Ming Dynasty: Pick up attributes from the battlefield to create the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 156 Shen Jiazhi and Shen Yu'er are granted imperial titles!
After pondering for a long time.

Shen Wansan raised his head and stared at his eldest son, Shen Rong.

"Rong'er."

"Send a message to your second brother: from now on, when my Shen family's caravan travels, we must increase security. If my Shen family doesn't have enough servants, then we'll pay a security escort agency. Money is not the issue; the goods and the trade route are the key."

"Except."

"Have your second brother report this to the authorities, to the Beiping Prefecture, and spend more money to bribe them."

"These necessary expenses cannot be omitted."

“To deal with these well-trained people, we must rely on the power of the government,” Shen Wansan said in a deep voice, his tone serious.

Today's situation.

This was the only method Shen Wansan could think of.

Firstly, the use of escort agencies greatly increases safety; secondly, it allows the government to suppress the bandits, since the rampant banditry is also the government's responsibility.

If this gets involved, it still comes down to the Prince of Yan's affairs.

"father."

"I feel that even hiring a security escort agency cannot guarantee anything, after all, this band of mountain bandits is ruthless and is definitely trained to be deadly."

"As for reporting to the authorities, the Beiping army has already gone on a northern expedition, leaving behind only some weak county soldiers. I reckon even if they know, they'll just go through the motions."

"But the Shen family's caravan cannot be delayed."

“All eighteen caravans were looted. This is not only a financial loss, but also a loss of reputation for the Shen family.”

“If this cannot be resolved in a short time, my Shen family’s trade routes in Beiping Prefecture will be seized by other families,” Shen Rong said worriedly.

In this regard.

Shen Wansan also expressed his helplessness and could only shake his head: "Now, there are only the two methods I have proposed."

"If the escort agency is no good, then we can only rely on the government."

"of course."

“If the officials in Beiping Prefecture do nothing, then we will find a way to make a big fuss and get the attention of the imperial court and the current emperor.”

“The current emperor hates evil as if it were his enemy. If bandits were to truly break out, he would absolutely not stand idly by,” Shen Wansan said with a cold smile.

Hear this.

Shen Rong and Shen Mao couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

"Father is brilliant."

“If this matter gets to the imperial court and reaches the emperor’s ears, then this band of ‘mountain bandits’ will surely be doomed,” Shen Rong said with admiration.

"Let the officials of Beiping Prefecture handle it for now. If they can't handle it well, then we should try to make a big fuss about it. After all, if this matter is not handled properly, it will offend the Prince of Yan," Shen Wansan said in a deep voice.

He was well aware of this, of course.

Beiping Prefecture was the fiefdom of Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan.

If they were to make a scene and bring this matter to the imperial court, it would be a slap in the face to Zhu Di, and the Shen family would inevitably be targeted by Zhu Di in the future, which would certainly not be a good thing.

"besides."

"We must find out exactly who is targeting our Shen family."

"It is easy to dodge an open attack but difficult to guard against an arrow from the dark."

"If we don't find out, my Shen family will be in a very passive position in the future," Shen Wansan said very seriously.

"father."

"This matter seems difficult to investigate."

"After all, this band of mountain bandits is too good at hiding. They are impossible to find, and they didn't leave any trace after their robbery and killing," Shen Rong said helplessly.

survey!

What they could think of, Shen Wang in Beiping Prefecture naturally thought of as well, but the investigation came to nothing.

This band of "mountain bandits" appeared and disappeared without a trace.

"In your opinion."

"Which gang was behind this band of bandits?"

"Don't overthink it, just tell me which family you are most likely to be from."

Shen Wansan looked at his two sons and asked seriously.

Hear this!

The Shen brothers paused for a moment, deep in thought.

"father."

"Could it be the Lu family?"

“The Lu family has always had various business entanglements with my Shen family. Back then, my Shen family competed with the Lu family for the porcelain business and was even cheated by the Lu family. In the end, our Shen family also took away the Lu family’s wine and tea business. They probably hold a grudge.” After thinking for a moment, Shen Rong looked at Shen Wansan and said.

"The Lu family?"

