Di Ming

Chapter 228 No wonder I dreamt of dancing prisoners last night!

With a loud bang, a Mongol cavalryman at the forefront of the charge died instantly, his head smashed open. Even his helmet had been dented by Lancha's blow.

Lancha brandished his wolf-and-sheep club, killing anyone who touched him. In the blink of an eye, he killed four Mongol cavalrymen!

"Bang bang bang..." The flintlock pistols of more than a hundred soldiers opened fire at the same time. Amidst the billowing smoke, fifty or sixty Mongol cavalrymen screamed and fell off their horses. The warhorses, now without their masters, panicked and charged wildly amidst the roar of the firearms, knocking many Mongol cavalrymen off their backs.

After firing their pistols, the soldiers rushed forward with their sabers in hand, without even having time to reload.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..." The Mongol cavalry behind them fired arrows one after another, but this group of soldiers were all wearing fine armor and were also equipped with face shields, so it was difficult for ordinary arrows to penetrate.

"Kill!" Lancha, as if possessed by a war god, led more than a hundred elite armored soldiers into the Mongol cavalry, hacking and slashing. Although the Mongol cavalry were numerous, unfortunately, at most only one out of three soldiers was armored, and their individual combat strength was inferior to Zhu Yin's personal guards. They were actually overwhelmed and scattered by more than a hundred soldiers.

Lancha, in particular, relied on his two layers of iron armor to slaughter the Mongol cavalry, leaving them no match for him. He cut down more than a dozen men as easily as chopping vegetables. The Mongol cavalry were so terrified that they all retreated, none daring to confront him.

In a short time, the Mongol cavalry suffered more than a hundred casualties, a truly devastating loss.

More than a hundred soldiers, led by Lancha, actually broke into this Mongol thousand-man unit and completely overwhelmed it!

The Mongols, who had always prided themselves on their military prowess, were utterly terrified and demoralized at this moment.

True Southern Barbarian Warrior!
Suddenly, Lancha's warhorse let out a mournful neigh and collapsed, riddled with arrows. Lancha dismounted and charged into battle on foot, fighting even more fiercely than before, like a god of war, invincible!
Many of the soldiers' horses were shot to death, but they still fought on foot. These soldiers were all elite warriors, carefully selected and rigorously trained. They were also treated well by Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei with fine wine, fat sheep, and generous rewards. They were truly like tigers among men, far from being ordinary elite troops.

Their individual combat strength far surpassed that of the so-called elite border troops, and was certainly much stronger than those of the Mongol cavalry.

"Woo-woo-woo—" The Mongolian horn sounded, and the large Mongolian cavalry had no choice but to turn their horses around and regroup on both flanks.

Fortunately, the Mongol soldiers were known for their fierceness and resilience; if they had been ordinary Ming soldiers, they would have surely collapsed by now.

After Lancha led a hundred cavalrymen to break through the thousand-man unit, he turned his horse around and broke through the enemy formation again, killing and wounding dozens more enemy soldiers before leisurely charging into the Danxia landform.

The Mongol army suffered two hundred casualties!

Kolancha's ambush resulted in the loss of only nine men. Although the remaining hundred-plus men were all riddled with arrows, making them look frightening, none of them pierced their armor.

Lancha killed eighteen Mongol soldiers by himself, his body riddled with more than a dozen arrows, making him look like a hedgehog. But he was actually unharmed and still full of fighting spirit, shouting and yelling.

He possessed superhuman strength, capable of defeating a hundred men. The reason he was captured by the Jianzhou clan chief was because he was drunk and thus bound.

The Mongol pursuers lost their momentum and gathered outside Danxia for a time, not daring to enter rashly.

Subsequently, squadrons of Mongol cavalry galloped in, completely surrounding Danxia Mountain, which was only one mile in circumference.

This Danxia landform was originally an isolated hill in the desert. Erosion by wind and sand has divided it into Danxia landforms of varying heights, with hundreds or even thousands of them standing like pagodas. The lowest is only a few feet high, while the highest is still several feet high, with intervals of less than a foot.

