Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

"Your Highness."

"The remnants of the Northern Yuan dynasty are scattered throughout the northern deserts."

"Our dynasty's two northern expeditions have been a complete success. If we want to emulate the glorious Tang Dynasty..."

"I'm afraid it's a case of having the will but not the ability."

"How could His Majesty possibly agree to you doing this?"

After pondering for a while, Zhu Neng offered his advice.

"snort!"

Zhu Di snorted coldly and said sarcastically, "Father."

"When Father Emperor selected officials for the Prince of Yan's residence, did he consult me?"

"He is the Son of Heaven, the ruler of all people. Was I born an ant, to be slaughtered at will?"

"Your Majesty, what are you talking about?"

Zhu Neng and Qiu Fu were shocked by his words, and their faces turned ashen.

This was only possible because it was in the northern desert. If Zhu Di had said these words anywhere else in the Ming Dynasty, he might have been imprisoned.

"What are you afraid of?"

"That's my father, not your father."

Zhu Di scoffed, unimpressed.

"Cough cough."

Zhu Neng and Qiu Fu tried to cover up their embarrassment with coughing, but they were inwardly cursing them.

That was Zhu Di's father. Zhu Di was naturally not afraid. Even tigers don't eat their cubs. But they weren't princes or nobles. If they were implicated, the emperor could order the extermination of their entire family. They wouldn't even have a place to cry.

"The affairs of Karakorum are entrusted to Tan Yuan."

"You shall immediately assemble five battalions, one person with three horses, carrying ten days' worth of military rations and fresh water."

"We're setting off south tonight, heading towards Bayanbulage."

"This time, I will personally meet with Kuokuo."

Zhu Di's gaze then extended to the southern Gobi Desert, where he seemed to see the Ming and Yuan armies facing off.

"Yes."

Zhu Neng and Qiu Fu exchanged a glance and had no choice but to go down and prepare.

After the two left, Zhu Di hurriedly entered the main hall of Wan'an Palace and ordered the four gates to be sealed. The previous counterpart had been completely digested, and he could now begin to fuse with the next counterpart.

*Pop!*

In his mind, Zhu Di reached out his hand to one of his counterparts.

"uh-huh!"

The next moment, as the isotopes merged, a massive torrent of memories surged forth, and Zhu Di's facial expression once again became ferocious.

This time, the counterpart was a renowned physician, and it would take Zhu Di at least three months to fully digest it.

However, he was very satisfied with the fusion of the isotopes. In this era of scarce medical resources, a skilled physician was equivalent to a national treasure.

Zhu Di's father-in-law, Xu Da, suffered from a chronic illness. If he could be cured, the support that a living Duke of Wei could provide would be immeasurable.

"brush!!!"

Zhu Di suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them.

Zhu Yuanzhang was a shrewd strategist; he used him as a weapon to deal with the powerful and influential figures in Huaixi, thus successfully implementing his policy of "pacifying the borders among the princes."

The nine great border kings were appointed to protect the Ming Dynasty from all external threats.

When Crown Prince Zhu Biao ascended the throne, the Central Plains were a land of peace and prosperity, filled with songs and dances.

The founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty was a patriarch at heart, regarding the world as a family business. As the eldest son, Zhu Biao should inherit the largest share, while the other sons were all entitled to inherit a smaller share of the family business.

But Zhu Yuanzhang never thought that governing the country was not like dividing up a family fortune, where everyone gets a share. Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish; it cannot be taken lightly.

He never considered whether Zhu Di was willing to be the tool, to dedicate everything for the Zhu family's rule.

Why should he be obligated to clear obstacles for Crown Prince Zhu Biao's ascension to the throne?

Why is it that what he fought so hard for, the princes Zhu Shuang and Zhu Gang could obtain so easily?

Since Zhu Yuanzhang was determined to use him as a shield, he would make the Hongwu Emperor's strategy of having a prince guard the borders turn into a pipe dream. He would take this opportunity to build an interest group with himself at its core, so that he would be independent of the Ming court and remain unmoved no matter what happened.

That day and night, 1600 Ming soldiers, led by Zhu Di, left Karakorum and galloped south towards Bayanbulage.

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

The night was deep, in Bayanbulege, the Yuan army camp.

The campfire crackled and popped, and Wang Baobao and Nai'er Buhua's faces were ashen.

The messenger sent by the Kaiyuan King of Liaodong has just arrived to report that Nahachu's men are all tied down by the Ming army and are unable to come to the aid of the Northern Desert. The Northern Desert has no more reinforcements, and the standoff with the Ming army is undoubtedly depleting the last of the Northern Yuan's strength.

"Behind Xu Da were countless city walls, able-bodied men, and fertile fields."

"But behind me, all that remains is this grassland."

Wang Baobao got up and walked outside the tent. Gazing at the starry sky, he sighed, "It seems we can't delay any longer."

"It's time to breed the livestock."

"I should let the men herd sheep, let the women make felt, milk cows, and give birth, and let the mares give birth to foals."

"This war cannot continue."

"Your Majesty!"

Nai'er Buhua couldn't help but call out.

"Nai'er doesn't spend money."

Wang Baobao's eyes, which had seen through the ways of the world and the hearts of men, gazed at Nai'er Buhua, and he said, word by word, "I am tired!"

"I am truly exhausted!"

Nai'er Buhua looked at Wang Baobao's tired and weathered face and fell silent.

Over the years, Wang Baobao has devoted almost everything to the revival of the Yuan Dynasty.

Unlike the rising sun of the Ming Dynasty, the Yuan Dynasty was already in decline, plagued by endless internal strife, just like this time. If the Kaiyuan King Nahachu of Liaodong and the Qi King Dorjiban of Hehuang had worked together with Wang Baobao, how could the Yuan Dynasty have ended up in such a state!

He had no reason to ask Wang Baobao to continue fighting for the Yuan Dynasty, even to the point of exhausting his last drop of blood.

"Tap tap!"

A series of hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation. A guard beside Wang Baobao carefully presented a small copper tube to him, saying, "Your Highness, this is a secret report sent by Cha Zi."

"Oh?"

Wang Baobao took the copper tube with a surprised look in his eyes, carefully took out the small piece of paper from it, opened it and his expression suddenly changed drastically.

"Your Highness!"

"What news has the scout brought back that has caused you to lose your composure like this!"

Nai'er Buhua asked with a puzzled look.

"The Yuan Dynasty is finished!"

"With Karakorum breached, His Majesty and the Empress are likely already in the hands of the Ming army."

Wang Baobao looked dejected, his heart had completely lost its faith, and his body was like a frail old man in his twilight years.

Boom!

Upon hearing this news, Nai'er Buhua was struck dumb, almost losing her balance and collapsing to the ground.

Karakorum was captured by the Ming army, and these people became wandering ghosts. What was there left for them to hold on to?

"Xu Da's main force is all here."

"The two Ming armies led by Li Wenzhong and Feng Sheng were also slowed down."

"Who exactly is it?"

Nai'er Buhua's eyes burned with hatred as she gritted her teeth and said.

"See for yourself."

"This is a message that Minmin sent back from Yingtian Prefecture."

"Emperor Zhu has given birth to a good son."

Wang Baobao handed over the small note, his lips curling into an unusually bitter smile.

Prince Zhu Di of Yan led 800 cavalry in a surprise attack on the northern desert, capturing Karakorum!

The few words were reflected in Nai'er Buhua's eyes, and he stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

How could the fourth son of the Zhu Emperor, with only 800 men, cross nearly two thousand miles of desert, Gobi, and grassland right under their noses and capture the capital of the Great Yuan Dynasty, Karakorum?!