Chapter 85: Before the War

"We'll cross from here," Zhu Yong ordered.

The soldiers began preparing to ford the river.

The horses went first, with cavalry leading them, wading slowly.

The river water was ice‑cold and biting, not reaching the thighs.

The horses were uneasy and only moved forward when led by their riders.

Zhu Yong rode a Wuzhui Horse and was the first to enter the river.

The Wuzhui Horse, worthy of a Treasure Horse, showed no fear, stepping steadily into the water and advancing inch by inch toward the opposite bank.

Zhu Yong turned back and shouted, "Stay with me! Don't fall behind!"

The soldiers poured into the river, forming a long line and crossing slowly.

The captives were placed in the middle, guarded from front and rear by Ming soldiers.

The crossing took nearly an hour.

By the time everyone reached the far bank, the sun had already shifted west.

The river wind blew, and the soaked clothes quickly iced over, making everyone shiver.

"Quick! Build a fire and dry the clothes!" Zhu Yong ordered.

The soldiers hurried to fetch firewood, lit a fire, and stripped off the wet garments to dry them.

The captives' side also lit a fire; the women gathered to change the children into dry clothes.

Zhu Yong sat beside the Fire Pit, looking toward the opposite bank.

After crossing this river, they truly entered the Beiyuan Fudi.

Buyuerhai was still 150 li away; at their current pace, they could reach it in at most four days.

"Elder Brother, are you familiar with Buyuerhai?" he asked Wang Baobao.

Wang Baobao nodded and said, "Back then I toured the area a few times with the Great Khan; there's a large lake there, abundant with water plants, suitable for grazing. Wang Ting is situated on the lake's east shore, with flat terrain—easy to defend, hard to attack."

"How many defenders are there?"

"It's hard to say; Northern Yuan recently fell, so Wang Ting likely hasn't left many troops, but Buyuerhai is a strategic point, with at least three to four thousand elite cavalry stationed."

Wang Baobao pondered.

Zhu Yong calculated; he had four thousand troops, and adding the able‑bodied captives could easily bring the total to five thousand.

Five thousand versus three to four thousand gave them a numerical advantage, but the enemy was defending a city with terrain advantage.

"We need a plan; we can't assault head‑on," Zhu Yong muttered.

Lan Yu stepped forward and said, "Prince, how about we first send people to infiltrate, coordinating inside and out?"

"How can we blend in? We're all Han People in appearance; we'd be recognized the moment we entered," Wang Baobao shook his head.

Zhu Yong suddenly thought of the captives.

He stood up and walked to where the captives were gathered.

The captives, seeing Prince Wu come over, stood up anxiously.

"Sit down," Zhu Yong gestured, his gaze sweeping the crowd before settling on a middle‑aged Han man.

The man was burly, with a slash scar on his face, one of the few captives who looked capable in battle.

"What is your name?" Zhu Yong asked, looking at his face.

"R…Return, Prince, I am called Ba Te Er," the man replied in halting Chinese.

"Ba Te Er means 'warrior'—a good name. Do you want to return to the Grassland?" Zhu Yong said with a simple smile.

Ba Te Er was startled, then his eyes flickered as he said, "Prince's meaning is…"

"I intend to take Buyuerhai; I need help. You're familiar with the place. If you can aid me in breaching the city, I'll not only set you free but also reward you with a hundred heads of cattle and sheep. How does that sound?" Zhu Yong said slowly.

Ba Te Er was silent for a moment, then gritted his teeth and asked, "Does Prince keep his word?"

"When Zhu Yong speaks, his words are as solid as a nail with a drop of saliva," Zhu Yong said seriously.

"Fine! I, Ba Te Er, am willing to serve Prince!" Ba Te Er knelt on one knee and replied.

The other captives, seeing this, knelt down and said, "We are willing to serve!"

Zhu Yong helped Ba Te Er to his feet and said, "No rush; first tell me about the situation at Buyuerhai."

The group sat around the Fire Pit as Ba Te Er began to speak.

