Chapter Summaries

At the imperial family banquet, Zhu Biao favored Shen Yu'er and Zhu Wenxi, while Zhu Yuanzhang urged him to investigate the Lu clan, guide Zhu Yunteng, and uphold the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born heirs. Afterward, Lu Ben warned his daughter that her attempt to win over the Marquis of Victory in front of the Emperor had exposed her ambitions and put her in danger.

• Zhu Wenxi sat on Zhu Biao's lap at the family banquet, drawing resentment from the Lu clan and Zhu Yunwen, while Shen Yu'er sat beside Zhu Biao.
• Zhu Yuanzhang lamented how restrained the imperial family had become, then told Zhu Biao to investigate the Lu clan's treatment of Zhu Yunteng and consider choosing another principal wife rather than elevating the Lu clan.
• Zhu Biao said he favored the Lu clan but would not make her principal wife because doing so would violate the distinction between wives and concubines and risk court turmoil.
• After Zhu Biao left, Zhu Yuanzhang reflected on Zhu Xiongying and Zhu Yunteng, reaffirming that the legitimate line and his ancestral rules must be upheld.
• The Lu clan told Lu Ben that Zhu Wenxi looked exactly like Zhu Xiongying and admitted she had tried to persuade the Marquis of Victory to teach Zhu Yunwen martial arts.
• Lu Ben scolded the Lu clan, explaining that her proposal had revealed an effort to form an alliance and could provoke Zhu Yuanzhang's suspicion.

Lu Ben urged Lu clan to cover up her mistreatment of Zhu Yunteng as Zhu Di, Zhu Quan, and Guo Ying awaited news from the Northern Frontier. Liu Lei returned with Zhu Ying’s report that the Northern Expedition had destroyed the Northern Yuan Royal Court and captured its emperor.

• Lu clan told Lu Ben that she had threatened Zhu Yunteng to stop him revealing his treatment in the Eastern Palace, and Lu Ben warned that Zhu Yuanzhang and the Crown Prince would notice and investigate.
• Lu Ben advised Lu clan to blame Zhu Yunteng’s eunuch steward for his treatment and to keep a closer watch on Zhu Yunteng and his maid.
• At the Great Wall, Zhu Di, Zhu Quan, and Guo Ying discussed the dangers facing Marquis of Victory’s army as they waited for news from the Northern Frontier.
• Liu Lei arrived with his personal guards and reported that Zhu Ying’s fifty thousand troops had defeated the Northern Yuan army, destroyed its temporary Royal Court, captured the Yuan Emperor, and taken more than ten thousand nobles prisoner.
• Guo Ying received Zhu Ying’s military report and celebrated the scale of the Northern Expedition’s victory.

Zhu Ying returned to the Great Wall after crushing Northern Yuan, capturing the Yuan Emperor, and achieving Fenglangjuxu. He led his surviving soldiers and the remains of their fallen comrades home, while Zhu Di abandoned his immediate plans against him and Zhu Quan reflected on the meaning of military duty.

• News of Zhu Ying's victory and Fenglangjuxu stunned Zhu Di, who concluded that he could not safely move against Zhu Ying for now.
• Guo Ying ordered the Great Wall troops to welcome Zhu Ying's returning army and prepared food, wine, and rewards.
• Zhu Ying arrived at the Great Wall with his battle-worn army and declared that he had brought his brothers home.
• The returning soldiers and the troops at the Great Wall shouted greetings as Zhu Ying led the fallen soldiers' remains through the gate first.
• Guo Ying welcomed the fallen heroes, while Zhu Quan and Zhu Di were moved by the soldiers' grief and fellowship.

Zhu Ying returned to the Great Wall after conquering the Northern Yuan Royal Court and capturing the Yuan Emperor, where Guo Ying and the soldiers honored his achievements. As the army prepared to bury its dead and report the victory to the Ming Emperor, they learned Lan Yu had not taken part in the decisive battles and was returning separately.

• Zhu Ying entered the Great Wall with his exhausted troops, and Guo Ying saluted him for achieving Fenglangjuxu as the soldiers, Zhu Di, and Zhu Quan returned the salute.
• Chen Heng brought the prisoners inside, and Guo Ying mocked the captured Yuan Emperor before rallying the soldiers to declare the Ming Dynasty mighty.
• Guo Ying ordered the prisoners guarded and arranged for the returning Daning soldiers to bathe, eat, and receive clean uniforms.
• Zhu Ying reported that 5,767 soldiers had died and presented rosters of the dead and wounded; Guo Ying ordered the rosters sent for compensation and prepared a victory report for Ying Tian Prefecture.
• The Guard Commandant presented Zhu Ying's battle record, and Guo Ying praised his achievements; Zhu Quan remarked that Lan Yu had returned without merit.

