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

Chapter 236 Zhu Yunwen: Big brother, big brother is still alive!

"It shouldn't be the Emperor's doing."

Hearing Chang Mao's words, Lan Yu shook her head slightly with a hint of certainty and analyzed earnestly, "The Emperor has no reason to do this."

"Furthermore, if Xiong Ying were still alive and the Emperor had known about it, Xiong Ying would have stayed safely in the palace and would not have left Yingtian."

Chang Mao and Chang Sen both fell silent in response.

They were all frowning and confused as they thought about the current situation. They really didn't know what to do next or where to start.

"Uncle."

Chang Sen's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had thought of something. A glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he asked cautiously, "Although it's uncertain whether Xiong Ying is really still alive, one thing is certain: Xiong Ying's remains are no longer in the tomb."

"Should we report this matter to the Emperor?"

however.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Yu and Chang Mao's gazes shot towards Chang Sen like sharp swords almost simultaneously.

now.

Their gazes were filled with complex emotions; in modern terms, they looked like they were looking at a fool about to do something utterly absurd.

"Are you crazy, or do you want to die?"

Lan Yu scolded irritably, her brows furrowed and her face full of disappointment.

"Sometimes I really doubt if you're really my brother, how can you be so stupid!"

"By sneaking into Xiaoling today, we have already committed a heinous crime, and we have also dug up Xiong Ying's tomb. This is an unforgivable crime."

"Now that we can cover this up, no one will know. You actually want to take the initiative to report this to the Emperor."

"Do you believe that if you submit this memorial, we will all be in deep trouble?"

"Do you think the Emperor is the kind of benevolent ruler who has no temper?"

Chang Mao couldn't help but scold Chang Sen, his tone full of anxiety and helplessness.

Having said this.

Chang Mao then added, "What we're digging up today is an imperial tomb, the burial place of the future emperors of the Ming Dynasty!"

"How outrageous it is for us to sneak in and dig up graves!"

In this regard.

I can only say that Chang Mao's words make sense.

Not to mention Zhu Yuanzhang's ruthless personality, even a truly kind and benevolent ruler would never tolerate someone desecrating his own grandson's grave!

After being scolded by the two men, Chang Sen shrank back like a defeated rooster, his face showing embarrassment and awkwardness.

However, upon reflection, Chang Sen realized that his elder brother's words made sense.

Their actions today are undoubtedly like dancing on a knife's edge; a single misstep could lead to their utter destruction.

"Then, Uncle, what do you think we should do?"

Chang Sen helplessly spread his hands, his face full of worry: "Now that Xiong Ying's remains are indeed gone, the world is so vast, where can we find Xiong Ying?"

"Besides, we have no way of knowing whether U.A. is dead or alive."

Lan Yu fell into deep thought upon hearing this.

After pondering for a moment.

Lan Yu seemed to have made up her mind, and said with a firm gaze, "I'll go back to the city tomorrow and go see Yun Tong first to see what his plans are."

"After all, it was Yunhu who brought this up, and now that he's made me dig up the grave, he must already have a plan for the next step."

Upon hearing this, Chang Mao's eyes lit up, and he quickly chimed in, "Uncle is right. Since it was Yun Tong who brought it up, let's ask him what his thoughts are."

"But my maternal uncle."

Chang Mao's gaze shifted, his expression turning serious as he looked at Lan Yu with a thoughtful expression: "Have you considered this? If Yun Tong's guess is true, and Zhu Ying is Xiong Ying, then what should we do?"

“Over the past few years, we have caused Zhu Ying a lot of trouble, so his impression of us must not be very good.”

Now that it has been confirmed that Zhu Xiong Ying's remains are not in the tomb, Chang Mao couldn't help but begin to wonder if what Zhu Yun Tong said was true.

If Zhu Ying really is Zhu Xiong Ying, how should they face Zhu Ying in the future?
After all, from the Liaodong Campaign to the Northern Expedition, the Huaixi Group had always been at odds with Zhu Ying.

Although they dug many traps for Zhu Ying, none of them worked.

But they also knew that Zhu would definitely despise them.

Without even thinking about Chang Mao's question, Lan Yu immediately and decisively replied, "If Zhu Ying really is Xiong Ying, I will bow and kowtow to him three times and apologize, and I will accept any beatings or scoldings from him without a word."

The only reasons a fierce general like Lan Yu could be so subdued were Zhu Yuanzhang and his son Zhu Biao. If Zhu Xiong Ying had truly grown up, he would naturally have been able to keep him in check as well.

"Uncle, elder brother."

Chang Sen, who had been completely clueless, was utterly bewildered. His eyes widened in confusion as he asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Zhu Ying, that Marquis of Champion?"

"He's U.A.? You guys aren't joking, are you?"

Although Chang Sen had been stationed at Xiaoling Mausoleum, Xiaoling was not far from Yingtian, right under the emperor's nose, so he was naturally well-informed.

If we were to ask who has the most widely known name in the world today, without a doubt, it would be Zhu Ying.

He had heard it many times.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe him as famous throughout the world.

Even among the common people, it was said that Zhu Ying was already the greatest general in the land.

