The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 622 Preparations for a desperate battle
Lan Yu's eyes shone brightly, clearly indicating that he was prepared to fight to the death.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, his gaze sweeping across the map.

"Although Artesius Timur's forces are strong, we have grasped his plans, and the initiative is in our hands."

He pointed to several key points on the map and continued, "Li Jinglong, Xu Zengshou, your mission remains to cut off the enemy's rear and prevent them from receiving reinforcements from the tribes in the east."

"Lan Yu, you lead the main force to defend the front and block the enemy's first wave of attack."

Everyone readily accepted the order, their expressions revealing the tension and determination before battle.

Li Jinglong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness, we have contacted several tribes in the east. Although they have temporarily submitted to Atshust Timur, they may turn against us at any time if the situation turns unfavorable to them."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"That's exactly right. These tribes are greedy for profit, and once they see that the situation is hopeless, they will turn against their own side."

"Our opportunity lies here."

Xu Zengshou said in a deep voice, "However, Your Highness, what if these tribes are fickle and betray us?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled calmly, her tone full of confidence.

"They won't."

"Atshtimur is now dependent on them, while we show them the greater benefits. As long as the tide of battle turns in our favor, they will surely choose to stand with the victor."

"Remember, at critical moments, we must not only win, but also show them our indomitable strength."

Lan Yu shouted, "This subordinate understands! Today we will go all out and not let the enemy cross our defenses!"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, then took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "All units prepare, the entire army is to attack."

With Zhu Xiong Ying's command, the entire camp sprang into action, war drums thundered, and all the soldiers were in battle mode.

Zhu Xiong Ying mounted his warhorse and personally led the main force out of the camp to meet the enemy.

On the battlefield, dust billowed as Timur's army began to assemble, with a massive number of soldiers surging towards the Ming army's positions.

Artesius Timur, mounted on his warhorse, stared coldly ahead with piercing eyes.

"Today is the day the Ming Dynasty will perish."

He spoke in a low voice, his eyes revealing a cold killing intent.

At his command, Timur's army surged toward the Ming Dynasty's positions like a tidal wave.

"Fire arrows!"

Zhu Xiong Ying calmly commanded the battlefield. With his order, thousands of Ming archers drew their bows in unison, and a dense rain of arrows whistled out, fiercely shooting at the charging enemy troops.

Timurid's soldiers were forced back by the rain of arrows, and their formation began to fall into disarray.

However, Artesius Timur's troops did not stop there and continued to advance relentlessly.

"Arrows can't suppress them, prepare to engage!"

Zhu Xiong Ying gave the order in a deep voice, and the infantrymen beside him quickly stepped forward, raised their shields high, and formed an impenetrable defensive line.

"kill!"

Lan Yu led the main force to engage the enemy head-on. The soldiers of both sides instantly clashed on the battlefield, with flashes of swords and shadows in the air.

The situation on the battlefield was extremely dire. Although the Ming army put up a fierce resistance, the Timurid Empire's army was too numerous to hold its ground for the time being.

Zhu Xiong Ying personally charged into the enemy ranks with his sword, followed closely by his personal guards, and engaged in fierce close combat with the enemy.

"Your Highness, the enemy forces are too numerous, and our defenses are about to collapse!"

A guard rushed forward anxiously to report, his face covered in sweat and blood.

Zhu Xiong Ying pursed her lips, her gaze cold and stern. "Stabilize the defense and await reinforcements!"

He knew that Li Jinglong and Xu Zengshou had already circled around to the enemy's rear. As long as they could cut off the enemy's retreat in time, the situation in this battle could be quickly turned around.

Just then, a bugle call suddenly sounded in the distance, and Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes lit up.

"coming."

As the bugle sounded, a commotion suddenly broke out in the enemy's rear.

Li Jinglong and Xu Zengshou's troops had launched a surprise attack from behind enemy lines, completely cutting off the enemy's retreat. Under the combined attack, the Timurid Empire's army was thrown into great chaos.

"Your Highness, General Li has successfully cut off the enemy's retreat!"

A scout rushed over with the news, his face beaming with excitement.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's expression hardened, and he suddenly brandished his sword and shouted, "All troops, attack! Utterly crush the enemy!"

With his command, the morale of the Ming army soared, and they surged towards the enemy's positions from all directions, launching a full-scale counterattack.

Artesius Timur's forces, caught in a pincer attack, were on the verge of complete collapse.

Zhu Xiong Ying seized the opportunity, spurred his horse and charged toward the enemy's central army, heading straight for the command center where Arthius Timur was located.

Seeing the situation was dire, Artesius Timur's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly ordered the entire army to retreat.

"Damn the Ming Dynasty, they've fallen into their ambush again!"

He angrily brandished his longsword, attempting to lead a contingent of elite cavalry to break out of the encirclement.

Zhu Xiong Ying saw his movements and immediately ordered his troops to surround his elite cavalry.

The two sides clashed fiercely on the battlefield once again, with the sounds of weapons clashing echoing everywhere.

Zhu Xiong Ying personally led his elite troops straight towards Artesius Timur's camp.

"Artsius Timur!"

Zhu Xiong Ying shouted loudly, his voice filled with fearless spirit.

Artesius Timur turned around and looked at Zhu Xiong Ying with icy eyes.

"Zhu Xiong Ying, you won't win!"

He roared and charged straight at Zhu Xiong Ying with his knife.

Zhu Xiong Ying was not afraid and raised his sword to meet the challenge.

The two clashed again, their swords clashing and sparks flying, the battle reaching its most intense point.

Artesius Timur was highly skilled in martial arts, but Zhu Xiong Ying's swordsmanship was even more agile. He used his nimble movements to constantly dodge the opponent's fierce attacks and look for opportunities to counterattack.

The situation on the battlefield was becoming increasingly favorable to Zhu Xiong Ying, and Artesius Timur was extremely anxious as he saw that the tide was turning against him.

Just then, a horn sounded in the distance.

Zhu Xiong Ying abruptly stopped her attack, turned her head and looked around, and saw that the tribal reinforcements from the east had arrived on the battlefield.

To his surprise, these reinforcements did not rush towards the Ming army, but instead stopped at the edge of the battlefield, seemingly observing the situation.

Zhu Xiong Ying's heart stirred, knowing that the tribal leaders were waiting for the final outcome of the battle.

Artesius Timur also noticed this. A sly glint flashed in his eyes, and he waved his hand, shouting, "Warriors of the eastern tribes, come and lend me a hand!"

However, the tribal leaders remained silent, seemingly hesitant.

Zhu Xiong Ying seized the opportunity, suddenly swung his sword to force Artesius Timur back, and shouted loudly.

(End of this chapter)