Ming Dynasty: Pick up attributes from the battlefield to create the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 167 Lan Yu's Defeat! Victory News Arrives in Yingtian! A Great Victory!!

"Could it be..." Lan Yu murmured to herself, her voice low and her expression forlorn, "Am I really not as good as Zhu Ying?"

between words.

A complex light flashed in Lan Yu's eyes, a sense of indescribable frustration.

It's like suffering a defeat on the battlefield where you have no chance to fight back.

"Is Huaixi truly destined to decline in the future of the Ming Dynasty?"

This thought was like a sharp dagger, piercing straight into Lan Yu's heart, leaving him with an indescribable sense of lingering fear.

As the Huaixi region that still exists today, and as the Huaixi general who still holds military power.

Lan Yu knew all too well the value of military merit; it was a talisman.

He thought of Hu Weiyong, who was also from Huaixi. Although he was a civil official, his entire clan was slaughtered in front of the current emperor.

Lan Yu thought to herself, if Huai Xi really had fallen to such a state, would the Emperor let them go?
"Ugh."

"I never imagined that I, Lan Yu, who have dominated the battlefield for so many years, would be suppressed by a mere brat."

"If my brother-in-law were still alive, he would probably laugh at me if he knew," Lan Yu thought with a bitter smile.

A general who was not yet twenty years old was able to accumulate military achievements. From Liaodong to the Northern Expedition, Zhu Ying's name gradually emerged in the army and throughout the Ming Dynasty, becoming increasingly prominent.

At the beginning of the Liaodong War, Zhu Ying appeared and made contributions!

Lan Yu thought that luck might have played a part in it, but as time went on, Zhu Ying repeatedly achieved great success and made astonishing victories, which was clearly beyond the explanation of luck.

One hundred thousand iron cavalry of the Northern Yuan!
Lan Yu had already made some calculations in his mind. If he were given an equal number of cavalry, even if the difference was only ten or twenty thousand, he was confident that he could win the battle with the morale of his soldiers.

but!

The actual war situation, however, was completely unequal.

The Ming cavalry was not a strong point. In Lan Yu's view, the Ming army was bound to be defeated in this encounter with 100,000 Northern Yuan cavalry. They should re-formulate their marching and battle tactics.

Just as Lan Yu was thinking this, Guo Ying's military order suddenly arrived.

If it weren't for the detailed military orders and battle reports personally written by Guo Ying, Lan Yu would have found it hard to believe.

One hundred thousand Northern Yuan cavalry have been routed!

Under Zhu Ying's leadership, the 100,000 cavalrymen were severely damaged. Zhu Ying killed countless enemies on the battlefield and captured countless prisoners.

This result naturally left Lan Yu speechless with shock. He knew that he could never have achieved such a feat.

"Ugh……"

Lan Yu sighed deeply, filled with helplessness and emotion: "Zhu Ying is no ordinary person!"

At this moment.

Lan Yu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Despite still disliking Zhu Ying and harboring hostility towards him.

However, as a fellow military general, Lan Yu still deeply admired Zhu Ying's remarkable ability to command troops.

After a moment.

Lan Yu slowly came to his senses, his gaze sweeping over the generals in the tent. His expression returned to normal, and he said in a deep voice, "Generals, the Northern Yuan cavalry has been defeated."

"Now that our army is attacking the city, we will no longer be threatened by the harassment of the Northern Yuan cavalry."

"The general has issued a military order to launch a full-scale attack on the city."

"At that time, the two armies will also cooperate fully to break through the garrison city surrounding Yuandu."

As the sound falls.

"The last general takes command!"

The generals responded in unison, obeying the general's command.

As for the shock brought by this battle report, many generals silently suppressed it in their hearts.

"Alright, go and get ready." Lan Yu waved her hand, not wanting to say anything more.

Subsequently.

The generals all withdrew from the camp.

Lan Yu's gaze remained fixed on the military order in his hand, seemingly still absorbed in the unimaginable battle report.

"The Northern Yuan cavalry has been routed."

"The next step may not present many obstacles."

"The Northern Yuan seems to have reached a dead end."

Just as Lan Yu was pondering the battle situation with utmost seriousness.

"Uncle."

Chang Mao's voice suddenly rang out beside Lan Yu, tinged with urgency and confusion: "Do you think this Zhu Ying is a human or a ghost? How did he do that?"

The sudden sound startled Lan Yu, instantly snapping her out of her reverie.

He raised his head somewhat blankly, his face full of surprise, and looked at Chang Mao, who was still in the tent, and asked with a frown, "Why haven't you left yet?"

