Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but fall into deep thought after hearing what Zhao Si said. After a while, he slowly said:
"Lord Zhao is right. The Xianbei must have some other agenda in this move. We must be on guard."

As he spoke, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and looked around, sweeping his eyes over Chu Ze and the others one by one, and said in a serious tone:
"My dear ministers, although the Xianbei are far away in the northern border, they have always been good at fighting. Although our dynasty has the power to contain them, we still need to prepare for the rainy day. I'm afraid it will take some time to send troops this time!"

"Your Majesty, please understand!" Chu Ze immediately bowed and promised, "I think there are two urgent tasks at the moment: one is to speed up the construction of the Northwest Development Zone and strengthen the foundation as soon as possible; the second is to mobilize elite troops to strictly prevent the Xianbei from invading!"

"Okay!" Zhu Yuanzhang nodded heavily. "As you said, I will issue an order immediately, ordering all soldiers to be on guard against the Xianbei, and at the same time urge the northwest to open up large areas of land! If you plan ahead, you will succeed. If you don't plan ahead, you will fail. We must do both well!"

Chu Ze received the order and immediately rushed away. He was exhausted and soon arrived at the Northwest Reclamation Area.

The scenery here is magnificent, with fields and pastures stretching as far as the eye can see. Magnificent engineering projects are rising from the ground, with countless workers and farmers busy at work.

"Your Highness, you are here!" Seeing Chu Ze stepping into the construction site, everyone came forward excitedly to greet him.

"You have all worked hard." Chu Ze looked at everyone approvingly, and then said seriously: "To be honest, the Xianbei are invading now, and the situation is very serious. The court has issued an order, requiring us to speed up construction on one hand and be on guard on the other. Do you understand?"

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison, each of them full of fighting spirit.

"Very good!" Chu Ze nodded with satisfaction, and then said: "At present, the Northwest reclamation has begun to take shape. The next task is to achieve full development as soon as possible."

"This will be the new territory of our Ming Dynasty, and it is also the foundation for the peace and governance of the country. You must work hard and race against time to make this land fertile as soon as possible!"

"Follow the prince's instructions!"

"With Your Majesty leading the way, we will certainly not refuse even if it means death!"

A roar like a tsunami rang out from the crowd. Chu Ze was very pleased to see this. He knew that with these laborers and craftsmen from all over the world, the grand plan of reclamation in the northwest would be successfully realized.

Summoning a group of capable men from the construction site, Chu Ze immediately rushed to various border locations to deploy military defenses.

"Zhao Si, you will lead an elite force to guard Yanmen Pass. The terrain there is dangerous and it is the only way for the Xianbei to invade." Chu Ze pointed to the map and instructed Zhao Si.

"Yes! I will obey your command!" Zhao Si bowed and agreed, then mobilized a well-equipped new army and marched towards Yanmen Pass in a mighty manner.

"Li Changji, take your men to deploy defenses in the Hexi Corridor. Be sure to keep a close eye on it. If there is any sign of trouble, send someone to report immediately!" Chu Ze said to Li Changji again.

"We will follow the prince's orders!" Li Changji took the order and led his troops to set off quickly.

In this way, Chu Ze stationed his most capable generals in the fortresses one by one, and then personally led a main force to set up a camp near Datong, ready to fight.

For a time, from the northwest inland to the frontier fortresses, there was a tense atmosphere of preparation for war. The soldiers all looked solemn and were always alert to the surrounding movements.

"Report!" At this moment, a scout returned from the front on Pegasus and came to the tent panting.

"Tell me! Is there any movement from the Xianbei?" Chu Ze quickly stood up and asked.

"Your Majesty, the Xianbei army has appeared fifty miles north of the border!" the scout reported tremblingly, "The leader is none other than the Xianbei King Ogus, and he is accompanied by tens of thousands of elite cavalrymen, all of whom are brave and skilled in fighting, and they are coming with great force!"

"Sure enough!" Chu Ze clenched his fists upon hearing this. He stood up suddenly and looked around at the soldiers with a sharp gaze. "Everyone, the Xianbei are invading and want to covet our Ming territory. This is a battle to defend our country's destiny, and we cannot afford to slack off!"

Chu Ze strode up to the soldiers and said loudly: "Although our new army has only been established for a short time, each of us has experienced many battles and is equipped with advanced firearms. As long as we are fully prepared, we will be able to defeat the Xianbei and protect the Ming Dynasty's eternal foundation!"

"I swear to fight the prince to the end!"

"Protect our Ming Dynasty!"

The soldiers were all excited, and they raised their weapons, rubbing their hands and eager to try. Although they were new soldiers, they were all experienced and brave.

What's more valuable is that they hold new-style muskets in their hands, and there are dozens of advanced artillery behind them. This firepower is enough to tear apart all invading enemies!
Seeing the high morale of the soldiers, Chu Ze also became more motivated. He waved his hand and ordered: "Pass the order down, the whole army is on full alert, ready to meet the enemy at any time!"

Suddenly, the bugles sounded and the drums beat. Countless soldiers lined up and looked into the distance with resolute expressions.

As soon as the Xianbei invade, they will use their blood and steel to build an unyielding Great Wall and defend the Ming Dynasty to the death!
Not long after, the sentry outside Yanmen Pass sounded the alarm again:
"The Xianbei army is approaching! The leader is none other than Khan Oghuz!"

In the distance, dust was flying, and a group of black cavalry were galloping towards this side. The leader wore a golden helmet and wolf-skin armor, and looked very heroic. It was the Xianbei King Ogus!

"How arrogant! How dare a mere Xianbei be so rampant!" Zhao Si was furious when he saw this, and waved his hand and said, "Artillery, get in position, prepare to meet the enemy!"

Following his command, dozens of artillery pieces immediately turned towards the enemy camp, and the black muzzles stared at the invaders like tigers.

At the same time, Chu Ze also rode forward and stared at Ogus who was getting closer and closer. He was walking with his head held high, looking aggressive and fierce.

"Xianbei Khan Oghuz! How dare you lead your troops to invade the Ming Dynasty? What do you want to do?" Chu Ze asked loudly.

Oguz laughed loudly, his voice like a bell: "Hahaha! You Han people are so naive! How can I, a great Xianbei hero, submit to you forever?"

"Today I am leading my army south to fight you! I want to see what magical powers your new army has!"

Oghuz's complacent words immediately aroused the anger of the Ming army soldiers.

"Bold! So arrogant!"

"How can we allow you to be so presumptuous!"

Amid shouts of indignation, the soldiers raised their weapons one after another, waiting for orders to charge into battle and teach Oghuz a lesson with blood!
However, at this moment, Chu Ze suddenly raised his hand and made a gesture to stop him.

"Wait a minute!" he said in a deep voice, "Ogus has said before that he wants to fight our army to the death. This is exactly what I want!"

As he spoke, Chu Ze pulled his warhorse suddenly, came to the front of the formation, and looked down at Oguz condescendingly.

"Ogus! Since you want to compete with the Ming Dynasty, how about we have a fair fight?" (End of this chapter)