Ming's Objective!

"Yes."

Bu Wan nodded.

But his expression remained somewhat stern.

"The fundamental purpose of this battle is to put an end to the Jianzhou Tatars' scourge along Great Ming's borders."

"If we want to cease hostilities, the Tatars must submit a letter of surrender."

"Otherwise, Great Ming's army must not withdraw," Bu Wan said gravely.

"My lord."

"Perhaps we should consider something."

"The Jianzhou Tatars are vassals of the Northern Yuan. Now that Great Ming has sent troops against them, the Northern Yuan may not stand idly by."

"If we continue our attack now, we may need to guard against the Northern Yuan," Chen Heng said with a serious expression.

At those words!

Bu Wan smiled.

"Great Ming has already deployed troops and won the first battle. I can now tell you generals a piece of news," Bu Wan said, his expression gradually turning solemn.

The generals all turned their eyes toward Bu Wan.

But Zhu Ying thought to himself, It seems the imperial court has already dispatched troops to prepare for a campaign against the Yuan.

Suppressing the bandits may be one step, and attacking the Jianzhou Tatars is only another. The true purpose is to draw attention—ideally, to draw the Northern Yuan's attention—so that Ming's real main force can move at the right moment.

With his knowledge of history.

And the current circumstances before him, Zhu Ying could naturally infer as much.

After all, many of the Ming Dynasty's wars during the Hongwu Era were recorded in history, though not in complete detail.

For example, the suppression of bandits in Daning Prefecture followed by the attack on the Jianzhou Tatars had not been recorded in history.

But compared to Ming's overall strategy, this naturally had little impact.

"His Majesty has issued an imperial decree. Great Ming is sending two hundred thousand troops to attack Liaodong and destroy Naha Chu."

"Surely you generals have heard of Naha Chu?" Bu Wan said with a smile.

"This man is the Northern Yuan's Grand Commandant and holds military power. Great Ming captured him in the past, but His Majesty showed mercy and released him. Yet he failed to appreciate the imperial grace and continued to oppose Great Ming, always seeking to destroy us, restore the Northern Yuan, and seize the Central Plains."

"The Yuan Emperor values him greatly. He is hailed as another Wang Baobao," Chen Heng immediately said.

"Naha Chu is a hidden danger to Great Ming. He has gathered an army of several hundred thousand in Liaodong, intending to overthrow Great Ming."

"His Majesty has issued an order: to destroy the Northern Yuan, we must first destroy Naha Chu," Bu Wan said in a deep voice.

"My lord."

"May I ask whom His Majesty has appointed to command the army this time? And what duties does Daning Prefecture have?" Liu Zhen asked respectfully.

"As far as I know."

"His Majesty has appointed the Duke of Song as commander-in-chief, with the Duke of Ying and the Marquis of Yongchang as deputy commanders."

"They should already be mobilizing troops and provisions."

"As for Daning Prefecture, our stated duty is to suppress the bandits. In truth, we are to draw the Northern Yuan's attention, and the Jianzhou Tatars are the crucial link," Bu Wan said gravely.

"This subordinate understands." Chen Heng and Liu Zhen nodded in realization.

At that moment.

All the generals in the tent revealed expectant looks.

This war had begun, and it was not merely a small-scale conflict limited to the Jianzhou Tatars. It was a true great war aimed at the Northern Yuan.

This was an excellent chance to earn merit and rise in rank.

"Generals."

"The imperial command has been issued, and the army is already moving."

"At most, within two months; at least, within one month, Great Ming's true main force will enter the Northern Frontier and destroy Naha Chu."

"During this time, the soldiers of Daning Prefecture will focus on attack. Should the Northern Yuan send troops to reinforce them, we will focus on defense and await the main force."

"This great war concerns Great Ming's safety. His Majesty has personally decreed it, and I will face it with all of you generals at full strength," Bu Wan said with a solemn expression.

At those words!

All the generals rose and bowed. "All for Great Ming."

The council ended!

"Zhu Ying."

Just as Zhu Ying stepped out of the command tent, Chen Heng called out to him.

"General Chen."

Zhu Ying immediately responded.

But he was carrying so many things that he could not salute.

"I have not yet had the chance to thank you for saving my life today," Chen Heng said with a smile.

"You overpraise me, General."

"On the battlefield, we are comrades-in-arms, and those before us were all enemies. Naturally, this subordinate fought the enemy to the bitter end," Zhu Ying replied with a smile.

Hearing those words.

The smile on Chen Heng's face did not fade. He then said, "Comrades are comrades, and a lifesaving debt is a lifesaving debt. Great kindness needs no words of thanks. I, Chen Heng, will remember it."

At this.

Seeing Chen Heng like this, Zhu Ying nodded and said no more.

"All right."

"Today's battle has only just ended, and you are injured as well. Go back and rest properly. Tomorrow, I will personally take you to the Cavalry Battalion," Chen Heng said with a smile, patting Zhu Ying's shoulder.

"Yes." Zhu Ying nodded.

"And."

"A Thousand Household Commander may have fifty personal guards. If you have anyone in mind, you may choose from your former unit yourself. If there is no one suitable, I can arrange them for you," Chen Heng reminded him.

Zhu Ying's eyes lit up upon hearing that, and he immediately nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, General. I will ask around when I return."

After that.

Zhu Ying left the main camp carrying his armor, saber, and sword.

"You're one lucky fellow to have such a fierce general under your command."

"He alone slew a hundred enemies, beheaded their general, and cut down their banner. That strength is truly frightening."

At some point, Liu Zhen had walked over to Chen Heng's side and spoke with deep emotion.

The envy in his voice, however, was obvious.

"Haha."

"Go on and envy me, then." Chen Heng glanced at Liu Zhen, turned, and left with great satisfaction.

"You bastard." Liu Zhen was so irritated that he laughed.

Upon returning to the tent where he was stationed.

The soldiers immediately gathered around him. Not only Zhu Ying's own men, but soldiers from the entire Hundred Household Battalion and the surrounding units all crowded over, filled with curiosity.

Although less than half an hour had passed, Wei Quan had just come and announced all of Zhu Ying's achievements: slaying a hundred enemies, beheading the enemy general, and cutting down the banner. He was the great hero of this battle against the Tatars, so naturally many people were curious about and awed by him.

"Well?"

The moment Zhu Ying returned, Liu Lei crowded over and asked eagerly.

Seeing Liu Lei's expectant expression, Zhu Ying smiled. "Promoted five ranks and appointed as a Thousand Household Commander."

"A... a Thousand Household Commander?"

Liu Lei's eyes widened in disbelief.

"A Small Banner was promoted to Thousand Household Commander?"

"Good heavens, how many ranks is that?"

"But it makes perfect sense for a Small Banner to become a Thousand Household Commander. He slew a hundred enemies by himself and even beheaded the Tatar commander. That's tremendous merit."

"That promotion came incredibly fast."

"Amazing."

"I saw with my own eyes how the Small Banner killed enemies on the battlefield. Those Tatars were like chicks before him—one slash apiece."

"Truly amazing..."

All the soldiers looked at Zhu Ying with astonishment and reverence.

Of course.

At that moment, both the newly enlisted recruits and the veteran soldiers were stunned by Zhu Ying's appointment as a Thousand Household Commander.

But when they considered Zhu Ying's military merits, not one of them dared object. After all, promotion through military merit in the Ming Dynasty had been personally established by the current Emperor, and the army's officers did not dare act carelessly.

PS: Please keep reading, please keep reading—it is critically important. Please, please, please. For now, there will be a guaranteed four thousand words daily. Many thanks, brothers, for your continued support.