[{"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-222":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},1205511,1561,"Chapter 222: Reporting Victory to Viceroy Lu and Army Commander Yang","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-222",222,"\u003Cp>Li Guangheng led his cavalry charging onto the official road. The Tartars ran really fast — luckily, behind the Tartar armored soldiers were still many auxiliaries and servants from their banners. Many of these men were not riding warhorses, mostly packhorses or mules, and the Tartar horses lacked fodder and bean feed, so in stamina they could not match the carefully fed horses of the Central Plains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng spurred his horse and raced forward like a gale and lightning. Behind him, the several hundred Shunbao cavalrymen simply rolled along in his wake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Ming cavalry in relentless pursuit and the dust clouds billowing behind — with no idea how many were coming — those Qing soldiers grew even more terrified. Each man only desperately lashed the horse beneath him, the spurs stabbing their mounts until blood streamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly the view opened up. The official road ahead was broad, and the wheat fields on all sides gradually faded away into a stretch of yellow-earth wilderness — clearly this area lacked water and could not be farmed. The Qing soldiers scattered even wider, fleeing for their lives at top speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now Li Guangheng and his men had caught up. His swift horse overtook a Tartar soldier ahead who was frantically whipping his mount. That Tartar soldier was clearly just a surplus man from a banner; his cotton armor was quite thin, apparently with no iron plates sewn inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horse beneath him was already utterly exhausted, constantly blowing white froth. Seeing a horse rapidly surge up on his left, the surplus man cast a terrified glance over — and met Li Guangheng’s gaze, sharp as a hawk’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two horses crossed. Using the momentum of his mount, Li Guangheng drove his fine-iron great spear through the man’s left rear heart. His horsemanship was masterful and his strength immense. After the iron spear pierced the Qing surplus soldier, he used the force to fling it — the Qing corpse was already tumbling into the dust. The enormous impact and inertia of the collision seemed as nothing to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining cavalry also surged forward in succession, wantonly hacking and killing the Tartar soldiers who had fallen behind. Of course they lacked Li Guangheng’s ability. When they used their horses’ momentum to charge past a Qing soldier and land a thrust, they would loosen their right-hand grip and immediately release the spear shaft clamped under their arm, using the lance as a single-use weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or, using their horses’ momentum, they would drag their unsharpened sabers across the Qing soldiers’ bodies. In this bitter cold, even if a man escaped with his life, the long gashes left by such saber-dragging could never be healed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One after another, Qing auxiliaries or servants tumbled to the ground. In a brief span, at least over a hundred overtaken Tartar soldiers were killed and fell from their horses by the Shunbao cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The horse beneath Li Guangheng was exceptionally fine and spirited, and he had charged at the very front all along. After spearing or swatting down several lagging Tartar auxiliaries, the view opened up — ahead fled a large group of Tartar armored battle soldiers. Li Guangheng immediately thrust his great spear onto his saddle and drew his horn bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng was highly skilled in mounted archery and also quite proficient with firelocks, but once mounted on a warhorse, he still preferred using the bow. He carried both an infantry bow and a horn bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his bow and nocked an arrow, pressing the pursuit hard. At the moment his horse reached the highest point of its stride — the most stable instant — “Whoosh!” A powerful arrow shot out. A Qing soldier ahead was struck in the back of the heart and fell screaming beneath his saddle horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng again drew his bow and nocked an arrow. “Whoosh!” Another arrow, and another Qing soldier was shot off his horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Swoosh!” A Qing mounted armored soldier turned and shot an arrow back at Li Guangheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The angle was cunning, heading straight for Li Guangheng’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Li Guangheng’s left arm was a small arm-shield, made of fine iron. Among the Shunxiangbao cavalry, every man had an arm-shield, but theirs were only made of hardwood and leather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng blocked with his left arm. The arrow struck his arm-shield with a clang, sparks flying everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that brief moment, the mounted armored soldier fiercely clamped his horse’s belly; his spurs stabbed deep into its abdomen. The warhorse, stung by pain, bolted madly and was soon far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s about enough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that most of the Tartar armored battle soldiers had fled far off and were beyond his reach, Li Guangheng decided not to pursue a desperate enemy — quit while ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reined in his horse. The cavalrymen around him were still chasing and cutting down the Tartar auxiliaries scattering in all directions, or rounding up some panicked Tartar horses. Li Guangheng was satisfied in his heart. In this first engagement, they had cut down one or two hundred Tartar auxiliaries — a fine result.