[{"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-456":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},1205745,1561,"Chapter 456: The Capital","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-456",456,"\u003Cp>That day the three-town grand army rested at the Great Wall’s Water Pass; the next day they marched to Juyong Pass, now only a little over a hundred li from the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the morning of the twenty-third, the grand army emerged from the towering mountains and stepped onto the great Jingji plain, where the road became much easier to travel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the si hour on the twenty-fourth, the grand army reached the capital, only a dozen or so li from Deshengmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the capital’s gates, the northeast one was Andingmen and the northwest one was Deshengmen, the main route into the city from Xuanzhen and Miyun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scouts reported that Senior Grand Secretary Fan Fucui, leading a group of cabinet officials — such as Minister of Personnel Li Rixuan, Minister of War Chen Xinjia, Minister of Revenue Li Daiwen, and many other capital officials and nobles — had already come ten li beyond Deshengmen to welcome them: a reception that could be called extraordinarily grand and generous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides them, countless commoners from the capital who had heard the news also came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle of Jinzhou drew the concern of tens of thousands; everyone at court and among the people cared deeply, and every day the great teahouses and wineshops of the capital discussed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This battle concerned the nation’s fate; from high officials and eminent nobles down to the common folk, all followed the news of every reinforcing general with intense interest. In particular, the Loyal and Brave Count’s Jingbian Army, famed as the bravest of the three armies and called the strongest force under heaven, was the focus of countless people’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As early as the army’s arrival at Changping, relay riders from every quarter came in an unending stream; hearing that the Xuanzhen and Datong armies together had mustered a full forty thousand troops to march to the rescue, the people of the capital region boiled with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So from early on, everyone came to claim a spot; along both sides of the official road from Deshengmen to Changping, stretching for over ten li, the capital’s commoners packed in tight. Every person craned their neck, eagerly awaiting the heroic and imposing appearance of the Xuan-Da armies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, and Wang Pu held an urgent discussion. To display the Xuan-Da army’s most awe-inspiring face, they decided to alter the marching formation: guards and standard-bearers in front, followed by cavalry, then infantry, and finally the baggage train.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was so large and enthusiastic that it was of course impossible to disperse them. To guard against hostile Eastern slave spies hidden among the people, Night Scouts disguised themselves and infiltrated the crowd in advance to ensure safety and prevent mishaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, and the others had received notices from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War: the grand army would have many activities in the capital.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides His Majesty personally bestowing a farewell banquet, a grand military review would also be held at the Great Parade Ground to boost prestige. Therefore, every aspect of protocol had to be noted and practiced; officials from the Ministry of Rites raced at full speed to the army to explain and rehearse with Wang Dou and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the exact si hour, a cheer suddenly erupted from the welcoming crowd: “They’re here! They’re here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was like an ocean tide; everyone was elated. A dense mass of heads all turned to look westward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, banners and pennants fluttered, blotting out the sky; the army’s might arrived before the army itself. And along with the army’s advance, the faint strains of stirring, majestic marching drums and music drifted over. The crowd buzzed even louder; everyone strained their necks to the utmost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, three enormous parallel great banners appeared before everyone’s eyes: one great Yang-character banner, one great Wang-character banner, and in the middle, the blood-red surging-wave sun-and-moon banner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three great banners were immensely tall, mounted on large carts and pulled by sturdy horses. Behind the fluttering great banners came dense rows of large drum carts. The drummers atop them beat out the marching rhythm; every stroke shook the heart. The drummers behind answered in unison, and musicians with horns, gongs, and flutes joined in harmony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the stirring march music, men and horses advanced in dense, rhythmic steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the three great banner carts was a gift from Wang Dou to Wang Pu. Wang Dou had prepared them before the expedition, giving one each to Yang Guozhu and Wang Pu. Wang Pu had been envying the two men’s banner carts, so receiving one made him overjoyed beyond expectation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army’s entrance with such imposing presence made the watching crowd cheer and shout even louder; all felt thoroughly satisfied. Many people also pointed and gestured at the