Chapter 301: Going to Tie Mu Er

Returning to Wu Wang Fu, it was already Wei Hour.

Zhu Yong had just entered the main courtyard when he saw Zhu Qiongjiong lifting a Stone Lock in the yard.

The five‑year‑old little fellow, hoisting a fifty‑jin Stone Lock, his face unflushed and breath unlabored, saw Zhu Yong come in, immediately set the Stone Lock down and ran over.

"Dad, dad, look how many times I lifted today—one hundred times..."

Zhu Yong bent down, lifted him up, and laughed, "Good, Jiong Jiong, impressive."

Zhu Qiongjiong grinned proudly, his mouth showing a missing front tooth.

Zhu Huanhuan walked over from the corridor, bowing properly.

"Dad."

Zhu Yong looked at his daughter, feeling satisfied inside; the little girl was no longer as lively as before, appearing much more tranquil.

"Huan Huan, did you study today?"

"I did, Master taught the Analects, and I have memorized them,"

Zhu Yong nodded, feeling gratified.

This child is far stronger than he, as a father, is.

Guanyin Nu stepped out of the house, saw Zhu Yong, and was slightly startled.

"Prince, you're back so early?"

Zhu Yong set his son down and walked over.

"I have something to tell you."

Guanyin Nu nodded and followed him into the study.

Zhu Huanhuan took her brother's hand and said softly, "Let's go! Father and mother have matters, we shouldn't disturb them."

Zhu Qiongjiong was reluctant, but was still pulled away by his sister.

In the study, Zhu Yong recounted the matter once.

Guanyin Nu listened, then fell silent for a long while.

"Prince, are you really going?"

Zhu Yong nodded, "Yes, Father sent me, so I must go."

Guanyin Nu looked at him, her eyes a bit red.

"That place, so far away, what if..."

"There's no 'what if'; rest assured, I know the situation. Over at Tie Mu Er's side, nothing can overturn the heavens," Zhu Yong interrupted her, grasping her hand as he said.

Guanyin Nu lowered her head, saying nothing.

Zhu Yong looked at her, feeling a bit guilty.

These years, he had campaigned east and west, expanding territories, and indeed spent little time at home.

Guanyin Nu, alone, raised two children and never complained.

Now she must leave again, and a departure means a year or more.

"Guanyin Nu, this time, you'll come with me," he said softly.

Guanyin Nu suddenly lifted her head, her eyes full of disbelief.

"Me... me also go?"

Zhu Yong nodded, "Yes, bring Huan Huan and Jiong Jiong; the whole family goes, just as a little outing."

Guanyin Nu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly laughed, tears streaming down.

"Alright, alright, we'll go together."

That night, the family sat around the table for dinner.

Zhu Yong told the two children about the matter.

Zhu Huanhuan's eyes sparkled after listening.

"Dad, are there kangaroos over at Tie Mu Er's side?"

Zhu Yong chuckled, "No, there are no kangaroos there, but there are camels, larger than horses."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and asked, "Do they have parrots? The kind that can speak human language?"

"Probably, we'll know once we go."

Zhu Qiongjiong jumped anxiously beside them.

"Dad! I also want to go! I want to see the camels! I want to see that… what's‑it… Mu Er!"

Zhu Yong looked at him and laughed, "Go, everyone goes, the whole family goes."

Zhu Qiongjiong was so delighted he waved his arms and legs, nearly falling off the stool.

Guanyin Nu watched from beside, a smile curling at the corner of her mouth.

Three days later, at the East Palace.

Zhu Biao was reading a pamphlet in the study when Chang Wan entered, carrying a bowl of soup.

"Prince, take a break; you've been reading all day,"

Zhu Biao took the soup, sipped, then suddenly said, "Wanmei, the second younger brother is leaving."

Chang Wan was startled and said, "Leaving, where to now..."

"Timur Empire, they haven't paid tribute for three years; Imperial Father sent him to interrogate," Zhu Biao said.

Chang Wan fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "So far away, and second brother goes alone?"

"He takes Guanyin Nu and the children, saying he's just going out for a walk," Zhu Biao said with a wry smile.