Zhu Ying returned from the Northern Expedition to a triumphant welcome, then learned that the Northern Yuan had known his army’s strength and plans because someone in Ming had leaked the intelligence. He recognized Zhu Di’s reaction as evidence of his involvement, while Guo Ying and the others began to grasp the seriousness of the betrayal.

• Guo Ying welcomed Zhu Ying and his returning soldiers, while Zhu Quan invited Zhu Ying to drink and said he would soon leave for Daning Prefecture.
• Zhu Di confronted Yao Guangxiao over his failed plan to have Zhu Ying killed, but ultimately suppressed his urge to kill him.
• Guo Ying held a reward banquet for Zhu Ying and the soldiers who returned from the Northern Frontier.
• Chen Heng revealed that the Northern Yuan had known the Ming army’s troop strength, objectives, and routes, and that the captured Yuan Emperor said the intelligence came from Ming.
• Zhu Ying watched Zhu Di’s eyes narrow at the accusation and concluded that Zhu Di had leaked the information.

After the Northern Expedition succeeded, Zhu Ying confronted Zhu Di over the leaked military intelligence and learned that he was to escort Prince Ning back to Daning before returning to Yingtian. A victory report reached the capital, where Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked to read that Zhu Ying had captured the Yuan Emperor and reached Fenglangjuxu.

• Zhu Ying, Guo Ying, and Zhu Quan condemned the traitor who had leaked the army’s plans, while Zhu Di hid his guilt and agreed that the man deserved death.
• Zhu Ying toasted Zhu Di and mocked him indirectly, then asked Guo Ying about the army’s next orders.
• Guo Ying told Zhu Ying to escort Prince Ning to Daning, arrange the border army’s garrison, and then travel to Yingtian; the court had not yet decided how to divide Northern Yuan’s captured territories.
• Urgent couriers carrying the victory report arrived in Yingtian and announced the Northern Expedition’s great triumph to Zhu Yuanzhang and the court.
• Zhu Yuanzhang read that Zhu Ying had breached Northern Yuan’s royal court, captured the Yuan Emperor, and accomplished the feat of Fenglangjuxu.

Zhu Yuanzhang and the court learned that Zhu Ying had captured the Yuan Emperor and destroyed Northern Yuan’s power, achieving the feat of Fenglangjuxu. The court celebrated the victory, and Zhu Yuanzhang declared that the Northern Yuan threat had been eliminated.

• Zhu Yuanzhang announced that Zhu Ying had achieved Fenglangjuxu, stunning Zhu Biao and the court.
• Yun Qi read Guo Ying’s report, which said Zhu Ying’s fifty thousand cavalry killed more than one hundred thousand Northern Yuan men while destroying seventy-five tribes.
• The report said Zhu Ying defeated a three-hundred-thousand-man ambush, killed the Northern Yuan general Ma’er Ke’er, and captured the Yuan Emperor and more than ten thousand nobles.
• The ministers praised and debated Zhu Ying’s achievements, while Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao expressed their astonishment and satisfaction.
• Zhu Yuanzhang declared that the Northern Yuan threat had been completely resolved and that Northern Yuan would cease to exist.

Zhu Yuanzhang learned that the seal captured from Northern Yuan was a forgery, leaving him furious and disappointed that the true Imperial Seal remained missing. As the court celebrated Northern Yuan's defeat, Zhu Yuanzhang arranged for Zhu Ying to return to Yingtian and for his victory to be announced, while Zhu Biao raised another matter.

• Zhu Yuanzhang eagerly opened the boxes presented by the courier, but discovered that the Yuan Emperor's jade seal was not the Imperial Seal and smashed it in anger.
• Zhu Biao comforted Zhu Yuanzhang and suggested they could question Yuan Emperor Shun about the true Imperial Seal when he was brought to the capital.
• The courier reported that Lan Yu had lost his way in the Northern Frontier and missed the battle at the Royal Court, while Zhu Yuanzhang still recognized his service and said he would be promoted to duke.
• Zhu Yuanzhang learned that Zhu Ying would escort Prince Ning back to Daning before returning to Yingtian, and that the captured Yuan Emperor and Northern Yuan nobles were already being escorted to the capital.
• Zhu Biao proposed rewarding Zhu Ying when he returned and announcing his victory in Yingtian, and Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Ministry of Rites to arrange the announcement.
• After Zhu Yuanzhang asked whether anyone had further memorials, Zhu Biao stepped forward and said he had another matter.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yuanzhang planned the administration of the newly recovered northern territories and ordered compensation for fallen soldiers. At the Shen Family residence, Shen Wansan and Shen Rong learned that Zhu Ying had achieved Fenglangjuxu just as his victory was proclaimed through Ying Tian City.

