Chapter 310: Thirsty Stone City

The sixteenth year of Hongwu, the nineteenth day of the sixth month.

At the far end of the Western Regions, the border of the Timur Empire.

The sun has just risen from the Gobi sands in the east, dyeing the whole Heaven and Earth a golden red.

Zhu Yong steadied his warhorse, squinting as he looked ahead.

Where his gaze fell, the yellow sand thinned, giving way to vast stretches of barren Gobi, occasional clumps of withered camel spines swaying faintly in the morning wind.

Further away, the horizon faintly revealed the outline of a city: earth‑colored walls and towering watchtowers, hazy in the dawn light.

"Your Highness, ahead lies the border city of the Timur Empire, Keshicheng," Zhang Wu urged his horse forward, pointing at the distant city.

He paused, then added, "According to our intelligence, after Keshicheng, another twenty‑plus days westward will bring us to their capital, Samarkand."

Zhu Yong nodded, his gaze lingering on the city for a moment.

Keshicheng.

The birthplace of Tie Mu Er.

In his previous life he had read that Tie Mu Er was born in Huojiaierga Village near Keshicheng.

The city serves as the eastern gateway of the Timur Empire; caravans entering the empire from the Western Regions make their first stop here.

"Send the order down, the whole army to form up," Zhu Yong said in a deep voice.

"Yes!"

Zhang Wu spurred his horse away, relaying the commands.

Half an hour later, three thousand Longxiang Army cavalry had lined up in perfect order.

Zhu Yong returned to the front of the formation and dismounted.

"Change clothes."

The Imperial Troops presented a brand‑new Prince Wu royal uniform and stepped forward.

Its base was dark, embroidered with a five‑clawed cloud python in gold thread, a jade belt at the waist, and a Gold Crown on the head.

It was personally commissioned by Empress Ma before departure, made from the finest cloud brocade with the most exquisite embroidery.

Zhu Yong, attended by the Imperial Troops, dressed himself neatly and then mounted his horse.

Beside him stood two Black Horses, each bearing a drum‑shaped golden hammer on its back.

"Longxiang Army, form the array!"

The three thousand cavalry began to form the array.

The front rank comprised five hundred Heavy Armor cavalry, clad in plate armor obtained in the seventh year of Hongwu, encased from head to toe in refined steel, flashing a cold glint in the sun.

They wielded long spears, tips angled forward, carried ready Flintlock Guns on their backs, and slung sabers at their waists.

The middle rank was two thousand light cavalry, also in plate armor, bearing Flintlock Guns, with ammunition pouches and short knives at their waists.

The rear rank consisted of five hundred scouts and logistics troops, responsible for watch and supply.

Three thousand men, three thousand warhorses, three thousand sets of plate armor, three thousand Flintlock Guns.

Uniform and unmoving, not a single thread out of place.

Only the warhorses occasionally snorted, exhaling a puff of white vapor.

Zhu Yong spurred his horse to the front of the formation, followed by Zhang Wuhe, Chen Heng and other commanders.

Guanyin Nu's carriage also rolled up.

The carriage window lifted, revealing Guanyin Nu's face.

Today she wore a bright red princess's ceremonial dress, a phoenix crown in red gold set with rubies, dignified and beautiful, exuding noble splendor.

Zhu Huanhuan sat beside her, dressed in a goose‑yellow robe and skirt, a delicate pearl hairpiece atop her head, quiet and graceful.

Zhu Qiong Jiong perched on her lap, looking outward; when he saw Zhu Yong, his eyes sparkled.

"Father, are we about to enter the city?"

Zhu Yong looked at his son and smiled, "Hmm, almost there."

Zhu Qiong Jiong asked again, "Will those of Tie Mu Er stop us?"

Zhu Yong shook his head lightly, "They won't."

He paused, squinting slightly, and said, "Even if they block us, they'd have to be able to hold us..."

Zhu Qiong Jiong nodded as if half‑understanding.

Guanyin Nu looked at her husband and softly said, "Your Highness, this journey has been hard."

Zhu Yong looked at her, a hint of tenderness rising in his eyes.

"You too have endured; hold on a bit longer. Once we reach Samarkand and finish our business, we'll return."

Guanyin Nu nodded and lowered the carriage curtain.

Zhu Yong spurred his horse back to the front, inhaled deeply, and raised his hand.

"Depart!"

The three thousand cavalry began to move forward slowly.

The thunder of hooves shook the heavens, raising clouds of dust.

……

After marching for about an hour, Keshicheng's outline grew ever clearer.

The walls rose higher than seen from afar, about Three Zhang tall, built of mud bricks yet unusually solid.

Dozens of soldiers stood at the gate, clad in leather armor, wielding long spears, with curved swords at their waists.

Seeing the rolling dust in the distance, the soldiers grew visibly tense; some rushed into the city to send word, while the rest gripped their spears as if facing a great enemy.

Zhu Yong raised his hand, signaling the formation to slow.

The three thousand cavalry slowed to a halt, about a mile from the gate.

Zhang Wu spurred his horse forward and shouted loudly, "Prince Wu of Great Ming has arrived! Open the gates quickly!"

The soldiers looked at each other, clearly not understanding Chinese.

A Strongman who seemed to be the leader shouted a few words in Persian, meaning to have them wait.

Zhu Yong didn't understand, but knew they were waiting for a superior.

After roughly the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, the city gate swung open.

A cavalry unit galloped out, led by a middle‑aged man in a brocade robe, sporting a big beard, wearing a wrapped headscarf, and with a curved sword inlaid with gems hanging at his waist.

He halted his horse about fifty steps from the Longxiang Army, staring at the army before him, a flash of shock passing through his eyes.

Three thousand cavalry, three thousand sets of plate armor, gleamed with a cold light in the sun, perfectly orderly, not a hair out of place.

That aura was more powerful than any army he had ever seen.

He inhaled deeply, spurred his horse forward, and in stiff Chinese said, "Honored guests, where… are you from?"

Zhang Wu replied, "Great Ming."

The man's eyes lit up, and he quickly dismounted, bowing and saluting.

"Welcome, welcome! I am the Governor of Keshicheng, named… Abdullah, acting on the orders of His Majesty Tie Mu Er, to receive the Great Ming envoys here."

He paused, then added, "His Majesty Tie Mu Er has already received word, knows that Great Ming's envoys are coming, and specifically instructed me to wait here."

Zhu Yong spurred his horse forward, looking down at him from a higher position.

"Tie Mu Er knows that this king is coming?"

Abdullah felt the pressure, and fine beads of sweat seeped onto his forehead.

"Yes, yes, a few months ago a caravan came from the Western Regions, bringing the news."

Zhu Yong nodded and said nothing further.

Abdullah watched him cautiously, then glanced at the army behind him, unable to suppress a swallow of saliva.

"Honored Prince, your army… may camp outside the city; we have prepared tents and food…"

Zhu Yong cut him off, "My personal guards must accompany me into the city."

Abdullah was taken aback, hesitating, "This… this goes against protocol…"

Zhu Yong stared at him, saying nothing.

That gaze made Abdullah's heart hair‑stand.

Zhang Wu said coldly from beside, "Rules… Great Ming's rule is that wherever the Prince goes, the personal guards follow."

Abdullah opened his mouth, wanting to speak, but ultimately lowered his head.

"Yes, yes, I will arrange it right away."