It's been two months since Xiao Gaoxi was born, and Zhu Bi has slowly calmed down from the excitement of having a son. After all, there are still many things to attend to in Beiping, and it's not suitable for a wise king like him to be so indulgent like last time, leaving everything to Zhou Chao. Today, Zhu Bi is diligently handling official duties in the grand hall.

  "Your Highness, this is the last batch of grain and fodder carriages. The numbers are also correct. All the military rations approved by the Emperor have arrived." Zhou Chao, who was temporarily acting as a clerk due to the shortage of personnel in the Wang Mansion, reported to Zhu Di on the movement of grain and fodder for the northern expedition.

  Zhu Di, who had been busy all day without lifting his head, asked, "How much is left of the military equipment and firearms? And where did the people from the Fifth Army Camp go?"

  Zhou Chao hastily flipped through the documents in his hand: "Yesterday, a fast horse reported that the army had divided into two routes as soon as they left Hejian Prefecture. The Duke of Wei led half of the men to Beiping, and the remaining ones were led by the Duke of Xin to march eastward. It's not clear where exactly. And the remaining small half of the military equipment and firearms were also taken away by the Duke of Xin."

  "Oh?" Zhu Di took the document handed over by Zhou Chao and examined it carefully, unexpectedly finding that the large army had already divided its forces ahead of time. He had thought that Xu Da and the others would appear in Beiping to make adjustments before proceeding with their next plan.

  "Your Highness, there is also a note from the palace that came with the express report. It says 'To be opened personally by Your Highness'."

  Upon hearing this, Zhu Di was immediately shocked and realized that his response had arrived. The family letter he had previously sent must have taken effect; otherwise, his father would not have gone to the trouble of sending a reply.

  Zhu Di hastily opened it and took a look, and immediately exclaimed with great joy: "As expected, Father Emperor still understands me!" Looking at Zhou Chao's puzzled expression, Zhu Di smiled and explained to him: "Didn't I ask Bo Er to write a family letter to the capital last time? This time it is Father Emperor's reply to me. He has permitted me to select one guard from the Imperial Guards to follow Wei Guo Gong on his expedition, haha!"

  "Then let's congratulate Your Highness first, this way you can both train your troops and establish merits for the king in the north, a perfect plan!" Zhou Chao bowed to offer his congratulations.

  "But... Bo Xian, you said earlier, between Zuo and Liang, which one should I choose?"

  "In my humble opinion, it's still more suitable for Tang's bodyguard."

  "Oh? Why?" Zhu Di raised his head and took a look at Zhou Chao, he still thought that this long history would choose to be with him and had a past relationship with Guo Yu, but unexpectedly it was the ordinary relationship of Tang Yun.

  "Your Highness thinks I will recommend Guo brother as the left guard?" Zhou Chao said with a smile, Zhu Di's face was embarrassed and he had no words.

  "In fact, for you, Prince Wang, Tang's Imperial Guard is the most suitable. Although Guo's Left Guard has filled in many new recruits during last year's conscription, the mid-to-low level military officers are still relying on former dynasty's surrendered generals. What Your Highness needs right now is an army that is completely loyal to you, and Tang's Imperial Guard happens to meet your requirements."

  Although most of them are new recruits who lack battle experience and didn't perform well in the last campaign, new recruits also have their advantages - they are easily controlled. Such loyalty is worth preserving. Besides, Tang Gong is already old and won't pose any obstacle to Your Highness. Your Highness can take this opportunity to train them during the northern expedition and let these new recruits grow into elite troops soon." Zhou Chao said a bunch of words quickly, and Zhu Di nodded in agreement with every sentence. Since it was so, Zhu Di decided that the Imperial Guard would be the ones to go on this expedition.

  Both of them tacitly did not mention the right guard, they both knew and were very clear that this right guard was originally a former subordinate of the Duke of Wei, if he followed the army on this expedition again, wouldn't it be back under Xu Da's command?

  As the saying goes, a loyal minister does not serve two masters. Xu Meng, the current commander of the Right Guard, now serves Zhu Di and cannot be allowed to acknowledge another former master.

