Di Ming

Chapter 302 Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts!
Amidst the watchful eyes of the officials seeing him off, Zhu Yin led the delegation and the monastic community slowly away from the Meridian Gate, heading south along the Thousand-Step Corridor.

When he arrived at Chang'an Avenue, the roadside was crowded with onlookers, all of whom were ordinary Beijing residents who had come to see Mr. Zhihu off on his mission to Japan.

The crowd saw Mr. Zhihu, who was in his prime and still had a childlike air about him, wearing a python robe and jade belt bestowed by the emperor, a Liang crown on his head, and holding a staff with fluttering banners. He sat solemnly in a canopy carriage, with a mysterious air and a dignified demeanor.

Many who witnessed this scene were deeply impressed. Mr. Zhihu truly lived up to his reputation as a prodigy descended from the heavens; even at such a young age, he maintained the dignity befitting an envoy of the celestial court.

In the honor guard, there are two large apricot-yellow flags on the left and right. The one on the left reads "Imperial Envoy on Mission to Japan," and the one on the right reads "Imperial Envoy to Japan."

Behind them were another pair of banners, bearing the inscriptions "Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince" and "Vice Minister of War."

Among the people seeing him off by the roadside, a handsome boy of about ten years old looked at Zhu Yin with envy and recited a poem:

"Zhu Zhihu of Jiangning, traversing ten thousand miles of vast ocean. At the age of fifteen, he was sent as an envoy to Japan. In his youthful days, he bid farewell to the emperor, and danced with elephants to leave the court. Riding a whale to fish in the vast sea, what fear is there of the water's coldness?"

A man standing next to him, who seemed to be an acquaintance, smiled upon hearing this:

"Young Master Qian is a child prodigy from Changshu, and this poem also reflects his prodigy background. Perhaps he will one day achieve the same level of prominence as Mr. Zhihu."

"Mr. Zhihu is not afraid of the cold waters of the East China Sea, so what does Young Master Qian have to fear?"

The young boy from the Qian family looked longingly at the young imperial envoy holding the imperial banner and attracting everyone's attention.

This is what a remarkable man should be like!
Not far from the Qian family's youth, a slender and handsome young man was standing on tiptoe, craning his neck to look at Zhu Yin, while walking with the delegation.

He was wearing a straw hat, carrying a bundle on his back, leading a blue donkey, and carrying an umbrella, looking like he was about to embark on a long journey.

It was that boy who called himself Wu You.

Wu You continued to follow the delegation until they left Zhengyangmen, all the way to the outer city, and then out of Yongdingmen to continue following them.

Once the delegation left Beijing, everyone mounted their horses and rode along, including the seventy-two lamas.

The delegation, including the monastic community, actually numbered less than two hundred people. The monastic community consisted of seventy-two people, the imperial guards consisted of eighty soldiers, and there were more than twenty people including deputy envoys, interpreters, clerks, and coachmen.

However, Zhu Yin could bring his own servants as well. With the addition of the seventy-two lamas of the monastic community, as long as the total number did not exceed five hundred, the court would not interfere.

The mission left Beijing, bypassed the capital, and traveled along the west bank of the Grand Canal. Soon they arrived at the end of the canal, the largest post station in eastern Beijing: Luhe Post Station.

Outside Luhe Post Station, a large group of people were already waiting.

Besides Ning Caiwei, Ning Qingchen, and others, there were also Xu Wei, Wei Zhongxian, Lan Cha, Ding Hongying, and others.

There were also a full 120 private soldiers of the Zhu family, all of whom had followed Zhu Yin in his campaigns in the Northwest. They were the bravest and most skilled servants in the family, and each one was carefully selected.

They will accompany Zhu Yin as bodyguards on his mission to Japan.

In addition to the Zhu family's private soldiers, sixty Zheng family private soldiers also arrived at Luhe Post Station. They were elite assassins escorting Deputy Envoy Zheng Guowang to Japan.

