Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

When the flying boat landed beside the official road outside Xi'an, it was already past 3:45 PM.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Li disembarked from the flying boat.

Two inconspicuous blue cloth carriages were already waiting by the roadside.

The driver was a member of the Imperial Guard, dressed as an ordinary coachman, but with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

"Your Highness, what about the Prince of Qin's residence..." the leading commander of the Imperial Guards reported in a low voice.

"Speak plainly," Zhu Biao said calmly.

"The King of Qin is holding a grand banquet in his palace today, inviting sixteen powerful families from Xi'an Prefecture, as well as several salt merchants from Shanxi. The banquet started at noon and is now in full swing. During the banquet... there are dancers to entertain the guests, and I heard that an opera troupe has also been invited from Jiangnan."

After a pause, Qianhu said.

Zhu Biao nodded, his face expressionless.

Zhu Hui yawned, rubbed his eyes, and asked, "Big brother, shall we go now?"

"Okay, let's go now. Second brother, you sit in the back carriage. When we get to the Prince's mansion, watch my signals." Zhu Biao got into the first carriage and looked back at him.

"Okay." Zhu Li obediently climbed onto the second vehicle.

The carriage headed towards the city gate of Xi'an.

The soldiers guarding the city intended to conduct a search, but when the commander of the Imperial Guards showed a waist token, the soldiers' expressions changed, and they immediately let him pass.

Xi'an is simpler than Yingtian, and the streets are narrower, but it is very lively.

The shops along the street displayed various signs, selling mutton stew, roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), and liangpi (cold skin noodles). The aromas mingled together, making people's mouths water.

Zhu Hui lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, sniffed, and said, "It smells so good..."

The Imperial Guard rushing to catch the carriage couldn't help but laugh, "Your Highness, after we're done, I'll buy you a bowl."

"Okay, add more meat," Zhu Li said with a grin.

The carriage traveled through several streets and stopped in front of a magnificent mansion.

Qin Wangfu.

The gate is painted vermilion, studded with copper nails like stars, and the two stone lions in front of it are taller than a person.

Eight guards stood at the entrance, each with a long sword at his waist, looking imposing.

The mansion gates were wide open, and the sounds of string and wind instruments and laughter could be faintly heard coming from inside.

Zhu Biao's carriage stopped, and he stepped out, dressed in a plain blue robe, looking like an ordinary scholar.

The guards at the gate stopped them, saying, "Halt! The Prince's mansion is hosting a banquet today; unauthorized personnel are not permitted to disturb the peace!"

Zhu Biao glanced at the guards but didn't say anything.

The commander of the Imperial Guard stepped forward, took out his waist token, and flashed it.

When the head guard saw the words "Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard" on his waist tag, his expression changed immediately, but he straightened his back and said, "So you are an officer of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. However, His Highness Prince Qin is hosting a banquet for distinguished guests today and has given instructions that no one is allowed to disturb him."

Why don't you... come another day?

These words were polite, but the meaning was clear: so what if they were imperial guards? This is the Prince of Qin's residence.

Zhu Biao smiled.

He smiled gently and spoke softly, but his words made all the guards turn pale.

"Does this mean I have to wait another day to visit my own brother's house?"

This palace...

The guard leader paused, then carefully examined Zhu Biao. He was refined and elegant, with an extraordinary air about him, and wore a jade pendant with a dragon pattern at his waist…

His legs went weak, and he knelt down with a thud, saying, "Your...Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The other guards also realized what was happening and immediately knelt down.

Zhu Biao didn't look at them again and walked inside.

Zhu Li also jumped down from the carriage behind and followed behind his elder brother.

He was dressed in a blue outfit today, with his hair tied in a ponytail. He looked energetic, but his eyes were too naive, which didn't quite match the somber atmosphere.

The Imperial Guards followed closely behind, more than twenty men, their steps in unison, as they entered the gates of the Prince's Mansion.

……

The main hall of the Prince of Qin's mansion was indeed bustling with activity at this moment.

There were more than a dozen tables in the hall, all of which were full of people.

In the main seat, King Zhu Shuang of Qin, dressed in a bright red python robe and wearing a golden crown, with a flushed face from drinking, was raising his cup and chatting with a wealthy old man next to him.

