[{"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-216":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},1205505,1561,"Chapter 216: Dividing the Forces","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-216",216,"\u003Cp>Wang Dou slowly swept his gaze across everyone in the tent, his eyes sharp. \"This officer has only heard of grain being allocated down from the Ministry of Revenue or from the army itself. I have never heard the logic of making a brother relief force supply the main army's provisions. The grain and fodder in our army are all food and clothing saved from the mouths of the soldiers and civilians of Bao'an. The elders of the entire prefecture are earnest and anxious, hoping only that these supplies will keep our brothers from suffering too much hunger and cold, so they have the strength to kill the bandits and serve the country.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If everyone comes to take a share, and the grain runs out, what will these three thousand brothers of mine eat and drink? I venture to ask you generals: if your own armies were rich in grain and fodder, would you allocate some to me, your junior?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen, if you seek grain and fodder, you should go and request it from the Supervisor-in-Chief, Eunuch Gao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's words were utterly blunt, without the slightest courtesy, and instantly stunned everyone present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yan and the others all stared at him in disbelief. What a man, this Wang Dou—just moments ago he was calling everyone brother, chatting and laughing warmly, and in the blink of an eye he had turned hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he have no scruples at all, no fear of offending his colleagues in the army? Though it was said that Wang Dou was deeply favored by Viceroy Lu, and had outstanding battle achievements, in the army he was still just an ordinary Mobile Corps Commander. Was he not afraid of being isolated and ostracized by everyone, making things difficult to handle in the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Wang Dou sit there steadily—rising so prominently at such a young age, with troops so strong and horses so sturdy under his command, his bearing composed, as if he held all the wisdom and confidence, utterly unafraid—it seemed he did not fear offending everyone. Zhang Yan and the others scrutinized Wang Dou anew. This Mobile Corps Commander, young as he was, was quite troublesome and not easy to deal with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yan sat firmly behind his table and snorted. \"General Wang, your tiger-like might—this general has witnessed it. You are now merely a Mobile Corps Commander, yet already so domineering. In the future, when you rise to Assistant Regional Commander, or Vice Regional Commander, will there still be room for the rest of us to speak within Xuanfu Garrison?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Yan's words were quite cutting. With one sentence, he pushed Wang Dou into opposition with everyone in the tent, though his tone also faintly conveyed a sense of helplessness toward Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou glanced at him, thinking that the older the ginger, the hotter it is. But he was not afraid. Once in the field army, one must contend for strength and victory where one should; otherwise, if one appears weak, others will surely step all over one's head. Right now, everyone was merely asking him for grain and fodder. If the demands kept coming endlessly in the future, what was he supposed to do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Mobile Corps Commander, in wartime he was only under the command of the Regional Commander and Vice Regional Commander. Although Zhang Yan was an Assistant Regional Commander, and Wang Dou had to observe the rites of rank when meeting him, Zhang Yan was not an Assistant Regional Commander of his own column and normally had no authority over him. As for the other two Mobile Corps Commanders, they were even less worth worrying about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mobile Corps Commander Li Jianming's expression was especially grim. Zhang Yan's assessment of Wang Dou struck right at his heart. After all, he himself was a veteran Mobile Corps Commander, yet Wang Dou, a newly risen nobody, was so rude to him. Just now, he himself had said he would buy grain from Wang Dou and would not take it for free—could Wang Dou really not give him even that much face?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regional Commander Yang Guozhu had been quietly observing from the seat of honor the whole time. Watching Wang Dou's words and demeanor, his evaluation of Wang Dou rose another level. He said steadily, \"General Wang, the brothers in the army have no intention of forcibly seizing the grain you brought. But it is a fact that the army lacks provisions. If it is convenient for you, then aid your fellow soldiers with some grain and fodder.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou had already made his stance clear: though he was only a newly appointed Mobile Corps Commander, he did not fear any conflict, letting everyone know they could not underestimate him. However, he knew when to stop while ahead. In this campaign, he could not fight alone; he needed to coordinate with friendly forces. Historically, the Xuan-Da troops performed well in this battle. They were all brothers in arms, so he would help a little if he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"Since the Army Commander has spoken, this officer shall naturally obey with awe. Though I have not brought much grain, out of consideration for my brothers and comrades in the army, I will still take out four hundred dan and leave it to the Army Commander's discretion for distribution.