[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-11":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205300,1561,"Chapter 11: Company Commander Zhang Gui","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-11",11,"\u003Cp>When Wang Dou and the others returned to Jingbian Dun, the entire fort erupted in commotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong, Wang Youjin, Yang Tong, several women from Jingbian Dun, and a few soldiers from Julu Dun all surged out. The first thing that met everyone's eyes was a large herd of sturdy horses, and beyond that, Wang Dou and his companions each riding high on a fine steed with an air of triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their saddles hung the heads of Tartars, the blood still fresh, and in their hands they led the reins of several more horses. On the backs of those horses sat some rescued women of the Great Ming, their faces haggard. The remaining unburdened horses were piled high with a large quantity of captured supplies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid a hubbub of noise, everyone crowded forward, pointing and gesturing at the horses and supplies before them. Gasps of astonishment and inquiries rose one after another. So many captured warhorses, so much materiel, and those severed heads — it was truly astonishing. Had Wang Dou wiped out all the Tartars?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong and Wang Youjin walked out side by side. Seeing the scene before them, how could the two not understand? Overjoyed, they exchanged a glance and burst into hearty laughter. A great victory was certain. Never mind the heads — just the captured warhorses before their eyes meant promotion and wealth for the two of them were now unavoidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong strode forward to meet them, shouting loudly: \"Welcome back, brave warriors, in your triumphant return! Welcome back, brave warriors! Brother Wang and your men, you have done splendidly! Ha ha ha ha ha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou, Han Chao, and the others dismounted. Wang Dou thought to himself: \"Though this body of mine can ride, my horsemanship is nothing special. It seems I must practice diligently from now on.\" He glanced at the Han brothers — their riding skills were quite good. Gao Shiyin and Qi Tianliang, however, were even worse than himself, barely managing to stay on their horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou strode forward, clasped his fists toward Zhong Dayong, and declared loudly: \"Wang Dou and his men have not disgraced our mission. By fortune we have returned, having taken ten Tartar heads, captured twenty-three warhorses, and recovered over twenty abducted women. The remaining supplies are beyond counting. We now return to report to Chief Zhong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flesh on Zhong Dayong's face quivered violently, and even his voice changed: \"T-t-ten heads taken? You, you all... Hiss... Good! True warriors, true warriors indeed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people gathered around collectively drew a sharp breath upon hearing Wang Dou's words. They all knew Wang Dou and his men had gone out to fight — no more than nine men in total. Yet they had taken ten heads of the Later Jin army, averaging more than one kill per man. Since when did Ming troops possess such combat strength?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the facts were right before their eyes. Never mind the Later Jin heads hanging from the front of Wang Dou's horses — the captured warhorses and supplies alone were enough to prove the truth of their claim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhong shouted even louder: \"In this battle, Big Brother Wang contributed the most! He alone killed five Tartars!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another wave of exclamations arose. The gazes directed at Wang Dou were now filled with awe and reverence. In their hearts, the image of Wang Dou the Big Fool had long since vanished, replaced by a sense of unfathomable depth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong coughed as well, staring at Wang Dou in shock. In his heart, he both admired and resented Wang Dou. Such a brave warrior was what every superior officer dreamed of — it was a pity this Wang Dou was far too arrogant and unruly, difficult to control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recalled something and asked: \"Brother Wang, in your expedition — did you suffer any casualties?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's expression darkened: \"Brother Ma Ming from within the fort died in battle. Brother Tan Jinrong from Julu Dun, and Brothers Zhang Ruchun and Qi Bing from Dakang Dun likewise fell in battle. Every one of the rest bears wounds!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong could see it too. Aside from Wang Dou, everyone before him bore wounds. On the horses behind them were draped the bodies of Ma Ming and the others. Still, in this battle of nine against ten, with four of their own killed and ten of the enemy slain, it was already an exceedingly rare achievement. Looking across the entire Great Ming, it seemed no such battle record had ever been heard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong said solemnly: \"Brother Wang, you and your men have rendered such great merit. I shall petition the higher officers for rewards, and send a victory dispatch at flying speed. For the brothers who died, I shall also petition the higher officers for death benefits on their behalf, to comfort their spirits in heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou clasped his fists and performed a deep bow: \"Many thanks, Chief Zhong!