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

Chapter 739 An Abyss of No Return

He kicked the King of Annam to the ground, then turned and left, feeling it was a waste of time not to even glance at him again.

The conquest of Annam was just the beginning. Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze was set on more distant places—Champa, Siam, Java... His ambition was like a bottomless abyss, devouring everything.

Upon returning to the capital, Zhu Xiong Ying did not bask in the joy of victory; instead, he began preparing for the next campaign. He worked day and night, neglecting sleep and meals, like a tireless war machine.

Xu Miaoyun looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, who was growing increasingly thin, and her heart was filled with worry. She knew that Zhu Xiong Ying's ambition would lead him into an abyss of no return, but she was powerless to stop it.

"Your Majesty, you cannot continue like this," Xu Miaoyun advised. "Years of war have already caused unbearable suffering to the people."

Zhu Xiong Ying turned a deaf ear; all he saw was endless territory and power.

"I will establish an empire that is unprecedented and unparalleled!" Zhu Xiongwen declared firmly, leaving no room for doubt. "I will let the banner of the Ming Dynasty fly over every corner of the world!"

Xu Miaoyun knew she couldn't change Zhu Xiong Ying's mind. She could only pray silently that the raging tide of war would subside soon.

In the following years, Zhu Xiong Ying led his army on numerous campaigns, conquering one neighboring country after another. The territory of the Ming Dynasty continued to expand, and its national strength grew stronger day by day.

However, as the war continued, domestic conflicts intensified. The people were overwhelmed and filled with resentment. Court officials also began to express their dissatisfaction with Zhu Xiong Ying's aggressive military campaigns.

Xu Da approached Zhu Xiong Ying again and earnestly advised him, "Your Majesty, waging war is not a long-term solution!"

"Xu Da, you're too old to understand my ambitions!" Zhu Xiong Ying waved his hand impatiently. "I want the Ming Dynasty to become the master of the world, and anyone who stands in my way will be crushed!"

Xu Da looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, his heart filled with sorrow. He knew that Zhu Xiong Ying had completely lost his way in the vortex of power.

One day, Zhu Xiong Ying was taking a walk in the Imperial Garden when he suddenly felt dizzy. He staggered a few steps and then collapsed to the ground.

The imperial physicians rushed to treat him, but were helpless. Zhu Xiong Ying's condition worsened day by day, and he eventually became bedridden.

On his deathbed, Zhu Xiong Ying held Xu Miao Yun's hand tightly, his eyes filled with remorse.

"I...I was wrong..." he managed to utter a few words, "I shouldn't...I shouldn't have..."

His voice grew weaker and weaker until he finally stopped breathing.

A great ruler has fallen.

News of Zhu Xiong Ying's death spread throughout the Ming Dynasty, shocking the entire nation. Some grieved, while others rejoiced.

Xu Miaoyun stood before Zhu Xiong Ying's coffin, tears streaming down her face. She knew that Zhu Xiong Ying's ambition had ultimately led to his downfall. A new emperor ascended the throne, changing the era name to "Jianwen," becoming the Jianwen Emperor. The Jianwen Emperor learned from Zhu Xiong Ying's mistakes and began to implement benevolent policies, allowing the dynasty to recuperate and recover. The Ming Dynasty gradually restored its former prosperity and stability.

However, in the far north, a new threat was quietly rising... A powerful nomadic people was gathering strength, preparing to invade southward. This army was none other than the later Oirat Mongols. And their leader was named Esen... a familiar name, about to stir up new waves in the long river of history.

Zhu Xiong Ying's imperial carriage rolled over the conquered Annamese land, leaving deep ruts and crushing the last vestiges of resistance in the Annamese. His cold gaze swept over the kneeling Annamese officials, and his thin lips parted slightly: "You ants, I will not kill you today, but only to guide you, to lead me to a wider world."

The fall of Annam was merely the prelude; Zhu Xiong Ying's ambition, like wildfire, quickly spread throughout Southeast Asia. He tore up the Champa king's letter of pleading and threw it on the ground as if discarding a piece of useless trash. "The word 'pleading' doesn't exist in my dictionary; there's only 'submission' or 'destruction'!"

The King of Siam, confident in his nation's strength, refused to surrender. Zhu Xiong Ying sneered, "Overestimating yourself!" He personally led his army to the gates of Siam. The Siamese army crumbled before the Ming army's superior firepower, and the King of Siam was ultimately forced to surrender the city.

Java, this rich island nation, became Zhu Xiong Ying's next target. The Javanese king, confident in his natural defenses, believed he could withstand the Ming army's attack, unaware that Zhu Xiong Ying had already ordered the construction of a powerful fleet. Ming warships stormed in, their cannons roaring, turning Java's coastline into a sea of ​​fire. In despair, the Javanese king chose to commit suicide.

In just a few years, all the Southeast Asian countries fell under Zhu Xiong Ying's control. The Ming Dynasty's territory expanded unprecedentedly, and the national treasury was overflowing, but the lives of the people became increasingly impoverished. Years of war had exhausted the country's strength and the people's morale.

Back in the capital, Zhu Xiong Ying did not feel the joy he had expected. Standing on the throne, looking down at his ministers, he felt a strange emptiness. He had conquered countless countries, but he could not conquer the emptiness within his own heart.

"Long live the Emperor!" The courtiers cheered loudly, but they could not fill the emptiness in Zhu Xiong Ying's heart.

Xu Miaoyun looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, who was growing increasingly haggard, and her heart was filled with worry. She knew that Zhu Xiong Ying's ambition had swelled to its limit and would eventually devour him.

"Your Majesty, you need to rest," Xu Miaoyun gently advised.

Zhu Xiong Ying shoved her away and roared, "I don't need to rest! I want to conquer the whole world!"

A flicker of despair crossed Xu Miaoyun's eyes. She knew she could no longer stop Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze turned to more distant places—India, Persia, Austria… His ambition had transcended geographical boundaries; he wanted to conquer the entire world!
He began preparations for his next campaign, targeting India. India, this ancient and mysterious land, became Zhu Xiong Ying's new objective. He mobilized the nation's military forces, built an even more powerful fleet, and prepared to launch an attack on India.

Hearing of the Ming emperor's formidable reputation, the various small kingdoms of India sent envoys to express their willingness to submit. However, one small kingdom refused to submit to the Ming. This small kingdom was called Kozhikode, and its king called himself the "King of the Sea," possessing a powerful navy.

Zhu Xiong Ying was furious at the arrogance of the King of Kozhikode. He decided to personally lead a fleet to Kozhikode to teach this ignorant king a lesson.

The Ming fleet sailed majestically toward Kozhikode. The King of Kozhikode was already prepared for battle. He had assembled all his warships, ready to fight the Ming army to the death.

A fierce naval battle erupted. The Ming fleet's cannons were overwhelmingly powerful, and Kozekold's warships were no match for them. King Kozekold's flagship was struck by Ming artillery fire and burst into flames. Seeing that all was lost, King Kozekold jumped into the sea and committed suicide.

(End of this chapter)