Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Zhu Neng".

"How many brothers are left to fight on the front lines?"

With sharp eyes, Zhu Di inquired about the situation of the Ming army that had accompanied him on the expedition.

"Your Highness."

Zhu Neng, who was standing by, replied, "After accounting for the fallen and wounded, there are still 600 men."

"600, plus the 1000 people that Huo Zhen brought, that means 1600 people."

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, then said, "According to regulations, a prince shall have three guards, each with 5600 men, for a total of 16800 men."

"I do not intend to establish the Three Guards system based on the imperial court system. Instead, I will establish the Three Thousand Battalion, the Five Armies Battalion, and the Divine Machine Battalion."

"The Three Thousand Battalion has a quota of three thousand men, all of whom are cavalry, equipped with light armor, sabers, and bows and arrows."

"The five battalions are each worth 10,000 men, divided into the central army, left flank, right flank, left outpost, and right outpost. They are capable of fighting on horseback and on foot."

"These 1600 men will all be assigned to the Five Armies. You will serve as the commander of the central army, and Qiu Fu and Tan Yuan will serve as the commanders of the left and right wings, respectively."

"The central army consists of 600 men, with 500 men each on the left and right flanks."

"Yes."

Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu, and Tan Yuan were delighted and responded in unison.

Through Zhu Di's description, they clearly understood that the Five Armies Camp was the main force under the Prince of Yan, and the three of them undoubtedly became the Prince of Yan's most trusted subordinates.

"After this ordeal, Hala and Lin will be completely under our control."

"There isn't much food in the city; it can barely last for about two months."

"I have already written a report to congratulate you on your victory. Send it to the Duke of Wei immediately by express courier."

Zhu Di then issued an order.

"Yes."

Without saying a word, Zhu Neng, Tan Yuan, and Qiu Fu left.

Watching them depart, Zhu Di smiled. After all these days of hard work, he had finally built up a basic team.

The Three Thousand Battalion, Five Armies Battalion, and Divine Machine Battalion, which were supposed to appear after the Jingnan Campaign, appeared prematurely.

The Three Thousand Battalion was not only the most elite cavalry force, responsible for rapid reconnaissance, infiltration, and assault missions on the battlefield, but also held political significance in the Ming Dynasty's control over the tribes that had submitted to it. Currently, the Mongol cavalry that had submitted to it served as the backbone, and in the future, it would also absorb members from tribes such as the Jurchen and Qiangtang.

The Fifth Army Battalion was an unparalleled main force, composed entirely of elite Han Chinese soldiers, who were also his personal guards.

The Shenji Battalion was not formed so quickly. At present, the artillery and muskets were still in a relatively primitive stage and could not be used on a large scale.

Once the three battalions are formed, they will create a world-leading integrated infantry, cavalry, and firearms combat system.

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

Bayanbulage, the Ming army camp.

"The Marquis of Zhongshan was ambushed by the Yuan army at Duantou Mountain (about 300 li northeast of present-day Ningshuo, Ningxia).

"Commander Zhang Cundao was killed in battle, and his troops suffered more than 3,000 casualties. They are currently retreating to Yanmen Pass."

Xu Da sat upright on the tiger-skin couch, meeting the gaze of the Ming generals, and delivered a piece of terrible news.

What?

Immediately, the entire audience erupted in uproar.

Marquis Tang He of Zhongshan was the most senior person after the Duke. In terms of seniority, he was probably even inferior to Xu Da and Chang Yuchun.

Therefore, Xu Da specially arranged for him to lead 10,000 men into Yinshan to form a pincer movement with the main force of the central army.

Who would have thought that Tang He would be ambushed by the Yuan army at this critical juncture and suffer a major defeat?

"General."

"Kuo Kuo has defeated the Marquis of Zhongshan's detachment and has gained the upper hand."

"What should our army do if the Yuan forces attack from two directions?"

A Ming general stepped forward and shouted.

"This humble general urges the General to consider this carefully."