Shen Wansan thought for a moment, then shook his head: "The Lu family doesn't have many trade routes in Beiping Prefecture. It's possible, but most likely it's not them."

"Could it be the Cao family?"

Shen Mao mentioned it again.

Lu family.

Cao family.

These are the top three wealthiest merchants in the Ming Dynasty today, just like the Shen family.

There are trade routes for porcelain, tea, wine, and many other products.

"The Cao family would not do that either."

“They are in Yunnan and Sichuan, and we don’t have much of a conflict of interest with them,” Shen Wansan said, shaking his head.

"If it weren't for these two companies."

"Then my son really can't think of any other families." Shen Rong shook his head, unable to think of any.

"Do you think it's possible that it could be Zhu Ying?"

After a moment of contemplation, Shen Wansan opened his eyes wide and looked at his two sons.

Hear this.

Shen Rong and Shen Mao were both taken aback, then shook their heads.

"father."

“Although Zhu Ying is quite capable, and has now been awarded a title for his military achievements, he definitely doesn’t have the financial resources to train assassins and even arrange them in Beiping Prefecture, right?” Shen Rong asked with some doubt.

Or.

He didn't want to believe that Zhu Ying was behind it.

"father."

"I think it's possible."

"This band of bandits is only targeting my Shen family."

“If we’re talking about grudges, my Shen family and Zhu Yingcai are the real enemies,” Shen Mao said solemnly.

"Zhu Ying."

"He is now the commander of Da Ning, holding military power and wielding great authority."

"Moreover, as you all know, the wine produced by his distillery is almost always in short supply. People in the north love wine and can't live without it. The wine from his distillery alone is enough to support a large number of assassins."

"Moreover, Zhu Ying is no longer just running a winery, but also a restaurant, which is extremely profitable."

"Based on this reasoning, this band of bandits might really be his doing." Shen Wansan pondered, his expression turning grim.

"If it really is him, then this is going to be a real problem."

"Now he has power, influence, and money."

“It will be very difficult for us to deal with him.” Shen Rong’s expression changed drastically.

"father."

"How to do?"

"If it really is Zhu Ying, then it will be very difficult for my Shen family to do business in the north in the future. In order to avoid him, we even gave up our business in Daning Prefecture. But we never expected that he would send people to Beiping Prefecture to ambush and kill my Shen family's caravan."

"He's really gone mad."

"Should we report this to the authorities?" Shen Mao asked, somewhat flustered and at a loss.

Upon hearing Shen Mao's words, Shen Wansan glared and coldly cursed, "Foolish."

"Without any evidence or proof."

How to report it?

"I tell you."

"Zhu Yingchun is currently riding high, and both the current emperor and the crown prince value him highly. If you were to report him, it would be tantamount to courting death."

“At that time, my Shen family might have offended the current emperor.” Shen Wansan glared fiercely.

"What should I do?"

“Zhu Ying is no longer the same Zhu Ying he used to be. Now that he’s targeting my Shen family like this, are we just supposed to put up with it?” Shen Mao said with great resentment.

"Now, the tables have turned."

"It seems that Zhu Ying is determined to fight to the death with my Shen family."

"They robbed and slaughtered my Shen family's caravan, leaving no survivors."

"This time he has launched another northern expedition against the Northern Yuan. If he achieves great merit again, that would be truly remarkable."

"He is an earl now, and a marquis in the future, or even more powerful. My Shen family... sigh..."

Thinking of Zhu Ying's current status and identity, Shen Wansan's heart was filled with worry.

now.

He increasingly regretted what he had done.

Sending Zhu Ying to Daning was a terrible move. It completely offended Zhu Ying, since the Shen family wanted him dead.

The second step was naturally to send assassins to Daning to kill Lin Fu and Shen Yu'er.

This deepened the enmity between his Shen family and Zhu Ying.

Listening to what Shen Wansan said.

Thinking about the possibility of Zhu Ying's future growth, the Shen brothers' faces were extremely grim.

"I hope he dies on the battlefield," Shen Mao said viciously.

“He is already a commander with thousands of troops protecting him. How could he die so easily?” Shen Rong said coldly.

"now."

