Chapter 88: War Report

Hongwu Year Four, May 10.

In the Imperial Palace of Yingtian Prefecture, the atmosphere in Qianqing Palace was solemn.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, holding a military report from half a month ago, his brows tightly knit.

Empress Ma sat beside him, both hands cupping a tea cup, her palms turning white, muttering something continuously.

Zhu Biao stood at the foot of the throne, his complexion also unpleasant.

Guanyin Nu knelt at Empress Ma's feet, her eyes swollen and red, clearly having wept.

"It has already been twenty‑three days; Yong Er's last military report was sent on April 17, saying they had approached Buyuerhai, and after that there has been no news."

Zhu Yuanzhang set the report down, his voice low as he said.

Zhu Biao inhaled deeply, then comforted, "Imperial Father, the journey to the Northern Frontier is far, and messages travel slowly by nature; Second Brother's troops move swiftly, perhaps they have already taken Buyuerhai, only the messenger is still on the road."

"But this is too long; Yong Er is a simple, straightforward child, reckless in battle; what if…" Empress Ma said after a sip of tea, her eyes full of worry.

She did not finish, but everyone understood the meaning.

What if they fall into an ambush, what if the grain and fodder run short, what if…

"Mother, rest assured, Second Brother will be fine. Not to mention he has Wang Baobao, Lan Yu, and Five Thousand Elite Soldiers with him; moreover, with his abilities, no one in the world can harm him."

Even so, his own palms were sweating.

Twenty‑three days without news was highly abnormal; this was his twin brother, incomparable to his other brothers.

Zhu Yuanzhang rose, walked to the window, and gazed at the sky outside.

The northern sky was a deep blue, with hardly any clouds.

"Wait another three days; if there is still no news, we will dispatch troops into the Grassland to search," Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

"Your Majesty is wise," Zhu Biao hurriedly replied.

Guanyin Nu lifted her head and, unable to hide her worry, asked, "Empress, Prince Wu… will he really be safe?"

Empress Ma grasped her hand, speaking gently, "Do not worry; Yong Er is blessed with great fortune and a long life, he will surely be safe."

Those were the words, yet the atmosphere in Qianqing Palace remained heavy.

The next three days felt like years to those in the palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked three times daily whether there was any news from the north; Empress Ma ate without taste, and Zhu Biao often drifted off while handling state affairs.

Guanyin Nu visited Great Gratitude Temple each day to burn incense, praying that the Buddha would protect her husband's safety.

May 13, early morning.

Zhu Yuanzhang had just risen and was taking his morning meal when eunuch Wang Jinghong rushed in.

"His Majesty! His Majesty! People have arrived from the north! Eight Hundred Li Urgent!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's chopsticks fell onto the table.

"Send it quickly!"

Soon, a courier covered in dust was brought in, knelt on the ground, and pulled an oilcloth sack from his bosom.

"Your Majesty, Prince Wu's military report, April 27: Our army dealt a crushing blow to the Northern Yuan Wang Ting at Buyuerhai, captured Yesuder, beheaded three thousand, took two thousand prisoners, seized countless cattle, sheep and horses, and loaded gold, silver and treasure onto fifty carts!"

The courier's voice trembled with excitement.

Zhu Yuanzhang took the oilcloth sack, his hand trembling slightly.

He opened the package; inside was a thick stack of documents.

At the top was a handwritten letter from Zhu Yong, the characters crooked but written earnestly:

"Father, Mother, Eldest Brother, I have taken it."

"Buyuerhai is secured, Yesuder captured, Northern Yuan is gone."

"I am fine, my brothers are fine; we only wounded over four hundred, and eighty‑three died."

"The townsfolk have all surrendered; I have let Ba Te Er manage temporarily, awaiting the court's officials."

"The spoils are plentiful: many gold and silver, also jewels; a detailed list is attached separately."

"By the way, I erected a stone by the lake, inscribed 'Great Ming territory; trespassers shall die.'"

"I should be able to return by the end of May; I miss home."

"Respectfully, Yong Er."

Though brief, each word of the letter struck Zhu Yuanzhang's heart like a hammer.

He read it three times over, then burst into hearty laughter.

His laugh was loud, shaking the palace beams.

"Good! Good! Good! Our Yong Er has annihilated Northern Yuan!" Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed three times, tears glinting in his eyes.

Empress Ma beside him hurriedly snatched the letter, and after reading it, covered her face and began to sob.

It was tears of joy.

Zhu Biao also took the letter, exhaled deeply after reading, and said to the courier, "You have worked hard; go claim your reward!"

"Thank you, Crown Prince!" the courier bowed and withdrew.

Zhu Yuanzhang paced back and forth in the hall with the letter, excitement making him feel twenty years younger.

"Biao, did you see? Yong Er has wiped out Northern Yuan; from now on the north will have no great trouble!"

Zhu Biao laughed, "I saw it, Father, Second Brother has achieved a great merit this time."

"It is more than a great merit; it is a monumental achievement. By decree, today we will end court affairs; I will celebrate with Empress and Crown Prince," Zhu Yuanzhang pounded the table.

"Father, we should first attend to official matters," Zhu Biao reminded,

"Second Brother has seized such a vast territory; the court must send officials to receive the Northern Yuan populace and also station troops."

"Right, right..." Zhu Yuanzhang quickly composed himself, patting his head as he spoke.

Father and son carefully examined the documents behind them.

Seeing the father and son, Empress Ma took Guanyin Nu and went together to Kunning Palace.

These detailed documents were written jointly by Lan Yu and Wang Baobao, and contain detailed information about this battle.

There is a detailed battle report recording the course of the fight.

There is a list of captives, including Yesuder and other important figures.

There is a seizure inventory, and the amount of Gold and Silver is astonishing.

There are also suggestions from Zhu Yong on governing the Northern Frontier; these are Zhu Yong's recommendations from his previous life, and since he cannot write so many characters, he let Wang Baobao and another person act as his scribes.

"Yong Er proposes that the Northern Yuan populace should relocate rather than stay; he suggests moving the tribes near Buyuerhai to the area along the Great Wall, allocating them land, teaching them agriculture, and gradually assimilating them."

Zhu Yuanzhang pointed to one page and said.

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Second brother, this suggestion is very practical; the steppe tribes live by water and grass, and if left unchecked, chaos will arise again in the future.

Relocating them inland, providing livelihood, after three generations they will become Great Ming subjects."

"There should also be a garrison; Yong Er suggests establishing a guard post at Buyuerhai, stationing three thousand troops, with the court assigning rotating commanders, and supporting the leaders of each steppe tribe who are pro‑Great Ming to manage them."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to the next page and said.

"Your servant thinks it feasible; the specific personnel choices still need to be discussed with the Ministry of War," Zhu Biao suggested.

Just then, a report voice came from outside, saying, "His Majesty, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen request an audience."

"They arrive at a good time; let them in," Zhu Yuanzhang said.

The four entered the hall, performed the bow, and Xu Da asked first, "Your Majesty, I have heard there is news from the north?"

"There is more than just news; there is a tremendous piece of good news! Tiande, take a look," Zhu Yuanzhang handed the battle report to Xu Da and said.

Xu Da took it, skimmed quickly, and his face gradually showed a shocked expression.

"This… Prince Wu really defeated the Bei Yuan Wang Ting?"

"Absolutely true!" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.