[{"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-372":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},1205661,1561,"Chapter 372","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-372",372,"\u003Cp>\"Seize the high ground!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hooves rumbled — though the roving bandits' ambush troops had yet to appear, the central command had already issued its order. Every soldier of the Shunxiang Army's Ren Unit spurred his horse and galloped up onto the hillock. The troops then dismounted, spread out in all four directions, and swiftly formed their battle array.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yi, Bing, and Ding companies defended the slope's east, west, and north faces respectively; the south side, bordering the river, was left unmanned. The remaining Jia company troops, together with the battalion headquarters, dismounted and stood atop the hill as a reserve and assault force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The baggage train had already returned, likewise driving their carts up the hill. They had finished policing the earlier battlefield, gathered up the captured weapons, then roughly dug some pits and threw the slain bandits in to bury them — they still could not stomach seeing corpses left to rot in the wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those wounded soldiers struck by bullets were also given a merciful end and tossed into the pits together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, while the battle troops stood in tight formation on alert, the baggage train's cooks and porters split into two groups: some went out to pick up gold, silver, and valuables; others went to the river to fetch water. The Ren Unit's arquebusiers would soon face a fierce fight, and if the arquebuses fired for an extended time, wet cloths would be needed to cool the barrels. Fetching water in advance was a case of being prepared for any eventuality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin sat his horse, surveying the river valley on the opposite western bank through his spyglass. He could make out figures flickering amid the thatched grass over there, and from time to time men and horses dashed into the hills beyond. Imagining the look on their faces when their ambush failed, Gao Shiyin could not help but split his wide mouth in a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These government troops are not easy to deal with.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, behind a hill at the farthest reach of Gao Shiyin's gaze, a middle-aged man was frowning as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man had coarse, dark skin and appeared to be in his thirties. He wore a brigandine vest underneath and a rough felt-style cloak draped over the outside. Stuck into the ground before him was a cavalry lance, and a long-maned fine steed stood idly munching dry grass in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Liu, the brothers who came back say those government troops are superbly armored — every man has iron armor or padded cotton armor, and every man has a horse. Their firearms are especially fearsome; they can kill a man at a hundred paces. Our brothers, armed with bows and arrows, had no strength to fight back at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young chieftain beside him chimed in. He was in his early twenties, and as he spoke he kept rubbing his hands together — in the bitter cold, both his hands and face were frozen bright red. Every time a gust of icy wind blew, he could not help but tighten the fur-lined jacket around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What's especially strange is that these government troops have no greed for wealth. They saw gold, silver, and valuables and were utterly unmoved; even with silver coins strewn all over the ground, they kept their formation strict and tight. I've followed the Dashing King for so many years, and I've never seen government troops like this. The brothers who fled back say they fly a banner with the character 'Wang.' In all the prefectures of Henan, is there any commander surnamed Wang? Or perhaps... they are outside mercenary troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This \"Brother Liu\" was deep in thought; a cautious and steady look flickered through his eyes. The outcome of the earlier bait-and-lure operation had far exceeded his expectations — three thousand against one thousand, routed in mere moments. Moreover, those brothers were in a state of extreme panic: not only had half of them vanished without a trace, but even those who fled back were all still badly shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They kept calling those government troops demons and ghosts, saying they must not be rashly provoked. Seeing them disrupt army morale, this \"Brother Liu\" had beheaded several men on the spot before the routed soldiers finally settled down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered for a long while, then spoke again: \"Those government troops have already halted and formed up just a few li away. It's too strange — how did they discover our ambush?