After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

"Your Majesty the Empress!"

Xiao Jing reacted quickly, scrambling forward to catch him.

The Hongzhi Emperor panicked and shouted, "Quickly! Summon the imperial physician!"

Liu Jian and Ma Wensheng looked at each other, at a loss for what to do.

Gu Dayong and the others remained kneeling on the ground, not daring to utter a sound.

The entire Eastern Palace was in complete chaos, so much so that no one noticed Zhu Houzhao when he walked in.

"Father, Father..."

The Hongzhi Emperor said impatiently, "Wait a moment!"

"oh!"

Zhu Houzhao stood obediently to the side and waited.

The Hongzhi Emperor suddenly realized what was happening and abruptly turned around!

The air seemed to stand still, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Zhu Houzhao.

Behind him, Yang Shen and Li Chun sensed something was amiss, and the two of them took a step back simultaneously in perfect unison.

Zhu Houzhao was startled and asked, "Father, what happened? What's wrong with Mother?"

"You unfilial son! Where...where have you been?"

The Hongzhi Emperor raised his hand to strike, but held back.

Empress Zhang also woke up and, supported by others, staggered to Zhu Houzhao's side.

"Zhao'er, where did you go without a word, causing your father to worry!"

Zhu Houzhao scratched his head, looking embarrassed, and said, "Your Majesty, I went out to take care of some business and left in a hurry without asking permission from Father and Mother. I hope you will forgive me!"

Empress Zhang was terrified, but seeing that Zhu Houzhao was safe and sound, she was finally relieved.

The Hongzhi Emperor, with a stern face, said, "I'm here to ask you, did you go to Juyong Pass?"

Zhu Houzhao nodded and replied frankly, "Yes!"

The Hongzhi Emperor then asked, "What are you going to Juyong Pass for?"

Zhu Houzhao said excitedly, "Father, I am leaving the palace this time to share your burdens!"

The Hongzhi Emperor coldly replied, "You? You want to share my burdens? You're lucky if you don't cause me trouble!"

Zhu Houzhao, however, seemed unconcerned and said, "Father, you are unaware of what has happened, but I have gained a great deal!"

Upon hearing this, the Hongzhi Emperor asked in confusion, "What harvest?"

"Your Majesty, I have caught someone smuggling soybean paste red-handed and brought them back for Your Majesty's judgment!"

"Soybean paste? What soybean paste? The kind you eat?"

"Exactly!"

Zhu Houzhao nodded vigorously, his eyes full of anticipation.

The Hongzhi Emperor's lips twitched, and he was speechless with emotion.

Zhu Houzhao explained, "Father, those soybean pastes aren't ordinary soybean pastes; they're from Linfen..."

"That's enough!"

The Hongzhi Emperor was nearly driven mad. This rebellious son had run away, all for the sake of soy sauce?

He didn't care what was so special about Linfen's soy sauce, because there were more important things to do right now!

"Minister Liu! What happened to those Tatars?"

Liu Jian reported, "An urgent report from Xuanfu: the Tatars have been spotted heading towards Juyong Pass!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao hurriedly said, "Father, don't worry, the Tatars won't be able to eat soybean paste anymore!"

The Hongzhi Emperor angrily retorted, "We're talking about serious business! What are you spouting about, soy sauce!"

Zhu Houzhao was sweating profusely with anxiety, but the more anxious he became, the less he could explain himself, so he could only look to Yang Shen for help.

Yang Shen stepped forward and, forcing a smile, said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject congratulates you!"

When the Hongzhi Emperor saw Yang Shen, his expression softened slightly, and he asked, "What brings you this joy?"

Yang Shen straightened his clothes, clasped his hands in a bow, and calmly said, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is exceptionally gifted and often listens to Your Majesty's teachings. He is devoted to the nation and its people. This action is clear proof that His Highness is putting his knowledge into practice and sharing the burdens of his sovereign!"

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned, puzzled, and said, "Explain in detail, don't try to be mysterious!"

"I obey your decree!"

Yang Shen agreed and said calmly, "Your Highness left the palace in a hurry because you heard that a small Tatar group was roaming around Xuanfu. His Majesty was worried about it. Your Highness told us that my father was worried about the border troubles, and as the crown prince, how could I sit idly by? Your Highness summoned us to analyze the military reports and found that the movements of this Tatar group were extremely suspicious."

Zhu Houzhao nodded repeatedly, unable to resist interjecting, "Yes, yes, yes! There aren't many of them, and they're not fighting as fiercely as in previous years!"

