Zhu Ying: Brothers, Are You Willing to Follow Me and Annihilate the Invaders?

"Duke of Song is absolutely right."

"Li Tao's actions were far too vile."

"If Zhu Ying had truly fallen into a tight encirclement and been unable to return, then this subordinate would indeed have believed Li Tao's words—that Zhu Ying was headstrong and willful, refusing to heed advice."

"But now, Zhu Ying's battle results clearly show that Li Tao defied military orders and feared death."

"This subordinate believes he should be severely punished." Bu Wan immediately said.

"Li Tao is a man of the Daning Border Army, and Governor Bu's subordinate. Decide for yourself how to deal with him." Feng Sheng nodded and said no more.

He was merely a minor Thousand-Household Commander. Naturally, Feng Sheng would not pay him too much attention.

"This subordinate accepts the order." Bu Wan immediately acknowledged the command.

"Governor Bu."

"Tell me about the defenses of Daning Prefecture." Feng Sheng asked with a smile.

"Reporting to the Duke."

"During the previous northern campaign against the Tatars, the fifty thousand border troops of Daning Prefecture were split into two forces. Twenty thousand troops marched north to strike the Tatars and secure the peace of Daning Prefecture, while thirty thousand border troops remained to guard Daning Prefecture and thoroughly pacify the bandit troubles within its territory."

"Now that the Northern Yuan has attacked, their vanguard has already begun assaulting Huizhou City, with no fewer than fifty thousand men."

Bu Wan reported all of Daning Prefecture's current troop strength and defensive arrangements to Feng Sheng.

Naturally.

As he gave his report, Bu Wan visibly relaxed.

Before Feng Sheng's arrival.

The safety of Daning Prefecture, along with all responsibility for it, rested upon Bu Wan alone. Should Daning Prefecture truly suffer some mishap and be breached by the Yuan Court, his guilt would be immense.

But now that Feng Sheng had arrived, all military affairs fell under his command, and the armies of every prefectural territory were subject to Feng Sheng's deployment. Naturally, the blame could no longer fall upon Bu Wan's head.

"Mm."

"With Daning Prefecture's defenses, it can hold out until my two hundred thousand troops arrive."

"Besides that."

"Zhu Ying's proposed strategy of a surprise attack—using more than ten thousand troops to strike Liaodong."

"May perhaps serve some purpose as well."

"For now, defense should still be our priority," Feng Sheng said gravely.

"Great General is wise."

The generals answered in unison.

"Enough."

"Pass on my command."

"Urge every army to quicken its march."

"Within ten days, all troops must converge at Huizhou. Any who fail to arrive within ten days will be punished for delaying military operations." Feng Sheng addressed the generals in the hall.

"This subordinate accepts the order."

The generals answered in unison.

"And one more thing."

"Send a memorial to Yingtian, reporting to His Majesty that this old man has safely arrived in Yingtian and has already begun preparations for the campaign to destroy Naha Chu."

"Tell His Majesty not to worry."

"Furthermore."

"Report Daning Prefecture's military merits and battle results as well—especially Zhu Ying's merit in crushing the Tatar tribe, and the martial prowess of our Daning Border Army." Feng Sheng further instructed the personal guard at his side.

"This subordinate accepts the order," the commander of the personal guards immediately replied.

"Now we need only wait for the army to arrive, then we can turn from defense to offense."

"Naha Chu."

"His Majesty once bestowed grace upon him, yet this man gave no thought to imperial favor."

"Now, it is time to settle this." A fierce glint flashed through Feng Sheng's eyes.

He had come this time precisely to wipe out Naha Chu.

Northern Frontier, within the territory of the Jianzhou Tatars!

"Report!"

"Reporting to the garrison commander."

"Tatar cavalry have been spotted three li to our rear."

"They seem to have followed the hoofprints of our army."

"They'll be facing our forces within the time it takes an incense stick to burn at most. Please decide, Guard Commander."

Liu Lei rode over and reported loudly.

"How many troops do the Tatars have?" Zhu Ying immediately asked.

"Fortunately, Guard Commander, you previously ordered us to deliberately leave hoofprints to the east and west, so the Tatars' tracking has been thrown into confusion as well. This batch of Tatar troops numbers no more than five thousand."

