Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Chapter 881: Great victory across the board! Return to the capital!
Zhu Han nodded approvingly: "Biao'er is right. We can send a small group of elite troops to harass the enemy at night and make them restless. This will not only consume their physical strength, but also undermine their morale."

Zhu Han then turned to General Li and said, "General Li, you must immediately organize the engineering corps to set up traps and obstacles on the east and south sides. Make sure the enemy pays a heavy price when they attack."

After receiving the order, General Li immediately summoned the commanders of the engineering corps and quickly deployed the construction of defensive fortifications.

"Captain of the engineering corps, you will lead half of the men to set up tripwires and traps on the eastern front. Make sure the enemy cavalry has no chance of returning." General Li's voice was firm and powerful, revealing unquestionable majesty.

"Yes, General!" The captain of the engineering corps responded and hurriedly led his soldiers away, starting to dig and set traps intensively.

At the same time, Zhu Han turned to another general and instructed: "Deputy General Zhang, you lead the remaining soldiers to strengthen the fortifications on the southern line, especially those areas that are easy to attack but difficult to defend. You need to set up more hidden shooting points so that the enemy has nowhere to hide when they attack."

Deputy General Zhang bowed and agreed, with a gleam of determination in his eyes: "I will obey your command and live up to your trust!" After that, he turned and left, quickly organizing the soldiers to engage in intensive defense preparations.

Zhu Biao stood aside and witnessed the busy figures of the generals. He felt both gratified and a heavy sense of responsibility.

"Uncle," Zhu Biao walked to Zhu Han and said softly, "I think we can also carry out more frequent harassment and raids on the enemy at night to further disrupt their deployment."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, with a hint of approval in his eyes. "Biao'er is right. We can organize a few elite teams to take turns to attack at night and make the enemy restless. This will not only consume their physical strength, but also put great psychological pressure on them."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement, and then added: "At the same time, we can also use the power of the local people to collect more intelligence and understand the enemy's movements and weaknesses."

Zhu Han smiled slightly and patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder: "Biao'er, your growth makes me very happy. These ideas are very good, I will arrange people to implement them immediately."

Afterwards, Zhu Han summoned several trusted generals and deployed detailed plans for night attacks and intelligence gathering. He stressed that every action must ensure safety and not underestimate the enemy. The generals took orders and left, and the camp became busy again.

As night fell, the Ming army launched its operations as planned. Several elite teams quietly left the camp under the cover of darkness and harassed and raided the enemy in different directions. Sometimes they set fire to create chaos, and sometimes they quickly attacked the enemy's patrols and outposts, leaving the enemy restless all night.

At the same time, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao personally sat in the command center, paying close attention to the changes in the battle situation. They constantly obtained the latest movements of the enemy through scouts and intelligence networks, and adjusted their deployment and tactics in a timely manner.

"Report to the lord, the enemy on the eastern front has suffered three surprise attacks from our army tonight, suffering heavy losses and low morale." A scout hurried into the tent and reported the latest battle situation to Zhu Han.

Zhu Han sneered when he heard this: "Very good, continue to increase the harassment and make sure the enemy is exhausted."

The scout took the order and left. Zhu Han turned to look at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao'er, what's the situation on the southern front?"

Zhu Biao shook his head slightly, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes: "The enemy troops on the southern front seem to have taken precautions, and our army's several surprise attacks have failed to achieve much success."

Zhu Han frowned slightly when he heard this, but soon regained his composure. He pondered for a moment and said to Zhu Biao, "Biao'er, since the enemy troops on the southern front have taken precautions, we need to change our thinking. As the Art of War says, when you are strong, you should pretend to be strong, and when you are pretending to be strong, you should pretend to be strong. We might as well create a large-scale feint attack on the southern front to attract the main force of the enemy, and then wait for an opportunity to break through from other directions."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he agreed, "Uncle, this is a brilliant plan! This way, we can not only test the enemy's true strength and reaction speed, but also create opportunities for our subsequent offensive."

Zhu Han nodded, then summoned the messenger and said in a deep voice: "Send a message to Deputy General Zhang on the southern front immediately, and order him to prepare a large-scale feint attack. The momentum must be huge, and the enemy must be misled into thinking that our army will attack the southern front. At the same time, order General Li on the eastern front to quickly organize elite troops when the battle on the southern front begins, and use the cover of night to bypass the enemy's flank and launch a surprise attack."

