great Ming upside down, relying on Zhu Ying's current strength, the many weapon blueprints he possessed that surpassed this era, and various technologies like cement and concrete.

In the future.

As long as Zhu Ying wanted, he could definitely create a powerful nation that surpassed this era.

Surpassing Great Ming!

That was even more of a given.

Currently, Zhu Ying was in Great Ming, also taking what he needed.

"Subject Zhu Ying, accepts the edict and thanks the Emperor."

Zhu Ying was very calm and bowed.

The Imperial Guard Battalion Commander immediately walked forward and placed the imperial edict into Zhu Ying's hands.

"Host promoted to 【Non-hereditary Marquis Title】, rewarded with one First Rank treasure chest."

"Received one imperial edict, rewarded with one ordinary treasure chest," the panel prompted.

"Marquis of Champions."

"This imperial edict is also the Emperor's grace."

"After learning that the Marquis of Champions had crushed the Northern Yuan iron cavalry in the northern frontier, the Emperor has already bestowed the title of Third Rank Lady of Honor upon Lady Zhu."

"Now Lady Zhu also has infinite glory in Ying Tian," the Imperial Guard Battalion Commander said very respectfully to Zhu Ying.

"Subject Zhu Ying, thanks the Emperor for his great grace," Zhu Ying said immediately.

He received this imperial edict again.

"Received one imperial edict, rewarded with one ordinary treasure chest," the panel prompted again, and another treasure chest was in hand.

"Imperial edict!"

"Good stuff!"

"I got two treasure chests so easily, and being enfeoffed as Marquis of Champions, there is also a First Rank treasure chest."

"Every time this envoy of Old Zhu comes, it's a good thing," Zhu Ying thought with satisfaction.

"Grand General."

"This edict reading is finished, the Emperor also specifically asked me to pass a message to the Grand General," the Imperial Guard Battalion Commander looked at Guo Ying.

"Please speak."

Guo Ying said immediately.

"The Emperor said that now the strongest iron cavalry of Northern Yuan has been crushed by our Great Ming, Northern Yuan is no longer a concern."

"The Emperor hopes the Grand General will not be greedy for merit and advance rashly, but advance steadily," the Imperial Guard Battalion Commander said respectfully.

Hearing this!

Guo Ying bowed immediately: "Please tell the Emperor that I will definitely advance steadily and will never be greedy for merit and advance rashly."

"In that case."

"This subordinate will take his leave first."

The Imperial Guard Battalion Commander nodded, said no more, and respectfully exited the tent.

Following that.

Guo Ying's gaze fell on Zhu Ying, and he laughed loudly: "Marquis of Champions! Today we should celebrate!"

"Congratulations to the Marquis of Champions."

Li Jinglong and Mu Sheng immediately offered congratulations.

"Congratulations to the Marquis of Champions."

The many generals in the tent also offered congratulations to Zhu Ying one after another.

Even the Huaixi generals cupped their hands and went through the motions.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 176 =====

His gaze fell on Zhu Di, trying to probe for a clue from his expression and behavior.

However.

Zhu Di's expression was calm, making him hard to fathom.

A hint of vigilance surged in Zhu Ying's heart, and at the same time, he was full of curiosity, not knowing what would happen next and what Zhu Di's goal was.

……

(End of chapter)