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu laughed heartily. Wang Dou's attitude had given him full face. He stood up and said, \"Alright, alright. The little squall just now—no one need take it to heart. General Wang is a man of true feeling, loyal, brave, and diligent. Come, everyone, let us drink a cup to General Wang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone rose. Wang Dou was willing to give grain, and each man was delighted. They responded with a roar, and the tent returned to its lively bustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet many people looked thoughtfully at Wang Dou. This fellow—his mind ran deep. A young man, not simple at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Wang Dou, Han Zhong, Xie Yike, and Wen Fangliang felt that Wang Dou's conduct had given them great face. Each swaggered with pride, mingling and toasting with the Company Commanders around them, reveling without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, the four hundred dan of grain Wang Dou had given Yang Guozhu had already been dispatched to Yang Guozhu's camp. Yang Guozhu again summoned the various generals to discuss the distribution of the grain. Meeting Wang Dou once more, at least on the surface, everyone was extremely warm toward him. Even Xuanfu Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Yan spoke a few gentle words of praise to Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How this batch of grain should be distributed—the generals argued endlessly in the tent. Wang Dou merely watched coldly from the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the commotion was at its height, a personal guard suddenly entered and reported a few words to Yang Guozhu. Everyone then heard Yang Guozhu's astonished voice: \"What? Supervisor-in-Chief Eunuch Gao has come to Changping?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the tent began to discuss what urgent business Gao Qiqian had in Changping. But in Wang Dou's heart, towering waves surged. Historically, Lu Xiangsheng proposed dividing the troops into four routes for a night raid on the enemy camp. Gao Qiqian neither agreed nor disagreed. Enraged by Gao Qiqian's arrogant attitude, Lu Xiangsheng submitted a memorial requesting to divide the forces, and the Chongzhen Emperor approved Lu Xiangsheng's proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifty thousand relief troops gathered at Changping were split in two. Lu Xiangsheng took twenty thousand men from Xuan-Da, while Gao Qiqian took command of thirty thousand relief troops from Shanhai Pass, Ningyuan, and other places. After this day, a series of tragedies would begin. Though Wang Dou knew history deeply, he was only a minor Mobile Corps Commander, ranked last even within Xuanfu Garrison. What role could he possibly play?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, early the next morning, he heard the drums beating in the city to summon the generals. The drumbeats were urgent. Wang Dou dared not delay. He quickly donned his armor and went first to Yang Guozhu's tent to report. Regional Commander Yang Guozhu and his Central Army Mobile Corps Commander Guo Yingxian were already fully arrayed in armor. Shortly after, Xuanfu Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Yan, Mobile Corps Commander Li Jianming, and Wen Hui arrived in haste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Yingxian said loudly, \"The Viceroy urgently summons all generals. For what matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others were also discussing. Yang Guozhu said not a word. With a wave of his hand, everyone mounted their horses. Behind them was a large contingent of Yang Guozhu's personal guards, hurrying toward Changping city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the city, the second round of drums was already beating. Before the Viceroy's headquarters, armored and helmeted officers dismounted one after another. Everyone was in a rush, merely greeting each other casually as they passed. Wang Dou followed behind Yang Guozhu. Ahead were the four Xuanzhen Garrison officers; he followed at the very rear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Wang Dou heard a deep, resonant voice say, \"Regional Commander Yang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a senior general who had just leapt off a sturdy horse. Like Yang Guozhu, he was nearing fifty, not tall but extremely brawny, with a rough, dark face full of the marks of wind and frost. He wore a thick suit of iron armor; the plates seemed to have been replaced many times, a mix of old and new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A helmet tassel topped his head, and a great cloak was draped behind him, seemingly stained with blood. His gaze, as he looked around, was sharp and commanding, full of authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this senior general, Yang Guozhu also greeted him: \"Tiger, you've come too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Yang Guozhu's greeting, Wang Dou suddenly remembered: this senior general was Acting Commissioner-in-Chief, Regional Commander of Shanxi Garrison, Hu Dawei. He was of surrendered frontier soldier origin. History records him as brave and possessing strategic