Chapter 49: Surround and Slaughter

When they returned to the central camp, Xu Da and the others were already in the main tent.

"Prince has returned! In today's battle, the Prince again earned the foremost merit!" Chang Yuchun laughed heartily as he greeted him.

Mu Ying also praised, "Those heavy cavalry were reputed invincible within the Northern Yuan Army, yet today the Prince scattered them single‑handedly; after this battle, the Prince's fame will surely spread across the world."

Zhu Yong said naively, "Kuokuo fled, heading to Erdao Liang."

Xu Da nodded, "Understood. The scout reported that Northern Yuan reinforcements are coming from the Longxi direction; Kuokuo is waiting to link up with them."

"Then what shall we do?" Zhu Yong asked, scratching his head.

Xu Da pondered briefly, "Erdao Liang's terrain is treacherous; a direct assault is difficult, yet we cannot let them unite."

He looked at Zhu Yong, "Prince, if you lead ten thousand elite troops around Erdao Liang's rear to cut off Kuokuo's retreat and block the Longxi reinforcements, can that be done?"

Zhu Yong nodded, "It can be done."

"Very well!"

Xu Da slammed the table, "General Chang, lead twenty thousand men in a feigned frontal attack to fix Kuokuo's main force; General Li, command ten thousand men to guard the valley entrance and prevent Kuokuo from desperate breakout; General Mu, accompany the Prince to assist him."

The generals gave their orders.

Zhu Yong left the tent, mustered ten thousand troops and horses, and prepared to set out.

Mu Ying followed up, "Prince, the mountain path ahead is difficult; we need light gear and a simple force."

Zhu Yong replied, "I know; three days' dry rations will suffice."

Mu Ying laughed, "The Prince is indeed straightforward."

The two led their armies out of the camp, circling to the rear of Erdao Liang.

The mountain road proved indeed arduous.

In many places the horses could not pass, so they had to dismount and walk.

Fortunately, Zhu Yong's Imperial Troops were all mountain‑born, traversing the paths as if on flat ground.

Mu Ying's soldiers were no less capable, having been specially trained.

After marching for an hour, a gorge appeared ahead.

"Beyond this gorge lies the rear mountains of Erdao Liang," Mu Ying said, pointing at the map.

Zhu Yong surveyed the terrain; the gorge was narrow, allowing only three horses abreast.

"This spot is perfect—one man can hold the pass, ten thousand cannot breach it," he said naively.

Mu Ying nodded, "Exactly, we'll set an ambush here and wait for the Longxi reinforcements."

"What about Kuokuo?"

"If Kuokuo comes down from Erdao Liang, he'll pass this spot, and we can catch him in one net."

Zhu Yong scratched his head, "Mu brother, you're smarter than me."

Mu Ying laughed loudly, "The Prince is a fierce commander, I am a scheming commander; each has his strengths."

The two set up hidden troops.

On the mountains flanking the gorge they concealed archers, erected roadblocks at the valley mouth, and dug horse‑trap pits within.

All preparations complete, it was already evening.

The setting sun sank in the west, bathing the valley in golden hue.

Zhu Yong sat on a large boulder, gnawing on dry rations.

Mu Ying walked over and handed a water bag.

"Prince, there's something I'd like to ask,"

"Ask away,"

"How heavy are those two hammers of yours?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, "Probably over a thousand jin."

Mu Ying forced a wry smile, "Today I saw you swing a hammer that sent an iron pagoda, man and horse alike, three Zhang through the air; that force must exceed a thousand jin."

Zhu Yong chuckled naively, "I don't know either, but it works."

Just then, hoofbeats sounded from afar.

A scout horse reported, "Prince, General, the Longxi reinforcements have arrived, five li away."

Mu Ying rose, "Prepare for battle."

Along both sides of the gorge, the soldiers gripped their weapons tightly.

Zhu Yong lifted his double hammers and vaulted onto his horse.

"Mu brother, you command, I'll charge,"

Mu Ying nodded, "Alright, when they're halfway into the gorge, we'll strike."

The sound of hooves grew nearer.

On the horizon, a mass of dark cavalry appeared.

They bore the Northern Yuan banner, numbering about twenty thousand.

At the front rode a middle‑aged commander, with a tangled beard and a fierce gaze.

He saw the gorge and reined in his horse.

"General, what's the matter?" the Vice General asked.

"The gorge is treacherous; there may be an ambush," the commander frowned.

"Then the detour?"

"The detour would add a day; Kuokuo General won't wait."

The commander pondered briefly, waved his hand and said, "Send a hundred‑strong cavalry squad ahead to scout the path."

A hundred‑man cavalry unit galloped into the gorge.

They walked around the valley once and found nothing unusual.

"General, the valley is empty."

The commander, relieved, ordered, "All troops advance, move through quickly."

Twenty thousand cavalry surged into the gorge.

The sound of hooves thundered, echoing through the valley.

Zhu Yong hid behind the rocks, waiting quietly.

One half, two thirds...

When the last batch of cavalry entered the gorge, he raised his right hammer.

"Kill!"

A roar burst out, like a sudden thunderclap.

Huge rocks rolled down from both sides of the mountain, smashing into the valley.

Archers appeared, arrows fell like rain.

The roadblock at the gorge entrance was pushed down, sealing the retreat.

Zhu Yong led the Imperial Troops to charge out from the front.

The Double Hammers whirled, like tigers entering a flock of sheep.

The Longxi reinforcements were caught off guard, their formation in chaos.

"Ambush!"

"Retreat quickly!"

