Chapter Summaries

Zhu Di recognized Zhu Ying as his supposedly dead nephew, Zhu Xiongying, from the imperial jade pendant and struggled with the threat this posed to his ambitions. As Zhu Ying opened his treasure chests, the Ming generals gathered in the conquered Yuan Capital to hear the imperial decree and prepare for the Northern Frontier campaign.

• Zhu Di showed Yao Guangxiao an identical imperial jade pendant and insisted that Zhu Ying was Zhu Xiongying, while Yao Guangxiao struggled to understand how the dead Imperial Eldest Grandson could be alive.
• Zhu Di considered killing Yao Guangxiao to protect his ambitions, but could not bring himself to do it and left the matter in Yao Guangxiao's hands.
• Zhu Ying suspected his jade pendant explained Zhu Di's strange behavior, then opened four Tier 1 and seven ordinary treasure chests and received silver, gold, methods, pills, swords, and techniques.
• The Ming Army finished pacifying the Yuan Capital, seized Northern Yuan nobles and their families, and prepared to register many captives as slaves.
• Guo Ying announced that the imperial decree had arrived as the Northern Expedition generals anticipated pursuing the escaped Yuan Emperor and earning the honor of Fenglangjuxu.

After receiving the emperor’s order to destroy Northern Yuan, Guo Ying approved a cavalry pursuit into the Northern Frontier led by Zhu Ying and Lan Yu. Zhu Ying’s fifty thousand cavalry crossed the Great Wall, while news reached the court that the Yuan New Capital had fallen.

• Guo Ying read the imperial decree ordering the Northern Expedition to destroy Northern Yuan and asked the generals how to pursue the fleeing Yuan Emperor.
• Lan Yu urged an immediate advance, while Li Jinglong warned that the Northern Frontier’s size and supply challenges could doom an infantry pursuit.
• Zhu Ying proposed leading cavalry into the Northern Frontier, and Lan Yu volunteered to lead a second force; Zhu Di supported using cavalry for the pursuit.
• Guo Ying assigned Zhu Ying and Lan Yu fifty thousand cavalry each and prepared the infantry to advance and draw Northern Yuan’s attention.
• Zhu Ying rallied his fifty thousand cavalry at the ruined Great Wall and led them into the Northern Frontier to pursue the Yuan Emperor and destroy Northern Yuan.
• Tang Duo reported to the court that the Yuan New Capital had fallen, and the officials congratulated the emperor on the victory.

Zhu Yuanzhang celebrated the Ming army’s capture of the Yuan Capital but ordered the Northern Expedition to continue until Northern Yuan was broken apart, while setting a deadline for the army’s safe return. At Zhu Residence, Shen Yu'er discovered Zhu Xi’s remarkable ability to recognize characters and discussed finding him teachers, just as Imperial Guards arrived to summon her to the palace.

• Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Northern Expedition to keep advancing for three months and instructed the court to account for all captured spoils and punish anyone who embezzled them.
• Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao discussed Goryeo’s rebellion, agreed not to intervene, and prepared for the coming special imperial examination under Zhu Biao’s supervision.
• Zhu Yuanzhang asked Yun Qi to summon Zhu Ying’s wife and child to the palace for an audience, banquet, and rewards.
• At Zhu Residence, Shen Yu'er told Lin Fu that Zhu Xi had learned to recognize more than a dozen characters despite being only a little over a year old.
• Shen Yu'er and Lin Fu agreed to seek learned teachers for Zhu Xi, but a guard arrived to report that Imperial Guards had come to summon Shen Yu'er.

Shen Yu'er and Zhu Xi entered the imperial palace to receive an audience with Zhu Yuanzhang after Zhu Ying's victory in the North, while Shen Wansan plotted against the Zhu Family. The chapter left Zhu Yuanzhang looking directly at Zhu Xi after the boy complained that Shen Yu'er was pressing down on his head.

• Yun Qi summoned Shen Yu'er and Zhu Xi to the palace on Zhu Yuanzhang's orders to discuss Zhu Ying's victory and reward his family.
• Yun Qi was shocked by Zhu Xi's strong resemblance to the late Zhu Xiongying as he escorted them to the palace.
• Shen Wansan learned that Zhu Ying had captured the Yuan Capital and ordered his steward to report bandit attacks in Beiping Prefecture and spread rumors attacking Shen Yu'er's reputation.
• Shen Wansan decided to abandon the Shen Family's Beiping businesses and shift them to Datong Prefecture and Anding Prefecture.
• Shen Yu'er brought Zhu Xi before Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, and Zhu Yuanzhang praised her as a good wife for Zhu Ying.
• Zhu Xi complained that Shen Yu'er was pressing his head down too hard, drawing Zhu Yuanzhang's attention to him.

