Chapter Summaries

After cutting ties with the Shen Family, Shen Yu'er learned that Shen Wansan had given up on reconciling with Zhu Ying. On the Northern Frontier, Guilichi led the Northern Yuan cavalry into Zhu Ying’s Dragon Gate Formation, which Zhu Ying activated as the enemy arrived.

• Shen Yu'er’s guards beat Shen Rong and the Shen Family servants, and she declared that she had no ties to the Shen Family.
• Shen Rong reported his defeat to Shen Wansan, who concluded that reconciliation with Zhu Ying was impossible.
• Guilichi sent Mengha and Nali with sixty thousand cavalry to pursue the Ming vanguard, believing he could crush the Ming Army on the plains.
• Liu Zhen’s cavalry retreated as bait, drawing the Yuan cavalry toward Zhu Ying’s Dragon Gate Formation.
• Zhu Ying assigned commanders to the formation’s eight gates while Guo Ying, Zhu Di, and Li Jinglong watched from the rear camp.
• As the Yuan cavalry charged the formation, Zhu Ying swung his flags and ordered, “Formation, activate!”

Zhu Ying used the Dragon Gate Formation to trap and slaughter the Northern Yuan cavalry, leaving Mengha and Nali to retreat with the surviving troops. After witnessing the formation’s power, Zhu Di resolved to win Zhu Ying over at any cost.

• Zhu Ying commanded the Dragon Gate Formation as sixty thousand Northern Yuan cavalry charged, and the Ming archers repelled their first attacks behind the shield wall.
• Zhu Ying opened gaps in the shield wall and lured more than forty thousand Yuan cavalry into the formation before closing the passages and trapping them.
• Zhu Ying divided the trapped cavalry with shifting shield walls, then ordered the Ming soldiers to attack with arrows and spears.
• Mengha and Nali ordered the remaining Yuan cavalry to retreat after they failed to break through the formation.
• Guo Ying and Li Jinglong praised the Dragon Gate Formation’s power, while Zhu Di decided to win Zhu Ying’s service at any cost.

Zhu Ying’s forces trapped and slaughtered Northern Yuan cavalry in the Dragon Gate Formation, then met Guilichi’s remaining cavalry in a fierce battle. The Ming cavalry broke through the Yuan ranks, and Zhu Ying killed Guilichi, leaving Northern Yuan’s supposedly invincible cavalry in defeat.

• Mengha and Nali reported that the Ming Army’s Dragon Gate Formation had trapped their cavalry, and Guilichi ordered his fresh troops to charge.
• Zhu Ying offered the trapped Yuan soldiers a chance to surrender, then rode out with his guards to rally the forty thousand Ming cavalry.
• Guilichi led the Northern Yuan cavalry south, and Zhu Ying’s archers opened fire before both armies clashed.
• Zhu Ying and the Ming cavalry broke through the Northern Yuan ranks as Zhu Di watched in disbelief.
• Zhu Ying cut through Guilichi’s personal guards, pursued the fleeing general, and beheaded him.

Zhu Ying killed Guilichi, routed the Northern Yuan cavalry, and led the Ming Army to a decisive victory. After the pursuit ended, he ordered casualty reports and care for the wounded, then checked his accumulated treasure chests.

• Zhu Ying killed Guilichi, announced his death to the Yuan Army, and ordered the enemy to surrender or die.
• The Yuan Army's morale collapsed, and Zhu Ying led the Ming cavalry in pursuing and slaughtering the fleeing soldiers.
• Guo Ying, Li Jinglong, and Zhu Di watched the victory and praised Zhu Ying's strategy and command.
• Zhu Ying's army pursued the Yuan forces until nightfall, then camped and celebrated their victory.
• Zhu Ying ordered his officers to count casualties and care for the wounded, and learned that 57 of Liu Lei's 650 personal guards had died.
• Zhu Ying asked for his treasure chest tally and learned he possessed 12 ordinary chests, 5 Tier 1 chests, and 1 Tier 2 chest.

