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

Chapter 741 Unwilling to reignite the flames of war

The news of Empress Ma's serious illness struck Zhu Xiong Ying like a thunderbolt. He was a warrior of unwavering resolve, yet he harbored a deep and abiding affection for his mother. He immediately forgot his plans to conquer France and rushed back to the capital day and night.

When Zhu Xiong Ying arrived at Kun Ning Palace, Empress Ma was already on her deathbed. Her face was pale and her breathing was weak, but she mustered her strength to try to see her son's face clearly.

"Ying'er...you're back..." Empress Ma said in a weak voice, her withered hand trembling as she stroked Zhu Xiong Ying's cheek.

Zhu Xiong Ying knelt beside the bed, holding his mother's hand, his eyes red-rimmed. He had spent half his life on the battlefield, never shedding a tear, yet now he choked back sobs. "Mother, your son is unfilial, unable to return sooner to serve you..."

Empress Ma shook her head and smiled weakly. "Ying'er, you are the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, your responsibility is to protect the people... Your mother... Your mother is very gratified..."

"Mother, you will get better, the imperial physicians are trying to find a way..." Zhu Xiong Ying's voice trembled, unwilling to accept the fact that his mother was about to leave him.

Empress Ma seemed to see through his thoughts, and she sighed softly. "Ying'er...life and death are predestined...your mother...has a wish..."

"Please speak, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to accomplish it!" Zhu Xiong Ying said eagerly.

Empress Ma took a difficult breath and said, "Ying'er...you have killed too many people...your mother...hopes that you...can treat the world with kindness...and stop the killing..."

Zhu Xiong Ying fell silent. He had fought on all sides, amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and was long accustomed to killing. His mother's dying wish was undoubtedly a tremendous challenge for him.

"Mother... Your son... Your son..." Zhu Xiong Ying began with difficulty, but did not know how to answer.

Empress Ma looked at him lovingly, and with her last bit of strength said, "Ying'er... promise your mother..."

"Your subject... agrees..." Zhu Xiong Ying finally agreed to his mother's request, tears streaming down his cheeks and dripping onto Empress Ma's hand.

Not long after, Empress Ma passed away. Zhu Xiong Ying was devastated and ordered the entire nation to mourn. He kept his mother's last wishes in mind and began to reflect on his actions.

He halted the pace of foreign expansion and focused his energy on governing the country. He reduced taxes, built water conservancy projects, encouraged agriculture, and developed commerce. Under his rule, the Ming Dynasty gradually prospered.

However, the days of peace did not last long. The Mongol tribes on the northern grasslands had always been eyeing the Ming Dynasty covetously. Taking advantage of the Ming Dynasty's period of recuperation, they frequently raided southwards, plundering the border people.

Memorials pleading for help from the border flooded Zhu Xiong Ying's desk. Court officials urged the emperor to send troops to annihilate the Mongol tribes.

Zhu Xiong Ying stared at the mountain of memorials, lost in thought. His mother's dying wish prevented him from reigniting the war. But the Mongol tribes' invasion also made it impossible for him to stand idly by.

He summoned all civil and military officials to discuss countermeasures.

"Your Majesty, the Mongol tribes have repeatedly violated our borders, and their crimes deserve to be punished! I implore Your Majesty to personally lead the expedition and completely annihilate these barbarians!" a military general said passionately.

"I second that! The Mongol tribes are wolves in sheep's clothing. If we don't get rid of them, there will never be peace on the border!" another general chimed in.

The civil officials, however, were relatively cautious. "Your Majesty, launching a military campaign would be extremely costly, and the outcome is uncertain. It would be better for us to strengthen our defenses and adopt a defensive strategy."

"Yes, Your Majesty, the national treasury is empty now, and it is not advisable to wage war again."

In the imperial court, civil and military officials argued endlessly, each sticking to their own version of events. Zhu Xiong Ying sat on the dragon throne, listening to their debate with a furrowed brow.

Deep within him, two voices were constantly clashing. One was his mother's dying wish, which urged him to stop the killing and treat the world with kindness; the other was his responsibility as an emperor, which compelled him to protect the Ming Dynasty and safeguard the safety of its people.

The two voices intertwined, leaving him unable to choose. Just then, a shrill voice came from outside the hall: "Your Majesty, General Lan Yu requests an audience!"

Lan Yu was the brother-in-law of Chang Yuchun, a founding hero of the Ming Dynasty. He was brave and skilled in battle, and made many military achievements. He was one of the most capable generals under Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Announce!" Zhu Xiong Ying said in a deep voice.

Lan Yu strode into the main hall, knelt on one knee, and bowed, saying, "Your subject Lan Yu greets Your Majesty!"

"General Lan, what brings you here?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the Mongol tribes have repeatedly invaded our borders. I am willing to lead a large army to wipe them out!" Lan Yu's voice was strong and confident.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Lan Yu, a thought suddenly occurring to him. Perhaps this was a perfect solution. He could send Lan Yu on the expedition, which would both intimidate the Mongol tribes and protect the border people, while also avoiding the need for him to personally lead the expedition and go against his mother's dying wish.

"General Lan, are you confident?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

Lan Yu smiled proudly and said, "Your Majesty, I only need 100,000 elite troops to sweep across the grasslands and drive the Mongol tribes back to their homeland!"

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Lan Yu's confident demeanor, a hint of doubt rising in his heart. Although Lan Yu was brave and skilled in battle, he was arrogant and domineering, looking down on everyone. Would letting him lead the troops into battle this time…?

Just as he hesitated, Lan Yu suddenly leaned closer to him and whispered, "Your Majesty, I've heard... that the Khatun of the Mongol tribe... is an absolute beauty..."

Lan Yu's ambiguous smile made Zhu Xiong Ying even more uneasy. He waved his hand, signaling Lan Yu to leave. "I will consider this matter further. You may leave now."

Lan Yu seemed somewhat disappointed, but still respectfully bowed and left the main hall.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat alone on the dragon throne, his mind in turmoil. He understood that Lan Yu's mention of a "stunning beauty" was merely a pretext. Lan Yu's true purpose was to use this opportunity to expand his own power.

He rubbed his temples, trying to calm himself down. His mother's dying wish made him unwilling to reignite the war; but the invasion of the Mongol tribes made him unable to stand idly by.

Is there really no way to have the best of both worlds?

Just then, a eunuch outside the palace announced in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived!"

Zhu Xiong Ying was startled and quickly rose to greet her. Empress Ma was his first wife, gentle, virtuous, and well-educated. He and Empress Ma were deeply in love and respected each other.

Empress Ma gracefully entered the main hall and bowed deeply to Zhu Xiong Ying. "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Your Majesty, you may rise." Zhu Xiong Ying quickly helped Empress Ma up and asked with concern, "Why has Your Majesty come?"

Empress Ma sighed softly and said, "I heard that Your Majesty is troubled by the affairs of Mongolia, so I have come to comfort you."

Zhu Xiong Ying took Empress Ma's hand and walked to the dragon throne to sit down, pouring out her bitterness.

Empress Ma listened quietly, a gentle smile on her face. After Zhu Xiong Ying finished speaking, she said softly, "Your Majesty, I know you are in a dilemma. But I believe that protecting the country is the duty of an emperor. The Mongol tribes have repeatedly invaded the borders and harmed the people of our Great Ming. How can Your Majesty sit idly by?"

(End of this chapter)