Great Ming Dynasty! I am Zhu Biao's invincible second brother!

Chapter 18 Setting up a Banquet

As night fell, the palace was brightly lit, and a grand victory celebration banquet was being held.

Empress Ma was already waiting at the palace gate. When she saw Zhu Mu return safely, her loving eyes instantly filled with tears. She held his hand and kept saying, "You've lost weight and gotten darker. It's good that you're back safe and sound."

At the banquet, with fine wine and delicious food, the emperor and his subjects enjoyed themselves together.

After several rounds of drinks, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong and smiled:

"Wenzhong, Yuchun, tell me the details of this battle. Especially how did our son perform on the battlefield?"

Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong exchanged a glance, then stood up together and bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Chang Yuchun, usually so impulsive, appeared unusually serious at this moment:

"Your Majesty, I am guilty! If it weren't for His Highness Prince Chu, I would have lost my life in Liuhechuan!"

He recounted the events of entering the city and the "disarming" movement in their entirety, without any embellishment, including his initial indifference and subsequent deep regret.

Then, Li Wenzhong added:

"Your Majesty, His Highness's merit lies not only in the brilliant tactics of the surprise attack on Shangdu, but also in his iron-fisted discipline of the army."

"When the capital fell, His Highness issued three strict prohibitions: 'No looting of civilians, no indiscriminate killing of surrendered soldiers, and no burning of civilian houses.' He also executed several soldiers who disobeyed the order to deter the entire army."

"After careful consideration, Your Highness and I, your subject and the Duke of E, finally understood Your Highness's profound meaning."

"This move is not only to win over the hearts of the people for our Great Ming, but also to prevent us military generals from becoming arrogant and to cut off the root of the formation of private army forces within the military."

"Your Highness's actions are setting a precedent for the long-term stability of our Great Ming Dynasty, and also protecting the lives and reputations of us meritorious officials!"

After speaking, the two bowed deeply once more:

"We, your humble servants, have often acted carelessly in the past. Only through this battle have we realized the foresight and wisdom of Your Majesty and Your Highness. We hereby swear that from now on we will faithfully fulfill our duties, and as generals, we will be loyal to our sovereign and the nation, with absolutely no disloyalty!"

Zhu Yuanzhang listened quietly, his smile gradually fading, replaced by a deep sense of satisfaction.

What he wanted was not just generals who could win battles, but also ministers who knew how to be respectful and strictly adhere to their duties.

Zhu Mu did even better than he had expected.

He raised his wine glass and addressed the two of them:

"Good! We are very pleased that you understand this principle! Let's raise a glass to you!"

The emperor and his minister drank it all in one gulp.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned his gaze to Zhu Biao beside him, watching him calmly handle the toasts from his ministers, responding appropriately and displaying the demeanor of a crown prince.

Zhu Yuanzhang thought to himself:

Biao'er's political talent is improving day by day; what he lacks now is the ability to deter these arrogant and fierce generals.

Mu'er's actions today have precisely made up for this.

The two brothers, one a scholar and the other a warrior, one benevolent and the other imposing, as long as they are of one mind, the Ming Dynasty will be as stable as Mount Tai!

……

Later in the banquet, Zhu Mu and Zhu Biao sat down together.

Zhu Biao personally poured a full glass of wine for his younger brother, his eyes filled with pride and satisfaction:

"Second brother, you fought brilliantly on this Northern Expedition! With you here, how can we worry about the stability of the realm, or the future prosperity of the country! Truly..."

"My second brother is invincible!"

Zhu Mu smiled and clinked glasses with him:

"Brother, you flatter me. Battlefield conquest is ultimately a secondary skill. Governing the country, pacifying the people, and ensuring peace and prosperity across this vast land are the true great arts. In this respect, I still have much to learn from you."

The two brothers exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

After the banquet, just as Zhu Mu was preparing to leave the palace and return to the Chu Prince's residence, Empress Ma's personal maid arrived.

"Your Highness, Her Majesty requests your presence at Kunning Palace."

