Chapter 375: The Astonishing Zhu Gaochi

Zhu Gaochi first went to Zhang Wu to obtain the city defense map, then went to Chen Heng to inquire about troop deployment, and then, accompanied by two junior clerks, inspected the city's grain store, armory, and stables one by one.

At each place, he asked in great detail, recorded it in a notebook, stroke by stroke, neatly and orderly.

When he returned, it was already dark.

He presented the organized accounts to Zhu Yong, a thick stack of papers with neat handwriting and clear structure.

The amounts of Grain and Fodder, armaments, horse feed, civilian households, which items are in which storehouse, and which storehouse is under whose jurisdiction, all laid out clearly.

Zhu Yong flipped through it, placed it on the table and said, "Starting tomorrow, you'll be in charge of the city's affairs; report to me each evening."

Zhu Gaochi replied with a nod and stepped back.

At the doorway, Zhu Yong called him back, "Gaochi, are you afraid?"

Zhu Gaochi turned around, thought for a moment, and honestly said, "Second Uncle, I am afraid; there are a hundred thousand troops outside, the city's food supplies are not abundant, I fear I won't manage well and will delay the great matters."

Zhu Yong looked at him, nodded, and said, "It's good to be afraid; fear makes you careful, and carefulness prevents mistakes."

Zhu Gaochi was startled for a moment, then smiled, performed a proper bow, and left.

Zhu Di entered from outside, happened to see his son leaving, turned his head and asked Zhu Yong, "Second Prince, is this youngster all right?"

Zhu Yong glared at him and said, "Your son, don't you know yourself?"

Zhu Di chuckled, rubbing his hands, and said, "I know, I know, I just didn't expect that he could be useful here as well."

He paused, then continued, "Second Prince, you may not know, but back in the Western Regions, this kid loved meddling in trivial matters. Today he handles this, tomorrow that, and the subordinates are kept obedient and content."

"I thought, since he's idle anyway, I just brought him over."

Zhu Yong gave no reply.

He recalled reading in a book from his previous life that Zhu Gaochi, the Ming Emperor Renzong, reigned for less than a year but left the foundation of the "Renxuan Governance."

Now, at only nine years old, it has already begun to show.

In the following days, Zhu Gaochi managed the city's affairs in an orderly fashion.

Grain and Fodder were reallocated, saving a considerable amount.

The armory's accounts were clarified, and surplus gunpowder was evenly distributed to the city's artillerymen.

The civilians were also pacified; grain distribution was fair and just, no one took more or less.

Zhu Qiong Jiong at first had no particular feeling toward this chubby, pale cousin.

Later, one day after patrolling the city and returning exhausted, he saw Zhu Gaochi sitting at the base of the city wall, a stack of ledgers spread before him, calculating line by line.

Next to him lay a cold mantou that hadn't been touched.

He suddenly thought that this cousin was not easy.

"Chi'er, have you eaten?" he crouched down and asked.

Zhu Gaochi lifted his head, smiled, and said, "Not yet; I'll eat after finishing this ledger."

Zhu Qiong Jiong picked up the cold mantou, shoved it into his hand and said, "Eat first; after you finish, then calculate. The sky won't fall."

Zhu Gaochi was startled for a moment, took the mantou, bit it, and chewed slowly.

Zhu Qiong Jiong crouched beside him, looking at the allied forces' Military Camp outside the city, and suddenly said, "Those people will be dealt with sooner or later."

Zhu Gaochi swallowed the mantou, whispered, "Second Uncle will handle it; Second Uncle has never lost a battle."

Zhu Qiong Jiong gave him a glance, grinned, and said, "You do have confidence in my father."

"Second Uncle has fought wars for decades, from the Northern Yuan to the Wa Country, from the South Sea to Tie Mu Er's mansion; when has he ever lost? Those outside are just post‑autumn locusts, they won't survive many days." Zhu Gaochi said earnestly.

Zhu Qiong Jiong laughed heartily, patted his shoulder and said, "Chi'er, your mouth is far stronger than your father's."

Zhu Gaochi was knocked off balance, the mantou in his hand nearly fell, but he steadied himself and kept eating.

Zhu Yong stood on the city wall, watching the scene, a slight smile tugging at his mouth.

These two youths—one can fight, the other can calculate.

In another ten years, both will be pillars of Great Ming.

April 29th, the allied forces finally showed movement.

