Chapter 90: Reception

Hongwu Year Four, May 28.

Thirty Li outside Yingtian Fu, Jieguan Ting.

The sky was dimly bright, and the sides of the official road were already filled with common folk.

From the city to the pavilion, a thirty‑li road, a black mass of people stretched everywhere.

Men stood on tiptoe to look, women held children's hands, elders sat on stones by the road, and some half‑grown children climbed onto the large trees along the roadside.

"Are they here yet? Are they here yet?"

"Not yet; I heard they'll arrive at Chen Hour."

"Prince Wu really destroyed Northern Yuan?"

"How could that be false? The court has already issued a proclamation: Bu Yu Er Hai's great victory; I heard they beheaded the Northern Yuan Emperor and even captured that Yesu fellow…"

"....."

The common folk chattered endlessly, excitement written on their faces.

Inside Jieguan Ting, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat upright on the Main Seat.

Empress Ma sat at his right, wearing a phoenix crown and a rosy ceremonial robe.

Zhu Biao stood behind his parents, dressed in the apricot‑yellow Crown Prince's regular attire.

The Civil and Military Officials lined up on both sides outside the pavilion; Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen stood at the front.

Chang Yuchun craned his neck northward, muttering, "Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Xu Da laughed, "Bo Ren, why the hurry? What's meant to come will come."

"How could I not be anxious? That's the general I unearthed… oh no, it's our Prince Wu." Chang Yuchun almost misspoke, quickly corrected himself, but his smile couldn't be hidden.

Zhu Biao gazed at the Northern Region road, his heart equally restless.

It had been over twenty days since the victory report arrived, and he had been longing for his second brother's return.

Now the day had finally arrived.

Empress Ma sat beside Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, clutching a handkerchief that she had already twisted into a knot.

"Tap tap tap..."

At the start of Chen Hour, urgent hoofbeats sounded from afar.

Soon, a swift horse galloped in, and the rider shouted, "They're here… Prince Wu's great army has arrived!"

The crowd instantly erupted into a stir.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang quickly rose, walked to the pavilion's edge, eager to see his son at once.

At the road's end, dust and smoke began to rise.

First, several Red Flags appeared on the horizon, followed by a black‑mass of troops.

At the front of the formation, a man rode a Wuzhui Horse, clad in Dark Armor, bearing Double Hammers on his shoulders.

It was Zhu Rong.

Behind him were generals such as Lan Yu and Wang Baobao, then the triumphant Five Thousand Elite Soldiers, followed by carts laden with spoils and cattle, sheep, horses, and other livestock.

The procession moved slowly, and when it was a hundred zhang from Jieguan Ting, Zhu Rong flipped off his horse.

He handed the Double Hammers to his Imperial Troops companion Zhang Wu, ignoring Zhang Wu's suddenly pallid face, and strode alone toward the pavilion.

He walked thirty steps before the pavilion, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists and said, "Your son Zhu Rong, fortunate to not disgrace the command, pacified Northern Yuan, now leads the army in triumph, and bows to Imperial Father, Imperial Mother, and Crown Prince!"

His voice rang loudly, echoing across the four directions.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang hurried down the pavilion, quickly lifted Zhu Rong with both hands and said, "Good! Good! Rong'er, you've worked hard!"

Empress Ma also came over, grasped Zhu Rong's hand and examined him, saying, "You've become thinner, and darker too."

Zhu Rong chuckled, "Mother, I'm fine, getting sturdier!"

Zhu Biao walked over, gave his younger brother a hearty pat on the shoulder and said, "Second brother, well done."

The rims of Zhu Biao's eyes were also a bit reddened.

The two brothers met eyes; everything was understood without words.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang turned, faced the officials and the people, and proclaimed loudly, "Prince Wu Zhu Rong, Northern Campaign great victory, annihilated the Northern Yuan royal court, captured its chief villain, expanded the realm by a thousand li, a merit for millennia! Today's triumph comforts my heart!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live Prince Wu!" The officials instantly shouted in unison.