Upon seeing his mother, Zhu Mu sheathed all his sharp edges and reverted to being the obedient son he always was.

Empress Ma took his hand, made him sit beside her, carefully examined his face, and said with heartache:

"Mu'er, you've had a tough time this time. War is not child's play. You must never again take such a risky tactic of venturing deep into enemy territory alone. It terrifies me just hearing about it."

"Your Majesty, I understand. I have caused you worry."

Empress Ma nodded, then changed the subject, a hint of a smile appearing in her eyes:

"Mu'er, you're not getting any younger. Look, your eldest brother and that girl from the Chang family are deeply in love, and their marriage is already on the agenda. Do you... have a girl you like?"

Zhu Mu was taken aback; he hadn't really thought about that question.

Over the years, his mind has been filled with hybrid rice, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and the military and development blueprint of the Ming Dynasty. His daughter's figure has never stopped.

Among women his age, the one he had the most contact with was Chang Meirong, who was about to become his sister-in-law.

He shook his head frankly:

"Your Majesty, I have not yet considered this matter."

Empress Ma smiled gently:

"It is only natural for men to marry when they come of age and for women to marry when they come of age. Should your mother find you a few virtuous and well-bred young ladies?"

Zhu Mu was grateful and replied respectfully:

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. However, I feel that with the Northern Yuan still not destroyed and war still raging on the borders, it seems premature to discuss personal feelings between men and women. Of course, if Mother has already made arrangements, I will follow them and will try to make contact."

His words expressed his concern for national affairs while not going against his mother's good intentions, leaving her room for maneuver.

Empress Ma's smile grew even more gratified upon hearing this.

Her son was brave and decisive yet measured, with a heart for the world yet filial to his parents; he was truly her pride.

"Alright, alright, no rush. My son has great ambitions, and I am happy for you. In that case, let's put this matter aside for now."

She patted Zhu Mu's hand.

"It's getting late, let's head back to the manor to rest."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I take my leave."

As Zhu Mu walked out of Kunning Palace and gazed at the bright moon in the sky, he let out a long sigh of relief.

The smoke of war and the warmth of family and country intertwined, making him even more determined to take the path he wanted to follow.

……

The following day, at Fengtian Hall.

The morning light shone through the carved window frames, illuminating the solemn figures of the civil and military officials.

Yesterday's victory celebration was a family banquet, while today's court assembly is a formal national ceremony to reward those who have made contributions.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat high on the dragon throne, his voice booming, full of imperial majesty.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

The eunuch's loud voice echoed throughout the hall.

"...King Zhu Mu of Chu, as a member of the royal family, served as the military supervisor. He devised a brilliant plan to launch a surprise attack, capturing Shangdu and demonstrating the power of our nation. His wisdom, courage, and determination make him a pillar of the country. Now, he is specially granted additional titles, his fiefdom increased to 20,000 households, a thousand taels of gold, ten thousand strings of paper money, and the authority to personally command three thousand guards of the Chu royal palace..."

"...Chang Yuchun, as the General of the Northern Expedition, charged into battle with unparalleled bravery, achieving outstanding merits... He was granted the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and awarded eight hundred taels of gold and a thousand acres of fertile land..."

"...Li Wenzhong, as Left Deputy General, was skilled in command and provided effective assistance... He was promoted to Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince, and granted eight hundred taels of gold and a thousand acres of fertile land..."

The rewards were distributed in an orderly manner, with everyone from the commander-in-chief to the meritorious soldiers receiving rewards.

Zhu Yuanzhang's handling of the situation was extremely skillful; he affirmed Zhu Mu's primary contribution and central position—

In particular, he was granted the authority to have three thousand guards, an unprecedented honor among princes, which demonstrated the great trust placed in him.

This also balanced the contributions and status of Chang and Li, by bestowing upon them the titles of Grand Tutor and Grand Protector of the Crown Prince, thus binding them even more closely to the heir apparent, Zhu Biao.

The entire process of bestowing titles and rewards was not only a reward for meritorious officials, but also a redistribution and balancing of power, fully demonstrating Zhu Yuanzhang's imperial cunning.