[{"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-147":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},1205436,1561,"Chapter 147: Quelling the Mutiny","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-147",147,"\u003Cp>On the twenty-seventh day of the tenth month of the ninth year of the Chongzhen reign, it was an unforgettable day for the soldiers and civilians of Baoanzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early that morning, large groups of government troops emerged from the various military camps southwest of the prefectural city, carrying swords, spears, and other weapons, and holding banners reading \"Loyalty and Service to the Nation, Yet Hungry and Cold Without Food,\" \"Withheld Military Pay, Heaven's Justice Cannot Tolerate,\" and so on, as they surged in chaos toward the Garrison Commander's residence and the Baoanzhou administrative offices northeast of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very front were men of rough and fierce appearance, yet their bearing and manner were thoroughly those of army riffraff. The observant could see that these soldiers parading through the streets were all subordinates of Squad Commander Chi Dengshan, Squad Commander Huang Xianen, and even the Guard Judge Zheng Yu, along with many others who were actually local thugs and ruffians who normally ran rampant in the prefectural city; now they too had donned military uniforms, likewise carrying swords, spears, and other weapons, and came shouting along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They emerged from the various camps in a vast, mighty throng numbering several hundred. Yet these government troops advanced with no order and little organization; apart from a few petty officers like squad leaders and file leaders, there were no higher-ranking officers among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For such an event to occur, their usual superior officers, Chi Dengshan, Huang Xianen, and the others, were all nowhere to be seen; when they came out of the camps, no one stopped them, and even Zheng Yu, the Guard Judge responsible for managing military discipline and law in the prefectural city, had vanished to who knows where.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mob of government troops came surging with murderous intent; seeing their fiendish, demonic appearance, the soldiers and civilians on the streets fell into chaos, and someone unknown shouted: \"The troops are rioting for pay!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly pandemonium broke loose; men shouted in the streets, women wept, countless commoners scattered and fled in all directions. Government troops without military discipline were as terrifying as bandits, especially when these bandits were spawned from within the prefectural city itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the terror on those commoners' faces, the soldiers cheered and howled even more; they seemed to recognize some kind of power of their own, or to gain a cathartic thrill of release, and the hidden urges within them could no longer be restrained, as the situation began to spiral out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi Dengshan and his few associates had only wanted to confine the matter within certain bounds, but they underestimated these soldiers' self-restraint and military discipline; they had not gone far from the camps before the pay-demanding troops on the streets had already become a mutinous mob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mutinous soldiers rioting for pay!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the Baoanzhou administrative office, this news struck like a bolt from the blue; Department Magistrate Li Zhenping was stupefied, momentarily speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incident had erupted without the slightest warning — how could this have happened?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Li Zhenping had never witnessed the terror of mutinous soldiers, he had heard plenty; they killed and set fires, plundered property, and could commit all manner of inhuman acts. Even if order were restored afterward, the prefectural city inside and out would surely suffer grievous losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What worried him even more was whether these pay-rioting troops would storm into his government office; it was not only his own life at stake, but also someone as important as Lady Ji residing within his compound. If anything went wrong, he could well imagine the consequences — not only would his official position be in jeopardy, but whether he could even keep this head on his shoulders would be a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Terrified and anxious, he paced frantically around the main hall, his heart burning with urgency, while the clerks and functionaries around him also stayed by his side, trembling with fear. Fortunately, at that moment the Baoanzhou Commandant Han Daguan hurried over, and Li Zhenping repeatedly ordered him to muster the militia to come guard the government office. As for going out to quell the mutiny, he simply lacked the capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the militia were summoned, Li Zhenping finally felt slightly more at ease. He suddenly recalled something and said: \"The troops are rioting for pay — has word reached the Garrison Commander's side?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had nearly four hundred fierce retainers under his command; Li Zhenping had seen those retainers before and was astonished by their strong soldiers and sturdy horses. Now with the mutinous soldiers running amok, Li Zhenping could only pin his hopes on Wang Dou to turn the tide with overwhelming force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Daguan hesitated and said: \"This humble officer does not know, but the mutinous troops are heading toward the Garrison Commander's residence, so the Garrison Commander should already be aware.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt somewhat relieved that His Honor the Department Magistrate had not lost his head and ordered him to lead those militia out to pacify and quell the mutiny; by the time he arrived at the government office, the streets were already swarming with mutinous soldiers, and the militia under his command lacked the courage to go into the streets and fight government troops. Moreover, he knew the character of his militia — most were likewise ruffians and thugs; if they could not restrain themselves and joined the ranks of the mutineers, then it would truly be the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Baoanzhou Jail Warden Chen Yuwen said in a trembling voice: \"The troops are rioting for pay; I trust the Garrison Commander will have a way to pacify them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Department Magistrate Li Zhenping heaved a long sigh; he could only place his hopes on Wang Dou, though he did not know whether Wang Dou had the ability. After all, he was young — could he handle such a situation? Moreover, Li Zhenping had heard that since taking office, Wang Dou had idled about all day doing nothing and had shown no particular competence, nor did he seem like someone capable of quelling mutinous troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhenping did not know how many mutinous soldiers were involved in the riot. He also fretted over whether they would storm into the government office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed in the direction of the Garrison Commander's residence, his brow deeply furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, from the Garrison Commander's residence, the focus of countless eyes, a cold and merciless voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A pack of vermin, daring to join a mutiny and threaten this official!