Chapter 56: Anger

Hongwu Third Year, May 18, Yingtian Prefecture.

Dawn was just brightening, and outside the city, Shi Li Ting was already packed with people.

Zhu Biao, dressed in bright yellow Crown Prince's regular attire, stood in front of the pavilion.

Behind him were officials of the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War, and several hundred Imperial Guard troops in formation.

In the distance, dust billowed.

War flags appeared first, followed by a mass of dark horsemen.

Xu Da rode at the forefront, with the main Ming forces behind.

Further back was the Northern Yuan Surrendered Army, numbering about two to three thousand; its formation was less orderly than the Ming troops but still fairly organized.

Zhu Yong rode beside Xu Da, clad in silver armor that glittered in the morning light.

"Stop!"

Xu Da halted his horse, and the army stopped a hundred steps away.

Xu Da dismounted and led the generals forward.

"I, the junior general Xu Da, lead the western expedition troops back to the capital, and bow before the Prince!" Xu Da knelt on one knee.

Behind him, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, Mu Ying, Lan Yu and Zhu Yong and other commanders dismounted together and paid their respects.

"We, the junior generals, bow before the Prince!"

Zhu Biao hurried forward, helped Xu Da up and said, "Xu Shu, please rise, and all the generals, please rise!"

His gaze swept over the generals and finally rested on Zhu Yong.

Having not seen him for two months, this younger brother seemed a bit more robust, his face showing a hint of wind‑blown frost, yet his eyes remained simple and sincere.

"Second brother," Zhu Biao whispered.

"Elder brother," Zhu Yong grinned.

Zhu Biao patted his shoulder, then turned to Xu Da and said, "Xu Shu, you have endured a long journey; Father Emperor is waiting in Fengtian Hall, please, generals, follow me into the city."

"Thank you, Prince!"

The main army set out again, the surrendered troops were assigned to a temporary camp outside the city, and Xu Da and the other senior commanders entered the city with Zhu Biao.

Inside Yingtian Prefecture, the streets were packed with civilians on both sides.

"Look, that's General Xu!"

"General Chang! General Chang!"

"Prince Wu, that's Prince Wu!"

The crowd clamored, with cheers never ceasing.

Zhu Yong, still on his horse, looked at the enthusiastic crowds on both sides and shyly scratched his head.

Chang Yuchun came over laughing, "Your Highness, the people are welcoming us!"

"I know, it's just... I'm not used to it," Zhu Yong said naively.

"You'll get used to it later," Chang Yuchun laughed heartily.

The procession reached outside Cheng Tian Men, and everyone dismounted.

In front of Fengtian Hall, the civil and military officials lined up.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood on the red steps before the hall, wearing a dragon robe, his expression solemn.

"I, the minister Xu Da, lead the western expedition troops in triumphant return, and bow before His Majesty!" Xu Da led the generals in kneeling.

"Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years!"

Zhu Yuanzhang descended the red steps, personally helped Xu Da up and said, "Tiande, you have worked hard."

"I serve Your Majesty, I dare not speak of hardship," Xu Da replied respectfully.

Zhu Yuanzhang helped Chang Yuchun up and said, "Bo Ren, you have again achieved great merit this time."

Chang Yuchun grinned, "Your Majesty, it is all the soldiers risking their lives, especially Prince Wu; the battle at Shen'er Valley was the first great achievement!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong hurriedly said, "Father, I was just following Xu Shu's and General Chang's orders."

A hint of amusement flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, but his face remained serious as he said, "Everyone, rise, and enter the hall to speak."

"Announce... Northern Yuan Surrendered General Kuokuo Tie Mu Er requests an audience!"

Outside the hall, Wang Baobao took a deep breath and adjusted his attire.

Guanyin Nu, beside him, whispered, "Elder Brother, be careful."

"Hmm," Wang Baobao nodded and stepped into the hall.

Inside Fengtian Hall, the civil and military officials were arranged on both sides.

Wang Baobao walked to the center of the hall, knelt on one knee and said, "Northern Yuan Surrendered General Kuokuo Tie Mu Er, I bow before the Great Ming Emperor."

His voice was resonant, neither servile nor overbearing.

Zhu Yuanzhang examined him, and after a long pause said, "Kuokuo, you have been an enemy of Great Ming for many years; why surrender today?"

Wang Baobao raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have previously served different lords; now the Northern Yuan's fate is exhausted, Your Majesty's Mandate has returned, I wish to submit to the bright lord and serve Your Majesty."

"Sounds flattering," a voice called from the civil officials' ranks.

Everyone looked, and it was Imperial Censor-in-Chief Chen Ning.

Chen Ning stepped forward, clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, Kuokuo Tie Mu Er is a famed Northern Yuan general, has fought Great Ming for many years, causing countless casualties among our troops and civilians; although he surrenders today, it may not be a genuine gesture. I think he should be strictly supervised and not trusted lightly."

