Chapter 338: Li Wenzhong

The eighteenth year of Hongwu, June 17th.

Yingtian Prefecture, Cao Guo Gong Fu.

Zhu Yong stood at the gate of the mansion, with Zhang Wu behind him, carrying several large boxes of gifts brought back from the Timur Empire.

Cao Guo Gong Fu was not large, with blue bricks and gray tiles, and compared with the newly built residences in the Capital City it even seemed somewhat shabby.

But the pair of stone lions at the entrance were aged, polished to a glossy smoothness, exuding an aura of old‑ranked prestige.

The gate attendant saw Zhu Yong, froze for a moment, then hurriedly knelt to pay his respects.

Zhu Yong waved his hand and said, "Rise, announce it, I, the Prince, have come to see my uncle."

As soon as the words fell, a rapid footstep sound came from inside.

Li Zhen hurried out, a man in his seventies, yet his legs were still spry.

He wore a somewhat worn everyday robe, his hair already graying, but his spirit was still fine; since recovering from his last illness, Li Zhen had not fallen ill in these years, and his health kept improving.

"Prince Wu!" Li Zhen clasped his hands, about to pay his respects.

Zhu Yong grasped him and said, "Uncle, what are you doing? I came to see you, and you're being overly polite to me."

Li Zhen lifted his head, looked at Zhu Yong, his eyes slightly reddened.

"Prince, you've been away for two years; the old minister has missed you in his heart."

Zhu Yong helped him inside, saying as they walked, "Uncle, I'm back! The Timur side is too far; a round trip takes half a year, otherwise I would have returned to see you earlier."

The two entered the main hall and sat, the guest and host taking their places.

Li Zhen ordered tea to be served and also sent someone to summon Li Wenzhong.

"Wen Zhong has been busy in the Ministry of War these past few days; I guess he should be returning soon. The Prince has become thin and tanned, must have suffered over there!" Li Zhen said, eyeing Zhu Yong up and down.

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "It's okay; over there the sandstorms are strong, but nothing else. Uncle, how is your health?"

Li Zhen waved his hand and said, "It's the old ailment, nothing bothers me. The year my aunt passed, I pretended I went with her; having lived these extra years, I've earned my keep."

Zhu Fo Nu was Li Zhen's wife, Zhu Yuanzhang's elder sister, who died early.

Li Zhen has lived alone these years; although he took a concubine, no one can fill that place in his heart.

Zhu Yong fell silent for a moment, took a box from Zhang Wu's hand, and placed it on the table.

"Uncle, this is something I brought back from the Timur side, a piece of Hetian jade, carved by a master there; see if it meets your liking."

Li Zhen opened the box; inside lay a white jade Guanyin, warm and delicate, with exquisite carving.

He looked for a while, sighed, and said, "Your aunt was a Buddhist; back in the old home she burned incense daily, praying to the Buddha to protect your Imperial Father's safety.

This jade, when I return I'll place it before her memorial tablet, as a remembrance."

Zhu Yong nodded and said nothing more.

Just then, a footstep sound came from outside.

Li Wenzhong stepped in with small steps, in his forties, looking gaunt and utterly listless; the once vigorous man who could cut his way through the Great Ming army as Li Wenzong had become like this.

It's only been two years; the last time we met he wasn't like this.

"Prince!" Li Wenzhong clasped his fists, his voice a bit weak.

Zhu Yong saw this, hurriedly stood, then supported Li Wenzhong and asked with some surprise, "Cousin, your health..."

Li Wenzhong grinned and said, "Prince, no need to worry; I only had a bout of illness, I'm fine!"

Zhu Yong asked with some concern, "Have you seen the imperial physician?"

Li Zhen said beside them, "Zhong Ba has already had the imperial physician examine him; the physician said it's because Bao Er was wounded too often on the battlefield, that's why he turned out like this."

Li Wenzhong waved his hand and said, "Prince, don't worry too much; I've lived a full life. Let me talk about you! I heard the battles you fought over there were even more exhilarating than those we fought in Great Ming."