skill. He rose through the ranks from the army to Shanxi Assistant Regional Commander, Vice Regional Commander, and Regional Commander, ultimately dying from cannon fire in battle against the peasant armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou scrutinized him carefully. Behind Hu Dawei likewise followed three brawny officers—one Assistant Regional Commander and two Mobile Corps Commanders, by their armor and attire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since arriving in Changping, Wang Dou had been careful to gather information. Hu Dawei's Shanxi Garrison relief force, besides Hu Dawei's own main battalion, consisted of two Mobile Corps Commanders each leading two thousand men into the capital's defense. That Assistant Regional Commander was actually the Central Army officer of Hu Dawei's main battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two seemed familiar and on good terms. After exchanging a few brief words, Hu Dawei asked, \"Viceroy Lu urgently summons us—for what matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu said, \"This old brother also does not know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the two were about to enter the headquarters gate, a group of sturdy horses came galloping up. The leading officer leapt from his horse, muttering, \"The third round of drums hasn't passed yet—good, I made it in time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei, he laughed. \"Both elder brothers are here too? As they say, arriving early is not as good as arriving at the right moment—there's truth in that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said warmly, \"After the Viceroy's summons, your younger brother will play host in camp. Would the two elder brothers do me the honor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this officer, Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei's expressions were both indifferent. They merely said, \"So it is Regional Commander Wang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his invitation, however, they gave no definite answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That officer did not mind, his face still wreathed in smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei's words, Wang Dou then realized who this officer was: Acting Commissioner-in-Chief, Regional Commander of Datong Garrison, Wang Pu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou studied him carefully. This fellow was excessively young—holding the high post of Regional Commander, yet not yet thirty. But Wang Dou knew that unlike Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei, who had earned their posts through countless battles, blade by blade and shot by shot, this fellow's position had been bought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their Wang family was the wealthiest in Shanxi, with a large brood of sons and nephews whose official and military posts were essentially all purchased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Historically, Wang Pu was also a profligate son. He was useless at killing the enemy but had a knack for killing civilians to claim false merit. In the ninth year of Chongzhen, he led troops to the capital's aid, claiming to have taken over a thousand Qing soldier heads—ninety-nine percent of which were the heads of common folk. At the Battle of Songshan, he was the first to flee and was ultimately sentenced to execution by the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speech carried a merchant's flavor. Even the armor on his body was quite splendid—bright reds and greens, dazzling in color, and atop his helmet were stuck several extremely beautiful plume feathers. The old, worn armor on Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei was instantly outshone by his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Pu's appearance was also very fine: tall and handsome, and with that magnificent suit of armor, he was radiant. Anyone who did not know his true background would surely be captivated by his charm. The several officers behind him were similarly dressed in brightly colored armor, each with a vivid scarlet cloak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei were veteran generals who had risen through a hundred battles and accumulated merit. How could they think highly of a profligate son like Wang Pu, who had bought his official post and rank? Their manner toward him was unavoidably cool, merely exchanging polite pleasantries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Pu's face showed not the slightest displeasure. He was glib and smiled before he even spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou thought to himself: let this fellow host some banquet, and he would surely make everyone feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group entered the Viceroy's headquarters, which was the ground floor of the watchtower within Changping's Yong'an city. A massive iron desk had already been placed at the head, covered with command tokens, arrow-shaped tallies, and the like. On one wall of the watchtower hung a huge map, densely marked with arrow symbols in vermilion ink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the headquarters hall, it was a galaxy of stars. Every officer in sight was fully armored and helmeted, all in uniformly vivid cloaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lowest-ranking officer inside was a Mobile Corps Commander. For the first time, Wang Dou felt that his own official rank and military post were too small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the