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

Chapter 628 Cutting out the roots
A chilly wind blew in from the west, causing the battle flags to flutter in the air.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat upright on his warhorse, his eyes blazing as he gazed at the undulating battlefield ahead.

He knew that this battle would be crucial in determining the stability of the Ming Dynasty's borders.

The tribes to the west have begun to stir, and Batula's defeat has clearly not deterred them completely.

"Your Highness, our scouts have reported that several tribes to the west have amassed at least five thousand troops. They are currently reorganizing in their camps and may launch an attack at any moment."

Li Jinglong rode up to Zhu Xiong Ying's side and reported with a solemn expression.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his expression remaining calm.

"They finally couldn't hold back any longer."

He spoke in a low voice, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"It seems that these tribes are still unwilling to be suppressed by the Ming Dynasty."

Lan Yu stood beside Zhu Xiong Ying, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit.

"Your Highness, I have already prepared the troops. We can attack at any time with just one order."

His tone was full of eagerness, clearly ready to show his skills.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and turned his gaze to the distance.

"General Lan, there's no need to rush."

"Although we have gained the upper hand, our opponents will not give in easily."

"This time, I want them to be utterly devastated."

He said in a deep voice, his tone resolute.

Although the western tribes were not as strong as the Ming army, they were familiar with the terrain and skilled in guerrilla warfare and ambushes.

If we don't take it seriously, we might fall into the enemy's trap.

"Pass down the order: command all troops to split into two groups to encircle and block the enemy's rear and cut off their retreat."

Zhu Xiong Ying calmly issued the order, her eyes radiating unparalleled confidence.

"I want them to know that this time they have no chance of escaping."

Li Jinglong bowed and accepted the order, quickly relaying Zhu Xiong Ying's instructions.

The army quickly split into two groups, each approaching the enemy's rear from different directions.

Zhu Xiong Ying already had a complete plan in mind. This time, he was going to make sure that these tribal leaders could no longer cause trouble.

"Your Highness, this humble general is willing to serve as the vanguard and lead the main force to attack the enemy camp."

Lan Yu was eager to try, his face full of fighting spirit.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Alright, General Lan, lead a main force to launch a frontal attack and force the enemy to engage in battle."

"But remember, we cannot rush into the enemy's position rashly. We must wait for our flanking troops to arrive before launching a full-scale attack."

Lan Yu bowed and accepted the order, then spurred his horse and led a troop of elite soldiers forward.

Zhu Xiong Ying stared intently at Lan Yu's retreating figure, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

He knew that the leaders of the western tribes were cunning and would try to stall for time using the terrain and tactics, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

But Zhu Xiong Ying already had a plan in mind.

As long as the troops flanking from both sides arrive on time, these tribes to the west will have no way to retreat.

Time passed slowly, and the faint sound of horns drifted from the distant valley.

"Your Highness, General Lan has already begun fighting the enemy."

Li Jinglong said in a low voice, his expression showing a hint of nervousness.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, her expression calm and composed.

"Order both armies to advance at full speed and complete the encirclement before the enemy can react."

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and spurred his horse to gallop away.

Zhu Xiong Ying gazed at the distant battlefield, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Although Lan Yu's frontal attack was merely a probe, it was enough to enrage the leaders of the western tribes.

As expected, they will soon mobilize all their forces to try to fight Lan Yu's troops to the death.

And this is exactly the result Zhu Xiong Ying wanted.

"This time, I will annihilate you completely."

He silently recited it in his heart, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

The sounds of fighting echoed across the battlefield as Lan Yu's troops engaged in fierce combat with the enemy.

Although the western tribes had a large number of soldiers, their organization and discipline were far inferior to those of the Ming army.

Lan Yu's elite soldiers moved across the battlefield as if it were empty, quickly tearing through the enemy's defenses.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying did not rush to launch a full-scale attack because of this.

He knew that the enemy's main force had not yet been fully committed to the battle. "Let General Lan delay for a while longer."

Zhu Xiong Ying said softly, and then gave new instructions to the messenger beside him.

Although Lan Yu was eager to fight, he strictly followed Zhu Xiong Ying's orders and did not rashly venture deep into the enemy's position.

He directed his soldiers to launch controlled attacks while steadily advancing, gradually depleting the enemy's forces.

"Your Highness, the troops flanking from both sides have reached their designated positions."

Li Jinglong rushed back again, his face beaming with excitement.

Upon hearing this, a sharp glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"very good."

"Order the entire army to launch a full-scale attack."

With Zhu Xiong Ying's order, the entire Ming army surged toward the enemy's position like a torrent.

Lan Yu's main force launched a fierce attack from the front, while troops from both sides launched a pincer attack from the flanks and rear.

The enemy forces were immediately caught in a desperate situation, surrounded by enemies on all sides.

The leaders of the western tribes clearly did not expect the Ming army to complete the encirclement so quickly. Their defenses collapsed instantly, and their soldiers fled in all directions.

"Your Highness, the enemy has nowhere to retreat and is attempting to break through!"

A soldier rushed over to report, his face full of excitement.

A cold smile flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"Don't give them any chance."

He spoke in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as a knife.

"Pass down the order: surround them but do not kill them, cut off their retreat."

"I want them to be utterly desperate."

The Ming soldiers swiftly carried out Zhu Xiong Ying's orders, and the encirclement on the battlefield tightened, putting the enemy in a desperate situation.

The soldiers of the western tribes fought desperately to break out, but every attempt was ruthlessly repelled by the Ming army.

As their troops gradually collapsed, the leaders of the western tribes finally realized that their end was near.

"Retreat! We must retreat!"

A leader, his face contorted with terror, shouted as he tried to lead his remaining troops out of the encirclement.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying had already seen through their intentions.

He gave a cold laugh and then waved to his personal guards.

"The entire army should launch an attack and completely crush them."

At his command, Ming soldiers surged towards the enemy like a flood, and the battlefield instantly turned into a chaotic massacre.

The soldiers of the western tribes completely collapsed under the powerful offensive of the Ming army and fled in all directions.

"Your Highness, the enemy army has completely collapsed!"

Li Jinglong reported excitedly.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, her gaze remaining calm.

"very good."

"Pass down the order: leave no survivors."

He said coldly, his voice filled with ruthless resolve.

The western tribes' forces have been completely defeated, but Zhu Xiong Ying knows that if some escapees are left behind, there is still a possibility of recurrence in the future.

Only by eliminating the root of the problem can the unrest on the frontier be completely quelled.

"Your Highness, we have captured the enemy leaders. What should we do with them?"

A guard stepped forward and respectfully inquired.

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze turned slightly cold.

“Bring them to the front lines and execute them in public.”

He spoke in a deep voice, his eyes filled with unparalleled authority.

"I want everyone to understand that the only consequence of rebelling against the Ming Dynasty is death."

Soon after, the leaders of the western tribes were brought to the front lines, and Zhu Xiong Ying stood on a high place, looking down at them.

These leaders once held high positions and controlled the fate of their tribes.

But now, they have become prisoners, their faces filled with despair and fear.

"You chose betrayal, and today you will pay the price for it."

(End of this chapter)