[{"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-215":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},1205504,1561,"Chapter 215","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-215",215,"\u003Cp>Wang Dou was deeply surprised to see that Yang Guozhu, Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison, had come out to greet him in person. Not daring to be remiss, he stepped forward and saluted: \"Your subordinate, Wang Dou, Mobile Corps Commander of Baoan Department, pays respects to the Army Commandant. I am overwhelmed with trepidation that the Army Commandant would personally receive me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of a smile appeared on Yang Guozhu's stern face as he personally helped Wang Dou to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day when Lu Xiangsheng summoned Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu had been at his side. Viceroy Lu had spoken of recommending Wang Dou for Mobile Corps Commander, and it had indeed come to pass. Even then he had entertained thoughts of drawing Wang Dou to his side. Now, looking at the troops behind Wang Dou, he was even more visibly moved and praised them: \"Fine soldiers indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangsheng had personally stated that in the ninth year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou had taken two hundred and eighty Qing soldier heads. Yang Guozhu had always wondered how Wang Dou had managed it. Only now, seeing the troops behind him, did it suddenly dawn on him — with such strong soldiers in hand, slaying the enemy and earning merit was a matter of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Yang Guozhu voiced his admiration, the various officers beside and behind him wore equally varied expressions. This young Mobile Corps Commander, though newly appointed, possessed strength not to be underestimated. Earlier, some had privately grumbled about Yang Guozhu personally going out to greet him. Now they all felt Wang Dou had the capital to warrant their welcome and acquaintance. Such was the way among camp soldiers — once one reached the rank of Mobile Corps Commander, everything was decided by the troops one commanded. Seniority and official rank were important, but not the most important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu asked, \"General Wang, how many relief troops have you brought?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"My mobile corps is newly formed, with only three thousand camp soldiers. In addition, there are several hundred supply troops and military laborers accompanying the army. In total, three thousand five hundred men, all present and accounted for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu was even more astonished: \"All present and accounted for? And those are merely supply troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed at the soldiers of the supply train behind Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou respectfully confirmed it was so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expressions on everyone's faces grew even more vivid, all casting greedy glances over the various soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu pondered for a long moment, then said, \"I presume the greater part of your camp are your retainers?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou replied ambiguously, \"A portion are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, when the Ministry of War's dispatch was sent to Wang Dou, a copy had also been sent to Yang Guozhu, setting Wang Dou's deadline for the fifteenth of the tenth month. Unexpectedly, Wang Dou had arrived a day early, and with his entire force arriving on the same day. This posture of a strong army drew even more attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's answer was vague. Yang Guozhu and the others guessed that most of Wang Dou's troops were his retainers. How he, formerly a mere Garrison Commander, could afford to maintain so many fierce soldiers was something worth inquiring about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, but the supply troops Yang Guozhu had earlier pointed at, by the standards of any of their camps, would qualify as combat soldiers. A large portion could even serve as retainers. Yet in Wang Dou's camp, they were merely common military laborers, and they could arrive on the same day as the combat troops. This gave even more food for thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, among the various expressions, some thought Wang Dou foolish. His mobile corps was newly formed, yet he had pulled out its full strength. If his troops suffered losses, then this newly favored, newly appointed Mobile Corps Commander would be nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu gave Wang Dou a meaningful look and said, \"General Wang, your thousand-li journey to serve the throne demonstrates loyalty and courage worthy of praise. Allow me to make introductions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood a crowd of burly officers in full armor, mostly the commanding officers of the various garrison camps. Wang Dou's appointment as Mobile Corps Commander had been rushed, and he had not yet had the chance to become acquainted with the officers of Xuanfu Garrison's various combat battalions. Now Yang Guozhu introduced them to Wang Dou one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Xuanfu Garrison's main city were the Provincial Governor's Personal Battalion, the Garrison Central Main Battalion, and the Garrison