Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 117 Zhu Di: I'll go first, you guys do as you please!

On the vast sea, the blue waves ripple, and white seagulls spread their wings and soar.

The mighty river flows for thousands of miles and flows into the sea here.

Rivers connect with the sea, and the sea meets the sky.

Water and land separate here, forming two completely different worlds.

Yet they were not completely separated.

The rolling rivers on land and the islands dotting the sea resemble the different colored eyes of a yin-yang symbol.

You have me I have you.

Just like pirates who make a living at sea year-round, they occasionally come ashore, just as people on shore occasionally go into the water.

Many things in the world are not as simple as black and white.

Many of them are different from one another, yet they are all intricately connected.

Zhu Di stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the distant, faintly visible land for a while, his expression shifting slightly.

It's like finally making a decision about something you've been thinking about for a long time.

"You continue north. I will take three hundred personal guards and go to the Japanese naval forces first."

Zhu Di turned around and spoke to Yu Tongyuan, who was wearing a suit of soft armor.

Upon hearing this, Yu Tongyuan was taken aback, then his expression changed, and he hurriedly shook his head, saying, "Your Highness, there's no need for that. It's just a mere anti-Japanese naval force."

Many of them were remnants of the rebel army, not worth mentioning.

Even if Wu Zhen, the Marquis of Jinghai, were here personally leading the anti-Japanese naval force, and I were leading the Chaohu naval force, we could still take them down.

Not to mention, Wu Zhen, the current head of the anti-Japanese naval force, has already been dismissed by his superiors.

Under such circumstances, the Japanese navy is even less of a concern.

Your Highness, just watch from here. Now, I will lead the brothers of the Chaohu Navy to deal with these people.

Your Highness, you are of noble birth. If you were to personally deal with these bandits, it would be giving them far too much face.

This is simply using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

"Let me handle such a minor character."

Yu Tongyuan spoke with a sincere expression.

Without making a sound, he gave a wink to Qiu Fu, one of Zhu Di's personal guards.

Qiu Fu understood and then said, "Your Highness, Marquis Nan'an is right. These petty villains don't need Your Highness to take action personally."
That's too cheap for them.

We'll just stay here and watch how Marquis Nan'an and his men bravely defeat the enemy.

The Chaohu Navy dared to be the first in the world, and when it came to naval warfare, no one could rival it.

We're in for a treat this time; we can really see the impressive capabilities of the Chaohu Navy.

As Qiu Fu spoke, he reached out to pull Zhu Di away.

Zhu Di dodged to the side, stopping Qiu Fu.

"If I was just sent here to watch the battle, why would Father Emperor have sent me here?"
Compared to the Chaohu Navy, the Beiwo Navy was indeed inferior in combat strength.

The number of people who could be prepared to fight the Japanese navy exceeded 40,000.

Defeating them is not so easy, and subduing them all without letting any escape is even more difficult.

It's fair to say that it's simply impossible.

What did Father Emperor want most? He wanted to completely control the Japanese naval forces and prevent them from scattering like stars across the sky.

He fled to the sea and wreaked havoc on the region.

It would be exhilarating to fight now, but achieving the result my father desires would be far too difficult.

Moreover, once action is taken, deaths are inevitable.

Not only would people die in the Japanese-prepared naval force, but the same would happen in the Chaohu naval force…

"Your Highness, our Chaohu naval forces are born to fight tough battles. We have walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and we are never afraid of death."

If you join the army and receive a salary from your superiors, then you shouldn't be afraid of death.

We've been raising an army for a thousand days, only to use it for one. Now is the time to use it.

If you have to go all out, then go all out.

What kind of soldier are you if you're afraid of dying?

Yu Tongyuan stood up straight and spoke with a firm and powerful voice.

This was his true thought, and the Chaohu Navy had always acted accordingly.

Putting aside all other matters, just looking at the battles, the Chaohu Navy was truly exceptional.

Zhu Di said solemnly, "I know that the Chaohu navy is not afraid of death."

But we cannot send ourselves to our deaths or make pointless sacrifices just because we are not afraid of death.

These are all living, breathing human lives, the finest men of my Great Ming Dynasty.

Good steel needs to be used on a blade.

In this way, even if one truly sacrifices oneself for the country, it will be a worthy death.

