Huangming

Chapter 393 A Mighty Might Unleashed, Swords Drawn on the Battlefield

The snowstorm on the left wing of the Horqin Grassland was even fiercer than yesterday.

The heavy snow was like countless cold knives, scraping painfully against people's faces. The world was shrouded in a gray haze, and beyond fifty paces, only a blurry snow mist remained. Even the withered trees in the distance became indistinct black shadows.

Jirhalang stood at the entrance of the makeshift military tent, his black leather armor covered with a thin layer of snow. He occasionally raised his hand to wipe the snowflakes from his eyebrows, his gaze fixed on the south.

That was the direction the Ming army might come from, and every unusual movement in the wind and snow made his heart clench.

Outside the account.

The five hundred cavalrymen he brought were huddled in a makeshift snow shelter. Some were wiping their scimitars, while others were wiping their horses' hooves with snow water. No one spoke; only the howling of the cold wind could be heard.

Jirgalang had already dispatched one hundred scouts, divided into ten teams, to investigate the movements of the Ming army and Ligdan Khan.

So far, only three scout teams have returned, and they all brought bad news:
"Taiji, we have spotted Ming cavalry thirty miles to the south. Judging from their banners, they seem to be Liu Xingzuo's vanguard battalion, and they are heading this way!"

"Taiji, the Ming army's rear guard has also moved. Chen Ce's infantry is advancing along the old Khorchin road, and they're moving quite fast!"

Jirhalang frowned, and his palms began to sweat.

He knew in his heart that with his five hundred men, if they really encountered the main force of the Ming army, they would not be enough to fight.

You could even say it's not enough to fill a tooth gap.

Huang Taiji asked him to stay, betting that Ligdan Khan would come.

However, if Lindan Khan does not arrive soon, an hour later, he will have no choice but to abandon the cattle, sheep, and prisoners and break out under the cover of snow and wind; otherwise, even these five hundred cavalrymen will perish here.

"Why haven't you come yet..."

He muttered to himself, his gaze shifting to the northwest.

That was the direction Lin Danhan might have come from, but the snow and fog were still thick, and there wasn't a single person in sight.

Just as he was getting anxious and was about to order a retreat, a rapid sound of hooves came from the northwest.

A scout, covered in snow with icicles even on his eyelashes, rode a panting warhorse, charging like a madman, shouting from afar:
"Taji! Good news! Good news! We've spotted Ligdan Khan's nine-awned white flag in the northwest!"

"Nine-awning white flag?"

Jirhalang suddenly looked up, his eyes instantly lighting up with surprise. He strode forward, grabbed the scout's arm, and asked eagerly,

"Are you sure? Is it really Ligdan Khan's nine-awned white flag?"

The Nine-Flag White Banner was the symbol of the Great Khan of the Chahar tribe. The banner was embroidered with nine black stripes, and the top of the pole was decorated with a gilded wolf head, which was a symbol of Ligdan Khan's identity.

The scout nodded vigorously, his lips, which were purple from the cold, trembling.

"Look closely! And there's his ordnance tent, pulled by dozens of horses, followed by a lot of cavalry. There's no mistake! It's at most ten miles from here. We'll see it when the snowstorm subsides!"

Jirhalang breathed a sigh of relief, his heart finally settling down.

He patted the scout on the shoulder: "Good! Here's two catties of liquor for you, go warm yourself up!"

After saying that, he turned to the cavalry outside the tent and shouted, "Break your spirits! Lindan Khan has arrived. Our mission is accomplished. Prepare to move on!"

Upon hearing this, the cavalrymen perked up, emerged from their snow shelters, adjusted their armor, and smiled with long-lost joy.

Staying here, they were constantly in danger of being attacked by the Ming army, and they were also terrified.

About half an hour later.

A massive figure gradually emerged from the snow and fog in the northwest.

First, there was that striking nine-awn white flag, fluttering in the wind and snow.

Then, an ordo, pulled by thirty-six strong horses, slowly appeared.

