Ming Dynasty: The ghost betrays the Confucian sage, my son Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 53 Fourth Master Zhu: Lao Zhu, please increase your family fortune.

Near dusk.

The stone table in the small courtyard is covered with delicacies, and the tempting aroma fills the air. Fourth Master Zhu and Zhu Yuanzhang were toasting and drinking.

Zhu Di behaved very well in front of Xu Miaoyun this time and did not ask for a drink.

"Hey, it's time to eat." Gu Cheng opened the door and walked in.

He came to take Xu Miaoyun home. However, the moment his eyes touched Zhu Yuanzhang, he froze instantly, and his whole person seemed to be petrified.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang quickly asked Fourth Master Zhu: "Fourth Master, who is this?"

At the same time, he cast a suggestive look at Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng immediately understood and introduced himself to Zhu Yuanzhang: "I'm Gu Cheng."

"General Gu?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pretended to be surprised and stood up to greet him, "I am Zhu Balang, the governor of the Dudu Mansion. I always hear your brothers mention your reputation."

"Zhu...Brother Zhu, thank you." Gu Cheng looked strange.

The horror in his heart was overwhelming. How could the emperor appear in Master Zhu's yard?
And he looks quite familiar. He concluded that Fourth Master Zhu knew nothing about the emperor's true identity.

"You're so polite, sit down and eat." Fourth Master Zhu waved.

Gu Cheng took his seat and everyone continued drinking.

After a few glasses of wine, Zhu Yuanzhang began to talk more, with a slightly red face: "General Gu, we heard that you were His Majesty's personal soldier in front of the tent, and you held the umbrella cover. Once His Majesty's ship ran aground on the beach, and you carried it on your back. And do it.”

"Is there anything else?" Fourth Master Zhu also became interested.

"Well, a good man doesn't mention his bravery." Gu Cheng smiled.

"Hey, then Zhu Chongba doesn't know how to be grateful, why doesn't he promote you?" Fourth Master Zhu blurted out.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Gu Cheng almost choked to death after taking a sip of wine, and said quickly, "How can I accomplish anything?"

"When we were fighting in Zhenjiang, you led ten warriors into the city and were surrounded by enemy troops. Only you managed to escape alive." Zhu Yuanzhang sighed. "Your words of 'all mediocre people in Zhenjiang City' greatly boosted our morale."

Gu Cheng took a sip of wine, tears welling up in his eyes.

He didn't expect that after so many years, the emperor would still remember his achievements.

"I mean, you two have been boasting for so long, and it sounds like you both have great military exploits. Why don't you become a general?" Fourth Master Zhu glared.

In his memory, Gu Cheng was not named a marquis until the Yongle period.

As for Zhu Balang, there is no such person in "History of the Ming Dynasty", he must be a minor role.

"How dare we say that we have great military exploits?" Gu Cheng said with a smile, "Which of the twenty-four generals in Huaixi does not have greater merit than us?"

Fourth Master Zhu frowned.

Also, Zhu Yuanzhang was surrounded by many generals.

"You two don't have much future in the army, why don't you hang out with me? You'll definitely be much richer than hanging out with Zhu Yuanzhang." Fourth Master Zhu took a sip.

Gu Cheng's forehead was sweating. Are you talking to the emperor about the emperor?

"Bah! You are a businessman, how are you so proud?" Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, "Our family has a great business and we are messing around with you?"

"Eight Lang, please try to increase your family fortune." Fourth Master Zhu replied.

Gu Cheng looked strange.

You actually said that the emperor would have a bigger family fortune?
……

Early the next morning, in Xu's mansion.

Gu Cheng slowly woke up from his deep sleep. The drunkenness from yesterday seemed to have not completely subsided, and there was still a trace of dizziness in his head.

He shook his head gently, trying to shake off the discomfort, and then patted his cheek with cold water, feeling much more awake instantly.

He stepped out of the room, and in the courtyard, Xu Miaoyun was practicing his sword, which was quite impressive.

Her movements were light and the sword light flickered in her hand, like a dragon swimming out of the sea, as graceful as a startled giant.

