Chapter 19: Taking Command of the Cavalry Battalion! The Yingtian Imperial Court!

To kill a hundred enemies in a single battle, to slay the enemy commander, and to capture the enemy's war banner—such feats are not easily accomplished. At the very least, since the commencement of these hostilities and throughout the many great wars launched by the Ming Dynasty, no one else has managed to achieve this.

Facing such a fierce warrior, how could Zhang Wu and his companion not show respect?

"You two are too kind," Zhu Ying said with a smile, returning the salute.

Zhang Wu and Fan Qing. While the latter was not widely known, the former would eventually become a figure of great renown in the future of the Ming Dynasty; he would become a hero of the Jingnan Campaign and even be posthumously enfeoffed as a Duke. This was a testament to his prowess and his talent for leading troops. But at present, with Zhu Yuanzhang still alive and the Jingnan Campaign years away, Zhang Wu remained a Deputy Battalion Commander in Daning Prefecture, serving under Zhu Ying.

For Zhu Ying, seeing such a historical hero serving under his command filled him with anticipation for the future. With his knowledge of history and the future, attaining power would not be difficult.

"After this battle, the First Cavalry Battalion has suffered significant losses. We will need to replenish our ranks only after the major campaign concludes," Chen Heng said to Zhu Ying. "The two Deputy Battalion Commanders will brief you on the specific situation of the cavalry battalion. Since you have just assumed the post of Battalion Commander, I will give you three days to familiarize yourself. After three days, we move out immediately to continue our offensive against the Jianzhou rebels."

"I obey your command," Zhu Ying replied with a bow.

"If you have any issues, come see me directly," Chen Heng said with a nod, then departed with his guards.

Once he had left, Zhu Ying asked directly, "Brothers, how many men remain in the First Cavalry Battalion?"

"Reporting to the Battalion Commander, there are 689 men remaining," Zhang Wu replied immediately. "Because our battalion served as the vanguard and main assault force in this engagement with the rebels, our casualties were quite heavy."

Zhu Ying nodded, his expression turning somber. Although these were just numbers from Zhang Wu's report, Zhu Ying had experienced the previous day's battle firsthand. The shadow of death had enveloped the entire battlefield, and he had witnessed the gruesome, bloody demise of his comrades. Yet, this was inevitable; such is the nature of war. In the end, it was fortunate that Zhu Ying had adapted to the act of killing during his prior bandit-suppression missions; otherwise, he would not have been so valiant on the field the day before.

"Reporting, Battalion Commander," Fan Qing said respectfully. "The brothers of the First Cavalry Battalion are all waiting for your address."

"Very well." Zhu Ying looked toward the assembled troops, nodded, and strode toward them.

"Greetings, Battalion Commander!"

As Zhu Ying arrived at the front of the ranks, nearly seven hundred soldiers of the First Battalion bowed in unison, their voices thunderous. The might of the Ming army was fully on display. The soldiers of the Ming era were elite by any standard, especially the frontier forces.

Feeling the power in that roar, Zhu Ying nodded and said, "At ease, everyone."

"Thank you, Battalion Commander!" the soldiers shouted in unison, each looking at Zhu Ying with a mixture of curiosity and awe.

"Soldiers," Zhu Ying began, "some of you may not know me, and some may have heard my name. But that is of no consequence. From this day forward, I, Zhu Ying, am your comrade-in-arms, fighting alongside you. On the battlefield, courage and ferocity come first. I promise you all that I will always be at the forefront of the charge. A general who does not fear for his own life, and soldiers who do not fear death—this is the mark of an invincible army. I intend to be such a general. If I, Zhu Ying, ever cower in battle or shrink from death, any one of you has my permission to draw your blade and take my head."

Zhu Ying did not waste time with empty rhetoric. In the army, there is no place for false promises; advancement comes through military merit and the slaughter of enemies, as decreed by the Emperor himself. In the ranks, only blood and valor command respect.

Zhang Wu and Fan Qing were taken aback, clearly not having expected such words. But the gaze of the cavalrymen toward Zhu Ying shifted visibly.

"We swear to follow Battalion Commander Zhu to the death!"

"We swear to follow..."

The soldiers cheered repeatedly, clearly won over by his spirit.

...

In Yingtian, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, at the Fengtian Hall, the officials were assembled. Zhu Yuanzhang, clad in his dragon robes, sat majestically upon the throne. Below him on the steps, Crown Prince Zhu Biao, dressed in his princely regalia, sat with a calm and composed air, projecting an authority that commanded the court.

"We, your ministers, pay our respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, may you live for ten thousand years," the civil and military officials cried out in unison. The sound resonated throughout the great hall, as if spreading across the entire palace, showcasing the grandeur of the Ming officials.

"Rise," Zhu Yuanzhang said with a wave of his hand.

"We thank your Imperial Majesty," the officials responded, rising to stand in their respective rows.

"Speak if you have matters to report; otherwise, retire," the chief eunuch serving at the side of the throne shouted.

"Reporting to the Emperor, I have a matter to present," a civil official from the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward.

"Proceed," Zhu Yuanzhang signaled.

"Per the Emperor's decree to mobilize provisions and supplies," Zhao Mian, the Minister of Revenue, stated respectfully, "the Ministry has already gathered resources from the national treasury and eight prefectures, including Shuntian, Baoding, and Hejian. By our order, these supplies are being transported in batches to Daning and Beiping Prefectures. Within half a month, they will arrive, sufficient to sustain our two hundred thousand troops for five months. Further mobilization of supplies continues."

"Good. You have worked hard, Minister Zhao," Zhu Yuanzhang said, a rare smile appearing on his stern face.

"For the Ming and for your Majesty, this is the duty of the Ministry," Zhao Mian replied.

"How goes the troop mobilization?" Zhu Yuanzhang turned to Tang Duo, the Minister of War.

"Reporting to the Emperor, the Duke of Song and the other generals have already set out for Daning. The forces, totaling two hundred thousand, have been gathered from various prefectures and are marching toward Daning. According to the Ministry’s intelligence, the army will arrive within a month to begin the offensive against the Yuan court," Tang Duo reported.

"After so much planning, the day has finally come," Zhu Yuanzhang said, a fierce light in his eyes. "Pass on my decree: tell Feng Sheng to bring me the head of Naghachu. We shall reclaim the land of Liaodong completely."

"I obey the decree," Tang Duo replied and retreated to his place.

"Biao'er," Zhu Yuanzhang looked toward the steps at his son, his tone shifting from stern to remarkably gentle. "How is the situation in Daning?"

"Reporting to Father," Zhu Biao smiled, "the bandit suppression was merely a diversion to draw the attention of the Northern Yuan. I believe Daning Prefecture has already achieved its first victory."

Just at that moment, a voice rang out: "Report! A great victory from Daning Prefecture!"