Chương 420: Chang Yuchun and Li Wenzhong

Liu Ce said, both amused and exasperated, "Where have I lost weight? I've been eating and sleeping all day, I've gotten fatter."

"I'll eat even if it makes me fat!"

Zhen Jiang leaned over from the other side and said, "I specially asked the kitchen to make this. Try this fish."

"And this too."

He Lian picked up a piece of pork rib for him, a smile on her lips, "I remember you like this."

Liu Ce looked at the mountain of food piled up in his bowl and smiled helplessly.

These ladies are all incredibly good at feeding their children.

It was even more lively over there with the children.

Liu Chen is over three years old. He sits in a chair and eats with a small spoon by himself. Although he gets food all over his face, he does it with great flair.

Liu Ying looked at her brother with disdain: "Brother, you've got food all over your face!"

Liu Chen declared confidently, "That's called being bold! That's what my father said!"

Liu Ce almost choked when he heard this. When did he say such a thing?

The women chatted and laughed, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Zhang Ning suddenly asked, "Husband, what were you thinking about while sunbathing in the backyard today? You were lying there grinning like an idiot."

Liu Ce was taken aback: "Did I just grin like an idiot?"

"He laughed, and he laughed quite happily," Zhen Jiang added.

Liu Ce coughed twice and said in a serious tone, "I'm thinking about important matters concerning the world."

"World affairs?" He Lian raised an eyebrow.

"World affairs that make you smile like you've stolen honey?"

All the women laughed.

Behind them... Zhen Jiang was whispering to Zhen Mi, Yin Ying and Feng Yu were discussing the new embroidery patterns they had learned, He Lian was slowly drinking a bowl of soup, and Mi Zhen and Gan Mei were sitting in a corner, eating quietly, occasionally looking up at everyone with smiles on their lips.

Cai Wan sat next to Yin Ying and had already become familiar with them. The three of them chatted and laughed, discussing which shop had the best fabrics and which shop had the most fragrant cosmetics.

Looking at the people in the room, Liu Ce felt a surge of satisfaction.

This is the meaning of his struggle: to give his family a good life, to bring peace to the world, and to allow people to live and work in peace and contentment.

Just as I was enjoying myself, suddenly...

"Ding!"

It was a system notification sound, crisp and loud, exploding in my mind.

Liu Ce paused, his chopsticks stilled, and he stood frozen in place.

The women were chatting and laughing when they suddenly saw Liu Ce freeze, his chopsticks hanging in mid-air, not moving for a long time.

Cai Yan was the first to notice. She put down her chopsticks and asked softly, "Husband? What's wrong?"

Zhang Ning also looked up, still with a chicken leg in his mouth, and asked indistinctly:

"Husband? What are you daydreaming about?"

Zhen Jiang, He Lian, Yin Ying, and others also looked over, their eyes full of concern.

Liu Ce snapped out of his daze, quickly smiled, and waved his hand, saying:

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I just suddenly remembered something and got distracted. Let's eat."

Although the women still had some doubts, they didn't ask any more questions and continued chatting amongst themselves.

The hall was bustling again.

Liu Ce appeared to be eating, but in his mind he was already having a conversation with the system.

The system said: Congratulations, host, on possessing ten states in the Han Dynasty. The reward for the host is... Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong, and a favorable weather card.

Then, a virtual screen appeared in front of Liu Ce's eyes, visible only to him, and began playing images: On the screen, a burly, strong-looking general rides a warhorse, wielding a long spear, charging through thousands of troops with unstoppable momentum.

The voice-over is passionate and stirring:

"The first to appear is... the first fierce general of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, the last invincible warrior of the cold weapon era, who roamed the desert with his spear, conquered the nine provinces, and was invincible for ten thousand men. He was the father-in-law of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, one of the six founding princes, and the god of war in the Northern Expedition."

"Throughout his life, he fought in the north and south, and was invincible. He came from humble origins and joined Zhu Yuanzhang's righteous army. He volunteered to be the vanguard. In battle, he charged like a tiger, and the enemy's vanguard collapsed. When retreating, he was as steady as a rock. When attacking cities and capturing strongholds, he was the first to scale the walls. He was brave and fierce, and could be worth a million soldiers."