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly he saw dust clouds rolling again ahead on the right. Li Guangheng’s heart jolted — could Tartar reinforcements have arrived? Half a moment later, he relaxed. That cluster of dust was charging toward the routed Qing soldiers fleeing to the left. Soon Li Guangheng could see more clearly: that dust cloud was only a few dozen men, but together they had over two hundred horses — no wonder their presence was so imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it was the army’s Night Scout brothers. A smile spread across Li Guangheng’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those Night Scouts swept past the routed Qing soldiers a few dozen paces away. Every man drew his bow and nocked an arrow, or used a heavy crossbow. After a volley of arrows, another swath of Qing soldiers tumbled from their horses. Those Qing soldiers dared not turn and fight; they spurred their horses madly and fled far to the left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very soon, not a trace of them could be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng watched the Night Scouts halt and gather their spoils. Quickly, they came howling back again. Among their herd of horses were several dozen more warhorses, and on the horses’ backs were many helmets, armor, weapons, and the like — and of course, no lack of blood-dripping heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind several of their horses, ropes dragged a few half-dead Qing wounded. By the time those Night Scouts galloped up to Li Guangheng, the Tartar soldiers dragged behind the horses were already mangled beyond human shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When these Night Scouts rode up before Li Guangheng and the others, an oppressive, fierce aura immediately struck them. The Night Scouts in Wang Dou’s army could be said to be the concentrated essence of the entire force — mounted or on foot, their individual skills were all outstanding. The riders under Li Guangheng’s command simply could not compare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lead Night Scout sat astride a tall warhorse. He was broad-shouldered and powerfully built, with a full beard of curly whiskers — it was none other than Night Scout Company Commander Wen Daxing. By Wang Dou’s order, he had led a squad of Night Scouts out to reconnoiter enemy movements and survey maps. They had been out for several days and were only returning today. On the way they spotted routed Tartar soldiers, in no formation and with no will to fight — naturally they took the chance to scoop up some gains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing dismounted with a great laugh and saluted Li Guangheng. Although he was the leader of the Night Scouts directly under headquarters, his military rank was Company Commander. Meeting Li Guangheng, a Squad Commander, he still had to salute respectfully — otherwise, if Garrison Disciplinary Officer Chi Dacheng found out, a few dozen military canes would be a light punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army most respected true warriors, and Li Guangheng was full of admiration for Wen Daxing’s brushes with death — not to mention that Wen Daxing was an old hand who had followed the Mobile Corps Commander since the Shunxiangbao days. So Li Guangheng put on no superior’s airs whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged a few words, and Wen Daxing laughed, “A few days away, and the brothers have already tangled with the Tartars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng said, “Brother Wen, you look beaming with joy — seems this trip brought no small haul.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing’s face showed pride. “Much the same to you. Watching Squad Commander Li fight the Tartars, your haul is no small one either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng said, “I’m ashamed — we owe it to the good fortune of the brothers in Yi Division, Bing Company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing laughed, “Our Shunxiangbao firelocks are the sharpest of all. That the Tartar soldiers fled in such disarray is only to be expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke here, the cavalrymen under Li Guangheng had already tallied the battle spoils: one hundred thirty-five heads taken. Those Qing soldiers who were wounded and fell from their horses had all been beheaded with a single slash, their armor stripped, their weapons gathered, leaving only their headless, bare corpses on the wilderness. Also captured were one hundred twenty-two mules and horses — some horses had run off to who knows where. There were also some helmets, armor, weapons, and baggage, as well as some silver, dry rations, and fodder, which needed detailed counting back at base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng asked about Wen Daxing’s haul just now. Their squad of Night Scouts had shot down over twenty Tartar soldiers. After encircling them, they had twenty Tartar heads hanging from their horses, plus five Qing wounded dragged behind the horses. Although Li Guangheng did not know how Wen Daxing intended to dispose of them, those heads were already pre-booked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, in this pursuit battle, they had already taken one hundred sixty slave-bandit heads. He just didn’t know how many the brothers at the bridgehead mound had reaped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing and his men had also just captured thirty-five warhorses and a number of helmets, armor, and weapons. Li Guangheng recalled that the Night Scout soldiers now had three horses per man. Besides the horses captured earlier, their