“This is what Yun-hu said.”

Lan Yu sighed, her face full of helplessness: "He has met Zhu Ying and insists that Zhu Ying is his elder brother. I was forced by Yun Tong to come to Xiaoling to dig up the grave. Otherwise, do you think I'm really crazy to come and dig up the grave for no reason?"

“How could these be related?” Chang Sen was even more puzzled, his brows furrowing even deeper: “Isn’t Zhu Ying’s hometown in Beiping Prefecture? That’s thousands of miles away from Yingtian.”

At this moment, Lan Yu was no longer in the mood to explain anything.

"Come on."

"That's enough for today. Let's rest for the night and head back to the city tomorrow. Once I see Yunhuo, we'll see what to do next."

Lan Yu waved his hand, looking tired, and didn't bother to say anything more.

But at this moment, his heart was far from calm, and his thoughts were tangled like a jumbled mess.

Seeing this, Chang Mao and Chang Sen remained silent.

After all, Lan Yu held absolute authority over them.

……

In Yingtian City, inside the East Palace, at a small martial arts training ground.

Sunlight shone on the training ground; it was unusually sunny today, even though it was winter.

Lan Yu, dressed in a military uniform, stood ramrod straight. In front of him stood two people: Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yuntong.

At this moment, they were in a horse stance, their faces full of pain and struggle.

Large beads of sweat rolled down Zhu Yunwen's forehead. His jaw was clenched, and his legs trembled slightly. Finally, he could no longer hold on.

Plop.

He plopped down on the ground, panting heavily.

Upon seeing this, Lan Yu frowned instantly, her eyes revealing dissatisfaction and sternness: "You want to learn martial arts, and this is how you do it?"

"You're still far from good enough." "Go, run ten laps around the training ground." Lan Yu's cold voice rang in Zhu Yunwen's ears.

"I...I can't run." Zhu Yunwen resisted instinctively, a reluctant expression on his face.

"The Crown Prince has given orders for me to train you."

"Don't you want to practice anymore? Then I'll go tell the Crown Prince right now," Lan Yu threatened coldly, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

"Then why didn't he run?"

Zhu Yunwen, his face full of dissatisfaction, pointed at Zhu Yunwen beside him, his eyes burning with anger.

"Because he's good at stance training and doesn't haggle like you do."

"Most importantly, the Crown Prince has appointed the Duke of this country as your teacher."

"If you don't want to practice, you can leave anytime." Lan Yu sneered, her tone full of sarcasm.

Hear this!

Zhu Yunwen's face flushed red and then turned pale as a sense of humiliation welled up in his heart, and his hatred for Lan Yu intensified.

However, he ultimately dared not disobey Lan Yu's orders. After all, this was a personal instruction from Zhu Biao, and if he really refused to practice, he would certainly be severely reprimanded by Zhu Biao.

Zhu Yunwen has always behaved obediently, sensibly, and self-disciplinedly in front of Zhu Biao. If he were to back down now, the image he has built up would instantly collapse.

immediately!

Zhu Yunwen could only grit his teeth and, filled with resentment, start running around the training ground. As he ran, he cursed inwardly, "Damn Lan Yu, damn Zhu Yunwen. When I become the Crown Prince, I'll make you pay!"

however.

At this moment, he had no choice but to vent his emotions in his heart.

He knew that Lan Yu was deliberately targeting him, but even so, he could only choose to endure it.

Watching Zhu Yunwen start running laps, Lan Yu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smug smile.

Since he was at odds with the Lü family and even Zhu Yunwen, why should he indulge Zhu Yunwen?
Of course, we should seize the opportunity and make him suffer a bit.

"Yun Teng, stand up." Lan Yu turned her head and looked at Zhu Yun Teng. The sternness on her face disappeared instantly, replaced by a gentle smile.

"Grandpa."

Zhu Yunwen, who was being punished by running laps, looked at Zhu Yunwen with a hint of worry in his eyes: "Is this okay for him?"

Of course, he wasn't really worried about Zhu Yunwen, but rather about how the Lü family would deal with Lan Yu in the future.

"This is what your father instructed me to train you properly."

“This time he was the one who couldn’t hold on any longer. If he dares to complain to the Crown Prince, do you think the Crown Prince will believe me or him?”

Lan Yu smiled calmly, completely unconcerned whether Zhu Yunwen would complain.

See this.

Zhu Yunwen said nothing more. He walked slowly to Lan Yu's side, his expression concerned, and asked in a low voice, "Grand Uncle, have you been to Xiaoling Mausoleum?"

At this moment, his biggest concern was naturally this matter, since it concerned his older brother.

Upon hearing Zhu Yunwen's question, Lan Yu cautiously looked around. Seeing that no one was around, she moved closer and lowered her voice, saying, "We went. There are no remains in Xiong Ying's tomb."

Hear this.

Zhu Yunwen's face instantly lit up with joy, his eyes shining brightly: "Grand Uncle, my feeling was right, my eldest brother is really still alive, Zhu Ying is my eldest brother."

If he hadn't been in the training ground with the Imperial Guards on duty around him, he probably would have jumped up in excitement long ago.

