Chapter 46: Ambush

The night in Shen'er Valley arrived later than on the plains.

When a streak of dark red still lingered on the western horizon, campfires had already been lit in the valley.

The Great Ming Military Camp stretched for several li, its scattered flames flickering like stars, reflecting the newly appearing constellations above.

Inside the Central Command Tent, Xu Da was discussing matters with the generals.

The sand table was studded with small flags; the Blue Flag representing the Great Ming had already advanced to the middle of the valley, while the Red Flag of the Northern Yuan Army had retreated deeper.

"In today's battle we cut down over three thousand enemies and captured two thousand; Kuokuo's vital energy is unharmed, but his fighting spirit is bruised. His main force still numbers fifty to sixty thousand, retreating to the Erdao Liang area where the terrain is higher, easy to defend and hard to attack," Xu Da said, pointing at the sand table.

Chang Yuchun crossed his arms and hummed, "Even if it's easy to defend and hard to attack, we still have to strike; we can't just linger here. Grain and fodder coming from Shaanxi takes half a month to transport, we can't afford the delay."

Mu Ying nodded, "General Chang is right; since Kuokuo has withdrawn to higher ground, we must find a way to lure him down, or trap him to death below."

Li Wenzhong mused, "Trapping him to death won't be easy. The scouting horse reports there's a small path behind Erdao Liang leading to Longxi; if Kuokuo senses the situation is unfavorable, he could escape through there."

The generals turned their gaze toward Zhu Yong.

Zhu Yong was staring at the Erdao Liang position on the sand table, his brows slightly furrowed.

Xu Da asked, "Prince, do you have any ideas?"

Zhu Yong lifted his head and said earnestly, "I think Kuokuo took a loss today, he's definitely seething. If he's clever, he should raid the camp at night to save face."

His words caused a brief hush inside the tent.

Chang Yuchun slapped his thigh, "Exactly! That kid Kuokuo cares most about face! After being beaten by the Prince today and fleeing in panic, can he really endure?"

Xu Da squinted, tapping his finger on the edge of the sand table, "The Prince makes a good point; we'll go with his plan, strengthen the night watch, and wait for him."

"I, the junior commander, request orders to guard the front camp!" Chang Yuchun said immediately.

"I, the junior commander, will guard the left camp," Mu Ying added.

Li Wenzhong also clasped his fists, "I'll take the right camp."

Xu Da nodded, "Very well, I'll personally command the Central Command Tent, Prince…"

He turned to Zhu Yong and said, "Take your troops and ambush in the forest three li outside the camp. If Kuokuo comes to raid, he'll have to pass here; when they're halfway through, you cut them off from behind, and we'll strike from both sides."

Zhu Yong clasped his fists, "Understood!"

The generals dispersed to make preparations.

Zhu Yong stepped out of the Central Command Tent and ran into Zhang Wu.

"Prince, that Mongol Princess has been clamoring to see you," Zhang Wu said.

"Princess…" Zhu Yong was startled.

"She's Kuokuo's sister. She claims to be a Northern Yuan Princess. The brothers guarding her say she won't eat or drink until she meets the Prince," Zhang Wu said, scratching his head.

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Bring her to my tent."

A moment later, Minmin Temur was brought into Zhu Yong's tent.

Her splendid Mongol Robe was already dust‑stained, her hair re‑styled and tied at the back with a leather cord.

There were no tear tracks on her face, and her gaze remained defiant.

Zhu Yong sat on a low stool, pointed to the opposite seat and said, "Sit."

Minmin Temur stayed standing and asked, "What do you intend to do with me?"

Zhu Yong answered honestly, "After the fighting ends, I'll send you back to Yingtian Prefecture, where my father will decide your fate."

"Your father… you mean the Ming Emperor?" Minmin Temur frowned, then suddenly understood.

"Mm."

"Will he kill me?"

Zhu Yong shook his head, "I don't know; he might send you to a temple, or arrange a marriage."

Minmin Temur bit her lip, remained silent for a moment, then said abruptly, "If you release me, I'll have my brother withdraw his troops."

Zhu Yong laughed, "You think I'm foolish? If I let you go, Kuokuo will come back to fight even harder."

