Chapter 239: Four Princes Set Out

Evening, Crown Prince's Residence.

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di were called over by Zhu Biao.

The three sat in the study, tea set before them, but none had the mind to drink.

Zhu Biao sat on the Main Seat, looked at his three younger brothers, and slowly said, "You three will be marching out with your Second Prince tomorrow."

"Yes, elder brother." the three replied in unison.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Shuang and said, "Lao San, you've spent two years in Xi'an training troops and you're good at it, but training and fighting are different matters. Once on the battlefield, you must obey your Second Prince's command and not act recklessly."

Zhu Shuang pounded his chest and said, "Elder brother, rest assured, I will definitely listen to Second Prince."

Zhu Biao turned to Zhu Gang and said, "Lao Si, your mind is quick and you adapt well, but sometimes overthinking causes mistakes. On the ever‑changing battlefield, intuition can be more important than calculation."

Zhu Gang nodded earnestly and said, "Elder brother, I've noted that."

Zhu Biao finally looked at Zhu Di and said, "Fifth Prince, you are steady and strategic, like your Second Prince, but you're young, this is your first time on a battlefield, don't overreach.

Stay by your Second Prince's side, watch and learn more."

Zhu Di clasped his fists and said, "Yes, elder brother."

Zhu Biao looked at the three younger brothers, feeling both gratified and worried.

They have all grown up; it's time for them to go out for experience.

But on the battlefield, Sword and Spear have no eyes; if…

"Elder brother… rest assured, we'll be careful, and with Second Prince there, we're definitely fine," Zhu Shuang suddenly said.

"Indeed! Elder brother, Second Prince is so formidable, with him leading us we'll surely win the battle," Zhu Gang added.

Zhu Di nodded and said, "Second Prince has fought so many wars over the years and has never lost; following him, we feel at ease."

Zhu Biao smiled, feeling warm inside.

These three younger brothers, though unreliable in daily life, know who to rely on in critical moments.

"Alright, then elder brother will await your swift reports; tonight we'll dine in the Eastern Palace and see you off," he stood up and said.

"Thank you, elder brother!" the three shouted in unison.

……

Morning of the tenth day of the fifth month.

Outside Yingtian City, Dajiao Chang.

Thirty thousand Longxiang Army stood in formation, a sea of black.

The soldiers wore brand‑new plate armor, wielded Flintlock Guns, had ammunition bags at their waists, and also carried war knives on their backs.

In the sunlight, the armor glimmered with a dim sheen, its presence imposing.

This is Great Ming's most elite force, the tiger‑wolf troops personally raised by Zhu Yong.

A few years ago, under Zhu Yong's command, they annihilated Northern Yuan, pacified Nüzhen, and captured Goryeo.

Two years ago, they crossed the sea on an eastern expedition and trampled Wa Country.

They also followed Zhu Yong westward, sweeping across the Western Regions.

At the start of the year, they marched south to the South Sea, conquering ten thousand li of Maritime Frontier.

Years of campaigns, never a single defeat.

This is the renown of the Longxiang Army.

On the Pointing Platform, Zhu Yong wore a suit of Mingguang Armor, a war knife at his waist, and behind him stood the pair of drum‑vase golden hammers.

In the sunlight, the hammer faces glowed with a dark‑gold light.

Below the platform, ten thousand soldiers were silent as crows.

Zhu Yong scanned below and, with a simple tone, said, "Brothers, we are setting out again."

His voice was not loud, yet each word entered every ear clearly.

"Over in Taozhou, a few barbarian chieftains are reckless, daring to rebel against Great Ming; what shall we do?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Attack!" the thirty thousand soldiers roared in unison.

"Right, attack, make them feel pain, make them fear, strike them so they never dare rebel again." Zhu Yong nodded.

He paused, then said, "For this expedition, besides our Longxiang Army, there are troops from the Shaanxi and Shanxi regional commands. Leading them are my three brothers: Qin Prince Zhu Shuang, Jin Prince Zhu Gang, and Yan Prince Zhu Di."

In the crowd, Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di, clad in armor, stood at the front of the formation.

"They are my brothers, and also your generals; on the battlefield, obey their commands as you would obey mine. Those who defy orders will be dealt with by military law." Zhu Yong said.

