King Luhuang of the Ming Dynasty: My father, Ming Taizu

After a while, Wu Ning came onto the deck with a Ryukyu official, followed by several attendants holding various tributes in their hands.

"Foreign minister Wu Ning pays homage to His Royal Highness Prince Lu of the Ming Dynasty. May His Royal Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!"

As soon as Wu Ning saw Zhu Tan, he bowed his head and was very humble.

The officials and attendants following him also knelt on the ground in unison, shouting "Long live the emperor!"

"Get up, everyone, get up, no need to be polite."

Zhu Tan waved his hand casually, signaling everyone to stand up.

After saying that, Zhu Tan stared at the Ryukyu official brought by Wu Ning with ill intent. The official was about forty years old.

He was short and fat, wearing a Ryukyu official uniform, but the workmanship was obviously much worse than that of Wuning, so he must not be of high status.

"King Zhongshan, who is this?"

"Your Highness, this is the head of the Ministry of Revenue, a foreign minister, named Ge Huai."

Wu Ning hurriedly introduced them, and at the same time did not forget to glare at Ge Huai implicitly, signaling him to be smart, otherwise he would suffer the consequences when he returned.

"The head of the Ministry of Revenue, that's the one in charge of money and grain?"

Zhu Tan said with a smile, and Ge Huai felt a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He had never seen such a scene before, so he could only smile apologetically along with Wu Ning.

"Exactly, exactly."

"Well, get up and talk."

Zhu Tan then shifted his gaze away from Ge Huai. He picked up the tea served by the waiter, took a sip gently, and hid the smile on his lips.

Seeing that Zhu Tan had no intention of asking further questions, Wu Ning secretly breathed a sigh of relief and called on the servants behind him to present the tribute.

"Your Highness, this is a small gift from me. Please accept it."

Zhu Tan glanced at it casually. It was nothing more than some pearls, agates, coral ornaments and the like. He didn't even raise his eyelids and said lightly: "Since it is the intention of the King of Zhongshan, then I will not refuse it."

"Ma He, put the things away."

"Yes."

After the tributes were collected, Wu Ning spoke carefully, "Your Highness, I have another favor to ask of you."

"Oh? King Zhongshan, please feel free to speak."

Zhu Tan put down the teacup and looked at Wu Ning with a smile.

Wu Ning's face turned bitter, and he fell to his knees with a plop, crying bitterly and saying:
"Your Highness, you don't know that our Zhongshan Kingdom has been subject to the Ming Dynasty for generations and has paid tribute every year. The treasury has long been empty. Now we have to build a port. This is really..."

As he spoke, Wu Ning began to cry and sob about the poverty of Ryukyu, which made Zhu Tan frown.

It’s a pity that this old guy doesn’t go to sing opera.

Zhu Tan sneered in his heart, but remained calm on the surface. After Wu Ning finished crying, he pretended to be embarrassed:
"Prince Zhongshan, this matter is indeed a bit difficult. You know, although I am a prince of the Ming Dynasty, I cannot use the silver in the national treasury at will."

When Wu Ning heard this, he panicked and kowtowed quickly:

"Your Highness, I am not asking for money. I just want to ask Your Highness to say a few good words to His Majesty so that we can reduce some of the taxes of Zhongshan State, so that I can have enough money to build the port!"

"This……"

Zhu Tan pretended to be hesitant. Seeing this, Wu Ning hurriedly took out a huge night-shining pearl from his sleeve and presented it to him with both hands.

"Your Highness, this is a small gift from me. Please accept it."

Zhu Tan's eyes fell on the night pearl, which was as big as a baby's fist. It was crystal clear and emitted a soft light. It was obvious at first glance that it was a priceless treasure.

"Since this is the intention of the King of Zhongshan, then I will not refuse it."

Zhu Tan took the Night Pearl and put it into his sleeve, then he said, "Don't worry, King Zhongshan. After I return to the capital, I will report this matter to His Majesty and plead for you."

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, Your Highness!"

Wu Ning was overjoyed when he heard this and kowtowed repeatedly to express his gratitude.

Zhu Tan looked at Wu Ning's grateful expression and sneered in his heart. This old fox was really willing to spend so much money.

But, do you think you can bribe me this way?

too naive!

After seeing Wu Ning off, Zhu Tan immediately called Ma He and whispered something to him.

"Go! Find out for me what's going on in Ryukyu! What is Wu Ning up to now?"

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I understand."

Ma He took the order and left. Zhu Tan then walked to the side of the ship, looked at the magnificent sea, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Wu Ning, Wu Ning, do you think that I will really help you plead for mercy at the imperial court?