Zheng Guowang was only a deputy envoy and could not bring too many private soldiers; sixty was already a lot.

In this way, Zhu Yin and Zheng Guowang's private troops together numbered more than 180. Adding the 80 imperial guards dispatched by the court, their military strength reached more than 260.

That's not all!

Just a hundred miles to the north, at Yuyang Post Station, Nurhaci and his hundred-plus Jurchen warriors were already waiting there.

By combining these more than one hundred Jurchen warriors, the mission's strength reached nearly four hundred people!
Zhu Yin alighted from the carriage, and Ning Caiwei, accompanied by Ning Qingchen, came forward to greet him. The three of them then ascended the platform in the post station.

Actually, they had already seen Zhu Yin off early this morning. But Ning Caiwei still waited with Ning Qingchen at Luhe Post Station to see Zhu Yin off again.

Both of them were very worried. After all, Zhu Yin had led a delegation of only a few hundred people deep into the lion's den; what if they didn't return?
Ning Caiwei stood on the platform, watching the geese flying south, and said with a worried expression:
"Little Tiger, you must stay safe. Your life is always the most important thing. Never, under any circumstances, confront Toyotomi Hideyoshi head-on for the sake of the Ming Dynasty's dignity. Staying alive is the most important thing..."

Zhu Yin nodded and smiled, "You've said these things countless times. Don't worry, we special agents don't act impulsively; we're the most composed. If even I can't return to China alive, then no one in the world can return from Japan alive. Don't forget, Japan is a key target for Tiger Fang. Tiger Fang has been developing in Japan for several years, with agents in Kyoto, Osaka, Edo, Gifu, Sendai, Kumamoto, and other places."

"I am, after all, an envoy, and it is unlikely that Toyotomi Hideyoshi would kill an envoy. On the contrary, you are going to lead an army to invade the Japanese mainland, and you also want to go ashore to plunder and rescue Han Chinese slaves. You will definitely have to fight the Japanese army, so you should pay more attention to your safety."

Ning Caiwei said, "You've gone deep into the tiger's den, while I've only managed to get ashore once. I still have over ten thousand soldiers, warships, and cannons with me. How can you compare to me?"

"Alright," Ning Qingchen said, "You all need to be careful. I hope you come back safely. One of you is leaving today, and the other is leaving in three days. Even Xiao Hei is gone, leaving me all alone at home..."

After saying that, she lowered her head.

Zhu Yin stroked Ning Qingchen's hair bun, "Don't worry, Physician Ning, we will definitely return safely. We'll be reunited in three or four months at most. After we leave, you should manage Qingchen Medical College well, and hopefully see results next year."

Ning Qingchen suddenly opened her little arms and hugged Zhu Yin, saying in a slightly affectionate tone, "Little tiger, you must take good care of yourself..."

The little girl was reluctant to part with Zhu Yin, fearing that he might never return.

Zhu Yin patted Ning Qingchen on the back and said with a hint of reluctance, "Don't be willful at home. Discuss everything with Yunniang. If anything happens, go to Grand Secretary Shen."

Ning Qingchen then released Zhu Yin, but tears streamed down her face.

Zhu Yin opened his arms again and looked at Ning Caiwei.

Ning Caiwei opened her arms, and the two embraced. Sensing each other's familiar presence, neither spoke for a moment, simply holding each other in silence.

After a long while, the two finally spoke.

"treasure."

"Okay. You too."

"Ah."

Will we meet in Japan?

"Hard to say, maybe."

Their voices grew softer and softer until they were practically whispering in each other's ears.

"Remember what I said. In the event... in the event that I don't come back, you must immediately take Qingchen and head to Jingzhou."

"Little tiger..."

"Caiwei, if I really die, you have to accept reality. You're a strong woman; you have to live bravely..."

"Alright. But remember my words: if I don't come back, you'll raise Qingchen and marry her later..."