The tent of the 'ordo' was made of thick black fox fur, with gilded ornaments along the edges, and three peacock feathers were inserted on the top of the tent. From a distance, it looked magnificent.

Around the Ördor, hundreds of cavalrymen were gathered, some wearing iron armor and others wearing leather robes. The scimitars and spears in their hands gleamed coldly in the snow. The riders were like clouds, and at first glance, they had the aura of a steppe overlord.

Jirhalang squinted and examined him carefully.

This situation hardly resembles that of the Chahar tribe, which has suffered a defeat and is on the verge of running out of supplies.
This is clearly the grand procession of the Great Khan of the Steppe during his heyday.

He chuckled to himself.
It's true that the more you lack something, the more you'll try to fake it.

In the Battle of Kaiyuan, Lindan Khan lost most of his followers and even his prestige in the southern steppe. Now he can only rely on this kind of ostentatious display of power to maintain his dignity as the "Great Khan of the Steppe" and make those followers who have not yet disbanded think that he has not collapsed.

Soon, the Ordos stopped five hundred paces from the Jirhalang camp.

Several guards from the Chahar tribe emerged from the ordnance hut and strode up to Jirgalang, their tone tinged with arrogance:

"My Khan invites you, Jirhalangtaiji, to come and speak with him."

Jirhalang straightened his leather armor and strode toward Ordos.

As he passed by the Chahar cavalry, he took a few extra glances at them.

Many cavalrymen had patched leather robes, their warhorses were so thin that their ribs were showing, and some even had worn-out saddles.

Looking at the herdsmen following behind the Ördör, most of them were sallow and thin, clutching shredded bags of fried noodles, their eyes numb.

These fried noodles are mostly made from barley, millet, and oats, similar to tsampa in snowy regions. They are usually eaten mixed with cheese and dried meat as portable dry food.

But it's clear that these herders don't even have enough fried noodles to eat, let alone cheese or dried meat.

"If people's hearts are scattered, no matter how much you pretend, it's useless."

Jirhalang thought to himself.

Lin Dan Khan's "grand" display was nothing but a bubble, which would burst at the slightest touch.

But for now, as long as Ligdan Khan is willing to stay and hold off the Ming army for the Jin Dynasty, this bubble will still be useful.

Upon reaching the entrance of the tent, Jirgalang stopped and bowed towards the inside, saying:
"Da Jin Jirhalang greets Ligdan Khan."

A cough came from inside the tent, followed by a slightly weak but deliberately raised voice:
"come in."

The moment the tent flap was lifted, a smell of charcoal and milk tea wafted out.

Inside the tent was a faded tiger-skin rug, and in the center of the bronze brazier, only a few embers remained, barely enough to keep warm.

Compared to the grand spectacle of "riding entourages like clouds" outside the tent, the embarrassment inside was almost impossible to conceal.

Lindan Khan leaned back on a soft couch covered with old silk, his face sallow and his eyes dark with dark circles. Only his silver crown adorned with peacock feathers barely maintained the dignity of the "Great Khan of the Steppe".

Jirhalang entered the tent, his gaze quickly sweeping over the starkly contrasting scene, and he understood immediately.

Ligdan Khan's "grandeur" was indeed just for show.

He bowed respectfully, his tone maintaining just the right level of deference:
"Da Jin Jirhalang greets Ligdan Khan."

Lin Danhan raised his eyelids slightly, his voice deliberately hoarse, yet he maintained a dignified air:

"Huang Taiji didn't send you here just to pay his respects, did he? Tell me, what benefits did he offer me to help him defend against the Ming army?"

He was no longer the spirited Khan of Chahar he once was. After the defeat at Kaiyuan, his people were scattered, his food supplies were cut off, and the whereabouts of his two most beloved women were unknown. These days were extremely difficult for him.

Therefore, when Huang Taiji said there were spoils to be taken on the left flank of the Khorchin grasslands, he led his troops there with almost no hesitation.

The reason why.

If we don't find something to eat for the Chahar tribe soon, they will starve to death.

