Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang sent a trusted minister to Yingtian Prefecture in an attempt to appease Zhu Han and others.

Upon arriving in Yingtian Prefecture, the minister immediately sent someone to inform Zhu Han. After learning of this, Zhu Han discussed the matter with Zhu Biao, Lu Qian, and others.

"Uncle, Father has sent people to offer amnesty. How should we respond?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Han sneered and said, "Your Majesty wants to eliminate us without firing a single shot. We must not surrender so easily. But we can meet this minister first and see what he has to say."

Thus, Zhu Han and his entourage met with the ministers sent by Zhu Yuanzhang.

The minister looked at Zhu Han and said with a forced smile, "Your Highness, His Majesty sent me here in the hope that you will see the error of your ways and submit to the court. His Majesty said that as long as you are willing to submit, your past transgressions will be forgiven, and you will be given a fiefdom so that you can enjoy your old age in peace."

Zhu Han laughed loudly and said, "Go back and tell my brother that I, Zhu Han, will never sit idly by and watch the late emperor's edict be altered. Protecting the Ming Dynasty is my duty, and I will never submit."

The minister's expression changed, and he said, "Your Highness, you must think this through. If you remain obstinate, His Majesty will be furious, and the people of Yingtian Prefecture will surely suffer terribly."

The wind rose in the afternoon, and the sky over Yingtian Prefecture hung low as ink.

At the end of the street, Zhu Han stood at the old bluestone entrance, facing the court official who had come to persuade him to surrender, his gaze as cold as iron.

“Your Highness, you must reconsider.” The minister’s voice was low and menacing. “His Majesty is benevolent and still remembers our past relationship. If you surrender now, you can still protect yourself. Otherwise, in three days, when the Imperial Guards return, Yingtian Prefecture… will cease to exist.”

Zhu Han snorted coldly and flicked his sleeve.

“I, Zhu Han, have never been afraid of power. Tell my brother that if he truly regards the late emperor’s edict as a joke, then let him personally lead a million soldiers here, and I will be waiting for him.”

The minister's face turned ashen. Seeing that his persuasion had failed, he had no choice but to turn and leave.

As soon as he left, Lu Qian stepped forward and said urgently, "Your Highness, if His Majesty really sends a large army, I'm afraid our Yingtian Prefecture will not be able to hold out!"

Zhu Han's gaze was calmer than his: "If he wants to fight, then fight. If we want to survive, we have to be faster than him."

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly felt a soft ringing in his head.

[Ding—Congratulations, host, on completing the stage mission: 'Upholding the Imperial Edict and Establishing Ambition']

[System Reward: Loyalty Points +500, triggering reward - "United Soldiers, Defending the Heavens"]

Zhu Han's body trembled slightly. The voice echoed clearly in his mind, and for a moment he almost doubted that he was hallucinating.

But then, a huge map of the city's defenses appeared in his mind, so clear that every dark alley and every weak point in the city wall was clearly visible.

"The soldiers are of one mind... Yingtian Guardian Map?" he murmured softly.

[System Prompt: This map is the old defense map of Yingtian, drawn by the late emperor during his attack on Jinling. It contains military defenses and unconventional strategies. If the hearts and minds of the people are used as the battle formation, scattered troops can be turned into a powerful force.]

Zhu Han's breathing tightened slightly. The system's voice faded away, but the image was etched into his mind, as if connected to his very blood.

He took a deep breath, turned around and ordered, "Lu Qian, immediately summon Lord Zhao, Lord Liu and Boss Chen to the meeting place."

"Yes!"

Before long, night fell, and the lights of the inn were reflected on the walls.

Zhu Han unfolded a rough map of Yingtian Prefecture, pointed to the west corner of the city, and said in a deep voice: "If His Majesty sends troops again, he will surely attack from both the north and west gates. This place is low-lying and can be used to set up water barriers; and these three alleys in the city are old military secret passages, which we can use to move troops without revealing our presence."

Zhao Desheng's eyes lit up: "Your Highness's strategy... is exactly the same as the one the late Emperor used when he attacked the city!"

