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

Chapter 748 Step by Step Towards the Pinnacle of Power

"Your Majesty, you mustn't! Our army has just fought in the war against Goryeo, and our soldiers are exhausted. We are not fit to fight again!"

In the imperial court, the ministers expressed their opinions and debated endlessly.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat on the dragon throne, his face grim, saying nothing. He hadn't expected An Nan to be so bold as to challenge his authority at this time.

Fujiwara Chiyo stood quietly to the side, watching everything unfold before her. She knew that Zhu Xiong Ying had already made up her mind.

"Issue the imperial decree," Zhu Xiong Ying abruptly stood up, his eyes flashing with icy killing intent, "Three days from now, I will personally lead an expedition against Annam!"

The court fell silent.

Three days later, the army set off again, heading straight for Annam. This time, Zhu Xiong Ying's face no longer held the previous high spirits; instead, it was filled with endless coldness and killing intent.

Although the Annamese army was numerous, it suffered repeated defeats under the powerful offensive of the Ming army. Zhu Xiong Ying advanced with unstoppable momentum and soon captured the capital of Annamese.

King Le Quy Ly of Annam fled in panic and was eventually captured by the Ming army.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Li Ji Li kneeling before him, his eyes filled with disdain: "Li Ji Li, do you know your crime?"

Le Quy Ly trembled all over, not daring to raise his head: "Your Majesty, spare my life! I know my crime!"

Li Jili trembled even more violently, kowtowing repeatedly until his forehead bled profusely, staining the ground red. "Your Majesty... Your Majesty is willing to submit and pay tribute every year! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled contemptuously and kicked him to the ground. "Annual tribute? You think I care about your paltry offerings?" He looked down at the disheveled Le Quy Ly, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "What I want is for Annam to disappear from the map forever!"

Fujiwara Chiyo stood behind Zhu Xiong Ying, quietly watching this scene, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. She knew that Zhu Xiong Ying's ambitions went far beyond this. Conquering Annam was merely the first step in his grand plan.

Annam was completely annexed, and when the news reached the Ming Dynasty, the entire nation rejoiced. However, amidst the celebrations, Fujiwara Chiyo felt a sense of unease. Zhu Xiong Ying's ambitions were growing ever larger, and his methods were becoming increasingly ruthless. She didn't know whether she was aiding and abetting evil or playing with fire and getting burned.

Zhu Xiong Ying did not bask in the joy of victory. He immediately summoned his ministers to discuss the next steps.

"My esteemed ministers," Zhu Xiong Ying said, sitting on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, "Annam has been destroyed. Next, my target is..." He paused, then said, word by word, "Japan!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the court was in an uproar.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't! Japan is an island nation, easy to defend and difficult to attack. Our army is not skilled in naval warfare, and I fear we will not be able to win!"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Our army has been fighting for years, and our soldiers are exhausted and in dire need of rest and recuperation. Attacking Japan at this time would be unwise!"

The Minister of War also stepped forward to advise: "Your Majesty, I believe that we should first consolidate Annam before gradually venturing into Japan."

Zhu Xiong Ying's face grew increasingly grim as he listened to the crowd's advice. He slammed his fist on the imperial desk and roared, "Enough! My mind is made up. Anyone who dares to advise me again will be executed without mercy!"

Fujiwara Chiyo stood silently to the side. She knew it was futile to try to persuade Zhu Xiong Ying. Once this man made up his mind, he would never change it.

Three days later, the army set off in a grand procession, heading straight for the country of Wa (Japan).

This time, Fujiwara Chiyo volunteered to go on the expedition. She wanted to see for herself just how far Zhu Xiong Ying could go.

Although the samurai of Japan were brave and skilled in battle, they were no match for the overwhelming firepower of the Ming army. Zhu Xiong Ying advanced with unstoppable momentum and quickly captured Japan's major cities.

Emperor Ashikaga Yoshimitsu of Japan fled to Kyushu Island under pursuit by the Ming army, where he stubbornly resisted.

Zhu Xiong Ying personally led a large army to besiege Kyushu Island. After a fierce battle, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was finally captured. Looking at Ashikaga Yoshimitsu kneeling before him, trembling, Zhu Xiong Ying coldly smiled: "Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, what do you have to say?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu trembled as he pleaded, "Your Majesty, spare my life! I... I'm willing..."

"Shut up!" Zhu Xiong Ying interrupted him impatiently. "I don't want to hear your nonsense!" He turned to Fujiwara Chiyo. "Chiyo, tell me, what should we do with him?"

Fujiwara Chiyo smiled slightly, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "Your Majesty, I believe that he should be..." She leaned close to Zhu Xiong Ying's ear and whispered a few words.

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes, then he burst into laughter: "Alright! We'll do as you say!"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was taken away, and what awaited him was a punishment worse than death.

With the Japanese kingdom conquered, Zhu Xiong Ying's next target is... India.

The army set off again, marching westward in a grand procession.

Throughout the journey, Fujiwara Chiyo remained by Zhu Xiong Ying's side. She watched this man ascend step by step to the pinnacle of power, her heart filled with complex emotions. She didn't know whether she was helping him or destroying him.

Although the Indian army was numerous, it was routed by the Ming army's powerful offensive. Zhu Xiong Ying advanced with unstoppable momentum and soon reached Delhi, the capital of India.

Delhi was a city with high walls and thick fortifications, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Zhu Xiong Ying besieged the city for several days but was unable to breach it.

"Your Majesty, Delhi is exceptionally well-fortified; a direct assault would likely result in heavy losses," the Minister of War said with concern.

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned deeply; he knew the Minister of War was right. A direct assault on Delhi would inevitably come at a heavy price.

“Chiyo,” Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Fujiwara Chiyo, “do you have a good plan?”

Fujiwara Chiyo smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, I have an idea..."

She whispered a few words in Zhu Xiong Ying's ear.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes lit up: "Great! We'll do it your way!"

The following night, Delhi was suddenly engulfed in flames and filled with deafening shouts of battle. It turned out that Fujiwara Chiyo had sent men to infiltrate the city, open the gates, and launch a coordinated attack from within and without, thus breaching Delhi's defenses.

The Indian king Timur fled in panic and was eventually captured by the Ming army.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Timur kneeling before him, a victorious smile spreading across his face. He turned to Fujiwara Chiyo, his eyes filled with tenderness: "Chiyo, you are truly my lucky star!"

Fujiwara Chiyo smiled slightly, but a complex emotion, barely perceptible, flashed in her eyes.

After conquering India, Zhu Xiong Ying's next target was the even more distant and mysterious... Europe.

After resting, the army set off again. This time, their goal was to cross the vast ocean and conquer that unknown land.

The fleet sailed at sea for several months before finally arriving on the continent of Europe.

However, instead of flowers and applause, they were met with a sudden storm…

The raging winds and towering waves, like a maddened beast, tore at the Ming fleet. The ships tossed violently in the waves, as if they might be swallowed up at any moment. Zhu Xiong Ying stood on the deck, letting the sea wind tousle his hair, his eyes cold and resolute.

(End of this chapter)