Chapter 507: New Reward

In the twenty‑sixth year of Hongwu, Spring Festival.

The firecrackers of Yingtian Prefecture sounded from midnight until daybreak, and the fireworks along both banks of the Qinhuai River made the whole river flicker between bright and dim.

Zhu Yong stood in the courtyard of Wu Wang Fu, gazing at the sky full of fireworks, when the familiar voice in his mind sounded right on time.

"Ding… The twenty‑sixth year of Hongwu sign‑in is now open, would you like to claim the reward?"

"Claim."

"Congratulations, host, you have obtained: the Great White Pig Breeding Method (including hybridization techniques between native black pigs and Western white pigs, feed ratios, and a complete disease‑prevention plan)."

In an instant, a flood of information surged into his mind.

Breeding stock selection, artificial insemination, feed ratios, pen design, disease control—a complete hybrid pig farming system, crystal clear.

A faint smile tugged at Zhu Yong's mouth.

Hybrid pig.

The sign‑in in the nineteenth year of Hongwu offered a hybrid pig farming method, which mainly targeted improvement of native pig breeds; after years of promotion, pork output doubled, and the common folk finally saw meat on their tables.

This time it is the Great White Pig, a cross between Western white pigs and native black pigs; the meat yield can increase by another fifty percent, they grow quickly, and can be ready for pen in half a year.

He turned and walked back into the house.

Guanyin Nu was already up, combing her hair.

"Prince, has the White-bearded Old Man given something again?"

"Yes, the Great White Pig Breeding Method, pork output can rise another fifty percent."

Guanyin Nu smiled: "Then the common folk can eat more meat again."

"Yes."

The twenty‑sixth year of Hongwu passed just like that.

Zhu Yong sent the blueprint of the Great White Pig Breeding Method to the Ministry of Works, asking Lin Yuan to assign people to test it.

Lin Yuan had already been promoted from Assistant Minister to Minister, and Song Li, having retired, was returning home; as he left, he clasped Zhu Yong's hand and said.

"Prince, for me to have followed you in this life is worth it,".

Zhu Yong saw him off, watching the carriage disappear at the end of the official road.

In the twenty‑seventh year of Hongwu, Spring Festival.

Snow fell heavily in Yingtian Prefecture, leaving a thick layer in the courtyard.

Zhu Yong stood under the corridor, reached out to catch a snowflake, and watched it melt in his palm.

"Ding… The twenty‑seventh year of Hongwu sign‑in is now open, would you like to claim the reward?"

"Claim."

"Congratulations, host, you have obtained: the Past and Present of Aircraft plus various aircraft manufacturing blueprints (including engine principles, airframe structures, propeller designs, and a complete set of aviation instrument technologies)."

In an instant, information poured in from all directions into his mind.

Fighter jets, transport planes, agricultural aircraft, rescue planes—each blueprint was drawn with crystal clarity.

The engine principles, airframe structures, propeller designs, and aviation instrument fabrication methods formed a whole set of aviation technology from nothing, so complete it seemed as if it had been brought directly from a later era.

Zhu Yong closed his eyes, standing there motionless.

Snow fell on his shoulders and his hair, quickly forming a layer.

"Prince, what's wrong?" Guanyin Nu stepped out of the house, saw him standing in the corridor dazed, and reached out to brush the snow from his shoulder.

Zhu Yong opened his eyes and grasped her hand.

"The White-bearded Old Man gave something extraordinary."

"What…"

"Aircraft… something that can fly into the sky."

Guanyin Nu was momentarily stunned, looked up at the sky.

The sky was hazy gray, snow still falling, nothing could be seen.

"Fly into the sky, higher than birds?"

"Much higher than birds; from Yingtian to Beiping, it takes just one shi (two hours)."

Guanyin Nu looked at him, was silent for a moment, then smiled.

"Prince, you are talking nonsense again."

Zhu Yong gave no explanation, turned and walked into the study.

He pulled the blueprints from the system backpack, a thick stack that covered the entire table.

From the earliest simple aircraft to the most advanced jet fighters, each blueprint listed detailed dimensions and material specifications.

The engine blueprints were the most complex; the machining tolerances for cylinders, pistons, and crankshafts alone were an order of magnitude higher than those for internal‑combustion engines.

The airframe must use aluminum alloy, but Great Ming's current aluminum‑refining technology is not yet mature, so the material issue must be solved first.

The propeller's wood must meet high standards; they need a hardwood that is both strong and lightweight.

He studied them all morning, and only set the blueprints aside when Guanyin Nu came to call him to eat.

In the twenty‑seventh year of Hongwu, March.

Yingtian Prefecture, Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the imperial throne, dressed in a dark red formal robe, looking full of vigor.

Since taking the Strong Body Pill, his body is better than it was ten years ago; his waist isn't sore, his legs don't ache, and he walks with a spring in his step.

Inside the hall stood the Civil and Military Officials; the generals wore court robes, the civil officials wore official gowns, standing in a solemn formation.

