Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 189 Shaanxi in Turmoil, Troop Deployment

Zhu Jinzhen's distribution of benefits was fair and impartial.

Basically, those who were summoned to the Prince Su's residence received some tangible and substantial benefits.

To avoid a situation where one or two entities dominate, others will either try their best to maintain balance or support and win over another force to form the most stable triangle, which will check and balance each other.

Zhu Jinzhen didn't need anything; he only believed in one thing.

The strong are respected.

Whether civil or military officials.

If they don't work well, just replace them with a new batch. There's a shortage of everything in the world, but there's no shortage of people who want to advance and become officials.

Even those people entrusted with important responsibilities by Zhu Jinzhen.

"Previously, there were unusual movements on all sides. Troops from Xuanfu, Datong, Yansui, and Shanxi set out and stockpiled in Yinchuan, intending to bypass Yibula Mountain and launch a surprise attack on Lanzhou Prefecture. I have already ordered Qin Yiyan to lead 20,000 light cavalry to Liangzhou to temporarily take over there."

"Li Chengen, Yang Qingyi."

"The end will be here."

Li Chengen and Yang Qingyi bowed deeply in unison.

"Cheng'en, you shall instruct Qin Yiyan to prepare for the final victory."

"The Xingdu Commandery, Suzhou Guard, Liangzhou Guard, and Xining Guard will fully cooperate."

"I want you to take Yinchuan in one fell swoop, so as to prevent the war from escalating and dragging the Ming Dynasty into a quagmire."

"Is it possible?"

Li Chengen and Yang Qingyi exchanged a glance, and the former replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, even with just the 20,000 Tian Ce light cavalry of Yi Yan, we can easily defeat the troops of the four garrisons including Xuanfu and Datong. With the cooperation of the guards of Suzhou, if we cannot win a battle within five days, I am willing to offer my head to you."

"it is good!"

Zhu Jinzhen laughed loudly, "That's the kind of ambition we need. We have a natural advantage. Since we're going to fight, let's finish it off in one battle."

Everyone smiled.

The Tian Ce Mansion's 20,000 light cavalry, along with the support of the Suzhou Guards from the Twelve Guards, were all present.

Even if they were facing troops from important towns on all sides, they were confident that they could win in one battle.

Li Chengen was the most confident among them.

With 20,000 Vajra Realm experts, the Heavenly Strategy Iron Cavalry could easily overwhelm the troops stationed in the four key border towns of Yinchuan in a single charge.

Zhu Jinzhen suddenly thought of something and reminded him: "However, they are still sons of our Great Ming. If we are confident of victory in this battle, we should do less killing and focus on subjugation rather than slaughter."

"If they are stubborn and unyielding, then there is no need to worry about them."

"Furthermore, I will keep military discipline firmly in mind. Anyone who dares to burn, kill, and loot after breaching the city will not be spared."

"Yes!" Li Chengen and Yang Qingyi nodded solemnly.

The former is alright. The soldiers of Tian Ce Mansion keep the military laws and disciplines of Tian Ce in mind and dare not violate them. Even if there are a few individuals, it is useless.

Only Yang Qingyi remained vigilant, planning to first reorganize the Twelve Guards after leaving the Prince Su's residence, eliminating those who acted recklessly and disregarded the law.

"You too."

Zhu Jinzhen looked at Ma You and Xu Yu, as well as the group of officials behind them, with an unfriendly gaze: "I have been lenient enough with you. If you are still not satisfied, don't blame me for not warning you."

Everyone's hearts skipped a beat, and they quickly bowed and knelt down, saying they dared not.

"Xu Yu, Ma You."

"Wei Chen is here."

"Since the court is in turmoil and I have quelled the rebellion, I must rectify the court and seize the time to select talented individuals." Zhu Jinzhen said, then suddenly revealed a meaningful smile: "As long as they have real talent and learning, I have no such outdated notion of recommending the virtuous and avoiding relatives."

"Yes, Your Highness, we will proceed immediately." Xu Yu and Ma You trembled with fear and quickly bowed in reply. Their Highness's meaning was crystal clear: he allowed them to select their own talents in advance to replace officials in the court in the future.

As long as someone has genuine talent and learning, whether they are your students, former subordinates, or your children, grandchildren, or nephews, they are all welcome to apply.

This is an opportunity that comes along only once in a lifetime!!