Shen Yu'er brought Zhu Xi to meet Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, and the emperor was stunned by how closely the boy resembled his late grandson Zhu Xiongying. Zhu Xi charmed them with his intelligence and fearlessness, leaving Zhu Yuanzhang joyful as Shen Yu'er offered homemade wine.

• Shen Yu'er tried to keep Zhu Xi restrained, but Zhu Yuanzhang invited the boy to raise his head and speak freely.
• Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao were shocked by Zhu Xi's resemblance to Zhu Xiongying, and Zhu Yuanzhang recalled his late grandson with deep sadness.
• Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Xi about his name and its meaning, and the boy answered confidently.
• Zhu Yuanzhang tested Zhu Xi's reading, and Zhu Xi climbed into his lap and correctly recognized several characters on a memorial.
• Zhu Yuanzhang praised Zhu Xi's talent, while Zhu Biao offered to help find teachers for him.
• Shen Yu'er thanked them for their kindness and offered Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao homemade wine from her residence.

Zhu Biao grew deeply attached to Zhu Xi and, with Zhu Yuanzhang’s approval and Shen Yu’er’s consent, adopted him as his grandson and named him Zhu Wenxi. The family celebrated over wine made by the Marquis of Victory, whose return from the Northern Expedition Zhu Yuanzhang eagerly anticipated.

• Zhu Xi recognized Zhu Biao as his grandfather, and the child’s innocent concern moved Zhu Biao to tears.
• At a simple imperial banquet, Zhu Biao asked Zhu Yuanzhang for permission to adopt Zhu Xi as his grandson, and Zhu Yuanzhang approved.
• Shen Yu’er eagerly consented, and Zhu Biao gave Zhu Xi the generational name Zhu Wenxi.
• Yun Qi brought out Shen Yu’er’s wine, which Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao praised as finer than the palace’s best brews.
• Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao praised the Marquis of Victory’s talents and looked forward to seeing him after the Northern Expedition.

After Zhu Xi was accepted as Zhu Biao’s adopted grandson, Zhu Yuanzhang gave Shen Yu'er a palace-entry token and promised to protect her family. At the Zhu residence, Shen Yu'er and Lin Fu discussed the adoption and its possible connection to Zhu Xi’s resemblance to someone the royal family had lost, while the Ministry of Rites received a new imperial decree.

• Zhu Yuanzhang granted Shen Yu'er a token that allowed her to enter the palace and Eastern Palace directly, then sent Yun Qi to escort her and Zhu Xi home.
• Zhu Biao told Zhu Yuanzhang that he had accepted Zhu Xi out of grief and affection because the boy resembled Xiongying, not for political advantage; Zhu Yuanzhang supported him and ordered the Ministry of Rites to formalize the adoption and Zhu Wenxi’s generation name.
• Shen Yu'er told Lin Fu that Zhu Biao had adopted Zhu Xi and that the boy would be named Zhu Wenxi, and she agreed to have Lin Fu investigate whom Zhu Xi resembled.
• Lu Ben supervised preparations for the special examination and instructed officials to distribute notices widely and handle the process carefully.
• Wang Jinghong delivered a decree from Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao to the Ministry of Rites, and Lu Ben opened it with surprise.

Lu Ben and the capital learned that Zhu Biao had adopted Zhu Ying’s son Zhu Xi as his grandson, naming him Zhu Wenxi, while the decree strengthened the Marquis of Victory’s ties to the Eastern Palace. On the Northern Frontier, Zhu Ying’s forces captured a tribe and began executing its men under his order.

• Wang Jinghong delivered Lu Ben the decree naming Zhu Xi Zhu Biao’s adopted grandson, and Lu Ben sent the news to the Lu clan in the Eastern Palace.
• The Lu clan considered how the Marquis of Victory’s favor could help her son Yun Wen secure the Imperial Grandson position.
• Wang Jinghong publicly proclaimed Zhu Xi’s new name and royal status at the Zhu residence, and Shen Yu’er accepted the decree and registry.
• Lin Fu announced half-price wine to celebrate, while Shen Wansan learned of Zhu Xi’s adoption and despaired over the Shen Family’s prospects.
• Zhu Ying confronted more than ten thousand captured Northern Yuan Tatars and ordered the execution of every male taller than a cartwheel.
• The captive men attempted to charge the Ming soldiers, but Zhang Wu ordered them shot, and Zhu Ying’s troops began beheading those who met the measure.

