Chapter 15: Appointed as Commander of a Thousand Households!

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Very soon!
The main command tent.
Wei Quan led the main officers inside.
Upon entering, all eyes immediately turned toward Zhu Ying.
Curiosity, surprise, astonishment—various emotions flickered across the faces of the numerous generals.
Clearly, seeing Zhu Ying so young, still a mere youth, shocked them all.
When they first heard of Zhu Ying’s battle achievements, they had imagined him as a burly, robust man of great stature. Yet now, seeing him in person, he was entirely different from the image they had held.
If not for the armor and military uniform he wore, and the fierce aura surrounding him, Zhu Ying could easily pass for a scholar dressed in flowing robes.
“Reporting to the commanding officer.”
“Little Banner Zhu Ying has been brought in,” Wei Quan bowed respectfully to Bu Wanyi.
“Your subordinate salutes the commanding officer.”
Zhu Ying immediately bowed.
Bu Wan lifted his gaze to Zhu Ying, scrutinizing him for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, “Hahaha! Truly a hero emerges from youth! I initially thought one who had achieved such great merit would look fierce and imposing, but upon seeing you, it is completely the opposite of what I imagined.”
“Thank you for your compliment, sir.”
“Your subordinate is a soldier of the Great Ming and must fight to defend the nation,” Zhu Ying replied with humility and firmness.
Seeing Zhu Ying’s attitude—neither arrogant nor boastful despite his achievements—Bu Wan nodded in approval and continued, “Your battle merits are considerable: you have slain a hundred enemies, cut down enemy generals, and captured their banner.”
“According to the imperial decree on military rewards and punishments, you shall be promoted five ranks.”
“What are your thoughts on this?” Bu Wan asked with a smile.
“I vow to serve the Great Ming with my life.”
Zhu Ying bowed immediately.
A five-rank promotion.
At this moment, Zhu Ying’s heart surged with excitement. For a small banner officer like him, this was undoubtedly a giant leap.
Power, status—all were about to change.
He recalled that he had been conscripted into the army less than four months ago, barely over three months in total.
Yet in that short time, he had achieved battle merits that many others had not attained even after years of service.
“Good.”
Bu Wan’s expression grew serious.
He then picked up a brush, took a blank military order document, and wrote Zhu Ying’s commendation on it. After finishing, he stamped the order with the commanding officer’s official seal.
This commendation immediately took effect.
“First Deputy Camp, First Thousand Household Camp, Little Banner Zhu Ying is hereby granted his commission,” Bu Wan declared loudly, holding the order.
“Your subordinate acknowledges the commission.”
Zhu Ying bowed once again, his face glowing with anticipation.

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“Little Banner Zhu Ying engaged the Tatars in battle, slew a hundred of them, killed the Tatar commander, and captured their battle banner, securing victory for our army—an outstanding merit!”
“Today, according to the Emperor’s established military merit system, you are promoted five ranks to the rank of ‘Thousand Household Commander,’ commanding a thousand troops, and awarded one hundred taels of gold!” Bu Wan announced loudly.
Zhu Ying bowed and replied loudly, “Your subordinate thanks you, sir. I vow to serve the Great Ming with my life and earn merit for the nation.”
Then, Bu Wan smiled, rose from his seat, and walked slowly to Zhu Ying’s side, helping him to his feet.
He smiled warmly, “Commander Zhu, I hope you will continue to excel and achieve even greater merits for the Great Ming.”
“Your subordinate will not disappoint, sir,” Zhu Ying answered promptly.
“Good.”
“Accept this commission.”
With a smile, Bu Wan handed the military order to Zhu Ying.
Zhu Ying immediately accepted the order with both hands.
“Armor, sabre, sword, and gold,” Bu Wan waved his hand.
At once, several guards who had been prepared nearby stepped forward.
One carried a set of battle armor and helmet, another a sword, another a sabre, and yet another a box containing one hundred taels of gold.
“The sabre is for battle use, the sword for preparation and defense.”
“Commander Zhu, please accept them.”
Bu Wan said with a smile.
“Your subordinate obeys the order.”
Without hesitation, Zhu Ying took the armor, the sabre, sword, and gold.
“Generals, Commander Zhu has risen five ranks—this is the military merit system of the Great Ming.”
“All soldiers of the Great Ming are treated thus.”
“I am the Prefect of Daning, entrusted by the Emperor and Crown Prince to temporarily hold the position of commanding officer. Therefore, I hereby guarantee that as long as I hold this position, military merits and punishments will be justly awarded—those who have merit shall be rewarded.”
Bu Wan addressed all the officers inside the camp.
“Wise sir!” all the officers exclaimed in unison.
“Commander Zhu’s outstanding merit—slaying a hundred enemies, killing generals, and capturing banners in a single battle—is truly an achievement that will inspire our entire army.”
“I have decided that this battle report shall be submitted to Yingtian along with the report of the Tatar rout. I am sure the Emperor and Crown Prince will be extremely pleased.” Bu Wan added with a smile.
Hearing this, many officers wore expressions of envy.
To have one’s report submitted to Yingtian and presented before the Crown Prince and Emperor was a great honor.

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If one could have the Crown Prince and Emperor remember their name, it would be an immeasurable opportunity.
“Your subordinate swears to serve the Great Ming with life and death.”
All the officers bowed in unison.
“General Chen,”
“Zhu Ying has been promoted to Thousand Household Commander. Is there a vacancy for that rank in your Deputy Camp?” Bu Wan asked Chen Heng.
“Reporting, sir,”
“Yesterday’s battle,”
“Our First Cavalry Battalion charged the enemy lines; the Thousand Household Commander was severely wounded, so the position is currently vacant,” Chen Heng replied promptly.
“Good.”
“Then Commander Zhu shall take command of the First Cavalry Battalion as Thousand Household Commander, leading the cavalry.” Bu Wan nodded and instructed.
“Your subordinate obeys the order.”
Zhu Ying’s eyes brightened, and he bowed immediately.
Commander of the Cavalry Battalion—leading the cavalry—this was an excellent post.
In this era, cavalry was the strongest combat force, with more opportunities for distinction and greater gains than infantry.
Zhu Ying naturally accepted without hesitation.
“Commander Zhu, please take a seat.”
“We still need to discuss the campaign against the Tatars,” Bu Wan smiled kindly at Zhu Ying.
“Yes, sir.”
Zhu Ying nodded, holding his armor and weapons, and looked toward the seats inside the command tent.
“Sit here.”
Chen Heng smiled and pointed to a seat beside him.
Zhu Ying accepted without hesitation and took his seat.
“General Liu,”
“How is the pursuit going?” Bu Wan inquired of Liu Zhen, who was also a deputy commander alongside Chen Heng.
“Reporting, sir,”
“Our troops have pursued the enemy northward for several dozen miles, have slain many Tatars, and caught up with the fleeing civilians from the Tatar border tribes, who are now being sent back to the Great Ming in batches. We have encountered little resistance.”
“In my opinion,”
“Although these Jianzhou Tatars are auxiliaries of the Yuan court, they are but a small tribe. They dare not marshal the full strength of their clan to oppose the Great Ming. After this, they will surely behave and no longer dare to threaten the Great Ming.”
“This time, with the full three-thousand-strong force of Daning Prefecture, we have thoroughly suppressed the mountain bandits and marauders.”
“Good.”
“Banditry will surely be eliminated,” Liu Zhen responded promptly.
…