Chapter 14: Summoning Zhu Ying

Page (1/3)

“Reporting, sir.”

“Zhu Ying has achieved such a great feat. According to the military merit system of our Great Ming, based on the number of enemies he has slain, Zhu Ying should be promoted four ranks. Moreover, if we count the merit of beheading enemy generals and capturing their banners, he deserves an additional rank,” Chen Heng said without hesitation.

After reviewing the battle report, Chen Heng had already carefully calculated the rewards.

Below the rank of Battalion Commander, promotions were granted for enemy kills, but above that rank, ordinary kills were no longer sufficient for advancement.

This was the military merit system personally decreed by His Majesty.

For those below Battalion Commander, as long as you killed enemies for the country, you could continue to rise. If you achieved great merit, such as slaying enemy generals, you could be promoted further.

All of these regulations were established by Zhu Yuanzhang himself.

“Currently, Zhu Ying is a Minor Banner officer. With a five-rank promotion, he could be appointed Battalion Commander.”

“Heavens!”

“To rise five ranks in a single day—who has ever done this except before the founding of the Great Ming?”

“Back then, when His Majesty was still the Hidden Dragon, he rose from a mere soldier to Vanguard Commander, but that was not five ranks at once.”

“A five-rank promotion—his future is boundless.”

“In this battle, he killed more enemies than an ordinary soldier might in a lifetime. Perhaps he is a born warrior.”

“To kill a hundred enemies in a day, behead generals, and capture banners—there’s no trickery here. A five-rank promotion is well deserved.”

“Indeed.”

“This is how the army should be...”

Upon hearing Chen Heng’s words, the generals in the tent were surprised but had no objections.

After all, military merit was the foundation of all discussions in the army. Merit was everything.

If they rejected this promotion based on merit, they would be denying their own future. No commander would be so foolish.

“Since there is a merit system to follow,”

“then the rewards should be given accordingly.”

“General Chen, is Zhu Ying currently in the camp?” Bu Wan smiled and asked immediately.

“Reporting, sir, he is resting in the camp,” Chen Heng replied promptly.

“Quickly summon Zhu Ying to the main tent. I would like to see what a warrior with such courage in our Great Ning Prefecture looks like,” Bu Wan said with a smile.

It was not just him.

Many generals in the tent were also full of curiosity.

Chen Heng immediately looked at Wei Quan. “Battalion Commander Wei, Zhu Ying is in your battalion. Go and summon him to the main camp.”

“Understood,” Wei Quan bowed deeply and quickly withdrew.

At that moment,

Liu Zhen quietly approached Chen Heng, smiling, “Brother Chen, can we discuss something?”

Hearing this,

Chen Heng glared and said immediately, “No discussion.”

“I haven’t even said anything yet, and you refuse already?” Liu Zhen looked speechless.

“Just because you haven’t said anything doesn’t mean I don’t see through your intention—you want to bring the main camp under your command, right?”

“Dream on.”

“A warrior like that belongs under my command,” Chen Heng said proudly.

Page (2/3)

Seeing Chen Heng like this, Liu Zhen could only look on angrily.

The First Battalion Camp.

By the bonfire.

Many soldiers were gathered around the fire eating flatbread, their conversations carrying the tone of survivors after a great battle.

In the northern frontier,

Though it had just turned to autumn, the nights were very cold. Without a bonfire, it would be quite chilly.

Zhu Ying sat by the fire,

Eating flatbread, his heart filled with joy.

“List acquired attributes,” Zhu Ying opened his status panel.

The next moment,

“Acquired 98 points of Strength.”

“Acquired 102 points of Speed.”

“Acquired 103 points of Constitution.”

“Acquired 99 points of Endurance.”

“Acquired 89 points of Spirit.”

“Acquired 454 days of Lifespan.”

These were the attributes Zhu Ying successfully acquired after the great battle.

“Congratulations, host. All attributes have surpassed 400 points. Reward: one ordinary treasure chest.”

As these attributes merged, the panel displayed a prompt.

“Status Panel.” Zhu Ying glanced at it.

Host: Zhu Ying

Age: 14 years

Strength: 584 points [One point corresponds to one jin of force.]

Speed: 512 points [The higher the value, the faster the speed.]

Constitution: 431 points [The stronger the constitution, the better the defense and faster injury recovery.]

Endurance: 415 points [The higher the endurance, the more energy and stamina.]

Spirit: 402 points [The higher the spirit, the clearer the mind.]

Lifespan: 88 years and 1,138 days

Storage Space: 4 cubic meters

“Five treasure chests now.”

“Hopefully I can get some more treasures this time. The key is to improve strength and survive on the battlefield,” Zhu Ying thought silently.

Just as he was about to open a treasure chest,

“Where is Zhu Ying?”

A voice sounded under the night sky.

Many soldiers around looked up toward the source of the voice.

“Minor Banner, it seems the Battalion Commander is calling you,” a fellow soldier shouted to Zhu Ying.

Zhu Ying was startled, came back to his senses, raised his head, and quickly stood up: “I’m here.”

Page (3/3)

The next moment,

Wei Quan strode over.

Upon seeing Zhu Ying, he sized him up from head to toe, then immediately smiled: “Good boy, I never expected our Battalion to produce such a figure.”

“Battalion Commander, is there something you need?” Zhu Ying cautiously asked, secretly hopeful.

“Brothers,”

“Do you know how many enemies Zhu Ying from our battalion single-handedly killed in this battle against the Tatars?” Wei Quan looked around and shouted.

The soldiers of the battalion focused their gaze.

“Our battalion’s Zhu Ying is fearless and invincible.”

“With one man’s strength, he slew over a hundred Tatars, beheaded the Tatar commander, captured their banner, and severely damaged their morale, leading to our great victory.”

“This time, by order of the Commander, I am here to summon Zhu Ying to the main camp for a merit-based reward,” Wei Quan declared loudly.

At this moment,

Wei Quan’s tone carried pride.

Although this merit was not earned by him, and he did not even know the main camp well—after all, he commanded over a thousand men and could not know everyone—after this, who in Great Ning Prefecture would not know Zhu Ying?

Zhu Ying had made a name for himself in Wei Quan’s battalion, and Wei Quan naturally felt honored.

“Killed over a hundred enemies?”

“Beheaded the Tatar commander?”

“Is this even human?”

“Zhu Ying, our battalion actually has such a fierce warrior.”

“He’s definitely going to be promoted.”

“He doesn’t look big, how can he be so powerful?”

“Comparing yourself to others is frustrating...”

Many soldiers were amazed by such battle achievements.

“Zhu Ying.”

“Come with me.”

“The Commander and two generals are waiting for you.”

Wei Quan smiled at Zhu Ying and led the way.

“Understood,” Zhu Ying bowed deeply and followed.

“Looks like this time the promotion is real.”

“Although Emperor Hongwu is ruthless with corrupt officials, he is very strict and clear about military merit-based promotions.”

“I wonder how many ranks I will be promoted this time.”

“Hopefully a high one, so I can gain more power and greater opportunities in the future,” Zhu Ying thought with strong anticipation.

To rise in rank and nobility—his goal was clear.

This was also why he fought so fiercely on the battlefield—not only to gain attributes and strengthen himself but also for power.

...