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

Chapter 816 I hope to hear your reply

"Does Your Highness have any further requests?" the envoy asked.

"It's very simple. I want all the countries of the Western Regions to send princes to the Ming Dynasty as hostages to demonstrate your loyalty," Zhu Xiong Ying said.

Upon hearing this, the envoy's expression changed slightly.

“Your Highness, this…” he hesitated.

"What? You're not willing?" Zhu Xiong's tone turned stern.

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but this matter is of great importance, and I need to return and report to the King before I can make a decision," the envoy said.

“Very well, I will give you three days to consider. I would like to hear your reply in three days,” Zhu Xiong Ying said.

"Yes, Your Highness," the envoy replied respectfully.

After saying this, the envoy left with his entourage.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched their departing figures, a cold smile playing on his lips. He believed that the Western Regions Allied Forces would not easily agree to his demands.

Three days later, the envoy from the Western Regions returned to the palace, bringing with him the replies from the kings of the various Western Regions kingdoms.

"Your Highness, after deliberation, the kings of the various kingdoms of the Western Regions have decided to grant your request and send princes to the Ming Dynasty as hostages," the envoy said.

Zhu Xiong Ying chuckled inwardly; it seemed the Western Regions Allied Forces were truly afraid of him.

“Very good, I appreciate your sincerity,” Zhu Xiong Ying said. “However, I have one more request.”

"Your Highness, please speak," the envoy said.

"I demand that all the kingdoms of the Western Regions sign an alliance, submitting to the Great Ming forever and never rebelling," Zhu Xiong Ying said.

Upon hearing this, the envoy's expression changed once again.

“Your Highness, this…” he hesitated.

"What? You're not willing?" Zhu Xiong's tone turned stern.

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but this matter is of great importance, and I need to return and report to the King before I can make a decision," the envoy said.

“Alright, I will give you three more days to consider. I would like to hear your reply in three days,” Zhu Xiong Ying said.

"Yes, Your Highness," the envoy replied respectfully.

After saying this, the envoy left with his entourage.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched their departing figures, a cold smile playing on his lips. He believed that the Western Regions Allied Forces would ultimately agree to his demands.

Three days later, the envoy from the Western Regions returned to the palace, bringing with him the replies from the kings of the various Western Regions kingdoms.

"Your Highness, after deliberation, the kings of the various kingdoms of the Western Regions have decided to grant your request, sign an alliance, and pledge eternal allegiance to the Great Ming Dynasty, promising never to rebel," the envoy said.

Zhu Xiong Ying chuckled inwardly; the Western Regions Allied Forces had finally yielded.

“Very well, I appreciate your sincerity,” Zhu Xiong Ying said. “In that case, please go back and prepare. A month from now, I will personally go to the Western Regions to accept your submission.”

"Yes, Your Highness," the envoy replied respectfully.

After saying this, the envoy left with his entourage.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched their departing figures, a cold smile playing on her lips. Western Regions, here I come!
A month later, Zhu Xiong Ying led his army on another expedition to the Western Regions.

This time, the armies of the various Western Regions surrendered without resistance and submitted to the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Xiong Ying conquered the entire Western Regions without shedding a drop of blood.

Standing atop the highest peak in the Western Regions, overlooking the land below, he was filled with lofty ambitions.

"From this day forward, the Western Regions will be the territory of the Great Ming Dynasty!"

Suddenly, he felt dizzy, his vision went black, and he passed out.

When he woke up again, he found himself lying in bed with the imperial physician standing beside him.

"Your Highness, you've finally woken up!" the imperial physician exclaimed excitedly.

"What's wrong with me?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked.

"Your Highness, you have collapsed due to overwork," the imperial physician said. "Fortunately, you were discovered in time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

Zhu Xiong Ying then remembered that he had indeed felt extremely exhausted after conquering the Western Regions.

"How long have I been unconscious?" he asked. "Three days and three nights," the imperial physician replied.

Zhu Xiong Ying was shocked, not expecting that she had been unconscious for so long.

"Does Father know?" he asked.

"We already know. His Majesty is very worried about you," the imperial physician said.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, feeling a surge of warmth in her heart.

"Your Highness, you need to rest well," the imperial physician said. "This humble servant will take his leave now."

"Hmm," Zhu Xiong Ying said.

After the imperial physician left, Zhu Xiong Ying lay on the bed, closed his eyes, and began to contemplate the future.

He conquered the Western Regions and fulfilled his father's long-cherished wish. What will he do next?

Just then, he heard a familiar voice coming from outside the door.

"U.A., you're awake?"

Zhu Xiong Ying opened his eyes and saw his father, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, standing at the door, looking at him with a kind expression.

"Father..." Zhu Xiong Ying exclaimed excitedly.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked to the bedside, sat down, took Zhu Xiong Ying's hand, and said, "Xiong Ying, you've worked hard."

"It's no trouble at all. It's my duty to serve the Ming Dynasty," Zhu Xiong Ying said.

"Good boy," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a pleased smile, "You have made a great contribution this time, and I will reward you handsomely."

"Father, I do not wish for any reward," Zhu Xiong Ying said. "I only hope that the Ming Dynasty can prosper and that the people can live in peace and happiness."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his son with eyes full of affection.

"Xiongying, you are truly my good son."

"Father..." Zhu Xiong Ying said, moved.

The father and son exchanged a smile, everything understood without a word.

Suddenly, Zhu Xiong Ying felt a sharp pain in her chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Xiong Ying!" Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed.

Zhu Xiong Ying was pale, breathing rapidly, and her body was trembling.

“Father…I…I…” Zhu Xiong Ying said with difficulty.

"Xiongying, what's wrong?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked anxiously.

A strange smile appeared on Zhu Xiong Ying's lips before she lost consciousness.

"Xiong Ying! Xiong Ying!" Zhu Yuanzhang shouted, but Zhu Xiong Ying never responded.

"Xiong Ying! Xiong Ying!" Zhu Yuanzhang cried, tears streaming down his face, his trembling hand stroking Zhu Xiong Ying's bloodless face. The imperial physicians knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe, sweating profusely as they desperately tried to administer acupuncture and medicine to Zhu Xiong Ying, but to no avail.

The eerie smile on Zhu Xiong Ying's lips was like a thorn in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart. This child, from a young age, loved to show off, to act profound, to be unfathomable. What did that smile mean just now? Could it be…?

"Get out of here!" Zhu Yuanzhang roared, scaring the imperial physicians into scrambling out of the room.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat slumped on the edge of the bed, holding Zhu Xiong Ying's cold hand, his heart filled with immense grief. This child was his most valued son, his chosen successor, the future of the Ming Dynasty! How could he just leave like this?

Suddenly, Zhu Xiong Ying's fingers twitched slightly.

Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed and quickly leaned over to check.

Zhu Xiong Ying slowly opened her eyes, her gaze unfocused, as if she was not fully awake yet.

"Xiongying! You're awake!" Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed excitedly.

Zhu Xiong Ying blinked, saw Zhu Yuan Zhang, and his lips curled up slightly, revealing a familiar smug smile: "Father, I'm fine, just... feeling a little unwell."

"Slightly unwell? You've been unconscious for three days and three nights! And you still say you're slightly unwell!" Zhu Yuanzhang was both amused and annoyed. This child, even at a time like this, is still pretending!
"Father, my unconsciousness this time was not due to overwork, but rather..." Zhu Xiong Ying paused, then said mysteriously, "I have broken through."

"Breakthrough?" Zhu Yuanzhang was completely baffled.

(End of this chapter)