Ming Dynasty: I, Zhu Yunwen, started by resurrecting my grandmother.

"Zhu Gaochi's vanguard has reached the Yanjin Ferry on the Yellow River," Zhu Yunwen said.

Empress Ma was quite clever: "You mean to say that Zhu Di is going to rebel?"

Zhu Yunwen straightened his clothes and said respectfully, "Whether Fourth Uncle intends to rebel or not, I dare not make a conclusion yet, but judging from his actions, it seems that he is doing something that is detrimental to the court."

Empress Ma, upon hearing this, began to berate Zhu Yuanzhang again: "Zhongba, you heard it all, didn't you? This is the result of your deliberate arrangement, uncle and nephew killing each other!"

Was there no better way back then?

Aren't you being too hasty?

"This—." For a moment, Old Zhu was also a little confused.

It should be said that this was the last thing he wanted to see. Zhu's original intention was that the remnants of the Northern Yuan were too arrogant and that a capable person was needed to guard Beiping and resist the Northern Yuan.

Because Zhu Di had been established in Beiping for many years and had been dealing with the Northern Yuan for quite some time, he was very experienced.

Therefore, Zhu Di felt more at ease handing Beiping over to Zhu Di, but unexpectedly, Zhu Di and Zhu Yunwen eventually fell out.

Empress Ma frowned and asked Zhu Yuanzhang, "How do you think this situation will end?"

Before they could even capture Chen Zuyi and his son Chen Shiliang, their own people were already fighting amongst themselves.

Old Zhu was at a loss after hearing this.

He wiped the sweat from his brow: "What does Zhu Yunwen plan to do about this?"

"It is unknown, but it seems he intended to send troops to stop Zhu Gaochi's army from advancing south," Zhu Yunwen said.

Empress Ma became anxious upon hearing this: "If that's the case, wouldn't they be on the verge of exploding?"

Could a fight break out at any moment?

"Chongba, you'd better think of something quickly!"

"That rebellious son Zhu Di, that bastard Zhu Yunwen!"

Old Zhu was so angry he didn't know what to say. After all, as an elder, no one wants their descendants to fight each other.

Empress Ma rolled her eyes at Old Pig: "What's the use of you cursing there? Will it solve the problem?"

The problem now is how to prevent them from fighting.

"Yes, yes, yes, you've hit the nail on the head," Old Zhu said, pacing back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. "I don't want to show my face in public. Only the two of you know I'm back this time. No one else knows."

"Girl, you should handle this."

"Ahem, ahem," Empress Ma coughed softly. "Your 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions' clearly states that women are not allowed to interfere in politics."

Besides, that grandson of a man named Yunwen doesn't listen to me.

Last time, I told him to release Yunhu from the Dali Temple prison, but he wouldn't listen! Do you think he'd listen to me on something this serious?"

Upon hearing Empress Ma's words, Emperor Zhu felt a mixture of worry and joy.

He was pleased that his grandson Zhu Yunwen could withstand the pressure and even dared to disobey Empress Ma; that took considerable courage.

In any case, Zhu Yunwen is better than me in this respect;

His concern was that Zhu Yunwen would not only have a poor relationship with Zhu Di,

His relationship with Zhu Yunwen was also very strained, and he even wanted to kill Zhu Yunwen.

Zhu Yunwen went to Beiping to fight against the Northern Yuan and pirates, and made great contributions. How could he do this?

As an emperor, the most important thing is to be clear about rewards and punishments. Only by doing this can you fully mobilize the enthusiasm of talents. Otherwise, who will be willing to risk their lives for you?

Old Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "How about this, I'll write you an imperial edict. You take it to see that grandson Yunwen, and I reckon he won't dare disobey."

When Empress Ma heard what Zhu said, she immediately agreed: "Alright, you left behind a huge mess, and now I have to clean it up for you."

"Good girl, you've worked hard."

Zhu Yunwen wanted to laugh to himself, thinking that this was a case of one thing subduing another. Old Zhu was very dignified in front of his ministers.

The civil and military officials were terrified when they saw Zhu Yuanzhang, and a chill ran down their spines.

It is said that when Li Shimin attended court, his face was ashen, and the civil and military officials were terrified of him.

Later, someone advised him not to be so serious.

From then on, Li Shimin would sometimes joke with his ministers when he attended court.

Those ministers weren't that nervous.

However, the civil and military officials in the court were more afraid of Zhu Yuanzhang than of Li Shimin.

Because Zhu Yuanzhang had a very bad temper, if someone argued with him, he would order his golden-armored warriors to strike the minister on the head with a golden mace.

