Chapter 52: Drinking Wine

In Lanzhou City's May, the wind carried the scent of sand and earth.

The Ming army's Military Camp was set up outside the city, with tents stretching for miles like clusters of white mushrooms.

Since the great victory at Shen'er Valley, Xu Da had led his troops back to Lanzhou for rest, for more than half a month.

That afternoon, Zhu Yong squatted outside his own tent, using a coarse cloth to wipe the pair of drum‑pot golden hammers.

The blood stains on the hammer heads had long been washed clean, but the tiny scratches from battlefield collisions could not be erased.

He didn't mind; he simply cleaned meticulously, even untying the cloth strips on the hammer handles and re‑wrapping them tightly.

Guanyin Nu stepped out of the neighboring tent, saw his state, and walked over.

"Prince, you're polishing the hammers again?"

Zhu Yong looked up and laughed innocently, "Hmm, if I'm idle, I'm idle."

Guanyin Nu sat beside him, watching the pair of fearsome giant hammers.

She had already seen these hammers' power on the battlefield, yet now, lying quietly in Zhu Yong's hands, they seemed plain and unadorned.

"How heavy are these hammers?" she asked.

"Each is six hundred jin," Zhu Yong answered honestly.

Guanyin Nu clicked her tongue.

Her Elder Brother Kuokuo's Long Sword was only thirty jin, already a famed heavy weapon in the army.

These two hammers, I'm afraid no one across the entire Grassland could wield a second pair.

"Have you been this strong since childhood?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "No, back when I was in the village, I was a bit stronger than others, but not as powerful as now.

It seems… since last year, my strength has grown day by day."

He couldn't speak of the system, so he brushed it off vaguely.

Guanyin Nu believed him, nodded and said, "My Elder Brother once said some people are born for the battlefield; you are that kind of person."

Zhu Yong scratched his head, smiled, and continued polishing the hammers.

The two sat like that, silent for a while.

From afar came the sound of hooves; a cavalry unit galloped out of the city, led by Chang Yuchun.

Chang Yuchun saw Zhu Yong, reined his horse forward, grinned and said, "Prince, still polishing your prized hammers? Come, let's go into the city for Wine!"

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "Uncle Chang, Xu Shu said drinking is prohibited in the army."

"Now's the time to rest! Besides, we'll only have two bowls, just to warm ourselves. Wang Gui bought some fine meat in the city, roasted so it sizzles, oil spattering; you'd regret missing it!"

Chang Yuchun leapt from his horse, patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said.

Zhu Yong's eyes lit up at the mention of meat.

Guanyin Nu, seeing this, whispered, "Go ahead, staying in the camp all day gets boring."

Only then did Chang Yuchun notice her, clasped his fists and said, "Miss Minmin, come along too. Rest assured, we're all comrades; there aren't that many rules."

Guanyin Nu hesitated a moment, then nodded in agreement.

The three rode into the city.

Lanzhou City, scarred by war, had a somewhat desolate market, yet a few Wine houses and tea shops remained open.

Chang Yuchun led them into an unassuming little shop, whose back courtyard held a hidden charm.

Wang Gui had already lit a fire in the courtyard; on the grill were two plump lambs, oil dripping onto the coals, crackle.

Lan Yu was also there, cradling a wine jar and pouring wine. Seeing Zhu Yong arrive, she laughed, "Prince, you finally came; if you'd lingered any longer, my brother‑in‑law would have eaten all the meat!"

"Nonsense! I've only had one piece! Delicious!" Chang Yuchun muttered as he sat down, grabbed a wine bowl, gulped a large mouthful, and exhaled a breath of hot air.

Zhu Yong sat beside the Fire Pit, and Wang Gui handed him a large, char‑golden lamb leg.

"Prince, eat it while it's hot,"

Zhu Yong didn't hesitate, took it and bit in.

Guanyin Nu sat beside him, taking small bites of the lamb pieces Wang Gui had specially cut for her, her gaze drifting over everyone's faces.

These Ming army generals were like wolves and tigers on the battlefield, yet in private they joked and fought like ordinary brothers.

