Chapter 20: The Name Zhu Yingzhi Resounds Through the Court, First Reaches Zhu Yuanzhang's Ears!

“Report.”

“Victory news from Daning Prefecture!”

A loud shout echoed outside the hall.

Immediately after, a swift messenger burst into the grand chamber and knelt directly in the center.

“Your Majesty, a report of victory from Daning Prefecture.”

The messenger removed a bamboo tube strapped to his back containing the dispatch, holding it reverently with both hands.

“Biao was right,” Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile. “It seems Daning Prefecture has indeed achieved a military success.”

With a wave of his hand, the attendant beside him stepped down from the hall, took the bamboo tube, and quickly turned to present it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang opened the tube and withdrew the report. Upon reading it, a smile spread across his face.

“Hahaha,” he laughed heartily. “Bu Wan is a fine commander.”

“Our brave soldiers of the Great Ming have broken into the northern borderlands of the Mongols, killing over six thousand enemies and capturing more than three thousand. Our casualties amount to no more than four thousand, and yet we have triumphed.”

“Excellent,” Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled.

“We humbly congratulate Your Majesty. This successful first battle is a blessing for the Emperor and for the Great Ming.”

“Daning Prefecture lies on the northern frontier, bordering the Northern Yuan and the Jianzhou Mongols, who serve as the Northern Yuan’s hounds, disturbing the peace of our border regions. The slaughter of so many Mongols will surely send a strong warning to the Northern Yuan.”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

The ministers and generals in the court all offered their congratulations to Zhu Yuanzhang.

“Hmm.”

After setting down the victory report, Zhu Yuanzhang made a slight sound of surprise—there was another battle report beneath it.

With a hint of curiosity, he opened the smaller report. As he read, his expression turned astonished.

Seeing this, the ministers around the court grew curious as well.

“Father Emperor,” Zhu Biao asked with a smile, “is there more news from Daning Prefecture?”

“Biao,” Zhu Yuanzhang said, “look at this.”

He handed the smaller battle report directly to Zhu Biao, who approached with a puzzled look and took it.

Upon reading its contents, Zhu Biao’s face showed considerable surprise.

“There is such a fierce warrior,” he remarked in amazement.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince,” a military official stepped forward respectfully. “Is there some incident in Daning Prefecture?”

“Read it aloud,” Zhu Biao instructed, handing the report to a nearby attendant.

The attendant took the document and loudly proclaimed: “I, Bu Wan, respectfully report to Your Majesty! Our Daning Prefecture border troops have invaded the northern frontier and decisively defeated the Jianzhou Mongol forces, capturing great spoils. The key to victory was a small unit led by a soldier named Zhu Ying, whose ferocity and bravery broke through enemy ranks without fear of death. He personally slew one hundred and three enemies, valiantly killed the Mongol commander, and captured the enemy’s war banner, causing the Mongol forces to collapse in morale and rout completely. Thus, our army achieved a great victory and completed the encirclement.”

“In accordance with Your Majesty’s military merit system, I have already rewarded Zhu Ying with a promotion of five ranks and the title of battalion commander.”

“This man’s valor and strength are extraordinary, and so I report this to Your Majesty.”

At this, the assembled ministers and generals exchanged glances in disbelief.

“One man killed one hundred and three enemies? A single person killed over a hundred Mongols?”

“This... this battle report can’t be fabricated, can it?”

“To wield such courage and strength—is this still humanly possible?”

“King Kaiping was exceptionally brave in the past, leading charges himself and killing more than seventy enemies in a single day, which was considered the greatest feat of the age.”

“Who is this man to have slain a hundred foes?”

“Impossible, right?”

“Not only did he kill a hundred enemies, but he also slew the commander and captured the banner.”

“This achievement seems almost too great.”

“The battle results are compiled and reported through military channels; how could there be falsehood?”

“Perhaps indeed the Great Ming has produced a true warrior in this battle.”

...

The ministers were first struck with astonishment and then with disbelief at the extraordinary claim.

After all, one man killing a hundred enemies was almost beyond belief.

Even slaughtering chickens is not so easy—let alone the fierce Mongols of the northern frontier.

“My humble congratulations, Father Emperor,” Zhu Biao said, turning to Zhu Yuanzhang.

“To have such a valiant general in the army is truly a blessing for the Great Ming.”

“To have slain a hundred enemies, the commander, and the banner,” Zhu Yuanzhang’s face also showed a mix of shock and awe.

His thoughts drifted back to the day he fought Chen Youliang, during the critical moment of crushing Chen’s unification of the south.

“Commander,” a middle-aged man stood before Zhu Yuanzhang confidently and said, “this battle we shall await victory. Watch me personally slaughter those sons of Chen Youliang.”

“However, when we capture the city, Chen Youliang’s prized steed must be mine—not to be let go to Xu Da and the others.”

Then, brandishing his blade, he charged off.

Zhu Yuanzhang clearly remembered the results of that battle.

His brother, Chang Yuchun, led the front lines, killing seventy-eight enemies, even cutting down Chen Youliang’s son with a single stroke.

After that victory, Zhu Yuanzhang recalled raising Chang Yuchun’s hand high before the entire army, shouting, “See this? This is our brother, the war god of our army.”

That vivid memory now played in Zhu Yuanzhang’s mind.

“Father Emperor,” Zhu Biao called softly.

Zhu Yuanzhang was momentarily stunned, then returned to himself with a smile.

“Biao is right,” he laughed heartily. “To have such a brave warrior arise in the Great Ming is indeed a blessing for us.”

“Father Emperor,” Zhu Biao continued, “since this battle report has reached Yingtian, the results must have been carefully tallied and contain no falsehood.”

“Such a fierce warrior deserves special cultivation,” he proposed immediately.

“Biao speaks well,” Zhu Yuanzhang agreed with a smile, fully endorsing his son’s words.

“By the way, what is his name?”

But the moment he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang realized he had forgotten Zhu Ying’s name, having been fully captivated by the feat of killing a hundred enemies.

With that in mind, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly searched through the report.

“Father Emperor,” Zhu Biao smiled, “this general’s name is Zhu Ying.”

“Zhu Ying?” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, feeling a tremor deep in his heart.

But he quickly composed himself.

“Send out my decree,” he ordered.

“Bu Wan’s rewards are well-earned. In our Great Ming, in our realm, no meritorious subject shall be overlooked; all who serve the country with distinction shall be rewarded.”

“Order the Ministry of War to broadcast Zhu Ying’s achievements throughout the army to inspire all soldiers,” Zhu Yuanzhang commanded.

Tang Duo immediately stepped forward. “I receive Your Majesty’s command.”

“Now that Daning Prefecture’s border troops have tasted victory, the Yuan court and Naha surely will make a move.”

“Send my orders,” Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly, “tell Bu Wan to hold firm. The Daning Prefecture forces may soon face a large-scale assault from the Yuan and Mongols.”

“Let him endure; the true heavy hand of the Great Ming is coming soon,” he sneered.

To the Northern Yuan, the troops at Daning Prefecture might seem the main force, but the real strength lies in reserve!

...