The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 44

Chapter 44: Prince Yan Zhu Di’s Reputation

Eastern Palace.

Shortly after, very light footsteps were heard outside.

Following that, a voice rang out.

“Crown Prince.”

Zhu Biao slowly raised his head, looking towards the doorway, slightly surprised.

He hadn’t expected his elder brother to arrive so quickly.

It seemed like he had only just returned to the Eastern Palace himself.

His bottom hadn’t even warmed the seat before Zhu Biao stood up to greet him: “Elder Brother, how did you get here so quickly?”

Compared to Lan Yu and Xu Da, Mu Ying had a more refined appearance. Fortunately, his goatee and sideburns added a touch of dignity to his rather delicate face.

Mu Ying smiled naturally: “I happened to have something to discuss with Your Majesty, and I met someone on the way who said you were looking for me.”

“So I came to the Eastern Palace directly.”

Although Mu Ying was only the Marquis of Xiping, he was of the same generation as Zhu Biao.

But Zhu Biao respected Mu Ying quite a bit and often looked up to him; Mu Ying had always been his role model.

“Something is the matter?”

“Yes, I just received news that Tuo Huochi, the Northern Yuan Duke stationed in He-Lin, has repeatedly harassed the villages and towns in northern Great Ming.”

“I was thinking of asking Your Majesty for permission to launch a campaign against Northern Yuan and kill this dog, Tuo Huochi.”

Because Xu Da had been ordered to return to the Capital City to assist in government affairs,

The remaining forces of various Northern Yuan tribes began to stir.

When the tiger is absent from the mountain, the monkeys will become the kings (meaning when the strong are absent, the weak become emboldened). Mu Ying certainly couldn’t tolerate this bunch of monkeys.

Zhu Biao nodded slightly.

“You just returned, Father will likely not agree to let you lead the troops, but I will recommend you to Father.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Ying was overjoyed.

He quickly bowed: “Then thank you, Crown Prince.”

Leading troops into battle still required Zhu Yuanzhang’s specific arrangement.

It wasn’t as simple as wanting to lead troops and being able to do so. However, with Zhu Biao’s recommendation, the matter was as good as settled.

Zhu Biao waved his hand and smiled: “It’s nothing, if it weren’t for my status, I’d also want to slaughter a few Tartars, hahaha.”

Hearing this, Mu Ying echoed with a smile: “Crown Prince, you plan from the rear, and any kills I make will count as yours.”

“Oh, right, Crown Prince, did you send for me for something?”

Mu Ying suddenly remembered that if Zhu Biao had sent someone to find him, it must be because he had something to ask.

Zhu Biao nodded.

“You should know that General Xu Da recently returned to assist Father with state affairs.”

“Yesterday, General Xu Da had a conflict with the Fourth Brother.”

Upon hearing this, Mu Ying was somewhat bewildered.

The discord between Xu Da and Zhu Di was already common knowledge.

But what did this matter between father-in-law and son-in-law have to do with him?

“Crown Prince, this is a family matter, I shouldn’t be involved.”

Zhu Biao explained with a smile.

“The conflict between the Fourth Brother and Duke Xu is nothing new.”

“However, today Father and Duke Xu discussed the Fourth Brother’s enfeoffment, and wanted Duke Xu to mentor the Fourth Brother.”

“Guess what Duke Xu said?”

Mu Ying stroked his goatee, pondering for a moment.

“Duke Xu refused?”

Logically, Zhu Di was Xu Da’s son-in-law, having married Xu Da’s most beloved eldest daughter, Xu Miaoyun.

Just based on this relationship, he shouldn’t refuse.

Zhu Di’s fiefdom was in Beiping. If he didn’t cultivate Zhu Di, then when the enemy attacked,

Zhu Di’s family would be the ones suffering.

Mu Ying suddenly realized something.

“Crown Prince, Your Majesty wouldn’t want me to mentor the Fourth Brother, would he?”

“That won’t do, you know me, I’m not capable of teaching others.”

Zhu Biao rolled his eyes at Mu Ying.

“Can’t teach? What about your son, Mu Chun? He won first place at the Fengyang Martial Arts Competition last time!”

Seeing Mu Ying’s embarrassed expression, Zhu Biao understood his thoughts.

He didn’t want to be too involved in the affairs of the royal family.

Although he was his father’s adopted son, he always had a sense of propriety, knowing what he should and shouldn’t do.

“Alright, I didn’t call you here to have you mentor the Fourth Brother.”

“Where were we?”

“Duke Xu’s evaluation of the Fourth Brother,” Mu Ying reminded.

“Oh right, guess how Duke Xu evaluated the Fourth Brother?”

“Duke Xu said that the Fourth Brother didn’t feel like a twenty-year-old young man, but rather like an experienced veteran.”

“His bearing is enough to match his own.”

An experienced veteran?

How could he receive such high praise?

Mu Ying was somewhat surprised. Xu Da was the most prestigious person in the military, the war god of the Great Ming Dynasty.

Few people could gain his approval.

Even he himself could only barely earn his recognition.

How could Zhu Di, a young man who was barely out in the world and hadn’t even seen battle, receive such high praise?

Those who could be compared to Xu Da, up to this point, numbered only four.

The first, naturally, was the current Emperor, his adoptive father, Zhu Yuanzhang.

The second was the deceased King Kaiping, Chang Yuchun (renowned for his commanding 100,000 troops).

The third was Duke Cao, Li Wenzhong, who had only suffered one defeat against Xu Da.

The fourth’s identity was special, Wang Baobao (a formidable Northern Yuan general). Xu Da and Li Wenzhong’s defeat was at the hands of this man, the culprit who caused the court to cease its northern expeditions for several years. However, he had died in the eighth year of Hongwu.

Could it be? Had Xu Da and Zhu Di reconciled?

Otherwise, it was hard to imagine that the Prince Yan, barely twenty years old and without any battle experience,

How could he possibly be on par with Xu Da?

“With all due respect, Duke Xu is perhaps overestimating the Fourth Brother.”

“That Fourth Brother, not even comparable to my stinky boy, how could he possibly be compared to General Xu Da?”

Over the years, the impression Zhu Di had given Mu Ying was that

He was barely comparable to his own eldest son, Mu Chun.

Perhaps Mu Chun wasn’t as good as Li Wenzhong in his youth, or as good as himself in his youth.

But Mu Chun was definitely the most outstanding among the current generation of meritorious sons.

A few months ago at the Fengyang Martial Arts Competition, Mu Chun had even surpassed Prince Jin Zhu Gan, Li Jinglong, Wu Yong, and Xu Yungong.

Seeing Mu Ying’s reaction, Zhu Biao wasn’t surprised at all.

“I also find it hard to believe, but Duke Xu never praises people without reason.”

“And he praises so extravagantly.”

Mu Ying paused slightly.

That was true.

He had spent some time under Xu Da. Xu Da was always very steady and wouldn’t likely praise someone so extravagantly.

Seeing Mu Ying’s troubled expression, Zhu Biao said.

“Alright, if you can’t figure it out, don’t bother. You’ll know tomorrow.”

“Whether the Fourth Brother transformed into a veteran general in just a few months as Duke Xu said, or if Duke Xu was exaggerating.”

This matter was indeed difficult to understand.

Xu Da’s reputation was there, but Zhu Di’s reputation was also there.

“Go? What do you mean?”

“Father’s intention is for me to bring Lan Yu and you to Duke Xu’s mansion tomorrow.”

“To test whether the Fourth Brother is as Duke Xu described.”

(End of Chapter)

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