Chapter 745: Prelude to the Northern Expedition

Three months later.

Outside Haozhou, a great army gathered like clouds.

Thirty thousand infantry, five thousand cavalry, arrayed on the open plain.

Banners blotted out the sun, spears and swords stood like a forest.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) stood on the temporarily erected command platform, wearing black iron armor and a crimson cloak.

Below the platform, Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Fu Youde, Zhao Pusheng, Liao Yongzhong and other generals stood solemnly.

On the civil officials' side, Liu Ji, Li Shanliang (a recent defector from the Yuan court's minor officials, skilled in finance) and others stood with hands lowered.

"Gentlemen."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) spoke; though his voice was not loud, it carried clearly across the field.

"These past three months, we haven't been idle."

"Training troops, garrison farming, mining, and manufacturing weapons."

"The demon troops of White River Town came three times, probing three times."

"We held them."

He paused.

"But merely holding on is not enough."

"The Yuan court is rotten to the core, the False Song cowers in Huai East, the Central Plains lie strewn with corpses, and demonic vapors rise."

"We cannot wait."

His gaze swept over those below.

"Therefore, today here, we are not swearing to defend the city."

"We swear—"

"Northern Expedition!"

Below fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a roar like mountains and seas.

"Northern Expedition!"

"Northern Expedition!"

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) raised his hand, and the sound waves gradually subsided.

"This battle is not for seizing territory, not for claiming kingship."

"Its purpose is to carve out a path to survival."

"Its purpose is to reclaim a land where we and our elders behind us can farm in peace and raise children in peace!"

"First battle of the Northern Expedition—"

He drew his sword and pointed northwest.

"Xu Prefecture!"

Seven days later.

Before Xu Prefecture.

The Yuan court's defender, Kuotuo Tiêmuer (Wang Baobao), stood on the city wall, his face grim.

Outside the city, the Ming army's camp stretched endlessly.

Orderly, with clear fortifications.

What startled him further was the Ming army's equipment.

Blades sharp, armor neat.

This is certainly not something ordinary bandits could possess.

"Scouts report: the bandit chief Zhu Yuanzhang, who calls himself the Prince of Wu, commands tens of thousands."

The deputy commander reported in a low voice.

"Observing their camp, it closely follows military doctrine; there must be an expert advising them."

Wang Baobao snorted coldly.

"An expert? A bunch of mud-legged peasants—what expert could they have?"

"Issue the order: close all four gates, stock rolling logs and stones, string the bows and crossbows."

"Let's see how they attack!"

His words had just fallen.

Outside the city, the Ming army's camp suddenly sounded a low horn.

The camp gates swung open.

Rows of infantry pushed forward dozens of strange devices, advancing slowly.

The devices resembled large wooden boxes, with wheels below and a sloping thick plank in front.

"What is that?"

Wang Baobao furrowed his brow.

No one could answer.

Only see the Ming army pushing those devices to the moat's edge, about a hundred paces away, and stopping.

The rear wooden panel of the devices opened, revealing a dark black……iron tube?

Wang Baobao's heart inexplicably tightened.

The next instant.

Firelight burst forth!

A thunderous roar exploded in succession!

Several dozen scorching iron balls, dragging white smoke, tore through the air, and fiercely smashed into the walls of Xu Zhou!

"Cannon——!"

Knowledgeable veterans let out a piercing, miserable scream.

But it was already too late.

The iron balls slammed heavily into the city wall!

Bricks and stones shattered, smoke and dust billowed everywhere.

One iron ball struck a corner of the watchtower, wood and stone flying, as the defending troops screamed and fell.

Wang Baobao was knocked down by his personal guards, crawled up dirty and dusty, his ears ringing.

He looked in horror at the city wall.

The sturdy walls of Xu Zhou were pitted with several shallow craters by this barrage, and the parapet shattered in multiple places.

Such power……

Such range……

This is absolutely not any kind of firearm he knows!

"Release arrows! Release arrows!"

He shouted hoarsely.

A rain of arrows fell on the battlements, but thick wooden shields covered the Ming army's equipment, causing most arrows to bounce off.

And the Ming army's "cannon" had already been reloaded.

Firelight flashed again.

The second barrage followed immediately.

This time, the aim was even better.

Several iron balls concentrated their bombardment near the gate tower, cracking the bricks and shattering the defenders' resolve.

"General! The west gate is under threat! The enemy begins to set up siege ladders!"

"The south gate too!"

Wang Baobao's eyes were about to burst.