If he can't even support his own people, who will be loyal to him, the Great Khan?
"Sweating profusely feels great."

Jirhalang straightened up, his tone frank but with a clear purpose.

"My Khan said that all the prisoners, cattle, sheep, and provisions currently in the camp belong to the Khan."

In total, there were about 10,000 prisoners, 10,000 cattle and sheep, and 50 carts of grain and fodder.

We only hope that the Great Khan can form an alliance with the Great Jin to temporarily hold back the pursuing Ming army, giving our main force of the Great Jin time to return to Hetu Ala.

He deliberately omitted the truth that "the grain supplies were abandoned because the snow was too thick and the roads too dangerous to transport back to Hetu Ala," and instead packaged it as "the sincerity of the Great Jin."

After Jirhalang finished speaking, Lindan Khan's breathing became noticeably rapid.

Ten thousand prisoners could be used as slaves, ten thousand cattle and sheep could help him get through the winter, and fifty carts of grain and fodder could sustain his remaining troops until spring. These were exactly what he needed most right now.

"Oh? There are so many?"

Lin Danhan sat up abruptly, a sliver of color returning to his sallow face, and a greedy glint appeared in his eyes.

He had been wondering if Huang Taiji would be stingy, but upon hearing "ten thousand cattle and sheep," most of his previous fatigue vanished.

“That Huang Taiji is more generous than Nurhaci.”

He paused, deliberately putting on airs, but his tone betrayed his urgency:

"Don't worry, that scoundrel Xiong Tingbi tricked me into going to Kaiyuan to 'fight against the Great Jin' earlier, which resulted in me suffering heavy losses. Afterwards, he didn't honor his promise about supplies and instead supported those lackeys from the Khorchin to pressure me. I have long hated him to the bone!"

As he said this, he gritted his teeth, as if he truly harbored a deep-seated hatred.

"From this day forward, you Jianzhou Jurchens are allies of my Chahar tribe!"
"Once we get through this winter, let's set a time to raid the Ming Dynasty's fortresses and let Xiong Tingbi taste the bitterness of losing territory!"

Jirgalang was not at all surprised that Ligdan Khan had said "plundering the Ming Dynasty".

Mongolians, they really are all stupid pigs!

He lowered his head to hide the fleeting disdain in his eyes:
This Khan of the grasslands, even in dire straits, still thought of surviving by plunder, failing to see the current situation clearly.

The Ming army has already arrived, and it's hard to say whether his remaining troops can even hold onto these spoils of war.

"It is a great fortune for the Great Jin if the Great Khan is willing to form an alliance."

Jirhalang bowed again, preparing to make his escape.

but
In order to delay the Ming army for a longer period of time, he added a sentence at the end.

"However, the Ming army vanguard is not far from here and will arrive in at most an hour. I need to lead the army back to Hetu Ala immediately, so I will not disturb the Khan in counting the spoils of war."

Lin Danhan's mind was filled with thoughts of "ten thousand cattle and sheep," and he had no time to spare for him. He waved his hand dismissively.
"Go ahead, let Huang Taiji wait. I will treat the Ming army 'well'."

Jirhalang bowed and took his leave, then quickly walked out of the ordnance.

The wind and snow outside the tent were still fierce. He immediately summoned his five hundred cavalrymen and, without saying a word, simply gave the order:
"Full speed retreat, towards Hetu Ala, no stopping!"

The cavalrymen mounted their horses, their hooves crushing the snow, and soon they transformed into black figures, disappearing into the vast snow fog.

The scouts who had been sent out earlier had already received the signal and gathered from all directions, rushing behind the column.

If they had been any later, and the Ming army had actually engaged in battle with Ligdan Khan, they might have been caught in the crossfire.

And after Jirhalang left.

Inside the tent, Lindan Khan could no longer maintain his "Great Khan" demeanor. He abruptly stood up and shouted towards the outside:

"Quickly! Pass on my order: have everyone go to the camp to count the spoils of war!"
The prisoners were assigned to guard the cattle and sheep, and the provisions were quickly moved to the vicinity of the orchard. The cattle and sheep were penned up! Hurry up!