What this king wants is the entire Ryukyu!
A few days later, Ma He returned to Zhu Tan's boat, exhausted, with fatigue unconcealed on his face, but his eyes were unusually bright.

"Your Highness, I have fulfilled my mission and have investigated thoroughly."

Ma He knelt on one knee and spoke in a low voice.

"Speak!" Zhu Tan put down the ivory ball he was playing with, a gleam of light in his eyes.

"The situation in Ryukyu is completely different from what that old man Wu Ning said!"

Ma He said angrily, "I have secretly visited several ports in Ryukyu and found that their merchant ships are constantly coming and going. They trade frequently with the countries in Southeast Asia, and the goods are piled up like mountains. How can they be poor at all?"

Zhu Tan snorted coldly: "I knew that old fox was full of bad intentions. It turns out that he is just pretending to be pitiful! What else have you discovered?"

"There's something even more terrible!" Ma He said solemnly, "I've heard that the Ryukyu people are not only extremely wealthy, but they also secretly store a large number of weapons, including swords, guns, bows, crossbows, and even a lot of muskets! The number is staggering!"

"It seems that someone in Ryukyu wants to rebel..."

Zhu Tan snorted lightly. He had long seen through the old man Wu Ning's evil tricks, but this matter of secretly storing weapons.

But he smelled something unusual.

"Let's talk about it when we get there first...Hasn't the King of Goryeo been waiting for me for a long time?"

……

Yingtian Prefecture, Prince Lu's Palace.

Zhu Tan's princess was admiring the flowers in the garden when she heard a servant come to report.

It is said that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived.

Princess Lu did not dare to be negligent, and hurriedly went out to greet them with a group of maids and servants.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is your concubine. May His Highness live a thousand years and a thousand thousand years!" Princess Lu bowed with a respectful tone.

Zhu Biao hurried forward and personally helped Princess Lu up, saying with a smile: "Sister-in-law, please get up quickly. I came here today to visit about family matters, so there is no need to be polite."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Princess Lu stood up and led the way. "Your Highness, please come in. I have prepared some fragrant tea. Please wait for a moment."

Although the scale of the Prince of Lu's Palace cannot be compared with that of the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, it is also built in a very grand manner, with pavilions, towers, rockery and flowing water, fully displaying the royal style.

The two of them walked through the corridor and came to the flower hall, where they sat down as host and guest.

The maids served fragrant tea and then retreated quietly.

"I wonder what brings you here today, Your Highness?" Princess Lu took a sip of tea and asked casually. Zhu Biao put down the teacup and looked at Princess Lu with a worried look on his face. He slowly said, "Sister-in-law, I came here this time to tell you about my tenth brother's trip to Goryeo."

Upon hearing this, the teacup in Princess Lu's hand trembled slightly and almost fell to the ground, and her face turned pale instantly.

"Your Highness..."

Princess Lu's voice trembled slightly, "Prince, he...he went to Goryeo this time, is there any hidden reason?"

Zhu Biao knew that Princess Lu was worried about Zhu Tan's safety, so he spoke to comfort her:

"Don't worry, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, I am going to Goryeo not because I want to rebel, but because of my father's will."

"What does your father mean?" Princess Lu was even more surprised when she heard this. "This...what on earth is going on?"

Zhu Biao sighed and slowly explained the whole story.

It turned out that the King of Goryeo learned about Lee Seong-gye's rebellion and asked an envoy to go to Ming Dynasty for help.

After much deliberation, Zhu Yuanzhang decided to agree to Zhu Tan's trip to Goryeo.

First, it can demonstrate the power of the Ming Dynasty and intimidate the surrounding small countries;
Secondly, this can also be used as an opportunity to temper Zhu Tan's character and broaden his horizons.

"I see……"

After hearing Zhu Biao's explanation, Princess Lu felt a little relieved, but she still had some worry in her eyes:

"But... the prince has never left Yingtian Prefecture. It's a long journey to Goryeo. What if..."

"Don't worry, my brother-in-law. Father has arranged for elite soldiers to escort my brother, and the Imperial Guards will be protecting him in secret. They will definitely not let my brother get into any trouble."

Zhu Biao comforted.

After listening to Zhu Biao's explanation, Princess Lu finally felt relieved.

She knew her husband's character. Although he was a little naughty, he would never do something as treasonous as treason.

"So that's how it is. I've always said that the prince is kind and benevolent. How could it be..."

Princess Lu patted her chest gently, looking relieved.

Seeing that Princess Lu believed his words, Zhu Biao lowered his voice and said:

"Sister-in-law, this matter is of great importance and no word of it can be leaked."

Princess Lu understood and nodded, saying, "I understand. I will tell my father right away so that he can rest assured."

"Well," Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction, "That's great, I'll take my leave now."