"Yet he was criticized for killing surrendered soldiers. He often boasted, 'Give me 100, 000 elite troops, and I can go anywhere in the world.' People called him 'Chang the Ten Thousand,' and he was posthumously honored with the title of Zhongwu and was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple—the Great Ming Dynasty's Prince of Kaiping, General Chang Yuchun!"

Liu Ce stared wide-eyed. Chang Yuchun!

This is Chang Yuchun! The most valiant general in the founding of the Ming Dynasty, a man known as "Chang the Ten Thousand"!

The scene changes, and a handsome young general appears on the screen. He is riding a white horse and carrying a silver spear. He has a handsome face, sharp eyes, and a heroic spirit. He has a scholarly air about him, but he is ruthless when fighting. His aura of being able to defeat ten thousand men is overwhelming. Behind him are thousands of troops and banners fluttering in the wind.

Voiceover continues:

"The second one to appear is...

Li Wenzhong, the nephew of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the adopted son most favored by Empress Ma, the idol of Emperor Yongle Zhu Di, the prototype of Zhao Yun in the Three Kingdoms, the only young general in later generations who could rival Huo Qubing, the benevolent father of the Mongol Yuan Dynasty, the representative of the Huaixi Army Group in terms of appearance, the Grand Commander of the Five Armies, the Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, and the Duke of Cao."

[Name]: Chang Yuchun/Li Wenzhong Gender: Male Age: 22 [Strength]: 104/98 [Leadership]: 92/94 [Politics]: 65/85 [Intelligence]: 90/94 (Military) Liu Ce nearly jumped up from his chair. Li Wenzhong! Zhu Di's idol! A young general comparable to Huo Qubing!

After the video finished playing, the system began explaining the "Favorable Weather Card": This is a special item card. After use, it can ensure suitable weather, sufficient rainfall, and no major disasters within the host's controlled area, guaranteeing a bumper harvest. The effect lasts for one year.

Liu Ce was overjoyed after hearing this.

Chang Yuchun! Li Wenzhong! Two fierce generals who helped found the Ming Dynasty. One was unstoppable in battle, the other was as wise and brave as Zhao Yun! This is a huge win!

And that "Good Weather and Abundant Harvest" card will come in handy next year.

Having just conquered so many new territories, the people's biggest fear is natural disasters.

If the weather is favorable and the crops are plentiful, the people's hearts will be at ease.

The system is reliable!

Liu Ce took a deep breath, feeling incredibly happy.

He picked up the soup bowl and took a sip, unable to hide the smile on his face.

Zhang Ning, who was sitting next to him, noticed this and leaned over to ask in a low voice, "Husband, what are you laughing at?"

Liu Ce said in a serious tone, "I'm thinking that our family will definitely have a bumper harvest next year."

Zhang Ning looked bewildered and asked, "How do you know there will be a bumper harvest next year in the dead of winter?"

Liu Ce smiled mysteriously and said, "Your husband is a fortune teller."

Zhang Ning rolled her eyes and ignored him.

...

The next morning, in the council hall of the Prince of Yan's residence.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, surrounded by a row of civil and military officials.

Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Xun Yu, Guo Jia, Xi Zhicai, Jia Xu, Cheng Yu, Li Jing, Xu Da, Xue Rengui, Su Lie, Yue Fei, Qi Jiguang... a whole room full of people.

Liu Ce cleared his throat and said with a smile, "Today I'd like to introduce two people to you."

He clapped his hands, and two people walked in from outside the hall.

The man in the lead was broad-shouldered and burly, with a resolute face, thick eyebrows, and large eyes. He exuded a fierce and courageous aura, and walked with a gust of wind, making the ground tremble slightly with each step.

It was Chang Yuchun.

The man behind him was handsome and dashing, with a tall and straight figure. His face was delicate yet resolute, and his eyes were sharp as an eagle's. A long sword hung at his waist, and he walked with a steady and powerful gait, as if he were leading an army into battle.

It was Li Wenzhong.