Zhu Han said calmly, "The late emperor conquered the world not only by relying on his army, but also on his people. Although we have few soldiers, the people of Yingtian are loyal to the late emperor. As long as the people's hearts are not scattered, the city will not fall."

Liu Wenyuan nodded in approval: "That makes sense. If we can unite the people and build civilian defenses in the city, then even an enemy ten times our size may not be able to break through."

Chen Wanfu chimed in, "I can provide 30,000 taels of silver to hire craftsmen to build a hidden wall, and also supply the people with grain for three days to keep their hearts at ease."

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "I will remember Mr. Chen's kindness. Lord Zhao, you will lead the militia to guard the west city; Lu Qian will assist Lord Liu in allocating grain and fodder; I... will personally guard the north gate."

Zhao Desheng's expression changed drastically: "The Prince is personally guarding the North Gate? That's the main battlefront, it's too dangerous!"

Zhu Han smiled and said, "If I am not in charge, how can I gain the people's trust?"

The crowd remained silent, and could only cup their hands in unison and reply, "We will obey Your Highness's command!"

The atmosphere was tense in Yingtian Prefecture the following morning.

People spontaneously gathered at the city gates and alleyways, armed with wooden sticks, shovels, and even old knives and spears. Women carried bricks to build walls, and boys delivered water and relayed messages.

Flags fluttered on the city walls, as if Yingtian Prefecture had been awakened from its slumber.

Zhu Biao, clad in light armor, walked up to Zhu Han with a resolute expression: "Uncle, I also want to go up to the city."

"You are the Crown Prince. If something were to happen to you, who would carry on the late Emperor's will?"

Zhu Biao's eyes sharpened, but his voice became even more resolute: "If I don't even have the courage to defend a city, how can I talk about the world? What Father Emperor has done today has already gone against the will of the late Emperor; if I back down, how can I face our ancestors?"

Zhu Han stared at him for a long time before finally nodding: "Alright! Today, you and I, uncle and nephew, will guard Yingtian together."

The wind whipped at his clothes, and Zhu Han looked up at the sky, a determination he had never felt before rising in his heart.

That night, he secretly sent Lu Qian to follow the map, and sure enough, they found a hidden tunnel behind a dilapidated temple in the northern suburbs of the city.

Behind the stone gate, lights flickered, and five hundred soldiers clad in old armor stood in neat rows.

"See you, my lord!"

The sound was deep and powerful, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

Looking at those weathered faces, Zhu Han felt a surge of emotion welling up inside him.

"You...you're still here!"

An old commander knelt on one knee: "The late emperor decreed that if anyone dares to alter his edict, the Tiger Guard will not be disbanded until they are dead. Today, having met Your Highness, I am willing to follow you into battle again!"

Zhu Han took a deep breath, his voice steady yet impassioned: "Good! From this day forward, you will fight again for the Ming Dynasty, uphold the late emperor's edict, and stand for the people!"

"promise--!"

Three days later, the second imperial guards dispatched by Zhu Yuanzhang indeed arrived in Yingtian Prefecture.

The commander of this army was none other than General Wang Hu's superior general, General Li Rong, who was in charge of protecting the country.

Holding the imperial edict, he led 30,000 elite troops straight to the walls of Yingtian City.

"By His Majesty's decree, all traitors such as Zhu Han and Zhu Biao shall be executed without exception!"

As the bugle sounded, armored vehicles surged like waves, and dust billowed outside the gates of Yingtian City.

Zhu Han stood atop the North Gate, his armor reflecting the dawn light.

Behind him stood Zhu Biao, Zhao Desheng, and the Tiger Guards. The people of the city had gathered spontaneously, their eyes filled with fear.

"Your Highness, the enemy troops have completed their formation!"

"Very well." Zhu Han drew his sword and said in a long voice, "Young men of Yingtian, heed my command—those who defend the city are not rebels, but loyalists! If even one of them retreats even half a step, they will have no face to see the late emperor!"

A voice from the city wall responded in unison: "Guard the imperial edict! Guard the imperial edict!"

