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

Chapter 439 Times have changed
All of these muskets were short-barreled and could be loaded with bullets.

The only difference is that this weapon can only be loaded with two rounds at a time.

Moreover, replenishing the ammunition was extremely slow, and its power and range were both very poor. In their eyes, this thing was completely useless and not nearly as effective as the long musket they had.

What they didn't expect was that this thing would play such a crucial role, especially in urban warfare, where it proved to be a deadly weapon, greatly reducing the losses of his troops.

Meanwhile, the Timurid Khanate also received news of the Ming army's attack on the Chagatai Khanate.

The Great Khan of Timur frowned.

"It's truly remarkable that the Ming army has managed to reach this place!"

"It seems that the Chagatai Khanate's bunch of useless fools really don't have much ability; they even managed to attack others only to be counterattacked themselves!"

The general standing nearby hurriedly said, "..."

"Great Khan, there's an old saying among the people of the Central Plains: 'If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold.' Our two nations have been allied for a very long time. Our true adversary should be the White Horde in the north!"

"Moreover, we must not allow the Chagatai Khanate to be destroyed under any circumstances. If it is destroyed, we will be bordering the Ming Dynasty!"

"I've heard that the Ming Dynasty's strength has increased very rapidly recently. They have completely wiped out many of our tribes. Even the Han and Tang dynasties of that time could not compare to them!"

"Such a foundation and power is truly terrifying!"

"If there is the Chagatai Khanate in between, it will still be beneficial to us!"

The Khan of Timur nodded upon hearing this.

“What you say makes a lot of sense, but we haven’t received any requests for help from them. If we send troops now, wouldn’t it make us seem too easy to bully? If they send someone to ask for help now, I will definitely help them. But if they haven’t sent anyone to ask for help yet!”

"I'm afraid there's not much we can say!"

Everyone frowned. Normally, in such a situation, the Khan of the Chagatai Khanate should have sent someone to ask for help.

Could it be that they are so defiant at this moment, preparing to fight against the Ming Dynasty with their own strength alone? Just then, a man rushed over, holding a letter in his hand. This man was none other than the Khan's prince.

The prince, holding the letter in his hand, said with a somewhat unpleasant expression.

"Father Khan, we have just received news that the Ming army has occupied Almaty to our east. During this time, those of us who are trying to enter or leave the Chagatai Khanate have been unable to do so. Something terrible must have happened to the Chagatai Khanate!"

Everyone was surprised to hear this. Almaty was the border between their two countries. Although it had always been part of the Chagatai Khanate, it was still very important to them. All caravans and even the exchanges between them had to pass through this essential route.

They were shocked to learn that this place had been occupied by the Ming army. How could it have happened so quickly?

"Could it be that the Chagatai Khanate has already been destroyed by the Ming Dynasty? Impossible, how much time has passed!"

The other ministers nodded in agreement, clearly indicating that they also did not believe that the Ming Dynasty could destroy the Chagatai Khanate in such a short time.

As an old ally, although not particularly powerful, it wasn't weak either. How could it have been so quickly wiped out by the Ming Dynasty?

At this moment, the general beside him thought for a moment and then spoke.

"Great Khan, I don't believe the Chagatai Khanate has been destroyed either. After all, they are still very powerful. If I'm not mistaken, it must be that Duke Cao, Li Wenzhong, sent a separate army to outflank them!"

"The reason we took Alamu was to sever our connection with the Chagatai Khanate!"

"As long as the connection between our two countries is severed, then they will only have the Chagatai Khanate as their enemy."

That would greatly increase the chances of victory, and it's entirely possible that they would attack us after defeating the Chagatai Khanate!

Everyone's expression changed drastically upon hearing this.

If what he said is true, then their days are not going to be easy.

The Ming Dynasty was already very powerful, and they had many allies around them. If they lost even this ally, they would have even fewer people to rely on. Thinking of this, they looked distressed. At this moment, a general next to them said...

"In any case, we can't let them continue like this."

"If we continue to allow the Ming army to advance, we'll be in serious trouble once the Chagatai Khanate's forces are wiped out. I suggest we immediately dispatch our troops to capture Almaty!"

"Then go and support the Chagatai Khanate, and do everything you can to protect them," the Khan of the Timurid Khanate nodded and said.

"In that case, you will lead 60,000 cavalry to provide support. You must protect these people no matter what!"

The general nodded after hearing this, then turned and left.

Prince Yan, Zhu Di, looked extremely grim as he watched the long period without any attacks. They were unsure whether the Timurid Khanate would come to their aid, or even if they did, whether they would pass through Alamut.

However, this was indeed the most likely location, so he immediately dispatched his soldiers to reinforce the defenses to prevent an enemy sneak attack.

However, after a long time, no enemy appeared in this place. This is what Prince Yan, Zhu Di, said with a puzzled look at the group of generals in his hands.

"What if the enemy comes from another direction and doesn't take this route?"

Zhang Yu, who was standing to the side, shook her head.

"I don't see that possibility. As things stand, if we want to support the Chagatai Khanate, this is the shortest and easiest route. If we don't take this route, then we'll have to take a large-scale detour!"

"This is definitely not a good idea; nobody knows how far we'll have to go!"

"They don't have the time either. I estimate that it won't be long before the Timurid Khanate makes its move!"

"This news probably won't last long," said Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, with a confident expression after hearing the news.

(End of this chapter)