After Zhu Ying’s victory over Northern Yuan’s cavalry, Guo Ying praised him, promised him captured warhorses for the Daning Border Army, and arranged to report his achievements to Yingtian. At Lan Yu’s camp, the generals learned that Zhu Ying had defeated the iron cavalry, ending the threat that had stalled their advance.

• Guo Ying told Zhu Ying that the Crown Prince had once considered making him a son-in-law, then reported that the Dragon Gate Formation had killed more than 12,000 Yuan soldiers and captured more than 31,000.
• Zhu Ying asked for enough captured warhorses to make the Daning Border Army entirely cavalry, and Guo Ying ordered Li Jinglong to provide them.
• Zhu Ying gave Guilichi’s head to Li Jinglong, who promised to submit it and Zhu Ying’s achievements to Yingtian; Guo Ying also pledged to report the victory to His Majesty.
• Zhu Di admitted that he envied Zhu Ying’s chance to fight, while Guo Ying and Li Jinglong left to discuss the next advance and Zhu Ying returned to rest.
• Lan Yu received an urgent order announcing that Zhu Ying had defeated Northern Yuan’s iron cavalry, and he told his astonished generals how Zhu Ying used the Dragon Gate Formation and killed Guilichi.

Lan Yu received word that Zhu Ying had routed Northern Yuan’s hundred thousand cavalry and accepted that his own military achievements would be eclipsed. Northern Yuan’s court rejected a retreat to the ancestral homeland, while news of the Ming victory reached Ying Tian City and the palace.

• Lan Yu ordered his generals to attack the cities with all their strength after Guo Ying’s report confirmed Zhu Ying had routed the Northern Yuan cavalry.
• Chang Mao worried that Lan Yu would lose his chance to become a Duke, but Lan Yu admitted he could not suppress Zhu Ying and told Chang Mao to avoid him.
• A messenger told the Yuan Emperor that Guilichi had died and fewer than twenty thousand of Northern Yuan’s hundred thousand cavalry had escaped after Zhu Ying defeated them.
• Manzi urged the Yuan Emperor to retreat to the ancestral homeland, but Ma’er Ke’er and other ministers opposed the move, and the Yuan Emperor chose to remain in the capital.
• Three dispatch riders announced a great Northern Expedition victory as they reached Ying Tian City, then carried their urgent dispatch into the imperial palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang received Guo Ying’s report that Zhu Ying had used the Dragon Gate Formation and led Ming cavalry to crush the Northern Yuan’s hundred thousand iron riders. The court celebrated the victory and urged a rich reward for Zhu Ying, while Zhu Yuanzhang considered what to grant him before the Northern Expedition ended.

• Guo Zhen announced that Guo Ying had sent an urgent report of a great Northern Expedition victory, and Zhu Yuanzhang summoned the couriers.
• The couriers presented Guo Ying’s report, which said Zhu Ying had trapped more than forty thousand Northern Yuan riders with the Dragon Gate Formation and defeated the remainder with Ming cavalry.
• Yun Qi read that the Northern Yuan lost more than forty thousand cavalrymen, over thirty thousand were captured, and Ming forces suffered fewer than ten thousand deaths.
• Zhu Yuanzhang and the court celebrated the defeat of the Northern Yuan iron riders, and Zhu Biao and Fu Youde called for Zhu Ying to be richly rewarded.
• Zhu Yuanzhang agreed Zhu Ying deserved a reward but said final honors would wait until the Northern Expedition ended, then asked Zhu Biao what reward he should grant now.

Zhu Biao secured Zhu Ying’s promotion to Marquis of Victory and approved a proclamation praising his defeat of the Northern Yuan cavalry, despite Zhu Yuanzhang’s concerns about raising a powerful commander. After sealing the edict, Zhu Biao and Zhu Yuanzhang discussed the Northern Expedition, the princes’ appointments, and summoning Zhu Ying’s family to court.