"We also need to think of a way to ease tensions with Zhu Ying, at least to prevent him from harboring such hatred towards the Shen family," Shen Wansan said quietly. Although he seemed somewhat unsure of himself when he said this, it was something he had no choice but to do.

Although the Shen family was wealthy, they were merely merchants. In the current reign of Emperor Hongwu, trying to bribe officials with money would be tantamount to courting death.

Ordinary matters are fine, but if it's about letting officials deal with Zhu Ying, no one would be willing to do it.

"father."

"Based on what our Shen family has done to Zhu Ying."

Is there any room for maneuver?

Shen Rong replied solemnly.

"Let's give it a try."

"After all, Shen Yu'er grew up in my Shen family." "At worst, we can use Shen Yu'er's background as leverage to tell Zhu Ying."

"Return some kindness," Shen Wansan said in a deep voice after thinking for a moment.

"father."

"If we release his information, won't Huaixi and his family's former enemies blame our Shen family for taking her in?" Shen Rong asked worriedly.

As soon as these words fell.

Shen Wansan's eyes suddenly lit up: "Rong'er, you've reminded your father."

“Back then, Shen Yu’er’s grandfather offended quite a few people; he offended almost the entire court.”

"If the court, especially Huaixi, were to find out that Zhu Ying had married his granddaughter, they might become even more aggressive in their efforts to deal with him."

"This is a good thing for my Shen family."

Listen to this.

Shen Rong and Shen Mao's eyes lit up.

"Dad is right."

"It's impossible for my Shen family to deal with Zhu Ying."

“But Huaixi, and those people in the court, definitely can.” Shen Rong nodded immediately.

"Rong'er."

"I will write a letter."

"Find a way to contact Zhu Ying and give it to him."

Shen Wansan said in a deep voice.

"Yes." Shen Rong nodded immediately.

At this moment!

Outside the inner hall.

"master."

The voice of the Shen family's butler came in.

"come in."

Shen Wansan said in a deep voice.

The butler immediately pushed open the door and strode into the inner room.

"What is it?" Shen Wansan asked in a deep voice, staring at the steward in front of him.

This steward was naturally deeply trusted by Shen Wansan, and he was the one who did many things behind the scenes.

"Miss just sent me a message, but I don't know if it's true or false."

“But the news has already spread,” Butler Shen said respectfully.

"What news?" Shen Wansan asked immediately.

"Zhu Ying, the commander of Da Ning, made new contributions in the Northern Expedition, capturing the city on the first day and killing countless enemies."

"Now, His Majesty has issued an imperial edict bestowing upon Zhu Ying's wife, Shen Yu'er, the title of Fourth-Rank Imperial Lady," Steward Shen said in a low voice, glancing furtively at Shen Wansan as he spoke.

As soon as these words fell.

The expressions of Shen Wansan and his two sons all changed.

"A Lady of Imperial Decree?"

"She was actually granted the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree?"

Shen Wansan gritted his teeth, somewhat incredulous, with an unspeakable regret deep in his eyes.

perhaps.

At this moment.

Shen Wansan truly regretted it.

"That lowly servant Shen Yu'er was actually granted an imperial title?"

"This is equivalent to a noble title for men."

"Damn it."

"How could she do that?"

Shen Rong said through gritted teeth.

But aside.

Shen Mao complained, "If we had spoken to Zhu Ying properly back then and directly betrothed Shen Yu'er to him, perhaps we wouldn't have needed to target Zhu Ying like that, and there wouldn't have been so many things that happened afterward. My Shen family could have also been on Zhu Ying's good side."

But as soon as the words fell.

Shen Wansan glared at him and said coldly, "Shut up."

Obviously.

For Shen Mao to say such things at this moment is to slap his father in the face.

After all, all the initial planning was done by Shen Wansan, and then he and his brothers carried it out.

……

Time flies!
Northern Yuan territory!

The war continues.

The Ming Dynasty's attacks continued.

The Ming Dynasty is now winning victory after victory on the battlefield against the Northern Yuan, while the Northern Yuan is suffering defeat after defeat.

More than two months have passed.

