Chapter 121: Incident in the Western Regions

Hongwu Year Five, the twenty‑sixth day of the seventh month.

Yingtian Prefecture had just had a rain, and the afternoon air carried the damp scent of earth.

In Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing memoranda.

Zhu Biao sat nearby, sorting the Account Book of salt and sugar revenues reported by the Ministry of Revenue; since the beginning of Hongwu Year Five, after Zhu Yong presented the sea‑salt drying method and white‑sugar refining technique, the Ministry of Works established twelve salt fields along the coast and opened three thousand mu of sugarcane fields in Fujian.

In just half a year, salt output tripled, and white sugar became a hot commodity, sold by maritime merchants to the South Sea and the West, bringing back silver exceeding one million taels.

"Father, at this rate, by year‑end the combined salt and sugar revenues could surpass ten million taels," Zhu Biao closed the account book, his face alight with joy.

Zhu Yuanzhang set down his brush and laughed, "Zhu Yong, that simple lad, the formula the old immortal gave in his dream is indeed practical; the salt price fell, the people can afford it.

Now that white sugar sells, the court has money—truly a great boon!"

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

A dust‑covered messenger was ushered in by a eunuch, fell to his knees and said, "His Majesty! Eight Hundred Li Urgent, Western Regions army report!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression hardened as he said, "Speak!"

"On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, General Feng Sheng led troops to pursue the remnants of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, and fell into an ambush in the Gobi three hundred li west of Hami!"

The enemy forces allied with Turpan, Bieshi Eight Li and six other small Western Regions states, plus about twenty thousand Northern Yuan remnants, a total of eighty thousand allied troops set the trap!

"What are our casualties?" Zhu Biao asked urgently.

"General Feng's force of fifty thousand suffered over ten thousand dead and wounded after the ambush; had it not been General Geng Bingwen who promptly led a side‑wing rescue, it would… would have been total annihilation."

Now the two armies have merged, retreating to defend Hami City, but the supply routes are cut, arrows are scarce, and the situation is dire!" the messenger said, his voice trembling.

Zhu Yuanzhang sprang to his feet, punched the imperial desk and declared, "Feng Sheng blundered!"

Zhu Biao hurriedly supported his father, saying, "Imperial Father, calm your anger! The urgent matter is to dispatch troops for rescue."

Zhu Yuanzhang took several deep breaths, forced himself to stay calm, and said, "Biao, immediately summon Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong and your younger brother Xiao Zhu to the palace for counsel!"

"Your servant obeys!"

Half an hour later, at Wu Ying Hall.

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, Li Wenzhong and Zhu Yong hurried there.

Zhu Yuanzhang handed the general report to everyone for perusal.

After reading, Xu Da furrowed his brows and said, "General Feng acted too hastily; although the Eastern Chagatai Khanate is weak, the various Western Regions tribes are tangled and entrenched; we should proceed steadily and methodically."

Chang Yuchun cursed, "That old Feng, a lifetime of battles, how could he capsize in a ditch!"

Li Wenzhong said gravely, "Your Majesty, I am willing to lead troops to the rescue."

Zhu Yong, after reading the report, looked up and said, "Father, I'll go as well."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him, "Zhu Yong, the Western Regions are not like the grassland; the Gobi is vast, water sources are scarce—are you confident?"

"Yes, Uncle Feng and Uncle Geng are trapped; we must rescue them, take the Longxiang Army, quickly," Zhu Yong replied succinctly.

Zhu Biao said, "Imperial Father, the second brother is right; the Longxiang Army consists of cavalry, moves swiftly. From Yingtian to Hami is four thousand li; if we force a rapid march, we can arrive in twenty days."

Xu Da added, "Your Majesty, you may order the Shaanxi provincial command to dispatch thirty thousand troops westward from Lanzhou, to flank with Prince Wu from the east; also order the Sichuan command to send twenty thousand northward from Songpan to contain the Tibetan tribes, preventing them from allying with Eastern Chagatai."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered briefly, then decided, "Very well! Zhu Yong, lead ten thousand of the Longxiang Army, depart tomorrow to rush to Hami.

Xu Da, you will mobilize the Shaanxi and Sichuan forces as just outlined.

Chang Yuchun, you will remain at Yingtian to oversee grain, fodder, and armaments, ensuring uninterrupted supply."

"Your servant obeys!" the three replied in unison.

"Biao, draft an edict: Feng Sheng missed his chance in the ambush; he should be punished, but considering his predicament, temporarily confiscate his Grand General of the Western Campaign seal and have Geng Bingwen act in his stead.

After the war ends, we will reassess," Zhu Yuanzhang added.

"Understood."

The others took their orders and withdrew to make preparations.

Zhu Yong left Wu Ying Hall, about to return to the residence, when Zhu Biao caught up, saying, "Second brother!"

"Elder brother."

Zhu Biao held him, whispering, "On this journey to the Western Regions, be cautious in all things; in the Gobi, water sources are vital, bring enough guides.

The Eastern Chagatai Khanate dares to set ambushes, surely relying on something—do not underestimate them."

"I understand, elder brother, rest assured; I will definitely rescue Uncle Feng and Uncle Geng," Zhu Yong nodded.

After a few words, the two brothers part ways outside the palace gates.

Zhu Yong rode back to the residence; just as he entered, Guanyin Nu greeted him, "Your Highness, someone from the palace says the Western Regions are in trouble; will you launch a campaign?"

