Chapter 89: Boundless Ambition

The battle report circulated among the four, and each time another person read it, another exclamation of awe followed.

After Chang Yuchun finished reading, his beard trembled with excitement, and he couldn't help but say, "Good lad! Even fiercer than I was in my day!"

Li Shanchang stroked his beard and said, "His Majesty, this is Heaven's blessing on Great Ming; with the Northern Yuan destroyed, the north can now be at peace."

Liu Bowen turned his attention to subsequent governance, saying, "His Majesty, Prince Wu's suggestion is very sound—relocating the tribes and establishing a garrison is indeed a strategy for lasting stability."

"I thought the same. I summoned you today to discuss this; the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works must all get moving and draft the regulations as soon as possible."

Zhu Yuanzhang said.

The five then began deliberating inside Qianqing Palace.

Resettling the people requires land, grain varieties, and houses.

Stationing troops needs camps, provisions, and rotations.

Administration needs officials, interpreters, and education…

The matters are countless, yet everyone is excited.

This is the greatest victory since the founding, signifying that Great Ming has truly unified the world.

They discussed for the whole morning before the preliminary plan was set.

Xu Da was in charge of moving troops for defense, Chang Yuchun handled relocation and settlement, Li Shanchang coordinated money and grain, and Liu Bowen selected officials.

"Within a month it must be completed. Yong Er returns at the end of May; we'll let him see in Yingtian the lands he captured, now well governed by us," Zhu Yuanzhang set the deadline.

"We obey your command!" the four shouted in unison.

After they withdrew, Zhu Yuanzhang only then remembered he hadn't informed Kunning Palace.

"Let's go, Biao'er, we'll go find your mother and celebrate."

When father and son arrived at Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was speaking with Guanyin Nu.

Seeing them enter, Empress Ma hurriedly asked, "Zhong Ba, how did the discussion go?"

"Everything's arranged, sister; now you can rest easy. Yong Er is not only safe but has achieved an unprecedented feat," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile.

Empress Ma clasped her hands together and said, "May the Buddha protect us."

Guanyin Nu knelt and saluted, "I thank His Majesty, Empress, and Crown Prince for their concern."

"Rise! Yong Er is also our son; how could we not be concerned…"

Finishing his sentence, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly looked at her and said, "Guanyin Nu, your brother also earned merit this time; Yong Er wrote in his letter that Wang Baobao contributed many strategies and fought bravely."

Guanyin Nu's eyes brightened as she said, "It is his blessing to serve Great Ming, Elder Brother."

"When Yong Er returns, we'll grant generous rewards—not just Yong Er, but all the soldiers," Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.

Zhu Biao said with a grin, "Father Emperor, Second Prince's haul this time is enormous; just the Gold and Silver amount to nearly twenty million taels, enough to accomplish many things."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "Indeed, we were short on funds for the Yangtze River dike, and now it's solved."

He paused, then added, "We also need shipbuilding. The great voyages Yong Er mentioned and the campaign against Wa Country require large vessels; with this money we can build a true fleet."

Empress Ma reminded, "Zhong Ba, Yong Er hasn't returned yet; don't think so far ahead. Let him rest, and besides, Yong Er has no offspring yet!"

"Right, right, first wait for Yong Er to come back and let him rest… Speaking of it, that brat only wrote a few lines in his letter; we don't even know the details," Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

Zhu Biao said, "Second Prince isn't skilled in writing, so managing this is already good. The detailed battle report is attached in documents; I have read them, and this battle was indeed perilous."

He briefly recounted the fighting: Yesuder was besieging the city, and Zhu Yong led a sudden rear assault, crushing the enemy in one blow.

"Like a mantis catching a cicada while the yellow bird waits behind, Yong Er's tactics show real method," Zhu Yuanzhang evaluated.

"Second Prince may be simple‑minded, but he truly has a talent for war, and he was taught by his elder cousin," Zhu Biao said.

As they spoke, children's laughter drifted in from outside.

Zhu Shuang, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di and Zhu Su, the four youngsters, ran in, saw Zhu Yuanzhang, and hurriedly stood at attention.

"Father Emperor, Mother, elder brother."

"What's the matter, why the rush?" Empress Ma asked.

Zhu Di shouted excitedly, "Empress, we heard Second Prince annihilated the Northern Yuan; is it true?"

"It's true… your Second Prince achieved a great feat," Zhu Yuanzhang said happily.

The four youngsters instantly erupted in cheers.

"Second Prince is amazing!"

"I want to learn from Second Prince and fight in battles someday!"

"Me too!"

Zhu Yuanzhang set a stern face and said, "War is no child's play; your Second Prince's skill is real, so you must first study well and train in martial arts."

"Yes…" the four drooped their heads.

Zhu Biao smoothed things over, "Nonetheless Second Prince is truly formidable; when he returns, he'll teach you a few moves."

"Really…" Zhu Di's eyes lit up again.

"Indeed." Zhu Biao smiled.

The youngsters cheered again, chattering nonstop.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched them, feeling a surge of emotion.

Not long ago he was merely a cowherd boy, unable even to finish a meal.

Now he sits atop the world, his sons each accomplished.

Especially Yong Er, the son who was lost for years, simple‑minded yet brave, who managed to resolve the Northern Scourge that had plagued Zhongyuan for a century.

"Zhong Ba, what are you thinking?" Empress Ma asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang snapped back, laughing, "I was thinking of our family, of Great Ming's future."

He stood up and walked to the window.

May's bright sunshine bathed the palace walls, glittering with gold and jade.

In the distance, the water of the Qinhuai River flows quietly, and the boats on the river come and go.

Farther away, the Yangtze rushes into the sea, merging into the boundless Great Ocean.

Zhu Yuanzhang seemed to see that, in the near future, Great Ming's fleet would hoist sails and set out toward the distant points marked on the maps.

And the ones leading the fleet would be his sons.

Biao Er holds the seat in the court, while Yong Er expands the frontier.

With the brothers united, Great Ming will surely thrive for ten thousand years.

"Transmit the edict: Wu King Zhu Yong pacifies the Northern Yuan, his merit will endure for millennia. When he returns in triumph, I will personally lead the officials thirty li out of the city to greet him," Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said.

"Your servant receives the edict," Zhu Biao bowed and said.

Guanyin Nu knelt again, tears streaming down her face.

This time, they were tears of joy.

In Kunning Palace, laughter and cheerful voices filled the air.

Earlier, in Qianqing Palace, there was also boundless ambition.

On the grassland a thousand li away, a triumphant contingent was racing day and night toward home.

In the summer of Hongwu Year Four, Great Ming welcomed the most glorious victory since its founding.

A brand‑new era is about to begin.