Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 689: The Imperial Study, Discussion between the Emperor and His Ministers
The flickering candlelight illuminated Zhu Yuanzhang's resolute face. He held a secret report in his hand, his knuckles slightly white.

"Father, the Japanese pirates are rampant. If they are not eliminated in time, I'm afraid the people living along the coast will never have peace." Zhu Di stood aside, his voice low and firm.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly raised his head, his eyes as sharp as a knife. He was silent for a moment, and finally spoke: "The Japanese pirates plundered the silver mine and killed my people. This matter will never be let go."

Zhu Di nodded slightly, with a gleam of light in his eyes: "Your son requests to lead the troops in person to wipe out the Japanese pirates!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Di, as if to measure his determination. After a long while, he slowly nodded: "Okay, I allow you to go to the battle. But there is one thing -" He paused, and his tone suddenly became sharp, "No matter what the battle situation is, you must remain calm and not be blinded by anger."

Zhu Di bowed deeply and said, "I will remember your father's teachings."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, patted Zhu Di on the shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "This expedition is not only to wipe out the Japanese pirates, but also to let the people of the world know that the Ming Dynasty cannot be invaded!"

The hall was brightly lit, and all civil and military officials gathered. Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, and Zhu Di stood beside him with a solemn expression.

"My dear ministers." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice echoed in the hall, "I have summoned you today to discuss important matters."

All the ministers held their breath and waited for the next step.

Zhu Di stepped forward and said in a loud voice: "The silver mines along the southeast coast have been plundered by Japanese pirates, and the people have suffered heavy casualties! The Japanese pirates are so rampant. If we don't wipe them out, how can the Ming Dynasty keep its reputation?"

As soon as the words fell, the hall was instantly in an uproar.

"How dare the Japanese pirates be so arrogant?!"

"Your Majesty, I invite you to fight!"

"I am willing to lead the army to fight and destroy the Japanese pirates!"

The military commanders all requested orders, their eyes burning with fighting intent. Although the civil officials did not express their opinions directly, their faces also showed indignation.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at the crowd, slowly raised his hand, and the hall immediately became quiet.

"I have decided that Prince of Yan Zhu Di will lead the troops to destroy the Japanese pirates!"

All the ministers responded in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhu Di clasped his fists and saluted, saying in a deep voice: "I will live up to your trust!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, then looked at his ministers and said: "For this expedition, we need to mobilize the elite navy, and we must kill them with one strike, and never give the Japanese pirates a chance to breathe!"

The Minister of War stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the coastal navy is ready and can fight at any time!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction: "Okay! The army will set out in three days!"

War drums were beating, flags were fluttering, and Zhu Di, dressed in military uniform, stood on the stage with a sharp gaze.

Below the stage, tens of thousands of elite soldiers were lined up in neat formations, swords and spears like a forest, and their momentum was as strong as a rainbow.

"Soldiers!" Zhu Di's voice was sonorous and powerful. "The Japanese pirates robbed my silver mines and killed my people. Today, my Ming cavalry will surely crush the bandits!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" The three armies roared, shaking the sky.

Zhu Di drew his sword and pointed it to the southeast: "Go!"

The army set out in a mighty force, with the warships hoisted, heading straight for the islands where the Japanese pirates were entrenched.

It was a dark night with a howling sea breeze. Zhu Di stood on the deck of the flagship, gazing at the islands in the distance.

Your Highness, the Japanese pirates' lair is ahead." The deputy general reported in a low voice.

Zhu Di raised his lips slightly, his eyes flashing coldly: "Pass the order, all troops hide, and wait for the hour of midnight to launch a surprise attack!"

"Yes!"

The warship approached quietly, and the waves hit the side of the ship, as if whispering about the upcoming bloody battle.

When the midnight came, Zhu Di suddenly waved his hand and said, "Shoot!"

In an instant, rockets streaked across the night sky and fell into the Japanese pirate camp like meteors.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" The Japanese pirates panicked and the camp was instantly engulfed in flames.

Zhu Di drew his sword and shouted, "Kill!" The Ming army's warships rushed straight into the enemy camp like arrows from a bow. In the flash of swords and shadows, the Japanese pirates retreated step by step.

Zhu Di personally led his army to charge into battle, and no one could stop his sword.

