Chapter 105: Convergence

Thirty thousand troops marched along the road.

After three days of marching, they finally reached the North Bank of the Yalu River.

The river was wide and its current swift.

On the opposite bank, Goryeo flags could already be seen.

"General, the Goryeo Army has deployed on the opposite bank, about ten thousand strong," the scout reported.

Zhu Yong climbed a height to observe and saw a chain of camps on the opposite bank, with arrow towers standing in profusion.

"Where is Uncle Xu's army?" he asked.

"General Xu has set up camp outside Pingrang City, General Chang has attacked from the eastern front and has already taken three cities in succession. Goryeo Wang Zhuan has mobilized the nation's forces, resisting General Xu at Pingrang on one side and defending the Yalu River on the other, hoping to stop our army's southward advance."

Zhu Yong gave a simple smile and said, "He wishes it were so."

He summoned the commanders and said, "Tomorrow we cross the river: Zhang Wu will lead five thousand as the vanguard, crossing first to set up camp; Chen Heng will lead the second batch of five thousand to cross and fortify the beachhead.

I will lead the central army thereafter."

"General, the Goryeo Army has heavy forces on the opposite bank; a direct crossing could cause severe casualties," Wang Baobao advised.

"I have a plan. Tonight at midnight, we will send five hundred brothers good at swimming to slip across the river and set fire to their Grain and Fodder camp. Once they are in chaos, we will cross,"

Zhu Yong said with a simple laugh.

"Excellent plan!" the commanders praised.

At midnight that night, five hundred carefully selected swimmers, each holding a short knife in their mouths and bearing Fire Oil wrapped in oilcloth on their backs, slipped into the water.

The October river water was already cold, but these men were veteran soldiers from Liaodong and could endure it.

Zhu Yong stood on the riverbank, watching silhouettes disappear into the river one by one in the darkness.

Half an hour later, fire erupted on the opposite bank, shooting up to the sky.

Shouts of killing could be heard faintly.

"It's done!" Wang Gui exclaimed excitedly.

Zhu Yong ordered, "Zhang Wu, cross the river!"

"Yes!"

Fifty prepared rafts and small boats were launched together, carrying five thousand Ming troops toward the opposite bank.

The Goryeo camp on the opposite bank fell into chaos.

The Grain and Fodder camp caught fire; the defenders were busy dousing the flames, and the beachhead defense grew lax.

Zhang Wu led his troops to land smoothly and quickly established a beachhead position.

Chen Heng's second batch crossed the river, reinforcing the defensive line.

When Zhu Yong led the central army to cross, the Goryeo Army only then organized a counterattack.

Ten thousand Goryeo soldiers surged toward the beachhead.

Zhu Yong had just set foot ashore when he saw the enemy charging; without a word, he sprang onto his horse and led the Imperial Troops to meet them.

Double Hammers swung, like tigers entering a flock of sheep.

At a single glance, dozens of Goryeo soldiers were flung up.

"Stop him!" a Goryeo commander shouted.

Archers released arrows.

Arrows fell like rain.

Zhu Yong neither dodged nor flinched, swinging his hammer to part the arrows and charging straight into the enemy formation.

His horse trampled the linked camps, and his hammer swept away a thousand troops.

Where he passed, corpses lay strewn across the ground.

The Goryeo Army had never seen such a fierce general; their morale collapsed and they retreated in disorder.

"No retreat! Those who retreat shall be beheaded!" the Goryeo commander swung his sword, cutting down two deserters.

But the rout was already formed and could not be stopped.

Zhu Yong saw that commander, spurred his horse, and charged.

At a distance of Hundred Steps, he arrived in the blink of an eye.

The commander raised his sword to meet him.

Hammer struck.

Sword shattered, the man died.

The Goryeo Army completely collapsed, scattering in flight.

The Ming troops seized the momentum, beheading three thousand and capturing two thousand.

At daybreak, the battle ended.

The Yalu River defensive line was broken.

Zhu Yong ordered a one‑day rest and simultaneously sent messengers to report the victory to General Xu.

……

Yingtian Prefecture.

Inside Kunning Palace, Guanyin Nu, with her slightly swollen belly, walked in the courtyard.

