Ming Dynasty: Gain one supernatural power every day

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at the soldiers lined up on both sides of the Tiger King's back and grinned, "Dad, I think these kids' eyes are green with envy. I'm afraid the fourth son won't get enough rhinoceroses."

Astride Yongle's horse, Zhu Di's lips curled slightly, his tone calm yet resolute: "How much the fourth prince wants to give is his business. But I believe the fourth prince is not a stingy person."

Zhu Gaoxi lay on his cloud-shaped chair, hearing his father's implied meaning—that his father was relaying the soldiers' message to him. He smiled and took over the conversation: "These are all minor matters. I will certainly not be stingy with rewards for military merit."

"Once we get to the military camp, have the soldiers catch another batch of earthworms and such. I'll use my beast-taming technique to modify another batch of ferocious beast mounts. As for the somersault cloud and gourds, just register them with the officials of my Prince Rui's Mansion later and exchange them for military merits."

He paused, and considered it in his mind.

He had not yet told anyone about the fact that the nation's destiny had become divine. Every inch the Ming Dynasty expanded its territory would increase the nation's destiny, bringing him one step closer to the throne of the Heavenly Emperor. He took this opportunity to go to the camp and tell Zhu Di and the others.

Annam was the first step; next came Japan, the Jianzhou Jurchens, and even further afield.

He needed an iron army to fight desperately to expand his territory, and to make the horses run fast, he needed to feed them more grass. Fierce beast mounts, somersault clouds, and magic gourds were the most practical rewards for these soldiers.

It was a blessing to them, and a simple favor to him, so why not do it?

Just then, Qiu Fu, who was standing next to him, was so shocked by the series of good news that he was speechless. He heard His Highness Prince Rui make a personal promise.

Military merits can be exchanged for ferocious beast mounts, somersault clouds, and magic gourds; everything is clearly priced, and there is no deception.

He had fought in wars for half his life, and this was the first time he felt that fighting was something to look forward to.

Zhu Gaoxu grinned broadly and moved closer to Zhu Gaoxi: "Fourth brother, are you serious? What can I exchange my military skills for? I want that gourd you used to hold people."

His eyes shone with an astonishing light, and he was itching to fight immediately, to take down the Annamese rebels one by one and exchange them for magical treasures.

Seeing everyone's excited expressions, Zhu Gaoxi gestured with his hand and said in a mysterious tone, "Father, Second Brother, I'll tell you something else when we get to the military camp."

I forgot to mention what happened a few days ago, especially Second Brother. You should prepare yourself mentally, so you don't get too excited and faint from your chair.

Zhu Gaoxu waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "Fourth brother, you underestimate your second brother too much. I've seen your supernatural abilities quite a bit. What news could you possibly have that would excite me so much?"

Zhu Gaoxi did not answer, but merely smiled slightly and gave him a meaningful look.

Zhu Di, however, read something different from the fourth prince's expression.

Although the fourth brother usually appears calm and collected, he never exaggerates without reason. Anything that makes him specifically tell the second brother "not to get too excited" is definitely not a trivial matter.

But he couldn't think of any news more exciting than the teleportation portal. He just silently made a note of it in his mind, preparing to find out more when he got to the military camp.

The officials of Prince Rui's residence, standing to the side, exchanged bewildered glances. What kind of news could warrant such a serious and prior notice from the prince?

Qiu Sheng and Zhang Ni exchanged a glance, both seeing barely suppressed curiosity in each other's eyes.

Qiu Fu, on the other hand, looked on with anticipation. He had just missed so many opportunities to become immortals, and now, judging from his tone, it seemed to be some important news about immortal opportunities.

Before long, the group arrived at the military camp.

Zhu Di dismounted from the tiger king, and Zhang Fu and the others also jumped off the lion's back. They handed their mounts over to the soldiers in the animal stables of the camp, carefully instructing them on how to feed and care for them, before filing into the central army tent.

Seats had already been arranged according to rank inside the main tent.

A huge map of Annam hung in the tent, with the confrontation between the Ming army and the rebels marked on the sand table.

The generals took their seats one by one, each with an expression of barely suppressed anticipation and excitement on their faces.

Zhu Gaoxi remained lying on the cloud chair, then leisurely drifted to a corner of the tent.

Zhu Di sat down in his command seat, his gaze sweeping over the generals in the tent before finally settling on Zhu Gaoxi. He solemnly said, "Fourth Prince, you speak."

The tent suddenly fell silent; even breathing could be heard clearly. All eyes were fixed on the cloud chair.

Zhu Gaoxi slowly sat up straight, his expression solemn, and said slowly, "A few days ago, the Dao Ancestor issued an edict, allowing me to establish the divine path in the mortal world and to hold the power to confer titles upon gods."

He had barely uttered the words "Investiture of the Gods" and hadn't even had a chance to explain further when a loud crash resounded. Zhu Gaoxu slammed his hand on the table and jumped up, kicking his chair over. His eyes widened like saucers: "What?! Investiture of the Gods?!"

Those around him were startled by his sudden shout. Xue Bin almost spilled his teacup again, and Qiu Fu trembled all over. He had just recovered from his shock when he was startled by the Prince of Han again.

Zhu Di was startled by his sudden action, turned his head and glanced at him with a hint of warning in his eyes.

He only glanced at it, and he could understand why the second brother reacted this way upon hearing the words "Investiture of the Gods." Not to mention the second brother, even he himself felt his heart skip a beat for a moment.

Normally, if anyone dared to kick over a chair and shout during a royal meeting, he would have had them dragged out and flogged.

But today's event is different; the weight of the words "Investiture of the Gods" is immeasurable.

Zhu Gaoxu gave an embarrassed smile after being glared at by his father. He bent down to pick up the chair, then plopped back down, leaning so far forward he was almost lying on the table, his whole body screaming "Speak, speak!"

Once the tent quieted down again, Zhu Gaoxi continued, "Once the territory of the Ming Dynasty expands to more than half of the world's land area, I will be able to unlock the Investiture of the Gods and appoint local gods—the Earth God, the City God, the Mountain God, and the Water God—to govern the land and protect the people."

"Once it expands to more than 80%, I can confer the title of Heavenly God—the rulers of the laws of heaven and earth, such as wind, rain, thunder, lightning, sun, moon, stars, and the changing of the four seasons, can all be determined by me."

His gaze swept over every face in the tent, contorted with shock, and he explained further: "In other words, Heaven and the Underworld are still empty. From now on, the divine positions in Heaven and the underworld on Earth will have to be won by us, sword by sword. Wherever we conquer, the gods there will belong to the soldiers of our Great Ming."

As soon as he finished speaking, an eerie silence fell over the entire central command tent.

It wasn't the kind of silence where no one wanted to speak, but rather a silence where everyone simultaneously stopped breathing.