Di Ming

Chapter 304 Should I be happy...?
Zhu Yin was the 23rd generation descendant of the Ming Taizu. He remembered that the ancestors recorded in the family history went back 14 generations to Wu Lu.

Wu Lu, a ninth-generation descendant of Emperor Taizu, secretly known as Zhu Dajun, was of the same generation as the current emperor, Zhu Yijun.

To be on the safe side, Zhu Yin still asked, "What's your father's name?"

Without hesitation, Wu You replied, "My late father, Wu Shao, passed away eight years ago."

Wu You actually had another very important thing to say, but she couldn't bring herself to say it. She wanted to say that her surname was Zhu, which happened to be the same as Zhu Yin's.

But this is a family secret. From the time they can remember, they must swear an oath never to reveal their family's true surname, and can only use the surname Wu to refer to themselves.

Only those listed in the family genealogy can bear the surname Zhu.

She also knew a secret: she was a descendant of the Ming Dynasty's founding emperor, the Jianwen Emperor.

She couldn't tell Zhu Yin any of this. Besides that, she had said everything she needed to say.

Zhu Yin had no more doubts. Wu You was his ancestor and clansman, and her missing brother Wu Lu was his ancestor!

According to family history, Wu Lu's father was Wu Shao, an eighth-generation descendant of Emperor Taizu, whose real name was Zhu Wucheng.

Zhu Yin has no intention of acknowledging her for the time being. Even if they were to acknowledge each other, it would only be as peers.

“Alright, I believe you.” Zhu Yin’s tone softened. “Even if I look like your brother, how can you be sure I’ll accept you? I don’t have a sister who looks like you.”

Wu You lowered her head. "I've inquired and learned that your father was also a Chinese who returned from overseas. Since you have no other blood relatives, they might accept me. Having a sister is better than having none..."

At this point, she also stopped talking.

Because she already suspected that Zhu Yin might be a member of her clan, and that it wasn't just because he looked like her brother.

The Wu family is a large clan in Southeast Asia, having expanded into five branches. She didn't recognize many of the clan members. She suspected that Zhu Yin's father belonged to one of these branches, a member who had fled back to the Central Plains eight years ago during a major family upheaval.

Therefore, she wanted to recognize Zhu Yin as her brother not only because of his appearance, but also because she genuinely suspected that Zhu Yin was from the same clan.

What a coincidence! They look alike, both returned from overseas, and both share the surname Zhu.

That's most likely it.

The only thing that troubled her was that she wasn't sure of Zhu Yin's generation. If Zhu Yin was indeed a member of the clan, he could be her elder, or he could be a peer or a junior.

Therefore, the best approach is to treat them as peers.

But Zhu Yin laughed and said, "Your reason is not bad. I do need a younger sister. Since I look like your older brother and you want to acknowledge me, then be my younger sister. We are destined to be together."

Overjoyed, Wu You quickly bowed again, saying, "Younger sister greets elder brother. I am fifteen years old; my birthday is October 16th..."

Zhu Yin said, "No need for formalities. Since we are siblings, there's no need for formalities. My birthday is on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, so I'm half a year older than you and am indeed your elder brother."

With tears welling up in her eyes, Wu You said, "Although I didn't find my biological brother, I did find a sworn brother. Heaven has taken pity on me, sob sob..."

Zhu Yin was filled with complex emotions. This was no girl; she was his great-aunt, who was more than ten generations older than him.

But now, all I can do is raise her as a girl.

She thought to herself, "If I really manage to conquer the world in the future, Wu You will be the eldest princess. As for Ancestor Wu Lu, he should at least be granted the title of prince."

Hongying quickly handed over a handkerchief to wipe Wu You's tears.

Zhu Yin asked his newly adopted sister to sit down, and then asked, "You want me to help you find your brother, and you also want to go to Japan with me?"

Wu You nodded and said, "To be honest, brother, I do want to ask for your help in finding my brother..."

Zhu Yin nodded without hesitation, "Don't worry, I will do my best in this matter. If I can't find it in one year, I'll search for two years; if I can't find it in two years, I'll search for three years, until I find it."

Wu You was deeply moved, never expecting that his freshly born brother would be so heartwarming!
Dear brother!
"Thank you, brother." Wu You smiled through her tears. "I want to go to Japan to ask that Chinese ninja who called himself Hattori Shunju what his mission was and who he was supposed to assassinate."

Zhu Yin agreed, saying, "That's right. Only by finding the assassination target can we trace the whereabouts of your brother Wu Lu. It's very likely that after the assassination failed, he fell into the enemy's hands."

“Come with me to Japan, and I’ll help you investigate. You ran away before, and if you go back to find your master now, I’m afraid you’ll never come back.”

