Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

At the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the sky was dusky and everything was shrouded in a hazy light.

The herding Mongols drove their cattle and sheep back to their camp, and smoke rose slowly from their chimneys.

Karakorum is located in the heart of the northern grasslands, backed by the Yanran Mountains (now the Khangai Mountains) and facing the Orkhon River. The lush forests, the flowing river, and the grasslands complement each other.

"This is Karakorum, the capital of the Mongol Empire."

Zhu Di led 800 Ming cavalrymen to approach Karakorum silently.

As expected, the Yuan people never imagined that an enemy would come here, and they didn't even send out scouts.

"Your Highness."

"This city is quite large."

Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu, Tan Yuan, and the others stared at Hala and Lin, their mouths agape.

Having seen many cities of the Ming Dynasty, this was the first time they had seen a city that combined the architectural styles of the Central Plains Han people and the northern nomadic peoples.

Karakorum is divided into an inner and outer city. The outer city is an irregular rectangle with a perimeter of no less than 10 li. The city wall is built of loess slabs and is about 2 meters high. It has four gates but no barbican. The south wall is severely damaged and there are four tall stone tortoise-shaped pedestals around it.

Two wide avenues run through the city in a cross shape, leading to the four gates. Handicraft workshops and commercial shops are located in the southeast, with obvious stylistic differences: one side is Han Chinese, and the other side is Hui (Muslims).

In addition, the city contains several enormous palaces, twelve temples of different styles, two mosques, and one Christian church.

"Truly extraordinary."

Zhu Di saw the once invincible Yuan Dynasty in Karakorum.

Almost everyone believes that the Mongol Empire, which the Yuan Dynasty inherited, was one of the most glorious land-based kingdoms in global history.

However, the Mongol Empire was actually a powerful entity with both land and sea power. It transported grain from the south to the north via sea, and used its military strength as a backing to carry out overseas recruitment and trade. It continued and developed the famous Maritime Silk Road, and established communication with Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Africa and other regions.

It is universally acknowledged that before the Age of Exploration, the Yuan Dynasty's maritime technology and the prosperity of its maritime trade represented the highest level of maritime civilization in the world at that time, and were the pinnacle of China's maritime nation-building in history.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

"That place is Tumen Amgulangtu Ordo, also known as Wan'an Palace."

"Emperor Zhaozong, oh no, Emperor Shun's son, and a group of his concubines all lived there."

Sheng Yong quickly changed his tune and introduced the situation.

"Um."

Zhu Di and his entourage saw the palace city located southwest of Karakorum.

The Wan'an Palace, built by Ögedei Khan, also features high palace walls and an irregular square shape. It consists of an audience hall, side buildings, a central hall, and a main gate.

Outside the palace, a large number of yurts, stables, and sheep pens were built, which appeared to be the private property of Emperor Zhaozong of Yuan, Ayushiridara.

"Your Highness."

"we...."

Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu, and Tan Yuan's eyes gleamed, and their faces displayed a bloodthirsty and aggressive expression like that of wild wolves.

"Batu".

Zhu Di beckoned, and Batu, who was behind him, stepped forward respectfully: "Master."

"Are those shepherds outside the palace walls Ayushiridara slaves?"

"Yes, Master."

Batu answered meticulously.

"I want you to gather these herders together and take control of all the cattle, sheep, and horses."

"Is it possible?"

Zhu Di stared at Batu and asked in a deep voice.

"By the Eternal Heaven above, if Batu cannot do this, let the wolves of the grasslands devour me."

Batu knelt on one knee and performed a gesture of respect with his arms crossed.

"it is good."

"If you can do it, I will grant you the title of commander of ten thousand households."

Zhu Di patted Batu heavily on the shoulder and solemnly promised.

"Yes."

Batu's eyes were full of anticipation, and his whole body seemed to be brimming with strength.

"I have seen it."

"The southern wall of Karakorum is more severely damaged, and the gates on that side are the least guarded."

"Wan'an Palace only has gates on the west and south sides; the north and east sides are surrounded by tall city walls."

"The entire army stormed in through the south gate of the outer city and headed straight for Wan'an Palace."

"Qiu Fu and Tan Yuan, you are responsible for controlling the west and south sides of Wan'an Palace."

"Zhu Neng, you take men and come with me to capture the Northern Yuan Emperor."

Zhu Di immediately deployed the battle plan.

"Yes."

Zhu Neng and the others were taken aback and immediately went down to make arrangements.

Bathed in the glow of the setting sun, eight hundred Ming cavalrymen had already drawn their long swords, the flashing blades awe-inspiring.

"Brothers."

"Capture the Northern Yuan Emperor and go home to claim your reward!"

Zhu Di raised his arms and shouted, charging ahead towards the south gate of Halahelin.

"Follow His Highness and kill!"

Seeing Zhu Di leading the charge, Zhu Neng and the others were filled with excitement and were inspired to take the lead themselves.

Eight hundred Ming cavalrymen swept towards the nearby Karakorum Hill like a ball of flame.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

Eight hundred horses charged simultaneously, causing the ground to tremble. The various tribes outside Hara and Lin noticed the unusual event.

Before the guards at the south gate could react, Zhu Di rushed up to them and beheaded them with a single blow.

"kill!!!"

Eight hundred Ming soldiers then rushed into Karakorum and headed directly to the Wan'an Palace in the southwest corner.

"What is that?"

"Enemy attack! Close the city gates immediately!"

The Kheshig soldiers guarding Wan'an Palace noticed the Ming army's figures, their faces filled with terror, and they shouted loudly.

Unfortunately, it was all too late.

"Bang!!!"

With a surge of inner energy, Zhu Di leaped off his horse and appeared before the Kheshig army.

Facing hundreds of Kheshig soldiers, he showed no fear and charged directly into the crowd, his long sword flashing with sharpness.

"what!"

"He's not human!"

"devil!"

More than a dozen Kheshig soldiers were slaughtered, leaving limbs and blood everywhere.

Upon seeing this, the other Kheshig soldiers were terrified and ran away, not daring to confront Zhu Di at all.

"Your Highness, Prince Yan."

Zhu Neng has arrived with 300 Ming cavalry.

The main hall is the entrance to Wan'an Palace, and a huge silver tree attracts everyone's attention.

This is an artifact made by the Parisian craftsman William during the reign of the Mongol Great Khan Möngke. It has four silver lions at the base, each with a tube in its mouth that sprays out white mare's milk.

Inside the tree trunk, there are four pipes leading to the top of the tree. The ends of the pipes curve downwards, and on each pipe is a gilded snake with its tail coiled around the trunk.

Of these four pipes, one flows with wine, another with harrahmith (clarified mare's milk), another with mead, and the third with rice wine. Below each pipe, at the base of the tree, between the four lions, are four basins, each ready to receive a different drink. At the top of the tree is an angel holding a trumpet.

"Charge in."

Zhu Di's eyes turned cold, and he pointed his long sword forward.

"Da da da! Da da da!"

Three hundred Ming cavalrymen stormed into Wan'an Palace, slaughtering all the Kheshig soldiers along their path.

As dusk fell, cries of agony and agony echoed through Karakorum. The people of all tribes in the outer city turned their gaze toward the southwest corner, completely unaware of what was happening there.