Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

In mid-November of the fifth year of the Hongwu reign (1386), at Longwan Port in Yingtian Prefecture.

As the northern gateway to Nanjing, this place is bordered by the Yangtze River to the west and the Qinhuai River to the east. It was not only a naval base but also a canal port.

On the vast river, official boats, grain transport boats, tribute boats, and private merchant ships shuttled back and forth, their sails standing tall.

Grain from Hubei and Hunan, silk from Suzhou and Hangzhou, and porcelain from Jingdezhen were gathered and distributed here, and then transported to various places or overseas via the Yangtze River waterway.

Along the riverbank, teahouses and taverns dotted the streets and alleys, while small shops were bustling with activity, creating a vibrant atmosphere.

"Your Highness."

"We've arrived."

Zhang Wu and his group of Prince Yan's personal guards were filled with excitement.

"Yes, I have returned."

Standing outside Yifeng Gate, watching the endless stream of people, Zhu Di's eyes filled with memories.

From the beginning of spring until now, eight months have passed since he left the capital. He is no longer the young prince he once was, but the Prince of Yan of the Ming Dynasty who destroyed the Northern Yuan, sealed the wolf's lair, subdued the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, and intimidated the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. He is the only great general in history.

"Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"

At this moment, a commotion broke out in the city, and a group of figures could be seen in the distance wearing bright red round-necked, narrow-sleeved robes, leather boots, black headscarves, and long swords at their waists.

"This humble general is Geng Tianbi, Commander of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard."

"By order of His Majesty, we have come to welcome His Highness Prince Yan into the palace."

As soon as the leading general saw Zhu Di, he immediately knelt down on one knee to pay his respects.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Yan!"

All the imperial guards bowed in salute.

"Um."

Nodding slightly, Zhu Di mounted his horse and galloped towards the palace.

Behind them were a group of Prince Yan's personal guards and imperial troops. The entourage marched through the streets in a grand procession, attracting the attention of countless people.

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

The palace, Fengtian Hall, was brightly lit and decorated, and the ground heating system continuously radiated heat, dispelling the chill in the surroundings.

Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in a bright yellow imperial robe with a jade belt around his waist, wore a smile on his square face. Empress Ma, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, exuded the demeanor of an emperor and empress with every gesture. Crown Prince Zhu Biao, holding the hand of the eldest grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, stood beside the two.

Below him were Prince Zhu Shuang of Qin, Prince Zhu Gang of Jin, Zhu Su, Zhu Zhen, Zhu Fu, Zhu Zi, Zhu Qi, Zhu Tan, Zhu Chun, Zhu Bai, and other princes and princes.

Crown Princess Chang, Crown Prince's Concubine Lü, Princess Ningguo, Princess Anqing, Prince Qin's principal wife Wang Yuemin, Prince Qin's concubine Deng, Prince Jin's betrothed Xie Jin, as well as Xu Miaoyun and Hai Bie, all sat at another table.

"Tap tap!"

Amidst the sound of hurried footsteps, a eunuch trotted into the hall and announced loudly, "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Yan has arrived outside the hall."

"That little rascal is finally back."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled and scolded, and Empress Ma was moved, her phoenix eyes staring intently in the direction outside the hall.

The others also rose and looked out of the hall, all waiting.

"Tap tap!"

Before long, a tall and imposing figure appeared before everyone. He was eight feet tall, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, and his face was as sharp as if it had been carved by a knife.

"Fourth brother!"

"Fourth Uncle!"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao, leading Zhu Xiong Ying, immediately stepped forward to greet them.

"Ouch!"

Zhu Di reached out and lifted Zhu Xiong Ying high into the air, his childlike laughter echoing throughout the Fengtian Hall.

Crown Princess Chang frowned slightly as she watched this scene. Because of Zhu Di, her maternal uncle Lan Yu was punished, and Wang Baobao suddenly became a subject of the Ming Dynasty. How could she be happy? Naturally, she could not bear to see her son Zhu Xiong Ying getting close to Zhu Di.