The shouts shook the sky.

Li Rong sneered and waved his hand, ordering, "Attack the city!"

The war drums thundered, and assault ladders stood in rows.

Zhu Han calmly ordered: "Release the bow!"

Arrows rained down, piercing the air like a woven tapestry. The first wave of imperial guards screamed and fell to the ground, yet they continued to climb. Zhao Desheng roared in fury, slashing his sword and cleaving the ladders in two; corpses tumbled down like a tide.

Blood stained the ground below the city walls. "The north wall has fallen!" the messenger shouted.

Zhu Han turned to look at Zhu Biao. At that moment, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.

"Your Highness, follow me in this attack!"

He donned his armor and descended the city walls, leading five hundred Tiger Guards straight to the North Gate.

As the Imperial Guards breached the wall, Zhu Han charged ahead, his long sword cleaving through the enemy ranks. The Tiger Guards formed an iron torrent, each step treading on blood.

"It's Zhu Han! Kill him—!"

The Imperial Guards swarmed in, but were intimidated by the ferocity of the Tiger Guards. Zhu Han swung his sword, cutting down several men, and roared, "Yingtian will never perish!"

In the heat of battle, a bugle call suddenly sounded from behind the city.

Zhao Desheng led 2,000 militiamen in a surprise attack from the side gate, directly striking the enemy's rear.

Caught off guard, Li Rong angrily ordered his army to turn around, only to have oil poured down from the city wall, sending flames soaring into the sky.

"Set it on fire! Set it on fire!"

Zhu Han looked at the sea of ​​fire, his heart aching. He knew that the fire was burning not only the enemy, but also the homes of his own people.

But he had no choice.

By evening, the Imperial Guards were routed. Li Rong was seriously wounded and captured.

Cries and cheers mingled in the city. Zhu Han removed his armor, his body covered in blood. Zhu Biao stepped forward to help him up, his voice hoarse: "Uncle, we... won."

Zhu Han looked up at the fiery red sky and slowly said, "Did we win? All we defended was a decree."

He turned around and shouted to the crowd, "Pass on my orders—rescue the wounded, provide relief to the people, prohibit fires, and do not disturb the people!"

"promise!"

He walked heavily toward the city tower, as the wind swirled up ashes, which fell in pieces.

As night deepened, Zhu Han stood alone atop the city wall when he suddenly heard that familiar voice again.

[Ding—Host has completed the stage mission 'Oath of Heaven'.]

[System Reward: Reputation Points +1000, Summoning Reward - One Strategist (can be summoned).]

A soft halo flashed, and a middle-aged man in a green robe walked slowly over, bowing with his hands clasped in greeting.

"I am Wang Jing, summoned by the system to assist Your Highness."

Zhu Han's gaze sharpened: "What are you good at?"

"He was knowledgeable in strategy, governance, and military strategy."

“Alright.” Zhu Han nodded, his voice deep and firm. “From this day forward, we will guard Yingtian together and work together for the greater good.”

In the wind, the firelight cast their shadows, long and unyielding.

Outside Nanjing, the night wind blew gently, carrying away the flames of war across the sky. Inside the city, Zhu Yuanzhang sat on his throne on the high platform of the imperial palace, his eyes deep and unfathomable, gazing towards the distant direction of Yingtian.

A few days ago, he personally ordered the Imperial Guards to be dispatched to eliminate the rebel Zhu Han and Crown Prince Zhu Biao. However, the news that came back from Yingtian today has left him unsettled.

"Yingtian Prefecture actually held out?"

His voice was deep and thunderous, and his eyes flashed with an uncontrollable rage.

In the imperial court, the officials bowed their heads and remained silent.

Suddenly, a trusted eunuch rushed in, knelt down, and reported: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has not shown his face for two days. News has come from the cabinet that some civil officials in the palace have begun to spread rumors that the Crown Prince is dissatisfied with Your Majesty's actions..."

"Shut up!" Zhu Yuanzhang roared, instantly turning the eunuch's face pale.