• Zhu Biao recommended dividing the recovered territory among Beiping, Zhending, and Daning Prefectures, while Zhu Yuanzhang assigned officials to plan the divisions and select administrators.
• Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Ministry of War to list fallen soldiers and the Ministry of Revenue to pay their families, threatening severe punishment for anyone who embezzled the compensation.
• Shen Rong told Shen Wansan that he had offered ten thousand taels of gold for Zhu Ying's assassination and secretly trained death warriors, while Shen Wansan warned him to keep the plot concealed.
• Steward Shen reported that Zhu Ying had destroyed the Northern Yuan Royal Court, captured the Yuan Emperor, and achieved Fenglangjuxu, leaving Shen Wansan and Shen Rong stunned.
• Gong strikes and a public announcement proclaimed Zhu Ying's victory throughout Ying Tian City.

After Zhu Ying’s victory over Northern Yuan spread through Ying Tian City, the people gathered to thank him, and Zhu Yuanzhang affirmed that Zhu Ying would remain a key minister so long as he stayed loyal. Zhu Ying returned to Daning with Zhu Quan, who began taking up his fief with Bu Wan’s assistance.

• Capital Prefecture officials proclaimed that Zhu Ying had achieved Fenglangjuxu, defeated Northern Yuan, and captured its emperor.
• Shen Yu'er met thousands of people gathered outside the Marquis of Victory's Residence, and they bowed in gratitude to Zhu Ying.
• Zhu Yuanzhang told Jiang Yan that Zhu Ying was a hero and that the Imperial Guard must not overstep its bounds around his residence.
• Bu Wan welcomed Zhu Ying back to Daning and praised his victory before the prefectural officials.
• Zhu Ying introduced Zhu Quan to Bu Wan, and Zhu Quan said he had come to take up his fief and asked Bu Wan to guide him.

Zhu Ying returned to Daning after the victorious campaign, welcomed Zhu Quan, and reunited with his old generals. When they pledged lifelong loyalty and asked to become as trusted and powerful as Liu Lei and Zhu Ying’s personal guards, Zhu Ying recognized their unwavering devotion and left them hopeful for his answer.

• Zhu Quan thanked Zhu Ying for escorting him and invited him and Bu Wan to a farewell meal, which Zhu Ying moved to the army camp so the soldiers and Mu Sheng could celebrate too.
• At the camp entrance, Zhu Ying recognized Li Tao, the former commander demoted for disobeying his orders, but passed him without comment.
• Zhu Ying told Zhang Wu, Chen Heng, and the other Daning Guard generals that their campaign merits could bring promotions and noble titles.
• The seven generals knelt and begged Zhu Ying not to abandon them; he promised he would request to keep guarding the Northern Frontier rather than remain in Yingtian if he was promoted.
• Zhang Wu and the others declared that they wished to pledge their lives to Zhu Ying and asked how they could earn the trust and strength of Liu Lei and his personal guards.
• Zhu Ying warned that their words could anger the Emperor, then recognized their loyalty as absolute and understood that they had noticed the extraordinary abilities of his personal guards.

Zhu Ying revealed body refinement to his generals, secured their sworn loyalty, and opened treasure chests that yielded a map to the Nine Cauldrons of Huaxia and a thousand Spirit Stones. Meanwhile, the Shen Family convoy leaving Beiping Prefecture was ambushed, and Hundred Commander Cao sent hidden Northern Peace Army soldiers out to meet the attackers.

• Liu Lei demonstrated his strength by punching a stone pillar away, then explained that Zhu Ying's personal guards gained their power through body refinement and spiritual medicine.
• Zhu Ying accepted the generals' loyalty, ordered Liu Lei to give them Bone Refining Powder and teach them the Iron Body Technique, and warned them to keep the secret.
• Zhu Ying opened his treasure chests and received weapons, manuals, manufacturing methods, Spirit Stones, and a map to the Nine Cauldrons of Huaxia.
• Shen Wang traveled with the Shen Family convoy toward Zhending Prefecture under the protection of hired guards and hidden Northern Peace Army soldiers.
• Bandits attacked the convoy with a rain of arrows, and Hundred Commander Cao ordered the Northern Peace Army troops to raise their shields and confront them.