"This humble general secondes it!"

In an instant, the generals present all stood up.

There is no chance of winning this battle now, and the central army is at risk of being wiped out by the enemy.

The northern desert was the ancestral land of the Yuan people, and for them, it was a distant expedition to a foreign land. Without personnel, food, and medicine supplies, a prolonged stalemate would undoubtedly increase the risk of total annihilation.

Of all those present, only Marquis Geng Bingwen of Changxing did not stand up to persuade Xu Da to withdraw his troops, because Prince Zhu Di of Yan was still in the northern desert, and if they withdrew, they would surely suffer the Emperor's wrath.

"General."

"We have news! We have news!"

The chief secretary, Gu Cheng, beamed with joy and strode into the central command tent.

"But is there any news about the Prince of Yan?"

Xu Da stared intently at Gu Cheng with his tiger-like eyes.

"Yes, it's a messenger sent by His Highness the Prince of Yan."

"Send it quickly!"

Xu Da's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled back into his chest. After a whole month, there was finally some news about that little bastard.

A moment later, a dusty Ming cavalryman appeared in the tent.

"Greetings, General!"

"I have come to deliver military news on the orders of His Highness the Prince of Yan."

"His Highness Prince Yan captured Karakorum on June 15th, taking the Northern Yuan Emperor Borjigin Ayushiridara, along with his empress, concubines, princes, and noble sons, numbering approximately one thousand, prisoner, and also instigating sixty thousand Mongol herders to rebel."

boom!!!

The moment those words were spoken, the entire tent was filled with astonishment.

"good!"

Xu Da slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed in surprise, "This little bastard truly lives up to his title as a prince of the Ming Dynasty!"

"They marched 1600 li into the northern desert, captured the capital of the Northern Yuan, and took the enemy chieftain prisoner."

"Gu Cheng, immediately send a messenger with urgent news to His Majesty to congratulate him on the victory!"

"Yes."

Secretary Gu Cheng accepted the order.

"General."

"His Highness Prince Yan has already conquered Karakorum, and Kökö Töregen has no further options."

"This humble general dares to suggest that the Marquis of Zhongshan lead his troops to escort grain supplies from Shanxi."

"We must stop Kökö Töregen from returning north, at all costs, to buy time for the Eastern and Western armies to attack Karakorum."

"If this campaign can wipe out the northern deserts, then the borders of our Great Ming Dynasty will be safe for decades to come!"

Marquis Geng Bingwen of Changxing, whose background was quite remarkable, solemnly stated.

"This humble general secondes it!"

Others belatedly echoed this sentiment.

Just kidding. Prince Yan, Zhu Di, has already captured Karakorum. The Ming Dynasty is poised to win this battle. If they still don't know how to seize the opportunity, then they are truly fools.

"Someone, immediately send word to the Marquis of Zhongshan."

"Order his troops to rest and recuperate on the spot, and draw available soldiers from Yanmen Pass to escort the grain and fodder to Bayanbulage."

"In addition, scouts were dispatched to monitor the Yuan people, and not a single soldier of Kökö Töre was allowed to leave."

Xu Da made the wisest choice without hesitation.

"Yes."

The generals responded in unison, their expressions filled with excitement.

Having lost Halaharin, Wang Baobao had no other option but to flee.

As long as they can hold out until the two Ming armies encircle them, defeating the current enemy will be within their grasp.

On that day, the Ming army stationed in Bayanbulage dispatched thousands of cavalry to set up a net around the Yuan camp, trapping Wang Baobao.

Moreover, the Ming army changed its previous conservative approach and launched frequent attacks to challenge the Yuan army. More than a dozen battles broke out between the two sides in a single day, and within a few days, the number of dead and wounded exceeded three thousand. The grasslands of Bayanbulage were completely stained red with blood, and vultures constantly hovered in the sky.

Without Karakorum, the Yuan people scattered like headless flies, while the Ming armies on both the eastern and western fronts made rapid progress and achieved great success.