Zhu Yuanzhang: My second son is invincible!

On the 23rd day of the 11th month of the tenth year of Hongwu (1388), in Yingtian Prefecture.

News of the Northern Expeditionary Army's triumphant return reached the capital the day before yesterday.

Although it was called a large army, the main force was still on its way back. However, Xu Da sent a battle report back by express courier, not to claim credit, but to request instructions.

The battle report contained only three lines.

"His Highness Prince Wu captured Wang Baobao and 47 of his generals on horseback. The main force of the Northern Yuan was routed. Your subject Xu Da has taken over Karakorum and is escorting the prisoners back south."

Furthermore, His Highness has already returned on a golden-winged roc, and is expected to arrive in the capital today.

After Zhu Yuanzhang read the battle report aloud in the Fengtian Hall, the entire court was completely silent.

After a long pause, Li Shanchang stepped forward shakily and asked, "Your Majesty, what kind of tactic is General Xu referring to when he said he captured Wang Baobao single-handedly?"

"It means exactly what it says. Li'er flew over alone, knocked Wang Baobao unconscious, and carried him back," Zhu Yuanzhang said after throwing the battle report onto the table.

A collective gasp filled the hall.

"That Golden-Winged Roc... was the one that the King of Wu captured in the north," Liu Bowen said, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"Now it's Li'er's mount." Zhu Yuanzhang said, a smile involuntarily creeping onto his lips.

Zhu Biao stood below the imperial throne, his eyes downcast, but in his mind he was calculating the time.

My second brother said he'll be back today; judging by Dapeng's speed, he should be here soon.

Sure enough, at three-quarters past Chen hour, exclamations came from outside the palace.

"There's something in the sky!"

"Golden...and huge!"

Zhu Yuanzhang got up and walked out, and the officials hurriedly followed.

Outside the Fengtian Hall, the Imperial Guards were already in formation, with archers pointing nervously at the sky.

Zhu Biao walked quickly to Zhu Yuanzhang's side and looked up.

The clouds parted, and a giant golden bird swooped down, its wingspan blotting out the sky.

On the bird's back, a young man in a blue robe carried an axe in one hand and... a person who was tied up like a dumpling in the other.

"Father! Big brother! I'm back!" Zhu Li waved from the bird's back.

Daikin landed steadily and folded its wings.

Zhu Li jumped down, threw the unconscious Wang Baobao to the ground, clapped his hands and said, "We've caught him, along with forty-seven others. Da Jin couldn't carry them all at once, so Uncle Xu is escorting them from behind."

Zhu Yuanzhang walked over, nudged Wang Baobao's face with his toe to confirm it was him, and then laughed heartily.

"Good! Good lad! You've made us proud!"

Zhu Biao smiled and stepped forward to examine Zhu Hui closely, asking, "Are you alright?"

"No, I just moved my hand slightly and they fainted," Zhu Li said honestly.

Liu Bowen walked over, circled the giant Jin bird twice, and exclaimed in amazement, "How did Your Highness tame this bird?"

"They've beaten me into submission," Zhu Hui said succinctly.

Da Jin obediently lowered his head, allowing Zhu Li to touch his feathered crest.

The ministers watched this scene with mixed feelings.

Some people were thinking about who should be credited for the Northern Expedition, some were wondering just how capable Prince Wu really was, and others... such as a few veteran generals from Huaixi, had already begun to plan how to build a relationship with this future war god.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in high spirits and immediately issued an edict: "Issue the decree that Wang Baobao be imprisoned in the imperial prison. He will be rewarded together with Xu Da upon his return. Court is adjourned today, and a banquet will be held!"

"Dad, wait a minute, I need to go home first and see Old Man Zheng and the others," Zhu Li suddenly said.

Zhu Yuanzhang was taken aback, then nodded and said, "We should go. Go ahead, bring them to the palace for dinner tonight."

"Yes," Zhu Hui responded, then flipped over and climbed back onto the bird's back.

The golden dragon took flight and disappeared outside the palace walls in the blink of an eye.

Zhu Biao gazed at the sky and whispered to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Father, my second brother's pure and innocent heart is truly rare."