The absence of remains in the tomb proves that his elder brother was not buried and is very likely still alive.

Given his unique feeling about his elder brother, it's highly likely that Zhu Ying is indeed his elder brother.

"Yunxun."

Lan Yu sighed, her expression grave: "You're celebrating too soon. Although it's now confirmed that there are no remains in the tomb, we still can't be sure if Xiong Ying is really still alive."

"And what evidence do you have that Zhu Ying is Xiong Ying?"

"Just based on a feeling? That doesn't make sense."

"Don't even mention that if this were reported to your grandfather, he wouldn't believe it; on the contrary, it would enrage him. Even the ministers in the entire court wouldn't believe it. After all, it concerns the royal bloodline; how could they make such a judgment so easily?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen's ecstatic expression gradually faded, and he returned to calm.

After all, Lan Yu's words made sense. He nodded slightly, a look of disappointment on his face: "Indeed, it's useless for me to know my elder brother. The key is how to verify his identity."

"And my older brother is also in some kind of trouble; he doesn't recognize me at all. He must have lost his memory."

Lan Yu nodded, then said seriously, "So this time, what other way do you have to prove Xiong Ying's identity? For example, what unique connection did you have with your older brother when you were a child? As long as you can prove that Zhu Ying is your older brother, that will be fine."

In this regard.

Zhu Yunwen fell into deep thought. He frowned slightly, his eyes revealing a thoughtful glint. After thinking for a while, he asked, "Grand Uncle, is anything missing from my elder brother's burial goods?"

"Most of the burial items are still here, except for the two pieces of jade that belonged to your elder brother."

"When your elder brother passed away, the Emperor, in his grief, ordered the Imperial Clan Court to specially make two pieces of jade to be buried with him. All the other burial items seem to be still there, but those two pieces of jade are missing," Lan Yu recalled.

Hear this!

Zhu Yunwen's eyes lit up immediately, sparkling with excitement: "Grand Uncle, doesn't that mean that as long as we find those two pieces of jade on my eldest brother, we can be pretty sure that Zhu Ying is my eldest brother?"

"You make it sound so easy." Lan Yu shook her head helplessly, a bitter smile on her face. "How am I supposed to find those two pieces of jade? Go to Zhu Ying's residence?"

"He is the Marquis of Champion, with personal guards protecting him at his residence, which is heavily guarded. Moreover, his residence is so big, where can we find him?"

He had already thought of the method Zhu Yuntong mentioned last night, but it was simply impossible to implement.

See this.

Zhu Yunwen fell into deep thought again.

at this time.

Zhu Yunwen, panting heavily, finished a lap on the training ground. He saw Zhu Yunwen and Lan Yu talking, and his anger intensified. His eyes almost spit fire, but he could only continue to curse inwardly: "Damn Lan Yu, damn Zhu Yunwen..."

At this moment, Zhu Yunwen's eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had thought of a brilliant idea, and he excitedly said, "Uncle, I've thought of a way!"

"What method?" Lan Yu asked expectantly, her eyes filled with eagerness.

After all, this matter concerns the rise and fall of the Lan family for the next hundred years. If Zhu Xiong Ying returns, the Lan family may be able to usher in a hundred years of prosperity. How could he not attach importance to it?
"Do you still remember what the jade pendant that my elder brother was buried with looked like?" Zhu Yunwen asked.

“The jade pendants made by the Imperial Clan Court to identify members of the royal family are all different. From the subtle patterns to the style and the generational markers, they are all different, and only the Imperial Clan Court keeps a record of them.”

"Although your maternal great-uncle is a Duke, he cannot interfere in the affairs of the Imperial Clan Court."

"I don't really remember what the jade pendant that Xiong Ying was buried with looked like." Lan Yu shook her head, a hint of regret on her face.

“Uncle, it doesn’t have to be exactly the same. Just make a piece of jade with a similar color, roughly engrave your elder brother’s posthumous title and honorary title on it, and then you can take it to your elder brother to test his reaction. You can also take the opportunity to ask him if he has the same jade pendant.”

“If that jade pendant is really in Zhu Ying’s hands, he will definitely react, which means he is the eldest brother,” Zhu Yunwen said confidently, a glint of wisdom in his eyes.

Hearing this, Lan Yu thought it over and found it more and more feasible. Her eyes lit up and a relieved smile appeared on her face: "Yun Yu, your idea is good. We can give it a try."

As he spoke, he patted Zhu Yunwen on the shoulder with great satisfaction.

"My elder brother is still alive, that's enough." Zhu Yunwen's gaze was firm, his eyes filled with anticipation for his elder brother's return.

"However, have you ever thought about this? My relationship with Zhu Ying is not very good, and even your uncles and the others do not get along well with Zhu Ying."

"How can I get close to Zhu Ying? And how can I take out the jade pendant to test him?" Lan Yu sighed helplessly, her face full of bitterness.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yunwen looked puzzled: "Uncle, why are you and Zhu Ying on bad terms? Didn't you fight side by side in Liaodong and during the Northern Expedition?"

……

(End of this chapter)