[{"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-810":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},1206099,1561,"Chapter 810: Preparations","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-810",810,"\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting was of course intensely concerned with every move of the Chuang camp. When the roving bandits suddenly ceased hostilities, Sun Chuanting judged that they were about to make a major move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, on the eleventh, after a quiet morning without incident, in the afternoon a great mass of famine victims, driven forward by Chuang troops, arrived at the southern end of Yuanwang Gully. Brandishing hoes and shovels, they proceeded to widen the already widened road even further, and it seemed that large quantities of supplies, carts, and horses had also been brought up and stockpiled on the tableland opposite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems the roving bandits' cannons have arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting peered through his telescope at the opposite tableland and murmured to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, he was surrounded by his staff officers, the officers of the Jingbian Army, and the Regional Commanders and officers from the various garrisons of Shaanxi, all gathered around him gazing toward the opposite tableland. The difference was that every Jingbian Army officer had a telescope in hand, which the local officers envied greatly. Such a critical military asset was not something one could casually possess, nor could it be bought simply with silver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Viceroy sees a thousand li as if it were before his eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Counting the days, the roving bandits' cannons should indeed have arrived by now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people around Sun Chuanting spoke in unison. They of course knew the roving bandits possessed a large number of cannons, but the bandits had not used them all this time. Everyone believed the difficult roads had caused the cannons to fall far behind. However, after so much time had passed, no matter how difficult the roads, their cannons should have arrived by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet many also wore grim expressions. The arrival of the roving bandits' cannons meant the fighting would become even fiercer and more brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the local Shaanxi officers in particular, some faces visibly paled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaanxi Regional Commander Gao Jie, however, was unconcerned. During this period, the various Shaanxi generals had been increasingly sidelined, and only he could still speak and be heard by Sun Chuanting. He said, \"Our army's defensive lines are mostly on the tableland slopes, making cannon bombardment difficult. Here especially, the two tablelands are so far apart that even our own Grand General Cannons cannot reach the opposite side. How then can they bombard our tableland? They can only drag their cannons down into the gully and fire at close range. But our army has long since measured the elevation and firing positions. The moment the roving bandits mass their troops, we can blast them into rout.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words drew agreement from the officers under his command. The expressions of officers from other Shaanxi garrisons also improved slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting neither agreed nor disagreed, though he did give a slight nod of approval. Only the Jingbian Army officers remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun raised his telescope again and observed for a long time before finally saying, \"This time, the roving bandits have likely come well-prepared. Perhaps they have also found a way to counter our army's cannon fire... Look at the tableland — sacks, earth baskets, and earth carts are densely piled, all excellent protection against cannon fire... It seems the roving bandits are, after all, battle-hardened and not to be underestimated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faces of those Shaanxi officers all changed drastically. They had no telescopes. At this great distance, they could only faintly discern some movement on the opposite tableland, but if Wu Zhengchun said so, it could hardly be false. The roving bandits had found a countermeasure — had their own side's cannon advantage been lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Xun also said coolly, \"Indeed. Gentlemen, you must be mentally prepared for this. Earth baskets and earth carts are extremely effective against cannon fire. If they use these as cover to advance, I fear our cannons on the tableland will not be able to hit them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Sun Chuanting had hired Jingbian Army artillery officers to train his gunners, training gunners was a technical task. In just a few short months, no great results could be expected. The earlier effectiveness had been because the Jingbian Army artillery officers had pre-measured all distances and elevation positions, and the cannons on the tableland simply fired according to those positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a real test, these new army gunners could probably at most bombard a neatly drawn-up formation standing motionless in place, but they would be incapable of hitting cannons being pushed forward in motion. Moreover, if the roving bandits used earth baskets and earth carts as cover, even if a shot landed, it would likely be blocked by these earth carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Regional Commanders and officers of the various Shaanxi garrisons all changed color. Gao Jie was also speechless, a trace of fear surfacing on his face. If the cannons were ineffective, it meant the roving bandits could very likely break through from this point, especially since the gully bottom here was broad and highly suitable for the bandits to deploy their forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guyuan Regional Commander Zheng Jiadong looked at the expressions of the officers around him. Gritting his teeth and steeling his courage, he said, \"Viceroy Sun, perhaps we should abandon Yuanwang Gully and withdraw our main army to defend Jin Gully and the Tongguan city walls... Jin Gully is deep and steep, rendering the roving bandits' cannons useless. Tongguan's city walls are sturdy and also unafraid of bandit cannon fire. In my humble opinion...