Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

Following closely behind Bayar was Jia Jing, disguised as a commander of his personal guards.

At this moment, Jia Jing was riding a black horse, and his beast-faced chainmail was hidden under a wide fur robe. His three-pronged purple-gold crown had been replaced with a sable cap worn by Northern Yuan soldiers.

His once imposing and dignified aura had become unremarkable, and his face was covered with dust, obscuring his outstanding appearance and complexion.

Only his eyes remained calm and deep, occasionally flashing with a sharp light, like two faintly burning cold flames.

Jia Jing held a mace commonly used by Northern Yuan soldiers in his hand, and the bright silver spear hanging on his horse was also partially concealed.

The Overlord Bow was too conspicuous, so he didn't bring it.

Further behind were three hundred elite Han cavalrymen disguised as Bayar's personal guards.

Everyone remained silent, except for the occasional white breath emitted by the warhorses, which vanished in the cold night.

"Your Highness! Weren't you fighting in Yulin? Why are you back now?"

Just as the group approached Wolf Mountain, a Northern Yuan army commander quickly ran out of the camp at the foot of the mountain, his face showing a mixture of surprise and doubt as he asked.

He knew Bayar and had heard that things were going well at the front. Seeing Bayar return at this time, he wondered if the front had already won a victory.

Bayar looked at the newcomer, his expression slightly changed, his lips moved, but his throat was dry and he couldn't make a sound for a moment.

Jia Jing, who was nearby, casually brushed against Bayar's waist with the mace in his hand, and the invisible killing intent made Bayar's expression turn serious.

Bayar knew that the Han general, the god of war, was watching him closely. If he dared to say anything out of line, his head would probably explode in the next instant.

A hint of bitterness and fear flashed in Bayar's eyes.

Although he had surrendered to the Han army and begged for mercy, it was only because he was terrified by the Han generals and instinctively wanted to save his life.

He never expected that the Han army would send him, the crown prince, as an inside agent to deceive the defenses of Langshan.

He knew very well that if he brought this Han army killing god into the royal court today, the Great Yuan would be finished!

But he also understood that even if he didn't take them in, with this Han general, the god of war, present, the royal court would still be doomed today.

The only difference is how many casualties the Han army will suffer in taking down the royal court!

He had personally witnessed the might of the Han general who single-handedly broke through their 50,000-strong Yuan army; such overwhelming and unstoppable combat power was simply beyond human comprehension.

He knew that the fate of the royal court had been sealed long ago after the Han army arrived at Langshan.

Even if you don't cooperate, you'll only lose your life for nothing; it won't serve any other purpose.

Therefore, it seems better to preserve one's useful life for the future!

Heaven has not blessed my Great Yuan Dynasty. It is not that I am cowardly and have surrendered to the enemy! It is that the Han army is simply invincible!

"The battle of Yulin is over. I have returned to report the good news to my father! Where is my father?"

After mentally preparing himself, Bayar sighed inwardly, then composed himself, forced a smile, and replied in a deep voice.

"The Great Khan is in his golden tent halfway up the mountain! The messenger you sent this morning delivered the news of victory, and the Great Khan and his men are overjoyed. They are currently drinking and celebrating in their golden tent!"

"You and Privy Councilor Toghtogbuqa have rendered a great service this time. The brothers are all regretting not being able to follow you into battle!"

"If such a good opportunity comes again, Your Highness, don't forget your brothers!"

The commander of a thousand households had no suspicions whatsoever; instead, he smiled broadly and tried to get close to him.

He knew that the Han Dynasty was a prosperous land, unlike the barren grasslands. Those who went on this expedition must have gained a lot, and he wanted to be able to participate in such good things in the future.

Bayar's lips twitched slightly, and he forced a stiff smile, saying:

"There will be an opportunity!"

"Please come in, Your Highness!"

The commander tactfully stepped aside, though he sensed that Bayar's mental state didn't seem particularly high.

But they just assumed it was from the fatigue of fighting for days or from maturity, and didn't think much of it.

Bayar nodded and led his three hundred elite cavalrymen up the mountain.

The centurion watched him leave from behind, his attitude extremely respectful.

With the crown prince's triumphant return, his position as the next Khan is now unshakeable.

With such a leader, the Yuan Dynasty will surely become more and more prosperous!

A Northern Yuan soldier standing next to the centurion suddenly said with a hint of envy:

"The prince's personal guards are in neat formation and have a fierce aura; they are indeed seasoned veterans of the battlefield."

"Their bags are bulging; I wonder how much spoils they've acquired this time."

The commander laughed and said:

"Yulin was an important border town during the Han Dynasty, so their harvest this time must be substantial."

"Leaving aside gold and silver jewels, even the women from the Han Dynasty were all incredibly beautiful. They must have gotten a huge bargain this time!"

"Alas! It has been decades since our Great Yuan Dynasty last breached the border town of the Han Dynasty. It is truly unexpected that the Crown Prince was able to capture Yulin this time!"

"If I had known this would happen, I would have brought my brothers with me!"

The commander looked regretful, as if he had missed a golden opportunity in life.

The other Northern Yuan soldiers looked on with envy upon hearing this, secretly resolving to seize any opportunity to invade Han again.

With Bayar leading the two lines of defense from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, Jia Jing and his three hundred elite cavalry moved freely without any hindrance, and no one suspected that the heir apparent Bayar would betray them.

The Northern Yuan garrison along the way saluted respectfully, their eyes filled with admiration for Bayar's victorious return and envy for his personal guards.

No one noticed that the last few warhorses in the column were carrying not spoils of war, but dozens of bundles of arrows soaked in kerosene.

In just a quarter of an hour, Jia Jing and his men arrived at the Northern Yuan camp halfway up the mountain.

Meanwhile, in the center of the mountain camp, there was a felt tent that was significantly larger than the other tents. This was the Golden Tent of the Northern Yuan Khan, Batumongke.

Although it was already past midnight, the golden tent was still brightly lit and warm as spring.

In the corner of the golden tent, a copper basin was burning brightly with charcoal, dispelling the chill of the night.

Animal hides were laid on the ground, and golden cups were filled with wine. A dozen or so important officials of the Northern Yuan sat around the golden tent on both sides. They were halfway through drinking when several guards stood on either side.

Batu Mongke, the Great Khan of the Northern Yuan, sat high on a tiger-skin chair. He was over sixty years old, with gray hair and beard, but his eyes were still as sharp as a hawk's.

He was a direct descendant of Dayan Khan, the legitimate successor of the Golden Family, and had ruled the Northern Yuan court for over forty years. He was ruthless and ambitious.

Seated under the tent were Arughtai, the Right Chancellor of the Northern Yuan; Tuohuan, the Left Chancellor; Huoshai, the Chief of Ten Thousand Households and Deputy Privy Councilor; and Yibula, the General.

They were drinking and toasting, feeling triumphant and their faces were flushed.

"It is likely that Tuotuo Buhua and Bayar are already looting and plundering the Han Dynasty's Yulin City at this time."

"Yesterday, Bayar sent a messenger with a report of victory saying that the Han Dynasty's Yulin garrison commander, Marquis Ji'an, abandoned the city and fled. Our Yuan warriors have already breached the south gate of Yulin, and Yulin will fall in no time."

"With the capture of Yulin City, the gates of the Han Dynasty's Yansui Garrison have been wide open, and the northwestern border defense of the Han Dynasty has become virtually non-existent."

Khan Batumonke raised his wine glass and shouted excitedly.

"The Great Khan is wise! We congratulate the Great Khan!" the crowd inside the tent shouted in unison.