Ming Dynasty: Charge, Emperor Yongle!

The territory under the jurisdiction of the Beiting Grand Marshal's Office was Zhangbali (now Changji City, Xinjiang).

Its location, directly facing the Junggar Basin, made it the most important military base for the Yuan Dynasty to defend against the Eastern Chagatai Khanate.

This time, however, the target of the defense changed from the Yuan Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty. Fifteen thousand Yuan cavalry and thirty thousand Ming soldiers relied on the city to block the 100,000-strong army from Mughalistan. The two sides staged a bloody battle in this small area.

"This Hamadin is still ordering his servants to fight, just like he did a hundred years ago."

"Our men will fight these cannon fodder until they are exhausted, then the Mughal army will come up."

"That's disgusting."

Nai'er Buhua muttered curses as she wiped the blood off her scimitar.

The tactics that the Mongols used to sweep across Eurasia were employed by Hamardin in Zhangbali, which disgusted the Mongol Nairbuqa.

How many casualties have our troops suffered today?

Mu Ying asked with a calm expression.

"Two hundred people died today, and more than three hundred were seriously injured."

"If this continues, we'll be worn down and killed here by that bastard Hamaldin from the Dughlat tribe."

"General, let me lead my men out to fight and capture Hamadin."

Nai'er Buhua stared intently at Mu Ying, whose 15,000 elite cavalrymen had not yet moved a single soldier.

The Mongol cavalry numbered only tens of thousands, mainly infantry, and their combat strength was far inferior to that of the Yuan elite cavalry.

"No."

Mu Ying shook her head and refused his request.

"General."

Nai'er Buhua was getting a little anxious and wanted to persuade Mu Ying.

"I just received a secret report from the night watchman."

"Khudaida personally led 30,000 Yarkand cavalry to Tarbugur (present-day Luntai County, Xinjiang).

The information Mu Ying revealed immediately extinguished Nai'er Buhua's plans to launch an attack.

"That bastard Hudada wants to take advantage of our fighting with Hamardin so he can reap the benefits."

Nai'er Buhua said resentfully.

"Whatever he wants, we must not let him get his way."

"The 15,000 yuan worth of elite cavalry you have is our last trump card; don't use it lightly."

"I have already sent people to recruit soldiers from Hami and Harahu. The population under the jurisdiction of the Northern Marshal's Office is 60,000 households. They have always been Buddhists, and they probably don't want to become followers of Allah. This battle will be long."

"His Highness Prince Yan has not made a single word since he launched his campaign from Karakorum. I believe he will not stand idly by and watch the Northern Court stand by."

"Nairbuhua, go and gather the Mongols of Beshbali and tell them the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'."

"Yes."

Without saying a word, Nai'er turned around and went down to make the arrangements.

Mu Ying stood with his hands behind his back on the city wall of Zhangbali, gazing towards the northwest, where the Great Ming Northern Protectorate, also known as Haiwei, was located.

At this time, Zhu Di had already led his army through the mountain paths of the Altai Mountains and appeared on the southern edge of the Junggar Basin.

"Your Highness."

"There are only five thousand Mongol troops stationed at Yangjibali."

The commander of the 3,000-strong battalion, Huo Li Huo Zhen, reported this breathlessly.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Neng, Zhang Yu, Liu Sheng, and the others' eyes gleamed with the flames of ambition.

Yangjibali (present-day Manas County, Xinjiang) means "city of gardens and fields for nomadic peoples and farmers" in Mongolian.

Located in the middle section of the northern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, on the southern edge of the Junggar Basin, at 44 degrees north latitude, it is basically the same as the world-renowned wine grape producing regions of Bordeaux, France and California, USA, making it a golden area for the planting and growth of wine grapes.

The melting snow from the Tianshan Mountains irrigated an oasis, where vegetation flourished and produce was abundant. This was the former site of Tingzhou during the Tang Dynasty.

Hamardin personally led 100,000 Mongol troops on a westward expedition to Beiting, regarding Yangjibali as a logistics and supply base, while he himself stationed troops 140 li away at Gutaba (present-day Hutule County, Xinjiang).

Once this place is captured, Hamadin's retreat will be cut off. Without food and arms supplies, he will be no different from a lamb to the slaughter.

"Yangjibali, Gutaba, Zhangbali."

Zhu Di stroked his chin and muttered to himself.

Yangjibali (present-day Manas County, Xinjiang) is about 140 li away from Gutaba (present-day Hutule County, Xinjiang), and Gutaba (present-day Hutule County, Xinjiang) is about 80 li away from Zhangbali (present-day Changji City, Xinjiang).

At full speed, the cavalry could travel from Gutaba to Zhangbali in just three hours.

"Your Highness."

"What are we waiting for? Let's do it!"

Qiu Fu, who was impatient by nature, couldn't contain himself and urged him on.

The expressions on the faces of the others betrayed their restless hearts; they all wanted to attack Yangjibali.

"Yangji Bali has two city gates, one in the east and one in the west."

"Since we're going to fight, we can't let a single enemy escape."

"Otherwise, if Hamaldin realizes what's happening and turns around to attack us, we'll be in big trouble."

Looking around at everyone, Zhu Di gave a sharp and incisive warning.

"Yes."

Everyone's expressions turned solemn, and they responded earnestly.

"Zhang Yu, Meng Shan."

"Your subordinate is here."

Zhang Yu and Meng Shan stepped forward, their expressions brimming with excitement; this was their first battle as members of the Prince of Yan's Guard.

"The left and right sentries of the Fifth Army Camp, along with Batu's 10,000-strong force, circled around to the west gate and guarded there."

Zhu Di issued military orders in an orderly manner.

"Yes, ma'am."

The three of them turned around and went down to mobilize their respective troops, disappearing into the night.

"Three thousand battalions will lead the charge."

"The central, left, and right wings of the five armies follow behind."

"The Shenji Battalion will hold the rear and immediately attack the East Gate."

"After the city falls, anyone who dares to plunder or hoard spoils of war will be executed on the spot."

Zhu Di said with a cold expression.

"Yes."

Huo Li Huo Zhen, Zhu Neng, Qiu Fu and the others felt a chill run down their spines.

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

At 11:45 PM, Yangshibali was shrouded in darkness.

The city gates were tightly shut, with only the faint glow of bonfires flickering on the walls, guiding the direction of the attack.

"Da da da! Da da da!"

The dull thud of hooves broke the stillness of the night. The Mongol cavalry of the Three Thousand Battalion had launched their charge, a vast, dark mass sweeping towards Yangshibali.

"Hmm!"

The Mughal soldiers on duty were awakened by the tremors. They rubbed their eyes and looked out of the city, where it was pitch black.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound resounded from all directions, and a rain of arrows fell from the sky, piercing the bodies of these soldiers.

"ah?!"

"Enemy attack!"

The Mughal soldiers who had not been completely shot let out a piercing scream, instantly waking the silent Yangshibali.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

However, they never expected that the scouts of the Fifth Army Camp had already reached the foot of the city wall, manipulating their crossbows to fire hooks at the top of the wall. One by one, the hooks were precisely locked at the crenellations. The scouts were as agile as monkeys, climbing up the ropes.

"kill!"

Zhu Neng, who was leading the team, was the first to appear on the city wall of Yangshibali. He took the short blade he was holding in his mouth and charged towards the Mongol soldiers.

"Pfft!"

The night watchmen, like reapers of death in the darkness, relentlessly reaped the lives of the enemy, and began to approach the city gate in an organized manner.