Upon hearing this, Yu Tongyuan opened his mouth as if to say something, but Zhu Di's voice continued, giving him no chance to speak.

"Not all members of the Japanese-prepared navy were heartless and treacherous."

Besides those lawless madmen, there are also loyal soldiers of our Great Ming.

They cannot be treated the same.

They need to be considered separately.

If we treat them as a single entity and attack them all, it will not only increase the number of enemies we have here, but also make things more difficult.

This will also cause the number of casualties here to increase rapidly.

Those who died in the Japanese naval defense force, if they were those with treacherous intentions, were naturally not worthy of pity.

But if those soldiers who are loyal to the Ming Dynasty are also attacked by us, regarded as traitors, and some soldiers die as a result, wouldn't that be extremely unfair?

Isn't that incredibly disheartening?

"But... Your Highness, the situation is urgent and needs to be resolved as soon as possible."

Wu Zhen and Wu Liang have already discovered that they have stolen and sold ships, and that their superiors have found out.

If we don't act quickly and decisively, the Japanese navy will likely receive this news soon as well.

They might realize that we're not heading north to transport supplies, but rather that we've come specifically to deal with them.

There will inevitably be some unusual activity.

If that happens, the situation will truly be out of control.

There's no time to distinguish so many things, nor can I consider so many things.

As long as we can complete the task His Majesty has assigned us, then even if we have to pay a price, it will be worthwhile and necessary.

Yu Tongyuan's voice sounded somewhat hurried.

"That's why I went ahead to prepare for the Japanese navy."

Wu Zhen is not here, but Wu Zhong is.

Wu Zhong was in Dabentang, where he studied with my brother for several years.

They were already familiar with each other.

I also know his personality and character.

If I go there in person, Wu Zhong will certainly not dare to touch me.

Among those naval forces prepared against the Japanese pirates, those soldiers who are loyal to our Great Ming will not harm me.

Even among the Japanese-prepared navy, those with ulterior motives wouldn't dare to touch me unless it came to a fight to the death!

And then, I did this…

As Zhu Di spoke, he lowered his voice and told Yu Tongyuan, Yu Tongyuan, Liao Dingguo, Qiu Fu, and a few others about his plan.

Zhu Di stopped speaking, and the group fell silent for a moment, their expressions shifting as they pondered the plan he had just revealed.

"Your Highness, your plan does have many merits, but it still won't work; it's too dangerous!"

"Your Highness's life cannot be treated like a game!"

After a moment, Yu Tongyuan, who was somewhat tempted, still shook his head and rejected Zhu Di's proposal.

Yu Tongyuan, Liao Dingguo, Qiu Fu, and several others also voiced their opposition.

Zhu Di said solemnly, "My personal involvement is the best solution at present."

I know your concerns are simply that I am a prince of the Ming Dynasty.

If anything goes wrong, my father will not forgive you.

It's normal for you to have these concerns.

But I tell you, you don't need to worry about this at all.

My father sent me here not so that I could just stand by and watch.

They intend for me to do something.

It's just like when they sent my brothers to Zhongdu to do hard labor.

I can write a letter here, explaining the whole story, affixing my seal as the Prince of Yan, and clearly informing my father and elder brother.

This time, I did it against your advice.

If anything really happens, it's my own fault, and it has nothing to do with you.

"We won't let them blame you."

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, Yu Tongyuan and the others were momentarily at a loss for words.

I almost cried.

They tried to dissuade Zhu Di from doing so, but he wouldn't listen.

He insisted on having someone fetch paper and pen.

Then, in front of these people, he wrote down the reason for the matter and affixed the seal of the Prince of Yan.

"Take it."

Yu Tongyuan dared not accept it.

"Just take it, don't think too much about it."

I do not want to implicate loyal and righteous people because of my actions.

This is an order! "

Zhu Di put on a stern face, raised his voice, and forced the document onto Yu Tongyuan.

After doing all this, a smile finally appeared on Zhu Di's face.

"The Marquis of Nan'an once said, 'If you're afraid of death, don't join the army,' and I think he's absolutely right."

I am also in the military, a soldier.

How could one be afraid of death?

To be honest, this empire belongs to the Zhu family. As a prince, it's my duty to risk my life for these things.

Upon hearing this, Yu Tongyuan could no longer stand and knelt down before Zhu Di, his tiger-like eyes turning red.

