Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"That little bastard sold himself out."

"Sold for a good price."

Xu Da, looking indignant, glared at Xu Miaoyun and said, "Daughter, if you're not willing, I'll go to the palace right now to find my old brother and cancel this marriage. We can tolerate his wrath then."

"father."

Xu Miaoyun said calmly, "In the battle of Mobei, you cooperated with the Prince of Yan to capture Karakorum and force Wang Baobao to surrender."

"This marriage can be arranged with someone else, but it absolutely cannot be called off."

"If His Majesty and the Empress agree, I'm afraid none of the civil and military officials, or nobles, will be willing."

"Our Xu family is a prominent family that attracts unwanted attention. Unless one is related to the imperial family, how can we possibly maintain our wealth and status?"

"So you mean..."

Xu Da observed the changes in his eldest daughter's expression and tried to inquire about her attitude.

"The royal family needs the Prince of Yan to have more offspring."

"If not Haibie, then someone else."

"If I wasn't even mentally prepared for this, how could I dare to agree to this marriage?"

Xu Miaoyun was more composed than Xu Da. She had anticipated these things, but the choice of the person to be chosen was unexpected.

"Eldest daughter."

Looking at Xu Miaoyun, Xu Da solemnly instructed her, "The Prince of Yan has made outstanding military achievements on this trip, unprecedented in history."

"The current crown prince's reputation, both in and out of the court, has probably been overshadowed by your husband."

"His Majesty did not inherit from any dynasty or generation; he is the Son of Heaven who fought his way to the throne with sword and spear."

"It is a great taboo in all dynasties that the father is not old yet the son is already strong."

"Moreover, His Majesty has always regarded the Crown Prince as his successor, and which of the important officials in the court does not hold an official position in the Eastern Palace?"

"Most of the officials in the Prince of Yan's mansion came from eastern Zhejiang, which naturally put them on the opposite side of the imperial court."

"In the future, he will face countless enemies, both open and covert, which will be difficult to guard against."

"If you follow him, there will be many hardships and obstacles to overcome."

You'd better think this through!

After this experience, Xu Da finally understood Zhu Di's character: unruly and with his own set of rules and strategies.

Such a person will inevitably become a powerful figure in times of chaos, but in times of prosperity, he will only be firmly bound by those constraints. Breaking free from those constraints is no easy task!

Standing opposite the Prince of Yan were not only the powerful and influential figures of Huaixi, but also the emperor, the crown prince, and court officials; he had very few supporters.

Why did Dad choose him in the first place?

"Kokötemur is a remarkable man praised by His Majesty, so why did he betroth his eldest daughter to the Prince of Yan as a concubine?"

Instead of answering Xu Da directly, Xu Miaoyun asked two questions.

Xu Da and Wang Baobao were the two most powerful commanders of their time, and they both chose Zhu Di as their son-in-law. Isn't that enough to explain everything?

"Wang Baobao, I don't know."

"But I chose him because I was attracted to his fearless spirit."

"The reason Your Majesty and I rebelled is simply because the emperor is far away, the people are few, and there are many ministers. With three beatings a day, what else can we do but rebel?"

"The energy this kid has is just like ours back in the day."

Xu Da's eyes were filled with memories. Back then, he, Zhu Yuanzhang, Tang He, Chang Yuchun, and others all relied on this same spirit to fight their way out of the bloodshed.

"Father, there's no need to say any more."

"My daughter knows what she is doing. Now that she is engaged, she and her husband should be of one mind and heart."

"Whether he takes a concubine or rebels, I will stand with him."

Xu Miaoyun's beautiful face was filled with determination as she answered, word by word.

"it is good."

Xu Da nodded and said nothing more.

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

The rear hall of the Prince of Qin's residence.

"Princess."

"We saw Princess Fuli at the Wei State Duke's residence."

Ulan Tuya stepped forward and whispered in Wang Yuemin's ear.

Farewell, Hai!

A strange look flashed across Wang Yuemin's usually cold face as she pressed for an answer: "Why is Hai Bie at the Duke of Wei's residence?"

"Logically, someone of Haibie's status should be sent directly to the palace for the Empress to decide his fate."

"Princess."

Ulan Tuya hesitated for a moment before replying, "Princess Fuli is currently the adopted daughter of Duke Xu Da of Wei."

What?

Wang Yuemin was shocked. Wang Baobao's daughter had become Xu Da's adopted daughter. How could this be?

If Xu Da used this identity to bring Hai Bie into the Duke of Wei's mansion, it would indeed make sense.

Since Wang Baobao had already surrendered to the Ming Dynasty, and Boyalunhai was his eldest daughter, there was naturally no need to worry about her safety. So why did she become Xu Da's adopted daughter?

For a time, a series of mysteries shrouded the Queen Consort of Qin, leaving her in a state of utter confusion.

"Princess."

"News has come from the north house."

"King Qi handed over all 15,000 elite cavalry under his command to Nairbuhua, to be led by Mu Ying."

"We are currently fighting in Beiting, outside of Hexi."

Ulan Tuya then added a piece of information.

"Mu Ying, the adopted son of Emperor Zhu?"

"Why would my brother voluntarily hand over his military power? Could it be that he really has no intention of restoring the Yuan Dynasty?"

Wang Yuemin's deep, bright phoenix eyes flickered with doubt, completely unable to understand the connection between them.

She always thought that Wang Baobao's surrender was a helpless move, or a way to lull the Ming Dynasty into complacency, and that the Yuan Dynasty would be restored as soon as it had the chance.

Now it seems as if he willingly submitted to the Ming Dynasty. Is this still the same brother who was wholeheartedly devoted to the Yuan Dynasty?

"Our messengers in the palace have sent the latest news."

"Emperor Zhu issued an edict reprimanding Duke Feng Sheng of Song, stripping him of his command of the Western Route Army, and handing it over to Mu Ying."

"It seems that the Ming Dynasty will have another general in command."

Wang Yuemin came to her senses, her red lips parted slightly, and she spoke.

"Does the princess mean that Emperor Zhu intends to groom Mu Ying?"

Ulan Tuya asked curiously.

Of the six dukes enfeoffed by the Ming Dynasty, only four commanded troops.

"Xu Da, Duke of Wei; Li Wenzhong, Duke of Cao; Feng Sheng, Duke of Song; and Deng Yu, Duke of Wei."

"Deng Yu was always leading troops in the south. When Xu Da entered the Secretariat, the affairs of the Grand General's Office were handled by Li Wenzhong and Feng Sheng."

"Feng Sheng has always colluded with the nobles of Huaixi and appointed people based on personal connections."

"The main purpose of Emperor Zhu's punishment of Feng Sheng this time was to take away his military power."

"Now that it's been taken, it can't be taken back. Mu Ying is probably Emperor Zhu's preferred successor to Feng Sheng."

Wang Yuemin's analysis was very logical and reasonable.

"Princess."

"Should we plant a spy in the Mu residence?"

A strange light flickered in Ulan Tuya's eyes.

"No need."

Wang Yuemin raised her hand to interrupt, saying, "The Yuan Dynasty has ended, and my brother has already pledged allegiance to the Ming Dynasty."

"The scouts are no longer needed, so why bother with them?"

"Princess."

Ulan Tuya grew anxious, a look of worry appearing on her face.

"You can go down now. Let me have some peace and quiet."

Wang Yuemin issued an order to leave.

"Yes."

Ulan Tuya had no choice but to leave the rear hall.

Wang Yuemin watched as she closed the palace door, a bitter smile curling at the corner of her lips. The Great Yuan was gone; what else could she do?