Under Cover of Night, a Plan Against the Tatars!

Northern Frontier!

Jianzhou Tatar territory, Blue Banner Tribe.

At this moment!

Night had already fallen.

Outside the Blue Banner Tribe, many Tatar night patrols could be seen, clearly guarding against a sudden attack by the Ming Dynasty.

And beneath the cover of night.

A cavalry force quietly approached the Blue Banner Tribe, though they made very little noise and did not come too close.

"Garrison Commander."

"We just captured two tongues. They're night-patrol scouts from this Tatar tribe."

Liu Lei arrived before Zhu Ying with a group of personal guards, dragging two Tatars with them.

When they saw Zhu Ying and the Ming Army around him.

The two Tatars wore terrified expressions, though deep in their eyes still burned hatred.

"I ask. You answer," Zhu Ying said to the two Tatars forced to kneel on the ground.

"Kill me if you want."

"You damned Ming Kingdom dogs! One day, my people and Great Yuan will trample your Ming Kingdom beneath our feet!"

One of the Tatars cursed furiously.

Zhu Ying could not be bothered with pointless words.

His hand moved.

The War Saber at his waist left its sheath.

With a crunch.

Blood sprayed as the Tatar's head fell straight to the ground.

Killed one Tatar infantryman. Picked up 20 Strength points.

"I ask. You answer." Zhu Ying looked at the remaining one.

"I... I'll answer." The Tatar soldier said in terror.

"How many troops does this tribe have?"

"How many people?" Zhu Ying asked directly.

"The chieftain has been mobilizing troops these past days. Our tribe... has, has over thirty thousand soldiers now. This tribe is our people's pastureland, and there are nearly a hundred thousand people, all scattered around the tribe," the Tatar soldier said fearfully, not daring to refuse an answer.

"What is your chieftain's next plan? When will you move troops against my Ming Dynasty?" Zhu Ying asked again.

"The chieftain ordered the tribe to defend with all its strength and not take the initiative to attack."

"As for... as for why exactly, I don't know."

"But... but Great Yuan has sent troops. They'll dispatch soldiers to reinforce our people."

"Th-this is everything I know, sir..."

The Tatar soldier knelt on the ground, trembling in terror.

But the next instant.

With a crunch.

Zhu Ying brought his saber down.

Killed a Tatar infantryman. Picked up 20 Spirit points.

Seeing Zhu Ying act so decisively.

All the thousand commanders looked at him with reverence and fear.

Such ruthless decisiveness was utterly at odds with Zhu Ying's age.

Of course.

Leaving no survivors was the right choice.

The main army that had originally entered the Northern Frontier had already headed for Liaodong. Only their five thousand troops remained here; leaving captives alive would be disregarding the lives of their brothers-in-arms.

"Gentlemen, what are your thoughts?"

Zhu Ying sheathed his saber and looked at the five thousand commanders before him.

Four thousand commanders.

Among them, one was familiar to him: Wei Quan.

The other three were new acquaintances.

One was named Li Tao, one Zhuang Wei, and the other Luo Hua.

As for the thousand-man camp Zhu Ying had originally commanded, he had Zhang Wu temporarily take charge of it.

"Garrison Commander."

"In this humble general's view, our army need only roam within the Tartars' territory and draw their attention."

"So long as we complete the task of delaying them, we can withdraw back to the Ming Dynasty." Battalion Commander Li Tao immediately said.

"Battalion Commander Li makes it sound far too easy."

"Our army has already pushed more than a hundred li into the Northern Frontier. If we could simply return whenever we wished, this mission would not be so perilous."

"Wandering around here is no different from seeking death."

"Do you truly think the Tartars will make no move? Do you truly think Northern Yuan will do nothing?" Zhang Wu glanced at Li Tao and said with a trace of mockery.

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Our army has only five thousand men. Could we possibly take the initiative and attack this Tartar tribe?" Li Tao replied, his face equally dark with anger.

Just as he spoke those angry words.

"Indeed."

Zhu Ying spoke. "Passively waiting to be beaten is not what I want. Taking the initiative is the kingly path."

"Garrison Commander."

"You heard that Tartar just now as well."

"This Tartar tribe has more than thirty thousand troops. Even if Ming Dynasty cavalry is formidable, we cannot possibly fight one against several, can we?"

"Taking the initiative is no different from courting death." Li Tao's expression changed as he immediately said.

Zhu Ying glanced at Li Tao but said nothing more, merely standing where he was and waiting quietly.

Seeing that Zhu Ying ignored him, Li Tao's face showed anger as well.

But constrained by their difference in rank, he did not dare to flare up.

At this moment!

Under the cover of night.

More than a dozen cavalrymen rode back at full speed.

"Reporting to the Garrison Commander."

"We have basically investigated the situation of this Tartar tribe."

A scout Banner Commander immediately stepped forward to report.

"How is it?" Zhu Ying asked.

"Though this tribe is a large one, it is divided into five sections."

"The tribe ahead of us is presently the southern section of this tribe, serving as a shield for the main tribe of these foreigners."

"Besides that, each of the other three directions has a smaller tribe guarding it as well." The scout Banner Commander replied respectfully.

"Looks like these foreigners have learned a bit of military strategy too."

"With four tribes positioned in the four directions, once one tribe is attacked, the others can quickly rush to its aid and ensure that the main tribe remains secure." Zhu Ying said with some feeling.

"Garrison Commander."

"What should we do next?" Zhang Wu looked at Zhu Ying and asked respectfully.

"Battalion Commander Li."

Zhu Ying looked toward Li Tao.

"What orders does the Garrison Commander have?" Li Tao replied unwillingly.

Clearly.

He was plainly unconvinced that someone as young as Zhu Ying had become Garrison Commander.

"Since Battalion Commander Li is so eager to withdraw to Daning, I can grant your wish." Zhu Ying said in a deep voice.

"What does the Garrison Commander mean?" Li Tao frowned.

"One hour from now."

"You will lead your troops to harass the Tartars' southern tribe. You need only create chaos and draw the Tartars' attention—better yet, make them come out and pursue you."

"So long as you complete this task, if you wish to remain in the Northern Frontier, it will count as a merit. If you do not wish to remain, I will not hold your desertion in the face of battle against you; merits and faults will cancel each other out." Zhu Ying looked at Li Tao and said coldly.

Since Li Tao showed him no goodwill, Zhu Ying had no reason to indulge him.

Since he wanted to withdraw?

Then Zhu Ying would grant him his wish.

But he could forget about claiming any credit.

Hearing this.

Li Tao stared at Zhu Ying. After a moment, he said, "Does the Garrison Commander truly intend to lead the brothers to their deaths?"

"I am giving you a choice."

"Stay or withdraw?" Zhu Ying barked coldly.

"Since the garrison commander has said so."

"Then naturally, this subordinate chooses to withdraw. I will not let the brothers under my command throw away their lives for nothing," Li Tao said at once.

"Have you commanders all heard?"

"The choice given to Battalion Commander Li, I can likewise give to you."

"If you do not wish to remain, you may withdraw after harassing them."

"Those willing to stay, when we return in triumph, it will surely be a great merit." Zhu Ying looked toward Luo Hua, Zhuang Wei, and the other battalion commanders.

"We swear to follow the garrison commander unto death."

Wei Quan, Luo Hua, Zhang Wu, and Zhuang Wei immediately declared.

"Good."

Zhu Ying nodded.

After giving Li Tao a long look, he immediately issued the order: "Li Tao, heed this command. In one hour, harass the Tatar tribe. Should you defy military orders or slacken and miss this chance in battle, this garrison commander will certainly hold you accountable."