Chapter 238: Shaanxi Rebellion

Hongwu Twelfth Year, the ninth day of the fifth month.

Fengtian Hall, morning court.

The civil and military officials were arranged in two rows, the atmosphere a few degrees more solemn than usual.

Minister of War Tang Duo held the military report in his hand and was presenting it.

"His Majesty, an urgent report from Shaanxi: the chief of the Eighteen Tribes in Taizhou, three vice envoys, Wang Shuduo'er, Ying Suzi and others have raised arms in rebellion, have occupied the Nalin Seven Stations area, cut off the official road, and are plundering merchants and travelers.

The commander of the Xining Guard, Geng Bingwen, has already led troops to suppress them, but the rebels are numerous and strong, and cannot be pacified for the time being."

As soon as Tang Duo finished speaking, a murmur of discussion rose within the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the imperial throne, his expression gloomy.

He took the military report presented by the eunuch, skimmed it quickly, and furrowed his brows.

"The chief of the Eighteen Tribes, such audacity. We recall that just last year we sent envoys to Taizhou to pacify them, gave them rewards, and allowed them self‑governance.

And in less than a year they turned hostile?" Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly.

"His Majesty, according to Geng Bingwen's report, this rebellion was secretly coordinated by the three vice envoys and others, gathering eighteen tribes, claiming to have fifty thousand troops.

They have seized the strategic position of the Nalin Seven Stations and blocked the official road into Tibet," Tang Duo added.

The Nalin Seven Stations are a crucial gateway to Tibet; once seized by rebels, not only would trade routes be cut off, but the court's control over Tibet would also be affected.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked toward the line of generals and asked, "Where is Xu Da?"

"Returning, His Majesty, the Duke of Xu is still in the South Sea," Minister of Rites Tao Kai stepped forward.

Zhu Yuanzhang then recalled that Xu Da was still stationed in the South Sea.

His gaze swept over the generals' ranks and fell on Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong stood in the second row of generals, wearing a Wu King python robe, his expression calm.

He had returned from the South Sea less than a month ago, had lost a layer of flesh and darkened considerably.

"Yong Er," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

"Your son is here," Zhu Yong stepped forward.

"You just returned from the South Sea; you shouldn't be sent on campaign again, but regarding this Taizhou rebellion, whom do you think should be dispatched?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Zhu Yong lifted his head and said earnestly, "Father, let me go! Taizhou is a plateau region; I have fought in Yunnan and the Western Regions, so I know the terrain."

"You have been at war for six years, from Hongwu Second Year to now—Kaiping, Helin, Northern Yuan, Nüzhen, Goryeo, Wa Country, the Western Regions, the South Sea… you have not rested a single year.

We wish to let you stay in the capital for a while longer, to keep your mother, Guanyin Nu, and the children company," Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.

Zhu Yong smiled naively, "Father, I'm fine; fighting is like eating, I'm accustomed to it. Moreover, this rebellion is led by tribal chiefs; I have dealt with them before and know how to handle them."

"Imperial Father… Second Brother has just returned, truly should rest; how about letting me go?" Zhu Biao also stepped forward, speaking gently.

The hall fell silent at once.

The Crown Prince leading the expedition himself is no small matter.

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at Zhu Biao and said, "What are you meddling in? With so many affairs in the court, who will manage them when you leave?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "I was only speaking."

At this moment, three men stepped out from the line of generals.

"Imperial Father, I am willing to follow Second Prince on the campaign!"

They were Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di.

The three, dressed in princely attire, stood side by side, their expressions excited.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his three sons, his mouth twitching.

Zhu Shuang, chubby with small eyes flashing, said, "Father, I have been stationed in Xi'an for two years and have been looking for a chance to fight.

This Taizhou rebellion is just the opportunity for me to practice."

Zhu Gang added, "Father, I am idle in Taiyuan, hearing Second Prince's war stories every day; now I finally can go with him."