"Hehe, let's not talk about that anymore, it's bad luck. What perfume are you wearing today? It's a bit unusual."

"I didn't use any incense, and I forgot to bring a sachet."

"Alright. There's one more thing. Wu Xie has been following the delegation, and he's been following me too."

"Really? What does she want?" "Most likely she wants to go out to sea with me, but she probably means no harm. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing..."

The two chattered for a while before letting go of each other. Only then did they notice Ning Qingchen rolling her eyes with an unhappy expression.

"Keep hugging and whispering sweet nothings, why aren't you being all lovey-dovey anymore? Newlyweds, so inseparable. Are you treating me like I'm invisible? Aren't you afraid of being seen by outsiders? Heh."

The two were already used to the little girl's sarcastic and sharp tongue, and neither of them minded it at all.

"Let's go." Ning Caiwei helped Zhu Yin straighten his hat.

"Let's go." Zhu Yin took the opportunity to kiss her forehead.

Fortunately, they were on the platform at that moment, and apart from Ning Qingchen, there was no one else present. No one else had the chance to witness the intimacy and reluctance of the young couple as they parted.

Zhu Yin left the post station and saw Zheng Guowang addressing his sixty personal guards:
"This trip to Japan may be our last, or we may face certain death! If any of you are cowards who fear death, and you still have time to back out, I will not blame you!"

"But if I go to Japan and can't serve my country to the death, then don't blame me."

Sixty men knelt down, leaning on their swords, and roared like thunder: "We swear to protect Fourth Master to the death! If Fourth Master commands us, we will risk our lives!"

Zhu Yin's personal guards watched this scene with grim expressions. They uttered no grand words, but their will to die for their lord was already ingrained in their very bones.

The Zhu family's strongest guards, Lan Cha and Ding Hongying, escorted Zhu Yin to Japan. These two alone were worth a hundred men.

The worst-case scenario is that even if it means fighting our way out, we must protect our lord, break through the encirclement, seize a ship, and escape Japan.

Xu Wei, dressed in a light robe and wearing a Taoist headscarf, stepped forward and said in a low voice, "My lord, although the deputy envoy is a member of the Zheng family, his sixty elite soldiers are quite capable and can be useful in critical moments."

Zhu Yin knew what was going on and nodded, saying, "I will cooperate with her and give her some face. I won't let personal grudges ruin important matters."

He didn't care about Zheng Guowang, but he did care about Zheng Guowang's sixty private soldiers. These men were all servants of the Zheng family who had been bought with life contracts, and they were a force to be reckoned with.

After Zheng Guowang finished speaking, he said to Zhu Yin, "Imperial Envoy, everyone is ready. Shall we set off?"

Zhu Yin nodded and said, "If the Vice Envoy has nothing else to say, then let's set off."

As a result, the delegation, which had grown considerably, left Luhe Post Station and continued northward.

In Zhu Yin's car, there was also a large, shiny black dog: Black Tiger.

Xiao Hei might play an important role on this trip to Japan.

On the platform of the post station, the Ning sisters watched the delegation's procession recede into the distance, and the little tiger gradually disappear from view. They were both reluctant to part with it, and their expressions were melancholy.

Ning Caiwei's feelings were extremely complicated. She had parted ways with Zhu Yin today, and in three days she would have to part ways with her sister.

Two kinds of sorrow!

Suddenly, Ning Caiwei noticed a boy riding a donkey following not too far behind the delegation.

It must be Wu You.

Why is this girl disguised as a boy following the little tiger? Could she be a lovesick girl who's taken a liking to the little tiger?
……

The official road to the north was smooth and easy, and with the clear autumn weather, the mission moved quickly.

By dusk, they had just arrived at Yuyang Post Station.

Outside Yuyang Post Station, autumn grasses slanted in the setting sun. On a small hillside stood a group of imposing men with shaved heads and braided hair, speaking in a rough and harsh Jurchen language, laughing merrily.