"Yes!" the soldiers replied in unison.

Zhu Yong turned his head, looking at the three standing beside the Pointing Platform: Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di.

"Lao San, Lao Si, Fifth Prince, come over."

The three stepped onto the Pointing Platform and stood beside Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong looked at them, smiled simply and asked, "First expedition, nervous?"

"Not nervous!" Zhu Shuang shouted.

"A little." Zhu Gang answered honestly.

Zhu Di remained silent, but tightened his grip on the knife hilt at his waist.

"Nervousness is normal; I was nervous my first time on a battlefield, but once there, stop overthinking. When you must charge, charge; when you must kill, kill.

Your troops watch you; if you falter, they will falter as well." Zhu Yong said.

The three nodded earnestly.

Zhu Yong looked down, shouted loudly, "Brothers, for this expedition I'll lead you into the final battle; after this battle, I guarantee that within three years there will be no great war.

so you can return home and spend time with your wives and children."

Below, cheers erupted.

"Wu King, Your Majesty!"

"Longxiang Army, mighty!"

Zhu Yong raised his hand, and the cheering abruptly ceased.

"Set out!" he said naively.

"Kill!"

Thirty thousand soldiers roared in unison, their cries shaking the heavens.

……

At the third quarter of the Chen Hour, the army set out.

Zhu Yong rode his horse, leading the front of the formation.

Behind him were Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di, and further back the sea of Longxiang Army soldiers.

War Flags blotted the sun, and Sword and Spear rose like a forest.

Outside the city of Ying Tianfu, departing villagers lined both sides of the official road.

Empress Ma stood on the city tower, watching the gradually receding column, her eyes slightly reddened.

Guanyin Nu stood beside her, cradling Zhu Qiongjiong in her arms and holding Zhu Huanhuan's hand.

"Mother, when will father return?" Zhu Huanhuan asked.

Empress Ma patted her head and said, "Soon, your father will be back from battle quickly."

Below the tower, Zhu Biao rode his horse, escorting all the way to Shili Changting.

He halted the horse and looked at Zhu Yong.

"Second brother, take care," Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yong nodded, "Elder brother, take care; the court's affairs are now yours."

The two brothers exchanged a glance; everything was understood without words.

Zhu Yong squeezed the horse's belly; the reddish‑brown horse neighed loudly and surged forward.

Behind, ten thousand troops rolled forward.

Smoke and dust billowed, covering sky and sun.

Zhu Biao stood outside the pavilion, watching the large flag embroidered with the character "Wu" drift farther, remaining motionless for a long while.

The wind blew from the Northern Region, carrying a hint of coolness.

That was the direction of Taozhou.

……

The army marched northward, covering eighty li per day.

Five days later, they arrived at Fengyang.

Zhu Yong ordered the army to camp outside the city, and he, accompanied by Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di, entered Fengyang County under the guard of three hundred Imperial Troops of the Longxiang Army.

"Second Prince, what are we doing in Fengyang?" Zhu Shuang asked.

Zhu Yong replied, "I grew up here as a child, came back to take a look."

The Fengyang County magistrate had already met them at the city gate, leading them to a small village on the western side of the city.

The village was small, with a few dozen households.

Zhu Yong dismounted at the village entrance, looked at the familiar earthen houses, and smiled naively.

"Second Prince, did you live here before?" Zhu Gang asked curiously, looking around.

"Hmm." Zhu Yong nodded.

He walked to a dilapidated earthen house, gazed at the courtyard wall that had collapsed halfway, and fell silent for a moment.

"This is my foster father Shi Laosan's home," he said softly, "I lived here for fourteen years."

Zhu Shuang and the other two exchanged glances, not knowing what to say.

At that moment, a trembling voice rang out: "Shi… Shiniu?"

Zhu Yong turned back and saw an elderly man with white hair, leaning on a cane, standing not far away.

"Old Village Chief," Zhu Yong walked over and supported the elder.

The old village chief was so moved that tears streamed down his cheeks as he examined him: "Indeed it's Shiniu… grown so tall… dressed so dignified… I can hardly recognize you…"

"Village chief, I've returned to see you all," Zhu Yong said with a naive smile.

