Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 502 Esen's Countermeasures

"Organize defenses!"

"All generals, let's have a meeting at the main camp!" As Emperor Longwu's figure gradually disappeared, Yu Qian stared intently at the towering, seemingly endless figure below the city walls, took a deep look, and then roared loudly!

"Yes, sir!" On the city wall, as Yu Qian's voice rang out, a deafening response echoed across the wide wall!

Yu Qian knew that the most difficult moment was yet to come!

Emperor Longwu will not participate in the war! The Dragon Kingdom's army will not participate in the war! Right now, the Ming Dynasty's greatest advantage lies in the Shandong garrison and the Zhejiang anti-Japanese pirate troops! And their astonishingly high morale!

This is the chance for the Ming Dynasty to win this battle!

Moreover, even if we can't win, the Ming Dynasty won't be destroyed; it will only pay some compensation! Since that's the case, why not take a desperate gamble?
At this moment, Empress Dowager Sun, as if she had just come to her senses, steadied herself with the help of her maid and silently descended the city wall! As she left the city wall, Empress Dowager Sun looked at her son's figure gradually receding into the distance and disappearing from sight, and silently shed tears!

At this moment, perhaps Empress Dowager Sun was already in despair!

"Your Majesty, you are the only one in the whole world who can save the Emperor!"

"You must take good care of yourself!" Supporting herself as she swayed and nearly collapsed, the maidservant attending to Empress Dowager Sun spoke to her with a worried expression and utmost care. The maidservant's intention was to encourage Empress Dowager Sun to cheer up.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, Empress Dowager Sun had a different idea!

"Good, I need to cheer up!"

"Only he can save Zhen'er! Only I have the chance to have him save Zhen'er!" After hearing the maid's words, Empress Dowager Sun perked up.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Sun finally understood why Yang Shiqi and Yu Qian had both said that only Emperor Longwu could save the legitimate emperor! After all, Emperor Longwu, possessing the true dragon within him, was an invincible being! Moreover, judging from the situation today, as long as Emperor Longwu spoke, Esen, the leader of the Oirat Mongols, would definitely release her son!

This is her hope of saving her son!

"Back to the palace!" Empress Dowager Sun immediately perked up and headed towards the inner palace.

Meanwhile, in Yu Qian's central military camp, the place was now surrounded by people! Not only were there a group of military generals, but also many civil officials from the court! As a result, Yang Shiqi and others, who originally wanted to find some peace and quiet, were also dragged into Yu Qian's camp by a group of civil officials!

"Gentlemen, tell me!"

"Judging from yesterday's demeanor and today's actions, the secret between Emperor Longwu and the previous emperors of our Great Ming Dynasty is now known only to the two of you!" Yu Qian and Yang Shiqi were surrounded by a group of civil and military officials in the center of the military camp. At this moment, even Yang Rong and others, who were also cabinet officials, were waiting for Yu Qian and Yang Shiqi to give everyone a reasonable explanation!

"Why should we dwell on this now?"

Judging from Emperor Longwu's current demeanor, it's clear to everyone that he will leave after saving the Ming Dynasty!

"Now that everyone knows about this, what can you do?!" Seeing himself and Yang Shiqi surrounded by a group of officials, Yu Qian knew what they wanted to know, but in his view, it was too late! Emperor Longwu wouldn't turn back!!
"Minister Yu, it's different! It's different!"

"Now that we know the whole story, maybe we can still salvage the situation!" Hearing Yu Qian's words, everyone knew he was somewhat resentful. After all, back on the city wall, none of them had said a word in his defense! Immediately, Xu Youzhen, the shrewd one, stepped forward and spoke to Yu Qian with an air of righteous indignation. Anyone unaware of the situation might have thought Xu Youzhen was upholding some great justice!

"Grand Secretary Yang, please tell everyone about it."

Although everyone has heard some rumors these past two days, they are still just hearsay.

"You two, please tell us the truth! What should we do now?" Seeing that Yu Qian, this stubborn fellow, refused to speak, everyone turned their attention to Yang Shiqi!
"You are all pillars of my Great Ming Dynasty, and you should all know how powerful the Dragon Kingdom is now!"

"Emperor Longwu is now the founding emperor of the Dragon Kingdom, so even if you all know what happened in the past, what can you do about it?!" Yang Shiqi looked helplessly at the group of officials in front of him and said with a slightly annoyed tone.
"Grand Secretary Yang, even if there's nothing we can do, knowing the specifics will help us better understand how to treat the Dragon Kingdom in the future!"

The Dragon Kingdom and the Great Ming are brotherly nations, both descendants of Emperor Taizong for three generations. If we were to learn the details of the matter, after several years, it is possible that the Great Ming could even form a marriage alliance with the Dragon Kingdom.

Isn't that a wonderful story too?!" In response to Yang Shiqi's rebuttal, some quick-witted officials at the scene immediately thought of future marriage alliances!
"That makes sense!"

"That makes sense!"

"That's right!"

“Grand Secretary Yang, now that Emperor Longwu has saved the country, he is about to leave. As court officials, we must also consider the future generations!” An elderly official stepped forward and bowed to Yang Shiqi.

"Alright!" Seeing this, Yang Shiqi finally decided to announce the matter.

"Here's what happened." In a short time, Yang Shiqi began by explaining the events of Emperor Taizong's defeat at Yumu River, followed by Emperor Taizong's temporary change of the crown prince, Emperor Renzong's ascension to the throne, the Han prince's family's enfeoffment, and the court's cession of Guangdong and Guangxi, among other things.
Meanwhile, back in the inner palace, Empress Dowager Sun soaked herself in a large bathtub filled with flower petals, gently washing herself.
Meanwhile, in the Oirat camp, an endless silence had fallen.

"Great Khan, retreat!" In the deathly silence of Esen's camp, a high-ranking general could no longer suppress his fear and abruptly stood up, speaking to Esen.

"Yes, Great Khan, let's retreat!"

"Great Khan, let's retreat!"

"Great Khan." In an instant, the words of retreat echoed one after another in the camp of Esen, the leader of the Oirat Mongols!

"Enough!" The commotion among the crowd infuriated Esen. He immediately rebuked the generals who had gathered around him.

"Do I not know whether we should retreat now?!" Esen angrily rebuked the general beside him.

"But His Majesty the Emperor of the Dragon Kingdom wants us to continue fighting against the Ming army! Who among you dares to say we won't fight this battle?"
Did you go and speak to that great emperor?

Should you go and say it?
"Or will you go and tell them?!" Esen grabbed one general after another, roaring angrily at their faces as he questioned them.

Faced with this question from their leader Esen, not a single general dared to answer; they could only lower their heads helplessly! They knew that the terrifying Emperor of the Dragon Kingdom, who possessed a true dragon, wanted the Oirat people to fight against the Ming Dynasty! They had no choice but to fight!

This is beyond question! No one dares to question the decree of His Majesty the Great Emperor! After all, that terrifying dragon, as tall as a city wall and of boundless length, is still guarding the walls of the Ming Dynasty! If they dared to disobey the decree of His Majesty the Great Emperor, the consequences would be unbearable for them!
"Select all the people who fled from Tibet and make them the vanguard! Anyone who retreats will be executed!" Seeing his subordinates bowing their heads in silence, Yesen dealt with the potential threat first!
"Hmm!" Upon hearing Esen's words, none of the tribal leaders raised any objections. After all, it would be a terrible loss to anger the Great Emperor because of these people! Therefore, it was best to make them all disappear!
(End of this chapter)