In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 605 Jade Plate, Jade Plate, Carrying Laughter and Talk, Returning to Its Hometown

The next morning, the sunlight, like a sharp sword, forcefully cleaved the entire sky.

The black curtain was violently torn apart.

As Yingtian City gradually became vaguely visible from pitch-black darkness.

Lu Yunyi had already appeared at the forward scout camp.

The once quiet camp seemed to be infused with life, instantly coming to life.

The aroma of the food filled the air, rising gently in the steam.

Tents were quickly laid down and rolled up, then placed on horse-drawn carts already piled high with supplies.

The soldiers packed their belongings in an orderly manner, carefully checking for anything missing.

Some soldiers who had finished packing,

Sitting idly in front of the military tent, gazing silently at the horizon,

He would glance at the bustling scene before him from time to time, his eyes vacant.

Time flies, and I've been away from home for far too long, during which so much has happened.

So long ago, the image of my hometown has gradually become blurred in my memory.

They couldn't remember their wife's familiar face, nor could they recall how many gray hairs had appeared on her forehead.
Little did anyone know how much older she had become in recent days.

They can't remember what their child looked like, or how much taller the child has grown.
Do they still remember their father? Are they still close to them?

The soldiers sat at the entrance of their tents, flipping through the letters they had exchanged with their families over and over again.

Those letters home carried their longing for their families in the far north.

They tried to recall the voices and smiles of their family members through these letters.

It's as if this will bring them closer to their families.

The tense and busy atmosphere continued until the beginning of Chenshi (7-9 AM).

At this point, all the soldiers had finished packing and were now idle.

They sat together in small groups, chatting about everyday things.

The atmosphere was more peaceful than ever before, yet tinged with a sense of unease.

At this time of year, they would have already begun their intensive training.

"Heh." "Ha."
Listening to the sounds of drills coming from the surrounding military camps,

A sense of loss quietly enveloped their hearts.

At that moment, a slightly desolate bugle call suddenly rang out from all directions of the camp.

The sound quickly spread, enveloping the entire military tent.

The sound of bugles echoed the soaring eagles in the sky, making the soldiers' emotions even more complicated.

"gather!"

With a loud command given, the soldiers slowly stood up.

They assembled in an orderly fashion towards the drill ground in the camp.

They arrived at the training ground, looked up at the high platform, and immediately saw the very familiar General.

The general stood ramrod straight on the high platform.

He held a brass trumpet in his hand, his gaze seemingly sweeping over the entire audience.

The soldiers quickly arrived at their designated positions, lined up in formation, and the entire army was perfectly aligned.

Their armor gleamed with a cold, sharp light.

His dark skin spoke of resilience.

The exposed, slightly bloodstained hilts of the knives speak volumes about their elite status.

However, the morale at this moment was strangely high compared to the past.
A sense of bewilderment enveloped everyone's hearts.

The soldiers looked up at the official on the high platform, eagerly anticipating a few inspiring words from him.

Ignite the passion in their hearts and revitalize them.

But to their surprise, the expected impassioned speech did not materialize.

The adult on the high platform simply said:
"Brothers, let's go home."

Having said that, he turned and left the platform.

The previously stirring bugle calls and intense drumbeats around us abruptly ceased.

Immediately afterwards, groups of people dressed in red, performing rituals and music, appeared in all four directions of the camp.

A strange rhythm suddenly arose, like strands of silk thread.
It gently wrapped around every corner of the camp.

The soldiers' initially bewildered eyes seemed to be touched by an invisible hand the moment they heard the rhythm.

They unconsciously straightened their posture, and their eyes began to gleam with a different kind of light.

This is the battle song for going into battle.

"Jade plate, jade plate,"
Why are you hanging on the roof?

Whether revealed or hidden, frost flows in the air.

A deep, husky melody.
Accompanied by a melodious tune, it permeated the entire camp.

This voice, like a key, quietly unlocked the door to their hometown deep in their memories.

Northern China, Daning.

Their thoughts instantly drifted back to the old objects hanging under the eaves of their own houses.

Those old objects, shimmering faintly in the moonlight, hold countless peaceful and beautiful nights in their memory.