Yang Shen followed up, saying, "Your Highness is absolutely right. This group of Tatars is elusive, and their raids are all near Xuanfu. They strike and leave quickly, taking very little. Your Highness and I have repeatedly analyzed the situation and believe that their actions are not like ordinary looting. Rather, they seem to be deliberately drawing our attention and providing cover."

Upon hearing this, the Hongzhi Emperor's expression softened slightly. He stood with his hands behind his back and pondered, "Could this be a feint attack?"

"Your Majesty is wise! You saw through the Tatars' tricks with just one glance!"

Yang Shen flattered him at the opportune moment and continued, "Your Highness is often instructed by His Majesty and also noticed something unusual at the time. What were they trying to cover up? At that time, Li Chun, the commander of the Eastern Palace Guard and a commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, went to the Embroidered Uniform Guard and received a secret report that said that in recent months, smuggling activities north of the capital have been repeatedly prohibited but have not been able to be carried out due to the tight checkpoints."

Li Chun quickly clasped his hands in a fist and said, "There is indeed such intelligence!"

Yang Shen paused briefly before continuing, "Your Highness, upon hearing this, consider both matters. The grasslands are barren, and salt, iron, tea, and silk are vital to their livelihood. Under the court's strict enforcement, smuggling is difficult. Furthermore, the area from Xuanfu to Juyong Pass, being adjacent to the capital, prioritizes defense against large-scale incursions, leaving room for smaller infiltrations and the inspection of merchant caravans. Therefore, Your Highness boldly speculates that this elite Tatar cavalry is most likely not there for raiding, but rather to support a smuggling operation! Their elusive movements are precisely to create confusion, attract the attention of the garrison, and create an opportunity for smuggled goods to pass through customs!"

The Hongzhi Emperor's gaze gradually became focused, and he began to nod unconsciously.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Houzhao exclaimed excitedly, "Yang, my companion, is right! I knew it! They must be going to such lengths to get something extraordinary! It must be either weapons or vital supplies!"

With approval in his eyes, Yang Shen continued, "In light of this, Your Highness made a decisive decision, personally leading the elite Imperial Guards of the Eastern Palace, disguised as a merchant caravan, to rush through the night to ambush them outside Juyong Pass. Heaven has not failed Your Highness's loyalty, filial piety, wisdom, and courage; upon arriving at Juyong Pass, we indeed intercepted a caravan. Upon inspection, we found that it was carrying over twenty cartloads of rich and flavorful soy sauce, a specialty of Linfen and other places!"

The Hongzhi Emperor was now completely captivated and pressed on, asking, "Although soy sauce is an embargoed item, why would the Tatar tribe mobilize such a large force?"

Yang Shen said, "We have long lived in the Central Plains, where sauces are merely a common condiment. They are highly salty and, through special brewing, can be preserved for a long time, serving both flavor and replenishing salt. The Tatars, however, do not engage in production; for them, soybean paste is as important as salt and iron. More importantly, according to the confession of the arrested smuggling leader, this transaction was extraordinary. The one who went to meet them was none other than Tuluborot, the eldest son of the Tatar prince Batumonk, demonstrating the high level of importance placed on it!"

He paused slightly, and seeing that the Hongzhi Emperor was completely focused, he continued, "However, I believe that Your Highness's achievement in intercepting these twenty-odd carts of supplies is not only about seizing them, but also has a far deeper significance."

The Hongzhi Emperor's eyes gleamed: "What do you mean by that?"

Yang Shen replied, "The grasslands are barren, and their survival depends heavily on trade with our dynasty. In the past, some may have taken chances, colluding with unscrupulous merchants from the interior to secretly open smuggling routes. Your Highness has led us in launching this swift action precisely to eradicate this evil and make them understand that the borders of our Great Ming are not merely for show! From now on, if the tribes of the grasslands wish to survive, the only right path is to submit to the court, engage in trade, and pay tribute. This will guide them towards assimilation."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Houzhao clenched his fist excitedly: "That's right! Your son will let them know that if they want to eat their fill and stay warm, they have to take the right path and listen to our Great Ming!"

Yang Shen nodded slightly to the Crown Prince and continued, "Our Great Ming Dynasty has strict laws, prohibiting the smuggling of goods out of the border. However, there are always unscrupulous merchants who, for exorbitant profits, disregard the law and secretly aid the enemy, which is tantamount to rebellion! Your Highness's personal capture of this villain serves as a warning to the world that anyone who violates the laws of the court and engages in such acts of aiding the enemy and betraying the country, no matter where they hide or how clever their disguise, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished by the court! This is to serve as a warning to others, fundamentally deterring such villains and eliminating the source of smuggling within the interior. Only with internal and external cleansing and order restored can the world enjoy lasting peace and stability!"