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young chieftain said, \"Brother Liu, we've lain in ambush here for days, freezing and exhausted. If we don't strike soon, I fear the brothers won't be able to hold out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Liu\" looked around him. All about him were dense ranks of cavalry, most wearing felt hats, clad in brigandines or leather armor, gripping long spears, with sabers and bows and arrows slung at their waists; some also carried three-barreled hand cannons or matchlock arquebuses. Since the Dashing King had broken through many cities and towns in Henan Prefecture and seized the government troops' ample storehouses, at least the cavalry's equipment had become rather respectable, especially among the brothers of the Old Camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining infantry, however, had only fur jackets and long spears, their heads wrapped with a strip of red cloth and that was all. Most were able-bodied young men, but some old and weak were mixed among them. The infantry consisted largely of famine victims and refugees; after being coerced into following, they had no other thought than to become formal infantry or cavalry of the Dashing Camp — just to have a guaranteed full meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing his gaze back, \"Brother Liu\" said, \"I keep feeling these government troops are not easy to deal with. I fear we may lose quite a few brothers...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young chieftain said urgently, \"Brother Liu, as the scholars would say, we are now riding a tiger and cannot dismount...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around, then lowered his voice: \"The government troops have so many horses and suits of armor. If we take them down, our Old Camp brothers can expand again. If the government troops prove tough to crack, just send those famine refugees forward. The Old Camp brothers, and the cavalry, don't even need to move. The government troops are only a thousand-odd men; we have over ten thousand. Even if we pile men on them, we'll bury them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Liu's\" eyes flickered, and he nodded. This man was none other than Liu Fangliang, a senior general under the Dashing King. He had joined the army in his early years and was one of Li Zicheng's trusted confidants. The young chieftain was Li Guo, Li Zicheng's nephew, nicknamed \"One-Eye Tiger,\" also known for fighting with considerable ferocity. They had followed Li Zicheng through years of campaigning and had seen mountains of corpses and seas of blood — why would they care about other people's lives?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just this past September, when Li Zicheng was besieged in Mount Yufu, men like Liu Fangliang and Liu Zongmin had killed their wives and sworn to follow Li Zicheng; at that time, many in Li Zicheng's force slaughtered their wives and children to follow him. One can say their hearts were utterly cold and callous; if they treated their own wives and children so, one can imagine how they treated others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two were conferring in low voices when a rough, bold voice rang out: \"Brother Liu, Brother Li, those dog government troops have stopped. Looks like they've discovered our ambush. Are we fighting this battle or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice matched the man — striding over was a burly fellow with a face full of stubble, wearing a tattered fur jacket. The jacket hung open, yet even in the bitter cold his expression did not change. Tucked at his waist was an enormous saber, along with a large bow case and quiver for infantry use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this man, Li Guo furrowed his brow slightly, but Liu Fangliang smiled: \"Brother Dayong, of course we fight this battle. We've schemed and lain in ambush for so many days — if we don't fight, how do we explain it to the brothers? The government troops found us, so be it. We'll just storm them head-on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly man said excitedly, \"Donkey balls, I hear every one of those government troops has armor and a horse. If we take them down, our righteous army's prestige will swell mightily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wiped his mouth and cupped his fist: \"So, the matter of commanding the infantry siege — that ought to fall to me, Old Hao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Fangliang said, \"Fine. Brother Dayong is eager to kill the scoundrels; the command of the infantry siege is yours.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly man beamed with delight, thoroughly excited. Only Li Guo let out an almost imperceptible snort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This big fellow was none other than Hao Yaoqi, originally named Hao Dayong. He was a commander promoted by Gao Yingxiang. Because he fought with savage ferocity and loved to raise the banner and charge at the head, he earned the nickname \"Hao Waves-the-Banner,\" and his original name was gradually forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Yaoqi was not part of Li Zicheng's direct lineage. Moreover, he was fond of drink and prone to bungling important matters, so Li Zicheng did not employ him in critical roles. And although Hao Yaoqi himself was valiant in battle, his troops were far too unruly — burning, killing, and looting were routine for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In particular, when Li Zicheng was in dire straits in the Mount Shangluo region, Hao Yaoqi refused to return to him. Although Hao Yaoqi later came back to pledge allegiance once more, the various commanders under Li Zicheng had already developed a grudge against him, especially Liu Zongmin, Gao Yigong, Li Guo, and others, who were extremely displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guo, though