Some of the young soldiers had slightly reddened eyes.

For some reason, hearing these melodies made their noses tingle.

Scenes of playing under the eaves as a child involuntarily surfaced in my mind.

At that time, they looked up at the bright moon in the sky.

"Jade plate, jade plate,"
Have you ever filled a box of wedding candy?

Sometimes full, sometimes waning, its lonely light reflecting tears.

The soldiers seemed to smell the sweet aroma of maltose from their homes.

At this moment, it became the taste they longed for most.

Perhaps what they truly yearn for is the warmth of sitting together with their families and sharing maltose.

Some soldiers lowered their heads, gently fidgeting with their hands, their expressions blank, lost in memories of the past.

"Jade plate, jade plate."

Have you ever seen tears streaming down one's face at parting?

"Jade plate, jade plate."

Have you ever heard a story told for a hundred years sung for a thousand?

Clouds drift and gather, children's temples turn gray.

A soft sigh rang out from within the army ranks.

They traveled across the north and south of the country, fighting bloody battles with various enemy forces.

Countless nights, they gazed at the moon, their minds preoccupied with the way home.

Now, the road home is right beneath my feet.
But their hearts were filled with endless worries.

Have the children in your family grown up yet?

When they left, the child was still young and unaware.
Now that I'm back, will my child not recognize me?
Those once innocent faces,
Has it also been etched with the marks of time?
The soldiers' eyes reflected both an eager longing to return home and an anxiety about the unknown.

"Jade plate, jade plate."

The child has weathered the storms of life.

"Jade plate, jade plate,"
When can we gather them, laughing and talking, and take them back to our hometown?

Well--

The sound of the bugle suddenly became more stirring and passionate.

Lu Yunyi, mounted on his warhorse and holding a trumpet, let out a deafening shout:

"Going home—"

"Go home! Go home!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the sky.

At this moment, morale was completely ignited, and the fire in their hearts burned fiercely.

The once heavy steps now became light and quick.

They marched in unison, closely following the general, and slowly walked out of the camp.

A gentle breeze blows by, bringing the fragrance of earth and the scent of grass.

They seemed to smell the scent of home in it.

"Jade plate, jade plate,"
Does that palace hold the answer?

Jade plate, jade plate

When will the Great Sage return from his pilgrimage?

Jade plate, jade plate

When will that child cross the countless mountains in the sky?

Long, long, long, towards the Milky Way.

The army marched in orderly steps across the wide roads of Puzikou City.

Passing through the towering city gate, stepping onto the wide moat bridge, head north.

Lu Zhan, the garrison commander of Puzikou City, was deeply moved as he watched the soldiers march away in a grand procession.

He suddenly raised his hand and shouted the order:

"Play music to send off our comrades!"

Opposite to Puzikou City, at the Yingtianfu River ferry crossing.

A group of civil and military officials listened quietly to the melodious yet slightly strange rhythm.

They watched as the vanguard scouts left the capital.

The dust that rose into the sky quickly dissipated.
Everything returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stood on the dock, turned to Li Yuanming beside him, and asked:

"What kind of ritual music is this?"
It speaks of the moon, but to me it sounds like a battle song.

Li Yuanming twitched his beard slightly, bowed, and replied:
"Your Highness, this piece is titled 'Asking the Moon'."
The rhyme scheme used was the standard rhyme used when setting out on a campaign.

When I first received the piece, I also found it very strange.

It sounds like a children's song, but it has a unique flavor when you listen to it.

As the saying goes, "When I was young, I didn't know the moon and called it a white jade plate."

Speaking of the jade plate today, I am thinking of my childhood self and my distant hometown.

In our Great Ming Dynasty, this refers precisely to the soldiers who are out on campaign.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao stared blankly at the army that had gradually dwindled to a small black dot, muttering to himself:
"No wonder I felt a pang of sadness upon hearing this." "The most important matters of the state are war and sacrifice."

Minister of Rites Li Yuanming began, and continued:

"The way of rites and music lies in sacrifices, which are offered to deceased ancestors."
But what truly united them were the millions of living people of the Ming Dynasty.

It is truly a blessing for our nation that Your Highness can resonate with this.