The old man was the largest grain merchant in Xi'an Prefecture. His surname was Qian, and he was known as "Qian Half-City," meaning that half of the shops in Xi'an belonged to his family.

"Your Highness, the racecourse is now complete, and it's the only one of its kind in the Northwest! With horse racing and betting, the annual income will be at least this much!" Qian Bancheng held up five fingers.

Zhu Shuang's eyes lit up: "Fifty thousand taels?"

"Five hundred thousand!" Qian Bancheng said in a low voice.

Zhu Shuang laughed heartily, downed his drink in one gulp, and said, "Good! Boss Qian knows how to handle things! Here, let me toast you again!"

Dancers swayed gracefully in the hall, musicians played instruments and sang, and guests toasted each other, creating a lively atmosphere.

No one noticed that a group of people had appeared at the entrance of the hall.

Until the music suddenly stopped.

The dancers stopped what they were doing and looked toward the door, bewildered.

The musicians also put down their instruments.

The guests then realized something was wrong and turned around.

Then, the entire hall fell silent.

Zhu Biao stood at the door with his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly sweeping across the room before finally settling on Zhu Shuang, who was in the main seat.

Zhu Shuang's wine cup clattered onto the table, spilling wine all over himself.

He stared wide-eyed, opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

The flush on his face from the alcohol vanished instantly, leaving only a deathly pallor.

"Big...Big Brother?" He finally managed to squeeze out two words, his voice trembling.

Zhu Biao strode into the hall.

He walked slowly and steadily, his boots making a soft clattering sound on the paving stones.

The sound was exceptionally clear in the deathly silent hall, each note seeming to pound on everyone's hearts.

The Imperial Guards stood on either side, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords.

Zhu Li followed behind his elder brother, looking around. He saw the golden-brown roasted lamb leg on the table and licked his lips.

Zhu Biao walked all the way to the main table and stopped.

Zhu Shuang jumped up as if his butt was on fire, wanting to bow, but his legs were too weak to stand and he almost fell, only to be supported by the guards next to him.

"Big...Big brother, what brings you here...? You didn't even tell me beforehand so I could have come out of town to greet you..." Zhu Shuang forced a smile, which looked worse than crying.

Zhu Biao ignored him, his gaze fixed on the dishes on the table.

Roasted whole lamb, stewed camel hump, braised deer tail, braised bear paw... a total of thirty-six dishes, many of which are rarely seen even in the palace.

The wine is a 30-year-old Shanxi Fenjiu, and a jar is worth a hundred taels of silver.

"Third brother is doing well," Zhu Biao finally spoke, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.

Zhu Shuang, sweat beading on his forehead, said, "This...this is a banquet to entertain some local worthies and to strengthen relationships..."

"To foster camaraderie, which of you is a respected elder from our village? Stand up so I can see you," Zhu Biao said, turning to the guests present.

No one dared to make a move.

Qian Bancheng's chubby face was trembling, and he wanted to shrink under the table.

Zhu Biao walked to his side, picked up the wine glass in front of him, smelled it, and said, "Thirty-year-old vintage, good wine."

Qian Bancheng knelt down with a thud and said, "This humble commoner, Qian Fugui, pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

The other guests also realized what was happening and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly.

Zhu Biao put down his wine cup, looked at Zhu Shuang, and said, "Third brother, I heard you recently built a racetrack?"

Zhu Shuang's legs went weak, and he knelt down as well: "Big brother...that...that is..."

"It occupies 500 hectares, three people were killed, four were injured, and more than 300 households were left homeless. Is this true..." Zhu Biao said calmly.

"I...I don't know...it was all done by the subordinates..." Zhu Shuang stammered.

"You subordinate, which subordinate... tell me, and I'll deal with him for you." Zhu Biao laughed, a laugh that sent chills down Zhu Shuang's spine.

Zhu Shuang opened his mouth, but couldn't say the name.

He couldn't remember who did it; he just gave a word, and someone would take care of it.

Zhu Biao stopped looking at him, turned around and walked to the center of the hall, scanning the guests kneeling all over the floor.

"You are all prominent figures in Xi'an. I have come here today to ask a few questions on behalf of my father, the Emperor. Are you aware that the Prince of Qin has forcibly seized farmland from the people?" His voice was not loud, but every word was clear, as if it were imprinted in the hearts of everyone present.