Zhu Di’s ambush failed to capture the Black Guard, who killed Shen Wang, prompting Zhu Ying to retaliate by cutting off trade with Beiping and ordering merchant caravans plundered. As Zhu Ying’s cavalry rode to catch up with the prisoner convoy, Zhu Shuang confronted Mu Sheng and demanded the Northern Yuan captives, then ordered his troops to seize them by force.

• The Black Guard killed Shen Wang and escaped after fighting Zhu Di’s Northern Peace Army, which suffered heavy casualties and captured no one alive.
• Zhu Neng reported the failed ambush to Zhu Di, who suspected Zhu Ying had outmaneuvered him.
• Liu Lei told Zhu Ying that the Black Guard had killed Shen Wang, and Zhu Ying ordered trade with Zhu Di’s domain stopped and merchant caravans there plundered.
• Xiao Han reported that Zhu Ying’s cavalry was close to the prisoner convoy, and Zhu Ying ordered his men to move out toward Yingtian.
• Zhu Shuang demanded that Mu Sheng surrender fewer than a hundred Northern Yuan captives, but Mu Sheng refused without an imperial decree.
• Zhu Shuang drew his sword and ordered his troops to seize the captives by force.

Zhu Ying stopped Zhu Shuang from seizing the Northern Yuan captives, arrested him, and set out to take him to Yingtian for judgment. After Zhu Yuanzhang read Zhu Ying’s report, he asked Zhu Biao how to punish Zhu Shuang, and Zhu Biao offered to handle the matter.

• Zhu Ying arrived with a thousand personal guards and halted Zhu Shuang’s soldiers as they moved to attack Mu Sheng and the captive convoy.
• Zhu Ying challenged Zhu Shuang’s authority to leave his fief without an imperial decree, then caught his whip and pulled him from his horse when he attacked.
• Zhu Ying ordered Liu Lei to report Zhu Shuang’s crimes to Yingtian and had Zhu Shuang confined in a prison cart for the journey back to the capital.
• Zhu Ying resumed escorting the Northern Yuan captives while Mu Sheng asked whether arresting the Prince of Qin would bring consequences.
• Zhu Yuanzhang flew into a rage after reading Zhu Ying’s report, and Zhu Biao offered to decide Zhu Shuang’s punishment.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao arranged Zhu Ying’s triumphant return and approved a hereditary marquisate and a new Northern Frontier command for him. As Zhu Ying neared Yingtian, Shen Yu’er prepared to welcome him while the Shen Family feared his return, then received a bloodstained box.

• Zhu Biao planned to bring Zhu Shuang back secretly and confine him, while Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the Ministry of War not to spread news of the attack on Zhu Ying.
• Zhu Biao proposed that he and the officials greet Zhu Ying at the city gates, and Zhu Yuanzhang approved the welcome and told him to bring Zhu Ying’s family.
• Zhu Biao proposed making Zhu Ying Commander of the Gendarmerie, granting him a hereditary marquisate, and placing a hundred thousand Northern Frontier troops under his command; Zhu Yuanzhang approved the plan.
• Zhu Yuanzhang questioned Jiang Yan about the Imperial Guard’s failure to place agents among Zhu Ying’s personal guards, and Jiang Yan said he did not know why they had all been rejected.
• Shen Yu’er prepared the Marquis of Victory’s Residence for Zhu Ying’s return, while Shen Wansan warned his sons not to provoke him or proceed against Shen Yu’er’s reputation.
• The Shen Family steward rushed in with a servant carrying a bloodstained box.

Shen Wansan learned that his son Wang'er had been killed, while Zhu Ying entered Yingtian with the Northern Yuan prisoners and handed Zhu Shuang over to the Golden Guard. Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao stripped Zhu Shuang of his princely title and ordered him secretly imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court.

