Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

Just past the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), while it was still dark, the streets and alleys of Yingtian Prefecture were already dotted with lights.

But these lights weren't from shops opening or breakfast stalls setting up; they were from people carrying lanterns and torches, hurrying out of the city in groups of three or five.

No one was allowed to watch the military procession within the city. The Imperial Guards blocked the main streets before dawn, and no unauthorized personnel were allowed to linger.

As a result, the people of the whole city flocked to the suburbs to seize the best spots on both sides of the official road. The private rooms in teahouses and taverns were booked out three days in advance, and even the most remote outlying inns were full. Those who came later simply sat on the ground by the official road because there were no seats available.

There were so many people that the road was packed with people on both sides. A thin young man tried to squeeze forward through the crowd, but was pushed back by a burly man in front of him with an elbow. The young man clutched his chest and shouted, "What are you pushing for!"

The burly man didn't even turn his head, and retorted gruffly, "What's your hurry? In a rush to be reborn? You were the one who pushed me, okay?!"

The young man was about to hurl another insult when he suddenly heard the word "reincarnation." His eyes lit up, his anger subsided considerably, and he leaned forward: "Brother, speaking of reincarnation, could it be that you're here to see Prince Rui too?"

The burly man turned around, sized him up, and sneered, "Isn't that obvious? Who in the entire Yingtian Prefecture doesn't know that Prince Rui is the reincarnation of Yama? Look at all these people around here, aren't they all here to see Prince Rui? Look over there."

As he spoke, the burly man pointed over there, where several young people were having a lively discussion.

"Have you heard? This time, even the King of Hell himself is going on this expedition."

"What? The King of Hell? You mean Prince Rui, right!"

"Yes, yes, yes, it's our Ming Dynasty's immortal prince. Didn't the government issue a notice a few days ago? These past few days, the whole city has been talking about it, saying that Prince Rui will be going on the expedition. Today, I absolutely have to see what our Ming Dynasty's Prince Rui looks like."

Beside them were several well-dressed servants who were clearly not their masters, standing on tiptoe and peering toward the main road. These were servants sent by various mansions, since the young ladies of the mansions could not leave their homes, so they were sent to see what Prince Rui looked like so they could tell them in detail when they got back.

It's simply because the Ming Dynasty didn't allow the private possession of princes' portraits; otherwise, portraits, posters, and related merchandise of our Prince Rui would have been everywhere. Of course, if printing portraits freely were allowed, the most popular items would probably be underground products.

Then the burly man, as if sharing some treasure, spoke with a sense of superiority, "Let me tell you, everyone in the city treats Prince Rui like a god. Old Wang, the tofu seller next door, keeps a memorial tablet for Prince Rui at home every day, saying it's more effective than worshipping a Bodhisattva. If you also want to curry favor with Prince Rui, hurry up and kowtow when he passes by later, maybe it will add a few years to your lifespan."

There are quite a few people like Lao Wang. After all, ever since Prince Rui manifested his divine power in Yingtian Prefecture, everyone has been paying close attention to news about him, which can be considered a kind of ancient star-chasing.

But everyone was true to their word, and no one in the city dared to say a single bad word about Prince Rui, openly or secretly. They even had to chant "Amitabha" to atone for their sins if they were just muttering to themselves.

After all, your brother is the King of Looks, while my brother is the King of Hell.

Therefore, many people secretly enshrined Prince Rui's longevity tablet at home. However, due to Zhu Di's subtle attitude, the government turned a blind eye, mostly keeping it to themselves. As long as you didn't use Prince Rui's name to seek personal gain, they didn't care.

The incense and candle shops in Yingtian Prefecture have been doing incredibly well lately. The number of longevity tablets and incense sold in just the last few days is equivalent to the total sales of the entire previous year.

Offering to Bodhisattvas is for the next life, while offering to Prince Rui is for this life—longer life, becoming younger, getting promoted and becoming rich. Moreover, no one has ever seen Buddhas or Bodhisattvas, but in Yingtian Prefecture, almost everyone has seen Prince Rui flying on a sword, riding a dragon, and soaring through the clouds. Naturally, the common people will believe whoever shows them power more!

Inside the Prince of Han's residence, the lights were already lit up the entire mansion early. Zhu Gaoxu woke up at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), earlier than usual for court, and sat up in bed.

Madam Wei then got up, took the neatly ironed black military uniform from the clothes rack, and quickly helped him change into it.

While tying the belt around her waist, she muttered, "Be careful when you're out and about. You've fought in wars before, and you know better than me how ruthless swords and spears are on the battlefield. Although your fourth brother has supernatural powers and great abilities, you can't rely on him for everything."

"You need to take good care of your fourth brother, after all, you are the eldest brother. Also, you need to be especially careful. Don't be careless just because your fourth brother has supernatural powers now. You still need to be cautious when necessary."

