Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

"Second Brother is such a rascal, so funny!" Zhu Gaoxi summoned his kitten again and held it in his arms.

With a wave of his hand, he conjured up several more drinks and distributed them to Zhu Di and the others. He then drank while petting the cat and chatting leisurely with Marshal Tianpeng next to him.

"Brother, you're a man of strong character, straightforward and genuine," Pigsy remarked, taking the drink and taking a sip.

He had been in Heaven for so many years, and at first he also disliked people who spoke without thinking, finding them reckless and rude.

But as time went on, I actually started to like this kind of person.

After all, these kinds of people are genuine; they say what they mean and won't stab you in the back.

While the father and his sons whispered amongst themselves in the sky, Zhu Gaosui on the ground was in great distress.

Zhang Fu and Zhu Gaoxu were chatting happily, one praising the "Han King's valor" and the other praising the "Your Highness's divine might," completely ignoring him, the Zhao King who had also contributed, and treating him as if he were nothing.

Zhu Gaosui felt incredibly aggrieved: the thunder just now was clearly set off by his fourth brother, but these people were too far away to hear clearly and thought it was his second brother who had summoned it.

Fine, that's fine then.

When you're chatting, could you at least pay a little attention to me? I just killed quite a few Oirat people! Were all those cuts I made for nothing?

He was indignant, but dared not show it.

If I interrupt my second brother's boasting now, I'll definitely get a beating when we get back.

He could only stand aside, forcing a stiff smile, like a wooden stake that no one cared about.

Fortunately, he coughed once, and Zhang Fu and the others noticed him.

Zhang Fu quickly put on a smiling face again. Oh no! He'd been so busy praising the King of Han that he'd forgotten about the King of Zhao. He didn't know what kind of supernatural power this king possessed; if he were to be attacked like that, he wouldn't be able to handle it. So he hurriedly said:

"His Highness Prince Zhao is incredibly brave! His swordsmanship is cunning and sharp; it's clearly genuine skill honed in the Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"Yes, yes, His Highness Prince Zhao just charged into the enemy ranks, his spears and swords flashing, I was dazzled!"

"We have long heard of His Highness Prince Zhao's abilities. Seeing them today, we can see that his reputation is truly well-deserved!"

Zhu Gaoxu patted Zhu Gaosui on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Third brother also contributed a lot today!"

Zhu Gaosui finally felt a little better after being praised, and feigned politeness: "Not at all, Second Brother is the best. I'm just basking in his glory."

Zhang Fu added, "Your Highness Prince Zhao is too modest. If it weren't for the extraordinary bravery of the two princes, we don't know how long we would have had to fight!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhu Gaochi, having received enough praise, impatiently waved his hand and said, "Alright, these surrendered soldiers are yours to handle. I'll go up and talk to my fourth brother and the others first."

After saying that, he patted the tiger's head, and the Fierce Tiger King roared and soared into the air, riding the clouds towards Zhu Gaoxi and Zhu Bajie.

Zhang Fu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He glanced back at the Oirat soldiers kneeling on the ground, then looked at Esen, who was bound like a dumpling, and straightened his back again.

He dismounted, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and addressed Zhu Di, who was still in mid-air, asking, "Your Majesty, what should be done with the surrendered soldiers?"

Zhu Di pondered for a moment and said, "Take him back to the main camp first, and we'll discuss it again tomorrow. The warhorses will be added to the army, and the weapons will be stored away. As for Esen, send men to keep a close watch on him; he must not be harmed."

"Your humble servant obeys!"

That night, the siege of Tumu Fortress was lifted.

When the news reached the camp, cheers erupted like a flood, instantly shattering the silence that had lasted for days.

The soldiers rushed out of the tent, some shouting "We won!", some yelling "We can go home!", and some even knelt down on the spot, kowtowing to Zhu Di and his men, tears streaming down their faces.

Several young soldiers hugged each other, crying and laughing at the same time.

A thin soldier pulled a neatly folded letter from his pocket; the paper was already soft from being soaked in sweat.

