Chapter Twenty-One: Gathering Clouds

Zhu Yuanzhang is here?

Perhaps it was due to his overwhelming reputation, but the previously scattered ranks instantly straightened. Everyone widened their eyes, searching for this legendary figure, and Lady Golden Flower spoke with even greater authority, "Did Miss Guo also come with Marshal Zhu?"

The first to arrive were Zhu Yuanzhang’s personal guard cavalry. When Liu Chongkun saw the wall-like formation of armored heavy cavalry thundering forward with an unstoppable momentum, he couldn't help but mutter, "Now that could actually compete with our Maoshan cavalry!"

For this southern campaign, Liu Futong had scraped together everything to provide Liu Chongkun with fifty riders. Yet, despite both being cavalry, Liu Chongkun’s unit could not compare in the slightest to the armored heavy cavalry Zhu Yuanzhang brought. In just a couple of rounds, there would be no suspense—the Maoshan cavalry would be utterly defeated.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s heavy cavalry were all carefully selected: black-clad, black-armored, riding black horses. Their presence alone silenced the field. While everyone wondered what awe-inspiring force the Left Deputy Marshal would bring, an unexpectedly warm voice rang out: "Is this Lady Golden Flower, the Supreme Marshal? I’ve heard countless tales from friends about your steadfast defense of Xiangyang. And this must be General Xiao Liu? I’ve long admired you, truly! I’ve been hoping day and night for this moment—to finally welcome both Supreme Marshal Lady Golden Flower and General Xiao Liu!"

Contrary to the image of a fierce, intimidating general, Zhu Yuanzhang appeared especially youthful and refined. Though he was not yet thirty, his face looked younger still—at most twenty-five or twenty-six—and he was strikingly handsome. At first glance, he gave a sense of delight and unintentional camaraderie, making one feel they'd found a true friend.

He was the very embodiment of natural warmth: though it was his first meeting with Lady Golden Flower and Liu Yi, he spoke as though they were old friends, his sincerity so disarming that affection was almost inevitable.

Moreover, Zhu Yuanzhang was not merely cordial in words; he addressed her directly as "Supreme Marshal," explicitly recognizing Lady Golden Flower’s unique status as "Supreme Marshal of Chaohu."

Previously, Zhang Tianyou had argued with Lady Golden Flower for two days and nights over this very title, refusing to acknowledge her as "Supreme Marshal of Chaohu." Only when she conceded did the dispute subside, though afterwards, several rounds of negotiation ensued over the exact wording. Now, Zhang Tianyou felt Zhu Yuanzhang was deliberately making trouble for him: after all his efforts to have Lady Golden Flower drop the title, Zhu Yuanzhang had reinstated it in his very first words.

The problem was that in all of Chuzhou, only Guo Tianshu was Supreme Marshal; Zhang Tianyou himself was merely Right Deputy Marshal, and Zhu Yuanzhang was only Left Deputy Marshal. With Lady Golden Flower as Supreme Marshal of Chaohu, where did that leave the two of them?

Lady Golden Flower, usually stern and unyielding, found Zhu Yuanzhang’s courtesy difficult to rebuff and quickly clasped her hands in salute, "Marshal Zhu, you are too kind."

The smile on Zhu Yuanzhang’s face seemed utterly genuine. "There’s no need to stand on ceremony, Supreme Marshal. We brothers may have some prowess on land, but once we're on water, we’re utterly at a loss. Whether it’s the southern barbarians led by Haiya, or Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng, they could defeat us a hundred times over—we simply have no answer. Thank heavens you and General Liu are here. At last, I can sleep soundly!"

Liu Yi well knew Zhu Yuanzhang’s favorite tactic was to address people with honorifics, never by their actual names, as a way of winning them over. But facing Zhu Yuanzhang’s charm in person, he truly found himself defenseless.

Zhu Yuanzhang had thought of everything: "General Liu, I’ve already heard about your misfortunes. To command only a thousand troops as Supreme Marshal’s central army is a waste of your talent. When this Chaohu matter is settled, you'll be at least a commander of ten thousand! Should the central army need anything—arms, supplies, or men—just say the word, General. I ask only one thing: that you give your utmost to assist the Supreme Marshal in quickly bringing the Chaohu navy under control."

Zhu Yuanzhang was not only enthusiastic but attentive to every detail. He even included Liu Chongkun and Du Yishan: "Commander Liu, I was supposed to visit Maoshan this time, but fate had other plans. Tonight, though, we must share a drink or two! I’ve heard much about you—all say that a third of Chancellor Liu’s achievements are thanks to Commander Liu. And as for Commander Du..."

How could anyone not like such a Zhu Yuanzhang? Though formal negotiations had yet to begin, all of Zhang Tianyou’s painstaking efforts over the past days had nearly come to nothing; everyone now revolved around Zhu Yuanzhang. Liu Yi had to concede that Zhu Yuanzhang’s success came so easily for this very reason.

As Zhu Yuanzhang greeted the assembled guests, Lady Golden Flower was the first to notice the young maiden accompanying him. She strolled over, "You must be Miss Guo?"

Miss Guo, though tall and elegant—a rare beauty—wore a simple dress and jade hairpin, a long sword slung at her side, looking more like a ready female warrior. "Greetings, Supreme Marshal Lady Golden Flower. My brother accompanied Marshal Zhu to welcome you. Was your journey well?"

The "brother" she mentioned was Supreme Marshal Guo Tianshu. Lady Golden Flower laughed, "Miss Guo, I’ll remember your kindness. But don’t call me Supreme Marshal—call me Sister Jin or just Sister. We sisters shouldn’t imitate those men with their endless formalities."

Though Miss Guo was a general’s daughter, she had few close female friends. Lately, one vexation after another had left her weary. Now, she replied straightforwardly, "Sister Jin, from now on, we are sisters indeed."

They first exchanged a few words on family matters before Miss Guo turned to the most pressing concern for the Guo family army, "Sister Jin, I heard half the Chaohu navy are your former subordinates and students?"

Normally severe, Lady Golden Flower spoke with particular gentleness to sword-bearing Miss Guo. "I brought two imperial edicts: one from the Dragon-Phoenix Court of Han Lin’er, the other from Xu Shouhui’s Peaceful Reign. Which would you like to see first, Sister?"

Just as Miss Guo was about to answer, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived with Liu Yi, Liu Chongkun, and the others. "General Liu, I almost forgot—let me introduce you. This is our Miss Yun Yun."