Zhu Biao nodded slightly; he naturally understood these principles.

But the students from the Imperial Academy standing behind him all looked surprised.

This was the first time they had heard of such a claim. After thinking about it carefully, they found it to make some sense.

It was because of rites and music that the people of the Ming Dynasty were able to share common emotions.

Those who leave home will miss their hometown, worry about their family, miss their children, and yearn to return home.

Grand Secretary Song Na looked at Sun Si'an and Xia Yuanji beside him:

"Do you understand?"

The two men frowned, their eyes filled with doubt.

Song Na, however, didn't seem to care at all, and said calmly:
"This is the prestige of the Ministry of Rites."

Only when you have figured it out can you be considered to have the world in your heart and truly enter the inner sanctum.

As my disciples, this is your first lesson. You must study it carefully when you return home.

"Yes"

The two bowed in unison in response.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

Just then, a loud shout came from the city gate. The vast and mighty Imperial Guards marched out of the city gate in perfect unison.

The sunlight shone on them.
The gold and silver armor gleamed and shone brightly.

Many laborers and merchants were near the city gate and at the dock.
Looking at the impressive honor guard in front of me, I was filled with doubt.

What exactly happened today?

Even the emperor came.

At this moment, as the emperor's carriage slowly drove out of the city gate,

The civil and military officials who followed also flocked to the scene like a tidal wave.

Dressed in official robes, they walked steadily, occasionally glancing into the distance, their faces full of anticipation.

The people were even more shocked when they saw this scene.

What major event has occurred?
The Crown Prince has arrived, the Emperor has arrived, and all the civil and military officials have arrived.

They soon found out the answer.

At the end of the official road, a simple and inconspicuous carriage swayed and wobbled as it drove by.

There were no attendants on the carriage, only an elderly coachman steadily driving it.

The moment the carriage appeared at the edge of the horizon, the atmosphere near the city gate changed abruptly, becoming extremely complex.

Countless people stood on tiptoe, straining to look ahead, hoping to catch a glimpse of the carriage.

On the carriage, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, dressed in imperial robes, slowly stepped out from behind the lifted curtain.

He is down-to-earth and moves forward steadily.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao followed closely behind.

The two walked forward, gradually passing the imperial guards and then the dense ranks of officials.

The two stopped in the middle of the road.
At the same time, the carriage slowly came to a stop.

An old, wrinkled hand reached out from behind the curtain.

Then, an elderly man in plain clothes with gray hair, a gray beard, and cloudy eyes poked his head out.

He slowly stepped down from the carriage.

The old man was of medium height and had a refined and gentle demeanor.

He stood there quietly, exuding an aura of transcendence.

Even though his face is covered with deep wrinkles, you can still tell that he was handsome when he was young.

His plain clothes made him stand out from his surroundings.

When Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang saw this man, his eyes flickered slightly, and his beard trembled slightly.

Even his lips began to tremble.

For the first time, he showed signs of aging, and his steps became somewhat unsteady.

He took two steps forward, his voice trembling, and said:

"Brother, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye; we've both grown old."

The old man who stepped down from the carriage also showed a moved expression.

He walked over with his arms outstretched, staggering:

"Up to the top. In the blink of an eye, we're all halfway to the grave."

Our beards have both turned white.

The two embraced and wept, their true feelings revealed.

The entire brigade was deeply moved by this scene.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao lowered his head and secretly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

After a while, the crown prince raised his head and bowed deeply to the old man:
"Zhu Biao greets his uncle."

"Your Highness, it's been many years since we last met. You've become much more dashing and heroic!"

"There's a successor to the position, a true successor!"

The old man looked at the crown prince with trembling eyes, bent over with difficulty, and said:

"Your subject, Li Shanchang, Duke of Han, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince."

The crown prince was exceptionally handsome and exuded youthful vigor.
This old minister is deeply gratified; the Ming Dynasty has worthy successors.

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly helped him up, a smile spreading across his face, and said:
"Hey buddy, straighten up."

We're all getting old, and it's easy to hurt ourselves if we bend over.

I still remember when Biao'er was born, we were thinking about his name together.

