Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Chapter 278 Zhu Yuanzhang: The world has too many misunderstandings about us, it's really not good for us to kill people!
A few days later, Zhu Yuanzhang issued a new batch of appointments and carried out a major military reorganization.

For example, Zhu Liangzu, Tang Shengzong, Lu Zhongheng, Fei Ju, and two other men, as well as several other unemployed marquises who did not belong to Hu Weiyong's group, were sent to local posts to take up military positions.

Let them prepare for the upcoming war to destroy Kitahara.

"Over the years, the Tartars have ravaged our China beyond recognition."

How many people died tragically, how many families were torn apart as a result?
We are sworn enemies with the Yuan Tartars.

This grudge must be avenged!

We must wipe them out!
The Yuan Tartars were cunning. They fled all the way back to the grasslands and hid there, thinking that we couldn't do anything to them. What should we do to them?
At first, it was indeed difficult to fight them. They were slippery and unwilling to show themselves, which made things really tough.

But now, with trade going on with them, the situation has changed dramatically.
The grasslands are becoming increasingly chaotic, and we have already extended our reach there through trade.

The grasslands are no longer impregnable.

It's no longer a monolithic entity.

The destruction of the Northern Yuan will not take place in the next two or three years.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Tang Shengzong, Lu Zhongheng, Zhu Liangzu and others and spoke, his voice filled with a mix of sighs and emotions, as well as a sense of exhilaration.

What he said was all true, of course.

They were not afraid that some of Fei Ju's men would reveal their plans to the Northern Yuan.

Because this whole thing is a calculated scheme.

What I've said is already out in the open.

Even without them saying it, Zhu Yuanzhang believed that the Northern Yuan must have known and been aware of this.

The current emperor of the Northern Yuan is a man of insight.

At the very least, he was far superior to his younger brother, who succeeded him in history and only knew how to drink.

This person was trained in the Central Plains.

Furthermore, even when he was still the crown prince, he dared to lead troops against his father.

Later, seeing the urgency of the situation, he quickly reconciled with his father and together they suppressed his own rebel army.

After arriving on the grassland, all I could think about was coming back.

These people, including those around him like Yao Zhu, are indeed quite talented.

It represents some of the last remaining essence of the Yuan Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not believe that these people could not see through his plan.

They had long known the purpose of their trade with the grasslands, and were now reaping the bitter fruits of their actions.

Unfortunately, even if you knew, all you would feel is pain.

Neither ignoring it nor trying to curb it will work.

No matter what you do, it's wrong.

This is how a country can overwhelm its opponent by leveraging its sheer size and massive economic output.

Unless they can produce items as exquisite, diverse, and cheaper as those on our side.

This negates the Ming Dynasty's advantage in this area.

But this is obviously impossible.

And the fact that they planned to take action against the Northern Yuan royal court in the next two or three years was no longer a secret.

Anyone with a bit of knowledge and who isn't stupid can usually tell the difference.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang did not hide anything at this time and revealed the truth to these people.

Of course, he made these appointments to them at this time, revealing his true intentions, not out of boredom.

Instead, we need to give these people a legitimate and plausible reason.

Let them go out and do their work, and don't suspect anything.

It was precisely because of this consideration that he did not release all those who were secretly colluding with Hu Weiyong this time.

They released a large portion of them, while allowing other unemployed officials who had been granted titles to join them.

The purpose was to avoid being too conspicuous and to prevent Hu Weiyong's side from becoming suspicious.

Hu Weiyong has already gone this far, so how could he not give them a little push from behind the scenes, add fuel to the fire, and make them more likely to rebel?

I believe that after these people are placed in local positions and allowed to command troops, Hu Weiyong's side will become even bolder.

Some of the people inside became even bolder in their actions.

This could encourage him to rebel more quickly.

His own Emperor's Sword had been eagerly awaiting its arrival, and it rang out with a resounding clang!

Just waiting to drink the blood of insects!

“We know that some of you have had a lot of grievances against us over the years.”

Zhu Yuanzhang's words immediately made the hearts of the many marquises present skip a beat.

Some people's legs even trembled involuntarily.

Regardless of how much resentment they harbor towards Zhu Yuanzhang in private.

Let's not worry about how much contempt they secretly hold for Zhu Yuanzhang.