In addition, Zhu De burned down the celebration building because of the Hu Weiyong case and the Lan Yu case, which killed tens of thousands of people. The corpses piled up like mountains and the blood flowed like rivers. It is said that the Yangtze River was dyed red.

Therefore, all the civil and military officials were terrified of Zhu Yuanzhang.

Old Zhu patted Zhu Yunwen on the shoulder: "Good grandson, you will be stationed in Suzhou and work with your maternal grandfather to deal with Chen Zuyi and his son Chen Shiliang. Be careful."

Even the Emperor's grandfather offered a reward of 50 taels of silver, but he still couldn't catch that brat Chen Zuyi.

"I hope you can prove your grandfather right this time and bring Chen Zuyi and his son Chen Shiliang back to me."

Zhu Yunwen immediately declared, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in my mission."

Old Zhu nodded slightly: "It seems I misjudged you. I thought you were too simple-minded back then."

Now it seems you're quite capable, almost like a completely different person.

Zhu Yunwen thought to himself, "I am a person who has traveled from the future, but I have taken over this body of Zhu Yunwen."

The Chang family's bedroom.

A few days ago, Lady Chang was so anxious that she cried because Zhu Yunwen was imprisoned in the Dali Temple prison.

She went to find Chang Yuchun.

At that time, Chang Yuchun was also very anxious.

Chang Yuchun gathered his men and planned to break into the prison and rescue Zhu Yunwen.

Unexpectedly, pirates were about to attack the capital. Zhu Yunwen had no generals to command, so he issued an edict to release Zhu Yunwen from the Dali Temple prison.

Let him and Chang Yuchun lead troops to fight against the pirates.

This left the Chang family with mixed feelings of worry and joy.

She was happy that Zhu Yunwen was safe for the time being.

However, she also heard that Chen Zuyi and his son Chen Shiliang were extremely ruthless and vicious!

They were all ruthless killers.

Moreover, the enemy has a large army, while the imperial court only gave Zhu Yunwen a small number of troops. How could he possibly defeat them?

What if you can't beat them?

Chang was filled with worry and was truly restless.

Just then, with a creak, Zhu Yunwen walked in from outside and knelt on the ground: "Mother, I'm back!"

When Madam Chang saw that it was Zhu Yunwen, she took two steps forward and hugged him tightly: "Yunwen, where did you come from?"

Weren't you supposed to be fighting pirates at the front? How come you're back so soon?

Have you captured those pirates?

"Mother, it's not as easy as you say."

I just managed to steal a moment from my busy schedule to come back and see you.

Zhu Yunwen stood up and helped his mother sit down.

Then, he poured his mother a cup of green tea: "Your son is unfilial, causing you so much worry."

Chang's eyes welled up with tears: "You child, you've put so much effort into this."

How many troops did His Majesty give you in total?

1000, plus my maternal grandfather's 500 or so men, plus my father-in-law's 200 servants.

There are a total of over 1700 people.

"I've heard that Chen Zuyi and his son Chen Shiliang have tens of thousands of troops. Do you think your small force can defeat them?" Madam Chang asked with a worried expression.

"Mother, don't worry! I've recruited another 1000 cavalrymen," Zhu Yunwen said in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Lady Chang was taken aback and asked, "Does the Emperor know that you are recruiting soldiers?"

"This matter has not yet been reported to His Majesty," Zhu Yunwen replied truthfully.

"Recruiting soldiers privately is a capital offense. If Zhu Yunwen knew that you recruited soldiers in Suzhou, would he spare you in the future?"

Even if you win a battle at the front, it probably won't be enough.

Zhu Yunwen said confidently, "We're in a situation where our eyebrows are on fire, so let's focus on the immediate problem. Why should we worry about anything else?"

Madam Chang stood up, placed her hands in front of her abdomen, and paced back and forth in the hall, saying leisurely, "It's just a pity that your father and your brother died so young."

If they were here, they would share some of the burden for you.

The Lü family harbors deep resentment towards you because you killed Xuanfa.

You unknowingly became a thorn in her side.

She speaks ill of you to Zhu Yunwen every day.

And Qi Tai, that guy, he's incredibly cunning.

"As soon as Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne, he advocated for the reduction of the power of the princes in front of Zhu Yunwen, saying that otherwise they would seize his throne, and that this would be detrimental to you in the long run."

Zhu Yunwen knew that his mother was worried about his safety, so he comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

Now I not only have my grandmother and grandfather protecting me, but I also have this.