The messenger took the order and left, while Zhu Han and Zhu Biao continued to stare at the sand table, discussing every next step. Zhu Han's eyes were sharp, as if he could see through the night and see the enemy's movements directly; while Zhu Biao seemed more calm, and from time to time he put forward his own ideas and worked with Zhu Han to improve the battle plan.

In the dead of night, the battlefield on the southern front suddenly burst into flames and the shouts of killing shook the earth. Seeing this, the enemy commander mistakenly believed that the Ming army had really launched a major attack and hurriedly mobilized heavy troops to reinforce the southern front. However, just as they were fully responding to the offensive on the southern front, General Li on the eastern front had led his elite troops to quietly bypass the enemy's flank.

With the order, General Li's troops rushed down like a tiger, unstoppable. The enemy's flanks were thrown into chaos, and many soldiers were killed in their sleep. General Li took advantage of the victory and pursued the enemy, advancing all the way to the main camp.

At the same time, Lieutenant General Zhang on the southern front also withdrew his troops quickly according to the plan after creating some momentum.

When the battle report from the east came, the atmosphere in the camp instantly became heated and tense. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao looked at each other, with the light of victory flashing in each other's eyes, but more of a deep thought about the next battle.

"Uncle, we won a great victory on the Eastern Front. General Li lived up to everyone's expectations!" Zhu Biao said excitedly, his tone unable to conceal his excitement.

Zhu Han smiled slightly, but did not relax his vigilance: "Biao'er, don't be arrogant when you win, and don't be discouraged when you lose. Although we won on the eastern front, the enemy is still there on the southern front. We must not take it lightly. Pass the order down, let Vice Admiral Zhang on the southern front continue the feint attack posture, and at the same time strengthen reconnaissance to find possible weaknesses of the enemy."

"Yes, uncle." Zhu Biao responded and then turned around to convey the order.

At this time, a messenger hurried into the tent and reported nervously: "Sir, the enemy seems to have noticed our intention and is urgently mobilizing troops from the north to reinforce the south."

Zhu Han frowned slightly, but soon relaxed his brows, and a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Oh? They finally can't sit still anymore. Send a message to Vice General Wang, and let him lead the elite troops to set up an ambush on the northern line, and wait for the enemy reinforcements to enter the ambush circle, and then annihilate them in one fell swoop."

"Yes, sir!" The messenger took the order and left. Zhu Han turned to look at Zhu Biao and said earnestly: "Biao'er, war is not only a contest of force, but also a contest of wisdom and will. We must learn to find opportunities in the enemy's reaction and exchange the smallest cost for the greatest victory."

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes gleaming with admiration: "Uncle Emperor's teachings are correct, Biaoer has learned the lesson."

Soon, the battle on the northern front also kicked off. With his familiarity with the terrain and accurate judgment of the enemy situation, Vice General Wang successfully led the enemy reinforcements into the preset ambush circle. For a while, shouts of killing and the sound of weapons clashing were heard one after another, and the flames illuminated the night sky red.

At the same time, Deputy General Zhang on the southern front also followed Zhu Han's instructions to continue to create momentum and attract the enemy's attention. He personally led a team of soldiers to constantly wander outside the enemy camp, sometimes shooting arrows to harass, sometimes setting fire to create chaos, making the enemy exhausted.

As time went by, the battle on the northern front gradually drew to a close. The elite troops led by Vice General Wang defeated the enemy reinforcements with fewer troops and captured some enemy generals. This battle not only greatly weakened the enemy's combat effectiveness, but also greatly boosted the morale of the Ming army.

When the victory message came, cheers broke out in the tent. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao shook hands tightly and smiled at each other. All the fatigue seemed to disappear at this moment.

"Uncle, we have won a great victory in this battle. What should we do next?" Zhu Biao asked excitedly.

Zhu Han hesitated for a moment, then said with a firm look: "Biao'er, although the enemy has been defeated, their main force is still there. We cannot give them a chance to catch their breath. We must seize the opportunity to pursue them and destroy their lair in one fell swoop."

"But..." Zhu Biao hesitated, "Our army has been fighting for days, and the soldiers are exhausted. Is it too risky to pursue them now?"

Zhu Han shook his head, his eyes gleaming with determination: "Biao'er, the opportunity for battle is fleeting. We must seize this opportunity to solve the border problem in one fell swoop. As for the fatigue of the soldiers, we can take turns to rest and ensure that they have enough physical strength to fight."

Zhu Biao still had some concerns when he heard this, but seeing Zhu Han's determined eyes, he nodded and agreed: "Uncle, what you said is very true. Biaoer is willing to follow you to chase the enemy."