Chang Wan also laughed, "Second brother's temperament—he's afraid of nothing."

Zhu Biao nodded, saying nothing.

Chang Wan looked at him, then suddenly said, "Prince, are you reluctant?"

Zhu Biao was silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Even if I'm reluctant, I must let go; this is Imperial Father's decree, and also what second brother should do."

He paused, then said, "Wanmei, do you know? Sometimes I truly feel that second brother works harder than I, the Crown Prince. I stay here in Yingtian Prefecture, peacefully serving as Crown Prince, but he—"

"Campaigning east and west, expanding borders, spending the whole year running abroad."

Chang Wan grasped his hand and said softly, "Prince, second brother is willing."

Zhu Biao nodded and said nothing further.

……

The 15th day of the third month, early morning.

The pier was a sea of people.

A massive steamship was moored by the riverbank, its hull coated with fresh tung oil, gleaming in the morning light.

A large banner bearing the character "Wu" fluttered on the ship, snapping in the wind.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma personally came to see them off.

Zhu Biao arrived with Chang Wan and the children.

Zhu Yong stood on the pier, dressed in dark common robes, a short dagger that never left his side hanging at his waist.

Guanyin Nu stood beside him, wearing a Mongol‑style robe, a red‑gold forehead ornament, dignified and beautiful.

Zhu Huanhuan and Zhu Qiong Jiong stood by their mother, one quiet, the other lively, both in new clothes.

Empress Ma held Zhu Yong's hand, her eyes reddened.

"Yong Er, be careful on the road, and when you get there, remember to write back."

Zhu Yong nodded, "Mother, I understand."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked over and patted his shoulder.

"Yong Er, Father is waiting for your return."

Zhu Yong looked at his father, whose already‑wrinkled face was full of complex emotions.

"Father, I will definitely return."

Zhu Biao stepped forward and gave him a hug.

"Second brother, take care..."

Zhu Yong patted his back, laughing, "Elder brother, you too..."

Zhu Xiongying ran over, grabbing Zhu Yong's hem.

"Second uncle, come back early; I still want to hear your war stories."

Zhu Yong patted his head, laughing, "Alright, second uncle will return to tell you."

Zhu Wenwen also ran over, holding Zhu Huanhuan's hand; the two little girls muttered something to each other and then both laughed.

Zhu Qiong Jiong had already run off to look at the ship, but Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying chased him back, his face full of reluctance.

"Father, I want to board!"

Zhu Yong bent down, lifted him up, laughing, "Alright, get on the ship now."

The auspicious hour arrived.

Zhu Yong took one last look at his relatives on the shore, then, cradling his son, strode onto the gangplank.

Guanyin Nu held her daughter's hand, following behind him.

The family boarded the ship.

The roar of the steam engine sounded.

The fleet slowly set off, leaving the pier, heading toward the river's center, toward the distant horizon.

On the pier, Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his arms crossed, motionless for a long while.

Empress Ma leaned against him, tears streaming down her face.

Zhu Biao supported his mother, watching the departing fleet, and said softly, "Mother, second brother will return."

Empress Ma nodded, yet could not stop her tears.

……

On the ship, Zhu Yong stood at the bow, facing the river wind, watching Yingtian Prefecture recede farther away.

Guanyin Nu walked to his side and said softly, "Prince, what are you thinking?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I'm wondering what the scene will be like when we return this time."

Guanyin Nu grasped his hand, saying nothing.

Zhu Huanhuan and Zhu Qiong Jiong perched on the rail, watching the relatives on shore grow smaller, chattering about something.

The river wind blew, stirring ripples upon ripples.

In the distance, the walls of Yingtian Prefecture gradually blurred, finally vanishing on the horizon.

……

The 16th year of the Hongwu era, the 15th day of the third month.

Prince of Wu Zhu Yong, with his wife and children, set out on the journey to the Timur Empire.

This departure meant mountains high and waters far.

This departure, who knows what they will face.

But they aren't afraid.

Because they know that, wherever they go, there is a powerful Great Ming behind them.

No matter what they encounter, there is a pair of hammers weighing a thousand jin in their hands.

Enough.