Chapter 6: The Decree of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!

In this era!

Although firearms had already appeared, cavalry remained the mainstream of the age, and horsemanship was of vital importance.

In just an instant.

Zhu Ying transformed from someone who barely knew how to ride a horse into one proficient in horsemanship; however, with actual riding, his skills would eventually reach perfection.

"With so many people around, it's really not convenient to take out the refined steel saber. I'll have to find an opportunity to test whether this refined steel blade is sharp or not," Zhu Ying thought to himself.

He pulled himself together.

Then, he began to practice according to the "Hardened Body Technique."

With the attribute panel activated, Zhu Ying had undergone a transformation in an invisible way. His physique had turned into a data-based one, and the gains from his cultivation could be fully reflected through the attribute data.

However, he shouldn't be going out for the next few days.

After all, the mountain bandits around Ansha County had already been wiped out.

"Initial official rank conferred."

"Do you wish to condense the Seal of Authority?" the panel prompted.

"Official seal?" Zhu Ying was stunned, then said, "Condense."

"Official seal successfully condensed."

"Official seal equipped."

【Small Flag Official Seal】: Commands the soldiers under one's jurisdiction, increasing their combat effectiveness by 10%, morale by 10%, and stamina by 10%.

"This official seal is awesome."

Zhu Ying's expression was filled with pleasant surprise.

...

Daning Prefecture City!

The Great Hall of the Prefectural Office!

Many officials of Daning Prefecture were gathered within the hall.

Not only civil officials, but also many military generals in charge of troops within the Daning Prefecture region.

"On the borders of Daning Prefecture, mountain bandits and roving rebels are causing trouble, committing crimes repeatedly and harming the people! His Highness the Crown Prince has issued an edict: the chaos caused by the bandits is no coincidence. There must be barbarians secretly supporting them to destabilize our Daning. Therefore, we must resolve the scourge of these bandits as soon as possible—not only the bandits within Daning Prefecture, but also their supporters behind the scenes," said Bu Wan, the Prefect of Daning, with a serious expression.

Upon hearing this!

A military officer immediately spoke up: "Prefect Bu, this subordinate has just received a military report from Ansha County. The mountain bandits within dozens of miles around the county seat have been wiped out. There were several hundred of them, and dozens of chests of gold and silver treasures were found. Moreover, according to the report, these bandits were indeed not simple; they were not ordinary roving rebels, but seemed to have undergone training, and their accents sounded like the barbarians from the Jianzhou Tatar tribes."

"Jianzhou Tatar tribes?" Bu Wan's expression changed slightly.

"Although the Northern Yuan has been driven out of the Central Plains by our Great Ming, their prestige and influence remain."

"The Tatars naturally belong to their vassals. It is no surprise that they are assisting the Northern Yuan to harass our Great Ming borders."

"Furthermore, using mountain bandits to plunder the wealth of our Great Ming people also helps them strengthen their tribal power," another military officer added.

"General Chen, General Liu."

"In your view, how should we completely resolve the banditry in our Daning and cut off the barbarians' desire to disrupt our land?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince has issued an edict that the banditry in Daning must be thoroughly eradicated to ensure the peace of our borders."

"This matter must be swift; it cannot be delayed," Bu Wan asked, looking at the two officers.

As the Prefect of Daning, although he held administrative power, as a border region, Bu Wan had temporarily been granted military authority by the imperial court, but he could not fully control the military. The focus of this discussion was to comply with the Crown Prince's edict.

Hearing this!

Chen Heng and Liu Zhen looked at each other, then said, "Prefect, our Daning has one garrison with a total of 50,000 troops. Given the current situation, these Jianzhou Tatars are colluding with the Northern Yuan to disrupt our Great Ming! To resolve the banditry in our region, we must make the Jianzhou Tatars pay the price. Only by driving them away from the borders of Daning and strictly guarding the frontier can we prevent these barbarian Tatars from infiltrating."

"You mean to take military action against the Jianzhou Tatars?" Bu Wan pondered.

"Prefect."

"To resolve the hidden dangers of Daning, this is the only way."

"The Jianzhou Tatar tribe is not weak, with a population exceeding one million. Although they border our Great Ming, their tribes are scattered, and not all their strength is gathered at our border."

"As long as we strike them hard in one battle, we will surely resolve the banditry in our Daning region," Chen Heng said immediately.

"How many troops are needed?" Bu Wan asked after a moment of thought.

"To deal with these Jianzhou Tatars."

"Twenty thousand troops will suffice."

Chen Heng said immediately.

"Twenty thousand is enough?"

"General Chen, are you sure?"

"There are three Tatar tribes; the strength of these Jianzhou Tatars is not weak," Bu Wan said sternly.

"Replying to the Prefect."

"I have investigated the three Tatar tribes extensively. They are divided into three parts and are not actually a single entity. These Jianzhou Tatars are close to our Great Ming, but not all their power is here. This military action is merely a warning to strike them hard, not to annihilate their tribe. Twenty thousand troops are absolutely enough."

"Moreover, they only secretly sent people to incite banditry in our Daning region; they dare not go too far against our Great Ming."

"A military strike this time will be enough to deter them," Chen Heng said immediately.

Hearing this.

Bu Wan nodded: "In that case, let it be as General Chen says."

"Chen Heng, Liu Zhen, take orders."

Bu Wan said immediately.

Chen Heng and Liu Zhen, both Commandery Vice-Commanders, stepped forward. These were officers within the Ming garrison system, also known as commanders of ten thousand, leading ten thousand troops each.

"The subordinates are here."

The two bowed immediately.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has decreed that the banditry in Daning must be resolved with the utmost speed to restore peace to the people."

"Now."

"I, acting in the capacity of the Regional Commander, order the two generals to lead the soldiers of the various garrisons to march against the Jianzhou Tatars, cut off the root of the banditry, and drive the Jianzhou Tatars a hundred miles away from our Great Ming territory," Bu Wan declared.

He then wrote out a warrant.

He stamped it with the official seal of the Regional Commander.

"The subordinates accept the order," the two generals replied immediately.

...

Ansha Town, Thousand-Man Garrison!

Six days had passed since the return from the bandit suppression.

In the barracks.

Zhu Ying opened his eyes, looking at the sky outside the barracks as it began to brighten, a satisfied smile on his face.

"A night of cultivation."

"Comfortable."

Feeling the newly added attributes, Zhu Ying wore a smile.

Six days.

Zhu Ying did not waste a single moment. After the bandit suppression, he spent every day in full-force cultivation.

Six days.

Strength increased by 60 points, physique increased by 60 points, and stamina increased by 60 points.

Zhu Ying clenched his fist and could feel the growth of his strength.

Solid, tangible strength.

Just then!

Bang, bang, bang!

A burst of drumbeats suddenly sounded.

"Emergency assembly."

"Are we going to suppress bandits again?"

Zhu Ying's expression changed, followed by a surge of anticipation.

"Brothers, get up quickly."

Zhu Ying shouted immediately.

The ten soldiers in the barracks did not dare to delay, scrambling from their cots, putting on their clothes, then quickly donning their armor and grabbing their sabers and bows.

"Small Flag."

"Are we going out to suppress bandits again?"

A soldier asked with some trepidation.

The eyes of the others also fell upon Zhu Ying.