As Zhu Yunwen spoke, he took out the Qiankun Golden Lock from around his neck and showed it to Madam Chang.

Madam Chang was quite surprised: "As far as I know, this Qiankun Golden Lock should have been a gift from your imperial grandfather to your grandmother, right?"

Moreover, this gold lock is not merely an ornament; it is also a symbol of power.

"Yes, this is my get-out-of-jail-free card. It's not the crucial moment yet. When the crucial moment comes, I'll take it out, and Zhu Yunwen won't dare to do anything to me."

Madam Chang was still somewhat skeptical and asked, "Did Ning'er go with you?"

"Yes, he knows a little about medicine, and there happen to be some wounded soldiers who need care."

He was helping to treat the wounded soldiers.

"Ling'er is a good girl. You are so lucky to have her. You must treat her well."

"Mother, don't worry. I will definitely treat her with all my heart."

Upon hearing this, Madam Chang frowned: "But I heard that Timur of the Northern Yuan has a daughter named Minmin Timur, and it seems that her relationship with you is somewhat ambiguous. What's going on here?"

When Zhu Yunwen heard what his mother said, he thought to himself, "Good news doesn't travel far, but bad news travels fast. How did my mother know about this?"

He quickly explained, "Mother, don't believe those rumors. There's nothing between Wang Yuemin and me."

Chang expressed his doubt: "No way, I heard that the last time you were captured by pirates and imprisoned in the cabin, it was that girl who rescued you."

If that girl wasn't interested in you, would she risk her life to save you?

This doesn't seem to make sense.

"Uh—," Zhu Yunwen didn't know how to explain to Madam Chang, "Mother, don't ask about this, I'll handle it."

Madam Chang sighed: "If you were still the Prince of Wu back then, then it would be easier for a prince to have three wives and four concubines."

However, you have already been reduced to a commoner.

Zhao Ling'er didn't despise you. She followed you through thick and thin, did many things for you, and sacrificed a lot. This is very rare.

Therefore, your mother thinks you shouldn't do anything to hurt others.

"Mother, I understand."

"Your maternal grandfather is getting old. In this sweltering heat, he's been accompanying you on your campaigns. You can't let him worry too much," Madam Chang instructed.

Zhu Yunwen was deeply moved when his mother mentioned his maternal grandfather, Chang Yuchun.

Ever since Chang Yuchun came back to life, he has been following me and protecting me.

Chang Yuchun became his biggest supporter and strong backing.

"Also, your father-in-law is going all out this time."

As a sixth-rank military officer who was a commander of troops, he was subject to regulations by the imperial court that military officers were not allowed to mobilize troops without authorization.

He had no choice but to send out all 200 of his servants.

Keep in mind that they were facing tens of thousands of pirates.

These 200 people might not come back, but he still does it, tirelessly helping you recruit and train new soldiers.

Where can you find a father-in-law like this?

You must be very filial to him and never make him angry.

After listening to his mother's words, Zhu Yunwen felt that he had not done enough in many ways, causing his maternal grandfather and father-in-law to suffer along with him.

If it weren't for me, he would be staying at home now, drinking tea, chatting, watching crickets fight and ants climb trees when he has nothing to do. How leisurely that would be!

But in order to protect themselves, they risked their lives.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yunwen felt very guilty: "If we can successfully drive away the pirates this time, let the two elders rest at home and enjoy their old age."

Madam Chang nodded and said, "You're right to think that way."

You need to understand one thing: your maternal grandfather and your father-in-law have no obligation to risk their lives to protect you like this. The power struggles and treachery within the imperial court are probably not suitable for you.

Zhu Yongtong understood that his mother was worried about his safety: "After this battle is over, we will find a quiet place to settle down and from then on, we will no longer concern ourselves with matters of the court."

Upon hearing this, Lady Chang retorted irritably, "Do you think this is a matter for you to decide? Doesn't it require the Emperor's approval?"

"That's true."

After thinking for a moment, Madam Chang said, "Yun Tong, I think it will be very difficult for you to win this attack on the pirates of Chen Zuyi and Chen Shiliang."

The disparity in troop strength between your two sides is too great.

Once you arrive in Suzhou, your most important task is to preserve your strength and avoid being wiped out by pirates.

After all, every sergeant is your brother.

"Mother, I will discuss the matter of marching and fighting with my maternal grandfather and father-in-law. You don't need to worry about it."

Zhu Yunwen stayed with his mother for a while, gently comforting and reassuring her.

Chang's mood gradually calmed down.