• Zhu Biao proposed elevating Zhu Ying to Marquis of Victory and granting Zhu Ying’s wife the title Third-Rank Imperial Lady, and Zhu Yuanzhang approved both honors.
• Fu Youde and Tang Duo urged the court to announce the victory across the realm, and Zhu Biao supported proclaiming Zhu Ying’s achievements by name.
• Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the victory and Zhu Ying’s role in it proclaimed throughout the realm, while the courier presented Guilichi’s head and saber for burial.
• After court, Lu Ben considered courting Zhu Ying as an ally for Yun Wen, while Tang Duo avoided revealing his own thoughts about the marquis.
• Zhu Biao stamped the imperial edict with the jade seal despite Zhu Yuanzhang’s worries that Zhu Ying’s rising prestige might become dangerous.
• Zhu Yuanzhang decided to send Fifteenth Prince to govern Liaodong as Prince of Liao and proposed summoning Zhu Ying’s wife and children to commend them.

Zhu Yuanzhang reviewed the Imperial Guard’s incomplete investigation into Zhu Ying, then ordered agents placed among the rewards and servants sent to the Zhu residence. Yun Qi delivered an edict promoting Shen Yu'er to a Third-Rank Titled Lady for Zhu Ying’s Northern Expedition victory, while the townspeople questioned whether Ming cavalry could truly defeat the Northern Yuan’s iron cavalry; the chapter ended with the Shen Family steward rushing in to announce trouble.

• Zhu Biao accepted the imperial edict from Zhu Yuanzhang and left Wenyuan Pavilion.
• Zhu Yuanzhang questioned Jiang Yan about Zhu Ying’s background, business dealings, age, and military training, then ordered Imperial Guard agents placed among Zhu Ying’s new servants without informing Zhu Biao.
• Yun Qi arrived at the Zhu residence and proclaimed Zhu Ying’s victory over the Northern Yuan’s iron cavalry, promoting Shen Yu'er to a Third-Rank Titled Lady and bestowing wealth, goods, and one hundred servants.
• Shen Yu'er accepted the edict, arranged for Lin Fu to manage the new servants, and privately worried about Zhu Ying’s safety in the Northern Frontier.
• The townspeople debated whether Zhu Ying’s cavalry could really have defeated the Northern Yuan’s famed iron cavalry.
• The Shen Family steward rushed into the main hall and shouted that something terrible had happened.

Shen Wansan learned that Zhu Ying would be made Marquis of Victory and regretted turning him into an enemy, while Shen Cong returned with both hands severed and reported Zhu Ying’s threat against the Shen Family. The Crown Prince arranged the gradual announcement of Zhu Ying’s victory and summoned Shen Yu’er and her child to the Eastern Palace.

• The Shen Family steward told Shen Wansan that Shen Yu'er had received the rank of Third-Rank Honored Lady and Zhu Ying was set to become Marquis of Victory for his Northern Expedition achievements.
• Shen Wansan accepted that Zhu Ying's victory was genuine and feared the Shen Family could no longer rely on Huai West to protect it.
• Shen Cong returned with both hands severed and said Zhu Ying had vowed to fight the Shen Family to the death.
• Shen Rong learned that Zhu Ying was becoming a marquis and fell silent, while Shen Wansan warned him against provoking Zhu Ying.
• Zhu Biao ordered Lu Ben to prepare a gradual proclamation of the Northern Expedition victory and sent Luo Yang to deliver a decree to the Zhu residence.
• Zhu Biao summoned Shen Yu'er and her child to the Eastern Palace for an audience the following day, and Lu Ben went to see Lu clan.

Lu Ben and Lu clan planned to win Zhu Ying’s support for Zhu Yunwen against the Huai Xi faction, while Shen Yu'er brought Zhu Xi to meet Zhu Biao at the Eastern Palace. The chapter ended with Zhu Biao staring at the child and mistaking him for Xiongying.

