Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

The snowfall in the winter of the tenth year of the Hongwu reign was heavier than in previous years.

Yingtian City was covered in silver, and long icicles hung from the eaves of the palace.

The Kunning Palace was warm and cozy with an underfloor heating system. Zhu Hui was squatting by the stove, staring at the bubbling bear paw soup in the pot.

The little white ferret perched on his shoulder, its amber eyes fixed on the pot.

"Almost done." Zhu Li sniffed.

Empress Ma, who was doing needlework nearby, laughed upon hearing this, "Li'er, this is the third bowl already, aren't you full yet?"

"Mother, this bear paw is from a demon bear. It's very strong and warms you up. I also saved a bowl for my eldest brother. He's tired from reviewing memorials, so he needs some nourishment," Zhu Li said earnestly.

Just then, footsteps came from outside.

Zhu Biao came in wearing a fox fur coat, snow falling on his shoulders.

He first stomped his feet at the door to shake off the snow before entering, a gentle smile on his face. "I could smell the fragrance from afar."

"Big brother!" Zhu Li quickly served the soup.

Zhu Biao took the bowl, sat down next to his younger brother, and sipped the water.

Amidst the rising steam, his gentle features revealed no trace of the man who, just three hours earlier, had so casually decided the fates of eight people in the East Pavilion.

"Second brother, we may have to go on another long trip to the north," Zhu Biao suddenly said.

Zhu Hui, chewing on bear tendon, asked indistinctly, "What's wrong? Xiang Liu is back again?"

"It's not Xiang Liu, it's a newcomer called King Jinpeng. He says he's going to break through Juyong Pass and take your head." Zhu Biao put down his bowl, took out the secret report from his sleeve, and handed it to his younger brother.

Zhu Hui took the secret report and tilted his head to read it for a while.

Fortunately, after he regained his memory, he was able to recognize all the words.

"Golden Roc... Your Majesty... Brother, is this thing a bird?" he said aloud, then looked up, his eyes lighting up.

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "It should be, it has the bloodline of the Golden-Winged Roc."

"Can we eat that?" Zhu Li asked seriously.

"..."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then chuckled: "It should... be possible! Ancient records say that the Golden-Winged Roc feeds on dragons, so its meat must be of good quality."

Zhu Li slapped his thigh: "Then I'll go! I can bring some back for my parents and Xiong Ying to try!"

He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, as if he were going to a market to buy meat instead of going to war.

That's like having roc wings to eat, and then bringing them back for your father, mother, elder brother, and nephew to try.

Empress Ma said anxiously, "Li'er, you've only been back for a few days, why are you going again? Can't we let General Xu and the others handle that Jin Peng?"

"Mother, it's alright. I'll just go take a look. If it's really edible, I'll catch one alive and raise it to lay eggs for you to nourish your body," Zhu Li grinned.

Empress Ma was both amused and exasperated.

Zhu Biao said gently, "Mother, don't worry. You've seen my second brother's abilities. Even Xiang Liu doesn't dare to face him. No matter how powerful Jin Peng is, how powerful can he be?"

That being said, he still turned to his younger brother and instructed, "However, second brother, you must not underestimate your opponent this time. The Golden Roc is known for its speed; it is said that it can travel 90,000 li with a single flap of its wings. You..."

"Nine thousand miles... What if it flies and I can't catch up?" Zhu Li said, scratching his head.

This is a very real question.

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "It doesn't matter. Since it has declared that it will break through Juyong Pass, it will eventually succeed. Once it succeeds, it will be under your control."

"That makes sense. But what if it cheats and keeps flying?" Zhu Li nodded.

"Then just throw your weapon and knock him down..." Zhu Biao said calmly.

The two brothers were seriously discussing how to catch birds to eat, while Empress Ma listened from the side, feeling both worried and amused.

Finally, he sighed and said, "Alright! You brothers have figured it out. Li'er, bring more men this time, don't go charging ahead alone again."

"Yes, I'll listen to my mother."

……

Two days later, the morning court session was held in Fengtian Hall.