With the victory of the battle on the northern front, the situation on the border seemed to be temporarily eased. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao stood on the high ground, looking at the smoke gradually dissipating in the distance, with both the joy of victory and deep thoughts about the future in their hearts.

At this moment, a messenger came hurriedly, knelt on one knee, and reported loudly: "Reporting to Prince Han and His Highness, His Majesty has ordered our army to return to the court today and reward us according to our merits!"

Zhu Han heard this and looked at Zhu Biao. A complex emotion flashed in their eyes. Zhu Han slowly turned around and said to the messenger, "Got it. Immediately inform the whole army to prepare to set off back to the capital."

After the messenger left, Zhu Biao asked softly, "Uncle, are we really going back like this? Although the war on the border has temporarily subsided, there are still hidden dangers. If the enemy comes back again..."

Zhu Han sighed, his eyes deep: "Biao'er, His Majesty's order cannot be disobeyed. Moreover, after days of fighting, the soldiers do need to rest. But don't worry, I will advise His Majesty to strengthen the border defense to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Zhu Biao nodded, but there was still a trace of worry between his brows: "Uncle Huang is right, but... I am worried that the situation in the court is complicated. I am afraid that our return to Beijing this time will not be too peaceful."

Zhu Han smiled slightly and patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder: "Biao'er, you don't need to worry too much about the affairs of the court. I am here to protect you. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you must remain calm and firm. You are the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty and the hope of the future."

"Biao'er," Zhu Han said softly, "after returning to Beijing, you must be more cautious. The situation in the court is complex and changeable. You must always keep a clear head and a firm stance."

Zhu Biao nodded and agreed: "Uncle, rest assured, I will keep your teachings in mind. However... I am worried that someone in the court will criticize our trip to the border."

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "Biao'er, don't worry. Our military achievements are great and are witnessed by all. Although there are voices of criticism in the court, as long as we act uprightly and have a clear conscience, it will be fine."

Zhu Biao heard this, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes: "I understand what my uncle taught me. After returning to Beijing, I will be more diligent, govern the country with benevolence, and quell the rebellion with wisdom, so as to live up to the expectations of my father and uncle."

As the army began to pack up and prepare to return to the capital, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao also made final arrangements in the camp. Zhu Han knew that although the border war had come to an end, the struggle in the court had just begun. He had to pave the way for Zhu Biao to ensure that he could succeed to the throne smoothly.

"Biao'er," Zhu Han said earnestly, "after returning to the capital, you must pay close attention to the developments in the court, especially those forces that pose a threat to your throne. At the same time, you must strengthen your ties with the loyal officials in the court and consolidate your support."

Zhu Biao nodded and agreed: "Don't worry, uncle. I will always be vigilant and will not let anyone threaten my position. At the same time, I will also work hard to improve my ability to govern the country and seek the welfare of the people."

The army slowly set off, and the people along the way came out of their homes to see them off. They were grateful for the heroic actions of the Ming army in defending the border and protecting peace. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao stood at the front of the team, looking at these simple people, their hearts filled with emotion.

After returning to the palace, Zhu Han immediately reported to Zhu Yuanzhang about the frontier war and the arrangements for returning to Beijing. Zhu Yuanzhang was very pleased and highly praised the achievements of Zhu Han and Zhu Biao. He decided to hold a grand celebration banquet in the court to commend their bravery and wisdom.

At the celebration banquet, all the officials gathered and the atmosphere was warm. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao sat at the top, accepting everyone's congratulations and admiration. However, Zhu Han's eyes were always vigilantly scanning the surroundings, looking for possible threats and challenges.

At this moment, a minister who was usually on good terms with Zhu Di suddenly stood up and said loudly: "Your Majesty, although Prince Han and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince have made great contributions to the frontier, the government is busy and frontier affairs also require long-term planning. I dare to suggest that the post of Frontier Defense Envoy should be established to be responsible for frontier defense and ensure the peace of the Ming territory."

As soon as these words came out, the court immediately started to discuss. Zhu Han's heart trembled, knowing that Zhu Di was testing his bottom line. He smiled slightly, stood up calmly and said, "Your Majesty, I think this is a very good idea. Border defense does need a dedicated person to be responsible for it, so as to be fully prepared. I dare to recommend that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince concurrently serve as the Border Defense Envoy, to show Your Majesty's emphasis on border defense, and also to train His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's ability to govern the country."