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

Alutai's eyes widened: "What the hell?!"

Before he could react, the second wave of attack by the Ming army arrived.

"Musketeers, fire in turns!"

"boom--!"

The first row of thousands of musketeers opened fire at the same time, white smoke filled the air, and lead bullets poured down like a rainstorm. The breastplates of the heavy armored cavalry of the Northern Yuan Dynasty were like paper in front of the spiral lead bullets, and were pierced one after another.

"Second row, release!"

"boom--!"

The second round of volleys followed, with almost no gaps in the barrage. The charging cavalry fell like wheat being cut, and the formation completely collapsed.

Alutai finally panicked: "Light cavalry on both wings, hurry up!"

But it was too late.

The Fire Dragon Cavalry on both wings of the Ming army had already been dispatched. They passed through the battlefield like ghosts, firing their short guns accurately within thirty steps, specifically targeting officers and flag bearers.

"Ah!" A captain of a thousand men from the Northern Yuan Dynasty had just raised the command flag when he was hit in the chest by three lead bullets at the same time and fell off his horse and died.

Chaos spread like a plague.

"Prepare the chain bombs!" Lan Yu shouted.

The gunners quickly replaced the ammunition with special ones - two iron balls connected by an iron chain, which would rotate at high speed after being fired, specifically targeting dense formations.

"put!"

“Swish—Boom!”

The chain bullets swept across the battlefield like the Grim Reaper's scythe, crushing men and horses wherever they passed. One chain bullet even cut off the legs of seven horses in succession before falling to the ground.

Alutai finally broke down: "Retreat! Retreat quickly!"

But how could the Ming army let them go?
"All troops, charge!" Lan Yu drew his sword, "Leave no one behind!"

The Fire Dragon Cavalry took out their last weapon, the "Flying Fire Dragon". This single-soldier rocket launcher had a range of a thousand steps and would rush into the enemy formation like a meteor after being ignited.

"Boom boom boom!"

The defeated Northern Yuan army was blown to pieces.

The battle ended faster than expected.

Of the 80,000 soldiers, 30,000 were beheaded, 20,000 were captured, and the rest were scattered. The Ming army suffered less than 2,000 casualties, which was a complete victory.

On the battlefield, Zhang Cheng kicked the charred body of a Northern Yuan general and grinned, "Duke, this battle was so fucking satisfying!"

Lan Yu did not answer.

He bent down and picked up a deformed lead bullet - the clear spiral pattern on it was the unique mark of Ouyang Lun's military workshop.

"Pass the order." Lan Yu suddenly raised his head, his eyes sparkling, "Let's hold a celebration banquet tonight!"

All the generals burst into laughter, and the bloody atmosphere of the battlefield seemed to be diluted a little.

On a distant hill, Zhu Di silently put down the telescope and whispered to Yao Guangxiao beside him: "Did you see it? This is the future."

The black-robed monk spun the Buddhist beads in his hand quickly: "Amitabha. Prince Consort Ouyang is truly a god."

The setting sun was like blood, dyeing the edge of the grassland red. Alutai led the remnants of his army to flee all the way until he was sure that the Ming army was no longer pursuing them, and then he set up camp in a valley away from the wind. The remnants of the defeated army dejectedly took off their damaged armor, and the air was filled with the smell of blood and burning.

Inside the tent, there was a heated debate

"Taiji, we can't fight anymore!" Tuo Huochi, the captain with a bloody face, knelt on one knee and pounded the ground with his fists. "The Ming army's firearms are too powerful. Our warriors died before they could even touch the enemy!"

Alutai sat on a tiger skin mat, holding a bloodstained wolf tooth ornament in his hand - it was a relic of his brother Nairbuhua. He had a gloomy face and glanced at the generals in the tent: some of them avoided his eyes, some gnashed their teeth, and many more showed fear on their faces.

