Daming: I can’t kill such a greedy prince-in-law?

"Great Khan!" the deputy general said anxiously, "The Ming army's firearms are too powerful, and more than half of our soldiers were killed or wounded. Should we..."

"Shut up!" Na'erbuhua shouted angrily, but a trace of despair flashed in his eyes.

He had fought in battles for half his life, but he had never seen such a terrifying army - they were so disciplined, well-coordinated, and their firearms were unheard of!

The Ming army was in formation.

Lan Yu looked at the battlefield situation with great pride in his heart. Not long ago, he regarded Ouyang Lun as a thorn in his side, but now he had to admire his foresight.

"Without these new firearms, how could this battle have gone so smoothly?" he muttered to himself.

Nai'er Buhua's eyes were red as he looked at the retreating Northern Yuan cavalry, his heart burning with anger. He suddenly drew out his scimitar, the blade gleaming coldly in the sun, and shouted fiercely: "Warriors of Changshengtian! Follow me to charge! Whoever cuts off Lan Yu's head will be granted the title of Marquis of Wanhu!"

"kill--!"

The remaining Northern Yuan cavalry, led by Nairbuhua himself, rushed towards the Ming army like a raging tide. The horses' hooves crushed the frozen soil, snow foam and smoke flew, and arrows were like locusts, covering the sky and the sun.

Ming Army
Lan Yu stood on the high platform in the middle of the army, his eyes stern. He had long expected that Nai Er Bu Hua would fight to the death, so he was not at all flustered at this moment, and gave the order in a deep voice: "Musketeers, prepare for three rounds of firing!"

"Order!"

The front row of musketeers knelt on one knee, with the butt of their rifles against their shoulders, the muzzles of their rifles pointed at the charging cavalry. The second row stood up, and the third row had finished reloading, ready to fill in at any time.

"put!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The first volley of lead bullets poured down like a rainstorm, and the Northern Yuan cavalrymen who were at the forefront were thrown off their horses. The horses fell down with a neigh, and the knights were thrown several feet away and fell heavily into the snow.

"Second row, let go!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Another round of volleys, the momentum of the Northern Yuan cavalry's charge slowed down. However, Nai'erbuhua personally led the charge, and the following cavalry continued to charge fearlessly, stepping on the corpses of their companions.

"Archers! Get the rockets ready!" Naerbuhua roared.

The Northern Yuan cavalry drew their bows and drew their arrows. The arrowheads were wrapped with oil-soaked cloth strips, which were lit and then shot into the Ming army's formation.

"Raise your shields!" Lan Yu shouted.

The Ming army's shieldmen quickly stepped forward, holding their iron shields high to block most of the rockets. However, a few rockets still fell near the gunpowder carts and ignited instantly.

"boom--!"

The violent explosion shook the earth, flames shot up into the sky, and several Ming army soldiers were blown away by the air waves.

"Put out the fire! Quick!" Zhang Cheng, the captain of the firearms battalion, shouted and led his men to rush towards the burning gunpowder cart. He tore off his cloak and beat the flames with all his might, his arms were burned and torn, but he was unaware of it.

Lan Yu saw them from afar and secretly praised in his heart: "Ouyang Lun's men are indeed brave and courageous!"

Nai Er Bu Hua was overjoyed to see that the rockets worked. He brandished his sword and shouted, "Charge in! Kill them all!"

The Northern Yuan cavalry took the opportunity to advance, and were now less than fifty steps away from the Ming army's line!
"Rifle team! Artillery! Prepare shotgun shells!" Lan Yu ordered coldly.

Boom!

The rifle team opened fire first.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The Ming army's light field artillery adjusted its firing angle, and shotgun shells burst out, with hundreds of iron balls sweeping across the battlefield like the scythe of the god of death. The Northern Yuan cavalry who rushed to the front were torn into pieces, with blood and flesh splattering, staining the snow red.

However, Naierbuhua was already blood-thirsty, and he personally led his personal guards to break through the barrage and attack the right wing of the Ming army!
"Lan Yu! Prepare to die!" Naierbuhua roared and chopped with his scimitar. The head of a Ming army captain flew up and blood gushed out.

Lan Yu's eyes fixed, and he immediately jumped on his horse and shouted, "Guards, follow me to meet the enemy!"

