Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

Winter of the tenth year of the Hongwu reign.

Three hundred flying boats returned from Juyong Pass, their decks piled high with materials from the corpses of demons, as well as the pair of bear paws that Zhu Yuan had specifically requested. He had them contained with ice talismans, saying he would bring them back to the palace for his parents and elder brother to try.

Xu Da stood at the bow of the main ship, looking down at the Great Wall passing by, but his brow remained furrowed.

"Is the commander still worried?" Fu Youde walked over.

"Xiang Liu retreated too decisively. A million demon troops and ancient ferocious beasts that inherited memories retreated back to Beiming just because the Second Prince wielded an axe... I have a feeling that there's more to come," Xu Da said slowly.

Mu Ying laughed from the side, "Who cares? We'll deal with whatever comes our way. Your Highness's axe is sharp."

The words may be crude, but the principle is sound.

The generals all laughed, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

Yes, with His Highness the King of Wu around, what are the demons...?

……

The seventh ship in the airship formation, Zhu Hui's personal flagship.

This ship was more spacious than the others, with a soft couch and a desk in the cabin, and even a small kitchen, which Chang Wan, his sister-in-law, had specially arranged, knowing that he would get hungry on the journey.

At this moment, Zhu Li was leaning against the porthole, looking down at the mountains and cities that looked like toys, chewing on dried meat.

"Your Highness, we will arrive in Yingtian in half a day," Chen Nian reported as he entered.

"Oh! Chen Nian, you mean that Xiang Liu with nine heads, do all nine heads close their eyes when he sleeps? Or do they take turns on duty..." Zhu Hui responded, then suddenly asked.

Chen Nian was stumped by the question: "This... this humble general does not know."

"I guessed he was on duty, otherwise what if his house got robbed?" Zhu Li analyzed seriously.

Zhang Han was trying not to laugh at the door.

At that moment, a commotion arose outside the cabin.

Zhu Li got up and went outside. He saw several Taoist soldiers surrounding a cage on the deck. Inside the cage was a small, snow-white beast that resembled a fox but was not. It had long, pointed ears and amber eyes.

"What happened?" Zhu Li asked.

A soldier hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Highness, this was seized from the demon camp. It looks like... a Northern Dark Snow Weasel, which has the innate ability to find treasure."

The little beast trembled in its cage, its amber eyes looking at Zhu Hui with a pleading expression.

Zhu Li squatted down and poked the cage: "You can find treasure?"

The little animal nodded frantically.

"Do you know how to find good food? Like mushrooms from the mountains or wild honey?"

The little beast was stunned, clearly having never encountered such a problem before.

Zhu Li, however, became interested and opened the cage to take the little beast out.

The ferret stiffened in his arms for a moment, then, sensing the pure Xing Tian battle intent emanating from him, it gradually relaxed and even nuzzled his palm affectionately.

"Your Highness, this monster..." Chen Nian tried to dissuade him.

"Keep it, it can be a playmate for Daya, let's call it... Xiaobai." Zhu Li rubbed the ferret's head.

The ferret let out a soft whimper, as if acknowledging its name.

……

Half a day later, outside Yingtian City.

The airship formation landed at the dedicated dock, and Zhu Yuanzhang led his civil and military officials to personally welcome them, not to welcome Xu Da, but to welcome his second son.

As the gangway was lowered, Zhu Hui was the first to step down, carrying a bear paw wrapped in oiled paper in her hand, with a snow-white ferret perched on her shoulder.

"Father! Mother! Big Brother!" He grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.

Empress Ma's eyes immediately reddened. She stepped forward and pulled him up and down, looking him over: "Li'er, are you alright? I heard you went down to the pass alone to fight the monsters, and my heart was breaking..."

"It's alright, Mother, monsters can't take a beating."

Zhu Hui handed over the bear paw and said, "This is good for making soup; it's nourishing."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder: "Good lad! You've brought honor to our Zhu family!"

The camera made Zhu Li sway.