"Retreat? Retreat to the depths of the grassland?" Alutai suddenly sneered, his voice hoarse as the friction of sand and stone, "Then wait for the Ming army to wipe out our tribe one by one like hunting yellow sheep?" He stood up suddenly, the wolf teeth on his ornaments gleaming coldly in the firelight, "Don't forget how many of our people Lan Yu killed in Bui'er Lake last year!"

The young deputy general Ha Lazhang couldn't help but interrupt: "But the Ming army now has iron pipes that can spit fire, and lead bullets that can penetrate three layers of armor. Even if we rush forward, we will die!" He pointed at the wounded soldiers wailing outside the tent, "Listen, how many brothers' intestines have been twisted out by chain bullets!"

Alutai suddenly picked up his horse whip and lashed it on the table. The explosion made everyone tremble. "Idiot! Who said we were going to fight Lan Yu?" He bent down, grabbed a handful of sand and sprinkled it on the map. The sand fell on the location marked "Yan Fan". "Lan Yu's army is in the northwest, and here--" He poked his finger heavily on the east side of the map, "Zhu Di's Yan Fan is just a hundred miles away! That is Yan Fan's new territory, and the garrison is no more than 20,000!"

The eyes of the shrewd strategist Huo Aheichen lit up: "What Taiji means is... avoid the strong and attack the weak?" He twirled his sparse beard and added, "In order to please the court, the Yan vassal has transferred all its elite troops to serve as auxiliary troops for Lan Yu in recent years. If we rush in overnight and rob the granary and arsenal of the new territory..."

"Not only that!" Alutai kicked over the copper lamp stand, and the flowing lamp oil burned black marks on the map. "Zhu Di is Zhu Yuanzhang's biological son! Let's kill one of his sons and burn his ten cities, so that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty can also taste the taste of having his relatives killed!" He grabbed the wine bag and took a sip, and the scarlet wine dripped down his beard. "Order: slaughter all the injured horses and let the warriors have a good meal. Set off at midnight and rush along the old road of Chaobai River!"

The remnants of Alutai's army galloped at night, their horses' hooves wrapped in cloth, their mouths full of bullets, and they rushed along the old road of Chaobai River straight to Yanfan. With the flame of revenge burning in his eyes, he tightly grasped the blood-stained wolf tooth ornament in his hand and roared in a low voice: "Nai'er Buhua, I will avenge you today!"

"Taiji, the Yan clan's outpost is ahead!" the scout reported in a low voice.

Alutai narrowed his eyes, looking at the beacon tower vaguely visible in the distance, and a grim smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Pass the order, the vanguard light cavalry will disperse, first remove the sentry post, and don't let them light the beacon!"

Dozens of elite cavalrymen approached quietly, their scimitars drawn, a cold light flashed, and before the Ming army in the outpost could react, blood was splattered on the spot.

"Keep moving forward!" Alutai shouted, "We must enter Yanfan territory before dawn!"
-
At the border between Yan and Fan, Zhu Di was wearing a black armor, holding the hilt of his sword, and looking into the distance. The night wind blew his battle robe. His eyes were as sharp as a knife, but there was a hint of playful smile on the corner of his mouth.

"Your Highness, the scouts report that the remnants of Aluta are fifty miles away and are galloping towards our Yanfan territory!" Deputy General Zhang Yu reported with a fist salute.

Zhu Di chuckled: "Oh, he is here as expected."

The black-robed monk Yao Guangxiao beside him turned his Buddhist beads and said calmly, "Alutai is a man of great courage but lacks wisdom. He thought that the Yan vassal state was empty, but he didn't know that Your Highness had already laid a net of heaven and earth."

Zhu Di glanced at Yao Guangxiao, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes: "Monk, do you think... this person can be used by me?"

Yao Guangxiao pondered for a moment and said, "Alutai is a fierce general of the Northern Yuan Dynasty. If he can be subdued, he will be a powerful general for your future cause. But..." He paused slightly, "This man is unruly and needs to be dampened before he can be subdued." Zhu Di laughed, "Okay! Then I will meet him in person!"