"Father, you can't do that!" Lan Yong hurriedly stopped him, "You are the commander-in-chief of the three armies, how can you take the risk yourself?"

Lan Yu sneered: "I have been fighting for half my life, how can I be afraid of fighting? Today, let Nai'er Buhua see what the "Duke of Liang" means!"

After saying this, he squeezed the horse's belly, and the warhorse neighed and rushed towards Nairbuhua. The imperial guards followed closely behind, like sharp swords out of their sheaths.

"clang--!"

The scimitar and the spear collided, sparks flew everywhere. Nai'er Buhua's palm was cracked, and he was horrified - although Lan Yu was over fifty years old, his arm strength was still amazing!

"You old bastard, prepare to die!" Naierbuhua roared, his sword flashed like snow, and he slashed three times in a row.

The blue jade spear was like a dragon, either stabbing or blocking, completely neutralizing the attack. He sneered: "A barbarian, are you worthy enough to fight with me?"

Before he finished his words, the tip of the gun suddenly trembled, like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, and pierced Nai'erbuhua's throat!

"puff!"

Nai'er Buhua dodged hastily, and his shoulder armor was pierced, bleeding profusely. He swung his sword in pain, forced Lan Yu back, and shouted sternly: "Shoot! Shoot Lan Yu!"

Dozens of Northern Yuan archers took aim at the same time, and arrows flew through the air!

"Protect the Duke!" The guards risked their lives to stand in front of Lan Yu with their flesh and blood.

"Puff, puff, puff--" The sound of arrows piercing flesh was endless. More than a dozen guards fell to the ground, and their battle robes were stained with blood.

Lan Yu's eyes were red with anger as she roared, "Musketeer! Aim at Nairbuhua!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Three muskets fired at the same time, and Nairbuhua's horse was hit and fell down with a cry. He rolled down in a panic, and before he could get up, the Ming cavalry had already rushed over!
"Protect the Khan!" The Northern Yuan Dynasty's personal guards rushed forward desperately and fought with the Ming army.

The battlefield was completely plunged into chaos, with swords flashing and blood and flesh flying everywhere.

Seeing Nairbuhua retreat, Lan Yu immediately raised his spear and shouted, "All troops, charge! Whoever kills Nairbuhua will be rewarded with a thousand gold coins!"

"kill--!"

The morale of the Ming army was greatly boosted, and the musketeers threw away their guns and drew their swords, charging together with the cavalry. The morale of the Northern Yuan army was broken and it retreated step by step.

Nairbuhua was supported by his personal guards as he retreated. Looking back, he saw the Ming army surging in like a tide, and the Northern Yuan warriors fell one after another wherever they passed.

Nai'er Buhua covered the wound on his shoulder, blood seeping out from between his fingers, staining his battle robe red. He looked back at the scattered Beiyuan cavalry behind him, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

"Khan, the Ming army is pursuing us relentlessly. We have suffered heavy casualties. Why don't we--" Before the deputy general could finish his words, Nairbuhua raised his hand and interrupted him.

"Why are you panicking?" Nai'er Buhua sneered, with a cunning light flashing in his eyes. "Lan Yu is arrogant and conceited. Back then, His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi took advantage of this to lure him deep into our territory and eventually wiped out all 30,000 of his vanguards! Today, I can use the same trick again!"

The deputy general was stunned for a moment, then reacted: "The Khan means... feigning defeat to lure the enemy?"

Nai'er Buhua grinned grimly: "Pass the order, the whole army pretends to flee and retreats to Black Stone Valley! The terrain there is dangerous, with cliffs on both sides. As long as the Ming army chases in, we will be on high ground and ambush them!"

The deputy general was cheered up and immediately shouted an order: "The whole army retreats! Retreat to the Black Stone Valley!"

Upon hearing this, the remaining Northern Yuan troops turned their horses around and fled to the northwest in a panic, but in fact they were secretly adjusting their formation and preparing for an ambush.

Lan Yu stood on the high slope, looking at the hastily retreating Northern Yuan army, with a sneer on his face.

"Foster father, the Northern Yuan barbarians are fleeing, should we pursue them?" Lan Yong rode over, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit. Before Lan Yu could reply, Lan Meng beside him could not wait to say, "Foster father, this opportunity cannot be missed! Nai'er Buhua is already at the end of his strength, if he is allowed to escape, he will become a disaster in the future!"

