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

Chapter 721 Night Talk between the Ruler and His Minister
The candlelight in the imperial study flickered in the night breeze, casting the shadows of the three men on the carved window lattice, sometimes long, sometimes short. Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind his back before the northern sand table, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, fixed on the small flags representing the enemy army. Wang Baobao—now he should be called Wang Wenlong—stood on the other side of the sand table, his finger pointing to the location of Yanmen Pass. Empress Ma sat on a rosewood chair beside them, holding a cup of hot tea, her gaze shifting between the two men.

"Goryeo and the Japanese pirates," Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was deep and rumbling like thunder, his fingers unconsciously tapping the edge of the sand table. "General Wang, this matter is of utmost importance. If what you say is true, our Great Ming will be attacked from both sides."

Wang Wenlong cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I only learned of this matter three days ago from a prisoner of the Oirat Mongols. That prisoner was originally Tuohuan's personal guard, but was punished for making a mistake while drunk, and harbored resentment, which is why he revealed the truth."

A glint of light flashed in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes: "Where is this person now?"

“He has been placed in a secret location.” Wang Wenlong took out a confession from his pocket. “This is his signed confession. According to him, Tuohuan sent an envoy by sea to Goryeo, and through Goryeo, he contacted the Japanese pirates. They agreed to land and harass the enemy along the southeast coast during the autumn harvest season, while our army was marching north to fight the enemy.”

Empress Ma set down her teacup, her silk sleeves brushing against the table with a soft rustling sound. "Your Majesty," she said, "if Japanese pirates truly invade the southeastern coast, the people will suffer terribly."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not respond immediately. He walked to the window and pushed open the carved wooden window. The chilly early spring night breeze rushed into the imperial study, stirring the hem of his dragon robe. The lights of Nanjing flickered in the night, and the sound of a night watchman striking his clapper could be heard in the distance.

"Wang Baobao," Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly called him by name, his voice cold and stern, "Do you know that the crime of deceiving the emperor is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of your family?"

The air in the imperial study seemed to freeze instantly. Empress Ma's teacup trembled slightly, spilling a few drops of tea onto the rosewood table. Wang Wenlong, however, remained unfazed, only straightening his back even more.

“This humble general knows,” his voice was calm yet firm. “This humble general also knows that the Yuan Dynasty has fallen, and the world belongs to the Ming. Every word this humble general has spoken today is true; if even half of it is false, I am willing to accept the punishment of being slowly sliced ​​to death.”

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, his gaze piercing Wang Wenlong like a knife: "You were once a general under Kökö Temür, killing countless of my soldiers in the Battle of Taiyuan. Now you come to serve me; how can I trust you?"

The candlelight crackled, illuminating the scar on Wang Wenlong's left cheek. He slowly raised his right hand, unbuttoned his collar, revealing a gruesome arrow wound on his chest.

"This arrow was shot by General Xu Da outside Taiyuan," Wang Wenlong said in a low voice. "At that time, I could have led my personal guards to break through the encirclement, but I deliberately took the arrow and fell from my horse, causing my troops to scatter. General Xu understood my intentions and secretly sent someone to treat me, which is why I am Wang Wenlong today."

Zhu Yuanzhang took a few steps closer, carefully examining the scar, then looked into Wang Wenlong's eyes. Their gazes met, as if swords were clashing.

"Did Xu Da tell you anything before he died?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked.

Wang Wenlong took out a jade pendant from his robes: "General Xu gave me this, saying that if I were to meet His Majesty one day, I should show him this jade, and His Majesty would understand."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the jade pendant and examined it carefully in the candlelight. It was a fine piece of Hetian jade, with a coiled dragon carved on the front and the eight characters "Expel the Tartars, Restore China" inscribed on the back. Zhu Yuanzhang's fingers gently traced the inscriptions, his gaze softening.

"This was a gift I bestowed upon Xu Da years ago," Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was somewhat hoarse. "He said he wanted to pass it on to his most capable subordinate."

