Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Dad, it hurts so much."

"ah?!"

In the Yongjia Marquis's residence, Zhu Yu lay on the bed, his face contorted in a terrifying grimace, groaning in pain.

"doctor."

"How is my son?"

Zhu Liangzu was extremely anxious and stood there restlessly.

He had only two sons. His eldest son, Zhu Xian, served as the Left Guard Commander of the Imperial Guard. His youngest son, Zhu Yu, was still young and was usually pampered and spoiled by his father. How could it not be heartbreaking to see him in this state?

"My lord."

After examining the patient, the renowned physician from Yingtian Prefecture looked troubled.

"Speak."

Zhu Liangzu shouted loudly.

"Yes."

The renowned physician spoke slowly, then hesitated before saying, "The young marquis has suffered internal injuries; I fear his days are numbered."

What?

Zhu Liangzu was struck as if by lightning, and he staggered back several steps.

"My lord."

"I am not skilled enough, so I will take my leave."

The renowned doctor dared not remain at the Yongjia Marquis's residence any longer and hurriedly turned and left.

Such injuries would be beyond the help of even the most skilled physicians, let alone him. A strange aura lingered within the young son of the Marquis of Yongjia, like a leech constantly aggravating his injuries. He estimated that Zhu Yu would die within three days at most.

"father."

"I don't want to die."

Zhu Yu grabbed Zhu Liangzu's clothes with both hands, pleading desperately.

How could Zhu Liangzu bear to see an old man outlive his son? He roared, "Men, prepare the horses! We're going to the palace. I wish to see His Majesty."

"So what if the Prince of Yan's surname is Zhu? My son is not a pig or dog to be slaughtered at will."

"Yes."

The servants of the Marquis of Yongjia's residence immediately went to make arrangements.

.............

Zhu Di, the instigator, circled around outside Qingliang Gate, entered Tongji Gate, and headed to the Prince of Qin's residence.

Prince Zhu Shuang of Qin was the first to get married, but before he was enfeoffed, Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Ministry of Works to select a site and supervise the construction of a magnificent Prince Qin Mansion next to the palace. Its scale was second only to the Crown Prince's Mansion, which fully demonstrated the emperor's affection for this second son.

"stop."

The soldiers guarding the gate of the Prince of Qin's mansion stopped Zhu Di immediately, and Zhu Di took out his ivory token to prove his identity.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan!"

The soldiers carefully examined the four characters "Yan Wang Zhu Di" on the token, and in a panic, they immediately knelt down.

"I wish to see my second sister-in-law."

Zhu Di looked down at the soldiers from his high vantage point and gave his orders.

"Yes."

A soldier entered the mansion in response and hurriedly went to inform the Princess of Qin.

A moment later, in the main hall of the Qin Prince's Mansion.

"Fourth brother, what brings you to our residence? Your second brother is still at the main hall."

Princess Wang Yuemin of Qin looked at Zhu Di with some surprise.

"I'm not here to see my second brother, I'm here to see you, my second sister-in-law."

Zhu Di raised his head and faced Wang Yuemin, or rather, Minmin Temur.

This Princess Consort of Qin was dressed in the magnificent ceremonial robes of a prince consort of the Ming Dynasty, wearing a nine-phoenix crown and a pheasant-patterned robe. Every move she made exuded a free and easy and capable air that was completely different from that of women from the Central Plains.

He was tall and slender with deep and three-dimensional features, and his skin was as white as snow. His eyes often contained a sense of stubbornness and aloofness. There was an indisputable heroic spirit and coldness between his brows and eyes. His manner of doing things had both the dignified and majestic demeanor of royalty and the dashing and heroic spirit of those who had followed the army on the battlefield in the past.

"Looking for me?"

The look of astonishment on Wang Yuemin's face grew even stronger.

The second brother is not home, and the younger brother is looking for his sister-in-law. What kind of situation is this?

"I want to know about Wang Baobao from my second sister-in-law."

"Let's learn about this Prince Qi of the Great Yuan Dynasty, the most extraordinary man in the world, as described by my father."

Zhu Di noticed the loneliness and indifference that Wang Yuemin inadvertently revealed, which was the alienation brought about by long-term misfortune.

