Chapter 31: Feng Sheng Arrives at Daning!

"I humbly welcome the Duke of Song."

"And I welcome you, generals."

Bu Wan led the officials of Daning Prefecture in bowing to the new arrivals.

The leading old general smiled slightly and raised a hand. "Prefect Bu, no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Duke of Song," Bu Wan replied immediately.

"What is the current situation in Daning Prefecture, and with the Northern Yuan and the Tatars?" asked Feng Sheng, the Duke of Song, without delay.

Bu Wan glanced around and immediately led the way. "Duke of Song, please enter the hall to discuss this in detail. This place is, after all, full of prying eyes."

"Very well."

Feng Sheng did not refuse and followed Bu Wan into the government office. The thousand elite guards accompanying Feng Sheng moved in an orderly fashion, positioning themselves outside the office, while a portion followed to protect him inside. A Duke of the current dynasty held an exceptionally high status; any harm befalling him would be an event capable of shaking the very foundations of the Great Ming.

Inside the main hall of the government office, Feng Sheng took the seat of honor, and the accompanying generals took their places in an orderly manner.

"Reporting to the Duke of Song," Bu Wan began immediately. "The Yuan court has already dispatched troops to attack Huizhou City on the border of our Daning Prefecture. I have already deployed twenty thousand frontier troops to defend it. Although the Yuan offensive is strong, they have been unable to breach the city. It is sufficient to hold out until our main Ming army arrives, at which point we can transition from defense to offense."

"And what of the northern frontier?" Feng Sheng asked. He had arrived ahead of the main army specifically to understand the battlefield situation so that he could formulate a superior strategy to defeat Naghachu.

"In response to the Duke of Song," Bu Wan continued, "before the Yuan court mobilized, the Jianzhou Tatars, who are subjects of the Yuan, sent men to disrupt the peace in our Daning Prefecture and harm the common people. Acting under the Crown Prince's decree, the Daning frontier army set out to eliminate the bandit threat. In reality, this was also an offensive against these Jianzhou Tatars to secure the peace of Daning and draw the attention of the Yuan court. After a battle at the border with the Jianzhou Tatars, their forces were driven back more than a hundred miles. During the pursuit, the Tatars avoided direct engagement, intending to delay our forces. Therefore, our army split its strength: the main force attacked the Yuan territory of Liaodong from the north to divert the Yuan court’s attention and tie down their army, while several thousand elite cavalry were left in the northern frontier to harass the Tatars."

Upon hearing this, Feng Sheng frowned. "Are the thousands left in the northern frontier not in danger?" He had commanded troops for many years and could discern the state of the battle even from Bu Wan's brief account.

"For the sake of the Great Ming, everything is worth it," Bu Wan replied immediately. "Although the Jianzhou Tatars are but a small tribe, they are a nation of soldiers. If we do not hold them down, they may coordinate with the Yuan court to attack us. As long as we can hold them with a few thousand men until the main Ming army arrives, it is all worth it."

Feng Sheng nodded. From a grand strategic perspective, this was indeed true.

"By the way," Feng Sheng asked with a smile, "where is the Battalion Commander Zhu Ying, who famously slew a hundred men and cut down the enemy's general and banner?"

Although he had been busy mobilizing troops, Feng Sheng was aware of the victory report sent back to Yingtian. Furthermore, the Emperor had already issued a decree to have the victory proclaimed throughout the army to boost morale.

"In response to the Duke of Song," Bu Wan said immediately, "it was Battalion Commander Zhu Ying who proposed the strategy of splitting the forces to launch a surprise attack on the Yuan court while using cavalry to stall the Tatars. Zhu Ying is brave and fearless; he proposed the plan and took on the task himself. He has requested to lead five thousand soldiers into the northern Tatar territory to harass them and delay their movement. I have already promoted Zhu Ying to Acting Garrison Commander in accordance with military merit, commanding five thousand troops. Once the mission is complete, he will be officially confirmed in the rank of Garrison Commander."

"Zhu Ying certainly has courage, as well as a loyal heart to protect the nation. He is worth cultivating," Feng Sheng praised.

Just then, a voice rang out: "Report! A military dispatch from Ansha County." A personal guard of Bu Wan hurried forward, holding the report.

*Could it be that they have retreated?* Bu Wan thought to himself. He beckoned, and the guard immediately presented the report. Bu Wan opened it quickly, his face changing instantly.

"Prefect Bu, what has happened?" Seeing Bu Wan's expression, Feng Sheng asked immediately.

Bu Wan’s face was solemn. "Zhu Ying has been somewhat reckless. Please, Duke of Song, take a look."

Bu Wan handed the report to Feng Sheng. After Feng Sheng took it, his expression also changed immediately.

"This is indeed reckless," Feng Sheng said slowly, a look of disappointment appearing on his face. "The Tatars have tens of thousands of troops. Using a thousand cavalry for a feint while four thousand attack the camp—with the Tatar tribe on high alert—is an act of suicide. If it were I commanding, I would have used gradual harassment, avoiding direct confrontation with the Tatars, and simply stalled them."

Clearly, this report had been submitted by Li Tao, who had already retreated to Daning. To avoid future accountability, Li Tao had naturally absolved himself of all blame, emphasizing Zhu Ying’s stubbornness and his insistence on attacking the Tatar tribe with such meager forces.

"Zhu Ying has indeed been too reckless this time; he is in danger," Bu Wan sighed. He could already envision the scene of Zhu Ying and his four thousand cavalry being surrounded and annihilated by the Tatars.

"It is a pity," Feng Sheng said with a sigh. "Such a young and valiant commander, yet he has only courage and lacks the skill to command."

Before arriving, he had heard that the Emperor had specifically commended Zhu Ying, calling his bravery the finest among the Ming soldiers and an example for all to follow. But now...

"Is there any way to contact Zhu Ying?" Feng Sheng asked in a deep voice. "If you can reach him, tell him to withdraw immediately. As for the Tatars, there is no need to worry for now; within ten days, our Great Ming army of two hundred thousand will gather at Daning."

"I will immediately order the Battalion Commander stationed at Ansha County to send men to find him," Bu Wan replied instantly.

Clearly, although Zhu Ying had committed the error of recklessness and underestimating the enemy, his meritorious service had been recognized by the Emperor. If he were to die in the northern frontier after the Emperor had just ordered his exploits to be proclaimed throughout the army, it would not be a good thing for the Great Ming.

"Good," Feng Sheng nodded and said no more. After taking his seat, he prepared to arrange the subsequent troop deployment and offensive strategy.

Just then, another voice called out: "Report! A carrier pigeon message from Garrison Commander Zhu Ying in the northern frontier. Please, my lord, take a look."

A soldier responsible for the carrier pigeons hurried into the hall and bowed respectfully.

"Zhu Ying's pigeon message?" Bu Wan looked slightly surprised.

"My lord," a guard of Bu Wan replied from the side, "when Garrison Commander Zhu was left to guard the northern frontier, he specifically requested several carrier pigeons from General Chen to facilitate communication."

"It seems, then, that Zhu Ying is safe," a smile appeared on Feng Sheng's face.

"Bring it here at once," Bu Wan beckoned to the soldier. The latter quickly stepped forward and handed over the report from Zhu Ying.