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

Chapter 260 The Deal of Two Hundred Interpreters
"It seems my words aren't very effective!" Zhu Zhanhe said softly, looking at the two kneeling men. Though his words were calm, they struck Chen Zhi and Huang Zhong like a thunderclap, leaving them dizzy, swaying, and nearly collapsing to the ground. Both knew that the Crown Prince's dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that Commander Fang hadn't come to pay his respects, but at this moment, they were powerless to do anything about it!

"The army enters the city!" Zhu Zhanhe glanced lightly at Chen Zhi and Huang Zhong, who were kneeling on the ground, and then rode past them with a calm expression, ignoring them as if they were air. He then ordered the entire army to enter the city!

Although Zhu Zhanhe's words didn't carry the same oppressive force as his angry outbursts, they still sent a chill down Chen Zhi's spine—the army had entered the city! And this was an army of nearly 100,000!
"His Highness has ordered us to take over the city's defenses!" Zhu Zhanhe only said to enter the city, but when it came to Hu Tian, ​​he directly arranged for soldiers to take over the entire defenses of Daluo City.

In an instant, as Zhu Zhanhe rode his horse into the city, the numerous officers led by Hu Tian behind him, each with a ferocious expression, took complete control of the entire defenses of Daluo City, starting from the city gate and amidst the terrified gazes of the people and officials of An'nan City.

"Your Highness, the army has fully taken over Daluo City!" Zhu Zhanhe sat leisurely sipping tea in the Jiaozhi Provincial Administration Office within Daluo City. Below the steps in front of him, the main officials of the Jiaozhi Provincial Administration Office, led by Chen Zhi, knelt trembling on the ground, not daring to move an inch. Hu Tian's sudden entrance and his words sent a chill down the spines of the officials who understood Ming language.

Zhu Zhanhe waved to Hu Tian, ​​signaling him to leave first. After all, they had just captured the city and there was much to do, so he let Hu Tian go ahead and get busy. Hu Tian, ​​being very perceptive, bowed to Zhu Zhanhe and slowly retreated.

"Your name is Huang Zhong? You're an interpreter, right?" Zhu Zhanhe looked at the crowd piled on the ground and saw someone he had seen once at the city gate. He had a good impression of him, so he called out to him.

"Your Highness, I am Huang Zhong, the interpreter of the Annam Provincial Administration." Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Huang Zhong's heart skipped a beat. However, he sensed no malice in the Han prince's words, so he immediately knelt down and crawled forward a few steps, kowtowing several times to the Han prince before respectfully replying.

"Rise and convey a few words to this young master!" Zhu Zhanhe found the interpreter quite pleasing to the eye, so he asked him to come forward and translate a few words for him.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I am willing to serve you at your service!" Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, Huang Zhong immediately realized that his opportunity had come. He kowtowed several more times, until his forehead was red and swollen. Then, ignoring his slightly dizzy head, he quickly and respectfully stood at the bottom of the steps at the Crown Prince's feet, looking at the many Annamese officials who were still kneeling with a sense of honor.

"The rebellion of Le Loi in Annam has lasted for more than a year. As the provincial governor, Chen Zhi neglected his duties, which led to the expansion of the rebellion and caused countless deaths and injuries among the people of Annam. Now, Chen Zhi is hereby dismissed from all his posts and brought to trial!" Zhu Zhanhe's first words were to abolish all of Chen Zhi's posts.

"##########" Upon hearing the words of the Crown Prince of Han, the interpreter Huang Zhong was clearly stunned for a moment. Then he swallowed hard and, still trembling, repeated Zhu Zhanhe's words to all the officials present in Annam.

"Your Highness, I am the Provincial Governor appointed by the court. You have no right to dismiss me without an imperial edict!" After hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words and hearing Huang Zhong repeat them in Annam, Chen Zhi finally recovered from his astonishment. He stood up abruptly, pointed at Zhu Zhanhe, and shouted loudly with a face full of indignation.

Faced with Chen Zhi's questioning, Zhu Zhanhe did not speak, but simply waved his hand. Immediately, several soldiers in full armor rushed in and dragged Chen Zhi away.

"His Royal Highness.
You have no imperial decree.
You can't do that.
"This is treason!" Chen Zhi's shouts had no effect on Zhu Zhanhe. He just smiled and looked at everything in front of him, including the group of officials who were kneeling on the ground, trembling. They were all swept over by his aggressive gaze.