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They must have eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please give your orders, my lord!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All who joined the mutiny — kill them all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Order: Han Zhong and Zhong Diaoyang, lead troops into the city!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clang of armor and weapons: \"Your subordinate receives the order!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just a short span of time, the streets and alleys of Baoanzhou had already become hell. Chi Dengshan and his associates' plan had completely gone off course; aside from a portion of the troops who still marched in protest toward the Garrison Commander's residence, the majority of the remaining government troops had already broken away from the column and begun forming small groups to plunder property at will across the prefectural city, smash and loot shops, and slaughter the populace. They also set fires everywhere, burning houses, and even raped women in broad daylight. Large numbers of the prefectural city's ruffians and thugs also took advantage of the chaos to fish in troubled waters, robbing money and goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The streets were strewn with the corpses of commoners, among them no few naked, violated women. The mutinous soldiers, weapons in hand, continuously smashed open the doors of households throughout the prefectural city, and everywhere in the city rose cries of terror and weeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the South Main Street of Baoanzhou, near the Great Market Ward of Cheng'en Ward, several mutinous soldiers were at that moment inside a cloth shop, looting goods with raucous laughter. The shop owner had long since been beheaded, and the shop clerks had fled in terror to who knows where.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right at the entrance of the cloth shop, several more mutinous soldiers had pinned a woman to the ground; right there on the main street, they tore at her clothes, intending to rape her in broad daylight. The woman struggled desperately and cried for help, but how could she be a match for several able-bodied young soldiers? Her clothing was torn away piece by piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the mutinous soldiers, one laughed heartily and said: \"What a thrill! I, Old Zhang, have lived to this age, and today is the most thrilling day of all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, seeing that she was about to be violated, could not help but let tears stream down her face; she cried out in desolation: \"Lord Heaven, open your eyes and look!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the thunderous roar of a firelock, the mutinous soldier Old Zhang, who was just about to throw himself upon the woman, had a great hole blasted through his chest; his blood sprayed out, splashing all over the woman beneath him, and she screamed loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reports of firelocks rang out continuously; the several stunned mutinous soldiers beside him were shot dead one by one. The remaining few looked about in panic — it was the Garrison Commander leading those Shunxiang Fort retainers to quell the mutiny. They were all fully arrayed, clad in iron armor, bearing firelocks and long spears, as well as shields and great blades; rank upon rank of them advanced in good order down the street. Whenever they spotted mutinous soldiers on the street, either their firelocks roared or their long spears thrust, and one by one the mutinous soldiers were struck dead on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These mutinous soldiers were ferocious against commoners, but how would they dare fight the troops of Shunxiang Fort? With a single cry, they instantly scattered and fled in all directions. Some mutinous soldiers, seeing escape was impossible, simply knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately: \"We are government troops, we were merely hungry and cold demanding pay, we surrender — we are all brothers in government service, show mercy, show mercy…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The response to them was the roar of firelocks and the sharp thrust of long spears piercing their throats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some army riffraff who prided themselves on their ferocity, seeing that escape was impossible and begging for mercy was useless, charged forward in desperation to fight the Shunxiang Fort soldiers hand-to-hand — but how could they be a match? They too were killed one and all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhenping suddenly gritted his teeth and said to Han Daguan: \"Commandant Han, immediately dispatch some men from the office to go to the Garrison Commander's residence and have Lord Wang send some people to protect Lady Ji.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Daguan's face turned grim; he hesitated and said: \"This…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly everyone heard the thunderous roar of firelocks outside; they looked at each other in bewilderment, not knowing what was happening out there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they heard the sound of orderly running footsteps coming from the street outside, followed by someone loudly proclaiming: \"By order of the Garrison Commander, government troops in mutiny shall be treated as rebels and bandits — kill without mercy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any who dare participate in mutiny and rebellion shall be killed without exception!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any who dare take advantage of the chaos to loot shall be killed without exception!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The entire city is under martial law and curfew; no pedestrians or vehicles are permitted on the streets, or they shall be treated as bandits and killed without exception!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this proclamation, along with the orderly footsteps outside, seemingly mingled with the wailing and panicked shouts of the mutinous soldiers, Li Zhenping's face turned pale, and he said in a trembling voice: \"Wang Dou, he… he…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the office turned pale; they heard the firelock reports outside coming one after another in rapid succession, and then gradually, the firelock fire outside became sporadic, as if the streets had grown much quieter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After an unknown length of time, suddenly the sound of a large body of troops marching in orderly formation arose outside again; they entered through the south gate, drawing nearer and nearer, interspersed with earth-shaking shouts of \"Ten thousand victories!\" — a sound that made the entire city tremble. It was as if countless troops had appeared from nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhenping said: \"This is… this is…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A proclamation rang out from outside: \"By order of the Garrison Commander, the troops of Shunxiang Fort have entered the city to quell the mutiny. Our royal army enters the city and will not harm a single hair; the city's populace need not panic…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Zhenping was stupefied, utterly speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>",2127,"2026-06-03T14:05:19.908Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","2bbf14857b62d879771e30b84592a7a3290418373eec0abf12bc55e24117411b","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-148","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-146",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]