Wu You was very happy. "I won't thank you, brother. You're so kind. I won't hide it from you, brother. I know ninjutsu, and I've studied kendo, hidden weapons, stealth, disguise, and espionage... Moreover, I'm quite familiar with Japan. I hope I can help you in some way."

She told Zhu Yin that she was valuable and not just someone who would do nothing.

Zhu Yin smiled and said, "The methods of ninjutsu are still a bit too insidious, though not entirely useless. However, you can't act recklessly or take unnecessary risks, understand?"

"Yes!" Wu You replied obediently. "I will definitely be good and stay by your side unless you give me instructions. I will never cause you any trouble."

Now that she had finally achieved her wish of recognizing Zhu Yin as her brother, she was no longer lonely and immediately felt at ease.

It's so good to have this sense of security and support.

Zhu Yin saw through her thoughts and his tone became even gentler and kinder, "Why don't you go stay in the next room? I'll have someone send you a couple more sets of clothes."

Zhu Yin was quite concerned about this "sister" who had suddenly appeared on his door.

Even Ding Hongying was a little puzzled as to why Uncle Hu believed the girl's bizarre story so easily. Could the story be true?

It's also strange why Uncle Tiger is so friendly to Wu You.

Uncle Tiger isn't a lecherous man. Clearly, he's not after Wu You's beauty. So why is he? Could it be that Uncle Tiger has no siblings and wants one too?
If that's the case, then the two really do have a sibling relationship. Hopefully, Wu You, who is skilled in ninjutsu, will be grateful and won't have any ulterior motives to harm Uncle Tiger.

After Wu You was settled in by Zhu Yin, Ding Hongying couldn't help but remind him:

"Uncle Tiger, your sister's origins are unknown, her identity is mysterious, and she's also skilled in ninjutsu. Uncle Tiger, keep her by your side..."

Zhu Yin said, "I know your concerns. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. She is indeed not an ordinary woman, but she has no ill intentions towards me. Besides, she will definitely be able to help me when she goes to Japan."

Ding Hongying laughed and said, "Since Uncle Hu says so, then she must be reliable. I don't want to worry about her anymore."

Zhu Yin instructed, "You and she are both women on this journey, so you need to take care of her."

Ding Hongying replied, "I understand."

After Ding Hongying left the room, Zhu Yin couldn't help but drift into a reverie.

Less than ten years after the Wu family's downfall, many of their members had scattered throughout Southeast Asia. If they could be organized, they would be a great asset and would make it easier to control Southeast Asia.

In Zhu Yin's grand vision for the future, the Southeast Asian strategy was a major step. However, Southeast Asia was vast, with a large indigenous population and Western colonial influence. Controlling Southeast Asia would be no easy task.

The Chinese community in Southeast Asia is a natural ally. Moreover, he himself comes from the Wu clan in Southeast Asia.

Wouldn't it be foolish not to use this kinship force?

Meanwhile, Wu You was staying in a warm and comfortable inn room, lying in a soft quilt, and felt a little unreal.

Mr. Chikara has really accepted her as his younger sister.

From now on, I finally have a support system and a new home!

……

The mission left Yuyang Post Station early the next morning and continued north.

Along the way, we passed the Luan River, the Bai River, and the Yanshan Mountains, and saw villages, military forts, and beacon towers.

On the wide, flat official road, many wagons carrying grain and supplies were continuously heading towards Liaodong. And there were also troop formations, their banners clearly visible, marching towards the borderlands.

The tense atmosphere of a major battle was palpable.

In late October, the wind in the Yan and Zhao regions was already cold. The fields were desolate, the autumn grass was withered, the trees were bleak, and the frost was biting.

But the newly planted wheat, like huge pieces of jade, is inlaid on the northern plains, its green so vibrant it's intoxicating, making the cold autumn of the north feel like spring has returned, fresh and bright.

Amidst the rising smoke from the farmhouses, farmers lead their oxen along the field ridges, heading home contentedly as the sun sets.

The children, dismissed from school, returned home in twos and threes, some chasing and playing, others reciting poems. Zhu Yin, on his carriage, witnessed this scene and couldn't help but feel moved.

This was the last peaceful period of the late Ming Dynasty, the last glimmer of glory for the empire in over two hundred years.

With Wanli Emperor's negligence in governance, the late Ming Dynasty's politics deteriorated completely, with frequent bad policies, increasingly harsh taxes, and the world falling into an abyss, causing the people's livelihood to plummet.

Decades later, when foreign invaders swarmed in, seized land, forced people to shave their heads and change their clothes, and left countless bones under their swords, leaving nine out of ten houses empty, what a sight it was.

Zhu Yin, feeling something in his heart, naturally recited:
"The wheat seedlings grow luxuriantly, glistening with autumn dew. They toil year-round, solemnly bearing the frost. The land of kings and fertile fields, how desolate it is! My heart is filled with sorrow, the millet grows wild with anxiety..."