possessing a composure beyond his years, was after all young and hot-blooded and found it hard to conceal his feelings. Liu Fangliang, however, was a man of considerable depth and still addressed Hao Yaoqi with the familiar \"Brother Dayong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good. We must fight this battle quickly — if we delay, those dog government troops will run. The brothers who tried to bait the ambush bragged those troops up to the heavens. I, Old Hao, want to see for myself whether those dog thieves have three heads and six arms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hao Yaoqi gnashed his teeth, his expression savage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin was peering through his spyglass when suddenly a gong sounded, and then a whistling arrow shot into the sky. As if ten thousand men roared in unison, a heaven-shaking, earth-shattering battle cry erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless peasant soldiers, holding long spears and wearing red cloth wrapped around their heads, seemed to surge from the western side of the river. The chaotic clamor finally coalesced into a single cry: \"Kill the government troops!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoofbeats rumbled as large bands of cavalry likewise charged from the river's far side, kicking up sheets of river water. Dust billowed, and it seemed another dense mass of horses came pouring down from the mountainous area to the north, converging from several directions upon the position of Gao Shiyin's force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill the government troops!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Great plumes of dust rose everywhere. Within their line of sight, layer upon dense layer, all they could see were long spears and red headscarves. The human tide surging from every direction stretched boundless and shoreless, beyond counting — the men and horses certainly numbered above ten thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Shiyin's expression did not change; the spyglass in his hand remained steadily raised. After a long while, he snorted: \"The bandits have come. Good that they've come!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bloodthirsty gleam flashed through his eyes. He looked around — within his unit, the helmeted and armored soldiers sat quietly facing every direction, gripping their weapons, showing not the slightest panic at the arrival of the vast roving bandit horde.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the roving bandits pressing closer and closer from all sides, already less than a li away, Gao Shiyin issued his order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Prepare to engage!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the soldiers bellowed as one, rose to their feet, and prepared for battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Rongcheng, a pikeman of the Ding Company, also roared and stood up. His blood boiled with fervor — he was going to kill bandits, and military merit would soon be his... The previous year, he had followed the army on the eastern route to suppress mountain bandits and had been credited for bravery in combat. If he could earn merit again in this battle...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head did not move, but his eyes darted a sidelong glance at his squad leader beside him. The squad leader's equipment was much the same as his own: iron armor, iron mesh boots, and an eight-panel iron-tipped helmet. But on the squad leader's helmet fluttered a black tassel, and the very edge of his waist tag was bordered with a black ring — the mark of an officer, something Zhao Rongcheng had long coveted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this battle... Zhao Rongcheng tightened his grip on his long spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exhortation of the battalion headquarters' morale officer reached his ears: \"Gentlemen, think back upon the heroic bearing of our Shunxiang Army — attacking Pinggu in the east, battling Julu in the south — how dashing, how gallant. We serve under the banner of General Dingguo; wherever his standard points, the rabble are scattered like smoke and ashes. A true man standing between heaven and earth, why should he fear to spill his hot blood?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cast a sidelong glance: \"Gentlemen, dare you fight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Certain victory!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mighty answering roar, and accompanying it, the sound of long spears striking the ground in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Certain victory!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The officers thrust their fists forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ten thousand victories!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the soldiers’ shouts echoed in waves, Gao Shiyin stood erect with his hand on his sword, and every general beside him also gripped their sword hilts. The Judicial Commissioner stood with his hands clasped behind his back — all of them held their heads high, utterly insufferable in their arrogance!\u003C\u002Fp>",2334,"2026-06-03T14:05:36.780Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0b8fcd4f5cfd1620c8e58153aa555e81e5d53e70b6379a9ded1234ac2539d0d8","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-373","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-371",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]