herd contained nearly two hundred horses — those must be captures from the past few days. There were bulging bundles large and small, with no telling what was inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also several captured Tartar live prisoners, tightly bound onto the backs of horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many heads taken and so much captured, everyone from Li Guangheng down was beaming with joy. After the battlefield was cleared, to guard against any sudden change, no one lingered. In high spirits, they turned back toward the bridgehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rode back in a grand, sweeping gallop. Among the Night Scouts, those captured Qing mounted armored and infantry armored prisoners were still being dragged behind each man’s horse. By the time they were howling and galloping not far from the bridgehead, two of the Qing infantry armored soldiers had already breathed their last. The remaining three mounted armored soldiers were also a mess of blood and flesh, with barely a breath left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Night Scout said, “Chief Wen, those three Tartars are about done — shall we take their heads?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing gave a savage grin. “These Tartars dared to enter our Great Ming territory and run rampant — we won’t let them die so cheaply.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to a Night Scout in the squad, a man nearing forty. “Uncle Qiang, you’re the most versed in punishment techniques. These few Tartar soldiers — I leave them to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Night Scout had the face of an old farmer, but his expression was dark and gloomy, his cheekbones sharply prominent, and his pair of triangular eyes flickered with a cold light like a venomous snake’s. It was none other than Zhao Qiang, the Night Scout soldier who had fought the Qing Plain White Banner scouts that day in Long Er’s squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had been recorded for great merit, promotion among the Night Scouts was even harder — even a minor Squad Commander or section leader post was contested by many. He had still not been promoted and was just an ordinary Night Scout soldier, but everyone in the squad respectfully called him Uncle Qiang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Uncle Qiang accepted the order and looked at the several Qing prisoners on the ground. His expression was calm, but a flash of cruelty and excitement gleamed in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under his direction, every two Night Scouts forcibly propped up one Qing soldier. They stripped their clothes off, leaving them completely naked, and used thick wooden stakes to nail their hands and feet alive onto the large trees on the right side of the official road. Then Uncle Qiang took a sharp dagger and cut off their private parts one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three Qing mounted armored soldiers, nailed to the trees, screamed heart-rending, lung-tearing shrieks, regretting why they had not been dragged to death earlier — only to face even greater torment at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing and the others roared with laughter, praising Uncle Qiang as truly Uncle Qiang — indeed, his ingenious methods came one after another, earning their admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cavalrymen under Li Guangheng’s command watched all this, every face pale, exchanging glances with one another. Li Guangheng said in a deep voice, “We’re heading back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they reached the bridgehead, the battlefield here had already been cleared and the spoils tallied. Beneath the bridgehead mound, a total of sixty-one Tartar soldiers had been killed or wounded — and all of them were elite mounted armored and infantry armored soldiers among the Qing troops. Among them were also several Tartar minor leaders such as platoon commanders, and even two platoon commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, whether dead or wounded, all had now been turned into heads. Many sets and pieces of Tartar armor and weapons had also been captured. Squad Commander Tian Qiming, who was defending the Yan mound and the stone bridge, was already grinning from ear to ear and swiftly reported the victory to Mobile Corps Commander Wang Dou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Guangheng and the others return, his eyes went wide. “Good heavens, the cavalry brothers’ haul is even greater.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, a large body of troops came from the rear on the official road. It was Wang Dou, who, upon hearing news of the great victory ahead, had hurried over with Han Zhong, Wen Fangliang, Garrison Disciplinary Officer Chi Dacheng, and the various Squad Commanders under each of them. Seeing the gruesome battlefield, he was secretly shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And seeing such spoils — two hundred twenty-four heads taken, numerous horses captured, and countless other items — he was even more stirred and elated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men gathered around him, every one excited. Han Zhong kept sucking in his breath. “Too good, simply too good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted, “General, with so many kills and captures, quickly report the victory to Viceroy Lu!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled faintly. “Indeed, we must immediately report the victory to Viceroy Lu and to Military Commander Yang.\u003C\u002Fp>",2507,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","3140f3490d755fafabc5775d350a197a320f6b36794ee97f1743d7cbffd0eb71","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-223","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-221",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]