Chapter 19: Taking Over the Cavalry Battalion! The Ying Tian Imperial Court!

Slaying a hundred enemies in a single charge, taking down the enemy commander, and seizing the enemy's battle flag!

Such feats were not something just anyone could achieve; at the very least, no one had accomplished this since the start of the current hostilities, even amidst the many great wars the Ming Dynasty had waged against foreign powers.

How could Zhang Wu and Fan Qing not treat such a fierce general with utmost respect?

"You two are too kind," Zhu Ying replied with a smile, cupping his hands in a respectful salute.

Zhang Wu.

Fan Qing.

The latter's name was not widely known, but the former would hold great fame in the future Ming Dynasty, as he was a meritorious official following Zhu Di's Jingnan Campaign and was even posthumously honored as a Duke.

This spoke volumes of his bravery and command capabilities.

However, since Zhu Yuan璋 was still alive and the Jingnan Campaign was still many years away, Zhang Wu naturally remained here in Daning Prefecture serving as a Deputy Thousand-man Commander.

Furthermore, he was under the command of Zhu Ying.

For Zhu Ying, seeing such historical generals under his banner filled him with anticipation for the future. The future was promising.

Knowing history.

Knowing the future.

Power!

It would not be difficult.

"After this battle, the First Cavalry Battalion has suffered significant losses. We will need to replenish our forces once the major fighting concludes."

"The specific situation of the cavalry battalion will be introduced to you by the two Deputy Thousand-man Commanders."

"You have just assumed the position of Thousand-man Commander. I will give you three days to familiarize yourself. After three days, you will immediately mobilize the troops to continue the offensive against the Jianzhou Tartars," Chen Heng said to Zhu Ying.

"I obey your command."

Zhu Ying immediately bowed to accept the order.

"Come find me directly if anything arises."

Chen Heng nodded with a smile and departed with his personal guards.

After his departure.

"Brothers, how many soldiers does the First Cavalry Battalion have left?" Zhu Ying asked directly.

"Reporting to the Thousand-man Commander."

"Six hundred and eighty-nine men remain."

"In this engagement with the Tartars, our First Cavalry Battalion served as the vanguard and primary attacking force, hence the heavy casualties," Zhang Wu replied immediately.

"I see."

Zhu Ying nodded, his expression turning slightly heavy.

Though the numbers reported by Zhang Wu were merely statistics, Zhu Ying had experienced yesterday's battle firsthand. Death had shrouded the entire battlefield; he had personally witnessed the passing of his brothers-in-arms, a scene of extreme bloodshed and cruelty.

Yet.

This was inevitable.

Such was the nature of war.

Ultimately, Zhu Ying was fortunate to have adapted to killing enemies during his time suppressing bandits; otherwise, he would not have been so fierce on the battlefield yesterday.

"Reporting to the Thousand-man Commander."

"The brothers of the First Cavalry Battalion are all waiting for your instructions," Fan Qing said respectfully.

"Very well."

Zhu Ying looked toward the other side where all the gathered soldiers of the Thousand-man Battalion were assembled, and nodded.

He then strode toward them.

"Salutations, Thousand-man Commander!"

As Zhu Ying reached the front of the formation, nearly seven hundred soldiers of the First Thousand-man Battalion bowed in unison, their voices deafening.

The majesty of the Ming soldiers was fully on display.

The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty in this era were undoubtedly elite, especially those of the frontier armies.

Feeling the sheer power in that roar, Zhu Ying nodded and immediately said, "Rise, everyone."

"Thank you, Thousand-man Commander!"

The soldiers shouted in unison, every single one of them looking at Zhu Ying with eyes full of curiosity and awe.

"Soldiers!"

"Some of you do not know me, and some may have heard my name."

"But that does not matter."

"From this day forward,"

"I, Zhu Ying, shall be your brother-in-arms, fighting side by side with you."

"On the battlefield, courage comes first."

"I, Zhu Ying, promise you here and now: I will always be the first to charge into the fray."

