Chapter 108: Returning to Yingtian

In Hongwu Year Five, on the first day of the Spring Festival, Zhu Yong's great army arrived at Liaoyang in Liaodong.

They rested here for two days, replenishing grain and fodder.

At the same time, Zhu Yong signed for a treasure again, intending to give it to his elder brother and Imperial Father after returning.

It was a fine thing, something the Ming Dynasty populace greatly liked.

This year, he could not spend it with his parents and wife, and he didn't know whether he could make it in time for the Lantern Festival.

Under the generous hospitality of the Liaoyang garrison commander, the topic of the Nüzhen arose at the table.

"Prince, having eradicated the Nüzhen Sanbu and forever removed the Liaodong threat, I, on behalf of the Liaodong people, offer you a cup!" the commander said, raising his cup.

Zhu Yong drained his drink and asked, "How are the relocated Nüzhen women and children being settled?"

"According to the Prince's orders, they are placed in various guard posts, living mixed with Han civilians, taught agriculture, prohibited from hunting, children enrolled in community schools to learn Han script and language.

After three generations, they will be no different from the Han people."

"Good. If any unrest arises at dawn, suppress it immediately," Zhu Yong nodded.

"Understood, commander!"

After the rest, they continued southward.

On the sixth day of the Spring Festival, they passed Shanhai Pass.

On the eighth day of the Spring Festival, they arrived at Beiping.

Xu Da waited in Beiping, and upon seeing Zhu Yong, rode out ten li of the city to greet him personally.

"Prince, you've become thin," Xu Da patted Zhu Yong's shoulder.

"Uncle Xu, you have also become thin," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

After arranging some matters, Xu Da led the main army back to Great Ming first, and he also ordered a pier to be built on the Korean coast for future preparations.

Xu Da laughed loudly, "There's no war that doesn't make you thin. Come, let's enter the city; your Chang Shu and Lan Yu are also here, let's gather together."

That night, Xu Da's residence held a banquet.

Chang Yuchun, Lan Yu, Zhu Yong, and the various Beiping commanders gathered together.

After three rounds of wine, Chang Yuchun exclaimed, "Yong Er, you fought this battle splendidly; the Korean kingdom stood for centuries, and you annihilated it in a word. In the annals to come, your name will be recorded prominently."

Lan Yu added, "Prince, your tactics appear simple and straightforward, yet are truly subtle. In the siege of Kaicheng, the sea‑land pincer caught the Korean king off guard; it was a stroke of divine brilliance."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "It's all thanks to my elder cousin's good teaching, as well as what I learned from Xu Shu and Chang Shu."

"You kid... you've even learned humility," Chang Yuchun said with a laughing scold.

At that moment, Xu Da lowered his voice and said, "Prince, some officials may claim your slaughter was excessive, especially regarding the Nüzhen matter; all males over fifteen were beheaded, and this…"

"They ought to die... the Nüzhen are fierce and vengeful; keeping their men would be a future threat. Since I've done it, I fear no criticism," Zhu Yong said calmly.

Chang Yuchun slammed the table and said, "Well said. On the battlefield, mercy to the enemy is cruelty to oneself. Those civil officials know nothing, merely spouting empty talk about benevolence in the court."

Lan Yu also said, "Prince, you acted rightly; the Nüzhen Sanbu have raided Liaodong for years, killing countless civilians, and should have been eliminated long ago."

Xu Da sighed and said, "The reasoning is sound, but… never mind. After returning to the capital, if there is dissent, we will speak for you."

"Thank you, Uncle Xu," Zhu Yong raised his cup.

That night, everyone drank freely until late.

Zhu Yong drank a lot, but did not become drunk.

He returned to his lodging and stood in the courtyard watching the Moonlight.

Beiping in the twelfth lunar month was very cold, and the Moonlight was likewise chilly.

He recalled Yingtian Prefecture, the warm lights of Kunning Palace, and Guanyin Nu.

"Prince, it's late night, rest now," Zhang Wu brought the Great Cloak.

Zhu Yong took it, draped it over himself, and asked, "Zhang Wu, do you have a family?"

Zhang Wu was startled and said, "Yes, my parents are in Fengyang, and I have a younger sister who is about sixteen this year."

"After you go back, you'll have leave; go home and have a look."

"Thank you, Prince!" Zhang Wu said gratefully.

Zhu Yong patted his shoulder, turned, and entered the house.

On the ninth day of the Spring Festival, the army continued southward.

From Beiping to Yingtian, the official roads were clear, and the march proceeded swiftly.

On the twelfth day of the Spring Festival, they arrived at Jinan.

On the fifteenth day of the Spring Festival, they passed Xuzhou.

On the eighteenth day of the Spring Festival, they reached Longtan Post, fifty li outside Yingtian Prefecture.

At this point, only one day's journey remained to the capital city.

He still could not make it for the Lantern Festival, but his life was long, there was still time, and missing this one Lantern Festival was no loss.

