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

Chapter 511 Getting ready to go home
"My son." To save her son, Madam Sun would do anything, just like now, she was once again bearing the pain she had endured the night before!
About half an hour later, Emperor Longwu, looking refreshed, sat back down in his chair, sipping tea. Meanwhile, Madam Sun sat far away across the table, silently tidying her slightly disheveled hair. She resembled a she-wolf licking her wounds, her eyes filled with resentment, anger, and a hint of sorrow.

You did a great job just now! Even better than yesterday!

Once this battle is over, I will bring your son back!

However, as mentioned earlier, he can only retire to Nanjing! At this moment, Emperor Longwu, in his enlightened state, clearly expressed his meaning. That brat Zhu Qizhen, forget about turning the tables and becoming emperor; he can just go to Nanjing to live out his days!

"You will definitely get your retribution!" Upon hearing Emperor Longwu's words, Madam Sun trembled. She shakily stood up, leaning on the table for support, still feeling as if her body was about to fall apart. With eyes full of resentment and complex emotions, she roared at Emperor Longwu.

“Mrs. Sun, given what your son has done, I can only allow him to continue living right now!”

If it were any other emperor of my Great Ming Dynasty, he would have been dead without a doubt!

"You should thank me for sparing his life!" Emperor Longwu was completely unfazed by Sun's resentful gaze. He even gave Sun a look that said, "You've hit the jackpot."

"I hope you keep your word!" Hearing Emperor Longwu's words, Madam Sun was speechless for a moment. She knew that Emperor Longwu was right! Besides her own son, Madam Sun had met three emperors of the Ming Dynasty!

If the Yongle Emperor had been more ruthless and decisive, his son would have undoubtedly died for the mistake he made.
Although Emperor Renzong was benevolent, he would not tolerate someone like Zhu Qizhen becoming emperor! His demotion to commoner status was inevitable.
Emperor Xuanzong was shrewd and decisive; even his own son would most likely die!

Not to mention the even more distant Hongwu Emperor, who would have absolutely implicated a whole group of people who would have died!
However, Madam Sun was still unwilling to accept it. She had sacrificed so much for her son, and now she had even sold herself to the scoundrel in front of her! Seeing that she still couldn't keep her son's throne, she was truly unwilling to give up!
"You may leave now, I need to rest. Even the best food can become tiresome if you eat too much of it! But an old grape is still quite refreshing to try once in a while."

"Go back now. Be obedient until I leave!" Emperor Longwu, having eaten his fill, turned his back on people and began to ruthlessly drive them away, his words filled with provocation!

"You bastard!" Emperor Longwu's words completely enraged Madam Sun. After all, Madam Sun wasn't stupid; she naturally knew who Emperor Longwu was referring to as "Old Grape"!
If looks could kill, Emperor Longwu would have been torn to pieces and reduced to dust by Sun's gaze long ago!

Enraged, Madam Sun knew she was no match for him and immediately tried to get up and leave. However, her legs suddenly gave way, and she had to lean on the table to steady herself. For a moment, the atmosphere became awkward.

However, at this moment, Emperor Longwu looked quite pleased with himself, after all, this was one of his strengths!

"Hmph!" Then, with a complicated expression, Madam Sun shakily opened the palace gate and was helped down by her maid.
Early the next morning, Emperor Longwu was invited to attend the grand ceremony for Prince Zhu Qiyu of Cheng to ascend the throne! At the scene, Emperor Longwu watched as Prince Zhu Qiyu of Cheng was urged to ascend the throne by his court officials, sacrificed to Heaven and Earth, issued an edict, received homage, and finally participated in the grand ceremony for his enthronement.

Watching the process unfold, Emperor Longwu also found it incredibly tedious! After all, he had gone through the same thing himself! Naturally, he knew how troublesome it was!

After the entire process was completed, Emperor Longwu knew that there would be no more Prince Cheng, Zhu Qiyu, only Emperor Jingtai, Zhu Qiyu!

