[{"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-271":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},1205560,1561,"Chapter 271: It Was My Mistake","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-271",271,"\u003Cp>Everyone around gathered close. Seeing Lu Xiangsheng dead, they all paled and knelt to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now only a small half of the Viceroy's Personal Battalion remained, and among its officers only Company Commander Yang Guodong was left. They prostrated themselves around Lu Xiangsheng's body, each beating their chest and crying out, and Yang Guodong especially was overcome with inconsolable grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded — Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei from the two wings had arrived. Seeing the scene before them, they froze. Yang Guozhu's hand trembled as he touched Lu Xiangsheng's body and saw the fatal spear thrust in his chest. The hemp robe over his head-cloth was drenched in fresh blood; his body bore countless wounds, but it was this long spear that had taken Lu Xiangsheng's life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu's hand shook more and more violently, and tears rolled down from his eyes: \"Lord Viceroy…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cried out loudly: \"Lord Viceroy…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed before Lu Xiangsheng's body and wept aloud. Every officer and soldier on the field shed tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The neigh of a warhorse rang out, and a divine white steed came running — it was Lu Xiangsheng's beloved mount, Wumingji. The white horse ran to Lu Xiangsheng's side and nuzzled him with its nose. It nudged Lu Xiangsheng's body with its muzzle, and seeing that he did not stir, the white horse let out a mournful cry, then raised its four hooves and galloped away into the distance, vanishing to who knows where.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone stared blankly as Wumingji raced into the distance. Yang Guodong shuffled forward on both knees to tend to Lu Xiangsheng's remains. He pulled off the hemp robe soaked through with blood; the Viceroy's great seal was still tied behind the elbow. Seeing this, he wept aloud again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou stood in a daze. Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei helped Yang Guodong tend to Lu Xiangsheng's remains. At some point, Wen Fangliang quietly came to Wang Dou's side. He too was covered in wounds and staggered as he walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang said in a low voice to Wang Dou: \"General, the bodies of Brother Han and Brother Yang have been brought over.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou jerked his gaze over and saw Shen Shiqi and Zhong Xiancai carrying the two men's bodies forward. They knelt sobbing on the ground: \"General…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two wept loudly. Wang Dou's eyes went blank. He slowly walked to the bodies of Han Zhong and Yang Tong, his trembling hand touching their bodies. Slowly, tears rolled down one by one, and at last they fell like rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside Wang Dou, Li Guangheng was also choking with sobs. He pointed at Han Zhong's corpse and cursed: \"…You reckless fool, how could you just leave like this? If you're gone, what about my daughter? She's only seventeen this year…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears streamed down his face. Gao Xun and the others beside him could only keep trying to console him. Wang Dou stood up, then suddenly staggered and lost his footing. Wen Fangliang, Sun Sanjie, and the others nearby hurried forward to support him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang wept: \"General, Brother Han and Brother Yang died in battle for the nation. The dead cannot return to life. General, you must take care of your own health…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to say more to console him, but in the end he only choked up and could not speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps sounded, and a voice called out loudly: \"General, this humble officer has led troops to reinforce you and by fortune has arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he cried out in alarm, his voice trembling: \"Ah, Company Commander Han, Squad Commander Yang, and this… Lord Viceroy — what has happened, what has happened… how is everyone dead…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Judicial Commissioner Chi Dacheng. He circled around the bodies of the several men, shrieking as if the world had ended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou saw that not far behind Chi Dacheng, on the earthen wall passage, another group of people stood. At their head, a woman was quietly watching him. She wore leather armor and a large crimson cloak, her head wrapped in a kerchief, and held a long spear in her hand — it was Xu Yue'e.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou slowly calmed himself. Seeing him look her way, Xu Yue'e stepped forward a few paces and prostrated herself on the ground: \"Yue'e has come late with her troops. I beg the General's forgiveness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd behind her all lay prostrate on the ground together. Wang Dou gazed at her for a long while, then said in a deep voice: \"Lady Xu, please rise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yue'e thanked Wang Dou and stood up. Everyone behind her rose as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xu Yue'e before him had a countenance even more resolute than when they first met. In her every gesture and movement there was now an added air of composure and self-assurance. She stood quietly holding her long spear, the cold wind billowing her cloak and great mantle, giving her a distinctly heroic and dashing bearing. The faint pride and poise in her expression were worlds apart from the destitution of her days at Jingbian Fort and Shunxiang Fort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Wang Dou's gaze swept over, Xu