Left and Right Wing Battalions — all combat troops. Among them, Yang Guozhu directly commanded the Garrison Central Main Battalion, also called the Main Army Battalion. The Garrison Left and Right Wing Battalions were each led by a Vice Regional Commander and an Assistant Regional Commander. In addition, within the city were the Armaments Battalion and the East, South, West, and North City District battalions, each commanded by a Mobile Corps Commander, mostly used as garrison troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this relief expedition, the Provincial Governor's Personal Battalion remained to guard the garrison city. Yang Guozhu led over three thousand five hundred men from the Main Army Battalion, mostly cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Army Central Officer, Guo Yingxian, held Mobile Corps Commander rank. In his forties, he was not tall but extremely stocky. He wore a thick suit of vermilion oiled-iron long-body armor, covered by a bright scarlet greatcloak, making his entire figure appear square and blocky. He reminded Wang Dou of the day he had received that Night Scout soldier nicknamed \"Bench,\" Jie Yifeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was covered with scars from blade wounds. One look at him and you could tell he was a veteran of a hundred battles, a man who had risen through accumulated merit. Even when speaking normally, his voice boomed like thunder: \"So you're General Wang? I hear you lopped off eighty Tatar heads. One of these days we two brothers should get properly acquainted — Old Guo here would like to seek some pointers from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou thought to himself, since when did I become your little brother? This Guo Yingxian was certainly quick to familiarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, for Guo Yingxian to speak this way was exceedingly courteous. He was Yang Guozhu's Army Central Officer and a veteran Mobile Corps Commander. Wang Dou repeatedly protested he was unworthy, saying it should be he who paid a visit to seek instruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Yingxian was dissatisfied, bristling his beard and glaring: \"We military men do things straightforwardly — where does all this dithering come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He examined the armor Wang Dou wore, which seemed to be captured from the Qing soldiers' Baya armor troops. His military rank and position had presumably also been earned through his own blade and spear. A young man like this suited his taste perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Guo Yingxian making an unseemly ruckus, Yang Guozhu reined him in and proceeded to introduce Wang Dou to Xuanfu Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Yan, who was the commander of the Garrison Right Wing Battalion. He had brought over two thousand troops for the relief expedition, half infantry and half cavalry. Zhang Yan was nearly forty, of dignified bearing, wearing water-polished willow-leaf steel armor lined with thick red cotton, topped with a gilt phoenix-wing helmet, and a greatcloak draped behind him — an aura of considerable authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Zhang Yan's name, Wang Dou recalled that historically he had died in battle alongside Lu Xiangsheng at Julu. He held respect for him in his heart. Moreover, Zhang Yan was an Assistant Regional Commander while he was a Mobile Corps Commander, so he stepped forward and saluted Zhang Yan. Zhang Yan wore a distinctly haughty expression and merely nodded slightly at Wang Dou: \"General Wang is indeed young and promising, a pillar of our Great Ming.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said no more, merely scrutinizing Wang Dou carefully from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next were two Mobile Corps Commanders, Li Jianming and Wen Hui, who separately commanded the South and West City District battalions. Both wore round-collared, wide-fronted tin-plate armor. Each had brought two thousand troops for the relief expedition, three-tenths cavalry and seven-tenths infantry. Wang Dou sensed that although they were polite to him, saying they should get properly acquainted, deep down there was a certain resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no wonder — one was nearly forty, the other in his forties, yet both held only the rank of Mobile Corps Commander. Seeing someone so young rise so quickly, they felt uncomfortable; their resentment was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the principal officers of Xuanfu Garrison's relief force. The rest were Company Commanders, Squad Commanders, and the like from each man's command. Vice Regional Commander Lin Dengyou, who led the Garrison Left Wing Battalion — the Raid Battalion — had remained to guard the garrison city and did not join the expedition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including Wang Dou's troops, Xuanfu Garrison's relief army totaled over twelve thousand men. How many were actually present was unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the forces each had brought, Wang Dou's and Yang Guozhu's were the most substantial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu also exchanged pleasantries with Chen An. Though Chen An held only Mobile Corps Commander rank, he was the Army Central Officer of Lu Xiangsheng's Viceroy Personal Battalion. Even someone of Yang Guozhu's stature had to deliberately cultivate good relations. Chen An's escorting Wang Dou here was also