Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Your Highness."

"We've brought all the cattle and sheep back."

Qiu Fu's big face beamed with a smile as he excitedly reported the news.

"Slaughter the sheep and let the brothers have a good meal."

"Then set off, and must reach Karakorum by evening."

With piercing eyes, Zhu Di gave the order in a deep voice.

As evening approached, the herders on the grassland had already driven their cattle and sheep back to their camps.

When Hala and Lin were at their most vulnerable and had the most people, they certainly didn't expect anyone to launch a sneak attack on them.

"Yes."

Qiu Fu responded loudly and went down to make the arrangements with great enthusiasm.

Before long, the entire Ming army camp was bustling with activity. Ming soldiers lit cooking fires, hung up marching iron pots, and used water from the Wengjin River to cook meat. One after another, plump and strong rams were slaughtered. Batu and other herdsmen joined in the feast, enjoying themselves immensely.

"Your Highness."

Zhu Neng led Qiu Fu, each carrying a large bowl of mutton soup and half a roasted lamb, and appeared before Zhu Di.

In an instant, the aroma filled the air, whetting the appetites of everyone present.

"Eat first."

"Sheng Yong, you come too."

Zhu Di beckoned to Sheng Yong, picked up his bowl first, and gulped down the mutton soup.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Sheng Yong humbly bowed.

He waited until everyone else had finished serving themselves before he picked up his bowl to serve himself soup, and he did the same with meat.

Faced with the olive branch extended by Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, he was not overjoyed, but responded with caution.

Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu, Tan Yuan, and others noticed Sheng Yong's actions and frowned. After this battle, they were all considered to be the direct followers of Prince Yan, Zhu Di. They shared life and death, honor and disgrace, and naturally could not bear to see others refuse Zhu Di.

"hehe!"

Zhu Di chuckled lightly, unimpressed.

Sheng Yong betrayed Wang Baobao because he wanted a brighter future. To him, there was no difference between the Prince of Qi of the Northern Yuan and the Prince of Yan of the Ming Dynasty. He always wanted to serve the Crown Prince or the Emperor.

For people like this, self-interest is the biggest driving force; loyalty is meaningless to them.

..................

At this very moment, in Bayanbulage, southern Inner Mongolia, an epic battle is unfolding.

“Wuwu!”

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The melodious, deep sound of horns intertwined with the thunderous drumbeats, and a torrent of white and a torrent of red collided at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The Yuan cavalrymen began to draw their bows and nock their arrows on horseback, and a barrage of arrows rained down on the Ming army.

"shield!!!"

The Ming soldiers with swords and shields raised their shields, forming an impenetrable wall that blocked the Yuan army's path.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The musketeer peered out of the gap with his monocular musket, lit the match cord, and white smoke billowed out as countless lead pellets and iron bullets shot out.

"ah?!"

Accompanied by piercing screams, the charging Yuan cavalrymen fell one after another into pools of blood.

The two sides clashed in close combat, with Yuan cavalry and Ming infantry locked in fierce battle. The shouts of battle were deafening, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.

"call!"

Not far from the battlefield, on a hill, Wang Baobao, riding on horseback, suddenly swung his whip.

Nai'erbuhua, who was beside him, understood his purpose and loudly ordered, "Right Battalion, 8,000 commanders, attack!"

"Ho ho! Ho ho!"

Seven thousand Yuan cavalrymen, wielding scimitars, surged forth like a tidal wave, rushing towards the Ming army.

"defense!"

Geng Bingwen issued orders in an orderly manner.

Each Ming soldier had a resolute expression, gripping their spears tightly and staring intently at the approaching enemy.

"Pfft!"

The arrival of 7000 cavalrymen intensified the fighting, with over 3 people risking their lives on the open grassland.

The Ming army mobilized 2 men, while the Yuan army dispatched 1 cavalry. This was a contest between the mighty Ming Dynasty and the increasingly westward-bound Northern Yuan.

"Your Majesty."

"Let this humble general go."

"If only I had a moment more, I would have taken the head of that traitorous general Geng Bingwen."

When Nai'er Buhua saw Geng Bingwen in the crowd, her eyes almost bled, and she asked Wang Baobao for battle.

"If I could give you another moment, then he wouldn't be Xu Da."

Wang Baobao gazed into the distance, deep in thought.

"kill!"

A bright red appeared on the horizon, pouncing towards the Yuan army in a pincer attack.

Several thousand Ming cavalrymen joined the battle, followed by Ming infantry. The addition of at least ten thousand fresh troops once again turned the tide of the battle.

"It is truly a regret of my life that I cannot share a drink with the Duke of Wei today."

"The rear guard becomes the front guard, return to camp."

Wang Baobao's eyes narrowed, and he decisively gave the order.

“Wuwu!”

As the bugle sounded, the Yuan cavalry, who were engaged in fierce fighting, quickly broke away from the Ming soldiers, turned their horses around, and galloped back the way they came.

"withdraw!"

Although Nai'er Buhua was unwilling, she still ordered a retreat.

Directly opposite them, Duke Xu Da of Wei and his chief secretary Gu Cheng stood on a mound, riding horses and overlooking the battlefield below.

"I really can't see a single flaw."

Gu Cheng couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"Kuo Kuo is truly a brilliant strategist."

"This round is a draw. Gather the defeated troops and return to camp."

Xu Da watched the direction the Yuan army had left in and issued the same military order.

"Yes."

The Ming army could only watch helplessly as the Yuan cavalry drove away, and not a single Ming soldier dared to pursue them.

For this northern expedition, the Ming Dynasty mobilized 150,000 elite troops and hundreds of thousands of mules and horses, but there were very few cavalry. Wang Baobao's 30,000 troops were all cavalry, and they came and went without a trace.

Xu Da was always cautious in his military tactics, so he was unlikely to fall for Wang Baobao's scheme to lure the enemy deep into his territory.

...............

Yingtian, the residence of the Duke of Wei.

"Big sister."

"All the gifts have been put into the Prince of Yan's treasury."

"It is under the supervision of the Imperial Guard Commandery."

Xu Zengshou jogged inside and said.

"Um."

Xu Miaoyun sat in the study, serene and beautiful, her eyes sparkling with an unusual light. She couldn't help but ask, "Zengshou, did you hear any news at the Grand Commander's Mansion?"

"Eldest sister wants to ask about the Prince of Yan, right?"

Xu Zengshou smiled mischievously and winked at Xu Miaoyun.

"I was just asking casually."

Xu Miaoyun changed the subject, trying to conceal her true feelings.

"The Grand Commandery does indeed have His Highness Prince Yan's latest battle report."

"It's just good news."

"The Prince of Yan personally led 5,000 men to rescue Bayanbulege, and together with the Marquis of Changxing, annihilated 10,000 cavalrymen."

"However, I just can't understand why Father would let the Prince of Yan personally lead the troops into battle."

At this point, Xu Zengshou looked puzzled.

"It's him."

Xu Miaoyun murmured to herself, "Only he has such courage, and he really did it."

"Big sister."

Seeing that Xu Miaoyun was lost in thought, Xu Zengshou couldn't help but call out to her.

"Um."

Xu Miaoyun snapped out of her daze and instructed, "Keep a close eye on things at the Grand Commander's Mansion. If you hear any news about Father or the Prince of Yan, let me know immediately."

"it is good."

Xu Zengshou nodded seriously and agreed.