Another civil official stepped forward and said, "Lord Chen's words are spot‑on; Kuokuo is fickle, today he surrenders to Ming, tomorrow we cannot guarantee he won't rebel. In my view, his military authority should be stripped and he should be placed under soft confinement in the capital."

Wang Baobao's expression remained unchanged, but his hand tightened.

Guanyin Nu, listening outside the hall, felt his heart rise to his throat.

Guanyin Nu was listening outside the hall, and their heart rose to their throat.

Zhu Biao slightly frowned, about to speak, but a simple, hearty voice rang out:

"You are talking nonsense!"

The crowd looked, and it was Zhu Yong.

He glared at those civil officials, loudly saying: "Wang Baobao is sincerely surrendering; during these days in the army, he has been helping settle the surrendered troops, with no ulterior motives.

You haven't seen it, how can you speak recklessly?"

Chen Ning clasped his hands and said: "Prince Wu, you are still young, unaware of how treacherous human hearts are..."

"I don't understand all those twists and turns, but I know that once you promise something you must fulfill it! Xu Shu and General Chang both said it, Wang Baobao is a man, having surrendered, he should be treated with sincerity!" Zhu Yong interrupted him, saying.

Another civil official said: "Prince, this is a matter of state and military, not child's play..."

"I am not playing child's games!" Zhu Yong's voice grew louder.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, only watching.

Chen Ning, seeing the Emperor silent, grew bolder and said: "Prince, surrendered generals are still surrendered generals, we must not be careless; I suggest dispersing Kuokuo and his troops for separate placement, with strict surveillance..."

"You!"

Zhu Yong became angry.

He had promised Guanyin Nu that he would protect her elder brother.

Now these civil officials are being obstinate, he cannot tolerate it.

"Bang!"

Zhu Yong stepped forward with a foot.

The golden brick floor of Fengtian Hall was cracked and splintered by his single step!

"You all say another sentence and try it!" Zhu Yong glared, his hand forming a fist.

The hall fell silent.

Those civil officials were frightened and stepped back two paces.

Xu Da... Chang Yuchun and others were also stunned; they did not expect Zhu Yong to cause such a blaze in the hall.

"Second brother!"

Zhu Biao shouted.

Zhu Yong looked at his elder brother, his anger still unspent, and said: "Elder brother, they..."

"Step back." Zhu Biao's voice was not loud, yet carried unquestionable authority.

Zhu Yong clenched his teeth, stepped back one pace, but his eyes still stared at those civil officials.

Zhu Biao walked to the hall, first clasping his hands to Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "Imperial Father, my second brother is simple and straightforward, cannot bear to see others wronged; I ask your forgiveness."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, indicating it was fine.

Zhu Biao turned around, facing the Civil and Military Officials.

His expression was gentle, his voice calm as he said: "Lord Chen, Lord Liu, what you say stems from caution; this palace understands."

Chen Ning and the others breathed a sigh of relief.

But Zhu Biao's following words tightened their hearts:

"However, do you know that when Kuokuo General surrendered, he brought along thirty thousand elite troops to submit?"

Chen Ning was startled: "This..."

"Do you know that after the battle of Shen'er Valley, Kuokuo General personally persuaded the remnants of the Northern Yuan to surrender, gathering eight thousand cavalry for Great Ming?"

"Do you also know that on the way back, Kuokuo General restrained his troops, not a single hair out of place, and the common folk along the route witnessed it?"

Zhu Biao asked three questions in succession; his voice remained gentle, yet each sentence struck like a hammer.

Chen Ning, sweat on his forehead, said: "Prince, I... I am also thinking of Great Ming..."

"To think of Great Ming, one must understand the big picture; Kuokuo General's surrender is the beginning of the Northern Yuan army's morale collapse; if Great Ming mistreats surrendered generals, who will dare to surrender later?"

The remaining Northern Yuan forces will fight to the death, and then how many more soldiers will die?" Zhu Biao said lightly.

He looked at Wang Baobao, speaking warmly: "Kuokuo General, rest assured, since Great Ming has accepted your surrender, we will treat you sincerely; your soldiers who wish to join the army will be incorporated into the Ming forces, those who wish to return to the fields will be granted land.

As for you..."

Zhu Biao turned, clasping his hands to Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "Imperial Father, I, your son, suggest granting Kuokuo General the position of Deputy Governor, allowing him to retain his old troops, stationed at Da Tong to guard against the Northern Yuan."

Zhu Yuanzhang, hearing this, after a moment of silence, slowly nodded and said: "Approved."

Wang Baobao felt a shock in his heart, fell to the ground and kowtowed, saying: "I, thank you, His Majesty, for your great grace! Thank you, Crown Prince!"

He did not expect the Crown Prince of Great Ming to trust him so much.

He also did not expect Zhu Yong to become angry in the hall because of him.

Those civil officials' faces turned ashen, daring not to speak further.