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

Chapter 749 It was actually Fujiwara Chiyo!

"Your Majesty, the wind and waves are too great, and the fleet has suffered heavy losses!" A soldier, soaking wet, stumbled over to report.

Zhu Xiong Ying remained expressionless: "Keep moving forward! My goal is the whole of Europe!"

Fujiwara Chiyo stood beside him, looking at him with concern: "Your Majesty, the soldiers are exhausted. Perhaps we should find a place to rest first before making any further plans."

Zhu Xiong Ying snorted coldly: "How can a mere storm stop my advance? Issue the order: no one is to retreat, and anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

The storm lasted for three days and three nights, causing heavy losses to the Ming fleet, but they eventually reached the European continent. They landed on Byzantine territory.

When Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI heard of the Ming army's invasion, he was greatly alarmed. He hurriedly mobilized his troops to prepare for resistance.

However, the Ming army's firearms were something the Byzantine army had never seen before. Under the Ming army's fierce attack, the Byzantine army suffered repeated defeats.

Zhu Xiong Ying led his army, conquering cities and seizing territories along the way, and soon his troops arrived at the gates of Constantinople.

Constantinople had 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, Constantinople's defenses are formidable; 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 Constantinople would inevitably come at a heavy price.

He turned to look at Fujiwara Chiyo: "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, Constantinople was suddenly engulfed in flames and filled with deafening shouts of battle. It turned out that Fujiwara no Chiyo had sent men to infiltrate the city, open the gates, and launch a coordinated attack from within and without, thus breaching Constantinople.

Constantine XI was killed in the chaos of war, and the Byzantine Empire fell.

Standing atop the walls of Constantinople, Zhu Xiong Ying gazed down upon the ancient city, his heart filled with boundless ambition. He turned to Fujiwara Chiyo, his eyes brimming with tenderness: "Chiyo, you are truly my lucky star!"

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

The fall of the Byzantine Empire shocked all of Europe. Monarchs from various countries sent envoys to pay homage to Zhu Xiong Ying and express their submission.

Zhu Xiong Ying established a palace in Constantinople, where he received envoys from various countries. He had become the de facto ruler of all of Europe.

However, just as Zhu Xiong Ying was feeling triumphant, an unexpected message arrived, which enraged him.

His harem is on fire.

The fire destroyed most of the palace buildings and killed many concubines and palace maids.

Zhu Xiong Ying was furious and ordered a thorough investigation into the matter.

The results of the investigation shocked him.

This fire was not an accident, but arson. And the arsonist was... Fujiwara Chiyo.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Fujiwara Chiyo in disbelief: "Why? Why did you do this?"

Fujiwara Chiyo looked at him calmly: "Because I hate you."

"Hate me?" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, "I have doted on you so much, how dare you hate me?"

"Favor?" Fujiwara Chiyo sneered. "Your so-called favor is nothing more than treating me as a plaything, a tool! You conquered Japan, conquered India, conquered Europe, but have you ever thought about how the people of these countries viewed you? They hate you! They hate you to the bone!" Zhu Xiong Ying was stunned. He had never considered this question. He had always believed that he was expanding the territory of the Ming Dynasty and working for the well-being of the people.

“You’re wrong,” Fujiwara Chiyo continued. “What you conquered wasn’t land, but people’s hearts! What you gained wasn’t glory, but hatred! You think you’re a hero, but you’re actually a demon!”

Zhu Xiong Ying fell silent. He didn't know what to say.

Fujiwara Chiyo looked at him, her eyes filled with sorrow: "You have lost yourself. You have become a cold-blooded tyrant."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched her retreating figure, her heart filled with pain and confusion.

He suddenly realized that he was really wrong.

He conquered the world, but lost himself.

He gained power, but lost the hearts of the people.

He stood on the walls of Constantinople, looking down at the brightly lit city below, his heart filled with endless emptiness and loneliness.

He suddenly missed his hometown and the warm home he once knew.

Fujiwara Chiyo's words were like a sharp blade, piercing Zhu Xiong Ying's heart. He staggered back a few steps, nearly falling. He had never imagined that everything he had painstakingly built would be so despicable in the eyes of others. He thought he was creating a golden age, but it turned out he was creating a living hell.

The dazzling night view of Constantinople now appeared to him like infernal fire, scorching his soul. He felt an unprecedented emptiness and confusion.

He collapsed onto the city wall, clutching his head and groaning in pain.

"I...I was wrong..." he murmured to himself, his voice low and hoarse.

He began to reflect on his life, from his childhood ambitions to his current power and influence. What had he gained and what had he lost along the way?
He had power, wealth, and glory—he had it all, yet he never felt true happiness. He lived in a constant desire for conquest, never stopping to appreciate the beauty of life.

He recalled his childhood, playing with his father in the imperial garden, a time when he was carefree and innocent. Now, however, he had become a cold-blooded tyrant.

He recalled the years he had spent with Empress Ma, her gentle smile, her warm embrace. But now, she was gone, separated by life and death.

He thought of his people, who had lived in peace and prosperity but had been dragged into endless wars, displaced, and their families destroyed.

"I...I'm sorry to them..." He closed his eyes in anguish, tears streaming down his face.

He suddenly realized that Fujiwara Chiyo was right. He had lost himself and become a demon.

He stood up, took a deep breath, and a resolute glint flashed in his eyes.

"I will change all of this!"

He immediately ordered a halt to all wars of external expansion and the withdrawal of troops back to Ming territory.

He returned to Yingtian, summoned all civil and military officials, and announced a series of reform measures.

He abolished exorbitant taxes and levies, reducing the burden on the people; he encouraged agriculture, developed commerce, and restored people's livelihoods; he established schools, popularized education, and improved the quality of the nation; he reformed the imperial examination system, selected the virtuous and capable, and rectified official corruption.

He no longer pursued personal glory, but devoted all his energy to national development. He went deep into the countryside, observed the people's conditions, and understood their hardships. He ate and lived with the people, listening to their voices.

He was no longer a high and mighty emperor, but a public servant who served the people.

(End of this chapter)