Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Your hidden strength technique is superb."

"He's not far from reaching the Transformation Realm."

Xu Da examined his prospective son-in-law Zhu Di and said.

"Uncle Xu".

"What's wrong with you?"

Zhu Di was taken aback, not expecting that Xu Da had seen through his strategy.

"Hahaha!"

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed heartily and said cheerfully, "You little rascal, you really think your old man is blind!"

"What haven't we seen together over the years?"

"There are people in the world who have better internal strength than you."

"If it weren't for the fact that Old Zhang is elusive, we would have sent someone to capture him and bring him to the palace to teach long ago."

"Zhang Sanfeng!"

Zhu Di's eyes gleamed.

A Taoist master who lived from the Southern Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, is said to have lived for over two hundred years.

When one cultivates martial arts to the point of mastery, one's power flows throughout the entire body, including teeth, hair, internal organs, and bone marrow, making it easy to live past 130 or 140 years old.

When one reaches the level of Dan Jin (丹劲), one's essence, energy, and spirit are concentrated into a single point, resulting in extremely strong explosive power. Every movement can unleash a force of over a thousand jin (approximately 500 kg).

Zhang Sanfeng was at least a master of Dan Jin (internal energy), or perhaps he had already reached the higher level of Gang Jin (internal energy) master.

"Since ancient times, kung fu has been divided into internal and external skills."

Xu Da explained eloquently: "External martial arts emphasize strength over intention, and are characterized by their fierce and domineering nature."

"Many military generals are skilled in combat techniques, which are also considered external martial arts skills."

"Internal martial arts emphasize intention over force, and advocate using stillness to control movement, striking after the opponent has moved first."

"Internal martial arts are difficult to learn and master, requiring a peaceful mind and temperament. Generally, only those in the Taoist sect will study them in depth."

"I didn't expect you to be a master of internal strength at only a teenager."

"If those old Taoist priests found out about this, they would do everything they could to recruit you as their disciple."

"snort!"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "Those Taoist priests can't teach my sons."

『..............』

Zhu Di and Zhu Biao exchanged a glance, their faces showing helplessness.

After Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor and established the country, he sent envoys to Wudang Mountain and other places many times to search for and invite Zhang Sanfeng to the court, but all his efforts were in vain. As a result, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that his dignity as the emperor of the Ming Dynasty had been offended and he had no goodwill towards Taoism.

"You've got a real knack for this, kid. His Majesty doesn't need to worry about the northern expedition this time."

Xu Da then said something that laid the groundwork for Zhu Di's northern expedition.

"Fourth brother."

"You are to accompany me on the northern expedition. We have agreed, and we will not change our minds."

"Boss, send a letter to the Ministry of War to recruit the three guards of the Prince of Yan, and prioritize the replenishment of soldiers, armor and horses."

"father!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's words made Zhu Biao almost lose his footing.

According to regulations, the Prince's Three Guards each comprised 15 thousand-household units, with 1120 men in each unit, totaling 5600 men in each guard, for a total of 16800 men in the three guards.

The imperial court's elite troops have all been allocated to the northern expedition, so where would there be any extra elite troops left for Zhu Di?

"Old man."

"Are you crazy?"

Zhu Di retorted bluntly, "If you're going to give me three bodyguards, then what's the point of me doing all this today?"

"Once the three guards are all in place, the battles in the northern desert will be over."

The title of "Three Guards of the Prince" sounds impressive, but in reality, they were directly under the Ministry of War of the Imperial Court and managed by the Guard Command. The princes of the Ming Dynasty had the right to mobilize them, but this army did not belong to them.

The reason he went to great lengths to accompany the army on its northern expedition was to establish his prestige within the military and build his own faction.

"Fourth brother."

"How dare you speak to your father like that?"

Zhu Biao immediately reprimanded him.

"His Majesty."

Xu Da, who was standing nearby, spoke up to smooth things over: "I think it is inappropriate to appoint three guards."

"For this northern expedition, 50,000 men will be led on each of the central, eastern, and western routes."

"I am the commander of the central army. I have already appointed Vice Commander-in-Chief Lan Yu as the vanguard to march out of Yanmen Pass and act according to the opportune moment."

"It was no easy feat for the Ministry of War and the Grand Military Commission to coordinate 150,000 elite troops."

"To mobilize nearly 20,000 more troops at this time—let alone whether the imperial court has such elite troops, even if it does, how easy would it be to transfer them to the northern deserts!"

"Fine."

Zhu Yuanzhang dismissed the idea and turned to look at Zhu Di: "You brat, you're still arguing with us."

"Old man."

"If you really want to give it to me, then give me the authority to act expediently."

Zhu Di had a roguish look on his face, but his eyes gleamed with a sharp light.

The right to act expediently?

For a moment, all three people present were stunned.

"I don't need you to provide the three guards of the Prince of Yan; I'll build them myself."

"I want to become the first Grand General of the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Di's resounding words echoed within the central command tent.

"good!"

These bold words impressed Zhu Yuanzhang, who then issued an edict: "The Prince of Yan is granted the authority to act as he sees fit and is permitted to establish his own three guards."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhu Di immediately bowed and accepted the imperial edict.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao shook his head and smiled helplessly. He knew that Zhu Yuanzhang was not only indulging Zhu Di, but also testing him, so he did not speak up to stop him.

"Great General King!"

Xu Da began to have doubts.

Throughout history, there have been quite a few princes and nobles who led troops, the most famous being Prince Lanling Gao Changgong and Emperor Taizong of Tang Li Shimin, whose fates were completely different.

He didn't know which option Zhu Di wanted to take, but he had a feeling that Zhu Di wouldn't surrender like Gao Changgong.

...........

At 7:45 PM, Zhu Yuanzhang, accompanied by Xu Da and Zhu Biao, left the central command tent.

"Take good care of your good son-in-law."

"Our in-law relationship is now officially set."

"hehe!"

Xu Da smiled but didn't say anything more.

"Come, walk with me."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved, and Xu Da followed behind him. The two arrived at a secluded part of the military camp.

Zhu Biao dismissed the eunuchs with great interest, and even the imperial guards kept a distance of ten meters.

"Heavenly Virtue".

"I heard that you're taking your eldest son with you on this northern expedition?"

Zhu Yuanzhang strolled around, chatting casually.

"Yes."

"Once we get to Beiping, let him change his name like the Prince of Yan and serve in the army."

Xu Da did not hide anything and answered frankly.

"Heavenly Virtue".

"Yungong is a good boy."

"He and Bao'er (Li Wenzhong's) eldest son are well-known in Beijing."

"I intend to grant them both the title of Imperial Guard and place them in the Grand General's Office."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke.

"Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated."

Xu Da politely declined, saying, "I am a general of the nation; there is no reason for me to promote my own son in private."

"If he were in front of me, everyone would know he's my son."

"Let him join the army like the Prince of Yan. If he wants fame and fortune, he should earn it himself with his own sword and spear."

"good!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his determined eyes and said nothing more.

Xu Yungong was Xu Da's eldest son and the future master of the Duke of Wei's mansion. Xu Da even threw him into the army as a common soldier, so how could he ask him to open the door for Zhu Di? If word got out, wouldn't people say that the emperor's fourth son was more noble than the Duke of Wei's eldest son?

"It's getting late."

"There will be some commotion at the morning court tomorrow."

"Boss, let's go back."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and gave the order.

"Yes."

Zhu Biao immediately arranged for his personal guards to prepare the imperial carriage, and the group left the camp in a grand procession, returning to the palace.