Chapter 517: Seizing the Crossing

On the second day after Kangjaba City fell, Zhu Xiongying stood on the city wall, gazing at the northern horizon.

The morning mist drifted in from the Niger River direction, enveloping the whole sparse‑tree grassland in a gray‑white shroud.

In the distance, a few baobab trees could be faintly seen; their trunks were stout, crowns bare, resembling turnips stuck upside down in the ground.

The inland scenery of Africa is completely different from that of North Africa.

There are no sand dunes, no desert, just endless grassland, with occasional patches of forest scattered across the horizon.

"Brother, the scouts have returned." Zhu Gaochi walked up from beneath the wall, holding a freshly compiled intelligence report.

Zhu Xiongying took it, unfolded it.

The Mali Empire's main force is gathering on the banks of the Niger River; Manssa Musa leads the troops himself, claiming 100,000, but the actual fighting strength is estimated at 60–70 thousand.

The cavalry is well equipped with iron armor, long spears and curved swords; the infantry's gear is average—cotton armor, wooden shields—and there are many archers.

Their advantage is familiarity with the terrain; they run fast on the grassland and their supply lines are short.

"Sixty‑to‑seventy thousand, plus the remnants Abu Hassan brought over from North Africa, makes eighty thousand no problem." Zhu Xiongying handed the report to Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaochi read it once, frowned and said, "Eighty thousand is about the same as us, but they fight on home ground with short supply lines; our supply line stretches from the Gulf of Guinea, nearly five hundred li, passing through rainforest and grassland, hard to sustain."

"So we can't delay; we must strike quickly." Zhu Xiongying turned and looked at the Street inside the city.

On the Street of Kangjaba City, Longxiang Army soldiers were organizing prisoners to clean up trash.

A few local black men crouched at the wall corner, watching the iron‑clad soldiers pass, their eyes showing both fear and curiosity.

"Send the order: the whole army rests for a day; at first light tomorrow we march north, target the Niger River."

"Yes…"

Zhu Gaochi replied, turned and went to make arrangements.

Zhu Xiongying descended the wall and went to the temporary command post inside the city.

Zhu Shangbing was standing before a map, holding a branch, gesturing over something on the map.

Zhu Jixi squatted at the doorway sharpening his blade, Li Jinglong sat on the threshold reading, Zhu Gaoxu lay on the table drawing a map, and Zhu Qiong Jiong leaned against a pillar, eyes closed, resting.

"Everyone's here, let's convene." Zhu Xiongying entered, stopped in front of the map.

A few people gathered around.

"The Mali Empire's main force is gathering on the Niger River bank, Manssa Musa leads personally; our goal is to cross the river and seize the crossing before they establish a foothold on the opposite bank, then engage them in decisive battle."

"How wide is the Niger River?" Zhu Shangbing asked.

"The scouts reported that the river surface about two hundred li north of Kangjaba is roughly 300 zhang wide, the current is gentle, and it can be crossed."

Zhu Xiongying pointed to a spot on the map called Kuli Koro, a small town on the Niger River bank.

"The fleet can sail from the Gulf of Guinea up the Komoe River, enter the Niger River, and proceed all the way to Kuli Koro."

Zhu Gaochi's eyes lit up.

"The Water Route is far faster than the Land Route, and its capacity is larger; Grain and Fodder, ammunition, and heavy artillery can all be shipped."

"Right, the fleet is already waiting at the mouth of the Komoe River. Zhu Jixi, you take 5,000 men back to the coast and bring the fleet in."

Zhu Jixi stood up, clasped his fists and said, "Yes!"

"Shangbing, you lead 10,000 men northward, clearing small enemy detachments along the way; the main force will follow."

Zhu Shangbing clasped his fists and said, "Yes!"

"Qiong Jiong, you take the Vanguard Camp with the fleet; upon reaching Kuli Koro, land immediately and seize the crossing."

Zhu Qiong Jiong slung the Wolf Fang Club onto his shoulder, grinned and said, "Brother, don't worry."

Zhu Gaoxu looked up beside him, eyes sparkling, and asked, "Brother, what about me?"

"You follow me."

Zhu Gaoxu grinned and continued drawing the map.

Li Jinglong sat on the threshold, turned a page of his book, and said nothing.

He never fought for personal glory, yet once on the battlefield he never retreated.

Zhu Xiongying looked again at Zhu Gaochi.

"Chier, keep an eye on the Grain and Fodder; when the fleet arrives, unload Grain and Fodder and ammunition first, then the artillery."

