Huacheng County, the prefectural government office.

Zhu Yuanzhang called Zhu Youjian to his side and said, "The position of prefect of Huacheng County is now given to you."

"Ah?" Zhu Youjian was shocked and quickly stepped back, waving his hands and saying, "This...this...I can't do this, Grandpa Taizu...I..."

"Why can't you do that?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked.

Zhu Youjian covered his face with his hands and said, "I... I am a king of a fallen country, a useless man..."

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly: "Do you still want to be a king in this life?"

Zhu Youjian was startled and quickly shook his head: "No, no, no...Grandpa Taizu, I mean..."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand to stop his explanation and said, "I know exactly what you want to say. No need to explain. You must do this as a prefect, and you must do it well. If you don't do it well, you can no longer be called Zhu."

Zhu Youjian was stunned for a moment, then said with great uncertainty: "Grandpa Taizu, can I...can I do this?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly, "I don't know, but I have to do it. If you don't even dare to do it, how can you still claim to be my descendant?"

"Besides, I let you be the governor of a county, not the king of a country. If something happens and you can't make a decision, I am your great-grandfather. What are you afraid of?" Zhu Yuanzhang said, looking directly at Zhu Youjian.

When Zhu Youjian heard this, his panicked heart finally calmed down. He glanced at Zhu Yuanzhang, then turned his head to look at the ancestors around him, and found that except for Zhu Yunwen, everyone gave him encouraging looks.

Especially Zhu Di, he certainly understood Zhu Yuanzhang's thoughts. This was to help Zhu Youjian restore his self-confidence. It was not acceptable for him to be so decadent.

With these ancestors looking after him, there was no reason why Zhu Youjian couldn't even be a prefect. If he could do a good job as a prefect, he could regain some of the shame and lost self-confidence as a king of a fallen country.

So Zhu Di said to Zhu Youjian: "Boy, I have a suggestion for you. As a prefect, you should go out of the city more often to see the people's sentiments and do more practical things. Don't always bury your head in party disputes and official struggles."

Zhu Youjian listened to Zhu Di's kind reminder and saw the encouraging eyes of the ancestors around him. He suddenly felt warm in his heart and was no longer so afraid of becoming a prefect.

After all, with my great-grandfather and ancestors backing me up, all I have to do is work hard.

"Yes, Zhu Youjian will work diligently and not let down Grandpa Taizu and all the ancestors!" Zhu Youjian immediately bowed and accepted the order.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and then asked Qiluo to hand over the newly engraved seal of the Huacheng County Governor to Zhu Youjian.

After Zhu Youjian took the seal, he bowed respectfully to Zhu Yuanzhang again and then withdrew.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang called out: "Zhu Di, Zhu Zhanji."

Zhu Di and Zhu Zhanji immediately stepped forward, bowed to Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Here I am."

Zhu Yuanzhang first asked Zhu Di, "How many soldiers are available in the Vanguard Battalion now?"

Zhu Di said: "There are 50,000 men who have been trained and are ready for battle."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then asked, "Where are the weapons and armor?"

Zhu Di said: "There are sufficient weapons, but not many armors, only 5,000 sets of armor."

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Zhanji: "I ordered you to train a new army. How many people are available now?"

Zhu Zhanji said, "Replying to Grandpa Taizu, the new army has 30,000 soldiers available, with sufficient weapons such as swords, spears, halberds, and shields, but no armor."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "That means there are a total of 80,000 men available. Immediately select 5,000 elite soldiers from these 80,000 and equip them with war horses and armor."

Zhu Di was shocked when he heard this. This meant that there were 5,000 armored cavalry, which was an almost invincible force for the infantry.

Zhu Di then hurriedly asked, "Father, is there another war?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "There will be a war, but it will not be here."

"Oh?" Zhu Di was a little surprised. Zhu Yuanzhang waved at him and said, "Come forward."

Zhu Di's heart subconsciously skipped a beat, but when he saw that Zhu Yuanzhang didn't look like he was going to beat him, he stepped forward and came to Zhu Yuanzhang's desk.

Zhu Yuanzhang pushed the map aside and pointed at it, drawing a straight line from Huacheng Commandery to the capital of the Great Zhou Kingdom. He said, "I want you to lead these 5,000 troops straight to Tianyan City, the capital of the Great Zhou Kingdom."

"Ah this..." Zhu Di was suddenly startled, but felt very familiar, but he just couldn't remember it for a moment.

However, Zhu Yunwen, who was standing by, turned pale when he saw this scene, as if he recalled some unforgettable memories.

Zhu Yuanzhang also said: "Well, that's how it was when we went from Yanjing to Nanjing. This is your strong point."

"..." Zhu Di suddenly realized what was happening and quickly apologized, "Father, please forgive me."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not respond to him. Instead, he raised his hand and tapped the map, asking, "Do you dare to go?"

Zhu Di raised his head and immediately saluted, saying, "Father, I dare to go."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Okay, then I order you to gather your men and horses within five days, bring some dry food, and then set out."

"Your son obeys your command!" Zhu Di replied with a bow.

Zhu Yuanzhang then said to Zhu Zhanji: "Zhanji, merge the new army with the vanguard camp. You lead 30,000 men to Yuyan County and attack Lucheng County from Yuyan County."

"Yes." Zhu Zhanji immediately stepped forward to accept the order.

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang called out, "Zhu Houzhao."

Zhu Houzhao immediately jumped out and said to Zhu Yuanzhang, "Grandpa Taizu, please give me your instructions."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I order you to lead 30,000 men to Loufan Commandery to resist the invasion of the Great Zhou."

Zhu Houzhao said excitedly: "Yes, sir!"

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!