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

Chapter 349 The Generals Begging on Their Knees

Next, Zhu Zhanhe listened to the reports from Annamese officials one by one, and gradually learned about the situation in Annamese.

As for Yang Shiqi, Yu Qian, and Fan Zhong, who accompanied Zhu Zhanhe on his visit to Yunnan, the more they heard, the less pleasant the situation seemed.

From Yang Shiqi's perspective.

After the Prince of Han conquered Annam, he did not simply send officials to govern it! He was carrying out a comprehensive Sinicization of Annam!

Because the Prince of Han not only dispatched officials to govern the region, but also drafted new criminal laws and new taxes for Annam! He established schools to cultivate pure Han scholars! Yang Shiqi knew in his heart that this was the most ruthless move by the Prince of Han! Because the Prince of Han wanted to eradicate Annam's past traces from the root and integrate Annam into the Han bloodline!

To consolidate his rule, the Prince of Han massacred all resistance forces in Annam, leaving only small, subservient factions. Although Hu Tian glossed over this with just a few words, Yang Shiqi could still sense the thick stench of bloodshed within it.

Taoist temples were built in various prefectures and counties to enshrine the soldiers who died in battle. This was a way to control the behavior of the people from a spiritual level, giving the people of Annam, and even the soldiers, something to rely on!

Then, a comprehensive survey of Annam's land was conducted, and land was allocated to soldiers who died in battle and made meritorious contributions. In Yang Shiqi's view, this move was absolutely brilliant! Yang Shiqi believed that no soldier could resist the temptation of receiving land after the war!
What a terrifying Prince Han! With his formidable military strength, he is comprehensively transforming Annam in terms of politics, military, culture, agriculture, and finance. In ten years, no, even in five years, the entire Annam region will become Prince Han's backyard! Yang Shiqi was extremely shocked by Zhu Zhanhe sitting on the high seat.

Because Yang Shiqi discovered that this Prince Han was a combination of Emperor Renzong and Prince Zhuang of Han! He was a far more terrifying being than Emperor Taizong and Emperor Yongle!

"Since you have all done well, the entire army will be summoned to the drill ground outside Anzhou City early tomorrow morning."

I, the King, will personally announce to the army the amount of land allocated to all generals of the rank of chiliarch and above.

Furthermore, not a single soldier of my Han Prince's army, which is dedicated to expanding outwards, should die in vain!

Set up an altar on the drill ground!

Raise my great banner!

"I, the King, will personally offer incense to the fallen soldiers under the Great Banner!" Finally, Zhu Zhanhe decided that tomorrow he would inspect his army and personally announce the distribution of the newly expanded lands to the generals, as well as demonstrate his imperial power to the people!

"Court adjourned!" Seeing that his master had finished speaking, Xiao Xizi shrewdly announced the adjournment. After all, his lord had just arrived in Annam and hadn't even rested yet, but had already summoned everyone to speak for an hour; it was time for him to rest.

"Your subject respectfully sees Your Highness off."

"Your Highness, may you live a thousand years, may you live a thousand years, may you live a thousand years!" After hearing the prince's attendant, Xiao Xizi, announce the end of the meeting, the many officials in the hall respectfully saw Zhu Zhanhe off.

Watching the departing Prince Han, Yang Shiqi and his two companions had no choice but to follow the attendants to their resting place and wait for tomorrow. Yu Qian, who opened his mouth several times as if to ask something, was stopped by a look from Yang Shiqi.

On the other side, Zhu Zhanhe strode out of the main court hall and followed Xiao Xizi to a resting room. Looking at the spacious and bright room, and its distinctly Ming Dynasty style decor, Zhu Zhanhe knew that the officials had clearly put a lot of effort into its design. He didn't feel it was a waste of resources or manpower; after all, he was a prince, so a little indulgence was acceptable, wasn't it?
In the rest room, Zhu Zhanhe had just sat down to rest when two pretty young maids came in carrying food boxes.

"Your Highness, we have prepared a meal. Please enjoy." Upon entering, two young maids respectfully bowed to Zhu Zhanhe, then dutifully began setting the table in front of him. Looking at the abundant food, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but sigh: "Luckily, the table is big enough; otherwise, these two maids would have had trouble fitting all twenty dishes." Seeing the two maids' sweaty and tired faces, and then looking at the half-person-high food boxes, Zhu Zhanhe couldn't help but feel satisfied with the sumptuous meal before him.

"Not bad~" Looking at the exquisite meal in front of him, Zhu Zhanhe was quite satisfied and couldn't help but praise the two little maids. Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's praise, the two little maids visibly blushed, their happiness impossible to hide. After their initial joy, the two little maids obediently served Zhu Zhanhe rice, poured him wine, and served him dishes, taking excellent care of him.

"This dish is quite good, it has the flavor of the Prince's mansion." Looking at the two young girls' round, youthful faces, Zhu Zhanhe felt that the food in his mouth was still very delicious, with a familiar taste.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness." Hearing Zhu Zhanhe's praise once again, the two maids beamed even more. Like two little bees, they bustled back and forth, serving Zhu Zhanhe his meal.

"Your Highness, General Hu Tian, ​​General Wang Jinghong, General Qian Zhongcai, and other generals are kneeling outside the door." Zhu Zhanhe was happily eating with his bowl being served by two young maids when Xiao Xizi hurriedly walked in from outside and respectfully reported to Zhu Zhanhe.

"Let them all come in." After hearing Xiao Xizi's report, Zhu Zhanhe paused his eating slightly, his brows furrowing, but he still let everyone in.

"Yes~" After hearing the instructions, Xiao Xizi immediately turned to leave.

"Wait a minute~" Zhu Zhanhe called out to Xiao Xizi, who was about to leave.

"Your Highness~?" Xiao Xizi asked Zhu Zhanhe with a puzzled look, wondering what her master was thinking. Had he changed his mind? Xiao Xizi couldn't help but guess.

"Bring some more food and wine," Zhu Zhanhe instructed Xiao Xizi again while eating.

"Yes~" Upon hearing this, Xiao Xizi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went out.

"Generals, His Highness invites you in."

"The prince is eating now." After arriving outside the door, Xiao Xi looked at the generals kneeling all over the place. Although she didn't know why they were kneeling, she still spoke truthfully.

"Thank you very much, Eunuch Xi." Zhu Zhanqi stepped forward and said to Xiao Xizi after receiving the message. After all, given his status, he was the most appropriate person to speak to among the kneeling crowd.

"Your Highness, the Prince has ordered another meal and specifically instructed me to bring some wine." Xiao Xizi whispered a reminder as she looked at Zhu Zhanqi in his military uniform.

"Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Xi," Zhu Zhanqi said gratefully to Xiao Xizi. Hearing this, the generals all felt relieved.

After all, during today's court assembly, the Prince offered no comment after listening to the military reports, instead praising the civil officials' work highly. In contrast, the military officers knew that their performance had definitely displeased the Prince. Although they didn't know exactly what the problem was, they spontaneously gathered after the meeting, and after some discussion, decided to apologize to the Prince.

Everyone was initially a little uneasy, but when they heard Xiao Xizi say that the Prince had ordered another meal and specifically asked them to bring some wine, they breathed a sigh of relief. They knew that it seemed the Prince wasn't entirely dissatisfied with them, but rather that there were some things they needed to correct.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Upon entering, Hu Tian and Wang Jinghong, along with many other military officers, knelt before Zhu Zhanhe.

"Get up and find a place to sit down. If there aren't enough chairs, move one yourself," Zhu Zhanhe said to the many generals who entered, still eating heartily with the help of two young maids.

(End of this chapter)