surging-wave sun-and-moon banner tossing on the great banner cart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jingbian Army’s new-style battle flag — everyone first looked at it with astonishment, then all declared that the Loyal and Brave Count’s banner was, just like his army, truly extraordinary; looking at it made one’s blood boil, one’s heart burn, and one’s passion radiate outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the crowd’s shrieks, Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, and Wang Pu rode side by side on horseback in front of the banner carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ahead of them were countless mounted guards, every one in bright helmet and bright armor, their iron armor gleaming coldly, incomparably majestic. Following behind came column after column of riders in bright helmets and surcoats, and after them the infantry marching in orderly ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their uniforms were neat; they marched with disciplined composure, their army boots pounding the road surface in a uniform roar. With the capital’s commoners watching, every man strove to display his martial might. Whether Xuanzhen troops or Datong troops, they all held their heads high, eyes fixed straight ahead, simply advancing with solemnity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Right Battalion Rear Division, Yi Company, Ding Platoon, First Squad, Squad Leader Zhao Rongcheng sat on his horse; behind him, the squad brothers were divided into two columns, four in front and five behind; spearman Han Kaihui walked in the front column.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This handsome young fellow kept his face tightly set, his long spear pressed close to his shoulder. Following the drumbeat and music, he lifted his feet high and stamped them down hard. Looking across the whole army, everyone did the same, producing a uniform booming sound from the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Han Kaihui was marching with fervor, a burst of young girls’ shrieks suddenly came from the roadside — this heroic and dashing young fellow had caught the attention of a group of capital maidens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tanlang, Tanlang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they shouted at Han Kaihui, they also flung handful after handful of handkerchiefs, sachets, and other boudoir items at him. Instantly, Han Kaihui’s head, body, and shoulders were piled with the maidens’ private things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment Han Kaihui was utterly embarrassed; his originally tight marching steps became disordered. The brothers beside him and in the rear ranks all snickered at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The always lively soldier Chen Chong in his squad whispered with a laugh, “I’ve heard that Tanlang was the pet name of the beautiful man Pan An. Brother Han, I’ve decided: from now on I’ll call you by the name Tanlang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squad brothers all nodded in profound agreement. Squad Leader Zhao Rongcheng turned his head back and gave a cough; everyone hurriedly resumed a stern expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Rongcheng glanced at Han Kaihui and nearly burst out laughing himself. He barked in a low voice, “Hurry up and put those away!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Kaihui hastily stuffed the maidens’ things into his bosom, but could not resist stealing another glance in that direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When those maidens saw Han Kaihui looking over, each one waved and stamped her feet, trying her utmost to draw his attention. Among them, a pretty young woman covered half her face with a fan, only peeking stealthily. When her eyes met Han Kaihui’s gaze, her pretty face could not help turning bright red; her eyes rippled like water, yet also carried a flirtatious charm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What maiden does not yearn for love? What young man does not feel passion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant, both Han Kaihui’s heart and that maiden’s heart were intoxicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commoners were too enthusiastic; Wang Dou, Wang Pu, and Yang Guozhu fared no better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Pu controlled the reins with one hand and held his horse lance with the other, his face as still as water, his eyes deep, as if seeing through the clouds and sky, through the universe and the earth. Unexpectedly, a scented handkerchief flew straight at him and covered his face; instantly, Wang Pu’s image as “Zhao Zilong of Changshan” was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long moment, Wang Pu pulled the scented handkerchief off his face. Somewhat afraid to look at Wang Dou and Yang Guozhu’s expressions, he said awkwardly, “The capital’s commoners… are truly too enthusiastic…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Yang Guozhu could not help but find it amusing. He sighed, “Indeed. For these commoners, this general would willingly fight bloody battles on the battlefield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the mighty torrent of the army roll in, not only the commoners but also the welcoming Senior Grand Secretary Fan Fucui and the others all rejoiced and praised, saying, “With such a strong army, Jinzhou need not be worried about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xinjia also praised the Xuan-Da army’s command flags and troops, especially Wang Dou’s Jingbian Army battle flag, thinking to himself, “Wang Dou’s command of troops is indeed extraordinary; this banner and its colors alone greatly rouse the officers and men’s hearts for bloody battle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the grand army arrived before them, Fan Fucui hurriedly led the group forward