Chapter 28: Have You Ever Killed a Chicken?

The two brothers walked toward Wu Ying Hall.

On the road, Zhu Biao whispered, "Second brother, there's something you need to know: your appointment as Prince Wu has sparked some talk at court."

"What talk?"

"Some say you were made a prince right after returning, which is against protocol; others say your battle merits deserve it," Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Rong didn't understand the details, but sensed there was more behind his elder brother's words.

"Elder brother, I don't get this; just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

Zhu Biao laughed, "You don't need to worry; Father and I will handle it. Just be Prince Wu—go to war when you want, practice the hammer when you want."

"Mm." Zhu Rong nodded.

He understood inside that his elder brother was protecting him.

When they reached the Yan Wu Chang beside Wu Ying Hall, Zhu Rong's drum‑jar golden hammer was already placed there.

Eight guards were trying to lift one of them; each flushed red, yet the hammer would not budge.

Seeing Zhu Biao and Zhu Rong arrive, the guards hurriedly saluted.

"Prince, Prince Wu, this hammer… is too heavy," the lead guard said with a wry smile.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Rong.

Zhu Rong stepped forward, grasped the hammer's handle with one hand, and gave it a light lift.

The six‑hundred‑jin drum‑jar golden hammer rose in his single hand, tracing a hammer flourish in the air.

The guards stared dumbfounded.

Although Zhu Biao already knew his second brother's Divine Strength, seeing it firsthand still shocked him.

"Second brother, your strength truly is unrivaled," he said, shaking his head with a wry smile.

Zhu Rong set the hammer down, saying simply, "Not bad."

He picked up the Double Hammers and began training on the Yan Wu Chang.

There were no flashy moves, just the simplest chops, smashes, sweeps, and swings.

Yet each hammer swing carried a whistling wind, heavy hammer shadows, and an astonishing aura.

Zhu Biao stood aside watching, feeling moved.

This younger brother is truly a foe to ten thousand men.

After a quarter‑hour of practice, Zhu Rong sheathed the hammer, his face unflushed and breath steady.

"Fine Hammer Technique," a voice called from behind.

Zhu Biao turned and saw General Chang and General Lan arriving.

"General Chang, General Lan," Zhu Biao said with a smiling nod.

General Chang and General Lan quickly saluted, "Crown Prince, Prince Wu."

Zhu Rong saw them and smiled, "General Chang, General Lan."

General Chang strode forward, slapped Zhu Rong's shoulder; it didn't move, and his own hand went numb from the shock.

"Good kid, I heard you've reclaimed your lineage and even become Prince Wu!" General Chang laughed heartily.

"My troops I led became a prince; that's bragging material for a lifetime!"

General Chang remains this blunt, but that's just his nature.

General Lan smiled, "Shiniu… now should be called Prince Wu. My luck is beyond words."

Zhu Biao, knowing they were close, said, "You chat; I still have some state affairs to handle."

After he left, General Chang became even more relaxed.

"Kid, are you getting used to living in the palace?" he asked.

"It's fine, just a lot of rules," Zhu Rong answered honestly.

"Haha, that's natural. Still, don't be too restrained; do as you see fit. The Emperor said, even though you're a prince, you may go to the barracks whenever you wish," General Chang said.

Zhu Rong's eyes lit up, "Can I go?"

"Yes! Our barracks always welcome Prince Wu," General Lan quickly nodded.

While the three were speaking, someone else arrived.

It was Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Di.

The three youngsters somehow slipped out and ran to the Yan Wu Chang to watch the excitement.

"General Chang!" Zhu Di recognized General Chang and ran over excitedly.

General Chang saluted the princes, "Third Prince, Fourth Prince, Fifth Prince."

Zhu Shuang waved his hand, but his eyes fixed on the hammer in Zhu Rong's hand, "Second Prince, is this hammer really that heavy?"

Zhu Rong handed the hammer over, "Try it."

Zhu Shuang stepped forward, grasped the handle with both hands, lifted with force… the hammer didn't budge.

His face turned red as he strained with all his might, yet the hammer stayed still.

Zhu Gang also gave it a try, likewise unable to lift.

When it was Zhu Di's turn, he wrestled with it for a while, barely raising the hammer an inch off the ground before it refused to rise further.

"My heavens… Second Prince, do you normally fight with this?" Zhu Shuang panted.

"Mm." Zhu Rong nodded, lifted the hammer with one hand, and casually slung it over his shoulder.

Zhu Di watched, his eyes filled with even greater admiration.

"Second Prince, can you teach me to use the hammer?" he asked.

Zhu Rong glanced at his slender frame, shook his head, "You're too small to lift it."

Zhu Di retorted, "I'll grow up someday!"