Chang Yuchun was boisterous, Lan Yu was carefree, Wang Gui was simple‑hearted, and even the goofy Prince Wu was at this moment eating with oil dribbling from his mouth, completely unpretentious.

She recalled the tribal leaders on the Grassland, whose ranks were strictly hierarchical.

She felt a bit dazed.

"Miss Minmin, have some meat, don't be shy!" Chang Yuchun called out, noticing her daze.

Guanyin Nu snapped back, nodded and said, "Thank you, General."

"Thank what! Your Elder Brother is now one of Great Ming's people; from now on we're family. When we return to Yingtian, the Emperor will surely grant him a post, maybe even let him command troops!" Chang Yuchun waved his hand and said.

Those words stirred something in Guanyin Nu's heart.

Since her Elder Brother's surrender, she had feared whether Great Ming would truly accept them.

Now hearing Chang Yuchun say that, it seemed the court held no resentment.

Lan Yu continued, "General Kuokuo is a talent; the Emperor values talent and won't mistreat him, just as the Prince said—dying would be a loss, but living to serve Great Ming is the right path."

Zhu Yong was chewing the lamb leg, nodded at the words, and vaguely said, "Hmm, Xu Shu says the same."

The group was eating when another person entered from the doorway.

It was Mu Ying.

"Great, you're snacking here and didn't call me!" Mu Ying laughed as she walked over, poured wine into her own bowl, and sat beside Zhu Yong.

"Prince, could you share a piece of meat with me?"

Zhu Yong generously tore off half a lamb leg and gave it to her.

Mu Ying took it, bit into it, and praised, "Wang Gui's skill is impressive!"

Wang Gui chuckled, "General Mu, you overpraise me."

Mu Ying, while eating, said, "I just came from Xu Marshal, and there is news from Yingtian."

Everyone instantly stopped what they were doing.

"What news?" Chang Yuchun asked.

The battle report arrived at Yingtian, His Majesty was greatly pleased and issued an edict granting rewards: Xu Marshal was promoted to Duke of Wei, General Chang was promoted to Duke of E, General Li was promoted to Duke of Cao, and I also share the glory, being made Marquis of Xiping.

"As for the Prince, there is nothing worthy of a reward for him; he is hopeless. His Majesty told the Prince to go ask the Crown Prince for whatever he wants…"

Chang Yuchun grinned, "We are all family; the Prince has nothing to claim either."

The main reason is that Zhu Yong has just traced his lineage and been enfeoffed as King of Wu, and the imperial treasury is not affluent, so they said he should go ask his elder brother for it.

Zhu Yong nodded innocently.

Mu Ying continued, "Also the Mongolian General, His Majesty conferred upon him the title of Marquis of Guiyi, granted him the rank of Acting Commander, temporarily retained him in the army for use, and will arrange further after he returns to the capital."

Guanyin Nu heard this and her hanging heart finally settled.

Her elder brother not only saved his life, but also retained his official rank and title; this is already the best outcome.

Mu Ying glanced at her and added, "Miss Minmin also has arrangements; His Majesty said that since Miss Minmin is the Kuokuo General's sister, she should be properly settled."

Xu Marshal's intention is to have the lady return to the capital with the army, to be placed under the care of the Empress.

Guanyin Nu's hand trembled, and a few drops of wine spilled from the bowl.

Return to the capital… handed over to Empress Ma for care…

She understood the meaning behind those words.

What is called care is actually house arrest, a hostage to restrain her elder brother.

But now, is there any choice left?

Zhu Yong suddenly said, "My lady is fine, rest assured."

The words were incoherent, yet they warmed Guanyin Nu's heart.

She looked up at Zhu Yong and saw him seriously gnawing on a leg of lamb, as if his earlier remark had been offhand.

Yet in those simple, sincere eyes was a reassuring sincerity.

"Hmm, I trust the Prince," she said softly.

Chang Yuchun laughed heartily, "That's right, the Empress is most benevolent; Miss Minmin will go, and she certainly won't be mistreated. Come, come, drink wine!"

Everyone raised their bowls.