"A general who does not cling to life, a soldier who does not fear death—that is an invincible army."

"What I, Zhu Ying, strive to be is such a general."

"If I ever shrink from battle or flee out of fear for my life, let any brother in this cavalry battalion take up a blade and strike off my head!" Zhu Ying spoke loudly, without any unnecessary fluff.

In this army, there was no such thing as making empty promises; even when rewards were promised, they were earned through military merit and killing enemies, as decreed by the current Emperor.

In the military, only raw courage came first, and those who were brave and skilled in combat were respected.

Hearing Zhu Ying's words, the expressions of Zhang Wu and Fan Qing turned to shock.

Clearly, they had not expected him to say such things.

However, the gaze of the gathered cavalry soldiers toward Zhu Ying changed completely.

"We swear to follow Thousand-man Commander Zhu to the death!"

"To the death..."

All the soldiers shouted in unison.

Clearly, they had been won over by Zhu Ying's spirit.

***

The capital of the Ming Dynasty, Ying Tian!

The Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The civil and military officials were gathered.

Zhu Yuan璋 sat majestically upon the dragon throne, clad in imperial dragon robes.

On the steps below the throne, the Crown Prince Zhu Biao, dressed in the ceremonial robes of the heir apparent, exuded a calm and composed aura that also commanded the court.

"We, your ministers, pay respects to the Emperor. May the Emperor live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand, ten thousand years!"

The entire court shouted in unison. The roar echoed through the hall and seemed to spread throughout the entire imperial palace.

The prestige of the Ming officials was on full display.

"Rise."

Zhu Yuan璋 raised a hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The officials responded loudly and then stood up, lining up on either side according to their civil or military status.

"If there are memorials, present them. If not, the court is adjourned," the Chief Eunuch serving beside Zhu Yuan璋 shouted loudly.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

"Your servant has a memorial to present."

A civil official from the civil ranks stepped forward and spoke loudly.

"Granted."

Zhu Yuan璋 waved his hand.

"By the Emperor's decree, grain and supplies are being mobilized."

"The Ministry of Revenue has already collected resources from the national treasury and eight prefectures, including Shuntian, Baoding, and Hejian."

"By order of the Ministry of Revenue, these prefectures are mobilizing; the grain and supplies are currently being transported in batches to Daning Prefecture and Beiping Prefecture."

"Within half a month, all supplies will arrive, providing at least five months' worth of provisions for two hundred thousand Ming soldiers. The subsequent mobilization of grain and supplies is ongoing," Zhao Mian, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward and reported respectfully.

"Good."

"You have worked hard, Minister Zhao."

A hint of a smile appeared on Zhu Yuan璋's cold face.

"For the sake of the Ming and for the Emperor, this is the duty of the Ministry of Revenue," Zhao Mian replied immediately.

"What is the status of the troop mobilization?"

Zhu Yuan璋 then looked toward Tang Duo, the Minister of War.

"Reporting to the Emperor."

"Duke Song and the various generals have already set out for Daning Prefecture."

"Troops are also being mobilized from various prefectures, totaling two hundred thousand men, marching toward Daning."

"According to the Ministry of War's intelligence, the grand army will surely arrive in Daning within a month to begin the offensive against the Yuan court," Tang Duo reported.

"After planning for so long, the day has finally arrived."

"Pass my decree."

"Have Feng Sheng bring the head of Naha's man to see me."

"We shall reclaim the lands of Liaodong once and for all," Zhu Yuan璋 said, a fierce light flashing in his eyes.

"Your servant obeys," Tang Duo responded immediately before returning to his position in the assembly.

"Biao'er."

"How is Daning faring?"

Zhu Yuan璋 looked toward Zhu Biao on the steps. His tone had been stern, but when facing his son, it became incredibly gentle.

"Reporting to Father."

"This suppression of bandits was merely a diversion to draw the attention of the Northern Yuan."

"I believe Daning Prefecture has already achieved some results," Zhu Biao replied with a smile.

Just then!

"Report!"

"Victory report from Daning Prefecture!"