[{"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-519":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},1205808,1561,"Chapter 519","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-519",519,"\u003Cp>Seeing Han Chao's resolute expression as he spoke with composure, his bearing carrying the air of a great general, and his analysis of the battle situation hitting the mark, Wang Dou could not help nodding. He said, \"The enemy situation being thus, in Brother Han's view, how should our army respond?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao pondered and said, \"Advancing on Jinzhou is unavoidable; coming to its relief is a necessity. If we truly mean to fight, we must choose terrain favorable to our army to begin the battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed to Mount Shimen and the western side of Songshanbao: \"Our army can feint an attack on Mount Shimen while the main force seizes the chance to advance west, occupy Mount Shuangzi and Maojiagou, and press on toward the Nü'er River.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once we cross the Nü'er River, our army will enjoy every advantage. To the north we can strike the Qing main camp and lift the siege on Jinzhou's southern face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To the northwest we can attack Jinchangbao and destroy that stronghold of the slave bandits. To the south we can strike Baimiaobao and crush their designs on Xingshan. We could even dig entrenchments north and south of the Nü'er River, severing the link between the slave bandits at Baimiaobao and places like Jinchangbao, trapping those tens of thousands of Tatars to die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment everyone's hearts stirred as they fixed their eyes intently on the terrain around the Nü'er River. Indeed, once across the river and with entrenchments dug, the tens of thousands of Tatar soldiers possibly at Baimiaobao would all become turtles in a jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiancai still shook his head: \"In days past, our army's strategy was either to occupy Mount Shimen or to take Xiaolinghe Fort after seizing Huangtuling, was it not? Besides, advancing west from Songshanbao, the slave troops on Rufeng Mountain cannot be ignored. Nor will the slave bandits stand idly by and watch us cross the Nü'er River; they will surely mass heavy troops to intercept us, and a great battle will be fought right on both banks of the river.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiancai said, \"Would it not be better to advance from Mount Shimen and northeast of Xiaolinghe, reaching the eastern side of Jinzhou? In this way, we could also ease the pressure on Jinzhou and set the minds of the various officers at ease. Whether to fight a great battle with the slave bandits beneath the walls of Jinzhou can be decided later, depending on the battle situation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Chao insisted, \"Warfare has no constant momentum, just as water has no constant form. What suited one moment differs the next. At present, advancing west from Songshanbao is the optimal strategy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"When our army advances west, we can first occupy Maojiagou and Mount Shuangzi, adopting a defensive posture against the slave cavalry on Rufeng Mountain, even digging entrenchments to cut off the slave cavalry's path down from Rufeng Mountain. We must also fight at Mount Shimen, of course, and cannot abandon it. At present the slave troops on this mountain are weak — this is precisely the opportune moment to take it in one stroke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After occupying Mount Shimen, the main army can also attack the slave troops on Rufeng Mountain from the flank, coordinating with our main force advancing west. And once we press west to the Nü'er River, the slave bandits will surely mass heavy troops and come at us, easing the pressure on Jinzhou — this is also the strategy of besieging Wei to rescue Zhao!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiancai pondered at length, still worried: \"This would mean advancing on two routes. With the present fighting strength of the Liaodong Ming army, can such a strategy be carried out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two could not resolve their disagreement, arguing until their faces were red. Although the two were on good terms — Zhong Xiancai even called Han Chao Elder Brother Han — when it came to the army's grand strategy, this was no time to speak of personal friendship. The various generals in the tent also debated spiritedly, some supporting Han Chao's view, others supporting Zhong Xiancai's strategy, unable to reach a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou smiled faintly. Healthy competition among his great generals was something he was glad to see. Though he already had a plan in mind, he still looked to the various staff advisors in the tent, wanting to hear their opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Yi pondered at length and said, \"This humble official believes that advancing west with the main force is the better course. That said, whether the great army advances from the western side of Songshanbao or goes directly from Mount Shimen to the eastern side of Jinzhou, each has its advantages and drawbacks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued, \"But of two harms, choose the lesser. If our great army goes from Mount Shimen or east of Xiaolinghe directly to the walls of Jinzhou, the slave bandits will surely lure our great army into a decisive battle at Jinzhou. In that case, with the main force massed northeast of Jinzhou, not to mention Xingshan, even Songshanbao would be left empty, and transporting grain, fodder, and supplies would not be easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the main force advances west, the entire route lies across open wilderness and plains. Apart from the difficulty of crossing the Nü'er River, everything else — cannon, war wagons, supplies — is easy to transport. Moreover, the slave bandits will not sit idly by and watch our army cross the Nü'er River; they will surely contest it with heavy troops. And contesting it there is better than contesting it north of Mount Shimen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this way, no small number of slave cavalry will gather on the northern bank of the Nü'er River, which likewise reduces the pressure on the Jinzhou defenders. Our army can also take the opportunity to transport grain, fodder, and firewood in an unbroken stream directly from Xiaolinghe to the south of Jinzhou, or to the east of Jinzhou, and into the city itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded slowly. In truth, in his heart he too inclined toward the views of Han Chao and Qin Yi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to his assessment, the Qing troops' withdrawal from Rufeng Mountain and Mount Shimen — especially the withdrawal of considerable forces from Mount Shimen — was a step-by-step defense, pulling back after inflicting heavy casualties on the Ming army, a stratagem to lure the Ming main force to mass beneath the walls of Jinzhou, resulting in an overextended Ming battle line and difficulty in transporting grain and fodder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, after the great army captured Mount Shimen, it would still have to cross the Nü'er River and occupy the northern bank; otherwise it could not control the river route, and supplies, grain, and fodder could not be transported into Jinzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, after the Ming army occupied Mount Shimen, the Qing army could fiercely attack the western and northern faces of Jinzhou to lure the Ming army. If the Ming army at Mount Shimen did not move, did not cross the river, and merely watched the mountain and fought, the blow to the morale of the Jinzhou defenders would be far too severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore the Ming army that captured Mount Shimen had to cross the river. Yet if so, the Qing army could strike while they were mid-crossing. With few troops, the Ming army would be no match for the Qing army and would have to send reinforcements. Once troops increased, it would result in the main force massing beneath the walls of Jinzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huang Taiji was playing a shrewd game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gazing at the sand table and pondering for a long while, Wang Dou finally said with emphasis, \"Then it shall be the strategy of advancing west with the main force.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze was deep: \"Right on the western side of Songshanbao, beneath Rufeng Mountain, by the banks of the Nü'er River — we shall fight a decisive battle to the death with the slave bandits!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed — a decisive battle to the death!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A resounding, heroic shout of assent filled the tent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou's word was final; the army's grand strategy was thus settled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And among the various Liaodong officials and generals at present, Wang Dou's opinion carried immense weight. Generally, once the Jingbian Army devised a plan, it was very difficult for the other officers and officials to oppose it. The Jingbian Army had, in fact, become the decision-making body for the Liaodong relief forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at the various generals in the tent and said with a solemn expression, \"Good. Next, every member of the Staff Department and the staff advisors shall draw up the detailed steps of the strategy. Every possible combat scenario must be considered; not a single step may be neglected!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The generals solemnly acknowledged the order, then each attended to his duties and swiftly sprang into action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the Staff Department had been established, the usual practice was for Wang Dou and the generals to propose a strategy in rough outline, while the specific operational steps were handed over to the various members and staff advisors to deliberate and finalize.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marching and fighting are immensely complex matters that cannot be accomplished by the strength of one man alone — that is precisely the role of the staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And waging war according to regulations and systems was also what set the Jingbian Army apart from the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this way of marching and fighting, even without a famous general in command, even if a great victory could not be won, suffering defeat would also be very difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the tent was also largely a member of the Staff Department; they all needed to participate in drafting the specific operational plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, among them all, although Zhao Xuan was also one of the vice commissioners of the Staff Department, he very rarely took part in drafting strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment he was even more absorbed in deep thought, pondering how to improve the silk medicine pouch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Guangheng also cared only about the cavalry. Zhong Diaoyang was swamped with myriad affairs. Thus among the senior members of the Staff Department, Wen