Despite living a life of luxury, Wang Yuemin was not happy at all. Prince Zhu Shuang of Qin had always treated his principal wife, who was of Mongol origin, with indifference, and preferred his concubine, Deng. Deng's father, Deng Yu, was a founding hero and was personally appointed Duke of Wei by His Majesty in the third year of Hongwu's reign, who could provide Prince Zhu Shuang with great assistance.

In contrast, Wang Yuemin's brother, Wang Baobao, was the Ming Dynasty's number one enemy, inflicting heavy losses on the Ming army on the frontier on multiple occasions.

Comparing the two, how could Zhu Shuang possibly like the sister of his enemy? It was already quite an achievement that they could maintain a respectful relationship.

In the original history, this Qin King's principal wife was imprisoned and starved to death after Zhu Shuang took up his post in Xi'an. How tragic!

However, this time Zhu Di did not come out of sympathy for his second sister-in-law, but rather to use Wang Yuemin to deliberately leak some information to Kökö Temür's ears, so as to make full preparations for the next second northern expedition.

"I understand my brother."

A strange light flashed in Wang Yuemin's eyes as she pondered Zhu Di's true intentions.

"yes."

"Father has already appointed Uncle Xu to lead troops in preparation for the second campaign against the Northern Yuan."

"The three armies launched a simultaneous attack, with the main force concentrated in the central route."

"Uncle Xu personally led his troops out of Yanmen Pass and headed towards Karakorum, intending to capture Borjigin Ayushiridara in one fell swoop and drive the Yuan army out of the Mongolian steppe."

"I wanted to go to the northern desert with Uncle Xu, but I was afraid that my father would not agree, so I secretly slipped out of the palace."

Zhu Di scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, revealing his childish side and full of childlike innocence.

"I see."

Wang Yuemin patiently recounted Wang Baobao's deeds one by one, completely avoiding the key points, and not mentioning his military habits or strategies.

"hehe!"

Zhu Di understood perfectly, and became even more wary of his second sister-in-law, who was "physically in Cao's camp but loyal to Han."

During the Mongol Empire, a scout army was established, which served not only as a vanguard force to conquer the Central Plains but also as a garrison force, possessing an intimate knowledge of the Central Plains.

After the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty, the Tanmaqi Army gradually transformed into the Tanmajunsi, which was managed by Yingchuan Prince Lichahan and his son Wang Baobao.

The scouts were divided into the North House and the South House, with the Yellow River as the boundary. The two sides were independent of each other and did not interfere with each other.

The person in charge of the south-facing room is the Princess Consort of the Prince of Qin, who is responsible for collecting intelligence and transmitting messages to the Northern Yuan.

The two talked for a while before Zhu Di got up and left, and Wang Yuemin returned to the inner palace.

"I'm tired. Ulan Tuya, stay. Everyone else, go down."

"Yes."

The maids serving the prince bowed and withdrew.

Ulan Tuya cautiously observed her surroundings, and only dared to approach when she saw no one: "Princess."

Tell your brother.

"Emperor Zhu's fourth son is going to join Xu Da on the expedition."

"The main force of the Ming army is in the central route; we must stop them outside Karakorum."

Wang Yuemin urgently instructed Ulan Tuya.

"Yes."

Ulan Tuya responded solemnly.

"They brought light cavalry this time, so we need to spread the news quickly and not fall behind Xu Da."

"Yes, I understand."

Ulan Tuya's expression grew increasingly serious, fully aware of the importance of this matter.

"I need to rest now, you may leave."

Wang Yuemin deliberately amplified her voice so that people outside could hear it.

"Yes."

Ulan Tuya stretched out her arms, palms facing inward, bowed, and turned to leave the inner hall.

Wang Yuemin watched her leave, his heart clenching. Starting from the first year of Hongwu (1368), the Yuan Dynasty successively lost Dadu and Shangdu, retreating to Karakorum, which was the last hope of the Mongols.

Little did they know that Zhu Di had been keeping watch near the Prince of Qin's residence. Only after seeing the pigeons fly away did a slight smile curl at the corner of his mouth: "The fish has taken the bait!"