"Then what would make you willing to release me?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said seriously, "When Kuokuo surrenders or is driven away, I'll let you go."

"That's impossible!"

Minmin Temur shouted excitedly, "My brother is the most formidable commander of the Northern Yuan, a descendant of Chengjisihan, and would rather die than surrender!"

Zhu Yong didn't get angry, and said simply, "Then there's nothing we can do. Are you hungry? I'll have someone bring you food."

Minmin Temur glared at him, suddenly feeling that talking to this simpleton was like a fist striking cotton—utterly futile.

She took a deep breath, changed the subject, and asked, "How many of my people did you kill on the battlefield today?"

Zhu Yong scratched his head, "I didn't count, maybe… a hundred or so?"

"Don't you think that's cruel?"

"On the battlefield, it's life and death; what's cruel about that? When you Mongols moved south into Zhongyuan, didn't you kill many?" Zhu Yong said matter‑of‑factly.

Minmin Temur was at a loss for words.

She recalled stories her people told in childhood, how her grandfathers marched south into Zhongyuan, besieging cities and ravaging lands, indeed killing countless people.

"That's different…" she whispered.

"What's different?" Zhu Yong stood up, walked to the tent's entrance, lifted the curtain, and pointed at the Great Ming soldiers resting by the campfire outside.

"Look at those brothers; they also have fathers, mothers, wives, and children at home. If today I don't kill your people, it's they who die. So tell me, which should I choose?"

Minmin Temur could not speak.

Zhu Yong lowered the curtain, turned back and said, "War is just like that; there's no moral to argue. If you have a grievance, blame the world itself! Moreover, you were the ones who first looted…"

He called Zhang Wu over and said, "Send her back and get her something to eat; don't let her starve."

Before being taken away, Minmin Temur glanced back at Zhu Yong.

This Great Ming commander was completely unlike what she had imagined.

Not fierce, not arrogant, even a bit simple.

But this very person, today on the battlefield like a demon god descending, killed so many of her people.

Her mind was in chaos.

At midnight, the moon hid and the stars were sparse.

Zhu Yong led five thousand troops and horses, slipped out of camp, and ambushed in a forest three li outside the camp.

The forest wasn't large, but the trees were dense, easily concealing five thousand people.

Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng each guarded a side.

Zhu Yong sat under a big tree, closed his eyes to rest his spirit.

The night wind passed through the woods, bringing distant insect chirps.

One hour passed, then two hours passed.

Just as dawn approached, the sound of horse hooves came from outside the forest.

The sound was faint, yet dense.

Zhu Yong opened his eyes.

Through the gaps in the branches, he saw a cavalry unit passing along a small path outside the forest.

Clad in black, black horses, their hooves wrapped in cloth, silent and soundless.

About three thousand men, all light cavalry.

The leading commander was tall and sturdy, his face covered by a black scarf, only a pair of eyes visible.

It was Kuokuo Tie Mu Er.

He indeed had arrived.

Zhu Yong gripped his Double Hammers tightly, waiting patiently.

Three thousand riders moved like an undercurrent, flowing from outside the forest.

Half, two‑thirds, three‑quarters…

When the last batch of riders was about to pass, Zhu Yong stood up.

"Kill!"

A shout roared, shattering the pre‑dawn silence.

Five thousand bright troops surged out of the forest like a tiger bursting from a gate.

Kuokuo's cavalry was caught off guard, the rear formation fell into chaos.

"Ambush!"

"Retreat quickly!"

The Mongol cavalry tried to turn their horses, but the forest path was narrow; for a moment men crowded the horses, horses collided with people, a chaotic mess.

Zhu Yong rode alone into the enemy ranks, his Double Hammers flashing.

One hammer struck a horse's leg; the warhorse whined and fell, its rider tumbling off.

A hammer swung horizontally, sending three riders flying at once.

He deliberately charged where crowds were dense; wherever he passed, people were overturned and horses thrown.

Kuokuo, at the front line, heard shouts from behind, realizing it was a trap.

"Don't panic! Front line becomes rear line, charge out!" Kuokuo Tie Mu Er turned his horse, personally leading the charge back.

But he didn't anticipate, he met head‑on.