Lan Yu looked around the tent. Most of the generals had left, and now only Chang Mao was standing in front of him.

"Uncle." Chang Mao took a step forward, his face full of worry: "We originally planned to win a great victory in the Northern Expedition and let Huaixi once again intimidate the court."

"But now the Northern Expedition has been going on for several months. Although our army has achieved many victories, compared with Li Jinglong's second army and Zhu Ying's achievements, it seems that our victories have been completely overshadowed."

"After this battle, will my uncle truly be granted the title of Duke?"

Chang Mao was well aware of his uncle's thoughts. Unlike him, who had inherited the title of Duke, most of the generals in Huaixi today looked up to Lan Yu. However, Lan Yu had been stuck at the Marquis level for a long time and longed to go further and become a Duke.

However, even now, despite Lan Yu's continuous advances as commander of the army, he has ultimately failed to achieve sufficient military merit.

The so-called victory in breaching the city was due to the fact that the second army took the lead in breaching the city, which triggered a chain reaction in the Northern Yuan, leading to their retreat.

It can be said.

Lan Yu's army also benefited greatly from the support of the second army.

Hearing Chang Mao's words.

Anger flashed across Lan Yu's face instantly, as if she were embarrassed and angry after being hit where it hurt.

Can be followed immediately.

This anger transformed into a helpless, bitter smile: "Even so, what can I do?"

"Could we possibly kill Zhu Ying?"

"Given Zhu Ying's current status and his reputation for having the strength of a tyrant, let alone getting close to him, even if you surround him with a thousand troops, I'm afraid you still wouldn't be able to kill him."

"Furthermore, if Zhu Ying really did lose something, do you think the Emperor wouldn't be able to find out?"

Lan Yu cursed at Chang Mao in annoyance, her frustration growing stronger.

Kill Zhu Ying?

Many people had thought about this when they were in Liaodong.

But who can do that?
And then.

If they actually dare to take action, it would be extremely foolish and a death wish.

Do you really think the current emperor's Embroidered Uniform Guard doesn't exist?

"What should we do? This Northern Expedition is crucial for my uncle's promotion to Duke. We can't let that brat ruin it."

Chang Mao said anxiously, his brows furrowed and his eyes filled with resentment.

He was genuinely worried about Lan Yu.

"Ugh!"

Lan Yu sighed again, as if all her strength had been drained, and leaned back in her chair with a defeated look on her face: "His Highness the Crown Prince said that as long as we achieve merit in this northern expedition, he will protect my Duke of Jin!"

"Originally, my idea was to achieve great success, so that the Duke's title would be legitimate, and not disappoint His Highness the Crown Prince."

"But now it seems that we are destined to be outmaneuvered by Zhu Ying."

"That's it!"

"Let's take it one step at a time. Given his command abilities, perhaps I'm just not as good as him."

"From now on, try to avoid him as much as possible. He has become too powerful for us to handle."

"Moreover, the Emperor also attaches greater importance to him in order to suppress Huaixi. Even though we know the Emperor's will, there is nothing we can do about it."

Upon hearing this,

Chang Mao's face turned very ugly, as if he was unwilling. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he could only close his mouth helplessly, feeling just as helpless.

……

Yuan Capital, the Great Hall of the Northern Yuan Dynasty!
"Report!"

A piercing shout shattered the previously peaceful and stable atmosphere in the imperial court.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"

A messenger rushed into the hall in a panic, staggering, and knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling violently.

"The General... the General has fallen in battle!"

These words were like a bolt from the blue, instantly causing an uproar throughout the Northern Yuan court.

This shattered the tranquility of the imperial court.

During this period, the Northern Yuan deployed defenses in layers, dispatched 100,000 cavalry to attack the Ming army, and had more than 300,000 infantrymen to defend key points of various garrison cities, making the Yuan capital appear extremely safe.

Even the ever-worried Emperor Yuan temporarily relaxed his tense nerves.

They felt confident of defeating the Ming army!
But at this moment, this sudden urgent report shattered all the calm.

Emperor Yuan, sitting on the dragon throne, suddenly changed his expression, even more terrified and helpless than when he heard that his son, Dibaonu, had died in battle.

He abruptly stood up, gripping the armrests of the dragon throne tightly with both hands, veins bulging on the back of his hands. He stared intently at the kneeling messenger, his voice hoarse with panic and shock: "You... what did you say? Say it again!"

"Your Majesty," the messenger cried out, trembling with fear and nearly collapsing to the ground, "the General has been killed in battle."

“Our Yuan Dynasty’s 100,000 iron cavalry suffered heavy casualties and have been defeated by the Ming army.”

