Chapter 55: Bu Wan Discusses the Huaixi Region

"Your subordinate obeys."

The head of the personal guards immediately bowed to Feng Sheng and accepted the order.

"Now the Tatars are in utter chaos, and their chieftain has been beheaded by Zhu Ying. He has already exceeded the mission previously assigned to him by Prefect Bu."

"He should be returning soon."

Feng Sheng said in a deep voice, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Bu Wan smiled and immediately said, "The Great General's words are extremely true. In the past, Zhu Ying was only expected to hold his ground in the northern frontier's foreign territories for half a month, waiting for the main army of our imperial court to arrive. Not only has he stayed in the northern frontier for more than a month, but he has also achieved such remarkable results. This is something even this subordinate did not expect."

"As far as this general knows, this Zhu Ying is only sixteen years old, isn't he?" Feng Sheng asked with a smile.

"He was sixteen when he enlisted. Now that more than half a year has passed, he will be turning seventeen in a few months," Bu Wan replied promptly.

"He is truly a military talent of our Great Ming. As long as he is carefully nurtured in the future, he will surely become a fierce and valiant general of our Great Ming."

"When he returns, I must meet him in person," Feng Sheng said with a loud laugh.

"Great General."

"This subordinate plans to launch a night raid on Kaiyuan City tonight to disrupt the Yuan army and prepare for breaking the city."

Seeing Feng Sheng praising Zhu Ying so highly, Lan Yu stepped forward and loudly requested the assignment.

Clearly.

He did not want his own limelight to be overshadowed by Zhu Ying.

"How to wage the campaign is for the Marquis of Yongchang to decide himself." Seeing through Lan Yu's intentions, Feng Sheng did not stop him.

In the military, merit is won through deeds. If you wish to contend for military achievements, as long as you do not cause chaos within the ranks, you are free to do so, provided it remains within the bounds of discipline.

"This subordinate obeys."

"Within ten days."

"This subordinate will surely breach Kaiyuan City and annihilate the Yuan army within," Lan Yu said loudly. Compared to the half-month timeframe he had previously promised, Lan Yu shortened his own deadline once again.

"This general will await your triumph."

"If the Marquis of Yongchang breaches the city within ten days, this general will personally submit a memorial to the Emperor to claim credit for you."

"Likewise, General Fu Youde's offensive against the heavily guarded Jincheng of the Yuan army will be treated the same."

"Whoever breaches the city first shall receive the highest merit." Feng Sheng added immediately.

...

Inside the military camp!

Bu Wan, Chen Heng, and Liu Zhen sat facing each other, smiles hanging on their faces.

"How do you feel about today?" Bu Wan asked with a smile.

"Deeply inspired."

"For the longest time."

"Our Danning border garrison could never be considered outstanding among the various prefectures of our Great Ming, nor could it command any respect in the Ministry of War or the imperial court. The Beiping garrison was regarded as the strongest among the border prefectures. But now, Zhu Ying continues to achieve brilliant victories, and our Danning border garrison has fought the Yuan army to the death without retreating. Our Danning border garrison has thoroughly established its prestige." Chen Heng said with a smile.

Following their parting in the northern frontier on that day, the two Assistant Regional Commanders, Chen Heng and Liu Zhen, led their troops to raid the regions of Liaoning controlled by the Yuan court, fighting and retreating simultaneously.

As the main army arrived, Chen Heng and Liu Zhen merged their forces with the main body and came under the command of Feng Sheng.

"Indeed."

"Zhu Ying."

"Though young, he possesses extraordinary boldness and military talent. His future is boundless."

"With the military achievements he has earned this time, it is enough for him to be promoted to Assistant Regional Commander and command tens of thousands of troops." Bu Wan said with considerable emotion.

The first time he heard Zhu Ying's name was when Zhu Ying single-handedly beheaded a hundred enemies, slaying enemy officers and cutting down their banners. It was then that Bu Wan first recognized Zhu Ying, who was merely a Centurion at the time.

"In terms of troop command, I am inferior to him."

