278: Chase the enemy to the north, plow the fields and dig out the holes!

Grand Secretary Yang Tinghe, an old official who had served through several dynasties and whose proteges and old acquaintances were spread throughout the land, had his mansion broken into by factory guards as fierce as wolves and tigers.

Arrested on charges of colluding with rebels, the case's widespread implications were astonishing.

The Vice Minister of War, the Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, the Capital Garrison's Assistant Commander, and even palace eunuchs in charge… one after another, once prominent heads rolled, and one after another, high-ranking mansions were sealed, their property confiscated, their male members exiled or executed, and their female relatives sent to the Imperial Music Bureau.

This was a blatant purge; Zhu Houzhao, leveraging the absolute military advantage and supreme prestige brought by Lu Jiuyuan, thoroughly swept through the imperial court from top to bottom in a nearly barbaric fashion, uprooting all potential threats.

Tens of thousands were killed.

Blood stained the bluestone paths of the capital, and it also forged the young Emperor’s absolute authority.

The bloody storm in the imperial court had not yet subsided when Zhu Houzhao’s blade was already pointed at the Nine Garrisons, the crucial border towns on which the Great Ming relied for its defense.

Liaodong, Jizhou, Xuanfu, Datong, Shanxi, Yansui, Ningxia, Guyuan, Gansu—these nine military garrisons held significant power, and their generals were mostly veterans, many of whom had been manipulated by Zhu Wushi or were either supporting him or adopting a wait-and-see attitude.

One after another, proclamations bearing the Emperor’s imperial seal were sent out of the capital by 800-li urgent dispatch, heading to the Nine Garrisons.

The content of the proclamations was simple and direct:

“I, by the Mandate of Heaven, have purified the realm; the rebel Zhu Wushi has been executed, and his court confederates have all been annihilated.

Generals of the Nine Garrisons, all those loyal to the King’s cause are hereby ordered, within three days, to submit a memorial confessing their transgressions, hand over their military tallies and seals, and proceed to the capital for an audience, awaiting new appointments.

Should there be any hesitation, observation, or secret harboring of dissenting intentions, it shall be regarded as treason!

I shall personally lead the Imperial Army and invite the Imperial Uncle to the border; at that time, do not say you were not forewarned!”

The two words “Imperial Uncle” weighed a thousand jin!

The deeds of Lu Jiuyuan instantly killing Yuan Shisanxian in the Imperial Palace Plaza, beating Zhu Wushi to death with a punch, storming the Three Barracks, and single-handedly suppressing the Imperial City had long since spread throughout the land like wildfire, carried by fleeing soldiers and surviving officials.

His martial arts had been exaggerated to the point of being god-like.

Now, the will of this god-like figure, to some extent, represented the will of the Emperor, representing the might of Heaven!

Wherever the proclamations reached, the Nine Garrisons trembled.

Some generals were already loyal to the Emperor and the nation, or awed by the might of Heaven, and immediately submitted memorials confessing their transgressions, handed over their military power, and hastened to the capital.

Those who harbored 侥幸 and refused were executed within their barracks, shocking the entire realm!

Within a mere month, the military power of the Great Ming’s Nine Garrisons was completely brought back under central control by Emperor Zhengde, Zhu Houzhao, in this unprecedentedly forceful manner.

The various regional commanders and vice-commanders all went to the capital for “audiences,” which were in fact reviews and reappointments.

Zhu Houzhao seized this opportunity to vigorously promote young generals, deeply embedding his influence into military power.

The rebellion was quelled, the imperial court was purged, and military power was unified. With the overall situation settled, the distribution of rewards and honors was put on the agenda.

In the Hall of Golden Chimes, officials offered their congratulations.

Although the hall was considerably emptier after the purge, the remaining officials were all trembling with awe, looking respectfully at the sharp-eyed young Emperor on the Dragon Throne,

and… at the man seated beside the imperial steps, wearing a black dragon-embroidered princely robe, with a calm expression, yet seemingly embodying the very gravitas of the entire hall—Lu Jiuyuan.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:

I suffered rebellion, and the nation was in peril. Fortunately, relying on the Imperial Uncle Lu Jiuyuan, whose loyalty and courage are unmatched, and whose martial arts are peerless.