to meet them. To Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, and Wang Pu, who had dismounted, he declaimed with swaying head, “Banners fluttering, horse hooves rumbling, slogans and army drums echoing — magnificent! Our Xuan-Da army, magnificent! Our imperial court’s grand army… I, cough cough cough cough cough… magnificent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Senior Grand Secretary Fan Fucui was old after all; he could not finish a single sentence without coughing repeatedly, yet he still persisted in completing his eulogy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, officials from the Ministry of Rites, on behalf of the court, conveyed comfort and rewarded the troops; each soldier and officer received varying amounts of silver and cloth. They also informed them of the various arrangements for the reinforcing army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today the grand army would encamp and rest outside the capital. Tomorrow His Majesty would summon Regional Commander Yang Guozhu, Loyal and Brave Count Wang Dou, and Regional Commander Wang Pu to a banquet in the great hall, accompanied by Shenji Camp Forward Division Vice General Fu Yingchong, Army Supervisors Wang Chengen, Zhang Ruoqi, and others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day after tomorrow, a grand review would be held at the parade ground; immediately after the review, the army would march out from the field and set off on the expedition to Liaodong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou, Yang Guozhu, and Wang Pu accepted the orders. Their encampment site was to be around the Great Parade Ground, near Andingmen and Deshengmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is said that after the Yongle Emperor moved the capital to Beijing, he stationed seventy-two guards in Beijing, called the Capital Guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Capital Guards each had their barracks within the capital; for example, Wude Guard was stationed inside Andingmen, later corrupted into Wudao Camp Hutong; Jizhou Guard was stationed inside Fuchengmen, later corrupted into Jiwei Hutong. The Great Parade Ground of the capital army’s three great camps was established outside Deshengmen and Andingmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the Wanli reign, warfare was frequent, and officials of the capital camps suggested moving the parade ground inside the city for safety. Thus a new parade ground was opened outside Xuanwumen but still within the southern city. Although the parade ground occupied a vast area, the capital’s commoners still habitually called the new ground the Small Parade Ground and the original one the Great Parade Ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forty-thousand-strong Xuan-Da army naturally could not enter the capital to encamp, so stationing them near the Great Parade Ground could not have been better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the comfort ceremony ended, the grand army proceeded along the capital region’s official road toward the capital encampment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Minister of War Chen Xinjia, still as refined and elegant as ever, wore his bright red official robe and walked alongside Wang Dou, talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head to look at Wang Dou’s tall command banner cart, his gaze lingering especially long on that passionately radiating banner. Then he watched Wang Dou continuously wave to the cheering commoners lining the road and said in his thick Sichuan accent, “This time the Xuan-Da army has dispatched over forty thousand troops. I have heard that under the Loyal and Brave Count’s command alone, there are over fifteen thousand crack soldiers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled slightly and replied, “Reporting to the Minister of War, that is correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xinjia stroked his beard and smiled: \"The royal army's weapons and armor are sturdy and sharp; their keen edge can be exploited. This expedition to Liaodong will surely win a great and swift victory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said: \"The caitiffs are crack troops and must not be underestimated. However, our army defends the nation's territory and protects our homeland, so morale is extremely high. The battle for Jinzhou will certainly deal the Tatar caitiffs a heavy blow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Xinjia understood the meaning behind Wang Dou's words perfectly, and could not help but be overjoyed. He laughed and said: \"Good, good, having these words from the Loyal and Brave Count is enough. The Loyal and Brave Count need only set his mind at ease and fight at the front. For the grain, fodder, and supplies in the rear, this Minister of War will ensure an unending flow for the royal army, and will never let the soldiers suffer hunger or cold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men looked at each other and smiled. Afterward, they chatted idly. Chen Xinjia constantly inquired after Wang Dou's well-being, expressed concern and sympathy for the army's hardship marching under the scorching sun, and even asked whether the army was equipped with marching powder and other medicines to cure heatstroke and relieve nausea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou replied that serving the country was no hardship, and regarding the medicines, the army had prepared a small amount, but not much. It would be best if the Ministry of War was willing to provide them. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)\u003C\u002Fp>",2420,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","d27f30f0d17a17cd37f416df31b6813e8ea87eee421a4584fa925d7dbb285fa7","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-457","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-455",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]