He glanced at it, then suddenly threw the letter into the fire, and shouted to the sky, "No need to keep it! I'll go back to see my mother alive!"

An old soldier nearby saw this and burst into laughter: "Silly boy, now you know to burn it? Why didn't you burn it earlier!"

"How was I supposed to know I'd survive!" the young soldier cried again. "I haven't slept well for three days. All I can hear when I close my eyes is the sound of the Oirat horses' hooves..."

"Alright, it's all in the past!" The veteran patted his shoulder and wiped his own face.

"Thanks to Emperor Taizong's divine intervention! And also His Highness Prince Han and His Highness Prince Rui! Otherwise, we would really be doomed here this time."

Inside the Ming army camp, torches blazed brightly and cheers resounded.

The 500,000 soldiers can finally get a good night's sleep.

That night, Zhang Fu ordered a banquet to be held at Tumu Fort.

Firstly, it was to welcome Emperor Taizong, Emperor Renzong, and others; secondly, it was to celebrate the defeat of the Oirat Mongols and the capture of Esen.

However, Tumu Fortress was situated on high ground and was some distance from the nearest city. With limited food supplies, it was not easy for the army to obtain any decent food.

Just then, Esen volunteered, saying that in order to atone for his sins, he was willing to send warriors from his tribe back to the Oirat Mongols overnight to bring back fat sheep and cattle to feed the Heavenly Dynasty army.

At first, the generals were still a little worried.

Esen is a cunning fellow. What if he lets his men do something on the grassland?

Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand, "What's there to be afraid of? With Fourth Brother and the Marshal here, what can he possibly do? Let him go!"

Zhu Di thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Send his men."

Esen kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Of course, of course! This Grand Tutor... no, this sinful subject will immediately send people to select the best cattle and sheep!"

So, a group of Oirat cavalrymen rushed north overnight.

Before they set off, they kept turning back, as if afraid the Ming army would change their minds. They looked just like prisoners who had been granted amnesty.

Zhu Gaoxu, on the other hand, became the greatest contributor to the night.

As news of the banquet spread, his deeds spread like wildfire throughout the entire camp.

At first, it was just said that he was very brave, riding a tiger down to earth, and killing the Oirat people as easily as cutting melons and vegetables.

Later, someone added a few words, saying that the King of Han could also summon thunder and strike wherever he pointed. Before the Oirat arrows even reached him, they were struck to ashes by the heavenly thunder.

Similar rumors spread like wildfire through the camp, becoming increasingly exaggerated. The scene of Zhu Gaoxu riding a tiger and summoning heavenly thunder was embellished and made to sound almost like the True Martial Emperor descending to earth.

"Have you heard? His Highness the Prince of Han can summon heavenly thunder! My brother saw it with his own eyes on the battlefield!"

"More than that! My fellow villager said that with a wave of his hand, the King of Han wiped out several thousand Oirat soldiers!"

Throughout the night, people kept coming to offer wine to the Prince of Han.

Not only the generals, but also groups of ordinary soldiers mustered up their courage and came forward, holding rough porcelain bowls, their faces all flushed.

"Your Majesty, the King of Han! This humble servant offers you a bowl of wine!"

"Your Majesty the King of Han! We owe our lives to you today!"

Zhu Gaoxu sat in front of the main tent, one leg propped up, drinking from every bowl that came his way.

Hearing these rumors, he neither refuted nor admitted them, but simply drank happily.

Occasionally, a nod would be given, or a pat on the shoulder would be given to a soldier, and a "Do a good job" would be said. The soldier would then feel as if he had received a great honor and would happily retreat.

This feeling is even more satisfying than winning ten battles.

Zhu Gaosui followed behind him and whispered to Zhu Gaochi, "Brother, look at Second Brother, he's like he's been injected with chicken blood. It was clearly lightning that struck Esen, but he's taking all the credit."

Zhu Gaochi laughed and said, "Let the second brother brag. He certainly contributed a lot to today's battle."