Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Xu Da sat on his horse, in an exceptionally good mood.

With a smile on his face.

He looked very relaxed.

This sense of relaxation comes from the inside out.

It was something he hadn't experienced in a very, very long time.

This time, destroying the Northern Yuan royal court and fulfilling his long-cherished wish felt incredibly good to him.

My entire state of mind has undergone a significant change.

At this moment, not only Xu Da, but also the soldiers who returned with him were all beaming with joy and holding their heads high.

His pride and joy were undisguised and overflowing.

This time, they returned with a great victory.

The long line of prisoners they brought back was their greatest achievement on this mission.

Not to mention, this time when I return, I will be able to see His Highness the Crown Prince, and even His Majesty.

For them, being able to meet these two people was the greatest reward.

People's joys and sorrows are not the same. Compared with these people, those high-ranking officials and nobles of the Northern Yuan court who were captured and escorted here suffered much more.

Many people were as if they had lost their parents, filled with anxiety and unease.

It's unknown what fate awaits them next.

Many people were afraid that Zhu Yuanzhang would kill them in the future.

Or perhaps they'll do something else entirely.

This is not the outcome they wanted.

By this time, many of them had long since cursed the Grand Commandant, the barbarian, countless times in their hearts, including their former emperor.

Why do these people have to choose between living a perfectly good life and courting death by going against Zhu Yuanzhang?
As a result, they have been implicated in this disaster!

If they hadn't acted recklessly and caused all this trouble, why would they have suffered such a calamity?
They can still eat meat, have beautiful women to keep them company, or drink fine wine made by the people of the Ming Dynasty in their warm tents.

Life couldn't be more carefree and comfortable.

It was the foolish emperor and his ilk who overestimated their abilities and acted recklessly, bringing disaster upon themselves and others, leading to their current predicament!

Ayushiridara remained expressionless inside the prison cart, watching the scenery along the way.

He knew that many people in their Great Yuan Dynasty hated him to the core.

I feel like I'm the one who hurt them.

However, he didn't think much about these things.

He thought that people who thought that way were just incredibly stupid fools.

What does it mean to say that you harmed them?
Zhu Yuanzhang harbored an exceptional hatred and resentment towards his own Yuan Dynasty.

Using such despicable means, they launched an offensive on their own grasslands.

On their own grassland side, there was no way out for a long time.

It won't be long before we have a battle with them.

If we don't seize the opportunity while we still have the strength to fight, confront them, and try to turn the tide...

Therefore, in the future, their fate will be equally tragic.

This time, however, I lost my gamble.

They fell for Xu Da's treacherous scheme, that's all.

They are better than those who lack courage and only think about living in comfort.

Along the way, he saw so many sights that he could never forget.

He passed through what was originally the capital of their Great Yuan Dynasty again.

It's clear that because Zhu Yuanzhang moved the capital to Yingtian, the city is far less bustling and prosperous than it was when he was in power.

However, it is only comparable to Dadu (Beijing).

The rest of the places are far beyond what they were when the Yuan Dynasty was still in power.

This journey from north to south took place during winter.

In the past, during the freezing cold, it was common to see corpses of the starving everywhere.

But this time, walking on the land that belonged to his Great Yuan seven or eight years ago, he found that things had changed a lot.

People do freeze to death in the wind and snow, but they are very, very few.

They didn't see the large groups of disaster victims either.

Many barren areas have been transformed into farmland.

In some places, traces of previous wars and even earlier ones can still be seen.

However, one can see more of a thriving and vibrant atmosphere here.

This left him momentarily dazed.

Why is there such a big difference between the same place?

It was only at this point that he came to understand some things.

He now understood why his Yuan Dynasty had been defeated by Zhu Yuanzhang.

Why was Zhu Yuanzhang so popular and able to secure his throne?

It wasn't just because the Han people, being considered lowly, were too numerous and too disobedient.

Many of them also have lofty ambitions.

Another reason lies in the Han Chinese systems and ideas he observed along the way.

It is said that after Emperor Shizu established the Yuan Dynasty, he did consider some Sinicization and adopting Han Chinese systems.

However, only a very small portion of it was used.

A major change has been made in many places.

The reason for this was that at that time, the Yuan Dynasty was far too powerful.

