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

Chapter 708 Schemes and Fog

Zhu Yuanzhang reined in his warhorse, looked up at the faint outline of the mountains in the distance, and frowned.

"Father, another thirty li ahead is the territory of the Jurchen tribe." Zhu Di lowered his voice, his gaze sharp as an eagle.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Send down the order: the entire army shall rest on the spot, and scouts shall go ahead to explore."

"Yes!" Zhu Di clasped his hands in acceptance and turned to give orders to the generals behind him.

This army was the most elite force of the Ming Dynasty, personally selected by Zhu Yuanzhang and trained by Zhu Di. Their sole purpose was to deliver a fatal blow to the Jurchens when they were completely unprepared!
However, war is no child's play. Even though Zhu Yuanzhang had made thorough preparations, he still couldn't help but feel worried.

"Father, what are you thinking about?" Zhu Di walked back to Zhu Yuanzhang's side and, seeing his solemn expression, couldn't help but ask.

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and slowly said, "If we win this battle, we can ensure ten years of peace on the northern border of the Ming Dynasty. But if we lose..."

"We will not be defeated," Zhu Di said firmly. "The Jurchens are brave, but they lack strategy. They were completely unprepared for our surprise attack."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at his son, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Good, worthy of being my son."

Meanwhile, in several towns along the border of the Ming Dynasty, a meticulously planned deceptive operation is underway.

Several caravans entered the territory of the Jurchen tribe in a grand procession, carrying silk, tea, porcelain, and even several chests of fine wine. The Jurchen sentries spotted them from afar and immediately sent men to investigate.

"Merchants from the Ming Dynasty?" The Jurchen leader Nahachu narrowed his eyes, suspicious.

"Chief, they say they've come to do business, and they brought gifts," the sentry reported.

Naha sneered, "The Ming Emperor has always looked down on us, why would he suddenly send a merchant caravan? There must be a trap!"

However, the caravan leader stepped forward with a beaming smile and respectfully presented a jar of fine wine: "Chief, this is a small token of our Emperor's goodwill, hoping that our two countries can coexist peacefully."

Naha hesitated. He took the wine jar, lifted the lid, and a rich aroma of wine wafted out. He tilted his head back and took a swig; the spicy and mellow taste made him burst into laughter: "Good wine!"

Seeing this, the caravan leader seized the opportunity and said, "The Emperor of the Ming Dynasty said that as long as the Jurchen tribes are willing to submit, trade will continue indefinitely, and they will have plenty of gold, silver, and other treasures."

A glint of greed flashed in Nahachu's eyes, but he quickly became wary: "When did your Ming emperor become so generous?"

The caravan leader laughed and said, "His Majesty said that the war in the northern frontier is exhausting for the people and resources; it would be better to turn swords into plowshares."

Nahachu pondered for a moment, then finally waved his hand: "Alright, since the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty is sincere, let's wait and see."

As night deepened, Zhu Yuanzhang's army quietly approached the Jurchen tribe's camp.

The scout reported: "Your Majesty, the Jurchen sentries have been lured away by our men. They are currently indulging in a feast and are completely unsuspecting!"

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes: "Order the entire army to attack!"

In an instant, war drums thundered, torches flew like dragons, and the Ming cavalry swept down like a whirlwind!

The Jurchen tribe's camp was instantly thrown into chaos. Nahachu awoke from his drunken stupor with a roar, "What's going on?!"

"Chief! The Ming army is attacking!" A soldier covered in blood rushed into the tent.

Naha's expression changed drastically: "Damn it! We've been tricked!"

He grabbed his battle axe and charged out of the tent. Flames soared into the sky, and shouts of battle filled the air. The Ming cavalry surged forward like a tidal wave, and the Jurchen warriors, hastily engaged, were thrown into disarray. Zhu Di charged ahead, his spear like a dragon, and wherever he went, enemies fell. He roared, "Nahachu! Today is your death day!"