Zhu Biao stood behind his father, smiling gently, but his gaze swept over his younger brother's entire body. Only after confirming that he was truly unharmed did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

Among the officials, many wore complex expressions.

Among the civil officials, several old ministers twitched their lips, clearly disapproving of the prince personally leading the charge to slay demons, feeling it was improper.

But they dared not say it.

Because His Highness the Crown Prince was looking over with a gentle smile, yet his gaze sent chills down their spines.

……

That evening, a family banquet was held at Kunning Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, Zhu Biao and his wife, Zhu Xiong Ying, and finally Zhu Hui.

Chang Yuchun also rushed back from the northern border. This Prince of Kaiping had guarded the northern frontier for many years and recently returned due to the war.

"So you are His Highness Prince Wu. I heard you cleaved the bear demon in two with one axe. Good! Even more swift than your Uncle Chang back then!" Chang Yuchun said in a loud voice, patting Zhu Hui on the back.

Chang Yuchun was easygoing and very generous.

Even if Zhu Yuanzhang were alive, Chang Yuchun would still be just as carefree and easygoing.

Zhu Hui, slightly dazed from the slap, said with a chicken leg still stuffed in his mouth, "Uncle Chang, be gentle... You used to slay monsters too?"

"I chopped them down! In the third year of Hongwu, the Northern Yuan National Preceptor summoned three snow dragons. I led three hundred personal guards and chopped them up to make dumplings!" Chang Yuchun said with great enthusiasm.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat in Zhu Biao's lap, the four-year-old's eyes sparkling: "Second Uncle, Second Uncle, what do monsters look like? Are they scary?"

"It's not scary, it's just a bit big. Some have hair, some have scales. Chopping them is about the same as chopping firewood," Zhu Li gestured.

Empress Ma scolded, "Don't corrupt Xiong Ying."

"Grandma, I want to learn how to slay monsters like Uncle!" Zhu Xiong Ying waved her little fist.

Everyone laughed.

Midway through the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly said, "Second son, you've done a great service this time, and I'm going to reward you. What do you want?"

Zhu Hui thought about it seriously: "Father, could we expand the kitchen in the Wu Prince's mansion? It's too small now; we have to cook bear paws in batches."

The table was completely silent.

Then an even louder burst of laughter erupted.

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed until tears streamed down his face: "Expand! Expand it three times! And add ten more imperial chefs!"

Zhu Biao smiled, placed a piece of venison on his younger brother's plate, and said gently, "Second brother, besides the kitchen, is there anything else? For example... fiefdoms, guards, and ceremonial regalia, you can mention those."

He genuinely wanted to make amends to his younger brother, whom he had been separated from for eighteen years.

Other princes and vassal kings all had their own fiefdoms, guards, and officials from a young age.

Zhu Yuanzhang has been back in the capital for more than half a year, and all he has is a Prince Wu's mansion with only a few hundred guards led by Zhang Han and Chen Nian. It is so shabby that it doesn't look like a prince's residence.

Zhu Hui shook his head and said, "No need, brother. I'm fine now. It would be troublesome if there were too many people and I couldn't remember their names."

He spoke frankly, genuinely finding it troublesome.

Zhu Biao felt a pang of sadness, but smiled and said, "Alright, I'll remember that. Just say the word whenever you want it."

……

After the family banquet, Zhu Biao did not return to the East Palace, but instead went to the East Pavilion.

Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing memorials when he saw him arrive. Without even looking up, he asked, "What is it?"

"Father, my second brother's merits this time are too great. It would be inappropriate not to reward him. I suggest that my second brother be appointed as the Vice Commander of the Five Armies of the Northern Border, in charge of all the garrisons along the Great Wall."

Zhu Biao got straight to the point.

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, then looked up and asked, "Are you willing to part with it?"

There's a deeper meaning to those words.

Military power in the northern border has always been jointly held by the Crown Prince's faction and the Xun Gui.

Zhu Biao's suggestion to let Zhu Hui exercise restraint was tantamount to relinquishing his own power.

Zhu Biao laughed: "Father, my second brother is my own brother, what's his is mine."

