Great Ming Dynasty! I am Zhu Biao's invincible second brother!

Zhu Biao's eyes were full of worry and confusion:

"Don't do anything foolish, come with us! Father has arranged everything!"

Zhu Mu turned around, his gaze calm yet sharp. He looked at his elder brother and asked in a deep voice:

"Brother, do you think that with just my cousin Wenzheng and General Deng Yu, we can defend this city?"

Zhu Biao remained silent.

Although he was young, he was well-versed in military strategy and knew the desperate extent of the disparity in troop strength between the two sides.

In theory, Hongdu has absolutely no chance of being defended.

Seeing the hesitation on his brother's face, Zhu Mu forcefully shook off his hand, his tone resolute:

"I must stay! Brother, think about it, in such a desperate situation, what could be more inspiring than our father's own son staying here to live and die with the soldiers and the people?"

He said, slowly and deliberately:

"If I stay here, the morale of the soldiers and civilians will soar to unprecedented heights! As direct descendants of our father, one of us must remain here to inspire the people and create miracles!"

"No! I absolutely won't allow it! It's too dangerous!"

Zhu Biao refused to agree no matter what and held onto Zhu Mu tightly.

A hint of apology flashed in Zhu Mu's eyes as he whispered:

"Brother, I'm sorry."

Before he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist and delivered a precise chop to the back of Zhu Biao's neck.

Zhu Biao groaned and collapsed limply, but Zhu Mu caught him steadily and gently placed him back into the carriage.

After doing all this, Zhu Mu jumped off the carriage, hid in the shadows, and silently watched the convoy slowly drive away until it disappeared at the end of the street.

He turned and looked at the towering Hongdu city wall, his eyes resolute as iron.

In his mind, the system's task panel was flashing:

[Template Mission: Defend Hongdu City for one month (0/3). Reward: Randomly draw a character template for each completion.]

[Points Mission: Defend Hongdu City. Reward: 50000 points.]

"Although I know that Hongdu was not lost in history... I must stay."

Zhu Mu muttered to himself.

The template reward is secondary; the 50,000 points are the most important thing!

Over the past five years, he has worked diligently, but has only accumulated 12000 points.

The prospect of obtaining the hybrid rice technology that could change the course of global famine seems like an eternity.

He was unwilling and unable to accept that countless people in the future Ming Dynasty would starve to death.

He absolutely must get those 50,000 points!

Meanwhile, in the departing convoy, Zhu Biao, who had just regained consciousness, was extremely anxious and immediately reported what had happened to Zhu Yuanzhang and Ma Xiuying.

"My Mu'er!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Xiuying's vision went black, tears welled up in her eyes instantly, and she collapsed in the carriage, sobbing.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also struck as if by lightning, feeling dizzy and disoriented. He grabbed the side of the carriage to steady himself.

But after only a moment of panic, an indescribable sense of pride and joy welled up in his heart.

His bloodshot eyes gleamed with excitement as he slapped his thigh hard.

"Well said! Well said indeed! You truly are worthy of being the son of Zhu Yuanzhang!"

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his worries, and commanded Zhu Biao in a deep voice:

"Biao'er, take good care of your mother and take her to the back carriage to rest."

After Zhu Biao helped his mother leave, Zhu Yuanzhang sat alone in the carriage. He clenched his teeth, his fists were tightly clenched, and his body trembled slightly due to extreme emotional turmoil.

"We cannot let Mu'er down, nor can we let down every soldier and civilian in the city!"

He stared at the empty carriage, as if making a solemn pledge to himself.

"Go! Pass on my order: the entire army must speed up! The sooner we get back, the sooner they will be saved!"

He knew that for the sake of the bigger picture, he couldn't go back to find his son.

Given Zhu Mu's current skill and decisiveness, sending anyone back would absolutely not bring back that stubborn boy who could even knock out his own brother.

The only thing he can do now is to quickly gather his troops and fight his way back!

Go as quickly as possible to meet the son who chose to live and die with a lonely city!

……

Dark clouds loom over the city, threatening to crush it.

On the city wall of Hongdu, Zhu Wen was wearing heavy armor, his right hand gripping the hilt of his sword at his waist tightly, his knuckles white from the excessive force.

He tried his best to maintain his composure as the head coach, but his rapid breathing and slightly trembling eyes betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

Outside the city, Chen Youliang's 600,000-strong army stretched out like a yellow tide, with banners like a forest and swords and spears like waves of wheat. The dull and oppressive drumbeats sounded like the heartbeat of a giant, each one striking heavily on the hearts of the defending soldiers.

Despair, like the army formations outside the city, stretched as far as the eye could see.

"Cousin!"

A clear and steady voice came from behind me.

Zhu Wenzheng was startled and turned around abruptly.

When he saw who it was, all color drained from his face, and he cried out in shock:

"Young Master Mu... what are you doing here! Wasn't the Prince's carriage already..."

The visitor was none other than Zhu Mu.

He wore a set of soft armor that fit his body well, with a long sword hanging at his waist. The thirteen-year-old boy stood tall and straight like a pine tree. Facing the might of a million soldiers outside the city, there was no fear on his face, only a calmness and determination that was beyond his years.

"The carriage has already left; I stayed behind on my own."

Zhu Mu walked to Zhu Wenzheng's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him, their gazes also fixed on that suffocating yellow sea.

"Nonsense!"

Zhu Wenzheng was both surprised and anxious.

"Do you know how dangerous this situation is! You are of royal blood, a person of immeasurable value, how can you remain here! Guards, quickly..."

"Cousin, wait a moment."

Zhu Mu raised his hand to stop him.

"Tell me, what are your chances of winning this battle?"

Zhu Wenzheng's throat bobbed, and he uttered two words with difficulty:

"Less than... 10%".

"That means there isn't any left."

Zhu Mu's voice wasn't loud, but every word carried immense weight.

"The disparity in troop strength is overwhelming; the enemy outnumbers us, and morale is low. In this desperate situation, defense is futile. Cousin, what you lack isn't soldiers or provisions, but the will to unite the entire city's soldiers and civilians into a single force, willing to die for their cause!"

He turned his head, his eyes shining brightly as he stared directly at Zhu Wenzheng:

"I, Zhu Mu, the second son of Zhu Yuanzhang, will remain here and perish with Hongdu! I will provide this power!"

Zhu Wenzheng stared blankly at the young man before him. From his resolute gaze and resounding words, he seemed to see the shadow of Zhu Yuanzhang, the Prince of Wu.

That's a spirit that can turn the tide!

A surge of hot blood rushed from his chest to the top of his head, instantly dispelling all fear and despair.

He took a deep breath, no longer hesitating, and knelt on one knee before Zhu Mu, pounding his chest with his fist, his voice booming like thunder:

"This humble general, Zhu Wenzheng, is willing to serve the Second Prince as his commander! I will live and die with him, and swear to protect Hongdu!"

"good!"

Zhu Mu helped him up.

"Issue my order: beat the drums to gather the generals, and summon all capable soldiers in the city to the city walls!"

"Thump! Thump! Thump—!"

The mournful yet stirring sound of war drums resounded throughout Hongdu City.

Countless soldiers and able-bodied men, whose faces had been ashen, were summoned to the foot of the city wall.

They looked up at the young figure standing by the parapet, their eyes filled with confusion and unease.