In a single battle, he had slain a hundred enemies, killed the enemy commander, and captured the enemy's battle banner!
Not just anyone could achieve such results. At the very least, since this war began—and even across the Ming Dynasty's many foreign campaigns—no one else had managed it.
How could Zhang Wu and the other not respect such a fierce general?
"You're both too courteous."
Zhu Ying smiled and returned the gesture with clasped hands.
Zhang Wu.
Fan Qing.
The latter was not particularly famous, but the former would become renowned throughout the Ming Dynasty in the future. He was a meritorious official after Zhu Di's Jingnan campaign and was even posthumously granted the title of duke.
That showed both his martial prowess and his ability to command troops.
But Zhu Yuanzhang was still alive, and the Jingnan campaign was still many years away. Naturally, Zhang Wu was still serving as a Deputy Battalion Commander in Daning Prefecture.
Moreover, he was under Zhu Ying's command.
For Zhu Ying, seeing such a famous historical general serving beneath him filled him with anticipation for the future. The future was promising.
He knew history.
He knew the future.
Power!
It would not be difficult to obtain.
"After this battle, the First Cavalry Battalion has suffered considerable losses. We will need to wait until the war is over before replenishing its ranks."
"The two Deputy Battalion Commanders will brief you on the Cavalry Battalion's exact situation."
"You have only just assumed the position of Battalion Commander. I'll give you three days to familiarize yourself with things. Three days from now, move out at once and continue the attack on the Jianzhou Tatars." Chen Heng said to Zhu Ying.
"This subordinate accepts the order."
Zhu Ying immediately bowed and accepted the command.
"If anything comes up, come directly to me."
Chen Heng nodded with a smile and left with his personal guards.
After he left.
"Brothers, how many soldiers does the First Cavalry Battalion have left?" Zhu Ying asked directly.
"Reporting to Battalion Commander."
"Six hundred and eighty-nine remain."
"In this battle against the Tatars, our First Cavalry Thousand-Household Battalion served as the vanguard and main attacking force, so our casualties were somewhat heavy." Zhang Wu immediately replied.
"Mhm."
Zhu Ying nodded, his expression turning somewhat grave.
Although Zhang Wu's report contained only numbers.
Zhu Ying had experienced yesterday's battle himself. Death had blanketed the battlefield, and he had personally witnessed his brothers-in-arms die. It had been brutally bloody.
But.
It was inevitable.
War was simply like that.
When all was said and done.
Zhu Ying was fortunate that he had grown accustomed to killing enemies while suppressing bandits. Otherwise, he would never have been so valiant on the battlefield yesterday.
"Reporting to Battalion Commander."
"The brothers of the First Cavalry Battalion are all waiting for Battalion Commander's address." Fan Qing said respectfully.
"Good."
Zhu Ying looked toward the gathered soldiers of the Thousand-Household Battalion and nodded at once.
Then he strode over.
"Greetings, Battalion Commander!"
When Zhu Ying reached the front of the formation, the nearly seven hundred soldiers of the First Thousand-Household Battalion all bowed. Their voices were deafening.
The might of Ming Dynasty soldiers was on full display.
The Ming Dynasty's soldiers of this era were unquestionably elite, especially the frontier army.
Feeling the force behind their voices.
Zhu Ying nodded and said, "Rise, everyone."
"Thank you, Battalion Commander!"
All the soldiers responded in unison. Each of them looked at Zhu Ying with curiosity and reverence.
"Soldiers."
"Some of you do not know me, while others may have heard my name."
"But that does not matter."
"From this day onward."
"I, Zhu Ying, will be a brother-in-arms fighting shoulder to shoulder with all of you."
"On the battlefield, blood and courage come first."
"I, Zhu Ying, promise all of you here that I will always charge ahead of every brother."
"When generals do not cling to life and soldiers do not fear death, that is an army that will win a hundred battles."
"I, Zhu Ying, intend to be such a general—one who does not cling to life."
"If Zhu Ying ever flees in fear of battle or clings to life out of cowardice, any brother in the Cavalry Battalion may raise his blade and take Zhu Ying's head." Zhu Ying declared loudly without wasting words.