The ten fortified cities built by the Northern Yuan at great expense of manpower and resources have been completely captured by the Ming Dynasty.

That's why it was able to be so fast.

It all comes down to Zhu Ying.

His capture of the city on the first day disrupted the balance of the battle, allowing Lan Yu's army to successfully break through.

now.

The capital of the Northern Yuan Dynasty, Xindu!
The city has been sealed off; entry and exit are prohibited.

An eerie atmosphere permeated the entire city.

For the Northern Yuan...

The city's defenses, once advantageous, were no longer sufficient to hold out.

In the Northern Yuan court.

"Let's start playing, Your Majesty."

"The ten strongholds on the border of our Great Yuan have been completely lost."

"The Ming army is now advancing on our capital from all directions," a general reported, kneeling in the main hall with a somber expression.

Emperor Yuan, seated on the dragon throne, also had a grim expression.

Even with reinforcements arriving later, they still couldn't stop the Ming army's advance.

"Prime Minister."

"Where are General Guili Chi's troops deployed now?" Emperor Yuan asked, looking at Shiliemen.

"Return to the Emperor."

"General Guili Chi led his troops to the royal pasture, which is a hundred miles away from the new capital."

“He is prepared to rely on the strengths of our Great Yuan cavalry to fight a decisive battle against the Ming army,” Shiliemen immediately said.

"With my 100,000 iron cavalry, we will surely inflict a heavy defeat on the Ming army

Emperor Yuan was also very confident in his cavalry.

"Therefore, Your Majesty need not worry."

"In this battle, with 100,000 Yuan cavalrymen, the Ming army will certainly be no match for the enemy, which is dominated by cavalry."

Shi Liemen also spoke with great confidence.

now.

Although the Northern Yuan had already lost more than a dozen cities in succession.

Even though the Ming army was only a hundred or two miles away from his capital, he had no fear of them because of his cavalry.

"emperor."

"To avoid any unforeseen events, and to ensure the long-lasting existence of our Great Yuan Dynasty."

"I believe..."

"His Majesty should first retreat to the northern frontier and return to the land of our Great Yuan Ancestor."

Grand Commandant Manzi stepped forward and loudly reported.

The words fell.

Emperor Yuan frowned and immediately said, "Grand Commandant, what do you mean by this? Do you think that our Great Yuan cavalry is no match for the Ming army?"

"Your Majesty, it's not that I lack confidence."

"But for the sake of complete safety."

"The Emperor is the foundation of our Great Yuan. If the Emperor is lost, our Great Yuan will surely fall apart."

"If Your Majesty were to return to the heart of the northern frontier to oversee the war effort, our men would be able to fight without fear. With Your Majesty here, our men have no worries about the future."

"Therefore, Your Majesty, please reconsider," the barbarian said with a serious expression.

Above him.

He certainly understood the situation.

He probably imagined that many courtiers would love for the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, or even for the Yuan Emperor to die in the chaos of war. In that case, the many tribes that were being controlled by the Yuan Dynasty would lose their checks and balances and eventually become independent kings, living without restraint.

Although confident in the strength of the cavalry, the barbarian's proposal was also for the long-term survival of the Yuan Dynasty.

Only by moving the Yuan emperor to guard the heart of the northern frontier could the Yuan dynasty both deter those tribes and ensure its longevity.

but.

As soon as he finished speaking...

Immediately, court officials stepped forward.

"Grand Commandant, you are underestimating the fighting strength of our Great Yuan cavalry far too much?"

"His Majesty is of the highest caliber. Guarding the capital is an inspiration to the fighting spirit of our Great Yuan soldiers. If His Majesty were to return to the ancestral lands in the north, the soldiers would think that His Majesty had abandoned them and deserted in the face of battle."

"This will definitely affect morale."

"good."

"With His Majesty guarding the capital, the morale of the army will surely be boosted."

"Your Majesty must not move your carriage."

"I second the proposal."

"This time, all the elite soldiers of our Great Yuan have been mobilized. In addition to 100,000 iron cavalry, there are nearly 400,000 troops stationed in the capital."

"Why fear the Ming army?"

"Grand Commandant, you've gone too far..."

　P.S.: Sorry for the late update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)