Upon hearing this, Xu Wei nodded and sighed, "Our lord has compassion for the common people and cares deeply for the world. His lament over the wheat and his sorrow over the millet are truly heart-wrenching."

"This poem blends the scene of autumn harvest with the hardships of the common people, vividly depicting the labor under frosty skies, and conveying the rise and fall of the nation in just a few words. It can be described as a work of profound emotion and sincerity. (This is for dramatic effect, not self-praise.)"

Zhu Yin said in a low voice, "The landscape was so peaceful and beautiful, but I don't know when it was shattered and its splendor faded. Alas, the world is like this setting sun."

Xu Wei also said in a low voice, "After the sunset, there will always be a sunrise. The long night has fallen, but a new day will come. My lord, although the golden age is about to end, it may not be a bad opportunity for you."

Zhu Yin sighed, "I am a quiet person by nature. How I long to wander leisurely in the woods, content and carefree, living the life of a leisurely nobleman. But fate is cruel, alas!"

Xu Wei smiled slightly, thinking to himself: My lord, when have you ever been a quiet person? This is not the truth.

Our lord can be described as extremely loyal, extremely benevolent, and also extremely treacherous. But he is by no means a quiet person.

Xu Wei pointed to the distant green mountains and laughed heartily:
"My lord, that is the end of Yanshan Mountain, facing the sea to the east, which is Jieshi Mountain. When the First Emperor toured the east, he built the Jieshi Gate to bid farewell. Emperor Wu built the Hanwu Terrace, Cao Cao composed the poem 'Viewing the Sea,' and Emperor Taizong also climbed it and composed a poem when he campaigned against Goguryeo."

As Xu Wei spoke, his eyes shone brightly, and he appeared energetic despite his advanced age, as if he were preparing for a fight.

Zhu Yin softly recited: "The Yanshan Mountains lie like a dragon in Youyan, the Great Wall stretches for ten thousand miles, yet no one returns. Who can compare to such a great achievement throughout the ages? There are still poems left behind when we look east to Jieshi."

“Mr. Wenchang, one day we must go to Jieshi Mountain, climb it and compose poems, so that the ancients will not monopolize our achievements.”

Xu Wei laughed and said, "If Heaven grants me more years, allowing me to live a few more years, I will disregard my old age and declining health to follow my lord to the eastern Jieshi Mountain to view the vast sea!"

Zhu Yin nodded with high spirits, "Good! Mr. Wenchang keeps his word. When we ascend to the sea, I would like to ask you to paint a picture and leave behind a masterpiece that will be famous for all time... The Sea and the Rocks!"

……

When you reach the vicinity of Shanhaiguan, near the coast, there are vast sandbars and salt fields.

The salt producers who boil seawater for salt work in the salt fields just like farmers in the farmland, with the smoke from their salt-boiling operations rising like clouds.

This place is inhabited by soldiers and civilians, and merchants and travelers come and go. The roads are constantly bustling with carriages and people, and you can often come across market towns and shops. It is full of the unique prosperity of this important border town, with a rugged and grand atmosphere.

After passing Shanhaiguan, we arrived at Liaoyang... Phoenix City... Zhenjiang Fort.

The delegation consisted of only a few hundred people, all on horseback, so they traveled very quickly. After half a month of trekking, they covered 1,600 li (approximately 700 kilometers) and finally arrived at the Yalu River.

The mighty river stretched out before us, its waters surging. On the north bank, military camps were densely packed, with Ming troops being mobilized and assembled everywhere, and civilians transporting provisions.

The Ming army that came to gather numbered at least 30,000 to 40,000 soldiers, and their banners were truly like a forest.

Across the river lies Uiju in North Pyongan Province of Korea, separated from the Ming Dynasty by only a river.

Meanwhile, the current King of Joseon is in a state of "hunt" in Uiju across the river, living in constant fear. He only managed to avoid crossing the river into Ming territory because of his last shred of pitiful pride.

However, every few days, the Liaodong governor in Jiangbei would send people to deliver food relief to the Korean king and his officials on the other side of the river.

Without food from the Ming Dynasty, the Korean king and his officials would likely starve to death long ago.

The Ming army's central camp, which was preparing to enter Korea, was located in Zhenjiang City on the banks of the Yalu River.

At this time, Hao Jie, the Governor-General of Jiliao, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, Anti-Japanese Pirate Commissioner, and Imperial Commissioner, and Yang Shaoxun, the General of Liaodong and Imperial Commissioner for Anti-Japanese Pirate Military Affairs, were both defending the Yalu River in Zhenjiang City and consolidating the Ming army that had come to gather.

