The Ming Dynasty: I Fabricated Dreams for Zhu Di 49

Chapter 49: Either Let Me Stay, Or Kill Me

When Lan Yu started to get anxious and flustered, his defeat was essentially sealed.

Quickly, Zhu Di found another opportunity, directly performing an over-the-shoulder throw, sending Lan Yu crashing to the ground.

Immediately, the entire audience was in an uproar.

Mu Ying’s eyes were full of admiration.

Mu Chun, standing beside him, was even more surprised.

“Amazing.”

If Zhu Di could even defeat Lan Yu, then losing to him wouldn’t be too shameful.

Watching Zhu Di gain the upper hand in the first round, Zhu Biao didn’t show any joy; instead, he had more doubts.

His initial judgment was that Zhu Di had indeed undergone a qualitative transformation, as Xu Da had said.

Calm, patient, and very good at seizing opportunities.

But why doesn’t he want to go to his fiefdom?

Xu Yunkong, witnessing this, abruptly stood up. The sharp movement caused pain in his abdomen, making him wince.

However, his expression still showed disbelief.

Zhu Di actually won against Lan Yu?

Lan Yu was completely dumbfounded. He abruptly stood up: “This round doesn’t count! I was careless! Let’s have another round!”

This year, Lan Yu was exactly thirty years old. His age, instead of making him more composed, had intensified his competitiveness.

He naturally wasn’t willing to accept this result.

After all, he had followed Chang Yuchun and Xu Da in battles for over a decade. How could he be defeated by Zhu Di?

Zhu Di ignored Lan Yu and instead looked towards Zhu Biao.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao stood up and calmly said: “Losing is losing. Where are all these excuses coming from?”

“Prepare for the second round.”

Despite his continued dissatisfaction, Lan Yu dared not retort to Zhu Biao’s reprimand. If he really angered Zhu Biao, the latter would really beat him up.

Lan Yu could only mutter some harsh words: “Kid, next round, I won’t go easy on you.”

Hand-to-hand combat wasn’t his strong suit. A battlefield wouldn’t lack weapons; the spear was his true domain.

Soon,

The second round began precisely after half a stick of incense had burned.

Zhu Di and Lan Yu both held red-tasseled spears, but the spearheads were removed and wrapped in gauze.

Even without spearheads, the wooden shafts still possessed considerable striking power.

Fortunately, this time, Lan Yu didn’t underestimate his opponent.

He gave it his all.

Lan Yu still mobilized his entire body’s strength, launching a fierce attack on Zhu Di.

He knew Zhu Di was adept at finding opportunities to counterattack; therefore, Lan Yu deliberately revealed openings to lure Zhu Di into attacking.

However, to his surprise, Zhu Di didn’t take the bait.

No matter how many openings he showed, Zhu Di wouldn’t fall for it.

What a tenacious opponent.

Ultimately,

Neither could defeat the other.

Zhu Di lost the round due to exhaustion.

Zhu Di wasn’t surprised by this result.

Although he possessed decades of memories and experience from his past life, defeating Lan Yu without risking his life was improbable.

Rather than engaging in a reckless, life-or-death struggle, it was better to retreat safely.

“It’s a pity that the second brother isn’t born yet; otherwise, he could have a good fight with Lan Yu.”

If Zhu Gaoxu were here, regardless of anything else, his martial arts alone would definitely overwhelm Lan Yu.

During the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Gaoxu fought with his life on the line, perfectly embodying reckless courage.

Even Lan Yu might not be able to match Zhu Gaoxu’s level of desperation.

The second brother was truly fearless.

Lan Yu was not necessarily so.

Moreover, the second brother was naturally stronger than ordinary people, a significant advantage.

One win, one loss, and in terms of mounted archery, both Zhu Di and Lan Yu were evenly matched, ending in a draw.

Ultimately, the competition ended in a draw.

However, if one were to truly assess the victor, Zhu Di still had the edge.

After all, Lan Yu was injured, while Zhu Di was unscathed.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao stood up and walked directly towards Zhu Di.

His thoughts were heavy as he looked at his younger brother, feeling both familiar and unfamiliar.

After a moment of contemplation, he said: “Fourth Brother, you did well. Your abilities are sufficient to stand on your own.”

“When I return, I will request permission from Father to allow you to choose your personal guards and soldiers, and then you will follow Duke Xu to your fiefdom.”

On the battlefield, personal martial skill is necessary.

Personal guards and soldiers are also necessary.

After all, even with superior martial arts, one cannot avoid hidden arrows.

The main reason why commanders are rarely beheaded on the battlefield is the presence of their personal guards and soldiers.

They are well-trained, well-equipped, and their fighting capabilities are unquestionable.

It’s extremely difficult to get past these people and behead a commander.

Xu Da and Li Wenzhong both trained their own guards and soldiers, while Lan Yu adopted many foster sons.

Mu Ying smiled and looked at Zhu Di. Defeating Lan Yu indeed qualified him to choose his own soldiers and guards.

After hearing these words, Zhu Di pondered for a moment, then spoke.

“Big Brother, I… don’t want to go to my fiefdom.”

Mu Ying and Lan Yu were both stunned by these words.

Huh? What?

Did they hear that right?

He doesn’t want to go to his fiefdom?

Zhu Biao wasn’t surprised; after all, Zhu Di had told him a few days ago that he didn’t want to go to his fiefdom.

“Why?”

“Is it still because of that unrealistic reason?” Zhu Biao’s expression turned serious as he stared at Zhu Di.

“Yes.”

Hearing this, Zhu Biao was instantly furious: “Absurd!!!”

This angry shout startled Lan Yu.

A few days ago, he could accept Zhu Di not going to his fiefdom.

At that time, Zhu Di hadn’t yet demonstrated his abilities; in his eyes, he was just a younger brother still growing up.

Naturally, he should be given sufficient care and protection.

But now it’s different.

Zhu Di could not only defeat Xu Yunkong and Mu Chun, but he could even fight Lan Yu to a draw.

Things have changed completely.

It’s like forging a brand new suit of armor, only to wear it to farm.

This was difficult for Zhu Biao to accept.

He had always hoped that his younger brothers would all achieve great things.

“A dream alone scared you witless?! When did you become so cowardly?!”

“Whatever Big Brother says is what it is. Scared witless or cowardly, I won’t go to my fiefdom.”

“Going to the fiefdom or not is not up to you. You must go, whether you like it or not. That’s the rule.”

If Zhu Di hadn’t shown any ability, he could still plead with Zhu Yuanzhang.

But now, whether to go to the fiefdom or not was no longer something he could interfere with.

Zhu Di had already demonstrated his abilities. If he asked Zhu Yuanzhang not to let Zhu Di go to his fiefdom,

How would Zhu Yuanzhang perceive him? Jealous of his brother’s talent?

“Big Brother, either let me stay, or kill me.”

Zhu Biao was momentarily speechless.

“You!”

If Zhu Biao could draw his sword and kill him right now, it would save a lot of trouble.

He would consider this life as a payment to Zhu Biao.

Looking at the resolute Zhu Di, Zhu Biao still couldn’t understand.

Why is Zhu Di so resistant to going to his fiefdom?

After all, Prince Qin Zhu Shang, Prince Jin Zhu Gang, and Prince Zhou Zhu Su, none of them weren’t eager to go to their fiefdoms.

Their purpose was to escape the Capital City, to escape the control of their father and their brother.

Why is Zhu Di different?

(End of Chapter)

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