A Momentous Mission

The little girl's bold declaration sounded so laughable, yet not a single person present mocked her. Even the Crown Prince, Zhu Cilang, stared wide-eyed at his younger sister.

How had he never known his sister harbored such lofty ambitions?

"Kunxing, don't talk nonsense!" Empress Zhou could not help scolding her in a low voice.

Zhu Youjian, however, smiled and waved a hand at Empress Zhou before continuing, "Kunxing, becoming a general is no simple matter. Learning archery and horsemanship alone won't make you a general or win you battles."

"Then what should I do?" Zhu Meichuo had completely forgotten her fear. She raised her head to look at Zhu Youjian, her eyes brimming with a thirst for knowledge.

"Well, of course you'll need to read more, and study military strategy too. Once you've learned it, you'll have to put it into practice and gain experience. And in this world, becoming a female general is very difficult!"

Zhu Meichuo blinked and asked, "Is it harder than being a princess?"

Holding back a smile, Zhu Youjian said, "Yes, harder than being a princess. Do you still want to do it?"

Zhu Meichuo lowered her head and considered it very seriously, then looked up again. Young as she was, a determined light shone in her eyes. "I do!"

"Good!" Zhu Youjian smiled and patted Zhu Meichuo's head. "Then I'll find you a master to teach you riding and archery. Starting tomorrow, you'll study alongside your brother, the Crown Prince. Whatever he learns, you'll learn too!"

"Your Majesty, surely this is inappropriate!" Empress Zhou hurriedly rose to dissuade him. It was already outrageous for a girl to study what men studied; teaching her the arts of emperorship as well would surely invite criticism. It was not fitting.

"Hear me out," Zhu Youjian continued. "Kunxing, your imperial father has a condition to make clear beforehand. Six months from now, I'll test you on everything you've learned. If you pass, you may continue studying. If you fail, you'll have to go back to being a princess. What do you say?"

Zhu Meichuo was already beside herself with joy at being given this opportunity. What child would spare a thought for an examination six months away? She nodded eagerly and agreed.

Hearing that there was this condition as well, Empress Zhou said no more.

One needed only to look at the Crown Prince to know how grueling studying was. Kunxing was only eight; she surely would not persevere.

Having settled Zhu Meichuo's affairs, Zhu Youjian turned to Zhu Cilang, whose eyes burned with eagerness. "You too. Learn riding and archery with Kunxing, and no slacking off. Also, come to Wuying Hall every day at the hour of the goat!"

What the Crown Prince would be doing at Wuying Hall went without saying. At the emperor's words, Zhu Cilang felt both nervous and excited.

He was nervous because he feared doing poorly and being scolded by his imperial father!

He was excited because he would finally receive his imperial father's personal instruction and learn more about governing the country.

But Zhu Youjian was hardly being generous. He merely wanted someone to share his workload, even if that someone was only a child laborer.

Besides, if he really went to the border to negotiate with Huang Taiji, the Crown Prince would have to act as regent. While there was still time, every extra day of learning would help!

Having finished with the two children, Zhu Youjian waved them off to play. Only then did he turn to Empress Zhou and Consort Tian Lifen before him.

Consort Tian Lifen had not seen the emperor for a long time. Having encountered him in the imperial garden today, she wanted nothing more than to spend a little longer with him.

But the empress was here too, and had just spoken up to save her from an awkward situation. By every measure of sentiment and propriety, she ought to take her leave and let the emperor and empress spend some time alone.

Yet knowing that was one thing; actually doing it was another. She could not bear to leave.

Zhu Youjian also silently picked up the teacup beside him. After meeting Tian Xiuying today, he finally understood why Chongzhen had favored her for so long. There was indeed a reason.

Not only was she beautiful and gentle, she treated the children exceedingly well. At this moment, he truly wanted to get to know Consort Tian Lifen better.

But he could hardly send the empress away. Wouldn't that be a slap in her face?

