Chapter 111: Zhu Xiongying Born Early

Hongwu Year Five, April twelfth.

The thin morning mist had not yet dispersed, and the Training Ground of the Longxiang Army camp already rang with orderly footfalls.

Zhu Yong, dressed in a black short uniform, stood on the Pointing Platform, watching the three thousand soldiers below drill.

"Left... turn!"

"Right... turn!"

"Advance..."

The Command Flag fluttered, and the formation moved like an arm directing a finger.

This Longxiang Army was personally trained by Zhu Yong after returning to the capital, selected from the capital camp for vigor and replenished, practiced hard daily, and was led by veterans.

After half a year, its military appearance was strict and its morale high.

"Stop!"

Zhu Yong raised a hand, and the formation halted abruptly.

Zhu Yong stepped down from the Pointing Platform, came to the front of the formation, and casually called out to the Hundred Household Officer, "Step forward."

The Hundred Household Officer jogged forward, kneeling on one knee, "Prince!"

"Your unit turned half a step too slowly just now; do you know why?" Zhu Yong asked.

The Hundred Household Officer, sweat beading on his forehead, said, "Your servant... your servant's command was inadequate."

"It is not a lack of command; you have distracting thoughts. Training soldiers is training the mind. An unsettled mind makes the formation chaotic. After today's drill ends, your unit will train an extra hour."

Zhu Yong shook his head.

"As you command!" the Hundred Household Officer dared not complain.

Zhu Yong scanned the entire army again and spoke loudly, "Listen all, the Longxiang Army is the Son of Heaven's personal troops, elite of the capital camp; in future wars, it will be the first to go to the front.

Sweat more in daily training, and you will bleed less on the battlefield. Understand?"

"Understood!" three thousand people answered in unison, their voices shaking the Training Ground.

Zhu Yong nodded, and said to Zhang Wu beside him, "Continue training."

"Yes." Zhang Wu took the order.

Zhu Yong turned and left the Training Ground, riding his horse back to the city.

In the spring, Yingtian Prefecture was filled with fluttering willow catkins.

He entered the city through Chaoyang Gate, and the streets were already bustling.

Stalls selling breakfast emitted steam, peddlers shouted, and carts, horses, and pedestrians came and went incessantly.

Passing the Ministry of Revenue Office, he saw a long queue outside.

Zhu Yong halted his horse, and, somewhat curious, asked an old man selling candy by the road, "Sir, what is this queue for?"

The old man looked up, saw Zhu Yong, and hurriedly bowed, "Prince, the Ministry of Revenue is selling salt tickets! The newly produced fine salt is cheap and clean, only three silver coins per dou, more than half cheaper than before!"

Zhu Yong understood immediately.

This is the result of the new salt-making method's promotion.

At the end of last year, the Ministry of Works built three salt fields along the coast, with over a dozen wells; after spring, the first batch of salt was produced, indeed as the Blueprint described—snow‑white and delicate, with greatly increased output.

When the Ministry of Revenue set the price, Zhu Yuanzhang decreed, "Salt is a daily necessity for the people; it must not be expensive. What is the cost per jin of salt?"

The Minister of Revenue replied, "With the new method, a jin of salt costs less than one qian of silver."

"Then set the selling price at three qian per jin. Tell the salt merchants clearly that this is the court's price; anyone who dares to hoard, speculate, or raise prices will be severely punished without mercy," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Now the new salt is on the market, and the people are scrambling to buy it.

In the past, private salt ran rampant because official salt was expensive.

Now official salt is cheap and clean, so private salt naturally has no market.

Zhu Yong continued forward and saw several newly opened shops, their signs reading "White Sugar Shop."

Even more people queued in front of the shops.

A woman came out carrying a basket, which held a packet of white sugar, her face beaming with joy.

A companion beside her asked, "Is this sugar really that white?"

"Indeed white, like snow, very sweet, and the price is fair—only five silver coins per jin," the woman said.

"So cheap? In the past, white sugar from the Western Regions cost over a liang per jin!"

"Exactly! I heard it's a method from the palace; Great Ming can produce it ourselves now."

Zhu Yong listened, a simple smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

With these two items promoted, the treasury could again collect a substantial increase.

He rode his horse back to Wu Wang Fu, and upon entering, saw Guanyin Nu strolling in the courtyard.