The first Jurchen noblewoman, with an unusually tall and imposing figure, was none other than Nurhaci.

Nurhaci and his generals Eidu and Feiyangu left the capital early this morning and have been waiting for Zhu Yin at Yuyang Post Station for more than an hour.

"Little Tiger Brother!" Nurhaci exclaimed joyfully upon seeing the delegation, speaking in Jurchen.

This was something the two of them had agreed upon.

"Brother Wild Boar Skin!" Zhu Yin got off the carriage and placed the envoy's token on it. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"It's only been a little over an hour!" Nurhaci laughed. "Little Tiger, this time your brother can finally go with you to see the Fusang Kingdom."

As he said this, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

He was an adventurer who had personally fought many battles and survived countless near-death experiences, not yet the powerful and wealthy Khan he would later become. Hearing from Zhu Yin that Japan was a lucrative and promising place, he had long been itching to get involved.

He already knew the principle of not killing envoys in times of war from the novel *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*. He also didn't think that an envoy from the mighty Ming Dynasty would be in any danger going to Japan.

Zhu Yin glanced at the Jurchen warrior and asked, "Brother Wild Boar Skin, how many men did you bring?"

Nurhaci said, "There are 136 people who came with me to the capital to pay tribute. Apart from 18 people who went back to Jianzhou to report the news, there are 118 people here including me. Don't underestimate the number of people. Half of the bravest and strongest warriors in Jianzhou are here."

Zhu Yin took a look and indeed saw that all of the more than one hundred people were burly and imposing, exuding a fierce aura; it was clear at a glance that they were all ruthless individuals.

Although the Later Jin's most elite Baiya La soldiers were few in number, they still numbered over two thousand. Their individual combat strength was certainly not as formidable as those of the hundred or so Jurchen warriors.

These people were Nurhaci's most elite personal guards, the backbone of the future Eight Banners army, and the future generals. They were the officer corps of the Later Jin.

If these people had perished in Japan, Nurhaci's great cause of establishing the nation would have been greatly affected.

While Zhu Yin harbored this rather unkind thought, he put on an extremely friendly smile and said:
"More than a hundred Jurchen warriors could not stop a thousand Japanese pirates. When they go to Japan, I'm really afraid the warriors will be unable to resist robbing Japan's gold and silver treasures."

Nurhaci was very pleased to hear this and laughed heartily:

“If the Japanese pirates were really that useless, even if they didn’t dare to rob them in Japan, they would still lead troops to rob them after returning home. Didn’t you say that the Jurchen ancestors crossed the sea to rob them before? At worst, we can just rob them again.”

At this time, Nurhaci truly had no intention of rebelling against the Ming Dynasty and establishing a new state. His thinking was still relatively simple and straightforward. His current goal was simply to unify the Jianzhou tribe, rival the Yehe and Hada tribes, and become one of the powerful Jurchen states.

Let alone rebelling against the Ming Dynasty and establishing a new state, he didn't even dare to think about unifying the entire Jurchen tribe.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have led over a hundred of his most valuable core followers to Japan with Zhu Yin.

The more than one hundred Jurchen warriors, almost all of whom knew Zhu Yin, were very happy and couldn't wait to follow their beloved prince to Japan to see how wealthy it was and how beautiful the women were.

Zheng Guowang frowned as he saw Nurhaci and other Jurchens so familiar with Zhu Yin.

However, Zhu Yin and Nurhaci both spoke Jurchen, which she couldn't understand at all.

She couldn't help but step forward, pull Zhu Yin aside, and whisper:
“Your Excellency, you are the chief envoy, the imperial commissioner. Normally, I shouldn't interfere. However…”

"How come you are so familiar with these Jurchens? What are you talking about? It seems they are going to accompany us on our mission to Japan? Your Excellency should understand that those who are not of our race will surely have different intentions!"

(End of this chapter)