• Lu Ben warned Lu clan to befriend Zhu Ying and stay vigilant against Zhu Yunteng, and she promised to send a gift to Zhu Ying’s household.
• Lin Fu told Shen Yu'er that he had found locations for restaurants and a distillery in Yingtian, while she worried about her audience with Zhu Biao.
• Luo Yang summoned Shen Yu'er and Zhu Xi to the Eastern Palace, where Imperial Guards escorted them to meet Zhu Biao.
• Shen Yu'er entered the hall with Zhu Xi and waited while Zhu Biao reviewed memorials and issued orders about military supplies.
• Zhu Biao praised Shen Yu'er, then saw Zhu Xi and was stunned, murmuring the name Xiongying.

Zhu Biao met Shen Yu'er and her son Zhu Xi, whose resemblance to his dead son Zhu Xiongying and unexpected call of “Grandpa” stirred his grief. After Shen Yu'er returned home, Lu clan learned of Zhu Biao's tears and realized he still mourned Zhu Xiongying.

• Zhu Biao was stunned by Zhu Xi's resemblance to Zhu Xiongying and welcomed the child into his arms, while Shen Yu'er explained that she and Zhu Xi had settled in Yingtian.
• Zhu Biao told Shen Yu'er that bringing her from Daning would keep her safe and warned her family not to expand its business beyond its distillery and taverns.
• Zhu Biao asked about Shen Yu'er's estrangement from the Shen Family, then reassured her that she did not need to answer and showed affection for Zhu Xi.
• As Shen Yu'er left the Eastern Palace, Zhu Xi called Zhu Biao “Grandpa,” prompting Zhu Biao to answer and privately weep for Zhu Xiongying, Chang clan, and his mother.
• The attending eunuch told Lu clan about Zhu Biao's affection for Zhu Xi and his tears, and Lu clan concluded that Zhu Biao still grieved for Zhu Xiongying.
• At the Zhu Residence, Shen Yu'er and Lin Fu discussed Zhu Biao's warning about commerce and wondered why Zhu Xi had been so unafraid of him.

Ying Tian City celebrated Zhu Ying’s elevation to Marquis of Victory after his cavalry defeated the Northern Yuan, while the Shen Family feared his growing influence. Back on the Northern Frontier, Zhu Ying continued pursuing routed Yuan forces and strengthening himself as the Northern Expedition advanced.

• An official proclaimed Zhu Ying’s victory over the Northern Yuan and his elevation from Count Champion to Marquis of Victory, prompting cheers throughout Ying Tian City.
• Zhu Yuanzhang worried about Zhu Ying’s rising prestige, while Zhu Biao celebrated the proclamation and expressed confidence in his choice.
• Lin Fu and Shen Yu'er received congratulatory gift notices from powerful officials, and Lin Fu advised them to accept the notices but refuse the gifts to avoid suspicion of factional dealings.
• Shen Wansan learned that Zhu Ying had become Marquis of Victory, and Shen Yan'er regretted not marrying him instead of Lu Hao.
• Nearly a month after the Northern Yuan cavalry’s defeat, Zhu Ying and Wei Quan’s forces destroyed or captured fleeing Yuan soldiers as Zhu Ying gained rewards and reflected on his growing strength.

Zhu Ying joined the Northern Expedition’s commanders near the Yuan Capital and received an imperial edict promoting him to Marquis of Victory for crushing the Northern Yuan cavalry. The edict also brought rewards from the system and news that Madam Zhu had been granted a noble rank, while Guo Ying was ordered to advance cautiously.