an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen An gladly accepted Yang Guozhu's invitation to enter the camp for a banquet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu said to Wang Dou, \"General Wang, you have come a long way. First pitch camp and rest. I will have General Guo find you a campsite. Tonight, together with my fellow officers, I will host a welcoming feast for General Wang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou loudly expressed his thanks, and also thanked Chen An. Guo Yingxian, in his whirlwind manner, led Wang Dou and his men into the camp. Watching Wang Dou's mighty procession of carts and horses entering the camp, Zhang Yan, Assistant Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison's Right Wing Battalion, mused thoughtfully: \"This Wang Dou actually brought so much provisions and baggage of his own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wang Dou entered the camp, it was apparent that Yang Guozhu ran a fairly strict command. The encampments of the various subordinate commanders were clearly demarcated. Amid the dense clusters of tents, Yang Guozhu's central command tent could be seen at the very center, like the moon surrounded by stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Yingxian led Wang Dou to a stretch of flat ground at the northeast corner of the encampment and said gruffly, \"General Wang, pitch your camp here. Less than a li to the east, there is a river. A few li to the north, there is much hilly ground — convenient for both water and timber.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou thanked Guo Yingxian. Guo Yingxian waved his hand impatiently and said, \"Men of the ranks shouldn't prattle on endlessly like womenfolk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swept his gaze over the officers behind Wang Dou and spotted the brawny Han Zhong, who was staring back at him with ox-like eyes. Guo Yingxian's eyes lit up. He strode over and slammed his right fist heavily against Han Zhong's chest, praising him: \"Good fellow, strong as an ox. Some day we two brothers should get properly acquainted and have a bout.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He left with a great laugh. Watching his retreating figure, Han Zhong was very displeased: \"That lout — laying hands on a man without so much as a by-your-leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou gave the order to pitch camp. This time, Wang Dou had the supply troops cut down a fair number of trees and erect a wooden palisade around the camp, with two levels — the upper for soldiers to patrol and keep watch, the lower for storing weapons and for soldiers to rest between patrols. He also set up a camp gate and watchtowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pitching camp in the field was something Wang Dou's troops had drilled many times. Combined with the experience gained from the march, it did not take long before a well-appointed encampment appeared before Wang Dou's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward evening, Yang Guozhu sent someone to invite Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou brought Xie Yike and a few other guards, along with the two Company Commanders Han Zhong and Wen Fangliang, and hurried to Yang Guozhu's central command tent. Inside the great tent, it was packed to the brim with armored officers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu sat in the seat of honor at the head, a low table before him set with several plates of meat and a jug of wine. The Xuanfu Garrison officers who had come on the relief expedition sat in two rows below him to either side, each with a similar small low table before him, laid with some meat, rice wine, and the like. Behind each Assistant Regional Commander and Mobile Corps Commander were figures such as Company Commanders and Army Central Officers, seated behind their respective commanding officers, all eating with mouths glistening with grease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wang Dou lifted the felt curtain and entered, all eyes turned toward this young Mobile Corps Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu said with a smile, \"General Wang, you've come at just the right moment. Quickly, take a seat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Yingxian, who had been eating with great relish, stood up. He casually wiped his large, grease-covered hands on his chest and laughed heartily: \"Come, General Wang, sit over here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to a low table beside him. Wang Dou swept his eyes around — across from him was Xuanfu Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Yan; below him were Mobile Corps Commanders Li Jianming and Wen Hui. Chen An seemed to have returned to the city; his figure was nowhere to be seen. The empty low table beside Guo Yingxian appeared to be the one intended for Chen An.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Guo Yingxian was the personal Army Central Officer of Regional Commander Yang Guozhu — he could sit across from Zhang Yan. How could Wang Dou do the same?