There are indeed no secrets that can be kept in the palace, especially important matters, which can be spread very quickly.
Xu Miaoqing was undoubtedly extremely excited at this moment. It would be a lie to say that she wasn't worried about the imperial army's three-pronged attack on the Tartars.
Her father was Xu Da, the Prince of Zhongshan, the most meritorious official in the founding of the Ming Dynasty. He was enfeoffed as Duke of Wei during his lifetime and posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Zhongshan, with his name enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. He can be said to be the pinnacle of a minister's career and arguably the most skilled military strategist in the Ming Dynasty.
Even so, the seemingly invincible Xu Da had suffered a defeat, being routed by Wang Baobao at Karakorum, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands. At that time, the Northern Yuan was already at its last gasp, while the Ming Dynasty's three armies were led by Xu Da, Li Wenzhong, and Feng Sheng respectively, with vanguard generals like Lan Yu and deputy generals like Fu Youde.
Even so, they suffered a crushing defeat, casting a significant shadow over the Ming Dynasty. This is one of the reasons why the Ming Dynasty did not annihilate the Northern Yuan in one fell swoop, and also one of the reasons why the Northern Expedition was halted for more than twenty years.
But this time, her eldest brother had won a battle, and Xu Miaoqing was naturally incredibly excited and happy. It wasn't just because her brother had made a good start leading an army independently for the first time, but also because her son would have more support in the future.
Although her son was made crown prince, and Xu Miaoqing believed in the Ming Dynasty's rule of primogeniture, it would be even better if her son could have more support.
Of course, Xu Miaoqing was also self-aware. For example, her father-in-law, the "former emperor," had earned the emperor's complete trust. Her husband, too, had commanded many of the Ming Dynasty's naval forces when he was just over ten years old, and could lead a large army when he was thirteen or fourteen.
These are certainly incomparable; after all, not everyone has the deep affection for their parents that an emperor emeritus possesses.
Zhu Yunying returned to Chunhe Palace and, upon seeing Xu Miaoqing, said, "Brother, you have decisively defeated the Tartar vanguard and are now likely pursuing them all the way to the northern desert. What Father-in-law could not accomplish, Brother may be able to do!"
Xu Miaoqing immediately chuckled softly, "Your Majesty is wise and mighty. With Your Majesty's strategic planning, the Tartars have nothing to worry about. However, my elder brother only achieved a minor victory and dares not compare with Father."
"By the way, in this battle, Second Brother led the army as the vanguard to lure the enemy. Second Brother was injured, but his life was not in danger." As he said this, Zhu Yunying handed the military report to Zhu Yunying, "We will pass on the decree later. It is a report of victory sent back by Third Brother. You can ask him about it."
Xu Miaoqing's face paled. Warfare is merciless; going to the battlefield could very well mean dying on the battlefield. Xu Miaoqing's previous worries were also largely directed at her three older brothers.
Looking at the military report in Zhu Yunying's hand, Xu Miaoqing wanted to read it, but dared not, fearing she might overstep the bounds of propriety. Although she was the Empress of the Ming Dynasty, not every empress could wield the same influence over state affairs as Empress Ma.
"Look, it's no problem at all," Zhu Yunying said with a smile. "We've also sent people to Beiping, and Second Brother is currently recuperating there. Second Brother's merits this time are enough to warrant a marquisate."
Xu Miaoqing forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty, my second brother has made some achievements, but they are not enough to be granted the title of Marquis."
“We dare not contradict what Grandfather says,” Zhu Yunying said with a smile. “The titles of nobility in our Great Ming Dynasty are not bestowed lightly, even if Second Brother is the Emperor’s brother-in-law. If he has no merit, we will not grant it.”
Hearing Zhu Yunying say this, Xu Miaoqing no longer hesitated and took the military report to read it carefully. Although she was still worried about her second brother, knowing that although he was injured, his life was not in danger, she felt much more at ease.
Knowing that her second brother was out of danger, Xu Miaoqing felt much relieved. As for losing two fingers, being shot with an arrow, or having knife wounds, although Xu Miaoqing was heartbroken, she, being from a military family, could understand it and didn't find it surprising or unexpected at all.
This is already a very good result. Since they chose to join the military, some things are unavoidable. Even though they are nobles, they enjoy wealth and honor in ordinary times. But when the country needs troops, they must rush to the front. They cannot be afraid of war or cowardly in battle. These nobles also carry the glory created by their ancestors and the future of their descendants.
"My elder brother made a small contribution to this battle, all thanks to His Majesty and my grandfather," Xu Miaoqing said with a smile. "If His Majesty hadn't specially allocated grenades and landmines, let alone my elder brother annihilating the Tartar vanguard, my second brother would probably have already perished."
Zhu Yunying chuckled and joked, "Alright, it's all our credit! Grandfather says so, and you say so too. We might deny it in front of others, but in front of you, it's all our credit!"
Xu Miaoqing couldn't help but laugh too; she naturally knew that Zhu Yunying was joking.
Xu Miaoqing knew her husband quite well. Although he was the current emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and many people said he was precocious, had an overly smooth life, or was cunning, Xu Miaoqing knew that her husband was also a person who loved to joke.
Seeing Xu Miaoqing smiling, Zhu Yunying said, "Speaking of which, we really hope that our eldest brother will achieve a great feat this time!"
Xu Miaoqing's mind raced, and she whispered, "Your Majesty, although my elder brother has learned some basic skills from our father, if Your Majesty has great ambitions, then the Duke of Liang and the Duke of Ying are more capable of shouldering great responsibilities."
Knowing that Xu Miaoqing had misunderstood, Zhu Yunying said with a smile, "This time, the imperial court launched a three-pronged attack, and we all had high hopes for it. We thought that if our elder brother could achieve merit, that would be the best. Miaoqing, you know about the Imperial Seal, right?"
Xu Miaoqing immediately understood. The Imperial Seal of the State was a national treasure, and emperors throughout history considered possessing it a sign of their legitimacy. It could even be said that any emperor who ascended the throne without this seal was ridiculed as a "blank slate emperor," appearing weak and despised by the world.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