"The Ming Dynasty will be victorious!"

The shouts and cries of killing shook the earth and the Japanese pirates were completely defeated.

As the sun rose, the sea surface was dyed golden. Zhu Di stood at the bow, looking at the burned-down Japanese pirate camp with a grim expression.

"Your Highness, this battle was a great victory! The leader of the Japanese pirates has been beheaded, and the remaining ones have all been wiped out!" the deputy general reported excitedly.

Zhu Di nodded slightly: "Pass the order down, and return to the court!"

The warships set sail and headed back towards the rising sun. After this battle, the Japanese pirates no longer dared to invade the territory easily, and the Ming sea finally found peace.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood in the main hall, looking at Zhu Di who returned triumphantly, his eyes full of satisfaction.

"I have lived up to my father's trust. The Japanese pirates have been defeated!" Zhu Di knelt on one knee and clasped his fists to report.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed loudly: "Great! You are worthy of being the King of Yan of the Ming Dynasty!"

All the ministers congratulated in unison: "Your Majesty is wise! The King of Yan is mighty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang stepped down from the dragon throne, personally helped Zhu Di up, and whispered: "You did a great job in this expedition."

Zhu Di's eyes were firm: "I am just doing my duty."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction: "I am very pleased that the Ming Dynasty has you!"

Outside the palace, the morning sun was shining brightly, illuminating the majestic imperial city. The flags of the Ming Dynasty fluttered in the wind, as if announcing that anyone who offends the Ming Dynasty will be punished no matter how far away they are!

The flickering candlelight reflected Zhu Yuanzhang's solemn face. He tapped the table with his fingertips and looked at the spread-out map - it was a stretch of rolling mountains, and the pass circled by the cinnabar pen was where the Japanese pirates were hiding.

"Lin Che is brave, but this mission is of great importance." Zhu Yuanzhang said in a deep voice, with unquestionable majesty in his voice, "For fighting in the mountains and forests, we need veterans to take charge."

Liu Ji, the Minister of War standing beside him, bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, are you interested in... General Xuande Sun Da?"

"That's right." Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyes, his eyes sparkling, "Sun Da once led the army to quell the rebellion of the barbarians in the southwest, and he knows mountain warfare like the back of his hand. With his assistance, this battle will be a sure win."

Liu Ji hesitated for a moment and said, "But General Sun is now stationed in the northern border. If he is transferred away rashly, the border defense may be compromised..."

"There is no movement in the northern border for the time being." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "Pass on my oral order, order Sun Da to return to the capital immediately, and he must arrive within three days!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

The sun was blazing in the sky, and flags were fluttering. Lin Che, wearing light armor, was practicing sword techniques with his personal soldiers. His moves were fierce, and the straw target was broken with a sound when the blade passed by, which attracted cheers from the surrounding soldiers.

Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves came closer. Lin Che put away his sword and looked back, only to see a horseman approaching at a great speed. The messenger on the horse shouted, "General Lin! His Majesty is calling you urgently!"

Lin Che frowned and threw the long sword to his personal soldier: "Prepare the horses!"

Lin Che knelt on one knee. After listening to Zhu Yuanzhang's deployment, his face changed slightly: "Your Majesty wants Sun Da to go with me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with a sharp gaze: "Why, you don't want to?"

“I dare not!” Lin Che clasped his fists, “It’s just that General Sun is so famous, I’m worried… I’m still inexperienced and it’ll be hard for me to cooperate.”

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled, stood up and walked to Lin Che: "Lin Che, do you know why I chose you?"

Lin Che raised his head, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

"Because you are brave and aggressive, and full of vigor." Zhu Yuanzhang patted him on the shoulder, "and Sun Da is calm and experienced, which complements each other perfectly. If this battle is successful, both of you will be heroes of the Ming Dynasty!"

Lin Che took a deep breath and kowtowed heavily: "I will definitely live up to your majesty's trust!"

Three days later, the dust was flying at the south gate of the capital. A team of cavalrymen rushed in, led by an old general in silver armor and red robes, with slightly frosted hair and beard. It was Sun Da, the general of Xuande.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been waiting outside the city, came forward and said, "My dear Sun, thank you for your hard work!"

(End of this chapter)