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

Chapter 825 A Giant Rat
"What a bunch of fools!"

He snorted coldly, then walked to Zhu Xiong Ying's side and said, "Xiong Ying, let's go."

"Alright." Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, then stood up and followed Zhu Yuan Zhang away.

After returning to the palace, Zhu Xiong Ying began to seclude himself to heal his injuries.

Zhu Yuanzhang then began to deal with the aftermath.

He ordered the execution of all the Japanese pirates involved in the incident and their bodies to be hung on the city walls as a warning to others.

At the same time, he also sent people to Japan to issue an ultimatum to the Japanese emperor, demanding that Japan compensate the Ming Dynasty for its losses and hand over Kagesa and Shura-oh.

When the Emperor of Japan learned of this, he was furious.

He never expected that the Ming Dynasty would be so arrogant and make such an unreasonable demand of him.

He immediately ordered the mobilization of the nation's military forces to prepare for a decisive battle against the Ming Dynasty.

However, before he could act, the Ming army was already at the city gates.

It turns out that Zhu Yuanzhang had long anticipated that the Japanese emperor would resort to desperate measures, so he made preparations in advance.

He dispatched Xu Da to lead a large army, which swiftly captured several important coastal cities of Wa (Japan).

When the Japanese emperor learned of this, he was immediately flustered.

He never imagined that the Ming army was so powerful, capable of conquering so many cities in such a short time.

He knew that if he didn't surrender, Japan would truly perish.

Therefore, he hurriedly sent someone to the Ming Dynasty to request surrender.

After receiving the letter of surrender from the Japanese emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang sneered.

"You're only thinking of surrendering now? Too late!"

He immediately ordered Xu Da to continue the attack and make sure to completely conquer the Wa Kingdom.

Upon receiving the order, Xu Da dared not delay and immediately led his army into the heart of Japan.

When the Japanese Emperor's letter of surrender was delivered to Zhu Yuanzhang, he was leisurely pruning the potted plants in the imperial garden. He glanced at the letter, filled with humble pleas for mercy, and a disdainful sneer curled at the corner of his mouth. "Japan? A tiny island nation, yet it dares to defy the imperial majesty!"

He casually tossed the letter to the eunuch beside him and said nonchalantly, "Tell Xu Da to ignore the Japanese Emperor's pleas for mercy and continue the attack. I will make sure that not a blade of grass grows in Japan!"

The eunuch obeyed and left, while Zhu Yuanzhang continued pruning the bonsai, as if the matter that had just occurred was utterly insignificant. His nonchalant attitude made it seem as if he were dealing with a trivial matter, rather than a matter of life and death that would determine the fate of a nation.

Meanwhile, Zhu Xiong Ying was leisurely enjoying grapes brought as tribute from the Western Regions in his palace. Upon hearing the news that the Japanese emperor had requested surrender, he merely smiled faintly and did not take it to heart.

"Japan, such a tiny country, dares to provoke me, the Crown Prince? They really don't know what's good for them!" he muttered to himself while eating grapes.

He was filled with disdain for Japan. In his eyes, Japan was nothing but a bunch of clowns, not worth his attention at all.

He was enjoying this rare moment of leisure when suddenly, a eunuch rushed in in a panic.

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! An envoy from Japan requests an audience, saying he has important matters to report!"

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned and said impatiently, "I won't see them! Tell them to get lost!"

"But...but the Japanese envoy said they brought a personal letter from the Japanese Emperor, and also..." the eunuch stammered, "and...and tribute!"

"Tribute?" Zhu Xiong Ying's interest was piqued. "What kind of tribute?"

The eunuch hurriedly said, "The Japanese envoy says they have brought the most beautiful woman in Japan, as well as a large amount of gold and silver jewelry!" Upon hearing the word "beautiful woman," Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes lit up immediately.

He had always been quite interested in Japanese women, and having heard that they were gentle, obedient, and quite beautiful, he had long desired to win their favor.

“Let them in!” He immediately changed his mind.

Soon, the Japanese envoy was brought before Zhu Xiong Ying.

The envoy knelt on the ground, holding a letter and a brocade box in his hands, and said tremblingly, "Your Highness, this is a letter from our Emperor and some meager tribute. Please accept it with a smile!"

Zhu Xiong Ying took the letter and the brocade box, opened them, and found a letter begging for mercy, along with some gold and silver jewelry.

He casually tossed the letter aside and then opened the brocade box.

Inside the brocade box was an exquisite porcelain bottle, and inside the bottle was a crystal-clear elixir.

"What is this?" Zhu Xiong Ying asked curiously.

The envoy quickly explained, "Your Highness, this is an 'elixir of immortality' made by our country's alchemists. After taking it, one can prolong life and live forever!"

"An elixir of immortality?" Zhu Xiong Ying's interest was immediately piqued. "Really?"

The envoy quickly replied, "It is absolutely true! Our Emperor has already taken this elixir and is now over three hundred years old!"

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart stirred; immortality was something he had always dreamed of!
He always believed himself to be invincible, but his only fear was death.

If there really were an elixir of immortality, wouldn't he be able to enjoy wealth and luxury forever?
Thinking of this, he could no longer contain his excitement, grabbed the pill, and was about to swallow it.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out: "Your Highness, wait!"

Zhu Xiong Ying turned her head and saw an old man in a Taoist robe walk in.

This old man was none other than Zhang Sanfeng, the Grand Preceptor of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Sanfeng walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, the origin of this elixir is unknown; it should not be taken lightly!"

Zhu Xiong Ying said with some displeasure, "Grand Preceptor, this is the 'elixir of immortality' presented as tribute by the Emperor of Japan. Could it be fake?"

Zhang Sanfeng shook his head and said, "Your Highness, this elixir is not an 'elixir of immortality,' but a 'poison'!"

"Poison?" Zhu Xiong Ying was taken aback. "Imperial Advisor, what do you mean by this?"

Zhang Sanfeng explained, "Upon examining this elixir, I discovered that it contains a deadly poison. Not only will it not grant immortality, but it will also cause a sudden death!"

"What?" Zhu Xiong Ying exclaimed in shock. "This...how is this possible?"

He quickly looked at the Japanese envoy and shouted sternly, "How dare you deceive this prince?"

The Japanese envoy trembled with fear and hurriedly kowtowed, begging for mercy: "Your Highness, spare my life! I would never dare to deceive Your Highness! This elixir is indeed the 'elixir of immortality,' and I would never utter a single falsehood!"

Zhang Sanfeng snorted coldly and said, "Now that things have come to this, you still dare to argue? This old Taoist will now expose your true form!"

He pointed, and a beam of golden light shot towards the Japanese envoy.

The Japanese envoy screamed in agony as his body instantly transformed into a giant rat!

It turns out that this Japanese envoy was not human at all, but a monster that had cultivated itself into a spirit!
Upon seeing this, Zhu Xiong Ying flew into a rage.

He never imagined that he would be tricked by a monster!

(End of this chapter)