Emperor Taizu of Ming, Zhu Yuanzhang!

Ying Tian Prefecture!

Ying Tian City, where the Ming Dynasty's capital was located.

At its center stood the Ming imperial palace in all its imposing splendor, the administrative heart of the entire Grand Ming Empire.

A place of heavenly majesty, revered and feared by countless Ming citizens throughout the realm.

Inside the imperial palace.

Fengtian Hall!

An emperor already showing signs of age sat upon the throne, dressed in a Dragon Robe and wearing a crown. His hands rested on the imperial desk as he reviewed memorials.

Though his face bore the marks of age and he may have already reached the age of destiny, the authority radiating from him was enough to create an indescribable oppression even as he sat motionless. No one dared meet that majesty head-on.

He was the heaven of the Ming Dynasty.

The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang.

He was also an emperor who had truly clawed his way from the very bottom to that supreme throne, forging the dignity of the Han people, changing their fate of being treated like weeds, and restoring Han prestige.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

At that moment!

A loud shout came from outside the hall.

A man dressed in a red Crown Prince's Robe strode swiftly into the hall. His expression was resolute, and his features carried the same air of authority.

He needed no announcement and entered Fengtian Hall directly.

There was only one person in the entire Ming Dynasty who possessed such a privilege.

That was the Crown Prince whose position was most secure, Zhu Biao.

Of course.

Years ago, there had been two others. One was Zhu Yuanzhang's principal wife, the Empress of the Ming Dynasty, Lady Ma.

The other was Zhu Biao's eldest legitimate son, Zhu Xiongying.

"Eldest, you're here."

Seeing Zhu Biao arrive, Zhu Yuanzhang set down the memorial and smiled faintly.

In all the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Biao was the only one who could make Zhu Yuanzhang reveal such a gentle, kindly smile.

"Father Emperor."

"A report has just arrived from Daning Prefecture."

"The banditry in Daning Prefecture is growing more and more severe."

"Throughout the border regions, mountain bandits and highwaymen run rampant, robbing merchant caravans and slaughtering civilians."

"There have already been more than a hundred cases." Zhu Biao spoke with a solemn expression.

"If this were ordinary banditry, it would never be so concentrated. Someone seems to be manipulating matters in secret, deliberately throwing Daning Prefecture into disorder and disturbing the peace of our Great Ming borderlands," Zhu Yuanzhang said gravely.

"Father Emperor."

"Could news of our Great Ming campaign against the Northern Yuan have leaked?"

"Could they be trying to stir up trouble along the border to disrupt our Great Ming?" Zhu Biao asked with some speculation.

"Very likely."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his expression turning cold.

"The Northern Yuan."

"Though it has been crippled by our Great Ming, it has not yet been completely eradicated."

"This time, that young emperor of the Northern Yuan still harbors ambitions of counterattacking our Great Ming. The Northern Yuan Grand Commandant, Naha Chu, is gathering troops and amassing an army, intending to attack our Great Ming."

"Father Emperor once showed him mercy and released him, yet rather than repay that grace, he remains fiercely loyal to the Northern Yuan. He has become a grave threat indeed." Zhu Biao sighed.

Clearly, he attached great importance to Naha Chu as well.

"Naha Chu is said to be the pillar of the Northern Yuan and is hailed by them as another Wang Baobao."

"Our Great Ming's northeastern frontier must eliminate him before it can be fully secured."

"Enough."

"There is no need to dwell on this. His little schemes cannot stop our Great Ming from destroying him. Once he is dealt with, eradicating the Northern Yuan afterward will become much easier."

"We have already issued an edict to Feng Sheng. He is currently mustering troops."

"As for gathering provisions and military supplies, Biao'er, handle that personally. We do not trust those people."

"Strive to launch an attack on Naha Chu within a few months," Zhu Yuanzhang said to Zhu Biao.

"Your son accepts the edict," Zhu Biao immediately answered.

