The Ming Dynasty: Starting with the Somersault Cloud, Old Zhu was so envious he cried!

The somersault cloud carried Zhu Ming and the other two, instantly flying to a height of more than ten meters above the ground.

It could have flown even higher.

But the Empress was afraid. If she flew so high, what if she fell and died?

At that moment, Zhu Ming seemed to hear someone calling him, so he turned his head and asked Xu Miaoyun, who was standing to the side.

"Sister Miaoyun, did you hear anything just now?"

"Is there?"

Xu Miaoyun was completely immersed in the excitement of soaring through the clouds and had no idea that one of them was missing.

And that person was right below them, desperately calling out to them.

"Maybe I misheard," Zhu Ming waved his hand, then put the matter out of his mind.

"Everyone, buckle up, we're off!"

With Zhu Ming's command

The somersault cloud carried them northward, instantly transforming into a small streak of light on the horizon.

The large courtyard now appeared somewhat empty.

Zhu Yuanzhang was left standing alone in the same spot.

He looked up, staring blankly in the direction where the auspicious clouds had disappeared, his mind completely blank.

What does that mean?

Going out to play without me?

Am I not human anymore?

A cool breeze blew by at that moment, and Zhu Yuanzhang stood in the courtyard, looking particularly desolate.

The mighty Emperor Hongwu, a ruler above all others, was actually forgotten on the ground by his own son.

He watched helplessly as the three of them rode away on the wind, living a carefree and happy life, leaving him all alone.

Old Zhu felt increasingly frustrated and speechless as he thought about it.

But the key issue is that he still can't do anything about Zhu Ming.

After all, he was counting on the little guy to share some of the benefits with him in the future!

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang composed himself and roared, "Mao Xiang!"

The voice just fell,

Clad in iron armor, Mao Xiang charged straight into the courtyard, ran a few steps to Zhu Yuanzhang, bowed, and said, "Your servant is here!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was solemn as he ordered in a deep voice, "Immediately select eight hundred from the Imperial Guards..."

He paused mid-sentence, his brow furrowing. After a moment's thought, he abruptly changed his mind, saying, "No, eight hundred is too few. Directly transfer three thousand elite troops to the Sixth Prince's command, to secretly protect his safety!"

Last night, Zhu Ming demanded three thousand soldiers from him.

He thought the little guy was just fooling around and didn't agree, only promising to give him 800 to play house with him.

Now it seems that three thousand soldiers are still too few.

He wished he could send 30,000 elite troops to protect Zhu Ming's safety.

This is the first treasure in the Zhu family that can cultivate immortality.

What if something unexpected happens in the future?

Old Zhu even suspected that his father, who had been dead for many years, might get so angry that he would jump out of his coffin and whip him to death with a belt.

Upon hearing His Majesty's order, Mao Xiang was startled.

It should be noted that the Ming Dynasty had strict rules, and even when a prince was enfeoffed, the standard number of guards was only a few thousand.

Now it's merely about protecting the Sixth Prince's safety.

He then directly mobilized three thousand elite imperial guards.

This favor and the level of recognition far exceeded that of any other prince.

If this matter were to get out, it would surely arouse suspicion among the other princes and cause discussion among the officials.

But who is Mao Xiang?

The top henchman of Emperor Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang.

He has always been one to follow orders and never speaks out of turn.

He immediately bowed and accepted the decree, saying, "Your subject obeys!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression was solemn, and he specifically instructed, "Remember, no matter who it is, even if they are nobles or imperial relatives!"

"Anyone who dares to approach Ming'er, dares to harm him, or dares to disturb him in the slightest!"

"No need to report, take them down immediately! Anyone who dares to plot murder, kill them on the spot!"

Mao Xiang's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately kowtowed heavily: "Your subject will swear to protect His Highness the Sixth Prince's safety with his life, and will never allow anyone with ill intentions to approach His Highness even half a step!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze was sharp as a knife as he stared intently at Mao Xiang, who was kneeling on the ground, and said in a voice full of authority:

"Mao Xiang, if you can protect the Sixth Prince, you will be the greatest hero of the Ming Dynasty. You will be rewarded with wealth, honor, and power—whatever you desire!"

But then, Old Zhu's tone abruptly changed, instantly becoming icy and chilling, filled with murderous intent:

"But what if His Highness loses even a single hair, or suffers the slightest accident!"

"Without anyone impeaching you, without any legal conviction, you are guilty of a capital offense, a heinous crime that will implicate your entire family!"

This sentence came crashing down like a bomb, making it hard to breathe.

Mao Xiang shuddered, his back instantly drenched in cold sweat. He kowtowed heavily, his voice firm and resolute: "This servant swears to obey the imperial decree to the death! Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will protect His Highness the Sixth Prince!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his expression softening slightly, and then asked, "Are all the civil and military officials still waiting for the court assembly in the Fengtian Hall?"

"Your Majesty, all civil and military officials are awaiting your decree in the Fengtian Hall and have not yet dispersed," Mao Xiang replied respectfully as he stood up.

"Let's proceed to Fengtian Hall."

The eunuch delivering the decree immediately announced loudly, "Yes, sir!"

A large group of guards escorted Zhu Yuanzhang as they marched grandly toward the main hall.

at the same time,

The Fengtian Hall was now like a bustling market.

There was talk of it everywhere.

The sudden appearance of the giant dharma image had completely thrown the entire court into an uproar.

Everyone was filled with shock.

They gathered in groups of three or five, engaging in a heated discussion.

Some say it might be a mirage, a projection from afar.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than someone immediately retorted:

"Impossible, a mirage is just an illusion; it can't affect anyone."

"But when that giant spoke just now, his voice was so powerful it sent chills down everyone's spines and almost deafened us. How could it possibly be a phantom?"

Then some people speculated that it might be an ancient deity descending to earth, manifesting his true form to protect the Ming Dynasty.

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately retorted: "Nonsense! The sage said, 'The Master did not speak of strange phenomena, physical prowess, disorder, or spirits.' How could there possibly be immortals in this world!"

Then someone else argued, "But that giant was tens of feet tall, and its voice shook the entire palace. What ordinary phenomenon could have such power? If it wasn't a divine manifestation, what other explanation is there?"

Inside the main hall, everyone was talking at once, creating a noisy scene, almost to the point of fighting.

Just as the officials were engaged in heated discussion, a long, loud voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived!"

The noisy and bustling Fengtian Hall fell silent instantly!

The civil and military officials instantly composed themselves, returned to their positions obediently, and stood quietly with their heads bowed, awaiting the Emperor's arrival.

Zhu Yuanzhang stepped onto the high platform and sat steadily on the dragon throne.

The personal eunuch stepped forward and, according to protocol, called out loudly, "Speak if you have something to report, otherwise the court may adjourn!"

If it were in the past...

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone presented a memorial to the emperor.

But at this moment, the hall was completely silent.

The civil and military officials below lowered their heads, looking at each other, none daring to speak first.

Finally, having no other choice, they had to find someone to step forward, and everyone unanimously turned their attention to Hu Weiyong at the front of the line.

Hu Weiyong: "..."

Those bastards didn't dare to speak up themselves, and ended up leaving him with a mess.

Am I some kind of despicable person?

After a moment of silence,

Unable to bear the gazes behind him any longer, Right Chancellor Hu Weiyong reluctantly stepped out of the ranks of officials, bowed, and said:

"Your Majesty, a strange phenomenon of giants suddenly appeared in the sky just now, witnessed by all the court officials. They are utterly perplexed. May I ask Your Majesty, what kind of celestial phenomenon is this, and what is the cause?"