• Zhu Ying told Chen Heng and Zhang Wu that he aimed to ride deep into Northern Yuan territory and achieve the feat of Fenglangjuxu.
• Zhu Ying entered the main tent, where Zhu Di and Zhu Quan watched him with surprise and curiosity.
• Guo Ying praised Zhu Ying’s role in the Northern Expedition and announced that an imperial envoy had arrived with a decree.
• The Imperial Guards Thousand Household proclaimed Zhu Ying Marquis of Victory and ordered his name celebrated alongside the Northern Expedition’s victory.
• The envoy told Zhu Ying that Madam Zhu had been made a Third-Rank Imperial Lady, and Zhu Ying received three treasure chests through the system.
• The envoy relayed Zhu Yuanzhang’s warning against advancing rashly, and Guo Ying promised to proceed carefully before the generals congratulated Zhu Ying.

Zhu Quan told Zhu Di that Zhu Ying looked remarkably like the supposedly dead Zhu Xiongying, deepening Zhu Di’s fear that Zhu Ying threatened his ambitions. Zhu Di and Yao Guangxiao discussed testing Zhu Ying’s loyalty and the possibility of eliminating him during a pursuit into the Northern Frontier.

• Guo Ying announced that the Ming army would attack the Yuan Army’s two remaining fortified cities the next day, with Lan Yu and Li Jinglong each leading an assault.
• After Guo Ying suggested Zhu Quan learn about Daning from Zhu Ying, Zhu Quan explored Zhu Di’s tent and discussed his future military authority over Daning and Liaodong.
• Zhu Quan told Zhu Di that Zhu Ying’s eyes and features strongly reminded him of Zhu Xiongying, stirring Zhu Di’s doubts and anxiety.
• Zhu Quan recalled their childhood with Zhu Xiongying and said he hoped Zhu Ying would remain in Daning to defend the region.
• After Zhu Quan left, Zhu Di admitted to Yao Guangxiao that he feared Zhu Ying might be Zhu Xiongying and said he would rather destroy him than let him become an enemy.
• Yao Guangxiao proposed exploiting the coming pursuit of the fleeing Yuan Emperor to endanger Zhu Ying, but Zhu Di rejected leaking military intelligence to the Northern Yuan and agreed to test whether Zhu Ying could be made to submit.

Zhu Ying opened his accumulated treasure chests, gained powerful cultivation manuals and useful technologies, and discovered that the Imperial Seal was at Mount Langju. Meanwhile, the Yuan Emperor secretly prepared to flee north as the Ming Army approached, while Zhu Yuanzhang celebrated the Northern Expedition and ordered Guo Ying to focus on destroying Northern Yuan.

• Zhu Ying opened sixteen ordinary, six Tier 1, and one Tier 2 treasure chests, receiving weapons, supplies, technologies, cultivation methods, and the Nine Yang Divine Skill.
• Zhu Ying learned that he needed more Internal Breath and heaven-and-earth Spiritual Energy to cultivate internal force, and that he could use Shifting Stars within thirty feet.
• Liu Lei brought Zhu Ying a rough Northern Frontier map, and Zhu Ying compared it with the Imperial Seal map and identified Mount Langju as the Seal's location.
• The Yuan Emperor granted Manzi command of three hundred thousand troops to defend the last two guard cities, then told Shiliemen that he would secretly retreat north that night.
• Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao celebrated the approaching fall of the Northern Yuan capital, and Zhu Yuanzhang ordered Guo Ying to pursue Northern Yuan's destruction rather than focus on capturing cities.

Zhu Biao told Zhu Yuanzhang that Zhu Ying’s young son looked exactly like Xiongying, stirring memories of his deceased grandson. Meanwhile, Zhu Ying’s cavalry breached the Yuan Capital and entered the imperial palace, where they confronted Manzi and the generals who had chosen to stand and fight.

• Zhu Biao reassured Zhu Yuanzhang that the Northern Expedition had made remarkable progress and was likely to break apart the Northern Yuan.
• Zhu Biao said Zhu Ying’s son looked exactly like Xiongying as a young child, and Zhu Yuanzhang comforted him.
• Zhu Ying led the Daning cavalry in an assault on the Yuan Capital, shattered its gate, and routed the demoralized Yuan Army.
• Manzi let most of his generals leave to seek safety, then stayed behind with nine generals to face the Ming Army.
• Zhu Ying ordered his soldiers to spare civilians who surrendered or returned home and allowed his men to take valuables from the palace.
• Zhu Ying entered the imperial palace and faced Manzi and the remaining Yuan generals, calling them a gift left for him.