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Zhong Dayong eagerly went to inspect the captured supplies and to console the women who had been rescued, promising that he would certainly handle their future affairs properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Zhong, meanwhile, vividly recounted the experience of the battle to everyone, drawing wave after wave of exclamations from the crowd. As they listened, they gazed at the severed heads of the Later Jin soldiers — eyes glaring with rage, dead but unappeased — and buzzed with excited discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Wang Dou and the others brimming with pride, Yang Tong, standing at the back, wore an expression of deep regret. Had he known, he would have gone out to fight with them. Ah, there was no remedy for regret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Qi Tianliang, his wife, Madam Tao, was grinning from ear to ear. Qi Tianliang also looked immensely pleased with himself. He whispered something softly, and Madam Tao let out a gasp, hastily covering her mouth and glancing around warily. Finally, husband and wife exchanged a smile, a tacit understanding passing between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the several soldiers from Julu Dun, they crowded enviously around Gao Shiyin like stars surrounding the moon. Gao Shiyin wore an expression of utter pride. Before him, Wang Youjin, the Squad Commander of Julu Dun, was also constantly inquiring after his well-being. Gao Shiyin had taken part in this battle, personally claiming one Later Jin head and capturing countless supplies. When the merits were tallied, a share would naturally fall to his Squad Commander, Wang Youjin. Gao Shiyin had always been his trusted man, and now, having rendered such great merit, he naturally made Wang Youjin overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the crowd had clamored for a while, Zhong Dayong ordered that the captured supplies be moved into the fort first. As for the grain, chickens, sheep, and other provisions the Tartars had plundered, they could have a fine feast tonight. Wang Youjin said to Zhong Dayong from the side: \"For such a great victory, we should send someone at once to report the good news to the Company Commander.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong replied: \"Of course, of course. I don't need my brother-in-law to remind me — I know that well enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as everyone was about to enter the fort, several fort soldiers suddenly cried out: \"Government troops are coming!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, to the south, dust billowed, and a dozen or so Ming cavalry riders appeared before everyone's eyes. Judging by the banners, they were troops under the command of Company Commander Zhang Gui of Dongjiazhuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong and Wang Youjin exchanged a smile: \"Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives. We were just about to send someone to report the victory to Lord Zhang, and here he comes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very quickly, that squad of Ming cavalry arrived before the people of Jingbian Dun. There were about twelve or thirteen riders. At their head was a middle-aged officer with a short, bristling beard and round, leopard-like eyes, around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years of age. He wore a blue-cloth iron armor and an eight-panel iron-tipped helmet on his head, with a great crimson cape fastened over his shoulders — a very fierce and imposing figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was precisely Zhang Gui, the Company Commander of Dongjiazhuang. He held the rank of Company Commander, serving as Company Commander of Dongjiazhuang in that capacity. The four forts around Dongjiazhuang — Dakang Dun, Julu Dun, Jingbian Dun, and Chafang Dun — all fell under his jurisdiction. Riding closely behind him was his retainer squad leader, Zhang Tanggong, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, who ordinarily commanded Zhang Gui's ten retainers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their superior arrive, Zhong Dayong and Wang Youjin hurried forward to greet him. Just as they were about to kneel and pay obeisance, Zhang Gui had already dismounted. He waved his hand and shouted loudly: \"Dayong, I heard from the night scouts in my village that your fort went out to fight the Tartars last night and won a great victory?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou thought to himself: \"News travels fast!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhong Dayong could speak, Zhang Gui's eyes had already fixed upon the large pile of captured goods before him. His eyes instantly widened to their fullest. These warhorses, armor sets, tents, weapons, and the Later Jin Tartar heads hanging from the horses' fronts — how could this great victory be mistaken? He exclaimed repeatedly: \"Indeed, indeed... Excellent, excellent...