Chapter 4: The Hongwu Emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang!

Yingtian Prefecture!

Yingtian City, the capital of the Great Ming.

In the heart of the city sits the majestic Imperial Palace of the Great Ming, the administrative center of the entire Great Ming Empire.

It is a place of heavenly might, revered by the countless subjects of the Great Ming.

Inside the Imperial Palace.

Fengtian Hall!

An emperor, already showing signs of age, dressed in a dragon robe and wearing an imperial crown, sat upright on the throne. His hands rested on the imperial desk as he reviewed memorials.

Although his face bore the marks of age and he had reached the age of knowing one's destiny, the aura he exuded was such that even sitting there, motionless, he imposed an indescribable sense of oppression. No one dared to look directly at this majesty.

He is the Heaven of this Great Ming Empire.

The founding emperor of the Great Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang.

He is also an emperor who truly fought his way from the very bottom to this supreme throne, forging the dignity of the Han people, changing the fate of the Han people who were once treated like blades of grass, and reshaping the might of the Han.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

At this moment!

A loud shout came from outside the hall.

A man dressed in a red crown prince's robe, with a resolute expression and a bearing that also exuded majesty, walked quickly into the hall.

He did not need to be announced; he entered Fengtian Hall directly.

In the entire Great Ming Empire, only one person possessed this right.

That is the most secure Crown Prince, Zhu Biao.

Of course.

Many years ago, there were two others: one was Zhu Yuanzhang's primary wife, the Empress of the Great Ming, Lady Ma.

The other was Zhu Biao's eldest legitimate son, Zhu Xiongying.

"Eldest is here."

Seeing Zhu Biao arrive, Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorial and smiled slightly.

In the entire Great Ming, the only person who could make Zhu Yuanzhang show such a gentle and kind smile was Zhu Biao.

"Father."

"I have just received a report from Danning Prefecture."

"The banditry in Danning Prefecture is becoming increasingly severe."

"In the border regions, mountain bandits and outlaws are running rampant, plundering merchant caravans and slaughtering civilians."

"There have already been over a hundred cases," Zhu Biao said with a serious expression.

"If it were ordinary banditry, it would certainly not be so concentrated. It seems someone is manipulating things from the shadows, deliberately disturbing Danning Prefecture and disrupting the peace of our Great Ming's borders," Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice.

"Father."

"Is it possible that news of our Great Ming's campaign against Northern Yuan has leaked?"

"And so they want to cause trouble at the border to disturb our Great Ming?" Zhu Biao asked with some speculation.

"Highly likely."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his face turning cold.

"Northern Yuan."

"Although they have been crippled by our Great Ming, they have not been completely wiped out."

"This time, that little emperor of Northern Yuan still has the ambition to counterattack our Great Ming, and the Northern Yuan Grand Marshal, Naghachu, is gathering troops and a great army, intending to attack our Great Ming."

"In the past, Father showed grace by releasing him, but he does not think of the favor and remains loyal to Northern Yuan, eventually becoming a great threat," Zhu Biao sighed.

He clearly attached great importance to Naghachu.

"Naghachu is known as the pillar of Northern Yuan and is called the 'other Wang Baobao' by them."

"Our Great Ming's northeastern territory must eliminate him before it can be fully controlled."

"Alright."

"There is no need to dwell on this. Even if he plays these little tricks, he cannot stop our Great Ming from destroying him. Once he is dealt with, destroying Northern Yuan in the future will be even simpler."

"I have already issued an imperial decree to Feng Sheng, and he is currently mobilizing troops."

"As for the procurement of grain and supplies, you, Biao'er, will handle this personally. I do not trust those people."

"Strive to mobilize the army to attack Naghachu within a few months," Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Biao.

"Your son accepts the decree," Zhu Biao immediately replied.

"As for the banditry in Danning Prefecture, issue a decree to the Regional Commander of Danning Prefecture, ordering him to completely suppress the banditry in the entire prefecture and clear the border."

"This must be resolved before Feng Sheng mobilizes the army. If he cannot do it, I will have his head," Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly.

Zhu Biao bowed: "Your son accepts the decree."

Just as Zhu Biao turned to leave.

"Eldest."

"You are busy with state affairs every day; you must pay attention to rest. Remember not to overwork yourself," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a warm and kind expression.

"Father, don't worry."

"I am still young, so naturally, I should share some of the burden for you, otherwise you would be too exhausted," Zhu Biao replied with a smile.

"In any case, your health is what matters."

"I have already lost your mother and Xiongying; I cannot lose you too."

"Sigh."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, his somewhat aged face full of sorrow.

In the entire world.

The only person who could see this side of Zhu Yuanzhang now was Zhu Biao.

"Father."

"I will be fine, and Father will be fine too."

Zhu Biao said earnestly.

……

Danning Prefecture!

Barracks.

On the drill ground.

Nearly a thousand Ming soldiers in armor were gathered.

Every hundred men formed a unit, with a Centurion standing in front of the formation.

Standing on the reviewing platform was the Thousand-man Commander of the Ansha County garrison, Wei Quan.

"Soldiers of my Ansha garrison."

"We have returned successfully this time."

"Within a fifty-mile radius of Ansha County, the mountain bandits have been completely cleared."

"Over two hundred bandits were beheaded, and every soldier here has made an indelible contribution."

"This bandit suppression mission is now concluded."

"In particular, the soldiers of the First Centurion Battalion have made great contributions, killing forty-eight enemies and seizing over a dozen chests of gold and silver treasures."

"Among them, many soldiers were brave and earned military merit."

"According to our Great Ming's military merit system, you should be rewarded."

"Now, those whose names I call, step forward to receive your rewards," Wei Quan said loudly from the platform.

Afterward.

Wei Quan glanced over and took out a roster: "First Centurion Battalion, Liu Lei."

"First Centurion Battalion, Zhu Ying."

"Third Centurion Battalion, Chen Xiong."

"Sixth Centurion Battalion, Wu Yi."

……

Wei Quan called out nine names in a row.

When Zhu Ying heard his name, he was somewhat surprised, but then he thought about how he had killed several bandits in the bandit den, including a bandit leader.

This was no small military merit!

In the Great Ming army.

Except for a few years ago when official positions could be hereditary, hereditary positions had been stopped since the 15th year of Hongwu.

Now, everything is promoted based on military merit.

A soldier who kills five enemies can be promoted to a Small Flag Officer, ten enemies to a General Flag Officer, and a hundred enemies or killing a general or other feats can lead to promotion to a Centurion.

All military merits are recorded in the register.

The military merit system is strict, having put an end to the hereditary succession of the past.

"Liu Lei."

"You led the First Centurion Battalion to suppress the bandits with merit. You are awarded one hundred taels of silver and one merit record," Wei Quan said loudly.

"Thank you, Thousand-man Commander."

Liu Lei bowed.

"Zhu Ying."

Wei Quan's gaze fell on Zhu Ying.

"Subordinate is here."

Zhu Ying immediately replied, his heart filled with anticipation.

This time.

He had killed five enemies, which should at least be a Small Flag Officer, and he had killed a bandit leader, who was a Tatar centurion—that merit was even greater.

"You killed five enemies and also killed a bandit leader, earning military merit."

"According to our Great Ming's military merit system, you are appointed as a Small Flag Officer, commanding ten soldiers, and awarded fifty taels of silver," Wei Quan said loudly.

"Thank you, Thousand-man Commander."

Zhu Ying replied immediately.

At this moment!

The panel displayed a notification……

……

PS: Seeking recommendation tickets, investments, and all support.

(End of chapter)