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

Hearing what Yao Guangxiao said.

"Ah!" Zhu Di suddenly sighed, "My brother-in-law is the wisest man in the world! Even though my father and brother have been oppressing him so much, he has never had any other ideas. The reason why he gave us weapons and equipment that are one or two generations behind is because he is worried that the vassal states will surpass the imperial court!"

"If I ask him, he probably won't agree."

Yao Guangxiao gently turned the Buddhist beads in his hand, with a meaningful smile on his face: "Your Highness, why do you have to belittle yourself? The world is like a chess game, and the universe is unpredictable. Today's predicament may not be a turning point tomorrow."

Zhu Di turned around abruptly, a hint of sharpness flashed in his eyes, but then dimmed again: "Turning point? Haha, my elder brother is benevolent and wise, and is deeply supported by all officials; my brother-in-law Ouyang Lun is incomparable in wisdom and strategy, and is proficient in both military and political affairs; although my father has retired to the Taile Palace, he is still like a tiger lying on his bed. With these three mountains pressing down on me, what turning point can I expect?"

The black-robed monk poured a cup of hot tea slowly, with mist lingering in front of his sinister face: "Your Highness, have you ever thought about what would happen if His Majesty, the Emperor, and the Prince Consort had different ideas? Or if they violated Prince Consort Ouyang's bottom line. In my impression, Prince Consort Ouyang has never been a person who can be manipulated by others."

Zhu Di's pupils suddenly contracted, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed the hilt of the sword: "You mean..."

"Your Majesty advocates benevolent governance and recuperation; while Prince Consort Ouyang is pushing for military reforms and developing firearms." Yao Guangxiao's voice was like a poisonous snake spitting out its tongue, "Sooner or later, there will be a fight between dragons and tigers in this court."

Zhu Di was silent for a long time, and suddenly shook his head in self-mockery: "Even so, what does it have to do with me? If my elder brother fights with my brother-in-law, both will suffer. In the end, won't my father be the one who benefits?" He walked to the door of the tent and looked at the flames of war that had not yet been extinguished in the distance. "Do you know that when my brother-in-law proposed the 'firearms first' strategy at the meeting of the Ministry of War last year, my elder brother rejected his military expenditure application on the spot."

Yao Guangxiao's eyes gleamed: "Oh? Then what happened later..."

"What happened later?" Zhu Di sneered. "My brother-in-law went straight to my father. Three days later, my father ordered the transfer of 500,000 taels of silver from the treasury, and said in front of all the civil and military officials in the court, 'The son-in-law knows more about military and national affairs than your majesty.'" When he turned around, the muscles on his face twitched slightly. "Guess what? Not only was my eldest brother not angry, but he went to my brother-in-law's house to apologize in person."

The Buddhist beads in Yao Guangxiao's hand suddenly stopped: "This..."

"This is what's so scary about my eldest brother!" Zhu Di slammed his fist on the table, making the teacups clink. "If it were anyone else, they would have held a grudge after being slapped in the face in public. But he... he can actually let go of his dignity as an emperor! Such a broad mind, such scheming..." His voice gradually lowered with awe that was difficult to conceal.

The tent fell into silence, with only the occasional crackling of the candlelight. After a long while, Yao Guangxiao said quietly, "Your Highness, I heard that the Imperial Palace has been summoning the imperial physician frequently recently."

Zhu Di looked up suddenly, a complex light flashed in his eyes, but then he shook his head: "Although my father is old, he is still in good spirits. During the hunting last month, he could even shoot a three-stone bow." As he spoke, his voice gradually lowered, as if he was trying to convince himself.

Yao Guangxiao gently put down the teacup, and the porcelain touched the wooden table, making a crisp sound: "Your Highness, the tiger will eventually grow old. And Your Majesty has been weak and sick since childhood."

This sentence was like a sharp sword, piercing the most secret corner of Zhu Di's heart. His breathing became noticeably faster, and his right hand unconsciously pressed on his chest, where a copper coin was hidden close to his body - it was secretly given to him by his elder brother Zhu Biao when he was seven years old, because he saw him envious of the candy figurines on the street.

"Daoyan." Zhu Di's voice suddenly became extremely tired. "Do you know what I am most afraid of? It is not my elder brother's kindness, my brother-in-law's wisdom, or even my father's majesty." He raised his head slowly, with a bit of fragility in his eyes. "It is that every time when it is late at night, I think of my elder brother carrying me to the lantern festival when I was a child, and my brother-in-law teaching me how to march, fight, and use firearms. Although my father is strict, he always brings me an exotic dagger every time he comes back from the expedition."

The black-robed monk was unusually silent. After a long while, he sighed softly and said, "Your Highness is sentimental, which is a taboo for a king."

Zhu Di suddenly jumped up and grabbed Yao Guangxiao's monk robe: "Shut up! Who do you think I am? A cold-blooded beast?!" His roar was filled with unspeakable pain, "But what can I do?! I always have a feeling that one day in the future I will do something unimaginable, and then..."

