Chapter 388: Brotherly Friendship, Younger Brother's Respect

Early the next morning, the party continued westward.

After two days' travel, they reached a place called "Nulata".

It was a mountainous area; the hills were not high but very steep, covered with pine and cypress trees.

At the foot of the hills lay a small town of about a hundred households, its houses built of Stone and looking sturdy.

Outside the town was an orchard planting apples, pears, apricots, and grapes.

Zhu Yong halted the horse, looked at the orchard and laughed, "Brother, the grapes grown here make Wine that tastes better than the Persian one."

Zhu Biao also laughed, "We have to try it."

The party rested in the town for a while.

Zhu Yong took Zhu Biao to see the local vineyards and the Wine workshop.

The Wine workshop was small but fully equipped, with several large wooden barrels filled with fermenting grape juice.

The owner was a Turkic man in his forties, speaking Mandarin quite well.

He offered Zhu Yong and Zhu Biao a taste of the newly brewed grape Wine.

The Wine was deep red, smooth and full‑bodied on the palate, with a hint of fruit aroma.

Zhu Biao took a sip, nodded and said, "Fine Wine, even better than that brewed at the Imperial Wine workshop of Yingtian Prefecture."

The owner was so delighted he could not close his mouth, insisting on giving Zhu Biao several barrels to take back.

Zhu Yong waved his hand, "No need to give them, I'll have someone buy them later."

The owner refused, saying the prince would not take money.

Zhu Biao laughed, "Take it, that's the custom."

Only then did the owner accept the money and also gave a few bunches of fresh grapes.

A few children ate so messily that juice ran from their mouths, and even Zhu Gaochi couldn't help but eat a few more.

Leaving Nulata, the party continued west.

After another three days, they reached the edge of a great desert.

The desert was vast, endless to the eye, its dunes rolling like frozen sea waves.

Zhu Biao halted the horse, stared at the desert, and was a little dazed.

"Second brother, this is the desert?"

"Yes, the Kyzylkum Desert, locally called the Red Desert; go further west, cross the desert, and you'll reach Bukhara."

"Is there a road in the desert?"

"There is, follow the riverbed; though it detours, it's safe."

The party followed the riverbed and bypassed the desert.

After another two days, they arrived at Bukhara.

The city was slightly smaller than Samarkand but older than Samarkand.

Its walls were made of mud bricks, some sections already collapsed, yet the buildings inside were exquisite: a blue‑domed mosque, towering minarets, and a bustling bazaar.

Zhu Yong took Zhu Biao for a stroll around the city, visited several historic sites, and then toured the bazaar.

The bazaar was crowded, with stalls selling silk, carpets, spices, medicinal herbs, and various handicrafts.

A crowd gathered before a copperware stall; the vendor, an elderly man with white hair, held a small hammer, striking a copper kettle.

The kettle's body bore delicate floral patterns that glittered in the sunlight.

Zhu Xiongying liked the copper kettle and paid to buy it.

"What are you buying this for?" Zhu Biao asked.

"To take back to mother; she likes these things." Zhu Xiongying carefully wrapped the kettle.

Zhu Biao looked at the boy, a faint smile curling his mouth.

The child, he's got purpose.

After resting a day in Bukhara, the party continued west.

Three more days later, they reached an ancient city a thousand li west of Samarkand.

The city, called "Mare", was a key town on the western frontier of the Timur Empire.

Its walls were high, soldiers guarded the gates, and everyone entering or leaving was inspected.

Zhu Yong halted the horse, gazed at the city, and was suddenly moved.

Years ago, he had led the Longxiang Army here; the Ottoman garrison held the city stubbornly, and it took three days of fighting to capture it.

Now the city belonged to Great Ming.

The townsfolk lived peacefully, merchants traded incessantly, and prosperity was everywhere.

"Brother, go further west and you'll reach the Persian border," Zhu Yong said, pointing to the western sky.

Zhu Biao looked toward that direction, paused in silence, and said, "Let's go and see."

The party kept heading west.

After two days, they arrived at the Persian frontier.

The terrain here differed from that of the Timur Prefecture: more mountains, greener waters, and a more humid climate.

Along the road grew vast rose gardens in full bloom—red, pink, white—whose fragrance filled the air.

Zhu Huanhuan loved the flowers, got off the carriage, picked a few, and tucked them into her hair.

Zhu QiongJiong laughed at her vanity; she glared, and he tucked his chin and fell silent.

Zhu Biao watched the scene, his smile widening.

He suddenly felt that this journey was worthwhile.

It wasn't to see the lands his second brother had conquered, but to see whether his second brother was doing well.

Now he knows that his second brother is doing very well.

He has a virtuous wife, an understanding daughter, a brave son, a group of loyal brothers, and a realm he himself conquered.

"Brother, what are you thinking?" Zhu Yong rode forward on horseback.

Zhu Biao shook his head and said, "Nothing, just that your side is better than I imagined."

Zhu Yong laughed, "This is just the beginning; there's even better ahead."

The party continued westward.

After a few more days' travel, they arrived at a place called "Nishabur".

It is the largest city in northeastern Persia and the most important commercial hub in the western part of the Timur Empire.

The city is crowded, inhabited by Persians, Turks, Arabs, and a few blond‑eyed European merchants.

Shops line both sides of the Street, selling everything imaginable.

Zhu Yong spent a day touring the city with Zhu Biao, visiting several historic sites, and then went to the bazaar to buy many items.

Zhu Xiongying bought a Persian carpet, saying he would bring it back to lay in the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Qiong Jiong bought a Persian curved saber, its sheath inlaid with gems, exceedingly ornate.

Zhu Gaochi bought a Persian arithmetic book, saying he would study it upon returning.

Zhu Huanhuan bought a box of Persian rouge, opened it to sniff, and found the scent faintly elegant.

At dusk, Zhu Yong led Zhu Biao up a hill outside the city to overlook the whole metropolis.

The setting sun turned the entire city into a wash of golden hue.

The mosque's dome glimmered in the afterglow, and its minaret rose up into the clouds.

In the distance, one could faintly hear the imam calling believers to prayer, a long and peaceful sound.

"Brother, in a few more years, once the railway is completed, taking a train from Yingtian to here will only take a month or so," Zhu Yong said, pointing into the distance.

Zhu Biao nodded and whispered, "Then we'll bring Imperial Father and Imperial Mother to see it as well."

Zhu Yong laughed, "That would be wonderful; Imperial Mother will surely like the flowers here, and Imperial Father will surely like the wine here."

The two brothers stood side by side on the hill, gazing at the golden city.

The wind blew, carrying the scent of roses.

In the distance, Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Qiong Jiong were sparring, Zhu Huanhuan sat nearby reading, and Zhu Gaochi crouched on the ground, writing and drawing.

Zhu Biao looked at the children and suddenly said, "What a model of brotherly harmony. Second brother, the Crown Prince is not what the elder brother is most proud of; it's our brothers—Xiongying and the others—who are thriving..."

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, then said slowly, "It's all thanks to Imperial Mother and the elder brother's guidance..."

Zhu Biao turned his head to look at him.

Then, looking at the distant sky, he laughed loudly, "Hahaha… you kid, have you forgotten your sister‑in‑law and your household's Guanyin Nu, as well as your fifth younger sister? If it weren't for their teaching, Qiong Jiong and the others wouldn't think this way…"

The setting sun sank, and the last afterglow vanished on the horizon.

In the distance, lights came on one after another, and the whole city seemed especially tranquil in the twilight.

A new day is about to arrive soon.