Zhu Gaochi nodded, "Brother, don't worry."

At first light the next day, the army split into separate columns.

Zhu Jixi led 5,000 men southward to meet the fleet.

Zhu Shangbing led 10,000 men northward, clearing Mali Empire outposts along the way.

Zhu Xiongying took the main force of 50,000 men northward along the Niger River valley.

Zhu Qiong Jiong led the Vanguard Camp with the fleet, moving north via the Water Route.

The fleet set out from the mouth of the Komoe River, sailed upstream along the Komoe River, and entered the Niger River.

Three hundred diesel‑engine ships formed a single column, smokestacks belching black smoke, the roar of diesel engines echoing through the river valley.

The river surface was wide and the current gentle; the fleet moved swiftly.

Zhu Qiong Jiong stood at the bow, looking at the scenery on both banks.

The left bank was sparse‑tree grassland, the right bank the same.

Occasionally a few antelopes drank at the shore, but seeing the massive black fleet they bolted, turning tail.

After two days' march, a small town appeared ahead.

The town was modest, about a hundred households; the houses were mud‑brick, gray‑yellow, blending with the surrounding grassland.

At the town's entrance stood a wooden pole, its top bearing the Mali Empire flag—green field with a golden lion.

"General, that is Kuli Koro." the Vice General rode up on horseback.

Zhu Qiong Jiong squinted and watched for a while.

In the town, people were running around; some hid in houses, some fled north, a total chaos.

"Send the order: approach the shore, land."

Vanguard ships accelerated toward the shore.

Zhu QiongJiong was the first to jump off the ship, his feet landing on the soft grass.

The air carried the scent of fresh grass, the breath of river water, and an indescribable wild aroma.

"Form the formation..."

Five thousand Vanguard Camp troops formed on the shore, their Flintlock Guns sweeping inland in unison.

The townsfolk had mostly fled, leaving only a few frail elderly who could not move, trembling inside their houses.

Zhu QiongJiong did not enter the town; he set up camp on the open ground outside.

"Send someone to guard the riverbank, and when the fleet arrives, guide them to the shore."

The Imperial Troops answered with a single word and went with the men.

On the third day, the fleet arrived in Kulikoro.

Three hundred ships crowded the river, and the roar of diesel engines made the water itself tremble.

Zhu Gaochi directed the soldiers to unload supplies—Grain and Fodder, ammunition, medicine, cannons—box after box, stacking them neatly on the open ground by the shore.

Zhu Xiongying led the main force along the Land Route, and fifty thousand troops established a continuous camp at Kulikoro.

Tents stretched for miles, and curling smoke rose.

At dusk, Zhu Shangbing returned from the north.

"Brother, the north has been cleared; a few small outposts total less than two thousand men, all dispersed."

"Casualties..."

"None. As soon as they saw us they fled; we couldn't even give chase."

Zhu Xiongying nodded, turned, and walked into the Central Command Tent.

The map was spread on the table, the course of the Niger River clear.

North of Kulikoro, beyond the Niger River, lay the core region of the Mali Empire.

Mansa Mussa's main force was on the opposite bank, waiting for them.

"Brother, tomorrow we cross the river..." Zhu QiongJiong entered, the Wolf Fang Club leaning against the tent entrance.

"No rush; let the brothers rest for a day first."

Zhu QiongJiong nodded, took a piece of Dry Rations from the table, and took a bite.

"Brother, do you think that Mansa Mussa will run?"

"No. He is the king of the Mali Empire; if he runs, he loses everything. He will certainly stay on the opposite bank and fight us to the death."

"That's good; saves us the chase," Zhu QiongJiong grinned.

At first light the next day, the army began to form up.

Fifty thousand Longxiang Army troops formed on the south bank of the Niger River; five hundred breech‑loading line cannons were arranged in a line, their muzzles aimed at the opposite bank.

The opposite bank was an open plain, dotted with continuous camps.

The Mali Empire's main force was here, about seventy to eighty thousand men, forming a formation in waiting.

The green‑backed golden lion banner fluttered in the morning wind.

"Fire."

The five hundred breech‑loading line cannons fired simultaneously.

Shrapnel shells ripped through the morning mist, trailing long tails, crossing the Niger River and striking the Mali Empire's formation on the opposite bank.

"Boom—boom—boom…"

The explosions rose and fell, limbs and broken arms soaring into the air.

The first volley scattered the Mali Empire's cavalry formation.