These things are the lifeblood of the Chahar tribe for getting through the winter.

It was also the lifeline for his comeback!
"As ordered!"

The guards outside the tent responded hastily and ran in a chaotic manner toward the camp left behind by Jirhalang.

Lin Danhan walked to the tent flap, lifted a corner to look at the wind and snow, his face full of smugness:
"So what if they're Ming soldiers? These spoils of war belong to me! Anyone who dares to steal them is making an enemy of me, the 'King of Four Hundred Thousand Mongols,' and I will make sure they never return!"

however.

Not long after he finished speaking, three thousand Ming cavalrymen were galloping toward the camp through half a foot of snow.

The horses' hooves, wrapped in thick felt, made only a dull "crunch" sound as they stepped on the snow. The soldiers' faces were covered in frost, and their breath vanished instantly in the cold air. Ice crystals on their armor fell off with each movement.

They were traveling at full speed, trying to catch up with the fleeing Huang Taiji, but they were stopped in the snow by a cavalry force less than three miles from their camp.

"Ming army, halt!"

A slightly awkward voice in Mandarin cut through the wind and snow. The leading general, wearing iron armor and with a curved sword hanging at his waist, was none other than Guiyingqia of the Chahar tribe.

He reined in his horse and blocked the middle of the road. Behind him, hundreds of Chahar cavalrymen, though thinly armored and their horses emaciated, deliberately formed ranks, attempting to create the illusion of an "elite" force.

"The Khorchin camp is now the spoils of war of my Chahar tribe! If you dare to take another step forward, you will anger my Khan, Ligdan. Can you bear the consequences?"

Liu Xingzuo reined in his horse, his brows furrowing instantly.

He squinted at the Chahar cavalrymen before him, his mind filled with astonishment. How could Ligdan Khan's men be here?
Did Huang Taiji not only feign surrender but also collude with the Chahar tribe?

"presumptuous!"

Before Liu Xingzuo could speak, Bu He beside him could no longer contain his anger.

His father, Mangus, had just died in battle, and their camp had been raided. Now, seeing the Chahar tribe trying to "take advantage," his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot veins, and he pointed at Guiyingqia, shouting angrily:
"The Khorchin camp is the territory of my Khorchin tribe! The cattle and sheep are the property of my tribe!"

Ligdan Khan took advantage of the chaos and even dared to collude with the Jurchens; he was simply courting death!
"Village Lord Wilhelm, stop wasting words with them, quickly take the camp and let these traitors know the might of the Ming Dynasty!"

Buhe's voice trembled with anger, and the Khorchin guards behind him drew their scimitars, their eyes filled with hostility as they looked at the Chahar cavalry.

Liu Xingzuo tightened his grip on the riding whip slightly, caught in a dilemma.

He looked up toward the distant camp, where he could vaguely see the outline of yurts through the snow and mist. He also thought that Huang Taiji might be retreating at full speed with the looted supplies. If he got entangled with the Chahar tribe here, it would definitely delay the opportunity to pursue them.

However, if the Chahar tribe is let go and allowed to seize the "legacy" of the Khorchin, the prestige of the Ming Dynasty on the grasslands will plummet.

Ligdan Khan dared to be so arrogant precisely because he was betting that the Ming army would prioritize pursuing Huang Taiji and wouldn't dare to attack him.

Grassland tribes have always respected the strong. If the Ming army doesn't even dare to touch the remnants of Ligdan Khan's forces, not only will the Khorchin tribe be disheartened, but other small tribes that rely on the Ming Dynasty will also be shaken.

If the Ming army couldn't even protect its own people, how could it claim to be the "master of the grasslands"?
"Damn Huang Taiji!"

Liu Xingzu cursed inwardly.

He instantly grasped the key point.

This was precisely Huang Taiji's scheme!
They deliberately left supplies to lure Ligdan Khan to plunder them, and then used the Chahar tribe to tie down the Ming army, thus buying themselves time to retreat.