"Yes, so we have to protect them well, Biao'er. As for those prisoners... you handle it." Zhu Yuanzhang patted his eldest son on the shoulder and laughed.

"Your subject understands." Zhu Biao smiled, but his eyes turned cold.

Wang Baobao cannot be kept. As for those Northern Yuan generals... let's see if any of them are willing to surrender.

As for those in the court who have been restless lately, privately discussing how the King of Wu's achievements have overshadowed the emperor... it's time to give them a warning.

……

The Wu Prince's Mansion is located on the west side of the Imperial City. It was originally the residence of a prince from the previous dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang bestowed it upon Zhu Hui and expanded it, but Zhu Hui thought it was too big and only lived in a small courtyard on the east side.

When Da Jin landed in the backyard, it startled the old housekeeper, Uncle Fu, who was sweeping the floor.

"Your Highness...Your Highness is back?"

"Uncle Fu, where are Old Man Zheng and the others?" Zhu Li jumped down and asked.

"She's in the side courtyard! Miss Daya is off from school today and is insisting on going out to buy sugar figurines..."

Since Zhu Li was assassinated last time, he has brought Zheng Dazhu and the other two to his palace, since there are guards protecting him there.

That way he can go out with peace of mind.

Before she could finish speaking, the side courtyard door was pushed open with a "bang," and eight-year-old Zheng Daya rushed out like a small cannonball.

"elder brother!"

Zhu Li bent down to catch his younger sister, lifted her up with one hand, and spun her around.

"It's too heavy."

"I've grown taller! Brother, I heard you brought back the prince from Beiyuan?" Zheng Daya said, her eyes sparkling as she hugged his neck.

"Yeah, it was just something I did."

Zheng Dazhu and Zheng Huangshi came out of the house. The old couple were dressed in silk clothes, but their manners were still those of simple country folk.

"Liu'er, are you alright?" Madam Zheng pulled Zhu Liu up and down to check her over.

"No, Mother, I'm fine," Zhu Li said with a simple smile.

Zheng Dazhu rubbed his hands and said, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back... Did your royal father say anything to you?"

"Father is very happy and wants us to have dinner at the palace tonight."

Zheng Dazhu breathed a sigh of relief.

After the elderly couple moved to Yingtian, Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma personally received them, bestowed upon them a house and land, and even allowed Zheng Daya to study at the official school.

However, Zheng Dazhu always remembered his identity and never dared to act as if he were an imperial relative, for fear of causing trouble for Zhu Hui.

……

The banquet was held in a side hall of the Kunning Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma sat in the main seats, with Zhu Biao and Lady Chang on their left, along with four-year-old Zhu Xiong Ying.

As soon as the little guy saw Zhu Hui, he rushed over and exclaimed, "Second Uncle! Big bird! I want to see the big bird!"

Zhu Hui picked him up and said, "We'll see tomorrow. Da Jin is tired today."

"Oh...give it to Second Uncle. Mother said Second Uncle worked hard fighting bad guys." Zhu Xiong Ying nodded obediently, then took out a piece of candy from her pocket and handed it to Zhu Li.

Zhu Hui felt a warmth in her heart, took the candy, and put it in her mouth.

Zheng Dazhu's family was seated next to Zhu Li, and the elderly couple were so nervous that they didn't know where to put their hands.

Seeing this, Empress Ma personally came over to serve food to Madam Zheng, saying, "Elder sister, don't be so formal, this is just a simple meal at home."

Zheng Huangshi was flattered and repeatedly agreed.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a great mood, drank three cups of wine, and became quite talkative.

"Li'er, you've made the greatest contribution in this Northern Expedition. Just tell me what reward you want!"

Zhu Hui was gnawing on a chicken leg when he heard this. He looked up and said, "Father, I don't want a reward, but... could you please have Uncle Xu and the others come back soon? It's cold outside, and they're suffering."

The table was quiet.

Zhu Biao suddenly smiled: "Second brother, don't worry, General Xu is already on his way back and will arrive in ten days at most."

"That's good." Zhu Li continued gnawing on her chicken leg.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his son, his eyes filled with both satisfaction and emotion.

This child is too innocent.