Chapter 33: Zhu Ying: Brothers, are you willing to follow me to launch a decisive strike!

"The Duke of Song is absolutely correct."

"Li Tao's actions are far too egregious."

"If Zhu Ying had fallen into an encirclement and failed to return, I would have truly believed Li Tao's words—that Zhu Ying was obstinate and refused to listen to counsel."

"But looking at Zhu Ying's current battle results, it is clear that Li Tao was disobeying military orders out of cowardice and fear of death."

"In my opinion, he deserves severe punishment," Bu Wan said immediately.

"This Li Tao is a Thousand-man Commander of the Great Ning Border Army, a subordinate of Prefect Bu. How he is dealt with is up to you," Feng Sheng nodded, choosing not to dwell on it further.

He was merely a minor Thousand-man Commander; naturally, Feng Sheng would not pay much attention to him.

"I obey your command," Bu Wan replied instantly.

"Prefect Bu."

"Tell me about the defensive situation in Daning Prefecture," Feng Sheng asked with a smile.

"Reporting to the Duke."

"Previously, when we struck the Tartars to the north, the fifty thousand soldiers of our Daning Border Army were divided into two routes. Twenty thousand troops struck north to defeat the Tartars and secure the peace of Daning Prefecture, while the remaining thirty thousand guarded the prefecture and cleared out the banditry within its territory."

"Now that the Northern Yuan are attacking, their vanguard has begun to assault Huizhou City, with a force of no less than fifty thousand."

...

Bu Wan reported the current troop strength and defensive status of Daning Prefecture to Feng Sheng.

Naturally, during the reporting process, Bu Wan became much more relaxed.

Before Feng Sheng's arrival, the safety and responsibility for Daning Prefecture rested solely on his shoulders. If any catastrophe were to occur or if the prefecture were to fall to the Yuan court, his crimes would be immense.

But now that Feng Sheng had arrived, all military affairs were under his control. The armies of all prefectures were subject to Feng Sheng's command, so naturally, the blame could no longer fall on Bu Wan.

"Mhm."

"The defenses of the Daning troops are sufficient to hold out until my two hundred thousand troops arrive."

"Furthermore,"

"Zhu Ying's proposed strategy of a surprise attack, using over ten thousand troops to strike Liaodong,"

"May also play a role."

"For now, the priority must remain on defense," Feng Sheng said in a heavy voice.

"The Great General is wise!" the generals shouted in unison.

"Very well."

"Pass my command."

"Urge all routes of the army to accelerate their march. Within ten days, all forces must converge at Huizhou. If any fail to arrive within ten days, I shall punish them for delaying military operations," Feng Sheng commanded the generals in the hall.

"We obey your command!" the generals shouted in unison.

"Also,"

"Send a memorial to Ying Tian to inform the Emperor that I have arrived safely in Ying Tian and have begun preparations for the campaign to annihilate Nahachu."

"Let the Emperor rest easy."

"In addition,"

"Report the military achievements of Daning Prefecture, especially Zhu Ying's merit in breaking the Tartar tribes and the combat prowess of our Daning Border Army," Feng Sheng instructed his personal guards.

"I obey your command," the commander of the guards replied immediately.

"Now, we only wait for the main army to arrive to turn defense into offense."

"Nahachu..."

"The Emperor showed him grace in the past, yet this man has forgotten it."

"It is time he is dealt with." A flash of ruthlessness crossed Feng Sheng's eyes.

He had come specifically to exterminate Nahachu.

...

Northern Frontier, within the territory of the Jianzhou Tartars!

"Report!"

"Reporting to the Commander!"

"Tartar cavalry traces have been discovered three miles to the rear."

"They seem to be following our horse tracks."

"They will intercept us within the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Awaiting your orders, Commander!"

Liu Lei galloped up and reported loudly.

"How many Tartars are there?" Zhu Ying asked immediately.

"Following your previous instructions to deliberately tread horse tracks toward the east and west, the Tartars' tracking has been disrupted. This group of Tartars does not exceed five thousand."

"However, I have not been able to scout exactly how many troops they have dispatched for the pursuit," Liu Lei reported respectfully.

"Though the Tartars are a nation of warriors, they remain highly wary of our Great Ming; they wouldn't commit their entire force to a pursuit."

"Moreover, the Tartars are not an all-cavalry people. For their entire clan to possess over twenty thousand cavalry is already quite impressive, and that is only because they have their own pastures." Zhu Ying smiled faintly. Hearing of the Tartar attack, he showed no panic.

"Commander!"

"What do we do next?"

The Thousand-man Commanders gathered around, looking at Zhu Ying with anticipation.

Last night's successful raid had seen four thousand soldiers return without a single casualty. This had instilled a profound sense of awe and respect for Zhu Ying in every soldier.

Zhu Ying glanced toward the direction of the approaching Tartars, a coldness rising on his face. "Naturally, we shall leave them all here."

"Gentlemen, do you dare to fight alongside me?"

Zhu Ying gave a cold smile and directly gripped the long saber by his side.

"We follow the Commander to the death!" the Thousand-man Commanders shouted in unison.

"Mount up!"

Zhu Ying laughed and vaulted onto his horse. The surrounding soldiers followed suit.

"Brothers!"

"We have eaten our fill and rested our bodies."

"But we are currently in barbarian lands; the slightest slip will lead to eternal ruin."

"The scouts report that the Tartar cavalry is closing in."

"If you want to live, if you want to go home, then you must slaughter them all!"

"Do you, my brothers, dare to follow me, Zhu Ying, to meet the Tartars in battle?"

"To slaughter the invaders to the last man?" Zhu Ying scanned the crowd and roared.

"We follow the Commander to the death!"

The four thousand soldiers shouted in unison. Their wills were as solid as a fortress, and their killing intent soared to the heavens.

"Good!"

"The wounded shall hold the rear. All soldiers, take an offensive formation centered around me. Prepare your bows!" Zhu Ying shouted.

The four thousand cavalrymen moved their horses, dispersing into Thousand-man companies around Zhu Ying, each raising a bow in an offensive formation.

After a moment of silence, from the distance, the sound of thundering hooves swept toward them.

Many Tartar cavalrymen, clad in leather armor and wielding long spears, were rapidly pursuing.

As they drew closer, the leading Tartar officer spotted the Ming cavalry arrayed ahead.

"The Ming army is right there!"

"My sons!"

"Those damned Ming soldiers slaughtered our kin and destroyed our tribes!"

"Kill them all!"

"Scouts, turn back immediately and inform the Wafuzhang (Ten-Thousand Commander). Tell him to bring troops quickly to surround the Ming army!"

"Kill...!"

The Tartar officer roared, commanding his army to charge like a tidal wave.

In their own territory, they had deployed thousands for this pursuit. As long as they could pin down the Ming army in front of them, they could annihilate them completely.

"Tartars."

Zhu Ying spat the two words coldly.

His hand tightened around his precious eagle bow. Five arrows were already nocked.

With his current strength of nearly a thousand jin, the eagle bow was drawn into a perfect moon with ease. The soldiers to his left, right, and rear also drew their bows, waiting for their commander's signal.

Finally, when the Tartar cavalry was less than a hundred paces away—

"Kill!"

Zhu Ying let out a thunderous roar that echoed across the Northern Frontier.

The arrows in his hand instantly flew from the string.

In mid-air, five arrows streaked forward.

The five Tartars at the very front had no time to react; their leather armor was instantly pierced. All five were struck through and fell beneath their horses.

"Killed Tartar cavalry, gained 20 points of Strength."

"Killed Tartar cavalry, gained 20 points of Constitution."

"Killed Tartar cavalry..."