The Song people were incredibly weak.

How ridiculous.

They could only be relentlessly beaten by the Yuan dynasty.

Of course, the exception is Diaoyu City.

The Yuan Dynasty swept across the world, far surpassing the achievements of the Song Dynasty.

Naturally, this would lead to a disdain for these systems of the Han people.

He's just a defeated opponent. What's so superior about his systems that are worth learning from?
Being able to adopt even a small portion of their ideas was already a great favor to the Song people.

If his system was truly good, how could it have been destroyed by his own Great Yuan?

This can be figured out with just a little thought.

Even before this, he had maintained a positive attitude towards it.

Many aspects of these Han Chinese systems were actually viewed with disdain.

But now, his thoughts have changed drastically.

I have gained a deeper understanding.

Emperor Shizu himself, and many others, had all been wrong before.

It's not that these systems and things of the Han people were ineffective.

Rather, it means that the people of the Song Dynasty who implemented these systems were far too incompetent.

The fact that they misused those excellent systems and turned them into this mess makes the Song Dynasty appear weak, incompetent, and utterly vulnerable.

The same system used by Han Chinese people, when used by a different person, such as Zhu Yuanzhang, who came from a beggar background, could unleash unparalleled power.

He came to destroy his own Great Yuan Dynasty, and then win the hearts of the people.

Unified countries that adopted the systems of the Han people for governance saw the emergence of dynasties like the Han, Tang, and Song, which lasted for nearly three or even four hundred years.

But in the end, his own Yuan Dynasty didn't even last a hundred years.

This is the difference!
That damned Song Dynasty was truly too cowardly and incompetent!

It not only harmed them, but also its own Great Yuan!

Anything they could do at the time, even slightly, was acceptable.

Don't do so many bad things.

It would also make the Yuan Dynasty look at them with more respect.

Therefore, in this way, the Han people's official system and other aspects would not be so disregarded.

If he were in the Great Yuan Dynasty, things wouldn't be like this. Just then, some movement ahead interrupted his thoughts.

Looking ahead, I saw a grand procession approaching.

It's unclear whether it was the crown prince of the false Ming dynasty or the emperor of the false Ming dynasty.

……

Crown Prince Zhu Biao sat atop the Crown Prince's crane-drawn carriage.

At this moment, he was wearing a dragon robe and a crown.

He put on the full attire of the Crown Prince.

After some formalities, Crown Prince Zhu Biao rose from his crane-drawn carriage and approached Xu Da and the others who had dismounted and were bowing to him with a broad smile.

"General, you must be tired from your journey. There's no need for such formalities."

"It was not hard work. I only did what I was capable of and was within my duty."

Xu Da said earnestly.

He was telling the truth; he genuinely didn't find it hard at all.

The destruction of the Northern Yuan royal court went unexpectedly smoothly.

No matter how fierce the cold wind blows on the grassland, it means nothing compared to taking down the Northern Plains Royal Court.

Even if the conditions were ten times or more difficult, he still wouldn't feel any hardship.

This is what he most wants to do, and he enjoys it immensely!

Looking at the Crown Prince before him, Xu Da felt a sense of relief and hope.

The emperor placed high hopes on His Highness the Crown Prince and never relaxed his efforts in nurturing him.

He even served as the Crown Prince's tutor.

His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed worthy of the position.

He is worthy of His Majesty's trust.

This Crown Prince is truly a very qualified heir apparent.

With His Highness the Crown Prince present, and the trust of the superior, they have the advantage.

So, a hundred years after the ascension to the throne, when His Highness the Crown Prince becomes emperor, he will certainly not betray the trust placed in him by his predecessor, nor will he disappoint anyone.

It is fortunate to have an emperor who ascends to the throne and a crown prince as the heir apparent.

This is truly a great blessing for them.

The Ming Dynasty has a worthy successor.

He was genuinely happy to see how outstanding Crown Prince Zhu Biao was.

I'm even happier than when I see my own son become outstanding.

After all, his son's excellence only affects his own family.

But if His Highness the Crown Prince, the heir apparent of the Ming Dynasty, becomes outstanding...

That involves much more than just one family or one surname.

It was the entire Ming Dynasty!

It is said that the Emperor and the Empress were both good at having children and at raising them.