  "Bo Xian, since we have already agreed to send troops, we must make good preparations. You will notify Tang Yun later. Also, prepare our own food, grass and military equipment properly, and when the time comes, send them all to the Northern Expeditionary Army. After all, I am the personal guard of Yan Wang, and we cannot just eat the rations of other troops for nothing."

  "Yes!" Zhou Chao smiled and responded, Zhu Di was obviously eager for the northern expedition to enter the city, and his master, the king, was good at fighting, which was apparently inherited from his father.

  When Zhu Yuanzhang founded the country through war, Chen Youliang, Zhang Shicheng, and Wang Baobao were all defeated by the emperors of our dynasty. Moreover, I heard that when the King of Yan was born, the emperor was still fighting outside with others.

  Now the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, has always wanted to lead a cavalry out of the pass and sweep across the Northern Yuan. If it weren't for the current unstable situation, he would have already found an excuse to inspect the border defense troops.

  This time, having the opportunity to let his own guard go to war, it's as if he were in the midst of it himself, how could he not be excited beyond self-control.

  ……

  Before long, the 250,000-strong Northern Expeditionary Army led by Xu Da, Duke of Wei, arrived at the foot of Beiping City. As Xu Da's son-in-law, Zhu Di should have been waiting outside the city to welcome him, both in his official and private capacities. He was leading the officials from the capital and Beiping, big and small, lined up at the city gate, quietly awaiting the arrival of the army.

  "Boom! Boom! Boom!" The mighty army had not yet arrived, but its prestige had already reached. From a distance, the earth-shaking footsteps could be heard. Looking up from the slope, the first thing that appeared was the large Ming dynasty flag with the character "Ming", and Xu Da's own commander flag. The vanguard cavalry scouts arrived in front of Zhu Di one step ahead.

  "General's order, march in haste, do not enter the city! General's order, march in haste, do not enter the city!" The orderly shouted as he rushed past Zhu Di.

  Upon hearing this, Zhu Di's face changed color immediately, and he hastily summoned the captain of the guard, Zhang Wu, to quickly order the imperial guards to set out. He never expected that his own son-in-law would make such a decision.

  "Hurry up and prepare the horses!" Zhu Di shouted loudly, he wanted to rush over to find Xu Da to clarify the situation.

  Zhu Di cautiously stood by the roadside, waiting for the cavalry to rush past. He didn't want to be mistakenly shot and killed by the soldiers in the chaos of the army rushing forward, those soldiers didn't recognize him as the King of Yan.

  "General Xu, where are you? Little Wang has a matter to request an audience!" Zhu Di yelled at the top of his lungs. He had no way to get close to the advancing army, so he could only resort to this tactic.

  At this time a general dressed man rode out of the army and came before Zhu Di.

  "Could it be that the newcomer is His Highness, the King of Yan?"

  "Exactly! Where is General Xu? I have a matter that requires an audience!" Zhu Di hastily said.

  "A certain household was ordered to convey the marshal's words to Prince Yan, saying: 'The great matter of the northern expedition cannot be delayed, and the army's march cannot be disordered. The things that Your Highness is worried about, the marshal has already known. Our army's rear camp has arrived at this time, it is the time for Your Highness' men to join the ranks. If there is any delay beyond the deadline, don't blame!' Moreover, the marshal also said: 'Since your highness' personal guards have entered his military camp, they must follow his rules and cannot act as usual in Prince Yan's personal army. If they violate the military regulations, the marshal will not show mercy!'" The general finished speaking and rode away on horseback.

  Zhu Dian respectfully cupped his hands to bid farewell to the departing troops, when a nearby guard couldn't help but speak up: "Your Highness, this is going too far! He's ignoring Your Highness and speaking without reason, clearly looking down on Your Highness's personal army!"

  "Hum! What do you know?! The Duke of Wei is a renowned general of our time, a pillar of the great Ming dynasty. Since he has done so, he must have his reasons. You, a lowly guard, dare to rashly evaluate the current Grand General? I'll let it pass this time as an unintentional remark, but after returning to the manor, you will receive 40 military lashes! Zhu Di coldly scolded his subordinate, gripping the reins of his horse and gazing at the slowly advancing army, looking at the majestic and valiant warriors of our great Ming dynasty's crack troops, for a moment his emotions surged with excitement..."

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