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked toward the lowermost low table and said, \"Your subordinate will sit here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing someone so young yet so versed in when to advance and when to yield, Yang Guozhu nodded slowly. Zhang Yan also gave Wang Dou a thoughtful glance. Li Jianming and Wen Hui's expressions softened somewhat. Seeing Wang Dou sit, they inclined their bodies slightly and nodded to him in acknowledgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Yingxian, however, was not satisfied. Carrying his own large bowl and a wine jug, he strode over and bellowed, \"General Wang has arrived late and must be punished with three cups of wine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said, \"Very well, I accept the penalty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drained three bowls in one breath. The warm rice wine entering his belly made Wang Dou's head spin a little. Guo Yingxian raised a thumb at Wang Dou: \"Straightforward enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cast a sidelong glance at Han Zhong behind Wang Dou and said with a strange laugh, \"Lad, is your mouth watering? Dare you down three bowls with Old Guo here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had a rule: no drinking in the army during marches or battle. Han Zhong was a drunkard who had been craving a drink for a long time. He shouted, \"Drink then, drink! Who's afraid of who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared eagerly at Wang Dou. Wang Dou gave a slight nod. Han Zhong was overjoyed, snatched a large bowl, and drank three bowls in a row with Guo Yingxian. Guo Yingxian staggered a little, but Han Zhong's face didn't change color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu laughed heartily: \"General Wang, your subordinates are full of bold and forthright men.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ordered several small tables set behind Wang Dou and had Han Zhong, Wen Fangliang, and Xie Yike seated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coming into contact with such a high-level banquet for the first time — the tent was packed with officers, all at least of Company Commander rank or above — the three were so excited their faces flushed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu raised a large bowl and said, \"Brothers all, let us drink a cup to General Wang for coming a thousand li to our aid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou stood and said, \"To His Excellency the Provincial Military Commander — bottoms up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone drained their cups in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, the atmosphere in the tent grew lively. A large pot sat in the tent, bubbling hot with a potful of mutton, and on the stove nearby several large flagons of wine were being heated. The personal guards in the tent bustled about without pause, constantly adding meat and pouring wine for each officer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men ate the boiled meat in great mouthfuls, pouring wine into their mouths as they did. They were all military men, rough in manner; many found chopsticks awkward and grabbed the mutton with their hands, eating until their mouths and hands dripped with grease. Among camp soldiers, when it came to coarseness, they far outdid the guard battalion garrison troops. But they were professional soldiers — as long as rations and pay were sufficient, when it came to fighting, the guard battalion officers and men were far inferior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou rose and toasted Yang Guozhu and the others with a bowl of wine, and he was also the target of everyone else's toasts. Even some Company Commanders and adjutants behind the various officers kept coming to toast Wang Dou. Whether it was genuine admiration and a wish to befriend him, or jealousy that Wang Dou held high rank at such a young age and a chance to make him look bad, was unclear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Except for the few Assistant Regional Commanders and Mobile Corps Commanders present, all the other toasts were taken over by Wen Fangliang, Xie Yike, and Han Zhong. After a bit of wine, Xie Yike started acting drunk and wild again, grabbing a Company Commander in his forties with both hands and repeatedly calling him \"little brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those at the lower seats, Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Yan was the most refined. He drank his wine slowly, occasionally sipping some meat broth. Suddenly he said to Yang Guozhu, \"Your Excellency, in the army I have heard rumors that the capital intends to negotiate peace with the slave-thieves. I do not know whether this is true or false.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the tent fell silent. Wang Dou, too, expressionlessly set down his bowl and chopsticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu's brow furrowed. He was also quite troubled by this rumor. The officers and men of the various garrisons had come a thousand li to aid the throne, and to receive such news dealt a heavy blow to morale. Of course, there were also some who feared death and secretly rejoiced — they would not have to fight the Tartar soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu said slowly, \"Pay no heed to those rumors. A few days ago, His Majesty bestowed upon Viceroy Lu silver taels, fine horses, iron whips, and other items, with warm encouragement. One expects the will to fight is keen. We, as officers and men of the Xuan–Da command, need only follow the Viceroy in slaying the enemy and serving the nation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangsheng's prestige in the three garrisons of Xuan–Da was extremely high. Hearing Yang Guozhu's words, Zhang Yan said no more. He only said, \"Your Excellency, we have been at Changping for many days now, yet the supply of provisions