Those rear‑mounted line‑cannons could fire three li, their bursting shells exploded, and within a few dozen steps men were thrown from their horses…

He grew more excited as he spoke, gesturing wildly with his hands and feet.

Li Zhen coughed beside them and said, "Wen Zhong, sit and speak; don't be disrespectful in front of the Prince."

Li Wenzhong chuckled and sat down.

Zhu Yong looked at him, seeing he didn't want to talk about this, and, keeping it to himself, changed the subject, asking, "Cousin, what about Li Jinglong! Last time we saw him he was a little runt; he should have grown taller now, right?"

Li Wenzhong laughed, "That kid is very cheeky, spending his days brandishing swords and spears in the mansion, saying he wants to learn from you, Prince, and become a great general when he grows up."

"Prince, wait a moment, I'll have someone summon him."

A short while later, a youngster ran in.

Li Jinglong was already sixteen, quite handsome, his brows bearing some resemblance to his father's, yet with an extra spark of cleverness.

He ran in, properly saluted Zhu Yong, "Jinglong has the honor of meeting Prince Wu's uncle, the Prince!"

Zhu Yong looked at him and smiled, "Rise, let the Prince see you."

Li Jinglong stood, puffed out his small chest, a proud look on his face.

Zhu Yong examined him from head to toe, nodded and said, "Not bad, you have the same look as Wen Zhong when he was younger. Do you like martial training?"

Li Jinglong nodded vigorously and replied, "I do. My father said you joined the army at thirteen, and at fourteen you captured Kaiping City. I also want to be a great general like you, Prince!"

Zhu Yong chuckled, took a short sword from Zhang Wu's hand, and handed it to Li Jinglong.

"This is a blade I brought back from the Timur side, Damascus steel, it cuts iron like mud; practice your martial arts well, and when you're grown, I'll take you to see the Timur side."

Li Jinglong took the knife, his eyes lit up, and nodded vigorously.

Li Wenzhong laughed beside them, "Prince, don't spoil him; the kid is already wild enough."

Zhu Yong waved his hand, "A man's ambition lies in the four directions; a bit of wildness is good."

Li Zhen watched the scene, a smile tugging at his mouth.

After sitting a while longer, Zhu Yong rose to take his leave. Li Zhen escorted him to the doorway, grasped his hand, and held it for a long time.

"Prince, are you leaving after this visit?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "I still have to return; the other side has just stabilized and can't be left unwatched. But I'll stay a few more days this time, keep mother company, and also see you and Brother Wen."

Li Zhen nodded and released his hand.

"Good, good. Prince, take care."

Zhu Yong clasped his fists in farewell, turned and mounted his horse.

Behind him, Li Jinglong chased after, brandishing that short sword and waving toward him.

"Prince, when I grow up I will definitely come find you!"

Zhu Yong turned back, smiled at him, and spurred his horse away.

After leaving Cao Guo Gong Fu, Zhu Yong went to Wei Guo Gong Fu.

Xu Da was not at home; he had gone north to inspect the frontier defenses.

In the residence were only Xu Da's wife, Xie Shi, and a few sons.

Xie Shi was a gentle woman, about forty, speaking in soft, low tones.

She saw Zhu Yong arrive, hurriedly had tea served, and sent someone to summon a few sons.

"Prince, you've been away for two years; the master mentions you every day," Xie Shi said with a smile.

Zhu Yong modestly said, "Thank you, Xu Shu, for your concern."

Xie Shi nodded, "The master often says that Prince will become the pillar of Great Ming."

As she spoke, several of Xu Da's sons entered.

The eldest son, Xu Huizu, in his early twenties, resembled Xu Da, with thick brows, large eyes, a robust build, and was already a military commander.

The second son, Xu Yingxu, seventeen or eighteen, refined and scholarly, was studying at Guozijian.

The third son, Xu Tianfu, still young, about ten, with a tiger‑like head and vigor, like a little calf.

A few people paid their respects to Zhu Yong, and sat on both sides.