He turned around abruptly and shouted, "Pass the order! Send out the best troops of the Yan army. I want to capture Alutai myself!"

Zhang Yu was shocked: "Your Highness, although Alutai was defeated by Lan Yu, he still has more than 10,000 cavalrymen. Don't underestimate the enemy!"

Zhu Di sneered: "Lan Yu can defeat him, but I can't? What's more -" He patted the cannon on the city wall, "Ouyang Lun sent new firearms, just in time to test their power!"

Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together and bowed: "Since Your Highness has made the decision, I will stay in the city to ensure that there is no danger in the rear."

Zhu Di nodded: "Thank you, Master."

At dawn, Alutai's army was approaching the Yanfan border. He looked into the distance, a trace of greed flashed in his eyes: "Order, all troops to charge! Rush in and plunder, then capture Zhu Di!"

However, just as the Northern Yuan cavalry was about to charge—

"boom--!"

A deafening sound of artillery suddenly exploded, and the artillery on the top of the Yan army city spewed out flames. The shells smashed into the Northern Yuan army formation like meteors, instantly setting off a wave of blood!
"Ambush?!" Aluta's pupils suddenly shrank. Before he could react, countless Yan cavalry suddenly rushed out from the dense woods on both sides. The leader, wearing a golden helmet and black armor, was none other than Yan Wang Zhu Di!
"Alutai!" Zhu Di pointed his spear, his voice like thunder, "I am here, why don't you dismount and accept the surrender!"

Alutai roared: "Zhu Di! Either you die or I die today!"

The two armies collided with a loud bang, swords flashed, and blood stained the yellow sand. Zhu Di personally led the elite troops to charge into the battle, with long spears like dragons, and the Northern Yuan cavalry fell off their horses wherever they passed. Alutai swung his sword to fight, and the two fought in the chaos, swords and spears clashed, sparks flew!

"clang--!"

Alutai's jaws cracked, and he was horrified: "This Zhu Di actually has such martial arts skills?!"

Zhu Di sneered: "Alutai, you are doomed to fail, why bother resisting? Surrender to me and I can spare your life!"

Alutai gritted his teeth and shouted angrily: "Don't even think about it! I am a descendant of the Golden Family, how can I surrender to you, a Ming dog!"

Zhu Di's eyes flashed coldly: "You are stubborn and unyielding!"

He fired a fierce volley of gunfire, and Alutai barely managed to block it, but was knocked off his horse! The Yan army's personal guards rushed forward and subdued him in an instant!
When the remaining Northern Yuan army saw their leader being captured, they immediately lost their morale and fled. Zhu Di raised his spear high and shouted, "Those who surrender will not be killed!"

After the war, corpses were strewn all over the border between Yan and Fan, but the Yan army won a great victory and Alutai's army was ultimately unable to set foot into Yan and Fan.

Zhu Di sat in the big tent, looking at Alutai who was tied up and brought in, and said calmly: "Alutai, what else do you have to say?"

Alutai glared at him and said, "Kill me if you want to, why waste your words!"

Zhu Di chuckled: "It's easy to kill you, but I value your talent. If you are willing to surrender, I can ensure that your tribe will not be destroyed, and even... let you continue to lead your old tribe."

Alutai was stunned for a moment, then sneered: "You want me to work for you?"

Zhu Di's eyes were deep: "You know the general situation of the world better than me. The Northern Yuan Dynasty has fallen, and the grassland will eventually be unified. Rather than being hunted down and killed by Lan Yu, it is better to... change the way of life."

Alutai was silent for a long time, and finally gritted his teeth and said: "...What do you want me to do?"

Zhu Di smiled with satisfaction: "It's very simple. From today on, you will be the 'Northern Border Pacification Envoy' of the Yan Clan, and you will guard the grassland for me..."

Outside the tent, Yao Guangxiao held Buddhist beads in his hand, looked into the distance, and whispered to himself: "Your Highness's ambition is not limited to the Yan vassal state..."

Capital city, Taiji Hall.

