Chapter 479: Alliance!

"Yunsheng's (Zhu Sheng's pen name) words are well-founded and we must act with caution."

"Zhang Tianxuan's tribe has been fighting with the great Xuan Yang Su for some time. If we can form an alliance, it would be a good idea."

"However, this matter requires sending an envoy to move people with sincerity, so that it can be accomplished."

After hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, and finally nodded in approval. Zhu Sheng's plan was exactly what he wanted.

"My lord is wise. I am willing to go to Baizhou in person to lobby Zhang Tianxuan and discuss the strategy of resisting the enemy."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Sheng showed joy on his face and bowed.

"Good! Yunsheng, be careful on this trip. The fate of our Yellow Turban Army may depend on this move."

Zhu Yuanzhang was even more pleased when he heard this, and he clapped his hands and laughed.

So Zhu Sheng took the order, immediately prepared his luggage, and set off on a certain day.

Before leaving, Zhu Yuanzhang specially gave Zhu Sheng fine wine and delicious food to encourage him.

"Yunsheng, this trip is a long and arduous one. I wish you a smooth journey and a successful return. When Yunsheng returns, I will personally welcome him and drink a celebratory wine with him."

During the banquet, Zhu Yuanzhang raised his glass and said.

"My lord, I will always remember your kindness."

"I will live up to your trust during this trip to Baizhou. I will definitely convince Zhang Tianxuan to work together on a grand plan. When I return, I will drink three hundred cups with you."

Zhu Sheng was also moved when he heard this and raised his glass in response.

After saying this, the two of them smiled at each other and drank the wine in their glasses.

The next day, Zhu Sheng set out for Baizhou with his mission.

The land of Baizhou is beautiful with mountains and rivers, and Zhang Tianxuan's troops of the Blue Army are stationed here.

When Zhu Sheng arrived in Baizhou, he did not dare to delay and immediately went to the Qingyi Army camp to ask for an audience with Zhang Tianxuan.

When Zhang Tianxuan heard the news, he was also curious and ordered someone to bring Zhu Sheng into the tent.

Inside the tent, Zhang Tianxuan sat at the desk, his eyes sharp as a torch, examining the guest who had come from afar.

"General Zhang, how are you? I hope Zhu Sheng can forgive me for coming to visit you specially."

Zhu Sheng stepped into the tent, bowed and said.

"Mr. Zhu is the top strategist of the Yellow Turban Army. He has come here to discuss important matters. Please speak frankly."

Zhang Tianxuan glanced at his former colleague and smiled slightly.

"General Zhang is a man of few words, so Zhu Sheng spoke frankly. In the current situation, the army of the Great Xuan Dynasty is approaching, and the Yellow Turban Army cannot resist alone. The only way to resist foreign aggression is to unite with other forces."

"The army under your command is brave and good at fighting, and they have always had exchanges with our army, so I came here to discuss it. I am willing to form an alliance with you to fight against Daxuan together."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Sheng also spoke frankly.

"Mr. Zhu's words do make sense. The Great Xuan Dynasty's army is coming with great momentum, and they want to completely pacify the northern border of Great Xuan. Our Qingyi Army is also a thorn in their side."

"There is nothing wrong with forming an alliance."

After hearing this, Zhang Tianxuan was silent for a moment, weighing the pros and cons in his mind, and finally nodded.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Sheng was delighted, knowing that Zhang Tianxuan was willing to form an alliance, so he elaborated in detail on the benefits of the alliance and the strategy for both sides to fight the enemy together.

As a result, the two sides agreed on the specific details of the alliance and agreed on a plan to jointly fight the enemy.

Zhu Sheng was overjoyed to see that the matter had been accomplished, so he bid farewell to Zhang Tianxuan and returned to the Yellow Turban Army camp.

Zhu Yuanzhang was also extremely happy when he heard the news of Zhu Sheng's safe return.

