The First Prince of the Ming Dynasty

Night falls in the Leopard Chamber.

Zhu Houzhao had already gone inside to watch the animal fighting performance, while Qian Ning was preparing to go out to meet with officials who wanted to curry favor with him, intending to use this opportunity to build a more solid network of connections.

"Commander Qian." Zhang Zhong and Zang Xian came from the direction of the leopard house entrance and happened to meet Qian Ning.

At this moment, Zhang Zhong was still holding something that looked like a memorial to the emperor.

Qian Ning asked, "What is this?"

Zhang Zhong leaned closer and whispered, "Look, the battle report from Zhangjiakou has arrived; Jiang Bin has won!"

It didn't say the specifics, only that Jiang Bin reported the victory. The general idea was that it was hard to say whether he won or lost, but at least that's how Jiang Bin reported it to his superiors.

"Let me see!" Qian Ning snatched the victory report directly.

The more he looked, the darker his face became.

Zhang Zhong quickly gave Zang Xian a wink.

Zang Xian stepped forward and said, "The Tatars did indeed appear at the pass on April 20th. Zhang Yong and Jiang Bin used a 'luring the enemy into a trap' tactic, claiming they lured the Tatars into the city, but I don't know if that's true or not. In my opinion, it's very likely that they were initially outmatched and the Tatars directly stormed into the city. They didn't mention how many casualties they suffered, but reported their first victory, saying they beheaded forty-three and captured two."

Qian Ning gritted his teeth and said, "He actually managed to get the military merit?"

Zhang Zhongdao said, "Commander Qian, weren't you the one who sent them? Jiang Bin got the credit, shouldn't you thank him properly?"

"snort!"

Qian Ning was furious.

The main reason for sending him to the Northwest was to get rid of him, but who would have thought that he would actually win back military merits?

Now that he has military merits, his position in the emperor's eyes is more secure, while I have become a clown, helping others to succeed.

Zang Xian also advised, "Every loss has its gain. However, Tang Yin is indeed quite capable; we've never seen border soldiers achieve military merit so easily before. Should we report this to His Majesty?"

Qian Ning said coldly, "Can this kind of thing be kept secret? His Majesty has been waiting for this."

As he spoke, Qian Ning made no intention of returning the battle report. His general idea was that he had to personally report the credit for today's achievement, and that seeking recognition and reward by saying nice things was something he excelled at.

"Go prepare a house!" Qian Ning said casually to Zang Xian as he was about to go in to report his success.

Zang Xian asked, puzzled, "What is this?"

Qian Ning said coldly, "Tang Yin has gained such great merit, His Majesty will surely appreciate him in the future. He's new to the capital and has nowhere to stay, shouldn't he be given a nice courtyard to live in?"

"Didn't they say... he should stay at Juyong Pass?" Zang Xian was also a little confused.

Qian Ning had not planned for Tang Yin to arrive in the capital smoothly.

Qian Ning sighed, "I really didn't expect this person to have such extraordinary abilities. Whether he's in the Northwest or in the capital, he'll pave the way for everything. If I had known that military merit was so easy to obtain, I would have volunteered to lead the troops myself."

Zang Xian and Zhang Zhong exchanged a glance.

Both of them were thinking, "Qian Ning, are you really willing to give up your current power and status in Beijing? Fighting in the Northwest is no joke."

……

……

Next to the Leopard Room Colosseum.

Upon hearing Qian Ning's report, Zhu Houzhao was instantly thrilled. He held the battle report and examined it closely, his joy growing with each reading.

"Haha, Jiang Bin has truly lived up to my expectations. I knew he wasn't just boasting. He demonstrated extremely high competence during daily troop training. If I gave him another force, perhaps he could even storm into the Tatars' lair and capture that Batu Mongke..."

In his excitement, Zhu Houzhao praised his godson Jiang Bin to the skies.

Qian Ning felt a pang of jealousy upon hearing this.

"Of course, your recommendation also played a part. Your previous suggestion was excellent. I didn't go myself, but sent Jiang Bin and Xu Tai. It can be said that they fought this war for me."

Zhu Houzhao also knew how to distribute favors equally, and gave Qian Ning a little verbal sweetness.

Qian Ning laughed and said, "Father, isn't all this credit due to your strategic planning? If you hadn't been so insightful, realizing that Tang Yin could foresee the future and knowing how to use people wisely by placing the right people in the right places, how could this battle have been fought so smoothly?"

Zhu Houzhao suddenly said, "That's strange. Why did you only list the gains, and not a single word about our losses?"

"this……"

Qian Ning immediately seized the opportunity, appearing quite embarrassed, "Father, I have something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."

"Tsk, not again? Speak!" Zhu Houzhao said, sounding slightly impatient.

Qian Ning said, "In this battle, the Tatars stormed into Zhangjiakou Fort. Although there weren't many civilians inside, there were quite a few military households and their families. The Tatars also destroyed the fort's gate, and rebuilding it will be a troublesome matter. Speaking of this battle, perhaps... there are some things that are not easy to mention."

Zhu Houzhao frowned slightly and said, "You mean the losses were too great, and they're embarrassed to mention it?"

Qian Ning thought to herself, "Some things I'll leave unsaid; you just need to understand."

If I say too much, it will seem like I'm secretly tattling.

Qian Ning quickly said, "Your Majesty, look, the battle report mentions that the young master of the Ning Prince's Mansion not only took the lead in battle, but also personally used the new firearm to kill two Tatar armored warriors. Even a child who has never been on the battlefield can defeat the enemy with the new firearm. This shows that the new firearm is very powerful."

"Yeah?"

Zhu Houzhao's attention was successfully diverted.

"Furthermore, this young man is quite martial, possessing your own style. Didn't you mention before that you wanted to..."

Qian Ning said this purely for personal gain.

If I say a few good things about Prince Ning's son, and this kid is really adopted by the emperor, wouldn't that be like having another piggy bank?

Wouldn't Prince Ning have to send tribute every month to maintain his son's position in the capital?

Zhu Houzhao muttered to himself, "You know what, he's young but quite capable. I only sent him to the Northwest as a formality, but who would have thought he'd actually achieve something! Could it be that Jiang Bin and the others are just trying to flatter him and exaggerate his abilities in front of me?"

Qian Ning smiled and said, "Father, don't forget, Jiang Bin opposed your adoption of the Prince of Ning's son before. Why would he help the Prince of Ning's son in such a matter? Besides, he wouldn't dare to deceive the Emperor. Isn't there Zhang Gonggong's secret report here to prove this?"

"That's true."

Zhu Houzhao said with a pleased smile, "If he is just a weak and scholarly boy, I would not be interested in him. But if he is skilled in both literature and martial arts, then I might really consider adopting him and training him."

This good news can't be kept secret. Before it spreads, summon Minister Yang of the Ministry of Personnel and the two Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet to the palace.

"Tonight?" Qian Ning asked, puzzled.

"Tomorrow morning!"

Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "Oh, right, also summon Vice Minister Lu of the Ministry of War! I can finally get a good night's sleep."

Qian Ning asked, "About the military merit rewards..."

"We'll talk about it later," Zhu Houzhao said. "They've killed over forty enemies; I don't know if that's enough to grant Jiang Bin and Xu Tai a noble title. And that Governor of Xuanfu, Wang Chun, didn't help with the actual work, but instead schemed behind the scenes, making things worse! People like him should retire and live a peaceful life!"

Qian Ning smiled and said, "We should replace the personnel as soon as possible to pave the way for Father Emperor to fully display his talents."