But when they actually faced Zhu Yuanzhang, they all became as quiet as chickens and as obedient as kittens.

Not to mention that the emperor himself was speaking to them in person at that moment.

That could really scare someone half to death!

"How could we possibly harbor such thoughts about being in a position of power?"

"Yes, yes, we need to rise to the top. Without rising to the top, how could we be where we are today?"
Back then, people were so poor they couldn't afford to eat.

If it weren't for meeting someone in a higher position, following them, and having them lead us to conquer the world and forge a path for ourselves...

Where would we have such wealth and glory today?
My current status is something I never dared to dream of before!

"What the higher-ups have given us has long exceeded our expectations and desires."
Those were truly days of unbearable suffering, so bad you could barely keep your eyes open.

"Haha, I'll say something that I'm not afraid of being laughed at by those in power and everyone else."

Actually, I haven't been leading troops much these past few years, and I've been living a pretty carefree life.

Before, when they were fighting desperately on the battlefield, no one knew when they would die or whether they would come back alive.

Staying at home and living a peaceful life, spending time with my wife and kids, isn't so bad.

It's made me feel lazy and listless.

"Hahaha."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang smiled.

"It would be wonderful if you could think that way."

Life is so much better now than before.

Humans should never be ungrateful.

Looking at the present and then reflecting on the past, it's quite true.

But it's not time for you to rest yet.

And everyone must be in high spirits to fight this final battle well.

Each of them should prepare themselves for the attack on the Northern Yuan and strive to be the first to act.

We should strive to achieve as many merits as possible, so that our descendants may benefit from them.

This is the proper way.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said those words again.

These words instantly dispelled the tense atmosphere that had just been there.
Everyone else followed suit and expressed their opinions.

He was patting his chest and pounding his chest in boasting.

He said he would certainly live up to his superior's expectations and would definitely get things done.

We must completely wipe out the Northern Yuan Tartars and prevent them from ever being arrogant again.

For a moment, many people were somewhat dazed.

It seems like we've returned to those days, before Shangwei became King of Wu, when everyone worked under him and conquered all directions...

But unfortunately, once the days are gone, they are gone forever.

It's impossible to go back to the way things were.

Zhu Yuanzhang then ordered a banquet to be prepared and personally entertained them.

He, who rarely drinks nowadays, made an exception and had a few drinks with them.

Such treatment evoked a great deal of emotion in many people, such as Lu Zhongheng.

"Work hard and do your jobs well!"

The best days are yet to come!

As the banquet came to an end, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his voice and addressed them. Everyone patted their chests, assuring Zhu Yuanzhang of their assurances.

He said he would definitely do his job well and live up to the emperor's high expectations.

After watching them leave, palace servants came to clean up the leftovers.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat there lost in thought, reminiscing about the glorious years when he was conquering the world.

And the days when these people served under his command, leading troops to conquer all directions.

Things were so much purer back then compared to now.

Honestly, people say that Zhu Yuanzhang was bloodthirsty and ruthless.

But who is born with a knives in their heart?
Does he really not want to continue to have a good relationship with these people?

No.

These people are changing too fast, and I can't keep up with them.

It's one thing to fall behind, but to take a different path.

They became the kind of people they used to hate the most.

This is the most important thing!

This toast is a way of commemorating the past.

A tribute to those who have lost their original aspirations and perished in the allure of wealth and status...

……

Crown Prince Zhu Biao sighed and rubbed his temples.

Next, something big is about to happen on our side of the Ming Dynasty.

If things go wrong, many, many people could die.

Moreover, the scale of the dead is likely to exceed that of the previous empty seal case.

The number of officials involved will exceed that of the blank seal case.

Hu Weiyong is probably not going to make it through.

He wouldn't feel any regret at all if Hu Weiyong died.

After all, Hu Weiyong had been secretly making things difficult for him, the crown prince, all these days.

He kept all of these things in mind.

But thinking about these things still makes me feel a little melancholy.

If everyone could work together towards a common goal and not have so many ulterior motives, wouldn't that be wonderful?
The Ming Dynasty will surely change rapidly, and many more people will no longer die due to various struggles.

After the thought lingered in his mind for a while, Zhu Biao shook his head and banished it from his thoughts.

Try not to overthink these things and give up on these unrealistic ideas.

