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

Chapter 633 Choices in a Strategic Scheme
The morning sun shone on the camp, and the soldiers were busy preparing to continue their march.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood on a high point in the camp, watching the bustling scene, but she did not relax.

He knew that although the situation on the frontier was temporarily under control, the challenges he faced were far from over.

"Your Highness, all the soldiers are ready and can depart at any time."

Li Jinglong stepped forward and respectfully reported.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on the distant mountains.

"Although we have pacified the tribes in the west and north, the enemy will not give up."

"I am worried that there will be more turmoil in the future."

He spoke in a low voice, his tone thoughtful.

Li Jinglong frowned and asked, "Does Your Highness mean that other tribes might retaliate?"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slowly, his gaze remaining calm.

“These tribes have always been at odds with our Great Ming. Although they suffered a great defeat this time, they will not accept it.”

"Given the chance, they will surely stir up trouble again."

"And we must prepare in advance."

His tone was calm, but his eyes gleamed with determination.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong immediately nodded and said, "Your Highness is absolutely right."

"However, should we continue to wipe out these remaining enemies, or return to the capital to request imperial approval?"

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "We don't need to go any further for now."

"Although the current situation appears calm on the surface, undercurrents are surging."

"Returning to Beijing is the best option at present."

"However, there is one more thing we need to do before returning to Beijing."

As he said this, a profound light shone in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong paused for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Does Your Highness have any other plans?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and turned his gaze to the southwest.

"Although the border troops of the Timurid Empire did not participate in this rebellion, their recent movements have made me suspect whether they are secretly supporting these tribes."

"Before we leave, I want them to understand that the Ming Dynasty will never tolerate any threat to us."

His voice was soft, yet it was full of authority and decisiveness.

A hint of surprise flashed in Li Jinglong's eyes, but he quickly understood Zhu Xiong Ying's intention.

"Does Your Highness mean to first intimidate the Timurid Empire?"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, his eyes revealing a cold determination.

"good."

"The Timurid Empire has been ambitious in recent years. Although it maintains peace with us on the surface, it has been secretly accumulating strength."

"We must make it clear to them that the borders of the Ming Dynasty are not to be underestimated."

Li Jinglong immediately understood Zhu Xiong Ying's intention and cupped his hands, saying, "This subordinate understands and will make arrangements immediately."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his gaze still fixed on the distant border.

He knew that this operation was not only a deterrent to the Timurid Empire, but also an opportunity to demonstrate the power of the Ming Dynasty.

"Pass down the order: all troops are to prepare to depart at any time."

He gave the order in a deep voice, then turned and walked into the command tent.

The soldiers quickly got back in order, and the entire camp was filled with a tense yet orderly atmosphere.

Before the army set off, Zhu Xiong Ying stood in front of the map, carefully studying the defenses of the Timurid Empire's borders.

"Your Highness, should we launch a direct attack on their border fortress this time to send them a warning?"

Lan Yu stepped forward, her tone filled with anticipation.

Zhu Xiong Ying shook her head slightly, her expression remaining calm.

"Don't act rashly."

"We don't want to start a war, we just want them to understand the power of our Great Ming Dynasty."

"Send orders to display troops along the way and approach their border fortresses, but do not launch an attack."

His tone was wise and calm, clearly indicating that he did not want to cause unnecessary conflict through a deterrent action.

Although Lan Yu still harbored some fighting spirit, he understood Zhu Xiong Ying's intentions and said nothing more.

Following Zhu Xiong Ying's orders, the army slowly advanced towards the border of the Timurid Empire.

The army was incredibly powerful, its battle flags fluttering in the wind. All the tribes along the way retreated under the Ming army's intimidation, daring not to cause any trouble. "Your Highness, the Timurid Empire's border fortress is just ahead."

Li Jinglong rode forward and reported in a low voice.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, his gaze carrying a profound calmness.

"Let them see our army, and let them make their own choice."

He spoke slowly, his eyes radiating unparalleled confidence.

The army continued its advance, and soon Timur's border guards finally appeared on a distant mountain ridge.

They had clearly felt the immense pressure from the Ming army and began rapidly assembling their troops in preparation for a potential conflict.

"Your Highness, the Timurid Empire's army has already reacted and is strengthening its defenses."

Lan Yu rode up on horseback, his expression carrying a hint of fighting spirit.

"Should we launch an attack now?"

He asked excitedly, clearly ready to charge at any moment.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head again, his expression remaining calm.

"No need."

"Our goal is deterrence, not war."

He said in a deep voice, his eyes filled with determination.

"Order the entire army to halt, maintain formation, and await their reaction."

Li Jinglong immediately relayed the order, and the entire army halted at the border.

Timur's border troops clearly sensed the Ming army's powerful momentum, and their leader did not act rashly, but instead sent envoys to investigate the situation.

"Your Highness, the Timurid Empire has sent envoys who want to know the purpose of our army's arrival."

Li Jinglong reported in a low voice, his expression showing a hint of nervousness.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, his gaze calm.

"Tell them we're just passing through and happen to show them the might of the Ming Dynasty's army."

His tone was disdainful and authoritative, clearly indicating that he had anticipated the other party's reaction.

Soon after, the Timurid Empire's envoys returned to the fortress with expressions of awe.

They had clearly realized that the Ming army was not there to provoke them, but rather to launch a powerful deterrent operation.

"Your Highness, the Timurid Empire's army no longer dares to act rashly."

Lan Yu said excitedly, her eyes sparkling with pride in the power of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her expression remaining calm.

"This is just a warning."

"We showed them the power of the Ming Dynasty, enough to deter them from making any rash moves in the years to come."

He said this with a calm and discerning tone.

As Timurid's army chose to retreat, the Ming army remained on the border for a period of time before slowly withdrawing.

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that although this battle had not actually taken place, the power of the Ming Dynasty had been deeply etched into the hearts of the enemy.

"Your Highness, this operation has been very successful. I believe the Timurid Empire will not act rashly for some time to come."

Li Jinglong spoke respectfully, his tone filled with admiration for Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, his eyes revealing profound wisdom.

"This is only temporary."

"We must remain vigilant, as the situation on the border can change rapidly."

"But this time, they learned the lesson they needed to learn."

He said this with unwavering confidence and decisiveness in his voice.

With the army's retreat, Zhu Xiong Ying finally felt a little less vigilant.

However, he knew that this was only a temporary victory, and many challenges remained to come.

"Order the entire army to continue south and return to the capital as soon as possible."

With his command, the entire army embarked on a new journey.

The wind whistled in his ears, but Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze remained fixed on the distance.

He knew that the future of the Ming Dynasty still needed his continued protection.

Every step that follows will determine the fate of the entire dynasty.

(End of this chapter)