Acting Garrison Commander, Command Five Thousand Troops!

"Zhu Ying, are you certain you wish to accept this assignment?"

Chen Heng looked at Zhu Ying, his gaze carrying a note of warning.

As Commander of the Thousand Households, commanding ten thousand troops, he had to put the bigger picture first.

But Zhu Ying had saved his life, after all. This assignment was so dangerous, its consequences impossible to predict. He still did not want Zhu Ying to take it.

"This subordinate is certain," Zhu Ying declared loudly.

"Commander Zhu."

"How many troops do you want?"

Bu Wan looked at Zhu Ying and asked.

"This assignment does not depend on having many troops, but on having strong horses and seasoned, battle-hardened soldiers."

"This subordinate has nearly seven hundred men under his command. If you can make up the numbers to four thousand cavalry and provide sufficient dry rations, this subordinate is confident I can hold the Tatars back," Zhu Ying said at once.

Four thousand cavalry.

With his own strength, as well as the attribute boosts granted by the Authority Seal, Zhu Ying was very confident.

"General Chen."

"How much cavalry does our army still have?" Bu Wan turned to Chen Heng and asked.

"Reporting to you, my lord."

"Nearly ten thousand riders," Chen Heng replied.

"Zhu Ying, since you possess such courage."

"This official will record this great merit for you first. I temporarily promote you to Acting Garrison Commander and grant you five thousand cavalry. Four Commanders of the Thousand Households will be assigned to assist you. By the authority of your post as Garrison Commander, this official grants you absolute command over these five thousand cavalry. Every Commander of the Thousand Households is to obey your orders."

"Those who disobey will be dealt with according to military law."

Bu Wan immediately drafted a military order and stamped it with the great seal.

Garrison Commander!

An office above Commander of the Thousand Households, commanding five thousand troops and ranking below the Commander of the Thousand Households.

Though it was only a temporary appointment as Garrison Commander, this was still the greatest support Bu Wan could give Zhu Ying.

Though he was a civil official, he also felt that Zhu Ying made sense. His twenty thousand troops had already pushed a hundred li into the northern frontier. If they continued any deeper, they would indeed enter dangerous ground.

Provisions and baggage were one concern; more importantly, they could easily be surrounded.

The plan Zhu Ying had proposed could both hold back the Tatars and draw in the Northern Yuan—a single stroke yielding two gains.

Since Zhu Ying dared to risk his life to accept this assignment, Bu Wan naturally had to lend him a hand for the sake of the greater good.

At Bu Wan's words, many of the generals in the tent showed regret.

Though it was dangerous, this would mean a promotion by one rank. Though it was only temporary, as long as they held back the Tatars and returned alive to the Ming Dynasty, the "temporary" would be removed and the post would become official.

"This subordinate thanks you, Commander. I will not disappoint you," Zhu Ying said, immediately bowing. Excitement stirred in his heart as well.

The reason he had accepted this assignment was, first, that it would bring great merit; second, that it would allow him to continue killing enemies on this northern frontier.

Compared to attacking the Northern Yuan and fighting for cities and lands, Zhu Ying, commanding cavalry, had greater opportunities here on the northern frontier.

Seize this opportunity.

Kill enemies and pick up attributes!

Perhaps Zhu Ying would have a chance to push all his attributes past one thousand.

Once he reached that point, Zhu Ying would truly have a foothold in the army and in this era.

Of course.

The power and authority he gained would not be small either.

"General Liu."

"After you leave, order the logistics troops to swiftly prepare at least half a month's worth of dry rations for five thousand soldiers."

"They must be ready today," Bu Wan said to Liu Zhen.

"This subordinate accepts the order," Liu Zhen replied eagerly.

Just then!

"Report!"

"An urgent military report has arrived from the garrison camp of Daning Prefecture."

"There are signs that the Northern Yuan's Naha Chu is mobilizing troops in Liaodong, seemingly intending to attack Daning."

"Please make a decision, Commander."

An urgent messenger rushed into the tent and reported loudly.

