Chapter 565: White Tiger

Old White Ox: Reply to a reader: Zhu Di's temple name was always Taizong, and his Veritable Records were called the Taizong Veritable Records. Because of the Great Rites Controversy, the Jiajing Emperor changed his temple name to Chengzu. Throughout the Ming dynasty, Zhu Di was called both Ming Taizong and Ming Chengzu.

The next chapter is estimated around midnight. A daytime power outage threw all my plans into chaos. Friends who sleep early, just read it tomorrow.……

On the central army hill, Wang Dou quietly watched the columns of Han Eight Banners and Korean army prisoners passing by. The pacification commissioner Chi Dacheng also reported to Wang Dou the preliminary casualty results for the Border Garrison Army from this battle.

At this moment, many of the pursuing troops from the Border Garrison Army and the Xuanzhen New Army had not yet returned. However, pursuing troops generally suffer few casualties. Even if there are some, the numbers will not differ greatly from the current count.

The preliminary figures made Wang Dou frown. The casualties in this battle were quite heavy, and this was only for the left wing. If the possible cavalry casualties on the right wing were added, and even the casualties of the supply troops at Changling Mountain later, who knew what extent they would reach.

The pursuing troops returned one after another, along with the officers of each battalion, all gathered on the hill with beaming faces. Zhao Xuan was especially smug, loudly boasting about how deadly his artillery battalion was and how it played a huge role on the battlefield. In particular, he claimed that in the battle against Kong Youde and the Han troops of the rear four banners, without his artillery's canister shot, the fight could not have ended so early.

A thousand words merged into one sentence: let Wang Dou allocate more funds so his artillery battalion could expand again.

Xie Yike watched from the side with envy and also reminded everyone present that their scout battalion, by probing for intelligence and sweeping the battlefield, had also rendered great service. For example, this time, their scout battalion's night scouts had cooperated with friendly forces to capture the great bandits like Kong Youde.

Han Chao smiled and said, "Indeed, without the united hearts and concerted efforts of all officers, our Border Garrison Army could not have achieved such great military merit…"

He looked at the three officers from Xuanfu Garrison: "For instance, the friendly troops from Xuanzhen this time braved artillery fire, endured casualties, and fought volley-for-volley against the Han traitors. Their courageous fighting spirit was almost not inferior to our Border Garrison Army soldiers. Extremely rare."

Han Chao's words made the Xuanzhen officers swell with pride and satisfaction, each grinning from ear to ear. With Han the Mobile Corps Commander, known as the Loyal and Brave Count's trusted man, speaking for them like this, they figured the military merit they would be allotted would certainly not be small.

Han Chao said, "Also, Brother Zhong's White Tiger Battalion charged forward bravely, coordinating closely with my Azure Dragon Battalion. This junior officer wishes to request merit for Brother Zhong."

Zhong Xiancai glanced at Wang Dou and said cheerfully, "Brother Han flatters me. The great victory was won thanks to the hard fighting of the Left Battalion brothers. This junior officer merely contributed a trifling effort."

Watching them defer to each other, Wang Dou was also very satisfied. He waved his hand: "No need for any of you to defer. This battle is won, and everyone has military merit. When the time comes, the Pacification Office will verify everything one by one. Whatever merit is due will be given, and whatever land and gardens are due will be distributed…"

He looked at Zhao Xuan: "From the time our Border Garrison Army was at Shunxiang Fort, Brother Zhao's artillery unit has achieved conspicuous merit. Like the tip of the spear for every battalion, even if the front is a mountain of blades and a sea of flames, you can blast open a breach and open the path of advance for the entire army… After the war, when we return to Xuanzhen, the military workshop will cast heavy cannons and even more light cannons, allowing Brother Zhao's artillery battalion to expand greatly."

As Zhao Xuan was overjoyed, he looked at Han Chao and Zhong Xiancai: "Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Black Tortoise — these are the four great spirit beasts of our ancestors. When I established the four great battalions, I also hoped that our Border Garrison Army would be like the four great spirit beasts: dragons soaring and tigers leaping, mighty and surging, and wherever our banners point, the masses of villains would be reduced to ashes!"

