Daming: Refining zombies at the beginning, Lao Zhu was shocked

Zhu Xiaye stood on the city wall of Samarkand, looking at the battlefield in the distance.

His eyes were sharp, as if they could penetrate the layers of clouds and mist and see the gradually retreating Dong Daming army.

When the news of the battle came, he had already understood that the "battle" between his eldest brother Zhu Xiafeng and his third brother Zhu Xialun was just a show, the purpose of which was to give an explanation to their respective courts and tribes.

"It's just acting."

Zhu Xiaye chuckled, knowing clearly the tricks of his two brothers.

He knew that the real battle would not be between their generation, but between the third generation and even their descendants.

Not long after, the Eastern Ming army arrived at the city of Samarkand, but was unsurprisingly defeated by Zhu Xiaye's troops.

Although Zhu Xiaye's strength is the weakest among his brothers, he still has enough ability to deal with these generals who graduated from the Imperial Guard Academy.

After the battle, Zhu Xiaye stood on the battlefield and looked down at the captured Dong Daming soldiers.

Zhu Jianqi stepped forward with a bit of hesitation on his face: "Father, how should we deal with these prisoners?"

Zhu Xiaye pondered for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

He knew that if these prisoners were executed, it would inevitably cause a strong reaction from Eastern Ming and might even lead to an all-out war.

But now, Western Ming is not ready for a full-scale war with Eastern Ming.

"Let them go." Zhu Xiaye finally made a decision, "We can't lose the overall situation because of a momentary anger."

However, at this moment, a general from the Eastern Daming was brought up. His face was filled with anger, and he cursed without disguising himself: "Zhu Xiaye, you traitor! Kill us if you have the guts!"

Zhu Xiaye's face suddenly turned gloomy. He looked at the general coldly, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

Then he drew his whip and whipped the general hard several times as a punishment.

However, the general grimaced in pain but still refused to bow his head.

"Go back and tell Zhu Xialun that the Western Ming has no intention of becoming an enemy of the Eastern Ming. If all else fails, have him come here in person. You are not qualified to fight the Western Ming!"

Zhu Xiaye said coldly: "But in order to prevent more innocent soldiers from dying, I will let you go."

The general was taken away, but Zhu Xiaye's mood did not improve.

He knew that the fight between the three Ming dynasties was far from over and the road ahead was still full of challenges and uncertainties.

The news of releasing the prisoners soon reached the ears of East Daming and North Daming.

Zhu Xiafeng and Zhu Xiajun were both surprised by Zhu Xiaye's decision, but they had to admit that this decision showed Zhu Xiaye's wisdom and overall view.

At the same time, subtle changes were taking place within Western Daming.

Zhu Xiaye's decision was supported by many generals and ministers, who believed that Zhu Xiaye showed a broad mind and far-sightedness.

However, some people were reserved about Zhu Xiaye's approach, believing that he was too weak and might be looked down upon by the East Daming and the North Daming.

Zhu Xiaye knew very well that in order to be invincible in this brotherly dispute, he needed not only strong military force but also wisdom and strategy.

He began to pay close attention to the movements of Eastern Ming and Northern Ming, and stepped up the training of his own army to improve its combat effectiveness.

A few months later, relations between East Daming and North Daming became tense again.

Although Eastern Ming and Northern Ming maintained peace on the surface, both sides were secretly accumulating strength and preparing to deal with possible conflicts at any time.

Zhu Xiaye was also not idle. He obtained intelligence through various channels, understood the movements of all troops, and formulated corresponding strategies.

"Your Majesty, there is urgent information!"

One night, Zhu Xiaye was studying a map in his study when suddenly a confidant hurried in.

Zhu Xiaye put down the map in his hand, looked up at the confidant, frowned slightly, and asked, "What information?"

The confidant panted and said anxiously: "The imperial army of Eastern Daming is still gathering towards Samarkand City from the direction of Daming's western region. It is obvious that they are still intending to continue the fight."

Zhu Xiaye sneered, with a cold light flashing in his eyes: "It seems they are still unwilling to give up."

He quickly summoned several trusted generals to discuss countermeasures.

A few days later, the Eastern Ming army once again arrived at the city of Samarkand, and the battle was about to break out.

This time, Zhu Xiaye was well prepared. He mobilized more elite troops and set up a tight defense line.

The battle was extremely fierce and both sides invested a large number of troops, but the Dong Daming army was still unable to break through Zhu Xiaye's defense line.