Further north, in Jiuliancheng, the governor of Liaodong was stationed.

Of the three leaders who were preparing to enter the capital, only the eunuch supervisor Gao Huai had not yet arrived.

Hao Jie was indeed an imperial envoy, but Zhu Yin was also an imperial envoy. His official position was Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, a third-rank official. Zhu Yin's official position was Right Vice Minister of War, also a third-rank official.

Moreover, Zhu Yin also held the title of Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, a first-rank official!

Logically, since the delegation crossed the river from Zhenjiang City, Hao Jie, as the "host," should have come out of the city to greet them.

Even disregarding the prestige of being both imperial envoys, just considering the title of "Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince," Hao Jie, who was so close by, should have personally come out to greet him.

However, neither Hao Jie nor Yang Shaoxun came out to greet them; they only sent a military officer to escort the delegation across the river.

"This humble general, Wang Ke, has come to welcome the Imperial Guardian and respectfully escort the Imperial Guardian and his delegation across the river, by order of the Governor-General and the Commander-in-Chief."

Wang Canjiang knelt on the ground, his body trembling slightly, not daring to look up at Zhu Yin.

Zhu Yin's smile immediately faded.

"What's going on!" Deputy Envoy Zheng Guowang shouted. "The Grand Secretary is the Vice Minister of War and the Imperial Envoy to Japan! He is carrying the imperial insignia! Why are General Hao and Commander Yang not coming out of the city to personally welcome him!"

She was the deputy envoy. If Zhu Yin was treated poorly, then the entire mission was treated poorly, and she was naturally treated poorly as well.

Wang Canzan, with a mournful face, prostrated himself on the ground and weakly said:

"Reporting to you, my lord, the Grand General is unwell and is recuperating. The Military Commissioner... is busy with official duties and has no time to meet with you."

He knew the reason, of course, but dared not say it!
General Yang was indeed feeling unwell, but not from illness. He had been with several beautiful Korean women sent by the King of Korea the previous night and had gotten completely drunk, so he was still unconscious.

How can I get up to greet them? Can't I greet them in my dreams?
Wang Ke was naturally aware of the thoughts of the military commissioner Hao Jie.

Hao Jie was a staunch advocate of war and a strong opponent of peace talks with Japan. What angered him even more was that the mission passed through Liaodong!

The army was about to enter Korea, and the soldiers were all watching, holding their breath with bated breath, when suddenly the delegation that was going to Japan for peace talks arrived!

What were the soldiers supposed to think? Would the imperial court be determined to send troops, or would it strongly advocate for peace talks?

Leaving a way out is not wrong; even if defeated, negotiations are the only option. But at this point, before even sending troops, the court has already dispatched Zhu Yin to Japan for peace talks. What about morale?

The court's ambivalent approach, while seemingly secure, actually undermines the morale of the army entering the capital!
Enraged, Hao Jie simply refused to come out to greet them, telling the delegation to get lost and not to stay in the city.

He couldn't change the fact that the court had sent an envoy, but he could choose not to personally greet them and refuse to let them in. He wanted to make his stance clear to his soldiers.

We are determined to fight!

Zheng Guowang was furious upon hearing this. "Outrageous! What are they doing! Are they indulging in pleasure and too lazy to leave the city? I will impeach them! Go back and tell them to open the city gates and let us in! Do they expect us to camp in the open? Do they have no regard for the dignity of an imperial envoy?"

"Vice Envoy, please calm down," Zhu Yin said without any anger. "Since it is inconvenient for General Hao and Commander Yang to come out to greet us, let's cross the river directly and rest in Yizhou."

By this time, he had already guessed why Hao Jie was unwilling to come out to greet him.

He was too lazy to compete with Hao Jie.

At worst, I won't enter the city; I'll just cross the river. If you don't welcome me, I don't even want to see you.

Wang Ke breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had been granted a pardon, and quickly said, "Thank you for your understanding, Your Excellency! This humble general will immediately dispatch a boat to escort Your Excellency across the river!"

Several large ships were quickly prepared.

Zhu Yin and his entourage boarded the ship and soon saw the Joseon King's temporary residence on the opposite side.

When the Korean king and his officials saw several large ships approaching from the opposite bank, flying the flags of the imperial envoy, they all went to the riverbank to greet them.

Before Zhu Yin's large ship had even reached the shore, a king dressed in the robes of a prince on the south bank couldn't help but weep into the river in Korean:
"The Ming Dynasty soldiers didn't come... but the envoys who were supposed to negotiate peace with Japan did!"

"Waaah, should I be happy...smida?"

P.S.: The King of Joseon was speaking to the Yalu River, not to his subjects, so I think using "Seokmida" is fine. Don't laugh if I used it wrong, don't take it seriously. Thank you, goodnight, and please vote!
(End of this chapter)