The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 143 Zhu Xiong Ying: Nephew pays respects to Fourth Uncle!

The third day of the second month in the twentieth year of Hongwu's reign.

Not long after Cao Guogong Li Wenzhong led 20,000 elite troops to garrison the western camp of Beiping City.

Zhu Xiong Ying and his party left Jinan Prefecture and headed north along the post road, arriving at Pingyuan Post Station just in time.

At this point, Texas was only two days away!

During their rest period, they relied on news sent from Beiping.

General Feng Sheng, the Grand General Who Conquers the Barbarians, has personally led the main force through Hengshui and is currently stationed at Tongzhou!

The rest of the groups also arrived at their designated positions!

Therefore, the war to conquer Nahachu is clearly imminent!

Three days later, on the sixth day of the second lunar month, Zhu Xiong Ying arrived in Dezhou.

Two more days passed before they arrived in Hejian Prefecture.

That afternoon, they met up with the light cavalry sent by their uncle Li Wenzhong and obtained more accurate intelligence from the front lines.

The next day, they arrived outside Zhuozhou City.

Zhu Xiong Ying was dressed in a black outfit with a silver fox fur cloak and a sword at his waist, looking very imposing!

Duke Chang Mao of Zheng, holding the reins, stood to the side, gazing at the mottled city wall, and said casually, "This is Zhuozhou City. It doesn't look very impressive to us!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's lips were chapped, but his spirits were high. He pointed into the distance and said, "Uncle, don't underestimate this city!"

"This is the hometown of Liu Bei, the Emperor Zhaolie of Han, and also the birthplace of Zhang Fei!"

According to folklore, the oath of brotherhood between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei in the Peach Garden at the end of the Han Dynasty took place in this Peach Garden outside Zhuozhou City!

Although Chang Mao was a playboy, he was also literate and knew the deeds of Liu Bei and others as recorded in official history.

But this was the first time he'd ever heard of the Oath of the Peach Garden, and he couldn't help but ask with curiosity, "There's such a thing as an oath of brotherhood?"

Zhu Xiong Ying turned to the side and explained, "It's normal that my uncle doesn't know! There's no record of this in historical books! But it's been embellished in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms and some other plays from decades ago—"

In fact, Luo Guanzhong's novel "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" borrowed heavily from this sworn brotherhood scene!

He looked at Li Jinglong, Xu Yungong, and the others who had ridden forward.

Zhu Xiong Ying's expression turned serious. He looked north and said, "Regardless of the truth or falsehood of the folk tales, just thinking about the turmoil at the end of the Han Dynasty, the chaos in the world, and the unbearable suffering of the people who were displaced!"

"Looking at today, our Imperial Grandfather unified the world, giving the people hope for life. His achievements are outstanding, making him worthy of being called one of the greatest emperors of all time!!"

"However, the remnants of the Yuan dynasty have not yet been eradicated, and remain a thorn in the side of our Great Ming!"

"This Northern Expedition is solely for the purpose of driving out the Tartars, recovering Liaodong, and ensuring that the border people can live in peace and prosperity, no longer suffering the ravages of war! Thus, we can build an even stronger and more prosperous Ming Dynasty!"

"Therefore, we bear a great responsibility!"

Upon hearing this, Chang Mao and the others immediately perked up and clasped their hands in agreement.

After regaining his composure, Zhu Xiong Ying turned his horse around, faced the crowd, and announced loudly, "Send down the order: the entire army shall set up camp outside Zhuozhou City and rest for a day. Do not disturb the people!"

"We obey His Highness the Crown Prince's command!"

Two days later, just as they entered Liangxiang Post Station, they encountered the men sent by their fourth uncle, Zhu Di, to meet them.

Then, passing through Changxindian Post Station —

The next day, they headed straight for Lugouqiao Post Station, which was ten miles away!

The Lugou Bridge here was originally named Guangli Bridge more than two hundred years ago, meaning "to benefit all people and bring prosperity to the world"!

After the Mongol Yuan dynasty, it was named after the Lugou River that the bridge spans!

