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

Chapter 632 The Turbulent Frontier

As the sun gradually set, the entire army marched steadily and orderly on its return journey.

Zhu Xiong Ying rode on his warhorse, his gaze fixed on the distance.

He knew that although the current situation seemed to have stabilized, the storm on the frontier was far from over.

"Your Highness, the road ahead has been scouted and no ambushes have been found."

Li Jinglong rode up, a relaxed expression on his face.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, his eyes still thoughtful.

"This is only a temporary calm."

"Although we have already dealt a heavy blow to these tribes, we cannot let our guard down."

He spoke calmly, his gaze still fixed on the distant mountains.

Li Jinglong was slightly taken aback, clearly not yet fully recovered from the joy of victory.

"Does Your Highness mean that other tribes are still plotting against us?"

he asked doubtfully.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slowly, his tone carrying a deep chill.

"good."

"Although we have defeated the tribes to the north and west, these tribes have close ties with each other and may join forces to launch a counterattack at any time."

"The storms on the frontier are far from over."

His voice was calm yet powerful, as if he had already foreseen everything that might happen next.

Li Jinglong frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "Then what should we do next? Should we continue to attack these tribes?"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook her head, her expression calm.

"We cannot attack rashly."

"Now we must stabilize the situation, give these tribes some breathing room, and at the same time let them feel the deterrence of the Ming Dynasty."

He spoke in a deep voice, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.

"Order the entire army to remain on guard and continue the march."

"We cannot give any enemy an opportunity."

With his orders given, the army continued its southward advance.

The soldiers remained highly vigilant; although there were no large-scale enemy attacks, everyone knew they were still in potential danger.

As night fell, the campfire in the camp illuminated Zhu Xiong Ying's face.

He stood on high ground, looking down over the entire camp, but he still couldn't relax.

"Your Highness, should we strengthen our defenses tonight?"

Li Jinglong stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Good, increase patrols tonight."

“I always felt that this area was not peaceful.”

His tone remained calm, as if he had a premonition all along.

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and went to arrange for soldiers to intensify patrols.

The night grew darker, and the sound of the wind in the distance seemed to carry a strange air.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood in the center of the camp, his eyes flashing with deep thought.

He knew that although the situation on the border was under control for the time being, a real crisis could erupt at any moment.

Just then, a scout rushed over, looking somewhat nervous.

"Your Highness, several small tribes to the north seem to be gathering, and quite a few cavalrymen have begun to approach us."

The scout's report immediately put Zhu Xiong Ying on alert.

"Sure enough, they couldn't hold back any longer."

He sneered, a cold glint in his eyes.

"These tribal chiefs thought they could launch a surprise attack on us on our way back, but they are destined to be disappointed."

"Order the entire army to prepare to meet the enemy immediately."

Zhu Xiong Ying calmly gave the order, her eyes flashing with determination.

The soldiers quickly sprang into action, reorganized their ranks, and prepared to face the impending enemy attack.

The wind howled in the night, and the battle flags fluttered in the air.

The deep sound of horses' hooves came from the distant mountains, gradually approaching.

Li Jinglong stood beside Zhu Xiong Ying, his expression showing a hint of nervousness.

"Your Highness, the enemy's movements are quite obvious; they clearly intend to ambush us."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded calmly, her eyes still holding a calm analytical gaze.

"They thought our soldiers were exhausted and wanted to launch a night attack."

“But they underestimated us.” His tone was firm and calm, as if he had already seen through the enemy’s plans.

"Pass down the order: feign exhaustion and lure the enemy deep into our territory."

"We need to make these tribal leaders feel that they have an opportunity to take advantage of us."

Li Jinglong was taken aback for a moment, then understood Zhu Xiong Ying's intention and immediately went to convey the order.

Zhu Xiong Ying's plan was very clear.

He wanted to make the enemy believe that the Ming army had lost its fighting capacity after continuous marches, and then take advantage of their attack to defeat them in one fell swoop.

Soon after, the lights in the camp gradually went out, the soldiers pretended to rest, and the entire camp became unusually quiet.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying knew that this was only a facade of calm.

The sound of horses' hooves grew closer in the distance, and the shadows of the enemy gradually emerged into the night.

"Your Highness, the enemy is approaching!"

Lan Yu rushed over and reported in a low voice, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Get ready to take action."

Zhu Xiong Ying calmly gave the order, her eyes gleaming with a determined light.

"Wait until they are completely encircled before launching an attack."

His tone was firm, clearly indicating that he was confident of success.

As the enemy forces drew closer, they were clearly misled by the apparent calm and began to lower their guard.

"Charge in and wipe them out!"

A tribal chief shouted and led his cavalry to charge towards the Ming army's camp.

However, as soon as they rushed into the camp, they found that a large number of Ming soldiers had already been lying in ambush all around them.

"Damn it! I fell into a trap!"

The tribal chief's expression changed drastically as he realized he had fallen into a trap set by Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Do it!"

At Zhu Xiong Ying's command, the Ming troops who had been lying in ambush all around surged out like a tide and quickly surrounded the enemy.

The enemy troops were thrown into chaos by the sudden attack and fled in all directions.

"kill!"

Lan Yu shouted and led his cavalry to flank the enemy from both sides, completely blocking their retreat.

The battle lasted less than fifteen minutes before the enemy was completely defeated.

Zhu Xiong Ying watched coldly as the enemy's main force was annihilated, a cold smile appearing on his face.

"These tribes are nothing special."

He said in a low voice, his tone laced with disdain.

"Pass down the order to completely wipe out the remaining enemy forces."

"We cannot give them any breathing room."

Following his orders, the army swiftly launched a pursuit, completely crushing the remaining enemy forces.

After the battle, Lan Yu walked up excitedly and said, "Your Highness, the enemy has been completely defeated, and the threat from the north has been eliminated."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and nodded.

"very good."

"But we cannot let our guard down because of this."

"Although these tribes are no longer very powerful, they still cannot be ignored."

He spoke in a deep voice, his gaze remaining calm.

Li Jinglong stepped forward, his face showing a hint of admiration.

"Your Highness's plan is indeed brilliant, luring the enemy into a trap with no chance of fighting back."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and waved his hand.

"This is just a small trick."

"What truly determines victory or defeat is still the powerful military strength of our Great Ming Dynasty."

His tone was calm, clearly indicating that he had anticipated this victory.

"Order the entire army to continue the march and return to the territory of the Ming Dynasty as soon as possible."

With Zhu Xiong Ying's order given, the army continued its advance.

In the night breeze, Zhu Xiong Ying's figure remained upright and resolute.

He knew that although the fighting on the frontier had come to an end, many challenges remained for the future.

The future of the Ming Dynasty still needs him to protect it.

(End of this chapter)