Chapter 41: Before the War

In the third year of Hongwu, at the start of spring, Chang Yuchun is to go to Beiping to train troops, and next may have to fight Kuokuo Tiemuer.

Just then, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and said, "Yong Er, we may have to fight Kuokuo at the start of spring; are you ready?"

"Not only to charge, this time you'll lead a unit; you learned a lot from Li Wenzhong, it's time for real combat practice."

"Yes," Zhu Yong replied.

Zhu Di, standing nearby, heard excitedly, "Father, I also want to go!"

"What would you do there? Your hair hasn't even grown fully! Study and train in martial arts; we'll talk when you grow up," Zhu Yuanzhang said, glaring.

Zhu Di muttered, "Second Prince went into battle at fourteen…"

"You can compare to your Second Prince; he is a born general type. What are you… first memorize The Art of War!" Zhu Yuanzhang scolded with a smile.

Zhu Di fell silent, but his gaze toward Zhu Yong became even more admiring.

Empress Ma looked at the whole room of sons, feeling satisfied.

She suddenly recalled something and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Zhong Ba, about the map…"

Zhu Yuanzhang understood and told the children, "You go out to play first; I will speak with your elder brothers, the Second Prince."

Zhu Shuang and a few others, though reluctant, obeyed and went out.

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying also withdrew, leaving only Zhu Yuanzhang's four‑member family in Kunning Palace.

"How is the map copying going?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Biao.

"Three copies are already finished: one stored in Wenhua Hall, one in Wu Ying Hall, the original is with the second brother; people from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue saw the copies and were shocked, especially at the markings of American silver and Australian ranches…"

Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Yuanzhang mused, "We cannot rush this; Great Ming has only been founded three years, Northern Yuan is not yet defeated, the country has a hundred pending tasks, navigation, expansion… must proceed step by step."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Your son understands, but some matters can be prepared early, such as shipbuilding, training the navy…"

"You handle these arrangements, Biao‑er; you are meticulous and thorough. Yong Er, assist your elder brother; speak up if you have any ideas," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

Zhu Yong said naively, "I don't understand these, but I know that to go to sea you need sturdy ships and powerful Huogi; I can help my elder brother train troops."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, "Right, you will help your elder brother train troops, Huogi, navy; put effort into these. After we finish the fight with Kuokuo, we'll start preparations."

"Father! The treasury's silver should be insufficient…" Zhu Biao said with some worry.

"No rush; first handle the immediate matters. The Kuokuo campaign must be won; once Northern Yuan is completely defeated, we can free our hands for other tasks," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

The four of them chatted a while longer; Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao went to Wu Ying Hall for a meeting, and Zhu Yong also prepared to take his leave.

Before leaving, Empress Ma called him and said, "Yong Er, take Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying back, treat them well; they are children of hard fate, being with you is their blessing, and also yours."

"I understand," Zhu Yong nodded.

After leaving Kunning Palace, Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying were already waiting outside.

Seeing Zhu Yong emerge, the two bowed together and said, "Prince."

"Let's go back to the residence," Zhu Yong said.

On the way back, Xiao Ying, being lively, couldn't help asking, "Prince, what will we do after we return to the residence?"

Zhu Yong thought and said, "Do whatever needs to be done. You… what you used to do in the palace, what you still do now."

Xiao Zhu whispered, "Prince, Empress Ma has tasked us to attend to your daily life; from now on your clothing, meals, and residence will be managed by us."

"Oh," Zhu Yong replied, still feeling a bit uneasy inside.

Arriving at Wu Wang Fu, Hu Bo greeted them, and upon seeing Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying, laughed, "Prince, these two are the maids gifted by Empress Ma, right? I have already arranged lodging for them, in the side rooms next to your courtyard."

Zhu Yong nodded and said to the two girls, "First go with Hu Bo to settle in; if anything… we'll discuss later."

Xiao Zhu and Xiao Ying followed Hu Bo.

Zhang Wu whispered nearby, "Prince, don't feel uneasy; which prince in the palace doesn't have a personal maid? It's the rule."

"I know, it's just… I'm not used to it," Zhu Yong scratched his head.

Chen Heng laughed, "You'll get used to it slowly, Prince; these two girls seem quite proper, they were carefully selected by Empress Ma, rest assured."

Zhu Yong said no more and walked toward the back courtyard.

Just as he reached the study doorway, he heard Zhu Di's voice from inside, "Second Prince! Second Prince!"

Zhu Yong pushed the door open and saw Zhu Di sitting at his desk, flipping through his military books.

"What brings you here?" Zhu Yong asked.

Zhu Di did not answer Zhu Yong's question; instead he asked, "Second Prince, at the start of spring we fight Kuokuo; are you really going to lead troops?"

"Hmm."

"How many?"

"I don't know; Father hasn't decided."

Zhu Di envied, "How nice… I also want to go."

Zhu Yong looked at him, recalling his memories of a past life where Zhu Di later became the Yongle Emperor, waged five campaigns against the Mongols, and made seven voyages to the West.

Now, he seemed just a little brat who idolizes his older brother.

"Train hard in martial arts and study; there will be plenty of opportunities later," Zhu Yong said.

"Then Second Prince, teach me to wield the hammer!" Zhu Di exclaimed excitedly.

Zhu Yong shook his head, "You can't lift my hammer. We'll talk about it when you grow up."

Zhu Di was a bit disappointed, but quickly perked up, "Then Second Prince, teach me horseback archery! You can teach that, right?"

Zhu Yong thought, "Alright, when I have time I'll teach you."

Just then, Hu Bo reported from outside, "Prince, General Chang and General Lan have arrived."

Zhu Yong stood up and said, "Please have them come to the front hall."

He also said to Zhu Di, "You go back first; don't let Father know you slipped out."

"Oh…" Zhu Di left reluctantly.

Zhu Yong went to the Qian Ting, pondering that Chang Yuchun and Lan Yu were coming at this time, probably to discuss the spring campaign.

Sure enough, when he arrived at the Qian Ting, Chang Yuchun, seeing him, said seriously, "Prince, this Northern Campaign may be hard to fight; that kid Kuokuo is hiding in Mobei like a mouse, always evading, but we must attack. If we don't subdue him, the north will never have peace."

The Emperor's intention is to have me and Xu Da each take a route; Prince, you… might follow my route, leading a lone detachment on your own.

Zhu Yong's eyes brightened: "I lead troops myself?"

"Yes."

Chang Yuchun said: "Five thousand men, two thousand cavalry, three thousand infantry. Prince, this is your first time independently commanding troops; you must show your might."

Zhu Yong nodded heavily: "I will definitely fight well."

Chang Yuchun patted his shoulder: "Prince, we trust you; at Kaiping City below and outside Helin City you have already proven yourself. This time, let Kuokuo also taste your hammer!"

The three discussed some more details, and then Chang Yuchun and Lan Yu took their leave.

After seeing them off, Zhu Yong returned to the study, looked at the map hanging on the wall, and calculated in his mind.

In this spring battle, he must prove that he can not only charge in, but also lead troops.

And farther into the future…

He looked at the vast ocean on the map.

One day, Great Ming's fleet will sail there.

But for now, first win the battle before us.