...Inside the Prince Su's residence, Zhu Jinzhen completely let loose.

Now that the decision has been made to uphold the imperial will and quell the rebellion, there is no need to continue hiding it.

In less than half a day.

The entire Shaanxi province was abuzz with a series of incredibly explosive news stories.

A proclamation to denounce the traitors.

Xu Yu finished writing the document in less than an hour and sent it to Zhu Jinzhen's palace for him to review. After confirming that it was correct, he posted it throughout the entire Shaanxi province.

Twelve guards in Shaanxi Province were urgently assembled.

"Li Chongwu".

"The end will be here."

"You will lead the Left and Right Guards of Ganzhou. His Highness will send three battalions of Tian Ce soldiers to assist you. You will detour through Chiba Mountain and Jinsha River to enter Sichuan. Your mission is to capture Yongning Prefecture and then head north from the Sichuan Provincial Military Command."

"any questions?"

"No!" Li Chongwu shouted loudly, full of vigor.

The two guards of Ganzhou may not have the strength to directly confront the Sichuan Provincial Military Command.

However, the Tian Ce Three Battalions numbered 15,000.

Zhu Jinzhen has completely unleashed his power, no longer hiding it, and now it is fully exposed to the world.

The three major camps: Tiangang, Disha, and Black Tiger.

Among them, the Earthly Fiend Camp has 5,000 members, all of whom have cultivated the Vajra Body and are all armored. Their fighting strength is enough to be equivalent to an army of 100,000. Add the Black Tiger Camp, which is of similar size, and the total number of troops is 200,000.

If we include the five hundred Finger Profound Realm experts in the Heavenly Gang Camp, then...

Li Chongwu's army was comparable to that of 500,000 men.

Let alone defeating a Sichuan provincial commandery, even if he were to march south and conquer Yunnan and Guizhou, Li Chongwu would face no pressure whatsoever.

He knew that this was the opportunity he had gained last time when the Jinyiwei commander, carrying a so-called military tally, came to Ganzhou Left Guard and ordered him to besiege Lanzhou Prefecture. He had captured the commander immediately and informed his prince.

Otherwise, given Li Chongwu's status and position, there would be no way he could be appointed as the commander of the Tian Ce Three Battalions.

"Remember, this battle is one of victory, not defeat."

"Furthermore, I have already made a military pledge before His Highness that if the Twelve Guards dare to burn, kill, and loot after attacking the city, they will be killed without exception, regardless of their status or strength. Do you understand?" Yang Qingyi ordered loudly. Everything else could be discussed, but this matter left no room for negotiation.

Yang Qingyi, and even all the commanders of the Twelve Guards of Shaanxi, including that idiot who had betrayed them, all knew that their prince was intolerant of any wrongdoing. If anyone dared to act recklessly, what awaited them would be nothing more than hard work and dedication.

Instead, the punishment is death without mercy.

"Understood. Anyone who dares to break the rules, cause trouble, or disobey military discipline will be dealt with according to military law without exception." Li Chongwu nodded solemnly in response. This might be the only opportunity in his life for him to lead the soldiers of the Tian Ce Mansion.

This was also the best opportunity in his life, apart from the battle against the Mongol-Liao invaders four years ago, to gain military merit and climb the ranks.

Anyone who dares to outwardly comply but inwardly defy him will be killed by Li Chongwu.

Inside the main hall of the Shaanxi Regional Military Commission.

The commanders of the other guards also nodded solemnly.

This battle concerns the entire world, and even more so the reputation of their own prince. Anyone who dares to embarrass them at this critical juncture will be taught a lesson about what it means to regret ever being born.

"Liangzhou Garrison, Zhuanglang Garrison..."

Yang Qingyi continued to implement the strategic plans that Zhu Jinzhen had given him.

Yang Qingyi had originally considered whether to leave some troops to guard against a surprise attack from the Mongol Yuan, the Liao, or even the Western Xia. However, upon hearing that Zhu Jinzhen had already dispatched Cao Xueyang and Lu Wushuang to lead the Youlong Cavalry and the Daxuelong Cavalry to bypass the Yibula Mountain and intercept the Mongol Yuan army, he was surprised.

Furthermore, they fought four battles and were defeated four times, with one victory after another, and had already blocked the Mongol army on the grassland.

With heavy troops stationed at Jiayuguan on the Liao side, Yang Qingyi's last worry disappeared.

(End of this chapter)