Taking Over the Cavalry Battalion! Ying Tian Court!

Slaying a hundred enemies in one battle, capturing the enemy commander and their battle standard!

Such results weren't something anyone could achieve. At the very least, no one had managed this in any of the Great Ming's numerous major campaigns, even from the start of the conflict.

How could Zhang Wu and the other man not show respect to such a fierce general?

"You are too kind, sirs."

Zhu Ying replied with a smile, cupping his fists.

Zhang Wu.

Fan Qing.

The latter's name wasn't widely known, but the former would become quite famous in the Great Ming's future. He was a meritorious official after Zhu Di's Jingnan campaign, even posthumously ennobled as a Duke.

This spoke volumes of his bravery and troop-leading capabilities.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang was still alive, and the Jingnan campaign was many years away. Thus, Zhang Wu was still serving as a Deputy Battalion Commander in Daming Prefecture, under Zhu Ying's command.

Seeing such legendary generals serving under him, Zhu Ying was filled with anticipation for the future. The future was promising.

Knowing history.

Knowing the future.

Power!

It wouldn't be difficult.

"After this battle, the First Cavalry Battalion has suffered considerable losses. We'll need to replenish our forces after the main engagement."

"The two Deputy Battalion Commanders will brief you on the specific situation of the Cavalry Battalion."

"You've just taken command, so I'll give you three days to familiarize yourself. After three days, you will immediately mobilize and continue the attack on the Jianzhou Tatars," Chen Heng told Zhu Ying.

"This subordinate accepts the order."

Zhu Ying immediately bowed and accepted the command.

"If you need anything, come find me directly."

Chen Heng nodded with a smile and left with his guards.

After he departed.

"Brothers, how many soldiers are left in the First Cavalry Battalion?" Zhu Ying asked directly.

"Reporting to the Battalion Commander."

"There are six hundred and eighty-nine remaining."

"In this engagement with the Tatars, our First Cavalry Battalion served as the vanguard and bore the brunt of the attack, hence the heavy casualties," Zhang Wu replied immediately.

"Mm."

Zhu Ying nodded, his expression growing slightly somber.

Although Zhang Wu only reported numbers, Zhu Ying had personally experienced yesterday's battle. Death had blanketed the entire battlefield, and Zhu Ying had witnessed his comrades fall. It was incredibly bloody and brutal.

But.

This was inevitable.

War was inherently like this.

Ultimately.

Zhu Ying was fortunate to have adapted to killing enemies during his time suppressing bandits; otherwise, he wouldn't have fought so bravely on the battlefield yesterday.

"Reporting to the Battalion Commander."

"All the brothers of the First Cavalry Battalion are awaiting your address, Commander," Fan Qing said respectfully.

"Good."

Zhu Ying looked towards the other side, where all the assembled soldiers of the Battalion Commander's unit were gathered, and nodded.

He then strode over.

"Greetings, Commander."

As Zhu Ying approached the front lines, nearly seven hundred soldiers of the First Battalion bowed in unison, their voices deafening.

The might of the Great Ming's soldiers was fully displayed.

The Great Ming soldiers of this era were undoubtedly elite, especially those stationed on the frontier.

Sensing the power within their voices.

Zhu Ying nodded and immediately said, "All rise."

"Thank you, Commander."

All the soldiers responded in unison, each looking at Zhu Ying with curiosity and reverence.

"Fellow soldiers."

"Some of you may not know me, and some may have heard my name."

"But it doesn't matter."

"From today onwards."

"I, Zhu Ying, will be a brother fighting alongside all of you."

"On the battlefield, courage comes first."

"I, Zhu Ying, promise all my brothers here that I will always charge ahead of everyone else."

"Those who do not cling to life, soldiers who do not fear death; this is an army of a hundred victories."

"What I, Zhu Ying, want to achieve is this kind of general who does not cling to life."

"If I, Zhu Ying, were to fear battle and flee, or cling to life and fear death, any brother in the Cavalry Battalion may draw his sword and take my head." Zhu Ying said loudly without any further preamble.

In this army, there's no such thing as empty promises. Even if there were, promotions would be based on military merit and killing enemies, as decreed by the current Emperor.

In the army, courage is paramount; bravery and skill in battle earn respect.

Hearing Zhu Ying's words.

Zhang Wu and Fan Qing, standing nearby, looked astonished.

They clearly hadn't expected him to say such things.

But the gazes of the gathered soldiers in the Cavalry Battalion towards Zhu Ying changed.

"We swear to follow Battalion Commander Zhu to the death!"

"Swear to follow..."

All the soldiers shouted in unison.

Clearly.

They were all impressed by Zhu Ying's spirit.

The Great Ming capital, Ying Tian!

Fengtian Hall.

All the officials were gathered.

Zhu Yuanzhang, clad in his Dragon Robe, sat imposingly on the dragon throne.

On the steps below the throne, the Crown Prince Zhu Biao, wearing the ceremonial robes of the heir apparent, exuded an air of calm composure, also commanding the court.

"Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand, ten thousand, ten thousand years."

The officials of the court shouted in unison, their voices echoing throughout the grand hall, seemingly reaching the entire Imperial Palace.

The spirit of the Great Ming officials was on full display here.

"Rise."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand.

"Thank you, Our Emperor."

The assembled officials responded loudly, then rose and lined up on either side, divided into civil and military officials.

"If you have a memorial, present it. If not, the court is adjourned."

The chief eunuch attending Zhu Yuanzhang shouted loudly.

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

"This minister has a memorial to present."

Zhao Mian, standing among the civil officials, stepped forward and said loudly.

"Permission granted."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand.

"By Your Majesty's decree, we have mobilized food and supplies."

"The Ministry of Revenue has already gathered them from the national treasury, as well as from Shuntian Prefecture, Baoding Prefecture, Hajian Prefecture, and seven other prefectures."

"Under the Ministry of Revenue's order, each prefecture has mobilized resources. The food and supplies have now been transported in batches to Daning Prefecture and Beiping Prefecture."

"Within half a month, all food and supplies will arrive, sufficient for at least 200,000 Great Ming soldiers for five months. The subsequent allocation of provisions is still ongoing."

Zhao Mian, as the Minister of War, stepped forward and respectfully reported.

"Good."

"Minister Zhao, you have worked hard."

A smile appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's stern face.

"For the Great Ming, for Your Majesty, this is the duty of the Ministry of Revenue." Zhao Mian replied immediately.

"How are the troop movements coming along?"

Zhu Yuanzhang then looked at the Minister of War, Tang Duo.

"Replying to Your Majesty."

"The Duke of Song and the various generals have already set off for Daning Prefecture."

"Troops have also been gathered from various prefectures, totaling two hundred thousand men, who are marching towards Daning Prefecture."

"According to the Ministry of War's intelligence, the grand army will reach Daning within a month and begin its offensive against the Yuan Court," Tang Duo reported immediately.

"After planning for so long, this day has finally arrived."

"Convey my decree."

"Have Feng Sheng bring Naha Chu's head to me."

"We will completely retake the land of Liaodong," Zhu Yuanzhang said, a stern glint in his eyes.

"This subject obeys the decree."

Tang Duo immediately responded and then returned to his place in the court.

"Biao'er."

"How is Daning?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao on the steps. His tone, which had been serious, became incredibly gentle when addressing his son.

"Replying to Father Emperor."

"This bandit suppression is merely a pretext to draw the attention of Northern Yuan."

"I believe Daning Prefecture has already achieved some results," Zhu Biao replied with a smile.

And at this very moment!

"Report."

"A victory report from Daning Prefecture."