"According to the Third Prince's report, of the 100,000 iron cavalry of our Great Yuan, less than 20,000 escaped back to the city, and most of them were wounded."

The messenger's voice, filled with unspeakable terror, echoed throughout the imperial council hall.

These words, each one like a heavy hammer, struck the hearts of the Northern Yuan officials.

Hear this.

All the civil and military officials of the Northern Yuan court changed their expressions drastically.

An uproar erupted in the imperial court, with ministers whispering amongst themselves, their faces filled with shock and worry.

At this moment, the situation was completely beyond their expectations.

"How could this be? How could this be?"

Emperor Yuan was completely stunned at this moment, his expression stiff, his steps unsteady, as if he was about to faint at any moment.

"My 100,000 iron cavalry! These are the most elite iron cavalry of my Great Yuan Dynasty. How could the Ming army possibly be a match for them?"

The Emperor's voice carried a sense of despair.

Obviously.

He refused to believe the fact, and could not accept such a crushing defeat.

"Your Majesty," Shi Liemen stepped forward immediately upon seeing this, his expression calm and his tone firm, "there must be a reason for this."

"Don't worry too much. Our Great Yuan cavalry is unparalleled in the world. The Ming army can never be a match for them."

"Moreover, the General chose the Royal Pasture as the battleground against the Ming army, which is perfect for our Great Yuan cavalry to charge forward. They are unstoppable, and no matter how powerful the Ming army is, they can never be a match for us."

Shiliemen attempted to appease Emperor Yuan with these words, while also offering some solace to himself and the court officials.

Hear this!

Emperor Yuan gradually came to his senses, as if he had grasped a lifeline, and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes: "That's right, Prime Minister, you're right."

"How could my 100,000 Northern Yuan cavalry end up in such a rout?"

"Even if the Ming army has a thousand cannons, they cannot win against my iron cavalry."

As Emperor Yuan spoke, he seemed to be making excuses for himself, trying to convince himself that none of this was true.

Come back to your senses.

Emperor Yuan immediately looked at the messenger, his eyes filled with expectation, and asked almost pleadingly, as if he wanted to hear a different result: "Tell me, this news is false."

"emperor."

The messenger, trembling, struggled and hesitated as he said, "This urgent report is true. It was personally submitted by the Third Prince, and it has been confirmed by many cavalrymen who fled back to the city."

"Zhu Ying, it was the Ming general Zhu Ying who personally killed the Grand General."

"Moreover, the reason why my 100,000 Northern Yuan cavalry were defeated was not entirely due to being defeated head-on by the Ming army, but because the Ming army had laid an ambush beforehand and set up a military formation specifically designed to counter my Great Yuan cavalry, trapping nearly half of my Great Yuan cavalry in this formation."

"Finally, Ming general Zhu Ying led Ming cavalry to confront the Grand General, and defeated our Yuan cavalry head-on. The Grand General was also unfortunately killed by Zhu Ying."

The messenger kept his head down, his voice growing softer and softer. He didn't even dare to raise his head, fearing that the enraged Emperor Yuan would kill him on the spot.

"Ambush in formation? A frontal rout?"

Emperor Yuan's face turned deathly pale, as if all his strength had been drained away.

With a thud, he slumped onto the dragon throne, his eyes vacant, muttering to himself, "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible..."

He roared almost frantically, his voice hoarse, filled with despair and resentment.

"Emperor calm down!"

The court officials shouted loudly and knelt down in unison, their voices clear and resounding, attempting to quell Emperor Yuan's anger.

this moment!
An indescribable oppressive atmosphere swept through the entire court, making it almost impossible for anyone to breathe.

"Prime Minister, Grand Commandant,"

Emperor Yuan's eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at Shiliemen and the barbarians, his voice trembling: "Tell me, how could we have been defeated? This is impossible!"

"emperor!"

Shiliemen immediately stepped forward and said respectfully, "The Ming army is cunning. They must have used tricks and schemes to defeat our Great Yuan cavalry."

"But Your Majesty need not panic. Even if the iron cavalry is defeated, our Great Yuan still has several fortified cities for defense, as well as hundreds of thousands of troops for defense."

"The sons of the Great Yuan will surely protect the Emperor and safeguard the Great Yuan with their lives."

Shiliemen's voice was firm and powerful, attempting to rekindle Emperor Yuan's confidence.

"The ten most fortified border cities of the Yuan Dynasty were captured by the Ming army."

"Our Great Yuan's strongest elite force, the 100,000 iron cavalry that could sweep across the world, was also defeated by the Ming army."

"Can the remaining troops really stop the Ming army?"