Yue'e involuntarily lowered her head. On either side behind her were several women also clad in leather armor, seemingly serving as her personal guards — the same group of deserters from Shunxiang Fort back then. Seeing Wang Dou look their way, they all averted their eyes, their expressions uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Xu Yue'e also stood several burly men, each wearing armor that seemed to have been captured from the Qing troops. The way they looked at Wang Dou held some curiosity. Their eyes betrayed an untamed wildness. Their gazes shifted between Xu Yue'e and Wang Dou, as if wondering why their chief was so deferential to this Ming general before them. Still, they said nothing and only kept watching Xu Yue'e's expression; clearly she commanded immense prestige in their minds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the second earthen wall were over a thousand more sturdy men, dressed in motley fashion — some in padded jackets and fur robes, some in armor — and their weapons were of every description. Each led a warhorse, an ordinary horse, or a mule. The way they surveyed their surroundings was quite unbridled. Seeing the blood and corpses everywhere around the earthen wall, the shattered war wagons, weapons, and banners scattered all over the ground, they all grimaced and sucked in their breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet unruly as they were, none of them spoke, and their formation was fairly orderly, with a distinct military air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou studied Xu Yue'e for a long time. Behind him, Wen Fangliang, Zhong Xiancai, Gao Xun, and the others likewise looked toward Xu Yue'e's group. Their expressions varied. Inside the earthen wall, the many officers and soldiers of the Xuan-Da army also looked at them, curiosity in their eyes — the reinforcements were not government troops after all… Who was that woman leading them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei also came to Wang Dou's side. Yang Guozhu asked: \"General Wang, who is this woman?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"Regional Commander, this is Lady Xu Yue'e. In the past, she was at Shunxiang Fort in Bao'an Department.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu looked at Xu Yue'e, then at the band of horse bandits beyond the earthen wall, and nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Dawei murmured in admiration beside them: \"What a woman. Truly a heroine who yields nothing to any man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said in a deep voice: \"Lady Xu, this is Regional Commander Yang, Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison. This is Regional Commander Hu, Regional Commander of Shanxi Garrison. Come quickly and pay your respects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yue'e stepped forward and knelt before Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei: \"Xu Yue'e, a soldier's wife of Shunxiang Fort in Bao'an Department, pays her respects to the two Commanders-in-Chief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu said: \"Lady Xu, please rise. You have led a band of righteous warriors to come to our aid with loyal hearts and gallant courage. This Regional Commander shall certainly submit a memorial to the imperial court to commend you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yue'e's expression did not change; she thanked him lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou asked: \"Lady Xu, how many troops have you brought to reinforce us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yue'e cupped her hands: \"In answer to the General, Yue'e set out from Zanhuang County leading one thousand five hundred soldiers of the Slave-Slaying Army. Just over one thousand three hundred have actually arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Slave-Slaying Army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu and Hu Dawei exchanged a glance. Hu Dawei mused: \"It sounds familiar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"Lady Xu has come a long way to bring reinforcements. It is truly arduous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave some instructions. Since the Supply Battalion's Squad Commander Zhong Diaoyang was severely wounded, Gao Xun and Judicial Commissioner Chi Dacheng would lead Xu Yue'e and her people into the camp. Once they were settled, they would discuss subsequent matters. Xu Yue'e thanked Wang Dou and gave a few orders. At once the horse bandits beyond the earthen wall stirred noisily, and under the watchful eyes of the Xuan-Da officers and soldiers, they led their horses and filed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Yue'e cupped her hands toward Wang Dou and the others, and under the guidance of Judicial Commissioner Chi Dacheng and the rest, she headed toward the interior of the camp. The women behind her did not dare so much as glance at Wang Dou; they dodged and ducked as they followed her away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou observed that the horse bandits who came in were all sturdy, able-bodied men. The smell of blood on each of them was extremely strong — clearly they had seen prolonged warfare. Horse bandits who could survive and even grow strong in chaotic times were, for the most part, rich in combat experience; otherwise they would long ago have been wiped out by their peers or by government troops. What they lacked was only discipline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet these horse bandits before him were fairly well organized. He truly did not know how Xu Yue'e had managed to train them into this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Xuan-Da officers and soldiers present could also tell that these reinforcements were mostly not of any virtuous sort — they were not even militia or volunteer braves, but very likely swordsmen and horse bandits from some stronghold. Still, any reinforcements were welcome. Especially since they had just lifted the Qing army's siege, and word was that these people had come to reinforce on General Wang's orders, everyone was extremely welcoming toward