"Wang Ting of Buyuerhai consists of an outer and an inner city; the outer city houses herders and slaves, the inner city holds nobles and garrison troops. The walls are made of earth and stone, two zhang high, with Four Gates."

"The garrison is divided into Three Squads, each of a thousand men, patrolling day and night. Inside the city are stables, granaries, and an armory…"

Ba Te Er spoke in detail, and Zhu Yong listened attentively.

When he finished, night had already fallen completely.

"Prince, according to Ba Te Er's account, a direct assault is indeed difficult," Wang Baobao frowned.

Zhu Yong, however, smiled, "Now we have a way."

He pointed at Ba Te Er and said, "Tomorrow, you take fifty reliable brothers, change into tattered clothes, pose as fleeing herders, and infiltrate the outer city of Buyuerhai."

"What do we do after we get in?" Ba Te Er asked.

"Do nothing; just stay in the outer city. When my main army arrives and we hear the Horn Sound, set fire inside the city to create chaos."

"When the inner‑city garrison sees the outer city ablaze, they'll march out to investigate; then I'll lead my troops to charge, coordinating inside and out."

Wang Baobao's eyes brightened as he said, "Good plan; once the outer city is in turmoil, the inner garrison will split its forces, giving us an opening."

Lan Yu also exclaimed excitedly, "Prince, your mind is getting brighter!"

Zhu Yong gave a simple smile, "I learned it all from my cousin."

The scheme set, the group split up to prepare.

Ba Te Er selected fifty robust captives, all former soldiers, some with martial skills.

Zhu Yong had people prepare shabby Sheepskin Coats for them and dull the weapons, making them look like shepherds who had been fleeing for many days.

"Remember, once you enter the city keep a low profile, don't cause trouble, and wait for my signal," Zhu Yong instructed.

"Prince, rest assured, we understand," Ba Te Er said solemnly.

Early the next morning, Ba Te Er led fifty people to set out first.

They traveled light, carrying only three days of Dry Rations, posing as remnants of a tribe fleeing from the north.

Zhu Yong's main army stayed put to rest for a day, waiting to depart again after Ba Te Er's group had gone far enough.

That day, Zhu Yong was not idle either.

He had the soldiers inspect their gear, sharpen Sword and Spear, and feed the horses.

He also let Wang Baobao train the captured youths willing to fight, teaching them simple Formation and Command.

By evening, everything was ready.

Zhu Yong stood in the center of the camp, looking at the five thousand men and horses before him.

Four thousand Great Ming troops, one thousand captured youths, though their equipment was uneven, their morale was high.

"Brothers! Ahead is Buyuerhai, the Northern Yuan's final gathering place! Capture it, and we can go home!" Zhu Yong shouted loudly.

"Home, home!" the soldiers shouted in unison.

"This battle may bring death or injury, but I, Zhu Yong, guarantee that the living will receive abundant rewards, the fallen will get double compensation, and your families will be supported by the court!"

"May we fight to the death with the Prince!" Zhang Wu raised his arm and shouted.

"May we fight to the death with the Prince!" five thousand people shouted together, their voices shaking the entire Grassland.

Zhu Yong flipped onto his horse, brandishing Double Hammers, and pointed forward: "Depart!"

The army set out toward Buyuerhai, toward the final battlefield, treading the lingering glow of the setting sun, marching resolutely.

Night deepened, and wind rose over the Grassland.

The wind fluttered the War Flag, rustling loudly.

Zhu Yong rode his horse, gazing at the road ahead shrouded in darkness, his heart calm.

He knew this battle had to be won.

For Great Ming, for his parents, for his elder brother, and for these brothers who have lived and died alongside him.

Also to be able to return home a little sooner.

The Wuzhui Horse seemed to sense its master's resolve, lifted its head and whinnied, quickening its pace.

Behind them, the five‑thousand‑strong column wound like a long dragon across the Grassland.

Starlight speckled, illuminating the journey.

In the spring of Hongwu Year Four, the final great battle on the Grassland was about to begin.