Emperor Yuan was already somewhat panicked. His eyes were filled with confusion and fear, and he was filled with worry about the future.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, the sons and daughters of the Great Yuan will definitely protect the Great Yuan and safeguard Your Majesty."

Shiremon spoke loudly again, demonstrating his loyalty.

"emperor."

The barbarian stepped forward, his face solemn, and loudly proclaimed, "I still maintain that the territory of our Great Yuan must not be lost, but the safety of Your Majesty is of even greater importance."

"Now that our Great Yuan cavalry has been defeated, it is evident that the Ming army is incredibly powerful."

"The Ming army's purpose in this invasion is very clear: to destroy our Great Yuan Dynasty and the Emperor."

"For the prosperity and longevity of the Yuan Dynasty, we urge Your Majesty to move to the ancestral land as soon as possible."

Only in this way can we advance and retreat with moderation.

"Even if the capital is lost in the future, His Majesty's safety can be guaranteed."

The barbarian's words were filled with worry. He knew the situation was critical and hoped that Emperor Yuan would consider the bigger picture.

It was also to preserve the foundation of his Yuan court.

If Emperor Yuan were to fall, the Northern Yuan would truly be finished.

This time, however, compared to his initial rejection of the suggestion, Emperor Yuan was now somewhat tempted.

but.

There was still a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Although he didn't want to leave this luxurious city, the thought of his own life and safety made leaving seem less unacceptable.

Recalling Guili Chi's former high spirits when he commanded the troops, but now being beheaded by a Ming general and having his 100,000 iron cavalry severely damaged and annihilated, Emperor Yuan felt not only heartache but also deep fear.

Just as Emperor Yuan was about to agree to allow the barbarians to prepare to withdraw to their ancestral lands...

"Your Majesty, you must not do this!"

Immediately, a minister stood up and objected in a very serious tone.

This person was none other than Guilichi's eldest son, and also the eldest prince of Guilichi's tribe, Ma'erke'er.

Now that Guili Chi has died in battle, he will most likely be the one to take control of the tribe in the future.

"My father died on the battlefield for the Yuan Dynasty, at the hands of a Ming general."

"This is all for the sake of the Great Yuan, to protect the Emperor."

"If the Emperor were to flee back to his ancestral homeland, it would dishearten the countless soldiers stationed in the city, and would also destroy the foundation of our Great Yuan Dynasty."

"His Majesty is the Emperor of our Great Yuan Dynasty, and the pillar of our Great Yuan people."

"Unless the fortress is truly lost and the capital is in danger, Your Majesty must not retreat. Otherwise, the morale of the soldiers will be low, and the Yuan Dynasty will surely be annexed by the Ming Dynasty."

Ma'er Ke'er said with a serious expression, her voice loud and firm.

sound.

His words were filled with loyalty to the Yuan court.

But most people still hoped that Emperor Yuan would stay in the capital.

"I second the proposal!"

"Your Majesty, please think twice!"

"Your Majesty, you must not retreat to the ancestral lands!"

"For the sake of the eternal stability of the Yuan Dynasty, we urge Your Majesty to remain in the capital. We will fight the Ming army to the death!"

……

As soon as Ma'erke'er finished speaking, one after another, the ministers of the Northern Yuan stood up to object. Their voices rose and fell, echoing in the court, expressing their attitude and determination.

I just don't know how much of it is genuine and how much is sincere.

This scene is exactly the same as when Guili Chi made the suggestion.

"This……"

Emperor Yuan, who had already considered resigning, suddenly hesitated.

His eyes were filled with conflict, partly due to his own safety and partly due to his concerns about what the ministers had said.

If his retreat truly demoralized the army, it would undoubtedly push the Yuan Dynasty into an even more dangerous situation.

Moreover, Emperor Yuan really did not want to live in such a remote place as his ancestral homeland for an extended period of time.

"If the Emperor were to fall, it would put our Great Yuan Dynasty in jeopardy."

"What you are thinking about is nothing more than the interests of your own tribes."

"At this moment, do you really want the Ming Dynasty to annex our Great Yuan?"

Seeing that most of the court officials had stood up to oppose him, the barbarian roared angrily.

His face flushed red, his eyes blazing with anger, and he was furious at the ministers' behavior.

But this doesn't scare them at all.

"General."

Ma'er Ke'er turned her head and coldly said to the barbarian, "My father died on the battlefield for the Great Yuan. Isn't that being loyal to the Great Yuan?"

Ma'er Ke'er was also filled with anger, and directly brought up her father who had died in battle. She stared at the barbarian without fear, turning the tables on him.

Many of Guili Chi's former subordinates glared angrily at the barbarians, instantly creating a strange and tense atmosphere in the court, as if it were about to erupt at any moment.