Zhu Di said more directly, "Father, I have long wanted to fight side by side with Second Prince!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his three eager sons, both angry and amused.

These three sons were originally stationed at the frontier, but within a year half of the time they were in Yingtian—celebrating New Year, writing letters to have their elder brother return for gatherings, gathering for Mid‑Autumn, the sister's birthday and his own birthday also gave reasons.

Now there is no border threat; otherwise he would truly give these three sons a lesson.

"Have the three of you fought before?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Zhu Shuang puffed out his chest and said, "I have trained in Xi'an!"

Zhu Gang nodded, "I have also trained in Taiyuan!"

Zhu Di, more confident, said, "I have studied military strategy under Uncle Xu Da!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong said naively, "Father, let them go with me! This rebellion is not large, perfect for the younger brothers to practice; I will lead them and guarantee they return safely, every one of them."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered briefly, then looked at Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao gave a slight nod.

"Alright, Yong Er, this time you will command, leading ten thousand troops of the capital's Longxiang Army, and additionally mobilizing five thousand soldiers and horses each from the Shaanxi and Shanxi provincial commands, a total of twenty thousand troops, to suppress the Taizhou rebels," Zhu Yuanzhang decreed.

He looked at Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di and said, "You three will follow your Second Prince, obey all his orders; anyone who acts on his own will be dealt with under military law."

"Your son obeys!" the four brothers shouted in unison.

……

After the court adjourned, Zhu Yong was escorted by Zhu Biao to the Eastern Palace.

In the study, Zhu Biao had a eunuch bring tea and drew the screens aside.

"Second brother, for this expedition, do you really intend to take Lao San and the others?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Yong took a sip of tea, nodded, and said, "Elder brother, they will eventually have to stand on their own; Lao San is in Xi'an, Lao Si is in Taiyuan, Lao Wu is in Beiping."

Although it's not a frontier region now, it's close to the frontier, and if something happens there in the future, they must be able to go up there.

"Elder brother knows, but they've never fought a war; what if…," Zhu Biao sighed.

"With me here, it's fine, elder brother, rest assured, I guarantee I'll bring them back, and besides, I think the three of them are made for battle," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

Zhu Biao raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh?"

"Lao San may be unreliable in daily life, but he's bold, dares to charge; I saw him training troops in Xi'an, he has a fierce drive," Zhu Yong said.

"Lao Si is quick‑witted and adaptable; the last time I was in Taiyuan, he led Imperial Troops out to scout and mapped the terrain perfectly."

"What about Fifth Prince?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Fifth Prince… he's most like me, appears steady, but is warlike at heart; he fought several small skirmishes against bandits in Beiping, so he has experience.

Moreover, he's well‑read, understands military strategy, and is cunning."

Zhu Biao laughed, "It's rare for you to praise someone like that."

"I'm speaking the truth, elder brother; none of the Zhu Family brothers are cowards. Let them go out for training, and they'll become pillars in the future," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Biao nodded, was silent for a moment, then said, "Second brother, regarding the Taozhou rebellion, how do you plan to fight it?"

Zhu Yong set down his tea cup and walked to the large map hanging on the wall.

On the map, Taozhou's location was circled in Cinnabar.

"Elder brother, look: Taozhou is here; to the east is Minzhou, to the west is Hezhou, to the north is Lanzhou. The rebels occupy the seven stations of Na Lin, effectively choking the route into Tibet," Zhu Yong said, pointing at the map.

Zhu Biao nodded.

"I plan to split the army into two routes: one moving south from Lanzhou, the other advancing west from Minzhou, to attack from both sides. Although the Na Lin seven stations are in rugged terrain, if we cut off their retreat, we can trap them to death."

Zhu Yong traced his finger across the map and said.

Zhu Biao looked at the map and suddenly asked, "What if the rebels flee west?"

"To the west is the Wusi Tibetan Region; they can't escape. The Western Regions have long been Great Ming territory, with our Great Ming troops stationed there. If they go there, they'll die," Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

Zhu Biao nodded, "As long as you have the numbers, that's good."

