Speaking of Zhou Erfu, he once said when he was a child that he wanted to be a general when he grew up. However, he is now nineteen years old and has not become a general. Instead, he is running a shop to make money.
It wasn't surprising that he suddenly said he wanted to fight the Japanese pirates. After all, he had been combative since childhood, strong, and daring, so it wasn't surprising that he dared to fight the Japanese pirates.
With Zhu Chumo's help, Emperor Taikang's health improved significantly. This further solidified Xingxing's determination to personally go to Anyang Prefecture to fight the Japanese pirates. As long as her fourth senior brother stayed in the palace to recuperate the emperor, the emperor would be in good spirits and able to handle state affairs, and there would be no trouble in the court.
The emperor disapproved of Xingxing's desire to go to Anyang Prefecture in person. The ruthlessness of the Japanese pirates was common knowledge throughout the Great Jin Dynasty. It was not like the Great Jin Dynasty had no one else to rely on; why should the eldest princess be sent on such a risk?
Furthermore, since Zhou Laoda and his wife live in the south, Emperor Taikang couldn't help but suspect that the eldest princess just wanted to go back to the south to have fun. Why was this child always thinking about her parents outside?
Xingxing, being the clever little devil she was, could easily see through the emperor's thoughts. She sighed inwardly and had no choice but to gently and carefully explain why she wanted to go in person.
“Father, although I have always been at odds with Prince Cheng and have had a grudge against Consort Duan, I have a feeling that there is some uncertainty in this matter. This matter cannot be taken lightly. Only by going there in person can I find out the truth. This is a matter of great importance. Father, I must go.”
Seeing her solemn expression, Emperor Taikang suddenly had a flash of inspiration. His eldest princess had abilities that were different from ordinary people. Perhaps she had sensed something. Only she could solve this problem; no one else could.
Although he had wanted to punish Prince Cheng and Consort Duan immediately before, after calming down, he was reluctant to do so. Prince Cheng was, after all, his son and his first prince, and he hoped to protect him.
If there is truly another hidden story, and it can be proven that Prince Cheng is innocent, why wouldn't he be willing to give the other party a chance?
"Father knows, Long'er, you must be careful and return safely." The emperor's tone was somewhat melancholy. Why did the Great Jin Dynasty suffer so many disasters? The natural disasters had just ended when the northern border was attacked by the Great Copper Kingdom. A year ago, the Great Copper Kingdom was finally defeated, and now the Japanese pirates are invading.
Xingxing knelt on the ground and solemnly said, word by word, "Father, Zhao Mingyue grew up in the swamp forest and is accustomed to the ever-changing and dangerous environment. Our Great Jin currently does not have any generals skilled in naval warfare. Your son begs Father to allow Zhao Mingyue to accompany me to Anyang Prefecture to deal with the Japanese pirates."
"Then, let Zhao Mingyue lead the troops to train the soldiers' water combat capabilities. Together with local generals skilled in water combat, we can surely drive the Japanese pirates out much faster."
Zhao Mingyue and Zhang Xiantao went to the northern border together to help fight the people of the Great Bronze Kingdom and made many contributions. Now they have been appointed as military officers. Zhao Mingyue lives in the mountains and forests year-round and often hunts.
He was very experienced in hunting, and his mind was sharp. On the battlefield, he used all his hunting skills, and surprisingly, he won a few times. Moreover, he had a beast-like sharpness and ruthlessness. The generals of the Great Bronze Kingdom were afraid to face him, simply because he was too crazy when he fought.
Every time, the other party would grit their teeth in hatred, yet be powerless to do anything about it.
The Great Copper Kingdom invited experts and eccentrics to help them, intending to use poison on the soldiers of the Great Jin Dynasty. Zhao Mingyue was also skilled in medicine. Having grown up in the mountains, he knew many herbs and could neutralize any poison the enemy used. If all else failed, there was always Zhao Shui, whose ability to develop antidotes and poisons was even greater than Zhao Mingyue's.
In short, after more than three years of confrontation, the Great Jin Dynasty finally defeated the Great Tong Kingdom. The Great Tong Kingdom eventually surrendered and sued for peace, promising to pay tribute to the Great Jin Dynasty every year in hopes that the Great Jin Dynasty would let them off the hook.
Emperor Da Kang did not want to let them go and sincerely wanted to destroy the Great Tong Kingdom. Unfortunately, it was already difficult for the Great Jin Dynasty to defeat the Great Tong Kingdom, and its food supplies were also tight. It could not withstand any more turmoil and had no choice but to agree to the Great Tong Kingdom's request for peace.
Let the Great Jin Dynasty recuperate for a few more years and recover before considering whether to destroy the Great Tong Kingdom.
It was truly one crisis after another. Just when it seemed that Prince Cheng had defeated the Japanese pirates, it turned out that he had only defeated them on the surface. In reality, he had colluded with the Japanese pirates to harm the people.
No wonder Emperor Taikang was overthinking things and his health kept deteriorating. Anyone would suffer such repeated blows, unless they were a foolish ruler.
"I remember that Zhao Mingyue received a lot of money after the war, and I also rewarded him with many things. He was content with the money. As soon as the war in the northern border ended, he returned to the capital with General Zhang and his son, and said that he did not want to be an official anymore, but only wanted to live a simple life with money." Emperor Taikang couldn't help but smile when he thought of that young adjutant.
"Xiantao felt that the battlefield was too dangerous, so she hoped that he would not go to the battlefield again. In the past, General Zhang and Madam Zhang looked down on Zhao Mingyue's status, and Xiantao was not convinced, so she insisted that Zhao Mingyue go to the northern border to fight and prove to General Zhang and his wife. Now that he has proven himself, she can't bear to let her husband go to the battlefield to fight again," Xingxing told truthfully.
The emperor didn't react much after hearing this. The northern border was still guarded by General Zhang and his son. It was fine if General Zhang's son-in-law didn't want to risk fighting. Although it was a pity to lose such a talented person, losing him wouldn't have a big impact.
"I suppose General Zhang meant the same thing; otherwise, Zhang Xiantao wouldn't have made such a big decision on his own." The emperor understood. If General Zhang wanted his son-in-law to continue climbing the ranks, he wouldn't have brought his son-in-law back to the capital to receive the reward when the army returned in triumph.
General Zhang truly loved his daughter. He didn't want all the men in his family to be stuck on the battlefield. He wanted his daughter to live a normal life so she wouldn't have to endure the pain of being separated from her family and living in constant fear.
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