Chapter 79: Yu Qian Stays, Everyone Else Leaves!

Sun and Zhu Qizhen, neither weeping nor making a scene, were driven out in utter despair.

Below the dais.

"Last night, I observed the heavens. The imperial star is in turmoil, yet he insists on his reckless path—such calamity was inevitable," Xu Youzhen sighed repeatedly, his eyes bright as he looked at Zhu Youjian and earnestly asked, "For over twenty years, I have studied the stars, yet never have I seen a place for myself among them. Immortal, may I ask, what do the stars foretell for me—will I be a general or a minister?"

Zhu Youjian was taken aback, pondering for a moment before replying, "I suppose you might be a Gemini or a Cancer."

"Huh?" Xu Youzhen was bewildered, rolling the words over in his mouth and muttering, "Gemini or Cancer… what kind of stars are these… As expected of an immortal, every word and phrase is in harmony with heaven’s design. Enough, to receive the immortal’s prophecy before my death—my life is complete."

Knowing he could not escape his fate, he had only approached to exchange a few words, hoping to leave a mark in the chronicles of history.

Before the assembled emperors—

Cheng asked the immortal, "What is my destiny in the stars?"

The immortal pondered and said, "Gemini or Cancer."

That is enough!

"Grandson, can this man be spared?" Zhu Yuanzhang was also confused by this odd fellow—he acted so mysterious, and his grandson even answered him. Could it be the man truly had some talent?

"No need," Zhu Youjian shook his head. "No matter what, Xu Youzhen will die this year, and he was the main instigator advocating the execution of Yu Qian. There's no benefit in keeping him alive."

Though Yu Qian had merit, not killing him would lack justification!

Xu Youzhen was shaken—indeed, that was his thought. Long having served under Yu Qian, and with old grudges between them, once the dynasty was restored, how could he bear to have Yu Qian riding atop his neck?

Before the restoration, you lorded over me; even after, you still do—then what was the point of my efforts?

This, in essence, was Xu Youzhen’s purest thought.

"Take him away and behead him!" Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and lost interest.

Fool! Even Yu Qian you would kill?

No matter what, Yu Qian was a hero who saved half the empire—an outstanding talent for a thousand generations. To slaughter him on trumped-up charges would be no different from Qin Hui!

Moreover, executing Yu Qian—what would the scholar-officials of future generations think?

Is there anything left in Ming worth saving? Did you not see how in former years, even the merits of Yu the Young Guardian ended in death at the emperor’s hand? Supporting such men brings no benefit.

Even if he had a touch of mysticism, Xu lacked the talent to govern the realm—there was no use in keeping him.

Fatty Hongxi, hearing this, sighed with a troubled face, "At the disaster of Tumu Fortress, half of our dynasty’s fortune was buried. The people and the nation’s strength can hardly recover. If not for Qiyu and Yu Qian’s efforts turning the tide, that brat Zhu Qizhen would have turned the northern campaign into the defense of Nanjing."

At the mention of Tumu Fortress—

Old Zhu Di’s heart stirred, and he spoke, "Qiyu, what became of Esen of the Oirat?"

Zhu Qiyu quickly replied, "Reporting to Great-Grandfather Emperor: In the second year of Jingtai, Esen defeated Toqto’a Bukha Khan. In the summer and autumn of the fourth year, he declared himself khan, appointed his second son as Grand Preceptor, adopted a new era name ‘Tianyuan’, and claimed to continue the Yuan imperial line as ‘Emperor Yuan’."

The Yuan Dynasty?

Zhu Yuanzhang’s DNA was triggered; he frowned, "Isn’t it true that among the Mongols, only the Golden Clan could be khan? As I recall, Esen wasn’t of the Golden Clan."

"Indeed, Esen was not of the Golden Clan," Zhu Qiyu nodded. "He was the first non-Golden Clan khan in Mongol-Yuan history."

"Hah, that rascal is bold! Qiyu, don’t worry. When your great-grandfather conquers Japan, I’ll take the army to the steppe and meet him," Zhu Di said with nonchalance.

What? He could still lead troops in this era?

The civil and military officials below, standing like a painted backdrop, were all dumbfounded. Would that mean not only could the emperor’s ancestors manifest, but so could their own? The Ming dynasty was secure indeed!