Naha roared, brandishing his battle axe and charging forward: "Zhu Di, you brat, cease your arrogance!"

The two clashed instantly, their axe flashes and spear strikes sending sparks flying!

The battle lasted all night, and the Jurchen tribes' resistance gradually collapsed.

At dawn, Zhu Yuanzhang stood on high ground, overlooking the battlefield. Corpses lay strewn across the land, and smoke filled the air, but the banners of the Ming army had already been planted throughout the entire Jurchen camp.

"Father, I have killed Nahachu!" Zhu Di, covered in blood, strode over, carrying Nahachu's head in his hand.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his eyes showing both satisfaction and a hint of heaviness: "Although we have won this battle, the affairs of the northern frontier are not yet over."

Zhu Di was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Father, are you worried about a counterattack from other tribes?"

"No," Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head, "I'm thinking that war is ultimately cruel. Although we have won today, the soldiers who died will never return."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di was startled. He had never seen his father show such emotions before.

"Let's go back to camp." Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, his figure appearing particularly desolate in the morning light.

Several days later, the army returned in triumph.

Inside Nanjing, the people cheered and rejoiced, welcoming the victorious soldiers back. Zhu Yuanzhang sat on his imperial carriage, a smile on his face, but deep weariness was hidden in his eyes.

In the stillness of the night, Zhu Di walked alone into a small pavilion in the back garden of the palace. He quietly looked at the pond in front of the pavilion, its waters rippling gently, reflecting the bright moon in the sky.

"Zhu Di, what are you doing here?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice suddenly came from behind. Zhu Di turned around and saw his father walking slowly towards him, his expression showing concern.

"Father, I was just thinking..." Zhu Di paused, "We won the battle, but why do I not feel at ease?"

Zhu Yuanzhang walked to his side, gazed at the pond, and remained silent for a long time. Moonlight shone on the shimmering water, casting long shadows of the two men. A night breeze blew by, carrying the delicate fragrance of lotus blossoms.

"Because a true emperor must not only know how to win wars, but also how to avoid them." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was deep and weathered, as if every word carried the weight of decades of imperial wisdom.

Zhu Di was stunned. He had never imagined that his father would say such a thing. In his memory, his father had always been a decisive and ruthless emperor, a founding ruler who conquered the vast country with a three-foot-long sword.

Suddenly, a koi carp leaped out of the water, splashing water that dampened the hem of Zhu Di's robes. He looked down at the water stain that was gradually spreading, and suddenly remembered the blood that spurted out when a young soldier was pierced through the chest by a spear on the battlefield earlier that day.

"Go back and get some rest." Zhu Yuanzhang patted his son's shoulder. His hand, which had been holding a sword for many years, was still strong, but it trembled almost imperceptibly when it touched Zhu Di's shoulder.

Zhu Di watched his father's departing figure. In the moonlight, the figure that had once been as towering as a mountain in his heart now appeared somewhat hunched. The hem of his father's dragon robe was stained with wet mud, and the soles of his boots were still covered with blood and dirt from the battlefield.

A night breeze blew by, carrying the smoke from torches in the distant military camp. Zhu Di suddenly realized that this was the first time his father had personally led a military campaign since ascending the throne. In the past, no matter how large the battle, his father had always been stationed in Nanjing, strategizing and planning. But this time...
"Your Majesty!" A hurried voice interrupted Zhu Di's thoughts. Xu Da strode over, his armor still stained with blood. "Scouts from the north report that the remnants of the Jurchen tribes are gathering."

Zhu Di whirled around, a cold glint in his eyes. But just as he was about to order a pursuit, his father's words echoed in his ears. He slowly unclenched his fist and said in a deep voice, "Order the army to strengthen their defenses, but they must not launch an attack without authorization."

Xu Da was visibly taken aback for a moment, but quickly clasped his hands in acceptance of the order and left.

(End of this chapter)