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

Chapter 631 Turmoil on the Way Home

The night was as dark as ink. Zhu Xiong Ying stood on a high place, gazing into the distance.

He knew that the northern tribes had been completely defeated, and the Ming Dynasty's rule on the frontier had been further consolidated.

However, the end of the battle does not mean the end of victory.

He remained vigilant, knowing that the journey home might not be smooth.

"Your Highness, the army has been fully prepared and is ready to return at any time."

Li Jinglong walked up to Zhu Xiong Ying and respectfully reported.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, her eyes still showing a thoughtful expression.

"Our victory has temporarily stabilized the border, but the remnants of these tribes have not been completely eliminated."

"There may still be ambushes on the way back."

His tone was calm, revealing a deep understanding of the situation.

Li Jinglong frowned slightly and asked, "Does Your Highness mean we should increase our vigilance?"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and continued, "That's right."

"We cannot let our guard down because of the victory we have just achieved."

"Although the main force of these tribes has been defeated, some small groups of them are still hiding in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike."

"The journey back will probably not be peaceful."

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order, saying, "Understood. Immediately strengthen patrols and vigilance to ensure the safety of the army."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, a calm glint in his eyes.

He knew that although the overall situation was settled, any small oversight could reverse the situation.

"How is Lan Yu doing?"

Zhu Xiong Ying turned her head and asked, her tone tinged with concern.

Li Jinglong replied, "General Lan's side has completed its preparations and is ready to depart at any time."

"However, he still maintained a portion of his forces in preparation for a possible surprise attack."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, a relieved smile appearing on her face.

"very good."

"General Lan has always been a steady and cautious person. The fact that he remained so vigilant on his return journey shows that he has come to understand the complexity of the situation on the border."

He said in a low voice, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.

Shortly afterward, Zhu Xiong Ying and Li Jing Long walked together outside the command tent.

The army was fully prepared and ready to go. The soldiers all had serious expressions, held their weapons, and were ready to set off at any time.

"Pass down the order: split into three groups, maintain formation, and do not let your guard down."

Zhu Xiong Ying gave the order in a deep voice, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority.

Li Jinglong immediately relayed the order, and the soldiers quickly divided into three groups, lined up neatly, and prepared to embark on their return journey.

With the sound of a bugle, Zhu Xiong Ying's army slowly marched south, beginning their return journey.

The wind howled across the wilderness, and the banners fluttered in the wind.

Despite the victory, every soldier's face was filled with tension and vigilance.

They knew that the return journey might be fraught with unknown dangers.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat astride his warhorse, his gaze cold and stern as he stared at the road ahead.

The army marched for most of the day, but still made no unusual moves.

However, the calmer things seemed, the more vigilant Zhu Xiong Ying became.

As evening approached, the scouts ahead suddenly rushed over, their faces showing some tension.

"Your Highness, some suspicious traces have been found on the mountain path ahead, suggesting an enemy ambush!"

The scout's report made Zhu Xiong Ying frown instantly.

"ambush?"

He asked calmly, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"How many of them are there? How many troops do they have?"

The scout replied in a low voice, "I have checked carefully. There are not many people. They should be a small remnant force, hiding on both sides of the valley."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, a calm light flashing in her eyes.

"It seems that the remaining tribal forces are trying to take advantage of the situation to launch a sneak attack."

"They were not willing to accept complete defeat and wanted to make a final stand on our way back."

He sneered, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Order the entire army to prepare."

"We will eliminate this last enemy as well."

Li Jinglong immediately ordered the army to quickly adjust its formation, with infantry in front and cavalry on both sides, maintaining a high state of combat readiness.

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze remained calm. He knew that although this ambush was not against a formidable enemy, he still could not let his guard down.

"Your Highness, should we attack directly and annihilate them?" Lan Yu rode up, his expression filled with excitement.

Clearly, he couldn't wait to fight.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and shook his head.

"No need."

"This time we don't need to launch an attack."

"Since they've chosen to ambush us, let them reveal their weaknesses."

"We just need to wait for them to make the first move, and then crush them in one fell swoop."

His tone was calm, clearly indicating that he had seen through the other party's strategy.

Upon hearing this, Lan Yu, though still somewhat eager to fight, understood Zhu Xiong Ying's brilliant strategy and said no more, awaiting orders.

The army continued its advance, with soldiers remaining on high alert and ready to respond to any possible attacks.

As darkness fell, the mountain path ahead appeared even more secluded and eerie.

Just then, shouts of battle suddenly came from both sides of the valley.

A small group of remnants of the tribe rushed out from the hillsides on both sides, attempting to surround the Ming army.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying had already anticipated this scene, and a cold smile flashed in his eyes.

"General Lan, make your move."

He calmly gave the order.

Lan Yu immediately led a cavalry unit to flank the enemy from both sides, heading straight for their rear.

At the same time, the infantry quickly assembled, forming a defensive line to withstand the enemy's frontal attack.

"Brothers, kill!"

Lan Yu shouted, and the cavalry charged into the enemy camp like tigers descending a mountain.

The enemy thought they had succeeded in their ambush, but they did not expect that the Ming army was already well prepared, and they were instantly thrown into chaos.

"Damn it, how did they react so quickly!"

The enemy leader's expression changed drastically, clearly realizing the failure of the ambush.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying did not give them any chance to escape.

"All troops, advance!"

Following his orders, the army quickly launched a counterattack, and the remnants of the enemy were defeated and scattered in a short period of time.

The battle lasted less than half an hour before the enemy was completely wiped out.

Lan Yu returned on horseback, his face full of excitement.

"Your Highness, the enemy army has been completely defeated, and the remaining deserters are powerless to resist."

He reported excitedly.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, a cold smile appearing on his face.

"very good."

"It seems these remaining enemies are not very capable. Their attempt to launch a sneak attack only makes them a laughing stock."

He said coldly, his tone full of contempt for the enemy.

"Pass down the order: continue forward."

"We must return as soon as possible, in case the enemy has other ambushes."

Zhu Xiong Ying said in a deep voice, then spurred his horse forward.

With the ambush by the remaining enemy forces broken, the journey home became much smoother.

Although the wind was still howling, the army's morale was high, and everyone was full of anticipation for the upcoming victory.

"Your Highness, there shouldn't be any major problems on the return journey."

Li Jinglong rode his horse to Zhu Xiong Ying's side and said with a smile.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and nodded.

"good."

"However, we still cannot let our guard down."

He spoke in a low voice, his gaze still deep.

Although the overall situation was settled, Zhu Xiong Ying remained vigilant.

He knew that any relaxation of control could turn the tide of the battle.

Hopefully, there will be no more setbacks on the way back.

He prayed silently in his heart, his eyes shining with determination.

The wind whistled through the wilderness as Zhu Xiong Ying's army continued its southward march.

Although his journey home was near, his sense of mission remained strong.

The future of the Ming Dynasty holds many more challenges for him.

(End of this chapter)