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\" Sun Chuanting's icy gaze swept over, instantly causing the rest of Zheng Jiadong's words to be swallowed back down. He gulped, wanting to say something but forgetting it, and could only cast a pleading look toward Lintao Regional Commander Niu Chenghu and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting's gaze, however, shifted to Wu Zhengchun, his expression softening: \"What is General Wu's opinion?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Zhengchun clasped his fist and said solemnly, \"Viceroy Sun, though the bandits have cannons, Yuanwang Gully is strongly fortified. How can we abandon it on a whim? If we retreat now, our army's morale will collapse and the bandits' arrogance will swell. As one wanes and the other waxes, it will harm the overall situation. In my humble opinion, even if we are to retreat, we must first fight a sharp battle to crush the enemy's arrogance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Xun also said, \"The soldiers have shed blood for many days and are sustained entirely by a single breath of spirit. If we retreat to Jin Gully and Tongguan without fighting a single battle, I fear the soldiers' morale will be hard to preserve!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting nodded repeatedly. He knew that the various garrisons had suffered heavy casualties during this period and that the camp soldiers were full of resentment. But how could mere resentment compare to the overall strategic situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He made up his mind abruptly and swept a cold glance over those Shaanxi officers: \"I am resolved to hold firm. Anyone who dares speak of retreat will be executed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those Shaanxi officers murmured their obedience. Zheng Jiadong and Niu Chenghu wore ugly expressions. Among the officers under them, some stood dumbstruck, others were as pale as paper. One Assistant Regional Commander from Lintao Garrison in particular stared blankly into space, his tall frame seeming to stoop. His unit had suffered over thirty percent casualties; he, as Assistant Regional Commander, was finished. For camp generals like them, without troops, they had no standing. In the future, he would likely have to live by others' favor, watching their faces to get by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Shiyan noticed the somewhat delicate atmosphere and laughed heartily. \"Actually, it's not that we have no countermeasure. Our army has a large number of mortars. We can wait until the bandits press close, pick the right moment, and give them a vicious volley!\" He spoke with a smiling expression, yet casually uttered ruthless words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting was greatly pleased and said, stroking his beard with a smile, \"Adviser Wen's words exactly match my own thoughts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said, \"Let us go and inspect elsewhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Chenghu and the others fell far behind. Around them, some officers complained, some wept and pleaded, and the two could only listen with furrowed brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they were Regional Commanders, they only held wartime command authority over the various generals within their garrison. Their core forces amounted to no more than three to five thousand men. If their subordinate troops suffered heavy losses, their future standing might be even lower than those Vice Regional Commanders and Assistant Regional Commanders who had more troops and broader commands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening to everyone's complaints, Zheng Jiadong said bitterly, \"Now we camp soldiers are treated like stepchildren. Old Niu, I even suspect that Sun the Skinner is using this opportunity to exhaust all of us camp soldiers so he can save money and grain to train more new troops.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Chenghu let out a long sigh, looked at the pensive Gao Jie beside him, and said, \"What does Regional Commander Gao say? We can fight for the imperial court, but we can't fight until our own troops are all wiped out, can we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Jie said, \"The roving bandits are powerful and their attacks are frequent. The new army's casualties are also heavy. Viceroy Sun is not targeting us camp soldiers specifically. You two should not overthink this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if suddenly remembering something, he begged their pardon and led his subordinates to hurry after Sun Chuanting ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his hastily departing back, Niu Chenghu frowned and said, \"He's latched onto Sun the Skinner's thigh and doesn't even care about the losses among his own troops anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Jiadong sneered, \"His position as Regional Commander fell from the sky to begin with, so naturally he's eager to curry favor. Old Niu, since there's no fighting today, come to my tent for a drink. Following Sun the Skinner around just means standing by and listening anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting walked along the edge of the tableland, accompanied by Jingbian Army Adviser Wen Shiyan. The two rode side by side, talking about something unknown, occasionally bursting into hearty laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Shiyan was dignified in appearance, refined and witty, yet not a pedantic man. His temperament and personality suited Sun Chuanting's taste perfectly. Moreover, his nephew Wen Fangliang was a trusted senior general of Marquis of Yongning Wang Dou, so maintaining a good relationship with him was truly necessary. Thus, among the various Jingbian Army officers who had come to reinforce, Wen Shiyan enjoyed the closest personal friendship with Sun Chuanting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Adviser Wen seemed to recall something. Stroking his beard, he said slowly, \"Viceroy Sun, I wonder if you have noticed that resentment among the various garrisons is quite strong. This matter can be either trivial or serious and must be handled with care.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting raised an eyebrow: \"Of course I am aware. Hmph, these fellows think only of self-preservation and have no thought of serving the country!