[{"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-792":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},1206081,1561,"Chapter 792: Enraged","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-792",792,"\u003Cp>Though the young woman died a miserable death, the pitiful curses she hurled before dying made the Old Battalion Commander's face turn ashen and his expression utterly ferocious. In his eyes, the woman was dead anyway, yet she still dared curse him and the Volunteer Army — this was absolutely intolerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face twisted, his chilling gaze swept over the bodies of the father and daughter, then over the captured people of Liulin Village, and he squeezed two words coldly through his teeth: \"Slaughter the stronghold!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, terrified screams erupted from the Liulin Village side, and the wailing of infants grew even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men of the Mountain Patrol Battalion stirred restlessly as well. They looked at each other, exchanging uncertain glances. Their core was originally the force from Daan Stronghold. Under the strict supervision of Kong San and others, military discipline was enforced rather tightly. They had never done things like slaughtering women and children — at most, they sold them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remainder were troops absorbed from Little Yuan Battalion. Under Yuan Shizhong's leadership, their discipline was also quite good: they only plundered wealth, did not kill, and did not abduct women. Hearing the order to slaughter the stronghold, their faces showed hesitation as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only some men of mixed bandit origin revealed expressions of excitement — finally, they could really go all out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the Old Battalion Commander bellow at him, Old Hu frowned and said, \"This isn't very good, is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that after living for a time in Xuanfu Garrison and taking a wife, Old Hu felt his heart had softened considerably. Had it been his former self as a rowdy soldier, he would have carried it out with glee long ago. Moreover, this Battalion Commander constantly shouting at him also displeased Old Hu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Battalion Commander's face grew even uglier. He stared fixedly at Old Hu and said grimly, \"Surnamed Hu, you dare defy this Battalion Commander's order? Believe me or not, I'll cut you down with one stroke!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Insolence!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching that Battalion Commander's arrogant face and hearing those utterly unrestrained words, Old Hu exploded: \"Tian Fukui, what the hell do you think you are? I am General of Martial Might, a fifth-rank official of Changyi Prefecture. You, a mere eighth-rank sesame-seed official, dare to wave your finger and shout orders at me here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Hu was truly enraged. He had toiled bitterly to climb to the position of a high official — was he to be ordered about and shouted at by these petty officers? If that were the case, what meaning did his struggle have? He flew into a towering rage and unleashed a storm-like roar at the Old Battalion Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His features were fierce to begin with. Now, in his fury, he looked even more like a bloodthirsty wolf about to strike, his expression so savage and terrifying that it left the Old Battalion Commander momentarily stunned and speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong San, one hand on his saber, said coldly as well: \"Battalion Commander Tian, the Chuang King has issued repeated orders — no indiscriminate killing. Do you intend to violate military law? This Commandant may have no choice but to report to the General-in-Chief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly, what harm have these women and children done that they must be killed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They said we'd strike at landlords and rich gentry. I see Liulin Village is full of poor wretches — which one looks like a rich gentry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we kill people and slaughter strongholds, what difference is there between us and the government troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From within the Mountain Patrol Battalion, discontented voices of soldiers rose as well, especially dissatisfaction with the Old Battalion, now seizing the chance to vent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Chuang Battalion practiced egalitarianism from top to bottom, yet distinctions still existed to some degree. For instance, the Inner Battalion ate three meals a day, while the Outer Battalion ate two meals, or even just one — all of which bred resentment. The Inner Battalion ate well, dressed well, and used good things. Even if such advantages were very limited, the more egalitarian things were, the more such advantages stirred envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If your clothes had two patches while mine had three or four, it would cause discontent. If you rode a horse and I rode a mule, it provoked even greater resentment. Especially in the eyes of many in the Outer Battalion, the Inner Battalion always reaped the benefits without lifting a finger. They were first in battle, first in collecting grain, did the dirty and exhausting work, while the Inner Battalion took the easy tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like this assault on the stronghold — again, the Inner Battalion supervised from behind. Why doesn't your Inner Battalion attack the