Chapter 110: Quarreling, Seeking the Elder Brother…

The next day, the twentieth day of the first month, the morning court.

Inside the Fengtian Hall, the atmosphere was subtle.

Sure enough, an Imperial Censor stepped forward to impeach.

"His Majesty, Prince Wu's campaign against Goryeo and the extermination of the Nüzhen have been outstanding, but the slaughter was excessive, harming the heavenly harmony; the Nüzhen Sanbu lost over forty thousand men, and Goryeo's Kaicheng lost three thousand more."

Such carnage, I fear, is not the way of a benevolent ruler.

The speaker was the Right Deputy Imperial Censor of the Censorate, Chen Ning.

Hm! It's Chen Ning again; the stone slab under his feet was only just repaired!

Zhu Yuanzhang, expressionless, said, "Then, according to your view, Minister Chen, what should be done?"

Chen Ning clasped his hands and said, "I think Prince Wu should be restrained; in future campaigns, conciliation should be primary and killing secondary, so that Great Ming's benevolence can shine and the four corners can be united."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chang Yuchun stepped forward.

His voice boomed like a great bell as he said, "You know nothing… On the battlefield, it's either you die or I perish. The Nüzhen have raided Liaodong for decades, killing well over a hundred thousand civilians. Goryeo killed my envoy, violated our border; if we do not punish them severely, how can we assert authority?"

Prince Wu's eradication of evil is precisely to remove threats from Great Ming and avenge the people.

Lan Yu also stepped forward, saying, "Our brother‑in‑law is right! Those barbarians, if you speak of benevolence to them, they see you as weak; only after we subdue them by force, after they fear us, will they honestly submit and pay tribute!"

Chen Ning's face turned pale; he was about to speak further, but Zhu Biao cut him off.

Quarreling like this is something the Crown Prince handles best; the second brother should just take care of external affairs.

"Censor Chen, do you know how many villages the Nüzhen Sanbu plundered in Liaodong last year?" Zhu Biao asked gently.

"This…" Chen Ning was at a loss for words.

"You don't know, let me tell you: last year the Nüzhen raided thirty‑seven villages in Liaodong, killed over 2,400 civilians, and abducted more than 800 women and children."

"These are all recorded by the Ministry of War," Zhu Biao said, his voice still gentle but his eyes sharp.

He looked around the hall at the ministers and said, "Goryeo Wang Zhuan killed my envoy Cai Bin, led troops into Liaodong, plundered our border people; these are also recorded by the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War."

"Being merciful to the enemy is cruelty to the people. Prince Wu's extermination of the Nüzhen and pacification of Goryeo is vengeance for the Liaodong populace and removal of threats for Great Ming."

"This is a great merit; what fault is there?" Zhu Biao said slowly.

The hall fell silent.

Chen Ning lowered his head, daring not to speak further.

Zhu Yuanzhang finally spoke, "The Crown Prince is right; battlefield matters are not for scholars to comment on. Prince Wu's achievements deserve reward. Issue the decree."

"Grant Prince Wu a thousand taels of gold, five hundred bolts of silk, double the compensation for the fallen, and generous rewards for the wounded."

Prince Wu, already a 'Wang', also the Grand General Zhenglu, commands thirty thousand troops of the Longxiang Army stationed in the capital, overseeing the Imperial City's defenses; Zhu Yuanzhang himself did not know what else to award, so these were all he could give.

"Our Emperor is wise!" the ministers chorused.

The morning court adjourned.

Zhu Yong walked out of the Fengtian Hall, with Chang Yuchun and Lan Yu hurrying after him.

"Prince, ignore those civil officials; they know nothing," Chang Yuchun said gruffly.

"Our brother‑in‑law is right; Prince, you are removing threats for the nation, a merit for the ages," Lan Yu added beside him.

Zhu Yong chuckled, "I don't mind; let them say what they will."

Just then, Xu Da and Tang He walked over.

Xu Da patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said, "Prince, at today's morning court the Crown Prince spoke on your behalf, and he was right. If anyone later raises objections, I will be the first to refuse."

Tang He laughed, "Prince, this war of annihilation showcases Great Ming's might; thereafter any neighboring petty state that wishes to breach our borders will have to think twice."

The group chatted as they walked outward.

Outside the Wu Men, each boarded a sedan chair or mounted a horse.

Zhu Yong was about to mount his horse and return to the residence when Zhu Biao called from behind, "Second brother, wait."

"Elder brother…" Zhu Yong turned his head.

Zhu Biao came over, whispering, "Second brother, those two blueprints, Father has sent the afternoon to Wu Ying Hall for discussion; officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue will attend."

"Alright, I understand," Zhu Yong nodded.

"Also, regarding the Lu Family, Imperial Father has already issued an edict to marry Lu Chan to Feng Sheng's nephew; the wedding is set for the sixth day of next month," Zhu Biao said after a pause.

Zhu Yong was startled, "That soon?"

"Not too fast, lest they devise further schemes," Zhu Biao replied calmly.

This already favored the Lu Family; before they could act on the Lu Clan, their own Imperial Father had already dealt with it.

Zhu Yong nodded and asked no further.

The two brothers parting, Zhu Yong rode back to Prince Wu's residence.

Prince Wu's residence lay on the east side of the Imperial City, not far from the Eastern Palace.