Empress Ma rose at the opportune moment and walked to Zhu Yuanzhang's side: "Your Majesty, Brother Xu has always had a keen eye for talent. His gift of this jade to General Wang must have a deeper meaning."

Zhu Yuanzhang returned the jade pendant to Wang Wenlong, sighing, "Xu Da, you've given me a difficult problem." He walked back to the sand table, pointing to Datong, "General Wang, tell me your overall plan."

A hint of relief flashed in Wang Wenlong's eyes. He quickly composed himself and pointed to the sand table: "Your Majesty, please look. The main force of the Oirat is currently stationed in the Hetao region, while the Tatars remain inactive in the northern desert. Although the two tribes have formed an alliance, they are deeply suspicious of each other."

He took out several small red flags from his sleeve and planted them on the sand table: "This humble general suggests that we first send elite cavalry disguised as a merchant caravan, carrying a large sum of money to the Hetao region, feigning trade with the Oirat, while actually spreading rumors that the Tatars have secretly negotiated peace with our dynasty."

"A counter-espionage plot?" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly. "Exactly." Wang Wenlong then took out several small blue flags. "At the same time, we can have the Datong garrison feign weakness, letting a small number of Oirat cavalry enter the pass, and then surround and annihilate them. Tuohuan is hot-tempered and will surely think that the Tatars have betrayed the alliance and are conspiring with our army to kill him."

Empress Ma pondered, "In this way, the alliance between the Oirats and the Tatars will collapse without a fight."

"Your Majesty is wise," Wang Wenlong said, bowing. "Once the two barbarians are suspicious of each other, our army can concentrate its forces to first defeat the Oirats, and then attack the Tatars."

Zhu Yuanzhang paced back and forth in his study, the hem of his dragon robe sweeping across the bluestone floor. Suddenly, he stopped in front of Wang Wenlong: "If I were to order you to personally go to the Hetao region to implement this plan, would you dare to go?"

Wang Wenlong replied without hesitation, "This humble general is willing to go!"

"Aren't you afraid Tuohuan will recognize you?" Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes. "Back in the north, you were a formidable figure."

Wang Wenlong's lips curled into a slight smile: "That's precisely why I find it easier to gain Tuohuan's trust. He could never have imagined that the former Yuan general would serve the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing in the imperial study: "Good! You have guts!" He turned to Empress Ma, "Empress, bring me my precious sword."

Empress Ma took out a magnificently decorated sword from the inner chamber. Zhu Yuanzhang took it and drew it from its sheath. The blade gleamed coldly in the candlelight.

"This sword is named 'Dingguo' (meaning 'Stabilizing the Nation'), and it was forged when I ascended the throne." Zhu Yuanzhang handed the sword to Wang Wenlong. "Today I bestow it upon you, hoping you will serve the Ming Dynasty to stabilize the nation and bring peace to the country."

Wang Wenlong knelt on one knee and accepted the sword with both hands: "This humble general will certainly not fail Your Majesty's high expectations!"

Zhu Yuanzhang helped him up: "From this day forward, you will be the Deputy General in Charge of the Northern Expedition, fully in charge of military affairs in the north. I will issue a secret edict to the generals at the border, ordering them to cooperate with your actions."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Wenlong bowed deeply. "This humble general has another request."

"speak."

"Your Majesty, please grant me permission to select fifty elite soldiers to form a special operations team," Wang Wenlong said, his eyes gleaming with confidence. "These men must be fluent in Mongolian, familiar with the northern terrain, and preferably former Yuan Dynasty soldiers who surrendered."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "Why use surrendered soldiers?"

"Because they understand the fighting styles of the Tatars and Oirats best," Wang Wenlong explained. "And with me in command, they dare not harbor any disloyalty."

Empress Ma said softly, "Your Majesty, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then finally nodded: "Granted. But these people must be strictly selected; if there is any misbehavior, I will hold you responsible."

“This subordinate understands,” Wang Wenlong replied solemnly.

(End of this chapter)