Chapter 339: Paying a Visit

Zhu Yong looked at Xu Huizu and laughed, "Huizu, I heard you are serving in the capital camp; how's it going?"

Xu Huizu clasped his fists and said, "Reply, Prince, I have been training in the capital camp for two years, learning many things from General Chang."

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Do your best. Your father is the founding first meritorious official of Great Ming; as his son, you must not disgrace him."

Xu Huizu said seriously, "I understand."

Zhu Yong then looked at Xu Yingxu and asked, "Yingxu, how are your studies?"

Xu Yingxu clasped his hands and said, "Reply, Prince, I am reading the Spring and Autumn Annals; the teacher said I could take the exam next year."

Zhu Yong laughed, "Good, study hard, pass the imperial examination, and make your father proud."

Xu Yingxu hurriedly thanked him.

The youngest, Xu Tianfu, couldn't sit still, leaned over and asked, "Prince, when you fought, did you really kill over a hundred Tatars by yourself?"

Zhu Yong looked down at him and laughed, "What, do you want to learn?"

Xu Tianfu nodded vigorously and said, "I do! My father says a true man should go to the battlefield and slay the enemy!"

Zhu Yong patted his head, "When you grow up, I will take you to see Tie Mu Er Fu."

Xu Tianfu's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly.

Xie Shi, laughing beside them, said, "This child clings to his father all day wanting to learn martial arts, just like you did when you were young, Prince."

Zhu Yong smiled but said nothing further.

After sitting for an hour, Zhu Yong stood up to take his leave.

Xie Shi escorted him to the doorway and whispered, "Prince, the lord will return in a few days; if you have time, please come again to sit."

Zhu Yong nodded and replied, "I will certainly come."

Leaving Wei Guogong Fu, it was already afternoon.

Zhu Yong then went to Lan Yu Fu.

Lan Yu was not home; he had gone north to train troops.

In the residence were only Lan Yu's wife and a few children.

Lan Yu's wife, surnamed Zhao, was a brisk woman; seeing Zhu Yong arrive, she promptly ordered the food to be prepared.

"Prince, it's rare for you to visit; tonight you may dine here. The lord is absent, so I will decide," Zhao Shi laughed.

Zhu Yong did not decline, nodded and agreed.

Several of Lan Yu's children ran out, the older ones sixteen or seventeen, the younger only five or six, chattering noisily, making a lively scene.

Zhu Yong handed out the gifts he had brought, giving each a box of candy and a small curved knife.

The children were so happy they kept jumping.

After sitting for a while, Zhu Yong went to Chang Yuchun Fu.

Chang Yuchun was not there; he had gone north to train troops.

In the residence were only Chang Yuchun's wife, Lan Shi, and a few children.

Lan Shi, Lan Yu's elder sister, was in her early forties; her features resembled Lan Yu's somewhat, but she was far steadier.

"Prince, you have arrived," Lan Shi smiled as she greeted him.

Zhu Yong saluted and said, "Aunt, I came to see you. Since Chang Shu is not here, you are alone at home; you must be tired."

Lan Shi shook her head and said, "Not at all, we are used to it. The lord is out all year, and we women have become accustomed."

Zhu Yong handed over the gifts he had brought and said, "These are from Tie Mu Er Fu: a piece of Hetian jade, several Persian carpets, and some goldware."

Aunt, keep them for yourself.

Lan Shi took them, smiled, and said, "Prince, you are thoughtful."

Just then, Chang Mao ran in from outside.

Chang Mao, in his early twenties, resembled Chang Yuchun, with a tiger's back and bear's waist, and a face full of vigor.

He was dressed in sturdy armor, drenched in sweat, clearly having just finished training.

"Prince!" Chang Mao clasped his fists in salute, his voice booming.

Zhu Yong looked at him and laughed, "Brother Mao, we haven't seen each other for two years; you look even stronger. Your martial arts haven't slipped, have they?"

Chang Mao grinned and said, "No slip, I train every day. Prince, when will you take me to battle again? The last time we fought in Goryeo with you, it wasn't enough."

Zhu Yong chuckled, "War is not a child's play; we can't fight every day."

Chang Mao scratched his head and said, "But Prince, over at Tie Mu Er Fu, aren't you fighting every day?"

Zhu Yong patted his shoulder and said, "When your father returns, let him take you. I am now in charge of Tie Mu Er Fu; it will be a year and a half before I can return, so if you go there, no one will guide you."

