Chapter 23: Zhu Ying Offers a Strategy!

Seventy miles from the border of Daning Prefecture, the Ming army had established its encampment. This location was once the site of a Jianzhou Jurchen tribe.

Inside the main command tent, the officers had gathered. Everyone above the rank of Battalion Commander was present for the council. Bu Wan sat at the head of the table, flanked by Chen Heng and Liu Zhen. As a civil official, Bu Wan had endured much hardship during the bumpy journey, but for the sake of the potential victory, he had held his ground.

"My lord," Chen Heng began, addressing Bu Wan, "that is the state of our campaign. Our army has pushed northward, and the Jurchens have been retreating. Although we have caught and killed many, we have yet to locate their main stronghold. However, according to our scouts, a Jurchen tribe has been sighted thirty miles ahead, and it appears to be well-defended."

"In your professional opinion, General Chen, what is the intention of the Jurchens?" Bu Wan asked, looking at him. "They refuse to engage in a decisive battle."

"It is quite simple," Chen Heng replied without hesitation. "They are waiting for reinforcements from the Northern Yuan. They are deliberately stalling and retreating to lure our forces deep into the northern frontier."

Bu Wan frowned. "Do you mean to say that our army should not advance any further?"

"Yes, my lord," Chen Heng said with a solemn expression. "The northern frontier is vast. The further we move from the Ming borders, the more difficult it becomes to transport provisions and supplies. If we continue to advance and the Northern Yuan launches a campaign from Liaodong, our army will be in grave danger. It is even possible that the Northern Yuan has already mobilized."

Bu Wan nodded. As a Prefect and Commander, he was well-versed in administration, but he knew little about military maneuvers. However, he had the good sense not to interfere, leaving all tactical decisions to Chen Heng and Liu Zhen.

"What shall we do then?" Bu Wan asked, turning to the two generals. "Should we continue the pursuit or hold our position? Do any of you have suggestions?"

Chen Heng smiled and looked toward the assembled officers. Many looked at one another, uncertain of what to say. If they pressed on, they might achieve more, but they risked being lured into a trap; the logistics were unsustainable, and a retreat would jeopardize the progress they had already made.

"Reporting to the Commander," Zhu Ying spoke up.

"Battalion Commander Zhu," Bu Wan said with a smile, "what is your view?" He was familiar with many battalion commanders, but Zhu Ying had left a deep impression on him.

"If my assessment is correct," Zhu Ying began, "the Northern Yuan has already mobilized, but they will not come to reinforce the Jurchens directly."

"They won't reinforce the Jurchens?" Liu Zhen asked in surprise. "What do you mean, Commander Zhu?"

Chen Heng fell into deep thought, as if he had caught a glimmer of understanding.

"The Northern Yuan will attack Daning Prefecture to cut off our retreat," Zhu Ying said with absolute certainty. "They intend to have the Jurchens pin us down until our supplies run dry, leaving us trapped and surrounded. We would surely face a disastrous defeat."

Bu Wan’s expression changed.

"Daning Prefecture still has tens of thousands of troops stationed there, and it is a fortified city. The Northern Yuan should not find it easy to break through," Chen Heng argued.

"General," Zhu Ying countered, "though the Northern Yuan was driven out of the Central Plains, their national strength remains formidable. Naghachu has stationed hundreds of thousands of troops in Liaodong, and he has long sought to counterattack our Great Ming. He would not miss such an excellent opportunity."

"Battalion Commander Zhu, if you were in command, what would you have us do?" Bu Wan asked immediately.

"Abandon the pursuit of the Jurchens," Zhu Ying replied without hesitation. "Leave a small force behind to harass them, fight a retreating battle, and march the main army eastward to attack Naghachu’s forces in Liaodong."

The entire tent fell into a stunned silence. The officers looked at Zhu Ying in disbelief, clearly shocked by such a bold strategy.

"Battalion Commander Zhu," one officer protested, "you just said yourself that Naghachu has hundreds of thousands of men. How can our Daning border garrison possibly contend with that?"

"Indeed," another added. "With fewer than twenty thousand men, attacking Naghachu is like a moth flying into a flame. It’s suicide. I disagree with this proposal."

"Since the Emperor has already ordered the mobilization of the main army to wipe out Naghachu," a third officer suggested, "we should retreat to defend Daning. Even if Naghachu attacks, we will be prepared to hold the city."

Many others voiced their agreement, favoring a retreat to Daning as the safe and prudent course of action.

Bu Wan did not make an immediate decision, instead turning to his senior generals. "What are your thoughts, General Chen and General Liu?"

"I think Battalion Commander Zhu’s plan is worth a try," Chen Heng said with a smile. "The Yuan court will certainly move against Daning. If we attack Liaodong, it will distract them, ease the pressure on Daning, and buy us time until the main Ming army arrives."

"I agree," Liu Zhen added loudly. "We cannot continue north under these circumstances. Doing the opposite—taking them by surprise—is better than simply retreating. It will not hinder the court’s grand strategy to eliminate the Yuan; it will actively sabotage their plans."

Bu Wan nodded. With his two senior officers in agreement, he had no further objections. "Very well. How many troops should be left behind to contain the Jurchens while we fight our way back?"

"My lord," Zhu Ying stepped forward, "the northern frontier is vast and unsuitable for infantry. We only need a contingent of cavalry to delay them. If the Jurchens launch a massive attack, we will retreat toward Daning. If they do not, we can circle their tribes, provided we have sufficient dry rations. The primary goal is to keep them occupied so they cannot march south or reinforce the Northern Yuan."

"Which general is willing to take on this task?" Bu Wan asked, scanning the tent.

The officers looked at one another, but no one spoke. To face a Jurchen population that, while small compared to the Ming, was entirely militarized, with only a few thousand men was a suicide mission.

"Is there no one willing to lead this?" Bu Wan asked again. "Whoever completes this task and holds the Jurchens back will be heavily rewarded."

But compared to the risk, the reward seemed insignificant.

"I will take the mission," Zhu Ying said loudly. "I will hold the Jurchens back."

"A newborn calf is not afraid of the tiger," many officers thought to themselves, some with a touch of mockery. It sounded simple, but if they were caught by the Jurchen cavalry—or worse, by Northern Yuan reinforcements—it would mean certain annihilation.