them. That woman at their head, in particular, became the subject of much discussion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Guozhu said to Wang Dou: \"General Wang, if these… these folk righteous warriors can be offered amnesty and recruited, our Great Ming will gain yet another unit of daring fighters. Their settlement must be handled properly. If they lack anything, you may report it to Regional Commander Hu and myself. We must ensure they remain in the camp with peace of mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"Regional Commander, rest assured. This humble general understands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now the sky was growing dark. After tending to the remains of Lu Xiangsheng and the others, no one had time to dwell on grief; all hurried to clear their respective battlefields. There was no time left to deal with the Qing corpses and weapons. Each battalion gathered the bodies of its own fallen soldiers, tended to the wounded, and tallied the casualty figures. They would discuss matters together in the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As of today, the entire army has suffered a total of one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five casualties. Of these, one thousand one hundred and thirty-four died in battle for the nation, three hundred and fifty-two are severely wounded, and three hundred and eighty-nine are lightly wounded… Company Commander Han Zhong of Yi Division has died in battle. Squad Commander Yang Tong of Yi Division's Second Squad has died in battle… Team Leader Li Youde of the Battalion Night Scouts has died in battle. Supply Squad Commander Zhong Diaoyang of the Battalion is severely wounded. Personal General Xie Yike of the Central Army is severely wounded… Across the entire battalion, ten team leaders have died in battle, twenty-three squad leaders have died in battle, and forty-five fire-team leaders have died in battle…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Wang Dou's central army tent, to the mournful voice of Judicial Commissioner Chi Dacheng, who had just returned to the Xuan-Da camp, the shocking casualty list was read out one item after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the tent wore grim faces; the atmosphere was oppressive. This list meant that the entire Shunxiang Army had suffered over half its strength in casualties and was grievously wounded in spirit. Had it not been for the camp defense battle and the unique tenacity of the Shunxiang Army, this force would have collapsed long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In accordance with the military regulations of our Shunxiang Army, when the commanding officer of any division, any squad, or any team falls in battle, each deputy officer automatically assumes the principal post. The Judicial Office's list is as follows: Former Squad Commander of Yi Division's First Squad, Vice Company Commander Zhong Xiancai, assumes the post of Company Commander of Yi Division. Former Team Leader of Yi Division's Second Squad's First Team, Vice Squad Commander Shen Shiqi, assumes the post of Squad Commander of Yi Division's Second Squad. Former… former…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The list is drafted. I request the General's decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said in a deep voice: \"Approved!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Transporting bodies a thousand li is too difficult. Apart from the fallen Company Commander Han and Squad Commander Yang, the remains of the remaining officers and soldiers can only be cremated on the spot. Collect their ashes, their identification tags, and their important clothing and personal effects to be taken back home for burial, and their spirit tablets shall be enshrined in the Temple of Honored Loyalty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Approved!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Judicial Commissioner Chi Dacheng had arranged the aftermath one item after another, everyone in the tent fell silent once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou was silent for a long while, then said slowly, \"It is I, Wang Dou, who have let everyone down. If I had not led the army to reinforce, so many brothers would not have died in battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tears welled in his eyes: \"I have failed them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Fangliang said, \"What fault has the General committed? The General was generous and fearless. That we fell into a heavy encirclement was due to the slave rebels' cunning and their overwhelming strength. This is not the General's fault.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chi Dacheng said in a deep voice, \"The General rode a thousand li to rescue the Viceroy. Such loyalty and righteousness moves heaven and earth. It is only hateful that the imperial court...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed bitterly: \"Our army was trapped in a heavy encirclement for many days, and the whole nation sent no aid. Only a single unit of horse bandits came to help. Haha, this is truly an absurd tale for the ages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That someone of Chi Dacheng's temperament would say such words showed how deeply today's events had shaken him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng had been sitting silently all along. Now he spoke: \"Han Zhong died in battle, and his death was a worthy one. The General cannot be blamed for this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou slowly shook his head: \"It was my miscalculation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone looked at him, none understanding where Wang Dou's fault lay. Each assumed Wang Dou was merely overcome with grief, and all offered consolation in turn.\u003C\u002Fp>",2566,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","871249f95361aa382e67265aa32611d70b55a9cd7b287fbe19d4b75cdbb5732f","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-272","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-270",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]