Zhu Gaoxu stood obediently as she finished fastening his belt, unusually without any impatience. He listened to her finish before speaking: "I understand, I understand. I've fought countless battles and seen all kinds of situations. You don't need to worry about me. Besides, I also want to take care of my fourth brother. However, whether I take care of him or he takes care of me is uncertain once we get to the battlefield."

"Come, give me a kiss," Zhu Gaoxu said, extending his face forward.

Mrs. Wei reached out and punched him in the chest, scolding him in a low voice, "What time is it and you still can't behave properly?" But she tightened the belt around his waist a little more.

Zhu Zhanhe and Zhu Zhanqi were also woken up early. The two boys stood at the door rubbing their eyes, not fully awake yet. But when they saw their father in military uniform, they immediately became alert.

Zhu Zhanhe ran over and grabbed Zhu Gaoxu's sleeve, looking up and asking, "Dad, are you going to ride the Fierce Tiger King?" Zhu Zhanqi also chimed in, "Dad, bring the Fierce Tiger King back so I can touch it again."

Zhu Gaoxu bent down and picked up his two sons, one on each side. For once, he didn't raise his voice and told them to listen to their mother and not to be naughty. He said that when their father came back, he would bring them good things from Annam.

He put the two children down, glanced at Mrs. Wei again, said nothing more, turned and strode out of the room.

The officials of the Prince of Han's residence were already waiting outside the gate. They all bowed and said, "Respectfully seeing off Your Highness to the expedition, wishing Your Highness a resounding victory!"

Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand, mounted the Tiger King, summoned the Somersault Cloud, and flew towards the palace. The officials were in for a hard time. They had waited for the Prince of Han for so long, but the Prince of Han rode away on the Tiger King and flew away on the cloud, while they had to travel by carriage.

The situation at Prince Rui's residence was simple. Zhu Gaoxi had no princess consort and therefore did not need to say goodbye to his family.

He did a final check of the contents of the jade gourd at his waist in the study, mainly the several lightning-struck wooden gourds and bronze gourds used for combat, making sure nothing was missing. These were his assets for showing off in public! He couldn't afford to forget anything!

Xiao Biti and Qiutang Yuehe stood in the courtyard to see him off. The officials were already waiting at the gate of the mansion. Xu Jingchang, Qiu Sheng, Zheng Cong, Zhang Ni, Xue Bin and several others who accompanied the army were already fully prepared to depart. Yang Ji, Jian Fang and Song Xuan, who stayed behind, also got up early to see him off.

Zhu Gaoxi glanced at the several military officers and instructed them, "You guys, after you go to the military camp, first hand over the rhinoceros and elephant to Zhang Fu. Change your mounts before they leave. These mounts are not only for fighting, but also for transporting provisions and supplies. Let these beasts make a show of themselves on the training ground before the expedition, which will also boost the morale of the army."

Zheng Cong, Zhang Ni, and Xue Bin bowed in unison to accept the order and each rode a cloud to head to the military camp.

He told Yang Ji and the others, "No need to see them off, just keep an eye on the house," and then summoned lightning and rode on a cloud to the palace.

In the palace, Empress Xu also got up early. She personally fastened the cloak of Zhu Di's military uniform, and gently smoothed the last wrinkle at the collar with her fingers.

Zhu Di changed into military attire, with narrow sleeves and a belt, the Yongle sword at his waist, and a dark-colored cloud-patterned cloak over it, making him look heroic and extraordinary, as if he had returned to the way he used to lead troops into battle in Beiping.

"May Your Majesty achieve a resounding victory." Empress Xu took a half step back, looked him up and down, nodded, and spoke only one sentence at a time. She had already said everything that needed to be said last night, and saying anything more now would be pretentious.

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaosui arrived at the palace earlier than usual. Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaoxi also arrived one after the other on clouds, and the brothers met in the palace.

Zhu Gaochi's face showed a rare seriousness: "Fourth brother, second brother, you must be careful on your expedition. Although I have supernatural powers, things on the battlefield can change in an instant, and no one can guarantee anything. You must not be careless just because you have supernatural powers; you still need to be cautious where necessary."

King Zhao echoed, "Yes, fourth brother, second brother, you must be careful and pay attention to your safety."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu looked disgusted: "Eldest brother, third brother, what are you two afraid of? With your fourth brother here, there's nothing to worry about! Let me tell you, our beastly legion, the moment it steps onto the battlefield, the enemy will wet their pants before they even engage! Stop worrying about useless things!"

Zhu Gaoxi chimed in from the side, but the meaning was similar: "Brother, you're overthinking it. Don't worry, we'll be careful. We'll bring you some Annamite specialties when we get back."

Zhu Gaochi looked at his two younger brothers, one so bold and the other so nonchalant, and shook his head with a helpless smile. He knew that with his fourth brother around, this battle was at most a picnic, but he also knew that things could change in an instant on the battlefield, and as the eldest brother, he still had to give them his instructions.