Faced with this rebuttal, the barbarian's expression changed, and he was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to refute it.

After all, Kirigakure really did die in battle, and that is an unchangeable fact.

Although the barbarian knew that Guili Chi was unlikely to lose his life, death was still death.

"Grand Commandant, that's enough."

Emperor Yuan sighed, looking weary, and said in a deep voice, "As the emperor of the Great Yuan, I should live alongside the people of the Great Yuan."

"Let's not bring up the idea of ​​returning to our ancestral land for now."

Emperor Yuan's voice carried a hint of helplessness and compromise; he ultimately chose to heed the advice of the majority of his ministers.

after all.

If they really withdraw.

The entire court was thrown into disarray.

These troops, gathered from various tribes, became a joke and would no longer hold their ground.

Emperor Yuan was naturally aware of these things.

"Your Majesty!"

Ma'er Ke'er immediately knelt down and bowed, a hint of smugness showing on her face.

"Your Majesty!"

Many ministers also knelt down and shouted in unison, their voices resounding throughout the court.

It seems that Emperor Yuan was truly incredibly wise!
But when the barbarian saw this scene, his eyes were filled with deep helplessness.

He lowered his head slightly, sighing inwardly. He had already seen through the situation; if Emperor Yuan continued to stay, the consequences would be unpredictable!
However, the ministers in the court each had their own agendas, and even though he saw the crisis, he was powerless to change it.

"Father, don't worry."

In the eyes of the kneeling Ma'erke'er, ambition gleamed. He secretly vowed in his heart, "Your son will fulfill your wish."

……

The capital of the Ming Dynasty, Yingtian City.

The city gate area was still bustling with activity.

Sunlight spilled onto the ground, bathing the bustling capital in a golden glow.

People came and went, carrying loads on their shoulders or pushing carts, queuing in an orderly fashion to enter the city.

On their faces, some looked tired, some looked expectant, and some looked satisfied with life.

After all, the capital of the Ming Dynasty offered endless opportunities.

It was also at this time.

"Tap tap, tap tap tap..."

The rapid clatter of horses' hooves came from the official road outside the city, growing louder as it approached.

The sound was like a rapid drumbeat, carrying a sense of urgency.

Many people stopped what they were doing and looked curiously at the official road outside the city.

Three fast riders galloped toward Yingtian City.

The soldiers on horseback looked focused.

Behind them, each had a command flag planted, fluttering fiercely in the wind.

Behind the three fast riders, each was leading an unmanned warhorse.

Apparently!

They rode their horses, changing at each post station along the way, just to deliver the message as quickly as possible.

"Urgent report to Lindu! Clear the way immediately!"

The commander guarding the city gate immediately shouted loudly.

His voice immediately echoed in front of the city gate.

Suddenly.

The previously somewhat congested entrances to the city were quickly opened up.

The soldiers guarding the city gate sprang into action, armed with spears, maintaining order and preventing anyone from entering the emergency passage.

As the three swift cavalrymen rapidly approached the city gate, the three messengers shouted in unison, "A great victory in the Northern Expedition!"

"A great victory in the Northern Expedition!"

Their voices were high-pitched and passionate, filled with joy and pride.

They rushed back, but the news of their great victory quickly spread with their shouts.

This news brought smiles to the faces of most of the people queuing outside the city and those inside.

"A great victory in the Northern Expedition? To call it a great victory means they must have gained a lot. Do you think the Northern Expeditionary Army captured Emperor Yuan?" a young man asked excitedly, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Impossible, right? Even if the Northern Yuan is weak, they are still a powerful nation with tens of millions of people. They shouldn't be so easily defeated, should they?" Another older man shook his head and offered his opinion.

"I think so too. The Northern Yuan is not so easily defeated."

"I reckon they've annihilated many Northern Yuan soldiers on the battlefield and captured quite a few cities," someone else chimed in.

"Anyway, as citizens of the Ming Dynasty, killing all those Tartars is the only way. You have no idea how ruthless those Tartars were in the past." An old man clenched his fist, a hint of hatred flashing in his eyes.

"That's right, the Ming Dynasty will surely win and destroy the Northern Yuan..."

Many people began to discuss it, their voices mingling together, filled with anticipation for the destruction of the Northern Yuan.

And now!
Three urgent reports from fast riders have already reached the palace of Emperor Ōten.

One of the messengers is holding a bamboo tube with urgent messages.

One hand held a wooden box, and the other held a sword.

They hurried toward the Fengtian Hall.

……

　P.S.: Thanks for your support, brothers, muah!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)