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

Chapter 804 Endless Wealth and Glory

After the army arrived at the border, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately ordered a fierce attack on the important strongholds of the Northern Yuan...

The siege was extremely fierce, with heavy casualties on both sides...

Just then, the main force of the Northern Yuan arrived to provide support...

Upon seeing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's lips curled into a cold smile...

He had long anticipated that the Northern Yuan would come to their aid; he had already laid a trap, just waiting for them to walk right into it...

The Northern Yuan cavalry surged in like a tidal wave, a dark, imposing mass, their banners obscuring the sun, their battle cries deafening. Zhu Xiong Ying stood on the high command platform, hands behind his back, his eyes showing no sign of panic, but rather a hint of mockery, as if he were looking at a flock of lambs to the slaughter.

He waved his hand lightly, and the Ming archers who had been lying in ambush unleashed a volley of arrows. The arrows fell like raindrops, and the Northern Yuan cavalrymen fell to their deaths, their screams echoing throughout the land.

"That's all?" Zhu Xiong Ying curled her lip in disdain. "I thought you were something special, but it turns out you're nothing special."

His generals were all dumbfounded. They had never seen such a powerful army, let alone such a calm commander.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is incredibly resourceful; we are truly impressed!" an old general exclaimed excitedly.

“Yes, His Highness the Crown Prince is truly a genius!” another young general chimed in.

Zhu Xiong Ying felt secretly pleased as he listened to the praise, but his face remained expressionless. He simply said, "It's a trivial skill, not worth mentioning."

He waved his hand again, and the Ming infantry seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack. The Northern Yuan army was immediately routed and fled in all directions.

Looking at the defeated Northern Yuan army, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a surge of pride, as if he could see the glorious future of the Ming Dynasty.

"Pass down the order: press on while the enemy is winning and annihilate the entire Northern Yuan army!" he shouted.

"Yes, sir!" the generals responded in unison, and then led their troops in pursuit.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood on the command platform, watching the departing Ming army, a smug smile appearing on his lips.

"Hmph, you brat from Beiyuan, how dare you be so insolent in front of me! You're truly overestimating yourself!"

After this battle, Zhu Xiong Ying's reputation soared, and everyone in the court and the public praised his bravery and martial prowess. Even the emperor looked at him with new respect.

The emperor summoned Zhu Xiong Ying, praised him highly, and rewarded him with a great deal of gold and silver.

"Xiong Ying, you have rendered a great service this time, and I am very pleased," the emperor said with a smile.

"Your subject dares not take credit; this is all thanks to Father Emperor's excellent teachings," Zhu Xiong Ying said modestly.

"Haha, you don't need to be so modest. Your talent is obvious to all." The emperor patted Zhu Xiong Ying on the shoulder and said, "I have decided to make you the crown prince so that you will inherit the throne in the future."

Upon hearing this news, Zhu Xiong Ying was overjoyed, but he outwardly remained calm and said, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."

"Alright, you may go and rest. We will rely on you more for important national affairs in the future," the emperor said.

"Your subject obeys." Zhu Xiong Ying bowed and then left the imperial study.

After leaving the imperial study, Zhu Xiong Ying could no longer contain his joy. He laughed loudly, and his laughter echoed throughout the palace.

"Hahaha, I've finally become the crown prince! I can finally realize my ambitions!"

He couldn't wait to tell Liniang the good news, believing she would be happy for him. He immediately set off for Liniang's residence, but when he arrived at her room, he found it empty.

He was startled and quickly asked the maid, who told him that Li Niang had left the palace and her whereabouts were unknown.

Zhu Xiong Ying was struck dumb; he never imagined that Li Niang would leave without saying goodbye.

He searched frantically for Liniang's whereabouts, but to no avail.

He slumped to the ground, his heart filled with pain and despair.

"Li Niang, why did you leave me? Why did you do this to me?"

He looked up to the sky and roared, his voice filled with grief and resentment.

Just then, a man in black suddenly appeared in front of him and handed him a letter.

Zhu Xiong Ying took the letter, opened it, and read:

“U.A., I know you will become a great monarch, but I can no longer stay by your side. I don’t want to be a burden to you; I want to live a free life. Please forget me and take good care of yourself.”

After reading the letter, Zhu Xiong Ying's heart was completely broken. He never imagined that Liniang would leave him, especially not in this way.

He clutched the letter tightly, tears streaming down his face.

"Li Niang, I will never forget you, never!"

He raised his head, gazing at the sky, his eyes filled with determination.

He knew he couldn't wallow in sorrow; he had a more important mission to accomplish.

He wanted to become a great monarch, to make the Ming Dynasty more prosperous, and to ensure that Li Niang's name would be forever etched in history.

He stood up, wiped away his tears, and his eyes were full of fighting spirit.

"Li Niang, wait for me, I will definitely find you, I will definitely bring you back to my side!"

He turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the night...

Zhu Xiong Ying clutched Li Niang's letter tightly, his knuckles turning white. The letter rustled softly in his hands, much like his broken heart. The night wind howled, swirling fallen leaves around him, mirroring his chaotic thoughts. Li Niang was gone, gone without a trace, leaving only a thin letter, like a sharp knife, piercing his heart.

He once thought that he would share this vast empire with Li Niang, that he would give her unparalleled glory and favor, and that he would make her the happiest woman in the world. But now, on this grand blueprint, Li Niang's figure is conspicuously absent.

"A life of freedom..." Zhu Xiong Ying murmured to himself, repeatedly pondering this sentence from Liniang's letter. He didn't understand. In his view, wasn't possessing supreme power and endless wealth the greatest freedom? Why would Liniang give it all up?
He suddenly remembered what Li Niang had once said: "Xiong Ying, I like the time I spend with you, but I prefer a life of freedom and don't like being trapped in the gilded cage of the palace."

At the time, he didn't take it seriously, thinking it was just Liniang joking. But now, thinking back, every word pierced his heart.

He looked up to the sky and howled, his voice shrill and jarring, sounding particularly abrupt in the silent night. He was like a wounded beast, struggling in pain and roaring in despair.

It took him a long time to calm down. He carefully placed Liniang's letter close to his body, his eyes gradually hardening.

"Li Niang, don't worry, I will definitely find you. Even if I have to travel to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back!"

He took a deep breath and turned to walk towards his bedchamber. He knew he could no longer indulge in romantic love; he had more important things to do. He wanted to become a great monarch; he wanted the banner of the Ming Dynasty to fly in every corner of the world! He wanted the name of Li Niang to resound throughout the universe!
(End of this chapter)