At daybreak, the Horn Sound rose, wailing and whimpering, carrying far through the morning mist.

Zhu Yong stood on the city wall, watching the distant mass of black, oppressive troops forming ranks.

Infantry led the front, cavalry on both flanks, archers at the rear, a vast, overwhelming formation.

Today's battle, they must fight, whether they wish to or not.

"Second Prince, they're going all‑out," Zhu Di said as he walked over and stood beside him.

Zhu Yong nodded.

After a half‑month of siege, Grain and Fodder were nearly exhausted; if they didn't attack soon, they would collapse first.

"Send the order: the entire army on alert."

The Command was relayed, and the city wall instantly bustled with activity.

Longxiang Army soldiers inspected their Flintlock Guns, attached bayonets, and artillerymen adjusted the cannon barrels, aiming at the allied forces outside the city.

Zhu Qiong Jiong came running, brandishing a Wolf Fang Club, his eyes shining terrifyingly, and said, "Father, we can fight today, right?"

Zhu Yong gave him a glance and said, "We can fight; follow me, and don't stray far." Zhu Qiong Jiong nodded vigorously.

The allied forces outside began to advance.

Infantry bore long spears, stepping forward; front‑line shield‑bearers raised their shields overhead to block any arrows that might come from the city walls.

Rear‑rank archers drew their bows and nocked arrows, awaiting the Command.

Cavalry on both flanks moved slowly, hooves striking the grass with a dull thud.

A hundred thousand troops spread like a blanket over the horizon, endless to the eye.

Zhu Yong watched the mass of black troops, his expression calm.

He turned his head toward Zhu Gaochi, who stood on the inner side of the wall, and asked, "Chi'er, are you afraid?"

Zhu Gaochi clutched an Account Book in his hand, his fingers white from gripping, but his voice was steady: "Not afraid."

Zhu Yong nodded, turned, and took two drum‑pot golden hammers from the horse's back.

A 1,200‑jin hammer, he lifted in his hand, as if he were carrying two firewood sticks.

He strode down the city wall and vaulted onto his horse.

"Longxiang Army, follow this King out of the city."

The city gate swung wide.

Zhu Yong rode his horse at the front, the Double Hammers resting on the horse's back, glinting a dark‑gold hue in the morning light.

Behind him, three thousand Longxiang Army troops poured out like fish in a school, iron armor like a forest, Flintlock Guns flashing in unison toward the sky.

Zhu Qiong Jiong rode a deep‑red horse, the Wolf Fang Club slung over his shoulder, tightly following his father.

The allied forces outside the city halted their steps.

The front‑line infantry, seeing that iron‑armored army emerge from the city, had their Formation a little unsettled.

They had heard of the Longxiang Army, had heard of the Wu King who carried Double Hammers, had heard that he alone slashed through a Formation of thirty‑thousand men. Hearing it was one thing; seeing it with their own eyes was another.

Zhu Yong halted his horse, stopping at a distance of five Hundred Steps from the allied forces.

He raised the hammer in his right hand, faced the crescent flag with a black field and golden trim opposite, and shouted: "Ottomans, come out."

The voice was not loud, but its penetration was great; across five Hundred Steps, it rang through the entire battlefield.

Within the allied Formation, there was a moment of silence.

Then, under the Marshal's banner, a man emerged, riding a white horse, clad in Golden Armor, with a great beard—he was the Ottoman Sultan's brother, Murad.

After Bayezid was captured, the Ottomans promoted this Sultan's brother to be the chief commander.

Murad halted his horse, staring at the man with the hammer five Hundred Steps away, his complexion iron‑blue.

He had heard that this man had smashed open four cities—Fan City, Ankara, Bursa, and Constantinople.

His brother Bayezid was also taken by this man.

"Great Ming Wu King, you have seized our lands and captured our Sultan; today, we will settle the final account with you!" Murad's voice echoed across the battlefield.

Zhu Yong looked at him and said lightly, "The occupation—this place—was taken by you from the Byzantines; I am merely acting on behalf of Heaven."

Murad's face flushed scarlet, he drew his curved blade, pointed at Zhu Yong and said, "All forces, attack!"

One hundred thousand troops moved.

The front‑line infantry, bearing long spears, began to advance forward.

The cavalry on both wings spurred their horses into a light trot, preparing to encircle.

Archers drew their bows and nocked arrows; the Arrow fell like rain.