Chapter 7
On the 8th of November, Meng Shouwen personally led three hundred of his elite soldiers to the capital. Prince Chun ordered the civil and military officials of the third rank and below to go out of the city to welcome him, personally summoned Ye Zeng into the palace, and bestowed rewards upon him in the imperial hall, hosting a banquet three days later
On the sixteenth day of the fourth month in the sixth year of the Yuan Guang era, Ye Zeng led a thousand troops to occupy the strategic route in the northeast of the ancient Gobi Desert. He divided his forces to set an ambush on the path that the Jun army would inevitably take when marching south. Waiting for their arrival at night, he set fire to the grass and trees to create smoke, prominently displayed the military flags with the character 'Ye', and deployed deceptive troops on both sides of the Jun army's advance. He personally led his men to attack the position of the central army. The Jun army, unable to discern in the night, believed that the Chun army had many ambushers. Upon seeing Ye Zeng's flags widely displayed across the fields, they were greatly alarmed and fled in disarray, retreating without a fight, resulting in countless casualties as they trampled over one another.
On July 19, Meng Shouwen submitted a request to return to the capital. Meng Shouzhen, the eldest son of Prince Chun, advised that the war situation was still uncertain and that border defenses should not be neglected. Consequently, Prince Chun rejected Meng Shouwen's request and continued to appoint him as the Grand Commander of the Hebei Forward Command.
On May 23, Meng Shouwen appointed Ye Zeng as the vanguard commander, with generals Feng Hui, Wu Wei, and Yang Zigang leading the troops of the main camp. They organized their forces to cross the river and attacked the encampment of the Jun army on the southern bank, achieving a great victory. The remnants of the Jun army retreated to a hundred miles away, sending envoys to request assistance from the thirteen garrison troops in Henan. When the garrison troops did not respond, they sent envoys to seek aid from Tianqi.
On June 28, Meng Shouwen intended to deploy a large army to retake the important stronghold of Huoqiu in Henan. However, Jun Jun's troops were firmly defending the city, maintaining strict vigilance and clearing the surrounding area in preparation. Persuaded by generals Ye and Feng, he stationed his troops on the southern bank of the Yanhe River, regaining control of the river defenses
Ye Zeng led his troops forward and encountered Xu Hong, who was leading two thousand soldiers to provide assistance. They subsequently joined forces and besieged the disbanded army of Jun at a distance of one hundred miles. In a single battle, they beheaded eight thousand enemies and plundered their supplies before returning.
On the second day of the fifth month in the sixth year of the Yuan Guang era, Bi Zhi received the good news from the Hebei camp, and the court began to learn of Pei Zhen's death in battle and that Ye Zeng had led three thousand troops to defeat nearly ten thousand enemies. The Chun Wang issued a special edict to promote the generals who had contributed to this campaign, granting all those recommended by Ye Zeng a three-level promotion and additional monetary rewards.
On the 7th day of the 6th month, Pei Yi issued a decree for the defeated soldiers to return to the capital.
On October 19, Meng Shouwen submitted a formal petition, stating that the border situation had stabilized and earnestly requesting to return to the capital. The civil and military officials in the court, recognizing his over-a-year service at the border and his numerous achievements, supported his request. Consequently, King Chun granted his request and, in addition, due to Ye Zeng's distinguished contributions, issued an edict for him to accompany Meng Shouwen to the capital to present himself at the court.