Chang Yuchun laughed, "Fifth Prince has ambition, but training the hammer first requires strength; if you truly want to learn, you can start with the Stone Lock."

Zhu Di nodded seriously, "Alright, I'll start training from tomorrow!"

Zhu Shuang pursed his lips, "What are you training with a hammer for, it's exhausting; Second Prince, I heard you're great at war, how many people have you killed?"

The question came abruptly.

Before Zhu Yong could answer, General Lan frowned, "Third Prince, battlefield slaughter is no child's play."

Zhu Shuang said dismissively, "What are you asking?"

Zhu Yong looked at him and suddenly said, "Have you ever killed a chicken?"

Zhu Shuang, startled, replied, "No."

"Then why do you speak of killing people?" Zhu Yong said calmly.

Zhu Shuang was at a loss.

Zhu Di, however, caught the meaning in Second Prince's words… the battlefield is not for bragging.

"Second Prince, I also want to go to the battlefield someday," he said earnestly.

Zhu Yong glanced at his nine‑year‑old younger brother, nodded, "We'll talk about it when you grow up."

Just then, a eunuch delivered a message, "Prince Wu, Empress Ma requests you return to Kunning Palace for lunch."

Zhu Yong replied, addressing Chang Yuchun and General Lan, "General Chang, General Lan, I'm leaving first."

"Go on, go on! Come to the barracks another day; the brothers all miss you," Chang Yuchun laughed.

Zhu Yong nodded, hoisted the hammer, and left.

Zhu Shuang watched his back, muttering softly, "What's with the swagger…"

Zhu Gang tugged him and said, "Third Brother, stop talking."

Zhu Di, however, caught up and said, "Second Prince, may I go with you to Kunning Palace?"

Zhu Yong glanced back at him, "As you wish."

Zhu Di happily followed.

Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang exchanged a glance and also followed.

Chang Yuchun and General Lan watched the scene, exchanged smiles.

"This kid won't be at a loss even in the palace," Chang Yuchun said.

"Indeed, he's Prince Wu, but I think Fifth Prince truly admires him," General Lan said.

"Fifth Prince has good taste; let's also leave the palace," Chang Yuchun nodded.

In Kunning Palace, Empress Ma had already set the lunch.

Seeing Zhu Yong return with three younger brothers, she was a bit surprised but said nothing.

"Everyone, please sit," she said gently.

The lunch was abundant, but Zhu Shuang ate absentmindedly, occasionally glancing at Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong just ate, his movements swift yet not coarse.

After the meal, Empress Ma told the three Zhu brothers, "You should return and do your studies."

Zhu Shuang didn't want to leave, but dared not defy Imperial Mother, so he left with Zhu Gang.

Zhu Di, however, lingered, "Imperial Mother, I want to stay with Second Prince a while longer."

Empress Ma softened, "Then stay, but you may not disturb Second Prince's rest."

"Yes!" Zhu Di said happily.

In the afternoon, Zhu Yong rested in a side hall.

Zhu Di stayed outside the door, not entering, squatting on the steps waiting.

When Zhu Yong woke, he saw the tiny figure at the doorway and felt a stir in his heart.

He stepped out, "Aren't you going to play?"

Zhu Di stood, "I want to hear Second Prince talk about war."

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, then sat on the steps, "What do you want to hear?"

"Anything," Zhu Di said, sitting beside him.

Zhu Yong then briefly recounted the Kaiping Campaign and the Lin Campaign.

He spoke plainly, without exaggeration, yet those real battlefield details already fascinated Zhu Di.

"Second Prince, is war… scary?" Zhu Di suddenly asked.

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said, "It can be frightening, but also not."

"What does that mean?"

"Killing is frightening, but protecting brothers is not," Zhu Yong said.

Zhu Di nodded as if half‑understanding.

As the sun set, Zhu Di left reluctantly.

Zhu Yong watched his retreating back and recalled the vague memories from his dream.

Fifth Prince Zhu Di will become Emperor in the future.

But now, he is only a nine‑year‑old child who idolizes Second Prince.

Zhu Yong shook his head and thought no more.

Let whatever happens later be; now he is Second Prince, and Fifth Prince is his younger brother.

That's enough.

Night fell, and Kunning Palace lit the lamps.

Zhu Yong lay on the soft bed, looking at the canopy above.

A lot happened today: the past‑life memories awakened, met a few younger brothers, and picked up the hammer again.

Zhu Yong knows they have a system, knows some future events, but decides to continue being the simple and straightforward Zhu Yong.

Don't want to be Emperor, don't want to vie for power and profit.

Just want to protect father and mother, protect big brother, protect these younger brothers.

As for the rest…

Zhu Yong closes his eyes.

Simple folk have simple blessings; why think so much?

Sleep.