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

Chapter 346 Yang Shiqi Attends Annam Court Assembly

Suddenly, the two young girls felt a surge of excitement, like daughters-in-law finally becoming mothers-in-law. This caused Zhu Zhanhe to raise his eyebrows once again.

There are currently no suitable candidates for concubines or maids.

"If the prince ever takes the pleasure in favor of one of the maids in the palace, and if they are fortunate enough to conceive a child with him, they can be given a title." Finally, Princess Xia made her decision regarding the selection of the lowest-ranking concubines and maids.

"The Princess Consort has the final say on matters concerning the inner quarters."

"The princess decides." Zhu Zhanhe naturally had no objection to his wife's wonderful arrangement and immediately agreed with a beaming smile.

After everything was explained, the two maids, Yun'er and Jian'er, wisely stood aside. Then, Princess Xia quietly helped her husband straighten his clothes before taking his arm to rest.

Although Princess Xia was tempted by her husband's suggestion to have another child, she still remembered the old fortune teller Zhang's advice that it would be best to wait a year before having another child for the sake of her health and future children.

However, although Princess Xia can no longer have children with her husband, she can still serve him a little. Besides, there are two little maids with teary eyes helping her.

Most importantly, in Princess Xia's view, her husband was going on a long trip the next day, and as his wife, she had to fulfill her responsibilities as a wife!
Regarding the claim that sexual relations are forbidden during the mourning period, Princess Xia stated that the person in the coffin being her father-in-law was fake and therefore invalid!
Besides, now, her husband is the master of the palace! And her husband is her everything!
The next morning, Zhu Zhanhe awoke to a soft, sweet fragrance. After bidding farewell to everyone at the Prince's residence, Zhu Zhanhe did not hesitate for a moment and immediately led a large group of men to Annam.

On the city walls of Dali, white curtains still hang, swaying quietly in the wind.

Beneath the swaying curtains, Princess Xia held her son in her arms, quietly watching her husband lead his troops away. Beside Princess Xia stood the Dowager Consort Wei, dressed in white. Behind them stood Xia Yuanji, Mu Sheng, Liu Erniu, and others, watching as the new Prince of Han departed for his expedition.

Among Zhu Zhanhe's entourage were Yang Shiqi, Yu Qian, Fan Zhong, and others.

In a secluded corner of the expedition team, a figure wearing an iron mask was also prominently featured!

"Giddy up!" Dust billowed across the road, rolling like a yellow dragon straight towards Annam.
Annam was not too far from Yunnan, and after a long march, Zhu Zhanhe led his troops to Annam a few days later.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness!"

"Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!" Beneath the city walls of Anzhou in Yunnan, Zhu Zhanhe rode his prized horse, Snow-Treading Horse, dressed in military attire with a sword slung across his shoulder, receiving the kneeling obeisance of many Annamese subjects.

Upon closer inspection, the densely packed civil and military officials at the gate of Anzhou City numbered no less than a hundred! Zhu Zhanhe knew in his heart that these were probably the chief officials of various prefectures and counties in Annan, as well as a group of military officers.

The shouts of over a hundred people created a deafening sound wave. In an instant, the exhausted Zhu Zhanhe was instantly revitalized!
Zhu Zhanhe looked up and saw that the entire city of Anzhou was draped in white mourning clothes. Clearly, the land of An'nan was also mourning the deceased Prince Han! Zhu Zhanhe offered no comment on this.

"Rise! Enter the city!" Zhu Zhanhe dismounted swiftly without hesitation, gesturing to his numerous subordinates to rise. His booming voice echoed throughout the surrounding area, reverberating in the air. This scene startled the unsuspecting crowd! Especially the civil officials who had never witnessed such a sight; they stared in awe at the tall, imposing Prince Han in his military attire, feeling as if he were a god descended to earth!
Then, Zhu Zhanhe ignored the stunned crowd and walked directly through the group of officials towards the Anzhou Prefecture government office. "Thank you, Your Highness!" After a moment, the officials, reminded by each other, finally reacted. They thanked the Prince of Han warmly, quickly got up, and followed Zhu Zhanhe into the government office.

