Chapter 25: Prince Yan Zhu Di! The Black-Robed Monk!
Hearing these words.
Chen Heng’s heart trembled slightly.
From these words alone, it was clear Zhu Ying was alone.
“Heh.”
“General, don’t worry about me.”
“I’ll come back alive.”
“When the war’s settled, I’ll treat you to wine.”
Seeing Chen Heng’s expression, Zhu Ying immediately grinned.
“I’ll be waiting for that day.”
“But when you return, it won’t be you treating me—I’ll treat you,” Chen Heng chuckled.
“Good.” Zhu Ying smiled and nodded firmly.
“General.”
“I’ll go prepare in the camp too.”
“See you.” Zhu Ying bowed his fist.
Chen Heng nodded, saying no more, yet as he watched Zhu Ying’s retreating back, his heart churned: “At only sixteen, he’s already a Battalion Commander—his future is boundless. Why does he push himself so hard?”
In truth, Chen Heng didn’t understand why Zhu Ying pushed himself so fiercely.
On the battlefield, he fought with reckless abandon, as if he had no regard for his life.
Such a mindset was impossible for a sixteen-year-old boy.
Return to camp!
Zhu Ying returned first to his own tent.
“Attribute panel.”
Zhu Ying opened his attribute panel.
Host: Zhu Ying
Age: 14 years
Strength: 654 points [One point equals one jin of force.]
Speed: 612 points [Higher value means faster speed.]
Constitution: 531 points [Higher constitution means stronger defense and faster recovery.]
Endurance: 525 points [Higher endurance means sustained energy and abundant stamina.]
Spirit: 512 points [Higher spirit means clearer mind.]
Lifespan: 88 years, 1456 days
Storage space: 5 cubic feet
These were the results Zhu Ying had gained from recent campaigns—his full attributes had successfully broken through five hundred points.
“This time, leading troops alone in the northern frontier, I must break all attributes past a thousand points—only then will I truly have the strength to stand in this era,” Zhu Ying thought silently.
He snapped back to awareness.
“Open the treasure chest,” Zhu Ying said.
This was the treasure chest reward for breaking through five hundred points in all attributes.
“Open common treasure chest.”
“Obtained Huang Jie lower grade [Grain Grain Bigu Elixir] five bottles.” The panel displayed a prompt.
“Grain Grain Bigu Elixir.”
“I actually got this?”
“Good.”
“I don’t know how long I’ll stay on the northern frontier—having Grain Grain Bigu Elixir means I’ve secured some resources.”
“Five cubic feet of space is still mostly empty—I should load more arrows, rations, and water; they could save my life in a pinch,” Zhu Ying thought, then headed toward the supply troops to gather more provisions.
……
Beiping Prefecture!
The prefectural city: Beiping!
As the fourth son of the current Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, Prince Yan Zhu Di had been enfeoffed in Beiping Prefecture, commanding fifty thousand border troops to guard Beiping.
Inside the princely mansion.
“Your Highness.”
“A decree from the Ministry of War has arrived: order the Beiping border troops to march to Danning, join forces, and attack the Yuan.”
A military officer entered the grand hall and bowed respectfully to the imposing man seated on the main throne, clad in a princely robe.
He was none other than Zhu Di, Prince of Yan.
The fourth imperial prince of the Great Ming.
“How many troops did the Ministry demand?” Zhu Di asked the officer.
“Forty thousand troops; one thousand will remain to guard the frontier passes,” the officer replied respectfully.
“The Ministry’s order cannot be disobeyed—this time, Duke Song himself leads the army and has already entered Danning territory.”
“Zhang Yu, as Commander of the Beiping Guard Battalion, you must not disgrace the reputation of our Beiping troops,” Zhu Di said sternly.
“Your servant will not disappoint Your Highness.”
Zhang Yu bowed deeply, answering confidently.
“According to my information, Danning Prefecture has already sent troops northward.”
“What are the results?” Zhu Di asked casually.
“Your Highness.”
“This is a secret report from Danning Prefecture—please read it,” Zhang Yu stepped forward and pulled out a sealed document from his robe.
Zhu Di took it and opened it.
A flicker of surprise passed through his eyes.
“To crush the Jianzhou Tartars, a petty barbarian tribe, is no great feat.”
“Who is this Zhu Ying?”
“He slew a hundred enemies alone?”
“He cut down enemy commanders and banners?”
“Of Danning’s fifty thousand border troops, only Chen Heng and Liu Zhen possess notable leadership and bravery.”
“I’ve never heard of this Zhu Ying,” Zhu Di asked, his expression grave.
“Your Highness.”
“This Zhu Ying is not an original officer of Danning Prefecture—he’s a new recruit, barely a few months in service,” Zhang Yu reported immediately.
“A new recruit, barely a few months in service?”
Zhu Di’s face lit up with astonishment.
“My Beiping troops have no such fierce warrior.”
Zhu Di’s tone carried a hint of regret.
“Your Highness.”
“It’s said Bu Wan has already reported Zhu Ying’s achievements to the capital.”
“Given the timing, the Emperor may already know of Zhu Ying’s deeds,” Zhang Yu said respectfully.
Hearing this,
Zhu Di spoke slowly: “If he’s caught the Emperor’s eye, Zhu Ying’s future is limitless.”
“Your Highness.”
“Should we secretly send someone to court him?” Zhang Yu ventured.
Zhu Di frowned, fixing Zhang Yu with a piercing gaze.
Zhang Yu’s face paled; he immediately knelt: “Your servant overstepped—please forgive me, Your Highness.”
“Go prepare for the march.”
“If you encounter him, make cautious contact—but do not be obvious,” Zhu Di said in a low voice.
“Your servant obeys.” Zhang Yu bowed and withdrew.
After Zhang Yu left,
Zhu Di spoke softly: “You’ve gone too far now. The Emperor still lives, and your elder brother is still vigorous—do you wish to drag me into ruin?”
The moment Zhu Di’s voice ended,
A deep voice echoed from within the hall: “Amitabha! This monk acts for the Prince’s sake—for his future, for his destiny.”
“Future? Destiny?”
“You will kill me,” Zhu Di said coldly.
“Long ago, I told you I would give you a white hat.”
“Your Highness need only watch quietly in Beiping.”
“The future is already determined.”
“Your Highness bears the aura of an emperor.”
The Prince has the bearing of an emperor.
Another voice came from within.
As for this.
Zhu Di’s face wore a complex expression.
He seemed to think of his father, and even more so, his elder brother.
Yet the words of this man who called himself a humble monk had, for years without change, stirred him, compelling him to suppress nothing of his inner ambition—unconsciously, he had already been fully ensnared.
Inside the inner hall!
The incense burner ignited.
A middle-aged monk in black robes sat cross-legged upon a mat, fingers clasping prayer beads, calm and unruffled, as if all things lay within his control.
If Zhu Ying could see this man, he would cry out in shock: the black-robed demon monk, Yao Guangxiao.
The key strategist who helped Zhu Di succeed in his rebellion.
Moreover.
After the death of Empress Ma, he met Zhu Di in Yingtian, and upon their first encounter, told Zhu Di he would give him a white hat.
What is a white hat?
Add a white to the character for king, and it becomes emperor!
…
PS: All support is deeply appreciated.
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