"Yes, we depart tomorrow," Zhu Yong said, walking toward the house while shedding his cloak.

Guanyin Nu hurried to help him change, and Xiao Zhu brought hot water.

"How long will this journey take?" Guanyin Nu asked.

"Hard to say; at best two months, at worst three months. Huan Huan?" Zhu Yong said, splashing water on his face.

"I have just woken; I will prepare your travel attire," Guanyin Nu said, fetching clean garments.

"Thank you for your effort."

That night, Wu Wang Residence was brightly lit.

Guanyin Nu personally packed Zhu Yong's luggage, checking dry rations, water bags, medicines, and spare clothes one by one.

Zhu Yong went to the study and spread out the Western Regions map.

The blueprint was still provided by his system, but this copy was a reproduction, not the original.

Zhu Yong examined it closely, recalling fragmented memories of the Western Regions from his past life: a place of aridity, scarce rain, great diurnal temperature swings, where controlling water sources is paramount in warfare.

The next morning, at the hour of the Tiger.

At the Longxiang Army camp, ten thousand cavalry had assembled.

These soldiers had followed Zhu Yong in campaigns north and south, crushing Northern Yuan, pacifying Nüzhen, and conquering Goryeo, all battle‑hardened elites.

Everyone wore armor and bore spears, slung bows on their backs and knives at their sides, and the warhorses were vigorous.

Zhu Yong wore black fish‑scale armor, draped the Prince's Great Cloak over it, and rode his horse to stand before the formation.

Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and Li Wenzhong all came to see him off.

"Prince Wu, the road ahead is far, take care!" Xu Da said, bowing his hands.

Chang Yuchun patted Zhu Yong's shoulder and said, "Prince, beat those Western Regions barbarians mercilessly! Avenge Old Feng!"

Li Wenzhong handed over a Water Bag and said, "Prince, this is a leather sack given by Western Regions merchants; it holds water without leaking, it will be useful."

Zhu Yong thanked each of them in turn, then finally looked toward the palace gate.

Zhu Biao stood there and waved his hand at him.

Zhu Yong nodded in acknowledgement, turned and faced the great army.

"Set out!"

Ten thousand iron cavalry left Yingtian Prefecture and headed west.

From Yingtian to Hami was four thousand li.

Zhu Yong ordered a forced march, covering two hundred li each day, camping at night and marching at dawn.

Along the way, passing through Fengyang, Kaifeng, Luoyang, and Chang'an, the local administrations had already received imperial documents, prepared Grain and Fodder and water in advance, and waited beside the post roads.

When the Longxiang Army passed, the common folk gathered to watch and chatter.

"They are Prince Wu's troops!"

"I heard something happened in the Western Regions; Prince Wu is going to rescue."

"When Prince Wu rides out, he will surely win!"

"...."

On the fifth day of the eighth month, the great army arrived at Lanzhou.

Thirty thousand troops of the Shaanxi Provincial Office were already waiting here, commanded by Deputy Governor Guo Ying.

"Junior General Guo Ying, may I have an audience with Prince Wu!" Guo Ying led his men to welcome.

"General Guo, no formalities needed, how is the situation?" Zhu Yong dismounted and asked.

Guo Ying led him into the city, reporting as they walked: "Prince, the latest military report—Generals Feng and Geng are still besieged in Hami, the Eastern Chagatai Khanate's allied forces number about eighty thousand, have been encircling the city for half a month, but Hami City is strong and cannot be taken at present.

However, the city's stored Grain and Fodder can hold out for another month."

Zhu Yong looked at the map and said, "From Lanzhou to Hami there are still eighteen hundred li, we must cross the Qilian Mountains and traverse the Gobi; General Guo, how is your unit prepared?"

"Thirty thousand troops, of which ten thousand are cavalry and twenty thousand infantry; Grain and Fodder are stocked for two months, and five hundred water carts," Guo Ying replied.

"Good, set out tomorrow; cavalry go first, infantry will follow carrying Grain and Fodder," Zhu Yong ordered.

On the sixth day of the eighth month, forty thousand troops left Lanzhou and continued westward.

After passing Liangzhou, the terrain gradually changed.

The grassland receded, and the Gobi appeared.

Endless yellow sand, Heaven and Earth vast and desolate.

By day the scorching sun blazed like fire, at night the cold wind pierced to the bone.

Zhu Yong instructed the soldiers to cover their mouths and noses with cloth to keep out the sand.

He also strictly ordered each unit to conserve water and distribute it in measured portions.

On the tenth day of the march, they entered the Qilian Mountain region.

The mountain paths were rugged, and the army's speed slowed.

At that moment, the forward scouting cavalry reported: "Prince, we have spotted a small enemy force of about a thousand, setting up a checkpoint at a mountain pass thirty li away."

Zhu Yong ordered, "Zhang Wu, take a thousand men to clear the obstacle, move quickly, do not delay the main army's march."

"Junior General, at your command!" Zhang Wu led a thousand cavalry and rode off swiftly.

Half an hour later, Zhang Wu returned and reported, "Prince, the mountain pass is clear; we slew three hundred enemies, captured two hundred, the rest fled. Interrogating the prisoners revealed they are Turpan soldiers, ordered to intercept reinforcements here."

"Turpan… it seems all the Western Regions tribes have become involved," Zhu Yong said, looking west.