The fierce grandson of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 174 Chang Mao: I am the son of the Prince of Kaiping!

The next day.

The rear hall of Wenhua Hall.

As usual, after attending classes at Dabentang, Zhu Jixi and the other imperial grandsons would gather here to complete their studies.

Entrusted by his elder brother Zhu Xiong Ying, the eldest son of the Prince of Yan, Zhu Gao Chi, was responsible for supervising and inspecting the process.

After finishing their homework, as the imperial grandsons were about to leave, Zhu Yunwen put down his pen and ink and said impatiently, "Have you all heard these past two days that our eldest brother won a great victory in Beiping!"

Look at how excited Zhu Yunwen is.

Zhu Ji nodded and said, "Of course I've heard! Even my father wrote a letter last month, praising my elder brother's extraordinary talent!"

"At such a young age, to be able to command thousands of troops and pacify them—I have so much to learn from him!"

Upon hearing the sound, the palace immediately became lively.

Everyone started talking at once, discussing the battle situation they had heard about.

However, based on the rumors circulating, they spread from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred, eventually becoming all sorts of strange and bizarre stories.

Then, the honest and robust Zhu Shangbing exclaimed, "When our elder brother returns victorious, we must ask him to teach us how to fight!"

"When we grow up, we want to be like our eldest brother, leading troops into battle and expanding the territory of our Great Ming Dynasty!"

Although Zhu Shangbing was young, he was bold and courageous.

As soon as he said it, many brothers chimed in with their own words.

Zhu Gaochi echoed, "On another note, my elder brother is not only knowledgeable in military strategy and possesses both wisdom and courage, but he is also exceptionally kind and benevolent!"

"I heard my grandfather mention this last time: my eldest brother treated the surrendered soldiers very well—"

"The kindness and benevolence of this place are something we should all learn from!"

"The Northern Expedition was not about wiping out the Yuan invaders, but about ensuring a peaceful life for the people!"

"When we grow up, we should learn more from our eldest brother!"

Zhu Gaochi's words were full of profound truths, but few understood them.

Finally, filled with longing, Zhu Yunwen asked softly, "I wonder when my elder brother will return to the capital, and what good things he will bring us?"

Seeing this, Zhu Yunwen smiled and said, "Don't worry, once the Northern Expedition is over, I'm sure my elder brother will return!"

"Then we'll go pick him up together! Then we'll know!"

As soon as he finished speaking, cheers erupted.

"Great! Just as Third Brother said!"

At the palace gate, the old eunuchs who were serving there were deeply moved by this sight.

I remember more than ten years ago, His Highness the Crown Prince, along with His Highnesses the Prince of Jin, the Prince of Qin, the Prince of Yan, and others, often completed their studies here, and they were always happy and had a deep brotherly bond.

Everything I see today seems just like it did in the past!

Beiping.

Zhu Xiong Ying was unaware of how much his younger brothers missed him, their elder brother.

On the morning of that day, upon learning that Nahachu and his followers had surrendered, they were about to arrive in Beiping City under the escort of their maternal uncle, Lan Yu.

So, following the preparations made in the previous days, he went to greet them together with his fourth uncle, Zhu Di, and his entourage.

It was past midday, and the weather was hot.

Under the shade of a covered walkway built beside the main road.

Zhu Xiong Ying, dressed in casual clothes, was sitting on a stool, chatting with his fourth uncle, Zhu Di.

Duke Chang Mao of Zheng, clad in armor and holding a sword hilt, stood to the rear.

Meanwhile, Li Jinglong and other members of the imperial family were also dressed in armor, looking imposing and awe-inspiring.

As for Nai Ciwu, Nai Erbuhua, and others who returned a few days earlier, they were also here, just like the other civil and military officials, and were looking out at the road in the distance from time to time.

About half an hour has passed.

Just as they were feeling the sweltering heat, Sanbao came running in and whispered, "May I inform His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prince of Yan?"

"According to the cavalry report, Marquis Yongchang and his men have reached within five li!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying, Zhu Di, and their entourage immediately got up and went to wait outside the pavilion.