• Steward Shen revealed Wang'er's decayed severed head, and Shen Wansan fainted from shock.
• After entering Yingtian Prefecture, Zhu Ying met Luo Yang, who took Zhu Shuang into Golden Guard custody for secret imprisonment.
• Luo Yang told Zhu Ying that Zhu Biao had adopted Zhu Ying's eldest son, Zhu Xi, as his grandson and named him Zhu Wenxi.
• Zhu Yuanzhang confronted Zhu Shuang over leaving his fief without permission, seizing a prisoner, and attacking Zhu Ying, while Zhu Shuang tried to excuse his actions.
• Zhu Biao recommended stripping Zhu Shuang of his title and imprisoning him, and Zhu Yuanzhang approved the punishment and ordered it kept secret.

Zhu Biao ordered the Second Prince imprisoned and compensation for those he had harmed, then personally welcomed Zhu Ying back to Yingtian after his victory over the Northern Yuan. When Zhu Biao saw Zhu Ying, he was startled by how much the young general's eyes reminded him of his son, Xiongying.

• Zhu Biao confronted Zhu Yuanzhang about the Second Prince's abuses, and Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the prince imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court and his victims compensated.
• Three days later, Zhu Biao and the court officials went outside Yingtian to welcome Zhu Ying as crowds gathered to celebrate his return and military victories.
• Zhu Ying thanked the citizens, removed his armor, and went to greet Zhu Biao at the city gate.
• Zhu Biao stared at Zhu Ying and quietly called him Xiongying, leaving the gathered officials confused before Luo Yang prompted him to respond.
• Zhu Biao praised Zhu Ying, took his hand, and addressed the officials and citizens, asking whether their Marquis of Victory was valiant.

Zhu Ying returned triumphantly to Ying Tian, where Zhu Biao honored him before the citizens and reunited him with Shen Yu'er and Zhu Wenxi. After the Yuan Emperor was taken into custody and Zhu Biao personally drove Zhu Ying’s carriage into the palace, Zhu Biao revealed that he had adopted Xi'er as his grandson and asked Zhu Ying why he thought he had done so.

• Zhu Biao praised Zhu Ying’s victories before the gathered citizens and invited him to ride in the imperial carriage, where he reunited with Shen Yu'er and their son, Zhu Wenxi.
• Zhu Biao rewarded the returning soldiers with a feast and five days of leave, then ordered the captured Yuan Emperor taken to the palace and the other prisoners sent to prison.
• Zhu Biao personally drove Zhu Ying’s carriage into the capital, displaying his favor before the officials and citizens.
• In the palace, Zhu Biao praised Zhu Ying’s achievements, learned that he was only eighteen, and asked whether he knew why Zhu Biao had adopted Xi'er as his grandson.

Zhu Biao explained that he adopted Zhu Wenxi because the boy resembled his dead son, Zhu Xiongying, and grew closer to Zhu Ying during their candid conversation. He escorted Zhu Ying into Fengtian Hall to meet Zhu Yuanzhang, who was startled by Zhu Ying’s resemblance to Zhu Xiongying’s eyes; the court then learned Zhu Ying was only eighteen.

• Zhu Biao told Zhu Ying that Zhu Wenxi’s resemblance to Zhu Xiongying had led him to adopt the boy and ease his grief over his dead son.
• Zhu Biao said Zhu Ying’s eyes reminded him of Zhu Xiongying and invited him to speak further after court.
• Zhu Biao and Zhu Ying arrived at Fengtian Hall, where Zhu Ying surrendered his sword before entering to meet Zhu Yuanzhang.
• Zhu Yuanzhang praised Zhu Ying’s military achievements and was shocked by how much Zhu Ying’s eyes resembled Zhu Xiongying’s.
• Zhu Biao revealed that Zhu Ying was only eighteen and that corrupt officials had altered his age so he could enlist, astonishing the assembled officials.

Zhu Ying returned to court and received a hereditary marquisate and command of the Gendarmerie after choosing to continue guarding the Northern Frontier. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered his victories, age, and portrait publicized across the realm, while Zhu Ying remained wary of court factions and focused on his own ambitions.

• Zhu Biao revealed that Zhu Ying was only eighteen, and Zhu Yuanzhang and the court celebrated his unprecedented military achievements.
• Zhu Yuanzhang asked whether Zhu Ying would stay in the capital or return to the Northern Frontier, and Zhu Ying chose to defend the frontier.
• Zhu Yuanzhang elevated Zhu Ying to a hereditary marquis and Commander of the Gendarmerie, and Zhu Ying accepted the decrees and seals.
• Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Lu Ben to publicize Zhu Ying's victories throughout the realm, and Zhu Biao supported including Zhu Ying's portrait.
• Zhu Yuanzhang placed Zhu Ying among the military officials beside Fu Youde, who praised him for his achievements.