headquarters, the sound of mutual greetings was unceasing. The relief troops at Changping, besides the officers and soldiers of the three Xuan-Da garrisons, also included over thirty thousand men from the Shanhai Pass and Ningyuan garrisons, among them many Regional Commanders. The Regional Commanders who had entered the headquarters in succession alone included Miyun Regional Commander Tang Tong, Jizhen Regional Commander Bai Guangen, Qiantunwei Regional Commander Wang Tingchen, Yutian Regional Commander Cao Bianjiao, Shanhai Pass Regional Commander Ma Ke, and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou scrutinized these men carefully. The generals from the Miyun-Jizhou-Shanhai Pass-Ningyuan side all wore expressions of considerable pride and fierceness. Jizhen Regional Commander Bai Guangen was laughing and chatting loudly with Wang Pu, the two slapping each other on the shoulders, discussing who knew what amusing matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this kind of setting, Wang Pu was indeed like a fish in water, handling everything with perfect ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at Ji Town Regional Commander Bai Guang’en, and data about him flashed through his mind — originally a roving bandit, he followed Huntianhou as a brigand, later surrendered to the Great Ming, repeatedly achieved military merit, and even scored kills at the Battle of Songshan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later he followed Wu Zhi to suppress bandits, but was arrogant and fierce, refused to be commanded, and plundered his way back to Shaanxi. He then followed Sun Chuanting to deal with the rebels, was defeated at Jiaxian, and fell back to defend Tongguan. When Tongguan fell, he fled to Guyuan, was surrounded by Li Zicheng, surrendered, and was given important posts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fellow — no future dealings with him, Wang Dou made a judgment in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that Miyun Regional Commander Tang Tong, who in the seventeenth year of Chongzhen served as Regional Commander at Juyong Pass and in the end also surrendered to Li Zicheng — no dealings with him either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yutian Regional Commander Cao Bianjiao looked quite young, not yet forty; since youth he had served in the army of the famous general Cao Wenzhao, accumulated merit up to Regional Commander. After the Battle of Songshan, he was captured along with Qiantun Guard Regional Commander Wang Tingchen, Liaodong Provincial Governor Qiu Minyang, and others; he held his integrity and refused to submit, dying a heroic martyr for the nation — a man both loyal and brave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for that Shanhai Pass Regional Commander Ma Ke, during the Battle of Songshan, all one saw was him, Wang Pu, Wu Sangui, Li Fuming, and the others scrambling to flee for their lives, utterly disregarding the safety of their allied troops. If not a warlord, then a coward who clung to life and feared death — this man, forget it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was Vice Regional Commander Zu Kuan from the Guanning generals’ side; it was said that in his early years he was a household servant of Zu Dashou. This man could fight, but he was unbearably arrogant, his military discipline was rotten, and wherever his troops passed they either burned civilian houses or raped women. Even this winter, because the Qing troops were advancing south, he was ordered to lead reinforcements to Shandong; afterward Jinan fell, and he was stripped of rank and arrested, sentenced to death for the crime of losing a vassal fief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Toward this man, he would decide whether to associate based on the circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou suddenly laughed at himself in spite of himself — right now he was only a minor Mobile Corps Commander, yet here he was evaluating everyone and deciding whom to befriend and whom not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the headquarters, the various Regional Commanders greeted each other, exchanged a few pleasantries, and speculated on the purpose of Viceroy Lu summoning them all. While these Regional Commanders exchanged greetings, the Assistant Regional Commanders and Mobile Corps Commanders behind each of them stood rigidly in place, unable to move about freely as their superiors did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou stood there, and some glances swept toward him; although they were somewhat surprised to see someone so young already a Mobile Corps Commander, since Wang Dou was an unfamiliar face with no reputation to speak of, no one bothered to pay him any attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly everyone heard the urgent drumbeats from the top floor sound again — already the third call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone hurriedly formed two rows, clearly divided: the Xuan–Da generals stood on the left side, the Mi–Ji–Guan–Ning generals on the right. Then on each side the Regional Commanders of the various garrisons took the upper positions, arrayed downward by rank of Vice Regional Commander, Assistant Regional Commander, Mobile Corps Commander, and so on; Wang Dou, the youngest, was squeezed to the very lowest position on the left side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above him was a Mobile Corps Commander from the Shanxi garrison, in his thirties, rough and fierce-looking, but he seemed to have rarely