Chapter 180: Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang Take Their Fiefs

Hongwu Year 8, sixth month, sixth day.

Suitable for travel...

Outside Fengtian Gate of the Yingtian Prefecture Imperial City.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang, wearing brand‑new princely everyday robes, stood at the front of the formation.

Both had a slight tension on their faces; at eighteen or nineteen years old, they were to be sent to their fiefs today and could no longer cause mischief in Yingtian City as before.

Zhu Shuang was enfeoffed as Qin King, his fief located in Xi'an.

Zhu Gang was enfeoffed as Jin King, his fief located in Taiyuan.

One to the west, one to the north; they were once frontier strongholds, but now Northern Yuan has been destroyed, so they are no longer borderlands.

Zhu Yuanzhang personally escorted them to Fengtian Gate, standing on the steps with his hands behind his back, watching these two sons who had long been on the receiving end of his punishments, and unusually did not rebuke them.

"When you go to your fiefs, be good rulers; in military and civil affairs, heed the local officials, and don't think that being our sons gives you license to act recklessly, otherwise I'll have your Second Prince discipline you." Zhu Yuanzhang said gravely.

"Yes, Imperial Father." Hearing this, Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang instantly drew in their necks and knelt down together.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, then added, "If war should arise… never mind… there should be no conflict over there now."

In Zhu Yuanzhang's mind, only one son could fight: not Crown Prince Zhu Biao, not the Qin King, Jin King, or Yan King, but that simple second brother who could wield Double Hammers to crush ten thousand men.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang exchanged a glance and together said, "Yes."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "Go! Don't dawdle."

Zhu Shuang rose, and Zhu Gang rose.

The two brothers turned and saw a line of people standing before them.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood at the front, as ever gentle and jade‑like, but his gaze fixed on the two dark‑eyed circles.

Behind him was Prince Wu Zhu Yong, and further back were Zhu Di, Zhu Su, Zhu Zhen, and Zhu Fu, his younger brothers.

Zhu Shuang walked up to Zhu Biao, bowed and said, "Elder brother."

Zhu Biao reached out, steadied him, said nothing, but gave his arm a firm squeeze.

Zhu Shuang's nose felt a bit sour.

He recalled his mischievous childhood, when every time he got into trouble, his elder brother pleaded on his behalf.

When Imperial Father was about to strike him with a board, the elder brother said, "Father, calm your anger; I will take the punishment for my younger brother."

When Imperial Mother ordered a copy‑book punishment, the elder brother said, "Mother, Shuang is still young; I will copy the text for him several times."

Back then, not understanding, he thought his elder brother was easy to bully.

Later he realized the elder brother wasn't easy to bully; he was protecting his younger brothers.

Of course, those were childhood matters; once they grew older… things changed.

"Third brother, when you reach Xi'an, remember to write back," Zhu Biao finally spoke, his voice calm.

"Yes, elder brother." Zhu Shuang lowered his head and said.

Zhu Biao then turned to Zhu Gang, likewise squeezed his arm and said, "Fourth brother, Taiyuan is bitterly cold; remember to add clothing in winter."

Zhu Gang's eyes reddened, "Elder brother…"

Zhu Biao smiled faintly and said no more.

Zhu Shuang turned toward Zhu Yong.

He stood beside Zhu Biao, towering half a head taller than the elder brother, with no hammer on his shoulder, just hands hanging, looking at him in a simple, goofy way.

Zhu Shuang suddenly felt a bit dazed.

A few years ago, it was that simple second brother who, just days after being formally recognized, grabbed him and the fourth brother and struck their palms three times.

It hurt terribly then, and he cursed in his mind, "This simple fool, his hand is really heavy."

Later he learned that the second brother's single hammer could crush three hundred jin of Tartars, and those three blows were lighter than a mere tickle.

"Second brother." Zhu Shuang called.

"Hmm! When you go to Xi'an, train your troops well." Zhu Yong nodded.

"I understand." Zhu Shuang said.

"Take good care of yourself; if anything, write back and seek the second brother…"

He hadn't expected that goofy second brother, who usually only grins, eats and fights, could say such words.

"Second brother, rest assured." Zhu Shuang said earnestly.

Zhu Yong gave a goofy smile, reached out and patted his shoulder, "If you can't beat them, call me; I'll ride over quickly."

Zhu Shuang also smiled.

Zhu Gang came up and said, "Second brother, Taiyuan also depends on you."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Hmm, just call me."

Only then did the two brothers walk toward the younger brothers behind them.

Zhu Di, this year seventeen, stood at the front of the younger brothers, already bearing some of the Yan King's dignity.

"Third brother, fourth brother, may you have a smooth journey." Zhu Di clasped his fists and said.

