The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 135 The Three Brothers of the Chang Family Emerge from the Mountain
The carriage stopped at the gate of the Duke of Zheng's mansion.

Zhu Xiong Ying came out from inside, where the people from the Duke of Zheng's mansion were already waiting at the door.

Upon seeing Zhu Xiong Ying arrive, Chang Mao and the others immediately bowed in greeting.

"Your subject Changmao, along with the family and relatives of the Duke of Zheng, pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Xiong Ying hurriedly helped Chang Mao and the others up.

"Uncle, please rise quickly. You are the elder, and Xiong Ying is the junior. How can an elder bow to a junior!"

Chang Mao felt gratified, but still spoke solemnly.

"Propriety cannot be disregarded. His Highness is the grandson of the Crown Prince of our Great Ming Dynasty, and now he also has the power to oversee the country. If we are disrespectful, wouldn't that be a crime of usurpation?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled but didn't say anything until she and the others arrived inside.

Zhu Xiong Ying stretched.

"Uncle, there are no outsiders here, so please make yourselves at home. I came here early this morning, but I haven't eaten yet."

Chang Mao smiled knowingly when he saw that Zhu Xiong Ying was still the same.

"You brat, you're already the Crown Prince Regent, how can you still be so casual? If those civil officials and censors find out, you'll be roasted alive!"

Zhu Xiong Ying sighed.

"It's nothing like my uncle, who stays in the mansion all day eating and drinking. Sometimes, Xiong Ying is really envious!"

Chang Mao's expression was complicated upon hearing this, and he sighed deeply.

Zeng Changmao also had a dream of fighting on the battlefield, and when he was young, he also fought on the battlefield with Feng Sheng and others.

Until one day, Li Shanchang sent him a message that Zhu Yuanzhang was now extremely suspicious of Chang Mao, which directly dampened his spirits.

She originally thought her older sister had married the Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

His father, Duke Chang Yuchun of Zheng, fought for the country until his death, and all of this was enough to overcome his own resilience.

However, to his surprise, Zhu Yuanzhang was extremely wary of these generals.

Now that he is the Duke of Zheng, if he were to make further contributions, there would be no more titles to bestow upon him.

Moreover, most of the troops in the country obeyed the orders of Xu Da and Chang Yuchun.

Xu Da's troops were stationed in the nine key towns along the northern border, while other troops were stationed on the remaining borders.

Only the majority of the troops of the Duke of Zheng's mansion were reorganized into the direct forces of the Five Military Commands.

Many generals had to give him face, and thinking of this, he did not feel proud, but instead felt a chill run through his body.

He wielded such great power, and was also a relative of the imperial family.

If he really harbored any wicked thoughts or ideas, who in the world could compare to him? With such thoughts, Chang Mao was no longer the general who had once achieved great military exploits. Instead, he became timid and hesitant. In fact, during the Battle of Longzhou, he even fell out with Song Guogong Feng Sheng, with whom he had a very good relationship.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not blame him for this; he only said a few words quietly and then allowed him to recuperate in the Duke of Zheng's mansion.

This idleness lasted for four or five years.

During those four or five years, Chang Mao was frustrated and unsuccessful, and even his younger brothers Chang Sheng and Chang Sen were kept at home by him.

Especially after the death of Crown Princess Chang, Chang Mao never appeared in public again. The former generals of the Chang family were utterly disappointed with this heir to the Duke and turned to serve under Duke Lan Yu of Liang.

It has been widely rumored among the people of Yingtian Prefecture.

Chang Mao was stubborn, eccentric, and mediocre, making him unfit for important tasks. Yet, no one knew the bitterness in the heart of this heir to the Duke of Zheng.

Zhu Xiong Ying stayed at the Duke of Zheng's residence for a meal.

The three Chang brothers were extremely enthusiastic. They were well aware that Zhu Yuanzhang was always wary of their Chang family. Fortunately, they stopped thinking about any conspiracies and tricks, and the three got along very well.

"Xiongying, it's been so long since you've visited your uncle's house. This big carp is one that your uncle specially caught for you from the river outside. It's not as good as the ones you can buy at the market!"

"Come and have a taste!"

Chang Sheng said with a smile.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded in satisfaction as she looked at the large carp weighing over ten kilograms.

"It seems that my uncles' skills haven't diminished yet. A wise man keeps his talents hidden until the right time to act. I believe it won't be long before several of my uncles have the opportunity to show their skills!"

Chang Mao and the others frowned.

"Xiongying, what makes you say that? We stopped caring about court affairs a long time ago, and as for great achievements, they have nothing to do with us!"

Chang Sheng and Chang Sen's eyes were filled with resentment.

Chang Mao at least had the title of Duke, but the two of them had nothing.

Li Wenzhong's son Li Jinglong, Xu Da's son Xu Yungong, and even Feng Sheng's son Feng Tianci have all taken up positions in the military. Only the three Chang brothers have remained at home, which is no different from being confined.

Zhu Xiong Ying put down her chopsticks and looked at her three uncles.

“My three uncles, Xiong Ying knows what you’re thinking. You have to understand that the reason why Grandfather dares not use you is because your circumstances are special!”

"Most of the troops near Yingtian Prefecture are under my maternal grandfather's command. If you join the army, my imperial grandfather will naturally be worried!"

"Moreover, Uncle Changmao has already reached the rank of Duke at such a young age!"

"Several years later, when Xu Da and Li Wenzhong's generation pass away, Uncle Chang Mao will inevitably become the new leader. How can the Emperor rest easy about that!"

Chang Sheng and Chang Sen both kept their heads down and didn't say a word.

Chang Mao sighed.

“Xiongying, you’re getting old. You understand these things, so how could your uncle not understand?”

"So, when my uncle committed that crime in Longzhou back then, it was a deliberate act to let me escape before he was apprehended!"

Chang Sheng and Chang Sen looked on incredulously when they heard this.

They had indeed heard about Chang Mao before.

Although they had been keeping a low profile during this period, it was impossible for them not to harbor resentment towards Chang Mao.

I never expected Chang Mao to make such a decision.

Zhu Xiong Ying was well aware that the matter Chang Maozhi was referring to was about Naha Chu, but in his opinion, it was nothing serious.

"Uncles, although Xiong Ying has now begun to oversee the country, its power is still very weak. With Mother gone, Lady Lü and Zhu Yunwen have always been eyeing this position covetously. Therefore, Xiong Ying would like to ask you uncles for your help!"

"Please rest assured, uncles, all your former subordinates now only have some connections within the military!"

"Moreover, after all these years of division, Grandfather's influence in the military is no longer as significant, so even if you were to come out and assist U.A., Grandfather wouldn't say anything!"

"My Great Ming still has many places, besides Yingtian Prefecture, there are several opportunities for my uncles in other places!"

(End of this chapter)