seen such a grand occasion and was so agitated his face was flushed red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was packed full of officers, but the atmosphere was heavy and stifling; no one dared cough even once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded as a group of people descended from the second floor. Wang Dou stole a glance and saw Lu Xiangsheng in hempen mourning clothes walking at the very front, his face full of indignation and grievance. Beside him walked a man in eunuch attire, wearing a gold-inlaid three-peaked hat and an embroidered brocade robe, a fine jade belt strikingly conspicuous, his face brimming with smug satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This eunuch was in his forties, and contrary to Wang Dou’s impression of castrated men, he was tall, broad-shouldered, and powerfully built, walking with a vigorous, forceful stride. Were it not for his beardless white face and a hint of effeminacy, Wang Dou would almost have taken him for one of the armored officers in the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He surmised that this eunuch was the Army Supervisor-in-Chief Gao Qiqian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Lu Xiangsheng was his personal general Chen An, bearing the imperial-bestowed Sword of State; following them were several more men in eunuch attire, each with a dark expression and that peculiar sinister air unique to eunuchs. Wang Dou seemed to catch a whiff of urine stench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly the clatter of armor plates sounded as everyone dropped to one knee, clasped their fists, and saluted Lu Xiangsheng and Gao Qiqian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assembled officers shouted in unison: “Greetings to Viceroy Lu, greetings to Army Supervisor Gao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voices were like a thunderclap, and a piercing chill spread through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qiqian chuckled a few times. Lu Xiangsheng, his face grim, walked to the massive iron desk, then invited Gao Qiqian to sit on his left side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qiqian did not stand on ceremony and plopped himself down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Chen An stood bearing the Sword of State at Lu Xiangsheng’s lower right, while those several eunuchs attended at Gao Qiqian’s lower side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangsheng said in a deep voice: “Generals, please rise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals shouted: “We thank Viceroy Lu, we thank Army Supervisor Gao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another clang of iron armor sounded as everyone stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lu Xiangsheng began the roll call. After it was finished, looking at the hall full of officers, Lu Xiangsheng was suddenly overcome with emotion and could not speak, only a faint glimmer of tears showing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Qiqian shot a glance at Lu Xiangsheng, stood up, and said in a shrill voice: “Everyone’s here now, so I’ll lay out the matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: “Yesterday I discussed military affairs with Viceroy Lu. Viceroy Lu proposed dividing the forces — the relief troops of the three Xuan–Da garrisons would all be under his command, while I would lead the remaining troops. With state affairs paramount, and to avoid discord among colleagues, I agreed. Viceroy Lu submitted a memorial yesterday, and His Majesty has issued an edict approving the division of forces between Viceroy Lu and myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His piercing voice echoed through the hall: “That is the matter. I’ve said my piece. Apart from the officers and men of the three Xuan–Da garrisons, all remaining generals are to strike camp and follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop, cold to the bone. The matter was so sudden that, except for Wang Dou who was mentally prepared, everyone present was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked at each other, at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou closed his eyes and let out a long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing no one move, Gao Qiqian’s face darkened, and he said in a shrill voice: “What are you all standing around for? All of you, follow me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to Lu Xiangsheng, his face piling into smiles again: “Viceroy Lu, I take my leave now. With the enemy cavalry running rampant, the task of slaying the rebels and protecting the capital — I must trouble Your Excellency to bear much worry over it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Xiangsheng woodenly clasped his hands in farewell. Footsteps sounded as Gao Qiqian strode off; the Regional Commanders and officers from Mi, Ji, Guan, and Ning also clasped hands one by one in farewell to Lu Xiangsheng and followed behind Gao Qiqian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the hall of officers reduced by more than half, Lu Xiangsheng could no longer contain the grief and indignation in his heart and collapsed heavily into his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>",3924,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","66790fbd01f683b1dee9264c33afc5f447eddb86651843695650c4f46eae8ba2","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-217","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-215",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]