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

Chapter 800 will definitely live up to your expectations.

"Brother, what are you doing?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked, puzzled.

“Xiongying, the Emperor has ordered that Wang Zhen be kept alive so that he can interrogate him personally,” Zhu Biao explained.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying put away the dagger and handed Wang Zhen over to the guards.

"Brother, where is Father now?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

Zhu Biao smiled mysteriously: "Come with me."

He led Zhu Xiong Ying to the back hall of Qianqing Palace, pushed open an inconspicuous wooden door, and a secret room appeared before them.

Zhu Biao lit the candles, and the secret room was immediately illuminated. Zhu Xiong Ying looked around and found that the walls of the secret room were covered with portraits, all of whom were founding heroes of the Ming Dynasty.

"This is..." Zhu Xiong Ying asked in confusion.

“This is my father’s secret base,” Zhu Biao explained. “It holds all the secrets of the Ming Dynasty.”

He walked to a wall, reached out and felt around on it a few times, and suddenly, a brick on the wall moved aside, revealing a hidden compartment.

Zhu Biao took out a sheepskin scroll from a hidden compartment and handed it to Zhu Xiong Ying: "Xiong Ying, this is what your father left for you."

Zhu Xiong Ying took the sheepskin scroll and slowly unfurled it. On it were written several large characters: "The Ming Dynasty will live on forever!"

After reading it, Zhu Xiong Ying was filled with emotion. He finally understood that everything his father had done was for the sake of the Ming Dynasty.

“Brother, I understand,” Zhu Xiong Ying said solemnly. “I will definitely carry on Father’s legacy and protect the Ming Dynasty!”

Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction: "I believe in you, Xiong Ying."

Just then, the door to the secret room was suddenly pushed open, and a dignified voice rang out: "Biao'er, Xiong Ying, you are both here."

Zhu Xiong Ying suddenly turned around and saw an elderly man in a dragon robe, looking vigorous and energetic, walk in.

"Father...Father Emperor?" Zhu Xiong Ying stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

The old man was none other than Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty!

"Xiongying, my good son, you've finally returned," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a kind smile.

"Father, you...you're not dead?" Zhu Xiong Ying excitedly threw herself into Zhu Yuanzhang's arms.

"Silly child, how could I die?" Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhu Xiong Ying's shoulder with a smile. "This was all part of my plan."

"A plan?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked, puzzled.

“That’s right,” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. “I faked my death to lure out the traitors and expose those treacherous officials who were plotting against us.”

He paused, then continued, "And you, Xiong Ying, you are the sharpest blade in my hand!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying felt his blood boil. He finally understood how important the mission he shouldered was.

"Father, I will certainly live up to your expectations!" Zhu Xiong Ying said firmly.

"Good! Good! Good!" Zhu Yuanzhang said three times in succession. "My good son, I believe in you!"

He turned to look at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao'er, you've worked hard."

Zhu Biao quickly replied, "Father, this is what I should do."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Xiong Ying, I have an important matter to entrust to you."

"Father, please give your orders," Zhu Xiong Ying said respectfully.

"I want you..." Zhu Yuanzhang paused, his tone suddenly becoming serious, "I want you to lead a large army to attack the Japanese pirates!"

"Attack the Japanese pirates?" Zhu Xiong Ying was slightly taken aback, then a surge of heroic ambition welled up in his heart. "Father, I will certainly live up to your mission and wipe out the Japanese pirates completely!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction: "Good! I knew you wouldn't let me down! For this expedition, I will give you 100,000 elite troops, and appoint Xu Da as the vanguard, Chang Yuchun as the deputy general, and you as the Grand Marshal, with full command!"

"Thank you, Father Emperor!" Zhu Xiong Ying knelt down and kowtowed excitedly.

"Get up," Zhu Yuanzhang said, helping Zhu Xiong Ying to his feet. "Xiong Ying, the Japanese pirates are rampant, repeatedly invading our Ming Dynasty's coastal borders, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities. On this expedition, you must completely wipe them out to serve as a warning to others!"

"Father, rest assured, your son will definitely exterminate all the Japanese pirates, leaving not a single one alive!" A murderous glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"Good! I await your good news!" Zhu Yuanzhang patted Zhu Xiong Ying on the shoulder, then turned and left the secret chamber.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Xiong Ying with envy in his eyes: "Xiong Ying, Father Emperor truly has high hopes for you!"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said, "Brother, you're not bad either. Father entrusted you with the important task of overseeing the country, which shows how much he trusts you."

Zhu Biao sighed: "Alas, although being the regent is important, nothing beats the thrill of leading troops into battle! I also want to fight on the front lines and protect my country!"

“Brother, your responsibilities are more important,” Zhu Xiong Ying comforted him. “Father needs you to stabilize the court from the rear so that I can fight on the front lines with peace of mind.”

Zhu Biao nodded: "You're right, I can't let my father down."

"Brother, I'm leaving now," Zhu Xiong Ying hugged Zhu Biao, "When I return in triumph, we brothers will have a good drink together!"

"Okay! I'll wait for you!" Zhu Biao patted Zhu Xiong Ying's back hard.

Zhu Xiong Ying left the secret room and returned to his residence. He immediately summoned his generals to discuss the expedition.

"Generals," Zhu Xiong Ying said, seated in the main seat, looking around at everyone, "this expedition is to annihilate the Japanese pirates and protect the coastal borders of our Great Ming Dynasty. In this battle, only victory is allowed; defeat is not permitted!"

"Rest assured, Grand Marshal, we will serve you to the death!" the generals replied in unison.

"Good!" Zhu Xiong Ying nodded in satisfaction. "General Xu Da, you will be the vanguard, leading 50,000 troops to set off first and capture the Japanese pirates' strongholds along the coast."

"Your subordinate obeys!" Xu Da replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"General Chang Yuchun, you will be the deputy general, leading another 50,000 troops to follow and be responsible for logistical support."

"This humble general obeys!" Chang Yuchun replied, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

"The remaining generals shall each lead their own troops and await orders."

"Yes, sir!" the generals replied in unison.

After arranging everything, Zhu Xiong Ying went to the study alone, looked at a map hanging on the wall, and fell into deep thought.

The Japanese pirates' territory was mainly concentrated along the southeastern coast. Their ships were agile, fast, and familiar with the sea conditions, which posed a great challenge to the Ming Dynasty's navy.

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that in order to completely wipe out the Japanese pirates, they had to destroy their naval power first.

He walked to his desk, spread out a sheet of white paper, and began to formulate a battle plan.

Three days later, the army set off in a grand procession towards the southeast coast.

Zhu Xiong Ying, dressed in golden armor and riding a tall horse, walked at the head of the procession, full of vigor and imposing presence.

The army advanced with unstoppable momentum, quickly capturing several important strongholds of the Japanese pirates along the coast.

Upon learning the news, the leader of the Japanese pirates was greatly shocked and immediately summoned his generals to discuss countermeasures.

"The Ming Dynasty is coming with great force this time. How should we deal with it?" a Japanese pirate general asked.

"Hmph! The mere Ming Dynasty is nothing to fear!" the pirate leader said disdainfully. "Although they outnumber us, we are familiar with the seas, and they are no match for us!"

(End of this chapter)