A message arrived urgently from the northern border: King Jinpeng's 300,000 demon troops have reached 300 li outside Juyong Pass. Demonic energy blankets the sky, and the city is once again engulfed in flames.

The atmosphere in the imperial court was heavy.

This time, the civil officials learned their lesson, and no one dared to directly oppose the King of Wu's expedition. The last person who opposed it was still in prison with his entire family, waiting to be executed in the autumn.

But there are always those who are not afraid of death.

A newly appointed censor of the Censorate, surnamed Zhou, came from a prominent family in Jiangnan. Young and ambitious, he stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Majesty! His Highness Prince Wu has just returned from his northern expedition and has not yet had time to rest. How can he be sent away again?"

In my opinion, it would be safer to send Commander Xu or Commander Chang to lead the army!

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

Zhu Biao said gently, "What Imperial Censor Zhou said makes sense."

Imperial Censor Zhou was delighted.

But the Crown Prince continued, "However, Jinpeng specifically requested the head of the King of Wu. If the King of Wu refuses, wouldn't it make our Great Ming appear cowardly? If word gets out, how can the morale of the northern army be maintained?"

"This..." Imperial Censor Zhou was speechless.

"Furthermore, His Highness Prince Wu possesses the inheritance of Xing Tian, ​​making him unparalleled in combat. This is a blessing bestowed upon the Ming Dynasty by Heaven. To not utilize it would be to betray the will of Heaven."

Zhu Biao's tone remained gentle.

That's a really serious accusation.

Censor Zhou was sweating and still wanted to argue, but Zhu Biao had already turned to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Father, I suggest that Commander Xu be the commander-in-chief and Prince Wu the deputy, leading 200,000 elite troops northward."

Additionally, the Tongguan and Datong garrisons were deployed to provide support, in case the demons launched a surprise attack from multiple forces.

"Approved," Zhu Yuanzhang uttered a single word.

Before Censor Zhou could say anything more, Zhu Biao smiled and looked over, saying, "I admire Censor Zhou's concern for the country. In that case, the northern border is in dire need of a capable official to oversee the transport of grain. I would be grateful if Censor Zhou could take this opportunity to assume his post immediately."

Supervising the transport of provisions sounds like a cushy job, but in reality, it involves going to the front lines, which is not only dangerous but also involves hard and tiring work.

Censor Zhou's face turned pale: "Your Highness, I..."

"Imperial Censor Zhou is unwilling, but just now he said he wanted to share the country's burdens?" Zhu Biao's smile remained unchanged.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty obeys." Imperial Censor Zhou bowed through gritted teeth.

After the court session, on Zhu Biao's way back to the Eastern Palace, Jiang Huan followed him silently.

"Your Highness, the Zhou family has a marriage alliance with the Gu family of Suzhou. The Gu family just received a batch of silver from maritime trade last month, and the source of that silver... is questionable."

Zhu Biao continued walking: "Investigate thoroughly. If there is indeed a problem, deal with it according to the law. If there is no problem... the grain supply route in the north is treacherous. If Imperial Censor Zhou unfortunately dies for his country, the court should provide generous compensation to his family."

Jiang Huan bowed his head: "Your subject understands."

……

Three days later, the Northern Expeditionary Army regrouped.

This time the scale is smaller, with only 200,000 people and 200 flying boats.

However, the elite troops were even more formidable than before. Xu Da had drawn veteran soldiers from various garrisons, many of whom had fought the demon race in real combat.

There were even more people at the dock when they saw us off than last time.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not come, but Empress Ma did, and she held Zhu Yuanzhang's hand, giving him many instructions.

Chang held Zhu Xiong Ying in her arms, while the little guy struggled to be held by his second uncle.

"Second Uncle, hit the big bird, hit the big bird!" Zhu Xiong Ying waved her little fist.

Zhu Hui picked him up, weighed him in her hands, and said, "You're too heavy. When your second uncle comes back, he'll bring you bird feathers to make a shuttlecock."

"I want the gold one!"

"Okay, golden one."

Madam Chang smiled gently beside her, but there was worry in her eyes.

She looked at her husband, Zhu Biao, who nodded gently to her, indicating that he was reassured.