JINGNAN CAMPAIGN 3

Zhu Su was finally able to keep his promise. He and Zhu Youdun were finally able to come on a pilgrimage to Mu Ying's mausoleum which was still within the Yingtian area. Mu Ying's mausoleum was located inside a beautiful mountain. There, the atmosphere was quiet and tranquil, and the chirping of birds gave such a contrasting nuance to the chaos of war in the north. According to Mu Cheng, Mu Ying died because he was too sad due to the death of his eldest brother, Zhu Biao. Zhu Biao died in 1392, a year after Zhu Su returned to Kaifeng. The devastated Mu Ying cried too much, then fell sick. Shortly after, he followed Zhu Biao, died at the age of 48 years. The Hongwu Emperor ordered that Mu Ying's body be taken to Yingtian and that was the reason why Mu Ying was buried in Yingtian and not in Yunnan.

Nobody was there, only Zhu Su and Zhu Youdun. Zhu Su kept on staring at the gate of the large mausoleum standing in front of him. He remembered everything they had experienced together in the past. How Mu Ying became one of his best siblings, how they fought shoulder to shoulder against Xie Wang, and how they supported one another in times of joy and sorrow. It felt like all those occurrences just happened yesterday. It was like Mu Ying still stood before him yesterday and joked with him. And that vivacious person had now changed his form. Becoming a large but lifeless mausoleum that was staring back at him.

Zhu Su fell himself onto the ground, prostrated as he was giving his respect.

"Brother Mu Ying, please forgive me, both of us just have time to make our pilgrimage to you. It happens too much so far. Now please accept our respect to you."

Zhu Su then bowed his head down three times. Zhu Youdun followed him.

"We ask for your help, Brother. I know you love First Brother so much. I also love him. First Brother is a very good person, everyone is supposed to love him very much. But First Brother's son is different. He is very ruthless towards his uncles. So we beg you, give me your blessing, Brother. Gives us help to uphold justice and give lessons to that apostate nephew."

Zhu Su bowed once again, then he rose to his feet. In fact, he was a bit worried, that the possibility of signs appearance which showed Mu Ying's disapproval, such as the sky suddenly darkened, or sudden strong winds appeared, or whatever kinds of common signs from a dead person, would occur. Because, after all, Mu Ying loved Zhu Biao so much - so it was likely he would love his nephew, too. But a few minutes had passed, and nothing happened. The sky was still bright, the birds were still chirping as before.

"It means, Uncle agrees with us," Zhu Youdun made a conclusion.

Zhu Su still stared at Mu Ying's tomb. "Yes... I hope so..." He bowed, giving his last respect. After that, he grabbed Zhu Youdun's hand, and went away.

Leaving this tranquil place, and heading towards the outside world which filled with chaos and ferocious world suffering.

***

Fang Xiaoru, even though was a mere book-based scholar, but at some point, he could blow his own trumpet. No matter what, he was Zhuangyuan * in the Imperial Examination, that was why the Hongwu Emperor could trust him to educate the royal family. One of his predictions was one hundred percent correct. The infectious disease only spread in the capital and had no effect in other areas, hence the national revenues for the military could still be obtained in large amounts from other regions. It soon made Zhu Di extremely angry.

"Su, you should tell your Changshi to spread his disease to other regions. If necessary, spread it all over Ming! And don't use such a weak disease. People still don't hate Yunwen, they even adore him more because that hypocrite eases the taxes for capital residents. Don't be halfhearted, just spread the deadly epidemic! Let people be angry and by then willing to join in our campaign!" That was how Zhu Di uttered his complaints and requests towards Zhu Su.

Zhu Su was silent for a moment before answering.

"To spread the infectious disease to other regions, I agree... but if I have to make a deadly disease, I refuse!"

"Why?!"

"Because we will kill innocent people!"

Zhu Di widened his eyes. For a few seconds, he did not make any sound, it seemed that he was making sure that he did not mishear his brother.

"Hey, Zhu Su! Don't you know what kind of situation we are dealing with right now? War! It is a war we are facing right now! How can we have mercy in war?!"

"I agree to do cruelty towards our enemy. But to do cruelty to those who bear no connection with us... I'm not willing to do so!"

"It's okay, Your Highness Yan Wang. I'm ready to do it."

Liu Ku had been standing in front of those two princes. He smirked.

Zhu Su immediately glared at him. "You can't! You don't get my approval, you can't do it!"

"But you have my approval, Liu Ku!" Zhu Di burst into laughter. He grabbed Liu Ku's hand. "I tell you, you'd better come with me to Beiping! I really need you right now, with your help we will definitely win this war!"

"Brother Di! You can't go too far!" Zhu Su was so shocked at Zhu Di's decision that he soon stood up from his chair. "Liu Ku! You are my man, so you must stay here with me!"

"Don't listen to him, Liu Ku. He is my younger brother, I am older than him. The younger one must respect his older brother, right? Then, come with me," Zhu Di continued to persuade.

Liu Ku himself - squeezed in the pulling between the two princes - now smiled sarcastically.

...

* Zhuangyuan = Title given to the scholar who achieved the highest score on the highest level of the Imperial examination in ancient China.