She was nine months pregnant, her belly already very pronounced.

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying supported her on the left and right, walking very cautiously.

"Prince has returned," Guanyin Nu said, eyes bright upon seeing Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong dismounted and hurried over, "Why aren't you resting inside?"

"The imperial physician said you must move more; it will be better for delivery," Guanyin Nu laughed.

Zhu Yong supported her, and they walked slowly in the courtyard.

The spring sunshine was warm, feeling very comfortable on the body.

"How do you feel today?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Quite good, just the little one keeps kicking me," Guanyin Nu patted her belly.

"When he comes out, I'll spank his bottom," Zhu Yong said naively.

Guanyin Nu laughed, "That won't do; Imperial Mother said this is your first child, you must cherish him."

The Husband and Wife were talking when the sound of horse hooves came from outside.

Zhu Di's voice rang out: "Second Prince! Second Prince, are you there?"

Zhu Yong turned his head and saw Zhu Di, Zhu Shuang, and Zhu Gang riding in on horses, with a few guards following behind.

The three flipped off their horses with swift, crisp movements.

In the past six months training martial arts under Zhu Yong, the boys had grown quite sturdy; each could already draw a half‑stone bow.

"Second Prince, are we training today or not?" Zhu Di asked.

"We'll train. How could we not? But wait a moment; you all stretch first, and I'll escort your sister‑in‑law back to the room," Zhu Yong said.

He helped Guanyin Nu back to the room, settled her, and only then came out.

In the courtyard, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang were practicing Horse Stance, while Zhu Di was training his fists.

Zhu Yong walked over and corrected Zhu Di's form: "Keep your waist straight, strike with force; you're so soft, it's like you're swatting at mosquitoes?"

Zhu Di stuck out his tongue and readjusted his stance.

During this period, Zhu Yong trained several younger brothers in martial arts, starting from the basics and progressing step by step.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang initially complained endlessly, but after being punished a few times by Zhu Yong, they became obedient.

Zhu Di, however, truly enjoyed it and trained the hardest.

"Alright, today we practice the Wooden Sword," Zhu Yong said, taking several wooden swords from the weapon rack and handing them to the three.

He demonstrated personally, move by move, teaching with seriousness.

"The sword must be steady, the force deep; on the battlefield it's either you die or I perish, fancy flourishes are useless," Zhu Yong said while teaching.

Zhu Di learned the fastest; after a few rounds he already had a proper form.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang lagged a bit, but could keep up.

After practicing for an hour, the three were drenched in sweat.

Zhu Yong told them to stop and rest, and Xiao Ying brought tea.

Zhu Di gulped a big mouthful, wiped his mouth and said, "Second Prince, when will you go on campaign again?"

"What, you want to go with me?" Zhu Yong asked with a smile.

"I do!" Zhu Di's eyes lit up. "I'm already thirteen, I can go to the battlefield now!"

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang also nodded.

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "It's still early; wait until you're older and your martial skills are refined, then we'll talk."

"Then until when?" Zhu Di muttered.

"At least fifteen. On the battlefield, Sword and Spear have no eyes; without skill you're just courting death," Zhu Yong said.

Just as he was speaking, someone else arrived outside.

It was Zhu Biao.

He was dressed in ordinary clothes, his face beaming with joy.

"Elder brother." Zhu Yong rose.

"Second brother, everyone's here! Perfect timing, I have good news: your sister‑in‑law gave birth to a son," Zhu Biao said with a very happy laugh.

Zhu Yong was startled, then exclaimed with great joy, "Really… when?"

"Last night at the Hai Hour, mother and child are safe; Imperial Father is overjoyed, didn't even attend the morning court today, staying in Kunning Palace."

Zhu Di and the others gathered around and said, "Elder brother, do we now have a nephew?"

"Hmm, you're now uncles," Zhu Biao said, patting Zhu Di's head.

Zhu Yong rubbed his hands and said, "I'll go take a look."

"Wait, Imperial Father said not to go today; Wanmei just gave birth and needs rest, go tomorrow," Zhu Biao said.

"Alright then." Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Biao then told the three Zhu Di, Zhu Shuang, and Zhu Gang, "Tomorrow you three will enter the palace with me, to meet your great‑nephew."

"Fine!" the three replied in unison.

Zhu Biao sat for a while, gave some instructions, and then returned to the palace.