This momentous event in the Ming Dynasty naturally had to be widely publicized! News of it reached the Oirat camp that very day. Morale within the Oirat camp plummeted even further. After all, there was a clear difference between kidnapping an emperor and kidnapping a retired emperor!
With the emperor in hand, the Ming Dynasty would have something to be wary of; but now he's the retired emperor!
If the retired emperor were to die, the Ming Dynasty would only fight desperately for revenge! In fact, right now, the Oirat people are protecting Zhu Qizhen, this student studying abroad, lest he die in the Oirat camp, and then everything would become unpredictable!
Even under these circumstances, Esen's army did not retreat and continued its offensive. On October 13th, a sudden storm struck, and the Oirat army took advantage of the storm to attack Desheng Gate. Yu Qian ordered General Shi Heng to ambush troops in civilian houses outside the city, and then sent small groups of cavalry to feign defeat and lure the enemy. Esen fell for the trap and personally led a large force in pursuit. Once Esen's army entered the ambush, the Shenji Battalion unleashed a barrage of firearms, with rockets and crossbows raining down on the enemy like locusts. The Ming army attacked from both sides, and Esen's forces suffered a crushing defeat.

When Esen discovered that the main Ming army was at Deshengmen, he concentrated his forces and attacked Xizhimen. The Ming general, Commander-in-Chief Sun Tang, led his troops to meet the attack and defeated Esen's vanguard. As Esen continuously reinforced his forces to besiege Sun Tang, Sun Tang fought valiantly but was unable to withstand the onslaught and retreated to the city walls, strictly ordering that the city gates not be opened. At the same time, he ordered the defenders on the city walls to fire cannons and rockets at the Oirat army. The Ming army also drew reinforcements from Zhangyimen and Deshengmen, finally repelling the Oirat attack.

On October 14th, the Oirat army changed its attack to Zhangyi Gate. Yu Qian ordered the defending troops to block the streets and alleys outside the city, and to ambush musketeers and pistolmen in key areas. He also sent troops to meet the enemy outside Zhangyi Gate. The Ming army's vanguard bombarded the enemy with firearms, while the rearguard, armed with crossbowmen, followed up and repelled the Oirat army's attack.

Meanwhile, the eunuch supervising the army dispatched by Emperor Jing also led a team to provide support! Yu Qian discovered that Esen's army was retreating and ordered Shi Heng and others to concentrate artillery fire on Esen's camp, killing more than 10,000 Oirat soldiers. On their retreat, the Oirat army burned, killed, and looted along the way, plundering much supplies and people. The Ming army pursued them from multiple directions; ultimately, Esen suffered a major defeat!

On October 17, Esen led his troops out of Zijing Pass and soon retreated beyond the pass. Upon hearing of the defeats in the central and western routes, Toghtoa Bukha's army on the eastern route also immediately withdrew and sent envoys to Beijing on October 20 to pay tribute and negotiate peace.

Finally, the fierce battle to defend Beijing has come to an end!

Meanwhile, Emperor Longwu leisurely stayed in the palace, playing with his newly acquired maid, and comforting the poor Lady Sun every two days. Of course, there was also Lady Hu, who had returned from North Street in Nanjing! He was living a very happy life!

On this day, Emperor Longwu was leisurely enjoying wine and chatting with his brother-in-law in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

"Your Majesty, when are we going home?"

"You've been out for so long, and we haven't even lifted a finger. The brothers have all gotten fat!" At this moment, Xia Xuan, the eldest brother-in-law, looked helplessly at his Dragon Emperor.

"What's wrong with you? You should at least meet Yesen and Tuotuo Buhua first!" Emperor Longwu said slowly, seemingly unconcerned about his brother-in-law's eagerness to go home.

"Your Majesty, please don't think about it. Didn't Esen leave a letter? He said he would personally go to the Dragon Kingdom to pay his respects to Your Majesty. This time, he won't come!" Xia Xuan urged anxiously, hoping to get Emperor Longwu home as soon as possible.

After all, Xia Xuan could tell that her emperor was enjoying his life and didn't want to go back yet; he wanted to stay and play for a while longer!

"Alright, alright. Let's get ready and go back!" Seeing his brother-in-law's troubled expression, Emperor Longwu reluctantly agreed.

"Your Majesty, I obey!" Hearing that his emperor had finally relented, Xia Xuan happily slipped out.

"Is Second Uncle leaving?!" Just as Xia Xuan stepped out, Emperor Jingtai walked in.

(End of this chapter)