While he was torn with indecision, someone outside the pavilion reported that Luo Yangxing was requesting an audience at Wuying Hall.

"Since Your Majesty has business to attend to, I shall trouble you no further!" Hearing the message, Empress Zhou rose and bowed to Zhu Youjian. Consort Tian Lifen followed close behind, and the two left together.

Tsk, that clueless Luo Yangxing just had to come now. What could be so important that it couldn't wait until tomorrow?

Zhu Youjian grumbled inwardly all the way back to Wuying Hall. When Luo Yangxing saw the emperor's dark expression, he wondered which blind fool had offended His Majesty this time.

He had deliberately chosen this moment to enter the palace. With news of victory arriving, His Majesty was bound to be in a good mood. Even if he said or did something wrong, His Majesty would not make things too difficult for him.

Yet now, it seemed he had once again chosen the wrong time.

Still, since he was already here, there was no reason to leave. Luo Yangxing signaled to the men behind him and followed Zhu Youjian into the hall.

"What is it?" Zhu Youjian asked coolly after sitting down.

Luo Yangxing hurriedly presented the regulations he had drawn up, then stepped aside to reveal the several Embroidered Uniform Guards behind him. "Your Majesty, I have come today to report on my assignment."

The matter was of grave importance, so Luo Yangxing had not told these guards what it concerned, merely bringing them straight into the palace. As for which men to choose, His Majesty would have to assess them himself and decide.

Zhu Youjian leafed through the regulations. There were no issues with what Luo Yangxing had written; they could be put to use immediately.

An additional sheet was attached at the end, detailing the backgrounds of the men standing below, along with what they had done since joining the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Among those names, Zhu Youjian spotted a familiar one: Li Ruolian, associate commander of the Southern Hall.

Li Ruolian had passed the military palace examination in the early years of Chongzhen's reign, rather than entering office through hereditary privilege. History had already proven his loyalty, so there was no need to test him further. He was the most suitable candidate at present.

"Li Ruolian, stay." Zhu Youjian closed the document and spoke calmly.

The others withdrew from Wuying Hall. Wang Cheng'en glanced at the emperor, then led the attendants out as well.

Li Ruolian had no idea why he had been summoned today in the first place. Seeing these arrangements only left him more bewildered.

Aside from Luo Yangxing, only one Embroidered Uniform Guard remained in the hall. Zhu Youjian raised his eyes and saw Li Ruolian standing there, his whole bearing exuding a certain...

Roguishness!

Quite suitable!

Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction and said, "I want you to undertake a task. It concerns the fate of our Great Ming and is extraordinarily dangerous. Are you willing?"

A matter concerning the nation's fate, and extraordinarily dangerous at that. No wonder the commander had selected his men so cautiously.

Now that His Majesty had kept him behind, it meant his abilities had been acknowledged!

What was there to hesitate over? Li Ruolian answered loudly, "I am willing!"

"You won't even ask what it is?" Zhu Youjian asked with a laugh.

What was there to ask?

The Embroidered Uniform Guard already served His Majesty as his hounds and horses. Whatever he commanded, they ought to do!

"It is my duty to brave boiling water and tread through fire for Your Majesty!" After declaring this loudly, Li Ruolian broke into a delighted grin, revealing two pointed canine teeth that lent him a boyish air.

Looking at that smile, Zhu Youjian could not help smiling a little himself.

"Good!"

After speaking, Zhu Youjian gave Luo Yangxing a meaningful glance. Luo Yangxing cleared his throat, then explained the plan to Li Ruolian in detail: establish a merchant caravan and seek every opportunity to infiltrate Jurchen territory to gather intelligence.

The more Li Ruolian listened, the more excited he became. This was indeed an extraordinary mission.

Out of all the men in the Embroidered Uniform Guard, His Majesty had chosen him. What tremendous trust His Majesty had placed in him!

Still, there was something amiss with this plan.

Noticing the change in Li Ruolian's expression, Zhu Youjian asked, "Is there a problem?"