The gate of the residence stood wide open, steward Hu Bo leading a group of servants to greet him at the doorway.

"Welcome back, Prince, to the residence!" the attendants knelt and bowed.

"Rise! You've all worked hard; this month each will receive an extra month's salary," Zhu Yong dismounted, handing the reins to the Imperial Troops.

"Thank you, Prince!" the people said joyfully.

Zhu Yong entered the residence; everything inside remained as before.

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying, two maidservants, came forward—one serving tea, the other holding a hot towel.

"Prince, where is the princess?" Xiao Zhu asked.

"She's staying in the palace for a few days, attending to Imperial Mother; how have things been in the residence lately?" Zhu Yong said, taking a sip of tea.

Hu Bo reported, "All is well, Prince."

Just then, a clamor arose from outside.

"Second Prince, has the Second Prince returned?"

It was Zhu Di's voice.

Zhu Yong stepped out and saw Zhu Di, Zhu Shuang, and Zhu Gang, three youngsters, standing in the courtyard, with Zhu Su following behind them.

"Second Prince!" Zhu Di's eyes brightened when he saw Zhu Yong, and he hurried over.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang also followed, but they were somewhat timid, still remembering the time they were struck on the palm.

"Everyone's here, come inside and talk," Zhu Yong said with a smile.

The group entered the main hall, and Zhu Yong asked a maid to bring tea and snacks.

These younger brothers came over wanting to hear stories; after each time he returned from the battlefield, these few younger brothers would come to listen to his battlefield tales.

However, those are bloody stories with little to say, and although they will eventually go to the battlefield, Zhu Yong still wants to shield his brothers from the outside war; when they grow older, even if they refuse, he will take them along.

When they have mastered their skills, even if they enter the battlefield they will be able to protect themselves properly.

The group talked for a while longer, and then Zhu Di and the others reluctantly took their leave.

Zhu Yong escorted them to the doorway and watched them walk away.

Zhu Di turned back, waved his hand, and said, "Second Prince, I'll come again tomorrow!"

Zhu Yong smiled and nodded.

At that moment, it was exactly noon.

Hu Bo reported, "Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived, saying His Majesty has invited Your Highness to Wu Ying Hall."

Zhu Yong rose, changed into court robes, and rode his horse into the palace.

Inside Wu Ying Hall were Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, the Minister of Works, the Minister of Revenue, and several ministers.

On the table lay the two blueprints.

Seeing Zhu Yong come in, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Yong Er, come over, explain to the Minister of Works in detail how to handle the salt fields and white sugar."

Zhu Yong walked over, pointed at the blueprints, and began his explanation.

His explanation was simple and straightforward, covering only what was on the blueprints, yet the officials of the Ministry of Works nodded repeatedly.

"Excellent!"

"The method of decolorizing white sugar is unprecedented; if it succeeds, it will be hugely profitable!"

"...."

The others discussed animatedly.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the Minister of Revenue and asked, "If this method is promoted, how much can the Salt Tax increase?"

The Minister of Revenue pondered, "Your Majesty, the current annual revenue from the salt levy is about two million taels; if the salt price drops by thirty percent, sales will rise, and with this method greatly reducing costs, I estimate the annual revenue could increase to over three million taels."

"What about white sugar?"

"White sugar… currently on the market, a jin costs five qian of silver and is still in short supply; if Great Ming can produce it ourselves, even without export, domestic sales could yield several million taels of profit per year."

The Minister of Revenue's eyes brightened as he said.

Zhu Yuanzhang thumped the table and said, "Very well! Then proceed. Minister of Works, first select three coastal pilot sites, build salt fields and white‑sugar workshops, establishing one each in Yingtian, Suzhou, and Hangzhou."

"I will follow your command!" the Minister of Works bowed.

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao Er, keep an eye on this matter and act quickly."

"Yes, Imperial Father," Zhu Biao replied.

After the discussion concluded, everyone took their leave.

Zhu Yong was about to leave when Zhu Yuanzhang called him.

"Yong Er, accompany father for a walk."

Father and son walked out of Wu Ying Hall and strolled along the palace corridor.

The warm afternoon sun of the winter day bathed the palace walls, casting long shadows.

"Yong Er, what do you think, how is Great Ming doing now?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Very well; the realm your father conquered brings the people peace and prosperity."

"Indeed, peace and prosperity," Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, "but we always think it could be better. Look at Yingtian Prefecture; it is prosperous yet lies in the southeast. We still wish to move the capital to Fengyang, for that is our root."

"If father wants to move, then we will move; I'll follow you," Zhu Yong said naively.

The elder brother had said that for this matter he would handle it, so no one else needed to.

Thus, Zhu Yong casually brushed off his old father with a single sentence.

"It's not that wanting to move makes it possible; relocating the capital costs enormously, and many in the court oppose it. This matter… must be deliberated at length," Zhu Yuanzhang said, shaking his head.

He stopped, looked at Zhu Yong and said, "Yong Er, you are the Prince of Wu, our sharpest blade, but a blade must not only cut; it must also protect."

Later, father hopes you will assist your elder brother and properly guard the Great Ming realm.

"I understand, I will definitely help my brother and protect this realm," Zhu Yong said solemnly.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, patted his son's shoulder, and said, "Very well, very well."

Father and son continued forward, the sunlight stretching their shadows long.

In the distance, the eaves of Fengtian Hall glittered with golden light in the sun.