and fodder has been constantly insufficient. The officers and men have come a thousand li on royal service — they cannot fight on empty stomachs. Even the Emperor does not send out hungry soldiers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu's brow was tightly locked. The Great Ming suffered famine after famine; the capital region had always been short of provisions and fodder, let alone with tens of thousands of royal-service troops massed at Changping — the provisions and fodder required were an astronomical figure. How could supply possibly keep up? The officers and men of the three garrisons of Xuan–Da received provisions and fodder only intermittently, hardly enough to support a major army movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few days earlier, the Chongzhen Emperor had bestowed several tens of thousands of silver taels upon the relief army. Lu Xiangsheng had even distributed all the silver bestowed upon himself to the officers and men, deeply winning the relief troops' hearts. But with Qing soldiers now thickly spread on all sides, even with silver, it was hard to buy provisions and fodder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Yingxian said angrily, \"Old Guo here has gotten word that the Supervisor-in-Chief, Gao Qiqian, gives priority in the army's provisions and fodder supply to the Guan–Ning forces, leaving us only scraps and cold leftovers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Supervisor-in-Chief of the relief army, Gao Qiqian was responsible for recording battlefield merits and for supplying each army's rations, pay, and equipment. He had served as supervisor in the Guan–Ning region for many years; when provisions and fodder for the relief army came from the capital, he gave priority supply to the Guan–Ning forces. The officers and men of the three garrisons of Xuan–Da received only meager provisions and fodder, and all were seething with indignation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu barked, \"General Guo, watch your words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Privately discussing the Supervisor-in-Chief behind his back was a crime that could be treated as minor or major. If word leaked out, even Yang Guozhu would have difficulty protecting Guo Yingxian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu was normally strict in the army. When he opened his mouth to rebuke, Guo Yingxian immediately shut up, merely muttering something sheepishly under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu sighed, \"As for provisions and fodder, the Viceroy has tried every means… but it is difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mood in the tent was gloomy. The supply of provisions and fodder was not under Lu Xiangsheng's control. He had even distributed all the silver the Emperor had bestowed upon him to the officers and men — no one could say anything against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the army still had to eat. How was this to be resolved?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yan glanced at Wang Dou and said, \"What a coincidence. General Wang arrived today bringing a large quantity of provisions and fodder, enough to feed our Xuan Garrison army for many days. We are all brothers-in-arms, with no distinction between you and me. Would it not be fitting for General Wang to contribute a portion of his provisions and fodder to aid his brothers in the army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his words, everyone in the tent was stirred, and all eyes turned toward Wang Dou. These relief troops had come rushing over in a mad dash; aside from a few days' dry rations and fodder, they of course could not speak of bringing their own provisions and fodder. When marching out on royal service, there was no principle of carrying one's own provisions and fodder — all had to be supplied locally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A case like Wang Dou's, where he brought his own provisions and fodder and even had his combat troops and baggage train arrive on the same day, was far too rare. If Wang Dou agreed, it would truly solve their most urgent need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mobile Corps Commander Li Jianming went further: \"General Wang, if you agree, I will not take your provisions and fodder relief for nothing. My camp also has some silver, which I will use to purchase provisions and fodder from you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang kept his composure, but Han Zhong and Xie Yike nearly jumped to their feet. These scoundrels actually wanted to seize the provisions and fodder from their own camp? Li Jianming made it sound nice — buying with silver. When an army is out in the field, what use is silver? Can you eat it or drink it? If you swallow it, can you digest it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou, expressionless, restrained Han Zhong and the others' agitation. He gave Zhang Yan a deep look. Knowing from history the reason Zhang Yan later died in battle alongside Lu Xiangsheng, Wang Dou was full of respect for Zhang Yan. But respect was one thing — these provisions and fodder were the lifeline of his own army. How could he casually give them to others?\u003C\u002Fp>",3987,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","e9ebef120f0b006d181c42f6fceba5b7ba09340f97362ffadbf2d72880a06b8b","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-216","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-214",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]