He nodded to Zhong Xiancai: "Brother Zhong, every officer has requested merit for you. Left Azure Dragon, right White Tiger, the fluttering banner above. The White Tiger is the chief of all beasts, able to subdue ghostly beings. It is also said to belong to the metal element, governing slaughter and warfare, fierce and peerless. I hope you will not disgrace the White Tiger's might. Wherever the Right Battalion points, may its ferocity be unmatched…"

Wang Dou's praise made Zhong Xiancai beam with joy, his eyes glinting from time to time. However, hearing Wang Dou say "White Tiger" again and again, he seemed to think of something, his face reddened slightly, and he lowered his head.

The officers were all somewhat baffled. Brother Zhong's eccentricities were growing more numerous. Wang Dou, seeing Zhong Xiancai's expression, was also taken aback. Only the advisor Qin Yi looked at Zhong Xiancai thoughtfully.

At that moment, behind the dense mass of prisoners, the bedraggled figures of Eduardo, Kim Jajeom, Shi Tingzhu, Kong Youde, and others were also escorted over.

They were escorted up the hill and untied, all breathing sighs of relief. Being bound like twisted dough was unpleasant. But seeing this side full of Ming officers in full armor and helmets, each staring at them with cold glints in their eyes, they could not help but tremble with fear.

Seeing Wang Dou, Kim Jajeom, who had been beaten by Ceng Youxian until his nose was crooked and his eyes were slanted, with bloodstains all over his official robe beside his nose, still forced himself to remain composed and assumed the demeanor of the Right State Councilor. Trembling, he saluted Wang Dou, but his voice was so frightened it came out in fits and starts: "This humble… humble official of a small country, Kim Jajeom, pays respects… pays respects to the Heavenly Dynasty's Loyal and Brave Count, the General Who Subdues the Caitiffs…"

Wang Dou looked at him coldly. Under Wang Dou's sharp gaze, Kim Jajeom grew increasingly terrified and chilled. Finally unable to bear it, he collapsed to his knees with a thud and wailed, "Loyal and Brave Count, spare my life! This humble official is willing to persuade our king to abandon darkness for the light and submit to the Heavenly Dynasty…"

Wang Dou looked at him and said flatly, "Kim Jajeom, has my Great Ming treated your country poorly?"

Kim Jajeom wept and wailed, "The grace is as heavy as a mountain."

Wang Dou said coldly, "In that case, is this how you repay my Great Ming?"

He shouted sternly, "That Korea is truly ungrateful and faithless!"

He waved his hand: "Take him away. He will be dealt with after the war."

Kim Jajeom screamed shrilly, crawled forward on his knees, and desperately hugged Wang Dou's thigh: "No, no."

He wept until tears and snot streamed down his face, howling: "Loyal and Brave Count, spare me! Loyal and Brave Count, spare me… This humble official knows he was wrong! This humble official knows he was wrong!"

Wang Dou waved his hand in disgust, and two soldiers from the Guard Battalion immediately pulled Kim Jajeom away.

Xie Yike flew in with a kick from behind, heavily booting him in the buttocks.

Kim Jajeom let out a loud cry, tumbled, and rolled down the slope.

"The Loyal and Brave Count is mighty! Long live the Great Ming!"

A voice rang out in front of Wang Dou. Wang Dou looked over and saw it was a middle-aged red-haired barbarian. He wore a red-haired barbarian military uniform and was looking at him ingratiatingly. As he shouted, he raised both hands and yelled. The four red-haired barbarian soldiers behind him, following his shouts, also kept raising their hands and responding in trembling voices: "The sun and moon never set, forever shining on the Great Ming!"

Wang Dou looked at this red-haired barbarian and said flatly, "You are Eduardo, the artillery officer of the Qing state's Ujen Cooha artillery battalion?"

Eduardo was startled. He had not expected this Ming count to know the difference between his given name and surname. Overjoyed, he quickly performed a Western-style salute and said respectfully, "Yes, esteemed Lord Count, of the López Meneses family, Eduardo Filipe de Meneses López, of the Spanish-Portuguese Empire, sends his greetings to you. My lord, please understand my difficulties. I too have seen the light and am willing to abandon barbarism and return to civilization…"

Wang Dou flatly interrupted him: "Has your Spanish enemy fleet been completely annihilated in the war against England?"