"As for the banditry in Daning Prefecture, issue an edict to the Commander of the Gendarmerie of Daning Prefecture. Have him completely suppress the banditry throughout Daning Prefecture and restore peace to the border."

"This must be resolved before Feng Sheng moves his army. If he cannot do it, We will have his head," Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly.

Zhu Biao bowed. "Your son accepts the edict."

Just as Zhu Biao turned to leave.

"Eldest."

"You are occupied with state affairs every day as well. You must take care to rest and remember not to overwork yourself," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a warm, kindly expression.

"Father, don't worry."

"I am still young. Naturally, I should share some of your burdens, or Father would be far too exhausted," Zhu Biao replied with a smile.

"In any case, your health comes first."

"We have already lost your mother and Xiongying. We cannot lose you as well."

"Alas."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, and his aged face was filled with sorrow.

In the entire realm.

Zhu Biao was now the only one who could witness this side of Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Father."

"I will be well, and Father will be well too."

Zhu Biao spoke with a serious expression.

Daning Prefecture!

Barracks.

Drill ground.

Nearly a thousand armored Ming Army soldiers had gathered.

Every hundred men formed a military formation, with a Hundred Household officer standing before each formation.

Standing upon the command platform was Wei Quan, the Thousand Household Officer of the Ansha County Garrison.

"Soldiers of our Ansha Garrison."

"This campaign has returned in triumph."

"Within fifty li of Ansha County, all mountain bandits have been cleared out."

"More than two hundred mountain bandits were slain. Every one of you soldiers has contributed greatly."

"This bandit suppression campaign has now ended."

"Especially the soldiers of the First Hundred Household Battalion, who rendered outstanding merit by slaying forty-eight enemies and seizing more than a dozen chests of gold, silver, and valuables."

"Among you are many soldiers who fought bravely and earned military merit."

"According to our Great Ming military merit system, you should be rewarded."

"Now, those whose names I call, step forward and receive your military merit rewards."

Wei Quan stood atop the command platform and shouted.

Afterward.

Wei Quan swept his gaze over the crowd and took out a roster. "First Hundred Household Battalion, Liu Lei."

"First Hundred Household Battalion, Zhu Ying."

"Third Hundred Household Battalion, Chen Xiong."

"Sixth Hundred Household Battalion, Wu Yi."

Wei Quan called out nine names in succession.

When Zhu Ying heard his own name, he was somewhat surprised. But then he remembered that he had taken down several mountain bandits in the bandits' den, including one bandit leader.

That was no small military achievement!

Within the Ming Army.

Other than the hereditary official ranks that had been possible some years ago, hereditary offices had been abolished since the fifteenth year of the Hongwu Era.

Now, all promotions were based on military merit.

A soldier who killed five enemies could be promoted to Junior Banner Officer. Killing ten enemies could earn a promotion to General Officer. Killing a hundred enemies, beheading an enemy general, or earning other military merits could lead to promotion to Hundred Household Officer.

All military merits would be recorded in the registers.

Military merits were strictly evaluated, putting an end to the old system of hereditary succession.

"Liu Lei."

"You led the First Hundred Household Battalion in suppressing bandits and rendered merit. You are awarded one hundred taels of silver, and one merit shall be recorded," Wei Quan shouted.

"Thank you, Thousand Household Officer."

Liu Lei bowed.

"Zhu Ying."

Wei Quan's gaze fell upon Zhu Ying.

"Present."

Zhu Ying immediately answered, anticipation rising within him.

This time.

He had killed five enemies, so at the very least, he should become a Junior Banner Officer. Moreover, he had slain a bandit leader, who had also been a Tatar centurion. That merit was even greater.

"You killed five enemies and also slew a bandit leader, earning military merit."

"According to our Great Ming military merit system, you are appointed Junior Banner Officer, commanding ten soldiers, and awarded fifty taels of silver," Wei Quan shouted.

"Thank you, Thousand Household Officer."

Zhu Ying immediately replied.

At that moment!

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