Not only is His Highness the Crown Prince outstanding, but also the Prince of Qin, the Prince of Jin, his son-in-law the Prince of Yan, and the Prince of Zhou, who are all adults, are equally outstanding.

His Highness the King of Qin is very skilled in combat.

Although it's not so good in some areas, it's absolutely uncompromising when it comes to fighting.

His Highness Prince Jin is now playing a significant role in the Imperial Academy as well.

With comprehensive improvements in all aspects, the Imperial Academy has been completely transformed.

Equally rare.

As for his son-in-law, His Highness the Prince of Yan, he was the biggest surprise and gave him the greatest joy.

In the past, I only thought that His Highness the Prince of Yan was like a mischievous monkey, not presentable.

Later I realized that I had been overthinking things and had misjudged the situation.

His Highness the Prince of Yan can be said to be the most promising of the sons who ascended the throne, apart from His Highness the Crown Prince.

His abilities, courage, and everything else are impeccable.

These days, I'm often away working, so I don't see my wife, Miaoyun, very often...

Zhu Biao, with a gentle demeanor yet retaining the dignity of a crown prince, spoke with Xu Da and then with the generals who were with Xu Da.

These generals, one by one, were quite pleased.

After all, they all knew that His Highness the Crown Prince was the next emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

In other dynasties, it was uncertain whether the crown prince could later become emperor.

Furthermore, the earlier someone is designated as crown prince, the greater the likelihood of trouble arising later.
But the Ming Dynasty was definitely an exception.

His Majesty is far too good to His Highness the Crown Prince.

Although His Highness the Crown Prince is still the heir apparent, he is now practically half an emperor.

His Majesty not only did not think that His Highness the Crown Prince had too much power, but also gave His Highness more power from time to time.

Now that they have returned victorious, how can it not be exciting that His Highness the Crown Prince personally came to the city to welcome them?
Ayushiridara, inside the prison cart, observed these events, with most of his gaze fixed on Zhu Biao.

He naturally knew a lot about this fake Ming crown prince.

To be honest, he admired this person in many ways.

It's not just because this person has a very capable father.

It was also because his father treated him exceptionally well.

Unlike back then, when he was distant from his father, the emperor, they eventually became enemies.

He looked at Zhu Biao without saying a word.

He had a plan in his mind.

He had been planning this for a long time.

They were just waiting to see Zhu Yuanzhang next to carry it out.

He knew that, given his status and position, even if he were defeated and captured, Zhu Yuanzhang would still personally receive him.

After all, this was a tremendous honor for Zhu Yuanzhang, and his most praiseworthy military achievement.

As for him, will he survive after carrying out that plan?

He is confident.

Given his special status, it was impossible for Zhu Yuanzhang to actually do anything to him.

He still has the confidence to back up his claims.

After meeting with Xu Da and others and performing the proper etiquette, Zhu Biao personally invited General Xu Da to ride in his imperial carriage and enter the city together.

This is the honor that Xu Da deserves.

Along the way, crowds of people gathered on both sides, cheering and shouting with joy.

Then came the sound of firecrackers and the continuous drumming.

It was incredibly lively.

Many people came to the streets, filled with reverence, to watch their heroes return in triumph!
Xu Da won countless battles and returned in triumph countless times.

But I've never felt so happy and carefree as I have this time.

……

"Haha, Tiande, no need for such formalities."

Before the imperial city, Zhu Yuanzhang waited, and when he saw Xu Da and others bowing to him, he laughed heartily.

As he spoke, he stepped forward, took Xu Da's hand, and helped him up.
"Tiande, well done, Tiande! This has finally fulfilled our long-cherished wish!"

"Is it all a scheme devised by those in power?"
"If it weren't for Your Majesty's extensive preparations, I wouldn't have been able to achieve such merit."

Xu Da said sincerely.

"Haha, Tiande, you are as humble as ever."

The greater the merit one makes, the more so this applies.

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile, and then led Xu Da and the others to the Fengtian Hall.

He was already prepared there.

Some of the important prisoners of the Northern Yuan, such as Ayushiridara, were also brought into the imperial city.

After preparing to wash up, I will meet Zhu Yuanzhang in a moment... (End of this chapter)