Chapter 38: The Shen Family Makes a Move, Zhu Ying Sets an Ambush!

"As expected."

"Compared to looting corpses, killing enemies brings rewards much faster."

"My total attributes are about to break a thousand. I just need to wait for the next great battle."

"The lifespan I've gathered through looting has already exceeded ten years. I was originally supposed to live to eighty-eight, but now with this extra decade, immortality is no longer just a dream."

"No matter who tries to outlast me in longevity, they won't stand a chance—not even that old turtle Sima Yi from the Three Kingdoms period."

"The future looks promising," Zhu Ying thought to himself with great satisfaction.

Looking at his attribute panel, this was the tangible manifestation of the combat results he had reaped from killing enemies.

Coming back to his senses, Zhu Ying slowly stood up. All around him, many of his brothers-in-arms were sleeping against their warhorses. After days of retreating and fighting, every soldier was exhausted; after all, they did not possess the same endurance as Zhu Ying.

"I hope... everyone can make it home," Zhu Ying thought privately, his gaze sweeping across the landscape under the cover of night.

He then began to walk slowly toward the rear, patrolling the night watch.

...

Beiping Prefecture!

The Shen Family.

"Father."

Shen Rong walked quickly into the main hall, his expression grim.

"Still haven't found them?" Shen Wansan looked at Shen Rong, his brow furrowing.

"That wench has already left, and Zhu Ying's butler has vanished as well."

"It seems they went to find Zhu Ying," Shen Rong snorted coldly.

"As expected, a daughter grows too big to be kept at home." A flash of anger surfaced on Shen Wansan's aged face.

"Father," Shen Rong said, his voice tinged with indignation, "we should never have adopted that wench in the first place. Our Shen family raised her, yet she turns her back on us to help outsiders."

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Shen Wansan glared at him.

Shen Rong's expression changed instantly, and he said fearfully, "My son spoke too much."

"Enough."

"Do not speak of this matter again."

"Since she went looking for him, let her look."

"Daning Prefecture is vast; she won't find him just because she wants to."

"Furthermore, if she dies out there, it will have nothing to do with our Shen family."

"Have you gathered any intelligence on Zhu Ying?" Shen Wansan asked in a heavy voice.

Shen Rong immediately replied, "Father, there is good news."

"The Daning Prefecture army and the Tartars of the Northern Border have mobilized, and it seems the Northern Yuan has also become involved. Currently, our Shen family's merchant caravans are transporting a large amount of military supplies to Daning."

"It is said that the Daning border troops have already engaged in combat."

"Zhu Ying is just an ordinary man—neither a scholar nor a warrior. He is bound to die on the battlefield," Shen Rong said with a cold sneer.

"Have you sent people?" Shen Wansan asked cautiously.

"I have already sent men to Daning. Moreover, we have obtained Zhu Ying's detailed military enlistment records. Even if he survives the battlefield, our Shen family has plenty of ways to ensure he dies," Shen Rong sneered.

"Ensure the business is handled thoroughly."

"Do not leave any traces for others to follow."

"Though he is just a mere boy, it seems Zhu Ying's grandmother had an extraordinary background. Even though she is dead, we must still proceed with caution."

"Also, you must find a way to deal with Zhu Ying's butler and that maid. It would be best if they never return. After all, that girl is a liability; if she is discovered, our Shen family is finished," Shen Wansan said in a low, serious voice.

Shen Rong nodded immediately. "Rest assured, Father, I understand."

"What is the status of the matter with the Lyu family?" Shen Wansan asked with concern. "It has been quite some time; has it been settled?"

"It has been settled," Shen Rong said proudly. "We are merely waiting for the dowry to be sufficient, and then the marriage can proceed at any time."

"Good."

A look of joy appeared on Shen Wansan's aged face. "Once the marriage between our Shen family and the Lyu family is successful, we will have truly established our footing in the Great Ming. With ties to the imperial nobility, our Shen family will be connected to the royals in the future."

"Father is truly brilliant," Shen Rong said with admiration. "The second and third sisters are married to the descendants of the Huaxi nobility, and now the fourth sister is to be married into the clan of the future Crown Princess's maternal family. Our Shen family is forming alliances on both sides; we shall stand eternal in the Great Ming and forever remain its wealthiest clan."

"This is precisely why Zhu Ying must die. For the long-term prosperity of the Shen family, we must marry into the great clans. Our family's estate is too large; if we had not maintained many interests with the Huaxi nobility over the years, we might have been swallowed whole by them long ago. Marrying into the Lyu family is also to ensure the continued flourishing of our house."

"In the end," Shen Wansan said with a tone of profound insight, "everything is for the prosperity and survival of the clan. For that purpose, anything can be sacrificed. In this world, no matter how much wealth you have, it is just wealth. But those people possess power. Faced with power, what good is wealth? It is nothing more than a pile of numbers."

...

The Northern Border, Tartar Territory!

Behind a piece of low-lying mountainous terrain.

Nearly four thousand cavalrymen were dispersed on both sides, every one of them covered in bloodstains and exuding a heavy scent of gore.

At their head stood a general, holding a long saber, waiting quietly.

At that moment!

Several fast riders quickly crossed the low-lying basin and arrived before Zhu Ying.

"Reporting to the Commander!"

"The Tartar cavalry is less than four li from our position and is approaching this location."

"Based on their marching speed, they will arrive within the time it takes to burn an incense stick," the scout reported loudly.

"Very well," Zhu Ying nodded and waved his hand. "Fall into formation."

"Understood!"

The scouts quickly returned to the military formation.

"Brothers!"

"This place is the graveyard I have prepared for these Tartar cavalrymen."

"In this battle, we need only wait for them to arrive; this shall be their burial ground."

"Soldiers, hear my command!"

"The four thousand-household companies, take an offensive formation and hide behind the ridges. Wait for the Tartars to enter the trap, then immediately unleash a volley of arrows!" Zhu Ying commanded.

"Understood!"

The soldiers quickly dispersed, hiding on the flanks of the mountains in extremely clever positions on the slopes.

This location was an ambush site Zhu Ying had spent considerable time searching for. In the plains of the Northern Border, such a place was hard to find—it sat on high ground with a gentle, low slope. Looking up from below, one could not detect the presence of the Ming army at all.

Furthermore, once they passed through this low-lying area and ascended, there would be no chance for them to retreat.

This was the grave Zhu Ying had chosen for them.

By neutralizing them, the Tartar cavalry would be effectively crippled. They would be unable to pursue Zhu Ying. As long as their cavalry was broken, Zhu Ying could move freely within their territory.

This was the purpose of his ambush.

Zhu Ying stood on the high ground at the mouth of the valley, holding a precious carved bow, his eyes fixed forward. Every soldier held a bow and arrow, ready to strike.

Everything was set; they were merely waiting for the Tartars to deliver themselves to his door.

Over the past few days, Zhu Ying had deliberately left traces, fleeing while leaving a trail, all to lure them into the trap.