After several days of fierce fighting, the Eastern Ming army was defeated again, and the remnants fled in a panic.

Zhu Xiaye stood on the city wall, looking down at the enemy corpses scattered on the battlefield, sneering in his heart.

After the battle, Zhu Jianqi walked up to his father again with a complicated look on his face: "Father, we have captured another group of Dong Daming soldiers, including the general who insulted you last time."

Zhu Xiaye's eyes suddenly became sharp, and he said coldly: "Bring it up."

The general was brought up, his face still filled with anger and his eyes full of indomitable spirit.

He was forced to kneel before Zhu Xiaye and said with gritted teeth: "Zhu Xiaye, you traitor, kill me if you dare!"

Zhu Xiaye sneered, with a hint of mockery in his eyes: "You generals are all trash. How did you graduate from the Imperial Guard Academy? It seems that the students taught by Lan Yu are just like this."

In fact, Zhu Xiaye still has great respect for Lan Yu. It's a pity that the students he taught are still not good enough in front of him, Zhu Xiaye!

The general was furious and cursed: "Zhu Xiaye, don't even think about insulting us! How can you tarnish the reputation of General Lan Yu?"

Zhu Xiaye's face became even gloomier. He originally planned to execute the general directly, but Zhu Jianqi stepped forward and advised: "Father, although these people are hateful, we still have to put the overall situation first. Killing them will only intensify the conflict. It is better to let them go again and let Dong Daming worry about it himself."

Zhu Xiaye pondered for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, I'll listen to you. Release them all."

This group of captives was released back to Dongdaming for the second time. The news spread quickly and the entire Dongdaming court was shocked.

After Zhu Xialun learned about this, his expression remained the same and no one could tell whether he was happy or angry. However, he knew that if he did not take action himself, no matter how many troops he had, it would be difficult to shake Zhu Xiaye's defense line.

A few months later, in Samarkand.

"Your Majesty, the army of the Eastern Ming is gathering again, and is only three hundred miles away from Samarkand!"

The scouts in front reported to Zhu Xiaye.

"Who is the leading general?"

Zhu Xiaye asked with narrowed eyes.

"It was the Emperor Zhu Xiajun of the Eastern Ming Dynasty who personally led the army!"

The scout replied quickly.

Zhu Xiaye's expression changed slightly. He knew that if Zhu Xialun went out in person, the battle would be more difficult. He quickly summoned several trusted generals to discuss countermeasures.

"We must prepare for the worst," Zhu Xiaye said in a deep voice, "Zhu Xialun will personally lead the troops this time and will never retreat easily."

The generals nodded one after another. They knew that this would be a tough battle.

A few days later, the Eastern Ming army once again arrived at the city of Samarkand and fighting broke out again.

This time, Zhu Xiaye personally took to the battlefield to command the battle.

Under his command, his army demonstrated strong combat effectiveness. Although the Dong Daming army tried their best, they still could not break through Zhu Xiaye's defense line.

The battle was extremely fierce and both sides invested a large number of troops, but the Dong Daming army was still unable to break through Zhu Xiaye's defense line.

The fierce battle lasted for about two months, and suddenly the Dongdaming side stopped!

The key point is that although Zhu Xiajun led the army in person, he never took any action personally from beginning to end!

Zhu Xiaye knew very well in his mind that although he seemed to have the upper hand now, once Zhu Xiarun personally took action, the battle situation might not be so optimistic!

Although the Eastern Ming army retreated temporarily, it did not return to the capital, but instead gathered hundreds of miles east of Samarkand and could make a comeback at any time!

After the battle, Zhu Xiaye stood on the battlefield, looking down at the captured Dong Daming soldiers, but he was wondering in his heart what his third brother Zhu Xialun meant.

However, what no one expected was that Zhu Xialun did make a comeback, but this time he only brought a few hundred people and came directly to the city wall of Samarkand!

Many generals suggested taking the opportunity to besiege Zhu Xiajun. After all, the other party only brought a few hundred people, which was a perfect opportunity.

However, Zhu Xiaye waved his hand decisively to stop their proposal.

"Don't act rashly!"

Zhu Xiaye said calmly: "Since Third Brother dares to bring so few people, he must have his reasons. We can't act rashly."

He took a deep breath, straightened his clothes, and went up to the city wall himself.

He knew very well that even if the entire city of Samarkand included him, no one would be able to stop Zhu Xialun!

