Zhu Tian: Starting from the Laughing Proud Yue Buqun

Chapter 238 Setting Sail, Heading to Japan

Ming Dynasty Kyoto.

royal palace.

Royal Garden.

Xu Qing, dressed in a clean and tidy black martial robe, stood with his hands behind his back, quietly waiting for Zhu Yuanzhang.

Not long after, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived.

He wasn't wearing imperial robes, but rather plain clothes. Upon seeing that figure, he quickened his pace.

"Zhu Yuanzhang pays his respects to the leader. He has kept the leader waiting."

Zhu Yuanzhang clasped his hands in a salute to Xu Qing. Even though he had become the emperor, his respect and admiration for Xu Qing did not diminish.

He was a smart man and knew that all of this was given to him by Xu Qing.

He would not become arrogant and conceited simply because he had been emperor for a period of time.

Xu Qing turned around and saw that Zhu Yuanzhang had specially changed into plain clothes to see him. He nodded slightly, which meant that Zhu Yuanzhang had not forgotten who gave him his identity.

"The new dynasty has only been established for a short time, and the affairs of state are very busy. I will wait a little longer."

Xu Qing did not mind that the other party was late; a ruler has a great deal of things to deal with.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty had only been established for half a year, and there were already many more issues to deal with.

"How did things go?" Xu Qing asked directly, getting straight to the point about what had happened before.

"I have had nearly two hundred warships built, and the force that can accompany the leader in battle has reached fifty thousand."

Warships are difficult to build, and there aren't many soldiers capable of fighting across the sea by ship, but I'm already vigorously expanding the navy and training more naval personnel!

Zhu Yuanzhang said that there were many places where money would be needed to establish the new dynasty.

Fortunately, they acquired a huge amount of wealth from many powerful clans in the south and temples throughout the land, which enabled them to build so many warships in just half a year.

Xu Qing naturally understood this point. In such a short time, Zhu Yuanzhang had already done his best to achieve this.

After all, building warships is extremely difficult, and it would be impossible to have so many warships if the entire country didn't work on it.

"You have done a good job. Although we must destroy Japan, we must not shake the foundation of the new dynasty because of it."

Xu Qing nodded slightly, noticing that Zhu Yuanzhang had lost a lot of weight, clearly demonstrating that he had done his utmost to accomplish the task assigned to him.

"Yuanzhang understands." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

"I will teach you a martial art for health and wellness. Just one hour of practice each day will yield remarkable results."

Xu Qing noticed that the other person had very dark circles under their eyes, looked haggard, and appeared much older than before.

They were afraid that this guy might overwork himself and die suddenly due to being busy with state affairs.

"Thank you, Master."

Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed.

The Ming Cult's armory, and even the armory of the Ming Dynasty itself, contains a great many martial arts techniques from various schools.

However, all of these are very difficult to cultivate, requiring high aptitude and dedicated practice.

He simply doesn't have that much time to cultivate.

Xu Qing said that just one hour of training would produce remarkable results.

This kind of martial arts is most suitable for him.

Xu Qing placed a finger between Zhu Yuanzhang's eyebrows, and his spiritual power surged into the other's mind, transmitting a qi-cultivating and body-strengthening technique.

This martial art was created by him for the Jiajing Emperor when he dominated the martial arts world. Now, with his current level of skill, he only needs to make slight modifications to make it suitable for Zhu Yuanzhang again.

Moreover, the effect was even stronger. Although it wouldn't make Zhu Yuanzhang a martial arts master or break through to the level of a Grandmaster, it would certainly prolong his life and improve his health.

It should be noted that Emperor Jiajing practiced this martial art and lived to be over eighty years old before passing away.

This shows how powerful this martial art is.

Such an age would be considered long even in modern times.

Now, after Xu Qing's modifications, Zhu Yuanzhang could live to be a hundred years old simply by practicing this martial art step by step every day.

After Zhu Yuanzhang absorbed this martial art, the smile on his face deepened.