"Let alone being promoted to Assistant Regional Commander, even promotion to Vice Regional Commander or Regional Commander would be fully deserved." Chen Heng said with deep admiration.

"Those words are entirely true."

"At first, when Zhu Ying killed a hundred men, we thought he was merely fiercely brave. But after this campaign deep behind enemy lines, his extraordinary ability in commanding troops is undeniably evident."

"He led four thousand cavalry to raid and harass deep within enemy territory. The slightest carelessness could have plunged him into heavy enemy encirclement, ultimately resulting in total annihilation."

"Yet not only did he inflict such heavy casualties on the enemy, but he also beheaded their leader. If I were the one commanding, perhaps I wouldn't have even lasted ten days before having to retreat back to Great Ming." Liu Zhen also spoke the honest truth.

"Zhu Ying, his future is limitless."

"Not only because of his military merits, but also because he has already caught the eye of the Emperor."

"An hereditary Baron of a County—this is supreme glory."

"Throughout our entire Danning Prefecture border garrison, who else holds such a title?"

"This is also a testament to the Emperor's sagacious judgment." Bu Wan said with deep emotion.

When he first heard the news, Bu Wan was utterly shocked. However, having served as an official for many years, he naturally understood the intricate political maneuvers behind it: the reigning Emperor intended to cultivate Zhu Ying and establish this valiant young warrior as a benchmark for the entire military of Great Ming.

"My Lord."

"It is rumored that the imperial envoy from Yingtian is still waiting in the camp. Is this true?" Chen Heng asked tentatively.

"It is true."

Bu Wan nodded, his expression very solemn: "Bestowing a title is a major event of great importance. The Emperor's own envoy will naturally come to confer the seal of the title, so that it may be treated with utmost solemnity and demonstrate the supreme honor of the peerage."

"Since you both have come today."

"I must offer you some guidance." Bu Wan looked at Chen Heng and Liu Zhen with a serious expression.

"Please speak, My Lord."

Chen Heng and the other said immediately.

"Although we are currently campaigning against the Yuan court alongside the fierce generals of Huaixi led by the Marquis of Yongchang, you must remember never to get too close to these Huaixi generals. Aside from official military exchanges, you must have no private socialization whatsoever." Bu Wan lowered his voice and said with extreme solemnity.

Hearing this.

Chen Heng and Liu Zhen immediately fell silent.

After a moment.

Chen Heng grasped the underlying meaning: "Does My Lord mean that the Huaixi fierce generals are too arrogant and overbearing, and fears that subordinates like us getting too close to them might provoke imperial wrath?"

"The Huaixi fierce generals rely on their achievements to become arrogant, renowned for their overbearance."

"Who throughout the entire imperial court does not know this by now?"

"Although the reigning Emperor has issued numerous warnings to them, they still show no restraint, continuing to rely on their merits with a sense of entitlement. Perhaps out of consideration for their past achievements, the Emperor chooses to endure it for now, but as time goes on, I do not believe they will escape punishment."

"No good will come from getting too close to them."

"Of course."

"The Huaixi faction stands on its own, and outsiders find it difficult to integrate."

"Even if you tried to cozy up to them, they would never accept you."

"In short, it is best to exercise caution when dealing with and interacting with them."

"Consider this advice imparted to you based on my many years of experience in officialdom." Bu Wan said solemnly.

Hearing this,

Chen Heng and Liu Zhen immediately cupped their fists in gratitude: "Thank you for the warning, My Lord."

"Today in the camp, when word of Zhu Ying's achievements came back, just how overbearing the Marquis of Yongchang was—this subordinate could see it clearly."

"Getting close to them would definitely bring no good end." Chen Heng said.

"Indeed." Liu Zhen also nodded.

Clearly.

They were in absolute agreement with Bu Wan's words.

"Anyway, just cooperate with the military duties."

"As for this campaign to subjugate Nahachu of the Yuan court, the duty of our Danning border garrison has been fulfilled. What follows is the business of the Great General and the Marquis of Yongchang." Bu Wan smiled faintly, no longer paying much attention to the subsequent military campaigns.