Zhu Ying led his fifty thousand cavalry north through Northern Yuan territory, destroying tribes as he advanced toward Mount Langju. The Yuan Emperor agreed to draw the Ming force into an ambush, placing Ma'er Ke'er in command while he fled with the officials to Buyir Lake.

• Zhu Ying's army slaughtered a Northern Yuan tribe, took its portable grain, and poisoned its water before continuing north.
• Over nearly a month, Zhu Ying's cavalry destroyed scores of tribes and advanced deep into Northern Yuan territory, using the Golden Eagle and a compass to scout and navigate.
• Shiliemen warned the Yuan Emperor that Zhu Ying was approaching Mount Langju, and the Yuan Emperor feared the Ming Army would destroy Northern Yuan.
• Ma'er Ke'er persuaded the Yuan Emperor and the ministers to fight the Ming force, arguing that their larger, rested army could defeat Zhu Ying's exhausted cavalry.
• The Yuan Emperor ordered Dalima to command sixty thousand Royal Court troops and gave Ma'er Ke'er authority over the tribal forces, demanding that he capture Zhu Ying alive if possible.
• The Yuan Emperor decided to relocate with the officials to Buyir Lake while Ma'er Ke'er and Dalima prepared to ambush the Ming Army at the Royal Court.

Zhu Di learned that Zhu Biao had adopted Zhu Ying’s son Zhu Xi as his grandson and feared that Zhu Ying would be recognized as Zhu Xiongying. Meanwhile, Zhu Ying’s army prepared to attack the Northern Yuan Royal Court, unaware that Ma'er Ke'er had arranged a three-sided ambush.

• Zhu Neng delivered Yingtian’s news to Zhu Di, who worried that Zhu Biao’s adoption of Zhu Xi might mean the family had discovered Zhu Ying’s identity as Zhu Xiongying.
• Yao Guangxiao assured Zhu Di that Zhu Biao was trying to recruit Zhu Ying and argued that Zhu Ying might not return from the Northern Frontier.
• Near the Northern Yuan Royal Court, Zhu Ying and his generals questioned why they had faced no main Yuan force, and Zhu Ying suspected that the enemy knew his army’s strength.
• Zhu Ying rallied his generals and soldiers by promising an assault on the Royal Court and invoking Fenglangjuxu.
• Ma'er Ke'er received reports that Yuan forces had taken positions along three routes and prepared to encircle Zhu Ying’s army.

Zhu Ying used the Golden Eagle’s vision to uncover Northern Yuan’s three-sided ambush and led his fifty thousand cavalry away from the Royal Court to strike Ma’er Ke’er’s eastern force. The Ming cavalry broke into the Yuan ranks, and Zhu Ying advanced toward Ma’er Ke’er’s banner as the battle turned into a rout.

• Zhu Ying spotted the Northern Yuan forces hidden north, west, and east of the Royal Court through the Golden Eagle’s eyes.
• Zhu Ying ordered his army to bypass the Royal Court and charge east toward Northern Yuan’s main force.
• Ma’er Ke’er waited with one hundred thousand troops for the signal, then was stunned when the Ming cavalry attacked his position.
• Zhu Ying and the Ming soldiers unleashed a storm of arrows that threw the Yuan infantry into disarray.
• Zhu Ying led the cavalry charge, tore through the Yuan front line, and fixed his sights on Ma’er Ke’er’s banner.

Zhu Ying led the Ming cavalry in routing Ma'er Ke'er's army, then used the fleeing soldiers to smash into Dalima's northern force. He fought through the chaos toward Ma'er Ke'er, who was trapped among the routed troops as Zhu Ying closed in.

• Zhu Ying rallied the Ming soldiers and led their cavalry charge against Ma'er Ke'er's Yuan army, while a Golden Eagle guided him toward the command banner.
• Ma'er Ke'er ordered a retreat, and the Yuan army's flight broke its formation as Zhu Ying ordered the Ming cavalry to pursue without overextending.
• Ma'er Ke'er's routed soldiers crashed into Dalima's northern army, throwing its formation into chaos and forcing Dalima to order a retreat.
• Zhu Ying led the Ming soldiers in slaughtering the disorganized Yuan forces while advancing toward Ma'er Ke'er and Mount Langju.
• Zhu Ying reached within a hundred paces of Ma'er Ke'er, who found himself trapped among the fleeing soldiers and cried out in terror.

