The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 201 The Shock of the Ming Dynasty's Elite Forces

During the Hongwu era, the Ming army was mainly divided into the Beijing Garrison, the Border Army, and the Garrison Army.

The Beijing Garrison was mainly composed of the Five Military Commissions. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the most elite troops were stationed near Yingtian Prefecture and were under the command of the Grand Military Commission.

Later, Zhu Yuanzhang reorganized the Grand Military Commission into the Five Military Commissions, which were divided into five armies: front, middle, rear, left, and right. Each army was further divided into cavalry, firearms, archery, and infantry battalions.

Border troops refer to the nine important border towns. In the second year of Hongwu, Zhu Yuanzhang stationed heavy troops in the nine military fortresses in the north and established generals to govern them.

The border troops frequently clashed with the remnants of the Yuan dynasty in the north, making them the most formidable fighting force.

Locally, guard posts were established, with each guard consisting of about 5,600 people, to control key areas.

The main troops drawn this time were from the Five Military Commissions and some local garrisons.

The Three Thousand Battalion was originally composed of three thousand Hu cavalrymen, but it gradually expanded and is now the most elite cavalry force in the Ming Dynasty. This time, six thousand elite soldiers were drawn from it.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao nodded and turned his gaze to Zhu Xiong Ying, who was standing to the side.

"Since you organized this military exercise, then you shall command it!"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, holding the command flag in his hand.

"Lord Cao, Li Wenzhong, obey my command!"

Li Wenzhong: "Your subordinate is here!"

"Pass on my order: Military exercises begin!"

"Order!"

Cao Guogong Li Wenzhong waved his command flag, and troops from all directions assembled in an orderly manner.

Soon all the troops had assembled.

Soon all the troops had assembled, and the firearms battalion deployed all its firearms, with infantry, chariots, and crossbowmen arranged in order.

The envoys from various countries on the stands frowned.

These 60,000 troops were definitely elite, not the kind of troops that were just there to fill a quota. Their actions were disciplined and orderly, without the slightest sign of disorder. They could be described as a rare elite force.

Li Wenzhong waved his command flag, and the various troops advanced and retreated in turn, their battle cries shaking the heavens.

Three thousand battalions of six thousand cavalrymen flew past at high speed, holding bows and arrows, shooting at distant targets.

The human-shaped target in the distance was instantly riddled with bullets.

Immediately afterwards, the infantry and archers coordinated with each other, with shield bearers standing in front, spearmen waiting for their chance to strike, and archers guarding behind them, while chariots on both sides were ready to go.

Many of these envoys were also knowledgeable in military affairs. Such an army was extremely formidable in combat, especially since their coordination was highly skilled. On the battlefield, they were nothing short of a giant meat grinder.

Immediately afterwards, a loud, booming sound was heard.

The small mound not far away was instantly blown to pieces.

Some of the more timid messengers were so frightened that their legs trembled.

Countless cannons bombarded the marked locations relentlessly. After a round of bombardment, under the protection of pikemen and shield bearers, soldiers wielding firearms charged forward, riddling scarecrows and human-shaped targets with bullets.

Because this was just an exercise, Zhu Xiong Ying did not reveal his three-row shooting technique.

Looking at these extremely powerful armies, the envoys from various countries fell silent.

The Ming Dynasty has now become extremely powerful, and it is likely that fighting against them will not be an easy task.

This was said in a low voice by a messenger.

"I've heard that the Ming Dynasty's border troops in the north are even stronger. If we encounter them, we might be in trouble!"

At this time, some small countries in the sea or in the southwest felt extremely fortunate.

Currently, the Ming Dynasty's defense focus is still in the north, which means that the real pressure on the Ming Dynasty rests on the various tribes on the northern grasslands, who are much safer in comparison.

The people from the northern tribes looked rather grim upon hearing this.

Although they haven't fought against the Ming Dynasty for a long time, the animosity between them is still considerable.

The fact that the Ming Dynasty has not taken action against them in recent years does not mean that it will not in the future.

Each of the northern tribes had its own ideas.

Some people felt that all ethnic groups should unite to deal with the Ming Dynasty.

However, only a small number of people hold this view.

Many tribes are far from the border of the Ming Dynasty. On the contrary, the greater threat to them is not the Ming Dynasty, but some more powerful tribes.

Soon the Ming army's military exercises were completed, and the main event was about to begin: the competition between the various troops.

The participants in this competition were mainly infantry, cavalry, archers, and crossbowmen, while chariots and firearms were not allowed to be used.

The entire field was divided into many sections, each with two opposing armies.

Both armies were carrying wooden swords and spears.

And the bows and arrows without spearheads, covered in lime.

Every soldier was extremely excited.

As long as they achieve a good ranking in this competition, both His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Grandson will give them ample rewards.

More importantly, it is also a kind of honor.

Liao An immediately led his troops into battle formation to keep watch ahead.

The first guard on horseback.

They were also watching them with predatory eyes.

Finally, the army in front could no longer hold back, and its commander ordered his troops to charge.

Liao An showed no panic and immediately ordered the vanguard to hold the line, while the infantry on both sides maneuvered to the flanks.

The soldiers in front fought desperately, and soon some of them were covered in white lime and had to withdraw from the competition.

Just when the forward line was about to be breached.

Liao An, along with his personal guards, joined the battle and charged directly toward the direction of the enemy's attack.

This sudden turn of events left the attacking army completely bewildered.

They never expected that Liao An would launch a preemptive attack at this moment. Liao An led his men and soldiers flanking from both sides in a three-pronged assault, and soon the men in front of them could not withstand the attack and their battle flags were captured.

Liao An emerged victorious in this battle, and he looked triumphantly in Xu Zengshou's direction.

Xu Zengshou didn't pay any attention; the army in front of them was a guard unit from the Five Military Commands.

The general leading the troops was previously a subordinate of Duke Feng Sheng of Song. He had been on the battlefield during the previous Northern Expedition and was extremely knowledgeable about military affairs.

Although Xu Zengshou and Li Jinglong were from military families, they had never been on the battlefield, so defeating them should not be a difficult task.

Thinking of this, he immediately ordered his troops to charge forward.

In his view, Xu Zengshou had never been on the battlefield before. He might resist at first, but given the unusual circumstances, he might not be a match for him. He only needed to defeat him in one fell swoop.

On top of the stands.

Duke Xu Da of Wei was extremely concerned about his son.

In the future, the eldest son, Xu Yungong, will inherit his title, while the younger son, Xu Zengshou, will have to find his own way.

When he saw that the enemy had launched the first attack without leaving any defenses, he knew that the commander of this army had underestimated the enemy.

Thinking of this, he shook his head. Although he didn't know how well Xu Zengshou's army was trained, it was, after all, trained according to the methods provided by His Highness the Crown Prince.

An army trained using that method is not much different.

(End of this chapter)