It would be strange if there were no conflict.

Even many Confucian scholars, who fondly recall the reigns of the Three Sovereigns, have a different account in the Bamboo Annals.

It was not an abdication at all; the throne was obtained through a coup and a bloody massacre.

There are also different versions of the story of Yi Yin, who was exiled by Tai Jia because of his cruelty, and then welcomed back to power after seeing that Tai Jia had become wise.

It is said that Yi Yin's actions were not so upright or noble.

Hidden behind this was Yi Yin's method of launching a coup and seizing the throne.

Later, the giant armored beast gathered its strength and launched a counterattack...

Although Zhu Biao did not think so, and wanted to regard it as heresy.

However, the longer you deal with things, the more you learn.

I'm increasingly convinced that this is the most realistic approach.

Turning the pages of history books, one finds countless stories of struggles for power throughout the millennia.

Hu Weiyong is doomed.

Now all he's thinking about is that among those who were invited to banquets by his father and sent out to lead troops, there should be fewer fools.

We should try to minimize the number of deaths.

Of course, this is just a hope.

If they continue down this path and remain oblivious to their own mortality, then they will only have death to live on...

……

"This Prime Minister Hu truly lives up to his reputation!"
His methods are extraordinary!

As Prime Minister Hu just said, he wanted to try to persuade Zhu Yuanzhang to let us go out and lead troops.

Now, Zhu Yuanzhang has indeed released him and entrusted him with an important task.

I'd rather not suffer in silence in this capital city.

Hu Chengxiang is truly amazing!

Even Zhu Yuanzhang could not escape Prime Minister Hu's control in these matters.

We must do as Prime Minister Hu Weiyong says!

Fei Ju and Lu Zhongheng, two people who are on good terms, met up privately.

As they talked about what had happened to them, they were filled with emotion and grew increasingly admiring of Hu Weiyong.

Some of them initially thought it unlikely that Hu Weiyong would kill the emperor.

I have some doubts.

I'm afraid Hu Weiyong won't be able to accomplish this.

But now, when I think about it again, I have more confidence.

I believe that what Hu Weiyong said was not a lie.

He really has a good chance of killing Zhu Yuanzhang!
The thought that they were about to leave the capital to command troops, and that Hu Weiyong would be able to kill Zhu Yuanzhang next, was unbearable.

They could follow Hu Weiyong, seize the opportunity to raise an army, and then support Hu Weiyong in becoming emperor.

They will all have a bright future.

They were all incredibly excited, as it far surpassed the prospect of following Zhu Yuanzhang and no longer having to endure hardship and mistreatment.

I felt relaxed and comfortable.

I can't wait for this day to come.

At that time, you will truly bring glory to your ancestors!

Ideally, one should stand before Zhu Yuanzhang's corpse, point at him, and angrily berate him.

Let's recount all the atrocities committed by this inhuman bastard, and how he has wronged us all!
That would be satisfying.

Unlike Lu Zhongheng and Tang Shengzong, who were happy and excited.

After returning home, Hu Weiyong couldn't help but frown slightly.

Because he didn't contribute anything to this matter.

It was entirely Zhu Yuanzhang himself who was doing the work.

Is it a coincidence?
Did Zhu Yuanzhang really want to wage war against the Northern Yuan, which is why he made this arrangement?

Or perhaps Zhu Yuanzhang had already sensed something?
After thinking about it for a while, Hu Weiyong shook his head, trying not to think about it anymore.

Whether it was a coincidence or something Zhu Yuanzhang did on purpose, it doesn't matter.

Anyway, at this point, the die is cast and the arrow has to be released.

His orders had already reached Jiangxi.

His efforts in the court would also reach their ears.

At this point, Tao Wuzhong, Ding Yu, and the others naturally wouldn't be idle.

It's highly likely that they're about to start taking action.

As the conflict intensifies, Tao Wuzhong, Ding Yu, and their ilk are bound to lose.

He couldn't believe that these beasts would kill their own son just to drag him down with them.

If they really can't hold on any longer, they'll keep it a secret.

Not revealing oneself.

Since that's the case, there's no need to think about it any further.

The matter will be settled in one fell swoop!

……

Inside the Hall of Martial Valor, Zhu Yuanzhang made another decision...

(End of this chapter)