Yu Tongyuan, Liao Dingguo, Qiu Fu and others knelt down one after another.

At this moment, Zhu Di's figure was rapidly rising in their eyes...

Half an hour later, Zhu Di led three hundred Yanshan Guard soldiers onto smaller boats and headed towards Chongming Island, a key location for the Japanese naval forces defending against the Japanese pirates.

Yu Tongyuan's Chaohu naval force continued northward, appearing to be merely passing through.

"The one who got the position really did have some good sons!"
His Highness the Crown Prince is beyond reproach, and His Highness the Prince of Yan also possesses heroic qualities.

With such a crown prince and such a prince in power, there's no need to worry about the future of the Ming Dynasty.

"It's only right that the Zhu family should rule the country!"

Liao Dingguo couldn't help but exclaim with admiration.

"Who says it isn't?"
If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that His Highness the Prince of Yan would dare to do such a thing!

Yu Tongyuan chimed in, equally filled with emotion.

After speaking, he paused for a moment and looked at Yu Tongyuan, saying:
"Brother, you said... that scoundrel is arrogant. If... if he really does harm His Highness Prince Yan, and something happens to him, what should we do?"

"What else can be done?"

Yu Tongyuan stared at the direction Zhu Di and his entourage had left, his gaze lingering for a long time.

"Only by fighting to the death, killing the bandits, and sparing no effort to complete the orders from above, can we avenge His Highness the Prince of Yan."

I, the Marquis of Nan'an, have no face to meet Your Highness again. Your Highness, the only option is death, to follow Your Highness the Prince of Yan in death.

Yu Tongyuan, unusually, didn't spout any nonsense about literature.

His simple words contained unparalleled determination.

"that's right!

"Brother, after such a terrible incident, I have no face to continue living. After avenging His Highness, I will also die."

Yu Tongyuan gripped the knife at his waist tightly.

"And I!"

Liao Dingguo immediately followed up.

"Idiot! You want to argue about this?"

Yu Tongyuan, who had been staring at the direction Zhu Di had left, finally turned around and started scolding his foolish younger brother.

"If something really happens, I'll be there for you."

If you all leave, how will the Chaohu Navy survive?

How are they supposed to survive with so many families?

Faced with the enraged Yu Tongyuan, Yu Tongyuan lowered his head.

"Well... that's just what I'm saying for now."

His Highness the Prince of Yan is no ordinary man; good fortune favors the virtuous. He is also a man of both courage and skill; this journey will surely proceed without incident.

Liao Dingguo tried to smooth things over.

"That's right, that's right, such a good prince will definitely be alright."

Let's not overthink it. Just follow His Highness's plan and wait for good news from the Prince of Yan.

Yu Tongyuan also quickly chimed in.

Yu Tongyuan nodded and said nothing more.

But he was still uncertain and prepared to risk his life to avenge His Highness the Prince of Yan.

In his view, the actions taken by His Highness the Prince of Yan this time were far too risky.

If it works out, everyone will be happy; but the possibility of it not working out is far too high...

……

Zhu Di stood at the bow of the boat, his dragon robe fluttering in the wind.

In front of and behind him were a pair of command flags, two pairs of Qingdao flags, a pair of Bai Ze flags, and ten pairs of halberds.

Twenty sets of bows and arrows, ten pairs of swords and shields, one pair of crimson banners, two golden gongs, and twelve painted horns.

One large drum, four pairs of clappers, two red embroidered umbrellas, two curved umbrellas, four pairs of ceremonial swords, one pair of standing melons, one pair of reclining melons...

The prince's ceremonial retinue was laid out in its entirety, a truly dazzling display of wealth and power.

The royal grandeur and majesty, set against the backdrop of these ceremonial guards, surged forth in an overwhelming manner.

Some of Zhu Di's personal guards, who had initially been somewhat worried, felt reassured as they watched Prince Yan, dressed in a dragon robe and standing ramrod straight.

Let's see just how capable these people who are preparing for the Japanese invasion are!
Is this Japanese-prepared navy a den of dragons and tigers?

Did everyone in the Japanese-prepared navy have a death wish?
Do you dare to make any unusual moves?

The people in the Japanese naval forces who were preparing to defend against the Japanese had already seen such a large scene and commotion.