This type of Danxia landform is quite common in the desert. However, the Mongol cavalry could only hesitate and not advance.

Danxia landforms are a significant disadvantage for cavalry. Not only do they reduce cavalry speed, but their formations are also disrupted by the Danxia formations, and their visibility is obstructed. When cavalry enters such Danxia terrain, their mobility advantage is completely lost.

At this moment, Zhu Yin and the others had rushed into the deepest part of Danxia and climbed to the top of the tallest Danxia in the middle.

This Danxia landform was originally a mountaintop, and it is still seven or eight zhang high and more than ten zhang wide, like a small plateau overlooking the surrounding area.

Seeing that Lancha and the others had successfully repelled the enemy and completely retreated into Danxia Land, Zhu Yin finally breathed a sigh of relief and calmed down instantly.

Shang Yang suddenly said, "As the saying goes, things will turn around when they reach their extreme, and even in the most desperate situations, one can find a way out. My lord, we are unlucky today and have just encountered a powerful enemy. Although we are in great danger, there is still a chance to turn the tide and defeat the enemy."

Zhu Yin nodded and said, "Brother Zhouming understands me well. If Zhouming thinks the same way, I am even more confident."

Mao Wenlong clapped his hands and said, "I understand! It really is an opportunity!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zhongxian's eyes flickered.

Before the enemy could completely encircle them, Zhu Yin immediately said to Wei Zhongxian, "Wanwu, quickly go to Helan Mountain to deliver a message and contact the rear army..."

He quickly gave a few instructions and then handed Wei Zhongxian a document stamped with the imperial envoy's seal.

"Rest assured, my lord, even if I die, my soul will still go to deliver the message!" Wei Zhongxian said resolutely, then mounted his horse and rode off from the west of Danxia, ​​detouring to Helan Mountain to deliver the message.

The Mongols are a nomadic people, renowned for their unparalleled horsemanship and tenacious character. If they had been determined to pursue Wei Zhongxian, his inferior horsemanship would have made escape impossible.

Fortunately, the large Mongol cavalry force was drawn to Zhu Yin and his men and did not notice or care about Wei Zhongxian's escape.

Wei Zhongxian spurred his horse westward out of Danxia Land, without attracting the pursuit of the Mongol cavalry from the east.

Wei Zhongxian was sent to deliver the message because he was the most suitable person to do so.

Wei Zhongxian lacked Lancha's bravery, Kangxi's loyalty, and Hongying's sincerity. He was not a man of both literary and military talent like Mao Wenlong, nor a born general like Cao Wenzhao.

However, Wei Zhongxian possessed a ruthlessness, forbearance, and viciousness that none of them had. He was the most cunning and scheming talent among Zhu Yinzhen's entourage.

If at this moment only one person could deliver the letter to the reinforcements and complete Zhu Yin's mission, then that person must be Wei Zhongxian.

Zhu Yin's gaze was complicated as he watched Wei Zhongxian gallop away on horseback.

Wei Zhongxian, I have trusted you and treated your whole family well these past few years, even regarding your daughter as my own. Today, do not disappoint me!
Zhu Yin was a man who could react quickly to danger, possessing a ruthless streak capable of fighting to the death. Now, facing a large Mongol cavalry force with no escape in sight, a daring plan surfaced in his mind. Whether the plan would succeed depended entirely on whether Wei Zhongxian could complete the mission.

"Ezhen! Your servant has returned." Lancha, as prickly as a hedgehog, climbed to the highest peak of Danxia. "Please do not worry, Ezhen. Even if I am shattered to pieces today, I will protect you!"

Zhu Yin personally removed the arrow from Lan Cha's head, saying with a mixture of fear and heartache, "Lan Cha, I've told you before, you are my brother, not my slave. If you don't come back, even if I kill ten thousand enemies, I still can't quell the hatred in my heart."

With tears in his eyes, Lancha said, "This servant is not afraid of death, but I am afraid of never seeing Ejen again."

"My lord!" Mao Wenlong cried out, "We are surrounded by the Tatars!"

But then the Mongol cavalry surged in like a tide, numbering as many as ten thousand, with more than three thousand armored cavalry, covering the sky and the earth.