Zhu Ying killed Ma'er Ke'er, broke Northern Yuan’s battle banner, and led the Great Ming army to a decisive victory near Mount Langju. He halted the pursuit for the night and prepared to continue north for the Yuan Emperor, while Lan Yu’s lost army struggled to find its way across the frontier.

• Zhu Ying beheaded Ma’er Ke’er and gained system rewards as his attributes surpassed 7,000.
• Zhu Ying cut down Northern Yuan’s battle banner, causing its soldiers to flee as he rallied the Great Ming army to pursue them.
• Zhu Ying halted the pursuit at dusk, ordered a careful casualty count, and required his troops to recover and bring home their fallen comrades.
• Zhu Ying told his generals they would return to Mount Langju to perform Fenglangjuxu after capturing the Yuan Emperor.
• Lan Yu and Chang Mao realized their army was lost in the Northern Frontier, then Lan Yu ordered the troops to charge in one direction toward the Northern Yuan Royal Court.

At Buyir Lake, the Yuan Emperor learned that Ma'er Ke'er’s defeat had shattered Northern Yuan’s army and ordered a retreat north. Zhu Ying’s Ming forces caught the Royal Court at dawn and stormed the camp, leaving him close to the Yuan Emperor’s carriage.

• Dalima reported that Ma'er Ke'er’s retreat had routed Northern Yuan’s troops, and the Yuan Emperor collapsed in despair.
• Shiliemen urged the Yuan Emperor to withdraw north, and the emperor ordered the court to leave at daybreak.
• Zhu Ying’s Ming army launched a surprise attack on Buyir Lake as the Northern Yuan court prepared to depart.
• Zhu Ying led the charge through the Royal Court camp, while Yuan soldiers and civilians fled in chaos.
• Zhu Ying and Liu Lei’s forces surrounded the Yuan Emperor’s carriage and fought through its guards until Zhu Ying came within a dozen paces.

Zhu Ying captured the Yuan Emperor at the Northern Yuan Royal Court, earning major rewards and securing a decisive victory for the Ming army. After claiming half the royal treasury and directing the treatment of captives and spoils, he looked ahead to the army’s return to the Ming Dynasty.

• Zhu Ying fought through the Royal Court Imperial Guards and captured the Yuan Emperor, receiving 400 points to all attributes, 400 days of lifespan, and Tier 3 and Tier 2 treasure chests.
• Zhu Ying announced the capture, lifting Ming soldiers’ morale as they routed the Yuan Army and seized Northern Yuan nobles and officials.
• Zhu Ying entered the royal treasury and stored nearly half of its valuable contents in his storage space, leaving the rest for Old Zhu.
• Chen Heng and Zhang Wu reported that the army had captured most of Northern Yuan’s court, including its chancellor and Grand Commandant.
• Zhu Ying ordered his army to loot and capture people while forbidding rape, and instructed them to kill most male nobles and able-bodied young men before withdrawing.
• Zhu Ying watched the camp and reflected that the expedition would have lasted a full year by the time the army returned to the Ming Dynasty.

After capturing the Yuan Emperor, Zhu Ying climbed Mount Langju with his generals, received the Han Might army-soul legacy, and vowed to protect Huaxia Han. He found Yuan Emperor Shun’s hidden chamber beneath the stone wall and uncovered the Imperial Seal.

• Zhu Ying reflected on missing his wife and son, then resolved to retrieve the Imperial Seal from Mount Langju before the army returned south.
• Zhu Ying led his generals to the summit, where they celebrated sealing Mount Langju and swore loyalty to him.
• Zhu Ying received the Han Might legacy mark and vowed that Huaxia Han would never again be trampled by foreign tribes.
• Zhu Ying carved an inscription over the Yuan Court’s words on the stone wall and ordered his generals to burn the Northern Yuan Royal Court.
• Zhu Ying reasoned that Yuan Emperor Shun had hidden the Imperial Seal beneath the conspicuous stone wall, then dug up a slab bearing Shun’s resentful message and found the seal beneath it.

