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

Chapter 771 A Bloody Battle Between Father and Son

"Incompetent?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "Since you're incompetent, then return the throne to me!"

He lifted Zhu Yunwen from the ground as if he were a chick, and declared, "Issue my decree: effective immediately, I shall resume control of the court! Emperor Jianwen shall be demoted to a commoner!"

The news caused an uproar throughout the court. Some were overjoyed, while others were worried. But regardless, Zhu Xiong Ying, the former emperor of the Ming Dynasty, had returned!
He donned the dragon robe once more and ascended the throne that had once belonged to him. He was no longer the dejected old man, but a spirited and vigorous emperor.

"Prince Yan, I want to see what you're capable of, daring to compete with me for the throne!" Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes flashed with a bloodthirsty light, like a sleeping lion that had finally awakened.

He began to mobilize troops and deploy strategies, preparing for a decisive battle with Zhu Di. His former generals, upon hearing the news of Zhu Xiong Ying's return to power, flocked to him, still filled with awe and loyalty towards this former emperor.

With the army assembled, Zhu Xiong Ying personally led his troops on a grand march towards Beiping. He knew this was a battle to the death, but he was fearless. For the Ming Dynasty he had built with his own hands, he was willing to give everything, even his life.

The army advanced with unstoppable momentum, quickly approaching Beiping City. Zhu Di stood on the city wall, looking at the dark mass of troops below, a cold smile appearing on his face.

"Father, you finally couldn't resist taking action." He murmured to himself, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

"Prince Yan," Zhu Xiong Ying's booming voice echoed from below the city, "open the city gates, surrender, and I may spare your life!"

Zhu Di laughed heartily, "Father, are you getting senile? This empire will be mine sooner or later!"

"Is that so?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered. "Then let me see what you're capable of, daring to challenge me!"

Having said that, he drew his sword from his waist, pointed it to the sky, and shouted, "Attack the city!"

The war drums thundered, and battle cries shook the heavens. A bloody battle between father and son had begun...

Outside Beiping city, corpses lay strewn across the fields, and blood flowed like rivers. Zhu Xiong Ying led the charge, fighting valiantly, as if he had returned to his glorious youth.

Zhu Xiong Ying charged ahead, wielding his longsword like a silver dragon, felling Yan soldiers wherever he went. His dragon robe was already stained red with blood, but he seemed oblivious, his eyes filled only with boundless killing intent.

"Kill! For the sake of my Great Ming Dynasty, kill!" Zhu Xiong Ying roared, his voice like thunder, echoing throughout the entire battlefield.

Zhu Di watched from the city wall with a pounding heart. He never expected that this old emperor, who had abdicated many years ago, would still have such a powerful fighting force.

"Damn old bastard!" Zhu Di said through gritted teeth, "Men, fire arrows at me!"

A hail of arrows rained down from the city wall, but Zhu Xiong Ying brandished his longsword, deflecting each arrow aimed at him. He stood like a war god on the battlefield, unstoppable.

"Prince Yan, do you think you can stop me with just these bows and arrows?" Zhu Xiong Ying sneered and continued to charge forward.

Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying's bravery, the Ming army's morale soared. They shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and charged forward, engaging in a fierce battle with the Yan army.

The battle lasted a full day, with both sides suffering heavy losses. Although Zhu Xiong Ying was brave, he was old and frail, and gradually felt his strength waning.

"Your Majesty, please rest for a while!" Wang Zhong urged anxiously. "Leave this to me!"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head, "I can still fight!" He wiped the blood off his face and continued to wield his sword to kill the enemy.

Just then, a stray arrow suddenly shot from the side, striking Zhu Xiong Ying's left arm.

"Ah!" Zhu Xiong Ying cried out in pain, and the long sword in his hand fell to the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Wang Zhong was shocked and rushed forward to protect Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Protect His Majesty! Retreat!" Wang Zhong shouted.

The Ming soldiers protected the wounded Zhu Xiong Ying, fighting and retreating until they finally withdrew from the battlefield.

Zhu Di stood on the city wall, watching the retreating Ming army, a cold smile on his face.

"Old man, you've finally lost!" he muttered to himself. Back in the tent, the army doctor quickly bandaged Zhu Xiong Ying's wounds.

"Your Majesty, your injuries are severe and you need to rest well," the military doctor said worriedly.

Zhu Xiong Ying was pale, but he endured the pain and said, "I'm fine. This little injury is nothing."

"Your Majesty, you should rest," Wang Zhong advised. "Leave the rest of the battle to me."

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head. "No, I want to see the Prince of Yan defeated with my own eyes!"

“But Your Majesty…” Wang Zhong wanted to persuade him further, but Zhu Xiong Ying interrupted him.

"No need for further words, my mind is made up!" Zhu Xiong said firmly.

He knew that this war was a matter of life and death for the Ming Dynasty, and he could not afford to fall!

Over the next few days, Zhu Xiong Ying endured his injuries and commanded his troops in battle against the Yan army. Although he was advanced in years, his rich combat experience and extraordinary courage still made the Yan army dare not underestimate him.

The two sides traded blows, with each side experiencing victories and defeats, and the war reached a stalemate.

One day, Zhu Xiong Ying was studying a map in his tent when suddenly a soldier rushed in in a panic.

"Report! Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! The Yan army... the Yan army has used firearms!"

"What?!" Zhu Xiong Ying was shocked and hurriedly walked out of the tent.

In the distance, flames soared into the sky and thick smoke billowed as the Yan army's cannons bombarded the Ming army's positions.

"Damn Zhu Di!" Zhu Xiong Ying said through gritted teeth, "How dare he use such despicable means!"

The Ming soldiers had never seen such a weapon before, and they were thrown into chaos, suffering heavy casualties.

"Your Majesty, we must retreat!" Wang Zhong urged anxiously.

Looking at the routed Ming army, Zhu Xiong Ying was filled with grief, indignation, and helplessness.

Is he really going to lose to Zhu Di?
Just then, a mysterious person wearing a black cloak suddenly appeared in front of Zhu Xiong Ying.

“Your Majesty, do not panic, I am here to lend you a hand,” the mysterious man said calmly.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at the mysterious person in front of her, her heart filled with doubt.

Who is this person? Why is he helping me?

"Who...who are you?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

The mysterious figure smiled slightly and slowly removed the cloak from his head...

The mysterious figure slowly removed her cloak, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face. Zhu Xiong Ying was immediately stunned. It was a face he knew all too well, but it looked much younger, as if he had returned to the way she looked decades ago when he first met her.

"You are... Consort Li?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked incredulously, his voice trembling.

Consort Li smiled sweetly, her eyes sparkling with charm. "Your Majesty, it's been a long time."

Zhu Xiong Ying's mind was in turmoil. Hadn't Consort Li died many years ago? Why was she here? And why was she so young? Countless questions flooded his mind, leaving him at a loss.

"I...I don't understand..." Zhu Xiong Ying murmured.

(End of this chapter)