Lan Yu looked deep in his eyes and said slowly, "Nai'er Buhua is a cunning man. Back then, the King of Qi took advantage of my underestimation of the enemy and set an ambush to inflict heavy damage on our army. He was defeated so easily today, I'm afraid there must be something tricky."

Lan Yu stared at the deep valley ahead, and his hands holding the reins tightened unconsciously.

The steep cliffs on both sides of the Black Stone Valley were like the gaping bloody mouths of giant beasts, reminding him of the disastrous defeat he had suffered in Mobei that year - they were also chasing a defeated army, and victory also seemed certain, but in the end, 30,000 elite soldiers were buried at the bottom of the valley, and the entire mountain stream was dyed red with blood.

"Godfather?" Lan Yong noticed his hesitation and called in a low voice.

The wind at the mouth of the valley blew gravel against his face, and Lan Yu's temples throbbed. He seemed to hear the screams of those soldiers again, and see the guards falling under the rain of arrows. The pain that penetrated deep into his bones made his stomach cramp.

But the next moment, the scene in the Taiji Hall of the Imperial Palace in the capital appeared before his eyes. The sharp eyes of the retired emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the expectant eyes of the emperor Zhu Biao, the jealous or suspicious faces of the civil and military officials in the court, and Ouyang Lun's faint smile. If I let Nai'er run away today,
"Duke Liang is really old."

"Lan Yu is no better than that."

"It seems that the Northern Yuan Dynasty is not yet at an end."

These imaginary whispers burrowed into his ears like poisonous snakes. Lan Yu's knuckles turned white from exertion, and he whipped the horse whip violently, making a crisp sound in the air.

"Pass the order!" His voice was terribly hoarse. "The firearms battalion will seize the commanding heights on both sides, and the cavalry will enter the valley in three groups. Each group should be a hundred steps apart and keep in touch."

Lan Yong was shocked: "Godfather, this..."

"Shut up!" Lan Yu's eyes were bloodshot. "Today I want to tell everyone in the world that Lan Yu is still the same Lan Yu!" He tore off his cloak and threw it on the ground. "Tell Zhang Cheng to set up the 'Fire Dragon Out of Water' for me. Today, either you go out with Nai'erbuhua's head, or you will be buried here!"

The warhorse pawed its hooves restlessly, but Lan Yu had already rode forward. He looked up at the gloomy sky, and in a trance he seemed to see the brothers who died in the battle that year looking at him from the clouds.

"Old brothers," he said silently in his heart, "let's see how this family can avenge their previous humiliation today!"

As the flags were waved, the Ming army blew a series of trumpets. The soldiers of the Firearms Battalion began to climb the cliff carrying their heavy equipment. Their figures were as small as ants on the steep rock wall. Lan Yu stared at the valley entrance, and the muscles on his face kept twitching.

This time, he not only had to win, but also had to win beautifully, even if it meant washing away the shame with blood, or gambling his life on a future!
Lan Yong frowned: "But if we let him escape, wouldn't that be like letting a tiger return to the mountain?"

"Order!"

The Ming army's vanguard of 3,000 light cavalry rushed out and closely followed the remnants of the Northern Yuan army. The Northern Yuan army fought and retreated, deliberately leaving behind flags and baggage to create the illusion of defeat.

"General, the Northern Yuan barbarians have thrown away their weapons and armor. It seems they have been truly defeated!" a Ming army scout reported excitedly.

Wang Zhen, the leader of the vanguard battalion, sneered: "Keep chasing! Make sure to chop off Nai'er Buhua's head!"

The Ming cavalry accelerated their pursuit and soon approached the Black Stone Valley, which had a narrow valley entrance, high cliffs on both sides, and a dangerous terrain.

Nairbuhua stood on a high place, looking at the gradually approaching Ming army, with a hint of pride in his eyes.

"Khan, the Ming army's vanguard has entered the valley!" the spy reported.

Nai'er Buhua grinned grimly: "Okay! Order the ambush troops to prepare. Once all the Ming troops have entered the valley, immediately seal the valley entrance and make it impossible for them to escape!"

The remnants of the Northern Yuan army had already ambushed on the cliffs on both sides. Archers drew their bows and drew their arrows, and rolling logs and rocks piled up like mountains, waiting for the Ming army to advance.

Outside the valley

Lan Yu led the main force and followed slowly. Suddenly he stopped his horse and looked around with sharp eyes.