The old village chief took his hand and chattered on.

He said that after he left, the villagers all missed him.

He mentioned that Wang Tiejiang had passed away last year, and on his deathbed he kept muttering "that Shiniu boy".

He said Aunt Li's eyesight had dimmed, but she still sewed a garment for him, saying she would give it to him when he returned.

Zhu Yong listened quietly, his eyes slightly reddened.

Zhu Di stood nearby, watching his elder brother's silhouette, suddenly understanding something.

Although the Second Prince was noble as Wu King, undefeated in battle, his fame shook the world.

Yet in his heart, he always remembered this tiny village, and those who once gave him a meal.

……

The army rested in Fengyang for a day, then resumed the march.

On May 25, they arrived at Xi'an.

Five thousand troops of the Shaanxi Provincial Office had already assembled, led by the Commissioner, awaiting the Wu King's inspection.

Zhu Shuang, clad in armor, rode his horse, standing with head held high at the front of the formation.

This was his first true command of troops, feeling both excited and nervous.

Zhu Yong rode past on horseback, gave him a glance, and said simply, "Lao San, don't hold back, act naturally."

"Yes, Second Prince." Zhu Shuang relaxed a bit.

After the inspection was finished, the main army continued westward.

On the second day of the sixth month, they arrived at Lanzhou.

The five thousand troops of the Shanxi command also arrived, led by the Vice General under Zhu Gang.

Twenty thousand troops converged, their swords pointing straight at Taozhou.

……

On the fifth day of the sixth month, the army reached the Taozhou region.

Thirty Li ahead, the Na Lin Seven Stations occupied by the rebels.

Zhu Yong ordered to set up camp and summoned the generals to discuss.

Inside the Central Command Tent, a huge map was spread out.

Zhu Yong pointed at several red circles on the map and said, "Na Lin Seven Stations are seven passes, terrain dangerous, the rebels have divided their forces to guard them, each covering the other's flank."

"If we attack head‑on, casualties will be huge."

"Then what should we do?" Zhu Shuang asked.

Zhu Yong looked at him and said, "Lao San, what do you think?"

Zhu Shuang was startled, thought for a moment and said, "How about… we split our troops? One force feigns an attack on the front, the other goes around to the rear?"

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "The idea is right. But to go around to the rear, we need a route."

He traced his finger on the map: "Here, there's a small path built by the ancient Tubo people that can bypass the first three passes and go straight behind the fourth pass. But the path is treacherous and only the local herders know it."

"Then we find a guide," Zhu Gang said.

Zhu Yong looked at Zhu Di and said, "Fifth Prince, where should we look for a guide?"

Zhu Di thought for a moment and said, "We could capture prisoners, send people ahead to seize a few rebels, and interrogate them for the guide's whereabouts."

"Or we could send someone to the local tribes, offer a heavy reward; surely someone will be willing."

Zhu Yong gave a simple smile and said, "Not bad."

He looked at his three younger brothers and said, "This time, I plan to let Lao San lead three thousand men to feint from the front, the fourth brother lead two thousand men to take the left road and harass the rebels' supply line."

"Fifth Prince will lead three thousand men, equipped with Flintlock Guns and artillery, to slip through the small path and emerge behind the fourth pass."

The three men's eyes all lit up.

"Second Prince, what about you?" Zhu Shuang asked.

Zhu Yong stood up, took the Double Hammers behind him, gave a simple smile and said, "I'll take the remaining troops; once you arrive, attack strongly from the front. Your three tasks are to hold the rebels in check, preventing them from supporting the front."

"When I open the breach, you will encircle them."

He looked at his three younger brothers seriously and said, "This is your first battlefield; I won't give you the hardest mission, but I won't let you idle."

"Fight well, and let me see whether you truly have the material for war."

The three shouted in unison, "Yes, Second Prince!"

Zhu Yong nodded and walked out of the Central Command Tent.

Outside, the setting sun sank in the west, and the distant mountains were cloaked in Jin‑colored light.

He gazed at those ridges and gave a simple smile.

Taozhou, I'm coming.

Rebels, get ready to take the hammers.