stronghold while we supervise? The venomous serpent of envy could arise at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, within the Mountain Patrol Battalion, Master Hu and Master Kong still commanded very high prestige. After entering the Chuang Battalion, the unfamiliar environment made the men of the Mountain Patrol Battalion unconsciously rally around their original leaders, producing a mentality of \"the master's shame is the servant's shame, the master's disgrace is the servant's death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what, Master Hu was a fifth-rank General of Martial Might, while that man surnamed Tian was merely an eighth-rank Battalion Commander. To shout and bellow like that, to open his mouth and curse, even to threaten to cut him down with one stroke — where was the respect for rank, where was propriety, where was dignity? What sense of security was there in living like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without prior agreement, the men of the Mountain Patrol Battalion all developed a shared sense of indignation and common hatred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the Mountain Patrol Battalion in turmoil, the Old Battalion Commander was stunned but simultaneously even more furious. Rebellion, outright rebellion! Damned ball-kicking mules, these Outer Battalion bumpkins needed to be taught a lesson — they had to be made to understand who the real power-holders in the Chuang Battalion were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to make a move, a close Picket Commander beside him hurriedly restrained him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although the Mountain Patrol Battalion men were discontented, some of their words held reason. Things were different now from before. If in the past killing people didn't matter, after those literati joined, military law had been tightened — killing people indiscriminately would lead to lawful execution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how restless they felt inside, they had to forcibly suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, letting this conflict blow up would do them no good. The Inner Battalion being nobler than the Outer Battalion was merely an unwritten rule. On the surface, that Treading Earth Dragon was fifth rank, while Battalion Commander Tian was only eighth rank. This was not during combat, so the superficial hierarchy of rank still had to be maintained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If word got out that an eighth-rank Battalion Commander was shouting about beating and killing a fifth-rank General of Martial Might, what would the various Outer Battalions think when they heard? The Chuang Battalion now had over three hundred thousand troops, a large part of which were Outer Battalions. In particular, there were many surrendered Ming officers among them — people who took such matters of rank and respect even more seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Outer Battalions indeed became alienated and the matter blew up, even if it reached the Chuang King himself, their heads would probably be used to placate the army's morale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In times of crisis, though the Old Battalion often abandoned the Outer Battalion and fled, that moment hadn't arrived yet, had it? Right now, the Volunteer Army in all respects still relied heavily on the Outer Battalion. Without the Outer Battalion's vast manpower, how would they collect grain, how would they supply the great army, and how would they swell their momentum?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the Picket Commander hurriedly restrained his superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By this time, the Old Battalion Commander had also calmed down, realizing his impropriety, and that letting the matter escalate would be even more improper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if changing faces, the dark clouds covering his face transformed into a radiant smile. He cracked his big mouth wide and laughed heartily: \"It was Tian who got hot-headed. Master Hu, don't take offense, don't take offense. You are right. Our Volunteer Army's military discipline is strict, and the Chuang King has stern orders: to kill one person is like killing my father, to violate one woman is like violating my mother. How could this Battalion Commander possibly order the slaughter of women and children?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Hu also changed his face, laughing uproariously: \"I just knew Master Tian was joking. Do you know what I, Hu, have admired most about you since we've known each other? Magnanimity!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two men looked at each other and laughed heartily, appearing extremely cordial. Yet observing the depths of their eyes, there was not the slightest trace of mirth — as if in each other's eyes, both men were already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Battalion Commander Tian glanced at the sky and said, \"It's getting late, Master Hu. Take everything usable from the stronghold, rest and reorganize a bit, then we still have to strike another stronghold.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Hu nodded. He still had experience in looting strongholds. Under his orders, the Mountain Patrol Battalion immediately busied themselves. The logistics men of each squad, in particular, were the busiest main force, continuously hauling grain and rice out of the stronghold — all kinds of things, everything that could be taken was taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To their delighted surprise, they also discovered several pigs and sheep in the stronghold, drawing a wave of joyful cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The survivors of Liulin Village, having narrowly escaped calamity earlier, huddled together in grief, weeping. Even the able-bodied men were all silent and wordless, their hearts cut like knives as they watched their household possessions swept completely clean. Had Heaven truly gone blind, granting them not even a sliver of a chance to live?