Within the palace, he executed the chief culprit Yuan Shisanxian and killed the rebel leader Zhu Wushi, turning the tide from imminent collapse and propping up the tottering edifice!

Thereafter, he assisted me in pacifying the Capital Garrison, purifying the realm, and reclaiming military power. His 功 is for the nation, and his benefit is for a thousand autumns!

I am moved by his great merit and virtue, and specially confer upon him the title of Prince Protector of the Nation, hereditary and perpetual, granting him a vermilion-inked iron certificate, allowing him to not bow before the sovereign, to wear his sword and shoes in court, to be addressed without his full name during ceremonies, and to be granted a seat before the imperial presence!

He shall enjoy the 俸 of two princes, oversee the 宗人府, and hold the authority to supervise all military affairs of the realm! Respect this!”

When the imperial edict was proclaimed, the entire hall fell silent.

Prince Protector of the Nation! Hereditary and perpetual! Not bowing before the sovereign! Wearing his sword and shoes in court! Addressed without his full name during ceremonies! Granted a seat before the imperial presence! Holding the authority to supervise all military affairs of the realm!

Each of these privileges broke the ancestral rules and conventions of the Ming Dynasty since its founding!

This was no ordinary prince; this was a supreme honor, almost akin to co-ruling the realm with the Emperor!

Especially “holding the authority to supervise all military affairs of the realm,” which meant that from now on, Lu Jiuyuan had the right to inquire about, supervise, and even veto all troop movements, appointments of generals, and border defense strategies within the Great Ming!

With military power in hand, he was a truly “protecting the nation”!

“Lu Jiuyuan, receive the decree and give thanks.”

Lu Jiuyuan bowed slightly, his voice calm, without much excitement. For him, this worldly power was merely a tool to facilitate his actions.

Zhu Houzhao rose from the Dragon Throne, personally stepped down the imperial steps, and came before Lu Jiuyuan, solemnly performing the Discipledao:

“From today onward, Imperial Uncle is not only my Imperial Uncle, but also the towering white jade pillar and the magnificent purple-gold beam of the Great Ming! The rivers and mountains, and the nation, rely on Imperial Uncle’s protection!”

He looked at Lu Jiuyuan, his eyes clear: “I wish to rectify the court, refresh official governance, revive the Great Ming’s military might, and usher in a glorious era!

To seal the Wolf Ju Xu and conquer the Eastern Sea of Fusang—this path is arduous, and I hope Imperial Uncle will assist me!”

Lu Jiuyuan looked at the young Emperor who had grown so rapidly before him, and a faint smile finally appeared on his lips.

“Good.”

A single word of promise, heavier than Mount Tai.

After the court session, he met Su Xin, allowed Cheng Shifei and Su Xin to recognize each other as mother and son, and conveyed Gu Santong's final emotions of love for her.

The shackles of the third Golden Finger completely disappeared.

Four years later.

The winds and sands of the northern desert, carrying desolation and 肅殺, swept across the mottled stone tablet of Wolf Ju Xu Mountain.

This sacred mountain, symbolizing the highest military achievements of the Han generals, now bore the imprint of the Great Ming once again.

At the foot of the mountain, endless military camps stretched as far as the eye could see, and the black Great Ming sun and moon flags flapped in the wind.

Inside the central army tent, Lu Jiuyuan, in civilian clothes, was playing Go with Emperor Zhu Houzhao.

The current Zhu Houzhao had lost some of his youthful exuberance and gained more composure and experience; the imperial majesty in his brow was heavier, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s.

“Imperial Uncle, the remaining Mongols in the northern desert, are they now completely dispersed?” Zhu Houzhao placed a piece, his voice tinged with a hint of weariness, but more of satisfaction.