While His Royal Highness the King of Chu was repairing ships, building cannons, and building armaments, His Highness the King of Qin followed Deng Yu's Western Expedition and finally entered the vast Kunlun.
Duke Wei was hesitant about entering this treacherous restricted area of life. When their army arrived in Hezhou, the Tibetan tribes had already heard the news and hid in the Kunlun Mountains.
The Tubo people's plan was very clear, which was to make use of the Kunlun Mountains' natural dangers that made it difficult for birds and animals to travel, so that the Ming army would retreat in the face of difficulties.
But the Ming army mobilized troops and came all the way, how could it just return without success? The emperor couldn't accept it, the court couldn't accept it, and even the soldiers couldn't accept it.
Of course, he, the commander-in-chief, couldn't accept it. This was the first time that Deng Yu took command as a general. How long would it take for him to make great achievements?
But Deng Yu also had serious worries. Going deep alone has been a taboo for military strategists since ancient times. What's more, the harsh climate, steep mountain roads, and unfamiliar environment of the Kunlun Mountains all pose a great threat to the army.
Moreover, His Royal Highness King Qin and the Emperor's favorite adopted son Mu Ying are still in the army. If something goes wrong, how can I explain it to the Emperor?
When he was undecided, he summoned the main generals to his commander's tent for discussion. When he solicited opinions on whether to retreat or advance next, all the generals, including King Qin and Mu Ying, said in unison:
"Pursue! I swear I won't return Loulan until I break him!"
"..." Although Deng Yu was very pleased to see the generals' high morale, he still had to put difficulties ahead.
"It's very cold in the Kunlun Mountains, and it will freeze in June and July," Deng Yu said.
"But now is the warmest season of the year. If it were any other season, we would be frozen to death and there would be no way to march in the army!" Mu Yinglang said: "General, now is the only season when we can pursue the Kunlun Mountains.
, this opportunity cannot be missed!”
"Yes, General. If we retreat here, the Tubo tribes will have no fear from now on. If they are not afraid of the heavenly soldiers, they will definitely kick their noses in the face and cause chaos!" Another general also said loudly.
"After we enter the mountain, we will become a lone army with no logistics and no backup. It is too dangerous." Deng Yu said again.
"The same is true for the Tubo tribes. They also have no logistics or support, and they also support the old and the young, as well as their livestock. The situation is even more difficult than ours." Another general analyzed:
"All they rely on is patience. If they can endure it, can't we?"
"That's right, 70,000 to 80,000 people from Tibet entered the mountains, and they won't be able to go very far. Such a large number of people will definitely leave traces. We will chase after them. We will definitely catch up with them!"
"Okay, what everyone said makes sense." Deng Yu finally nodded, as if he was convinced, and said in a deep voice: "I have made up my mind, let's go into the mountain to pursue him!"
"As ordered!" All the generals excitedly clasped their fists and responded loudly.
"Let's all go down first." Deng Yu waved his hand, and the second son who followed him said: "Hong Hao, please stay for a while."
"Yeah." The second brother stopped, and after the generals retreated, he asked in a muffled voice: "What are you doing?"
"I'll give you an important task." Deng Yu said in a deep voice.
"Okay, please, please give me the general's orders. Finally, I will make sure to complete the task." The second brother became more energetic after hearing this.
"When the army enters Kunlun, it's okay to eat horse chews. The most important thing is to have enough cotton clothes, otherwise the low temperature at night will kill the soldiers." Deng Yu said: "So, I ordered you to leave for Lanzhou immediately.
Recruit 20,000 cotton-padded clothes!"
"Obey, obey!" The second child suddenly felt the great responsibility.
Deng Yu took out another letter sealed with fire paint, handed it to Zhu Ping and said, "Give this to Song Sheng, and he will know what to do!"
"Yes!" King Qin took the envelope with both hands, hid it close to his body, and resigned.
Looking at his unusually tall back, Deng Yu sighed softly: "Your Highness, I'm offended."