Chang Mao pursed his lips but said nothing further.

Lan Shi, laughing beside them, said, "This child has his father's temperament; all he knows is fighting all day."

Zhu Yong smiled lightly and said nothing.

After sitting in Chang Yuchun's residence for an hour, Zhu Yong stood up to take his leave.

Lan Shi escorted him to the doorway and whispered, "Prince, after this visit, are you leaving again?"

Zhu Yong nodded and replied, "I must return; that place has just stabilized and cannot be left unattended."

Lan Shi sighed, "Indeed, such a vast area cannot be left unwatched. Prince, travel safely."

Zhu Yong clasped his fists, took his leave, and mounted his horse.

Returning to Wu Wang Fu, night had already fallen.

Guanyin Nu brought the children into the courtyard to enjoy the cool evening.

Zhu Qiong Jiong lay on the stone table, holding the short knife, turning it over and over to examine.

"Father, this knife is truly sharp!" Zhu Qiong Jiong, seeing Zhu Yong return, ran over brandishing the knife.

Zhu Yong took the knife, inspected the blade, nodded and said, "Made of Damascus steel, it cuts iron like mud! But you're still young; don't play with it now—when you grow up, I'll give it to you."

Zhu Qiong Jiong pursed his lips, reluctantly handing the knife to Zhang Wu beside him.

Zhu Huanhuan sat beside her mother, cradling a book in her hands, looked up and said softly, "Father, you visited several places today; you're tired, aren't you?"

Zhu Yong sat down on the chair, took the tea handed over by Guanyin Nu, and took a sip.

"Not tired, just a few sentiments in my heart."

Guanyin Nu looked at him and said softly, "What are you sentimental about?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Uncle is old, Xu Shu is no longer young, Chang Shu runs abroad all year, cousin Wen Zhong fell ill, and those who fought alongside me back then have all gone their separate ways now."

Guanyin Nu grasped his hand, saying nothing.

Zhu Huanhuan put down the book and said softly, "Father, are you missing them?"

Zhu Yong looked at her and smiled, "Miss them? How could I not? Back when I was in the army, Chang Shu taught me how to fight...

…In the blink of a dozen years, I'm almost thirty now."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and said softly, "Father, now that you're back, stay for a few more days."

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "I can't stay long; Tie Mu Er Fu has just stabilized and can't be left unwatched, but this time I'll spend more time with Mother and the others."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and said nothing further.

Zhu Yong sat in the study, a map spread out before him.

It was the complete map of the Timur Empire, from Samarkand to Persia, from the banks of the Indus to the Jinzhang Khanate; every city and every river was marked clearly.

This land is larger than Great Ming.

He conquered it with his own hand and now governs it with his own hand.

Two years have passed, from the initial raging war to now where the people live peacefully, merchants trade continuously, and everything is on track.

But he knows this is only the beginning.

For this land to truly become part of Great Ming will still take decades, perhaps even centuries.

Guanyin Nu carried a bowl of soup into the room and set it on the table.

"Prince, it's late at night; have a bowl of soup to warm your body."

Zhu Yong took it, took a sip—it was chicken soup, very fresh.

"Did you check on Uncle and the others today? They're all fine, right?" Guanyin Nu sat opposite him.

Zhu Yong nodded, "All fine, just all old now."

Guanyin Nu looked at him and said softly, "Prince, do you not want to leave anymore?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, shook his head, "It's not that I don't want to go, it's that I'm reluctant; Mother is old, Father is no longer young, big brother holds up the court alone, and I, the younger brother, can't help much."

Guanyin Nu grasped his hand, "Prince, you've done a great service; over at Tie Mu Er Fu, if it weren't for you, it couldn't have stabilized so quickly."

Zhu Yong smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Outside the window, Moonlight was like water.

In the distance, the faint clang of a gongsman's drum could be heard.

Zhu Yong stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the night outside.

The night at Yingtian Fu was quiet and peaceful.

This land is one he has guarded together with countless others.

And what he protects is not only this land, but also the people upon it.

"Prince, it's time to rest," Guanyin Nu came over and said softly.

Zhu Yong nodded, turned and walked out of the study with her.

The night deepened, and the lamps of Wu Wang Fu went out one by one.

In the distance, a few dog barks could be heard faintly.

A new day will soon arrive.