The common folk joined the cheers, their voices shaking the four corners.

Zhu Rong scratched his head, somewhat unaccustomed to the scene.

The ceremony continued.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang personally draped Red Silk over Zhu Rong, a honor for a triumphant general.

Empress Ma placed a garland on him, a token of the mother's affection.

Zhu Biao handed him Imperial Wine, a brother's congratulation.

Then came the rewards for the three armies.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang announced that all expeditionary soldiers would receive double silver rewards and be granted wine and meat.

Compensation for the fallen was doubled, and their children would be cared for by the court.

The soldiers shouted "Ten thousand years!", each wave louder than the last.

The ceremony lasted nearly an hour.

When it ended, it was close to noon.

Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang grasped Zhu Rong's hand and said, "Let's go, we'll return to the city together first."

Zhu Rong nodded, then recalled something, and said to Lan Yu behind him, "Uncle Lan, you lead the brothers back to camp and rest well."

"Prince, rest assured," Lan Yu replied with a bow.

Zhu Rong turned to Wang Baobao and said, "Elder Brother, you also come into the palace! Father said he has something to ask you."

Wang Baobao bowed and replied, "I obey."

Those who mounted horses mounted, those who rode sedan chairs rode, and they headed into the city.

The common folk on both sides of the official road knelt down one after another, loudly calling out to Wu Wang, "Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yong rode his horse, feeling a bit uneasy, and whispered, "Father, there are too many people."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, "Yong Er, you have earned great merit; the people naturally respect you. Take it well, it is what you deserve."

The procession entered the city slowly.

Inside Yingtian Fu the streets were empty as ten thousand people gathered.

From Hongwu Gate to the Imperial City, the streets were packed with people on both sides.

The windows of the wine houses and tea taverns were all open, and people stuck out their heads to look.

"That's Wu Wang! So young…"

"I heard he was only sixteen when he wiped out the Northern Yuan!"

"Did you see those hammers? I heard each weighs six hundred jin!"

"My god…"

"...."

Amidst these murmurs, the procession arrived before the Imperial City.

Zhu Yuanzhang dismounted, as if he had thought of something, then said to Zhu Yong, "Yong Er, you go back to Wu Wang Fu to rest, change clothes, and come to the palace for dinner tonight."

There is a woman inside Wu Wang Fu waiting for his return!

"Yes, Father," Zhu Yong replied.

He turned to Empress Ma and said, "Mother, I'll bring Guanyin Nu with me tonight."

"Alright, alright… hurry back! Minmin has been waiting for you so long her eyes are swollen," Empress Ma said with a happy smile.

Being able to see her son return safely, nothing makes Empress Ma happier.

Zhu Yong let out a goofy laugh and headed toward Wu Wang Fu with the Imperial Troops.

Empress Ma only returned to the palace, supported by a maid, after seeing her son's figure disappear.

But Wang Baobao followed Zhu Yuanzhang into the palace; he was to give a detailed report on the Northern Frontier.

……

Wu Wang Fu.

Guanyin Nu had been waiting at the gate since early morning.

She wore a light‑red palace outfit, her hair neatly styled, and a light touch of makeup on her face.

From Chen Hour to Shi Jing, and then to Noon.

Finally, the sound of horse hooves came from afar.

"Princess, the Prince has returned!" Maid Xiao Ying hurriedly ran in to report.

Guanyin Nu hurried to the doorway.

Zhu Yong rode his horse to the front of the residence and dismounted.

"Minmin." He called out to Guanyin Nu in a goofy voice.

Guanyin Nu's eyes reddened, she held back tears and said, "I welcome the Prince's victorious return."

"Hmm, you're back, you… are you okay?" Zhu Yong walked up to her, took her hand, and said.

"I'm fine, but the Prince looks thinner." Guanyin Nu looked up at him with some concern.

"Not thinner, stronger. Come, let's go inside and talk." Zhu Yong took her hand toward the Wang Fu, then smiled.