"kill--!"

On the cliffs on both sides, the ambush troops of the Northern Yuan Dynasty suddenly appeared, arrows poured down like rain, and rolling logs and rocks crashed down!
"There is an ambush! Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Wang Zhen was shocked and quickly turned his horse around.

But it was too late, the valley entrance had been blocked by the Northern Yuan army, and the Ming army's vanguard was in despair!

Arrows flew through the air, and Ming soldiers fell to the ground one after another. Logs fell down, and horses cried out in grief. The cavalrymen and horses were crushed into pulp.

"Form a formation! Shield bearers step forward!" Wang Zhen roared and gave the order.

The remaining Ming troops quickly moved together and raised their shields to block the rain of arrows, but casualties continued to increase.

Outside the valley, Lan Yu heard the shouting and his face changed suddenly.

"It's a trick!" he said sternly, "The firearms battalion will immediately advance to the valley entrance and bombard the cliffs on both sides! The cavalry will encircle the two wings and make sure to tear open the blockade at the valley entrance!"

"Order!"

The Ming army's firearms battalion advanced rapidly, and the field artillery adjusted its angle and aimed at the Northern Yuan ambush troops on the cliff.

"put!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The shells whizzed out and exploded on the cliff, debris flew everywhere, and the Northern Yuan archers fell down with screams.

"Put it back!"

The second round of artillery fire followed, and the Northern Yuan ambush formation was in chaos.

At the same time, the Ming cavalry had detoured from both sides and launched a fierce attack on the defenders at the valley entrance.

"Fight out!" Seeing this, Wang Zhen in the valley immediately led the remaining troops to break out.

Under attack from both inside and outside, the blockade of the Northern Yuan Army was finally torn open!
"Khan! The Ming army's artillery fire is too fierce, and the ambush troops suffered heavy losses!" The deputy general reported in a panic.

Nai'erbuhua's face turned pale. He never expected that Lan Yu was so cautious and the main force did not enter the ambush circle at all!
"Retreat! Retreat immediately!" he gritted his teeth and ordered.

However, it was too late -

"Nai'er Buhua! Where are you going!"

With a loud shout, Lan Yu personally led the cavalry to attack, pointing his spear directly at Nairbuhua!

"Protect the Khan!" The Northern Yuan Dynasty's personal guards rushed forward and fought with the Ming army at all costs.

Nai'er Buhua knew that the situation was hopeless, so he suddenly drew out his scimitar and shouted, "Lan Yu! Even if I die in battle today, I will take you with me!"

He rode his horse towards Lan Yu, his scimitar shining coldly!

Lan Yu sneered, and his spear, like a dragon, pierced straight into Nai'er Buhua's heart!
"puff!"

The tip of the gun pierced through his chest, Nairbuhua's eyes widened, and blood foam flowed from the corners of his mouth.

"You... finally... fell into my trap..." He grinned and shouted with all his strength, "Set fire! Burn the grain!"

"What?!" Lan Yu was shocked.

The next moment, a raging fire shot up into the sky from the depths of the Black Stone Valley - Naierbuhua had already buried kerosene in the valley, waiting to die together with the Ming army!
"All troops retreat! The firearms battalion provides cover!" Lan Yu's roar drowned out the roar of the explosion. He suddenly turned his horse's head, and the horse's front hooves were raised high, splashing a pool of blood and mud.

The fire in the valley was raging, with thick smoke and scorching heat. The Northern Yuan soldiers saw the fire and fired arrows and threw stones crazily, with rain of arrows mixed with burning logs pouring down from the cliffs on both sides.

"Shield formation! Circle formation!" Wang Zhen shouted at the top of his lungs. The remaining soldiers of the vanguard camp quickly gathered together, stacking their shields layer by layer to form a tortoise shell formation. The burning logs hit the iron shields, sparks flew everywhere, and the soldiers holding the shields were shaken to the point of cracking their knuckles, but they held on tightly and refused to retreat.

At the mouth of the valley, the firearms battalion led by Zhang Cheng had set up twelve light field guns. "Elevation angle 45 degrees! Load the shotgun!" The burn on his left arm was hideous, but it did not affect his command at all. The gunners quickly turned the capstan, aiming the dark muzzles at the Northern Yuan ambush on the cliff. (End of this chapter)