"From now on, the Annam Provincial Administration will be fully taken over by my Prince Han's Mansion!"

"The rebellion will be quelled by my Prince Han's Mansion!" Zhu Zhanhe's words once again stunned Huang Zhong, the interpreter. He guessed that the Crown Prince of Han had definitely rebelled, not only taking over Guangdong and Guangxi, but now also Annam! But he still had a family to support, and he needed to live!

"######" Huang Zhong swallowed hard and relayed Zhu Zhanhe's words to the kneeling officials. Upon hearing this, the Annamese officials were immediately horrified. In an instant, panic visibly broke out among the kneeling crowd, with people whispering amongst themselves.

"Hmph!" Seeing that the kneeling people were not behaving themselves, Zhu Zhanhe would not be polite to them and directly used his immense dragon might to suppress them.

"Ah~!"

"Ah~!"

"Thump!" "Thump!"

In an instant, the officials of Annam had never seen such terrifying pressure before. Those who were kneeling immediately fell to the ground in large numbers, and some even collapsed. Of course, there were also a few who wet their pants!

"Just listen when I speak; you don't need to say anything," Zhu Zhanhe said softly to the crowd after giving them a touch of the majesty of the alligator dragon.

"######" Huang Zhong, who had been standing and speaking, was so frightened by Zhu Zhanhe's imposing presence that he knelt on the ground. But when he heard Zhu Zhanhe's words, he instantly shuddered, his head trembling and goosebumps rising all over his body. He immediately came to his senses and hurriedly continued translating, his voice trembling.

"I, the Crown Prince, will leave behind generals and lead an army of 100,000 to assist Annam in quelling the rebellion. I hope all localities will cooperate fully and not make things difficult for themselves!" Zhu Zhanhe clearly told everyone, "I am leaving a large army to quell the rebellion. You better behave yourselves, or don't blame me for quelling the rebellion among you!"

"######" Not all the officials in Yunnan were as mediocre as Chen Zhi. Most of them clearly understood Zhu Zhanhe's words. They all shuddered again, and their faces immediately became obedient.

"The Provincial Governor of Nan'an, I will arrange for someone else to take up the post. You just need to do your jobs well!"

"Go down." Zhu Zhanhe didn't want to say too much to the Annamite officials. He simply said a few words and then waved them away.

Seeing that they could leave, the Annamese officials breathed a sigh of relief and retreated without any restraint, fearing that they might anger the ruthless figure above them!
"Huang Zhong, is it!" Zhu Zhanhe called out to Huang Zhong, the interpreter, again as he watched the many Annamese officials leave.

"Your Highness, this humble one is Huang Zhong!" Hearing the Crown Prince of Han call him again, Huang Zhong knew that his chance had come. He immediately turned around, knelt down, and responded respectfully.

"You're quite good, it's just a pity you're only a translator!" Although Zhu Zhanhe wanted to give Huang Zhong a try, he didn't directly appoint Huang Zhong to the position, but said this to him with a hint of regret.

"I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, the clever Huang Zhong knew perfectly well that the Crown Prince of Han wanted to test his loyalty. He immediately kowtowed repeatedly, completely disregarding the blood flowing from his forehead.

"Get up." Seeing Huang Zhong kowtowing repeatedly, Zhu Zhanhe knew that his goal had been achieved and Huang Zhong's mental defenses had crumbled, so he let Huang Zhong get up and speak.

"How dare I be presumptuous before Your Highness?" Huang Zhong knelt respectfully, seemingly unconcerned that blood had already flowed to his eyes, and said with a restrained expression.

"You're quite good. Here's what we'll do: give you a chance." Zhu Zhanhe felt very pleased to be flattered.

"I am ready to obey Your Highness's orders!" Huang Zhong once again slammed his bloodied forehead heavily onto the ground.

"My army needs some reliable interpreters. If you can get two hundred of them, I will allow you to work by my side."

"How about it, would you be willing to give it a try?" Zhu Zhanhe wanted to recruit some translators in the army, and Huang Zhong was a good candidate. So Zhu Zhanhe didn't mind giving Huang Zhong a chance to try.

(End of this chapter)