The moment those words fell, the generals in the command tent all wore astonished expressions.

Many eyes turned to Zhu Ying in unspoken accord.

Just moments ago, Zhu Ying had predicted that if the Northern Yuan mobilized, they would not ride directly to the Tatars' aid, but would instead attack Daning.

And now, it had truly unfolded exactly as he had foreseen.

"It seems Zhu Ying is not merely fierce and brave—he is military talent."

"I must focus on cultivating him from now on. If a military talent emerges under my hand and one day earns merit defending Daning's border, His Majesty will surely be greatly pleased." Bu Wan thought to himself.

At that moment, he could not help but regard Zhu Ying even more highly.

"My lord."

"Now that the Northern Yuan is preparing to send troops against our Daning Prefecture, Daning cannot be left without defenders."

"This subordinate believes that you should return to Daning first and hold it. That way, the soldiers remaining behind will have someone to rally around." Liu Zhen respectfully proposed.

"This subordinate concurs." Chen Heng immediately said as well.

"Mm."

Bu Wan nodded.

After marching through the northern frontier day after day, Bu Wan had to admit that he truly could not keep pace with these martial generals.

"Then,"

"the surprise attack on Liaodong will depend on the two generals."

"As for the specifics, the two of you may discuss them and make the decision." Bu Wan immediately gave the order.

"This subordinate accepts the command." Chen Heng and Liu Zhen promptly answered.

Once the council in the command tent ended, the orders were issued.

The cavalry in the army was swiftly reorganized and consolidated.

A fully staffed garrison Cavalry Battalion of five thousand horsemen was assembled for Zhu Ying.

Meanwhile, the logistics troops threw themselves into preparing dry rations.

Chen Heng stood before Zhu Ying, helplessness written across his face.

"You brat, I don't even know what to say to you."

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Chen Heng let out a sigh.

"What do you mean by that, General?" Zhu Ying smiled and clasped his fists.

"You're still playing dumb with me."

"Five thousand cavalry thrown into this northern frontier are like a single drop of water falling into the sea—they won't raise so much as a ripple."

"The Jianzhou Tatars may be weak, but every man among them is still a soldier. They also have horse ranches and no shortage of cavalry. Their forces are certainly no fewer than seventy or eighty thousand. If the Northern Yuan sends reinforcements and encircles you as well, you'll truly be in danger." Chen Heng said helplessly.

"General."

"Even if this subordinate had not taken this assignment, another commander would still have accepted it."

"Besides, taking this assignment means a promotion. That is a good thing." Zhu Ying said with a smile, showing little fear.

Seeing this, Chen Heng was completely helpless. "You brat... sigh, I truly don't know what to say to you."

"Fine. If you have any other requests, anything you need me to do, just say it."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying smiled. "I must trouble the General to prepare more arrows—enough for every cavalryman to carry two quivers' worth."

"Fine."

Chen Heng nodded without the slightest hesitation.

"Other than that, the logistics troops are already preparing the dry rations and water. This subordinate has nothing else to ask for." Zhu Ying said with a smile.

"Are you sure there's nothing else?"

Chen Heng stared at Zhu Ying.

"Truly nothing." Zhu Ying immediately shook his head.

"Where is your home? Who else is in your family? Do you not need me to send someone with a message?" Chen Heng asked, his face full of helplessness.

"General."

"You make it sound as though I'll have a hard time coming back alive." Zhu Ying wore an expression halfway between laughter and tears.

He was making arrangements for his own last words!

Chen Heng, meanwhile, wore a grave expression.

"You have accepted the military order. I cannot change that either; I can only do other things," Chen Heng said in a deep voice.

Seeing Chen Heng's heartfelt sincerity, Zhu Ying turned serious as well. "I used to have my grandmother. Now I'm all alone—though, if he counts, there's also the old butler who has looked after me since childhood."

PS: My goodness, Qidian, can't you give me a little more traffic? It's always like this, never getting any exposure. Please—recommendation votes, monthly votes, follow-up reads, I want everything.