Chapter 143: Accompanying Empress Ma

Hongwu 6th year, October.

The autumn in Yingtian Prefecture arrives late; only after the Double Ninth Festival does a hint of coolness appear.

The willows along both banks of the Qinhuai River are still green, though the leaf edges are faintly yellow.

When Zhu Yong left the Ministry of War office, it was already three quarters past noon.

He spent the morning at the Ministry of War, discussing the troop allocation for the campaign against Wa Country with Xu Da and Li Wenzhong.

The court has scheduled to dispatch troops next spring, so preparations must begin now.

In the war against Wa Country, how could the master Li Wenzhong not go? If he doesn't go, who will cut down the enemy…

"Prince, shall we return to the residence or go to the palace?" Zhang Wu asked, leading his horse.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "We'll go to the palace, to see Mother."

Since the Lü Shi Yi An, Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma have both breathed a sigh of relief.

Those Jiangnan aristocratic families have temporarily quieted down, and the court is considerably calmer.

Zhu Yong mounted his horse, taking Zhang Wu and Chen Heng toward the Imperial City.

Entering the palace, they headed straight for Kunning Palace.

Just upon entering the courtyard, they heard children's laughter from within.

"Huan Huan, run more slowly, be careful not to fall!" Empress Ma's voice was laced with amusement.

Zhu Yong stepped inside and saw his daughter Zhu Huanhuan wobbling as she chased a colored ball in the courtyard, with Empress Ma following behind, carefully protecting her.

"Dad!" Zhu Huanhuan cried, seeing Zhu Yong, and ran over with outstretched little hands.

Zhu Yong bent down, lifted his daughter, kissed her on the face and asked, "Huan Huan, were you good today?"

"Good! Grandma made new clothes for Huan Huan!" Zhu Huanhuan said in a babyish voice.

Empress Ma walked over, laughing, "This child is running more steadily; Yong Er, why do you have time today?"

"I just left the Ministry of War, missed Mother, so I came to see you," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

"Smooth talker," Empress Ma scolded playfully, though her eyes were full of warmth.

Mother and son entered the hall, and the palace maids brought out tea and snacks.

Empress Ma cradled Zhu Huanhuan, feeding her pastries while asking Zhu Yong, "How is the preparation for the Wa campaign going?"

"Almost done; the navy's ships are all repaired, Shenji Camp has produced two thousand fire guns, and grain and fodder are sixty percent ready; we can finish before next spring," Zhu Yong said.

Empress Ma nodded, paused briefly, and said, "Yong Er, be careful in this Wa campaign; the sea is not like land, the wind and waves are ruthless."

"Mother, don't worry; I know the water, and the ships built by the Ministry of Works are sturdy, able to resist wind and waves," Zhu Yong said.

"I'm not talking about that… In short, be careful in everything. Your father has only you as a war‑capable son; Biao Er is the Crown Prince and cannot be moved lightly."

"If you have any…" Empress Ma began, then stopped, finally sighing.

After all, now all the wars to be fought have been taken by Zhu Yong, leaving Lao San, Lao Si, and Fifth Prince without a chance to show themselves.

"Mother, I won't have any trouble; I promised you, I will definitely return safely," Zhu Yong said, gripping Empress Ma's hand.

Empress Ma's eyes were slightly reddened, and she nodded.

Just then, a eunuch outside reported, "Empress, the Crown Princess has arrived."

"Please receive her quickly," Empress Ma said.

Chang Wan entered, carrying Zhu Xiongying.

Zhu Xiongying, also just over a year old, had a tiger‑head, tiger‑brain look, eyebrows and eyes like Zhu Biao, yet his clever spirit resembled Chang Wan.

"Grandmother!" Zhu Xiongying cried upon seeing Empress Ma, reaching out to be embraced.

Empress Ma took the grandson, kissed him and said, "Xiong Ying has grown heavier."

Chang Wan bowed to Zhu Yong, saying, "Second Uncle."

"Sister‑in‑law, no need for formalities," Zhu Yong replied.

The two children began playing in the hall; Zhu Huanhuan tugged Zhu Xiongying to see her new toy, babbling about what this was and what that was.

Empress Ma and Chang Wan sat nearby chatting, while Zhu Yong watched the two children, his heart warm.

Days like this are truly wonderful.

……

In mid‑October, the Ministry of Works sent news that all the New Style Flintlock Guns of Shenji Camp had been completed.

Zhu Yong went to inspect; three thousand guns were neatly arranged in the storehouse, their barrels jet‑black and gleaming, triggers crisp.

"Prince, these guns have all been tested; their range is one hundred fifty steps, and accuracy is thirty percent higher than the previous fire guns," Vice Minister of Works Xue Xiang explained.

Zhu Yong picked up one, hefted it, about ten jin in weight, slightly lighter than the earlier fire guns.

"What about the ammunition?"

"We have prepared five hundred thousand rounds, all standard projectiles, forged using the mold you provided, uniform in size," Xue Xiang had a box of bullets brought up.

Zhu Yong opened the box; inside were lead balls, each round and uniformly sized.

"Good, send them to Shenji Camp and have the soldiers intensify training," Zhu Yong said.

