[{"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-560":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},1205849,1561,"Chapter 560: The Right Arm","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-560",560,"\u003Cp>On the gently undulating hills, Wang Dou sat astride his horse and gazed ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, on the hill slopes and across the forward ground on both sides below, row upon row of thick hemp sacks and earth baskets were densely stacked, while an endless stream of civilian laborers accompanying the army toiled up from the rear, carrying sacks and other materials to pile the hill and the surrounding breastworks deeper and thicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou never neglected his own protection, and his subordinates neglected it even less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his commander’s carriage was parked behind the hill; only the great banner carriage had been laboriously hauled up the hill and halted a dozen paces from Wang Dou. The commander’s banner was the soul of the army, so naturally it had to be raised high and planted firmly, clearly visible to their own troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the hill’s edge stood the Guard Battalion soldiers, all halted on horseback, while the officers of the Central Army staff gathered around Wang Dou, along with standard-bearers and drummers. Wen Daxing’s Sharp Sentinel Battalion soldiers were spread in small squads across several li around, responsible for security, relaying intelligence, and taking part in scattered skirmishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the difficulty of transport, the observation tower wagon had not been brought to the left wing this time; it was placed only at Hong Chengchou’s central army position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the telescope, the battle ahead was fully visible. Wang Dou nodded to himself — volley-fire engagements were contests of discipline and courage. Though brutal, they did not last long. Four ranks of musketeers, three ranks in the main fight and one in reserve, had fired barely two rotations, each man shooting two or three rounds, and the fight was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, the thirty paper-cartridge rounds issued per soldier could last through many battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang lowered his telescope, a smile spreading across his steady face. He said, “Though the Han Banner rear troops have come to reinforce, under our soldiers’ fierce assault their collapse is only moments away. Kong Youde is merely putting up a desperate last stand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing reined his horse beside Wang Dou and gazed toward the Yijia Ridge. A cold, piercing light shot from his eyes as he said bitterly, “That Han traitor Kong Youde aids the tyrant and abets evil. Back then, facing the Tatars, he clung to life and feared death; now, killing fellow Han, he’s as savage as a wolf or tiger… Hah. I imagine his human skin must be very smooth…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp Sentinel Battalion Company Commander Long Er and the proud brother were out scouting. Xie Yike was also at the central army at that moment. Hearing Wen Daxing’s words, he asked curiously, “I knew Master Wen could scalp heads… I didn’t expect he could also flay human skin. I’ve heard that back when the Exalted Emperor dealt with corrupt officials, he used the punishment of flaying and stuffing with straw. I wonder how that punishment was carried out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing said, “Very simple — just use quicksilver.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stroked the curly whiskers on his own cheek and said to Xie Yike with a smile, “This skill of mine is quite rare. Would you like me to teach it to you, Brother Xie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike waved his hands repeatedly. “Better not. If you have any good blades, good muskets, or good bows, giving me a few of those would be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching these two clowns, everyone shook their heads inwardly. Wen Daxing’s hobby was far too chilling. He came from a retainer background and had always been ruthless and merciless. Xie Yike was innocent and pure — they must not let him be led astray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet no one said anything. Wen Daxing had not violated military law; he used cruel methods only against the enemy. Who did not have some eccentricities? As long as he did not flay the skin or scalp of their own brothers, it was tolerable. Even though the Provost Chi Dacheng furrowed his brow, he did not speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the men of the Jingbian Army were no soft-hearted, tender-handed lot. Toward the enemy, they had always been cold and merciless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advisor Qin Yi sighed. “It is a pity that back then, the Dongjiang soldiers held out alone in the remote corner of Liaodong and rendered the court no small amount of service. Now… when they mutinied back then, one could say they had their reasons and suffered grievances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Central Army Comfort Officer Xie Youcheng said coldly, “Is that their reason for defecting to the Tatars and slaughtering Han commoners? No matter how great their grievances, defecting to the Tatars and aiding the tyrant — they deserve to die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He touched his own empty left sleeve, and the deep scar on his face quivered. “Look at Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, Shang Kexi, Shen Zhixiang — which one of them is any good? Suffering injustice, so they defect to the Tatars? Hah. Back then, Grandfather Yue also suffered grievances — did his subordinates defect to the Jin bandits? In their bones, they are beasts, not worth a shred of pity!