Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Princess Fuli".

"Kuo Kuo's daughter?"

Inside the makeshift military tent, Zhu Di was enjoying steamed buns with hot soup when Huolihuo brought unexpected news.

"Yes."

Huo Li Huo Zhen bowed respectfully and said solemnly, "This matter is of great importance."

"The officers dared not act on their own initiative, and have now brought the two men here; they are right outside the tent."

"The decision on how to handle this is left to the General."

"Who captured him?"

Zhu Di wolfed down the steamed bun and asked.

"It was Zhu Neng, the captain in charge of scouting enemy cavalry, and his two lieutenants."

"They were all summoned."

Upon hearing Zhu Neng's name, Zhu Di's eyes lit up with a smile, and he gave the order.

"Yes."

Huo Li Huo strode towards the outside of the tent.

A moment later, several figures escorted a man and a woman dressed in Northern Yuan attire into the tent.

"Zhu Neng/Qiu Fu/Tan Yuan pay their respects to the General."

As soon as the three entered the military tent, they quickly gave a military salute, not daring to even raise their heads.

"Raise your head."

Zhu Di stood with his hands behind his back, scrutinizing the three men.

"Hey!"

Zhu Neng vaguely felt that the voice was somewhat familiar. When he looked up, he froze on the spot.

Not only him, but Qiu Fu and Tan Yuan were also somewhat taken aback. The person in front of them was none other than Zhu Silang, who had spent several months with them.

"What's wrong?"

"You don't recognize me after only a few days apart."

Zhu Di looked at the three of them with a smile on his lips.

"Zhu Silang... oh no, General."

"you..."

Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu, and Tan Yuan were all somewhat reserved, unsure how to face Zhu Di.

"You have done a great job this time."

"The military law of our Great Ming Dynasty has always been clear on rewards and punishments."

"Zhu Neng was promoted to centurion, and Qiu Fu and Tan Yuan were promoted to captain."

"I hereby authorize you to select brave and elite soldiers from the entire army to serve as scouts and detect enemy movements."

"Bestowed the name: Night Scout".

Zhu Di immediately issued an order.

"Thank you, General."

The three men's faces lit up with joy, and they responded loudly.

The Ming Dynasty implemented the garrison system, with the central government establishing the Grand General's Office to manage the military registers of the garrisons nationwide. Campaigns, garrisons, and training were all under the command of the Ministry of War.

Each province established a Regional Military Commission, headed by a Commander, and under it were Guards, each headed by a Guard Commander. Each Guard was under the command of five Thousand-Household Offices, totaling 5600 people.

A thousand-household unit is led by a thousand-household commander and administers 10 hundred-household units, totaling 1120 people. A hundred-household unit is led by a hundred-household commander and administers 2 general banners, totaling 112 people.

A centurion is a sixth-rank military officer, and a flag officer is a seventh-rank officer. Most county magistrates in the Ming Dynasty were only seventh-rank officers. How could they not be happy!

"You may leave now."

Zhu Di waved his hand, indicating that they had finished reminiscing and it was time to get down to business.

"Yes."

Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu, and Tan Yuan bowed again and then left the military tent one after another.

At this moment, only Zhu Di and two Yuan soldiers remained in the military tent. Zhang Yu looked around warily, ready to make a move at any moment.

"There are three thousand people outside. If I were you, I would never act rashly."

"Who are you?"

Zhang Yu suppressed his restless heart and faced Zhu Di directly.

To him, it was at least an unbelievable thing that a young boy could become a general commanding three thousand Ming soldiers.

"Before asking someone else's identity, state your own identity."

"This is the bare minimum of courtesy."

"The Mongols have ruled the Central Plains for nearly a century. Could it be that the Northern Yuan has lost even these things?"

Zhu Di looked down at Zhang Yu, displaying the complete demeanor of a superior, and always maintained the initiative.

"Zhang Yu, the Privy Councilor of the Yuan Dynasty."

Zhang Yu stood tall and proud, introducing himself.

"Oh?"