If he truly followed Huang Taiji's "script," the Ming Dynasty would either lose its prestige or let the enemy escape; either way, it would be a loss.

But Liu Xingzuo was, after all, a general who bore the heavy responsibility of "managing the grasslands," and after a moment's thought, there was no hesitation in his eyes.

Sometimes you can have your cake and eat it too!
He patted Buhe on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down, then spurred his horse forward, his gaze sweeping over Guiyingqia like a knife, and said in a loud voice:

“Guiyingqia, convey my message to Ligdan Khan: immediately take your people and leave this place, leaving behind the prisoners, cattle, sheep and grain of the Khorchin tribe!”

"If I see the banners of the Chahars again within half an hour, I will consider you to be conspiring with the Jurchens and opposing the Ming Dynasty!"

Gui Ying hadn't expected Liu Xingzuo to be so forceful; the arrogance on her face froze instantly, and she subconsciously took half a step back.
"You, you dare! My Great Khan is the ruler of 400,000 Mongols. If you dare to touch us, you are making an enemy of the entire steppe!"

"The Lord of the Grasslands?"

Liu Xingzuo sneered, raised his hand and drew the curved sword from his waist. The blade reflected the snow and exuded a chilling killing intent.

"If Lindan Khan were truly capable, he wouldn't be living off the scraps of the Khorchin!"
"I, Liu Xingzuo, am here today. Either get out, or fight! You choose!"

Upon seeing this, the three thousand Ming cavalrymen behind them also drew their swords, the sound of their swords being drawn in unison was particularly jarring in the wind and snow.

The soldiers tightened the reins, and the warhorses pawed restlessly, their eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.

Having just received a generous reward from His Majesty, they were eager to make a name for themselves in battle, so why would they be afraid of the remnants of the Chahar army?
Guiying looked at the Ming army standing ready in front of her, and then looked back at her own emaciated soldiers behind her. Suddenly, she lost all confidence.

If a real fight breaks out, our few hundred men won't even be enough to fill the Ming army's teeth.

But he dared not back down easily, and could only grit his teeth and shout, "I... I must report to the Great Khan first!"

"I'll give you half an hour."

Liu Xingzuo sheathed his scimitar, his tone still icy.

"In half an hour, it's either withdraw the troops or start a war. The Ming Dynasty's patience has its limits."

Having said that, he reined in his horse and retreated back into the formation, whispering instructions to his adjutant beside him:
"Send two scout teams to circle around to the rear of the camp and keep an eye on the movements of the Chahar tribe to see how many troops they have brought this time."

Send another team to scout out Huang Taiji's retreat route and make sure to pinpoint his location.

"Yes!"

The deputy general accepted the order and immediately arranged for the scouts to depart.

the other side.

Gui Ying practically tumbled and crawled into Lin Danhan's ear. He was panting heavily, his lips, purple from the cold, trembling, as he repeated Liu Xingzuo's words word by word:
"Great Khan! Liu Xingzuo said... said that you must lead your men to withdraw within half an hour, leaving behind all the prisoners, cattle, and sheep in the camp!"

Otherwise... otherwise we'll say we're conspiring with the Jurchens to start a war against the Ming Dynasty!

"presumptuous!"

Lin Danhan slammed the silver wine pot in his hand to the ground.

He abruptly stood up, his withered fingers pointing fiercely at the tent flap, his eyes filled with an overwhelming ferocity, and even his voice trembled:
"What is Liu Xingzuo? He's nothing but a dog raised by the Ming Dynasty, a lackey who climbed up the ranks by currying favor with the Han people. How dare he point fingers at me, the Khan?"

The atmosphere inside the ward froze instantly. The guards standing there were so frightened that they dared not breathe and lowered their heads, afraid of offending Lindan Khan.

Lindan Khan paced back and forth in the tent, the peacock feathers on his silver crown swaying with his movements, but he had lost all his "Great Khan's majesty," leaving only his fury after being offended.

After a moment of anger, he suddenly stopped.