His words came to an abrupt end as hurried footsteps were heard outside the tent. Zhu Di quickly loosened his hand and turned around to regain his stern look. Zhang Yu opened the tent and entered: "Your Highness, Lan Yu's army has begun to clean up the battlefield and is expected to arrive at our military base at noon tomorrow."

Zhu Di nodded expressionlessly: "Prepare the supplies for the army, I will personally go out to meet them." After Zhang Yu left, he whispered: "Daoyan, today's words..."

Yao Guangxiao folded his hands and bowed: "Amitabha, I was just discussing Zen with Your Highness."

Zhu Di looked at him deeply, then suddenly took out the firearms manual from his bosom and lit it with the candlelight. The paper curled and charred in the flames, and his resolute face flickered: "There are some things that I will never do unless it is absolutely necessary."

The night was as dark as ink, and the cold wind from the northern border howled past, but the Ming army camp outside the Black Rock Valley was full of joy. Countless bonfires were burning in the darkness, illuminating half of the sky red, as if day had returned.

The aroma of barbecue filled the camp, and a whole fat sheep was placed on the fire, with fat dripping onto the charcoal, making a sizzling sound. Soldiers sat on the ground around the campfire, drinking from large bowls and eating meat with big mouthfuls, and laughter, singing, and finger-guessing games were heard one after another.

"Brothers! Today's battle was a great pleasure!" An old soldier with a bloodstained face raised his wine bowl high, his voice hoarse but heroic, "Those bastards from the Northern Yuan Dynasty still want to ambush us? Dream on!"

"Hahaha! Let them have a taste of the power of our fire dragon emerging from the water!" Another young soldier waved his fist excitedly, his face still showing the excitement after the battle, "One shot and they'll all be burned to charcoal, including the men and horses!"

"Respect the Duke!" someone shouted.

"Cheers to the Duke!" Hundreds of soldiers responded in unison, wine bowls clinked, and liquor spilled, looking like flowing golden liquid under the firelight.

Lan Yu sat by the campfire in front of the main tent, taking off his heavy armor and wearing only a thin battle robe. He also held a bowl of wine in his hand, with a rare and happy smile on his face.

"Master Qian Hu!" Zhang Cheng strode over, holding a golden and crispy roasted lamb leg in his hand, "Try this, it's a freshly slaughtered Northern Yuan warhorse, the meat is very tender!"

Lan Yu laughed, took the lamb leg and took a big bite, grease dripping down his beard: "Good! Much better than military rations!"

Seeing this, the soldiers around him started to make a noise: "My Lord, how magnanimous!"

Lan Yu stood up, raised his wine bowl, and glanced at the faces that were young or old: "In today's battle, all of you brothers fought bloody battles and fought to the death! I, Lan Yu, am here to toast you all!"

After saying that, he tilted his head back and drank the liquor in the bowl in one gulp.

"Cheers!" The soldiers responded in unison and drank the wine with their heads tilted back. The wine flowed down their necks, but no one wiped it off. They just laughed heartily.

In the camp, someone began to beat their shields, the rhythm was sonorous and powerful. Soon, more people joined in, and the drumbeats were like thunder, shaking the night sky. Several soldiers jumped into the open space in the middle of the campfire, waving long swords, imitating the fighting movements on the battlefield, which attracted cheers from the crowd.

"Duke, let's sing a song!" someone cheered.

Lan Yu did not refuse, and strode to the campfire, took the spear handed to him by his personal guard, and shook it violently, flashing a cold light. He was agile, and his spear was as powerful as a dragon. Every move showed the sharpness of a warrior on the battlefield. The soldiers were so excited that their blood boiled, and they applauded.

"Good marksmanship!"

"The Duke is mighty!"

Lan Yu put away his gun and stood up, his chest rising and falling slightly, but with a happy smile on his face. He looked into the distance, there were still sporadic flames in the direction of Black Stone Valley, but there was no more sound of fighting. This great victory completely washed away the previous shame.

"Report—" a messenger came running over, "His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan is leading his troops to reward us, and has arrived outside the camp!"

Lan Yu raised her eyebrows and said loudly: "Please invite the Prince of Yan to enter the camp!" Soon, Zhu Di strode into the camp with his personal guards, followed by several carriages loaded with wine and meat. Seeing this, the soldiers stood up and saluted.

"This humble general pays respect to His Majesty the Prince of Yan!"

Zhu Di raised his hand to signal everyone to excuse themselves from the formalities. He swept his eyes over the celebrating soldiers and finally landed on Lan Yu: "General, this is a great victory. I have come to congratulate you!"

Lan Yu clasped his fists and smiled: "Your Highness is thoughtful."

Zhu Di waved his hand and ordered people to distribute the wine and meat. Then he walked to Lan Yu and whispered, "Brother-in-law's firearms are really powerful."

A hint of complexity flashed across Lan Yu's eyes, but she quickly returned to normal and laughed, "Indeed! If it weren't for Prince Consort Ouyang's new firearms, the outcome today would be hard to predict!"

Zhu Di nodded, his eyes deep: "Someday, I will go to thank him in person."