"Understood."

Leaving the Ministry of Works, Zhu Yong went to the Ministry of Revenue.

Yang Jing saw him, hurried forward and said, "Prince, the grain and fodder list you requested has been drafted; please review it."

Zhu Yong took the list, which detailed the provisions needed for the Wa army: two hundred thousand shi of rice, one hundred thousand shi of wheat flour, fifty thousand jin of dried vegetables, thirty thousand jin of salted meat, ten thousand jin of salt…

"That much—can it be transported?" Zhu Yong asked.

"It can be moved; the navy has three hundred ships, fifty of which are dedicated grain‑transport vessels, each capable of carrying a thousand shi." Yang Jing said.

Zhu Yong nodded, asked a few more details, and then left the Ministry of Revenue.

When he stepped out of the office, dusk was already approaching.

Zhu Yong rode his horse down the street, watching the shops on both sides and the pedestrians.

Yingtian Prefecture was far more prosperous than a few years ago; shops lined the street and pedestrians were like woven threads.

After the new Spinning Wheel was promoted, cloth prices fell, and ordinary folk could also wear new garments.

The advent of fine salt drove salt prices sharply down, and no one could afford to go without salt any longer.

These were all changes he had brought.

Although those people didn't know, he knew it clearly in his heart.

"Prince, ahead is Zui Xian Lou; would you like to eat something?" Chen Heng asked.

Zhu Yong looked up, saw Zui Xian Lou's sign, and recalled how Chang Yuchun had brought him here to eat a few years ago.

"Fine, let's go eat."

The three dismounted and entered the Wine hall.

The shopkeeper recognized Zhu Yong, hurriedly went to greet him himself, saying, "Prince has arrived; the private room upstairs, please!"

"No need, we'll eat in the main hall," Zhu Yong said.

"This…"

"The main hall is lively, that's fine," Zhu Yong found a seat by the window and sat down.

The shopkeeper dared not say more, and hurried to have tea brought.

It was mealtime; the main hall was filled with people, mostly merchants and scholars in their attire.

Zhu Yong ordered several dishes, eating while listening to the surrounding conversations.

A few merchants at the neighboring table were discussing business.

"Lao Zhang, how much white sugar do you still have? Merchants from Guangzhou need five hundred jin, the price is negotiable."

"Not much left; this year's sugarcane harvest is average, white sugar is in short supply. If you need five hundred jin, you'll have to wait half a month."

"Half a month is half a month; I'll pay the deposit first."

"...."

At another table, a few scholars were debating court affairs.

"I heard Wu Wang plans to campaign against the Japanese next year; do you think it will succeed?"

"Hard to say; the seas are stormy and the Japanese pirates are cunning, but Wu Wang has never lost a war, so it should be fine."

"Indeed, Wu Wang is the one who broke open the plains with three hammers and settled peace with a single hammer."

"If you ask me, they should have dealt with the pirates earlier; those pirates harass the coast every year, killing countless civilians."

"If we fight them, the sea routes will open, and our silk, porcelain, and white sugar can be sold farther away."

"..."

Zhu Yong listened, a slight smile curling his mouth.

These common folk, though they don't understand court affairs, have a sense of right and wrong in their hearts.

Who is good to them, who is taking action, they know clearly.

While eating, a few people entered from outside the door.

Leading them were Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang, followed by Zhu Di and Zhu Su.

The four princes, dressed in ordinary robes, swaggered in.

The shopkeeper startled, hurried forward and said, "Sirs…"

"No fanfare, we're here to eat," Zhu Shuang waved his hand, his eyes scanning the main hall, brightening when he saw Zhu Yong.

"Second Prince!"

The four walked over, shouting joyfully.

"Second Prince, why are you here?" Zhu Di asked.

"Eating; why did you all come out?" Zhu Yong laughed.

"It's stifling in the palace, we came out for some fresh air," Zhu Gang said.

"Does Father know?" Zhu Yong asked.

The four looked at each other.

Zhu Yong understood: "Sneaking out?"

"Second Prince, don't tell Father…" Zhu Shuang whispered.

Zhu Yong looked at them, sighed and said, "Sit down and eat."

The four breathed a sigh of relief and sat down.

Zhu Yong asked the shopkeeper to add more dishes.

While waiting for the dishes, Zhu Di asked eagerly, "Second Prince, I heard you're campaigning against the Japanese next year; can you take me?"

"What would you go there for?" Zhu Yong looked at him.

"I also want to fight... I'm already fourteen, I can go to the battlefield!" Zhu Di puffed out his chest.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang also said, "We want to go too!"

Zhu Su whispered, "I... I can be a military doctor; I've been studying medical texts lately..."

Zhu Yong looked at his four younger brothers, felt warmth in his heart, but shook his head and said, "No, you're still young; war is no child's play."

"Second Prince, you went to the battlefield at fourteen!" Zhu Di protested.

"I had no choice; you are different, you are princes and cannot take such risks," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Di tried to say something, but Zhu Yong cut him off: "When you are older there will be opportunities; for now study and practice martial arts, don't spend all day dreaming of running away."

The four drooped.