He immediately summoned all the generals and announced the good news of the alliance with the Qingyi Army.

"Although we, the Yellow Turban Army, have experienced many hardships, we have never been defeated." "We must avenge our previous humiliation and let the Great Xuan Army know that the Yellow Turban Army has never been afraid of anyone!"

When Zhu Yuanzhang saw this, he felt even more proud.

"What do you think, sir? Let's have a fight with Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, first?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flickered like the brightest stars in the night sky. He turned his inquiring gaze towards Zhu Sheng, asking for his opinion.

They still don't have much concrete concept about Li Yuanba, the man they have heard so much about until their ears are callused. After all, they can only count on one hand the top military generals.

Especially after Xie Zijing arrived, with his unique hidden weapon, no one in the entire Yellow Turban Army could withstand it safely.

Therefore, in their eyes, no matter how strong Li Yuanba was, he couldn't possibly defeat so many of them alone, right?
When Zhu Sheng heard this, a hint of deep thought flashed across his brows.

Although Li Yuanba's name has never been seen in person, his reputation has resounded like thunder throughout the northern border of the Great Xuan Dynasty during this period of time.

However, Zhu Sheng understood better that the way of war does not lie in the gain or loss of a city or a place, but in the control of the overall situation and the use of strategy.

"I understand your intention, my lord."

"However, when it comes to war, we must act with caution and not start a war lightly."

Zhu Sheng's words were calm and profound, like the drizzle in spring, moistening everything silently.

"Although I have not personally witnessed Li Yuanba's bravery in battle, he has been terrorizing the northern border in recent times, so he must be extraordinary."

"If our army attacks rashly, we may fall into their trap and regret it too late."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly, obviously puzzled by Zhu Sheng's caution.

The generals around him also had different expressions, some agreed, some seemed a little dissatisfied, and the three brothers Li Hu, Li Yang, and Li Lu looked even more anxious.

They longed for a fight, eager to prove their bravery with blood.

"Sir, your words are certainly reasonable, but we, the Yellow Turban Army, have gone through so many hardships. How can we be stopped by Li Yuanba?"

"We must know that morale can be used and cannot be dampened. If we simply avoid fighting, the morale of the army may be weakened, which will be detrimental to the overall situation."

There was a hint of unwillingness in Zhu Yuanzhang's words. He swept his eyes over the crowd, trying to arouse everyone's fighting spirit.

"I also feel what the lord said. However, although morale is important, strategy is also indispensable."

"The Art of War says: 'Know thy enemy and know thyself, and a hundred battles can be fought without danger.' If our army does not understand the enemy's situation and attacks blindly, it is a great taboo in military strategy."

After hearing this, Zhu Sheng shook his head gently, waved his feather fan lightly, and a sense of indifference arose spontaneously.

"Li Yuanba's courage is not something that can be matched by one person, but war is not a matter for one person."

"Our army needs to unite with Zhang Tianxuan's troops and work together to fight the enemy, so that we can be invincible. At this moment, Yunsheng believes that the best strategy is to consolidate the alliance first and then seek advancement."

He paused and continued.

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment. He knew very well that what Zhu Sheng said was true, but he still felt a little unwilling in his heart, which made it difficult for him to make a decision.

He looked outside the tent. It was already late at night and the stars were twinkling in the sky, as if telling an endless story.

Finally, he let out a long sigh, and a look of determination flashed in his eyes.

"I already know what you said, sir. But morale cannot be crushed. We also need a battle to boost the morale of the army."

"But this battle is not to capture cities and plunder territory, but to test the enemy's situation and find out Li Yuanba's strengths and weaknesses."

"how?"

There was a hint of firmness in Zhu Yuanzhang's words, and he looked at Zhu Sheng again, as if seeking final confirmation.

"Since the lord has such intention, Sheng will do his best."

When Zhu Sheng heard this, he was worried, but he also knew that the war was inevitable. He pondered for a moment and finally nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)