Chapter 26: Under the Cover of Night, a Plan Against the Tartars!

Northern Frontier!

The territory of the Jianzhou Tartars, the Blue Banner Tribe.

At this moment!

Night had already fallen.

Outside this Blue Banner Tribe, many Tartar night patrols could be seen, clearly on guard against a sudden attack from the Ming Dynasty.

Under the cover of darkness.

A unit of cavalry was quietly approaching the Blue Banner Tribe, though their movements were extremely subtle, and they did not draw too close.

"Commander."

"We just captured two tongues; they are night patrol scouts from this tribe."

Liu Lei, leading a group of personal guards, brought two Tartars before Zhu Ying.

Seeing Zhu Ying and the surrounding Ming troops, the two Tartars were filled with terror, yet deep in their eyes, there was still hatred.

"I ask, you answer," Zhu Ying said to the two Tartars kneeling on the ground.

"Kill us if you must."

"You damned Ming dogs, one day my clan and the Great Yuan will trample your Ming Empire into the dust!" one Tartar cursed angrily.

Zhu Ying didn't bother with nonsense.

He raised his hand.

The battle saber at his waist was unsheathed.

With a *crack*, blood splattered, and the Tartar's head fell directly to the ground.

"Killed one Tartar infantryman, gained 20 points of Strength," the panel prompted.

"I ask, you answer," Zhu Ying looked at the remaining one.

"I... I will answer," the Tartar soldier said in terror.

"How many troops does this tribe have?"

"How many people live here?" Zhu Ying asked directly.

"The Chieftain has been mobilizing troops lately. Now our tribe... has, already has over thirty thousand troops. This tribe is my clan's pasture; there are nearly a hundred thousand people, all scattered around the tribe," the soldier said in terror, too afraid of death to refuse.

"Then what is your Chieftain's next plan? When will he move against my Great Ming?" Zhu Ying asked again.

"The Chieftain ordered the tribe to defend with all its might and not to take the initiative to attack."

"As for... as for the specific reason, I do not know."

"But... but the Great Yuan has mobilized; they will send troops to reinforce our clan."

"This... this is all I know, My Lord..." the Tartar soldier said, kneeling on the ground in fear.

But in the next moment.

With a *crack*, Zhu Ying swung his blade down.

"Killed a Tartar infantryman, gained 20 points of Spirit," the panel prompted.

Seeing Zhu Ying's decisiveness, the Thousand-man Commanders looked at him with awe.

Such decisive slaughter was completely inconsistent with Zhu Ying's age.

Of course, leaving no survivors was the correct choice.

The main army that had originally pushed into the Northern Frontier had already moved toward Liaodong; only five thousand troops remained here. Leaving survivors would be a disregard for the lives of their own comrades.

"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?"

Zhu Ying sheathed his blade and looked at the five Thousand-man Commanders before him.

Four of them were Thousand-man Commanders.

Among them, one was familiar: Wei Quan.

The other three were new acquaintances: Li Tao, Zhuang Wei, and Luo Hua.

As for the Thousand-man camp originally commanded by Zhu Ying, he had left Zhang Wu in temporary charge.

"Commander."

"In my humble opinion, our army only needs to roam within the range of this Tartar territory to draw their attention," Thousand-man Commander Li Tao said immediately. "As long as we complete the stalling mission, we can withdraw back to the Ming."

"Commander Li makes it sound too easy."

"Our army has already penetrated over a hundred miles into the Northern Frontier. If we could simply leave whenever we wanted, this mission wouldn't be so perilous."

"Roaming around here is nothing more than seeking death."

"Do you truly think the Tartars won't make a move? Do you truly think the Northern Yuan won't act?" Zhang Wu looked at Li Tao, speaking with a hint of mockery.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Our army only has five thousand troops. Are we supposed to take the initiative to attack this Tartar tribe?" Li Tao replied with an angry expression.

Just as he spoke in anger.

"Correct."

Zhu Ying spoke up: "Being beaten passively is not what I want. Taking the initiative is the only way."

"Commander."

"You just heard what that Tartar said."

"This tribe has over thirty thousand troops. Even if our Great Ming cavalry is formidable, it is impossible to fight several against one, is it not?"

"Taking the initiative is nothing more than seeking death," Li Tao's face changed, and he spoke immediately.

Zhu Ying glanced at Li Tao but said nothing more, simply standing there in silence.

Seeing that Zhu Ying ignored him, a look of indignation appeared on Li Tao's face. However, due to the hierarchy of rank, he did not dare to lash out.

At that moment!

Under the night sky, a dozen cavalrymen returned on horseback.

"Reporting to the Commander."

"The situation of this Tartar tribe has been basically investigated."

A scout corporal stepped forward to report.

"And?" Zhu Ying asked.

"Although this is a large tribe, it is divided into five sub-tribes."

"Currently, we are facing the southern tribe of this settlement, which serves as a shield for the main tribe of this foreign race."

"Furthermore, there is a small guarding tribe in each of the other three directions," the scout corporal said respectfully.

"It seems these foreigners have learned a bit of military strategy," Zhu Ying remarked with some emotion. "With four tribes positioned in different directions, once one tribe is attacked, the others can quickly send reinforcements to ensure the main tribe is not lost."

"Commander."

"What is our next move?" Zhang Wu asked respectfully, looking at Zhu Ying.

"Commander Li."

Zhu Ying looked at Li Tao.

"What are your orders, Commander?" Li Tao responded reluctantly.

Clearly, he was somewhat dissatisfied that someone so young had become a Commander.

"Since Commander Li wants to withdraw to the Great Ning so badly, I can grant your wish," Zhu Ying said in a heavy voice.

"What do you mean, Commander?" Li Tao frowned.

"In one hour."

"You will lead your troops to harass this southern Tartar tribe. As long as you create chaos and draw the Tartars' attention—ideally, get them to come out in pursuit—you will have completed the mission."

"If you complete this task and wish to remain in the Northern Frontier, it will be counted as a merit. If you do not wish to stay, I will not record it as desertion; your merit and fault will offset each other," Zhu Ying said coldly, looking at Li Tao.

Since he showed no respect, Zhu Ying would not indulge him.

Since he wanted to retreat?

Then Zhu Ying would grant his wish.

But he wouldn't be getting any credit for it.

Hearing this, Li Tao stared at Zhu Ying for a moment before saying, "Is the Commander truly intent on leading the brothers to their deaths?"

"I am giving you a choice."

"Stay or retreat?" Zhu Ying barked coldly.

"Since the Commander has put it that way..."

"I naturally choose to retreat. I will not let the brothers under my command go to their deaths in vain," Li Tao said immediately.

"Have you all heard, Thousand-man Commanders?"

"The choice I gave to Commander Li, I can also give to you."

"If you do not wish to stay, you may withdraw after the harassment mission."

"Those willing to stay will surely earn great merit upon a future triumphant return." Zhu Ying looked toward Luo Hua, Zhuang Wei, and the other commanders.

"We will follow the Commander to the death!"

Wei Quan, Luo Hua, Zhang Wu, and Zhuang Wei spoke in unison.

"Good."

Zhu Ying nodded.

Giving Li Tao a deep look, he immediately issued the order: "Li Tao, take your orders. In one hour, harass the Tartar tribe. If you disobey military orders or neglect the opportunity, I will certainly hold you accountable for your crimes."

...

(End of Chapter)