Chapter 145: The Seventh Year of Hongwu

The seventh year of Hongwu, the first day of the Spring Festival.

Yingtian Prefecture was still immersed in the festive atmosphere, and sporadic firecracker sounds could still be heard in the streets and alleys.

Just as dawn was breaking, Zhu Yong awoke.

Guanyin Nu was still sleeping beside him, breathing evenly.

His daughter Zhu Huanhuan's little bed was right next to the big bed, and she was also sleeping soundly.

Zhu Yong rose silently, slipped on his outer garment, and walked to the window.

He pushed open the window; the morning chill hit his face, thin snow lay in the courtyard, shimmering faintly in the dawn light.

It was another new year.

He whispered to himself, "Check in."

A familiar voice sounded in his mind, "Check‑in successful, you have obtained the Blueprint for plate‑armor stamping technology and detailed explanation of refined steel forging."

Immediately, a massive influx of information surged into his mind.

It detailed how to use a stamping machine to form steel plates into plate armor in one go, as well as the smelting formula for refined steel and the forging process.

Zhu Yong closed his eyes and digested the information.

A moment later, he opened his eyes, a hint of understanding flashing within them.

This came at just the right time.

The campaign against Wa was imminent; soldiers' protection was crucial.

Wa knives are sharp, and the existing mail armor offers insufficient protection.

With plate armor, the soldiers' survival rate could be greatly increased.

"Husband, why are you up so early?" Guanyin Nu woke, sat up, rubbed her eyes and asked.

"Couldn't sleep, so I got up. I'll go back to sleep later; it's still early," Zhu Yong said as he returned to the bedside and tucked the quilt around her.

"I won't sleep. Today is the first day of the Spring Festival; we must go to the palace to pay New Year's respects to father and mother," Guanyin Nu said, getting up to dress.

Zhu Huanhuan was also startled awake by the commotion, groggily sitting up and saying, "Mother…"

"Huan Huan, you're awake. Come, mother will dress you in new clothes," Guanyin Nu said, lifting her daughter.

The family finished washing and dressing; the sky was already bright.

On the first day of the Spring Festival, the Imperial Family was to hold a grand court ceremony to receive congratulations from the officials.

Zhu Yong donned the Wu King's Python Robe, Guanyin Nu wore the princess consort's formal attire, Zhu Huanhuan put on a specially made little palace outfit, and the three of them boarded a carriage bound for the Imperial City.

In front of Fengtian Hall, the Civil and Military Officials had already formed a line awaiting.

Zhu Yong escorted Guanyin Nu and his daughter to Kunning Palace, then went to Fengtian Hall himself and stood at the head of the generals' formation.

At the exact Chen Hour, bells and drums sounded together.

Zhu Yuanzhang, clad in the Ming Yellow Dragon Robe and wearing the Yi Shan Crown, stepped out of the rear hall and ascended the throne.

Empress Ma, dressed in a phoenix robe, sat slightly behind his right side.

"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years! Empress, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!" the officials knelt and shouted, the mountain echoing with "Long live!"

"Stand," Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand, his voice resonant.

The officials rose, and the grand court ceremony officially began.

First, the officials presented their congratulations and offered tribute.

Next came the envoys of various nations—Ryukyu, Siam, Champa…—who, dressed in their native attire, uttered auspicious words in halting Chinese.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily, bestowing gifts one by one, displaying the grandeur of the Celestial Empire.

Of course, that grandeur would not last many years; once Great Ming was free to act, those regions would also be drawn into its embrace.

The court session lasted for one Chen Hour before concluding.

The officials dispersed, and the members of the Imperial Family went to Kunning Palace for a family banquet.

Several banquet tables had already been set up inside Kunning Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma sat at the main table, Zhu Biao and Chang Wan with Zhu Xiongying sat on one side, and Zhu Yong and Guanyin Nu with Zhu Huanhuan sat on the other.

The other princes and princesses took their seats in order.

"Everyone sit, today is a family banquet; no need for formalities," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

The palace maids began serving the dishes.