"Fourth brother, you're really something!"

"Fourth Brother, is the Northern Desert fun?"

"Fourth Brother, Fourth Brother..."

In an instant, all the princes and nobles present flocked to Zhu Di, surrounding him and asking him all sorts of questions.

Amidst the crowd, a shadow of gloom and jealousy flashed across Prince Jin Zhu Gang's eyes. He should have been the most outstanding prince, second only to Crown Prince Zhu Biao, but now he had become Zhu Di.

At the table of women, Wang Yuemin, Xie Jin, Xu Miaoyun, and Hai Bie each had a different expression.

"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, fifth brother..."

Zhu Di greeted everyone one by one, put down Zhu Xiong Ying whom he was holding, and came before Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma. He knelt down on both knees and kowtowed three times, saying in a deep voice, "Your unfilial son Zhu Di kowtows to your father and mother!"

"Fourth brother, get up quickly."

Empress Ma quickly stepped forward to help Zhu Di up, carefully examining him, and murmured, "He's gotten darker, taller, and stronger."

"You little brat!"

Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhu Di on the shoulder, and everything was understood without saying a word.

After all, he was his own son, so how could he not love him? It's just that there are many things he can't say.

"mother!"

"My son is fine. Look at me, I'm strong enough to kill a bull."

Zhu Di joked with Empress Ma with a grin.

"You, you."

Empress Ma rolled her eyes helplessly and said indulgently, "Don't go out again after you come back. Stay in the capital."

'Thump!'

Many people present were startled and turned their heads to look.

"it is good."

Zhu Di smiled and agreed, showing no anger whatsoever.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao exchanged a glance, their hearts finally settling back into their chests.

"Mother, the fourth son just got back and hasn't eaten anything yet. Let him sit down first."

Zhu Biao spoke up.

"Wife, the eldest son is right."

Zhu Yuanzhang picked up the conversation and mentioned it.

Empress Ma grabbed Zhu Di's hand and pulled him closer to her, saying, "Fourth Prince, sit here with me and talk to me."

"it is good."

Zhu Di knew Empress Ma's love for her son, so he did not refuse and sat down next to her without hesitation.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao, holding the hand of the eldest grandson Zhu Xiong Ying, sat down next to Zhu Yuanzhang, forming a left-right arrangement.

The usually impulsive Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, had no opinion on this, while the Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, had an increasingly gloomy look in his eyes. The women at the table were all preoccupied with their own thoughts. This seat represented that Prince Yan, Zhu Di, would become the number one person in the imperial clan, and his status would even surpass that of Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, and Prince Jin, Zhu Gang.

"Great joy today! Congratulations to the Fourth Prince! Congratulations to the Ming Dynasty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his cup first, his loud voice resounding throughout the hall.

"Congratulations to the Fourth Prince! Congratulations to the Ming Dynasty!"

Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Prince Qin Zhu Shuang, Prince Jin Zhu Gang, and others raised their cups in a toast to Zhu Di.

"Dry!!!"

Zhu Di drank it all in one gulp.

"Fourth Brother is so generous!"

The young princes, including Zhu Bai, already held Zhu Di in high esteem, and upon seeing Zhu Di's actions, they all rose up in protest.

"Hahaha!"

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter, exclaiming, "With a son like this, what more could I ask for!"

"Fourth brother."

"This cup is a toast to you from your elder brother."

Crown Prince Zhu Biao personally raised his cup and offered it to Zhu Di.

"Brother, please!"

Zhu Di drank it all in one gulp. He knew that Zhu Biao was thanking him for everything he had done for the Ming Dynasty. If he hadn't fought on the battlefield and made great contributions, how could the Ming Dynasty have the present scene of all sides paying tribute? The world that Zhu Biao would take over in the future would be a powerful empire.

"Dry!"

Zhu Biao drank the wine in his cup with great satisfaction.

The atmosphere in the hall reached its peak instantly, with everyone exchanging toasts and enjoying themselves immensely!