In the army, there was no need to make empty promises. Even if there were promises to be made, they were advancement through military merit and killing enemies, as decreed by the current Emperor.
Within the army, only blood and courage came first. The brave and battle-hardened earned respect.
Upon hearing Zhu Ying's words.
The expressions of Zhang Wu and Fan Qing beside him changed to surprise.
Clearly, they had not expected him to say such things.
But the gathered Cavalry Battalion soldiers looked at Zhu Ying differently.
"We swear to follow Battalion Commander Zhu unto death!"
"We swear to follow him unto death..."
All the soldiers shouted in unison.
Clearly.
They had also been won over by Zhu Ying's spirit.
The Ming Dynasty's capital, Yingtian!
Fengtian Hall.
The civil and military officials had all assembled.
Zhu Yuanzhang wore a Dragon Robe as he sat imposingly upon the Dragon Throne.
On the steps below the Dragon Throne, Crown Prince Zhu Biao wore the ceremonial robes of the heir apparent. His calm, unhurried bearing likewise commanded the court.
"Your subjects greet Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"
The civil and military officials shouted in unison. Their cries of homage reverberated through the entire hall, seeming to spread throughout the imperial palace.
The bearing of Ming Dynasty officials was fully displayed here.
"Rise."
Zhu Yuanzhang raised a hand.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The civil and military officials responded loudly, then rose and took their places on either side according to civil and military rank.
"Present your memorials, or if there are none, court is dismissed."
The chief eunuch attending Zhu Yuanzhang shouted loudly.
"Reporting to Your Majesty."
"This subject has a memorial to present."
A refined civil official standing among the civil ministers stepped forward and spoke loudly.
"Proceed."
Zhu Yuanzhang waved a hand.
"By Your Majesty's decree, grain, fodder, and military supplies have been mobilized."
"The Ministry of Revenue has now drawn from the national treasury and mobilized supplies from eight prefectures, including Shuntian Prefecture, Baoding Prefecture, and Hajian Prefecture."
"By order of the Ministry of Revenue, the various prefectures have gathered the supplies. Grain, fodder, and military supplies have now been transported in batches to Daning Prefecture and Beiping Prefecture."
"Within half a month, all grain, fodder, and military supplies will arrive. They will be enough to sustain two hundred thousand Ming Dynasty soldiers for at least five months, and subsequent supply requisitions are still ongoing."
Zhao Mian, the Minister of Revenue, stepped forward and respectfully presented his report.
"Not bad."
"Minister Zhao, you have worked hard."
A faint smile appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's otherwise cold face.
"For the Ming Dynasty and for Your Majesty, this is the Ministry of Revenue's duty." Zhao Mian immediately replied.
"How goes the mobilization of troops?"
Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at Tang Duo, the Minister of War.
"Reporting to Your Majesty."
"The Duke of Song and the other generals have already set out for Daning Prefecture."
"Troops have also been mobilized from the various prefectures. In total, two hundred thousand soldiers are marching toward Daning Prefecture."
"According to the information held by the Ministry of War, the main army will certainly reach Daning within one month and begin its offensive against the Yuan Court." Tang Duo immediately reported.
"After planning for so long, the day has finally come."
"Convey Our decree."
"Tell Feng Sheng to bring Us Naha Chu's head."
"Reclaim Liaodong completely." Zhu Yuanzhang said, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
"This subject accepts the decree."
Tang Duo immediately acknowledged the order, then returned to his place among the court officials.
"Biao'er."
"How is Daning faring?"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked toward Zhu Biao on the steps. His tone had been stern, but it became incomparably gentle when addressing his son.
"Reporting to Imperial Father."
"This bandit-suppression campaign is merely a pretext. In truth, it is meant to draw the Northern Yuan's attention."
"I believe Daning Prefecture has already achieved some results." Zhu Biao replied with a smile.
Just at that moment!
"Report!"
"A victory report from Daning Prefecture!"
PS: I ask for nothing else—just please keep reading. Any brothers willing to show some support?
Before you continue