Zhu Yong ordered a camp to be set up at Longtan Post, to rest for a day, and to enter the capital tomorrow.

The news reached Yingtian, and the entire capital city stirred.

Zhu Yuanzhang issued an edict: tomorrow at noon, Crown Prince Zhu Biao will lead the Civil and Military Officials ten li outside the city to welcome Prince Wu's triumphant return.

The main streets inside the city were swept clean, and colorful flags were hung.

The populace gathered voluntarily, preparing to welcome the great army tomorrow.

Inside Kunning Palace, Guanyin Nu sat restlessly.

"Imperial Mother, tomorrow… will the Prince really return?"

Empress Ma said with a smile, nodding, "Yes, he will return. Tomorrow at noon he will enter the city. The Imperial Physician said your fetal condition is stable; you may go out, but you cannot stand for long."

"Tomorrow we will just watch from the Imperial City tower."

Guanyin Nu touched her belly and murmured, "Alright, child, your father is coming back..."

The Eastern Palace, Zhu Biao was also preparing.

He specifically had a large banner hurriedly made, inscribed with the two characters "Triumph," intending to raise it himself tomorrow to welcome his second brother.

That night, countless people in Yingtian Prefecture lay awake.

There were excited commoners, expectant officials, and agitated families of soldiers.

Moreover, deep within the palace, the woman anxiously awaiting.

The nineteenth day of the first month, at dawn.

Before sunrise, Zhu Yong awoke.

He changed into a brand‑new Wu dynasty robe and draped the Black Great Cloak over it, the one sewn by Empress Ma.

Zhang Wuhe, Chen Heng, Chang Mao and other generals also put on the finest armor, looking spirited.

At the Chen Hour, the army set out.

Twenty‑six thousand soldiers formed neat ranks, their war flags fluttering.

The casket cart of fallen soldiers led the way, covered with white cloth, solemn and dignified.

Shi Jing three quarters later, they arrived at Shi Li Ting outside Yingtian City.

There, crowds already filled the area.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao, dressed in the heir‑apparent ceremonial robe, stood at the front.

Behind him were the Civil and Military Officials, and further behind the common people who had come voluntarily to greet.

"They're coming! They're coming!" someone shouted.

In the distance, the army's figures appeared.

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and raised that "Triumph" banner.

Zhu Yong saw his elder brother, saw the banner, and felt a surge of warmth.

He spurred his horse forward, dismounted ten steps from Zhu Biao, knelt on one knee and said, "I, Minister Zhu Yong, was ordered to campaign against Goryeo and Nüzhen; having now returned victorious, I report to the Crown Prince."

Zhu Biao hurried forward, helped him up and said, "Second brother, you have worked hard."

The brothers met each other's gaze, tears glimmering in their eyes.

"Just being back is enough," Zhu Biao said, patting Zhu Yong's shoulder vigorously and smiling.

At this moment, the Ritual Official sang loudly, "Welcome the triumphant troops, play the music..."

Drum and music sounded together, their roar shaking the heavens.

Zhu Biao took Zhu Yong's hand and walked toward the city gate.

Behind them, the army marched in neat ranks, heads held high, entering the city.

Along both sides of the street, the people cheered.

"Wang Wu, ten thousand years!"

"Great Ming, ten thousand victories!"

"..."

The cries rose like a tide, sweeping the whole city.

Zhu Yong walked among the crowd, looking at each excited face, feeling moved.

This is the Great Ming he protects, this is the people he protects.

It was worth it.

The procession moved slowly, entering the Imperial City through Hongwu Gate.

In front of Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang, clad in a dragon robe, stood there.

Empress Ma stood beside him, Guanyin Nu, with a noticeably swollen belly, stood next to Empress Ma, tears in her eyes.

Zhu Yong stepped down the steps, knelt and said, "Your son Zhu Yong, having achieved triumph in the campaign, bows to Imperial Father and Imperial Mother!"

Zhu Yuanzhang hurried down the steps, quickly helped his second son up, saying, "Yong Er, stand up, let father see."

He examined Zhu Yong carefully, seeing frost on his face but his spirit bright, no wounds on his body, and then relaxed.

"Good, good, returning safely is enough."

Empress Ma also came over, grabbed Zhu Yong's hand, tears streaming, and said, "Yong Er, you've become thin…"

"Mother, I'm fine," Zhu Yong chuckled.

He looked at Guanyin Nu.

Their eyes met; a thousand unspoken words lay between them.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, "Today Yong Er returns triumphant, a great joy for the nation! Issue an edict, hold a banquet at Fengtian Hall, reward the three armies, and grant titles to meritorious soldiers!"

"Long live Our Emperor! Wang Wu, ten thousand years!" the cries shook the heavens.

Zhu Yong stood on the steps, gazing into the distance.

The outline of Yingtian City was clearly visible in the winter sun, the city he protects, the land he protects.

At this moment, all the campaigns, all the slaughter, were worth it.