Zhu Shuang looked at him, suddenly reached out and rubbed his head, "Fifth Prince, stop pulling that tight face, you look like a little old man."

Zhu Di dodged, his face slightly flushed, "I'm already seventeen!"

"Seventeen is still a junior brother; we're in Xi'an and Taiyuan, you in Beiping will soon be enfeoffed too; when the elder brothers are not by your side, be clever on your own."

Zhu Gang also reached out and rubbed his head.

Zhu Di wanted to say "I don't need you to worry about me," but the words turned into a muffled "Hmm."

Zhu Su, Zhu Zhen, and Zhu Fu, the younger ones, also came up to bid farewell; Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang each patted their heads and gave a few instructions.

Finally, the two knelt again before Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Imperial Father, your son has departed."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, saying nothing.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang rose, turned, and mounted their horses.

The sound of hooves rose, and the column slowly set off.

In front of Fengtian Gate, the crowd saw off the two detachments, one after the other, as they gradually vanished at the far end of the long street beyond Wu Men.

Zhu Biao remained standing in place, motionless.

Zhu Yong looked at him and suddenly said, "Elder brother, your hand is trembling."

Zhu Biao lowered his head, looking at the hand hanging at his side.

It was indeed trembling.

He slipped his hand into his sleeve and softly said, "It's nothing."

Zhu Yong said nothing, merely standing beside him like a silent mountain.

Zhu Yuanzhang had already turned and returned to the palace.

Zhu Biao stood for a long time, until the shadow of the column disappeared completely.

"Second Prince." he suddenly spoke.

"Mm."

"You said Lao San and Lao Si, can they manage the fief well?"

"Yes! Third brother and fourth brother aren't stupid, they were just lazy before. Now that no one covers for them, they naturally become diligent." Zhu Yong nodded and said.

Zhu Biao fell silent for a moment, then softly said, "Second Prince, you're right."

He stood for a while longer, finally turned and said, "Let's go back to Wenhua Hall. Today there are still thirty‑seven Memoranda to review."

Zhu Yong followed and said, "Elder brother, you read the Memoranda, I'll stay beside you."

Zhu Biao did not refuse.

The two brothers walked side by side back, followed by several younger brothers.

Zhu Di watched the silhouettes of his elder brother and Second Prince, suddenly quickened his pace, and chased after them.

……

In June, Yingtian Prefecture sweltered with heat.

Ice basins were set in Wenhua Hall, yet Zhu Biao's forehead still beaded with fine sweat.

He buried his head in the Memoranda, one after another.

The stack on the table shrank from thirty‑seven to twenty, then to ten.

Zhu Yong sat on the chair beside him, silent, simply keeping him company.

Zhu Biao finished a volume, set down his brush, and rubbed the bridge of his brow.

"Elder brother, take a break." Zhu Yong said.

"Three more left; I'll rest after finishing." Zhu Biao picked up the next one.

Zhu Yong looked at his elder brother's sunken eye sockets and said nothing more.

He knew why his elder brother was pushing himself so hard.

In the Hongwu Third Year, he presented a map, and Imperial Father saw the vastness of the world.

Then he led troops to destroy Northern Yuan, and Imperial Father said, "We finally no longer have to worry about the northern border."

Soon after, he also eliminated Nüzhen, Goryeo, and Wa Country, and Imperial Father said Great Ming's territory had doubled twice overnight.

Finally, he pacified the Western Regions, and Imperial Father said, "We're old; I never thought we'd see this in our lifetime."

With a larger domain, there were more matters to manage.

Newly established prefectures and counties needed officials, newly annexed peoples required settlement, newly conquered frontiers needed garrisons.

The north required city walls, the east needed ports, the west called for colonist farms, and the south demanded trade routes.

There were also the surrendered generals, officials, and kings, who needed titles, rewards, co‑optation, and surveillance.

The Memoranda flew back to Yingtian like snowflakes.

Even Zhu Yuanzhang, the iron‑clad, could not hold them back.

Let alone Zhu Biao.

Zhu Yong watched his elder brother's gaunt silhouette, his heart heavy.

He recalled from his past‑life memories that his elder brother had lived only to thirty‑seven.

That year, Imperial Father was still alive; the eldest nephew Zhu Xiongying died young, sister‑in‑law Chang Shi also passed, and his elder brother's heart was full of sorrow yet he forced himself to support Imperial Father.

In this life, the eldest nephew lives well, and sister‑in‑law also lives well.

Northern Yuan was destroyed, Nüzhen was destroyed, Goryeo was destroyed, and Wa Country was also destroyed.

His elder brother no longer has to worry about border troubles, nor fret over distant campaigns.

Yet why is his elder brother still so exhausted?

Zhu Yong could not understand.

He only knew that his heart ached.