As for the present situation, it is a vital passage from the south into Beiping!

That day, I learned that my eldest nephew was coming.

Prince Zhu Di of Yan led his officials to greet them early!

It was past noon.

On the open ground south of the bridge, flags fluttered and officials and soldiers stood in rows.

Zhu Di wore gilded scale armor, covered with a black cloak embroidered with gold python patterns, with a jade belt at his waist, and carried an imperial sword!

He was tall and imposing, with deep, dark eyes. He gripped the hilt of his sword and stared intently at the post road.

Not far to the side were generals such as Li Wenzhong and Lan Yu, who were clad in black armor.

Following them were civil and military officials such as the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Beiping, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner, and the Military Commander.

Everyone had a solemn expression.

The sun is high in the sky.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves rang out from the main road.

A moment later, the messenger arrived on horseback, dismounted, and knelt on one knee, saying, "Your Highness, the Prince of Yan, the imperial grandson's entourage has arrived three miles away!"

Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at Lan Yu and the others beside him, and nodded.

Not long after.

A roaring sound came from afar.

Under the spring sunshine, Zhu Xiong Ying rode ahead on horseback, with young generals such as Chang Mao, Xu Yun Gong, Li Jing Long, and Tang Ding guarding him on either side.

A large number of cavalry followed closely behind, their might causing the ground to tremble!

In a short while, he arrived before the welcoming crowd.

Zhu Xiong Ying dismounted, handed the reins to his attendant, and glanced up at the horse.

The gaze swept past his maternal uncle Lan Yu and his paternal uncle Li Wenzhong, and soon settled on the heroic young man.

Although childhood memories have long since faded, the first glance upon meeting was still vivid.

He then realized that this person was his fourth uncle, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan!

He was also the Yongle Emperor in history!

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly stepped forward, immediately performed the junior's greeting, and said, "Nephew greets Fourth Uncle! I am unworthy of such a favor as to have Fourth Uncle come to greet me personally!"

Upon seeing his nephew, Zhu Di appeared somewhat dazed.

Things have definitely changed!

He's become taller and more handsome than I remember!

But the facial features were still clearly recognizable.

After realizing what had happened, he looked at the boy and scrutinized him closely. He quickly helped him up with both hands and laughed heartily, "Nephew! Our nephew!!"

"Fourth Uncle has missed you so much!"

Overjoyed.

Zhu Di disregarded all etiquette and picked up his nephew directly.

Just like many years ago in Beijing, I lifted him high and spun him around a few times.

Generals such as Lan Yu and Li Wenzhong.

Seeing all this, they all smiled.

With the arrival of the eldest grandson of the emperor safe and sound, the weight that had been hanging over my heart finally lifted!

On the contrary, the officials of Beiping looked surprised.

The King of Yan has always presented himself with authority and his word is law!

Never before has it been so gentle —

As for Zhu Xiong Ying himself, he was deeply moved.

His fourth uncle is such a good person!

From now on, I must take good care of them!

Of course, I was moved.

Zhu Xiong Ying also understood that his fourth uncle's goodness was relative!

Brothers and cousins ​​like Zhu Yunwen might not have received such treatment.

After all, he was not only his own nephew, but also the eldest son of the Zhu family!

His status and position are irreplaceable.

After a dozen or so breaths, Zhu Di, still delighted, put his nephew down.

During this break, Zhu Xiong Ying paid his respects to his maternal uncle Lan Yu, his paternal uncle Li Wen Zhong, and others.

Li Jinglong, Chang Mao, and others still came forward to pay their respects.

A moment later, Zhu Di's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat. He put his arm around his nephew's shoulder and walked towards the pavilion, asking with concern, "My dear nephew, you must have had a long and tiring journey, haven't you?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and shook his head, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Fourth Uncle. I'm fine! I was just eager to see you and your wife as soon as possible so I could pay my respects!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di sighed, "We are very happy that our nephew has come to Beiping! It's just that the journey took dozens of days, which worried your aunt and me terribly!"

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