Chapter 71: Xu Da’s Doubt, the Master in the Capital

Xu Da had indeed harbored suspicions about Zhu Yuanzhang’s decision; the Emperor’s summoning him back to the capital was, in itself, rather peculiar. Even if he was incensed by Kong Kejian’s actions, there was no need for a great military commander like him to personally escort an elderly and weak captive back. The war in the north was urgent by nature—his return to the capital would certainly affect the frontlines—unless Zhu Yuanzhang, as the supreme commander of the Ming armies, believed there was something more important he must entrust to Xu Da.

“What I’m about to tell you may sound fantastical, but you must remember it well and ask no questions as to why,” Zhu Yuanzhang said, setting down his wine cup, his expression grave. Xu Da knew the Emperor was not jesting and immediately knelt to receive his command.

“Watch over Chang Yuchun for me. Don’t let that fellow overexert himself, especially next year. Make sure he balances work and rest…”

“What!?”

Zhu Yuanzhang paused to organize his words—he too felt this was strange. He wanted to entrust Xu Da with this task, yet was at a loss for how to explain. As expected, Xu Da looked completely baffled, as though he couldn’t comprehend what the Emperor was saying.

Old Zhu sighed; it was precisely because he couldn’t clarify this matter in a letter that he had summoned Xu Da back. He had written to the front, warning Chang Yuchun, and Chang, deeply moved, wrote back, pledging to sacrifice everything for Ming, to die a thousand deaths without regret…

This only made Zhu Yuanzhang want to curse, but there was nothing he could do. What Zhang Yi had glimpsed of the future was only that Chang Yuchun would die, roughly when he would die, but not exactly how. The future revealed no clear answer.

What could Zhu Yuanzhang do? He couldn’t really recall Chang Yuchun from the northern campaign at such a critical moment. After much deliberation, he finally used the pretext of Kong Kejian to bring Xu Da back, so he could warn him in person.

He also feared that a letter would be misinterpreted. Judging from Xu Da’s expression, Old Zhu knew he had done the right thing; Xu Da truly misunderstood and thought the Emperor had grown wary of Chang Yuchun.

“What are you thinking?” Old Zhu said, knowing Xu Da hadn’t grasped his meaning—after all, they’d grown up together with nothing to hide. He didn’t want to expose Zhang Yi’s existence too easily, but now could only explain part of the truth.

“Someone has told me that Chang Yuchun will die next year,” Old Zhu said before Xu Da could ask.

“He will not die in battle, but from exhaustion—sudden death. That’s why I called you back to tell you in person: keep a close eye on him. You know his style of command. My letters never affect him! Now, in the army, only you can persuade him or look after him on my behalf. I was afraid you’d misunderstand my intentions in writing, so I summoned you back!”

Xu Da’s face was blank; had these words not come from Zhu Yuanzhang himself, he would have dismissed them as the ramblings of a charlatan. But he understood the Emperor’s intent: Chang Yuchun was the army’s second-in-command, and aside from Xu Da, no one in the Ming military could direct him. Even Xu Da himself only did so because of Zhu Yuanzhang’s explicit orders—Chang Yuchun’s pride was no less than any famed general’s, and the two had been in healthy competition for the distinction of being Ming’s foremost commander.

Later, because of the matter of the mass execution of prisoners, the Emperor personally ended their rivalry, and Xu Da’s position became unshakable. Zhu Yuanzhang’s request now put Xu Da in a difficult spot: back then, it was Xu Da who, unable to condone the act, had reported Chang Yuchun for killing prisoners—not out of personal spite, but for righteousness. Yet, it was through this that their competition ended. Though Chang Yuchun never openly turned against him, there remained a lingering resentment.

In the north, Chang Yuchun followed Xu Da’s orders without question; their coordination was seamless. Yet his reckless style of fighting was, in part, a refusal to yield, a way to prove that he was no less than Xu Da. Unless absolutely necessary, Xu Da truly did not wish to interfere with Chang Yuchun unreasonably—such interference could disrupt the delicate balance between them.

“Your Majesty, this…” Xu Da hesitated, and Zhu Yuanzhang understood.

He said solemnly, “Let me be frank: I recently met a remarkable man whose predictions have often come true. I am not deceived by nonsense. But you need not ask who—simply remember what I’ve said… Next year, at Liuhe River, even if you must fall out with that rascal, you must restrain him for me! If Chang Yuchun has any grievances afterward, let him blame me. Let’s see if he dares!”

Zhu Yuanzhang’s stern expression made it clear to Xu Da that the Emperor was utterly serious. If the mysterious figure behind the Emperor could truly foresee Chang Yuchun’s fate, then even at the cost of offending him, Xu Da had to fulfill this task. No one understood Chang Yuchun’s worth better than he and Zhu Yuanzhang—should they lose this great general, the northern campaign would be delayed by years.

“Your Majesty, I accept the command!”

“Good. The front cannot do without you. This time I summoned you back on a whim, so return to the front as soon as possible. But since you’re here, take the opportunity to spend time with your family before you go. I will not detain you. When our Ming army breaks through Dadu and marches north, reclaiming our lost lands, then we brothers shall drink and rejoice together!”

“Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty. I bid you farewell here—at dawn tomorrow I depart for Shandong!”

Xu Da nodded, took his leave of the Emperor, and hurried home without delay.

The Xu residence, like the Chang residence, was grand yet unadorned. He stepped out of the carriage to find people already waiting at the gate: Lady Xie, his daughter, and his three-year-old son.

“Father!”

The moment his two children saw Xu Da, they ran and threw themselves into his arms.

“Miaoyun, Yungong, have you both been well-behaved?”

“Yes, Father, we’ve been very good!” his daughter replied, making Xu Da laugh heartily. He scooped her up and said, “Come, let’s go inside!”

Lady Xie laughed softly at the side. “You dote on your daughter too much—your son’s about to cry…”

Hearing this, Xu Da looked down to see Xu Yungong’s aggrieved face, and burst out laughing, pulling him into his arms as well.

“Miaoyun, have you been studying diligently lately?” The father’s favoritism was obvious.

Lady Xie could only sigh. “I’ve always said, for a girl, virtue is more important than talent. But you insist on letting her have her way—she reads all day, her temperament is getting lofty! Who will be able to handle her when she marries?”

Xu Da’s face grew stern. “If no one can handle my daughter, why should she marry? Right, Miaoyun? If you want to study, then study—Father supports you.”

The family laughed and chatted, entering the house together in perfect harmony.

“How long will you be staying this time, Husband?”

“Military affairs are pressing; I must leave at dawn tomorrow.”

Knowing he would depart so soon, Lady Xie and the children were disheartened. Lady Xie grumbled, “I don’t know what the Emperor was thinking, bringing you back from the front and not even letting you rest a few days!”

“Enough!” Xu Da said helplessly. His wife was good in every respect—managing the household and raising the children—but her tongue was a bit too sharp and she was not skilled in social matters.

“Father, Mother didn’t mean it!” their daughter pleaded for her mother. Xu Da hadn’t truly meant to scold Lady Xie. He changed the subject: “By the way, have you heard of any strange characters in the city lately?”

“Strange characters? You mean monks or Taoist priests?”

“Husband, don’t you know the Emperor has forbidden monks and priests from roaming about? Where would you see any on the streets now?” Lady Xie replied at once.

But just then, Xu Yungong shouted, “There is a priest! Zhang Sanfeng! Zhang Sanfeng…”

(End of chapter)