Chapter 59: Above the Northern Frontier, Ten Thousand Horses Charge!
Looking at Zhu Yunling, who was crying before him.
Yun Yu’s tears also flowed uncontrollably; she had accompanied Zhu Yunling for many years and cared for him for so long.
How could Yun Yu not know Zhu Yunling’s grievances?
Father does not love him.
Mother does not care for him.
The current mistress of the Eastern Palace maintains the appearance of maternal grace, but in truth she is ruthlessly targeting Zhu Yunling.
Because Zhu Yunling is the legitimate son, because Zhu Yunling is her own son’s rival—in court terms, he is a political enemy.
Political enemies: no peace until one is dead.
Even if Zhu Yunling does not compete, he naturally has many supporters behind him; if he is not eliminated, he will inevitably compete in the future.
More crucially:
Zhu Yunling is the legitimate son, the true-born heir.
Even though Lady Lu now controls all internal affairs of the Eastern Palace, and over the years she has gradually purged all former attendants of the late Crown Princess and replaced them with her own people, and even though Zhu Biao trusts her completely and entrusts her fully with Eastern Palace affairs,
she still harbors deep reservations about Zhu Yunling’s status as the legitimate son.
“Young Master.”
“Grow up quickly.”
“Only when you grow up can you leave the Eastern Palace; only when you grow up can you escape her control.” Yun Yu stepped forward and gently embraced Zhu Yunling,
“I know why Father hates me so much—Mother died because of complications during childbirth with me.”
“Perhaps in Father’s eyes, I should never have been born.”
“Even Grandfather doesn’t like me.”
“When Grandma was alive, she protected me.”
“And Brother—when Brother was alive, he protected me too; no one dared to bully me.”
“But… but they’re both gone now.”
“Maybe I really am a curse—I killed Mother, and Grandma and Brother are gone too.”
“I killed them.”
“I shouldn’t have been born at all.”
Zhu Yunling spoke, tears streaming endlessly, filled with sorrow.
Hearing this,
Yun Yu gently patted Zhu Yunling’s back and comforted him: “Young Master, don’t think like that—you’re not a curse, and it wasn’t you who killed the Empress or the Crown Prince. Perhaps it’s all just fate.”
“Though they’re gone, they’re watching over you from heaven, protecting you—you must live well.”
…
The Eastern Palace’s Concubine Pavilion!
“Rong Lan.”
“Is that bastard still behaving?”
Lady Lu sat on the main seat, asking the maid before her.
This demeanor was entirely different from how she acted before Zhu Biao.
“Rest assured, Lady, that bastard is obedient and dares not speak out.”
“And we have our people stationed outside his pavilion—he has no chance to cause trouble,” the maid Rong Lan replied with a smile.
“Good.”
Lady Lu nodded in satisfaction, yet her brow was cold: “Though he no longer poses a real threat, we must not slack off for a moment. Keep a tight watch on him—any movement must be reported to you personally; if you can’t handle it, tell me.”
“Rest assured, Lady.”
“I know how to handle it.”
“He’s just a child—I can deal with him.”
“The only person by Zhu Yunling’s side is Yun Yu.”
“But she’s just one woman—nothing to worry about,” Rong Lan sneered.
“Yun Yu.”
“That bitch’s maid.”
“If she behaves, fine. If she doesn’t, find an opportunity to eliminate her,” Lady Lu’s eyes flashed with murderous intent.
“Rest assured, Lady.”
“I understand,” Rong Lan replied respectfully.
…
Liaodong!
Jincheng region!
In Liaodong, Nara Chus had painstakingly fortified two cities—strong defenses, formidable fortifications.
One was Kaiyuan City; the other was this Jincheng.
These were built and strengthened by Nara Chu to resist the Great Ming.
Nara Chu intended to launch a southern campaign against Ming, so Liaodong was his base, and defense was critical.
Now Lan Yu led his army to attack Kaiyuan City; Fu Youde led his army to attack Jinzhou City.
Once these two cities fall, Liaodong will become part of the Great Ming’s territory.
And now,
Fu Youde was leading his troops in a fierce assault on Jinzhou City.
Nara Chu’s generals were resisting with all their strength.
Ten days of relentless assault.
The Yuan troops resisted with extraordinary tenacity.
“Fire!”
Before Jinzhou City,
Fu Youde stood at the center of command, directing the attack.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A thunderous roar.
Two hundred cannons bombarded Jincheng.
Under the cannon fire’s suppression,
the Ming vanguard launched another assault on Jinzhou City.
But the Yuan troops inside were equally stubborn—countless arrows rained from the walls, cannons fired back.
Waves of Ming soldiers died in heaps under the Yuan arrows.
Of course,
in defense, the Ming troops outside were equally fierce—arrows rained into the city, cannons blasted.
The Ming troops charged forward relentlessly.
Time dragged on.
The siege became a brutal stalemate.
Fu Youde frowned as he watched the battle before the city.
“I underestimated Nara Chu’s abilities.”
“To defend against our Great Ming, he turned Jinzhou City into an iron fortress—how fiercely the Yuan troops are holding on,” Fu Youde said slowly.
“General.”
“Let me lead the charge,” Zhao Yong pleaded to Fu Youde.
“The Yuan resistance is too strong—charging again will achieve nothing but more casualties.”
“Withdraw.”
“We need a plan to break open Jinzhou’s gates—only then can we take the city,” Fu Youde said grimly.
“But we’ve been attacking for days already—we’ve already lost many soldiers,” Zhao Yong said, reluctant.
“Blind charges now only increase our losses.”
“Withdraw.”
Fu Youde ordered.
“Yes.”
Zhao Yong could only nod.
The gong sounded.
Fu Youde stared at Jinzhou City: “Nara Chu, you’ve stationed heavy troops in both Kaiyuan and Jinzhou—perhaps nine out of ten of your forces. Do you truly believe such numbers can stop the Great Ming’s advance?”
West of Jinzhou City,
a Ming Battalion Commander’s patrol zone.
Tap-tap-tap.
Tap-tap-tap.
A rapid pounding of hooves came speeding from the west.
The Ming patrol troops all turned in shock toward the west.
"Alert! Form battle line!"
"The enemy is attacking!"
"Shield troops and spear infantry, front!"
"Archers, rear!"
"Report immediately to the Commandant! Quickly mobilize reinforcements!"
The Battalion Commander patrolling this post immediately barked orders.
"Your servant obeys!"
The Deputy Battalion Commander beside him immediately bowed and withdrew.
At this moment.
A thousand Ming soldiers had already formed their battle line.
Shield troops in front.
Among the shields were spears thrust forward; archers stood behind.
At this moment.
The earth trembled and mountains shook.
Tens of thousands of warhorses charged forward.
Countless troops surged forward, as if ten thousand iron cavalry were bearing down.
Seeing this sight.
The faces of the Ming soldiers in formation now wore grave expressions.
"Why are there Yuan troops here in the western frontier?"
"This shouldn't be possible?"
The patrolling Battalion Commander felt deep confusion and dread.
……
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[126] (End of Chapter)
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