But the rear road had already been blocked; the rear was cut off.

The gorge was narrow, men and horses crowded, trampling each other.

The scruffy‑bearded commander remained calm, brandishing his sword and ordering, "Don't panic, charge forward, break through!"

He led the Imperial Troops to dash toward the gorge entrance.

They ran head‑on into Zhu Yong.

"Those who block me shall die!" the commander roared, thrusting his spear straight into Zhu Yong's chest.

However... Zhu Yong raised his hammer to block.

"Clang!"

The spear snapped instantly.

The commander's throat split open, and before he could react, the second hammer already arrived.

"Bang!"

His chest caved in; the man flew off his horse, slammed into the cliff, slid to the ground, and lay motionless.

With the chief commander dead, the Northern Yuan Army collapsed completely.

Some dismounted and surrendered, some dropped their weapons and fled, some fought to the death.

But it was of no avail.

The gorge had become a slaughterhouse.

The battle lasted half an hour.

Of the twenty thousand Longxi reinforcements, five thousand were killed, ten thousand captured, five thousand scattered.

The Ming forces suffered fewer than a thousand casualties.

Mu Ying tallied the spoils and said happily, "Prince, this time Kuokuo is completely a turtle in a jar."

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Go back and tell Xu Shu."

The two led their troops, escorting the captives, back to the Military Camp.

By then night had fallen.

The camp was bright with bonfires.

Xu Da, hearing that the entire reinforcement was annihilated, was overjoyed beyond expectation.

"Good, good! Prince, you have achieved a great feat again! Kuokuo now has no Grain and Fodder, the reinforcements are destroyed, at most three days, they will surrender!"

Chang Yuchun laughed, "Then we'll besiege him for three days and see if he surrenders."

Just then, a commotion came from outside the tent.

"What's happening?" Xu Da frowned.

The Imperial Troops entered the tent to report, "Marshal, that Mongol Princess... is again making a fuss to see the Prince."

Zhu Yong scratched his head and said, "What's wrong with her now?"

"She says... she says if the Prince doesn't let her go, she will starve herself to death."

The generals looked at each other in bewilderment.

Xu Da looked at Zhu Yong and said, "Prince, you see..."

Zhu Yong stood up and said, "I'll go take a look."

He stepped out of the main tent and came to the tent imprisoning Minmin Temur.

Inside the tent, the food was laid untouched on a low table.

Minmin Temur sat on the mat, hugging her knees, expressionless.

Hearing footsteps, she lifted her head.

Seeing Zhu Yong, a flicker of complexity passed through her eyes.

"I heard you intend to starve yourself?" Zhu Yong asked.

"Let me go," Minmin Temur's voice was hoarse.

Why?

I'm going to find my brother.

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "Your brother was defeated, the Longxi reinforcements were also wiped out by me; he can't even protect himself now. If you go find him, it's a death sentence."

Minmin Temur bit his lip and said, "Then I'll go too. I'm a descendant of Chengjisihan; I'd rather die than suffer humiliation."

"No one will humiliate you. When the war is over, I'll send you back to Yingtian Prefecture; my father won't kill you, he might let you get married, or go to a temple," Zhu Yong said in a simple way.

I won't marry! And I definitely won't become a nun!

Zhu Yong scratched his head and asked, "Then what do you want to do?"

I want to return to the grassland, herd sheep, ride horses, and live a free life.

Zhu Yong paused for a moment and said, "When the world is at peace, the grassland will also belong to Great Ming; if you want to herd sheep, you can, and no one will stop you."

Minmin Temur glared at him and said, "What do you mean by that?"

"My meaning is simple: the war will eventually end, and then Mongol people and Han People will be like one family, all able to live well," Zhu Yong said seriously.

You… do you really think so?

Hmm.

Minmin Temur lowered his head and said nothing.

Zhu Yong pointed at the food and said, "Eat, then! If you starve to death, you won't see that day."

After speaking, he turned and left the tent.

As he reached the tent entrance, a voice came from behind.

"Wait."

Zhu Yong turned around.

Minmin Temur looked at him and softly said, "If my brother surrenders, can you really not kill him?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "You'd have to ask my father, but Uncle Xu said Kuokuo is a talent; if he's willing to surrender, he'll probably survive."

"Then… can you deliver a message to him for me?"

"What message?"

"Tell him that Minmin is still alive, and let him… let him also live."

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Alright, I'll give it a try."

He walked out of the tent.

The night wind blew in, carrying the scent of blood and fresh grass.

In the distance, specks of fire flickered on the second ridge.

That is Wang Baobao's camp; Wang Baobao is the Han name of Kuokuo Tiemuer.

Zhu Yong looked up at the starry sky.

Tomorrow, perhaps the war can finally end.

He tightened his grip on the hammer's handle and walked toward his own tent.

In the camp, soldiers sat around the bonfire; some were polishing weapons, others were chatting and laughing.

Seeing Zhu Yong, they all rose to salute.

Prince.

Prince.

Zhu Yong nodded in a simple way, walking past one bonfire after another.

From behind him, someone began to hum a little tune, unknown who.

It was a folk song from Fengyang, which he often heard his foster father sing when he was a child.

Gradually, more people joined in humming.

The singing drifted in the night wind, floating toward distant mountains, drifting toward the starry sky.

Zhu Yong stopped, turned his head and looked back.

The firelight reflected on one youthful face after another.

They came from all corners of the world, fighting for the same goal.

In this moment, Zhu Yong suddenly understood something.

He gripped the hammer tightly and continued forward.

His steps were firm.