After much thought, we finally settled on the name for the marker.

"Is that so? To be honest, Your Majesty, I'm getting old, and my mind has become a bit muddled lately."

"Things from years ago, I can't remember them clearly anymore, I really can't remember them."

Korean official Li Shanchang waved his hand, a hint of melancholy on his face.

"Brother, I feel the same way."

Now that we've gotten used to a good life, the days of hunger and cold have become somewhat hazy in our memories.

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a look of agreement.

Then, supporting Li Shanchang, he looked at the many civil and military officials behind him and said:

"Brother, come and see, these are all civil and military officials of our Ming Dynasty."

Today I have summoned them all to welcome you.

Just like in Fengyang, we went out to fight and find supplies.

The soldiers were all eagerly waiting at the gate.

Looking at the bustling crowd ahead, Li Shanchang was overcome with emotion, tears streaming down his face. He sighed, "..."

Forty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Now there are not many old friends left. Some have died of old age, while others, like me, are unable to move freely and dare not move at will.

I came to the capital this time with the resolve to die on the way.
Fortunately, God had eyes.
"May I be able to come to Yingtian alive and witness the auspicious signs of our Great Ming Dynasty."

As he spoke, Li Shanchang gripped Zhu Yuanzhang's hand tightly and said in a trembling voice:

"Your Majesty, if only we had such a treasure back then..."

Xiao Shun and Lao San wouldn't have to starve to death. Many of the old brothers were able to survive.

"Brother, the establishment of this Great Ming Dynasty is truly in accordance with the will of Heaven and the will of the people."

"Back then, when you told me I could become emperor, I remember giving you a good scolding."

Li Shanchang chuckled dryly and nodded repeatedly:

"Yes, back then His Majesty scolded me for being delusional, saying that I wanted to become emperor after just having a full meal. How could anyone dream like that?"

Zhu Yuanzhang also laughed and said:
"What did I say back then? If I become emperor, you will be the prime minister."

Later, we really did become emperor, and you became prime minister, so it wasn't a wasted life.

"Hahaha, he has the bearing of a true dragon ascending to the throne, his might dominating the world."

"The peace and tranquility we enjoy today are all thanks to Your Majesty," Li Shan said with a loud laugh.

Then, he suddenly began to cough violently.
His face turned red from coughing, as if he were coughing up his heart and liver.

Upon seeing this, Crown Prince Zhu Biao quickly handed over a handkerchief.

Li Shanchang took the handkerchief and coughed forcefully.
A piece of bloody phlegm was coughed up, and the coughing gradually stopped.

Upon seeing the bloodstains on the handkerchief, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both widened their eyes and hurriedly asked anxiously:

"Brother, what's wrong?"

"Uncle, should we summon the imperial physician?"

Li Shanchang straightened up, forced a smile, and looked at the two of them weakly, saying:
"Your Excellency, Your Highness the Crown Prince,
This old minister is already seventy-five years old, physically weak, and his days are numbered.

If medicine is used, he probably won't live more than three days.

"Let's go, let's go into the palace. It's windy outside, let's go inside the palace and have a detailed chat."

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly helped Li Shanchang up and called to the eunuchs nearby:

"Bring the screen."

A group of eunuchs quickly approached, holding up a huge umbrella and using a screen to shield them from view.
Li Shanchang's complexion gradually improved.

He gripped Zhu Yuanzhang's hand tightly and said, his voice trembling:
"Shangwei, this trip to Beijing is to see you one last time and also to see the old brothers who are still alive."

After that, I went home and waited to die.

Don't worry about rising to power, and don't be sad.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural course of human life.

"To have followed Your Majesty on this journey, traveling throughout the land, I am already content."

Zhu Yuanzhang's lips were tightly closed, his eyes were slightly red, and his vision was already somewhat blurred.

He kept gently patting Li Shanchang's hand and said:

"Let's not talk about this. Let's not talk about this. Come on, I'll show you around Yingtian City and let you see the new and interesting things that have come out these days."

The Ming Dynasty is changing rapidly, with new developments every day.

Brother, you can't die!
We should look around and travel more; this is all the land we fought for.

(End of this chapter)