Chapter 470: Why Won

Yingtian Prefecture, Qinhuai River Upstream.

The sun has just risen over the mountain ridge, and the mist on the river surface has not yet cleared.

Willow branches on both banks hang down to the water, swaying lightly with the waves; a few egrets pace in the shallows, occasionally dipping their long beaks into the water to snatch a small fish.

Zhu Yong sat on a large stone by the riverbank, holding a bamboo rod in his hand, its tip hanging over the water, the float motionless.

He had already been sitting for half an hour.

"Father, why aren't the fish biting?" Zhu Qiong Jiong squatted beside him, also holding a bamboo rod, but his eyes never looked at the float, staring instead at the occasional fish shadows swimming beneath the surface.

The fourteen‑year‑old boy was sun‑tanned dark, wearing a half‑worn blue shirt, a short dagger strapped to his waist.

The Wolf Fang Club leaned against the willow behind him, its head polished to a shine.

After returning from Europe, the boy grew restless within a few days, unable to sit still, clamoring every day for something to do.

Yesterday Zhu Yong said he would go fishing, so he got up early and didn't even bother with breakfast.

"Why the hurry? The fish don't owe you any money," Zhu Yong said without turning his head.

Zhu Qiong Jiong pursed his lips and kept staring at the water.

After a moment, he couldn't help but speak again: "Father, you mentioned those Europeans—might they cause trouble while you're away?"

"No. Your Fifth Uncle is watching over there, and Brother Mu Ying is also present; no trouble will arise," Zhu Yong said calmly.

Zhu Qiong Jiong nodded and asked, "What about America? Can Grandfather Chang handle it?"

"He can. Your Grandfather Chang has fought wars all his life; how could he lose to those natives who don't even have metal tools?"

Zhu Qiong Jiong said no more.

Footsteps sounded from afar.

Zhu Huanhuan came over carrying a food box, dressed in a goose‑yellow summer dress, her hair braided and hanging behind her, walking quietly to her father's side and placing the box on the stone.

"Father, Mother asked me to bring this, saying you didn't eat much this morning."

Zhu Yong took the food box and opened it…

Inside were several pieces of pastry, a pot of tea, and a small dish of pickled vegetables.

He picked up a pastry, took a bite, and nodded, "Your mother's cooking is still excellent. Have you all eaten?"

"We have. Mother said to wait until you catch fish, then make fish soup for lunch," Zhu Huanhuan sat on the stone beside him, pulling a book from her sleeve and leafing through it.

Zhu Huanhuan is nineteen this year, graceful and poised, her features like Guanyin Nu, her temperament likewise—quiet and restrained.

In the past two years, suitors have knocked on the doors of Wu Wang Fu, yet Zhu Yong rejected them all, saying he would consider it after the war.

Now the war is over, this matter should be put on the schedule.

Zhu Yong glanced at his daughter.

The child, like her mother, hides everything inside.

"Huan Huan, how is your mother's health lately?"

"She's fine, just can't sleep soundly at night, saying she dreamed of you fighting in Europe and woke up frightened," Zhu Huanhuan set the book down and said softly.

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said, "Go tell your mother the war is over; there will be no more fighting."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and continued reading.

The float on the river surface suddenly sank.

Zhu Yong's wrist twitched, the bamboo rod bending into a bow shape, and a large fish beneath the surface thrashed desperately, making the line hum.

"Father, a fish! A big fish!" Zhu Qiong Jiong dropped his own rod, leapt up and shouted.

Zhu Yong calmly reeled in; the fish darted left and right in the water but could not break free.

After a while, the fish grew tired and was dragged to the shore.

Zhu Qiong Jiong's eyes were sharp and his hand quick; he seized the fish's gills and lifted it.

It was a large crucian carp, at least three jin heavy, its silvery scales flashing in the sun, its tail slapping with a "pa‑pa" sound.

"Father, it's huge!"

Zhu Yong glanced, nodded, and said, "Enough for a pot of soup. Put it in the bucket and keep fishing."

Zhu Qiong Jiong placed the fish into the wooden bucket, squatted back to his spot, and stared at the water with renewed enthusiasm.

After another while, the float moved again.

This time it was Zhu Qiong Jiong's rod; he gave a sudden lift, and a half‑jin small crucian carp shot out of the water, tracing a silver flash in the air before plopping onto the grass.

"I caught it! I caught it!" Zhu Qiong Jiong leapt up, grabbed the fish, and held it up before his father.

Zhu Yong gave his son a glance, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, saying nothing.

By noon, the bucket already contained five or six fish— the larger ones over three jin, the smaller about half a jin.

Zhu Yong stood up, stretched his limbs, and put away the bamboo rod.

"Let's go, back to simmer the fish soup."

The father and son packed up their things and walked back along the riverbank.

Zhu Huanhuan trailed behind with the food box, while Zhu Qiong Jiong led with the wooden bucket, constantly glancing back at the fish inside for fear they might escape.

Back at Wu Wang Fu, Guanyin Nu stood at the doorway waiting, dressed in a light‑blue summer dress, a silver hairpin on her head, a smile on her face.

"You're back. How many did you catch?"

"Five or six, enough for the soup," Zhu Yong took the bucket and handed it to the chef nearby.

Guanyin Nu came over, straightened his collar that the river wind had twisted, and whispered, "Someone from the palace has arrived, saying you're to go to the palace this afternoon; Imperial Father has matters to discuss with you."

Zhu Yong's brows twitched slightly.

He had been back for almost half a month; he had met everyone he needed to, bowed where required, and said all that needed saying.

Father calling him to the palace now surely means there's business.

"What matter did they say?"

He said nothing, only told you to go.

Zhu Yong nodded, went inside to change clothes, and rode a horse toward the Imperial City.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting behind the imperial desk, reviewing a memorandum.

Seeing Zhu Yong come in, he set down his brush, pointed to the chair beside him and said, "Sit, Biao will be here in a moment."

Zhu Yong sat down, took the tea handed over by the eunuch, and took a sip.

Zhu Yuanzhang leaned back in his chair, glanced at him, and suddenly laughed, "Yong Er, in the days since you returned, we've noticed you've gotten a bit plump."

"Mother makes delicious food every day; how could I not get fat?"

Zhu Yuanzhang hummed, "Your mother dotes on you; if we want to eat her dishes, we have to ask a day in advance."

Zhu Yong smiled faintly and said nothing.

Footsteps sounded from outside the hall, and Zhu Biao strode in, dressed in a moon‑white ordinary robe, a smile on his face.

"Second brother has arrived?"

"Elder brother." Zhu Yong stood up.

Zhu Biao waved his hand, signaling him to sit, took his own seat on the adjacent chair, accepted the tea from the eunuch, took a sip, and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Imperial Father, what business do you have with us?"

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up a memorandum from the table, handed it to Zhu Biao, and said, "Take a look at this."

Zhu Biao took it and unfolded it.

Zhu Yong leaned over to glance at it.

The memorandum was written by the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate; its contents spanned several pages, but the core point was singular.

Wu King Zhu Yong, whose achievements shake the throne, wields massive forces and is overly close to the Crown Prince; fearing disloyal intent, he urges His Majesty to prepare early.

Zhu Yong finished reading, a slight smile tugging at his mouth.

This isn't the first one.

Since the day he returned to the capital, impeachment memoranda against him have never ceased.

They say everything: some claim he hoards troops for his own prestige, some allege collusion with frontier generals, some accuse him of secretly stockpiling European gold and silver, and some argue his fief is too vast, his Military Authority too great, posing a threat to the court.