The palace was completely silent, everyone held their breath, and only the distant chimes of the palace bells echoed outside.

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a moment, then suddenly stood up: "Issue the order! Immediately dispatch troops to besiege and annihilate Yingtian, and make sure it is pacified within three days!"

The eunuch was terrified and quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

"There's something else," Zhu Yuanzhang said gravely, turning back. "Immediately summon Wu Zhen, Chen Zhong, Shen Si, and the others..."

Three days later, outside Jinling City, at the Imperial Guard camp.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood inside the tent, his anger surging, recalling the battle at Yingtian.

"If Zhu Han possesses such abilities, he could surely shake the very foundations of our Great Ming Dynasty. How could we allow him to survive for long!"

"Your Majesty," Wu Zhen suggested somberly, "there have been rumors circulating among the councilors that some of the northern vassal kings have sent me secret letters, appearing loyal on the surface but harboring ulterior motives. If this operation succeeds, we might as well eliminate them all at once."

"This is unacceptable! If the prince has no intention of rebelling, how can we act rashly?" Zhu Yuanzhang's expression hardened.

Although he hated Zhu Han's rebellion, he still maintained a sense of caution and restraint towards his subjects.

"Your Majesty is wise. If we do not strike soon, striking late is not a good strategy either."

Shen Si spoke slowly, his words calm and measured, "Furthermore, if Zhu Han can defeat the Imperial Guards in one fell swoop, those with ulterior motives will likely value him more and wholeheartedly support his ascension to the throne."

"Hmph! He's just a minor prince, how could he possibly be a match for me! But since this matter concerns the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty, I must personally lead the expedition." Zhu Yuanzhang's tone grew increasingly cold.

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhen pondered for a moment, then lowered his head and remained silent.

Shen Si nodded gently: "If His Majesty personally leads the expedition, victory will be assured."

"Order the entire army to advance on Yingtian within three days and capture the city!" Zhu Yuanzhang commanded, his gaze resolute.

Three days later, at dusk in Yingtian Prefecture, Zhu Han stood on the city wall, watching the enemy army gradually approaching outside the city.

"Your Highness, the enemy is advancing with overwhelming force; we may find it difficult to hold out in this battle." Zhao Desheng's brows were furrowed, and his tone was heavy.

Zhu Han turned to look at him, his gaze as sharp as a sword: "This battle of ours cannot be just for defense, but for a larger plan."

Zhao Desheng was slightly taken aback, a look of doubt flashing in his eyes: "What does Your Highness mean?"

"Attack where they are unprepared, attack their hearts." Zhu Han said calmly, "The reason I have been able to establish myself in Yingtian is precisely because the hearts of the people have never wavered. This time, we will use this as a pretext to mobilize some of the people's strength and cause the enemy to misjudge us."

"Deceive the enemy with a fake?" Zhao Desheng hesitated slightly. "If we do that, and the enemy can react even faster... wouldn't we be in danger?"

Zhu Han shook his head slightly: "Warfare is based on deception. What we need is not just to win by force, but also by wisdom."

He slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed on the distant direction of Jinling, his expression showing an unprecedented resolve.

"Once the war is fully underway, there will be no turning back."

Beneath the walls of Jinling, Li Rong commanded the Imperial Guards in formation, his heart filled with excitement and anticipation as he gazed upon the distant outline of Yingtian City.

As the Grand General who protects the country, he was full of confidence and felt that this battle was undoubtedly a smooth victory for him.

"His Majesty's personal campaign must mean it's time to quell the rebellion in Yingtian in one fell swoop!" Li Rong murmured involuntarily.

He brandished his broadsword and shouted, "All troops, advance!"

As the bugle sounded, the Imperial Guards marched in perfect unison, surging towards Yingtian City like a torrent.

"Your Highness, the enemy has begun their attack. At the current pace, they will reach the city within half a day." Zhao Desheng walked quickly to Zhu Han's side, his expression grim.

"Half a day..." Zhu Han muttered to himself, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "We must buy time and create more opportunities." (End of Chapter)