Chapter 24: Acting Commander, Commanding Five Thousand Troops!

“Zhu Ying, are you certain you want to take this post?”

Chen Heng looked at Zhu Ying, his eyes carrying a sense of warning.

Although, as a Command Assistant, he was tasked with commanding ten thousand troops and had to prioritize the greater good, Zhu Ying had saved his life. This mission was so dangerous and the consequences so unpredictable that he truly did not want Zhu Ying to accept it.

“This general is certain,” Zhu Ying said loudly.

“Commander Zhu.”

“How many troops do you require?” Bu Wan asked, looking at Zhu Ying.

“This mission is not about the quantity of troops, but their strength and the combat proficiency of the soldiers,” Zhu Ying replied immediately. “I have nearly seven hundred men under my command. If you can provide me with a full complement of four thousand cavalry and sufficient rations, I am confident I can hold the Tartars back.”

Four thousand cavalry.

With his own strength, combined with the attribute bonuses brought by his authority and official seal, Zhu Ying was very confident.

“General Chen.”

“How many cavalry do we have left in our army?” Bu Wan turned to Chen Heng.

“Reporting to the Excellency,” Chen Heng said. “Nearly ten thousand riders.”

“Zhu Ying, since you possess such courage, I shall record this as a great merit for you. I hereby promote you to Acting Guard Commander and grant you five thousand cavalry. I will also assign four Thousand-户 (Commanders) to assist you. By the authority of your rank, I grant you absolute command over these five thousand cavalry; all Thousand-户 must obey your orders. Those who disobey shall be dealt with according to military law.”

Bu Wan immediately wrote out a military order and pressed his official seal upon it.

Guard Commander!

A rank above Thousand-户, commanding five thousand troops, and positioned just below the Command Assistant.

Though it was only an acting position, this was the greatest support Bu Wan could offer Zhu Ying. Although he was a civil official, he felt Zhu Ying’s reasoning was sound. Their twenty thousand troops had already penetrated a hundred miles into the Northern Border; continuing deeper would indeed lead them into peril.

Provisions and logistics were one issue, but the greater danger was the risk of being surrounded. Zhu Ying’s strategy could both stall the Tartars and draw the attention of the Northern Yuan—killing two birds with one stone. Since Zhu Ying was willing to risk his life for the mission, Bu Wan would naturally lend his support for the sake of the greater situation.

Hearing Bu Wan’s words, many of the generals in the tent previously felt a surge of regret. Though it was dangerous, this was an opportunity for promotion. Even if it was only acting, as long as they held back the Tartars and returned alive to the Ming, the "acting" status would vanish, and it would become a permanent rank.

“This general thanks the Commander! I shall not disappoint you!” Zhu Ying bowed immediately, his heart racing with excitement.

The reason he accepted this mission was twofold: first, it was indeed a chance for great merit, and second, it allowed him to continue killing enemies in the Northern Border. Compared to the siege warfare required to conquer the Northern Yuan, Zhu Ying, as a cavalry commander, had much greater opportunities here in the frontier.

He had to seize this chance. Kill enemies and collect attributes! Perhaps he could reach a point where all his attributes exceeded one thousand. At that stage, Zhu Ying would truly have a foothold in the military and in this era. Naturally, the power he would garner would be immense.

“General Liu.”

“Once we descend, instruct the logistics corps to quickly prepare enough rations to last five thousand soldiers for at least half a month. It must be ready today,” Bu Wan commanded Liu Zhen.

“This general obeys your command,” Liu Zhen replied readily.

Just then!

“Report!”

“An urgent military report has arrived from the Liaodong Garrison of the Daning Prefecture!”

“There are signs of troop movements in the territory held by Naha Chu of the Northern Yuan. It appears they intend to attack our Daning. Requesting the Commander's decision!”

A messenger rushed into the tent, reporting loudly.

As soon as these words fell, the generals in the tent were struck with astonishment. Many eyes instinctively fell upon Zhu Ying. Just moments ago, Zhu Ying had predicted that once the Northern Yuan mobilized, they would not go directly to aid the Tartars, but would instead attack Daning. Now, it was exactly as he had foreseen.

*It seems Zhu Ying is not just brave, but a true military talent,* Bu Wan thought to himself. *It seems I must focus on cultivating him. If I can produce a great general from my ranks, the Emperor will surely be pleased when he eventually defends the Daning border with distinction.*

At this moment, he could not help but look upon Zhu Ying with newfound respect.

“Excellency,” Liu Zhen suggested respectfully, “now that the Northern Yuan intends to move against Daning, the prefecture cannot be left without a defender. I suggest that you return to Daning first to oversee the defense. This will provide the garrisoned troops with a pillar of strength.”

“I second the motion,” Chen Heng added immediately.

“Very well.” Bu Wan nodded. Having marched through the Northern Border for many days, he admitted he could no longer keep up with the pace of these martial officers. “In that case, I shall rely on you two generals for the surprise raid on Liaodong. You two may discuss and decide on the specifics.”

“This general obeys!” Chen Heng and Liu Zhen responded in unison.

Once the meeting in the tent concluded and the orders were issued, the cavalry was swiftly reorganized and integrated. A specialized Guard Cavalry Battalion of five thousand men was formed for Zhu Ying. Meanwhile, the logistics corps worked at full capacity to prepare rations.

Chen Heng stood before Zhu Ying, a look of helplessness on his face.

“You brat, I don't even know what to say to you anymore. Have you lost your will to live?” Chen Heng sighed.

“What do you mean by that, General?” Zhu Ying smiled and cupped his hands.

“Don't you try to play innocent with me. Five thousand cavalry in this vast Northern Border is like a single drop of water in the ocean; it won't even make a ripple. The Jianzhou Tartars may be weak, but they are a nation of soldiers, and they have pastures and plenty of cavalry. Their strength is certainly no less than seventy or eighty thousand. If the Northern Yuan comes to reinforce them and surrounds you, you truly will be in danger,” Chen Heng said helplessly.

“General,” Zhu Ying said with a smile, showing no sign of fear, “even if I didn't take this post, another general would have. Besides, being promoted after taking this command is a good thing.”

Seeing this, Chen Heng was utterly defeated. “You brat... sigh, I don't know what to do with you. Fine, what else do you require? Tell me what I can do for you.”

Zhu Ying smiled. “I would trouble the General to prepare extra arrows. Ensure that every cavalryman carries at least two quivers' worth.”

“Fine,” Chen Heng nodded without hesitation.

“Aside from that, the logistics corps is already preparing food and water. I have nothing else,” Zhu Ying said.

“Are you sure?” Chen Heng stared at him.

“Truly, nothing else,” Zhu Ying shook his head immediately.

“Where is your home? Who else is in your family? Do you not need me to send word to them?” Chen Heng asked, looking exasperated.

“General,” Zhu Ying said, looking as if he were about to cry, “why are you speaking as if I won't be coming back alive?”

He felt like he was being asked to write his last will and testament!

Chen Heng remained serious. “You have accepted the military order; I cannot change it. I can only do what else I can,” he said deeply.

Seeing Chen Heng's sincere expression, Zhu Ying's demeanor turned serious as well. “I used to have my grandmother, but now I am all alone. Though, if you count him, I still have the old housekeeper uncle who raised me from childhood.”