Although Princess Lu felt much more at ease after sending Zhu Biao away, the news that Zhu Tan had gone to Goryeo was still like a huge rock pressing on her heart, making her breathless.

Back in the backyard, the maids saw that the princess looked unhappy, so they tactfully did not come forward to disturb her. Only the personal maid Xianglan, holding a bowl of ginseng soup, whispered softly:
"Princess, please drink some ginseng soup. Before the prince left, he specially asked me to cook it for you. He said it would nourish your body."

Princess Lu took the ginseng soup, but she had no idea how it tasted and her mouth was filled with bitterness.

Zhu Tan didn't know when he would be able to return, and he didn't know whether he could return safely given the dangers of this trip. Thinking of this, Princess Lu couldn't stop her tears from falling, dripping into the ginseng soup, causing ripples.

Xianglan saw this and quickly stepped forward to comfort her: "Princess, don't worry, the prince is a lucky man and will definitely return safely."

Princess Lu was feeling depressed, so she asked Xianglan to support her as she took a walk in the yard.

As night fell, the palace was brightly lit, but it could not cover up the lingering haze.

Princess Lu walked around the yard a few times, and when she calmed down a little, she returned to her room to rest.

She thought about going to the palace early tomorrow morning and telling her father Tang He about this matter so that he could rest assured.

However, Princess Lu did not expect that before she had time to enter the palace, Tang He had already received the news and rushed to Prince Lu's mansion overnight.

"Father!"

When Princess Lu saw Tang He, she hurried forward to pay her respects.

"Father! Why are you here so late?" Princess Lu hurriedly stood up to greet him, her eyes full of anxiety.

"Tell me, what's going on? I heard rumors in the palace that the Crown Prince is coming to you!"

Tang He asked anxiously.

"Father, don't be anxious. Have a cup of tea first." Princess Lu quickly poured a cup of tea and handed it to him. "Things are not what you think. The prince..."

Princess Lu told Tang He everything Zhu Biao had said during the day.

After Tang He heard this, his tense expression gradually relaxed. He took a long breath and cursed in a low voice:
"You really scared me to death! Why would you go to Goryeo for no reason?"

Seeing Tang He's expression eased a little, Princess Lu was relieved and said softly, "Father, the prince is also thinking about the country, so don't blame him."

"Humph, is it his turn to worry about national affairs? If he really cares, he should stay in the mansion and stop causing trouble all day long!"

Although Tang He was cursing, his tone was obviously much softer.

He knew in his heart that Zhu Yuanzhang was training Zhu Tan. After all, Zhu Tan was the most favored of all the princes, and it was possible that he would be made a king or a prime minister in the future.

"Okay, it's getting late, you should go to bed early." Tang He said, and was about to get up and leave.

When he left, he pretended to be serious, shook his head and sighed...

Thirty miles outside the city, the night was as dark as ink and the wind was biting cold.

On the parade ground, torches were like dragons, illuminating the solemn and murderous atmosphere.

The 100,000-strong army, clad in iron armor and holding long spears, stood motionless in the cold wind, like statues made of steel.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The deafening shouts of killing resounded through the sky, tearing the silent night sky apart.

Lan Yu was wearing black iron armor, riding on a tall horse, holding a bright silver spear in his hand, the tip of the spear flashing with cold light, like a cold star in the night sky.

His eyes were as sharp as torches as he scanned the 100,000 troops in front of him, and a surge of heroic ambition surged in his heart.

"Good! Good! Good!" Lan Yu couldn't help but burst into laughter, his voice was so loud that it echoed in the training ground:

"As expected of the elite troops of the Ming Dynasty, their momentum and murderous intent would make even the wolf cubs on the grassland run away with their tails between their legs!"

"Hahaha!" The soldiers also laughed out loud, and their morale was high.

Lan Yu nodded with satisfaction, but was thinking about another thing in his mind.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, please don't let me down!" Lan Yu prayed in his heart, "Please leave some soup for me during your trip to Goryeo!"

"Hehe, if Your Highness can cause some trouble in Goryeo, I will lead my troops to capture the Goryeo king. Wouldn't that be a great achievement?"

The more Lan Yu thought about it, the more excited he became. He wished he could grow wings and fly to Goryeo immediately.

"Kill!" He swung the bright silver spear in his hand fiercely and shouted loudly, "Continue to practice, don't slack off!"

The soldiers once again let out deafening shouts of killing, which shook the entire area.

Lan Yu looked at the bustling scene in front of him and felt extremely proud.

He seemed to have seen himself wearing golden armor, returning in triumph and accepting the reward from His Majesty.

Became the most dazzling general in the Ming Dynasty. (End of this chapter)