A fast boat is already speeding towards us.

"May I ask which prince has arrived?"

Those who came were not ignorant; one look at the scale of the procession and they knew that no ordinary person had come.

Furthermore, the Ming Dynasty has just been established, and the princes are still young, with the emperor's eldest grandson being only a little over a year old.

Apart from Zhu Wenzheng's son, who was granted the title of Prince, there were no other Princes in the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, without much thought, what we see before us must be the prince's entourage.

Moreover, he was one of the emperor's several adult sons.

"His Highness the Prince of Yan has arrived! Why don't you pay your respects to His Highness the Prince of Yan?"

Qiu Fu stood beside Zhu Di and raised his voice in rebuke.

Upon receiving confirmation, the members of the Japanese naval force who had come to guard against the Japanese invaders hurriedly kowtowed on the ship.

We warmly welcome His Highness Prince Yan.

"Rise, and let Sanjiang come to see me."

Zhu Di nodded at the newcomer and calmly said these words.

Sanjiang is Wu Zhong's nickname.

The man thanked the emperor and rose, immediately ordering his men to steer the boat back to the camp as quickly as possible to deliver the message to the young marquis.

He then invited Zhu Di and his entourage to travel to the water village.

Zhu Di, however, did not move, but stopped only three miles away from the water fortress...

……

"What?! The Emperor already knows about the theft and sale of the ships?!"

Inside the naval headquarters for defending against Japanese pirates, Wu Zhong's expression suddenly changed.

He was so startled that he jumped up.

Ever since his father left for the capital, he had been living in constant fear, afraid that bad news would come.

As it turned out, what I feared most came to pass.

In just a short time, this news that he did not want to hear arrived.

It turned out that it was something his own father and others had done in secret, and the emperor already knew about it!

This has blown things up.

I'm afraid my own father is in grave danger!
“Just say that we can’t steal and sell ships! Just say that we can’t steal and sell ships!”

They insist on stealing and selling ocean-going vessels!

Why did you have to do this of all things!

Startled, Wu Zhong was so anxious that he paced around in circles.

He kept muttering to himself.

"Now that this has happened, what should we do?"

"Young master, the Marquis said to proceed according to the original plan. Young master, take your men and set sail immediately."

We can't keep Liu Dabao here any longer; we have no choice but to let him die.

The Chaohu naval force said they were going north to deliver supplies and do business.

They're coming specifically for us, to corner us, so none of us can escape.

Seeing that Wu Zhong was flustered and at a loss, Li Zhu quickly told Wu Zhong about Wu Zhen's subsequent arrangements.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Compared to the master, the young master is still far inferior.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong immediately stopped in his tracks.

Instead of calming down after hearing his father's message, he panicked even more.

"An hour ago, I received a report that the Chaohu naval fleet was less than ten miles away from Chongming."

Judging by the timing, it's almost exactly right now, right in front of my Japanese naval fortress!

Upon hearing this, Li Zhu seemed flustered.

He rushed back as fast as he could and finally delivered the news to the young master.

Now, the Chaohu naval forces have arrived.

Wouldn't that just block their way to the sea?

As the Marquis had predicted, he was right.

The emperor truly had ill intentions and was genuinely prepared to deal a fatal blow to their Japanese naval forces!
"Young master, things have come to this point, there is no other way."

The only way is to quickly gather manpower, tell them the news, and then everyone work together to break through the blockade of the Chaohu Navy and escape to the sea.

Once we reach the sea, the Chaohu Navy can't do anything to us.

First, gather those who are loyal to the Marquis and absolutely reliable, to ensure that they do not get separated from the young master when breaking through the blockade.

Let's try to use Feng San and his ilk as cannon fodder!

Li Zhu's voice sounded urgent.

Wu Zhong's expression kept changing as he took out the two iron walnuts his father had left him and held them tightly in his hand.

"Young master, we can't hesitate any longer, we can't wait any longer."

I'll call someone over right away!

As Li Zhu spoke, he turned and walked outside.

Just then, someone rushed in from outside and bumped into Li Zhu.

Before the newcomer could apologize to Li Zhu, he hurriedly said, "Young Master, His Highness the Prince of Yan has arrived."

Li Zhu stopped in his tracks, and Wu Zhong looked at the man with a look of astonishment and shock.

