Chapter 311: Dad Is So Powerful

……

After one shichen, Zhu Yong led five hundred Longxiang Army cavalry into Keshih City.

The border town was not large, only a few li in radius; the Street was narrow, with earthen‑brick houses on both sides, and occasionally a few Shops selling sundries and food.

There were not many people on the Street, but they all stopped curiously to watch.

The cavalry clad in iron armor, riding tall warhorses, marched in perfect order along the Street; the sound of hooves echoed in the narrow lane, shaking the earthen‑brick houses on both sides with a slight tremor.

Zhu Yong walked at the front, his dark princely robes shimmering with gold in the sunlight.

Abdullah rode beside him, nodding and bowing all the way, describing the city's situation.

"Your Highness, the Governor's Office is just ahead; tonight you and your family will stay there."

"This is the city's market; although it cannot compare to Samarhan, it is still a necessary hub for trade."

"Those are local artisans who specialize in making carpets and porcelain…"

Zhu Yong occasionally nodded, saying nothing.

His gaze swept over the crowd by the Street; in their eyes were curiosity, awe, and a hint of scrutiny.

Zhang Wu rode closer and whispered, "Your Highness, the atmosphere in this city feels off; it seems someone is watching us."

Zhu Yong gave a slight nod, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"That's normal; if Tie Mu Er hadn't sent someone to monitor, it would be strange."

……

The Governor's Office was a modest courtyard, square in shape, with a sky‑well in the center and rooms surrounding it.

Abdullah had the best room prepared for Zhu Yong's family to stay in.

Guanyin Nu settled the children, Zhu Huanhuan began packing luggage, and Zhu Qiong Jiong ran in and out, curious about everything.

"Dad, this house is so strange; the walls are so thick, the windows so small," he said, crouching at the window to look out.

Zhu Yong laughed, "It's hot here; thick walls are needed for insulation."

Zhu Qiong Jiong let out a small "oh" and ran to look at the pomegranate tree in the courtyard.

……

At dusk, Abdullah arranged a Banquet to entertain Zhu Yong.

The Banquet was set in the main hall of the Governor's Office, with exquisite carpets on the floor, low tables bearing roasted lamb, pilaf, flatbread, and assorted fruits.

Several dancing girls twirled gracefully in the hall, the music melodious.

Abdullah sat at the Main Seat, earnestly offering Wine.

"Your Highness, this is our finest grape Wine; please have a taste."

Zhu Yong lifted the cup, took a sip, and set it down.

Abdullah added, "Your Highness, traveling from Keshih City to Samarhan takes over twenty days, passing several cities; I have already dispatched fast riders to inform each stop to prepare for your arrival."

Zhu Yong looked at him and suddenly asked, "How has His Majesty Tie Mu Er's health been these past years?"

Abdullah was momentarily stunned, then laughed, "Fine, very fine; His Majesty is in his prime. Last year he personally led troops on a western campaign and won several victories."

Zhu Yong nodded and asked no further.

He, of course, knew what Tie Mu Er had been doing these years.

He waged western campaigns against Persia, marched north into the Golden Horde, invaded India from the south, subjugating every surrounding nation.

This "Lame Tie Mu Er" harbored great ambition.

Abdullah, seeing his silence, cautiously asked, "Your Highness, may I ask why you have come this time…"

Zhu Yong looked at him and said lightly, "Tie Mu Er hasn't paid tribute for three years; I, by Imperial Father's command, have come to inquire what is happening."

Abdullah's smile froze on his face.

"It… it… might be that the road is unsafe, the caravan was robbed…"

Zhu Yong said nothing, lifted his tea cup and took a sip.

That tea had been prepared in advance by Zhang Wu, using leaves brought from Great Ming.

Abdullah forced a nervous laugh and dared not speak further.

……

When the Banquet dispersed, it was already Hai Hour.

Zhu Yong returned to his room, where Guanyin Nu was reading by the lamp.

Seeing him enter, she set the book down and whispered, "Your Highness, what did the Governor say?"

Zhu Yong sat beside her and shook his head.

"He didn't tell the truth; Tie Mu Er has been at war these years, expanding aggressively. He probably feels his wings have hardened and no longer wishes to bow to Great Ming."

Guanyin Nu was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Then, Your Highness, what do you plan to do?"

Zhu Yong looked at the night outside the window and said lightly, "When we reach Samarhan, I will ask him in person."

He paused, then added, "If he is honest, he will pay tribute when due, atone when required…"

Guanyin Nu grasped his hand, saying nothing.

Zhu Yong turned back, looked at her, and smiled, "Don't worry, I know my limits."

……

In the adjoining room, Zhu Huanhuan was coaxing her younger brother to sleep.

Zhu Qiong Jiong lay on the bed, eyes wide open, not sleepy at all.

"Sister, do you think that Tie Mu Er will go to war with us?"

Zhu Huanhuan glared at him and said, "What's good about war? Sleep."

Zhu Qiong Jiong pursed his lips, turned over, muttering, "I'm not afraid of war; Dad is so powerful…"

Zhu Huanhuan ignored him and blew out the lamp.

In the darkness, Zhu Qiongjiong spoke again.

"Sister, you said why father wears such fine clothes; we never saw him wear them when we were at Yingtian Prefecture."

Zhu Huanhuan was silent for a moment, then said softly, "That was for Tie Mu Er to see, to let Tie Mu Er know that Great Ming is not to be trifled with."

Zhu Qiongjiong let out a sound, and after a while said, "If Tie Mu Er finds out, would he still dare to disobey?"

Zhu Huanhuan gave no reply.

But she thought in her heart that he probably wouldn't dare.

After all, father's hammer can even smash open a city gate.

Can Tie Mu Er's city walls be as thick as Kaiping City's?

……

Early the next morning, the party set out again.

Abdullah escorted them out to Thirty Li beyond the city before stopping.

"Prince, I wish you a smooth journey."

Zhu Yong nodded, spurred his horse, and rode away.

Three thousand cavalry followed close behind, disappearing into the boundless Gobi.

Abdullah stood on a sand dune, gazing at the direction in which the army receded, unmoving for a long while.

The Vice General beside him said cautiously, "Governor, this Ming army…"

Abdullah sighed and shook his head.

"Send a message to His Majesty, saying… the Great Ming forces are not to be taken lightly."

……

The party continued westward.

Thirsty Stone City grew farther away, eventually vanishing on the horizon.

Ahead lay endless Gobi, endless yellow sand, endless unknown.

But Zhu Yong was unafraid.

Because he knew that wherever he went, he represented Great Ming.

And Great Ming was no longer the newly founded, still‑recovering Great Ming of old.

Great Ming possessed the world's most advanced Huogi, the most elite army, the most sturdy armor.

Great Ming had the world's most expansive territory, the most abundant resources, the most intelligent people.

If Tie Mu Er were sensible, he should humbly bow his head, admit his mistake, and continue as his vassal state.

If he is not sensible…

Zhu Yong brushed his hand over the drum jar golden hammer perched on the horse beside him.

Then let him see, what Great Ming's power truly is.

……

In the distance, the setting sun turned the whole Gobi into a sea of blood‑red.

The legendary Samarkhan still lay more than two thousand li away.

But no matter how far, it will eventually be reached.