~~
After deciding to march, the soldiers of the Western Expedition Army began intensive preparations. Everyone knew that there were many difficulties and dangers ahead. The more prepared they were, the more likely they were to survive.
Deng Yu was not in a hurry to march into the army, and asked the cooks to steam big steamed buns for the soldiers every day. The first was to wait for the cotton-padded clothes. The second was to let the soldiers gain as much fat as possible. He had rich experience and knew that he would definitely suffer in the end.
Hungry. If you gain more weight now, you will be hungry for a while longer in the future.
Finally, there is a sinister idea, which is to let the Tibetan tribes hiding in the Kunlun Mountains consume their food first. By the time the army marches in, they may have begun to starve.
We waited like this until the end of June, when the 20,000 pieces of cotton-padded clothes from the rear were delivered, and it was time for the army to move out.
Seeing King Qin returning to his life with a silly smile on his face, Deng Yu's eyes almost fell down, and he couldn't help but said loudly: "Why are you back again?"
"I, shouldn't I come back?" the second child said with a naive smile.
"Didn't you give that letter to Song Sheng?" Deng Yu asked.
"Here, here it is." The second child said with a hint of slyness in his silly smile, "No, but he didn't see the content of the letter."
"Why?" Deng Yu asked in confusion. His letter ordered Song Sheng not to allow King Qin to return to the front line, whether under house arrest or forced imprisonment, otherwise military law would be violated.
"Soaked, soaked in water. Rotten into paste." The second child said seriously: "I, I just conveyed the commander's intention. Song, Song Sheng still gave me face, no, he didn't embarrass me."
"Fuck..." Duke Wei used a rare curse word.
You are careless, you are really careless. If you had known this, you should have sent someone else to deliver the letter.
But who would have thought that this big black guy with a dull face could actually have hidden agendas?
"Father-in-law, I know what you want to do." A determined expression appeared on Zhu Fangfang's face. "But, the prince of the Ming Dynasty, no, cannot be a deserter!"
"Alas..." Deng Yu waved his hands helplessly and said, "That's all. If you make a mistake, I'll wipe your neck and return to the team."
"Hey!" Zhu Xingle Dian'er said: "Yue, father-in-law, don't worry, my father said that I have a long life and I will be fine."
"Ah? Did the emperor say that again?" Deng Yu asked in confusion.
"Yes, that's right. When my father beat me, he always said it would bring disaster to me for thousands of years..." Zhu Feng said proudly and turned around, leaving Deng Yu messy in the wind.
~~
In the 10th year of Hongwu's reign, June 29th was the day when Deng Yu's army set out again.
Outside Hezhou City, 20,000 carefully selected and recharged soldiers lined up in strict formation, ready to go.
Deng Yu, the Duke of Wei and General of the Western Expedition, dressed in military uniform, climbed onto the general stand surrounded by generals and gave a brief swearing-in speech to the soldiers:
"Soldiers, are you willing to accept that we traveled three thousand miles to Hezhou without firing an arrow or making any achievements?"
"I'm not willing to give in!" the soldiers roared.
"Our enemies are hiding in the vast Kunlun Mountains," Deng Yu said, pointing to the towering mountains in the west: "They want us to retreat despite the difficulties, can we let them succeed?"
"cannot!"
"Okay, I will lead you to pursue them into the Kunlun Mountains. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles there are, we will find them and eliminate them! Let Tubo surrender to the Celestial Empire forever! Do you want to go with us?!"
"Go together! Go together!" The roar of the soldiers was earth-shattering.
"The Han Dynasty had Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, the Tang Dynasty had Li Jing and Xu Shiji, and the Song Dynasty... Now it's my turn to make the Ming Dynasty. Don't let the previous dynasty be the only one beautiful!" Deng Yu drew out his sword, pointed to the west, and roared: "Soldiers, if you have made great achievements, your merits will be better than those of the Han Dynasty.
Tang’s opportunity is right in front of you, let’s go!”
"Go! Go! Go!" The soldiers roared with enthusiasm. Under the command of the officers, they all headed west towards the vast Kunlun.