"Esteemed ministers, at today's morning court we have an announcement to make."

The hall fell silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally resting on Zhu Xiongying, who stood at the front of the generals' ranks.

"Imperial grandson Zhu Xiongying, hear the edict."

Zhu Xiongying steps forward and kneels in the center of the hall.

"Imperial grandson Zhu Xiongying, twenty years old, proficient in civil and military affairs, fit for great responsibilities; now Africa is not pacified, appoint Xiong Ying as Supreme Commander, to lead an army of one hundred thousand to campaign in Africa."

He paused briefly, then said: "Left General Zhu Gaochi, Right General Zhu Shangbing, Middle General Zhu Qiongjiong, Vanguard Zhu Jixi, Vice General Li Jinglong and Zhu Gaoxu, accompany the army on the expedition."

A murmur of discussion rose within the hall.

Africa, that continent marked on the map as "Unknown Land", is larger than Europe and more mysterious than America.

"Grandson, I receive the edict," Zhu Xiongying's voice was steady and powerful.

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked toward Zhu Gaochi, who stood in the civil officials' line, dressed in moon‑white official robes, plump and pale, with a gentle smile on his face.

"Left General Zhu Gaochi, hear the edict."

Zhu Gaochi steps forward and kneels beside Zhu Xiongying.

"Here I am."

"You will accompany the army, responsible for Grain and Fodder logistics and armament allocation."

"I receive the edict."

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked toward Zhu Shangbing, who stood among the military officers; the eighteen‑year‑old youth wore newly made court robes, stood upright, his brows bearing a hint of Zhu Shuang, yet far steadier than Zhu Shuang.

"Right General Zhu Shangbing, hear the edict."

Zhu Shangbing steps forward and kneels beside Zhu Gaochi.

"Here I am."

"You will accompany the army, in charge of the left‑flank forces."

"I receive the edict."

Zhu Yuanzhang then turned his gaze to Zhu Qiongjiong, who stood at the rear of the military officers' line.

The twenty‑one‑year‑old youth wore dark‑colored battle attire, a short sword at his waist, exuding a chilling aura. He did not wear court robes, standing among the robed officers, strikingly conspicuous.

Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a glance, his mouth curling slightly.

"Middle General Zhu Qiongjiong, hear the edict."

Zhu Qiongjiong steps forward, strides to the hall's center, and kneels on one knee.

"Here I am."

His voice was soft, yet everyone in the hall heard it clearly.

"You will accompany the army, responsible for the Vanguard."

"I receive the edict."

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked at Zhu Jixi, Li Jinglong, and Zhu Gaoxu standing in the officers' line, reciting the orders to each.

"All generals, heed the command: in three days gather at the Yingtian Prefecture pier and set out for Africa."

"Yes!"

The generals answered in unison.

The morning court adjourned.

Hundred officials streamed out of Fengtian Hall like fish‑in‑a‑line, grouping in small clusters to whisper among themselves.

"The imperial grandson as Supreme Commander, this battle is no small matter."

"They say Africa is larger than Europe, with more nations, hard to fight."

"With the son of the King of Zhen Guo present, what's there to fear? Zhu Qiongjiong that kid, how many did he kill in Europe? You know that already."

"Indeed…"

Zhu Xiongying walked out of Fengtian Hall, sunlight bathing him.

The twenty‑two‑year‑old imperial grandson wore silver‑white armor, stood upright, his brows hinting at Zhu Biao, yet his gaze resembled Chang Wan, gentle yet resolute.

"Big brother…" Zhu Qiongjiong's voice came from behind.

Zhu Xiongying turned, and saw Zhu Qiongjiong stride toward him.

The robust youth, sun‑tanned dark, muscles bulging on his arms, walked with a breeze at his heels.

Today he wore dark battle attire, a short sword at his waist, and no armor.

"Qiongjiong, you still refuse armor?" Zhu Xiongying asked.

"Why wear that thing? It gets in the way," Zhu Qiongjiong grinned.

Zhu Xiongying shook his head, saying nothing more.

He recalled his second uncle fighting without armor, hefting two great hammers and charging forward.

Zhu Qiongjiong shares his father's temperament.

Zhu Gaochi came up from behind, dressed in moon‑white official robes, plump and pale, smiling.

"Big brother, Brother Qiongjiong, why are you both moving so fast?"

"Gaochi, you are in charge of Grain and Fodder logistics, the pressure is great," Zhu Xiongying patted his shoulder.

Zhu Gaochi laughed: "Brother, rest assured, the Grain and Fodder matters are on me; the army will not starve."

Zhu Shangbing came up from behind, the sixteen‑year‑old youth wearing newly made armor, standing upright, his brows bearing a hint of Zhu Shuang.

"Brother, my father said let me fight beside you properly, don't bring him disgrace."

Zhu Xiongying laughed: "Third Uncle fought many battles in Australia; you have learned from him for so long, you'll manage fine."

The few of them chatted and laughed, walking toward the palace gate.