Start by saving Empress Ma, Zhu Yuanzhang honors me as the Emperor of Ming Dynasty

Nanjing Imperial City

The entire imperial city is now shrouded in an extremely low air pressure!

It was a sunny day, but one could feel an invisible haze. The bustling shops on both sides of the street were now much quieter, like a sign before a storm. Many people smelled an unusual smell!

The last time people had this feeling was when Empress Ma was critically ill!

The common people were still fine and lived a normal life, but this was a hard time for the officials serving in the imperial city of Nanjing. Every day when they went to court, they had to be very cautious and tread carefully when they saw the emperor with a gloomy face.

But in just three days, plus two days and nights, Zhu Yuanzhang had already killed five ministers. It was really a case of saying one wrong thing and having your head chopped off! So much so that all the officials were terrified!

Originally, Crown Prince Zhu Biao was trying to mediate, but the Crown Prince stayed in the harem with the Empress for several days and did not show up. If Zhu Yuanzhang could not control his brutal temper, it would be difficult for those officials.

After much inquiry, these people finally got a glimpse of information. It turned out that a group of people headed by His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan were captured by Wang Baobao of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. The exchange condition was to cede the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun, otherwise the hostages would be killed!

Upon hearing this news, the Ming Dynasty official was shocked!

Their sky has collapsed again!

At this moment, in the Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at his ministers with a cold face. He did not sit on the dragon throne, but walked down the steps with his hands behind his back and paced back and forth in front of the ministers!

The clattering sound of footsteps was like a series of heavy hammers hitting the hearts of every minister. The atmosphere was so depressing that it even made people shiver unconsciously!

Those who were able to serve as officials in the Fengtian Hall were all outstanding officials, but now, in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, they didn't even dare to breathe. Some of them may have done something wrong and felt guilty, and kept wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads!

"Five days have passed. Have you reached any conclusion on the matter we asked you to discuss?"

A low but majestic voice rumbled in the Fengtian Hall!

Zhu Yuanzhang stopped pacing and looked around at the ministers with an expressionless face. At this moment, everyone had their heads lowered, and even Xu Da and Tang He's expressions were not very good.

What was discussed was the feasibility of attacking the Northern Yuan Dynasty!

The sound fell to the ground, but no one spoke! Only the echo in Fengtian Hall continued to stimulate the eardrums of every official! The ups and downs of their hearts also became more intense at this moment.

A long time passed, and there was still silence!

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, looked at the group of ministers with their heads down, pulled the corners of his mouth, and revealed a cold smile!

"Aren't you usually quite talkative? How come you've become mute now?"

"You don't want to say it, right?"

"Start from the first row on the left, and speak one by one! If you can't speak, kneel outside the Meridian Gate!"

The pupils of countless people suddenly shrank, and the intense fear spread to their faces like vines. They swallowed several times, but couldn't hide the horror in their hearts. At this moment, they only felt their bodies go cold!

Now you have to kneel down at the Meridian Gate, and if you provoke someone, you will be beheaded at the Meridian Gate!

Meridian Gate, that’s not a good place!

The one in the first row on the left is Xu Da!

Xu Da stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yingchuan is currently leading an army outside. The manpower and resources required to supply 300,000 soldiers with food and supplies alone are astronomical!"

"If we open a second battlefield now, the Ming Dynasty will be at risk of national destruction!"

After all, Xu Da was very brave. As soon as he said this, all the officials raised their heads, looked in Xu Da's direction, and took a deep breath!

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Go on!"

Xu Da took a deep breath and then said:

"It has only been fifteen years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty in Nanjing, and the lives of the people have begun to improve. However, the legacy of the previous Northern Yuan Dynasty still plagues the Central Plains, and the people in many places are living in dire straits!"

"Carrying an army of 300,000 is already the limit for the Ming Dynasty. If we mobilize the entire nation, we will have to increase taxes, conscript a large number of civilians, and collect food and fodder. The people's livelihood, which has finally recovered, will be destroyed in an instant!"

"This is how the previous dynasty perished!"

What you said is well-reasoned!

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly calmed down. He glanced at Xu Da, quite approvingly, and then waved his hand. "Okay, I understand. You can go back. Tang He, what do you think?"

Tang He was about to speak when the Jinyiwei suddenly rushed up and shouted, "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan and his men have returned. They are only ten miles away from the Imperial City!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression suddenly changed, "Really?"

The Jinyiwei nodded repeatedly and said anxiously, "It's absolutely true! I saw this with my own eyes!"

"Hahaha……"

The next moment, Zhu Yuanzhang burst into laughter and walked quickly out of the hall, saying as he walked:

"All officials, follow us out of the city to welcome us!"

"Also, quickly report to the Queen and tell her that her beloved fourth son and Divine Doctor Lin have returned. Hahahaha..."

Zhu Yuanzhang's steps became much lighter, and his tone of voice was no longer as cold as before, but full of joy. In just a few steps, he had walked out of the Fengtian Hall, and a group of Jinyiwei followed him swiftly!

The haze that hung over the heads of all officials seemed to have dissipated.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The sword hanging over their heads was finally gone. This brought a few more smiles to their faces. They even said they were happier than during the Chinese New Year!

Amidst the jubilation, Xu Da frowned slightly, "I don't know why, but I always feel a little uneasy..."

Tang He patted Xu Da's shoulder and said with a smile, "You're worrying too much. Let's go to the Queen's palace to announce the good news!"

"I guess the Queen has already known about their kidnapping. She has lost a lot of weight in the past few days!"

Xu Da shook his head and said, "You go! I'll go with His Majesty to take a look!"

Seeing this, Tang He didn't say much!

At the same time, outside Nanjing

Zhu Yuanzhang, accompanied by civil and military officials, was smiling widely.

You know, the last time Zhu Yuanzhang brought all the officials out of the city to welcome him personally was when Xu Da and Tang He led the troops to capture the Yuan capital and drive the Yuan court to Mobei, thus achieving national unification!

"Why don't you see Duke Xin?"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked!

Xu Da replied, "He went to tell the Queen the good news!"

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and nodded, "It's time to go and announce the good news. Biao'er told me that my sister has been restless these past few days, and has been calling for the Marquis of Taiping in her dreams several times. Now she's fine, and we can finally rest assured!"

Then, he glared at Xu Da and said, "Don't come up with this stupid idea again!"

Xu Da echoed absentmindedly and forced a smile.

Behind him, all the civil and military officials were in high spirits, as festive as if it were New Year. Countless eyes were gazing into the distance, full of hope!

Their heaven seems to be back!

As time slowly passed, they finally saw a few fine horses at the place where heaven and earth met. Leading them were Zhu Di, Xu Zengshou, and the captain Zhang Wensheng!

Zhu Yuanzhang squinted his eyes and looked for a long time. He moved closer, but still couldn't see Lin An's shadow. Suddenly, his heart sank and his expression changed subtly!

The officials, who had been excited before, now became much quieter. A silent silence spread among the crowd, because they didn't see Lin An either...

Xu Da swallowed his saliva, a wave of despair surged in his heart, and he murmured: "It's over..."

Soon, Zhu Di and others arrived!

Before Zhu Yuanzhang could say anything, Xu Zengshou fell to his knees on the ground. Finally, he couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into tears!

"Brother, in order to save us..."