Chapter 7: Dispatching Troops to the Jianzhou Jurchens!

“Very likely.” Zhu Ying nodded.

With Zhu Ying’s affirmation, the soldiers’ worries deepened.

“Brothers, what is there to fear?”

“Bandits and rebels are just like any man—with a head and two legs. Our armor and weapons are far superior to theirs. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

“If it really comes to suppressing the bandits, just follow my lead and charge.”

“Once enlisted, fear is useless.”

“Better to think about killing bandits and earning merit.”

“Let’s go,” Zhu Ying said with a smile.

Then he strode out of the barracks.

Seeing Zhu Ying’s calm and fearless demeanor, the soldiers’ anxiety eased, and they followed him out, heading toward the training ground.

Soon,

On the training ground,

All the troops of the Thousand House Battalion stationed in Ansha County gathered.

Wei Quan stood on the reviewing stand, his expression solemn.

Once everyone was assembled,

“Soldiers of the Ansha Thousand House Battalion,”

“Our commander has just received orders: the root of the bandit troubles in the Daining Prefecture has been traced to the Jianzhou Tatars from the northern border. They have sent soldiers to infiltrate our great Ming, recruiting mountain bandits and rebels to disrupt our peace.”

“Today,”

“The commander has ordered us to strike the Jianzhou Tatars, eradicate the bandit troubles, and deal a severe blow to these barbarians who disturb our Ming.”

“By imperial command, our Ansha Thousand House Battalion will immediately mobilize to join forces with all Thousand House Battalions under the border garrisons.”

“No more idle talk.”

“Mobilize at once; no delays allowed.”

Wei Quan wasted no time and issued the order immediately.

Upon hearing this news,

The soldiers on the training ground had mixed thoughts.

They had initially thought it was just a bandit suppression operation, but now it was a larger-scale campaign—truly confronting the northern barbarians.

As soldiers stationed at the border of Daining Prefecture, they naturally understood the cruelty of the barbarians. Due to the presence of the Northern Yuan, the northern tribes were all enemies of Ming.

And dealing with them was far more dangerous than suppressing bandits.

This would definitely be a fierce battle.

“Just as I thought, those mountain bandits were planted by the barbarians,”

“This campaign against the Tatars will indeed solve the root of the bandit problem in Daining Prefecture.”

“Tatars, tatars,”

“This is a scourge upon the Chinese civilization.”

Zhu Ying thought silently, feeling no fear but rather a thrill.

Having a second chance at life,

Zhu Ying knew what the Tatars would do to the sacred lands of China in the future—they would bring humiliation and endless suffering.

The dignity of the Han was utterly lost.

All because of the Tatars.

“If one day I truly have the power to change things, the first thing I will do is to completely wipe out the Tatars.”

“I suppose this time the higher-ups intend only to repel the Tatars and give them a lesson, not to exterminate their entire tribe.”

“Perhaps this is a step paving the way for the ultimate destruction of the Northern Yuan.”

“As the border prefecture adjacent to the Northern Yuan, Daining Prefecture cannot afford disorder,” Zhu Ying thought to himself.

With his knowledge of history, Zhu Ying naturally understood the upper-level strategy.

The campaign against the Tatars aimed to clear the bandit chaos in Daining Prefecture.

Of course,

For Zhu Ying, this was also a good chance to improve his strength.

He could enhance his attributes once again.

“Thousand House Battalion, prepare to march,”

Wei Quan shouted loudly.

...

Two days passed!

Ming Empire, northeastern border of Daining Prefecture.

The Ming Empire had already controlled the entire Central Plains, but the Northern Yuan still existed on the northern border, and many barbarian tribes such as the Jianzhou Tatars lived in the northeast.

Of course,

East of Liaodong, there was still a country called Goryeo, which did not pay tribute to Ming but continued to tribute the Northern Yuan.

Looking at the Ming Empire’s current peak strength, there were still many hidden dangers outside.

Not only from the Northern Yuan in the north,

But also from Yunnan and Annam in the south, where undercurrents ran deep.

However,

Thanks to the firm hand of the Ming founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming Empire was steadily growing stronger, gradually resolving these external threats.

Recalling a few years ago,

Daining Prefecture, Beiping Prefecture, and many northern prefectures were still under Northern Yuan control; now they had become the lands of the Han of Ming.

At the Daining border!

Twenty thousand Ming soldiers camped and gathered at the frontier.

Within the main camp!

Chen Heng, Liu Zhen,

And many generals assembled here.

Twenty Thousand House Battalions were arrayed on both sides.

“By imperial decree, we are to cleanse the bandit troubles in our great Ming and strike hard at the Jianzhou Tatar tribe behind them.”

“This time, General Liu and I will command the army. Together with the soldiers of Daining Prefecture, we will completely eliminate the mountain bandits and rebels, eradicating the bandit troubles.”

“Generals, Thousand House commanders,”

“What are your thoughts?”

Chen Heng sat in the main position, addressing the assembled generals inside the tent.

“Reporting to General Chen,”

“The Jianzhou Tatars border our great Ming and have many spies in Daining Prefecture. News of our mobilization has surely reached their tribe; they will be prepared, but their main base is not within our border.”

“I believe speed is of the essence. We should launch the attack immediately tomorrow.”

“This will serve as a strong deterrent to these barbarians.”

“If they dare to fight us, then kill them,” a general spoke up.

“Indeed,”

“At this point, only by killing can we make these barbarians pay a heavy price, so they will learn to fear us.”

“Tomorrow, I am willing to lead my Thousand House Battalion as the vanguard.”

“I also volunteer to be the vanguard.”

“I request to be first in command...”

One by one, the Thousand House commanders volunteered to lead the vanguard.

The Ming military system was strict, and this was a prime opportunity to make merit that none wished to miss.

Seeing the generals’ fighting spirit, Chen Heng smiled with satisfaction.

“The Jianzhou Tatar tribe is located less than ten li from our border.”

“Tomorrow,”

“The first garrison, the first deputy battalion, and the first deputy battalion of the second garrison will form the vanguard and attack head-on.”

“The remaining forces will attack from two flanks.”

“Encounter the enemy—kill them.”

“Take no prisoners.”

“This battle must teach these barbarians a bloody lesson.”

Chen Heng issued the order immediately.

“All officers acknowledge.”

The generals responded in unison.

...

Inside the camp!

Zhu Ying and his ten comrades were inscribing names on feathered arrows.

Each arrow was carved with their names,

So that after the great battle, their merits could be counted accordingly.

“Xiao Qi,”

“How many arrows have you taken?”

“Do you think you can shoot all these?”

Seeing Zhu Ying quickly carve his name on more than fifty arrows, the soldiers nearby were quite surprised.

A quiver could hold at most fifty arrows.

But Zhu Ying had taken over one hundred arrows.

“I won't be able to shoot them all; these are for backup,”

Zhu Ying chuckled.

After filling one quiver, he began filling another.

As an archer,

It was much safer than charging directly into battle. To gain attributes and merit, Zhu Ying had to prepare thoroughly.

Zhu Ying belonged to the Hundred House Battalion, an archer unit.

If he went to the battlefield, he would be a crucial long-range weapon.

...