The Danxia landform, within a radius of one mile, resembles a small island in a raging sea.

"Boom—" Amidst the flying dust, the sound of horses' hooves was like thunder.

Zhu Yin raised his binoculars, searching for the Mongol cavalry's supplies and provisions. However, he saw nothing.

The desert and Gobi are not grasslands. Even the Mongol cavalry, who were not heavily reliant on logistics, had to carry a certain amount of food and supplies when marching long distances in the desert, otherwise they would not have been able to go very far.

Sure enough, the Mongol cavalry's supply train should be dozens of miles away, not here. "Uncle Tiger, don't worry!" Ding Hongying shouted, gripping her sword. "The Tartars will only kill Uncle Tiger if they step on my bones!"

Cao Wenzhao brandished his spear, "My lord! Today is the day for me to repay you with my life! I am about the same age and height as you, my lord, and I am willing to exchange armor with you, break through the encirclement, and take your place to draw the Tartars' pursuit!"

After saying that, he turned his lance upside down and thrust it in, then prepared to remove his armor.

Zhu Yin quickly said, "Your Excellency, please don't do this! This plan is brilliant, but how can I abandon you?"

Ding Hongying gave Cao Wenzhao a deep look and found that Cao Wenzhao was very loyal to Uncle Hu. She couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards this mature and heroic young man.

Shang Yang laughed and said, "Your Excellency's plan of substituting one thing for another can be tried as a last resort. However, there is still an unpredictable chance of survival right now, so we can wait and see."

Zhu Yin addressed the nearly four hundred guards and over one hundred cavalrymen of the Fubiao Army:

"In the past, Tian Heng had five hundred loyal warriors, and today we also have five hundred! Though the Tartars are numerous, they cannot extinguish the spirit of our Han people! As long as we stand firm and wait for reinforcements to arrive, let's see who emerges victorious!"

He suddenly waved his hand and said, "When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave shall prevail!"

More than five hundred people shouted in unison: "When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave shall prevail! When two armies meet on a narrow path, the brave shall prevail!"

Although there were only a little over five hundred people, their fighting spirit was as high as that of a thousand troops, and everyone was like a fierce tiger, full of murderous intent.

Zhu Yin suddenly shouted, "Raise the flag! Raise my imperial flag and banner, and tell the Tartars that the Ming imperial envoy is here!"

"Woo woo woo—" Amidst the desolate sound of horns, a troop of white-armored cavalry escorted a Tatar nobleman with a hooked nose.

This Tatar nobleman wore an embroidered Mongolian robe, a corrugated hat inlaid with jewels, and various exquisite utensils hanging from his waist belt. He also wore esoteric Buddhist prayer beads on his chest and an ancient jade pendant on his finger.

When the Tartar cavalrymen saw this noble Nayan, they all patted their chests and bowed in salute.

This man was none other than Huoluochi, the leader of the Duoluotu Man tribe.

Although the Doruo Tuman tribe was called Tuman by the Ming Dynasty, Huoluochi was also a descendant of the Golden Family and the great-grandson of the Mongol Little Prince (Dayan Khan).

The Doruo Tuman tribe was the most powerful tribe among the Western Sea Mongols and the Greater and Lesser Songshan Mongols. In supporting Bo Bai's ascension to the throne of Prince Qing, he mobilized half of the tribe's able-bodied men, gathering ten thousand cavalry—a truly significant investment.

Bo Bai wrote to him that his attempt to seize Hexi two years ago failed because he lacked a powerful banner. He said that once he had a banner, the situation would immediately change. At least many of the millions of Han people in the Hexi region would respond.

Huoluochi deeply agreed with Bobai's words and also found a major reason why the Western Sea Mongols had repeatedly failed to gain influence in Hexi over the years: they had no banner!

Now we have a banner.

Prince Qing!

With Prince Qing around, many Han Chinese in the Northwest who are dissatisfied with the Ming court will become their tools!

In order to meet Bo Bai, he led the main force of the tribe, 10,000 cavalry, and swaggered through the poorly defended Hexi Corridor, across the east of the Tengger Desert, northward to meet Bo Bai and King Qing.

