As dusk approached, Ming Chengzu and his party happily returned to Tumubao to camp.
The captain of the Jinyiwei also followed him all the way until Ming Chengzu entered the gate of Tumubao, then turned around and headed towards his camp.
The eunuchs and Dongchang captains who followed the emperor all had excited blushes on their faces. It was obvious that today's 'hunting' performance should be quite exciting.
Lin Shangli followed Ming Chengzu closely, with excitement on his face.
"These coyote soldiers, the previous crossbow volleys, already made people feel extremely powerful in combat. Unexpectedly, the subsequent jungle siege was their real trump card." Lin Shangli exclaimed as he walked.
"The coyote soldiers are brave and good at fighting, and they are all proficient in jungle warfare. If they hide, the enemy will not be able to find their traces. Once they take action, they will deal heavy damage to the enemy with lightning speed." Ming Chengzu walked slowly on the earthwork with his hands behind his back.
On the hard ground of the fort, the shoes under my feet were covered with a thin layer of sand and dust, seemingly without even noticing.
Lin Shangli, who was behind him, saw the sand and said hurriedly: "If the emperor insists on walking all the way inside the earthen fort, I will order someone to cover the ground with carpets. If there is dirt on your feet, it will affect the emperor's appearance.
."
"Huh?" Ming Chengzu stopped and looked at the earthen houses on both sides of the road in the earthen fort. "It's just a camp. There are so many details. When your feet are touched by mud, it's called grounding. The Ming army is on the border.
To protect the imperial court, the people of the Ming Dynasty farmed in the fields to accumulate supplies for the imperial court. Which one can do without the land? Which one is not for the land? The purpose of this 'hunting' is to promote the country's prestige. The Ming emperor did not even dare to touch the soil, and his soldiers
No matter how brave you are, what's the use? From now on, don't be so pretentious, the emperor is also a human being, a native citizen of the Ming Dynasty."
The purpose of mobilizing hundreds of thousands of troops and spending a lot of manpower and material resources was to promote the country's prestige and make those neighboring countries respect the Ming Dynasty and not dare to have any inappropriate thoughts.
All this was done to maintain the integrity of the Ming Dynasty's territory.
Land is the dignity of a country. Every inch of land bordering the two countries must be fought for.
Now, the Emperor of Ming Dynasty has a little dirt on his feet. Not only does he not lose his appearance, but it is a kind of honor.
"The emperor taught you that your servant is short-sighted." Lin Shangli lowered his head.
"It's not your fault. Your eyes are all on me, and my eyes must always be on the world. The reason why I sent the coyote soldiers from all the way is to provide relief to those who are bordering my Ming Dynasty.
Look at a country whose land is covered with jungles. The jungle combat capabilities of our Ming army will make it impossible for any intruder to come back."
After crossing the high wall of the earthen fort, Ming Chengzu looked at the stacked mountains in the distance. His white hair under his hat was fluttering in the wind, but his back was as straight as a flagpole.
During this "hunt", there were hundreds of envoys from foreign countries who came to visit, representing as many as twenty-seven countries. As a country of etiquette, Ming Dynasty had its own way of hospitality.
Treat guests with courtesy and treat them as guests.
When dealing with enemies, Ming Dynasty has never yielded. No fraternity or territorial cession is the unchanging principle of Ming Dynasty's diplomatic relations.
"Your Majesty, you have been tired for a long day. It is very windy outside, so you should go back to camp." Lin Shangli said in a low voice, hunched over and feeling the cold wind blowing against his face.
"Yes, come back." Ming Chengzu responded, retracted his distant gaze, and walked towards his main hall.
After walking into the main hall and sitting on the dragon chair, Ming Chengzu felt as if his whole body was falling apart, and a strong sense of fatigue spread throughout his body.
No matter how ambitious you are, the fact that your body is aging day by day is an indisputable fact.
Back then, I rode horses and carried swords to conquer the world, and I was never tired. Today, I just watched the "hunting" performance of the coyote soldiers. Once I relaxed, the arms and legs seemed to have lost control and acted independently.
Looking at Lin Shangli who was standing respectfully in front of him, Ming Chengzu waved his hand: "You are not young. You are already old. Go down and rest."
"I want to wait for the emperor to finish his meal before going to rest." Lin Shangli said.
"Are you still worried about the fact that Xiaosi is here? Come on, you have to accompany me to Huailaiwei tomorrow. Don't think of yourself as invincible." Ming Chengzu waved his hand again.
Lin Shangli had followed Ming Chengzu for many years and was Ming Chengzu's most loyal slave. But he was also a man in his sixties. While he felt sorry for Ming Chengzu, Ming Chengzu also felt sorry for him.
"Yes." Lin Shangli bowed his body and retreated slowly.
Closing his eyes, Ming Chengzu relaxed and leaned on the dragon chair, letting Wang Xiaosi rub his shoulders to dispel the fatigue of the day.
Purple clothes flashed at the entrance of the hall.
Xiao Chen stood at the door of the hall with a serious expression.
Looking at Ming Chengzu, who had his eyes closed and seemed to be falling apart, leaning on the dragon chair, Xiao Chen chose not to move and waited quietly.
Xiao Chen had an indescribable feeling for the emperor.
There is worship and reverence.
But at this moment, looking at Ming Chengzu's gray hair under his hat and his casual posture like the uncle next door, thinking that at such an old age, he still had to worry about all the affairs of the entire Ming Dynasty, and that he was exhausted physically and mentally.
In Chen Chen's heart, there was another feeling of distress.
While Wang Xiaosi was squeezing Ming Chengzu's shoulders, he accidentally saw Xiao Chen at the door of the hall out of the corner of his eye.
He couldn't help but lean into Ming Chengzu's ear and whispered: "Your Majesty, Master Ziyi is here."
"Huh? Xiao Chen is here?" Ming Chengzu slowly opened his eyes and looked at the door of the hall.
Seeing that Ming Chengzu had been disturbed, Xiao Chen had no choice but to walk in, knelt down on one knee, and bowed respectfully: "I am here to see you, Your Majesty."
"Is something wrong?" Ming Chengzu asked calmly, without any expression in his words.
Xiao Chen did not answer, but nodded slightly.
"Go to the side hall." Ming Chengzu stood up with his hands on the huge dragon chair.
Seemingly remembering something again, he turned back to Wang Xiaosi and said, "Keep an eye on it and don't let anyone come in."
With that said, he walked towards the side hall next to the main hall.
Xiao Chen also stood up hastily and hurriedly followed.
Entering the side hall, Ming Chengzu went straight to the dragon chair and sat down on the chair.
Xiao Chen, who was following behind him, turned around, closed the door of the side hall, and walked towards Ming Chengzu.
"What's new?" Ming Chengzu asked in a low voice. His tone was completely different from the cold attitude in the hall just now.
Xiao Chen took out a messy cloth bag from his arms and handed it over with both hands.
Staring at the cloth bag, Ming Chengzu frowned slightly and raised his hand to take it: "What is this?"
"Chaosan is a chronic poison that makes people lose their ability to control themselves. Today, my subordinates found it in the main hall." Xiao Chen said in a low voice.