"However, I was unable to determine exactly how many troops the Tatars have dispatched in pursuit," Liu Lei reported respectfully.

"Though the Tatars are a people in which every man is a soldier, they still maintain great vigilance against our Ming Dynasty. They cannot possibly send out their entire force in pursuit."

"Besides, not all Tatars are cavalry. Having over twenty thousand horsemen in their entire tribe would already be quite good—and that is only because they have their own horse pastures." Zhu Ying smiled faintly. Hearing that the Tatars were attacking, he showed no panic.

"Guard Commander."

"What do we do next?"

The Commanders of a Thousand gathered around as well, looking expectantly at Zhu Ying.

Last night's raid on the camp had succeeded, and all four thousand soldiers had returned without a single death.

That filled every soldier with reverence for Zhu Ying.

Zhu Ying glanced toward the direction from which the Tatars would come, a chill rising on his face. "Naturally, we'll leave every last one of them here."

"Gentlemen, do you dare fight alongside me?"

Zhu Ying gave a cold smile and directly picked up the long saber at his side.

"We swear to follow the Guard Commander unto death!"

The Commanders of a Thousand answered in unison.

"Mount up."

Zhu Ying laughed and swung himself onto his horse.

The surrounding soldiers likewise mounted one after another.

"Brothers!"

"You've eaten and drunk your fill, and you've rested."

"But now we stand in the land of the barbarians. One slight lapse, and there will be no redemption for all eternity."

"The scouts report that the Tatar cavalry is about to catch up."

"If you want to live, if you want to go home, then slaughter them to the last man."

"Brothers, do you dare follow me, Zhu Ying, to meet the Tatars in battle?"

"And cut down every invader?" Zhu Ying swept his gaze around and shouted.

"We swear to follow the Guard Commander unto death!"

All four thousand soldiers roared in unison.

Their hearts were united as one, their killing intent soaring to the heavens.

"Good."

"The wounded will hold the rear. All soldiers, form up around me in an attacking formation. Ready your bows."

Zhu Ying shouted.

The four thousand cavalrymen urged their horses into motion, spreading out by Thousand-Man Commands around Zhu Ying. Every one of them raised a bow, forming an attacking formation.

After a quarter of an hour had passed.

In the distance.

A succession of thundering hoofbeats swept over.

Many Tatar cavalrymen clad in leather armor and carrying long spears could be seen rapidly pursuing them.

As they drew closer.

The leading Tatar commander also spotted the Ming Army cavalry drawn up ahead.

"The Ming Army is right ahead!"

"Lads!"

"These damned Ming Army soldiers slaughtered our people and destroyed our tribe."

"Kill them all!"

"Scouts, turn around at once and report to the Commander of Ten Thousand. Tell him to quickly dispatch troops to encircle the Ming Army."

"Kill—!"

The Tatar commander howled.

He led his army forward in a raging torrent.

Of course.

On their Tartar home ground, they had deployed tens of thousands of troops in pursuit. As long as they held up the Ming Army ahead, they could wipe them out to the last man.

"Tartars."

Zhu Ying spat out the two words coldly.

His hand had already tightened around the Treasure Eagle Bow.

Five arrows were already nocked on the bow.

With his strength now nearing a thousand jin, he effortlessly drew the Treasure Eagle Bow into a full moon.

The soldiers to Zhu Ying's left, right, and rear also drew their bows, waiting for their commander's signal.

Finally!

When the Tartar cavalry charged in and were less than a hundred paces away—

"Kill!"

Zhu Ying let out a thunderous roar.

His voice was like an exploding clap of thunder, echoing across the Northern Frontier.

The arrows in his hand flew from the string at once.

Straight ahead.

Five arrows sliced through the air.

The five Tartars charging at the very front had no time to react. Their leather armor was pierced through in an instant, their bodies penetrated clean through as they fell beneath their warhorses.

"Killed Tartar cavalryman. Picked up 20 points of Strength."

"Killed Tartar cavalryman. Picked up 20 points of Constitution."

"Killed Tartar cavalryman..."

PS: Darlings, keeping up with the chapters is really important. Please keep reading along. Many thanks.