Chapter 15: Astonishing! This Little Chubby Is So Ruthless!

Page (1/3)
Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Elder Zhu was meeting with the generals Fu Youde, Lan Yu, Mu Ying, and others.
For this southern campaign against Yunnan, Elder Zhu appointed Marquis of Yingchuan Fu Youde as the General of the Southern Expedition, Marquis of Yongchang Lan Yu as the Left Deputy General, and Marquis of Xiping Mu Ying as the Right Deputy General, with other generals accompanying them.
“The Prince of Yuanliang is stubborn and unyielding, constantly stirring border troubles. Because Yunnan’s terrain is treacherous, I have exercised patience time and again. But now the time has come to sweep away this rebel once and for all.” Elder Zhu set the tone as soon as he spoke.
The generals all nodded in agreement, no one voiced any doubt.
They all agreed that the Yunnan rebellion could only be quelled by force.
After all, the court had sent envoys multiple times to persuade the Prince of Yuanliang to surrender, but he refused every time. Even when the great Confucian scholar Wang Yi attempted to negotiate, the prince had once seemed inclined to surrender. However, when a northern Yuan envoy named Tuotu arrived, Wang Yi was killed, and the court finally saw the prince’s true colors.
Now was the time to deal with this clown once and for all!
Just as Elder Zhu was about to speak again, a commotion arose outside the hall.
A eunuch hurried inside to report, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince requests an audience.”
Elder Zhu was momentarily stunned.
What was the boy suddenly doing here?
“Do not see him. Tell him I am handling urgent matters.”
The eunuch hesitated, then boldly said, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince claims he has a plan to pacify Yunnan without bloodshed!”
At these words, not only Elder Zhu but also seasoned generals like Fu Youde, Mu Ying, and Lan Yu were taken aback.
They had fought many battles and knew how difficult military campaigns were, especially in Yunnan, with its dense forests and mixed Han and Yi populations. Even a force of 300,000 troops would find this far from easy.
And now the Crown Prince, Zhu Xiongying, was daring to boast such a claim?
Did he truly possess such ability, or was this...
Elder Zhu was shocked as this was unlike his grandson’s usual character.
While puzzled, Lan Yu stepped forward, saying, “Your Majesty, since the Crown Prince claims to have a plan, why not hear him out? It won’t cost us anything.”
He was trying to secure a chance for Zhu Xiongying.
By rank, Lan Yu was the maternal uncle of the Crown Prince, naturally inclined to support him.
Elder Zhu nodded at this and said,
“Very well, summon him in.”
After all, spending some time listening would not hurt. Even if the boy was wrong, it was just youthful talk.
But if he truly had a brilliant plan, it would prove the grandson’s prowess in both strategy and military affairs.
For a moment, Elder Zhu felt a spark of hope.

Page (2/3)
Shortly after, Zhu Xiongying and the chubby Zhu Gaochi swaggered into the hall.
Seeing the little chubby boy beside Zhu Xiongying, Elder Zhu’s face immediately darkened.
Damn it, no wonder my grandson is acting so strangely—it’s because of this little fatty!
Facing the skeptical gazes of the generals, Zhu Xiongying bowed politely then spoke confidently, “Grandfather Emperor, esteemed generals, I have a plan to pacify Yunnan!”
Suppressing his impatience, Elder Zhu casually said, “Just speak plainly, grandson.”
“Years ago, the Prince of Yuanliang wrongfully killed Duan Gong, the Dali commander who had defeated Ming Yuzhen. Since then, the Prince of Yuanliang and the Duan clan of Dali have been bitter enemies. This is precisely the opportunity for our great Ming.”
Zhu Xiongying looked at Fu Youde and said solemnly, “General of the Southern Expedition, first dispatch a brave commander with a detachment to advance toward Wusa. The main army will follow from Chenyuan into Puding, seizing strategic points before advancing on Qujing.”
“Qujing is the throat of Yunnan; the Prince of Yuanliang must have concentrated troops there to resist us. When our main force arrives, we should confront him without rushing into battle.”
“Before that, the General may offer the Duan clan of Dali high office and generous rewards, either by coercion or inducement, to force them to attack the Prince of Yuanliang. Meanwhile, spread rumors within Yunnan that the Duan clan has accepted our Ming court’s summons and is about to strike the heart of Yunnan.”
“This will compel the Prince of Yuanliang to defend against or directly attack the Duan clan. When it comes to this, even if the Duan clan does not wish to cooperate with us, they will have no choice but to engage the enemy from within, coordinating with our forces.”
“Thus, the two greatest powers within Yunnan will be locked in mutual strife and destruction. Our army can then wait in ease, reaping the benefits of their conflict. Qujing will fall soon after...”
As Zhu Xiongying finished, the hall fell into a grave silence.
Fu Youde and Mu Ying exchanged uneasy glances, their spines tingling.
What kind of tactics were these?
They were chilling calculations of human nature, cold and merciless.
Yet Lan Yu looked pleased, his eyes shining with admiration for Zhu Xiongying.
The better Zhu Xiongying performed, the happier he felt—after all, he was family!
Only Elder Zhu’s expression was complex as he stared at his grandson in disbelief.
This boy was usually clever, yes, but now he was acting strangely brilliant.
Had he been hiding his talents all along, and today was his moment to astonish?
Something was off—very off.
Suddenly, his gaze fixed sharply on Zhu Gaochi beside Zhu Xiongying.
To confirm his suspicion, Elder Zhu asked, “Grandson, how much treasure will it take to bribe the Duan clan leaders?”
Caught off guard, Zhu Xiongying hesitated, unable to answer clearly.
Seeing this, Elder Zhu’s mind was made up. He glanced teasingly at Zhu Gaochi, “What do you think, Chi’er?”

Page (3/3)
Caught, Elder Zhu had seen through them.
Zhu Gaochi shot a glare at Zhu Xiongying, thinking, If you had the chance, why can’t you answer?
Zhu Xiongying chuckled awkwardly and stepped aside.
Facing everyone’s gaze, Zhu Gaochi then gave his answer.
“The more, the better—enough to drive them mad, to make them blinded by greed!”
“The Prince of Yuanliang must have spies in Dali, so as long as we send this treasure into the city, our plan will succeed!”
He spoke casually, but the audience was shaken to their core.
This boy was truly a master schemer, grasping human nature to its core!
Not only had they devised a meticulous strategy, but each step was tightly connected, leaving no gaps.
A gleam sparkled in Elder Zhu’s eyes as he pressed further, “But wouldn’t that be giving the Duan clan of Dali a free advantage?”
A sly smile crept across Zhu Gaochi’s chubby face.
“Grandfather, you misunderstand. This treasure is only for their temporary safekeeping. Once we crush them, we will take it back!”
His words hit like a thunderclap, stunning everyone present.
They gaped at the little fatty in disbelief.
Fu Youde questioned skeptically, “But the court had promised the Duan clan. If we break our word, wouldn’t that undermine the court’s dignity?”
Zhu Gaochi laughed off the concern, shrugging as if it mattered little.
“General Fu, you misunderstand. That promise was yours to make to the Duan clan, not the court’s!”
The crowd’s eyes widened further, their thoughts racing.
“Hmm... General, do not take it to heart.” Zhu Gaochi dealt another blow, “As the saying goes, a commander in the field may disobey certain orders. Besides, you are only using Grandfather’s name as leverage, nothing more. This will greatly reduce our soldiers’ casualties and speed the reconquest of Yunnan. What’s not to like? I’m sure Grandfather wouldn’t mind, right?”
Everyone was left speechless.
Damn this little fatty!
He was truly ruthless!