Zhu Ying captured Yuan Capital, killed Manzi and nine other Northern Yuan generals, and argued that the Ming army should pursue the fleeing Yuan Emperor to destroy Northern Yuan completely. The generals agreed to wait for Zhu Yuanzhang’s decree, while Zhu Di privately resolved to test Zhu Ying that night and decide whether to win him over.

• Zhu Ying demanded the Yuan generals surrender or fight, then killed Manzi when he refused and slew the nine generals who charged him.
• Zhu Ying distributed the nine generals’ heads to Liu Lei to credit Chen Heng and the other generals, then reflected on his ambition to one day possess a Dragon Throne.
• Guo Ying arrived with Zhu Di, Lan Yu, Li Jinglong, and other commanders, praised Zhu Ying for breaching Yuan Capital, and heard Zhu Di explain Northern Yuan’s weakened position.
• Guo Ying and Li Jinglong warned that pursuing the Yuan Emperor into the Northern Frontier would be dangerous, but Zhu Ying argued that killing or capturing him was necessary to break Northern Yuan apart.
• Zhu Di privately decided to test Zhu Ying that night, then urged the army to rest and wait for Zhu Yuanzhang’s decree before deciding whether to pursue.
• Guo Ying agreed with Zhu Di, and Zhu Ying accepted the delay while believing Zhu Yuanzhang would order the pursuit.

After the victory feast, Zhu Ying promised his generals he would seek to remain on the Northern Frontier, then accepted Zhu Di’s unusual invitation to meet at the Chancellor’s Residence. The chapter ended with Zhu Ying entering Zhu Di’s bath hall, uncertain what the Prince of Yan intended.

• Zhu Ying celebrated the Daning Border Army’s capture of the Yuan Capital with a meat feast and welcomed Zhu Quan, who asked to be treated as a friend and called him Brother Zhu.
• Zhu Ying told Zhu Quan and his generals that the Northern Expedition had to kill the Yuan Emperor and destabilize Northern Yuan to secure the frontier.
• When the generals feared Zhu Ying would leave after being promoted, he promised to request a post on the Northern Frontier and remain with his brothers.
• Zhu Neng summoned Zhu Ying to meet Zhu Di at the Chancellor’s Residence, where Zhu Di had prepared a bath and wine.
• Zhu Di ordered the maidservants to undress Zhu Ying, while Zhu Ying watched him and wondered what he planned to do.

Zhu Di tried to probe and recruit Zhu Ying, but Zhu Ying refused his offers and remained determined to serve in the Northern Frontier. After seeing Zhu Ying’s jade pendant, Zhu Di recognized it as Zhu Xiongying’s and concluded that Zhu Ying was his supposedly dead nephew, leaving him stunned as Yao Guangxiao advised him on how to deal with Zhu Ying.

• Zhu Di questioned Zhu Ying about the Shen Family’s troubles and mountain bandits, but Zhu Ying denied involvement and endorsed bringing the bandits to justice.
• Zhu Ying declined Zhu Di’s proposals to expand their liquor business and serve in Beiping, insisting that he would remain in Daning to guard the Northern Frontier.
• Zhu Di noticed Zhu Ying’s jade pendant, examined it, and offered to buy it, but Zhu Ying refused because it was a family heirloom.
• Zhu Di recognized the pendant as the one buried with Zhu Xiongying and concluded that Zhu Ying was his supposedly dead nephew.
• Yao Guangxiao advised Zhu Di to arrange Zhu Ying’s death in battle or keep him away from the Northern Frontier, but Zhu Di remained too shocked to respond.