Lan Yu glanced at him and said with a half-smile: "If Your Highness is interested, why don't you come back to the capital with me and ask the Prince Consort for advice in person?"

Zhu Di smiled slightly, without commenting, and just raised his wine bowl: "Tonight, we will only celebrate our success, not talk about anything else."

"Okay!" Lan Yu laughed and clinked glasses with him.

The noise of the celebration banquet had not yet died down, and at dawn, the scouts' fast horses shattered the tranquility of the camp.

"Report——!"

The blood-soaked scout rushed into the central army tent, knelt on one knee, and said in a hoarse voice: "Report to the general! Although Nairbuhua is dead, his brother Arutai has gathered the remnants and joined forces with the 50,000 cavalry of the Wala tribe, and is approaching our army!"

Upon hearing this, the faces of the generals in the tent changed suddenly.

Lan Yu paused for a moment, his eyes suddenly sharp as a knife: "Alutai? The guy known as the 'Iron Wolf' in Mobei?"

"That's right!" the scout panted, "They gathered overnight, and now have 80,000 troops, less than a hundred miles away!"

Zhang Cheng slammed the table and stood up: "Duke, I request to lead the vanguard battalion to meet the enemy!"

Lan Yu suddenly smiled.

He stood up slowly, stroking the musket at his waist with his fingers - this was the "Thunder Gun" newly developed by Ouyang Lun, which could fire three bullets in a row and penetrate armor within thirty steps.

"Okay." Lan Yu's voice was filled with cold excitement, "It's a good opportunity to try out the Prince Consort's new gadget."
-
The next morning, dark clouds gathered.

Alutai's 80,000-man coalition army surged like a black tide, with horses neighing and scimitars like a forest. The new Northern Yuan commander learned from Nairbuhua's lesson and divided the cavalry into three routes, with the heavy armor charging in the middle and the light cavalry on the two wings, trying to crush the Ming army with the advantage of numbers.

However, he was no longer facing the traditional Ming army.

Lan Yu stood on the observation deck, holding up the "telescope" specially made by Ouyang Lun, with a sneer on his face. In the tube, the formation of the Northern Yuan cavalry was clearly visible - it was still the same tactics that had not changed for a hundred years: heavy cavalry charged to break the formation, and light cavalry flanked on both wings. He remembered the battle he lost miserably seven years ago, and the Yuan army also used this tactic.

"Heh." Lan Yu put down the telescope and turned to Zhang Cheng and said, "Did you see that? These Mongols are still living in the era of Genghis Khan."

Zhang Cheng smiled knowingly: "Your Majesty is right. Their horse riding and archery skills are no different from children playing in front of our new firearms."

Lan Yu narrowed his eyes and looked at the smoke and dust in the distance: "Alutai thought that he could win by having more people? Ridiculous." He pointed at the heavy cavalry in the Yuan army, "See those iron cans? In front of our spiral lead bullets, they are just a bunch of living targets."

The guard handed over the water bag. Lan Yu raised his head and took a sip, then wiped the corner of his mouth: "Our 30,000 cavalry were defeated by this formation before. At that time, our arrows could not penetrate their heavy armor, and our sabers could not cut into their chain mail."

His voice suddenly became sharp: "But it's different now!"

"Array up!"

At Lan Yu's command, the Ming army's formation changed suddenly.

Three thousand musketeers lined up in three rows, each standing three steps apart. The "magic fire guns" in their hands had been improved by Ouyang Lun, with a range of two hundred steps. The lead bullets were engraved with spiral patterns and had extremely strong penetrating power.

Fifty improved tiger squat cannons were mounted behind the earthen ramparts, and the gun barrels were loaded with Ouyang Lun's special "shrapnel bombs" - after the shell body split, it could shoot out dozens of caltrops, specifically designed to counter cavalry charges.

Two thousand light cavalrymen were deployed on both wings, each equipped with two short guns and a "fire dragon out of water" tube hanging from their waists. This was real mobile firepower, waiting for the enemy to break up and then pursue and harvest.

Aluta saw the Ming army formation from afar and sneered disdainfully: "The Ming people still use the same old tricks! Pass the order, heavy cavalry charge in the middle, and outflanking on both wings!"

"Woo--" The horn sounded long and the Northern Yuan cavalry began to accelerate.

The earth trembled, the sound of hooves was like thunder, and 30,000 heavily armored cavalrymen rushed towards the center of the Ming army like a steel torrent.

Lan Yu sat firmly in the center of the army, calmly calculating the distance: "Six hundred steps, five hundred steps, four hundred steps."

When the Northern Yuan cavalry rushed in 300 steps, he suddenly waved the flag and ordered: "Tiger Crouching Cannon, fire!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Fifty cannons fired at the same time, and a black mass of shrapnel cut through the sky and exploded among the cavalry.

"Bang! Boom! Boom!"

Shrapnel flew everywhere, and caltrops bloomed like flowers of death. The charging cavalrymen were thrown off their horses, and their horses fell down with a wail, tripping up their comrades behind them. (End of this chapter)