Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 209 Zhu Zhanhe: I will be inspecting the troops in five days. Please come!
"Third brother, are you going crazy like my son too?!" Upon hearing Prince Zhao's words, Prince Han looked at Prince Zhao with utter astonishment. He couldn't understand why this third prince, Prince Zhao, would send troops to Prince Han's son. Had he lost his mind?

"Second brother, we now have a strong army, ample supplies, and can recruit as many soldiers as we need. We don't need an extra 30,000 to 50,000 men, nor do we need an extra 30,000 to 50,000 men's equipment and supplies."

"Since your son wants to give it a try, why shouldn't we, as his elders, support him?" Prince Zhao's explanation was simple: they were very wealthy now and didn't lack manpower or equipment at all. Even if they gave it to Zhu Zhanhe, they wouldn't feel bad about it, and it wouldn't matter!
"Okay, since you agree, we'll make the arrangements now!"
"I'd like to see what my brat wants to follow!" The Prince of Han was actually willing to accept his son's request, but he was too embarrassed to ask the Prince of Zhao, fearing that the Prince of Zhao would disagree.
After all, their rebellion was inseparable from the strong support of Prince Zhao, so he didn't want to have any unpleasantness with Prince Zhao.

"You may leave now. I will assemble the troops as soon as possible and we will set off together." The Prince of Han glanced at his brother-in-law, who was standing respectfully below, and waved his hand, dismissing him to rest.

time flies.

Soon, Zhu Zhanhe and his party arrived in Dali, Yunnan.

The first to arrive to greet them was Mu Sheng, the Duke of Qian, who was enfeoffed as the Duke of Qian during the reign of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang!
"Your humble servant Mu Sheng pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince of Han." According to seniority, Mu Sheng is an elder of the same generation as the Prince of Han. He is the second son of Mu Ying, the adopted son of Emperor Gaozu Zhu Yuanzhang. He has guarded the borders for the Ming Dynasty for many years and can be said to be a veteran general who has been through many battles. Moreover, he has a very high reputation in Yunnan. Zhu Zhanhe dared not make him kneel down.

"Uncle Mu, please get up quickly. There's no need for such formality. We're family. Wouldn't this make us a laughingstock?" Zhu Zhanhe looked at Mu Sheng, who had knelt down, and quickly dismounted, helping the local tyrant of Yunnan to his feet.

"Your Highness, etiquette must not be disregarded!"

"Your Highness is the sovereign, and we are your subjects. We should naturally fulfill our duties as subjects." Mu Sheng was pulled and dragged to his feet by Zhu Zhanhe. He looked at the Han prince, who was as tall as a giant, with disbelief in his eyes. He had never seen such a burly person before.

"Your Highness, please introduce us to the Princess Consort." Mu Sheng did not bring his family with him this time, so it was not appropriate for him, as an outsider, to directly pay his respects to Princess Consort Wei of Han. That is why he asked Zhu Zhanhe to introduce him on his behalf.

"Uncle Mu, you can just call me nephew, there's no need to be so formal." Zhu Zhanhe smiled and held Mu Sheng's hand, continuing to try to get closer to Mu Sheng, but he didn't intend for Mu Sheng to pay his respects to his mother.

"Thump thump thump thump..." Mu Sheng was a shrewd man, how could he not see through Zhu Zhanhe's thoughts? He was just about to say something when several fast horses galloped in from afar.

"Your Highness, a large, well-organized army is galloping towards us from afar." The man riding towards us was none other than the chubby Qian Zhongcai. He stared at Mu Sheng with a puzzled look in his eyes.

"Let them set up camp on the spot and arrange for their commander to come over." Upon hearing that a large force was approaching, Zhu Zhanhe immediately realized that it was the troops sent by his father, the Prince of Han, and his third uncle, the Prince of Zhao. In an instant, Zhu Zhanhe made a decision.

"Understood!" Qian Zhongcai had obviously inquired about the identity of the person who came, so he agreed to Zhu Zhanhe's calm instructions without hesitation and rode off immediately.

"Your Highness... Nephew, you've brought an army with you?" Mu Sheng stared blankly at Zhu Zhanhe's calm face, his expression filled with astonishment.