Eduardo was greatly shocked. He said in a trembling voice, "Yes… yes… esteemed Lord Count, how did you know?"

Wang Dou ignored his question and merely looked at him coldly, making Eduardo's face turn even more ashen and his whole body shiver uncontrollably.

The officers of the Border Garrison Army and the Xuanzhen New Army beside them listened to the conversation between the Grand General and this red-haired barbarian. Some they understood, some they did not, and a sense of profound inscrutability welled up in their hearts.

Toward Wang Dou, they were even more prostrate with admiration. They all thought: the Grand General truly knows everything in the heavens above and the earth below. In this world, what is there that he does not know? He is truly worthy of being a star god descended to the mortal world. Zhong Xiancai looked at Wang Dou, his eyes sparkling even brighter.

After a long moment, Wang Dou said indifferently, "Eduardo, I ask you: you claim to be a member of the civilized world, so why do you sell your life for the savage Tatars?"

Eduardo fell to his knees with a thud and wept, "My lord, I was forced against my will… I know I was wrong. From now on, I am willing to return to the Great Ming and loyally serve the Lord Count. My artillery combat skills, I will offer without reservation."

Wang Dou sneered, "Do I, the Count, covet the skills of your artillery battalion? If I so wished, countless Franks would swarm here."

The look in his eyes was sharp: "Those who dare to kill the soldiers of my Border Garrison Army — in this world, on this planet — have no possibility of keeping their lives!"

He waved his hand: "Drag him away! He will be dealt with after the war!"

Several fierce Guard Battalion soldiers immediately dragged Eduardo and his men away. Eduardo howled all the way: "Lord Count, please spare me! I am willing to serve my lord with utmost effort until my dying breath…"

His wailing came from afar, making Shi Tingzhu in front tremble like chaff being sifted. His right calf and right hand had been pierced by long spears. Although he had regained consciousness, he was still utterly listless.

Wang Dou glanced at him. The Shi Tingzhu before him had disheveled hair, his whole body covered in mud and weeds, cowering and shrinking. Meeting Wang Dou's gaze, he piled on a fearful and ingratiating, nauseating smile. Coupled with his face full of horizontal flesh and the concealed ferocious look, it made one sick at the sight.

Toward these old-style Ming military men, Wang Dou was always filled with loathing: cowering before the enemy, fierce as wolves and tigers toward the common people, and the moment the situation looks bad, immediately defecting to the barbarian caitiffs. Trash!

Before Shi Tingzhu could even speak, Wang Dou waved his hand as if shooing away a few flies, too weary to even utter a single word. Shi Tingzhu was stunned. Only when he was being dragged down the hill by the Border Garrison Army did he start howling: "Loyal and Brave Count, spare me! Loyal and Brave Count, spare me! Loyal and Brave Count, spare me!"

Finally, Wang Dou looked at Kong Youde. He was silent, just standing there in a daze, with some bloodstains on his body, likely from injuries sustained during the pursuit.

He was tall and big, with a coarse and dark face. At first glance, he seemed somewhat honest and loyal. No one's first impression of him would suggest that he had defected to the barbarian caitiffs, his hands stained with the blood of countless innocent Great Ming commoners.

The soldiers beside him ordered him to kneel. Xie Yike even stepped forward and fiercely kicked the back of his knees. Kong Youde swayed unsteadily. He raised his face, covered in blood and grime, and stared unblinkingly at Wang Dou — this famous Ming fierce general renowned throughout the Qing state, whom he was seeing up close for the first time. He laughed loudly: "Kill me or cut me to pieces, do as you please. Why must the Loyal and Brave Count resort to this show of force to intimidate?"

The officers beside him all shouted angrily. Wang Dou waved his hand, stopping his subordinates' actions.

He looked at Kong Dou calmly: "Now you have backbone. Back then, how did you come to think of defecting to the Tartars?"