Xiao Zhu entered hurriedly, holding the freshly arrived battle report, and said, "Princess! Prince, a victory report!"

Guanyin Nu took the report, her hand trembling slightly.

Unfolding it, she read: October 11th, King Wu led his army across the Yalu River, shattered the ten‑thousand‑strong Goryeo defensive line, beheaded three thousand, captured two thousand, and our casualties were under five hundred.

"Good… good…" Guanyin Nu's eyes reddened.

Xiao Ying supported her and said, "Princess, the Prince has won another battle; you should be glad."

"I'm happy, but… I'm worried about him; the baby is almost four months old, and his father is still on the battlefield…" Guanyin Nu said, rubbing her belly.

As she spoke, Empress Ma entered from outside.

"Minmin, Yong Er has won another battle; don't worry…" Empress Ma beamed.

"Imperial Mother." Guanyin Nu called hurriedly upon seeing Empress Ma.

Empress Ma asked concernedly, "How is your health? Did the imperial physician take your pulse today?"

"He came, said everything is fine," Guanyin Nu replied.

"That's good. Take good care of the fetus; you needn't worry about Yong Er, he knows his limits," Empress Ma comforted.

Though she said so, a hint of worry lingered in her eyes.

On the battlefield swords have no eyes; even knowing her son is brave, a mother cannot help but worry.

……

At the same time, the good news reached the court.

Inside Fengtian Hall, Zhu Yuanzhang held the battle report and laughed heartily.

"Excellent! Our Yong Er crossed the river and broke the enemy; in a day he seized the Yalu River defenses. Goryeo Wang Zhuan won't be able to sleep now!"

Zhu Biao also laughed, "Second brother's tactics grow ever more seasoned; night raids, burning supplies, crossing the river amid chaos, smashing the enemy at once—truly the talent of a great general."

The civil and military officials offered congratulations one after another.

"Prince Wu's valor truly makes him the pillar of the nation."

"Goryeo's fall is imminent; His Majesty, may you enjoy abundant blessings."

"..."

Zhu Yuanzhang, in high spirits, ordered, "Send the decree: reward the three armies, give each person wine and meat, double the rations for officers, and also order Xu Da to conduct a swift campaign and capture Pingrang soon."

"Understood."

After the court adjourned, the news spread beyond the palace.

On the streets of Yingtian Prefecture, the common folk hurried to spread the word.

"Did you hear? Prince Wu has won another battle!"

"The Yalu River defense fell in a day; three thousand heads were beheaded!"

"Prince Wu truly is a deity walking among us; fighting under him, our Great Ming lads will never lose!"

"..."

In the teahouse, the storyteller had already begun crafting a new tale.

"It is said that on that day by the Yalu River, Prince Wu swung his Double Hammers and shouted, 'Anyone who blocks me shall die!' The ten thousand men of the Goryeo Army dared not step forward…"

The people listened, entranced and intoxicated, and pride welled up naturally.

This is our Great Ming's Prince Wu, undefeated in battle!

……

South bank of the Yalu River.

After three days of rest, Zhu Yong led his troops southward again.

Along the way, Goryeo cities surrendered at the sight of his banner.

Goryeo Wang Zhuan shifted his main forces to Pingrang to resist Xu Da, leaving the Northern Region's defenses empty.

Zhu Yong advanced like a hot knife through bamboo, capturing five cities in succession.

On November second, he arrived at Anzhou, a hundred li north of Pingrang.

Anzhou's walls were high and thick, with a defending force of five thousand.

After surveying the city, Zhu Yong ordered a siege without assault.

"General, why not attack?" Chang Mao asked.

"Siege assaults cause heavy casualties; wait two days, Xu Shu should have some movement," Zhu Yong said.

Indeed, two days later, Xu Da sent a messenger.

"Prince Wu, the Grand General has breached the east gate of Pingrang; Goryeo Wang Zhuan has withdrawn his remnants to Kaicheng. The Grand General orders you to rush to Pingrang to meet and discuss the next campaign."

Zhu Yong immediately ordered, "Leave five thousand men to besiege Anzhou; the rest of the troops, follow me south to Pingrang."

"Understood!"

The main army set out, marching day and night in haste, and on November sixth arrived outside Pingrang City.