He spoke naturally, without the slightest hint of reluctance.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at his eldest son for a while, then suddenly laughed: "Alright, I'll do as you say, but... those old pedantic scholars in the court will probably cause trouble."

"Your subject will handle it. Whether to execute their entire family or exile them is their choice," Zhu Biao said gently.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction and continued reviewing the memorials.

This is the eldest son he chose. When he is benevolent, he can advise him to "kill fewer people," and when he is ruthless, he can decide life and death with a smile.

……

Three days later, the imperial decree for bestowing rewards was issued.

As expected, the civil service was in an uproar.

During the morning court session in Fengtian Hall, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate was the first to speak up: "Your Majesty! Although Prince Wu has rendered meritorious service in battle, he is young and inexperienced. It is feared that suddenly granting him military power in the northern border is not a blessing for the country!"

Then, six or seven officials seconded the motion, citing classical texts and speaking with great enthusiasm.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, his eyes half-closed, and said nothing.

When they had finished talking, Zhu Biao slowly stepped forward and said gently, "What you gentlemen have said is not without reason."

The officials were taken aback. Had His Highness the Crown Prince... conceded?

Zhu Biao continued, "Therefore, I suggest that the military power in the northern border should still be under the command of Commander Xu, and the King of Wu should only serve as the 'Inspector General of the North,' acting on behalf of Heaven and having the power to make decisions on the spot, but not having the responsibility of daily administration."

In this way, we can both recognize their merits and abide by the rules. What do you think?

This is a well-spoken statement, seemingly a compromise, but in reality it highlights the phrase "decisiveness on the spot." If something really happens, Zhu Di can still mobilize a large army.

The officials wanted to argue further, but Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly spoke up: "Alright, do as the Crown Prince says. Court adjourned."

The imperial edict was thus finalized.

……

After the court session, Zhu Biao returned to his study in the Eastern Palace.

Jiang Huan was already waiting there, handing over a list: "Your Highness, there were eight people who opposed this in court today. Three of them are former members of the Lü family, two have married into the Jiangnan gentry, and three... received money from Northern Yuan spies."

Zhu Biao took the list, glanced at it, and picked up his vermilion pen.

Cross out the first name.

The second one, cross it out.

When he reached the fifth one, he paused and said gently, "This one, his mother is over eighty years old and has a good reputation for filial piety. So, let him submit his own memorial to retire and return to his hometown. I will allow him to take his mother back to his ancestral home to live out her remaining years in peace."

"Yes," Jiang Huan noted.

"The remaining three... execute their entire families! The charges... treason and aiding the enemy." Zhu Biao said lightly with the tip of his pen.

He spoke casually, as if he were just talking about what to eat tonight.

Jiang Huan bowed and said, "Your subject understands."

As he reached the door, Zhu Biao suddenly called out to him again, "Wait."

"Your Highness?"

"Before executing their entire clan, let them see their family one last time. After all, they were father and son, husband and wife; the proper human relationships should still be respected." Zhu Biao lowered his head and continued reviewing the memorials, his voice gentle.

Jiang Huan's back was covered in cold sweat: "...Yes."

After the door closed, Zhu Biao was left alone in the study.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating his gentle profile.

He picked up a secret report from the table, which had just been delivered by the Northern Border Imperial Guards. It said that after Xiang Liu retreated, the northern grasslands he had originally occupied were quickly filled by another demon clan force.

Leading the pack was a newly crowned demon king, known as the Golden Roc King. He possessed the bloodline of the ancient Golden-Winged Roc, was extremely fast, and had an arrogant temperament.

The last sentence of the secret report reads:

"Jin Peng boasted that he would break through Juyong Pass within ten days and take the head of the King of Wu as his bed."

Zhu Biao looked at the line of text and suddenly smiled.

He smiled very gently.

He picked up his pen and wrote four characters next to the secret report:

"He's courting death."

After approving the report, he folded it up and tucked it into his sleeve.

Outside the window, the sky was gradually darkening.

It's going to snow again this winter night in Yingtian.