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his agitation, Qin Yi and the others fell silent. Xie Youcheng was normally gentle toward others, but the moment Tatars or Tatar-lackeys were mentioned, his expression turned savage and his temper changed utterly. This was hardly surprising — the tragedy of his entire family, dozens of lives lost, was something no one could bear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou said coolly, “Our army’s victory in this battle is certain. If there are prisoners, kill all the Manchus, Mongols, Red Barbarians, Muslims, and Koreans. Execute all Han Banner officers and veteran soldiers. The remaining soldiers are to be screened and processed — they will be of use when we counterattack Liaodong next year!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked Wen Daxing, “How goes the fighting in the center and on the right wing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing replied respectfully, “The scout riders report that they are already locked in fierce battle with the slaves and should be able to hold. Beneath the walls of Jinzhou, on the Xiaoling River side, Wu Sangui and the other commanders have also joined in a great battle with the bandit slaves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou nodded and was about to speak when, just at that moment, the thunderous roar of cannon fire erupted from Yijia Ridge. Then they saw great clouds of smoke billow up from that direction, and numerous cannonballs came howling toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xie Yike shouted, “They’re firing again! Don’t they realize that trying to bombard our central army is a waste of effort?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a great booming roar, heavy iron balls, each weighing over ten jin, came howling in and slammed heavily into the soft farmland. Great clods of earth and tangled grass were sent flying continuously. Most landed dozens or even a hundred paces to the front, rear, left, and right of the hill, the majority burying themselves deep in the farmland weeds, though some cannonballs bounced and skipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang frowned. “Something’s wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More and more cannonballs from the Han Eight Banners were coming, and they were drawing closer and closer to the hilly area. A few cannonballs even landed only a dozen paces from the hill. One cannonball slammed heavily into a protective wall below the hill, sending a great spray of dirt and debris flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed toward Yijia Ridge. It seemed Kong Youde was concentrating his artillery fire on their central army. Although, in order to deal with the Jingbian Army’s battle lines, which stretched several li to the left and right, their cannons were spread wide along the two wings of the ridge, and some cannons could not possibly bombard this direction, they had still concentrated at least several dozen guns here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned abruptly to Wang Dou. “Grand General, the bandit slaves are firing again. As a precaution, please dismount and take cover behind the earthen wall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou waved his hand. “No need. At this distance, they have little accuracy — at most, they’re just making a show of force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised his telescope again and continued to observe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Diaoyang, Wen Daxing, Chi Dacheng, Xie Yike, Qin Yi, and the others exchanged glances. Each saw the urgency in the others’ eyes. Finally, everyone looked toward Yang Hu, the Guard Company Commander, who was currently radiating an aura of aloof pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Hu had always been favored by Wang Dou. The Guard Battalion had six companies of three hundred men; one company of Lumit musket soldiers guarded the General’s residence. Aside from the Regional Commander Zhong Diaoyang, of the remaining five company commanders, only Yang Hu was in attendance beside Wang Dou at this moment. He had persuaded the First Company Commander to swap shifts with him so he could go on the campaign — and also to avoid harassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always been bold, and he was also anxious for the Grand General’s safety. Receiving the others’ meaningful looks, he gritted his teeth. This former Night Scout tough stepped forward in one stride and said rapidly, “Grand General, I beg your pardon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seized Wang Dou and yanked him off his horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the crowd surged forward, and with many hands working at once, they hustled Wang Dou behind a thick hemp-sack earthen wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou was about to flare up in anger when — boom! — a thunderous crash sounded. A cannonball weighing at least ten jin had struck just one pace to the left of his horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After throwing up a great cloud of dust, the cannonball bounced repeatedly and rolled far off behind the hill. The horse got a face full of grit and snorted uneasily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every officer and commander in the Central Army staff felt lingering fear. Xie Yike shouted, “Master Hu is mighty! A timely rescue — he should be promoted!