The shadow of the defeat at Kaiyuan still lingered, and the remnants of the Chahar tribe were struggling to even get enough to eat. If they were to actually fight the Ming army, they might not have a chance of winning.

As his reason returned slightly, he looked at Gui Yingqia, who was still trembling, and his tone became a bit heavier:
How many men did Liu Xingzuo bring?

Guiying shrank back, her eyes unconsciously darting away.

He was afraid that saying too little would make Lin Danhan even more impulsive, but he dared not lie, so he could only stammer:
"Reporting to the Great Khan, the scouts observed carefully. The Ming cavalry numbered about three thousand, plus the remnants of the Khorchin who followed, making a maximum of five thousand men... No large army was seen following behind."

He deliberately exaggerated the number of people, hoping to make Lin Danhan more wary.

"Five thousand people?"

Lin Danhan was taken aback at first, then chuckled, his anger fading and replaced by undisguised disdain.

"With only five thousand men, you dare to put on airs in front of me?"

At this moment, brilliant wisdom suddenly took hold of Lerindan Khan's mind.

"The Ming Dynasty's heart is entirely with Huang Taiji! Liu Xingzuo is just a vanguard. Even with a large army behind him, he would never fight to the death with me for such a small thing."

They were afraid of delaying their pursuit of Huang Taiji and letting that kid escape back to Hetu Ala!

"Your Majesty, but...but Liu Xingzuo's attitude is really tough, what if..."

Gui Yingqia wanted to persuade him further, but Lin Danhan interrupted her before she could finish speaking.

"Nothing unexpected!"

Lindan Khan turned around abruptly, his voice rising in arrogance, carrying the air of a great Khan of the grasslands.

"Besides, these cattle, sheep, and prisoners are what Xiong Tingbi owes me!"

He pointed to the camp outside the tent, his tone carrying a hint of self-righteous arrogance.

"Back then, Xiong Tingbi tricked me into going to Kaiyuan, promising me benefits. But what happened? I lost tens of thousands of my men and didn't even see a single grain of rice! Now he's offering these things as compensation. Isn't that fair?"

After saying this, Lin Danhan looked at Gui Yingqia and said earnestly:
"I am the Great Khan of 400,000 Mongol tribes. How can I be subservient to a mere Ming general?"
Remember this: you have to be tough on these Han Chinese. The more you back down, the more they'll think you're easy to bully, and they'll only become more aggressive next time!

"Today, with this Khan standing firm to the end, Liu Xingzuo certainly won't dare to make a move!"

Gui Ying looked at the fervor in Lin Danhan's eyes, her lips moved as if she wanted to say something more.

He always felt that the Ming army's toughness was not feigned, and since Liu Xingzuo dared to say "go to war," he must have been prepared.

But when he met Lin Danhan's sharp gaze, he swallowed the words back down.

He knew that the Great Khan was blinded by the "spoils of war" and the "dignity of the Great Khan," and would not listen to any advice.

"Then...then I'll go and report back?"

Guiying lowered her head, her voice tinged with helplessness.

"go with!"

Lin Danhan waved his hand.

“Tell Liu Xingzuo that there’s no reason for me to vomit up what I’ve eaten!”

If he's not satisfied, then he can lead his men to act recklessly.

"Let him see whether the Ming cavalry or my Kheshig army is more powerful!"

He paused, then added, "Tell him that these things are compensation that the Ming Dynasty should give. If he doesn't appreciate it, he'll be making an enemy of the entire Mongol Empire!"

Guiying felt heavy-hearted, but she had no choice but to accept the order.

After leaving the Woduo, Guiying slowly walked to the front of the Ming army's formation.

He dared not meet Liu Xingzuo's sharp gaze, his head lowered, his voice somewhat stiff:

"My Khan said... Now that these things are in the hands of the Chahar tribe, there is no reason for them to return them."

"If the general is not convinced, then come and fight! Let's see whether the Ming cavalry or my Chahar Kheshig army is more powerful."