"His Highness the Prince of Yan has arrived? Where is he?"

His Highness the Prince of Yan arrived at this particular time, making it hard not to speculate.

"They came by boat from three miles outside the water fortress, saying they wanted you, young master, to go and see them."

The messenger reported.

"Young master, you absolutely must not go to see him! With the Marquis gone, you are the backbone of our anti-Japanese naval force."

Zhu Laosi arrived by boat, clearly indicating he was following the Chaohu naval forces and had no good intentions.

They wanted to lure you out so they could capture you.

Thus, our naval forces prepared against Japanese aggression have lost their backbone.

Things are going to get worse!

Li Zhu's voice became even more urgent, as if he was afraid that Wu Zhong would not understand the implications of this situation.

"Your Highness, how should I address you?"

Wu Zhong ignored Li Zhu's words and looked at the newcomer to ask.

"He called you by your nickname."

Wu Zhong's expression softened somewhat.

"Has His Highness the Prince of Yan said what brings him here today?"

"No, he only said that you should go see him, young master."

"What about the Chaohu naval force? Are they with His Highness?"

"The Chaohu Navy headed straight north without stopping here."

His Highness the Prince of Yan only brought about three hundred people.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhong looked thoughtful.

"Young master, this is a trick by the Prince of Yan, deliberately luring you out."

Throughout history, the imperial family has been the most ruthless. You may be sentimental and loyal, but they may not be.

He deliberately did this because he was taking advantage of your personality.

"Once you go out, you'll be at the mercy of others!"

Li Zhu quickly tried to dissuade him, fearing that Wu Zhong might act impulsively and actually go out to see Zhu Di.

"His Highness the Fourth Prince is not that kind of person. I have known him for many years and I understand him quite well."

He was very loyal and righteous, the most so of all the princes, and the most considerate of them all.

Wu Zhong shook his head.

"I must see His Highness."

His attitude was very firm.

broken!

Li Zhu thought to himself, "This is bad. How could a man like the Marquis have such a clear-headed son?"
They immediately tried to persuade him again, analyzing the pros and cons.

Wu Zhong simply wouldn't listen.

"Don't worry, His Highness won't do anything to me. If he really dares to take me down directly, our naval forces will be thrown into chaos and the situation will be out of control."

This is not what he wants to see.

After I meet Your Highness here, I can take the opportunity to invite Your Highness to come here.

If he doesn't dare to come, it means he has something to hide.

If they dare to come, we can take advantage of the situation and play more cards.

Whether the Chaohu naval force is genuinely heading north or feigning it, they will absolutely be hesitant to act rashly.

Hearing Wu Zhong's words, Li Zhu was no longer worried.

It turns out that I underestimated the young master.

The young master is not simply honest and kind, nor is he short-sighted.

I knew it! How could the master possibly have a stupid son?
He stopped trying to persuade her and started making arrangements...

The area where the Japanese naval forces were preparing to defend against the Japanese soon became lively.

A moment later, the liveliness turned into silence and solemnity.

Before long, boats filed out of the water fortress to meet Zhu Di.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness Prince Yan."

The boat stopped when it was about thirty feet away from Zhu Di.

Wu Zhong, and all those who came out with him, knelt down and bowed to Zhu Di on the boat.

"Haha, Sanjiang, get up quickly, no need for formalities."

Zhu Di said with a hearty laugh, his words exceptionally warm and friendly.

"You little rascal, you've gotten quite fatter in the past six months."

"Hehe, I've been back and have nothing to do, so all I do is sleep and eat. How could I not gain weight?"

"Your Highness, this is not the place to talk. You have come all the way from the capital to visit us, so we must treat you well."

"Your Highness, although this place cannot compare to the bustling capital, it has its own unique charm."

Wu Zhong smiled and extended an invitation to Zhu Di, and later, he even winked at Zhu Di imperceptibly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di laughed and said, "Now that we're all here, it would be really inexcusable if you didn't broaden my horizons."

"Hasn't our friendship from all these years of being classmates become nothing?"

After saying this, he ordered the anchor to be raised, and accompanied by Wu Zhong, he headed straight for the main camp of the Japanese naval forces.

Li Zhu was overjoyed...

……

"Girl, what do you think of Lü Lan, the Crown Prince's concubine?"

(End of this chapter)