Not long after, Zhu Xiaye personally went up to the city wall and saw his third brother Zhu Xialun, whom he had not seen for many years!

Under the city wall, Zhu Xialun was wearing silver armor and looked calm, as if he was in his own back garden.

His eyes met Zhu Xiaye, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

"I haven't seen you for many years, but you are still as charming as ever."

Zhu Xiaye said with a smile, with a hint of emotion in his tone.

Zhu Xiajun looked up at Zhu Xiaye, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised: "Fourth brother, it seems that you have not been idle in the past few years. Samarkand City is impregnable."

Zhu Xiaye nodded, then turned to the generals around him and said, "Open the city gate and invite Third Brother into the city."

The generals looked at each other, but still acted according to Zhu Xiaye's orders.

The city gate slowly opened, and Zhu Xialun strode into the city with hundreds of his personal soldiers.

Zhu Xiaye came to greet them personally, and the two brothers walked side by side, as if they had returned to the days when they could still drink and chat happily together.

"Let's find a place to talk it out."

Zhu Xialun suggested.

Zhu Xiaye nodded in agreement and took Zhu Xialun to a restaurant.

Inside the restaurant, the two sat opposite each other, with the table filled with fine wine and delicious food.

The two brothers raised their glasses and drank, as if all their disputes had been forgotten.

"Have you ever regretted anything over the years, Third Brother?"

Zhu Xiaye asked, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

Zhu Xiajun pondered for a moment and shook his head: "Regret? Maybe there is, but it is mostly helpless. We are in this position, with too many responsibilities and missions, and we have to make many difficult choices."

Zhu Xiaye nodded, and he felt the same way: "Yes, we all carry too many expectations and pressures, and sometimes we really don't know whether what we are doing is right or wrong."

The two were silent for a while, each lost in thought.

After three rounds of drinking, Zhu Xiajun suddenly said, "Fourth brother, to put it bluntly, the current situation has little to do with us brothers. Have you thought about how to temporarily end it all?"

Zhu Xiaye's eyes became deep, and he said slowly: "Third brother, you and I both know that this is not just a fight between us brothers, but also a fight for the fate of Ming Dynasty. Every decision we make will affect the life and death of countless people."

Zhu Xiajun sighed: "Yes, every step we take is so difficult. But, fourth brother, I really don't want to see more soldiers die innocently."

Zhu Xiaye was silent for a long time, and finally nodded: "Perhaps, we can try to find a new way to resolve this dispute."

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhu Xia's eyes: "Oh? Tell me, do you have any new way to resolve the current dispute?"

Zhu Xiaye smiled slightly: "The boundary is a hundred miles east of Samarkand City, and the rest of the territory can be included in the territory of Eastern Daming!"

Zhu Xiajun looked at Zhu Xiaye deeply, then raised his glass and said, "Okay, fourth brother, since you asked for it yourself, I'll accept the favor!"

Zhu Xiaye also raised his glass, and they both drank it in one gulp.

The atmosphere in the restaurant became warm and harmonious.

As the night deepened, Zhu Xialun stood up to say goodbye, and Zhu Xiaye personally saw him off to the city gate.

The two men stood in front of the city gate, silent, but they both had new plans in their minds.

"Take care, fourth brother." Zhu Xialun turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the night.

"Take care, third brother." Zhu Xiaye looked at the direction where Zhu Xiarun left, feeling filled with emotion.

At this moment, Crown Prince Zhu Jianqi appeared behind Zhu Xiaye.

"Father, what did you talk to Uncle San about? Did he agree to withdraw his troops?"

Zhu Jianqi asked curiously.

Because when these brothers were drinking and talking, the entire restaurant had been blocked off, and there was no third person present, so no one knew what they talked about!

"Withdraw all our people east of Samarkand. From now on, Samarkand will be the boundary between us and Eastern Ming!"

Zhu Xiaye instructed slowly.

"This is equivalent to ceding a large piece of territory to Dong Daming!"

When Zhu Jianlu heard this, his expression suddenly changed!

Although Western Ming Dynasty seems to have a vast territory, it is actually a barren land. It is not much better than Northern Ming Dynasty, and there is more desert!

All territories are extremely precious to Western Ming Dynasty!

"If you want to temporarily stop the war and buy more time for the development of Western Ming, you have to pay a certain price!"

"We also have to make your Third Uncle find a way to give an explanation to Dong Daming!"

Zhu Xiaye reminded with a wry smile.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jianqi fell silent.