Chapter 13: Zhu Ying's Battle Achievements Astonish the Entire Army!

“These Tatars may be barbarians, but nowadays their weaponry is hardly inferior to that of our great Ming Dynasty.”
“Their iron tools and leather armor are all exquisitely crafted.”
“We can no longer regard them with the same disdain as we once did toward the Tatars.”
Chen Heng said solemnly.

If we speak of the past, the Tatars were indeed barbarians whose arms were inferior to those of the Han Chinese dynasty. However, ever since the Yuan court established itself in the Central Plains of China, everything has changed. The iron forging and smelting techniques originally belonging to the Han Chinese spread to the northern frontiers, ushering in a kind of arms revolution for the previously uncivilized northern tribes.

“That’s right!”
“No matter which barbarian tribe, none should be underestimated.”
“This battle serves as a warning.” Liu Zhen nodded in agreement.

At that moment—
“The Prefect has arrived!”
A shout came from outside the tent.

At the sound, all the generals inside the tent rose to their feet.
“Greetings, Prefect!”
They all bowed respectfully.

Though Bu Wan held the title of Prefect, he was acting as the commanding officer, and naturally, no one dared show him disrespect.

“General Chen, General Liu,”
Bu Wan smiled as he took his seat at the head and looked at the two generals with concern.
He had received direct orders from the Crown Prince to swiftly suppress the bandit threat, so he was deeply invested in the matter.

“Reporting to you, Prefect,”
Chen Heng said.
“In this engagement, our troops fought the Tatar army and achieved a great victory.”
“Our battle report has just been compiled.”
He immediately presented a sealed report with respect.

“Read it aloud.”
“I’m eager to hear how valiant our Ming soldiers have been,” Bu Wan said with anticipation in his eyes.

“Yes.” Chen Heng acknowledged, broke the seal, and began reading loudly:
“In this battle, the Qianshi Battalion engaged the Tatar forces, killing over 5,800 enemies and capturing more than 3,000. Our army suffered 3,780 casualties and 2,500 wounded but emerged victorious.”

“Excellent.”
Upon hearing the report, a smile spread across Bu Wan’s face.
“Well done. A mere minor Tatar tribe from Jianzhou dared to defy the Ming; this battle made them pay the price. Thank you, Generals, for your hard work. I will personally report this to the Crown Prince and the Emperor to commend you and all the meritorious soldiers.”

“This victory truly displays the heavenly might of our Ming.”

Before the battle, Bu Wan had held some concerns, but now he was completely at ease.
A great victory—a single battle that crushed the Tatars.

“Furthermore,”
Chen Heng pulled another report from his chest.
“There is one matter that requires your personal decision, Prefect.”

“What is it?” Bu Wan asked with a smile.

“One of the soldiers of the Qianshi Battalion fought with extraordinary bravery and achieved great merit. The specific reward awaits your judgment.”
Chen Heng handed over the report solemnly.

Seeing Chen Heng’s seriousness, Bu Wan took the report without delay.
Upon opening it, his expression shifted from calm to astonishment and shock.

“This… this report is genuine?”
Bu Wan asked Chen Heng in disbelief.

“Absolutely. I myself witnessed the soldier slay the Tatar commanding officer. Were it not for him, I might have perished in the Tatar encirclement,” Chen Heng replied immediately.

Seeing Bu Wan’s stunned reaction, the other officers inside the tent exchanged puzzled looks.
Clearly, the remarkable achievements of Zhu Ying—the soldier who cut down enemy commanders and captured battle flags—had not yet fully circulated.
After all, the battle had only just ended, and the wounded and casualties still needed attending.

“Prefect, what could be in this report to cause such surprise?” Liu Zhen asked curiously.

“Read it aloud.”
Bu Wan suppressed his excitement and handed the report to a nearby aide.

The aide took the paper and announced loudly:
“In the battle against the Tatars, Zhu Ying, commander of the First Thousand-strong Company of the Qianshi Battalion, single-handedly killed 103 Tatars, including 45 shot with arrows and 58 beheaded. Amid the chaos, he slew the Tatar commanding officer Jingu Da, captured the enemy’s war banner, and thus earned great merit.”

At these words, all the officers—except for the provincial commander responsible for tallying the results—gaped in disbelief at the aide reading the report.

“One man killed 103 Tatars?”
“Is that even humanly possible?”
“Even the legendary Lü Bu could hardly achieve such a feat.”
“What incredible strength!”
“Even the renowned Prince of Kaiping’s valor could not compare to such a record.”

“This man is truly formidable.”
“Not only did he cut down so many enemy soldiers, but he also slew the enemy’s commander and captured the battle flag—such merit is immense.”
“No wonder the Tatar forces collapsed during our encirclement; Zhu Ying’s slaying of commanders and capture of the banner caused their army to falter.”
“This achievement is substantial enough to warrant multiple rank promotions.”

The generals inside the tent could not help but discuss in amazement.
Even Liu Zhen, also a commanding officer, looked at Chen Heng with surprise.

“Prefect,”
Chen Heng spoke again,
“This is the battle report I intend to submit.”
“I wonder what reward should be granted for such a deed?”

After Zhu Ying saved him, Chen Heng had immediately inquired about the soldier’s background. After all, it was a life-saving favor, and having such a brave warrior under his command stirred his sense of responsibility.

Therefore, after the provincial commander compiled the battle results, he promptly delivered the report—exclusively concerning Zhu Ying—to Chen Heng.
The report was simply too extraordinary.

“When the Ming Dynasty was first established, the Emperor decreed that our army must remain unsullied; those who achieve merit shall be rewarded generously, and there shall be no neglect of achievements in battle.”
“Given Zhu Ying’s great service, he should be rewarded according to Ming military regulations.”

“General Chen, how many ranks should this merit warrant according to Ming standards?” Bu Wan smiled and asked.

For Bu Wan, with all generals present in the tent and the merits officially recorded by the provincial commander, there was no room for deception.
No one dared to tamper with military honors, especially since the Ming’s Jinyiwei secret police were everywhere.

Moreover, Zhu Ying’s remarkable achievements were good news for Bu Wan himself. Though only acting as commander, defeating the Jianzhou Tatars was a solid accomplishment, and reporting Zhu Ying’s dazzling merits to the capital would surely enhance Bu Wan’s own standing.

The same applied to any general in the tent.
Defeating a minor border tribe of Tatars was a respectable achievement, though not enough to shake the court. But combined with Zhu Ying’s single-handed killing of over a hundred enemies, the slaying of the enemy commander, and capture of the battle flag, this was a feat that could surely capture imperial attention.

They all stood to benefit, as it gave them a chance to catch the eyes of the Emperor and Crown Prince.
Such an opportunity was certainly to be welcomed.