Before Liu Xingzuo could even finish speaking, Bu He, who was standing to the side, could no longer contain his anger.

He spurred his horse forward, his scimitar pointing at Gui Yingqia, his eyes bloodshot: "Khan? What kind of Khan is he? A Khan who fled in disarray? Or an arrogant and conceited Khan?"

"Not long ago, we were chased like stray dogs by the Jianzhou Jurchens. We suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Kaiyuan. Now we can't even muster 20,000 soldiers. How dare you call yourself the 'Khan of 400,000'? Your skin is thicker than the frozen soil of the grasslands!"

Buhe thought of his relatives who might still be alive in the camp, and of the cattle and sheep that had been stolen. His anger intensified. He turned to Liu Xingzuo, his tone urgent, almost pleading:
"Weilubo! We can't wait any longer! Ligdan Khan is a ungrateful wild dog who dares to bark at the Ming Dynasty just because he stole some things!"

If we don't teach him a lesson, not only will we lose the Khorchin tribe's possessions, but other tribes on the grasslands will also think that the Ming Dynasty is weak and easily bullied!

"At that time, the grasslands will be thrown into turmoil again!"

Having explained his reasoning, in order to persuade Liu Xingzuo to send troops, he suddenly drew his scimitar, the tip pointing at the Chahar tribe's position, his voice ringing out:
"Our Khorchin tribe still has two thousand cavalrymen, willing to lead the charge! As long as the general gives the order, we will fight to the death to retake the camp!"

Seeing this, the Khorchin cavalry behind him also raised their scimitars and shouted in unison, "We are willing to fight to the death with Taiji!"

The sound waves broke through the wind and snow, creating a truly impressive spectacle.

Liu Xingzuo looked at the murderous intent in Buhe's eyes and recalled the message that his personal guards had just sent.

Chen Ce's 5,000 rear guard troops were less than two hours away and would arrive soon.

And more than 10,000 men under Ligdan Khan, most of whom were weak and their horses were thin, so their fighting strength seemed weak.

With these thoughts in mind, Liu Xingzuo quickly made a decision!
With Chen Ce's infantry as a backup, even if Ligdan Khan had an ambush, the Ming army would have enough troops to deal with it.

More importantly, the prestige of the Ming Dynasty must not be tarnished by the remnants of Ligdan Khan's forces. If we back down today, the steppe tribes will only become more and more unscrupulous in the future.

How will he manage the grasslands then?
Its might is boundless and inviolable!
Let's draw our swords on the battlefield and see who the hero is!
Liu Xingzuo tightened the reins, and the warhorse reared up, letting out a loud neigh.

He drew his curved sword from his waist; the blade gleamed in the snow, radiating a chilling killing intent, and his voice echoed throughout the entire army:

"Lindan Khan has shown contempt for the Ming Dynasty, colluded with the Jurchens, and plundered the Khorchin tribe. Such a traitor should be executed!"

"Send the order!"

His voice suddenly rose in pitch.

"The Khorchin cavalry formed the left flank and charged the enemy lines head-on."

The Ming cavalry, on the right flank, circled around to the rear of the Chahar tribe and cut off their retreat.

This general will personally lead the central army to hold the line!
"Take the camp and capture Lindan Khan alive within half an hour!"

"Follow the order!"

The Ming army and the Khorchin cavalry responded in unison, their voices echoing across the grassland.

The cavalrymen spurred their horses forward, their hooves pounding the snow as they galloped toward the Chahar tribe's position.

In the snow.

The bright yellow "Liu" character banner intertwined with the wolf-head banner of the Khorchin tribe, like an unstoppable torrent crashing fiercely towards Lindan Khan's Chahar tribe.

Guiying turned pale with fright and turned to flee, but was surrounded by the cavalry of the Khorchin tribe who came rushing in.

As he watched the charging cavalry, his legs went weak, and only one thought remained in his mind:
It's over, the Khan's judgment was wrong...

Is the Chahar tribe doomed to perish today?
PS:

A 7400-word chapter.

There's an extra chapter today!
(End of this chapter)