"Uncle Mu, please wait a moment, you'll find out soon." Zhu Zhanhe said to Mu Sheng with a mysterious expression.

"Clatter clatter clatter..." Soon, a general clad in armor rode up alongside Qian Zhongcai.

"This humble general, Hu Tian, ​​has come to report to His Highness the Crown Prince, personally leading eight thousand cavalry, by order of the Prince." After approaching Zhu Zhanhe, the man dismounted and knelt down at Zhu Zhanhe's feet without hesitation.

Zhu Zhanhe looked down and saw that it was General Hu Tian, ​​who had once followed the Prince of Han in a city defense rebellion.

"Oh? Eight thousand cavalry?" Zhu Zhanhe was slightly taken aback when he heard that there were only eight thousand cavalry. "Your Highness, the Prince and Prince Zhao have allocated a total of six thousand light cavalry and two thousand heavy cavalry for you."

The force consisted of over 53,000 soldiers, including archers, spearmen, swordsmen, shieldmen, artillerymen, musketeers, and other types of troops, not including auxiliary troops, supplies, and provisions.

However, because the transport of supplies and provisions is slow, I will lead the cavalry to meet with His Highness the Crown Prince first.

As for the rest of the troops, they are expected to arrive in three days. Seeing Zhu Zhanhe's puzzled expression, Hu Tian knew what his young master wanted to ask, so before Zhu Zhanhe could even ask, he quickly began to report on the arrival of the troops.

"Very good." After hearing Hu Tian's report, Zhu Zhanhe's face immediately showed a satisfied expression. He had originally thought that his father, the Prince of Han, was not going to send any troops, and he was still considering how to persuade his father, the Prince of Han, again. Now it seems that he doesn't need to.

"General Hu, all troops should not enter Dali City, but instead camp outside the city."

"Once all the teams have assembled, I will inspect them, and you will personally preside over the inspection," Zhu Zhanhe said to Hu Tian with a smile.

"Yes, sir!" Hu Tian's expression changed with excitement upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words. This meant that he was now a trusted confidant of the young master of the Han Prince's mansion! An absolute confidant!

"Go! Find Steward Wei and bring back a cartload of wine and meat. Say 'thank you for your hard work,' and don't let the brothers down." Zhu Zhanhe waved to Hu Tian, ​​indicating that he could leave.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Hu Tian knelt respectfully and bowed, his face filled with excitement as he retreated.

Meanwhile, Mu Sheng, standing to the side, had a solemn expression on his face. He could tell that the Han prince in front of him was not someone to be trifled with!
Moreover, there are a full eight thousand cavalry, and even two thousand heavy cavalry. This force is enough to sweep across the entire Yunnan region, not to mention more than forty thousand elite troops and countless auxiliary soldiers!
"Old Qian, take some men and go to the Prince's Mansion first, clean it up!" Zhu Zhanhe turned to Qian Zhongcai, who had a respectful expression, and said.

"Yes, sir!" Qian Zhongcai agreed without any hesitation and rode off.

"Uncle Mu, I am new to your fiefdom and things are in disarray. I was rude just now." Zhu Zhanhe bowed respectfully to Mu Sheng, who had a grim expression, and said apologetically.

"Not at all, not at all, you're too kind, my dear nephew." Although Mu Sheng spoke politely, his unpleasant expression revealed his inner turmoil.

"Uncle Mu, I have a favor to ask of you. I wonder if it would be convenient for you?" Zhu Zhanhe bowed to Mu Sheng again, indicating that he had a request.

"Nephew, you're too kind. It's my duty to do what I can." Mu Sheng didn't make a definitive statement, leaving himself room to maneuver and preparing to decline at any time.

"Uncle Mu, please inform all prefectures and departments within Yunnan."

"I, the Crown Prince, will invite them to Dali City to inspect the troops in five days. I hope they will not hesitate to come." Zhu Zhanhe said with a smile, uttering words that made Mu Sheng's hair stand on end.

Mu Sheng could tell that although Zhu Zhanhe said "please," the emotion on his face told everyone that this invitation was not to be refused!

(End of this chapter)