Zhu Qiyu caught the meaning behind his words, and after a burst of excitement, bowed and said, "Reporting to Great-Grandfather Emperor, after Esen became khan, he indulged in wine and women, causing his followers to drift away. He was eventually assassinated by Arughtai. He has been dead for several years."

Zhu Di raised an eyebrow. "Short-lived wretch, he got off easy. Then we’ll fight Arughtai…"

"Arughtai is dead as well."

"Then let’s just wipe out the Oirat altogether!" Zhu Di said with a headache.

The greatest sorrow in life: when your descendants are bullied, but before you can get revenge, the enemy has already died.

Zhu Qiyu hesitated, "Actually, the Oirat…"

"They’re gone too?" Zhu Di asked in shock.

"Not quite, it’s just that now the Oirat have split into two weakening factions—not worth worrying about." Seeing Zhu Di’s disappointment at having no battle to fight, Zhu Qiyu quickly added, "But the Tatar chief, Bolei, who killed Arughtai, installed Toqto’a Bukha’s young son as khan and named himself Grand Preceptor. He is now the most powerful leader among the Tatar tribes!"

"He attacks the Oirat to the west, controls the Three Guards of Uriankhai to the east, trades with our dynasty, and frequently raids our borders! Truly despicable!"

"Then we’ll fight him!" Zhu Di slapped his second son on the head, settling the matter. If the glories of the Yongle era were not enough, then he would conquer all sixteen dynasties.

He would forge iron across all nine provinces, achieving a feat never before accomplished.

Let this eternal scoundrel be able to hold his head high before his father and elder brother.

Zhu Gaoxu immediately grimaced in pain, rubbing his head and muttering, "If you want to fight the Tatars, just do it—why hit me?"

At that, Zhu Di shot him a cold glance.

Zhu Gaoxu instantly dropped his hand and forced a smile, "Of course, Father, let’s fight them. I’ll lead the charge for you."

"Just don’t die in Japan," Zhu Di replied with a snort, his tone indifferent.

"Yes, yes," Zhu Gaoxu kept smiling obsequiously. With his shameless persistence, he’d attached himself to Zhu Youjian for ages; now his stock of elixirs from the Prince of Han’s manor could fill two northern rooms.

Even if the Japanese islands sank, he wouldn’t die!

Fourth Brother still has the true mettle!

Zhu Yuanzhang, beaming, pulled over the younger Zhu Di, who dared not utter a word, and patted his hand. "Do your best…"

Little Zhu Di instantly fell to his knees in fear, "I dare not, Father!"

Zhu Yuanzhang’s face darkened, "I meant for you to help your elder brother conquer the realm, you little brat—what were you thinking?"

"That’s good, that’s good. I will devote myself to my elder brother until death!" Little Zhu Di breathed a huge sigh of relief and hastily promised.

Look how frightened you are.

Why don’t you dare stand up to your father?

Zhu Gaoxu shot a secret glare, resenting his father’s lack of steel.

Zhu Di, ever perceptive to his second son’s thoughts, struck with a heavy blow, his tone calm, "Prince of Han, cause me more trouble and your brother Zhanqi will inherit your title. You won’t be ill-treated—you can be a stable hand at the Han prince’s residence in Japan, leading horses for Zhanqi. How about that?"

"That can’t be, Father. That would be turning the world upside down—Grandfather Emperor wouldn’t approve either," Zhu Gaoxu replied with a forced smile, not daring any further mischief.

If his own second son Zhu Zhanqi, that little wretch, were to ride roughshod over him, he’d drop dead the next day—no amount of elixirs would save him.

That little brat has a lot of pent-up resentment.

Meanwhile—

Zhu Youjian waited a long time, but there was still no sign that the nation’s fortune had improved. He sighed inwardly—the disaster of Tumu Fortress had wounded the realm too deeply.

He whispered, "Ancestor Taizu, the fleet bound for Japan has only just set sail. We’ll have to remain in the Jingtai era a while longer…"

"I understand," Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, waving a hand. "Yu Qian stays. Everyone else, withdraw."

"As the First Ancestor commands!" The court officials bowed and withdrew.

…