The Ming army was not attacking just one side.

They were attacking all four sides simultaneously!

Moreover, behind the infantry pushing those strange devices, the true assault ladder units had swiftly closed in on the city wall, taking advantage of the cannon barrage's chaos.

The siege ladders were raised.

Grappling hooks were thrown up.

Ming army elite troops, wearing light armor and gripping short knives in their teeth, swarmed up like monkeys!

"Hold! Hold for me!"

Wang Baobao drew his sword and roared angrily.

But the troops' morale was already in disarray.

That unprecedented long-range bombardment utterly stunned the defenders.

When Chang Yuchun personally led the vanguard corps, they were the first to break through from the east and scale the wall, cutting down the flag officer.

The collapse began.

"The city has fallen!"

"Run!"

The defending troops cried out as they retreated in disarray.

Wang Baobao slew several in succession, but could not stem the rout.

He watched as the Ming army surged onto the battlements like a tide, and gazed at the distant "Wu" banner drawing ever closer.

He finally let out a long sigh.

"Withdraw!"

"Exit through the north gate!"

At dusk.

On the battlements of Xu Zhou, crimson flags were raised.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) stepped over the city tower still smelling of gunpowder, overlooking this pivotal Zhongyuan stronghold.

"How are the casualties?"

Xu Da followed at his side, reporting quickly.

"Our side lost 237 killed, over 500 wounded."

"We annihilated about 3,000 enemy, captured 4,000, the rest scattered."

"The granary and arsenal are both under control, basically intact."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) nodded.

"The first battle was a victory, fought well."

"Especially the 'Hongwu First Form' field cannon."

He looked behind him at Liu Ji and Li Shanlong following.

"The Investigation of Things Institute and the Armory Workshop, record first merit."

Liu Ji clasped his hands.

"This device is still crude, loading is slow, and its range is also insufficient."

"Moreover, the consumption of rare metal is too great, making widespread use difficult."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) waved his hand.

"Don't worry about it being crude; if it's useful, that's enough."

"After this battle, we must tighten improvements."

"Also, screen all captured Yuan military craftsmen; those useful are to be incorporated into the Artisans' Camp."

"Yes."

Li Shan-chang agreed.

At this moment, Chang Yuchun strode over, his armor stained with blood, yet his face full of excitement.

"Your Highness Wu! We've caught a big one!"

"The Yuan general Kuo Luo Tiemuer didn't escape; we've blocked him in the north gate alley!"

"Alive?"

"Alive! Though his leg is broken, he's howling."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang)'s eyes flickered slightly.

Wang Baobao.

"He is one of the few capable commanders left in the late Yuan court."

"Bring him over."

Soon, two personal guards half-carried Wang Baobao forward.

His left leg bent unnaturally, his face deathly pale, yet he stubbornly refused to kneel.

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) sized him up for a moment.

"I'll give you two options."

"First, death."

"Second, drill troops for me."

Wang Baobao snapped his head up.

"You… you won't kill me?"

"It's a waste to kill someone who knows how to fight."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang)'s tone was flat.

"But I'll only use you to fight, not to command troops."

"Choose."

Wang Baobao's chest heaved violently.

He stared at the "Wu Prince" before him, younger than himself, and at the surrounding Ming soldiers who glared like tigers yet were strictly disciplined.

He also recalled the Yuan court's internal strife and corruption, and the terrifying artillery that could shred anything.

After a while.

He slumped, lowering his head.

"A guilty general… I am willing to offer my humble service."

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) nodded.

"Take him away to treat his wounds."

"Once healed, report to Left Minister Xu Da."

After dealing with the surrendered general, Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) looked north again.

"Xu Prefecture has fallen; the gateway to the Central Plains stands wide open."

"Order the entire army to rest and regroup for three days."

"Three days later——"

His gaze was sharp as a blade.

"Split the forces into two routes."

"Xu Da and Chang Yuchun will lead the cavalry and elite infantry as the western route, advancing west along the Yellow River to sweep toward Bian Liang and Luoyang."

"Fu Youde and Zhao Pusui will command the main force as the eastern route, passing through Shandong to move north in support."

"Liao Yongzhong's navy will patrol the Grand Canal to secure the supply lines."

"I will personally command the central army and follow up behind."

The generals clasped their fists.

"Yes, sir!"

Zhu Yue (Zhu Yuanzhang) turned and walked down the city wall.

"The curtain on the northern expedition has risen."

"Next."

"It will be a swift wind and raging fire."

"Sweeping across the Central Plains."