Wherever the sword energy touched, the void seemed to be cut open, making a "whooshing" sound. The sharp sword tip shone coldly in the sun.

"Uncle Gu, are you going out?" Xu Miaoyun stopped and asked.

"I have to go to the Governor's Mansion today." Gu Cheng smiled. He came back to recuperate from his injuries. His injuries have healed. It's time to report to the Governor's Mansion so that he can return to the frontline army as soon as possible.

Outside the gate, the sun is dazzling.

Gu Cheng rode his horse to the Governor's Mansion. When he entered the door, he saw Zhu Liangzu muttering something with a group of captains.

"Gu Cheng? Didn't I say you were disabled?" Zhu Liangzu raised his eyes.

"Hmph, even if you die, I won't be disabled." Gu Cheng snorted coldly.

The two of them had a quarrel.

At that time, Zhu Liangzu had not yet surrendered and was stationed in Ningzhou. Gu Cheng followed Chang Yuchun to attack Ningzhou, and several of his brothers died at the hands of Zhu Liangzu.

Later, Zhu Liangzu surrendered, and Gu Cheng was so angry that he came to the door to avenge his brother.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was still King of Wu at that time, also punished Gu Cheng.

Taking into account the overall situation, he no longer sought revenge from Zhu Liangzu, but the two completely formed a feud.

"You have the guts to come and have a fight?" Zhu Liangzu provoked.

He wanted to teach Gu Cheng a lesson while his injuries were not completely healed.

"What's the fuss about? If you have the guts to compete with the enemy on the battlefield," Grand Governor Li Wenzhong came over and roared.

Zhu Liangzu curled his lips and led his people down.

Gu Cheng bowed to Li Wenzhong: "Grand Governor, everything is healed. When will we return to the front line?"

"Not urgent!"

Li Wenzhong patted him on the shoulder, spread his hands and smiled, "I just received the good news that the Beiyuan Taiwei Nai'er has returned to the Ming Dynasty without flowers. General Chang Yuchun is taking him back to Beijing. When the time comes, you will return to the front with him."

"Really? That's great." Gu Cheng was overjoyed.

Li Wenzhong pulled Gu Cheng and asked him in detail about his injuries before letting him go.

Gu Cheng walked out of the Governor's Mansion and met his old supervisor.

"Boss Qin?" Gu Cheng was surprised and happy, "Where did you come back from?"

"Hunting ground." Qin waved his head.

He now has white hair and deep wrinkles on his face.

However, despite his advanced age, his murderous spirit has not diminished, and it is obvious at first glance that he is a battle-hardened veteran.

His back was straight, showing no signs of age-related rickets, and his eyes were still as sharp as knives.

"Come on, let me buy you a drink." Gu Cheng pulled Qin's head.

"Let's wait another day. I have military affairs to attend to today." Chief Qin said with a smile.

Both of them were happy and stood on the porch chatting for a while.

Qin was in a hurry to do something, so he made an appointment with Gu Cheng to have a drink the next day. When he was about to leave, he frowned and reminded: "By the way, I just heard Zhu Liangzu and the others muttering about how they wanted to deal with some kind of Master Zhu, and I also heard your Name, be careful."

Gu Cheng was shocked.

He left quickly and went to find out more.

……

dusk.

Gu Cheng hurriedly came to the small courtyard by the Qinhuai River.

"Fourth Master, I have something to tell you." His voice was urgent. "I heard that Zhu Liangzu wanted to assassinate you. He found a sharp archer in the army and used poisonous arrows..."

Fourth Master Zhu looked at Gu Cheng's concerned and worried expression, and felt warm in his heart.

He and Gu Cheng had the same temperament and hit it off immediately. In this Ming Dynasty, they also had a close brother.

"Don't be afraid, I just need to be careful." He waved his hand nonchalantly.

"Fourth Master, you can't underestimate us. There are very strong archers in the army." Gu Cheng said anxiously, "I know you are strong, but it's hard to guard against hidden arrows."

Murderous intent flashed in Master Zhu's eyes.

　Keep asking for votes shamelessly, it will be released soon and it will definitely be a hit.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)