But he actually controlled more than 10,000 men; there were also 10,000 Ordos cavalry who had defected to him. However, those 10,000 Ordos cavalry were on the western front.

Their goal was simple: to defeat the main Ming army force pursuing Bo Bai in the desert, then guide Bo Bai and Prince Qing south, and finally, under Prince Qing's banner, conquer Hexi!

At that time, these Mongol nobles will be able to use the name of the "Ming Emperor" to swallow up the entire Northwest.

Originally, he had another option: to capture Lanzhou and install Prince Su as emperor.

But Prince Su was an obese drunkard, rumored to be perpetually intoxicated and so fat he was out of breath when he walked—it was truly outrageous. Even a puppet emperor needs to maintain decorum and composure.

On the contrary, I heard that Prince Qing is much better; he has the bearing of an emperor and is certainly good enough to be a puppet.

However, he did not know the exact location of Bo Bai and Prince Qing at this time, but according to Bo Bai's letter, they must have gone to Juyan Sea Blackwater City.

Unexpectedly, instead of leading Bo Bai and Prince Qing to him, he encountered a small group of Ming troops.

This Ming army force consisted of only a few hundred men, but each of them was an elite soldier in iron armor, far from being an ordinary Ming army. They were likely the guards of an important figure.

So he ordered his men to give chase. The Mongols were unparalleled horsemen, and in the vast Gobi Desert, no one could escape the pursuit of the Mongol cavalry; sooner or later, they would be caught.

However, although they caught up with the Ming army, they encountered a Danxia landform. This Danxia landform was high and had complex terrain, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Cavalry would be at a disadvantage if they entered it.

What's even more deadly is that this Ming army force is extremely powerful. Just now, a mere hundred or so men scattered the vanguard of a thousand men and killed two hundred of our own warriors! They are truly like tigers among men!

If we rashly enter, even if we wipe out these few hundred Ming soldiers and capture that important figure, our own losses will be enormous.

How can we eliminate this Ming army and capture their leader with minimal losses?
Beneath the black Harasuruding, Huoluo Chilema gazed coldly at the highest Danxia peak.

On the highest point of the Danxia landform, a Han Chinese man dressed in magnificent armor stood prominently, clearly a high-ranking figure in the Ming army.

Just as Huo Luochi was pondering, he suddenly saw a large apricot-yellow Ming army banner raised, followed by a flag held high. He immediately narrowed his eyes.

A Han Chinese scholar stepped forward and said, "Taiji Nayan, that's the Ming Dynasty's royal banner! It's Zhu Yin! Zhu Yin should be here!"

Taiji is a transliteration of the Chinese word for prince. The Mongols used it to refer to the sons of the Great Khan. Later, tribal leaders were also called Taiji.

Taiji Nayan means 'Your Highness the Crown Prince'.

From this perspective, there were far too many princes among the Mongol tribes; no wonder it was so chaotic.

"Zhu Yin?" Huo Luochi's expression brightened slightly. "Is it really him? If we catch him, things will be much easier."

Just then, a voice suddenly shouted from within the Danxia landform:

"My lord is Zhu Yin, the Governor of Ningxia and Imperial Commissioner of the Ming Dynasty. He has come to deliver a message to your esteemed Taiji! Bo Bai has committed treason and rebellion, a crime deserving of no forgiveness! Once the imperial army arrives, he will be reduced to dust! If Taiji pledges allegiance to the court and assists the imperial army in suppressing Bo Bai, he will not lose his title of prince!"

Upon hearing the translation, Huo Luochi couldn't help but burst into laughter, looking up at the sky.

"May Buddha bless me! My luck is like that of a reincarnated Living Buddha! No wonder I dreamt of dancing prisoners last night!"

"If the auspicious figure of the Han people falls into my hands, then the weeping of the Han people will make the dried-up rivers nourish our grasslands once again!"

"Warriors! Your Taiji and Nayan swear in the name of the Buddha that whoever captures Zhu Yin will share gold as heavy as Zhu Yin himself!"

(End of this chapter)