The warhorses panicked, bolting everywhere; riders could not hold on, being thrown from their mounts and trampled by hooves.

The second barrage broke the infantry formation as well.

The soldiers didn't know where to run, and the officers couldn't find their units.

"Cross the river..."

Zhu Xiongying squeezed his horse's belly, and the warhorse surged into the river.

The water was icy, not reaching the horse's belly.

Fifty thousand troops followed closely behind, their Flintlock Guns raised overhead, bayonets flashing coldly in the morning light.

On the opposite bank, the Mali Empire's archers began to fire arrows.

Arrows fell like rain toward the Ming troops in the river.

But they struck the plate armor with a clanging sound, not even breaking the skin.

Flintlock Gunmen kept firing while crossing, rows of bullets shot toward the opposite bank, and the Mali Empire's archers fell in droves.

Zhu QiongJiong was the first to rush onto the opposite bank, swinging his Wolf Fang Club left and right.

Several Mali Empire cavalry charged, spears thrust at his chest; he smashed one spear shaft with a club, then struck a horse's head.

The warhorse whinnied and fell, the rider was thrown and broke his neck.

Behind him, fifty thousand troops followed his trail into the Mali Empire's formation, Flintlock Guns firing together, sabers chopping.

Mali Empire cavalry were no match at close range; their curved blades left no marks on plate armor, and Flintlock Guns killed one by one.

Zhu Xiongying surged forward, his long sword drawn, slashing left and right.

His martial skill was taught by Zhu Biao, whose skill was taught by Zhu Yong; though not as monstrous as Zhu QiongJiong, it was still top‑tier on the battlefield.

Mansa Mussa stood before the Central Command Tent, watching the iron‑black tide surge forward, his face pallid.

He fought his whole life and had never seen an army like this.

Arrows flew without killing, swords could not cut, and the charge moved like a rolling steel wall.

"Retreat, hurry retreat!" He turned his horse around and fled north.

The Marshal's banner fell, the Central Command Tent fell into disorder.

Seventy to eighty thousand troops; those in front ran backward, and those behind, not knowing what happened, also ran.

Zhu QiongJiong caught up and smashed the Mali Empire's Marshal banner with a club.

The large banner with a green field and a golden lion fell with a thunderous crash, trampled into the mud by hooves.

Man Sa·Mu Sa ran out less than half a li before a squad of Longxiang Army cavalry blocked his path.

He halted his horse, stared at the iron‑clad soldiers, and his curved saber clanged to the ground.

"I surrender, I surrender..."

Zhu QiongJiong rode over, looking down at him from above.

"If only it had been like this earlier."

Behind him, Mali Empire soldiers knelt all over the ground.

The sound of weapons hitting the ground rang out everywhere.

By evening, the battlefield had been swept clean.

Over thirty thousand prisoners, a few thousand warhorses, and Grain and Fodder piled into a small hill.

Zhu Xiongying stood before Man Sa·Mu Sa's Central Command Tent, watching the Mali Empire nobles kneeling on the ground.

Man Sa·Mu Sa was bound with thick ropes, kneeling, his face ashen, lips trembling, muttering incomprehensibly.

"Take him down, lock him up, and later bring him together with A Bu·Ha Sang."

When Man Sa·Mu Sa was led away, his legs trembled.

Zhu Xiongying turned and looked toward the Niger River.

The setting sun sank in the west, dyeing the whole river a golden hue.

On the river's surface, the fleet's smokestacks still belched black smoke, and the diesel engines' roar drifted faintly.

"Brother, the Mali Empire is finished," Zhu QiongJiong came up, shouldering the Wolf Fang Club, its head still dripping blood.

"Finished."

"Where shall we strike next?"

"Eastward, we attack Sanghai. To the east of the Mali Empire lies the Sanghai Kingdom; its strength is less than Mali's but not weak. Capture Sanghai, and all of West Africa will be in Great Ming's hands."

Zhu QiongJiong nodded, then asked, "How many people does Sanghai have?"

"Scouts report they can muster twenty to thirty thousand troops, few cavalry, mainly infantry, plus a navy controlling the middle reaches of the Niger River."

Zhu QiongJiong grinned, "Twenty to thirty thousand, not many."

"Even if not many, we must fight; if we don't, they'll eventually become a scourge."

Zhu Xiongying turned, gazing at the northern horizon.

There lay the direction of the Sahara Desert, the direction of the Sanghai Kingdom, and the new battlefield.