Zhu Huanhuan and Zhu Xiongying, the two little ones, sat together, chattering.

"Sister Huan Huan, I have a new toy for you," Zhu Xiongying said, pulling a wooden carved little horse from his pocket.

"I have one too!" Zhu Huanhuan exclaimed, also pulling out a small cloth doll.

The two children played gleefully.

The adults watched and all laughed.

"Biao'er, Yong'er, the New Year has passed and you've each grown a year; you're both nineteen now, time flies."

"Indeed, Mother, the sons have become fathers," Zhu Biao laughed.

"I am too," Zhu Yong said with a simple grin.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a sip of wine and said, "Biao'er, Yong'er, now that the New Year has passed, the campaign against Wa must be pressed forward. How are the naval fleet's ships coming along?"

"Yes, Father, all three hundred vessels have been inspected and are ready to set sail at any time," Zhu Yong replied.

"Good, we'll depart at the start of spring; we must subdue Wa in one stroke," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"Your servant obeys the decree," Zhu Yong said.

Midway through the family banquet, Zhu Yong rose and took two sets of blueprints from his chest.

"Father, Mother, this is what I dreamed of last night; the White-bearded Old Man gave me something again."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes brightened as he asked, "What is it?"

Zhu Yong spread out the blueprint and said, "One is a plate‑armor stamping technique; using this method we can quickly produce plate armor, whose protective power is three times that of the current mail armor."

The other is a refined‑steel forging technique; the steel it yields is harder and more resilient, suitable for weapons and armor.

Zhu Yuanzhang took the blueprint and examined it carefully.

Although he could not understand those complex craft diagrams, he understood the accompanying textual explanations.

"Plate armor… full‑body protection, weight only half that of mail armor… good, good stuff! Yong Er, this is another great achievement!" Zhu Yuanzhang said, becoming more delighted as he read.

Zhu Biao also leaned over to look, exclaiming, "This stamping machine is cleverly designed; it forms in one go, and its efficiency is more than ten times that of handcrafting."

"Second Brother, that White‑bearded Old Man in your dreams is truly Great Ming's lucky star."

Zhu Yong said naively, "I also think that old man is quite good to me; every year he gives us good things."

Empress Ma laughed, "That is the heavens favoring our Yong Er, favoring Great Ming."

Zhu Yuanzhang folded up the blueprint and said seriously, "Yong Er, keep this blueprint for now; in a moment Father will have the Ministry of Works send people to fetch it, and Father will make them hasten the development."

Once the plate armor is produced, equip the army that will campaign against the Japanese.

"Yes." Zhu Yong said.

The Family Banquet continued, and the atmosphere grew even more lively.

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di, several younger brothers, gathered around Zhu Yong, asking him all sorts of questions.

"Second Prince, what does plate armor look like? Is it iron covering the whole body?" Zhu Di asked curiously.

"Hmm, it covers you from head to toe, only the eyes are exposed." Zhu Yong said.

"Then wearing it would make you an iron can, wouldn't it?" Zhu Shuang laughed.

"Exactly, an iron can; swords and spears cannot penetrate." Zhu Yong said.

"That's great, Second Prince, could you also make a set for me?" Zhu Di's eyes lit up.

"When you grow older and go to the battlefield, I'll make one for you." Zhu Yong patted his younger brother's shoulder.

Zhu Di nodded vigorously and said, "Hmm!"

The Family Banquet lasted until the afternoon before dispersing.

Zhu Yong returned to the residence with his wife and daughter, and just as he arrived home, Vice Minister of Works Xue Xiang showed up.

"Prince, the Emperor has ordered this subordinate to fetch the blueprint," Xue Xiang said, bowing.

Zhu Yong handed him copies of the two blueprints and said, "Minister Xue, this technology is crucial; expedite the development."

"I understand, the Ministry of Works, from top to bottom, will give its all," Xue Xiang replied solemnly, taking the blueprint.

After seeing Xue Xiang off, Zhu Yong returned to the room.