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trace of coldness crept into his voice. The moment camp soldiers suffered heavy losses, complaints filled the air. How unlike the new army, which not only obeyed commands as if they were his own limbs but also had far greater endurance under pressure. In his heart, he had grown increasingly impatient with those camp soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Wen Shiyan beside him seemed rather worried, he laughed heartily: \"If Mr. Wen is troubled by this, there is no need. With the gentlemen of the Protectorate keeping them in check, they cannot stir up any storm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Shiyan said coolly, \"I only fear they may be more apt to spoil things than to accomplish them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting was startled. Wen Shiyan continued slowly, \"In fact, retreating to defend Jin Gully and the Tongguan city walls might not be unacceptable. The new army's combat strength has already been forged, and Jin Gully is even more strategically critical than Yuanwang Gully. If we station five hundred troops at each of the Twelve Linked Forts, that would only require six thousand new army soldiers. The remaining fourteen thousand or so could be stationed within Tongguan city. Use the camp soldiers to defend Xiyuan, and draw some cavalry to garrison the city alongside them. This would maintain combat power while also averting internal strife. Of course, before that, we must deal the roving bandits a severe blow before discussing withdrawal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting was jolted and looked at him again. Wen Shiyan merely stroked his beard and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Shiyan had taken in all the subtle undercurrents earlier. He knew Wu Zhengchun was a orthodox military man who mostly considered things from a military perspective. Gao Xun might know something of political matters, but he was an ardent man. So these matters had to be raised by himself, the adviser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Chuanting sighed, \"I am most fortunate to have Mr. Wen's counsel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rallied his spirits and said, \"I have heard that Mr. Wen is fond of tea. As it happens, a batch of Frighteningly Fragrant tea has arrived at my tent. Why don't the two of us sample this fine tea together?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wen Shiyan smiled, \"That is indeed my wish, though I dared not ask.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the twelfth day of the fifth month, at the hour of the dragon, Wu Zhengchun, dark-skinned, lean, and resolute in expression, stood at the edge of Tableland Jia-16. He gazed at the opposite side, motionless. Beside him was his deputy Gao Xun, tall and slender, dashing and handsome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite side, the roving bandits had gathered in ever greater numbers. The silhouettes of cannons were indeed visible, and at the same time, countless carts were being pushed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roving bandits were indeed about to attack using cannons and earth carts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the roving bandits clamored, this side of the tableland was equally bustling with activity. The cannons deployed at various points had all been concentrated here. Countless straw-mat tents had been erected on the tableland, inside which were placed large quantities of stretchers and other supplies, along with copious amounts of alcohol, bandages, tourniquets, and other rescue and protective equipment. Many cauldrons of boiling water were also being heated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the opening phase of the battle, the Jingbian Army’s medical officers played a vital role. Numerous wounded soldiers received effective treatment, greatly reducing casualties and earning high praise from the New Army and the garrison troops. This battle was no trivial matter, so the Jingbian Army’s medical officers prepared as thoroughly as possible. Any soldier wounded could be carried by stretcher to a tent for rough initial treatment, then sent to Dongyingbao for meticulous care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the two men, besides Company Commander Zhao Rongcheng, who was supervising the defense of this section, Company Commander Li Zhengjing, who was defending the northern end of the distant trench, was likewise concentrated here. And behind them, their subordinate Squad Commanders Luo Liangzuo, Lai Dexiang, Chen Sheng, Han Kaihui, and others all stood in solemn silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, another sixteen hundred Jingbian Army soldiers were arrayed in orderly formation, waves of grim killing intent spreading outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last night the mercenary forces held an urgent council of war and decided to concentrate the Jingbian Army’s manpower to deliver a thunderous blow to the roving bandits. Therefore, aside from the camp’s Jia-grade troops, and the contingent of elite cavalry and hunter cavalry led by Master Hu still held in reserve for oversight, both Yi-grade units were fully concentrated here — six companies of musketeers and two companies of spearmen in total — ready to strike like a thunderbolt at the appointed moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there was some dispute over how to deploy them. Wu Zhengchun’s view was to place the Jingbian Army on the first line of low wall defenses at the forward positions, while Gao Xun insisted on holding the Jingbian Army as a reserve force positioned behind the second line of low wall defenses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The roving bandits’ objective this time was very clear: they would again bombard fiercely with cannon. The New Army and garrison troops on the first line of defense would likely suffer heavy casualties when the time came. The Jingbian Army, with their rich experience in close combat, could effectively avoid casualties if placed on the first line — yet Gao Xun insisted otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was tactful but firm: “A jade uncarved cannot become a vessel; without shedding blood, how can an army be forged? The reason the Jingbian Army is the strongest force under heaven is because of how many battles they have fought, how many men they have lost, how many great generals have died in battle. Only if they can endure this fight can they truly be said to have been tempered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Wu Zhengchun agreed with Gao Xun’s opinion. (~^~)\u003C\u002Fp>",2793,"2026-06-03T14:06:27.906Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","08980b8b632b3883fe8cc83263ff52cc79d601a0c94a0446c0731266652a31b2","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-811","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-809",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]