Over the past six months, he has been vaguely aware that his body is becoming increasingly weak.

He kept pushing himself to complete the important task Xu Qing had given him.

The original plan was to seek out a royal physician to recuperate after completing the mission.

Now that Zhu Yuanzhang has the martial arts skills taught by Xu Qing, he no longer needs to go through such trouble.

"Thank you for this method, Master!"

He bowed to Xu Qing again to express his gratitude, knowing that this martial art was more precious than any elixir in the world.

"Live well, and let me see just how high your dynasty will go, and whether it will truly surpass all previous dynasties, as you said before." Xu Qing gently patted Zhu Yuanzhang's shoulder, showing his high regard for the man.

Zhu Yuanzhang was an emperor of great talent and ambition, and it's possible that he could have planted the flag of the Ming Dynasty all over the world.

"Yuanzhang will never let the leader down!"

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke solemnly and earnestly, his gaze firm and his tone resounding.

Xu Qing nodded slightly, then his figure moved, disappearing from the spot like a gentle breeze.

"The cult leader is truly a god-like figure."

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but sigh. He had been given the supreme position of the world so easily, and was even tasked with eliminating the threat of Japanese pirates for the Ming Dynasty.

This is one of the reasons why Zhu Yuanzhang held Xu Qing in such high esteem.

High in the sky, Zhang Laodao appeared to be sitting cross-legged on the clouds, but in reality, he stood on the ground using the supernatural power of the wind.

Xu Qing suddenly appeared and said, "Let's go, Brother Zhang, to the southeast coast, where ten thousand troops are already waiting."

This time, he went with Zhang Laodao, but did not bring any other members of the Ming Cult with him.

Yang Xiao and others handled the affairs of the sect for him, while his disciple Zhang Wuji...

Xu Qing knew his disciple's character well; he was too pure and kind to do something that would destroy a country.

Therefore, they did not allow him to accompany them.

Old Zhang got up and, together with Xu Qing, used the divine power of wind.

Riding the wind, their supernatural powers were incredibly profound, making it extremely convenient for Xu Qing and Zhang Laodao to travel.

You can easily travel to various places, and since you are not fighting enemies, but just traveling, the consumption is not great.

In less than a day, the two arrived at the southeastern coast.

On that secluded harbor shore, two hundred large warships were seen moored.

Every warship was flying the flag of the Ming Dynasty and filled with soldiers.

On the main warship, Chang Yuchun, clad in battle armor, waited quietly.

"General, everything is ready."

Someone jogged up to Chang Yuchun and reported this.

Chang Yuchun nodded slightly, his gaze sharp, looking towards the direction of Japan.

A murderous intent was rising in his heart. He was the commander of this expedition and had volunteered for the mission.

Because he also knew the result that Xu Qing had deduced.

They knew that the Japanese would endanger the Central Plains and cause widespread suffering.

Naturally, they also desperately wanted to destroy this country.

"General, when shall we depart?"

"That's what the lieutenant asked."

Chang Yuchun said, "Let's wait a little longer, the leader should arrive soon."

"No need to wait, let's set off now."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Qing's voice resounded throughout the entire naval fleet.

The next moment, Xu Qing and Zhang Laodao landed in front of Chang Yuchun.

"Chang Yuchun pays respects to the leader!"

"Greetings, Master Zhang!"

"Meet the leader!"

Chang Yuchun quickly bowed, and the soldiers shouted in response.

Many of the generals and soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were originally disciples of the Ming Cult.

Even though they have all become part of the dynasty's army, they have never forgotten their origins.

"No need for formalities. Now that everything is ready, let's set off as soon as possible."

Xu Qing waved his hand slightly and immediately gave the order.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Chang Yuchun got up and immediately sent someone to give orders.

"Set sail, our destination: Japan!"

A series of commands were issued, and the warships set sail, raising their sails.

Like giant dragons, they traversed the sea, with the Ming Dynasty banners fluttering in the wind, roaring and howling.

(End of this chapter)