Soon after, accompanied by the thunderous sound of hooves, and amidst billowing dust, a procession of Ming cavalry could be seen leading the way, followed by numerous carriages.

Marquis Yongchang, Lan Yu, was positioned at the very front when riding.

Xu Yungong, Tang Ding, and other young generals led their respective troops to stand guard on the left and right!

Upon reaching him, Lan Yu reined in the horses, dismounted, and quickly stepped forward, bowing and saying, "This humble general greets His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prince of Yan!"

"Having received orders from the Grand General, I have escorted Marquis Haixi and his core troops here!"

As always, Zhu Xiong Ying greeted him warmly, helping him to his feet and saying with a smile, "Uncle, you've worked hard!"

"Since the start of the war, in the past few months, my maternal uncle has made outstanding contributions to pacifying Liaodong!"

"More than a month ago, we wrote to Grandfather the Emperor, requesting commendations for Uncle and all the soldiers!"

These words deeply moved Lan Yu.

No matter when or where, it is always the eldest grandson of the emperor who thinks of him as his elder!

"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

As soon as they stood up, after exchanging a few words, Lan Yu looked behind her and whispered, "Eldest Grandson, please look. That person in front is Marquis Haixi, Nahachu!"

A few feet away, a tall, elderly man with gray hair and beard, dressed in a blue robe, slowly dismounted from his horse with the help of soldiers.

Upon closer inspection, judging from their facial features, they indeed resembled Mongolians.

After observing for a moment, he exchanged a glance with his fourth uncle, Zhu Di.

Immediately, the uncle and nephew led the crowd forward.

After a short while, Zhu Xiong Ying, with a smile on his face, took the lead in bowing and saying, "Marquis Haixi, you must have had a long journey—"

The moment I saw the leading youth, I was struck by his dragon-like and phoenix-like appearance, and his radiant countenance.

Nahachu was startled. He knew all too well that this person must be the most beloved grandson of the Ming Emperor.

The man beside him was young and vigorous, with an equally impressive demeanor.

Could it be the Prince of Yan who was enfeoffed in Beiping?

He glanced behind him again and saw the familiar Nai Ciwu and others, but he didn't see Guan Tong, the general who had surrendered to the Ming Dynasty earlier, which puzzled him.

Could it be that Guan Tong is still under the command of Li Wenzhong, the White-Robed God of War, and has not yet returned to Beiping?

In the blink of an eye, Naha made his judgment.

He hurriedly lifted his robe and bowed deeply: "This sinful subject pays respects to the eldest grandson of the Emperor! Pays respects to the Prince of Yan!"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head and reached out to help him up, saying, "Since Marquis Haixi has already submitted to our Great Ming, he is one of our own. There's no need for such formalities!"

Upon seeing this young imperial grandson, he was struck by his powerful voice and imposing presence.

Naha felt a chill run down his spine and quickly stood up in response.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he then met with the other surrendered generals, and they had many conversations, which were quite harmonious.

Zhu Di stood aside, witnessing all of this, and was filled with emotion.

His eldest nephew, despite his young age, speaks and acts with perfect judgment, possessing both authority and kindness.

He was capable of handling everything on his own.

The more he, as the uncle, saw, the more he admired him!

My older brother really raised a good son!

Two incense sticks later.

Under the scorching sun, as his good nephew finished speaking and they were about to return to camp, Chang Mao, having stood there for so long, lost his patience and couldn't help but step forward, loudly proclaiming, "What my nephew just said is right!"

"Let me add one more thing: now that you belong to our Great Ming Dynasty, you should do your jobs well and be good people!"

"But if they dare to try anything again, our weapons are merciless and will be the first to suffer the consequences."

The moment these words were spoken, the room fell silent.

Nahachu and the others looked quite embarrassed.

Upon hearing this burly general address the emperor's grandson as his nephew, one could be astonished.

There were also many who speculated about his identity.

One of them, named Shicibatu, glared angrily and cupped his hands, saying, "I still don't know who you are, sir? Are your weapons sharp?"

Chang Mao proudly puffed out his chest and declared, "I am Chang Mao, son of the Prince of Kaiping! Do you dare to give it a try?"