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

Chapter 803 Discussing Strategies to Repel the Enemy

Li Niang lowered her head shyly: "Young master, what are you saying?"

Zhu Xiong Ying hugged Liniang tightly. "Liniang, I love you!"

Liniang nestled in Zhu Xiong Ying's arms, her heart filled with happiness.

The next day, the prime minister personally went to the palace to meet the emperor and told him about Zhu Xiong Ying's annulment of the engagement.

Upon hearing this, the emperor flew into a rage, summoned Zhu Xiong Ying to the palace, and gave him a severe scolding.

"You unfilial son! How dare you defy the imperial decree to annul the engagement! Do you know that this is a capital offense!"

Zhu Xiong Ying knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head. "Father, I know I was wrong, but I really cannot marry a woman I do not love."

"Outrageous! Marriage is a serious matter, not something you can treat lightly!" The emperor was furious. "I have already promised the prime minister, how can I go back on my word? If you insist on annuling the engagement, I will demote you to a commoner!"

Zhu Xiong Ying was startled, not expecting the emperor to be so angry. "Father, your son..."

"No need for further words! My mind is made up!" the emperor roared. "Guards, lock the Crown Prince in the Imperial Clan Court. No one is to visit him without my decree!"

Two guards stepped forward and took Zhu Xiong Ying away.

Upon learning of this, Li Niang was extremely anxious. She rushed to the palace gate, hoping to see Zhu Xiong Ying.

But the guards stopped her. "Miss, without the Emperor's decree, no one is allowed to visit the Crown Prince."

Li Niang pleaded desperately, but the guards remained unmoved.

Helpless, Li Niang had no choice but to return to the mansion, her heart filled with worry.

Zhu Xiong Ying was imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, where he was kept in darkness all day long and was extremely depressed.

He didn't know how long he would be imprisoned, nor did he know how Li Niang was doing.

He began to regret his impulsiveness; if he hadn't broken off the engagement, perhaps things wouldn't have come to this.

But it's too late to say anything now; he can only silently endure it all.

Just when he was feeling utterly hopeless, he suddenly heard footsteps.

He looked up and saw a familiar figure appear in front of him.

"Li Niang!" Zhu Xiong Ying exclaimed in surprise.

"Li Niang!" Zhu Xiong Ying exclaimed in surprise, suddenly standing up from the straw mat, staggering a few steps and almost falling. The cold and dampness of the Imperial Clan Court, coupled with several days of confinement, had left him weak and pale.

Li Niang's eyes were slightly red. She quickly walked up to him and touched his thin face with trembling hands. "Young master, you have suffered so much."

Zhu Xiong Ying grabbed her hand and held it tightly, as if grasping a lifeline. "Li Niang, how did you get in? Father Emperor isn't..."

"Shh..." Li Niang quickly interrupted him, glancing around warily. "I sneaked in here. The guards will be changing shifts soon, so I have to leave quickly."

"Sneaked in?" Zhu Xiong Ying's heart tightened, and she hugged her tightly with heartache. "How could you do something so dangerous?"

Li Niang sobbed softly in his arms, "Young master, I was worried about you..."

Zhu Xiong Ying stroked her hair, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He had originally intended to annul the engagement to give Liniang a proper status, but he never expected to end up in the Imperial Clan Court and implicate Liniang as well.

"Li Niang, I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this," Zhu Xiong Ying said guiltily.

Li Niang raised her head, her eyes brimming with tears, and looked at him: "Young master, don't talk nonsense. As long as I can see you, I feel at ease."

The two embraced tightly, feeling each other's body heat, as if time had stood still.

A moment later, Li Niang took out an exquisite purse from her bosom and handed it to Zhu Xiong Ying. "Young master, these are pastries I made myself. Please eat them." Zhu Xiong Ying took the purse, opened it, and saw several fragrant osmanthus cakes inside. He picked up a piece, put it in his mouth, and a sweet taste filled the air, bringing him a sense of comfort.

"Is it delicious?" Li Niang looked at him, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, forcing a smile: "It's delicious. This is the best osmanthus cake I've ever eaten."

Liniang burst into laughter through her tears, as if the gloom in her heart had been swept away.

The two chatted for a while longer before Liniang got up to leave. "Young master, I have to go now. Take care of yourself, and I'll come to see you again."

Zhu Xiong Ying held her hand reluctantly: "Li Niang, take care of yourself. Next time... don't take any more risks."

Li Niang nodded, turned and left, her figure gradually disappearing into the dimly lit corridor.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched her departing figure, his heart filled with reluctance and worry. He knew he had to find a way out as soon as possible to protect Li Niang and not betray her deep affection.

In the days that followed, Zhu Xiong Ying racked his brains in the Imperial Clan Court, trying to find a solution. He repeatedly recalled his conversation with his father, trying to find his father's weakness.

He recalled his father saying that the Ming Dynasty needed a wise and virtuous ruler to ensure its long-term stability.

“A wise ruler…” Zhu Xiong Ying murmured to himself, a thought suddenly flashing through his mind.

He decided to use this opportunity to prove his abilities to his father and show that he could become a wise monarch.

He began reading history books in the Imperial Clan Court to learn about governance. He humbly sought advice from the prison guards to understand the hardships of the common people. He even learned from his fellow prisoners to understand their criminal psychology.

He absorbs all kinds of knowledge like a sponge, constantly enriching himself.

At the same time, the outside world has also undergone tremendous changes.

The Northern Yuan, a neighboring country of the Ming Dynasty, took advantage of the Ming's internal turmoil to launch a large-scale invasion of the border. The border was in dire straits, and war raged.

When the news reached the capital, the emperor was furious and ordered troops from all over the country to provide support.

However, due to prolonged internal strife, the Ming army's combat effectiveness declined, and it suffered repeated defeats.

The emperor was extremely anxious, but helpless.

Just then, a minister stepped forward and suggested to the emperor: "Your Majesty, although His Highness the Crown Prince is imprisoned in the Imperial Clan Court, he is intelligent and well-versed in military strategy. Perhaps he can come up with a plan to repel the enemy."

The emperor hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed to the proposal.

He ordered Zhu Xiong Ying to be released from the Imperial Clan Court and put him in charge of the war.

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed. He knew this was his chance to prove himself and save the Ming Dynasty.

He immediately summoned his generals to discuss strategies for repelling the enemy.

Based on his understanding of military strategy and the knowledge he learned in the Imperial Clan Court, he devised a bold yet meticulous battle plan.

He decided to adopt the tactic of "encircling the point and attacking the reinforcements," first concentrating his forces to attack an important stronghold of the Northern Yuan, then luring the main force of the Northern Yuan to come to its aid, and then annihilating it in one fell swoop.

Although this plan is risky, it has a high chance of success.

The generals were all shocked after hearing his plan. They had never expected that His Highness the Crown Prince would possess such military talent.

They all expressed their support for the Crown Prince's plan and vowed to follow him to the death to protect the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing the high morale of his generals, Zhu Xiong Ying was filled with confidence. He knew he would win this war!
He led his army, marching in a grand procession towards the border...

(End of this chapter)