Fangliang, Han Chao, Zhong Xiancai, and Gao Shiyin were the most active, while the staff advisor Qin Yi and others also played an increasingly significant role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With everyone bustling about, Wang Dou instead found himself at leisure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although in the eyes of the various generals the Grand General was farsighted and profoundly strategic, in truth Wang Dou was a hands-off manager most of the time. The hard, grueling work he all delegated to his subordinates, and as a result he gained a fine reputation for not hoarding power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After musing for a long while, Wang Dou summoned Zhong Diaoyang: \"Cousin, what arrangements are there today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Central Army officer in charge of camp affairs, Zhong Diaoyang was akin to a secretary-general of later ages; Wang Dou's itinerary and activities were all arranged by him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang saluted with steady composure: \"Grand General, Viceroy Hong has summoned the various generals for a council, set at the you hour.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded. Because Jinzhou was in peril, Hong Chengchou and the others were restless and anxious; the matter of Jinzhou was discussed several times a day, yet a decision was delayed again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment Wen Daxing came over and said to Wang Dou with solemnity, \"Grand General, the intelligence on Baimiao Fort is extremely critical. I am resolved to take some men there to scout. If I can link up with Brother Yike, that would be best!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou looked at Wen Daxing and said with concern, \"Brother Wen, you just returned and nearly got wounded. Now you want to go out again — won't you be too exhausted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing had ventured deep into danger with two squads of Night Scouts, returning only yesterday from Yizhou, where they had scouted vital intelligence. On the way they encountered a large band of Qing cavalry and barely escaped after hair-raising peril, losing several good men — though thankfully they brought back the bodies of the fallen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the Qing cavalry's heightened vigilance, it had become increasingly dangerous for the Jingbian Army's Night Scouts to go out reconnoitering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing said with emotion, \"Grand General, I am fine. As a Night Scout, facing death is inevitable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike other senior officers in the Jingbian Army, although Wen Daxing was the commander of the Vanguard Scout Battalion, he often led his men deep into danger himself, rather than merely staying in camp safely analyzing the intelligence his subordinates brought back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the Vanguard Scout Battalion also had many civilian personnel. They belonged to the intelligence analysis section — they did not scout, but only collated and analyzed the intelligence gathered by the various operatives, searching for valuable points, traces of the enemy, and so on. Intelligence work and document processing took up a large part of the effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou pondered for a long moment, then said, \"Very well. Take some men to the Daxing Fort and Nüer River area. You must pay close attention to your own safety.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Wen Daxing hurry out, Wang Dou gazed after him for a long while and sighed inwardly, \"Yike, you foolish boy, driving yourself so hard — it's for your sister, as if I didn't know? What are you worried about? How could I ever betray her?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After supper, Wang Dou rode out of camp with his guard unit, as well as the two senior officers Han Chao and Zhong Xiancai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang remained behind to hold the camp, while Chi Dacheng, Li Guangheng, Zhao Xuan, and the others also stayed in camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Riding beyond the camp, gusts of breeze brought a hint of coolness. Wang Dou watched the evening clouds spread across the sky like blazing fire, extraordinarily magnificent, and thought: soon — the sweltering weather will pass, and the days ahead will be easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hoofbeats sounded as they traveled across the open country. Gazing toward Huangtu Ridge to the north and Songshan Ridge to the southwest, everywhere they looked were encampments of Ming troops, their banners stretching like clouds unfurling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this hour every battalion was drilling night patrols and announcing night passwords. Drumbeats, gongs, and horn blasts sounded without pause, and faintly the voices of various officers could be heard: “…Soldiers, take heed — be vigilant on night patrol… do not slack; if you bungle matters, military law will show no mercy… dismissed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every shout was answered by the patrolmen in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clang of the diaodou watch-pans also began to ring out, rising and falling from camp to camp. Between heaven and earth, the air seemed filled with the aura of armored warhorses and clashing blades.\u003C\u002Fp>",2450,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","7152d45ce14152c25fdc4eec2d64c770291221135fab13484bf2da20064c1f93","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-520","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-518",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]