Zhu Ying recovered the Imperial Seal and marked the destruction of the Northern Yuan Royal Court before leading his victorious army south. Lan Yu’s exhausted forces met Zhu Ying’s returning troops and learned that he had crushed the Royal Court and achieved Fenglangjuxu, while Lan Yu asked where the Yuan Emperor was.

• Zhu Ying found the Imperial Seal in a wooden box, received a Tier 3 treasure chest, and activated a hidden mission to found and rule a nation.
• Zhu Ying stored the Imperial Seal, carved his name on the Royal Court’s stone wall, and watched its buildings burn.
• Lan Yu and Chang Mao discovered a recently slaughtered Northern Yuan tribe and concluded that Zhu Ying had reached the Royal Court ahead of them.
• With supplies running low, Lan Yu ordered his exhausted army to withdraw, but Zhu Ying’s returning Ming forces approached from the north.
• Liu Lei told Lan Yu’s troops that Zhu Ying had crushed the Northern Yuan Royal Court and achieved Fenglangjuxu, and Lan Yu asked where the Yuan Emperor was.

Lan Yu withdrew south after learning that Zhu Ying had captured the Yuan Emperor, while Zhu Ying prepared to return in triumph. In Ying Tian Prefecture, Zhu Yuanzhang welcomed Shen Yu'er and Zhu Wenxi, then summoned Lu clan and her sons, leaving Lu clan stunned when she saw Zhu Wenxi in Zhu Biao’s arms.

• Liu Lei told Lan Yu that Zhu Ying had defeated the Yuan army and captured the Yuan Emperor, prompting Lan Yu to turn his army south.
• Lan Yu and Chang Mao complained about Zhu Ying, but Lan Yu said they could not attack him without risking punishment.
• Zhu Ying ordered his troops to rest and then return south with the Yuan Emperor after an hour.
• Zhu Yuanzhang worried about the missing Northern Expedition army, and Zhu Biao reassured him before Shen Yu'er and Zhu Wenxi arrived.
• Zhu Wenxi greeted Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, and they praised his manners and his teacher, Kong Yi.
• Lu clan entered with Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Yunteng, and her other sons, then froze when she saw Zhu Wenxi in Zhu Biao’s arms.

Zhu Wenxi’s resemblance to the late Zhu Xiongying shocked Lu clan, Zhu Yunwen, and Zhu Yunteng when Zhu Biao introduced him as his adoptive grandson. After Zhu Yuanzhang admonished the tearful Zhu Yunteng, Zhu Wenxi greeted the family, and Lu clan exchanged formal compliments with Shen Yu'er.

• Lu clan fell in fright at Zhu Wenxi’s resemblance to Zhu Xiongying, and Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yunteng also mistook him for their deceased elder brother at first glance.
• Zhu Yuanzhang recognized why they were stunned, while Zhu Wenxi asked Zhu Biao why everyone was staring at him.
• Zhu Biao introduced Zhu Wenxi as his adoptive grandson and the son of the Marquis of Victory, and Zhu Yunteng wept because the child reminded him of his protective elder brother.
• Zhu Yuanzhang rebuked Zhu Yunteng for his timid bearing, and Lu clan defended him while calling his temperament weak.
• Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao praised Zhu Wenxi after he respectfully greeted Lu clan and his uncles.
• Zhu Biao introduced Shen Yu'er to Lu clan, and the two women exchanged polite praise.

Lu clan tried to draw Zhu Ying into teaching Zhu Yunwen, but Zhu Biao rejected the suggestion. Zhu Yunteng mistook Zhu Wenxi for his dead elder brother Zhu Xiongying and broke down in grief; after Lu clan silently threatened him, he concealed his troubles in the Eastern Palace, while Zhu Biao welcomed Shen Yu'er and Zhu Wenxi closer.

• Lu clan praised Zhu Ying and asked for Zhu Yunwen to learn from him, but Zhu Biao refused and Zhu Yuanzhang redirected the family gathering.
• Zhu Wenxi comforted Zhu Yunteng, who remembered Zhu Xiongying and cried that he missed his elder brother.
• Zhu Yunteng apologized to Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao, then hid his hardships in the Eastern Palace after Lu clan warned him with a handkerchief.
• Lu clan privately resolved to keep Zhu Yunteng under control as he took his seat beside her.
• Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao invited Shen Yu'er to sit near them, and Zhu Biao called Zhu Wenxi over affectionately.