A strange light flashed across Zhu Di's eyes.

Zhang Yu, the most meritorious official in the Jingnan Campaign, along with Zhu Neng and Tan Yuan, each commanded one of the three guards of the Prince of Yan's residence.

In addition, Qiu Fu was also one of the famous generals of the Jingnan Campaign.

This trip was truly worthwhile; I've met almost all of my own team members.

"The Northern Yuan has truly declined."

"You, a Han Chinese, have achieved the position of Privy Councilor."

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

Zhu Di looked Zhang Yu up and down, his mockery undisguised.

"you..."

Zhang Yu wanted to refute, but didn't know how.

The Yuan Dynasty divided people into four classes: Mongols, Semu people, Han people, and Southern people. He was a Han person.

The Privy Council was in charge of military affairs. The Crown Prince usually served as the Privy Councilor. Under him were officials such as the Privy Councilor, the Deputy Privy Councilor (rank 2), the Associate Privy Councilor (rank 3), the Assistant Privy Councilor (rank 4), and the Assistant Privy Councilor.

The positions of Chief Administrator and Assistant Chief Administrator must be filled by Mongols or a small number of Semu people, while Han Chinese are used for positions below the rank of Deputy Envoy.

Since the Ming army captured Dadu (Beiping), the Yuan Dynasty existed in name only. The official positions within the Northern Yuan were in disarray, with countless Grand Commandants and the Privy Council being a mere makeshift organization.

"And you?"

"What's your name?"

Zhu Di turned his attention to Wang Baobao's daughter.

Bo Yalun Haibie wore a dark blue brocade robe with a right-fastening cross-collar, a leather belt around her waist, and her long, black hair was braided and coiled, adorned with pearls, gemstones, and gold and silver tassels, showcasing the nobility and elegance of the Northern Yuan princess.

Even when imprisoned, there was no fear in his eyes, his expression was stubborn, and his bones revealed the wildness and tenacity of the Mongolians.

"Boyalun Haibie".

Haibie opened his mouth slightly and uttered a Mongolian name.

"Hai Bie".

Zhu Di muttered to himself, his eyes fixed intently on the two men: "It seems that Lan Yu has taken down Kuo Kuo's stronghold."

"So that's why Kuo Kuo kept holding onto this piece of meat without eating it."

"Blue Jade!"

Upon hearing this name, Hai Bie's eyes filled with hatred and murderous intent.

"If it weren't for that scoundrel Sheng Yong, how could the princess have..."

"Prefect Zhang".

Hai Bie immediately stopped Zhang Yu, and Zhang Yu quickly shut his mouth.

"Sheng Yong".

Zhu Di's expression grew increasingly strange as he heard another familiar name.

Sheng Yong was one of the most prominent generals of the Ming Dynasty in the later period of the Hongwu reign.

In the first year of the Jianwen reign (1399), Sheng Yong, as a military officer, followed Geng Bingwen in the campaign against Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, and repeatedly caused trouble for the Yan army.

If he remembered correctly, Sheng Yong was someone promoted by Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

Lan Yu was Chang Yuchun's brother-in-law. Zhu Biao married Chang Yuchun's daughter, so he should have called Lan Yu "uncle". This northern expedition was recommended by Crown Prince Zhu Biao to be the vanguard of the army. The deputy general, Geng Bingwen, was also a staunch member of the Crown Prince's faction.

This means that Sheng Yong was recommended to Crown Prince Zhu Biao during this battle, and the person who recommended him was probably Geng Bingwen.

"This is so interesting!"

Connecting all the clues, Zhu Di roughly understood what role Lan Yu played in this battle.

"Someone come here."

"Take them away and put them in solitary confinement."

"Yes."

Without a word, the soldiers outside the tent stepped forward and escorted Zhang Yu and Hai Bie to other military tents for custody.

'???'

Zhang Yu and Hai Bie looked completely bewildered.

They thought Zhu Di was going to interrogate them, but to their surprise, the young Ming general simply asked for their names and that was the end of it.

What exactly happened?!