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Old Battalion men went to supervise, preventing the Outer Battalion from hiding away grain, silver, or gold, leaving Old Hu and Kong San sitting on their horses, with Batiao standing beside them. He had now been fully accepted by the two, mainly through passing Kong San's test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the stronghold before them and the surrounding terrain, Old Hu clicked his tongue and said, \"Look at the farmland on all sides — even richer than Daan Stronghold's.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong San laughed coldly: \"What use is richness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His finger suddenly jabbed toward the breached Liulin Village ahead: \"Whoever dares to farm — this is the result right before your eyes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze was icy and frigid: \"Wandering bandits are like locusts. Wherever they pass, nothing living remains, until there is nothing left to plunder and the common people die out completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Batiao interjected: \"True, but look at the fortified manors of the local gentry everywhere — they're living quite well. It seems most of them can hold out until the end of these chaotic times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong San sighed: \"Indeed. Those strongholds are hard to attack. These thousand li of bleached bones — ninety-nine percent are just ordinary commoners without the ability to defend themselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze looked into the distance as he murmured: \"We must not let our own families end up like this father and daughter...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Mountain Patrol Battalion dug a large pit and buried all the bodies together. A tall grave mound stood silently on the open wilderness. In these chaotic times, to have a grave at all was already considered fortunate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they departed, all the remaining able-bodied men of Liulin Village were taken away. The women and children naturally had no choice but to follow. The stronghold was broken, and with no men left at home, what would happen if bandits attacked one day? Women and children without the power to resist were, in their eyes, food — children were especially welcomed, their flesh tender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the able-bodied men were coerced into joining, and the women and children had only the one road of following. Only a few elderly too frail to walk were left behind in the stronghold to live or die on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carrying their crude bundles, they stumbled along behind, every gaze filled with bewilderment. Where did their future lie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the afternoon, the Mountain Patrol Battalion breached yet another stronghold, then took the spoils of war and headed to the Old Battalion, which was near the county seat of Ye County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Ye County's walls were breached by Li Zicheng in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, its gates and suburbs were all destroyed, and not a single resident remained within the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For minor chaos, take refuge in the city; for major chaos, take refuge in the countryside. A thousand years of experience taught the common people that during major chaos, staying in county seats or prefectural cities was more dangerous. It was better to flee to the countryside, scatter across the wilds, and perhaps still escape calamity — especially deep in the mountains or within some sturdy fortified strongholds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus the county seat had become crumbling walls and ruined ramparts, overgrown with weeds inside, turned into a paradise for all manner of wild beasts. But now even the wild beasts suffered misfortune, becoming food for humans to hunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dense mass of heads wrapped in red scarves surged through the streets and alleys, searching everywhere, not even letting a single rat escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along both banks of the Kun River, countless tents stood in dense array, their fluttering banners red and yellow in varying shades; roughly speaking, the further inward one went, the more elite the troops became, and at the very core stood white banners and black yak-tail standards, with a single enormous white-maned great yak-tail standard of the Silver Stupa erected upright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like streams converging into a great river, the endless flow of supply wagons and horses, along with ant-like figures carrying loads on shoulder poles, all gathered toward the main camp — all were people returning from grain-raiding; some men from the Mountain Patrol Camp, escorting grain and fodder, also entered the main camp under the watch of that squad of main-camp soldiers. (To be continued...)\u003C\u002Fp>",2358,"2026-06-03T14:06:10.567Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","bb6db8e6d83340759a5217d63f296d3cac6669edac860c3d1c59b6e7e9a2538f","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-793","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-791",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]