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Hu also felt a wave of retrospective dread. He said sincerely, “As long as the Grand General is safe and sound, whether I personally get promoted or not is a trivial matter of no importance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou abruptly gave the order: “All officers and men, dismount at once! Concentrate the horses behind the hill. Every man, whether soldier or officer, take cover behind the earthen walls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A continuous string of explosive booms rang out, and clouds of smoke rolled and surged upward. The Han army cannons on Yijia Ridge fired in sequence. The numerous heavy solid iron balls were now landing not far from the hill. The outer edges of some protective earthen walls, stacked from thick hemp sacks and earth baskets, were smashed and collapsed by the impacts, sending great sprays of dust flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some cannonballs even landed atop the hill itself, bouncing across the hard ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hit them hard! Don’t stop!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Youde bellowed furiously, like a red-eyed gambler staking everything on one throw, no longer even caring whether the cannons burst their barrels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edward also sensed that the battle below the ridge was going badly. Anxious about his own future and fate, he too threw caution to the wind. Holding his telescope, along with square and round instruments, he personally measured angles and ranges, reporting the data to each gun crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Yijia Ridge, the heavy cannons positioned to the left and right of the hill area were manned by Han army gunners who strained to turn the screw-elevating mechanisms, doing their utmost to aim the muzzles toward the hill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They too were all going all out. Although firing like this would easily wear out the internal parts, if they could kill or wound that great demon king Wang Dou in their eyes, it would be more than worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the howling, more and more cannonballs landed on the hill. One battalion advisor even had his lower leg snapped by a rebounding heavy iron ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of the large drum wagons on the ridge were also struck and wrecked by cannonballs, and the flying debris caused casualties among some of the drummers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A standard-bearer suddenly turned his head. He saw a cannonball howling straight toward him, heading directly for the commander’s banner wagon on the hill. There, the great banner, two zhang high, was billowing and snapping in the biting cold wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the great banner’s pole was made of fine wood reinforced with steel and could withstand a cannonball strike, the wooden commander’s banner wagon could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that lightning-flash instant, only one thought filled the standard-bearer’s mind: “The commander’s banner must never fall!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged forward — and a mist of blood exploded…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s see if you die now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Yijia Ridge, Kong Youde ground his teeth in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the screaming cannonballs, the billowing white smoke made his figure flicker in and out of view, his half-hidden face utterly savage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Tatar-lackeys have gone mad!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing looked toward Wang Dou's side with some worry. Fortunately, apart from one cannonball striking the protective wall several paces to the right of the Grand General, there was basically nothing wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp whistling sound reached his ears. He whipped his head around — a cannonball trailing light smoke flashed past his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cannonball barely grazed the protective wall stacked with hemp sacks and earth baskets. Wen Daxing only felt a chill in his right arm — his entire right hand was already gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a thunderous boom, the cannonball, carrying blood mist and soil, ricocheted away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Daxing staggered. He looked at his empty right sleeve and the blood gushing wildly from the severed limb, but another thought surfaced in his mind: \"This is bad. From now on, skinning scalps and hides... will be difficult...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He swayed and fell. Xie Yike, not far away, lunged forward a step and caught him, shouting anxiously: \"Master Wen, Master Wen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Dou withdrew his gaze from Wen Daxing. He stared motionlessly in the direction of Yijialing, his expression utterly frigid.\u003C\u002Fp>",2310,"2026-06-03T14:05:53.320Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","999a74626124ca5ba21ac436021e8aaf8a0f452b06f7da15cbf4751530a13948","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-561","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-559",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]