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He strode forward, his hands trembling as he stroked the captured items, examining them intently without pause, all the while clicking his tongue in wonder. Not just him — even the Dongjiazhuang cavalrymen behind him stared at the horses and weapons before them with envious, burning eyes, each of them chattering away. Compared to their own tattered armor and the scrawny warhorses they rode, these captured Tartar horses, weapons, and armor were truly superb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After looking for a long while, Zhang Gui broke into a wide grin, his expression already one of uncontrollable delight. According to the Great Ming's military merit system, an officer commanding several hundred men whose subordinates took as many as ten enemy heads could be promoted one rank. Never mind the severed heads — just these captured horses and supplies alone meant promotion was already certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui laughed heartily. He turned around and said loudly to Zhong Dayong: \"Dayong, what is all this about? Explain in detail!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Dayong and Wang Youjin had both been following closely behind him, constantly watching his expression. Now, hearing Zhang Gui's inquiry, Zhong Dayong hurried forward and recounted the events of the previous day. With Wang Dou and the others glaring menacingly right in front of him, he naturally could not tell barefaced lies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, from his lips, the circumstances of the previous night's battle and the merits of Wang Dou and his men were laid out one by one. Of course, woven into this was no small measure of credit for Squad Commander Zhong and his brother-in-law, Squad Commander Wang, for their strategic planning before the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui could not help but be moved as he listened. Even his retainer squad leader Zhang Tanggong and the other Dongjiazhuang officers and soldiers behind him wore expressions of extreme shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine men had launched a night raid on ten Tartar soldiers. With only four of their own killed, they had completely wiped out the ten enemies and also captured a large pile of horses and supplies. Among the enemy had been Tartar Heavy Armor Soldiers, Squad Commanders, and other exceedingly fierce Tartar warriors. In particular, one fort soldier from Jingbian Dun had personally taken as many as five enemy heads. Had the large heap of captured heads and supplies not been right before their eyes, Zhang Gui and his men would certainly have thought Zhong Dayong was spinning tall tales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Gui shouted: \"Which brave men went out to fight last night? Step forward and let me have a look!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou, Han Chao, Han Zhong, and the others stepped out proudly. Zhang Gui and his men looked them over one by one. Indeed, every one of them was a true brave. From their bodies, one could see the ferocity of the previous night's battle — it could be said that every man bore wounds. Han Zhong in particular had been stabbed in the thigh with a spear; even now he walked with a limp, and fresh blood still seeped from his leg from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studying these men closely, Zhang Gui said repeatedly: \"Not bad, not bad!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted again: \"Which one is Wang Dou? Step forward and let me have a look!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou raised his head and stepped out of the ranks. Studying Wang Dou carefully, Zhang Gui asked: \"So you are Wang Dou — the one who killed five Tartar soldiers last night?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou clasped his fists and declared loudly: \"That is I. To slay brigands for the nation, I have long since set life and death aside!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Wang Dou, Zhang Gui's face was full of admiration. Such a tall, strong, and fiercely brave soldier was what every superior officer yearned to obtain. As he sized up Wang Dou, the thought of drawing Wang Dou under his own command was already forming in Zhang Gui's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gazes of the other Dongjiazhuang men toward Wang Dou were also filled with incredulity. He alone had killed five Tartar soldiers? Was he a heavenly soldier descended to the mortal world? How else could he have done it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among some of the Dongjiazhuang men, they also knew of Wang Dou's past — knew that he was famously Big Softie Wang. His martial skills were good, true, but he was timid as a mouse. And he had killed five Tartar soldiers? Since when had he become so bold and deadly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the ironclad facts before their eyes, and the steady, imposing aura emanating from Wang Dou, forced them to believe it in their hearts. They could only secretly wonder in astonishment: since when had this Big Fool Wang seemed like a completely different person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>※※※\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Bai Niu: Friends are urging me urgently. Tomorrow this book will be on category recommendation, so I will begin updating twice a day.\u003C\u002Fp>",2358,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0f15bf2abdce08aab866af417f56fac0098af7798f137baf1a2a9afb3cb42368","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-12","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-10",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]