He turned, took a secret letter from the desk, and handed it to Zhu Yong.

"What is this…" Zhu Yong took it.

"It's a confidential report sent by Geng Bingwen, detailing the rebels' strength and deployments. Take a look; you'll have a clear picture," Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yong opened the letter, skimmed it quickly, nodded and said, "It's about what I guessed: over 30,000 men, claiming to be 50,000.

Their equipment is crude, but they're familiar with the terrain."

"Can they fight?" Zhu Biao asked.

"They can. Rest assured, elder brother; I've never lost a battle," Zhu Yong said with a cheerful grin.

Zhu Biao also laughed.

Indeed! This second brother has been fighting for six years since the Hongwu Second Year, from Kaiping to Helin, from Northern Yuan to Wa Country, from the Western Regions to the South Sea, never once defeated.

"Alright, then elder brother will await your swift report," Zhu Biao patted his shoulder.

……

Afternoon, Kunning Palace.

Empress Ma called Zhu Yong over.

Inside, Guanyin Nu was also present, holding two‑and‑a‑half‑year‑old Zhu Qiong Jiong in her arms.

Seven‑year‑old Zhu Huanhuan sat on a small stool, holding a cloth doll in her hands.

"Mother." Zhu Yong entered and saluted Empress Ma.

"Yong Er, sit," Empress Ma took his hand and let him sit beside her.

"Going on another campaign?" Empress Ma asked.

Zhu Yong nodded, "Yes, the rebel chieftains in Taozhou have risen; father ordered me, his son, to quell the rebellion."

Empress Ma sighed, looking at her son's dark face, and said with affection, "You child, ever since you were recognized as a descendant, you haven't had a moment of rest. Kaiping, Helin, Northern Yuan, Nüzhen, Goryeo, Wa Country, Western Regions, South Sea… you've traversed the whole world."

Zhu Yong smiled simply, "Mother, I'm fine; my skin is thick."

"Even if your skin is thick, you can't push yourself like this. Look at yourself—how much you've thinned… how much darker?" Empress Ma chided.

"Mother, I call that being efficient," Zhu Yong said.

Guanyin Nu let out a soft laugh beside them.

Zhu Huanhuan ran over, climbed onto his leg and asked, "Father, are you going to fight the bad guys?"

Zhu Yong lifted his daughter and said, "Yes, to fight the bad guys."

"Can Huan Huan go?" the little girl asked, blinking her big eyes.

"No, war is a man's business. Stay home with mother, help her look after your brother, okay?" Zhu Yong pinched her nose and said.

"Okay!" Zhu Huanhuan obediently nodded.

Zhu Qiong Jiong, struggling in Guanyin Nu's arms, reached out to Zhu Yong shouting, "Father! Father!"

Zhu Yong took his son; the little fellow reached out to grab his nose.

Zhu Yong didn't dodge, letting him grab.

"Brother, don't grab dad's nose; what if you break it?" Zhu Huanhuan hurriedly said.

Zhu Qiong Jiong ignored her and kept grabbing.

Empress Ma looked at the scene, her eyes slightly red, yet smiled, "Alright, alright, let the four of you talk. Mother will have someone prepare dinner; tonight we'll eat at Kunning Palace."

"Thank you, Mother," Zhu Yong said.

After Empress Ma left, Guanyin Nu looked at Zhu Yong and asked softly, "How long will this campaign last?"

"One or two months, perhaps! The rebellion isn't large, just the distance is far," Zhu Yong said.

Guanyin Nu nodded and asked no further questions.

She has been married to him for several years and has long grown accustomed to this kind of life.

Each time he goes on campaign, she stays at home, watches over the children, and waits for his return.

"Go without worry; I'm here at home," she says softly.

Zhu Yong looks at his wife, gives a simple smile and says, "Hmm, I understand."

…