Soon, Zhu Zhanhe arrived at the main hall of the Anzhou government office, which had been specially prepared for him. Looking at the familiar Ming Dynasty layout, Zhu Zhanhe nodded in satisfaction, inwardly praising the Annamese officials. Then, without hesitation, he sat down in the main seat.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Highness."

"May Your Highness live a thousand years and be blessed with peace!" After Zhu Zhanhe was seated, the civil and military officials of the Prince's residence, who were lined up neatly on both sides of the main hall, knelt down again before Zhu Zhanhe, the newly enthroned prince. After all, with a new king ascending the throne, it was never wrong to be overly polite, and as his subjects, they also had to be mindful of their words and actions. The sounds of everyone greeting Zhu Zhanhe echoed in the room, creating a very enthusiastic atmosphere.

"Get up." Zhu Zhanhe raised his hand to signal everyone to stand up. His voice wasn't loud, but it resonated in the ears of every official in the Prince's residence. Even Yang Shiqi and his two companions, who were standing at the edge of the Prince's residence, heard it clearly.

Yu Qian was filled with doubt about his brother-in-law's loud, inhuman voice. However, there were too many people around, so he couldn't ask directly. He decided to keep the question to himself and wait until after court to ask Yang Shiqi and Yu Qian what was going on, since the two of them seemed to know something from their calm demeanor.

However, despite his turbulent thoughts, Yu Qian respectfully followed Yang Shiqi and knelt down to kowtow to his brother-in-law, since he had nothing to lose anyway.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" It's never wrong to be overly polite, especially given the new king's ascension to the throne. Therefore, many of the Han Prince's officials in Annam were extremely respectful to Zhu Zhanhe at this moment.

"Tell me, what's the progress in Annam?" Zhu Zhanhe, who had just sat down, didn't waste any more words and instead asked about the current progress in Annam.

At this moment, Yang Shiqi stared intently at the many officials of the Prince of Han's mansion, as if he were recognizing them.

Meanwhile, Yang Shiqi knew that this court assembly of officials from the Han Prince's Palace in Annam was a crucial moment for him to understand the progress of the Han Prince's foreign war. Therefore, Yang Shiqi adopted a serious demeanor, preparing to listen intently to every word of his ministers, in order to analyze the current progress of the Han Prince's Palace in Annam and to determine the strength of the Han Prince's forces.

"Your subject Hu Tian reports to Your Highness." After Zhu Zhanhe finished speaking, Hu Tian was the first to step forward from the crowd and speak.

Yang Shiqi was very familiar with Hu Tian. This General Hu Tian was an absolute confidant of King Zhuang of Han! He had participated in the rebellion in which King Zhuang planned to change the defenses of Nanjing! At that time, General Hu Tian was the leading general! No wonder he was not seen when the two kings raised their army later; it turned out he was serving as the commander-in-chief under the Crown Prince of Han! Information about Hu Tian flashed through Yang Shiqi's mind, and he listened attentively with a serious expression, ready for Hu Tian's report.

"General Hu, tell me about it~" Zhu Zhanhe was not surprised that Hu Tian was the first to step forward. After all, Hu Tian was nominally the commander-in-chief of the army that led the Yunnan expansion, so it was not wrong for him to report.

"Your Highness, the royal army has now completed the entire expansion of Annam."
The rebel forces within Annam have been completely identified;
Military casualty data has been compiled;

"The wounded soldiers have been resettled." Hu Tian, ​​as one of the military commanders, reported on the military achievements on behalf of the army. Although Hu Tian only spoke four sentences, Zhu Zhanhe knew that they contained countless implications! And the military must have paid a huge price to take Annam!

Yang Shiqi was stunned after hearing Hu Tian's two sentences, and his body even trembled slightly.

(End of this chapter)