Zhu Biao sat on the dragon throne, while the retired emperor Zhu Yuanzhang sat on a rosewood chair on one side, looking dignified. Civil and military officials were on both sides, and the atmosphere was solemn but also a bit warm - the remnants of the Northern Yuan Dynasty suffered heavy losses, Nairbuhua died in battle, and Alutai was captured. This was the biggest victory of the Ming Dynasty against the Northern Yuan Dynasty since its founding!
The Minister of War, holding an ivory tablet, was the first to come out and say, "Your Majesty, this Northern Expedition was a great victory. General Lan Yu beheaded 30,000 people and captured 20,000. His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan even captured Alutai alive. This is truly a blessing for our Ming Dynasty! I ask Your Majesty to issue an order to reward the three armies!"

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, smiling: "This battle is indeed very satisfying. Lan Yu and Prince Yan have both made contributions to the country and should be rewarded."

However, at this moment, the Minister of Revenue Guo Zi suddenly stepped out and said loudly: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to report!"

Zhu Biao turned his gaze towards him and said, "Tell me."

Guo Zisheng took a deep breath and said in a deep voice: "For this Northern Expedition, the imperial court mobilized nearly 80,000 troops, and spent a total of 3.7 million taels of silver on food, weapons, and military pay. Although the Yan Clan sent troops to help, its military expenses were not independently calculated and were still borne by the imperial court. Now that the war is over, the Yan Clan has gained peace in the northern border, so it should bear part of the military expenses!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the court.

An official immediately refuted: "Minister Guo, what you said is wrong! The Prince of Yan is a vassal of the imperial court, and the Yan vassal state is also the territory of the Ming Dynasty. This Northern Expedition is coordinated by the imperial court. How can we ask the Yan vassal state to bear additional military expenses just because it benefits? If we follow this example, will all the border towns have to bear the cost of war themselves in the future?"

Guo Zi sneered: "This lord, are you saying that the court will always be the scapegoat? Not only did the Yan Clan not suffer any losses this time, but it also surrendered Alutai's people and expanded its strength! The court's army fought bloody battles, shouldn't the Yan Clan express its opinion?"

Another imperial censor also stood up and said sternly: "What Minister Guo said is to alienate your majesty and the Prince of Yan? The Prince of Yan is your majesty's brother. He played an indispensable role in this victory! If you forcefully demand military expenses, won't it make the princes of the world feel disheartened?"

Guo Zi was unwilling to be outdone: "Is the Imperial Censor trying to sacrifice justice for personal feelings? The imperial court is in financial difficulty. If we accommodate the vassal kings everywhere, how can the treasury be supported?"

"You don't know how expensive firewood and rice are if you don't run the household!"

There was a fierce argument in the court, but Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent. He just squinted his eyes and tapped the armrest with his fingers, as if he was thinking.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao coughed lightly, and the court suddenly became quiet.

"Father, how do you think we should decide this matter?" Zhu Biao asked respectfully.

Zhu Yuanzhang then slowly spoke: "Biao'er, you are the emperor, you make the decision."

Zhu Biao's gaze passed over the arguing ministers and fell on Ouyang Lun standing in the queue of civil servants.

I have to ask my brother-in-law for his opinion on this matter.

"Brother-in-law Ouyang," Zhu Biao said gently, "what is your opinion on this matter?"

Ouyang Lun straightened his clothes and stepped out of the line. His handsome face was covered with a calm smile, but his voice was unusually clear: "Your Majesty, I think what Minister Guo said is very true."

As soon as these words came out, a murmur suddenly sounded in the court. Ouyang Lun continued calmly: "I have three humble opinions, please listen to them, Your Majesty."

"First, sharing military expenses is common sense in ancient and modern times. This time, the Yan vassal not only preserved its territory, but also incorporated more than 10,000 people from the Arutai tribe and thousands of war horses. According to the military regulations of the Ming Dynasty Code, border towns that obtain such spoils of war should pay silver to the Taicang." (End of this chapter)