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

Chapter 362 Zhu Zhanhe's Methods of Winning People's Hearts 2
"An invincible army!" Fan Zhong murmured to himself as he looked at what he saw before him.

"Wang Tiezhu, now that you're on stage, you should stand behind everyone else."

"In a little while, you will join everyone in offering sacrifices to our fallen brothers." Zhu Zhanhe looked at the fervent gazes below the stage, as intense as the blazing sun, and gestured for Wang Tiezhu to stand at the very back of the assembled civil and military officials.

"Your Excellency obeys!" Upon hearing the Prince of Han's words, Wang Tiezhu was even more excited, his steps trembling as he stood at the very back, a position he had once held in awe of all the civil and military officials. But even that last position was a coveted spot for countless soldiers below! Moreover, to be able to accompany the Prince in the sacrificial ceremony was an immense honor!
Seeing how the Prince of Han had Wang Tiezhu stand behind the assembled civil and military officials to accompany the sacrificial ceremony, Yang Shiqi trembled with fear. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly: The Prince of Han's methods for winning people's hearts are truly endless!
Because Wang Tiezhu now represents not just himself! He represents the countless lower-ranking soldiers surrounding the platform! He even represents the soldiers wounded in battle! And those who have already died in battle! Under such circumstances, all the soldiers of the Han Prince's mansion, for the sake of land and for this supreme honor, will undoubtedly unleash a fighting force that will shock the world! How could this not terrify Yang Shiqi!
While Yang Shiqi was filled with dread, Zhu Zhanhe on the high platform began the second thing he did upon arriving at the military camp: to offer sacrifices to the fallen soldiers!

"Gentlemen, please join me in the second matter: to offer incense to our fallen brothers!"

Now! Starting with me, the King!
"All officials of the Han Prince's Mansion, regardless of rank, who participated in this review, offer incense in order to our compatriots who sacrificed their lives!" Zhu Zhanhe said loudly to the soldiers below the platform, one hand on his sword. Even after speaking, Zhu Zhanhe didn't waste a moment, immediately gesturing to the side. Hu Tian respectfully handed over three thick, already lit incense sticks emitting wisps of smoke.

Zhu Zhanhe took the incense sticks and slowly walked to the incense table in the center of the high platform. He raised the incense sticks above his head with both hands and bowed to the burning cauldron on the platform. Then, Zhu Zhanhe slowly stood up and personally placed the incense sticks in his hands on the offering table.

"Gentlemen, please wait a moment and see me for yourself."

"All your war achievements, whether exchanged for silver or land, I, the King, will personally send to your homes to comfort your spirits in heaven!" Zhu Zhanhe said firmly to the burning incense.

For a moment, the soldiers below the platform were all moved to tears. After all, they fought desperately on the battlefield just to earn a living! Now, with the witness of heaven and earth and the prince's personal guarantee, they would have no more worries! They would fight bravely to build up their wealth and leave it to their children and grandchildren!
Compared to the excitement of the Annamese vassals and soldiers, Yang Shiqi's feelings were far more complex. One could even say that Yang Shiqi was now somewhat numb.

Because Yang Shiqi knew very well that the young Prince of Han in front of him, after inheriting the title of Prince of Han, was now truly a dragon emerging from the sea, and no one could control him!
"Commander-in-Chief Hu Tian of the Army respectfully offers incense and prayers for the fallen soldiers!" After offering incense, Zhu Zhanhe turned around abruptly, facing the many soldiers below the platform once more. Hu Tian, ​​as the first person in charge of the Han Prince's military, followed closely behind Zhu Zhanhe in offering incense.

"Naval Commander-in-Chief Wang Jinghong respectfully offers incense and prayers for the fallen soldiers!" Following Hu Tian was Naval Commander-in-Chief Wang Jinghong.

"Brothers, the commander below is Wang Tiezhu, a naval cavalry corporal. He is offering incense to you, one stick and three sticks."

"Brothers, look! Our Prince is the greatest hero under heaven! He will never break his word." Wang Tiezhu, as the last person to offer incense, respectfully offered his incense and then spoke words of praise about the Prince to his fallen brothers with a proud expression.

After offering incense, Wang Tiezhu excitedly stood at the back of the group once more. Now, at least for today, that was his special spot! It would undoubtedly be the proudest moment of his life!

The prince personally offered incense and sacrifices, and all the officials, high and low, also offered incense to the fallen soldiers! With such actions, Yang Shiqi knew without a doubt that all the soldiers of the Prince of Han's mansion would be fearless in the future!

Because they have no worries whatsoever!

Because even after their deaths, they are worshipped by the world, and even by their supreme leader!

"I have one last thing to say when I come to the military camp."

"That is to ask the immortals to pray for the fallen soldiers!" Zhu Zhanhe stood in the center of the platform again and said calmly. But his peaceful voice still spread throughout the entire training ground.

Almost instantly after Zhu Zhanhe finished speaking, everyone heard a strange noise!

A series of incredibly heavy footsteps, like cannonballs pounding the ground, created a tremendous commotion. The sound came from outside the training ground, growing ever closer. The soldiers inside the training ground instantly became excited upon hearing this commotion. After all, they were very familiar with this sound, and they would never forget it! After all, they had the honor of having seen a true dragon once before!

Seeing everyone's increasingly enthusiastic emotions building up, Yu Qian was clearly at a loss. He then turned his gaze to Yang Shiqi beside him!
"What was that?!" Clearly, Yu Qian had also heard the series of booming sounds, like the earth turning upside down. Immediately, Yu Qian felt a deep-seated fear. He frantically asked Yang Shiqi and Fan Zhong.

"Yu Qian, do not be surprised; do not be confused; do not be afraid;"
Open your eyes wide and look carefully!

The greatest secret of my Ming Dynasty!

My Great Ming Dynasty holds the key to turning the tide!

"It's here!" Yang Shiqi looked on with a look of recollection after hearing the heavy footsteps. However, he soon noticed Yu Qian's questioning gaze, so he turned to Yu Qian with a serious expression and spoke to him with excitement, nervousness, and even a little annoyance.

"Minister Yu, raise your head and take a look!"

"It's here!" Just as Yu Qian was grabbing Yang Shiqi's arm and asking questions, Fan Zhong, who was standing next to him, reminded Yu Qian to look ahead.

"What...?" After hearing Fan Zhong's reminder, Yu Qian subconsciously turned around and glanced back. And that one glance completely stunned Yu Qian.

"What is that...?" Staring blankly at the incredibly terrifying and ferocious figure before him, Yu Qian subconsciously murmured the question.

"How magnificent!" Yang Shiqi murmured as he looked at the terrifying figure before him.

"This must be eleven zhang long, right? It's actually grown bigger again!" At this moment, Fan Zhong stared blankly at the terrifying figure in front of him, his eyes filled with admiration, and muttered to himself.

"Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!"

"Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!"

"Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince! Long live the Prince!"
"

With the appearance of the alligator dragon, the once silent training ground erupted in enthusiastic shouts once more. Waves of cries of "Long live the emperor!" were deafening, echoing across the sky. At this moment, even the usually biting wind seemed hesitant to face these passionate soldiers, and hid itself in their presence!

At this moment, no one doubted the shouts of "Long live!" from the crowd!

It was as if the earth-shattering cry of "Long live the Emperor!" had startled Yu Qian awake. He hurriedly rubbed his dry eyes and then cast his incredulous gaze back onto the training ground.

(End of this chapter)