Chapter 157: Winning Hearts and Confinement (A Big Chapter of 4,000 Characters)

Young Lord Zhang Zhiji suddenly felt a dull ache in his backside. The itch stirred up by memories of being strung up and thrashed by his own father as a child made the young lord desperate to reach back and scratch a few times.

He shot a resentful glare at Xiong Sen across from him, who looked as if nothing had happened.

It had to be this fellow who snitched — otherwise, there was simply no explaining how those riders galloping toward them from the distance had gotten word and headed straight for this spot. Don't tell me they just happened to be passing by; none of us are children here!

Xiong Sen merely grinned. What are you going to do, bite my bird off? You, young lord, are a big deal, sure — but I've got someone above me! The Emperor! Besides, your father's about to arrive any moment now. Fend for yourself.

The foul-minded Xiong Sen, still grinning, shot a malicious glance at Zhang Zhiji's backside and chuckled. "Young Lord, I wonder how many lashes you'll be tasting today, heh."

At these words, Zhang Zhiji glared at Xiong Sen and raged, "I'll remember today's kindness well. Just don't you ever fall into my hands!"

Xiong Sen, however, picked his nose with a finger, flicked it lightly, and laughed. "Young Lord, better worry about saving your own hide first! Ha!"

Zhang Zhiji was about to say more, but the several fast horses from the distance were already upon them. Left with no choice, the nearly thirty men present all tumbled from their saddles, prostrated themselves on the ground, and cried out in unison: "Long live His Majesty!

Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

The riders galloping from afar were none other than the Chongzhen Emperor and his party. When they reached Zhang Zhiji and the others, Chongzhen reined in his horse, his face dark. "What 'ten thousand years'? Hm?!"

Hearing the Chongzhen Emperor's hostile tone and that he had not bidden them rise, Zhang Zhiji, Liu Xingzuo, Wanyan Cheng, and the rest all groaned inwardly.

Apart from Xiong Sen, who remained utterly unruffled, everyone else — whether the ringleaders Zhang Zhiji, Liu Xingzuo, and Wanyan Cheng, or the soldiers of the New Army and the Capital Camps who had been brought along, and those Xibe cavalrymen — felt their hearts churn with unease.

Zhang Zhiji reckoned the Emperor probably wouldn't do much to him — at worst a scolding, and even if it went further, no more than a beating. But the man following behind Chongzhen was none other than the genuine Duke of Ying — his own father.

The agonizing memories of being strung up and beaten more times than he could remember, ever since he could remember, made Zhang Zhiji's expression turn rather strange.

Yet as his eyes darted about, he noticed that the expressions of those Xibe barbarians were even stranger. Wanyan Cheng and his crew were also cursing Xiong Sen inwardly for being utterly despicable.

A brawl was no big deal in itself, but the fact that this bastard had brought the matter to the Emperor — and that the Emperor had brought along their own young mistress, Wanyan Yuzhuo — was a real headache...

Sure enough, before Chongzhen could say anything further, Wanyan Yuzhuo — who showed not a trace of fatigue despite galloping all the way, her pretty face instead pale with fury — urged her horse forward past the others.

Reaching Wanyan Cheng and his men, she dismounted and gave a grim, cold laugh.

"You've all grown bold, haven't you?

They are my husband's soldiers, and you dared to strike them? Fine slaves you are — you truly do your mistress proud!"

After this tirade, she raised her riding crop and lashed out furiously at Wanyan Cheng and the others, cursing as she struck. "Today I'll flog you wretches to death, so you stop disgracing me!"

By the similar tribal customs of fishing, hunting, and nomadic peoples, these knights who had come as part of her dowry were Wanyan Yuzhuo's private property. Even if she beat every last one of them to death, it was hers to do with as she pleased.

Setting aside the fact that with the Emperor here in person, a large army was surely close at hand — just the fact that their families were still back in the Liaodong tribes alone was enough. How would Wanyan Cheng and the others dare resist? For now, they all clenched their jaws and endured.

But unexpectedly, Chongzhen barked out an angry shout: "Stop!"

At these words, Wanyan Yuzhuo did halt her whip, but her mouth remained stubborn. "Your Majesty, these dog slaves dared to raise hands against Your Majesty's soldiers — they are utterly insensible. Let me just beat them all to death and be done with it!"

Chongzhen, his face cold, replied, "They are not slaves! They are soldiers of the Great Ming! It is not for you to act recklessly. Stand down!"

Wanyan Yuzhuo looked utterly incredulous. Abruptly, she swung her whip down again, lashing out as she cried, "Your Majesty would scold me over a few dog slaves? These slaves are my dowry, my chattel — I will beat them to death right now!"

Watching Wanyan Yuzhuo's clumsy performance, Chongzhen hardly knew whether to laugh or cry. Yet the play had to go on. He turned his head and barked at Fang Zhenghua: "Seize Consort Wan's whip!"

Fang Zhenghua, his face as deadpan as ever, cupped his fist in salute, answered in the affirmative, and swung down from his horse, heading straight for Wanyan Yuzhuo.

Hearing Chongzhen's order for Fang Zhenghua to stop her, Wanyan Yuzhuo twisted her lithe body, flicked her whip into a cracking flourish, and lashed it straight at Fang Zhenghua. "Dog slave! You dare stop me?!"

Fang Zhenghua, however, sidestepped to the left, evading the whip she sent his way. He then pressed forward, and before Wanyan Yuzhuo could retreat, he directly seized the riding crop from her hand.

Humiliated and enraged, Wanyan Yuzhuo simply swung her hand to strike Fang Zhenghua. Fang Zhenghua retreated with rapid steps, and once back at Chongzhen's side, he raised the whip in both hands, bowed, and said, "Reporting to His Imperial Majesty, Consort Wan's riding crop has been retrieved."

Chongzhen took the whip, lightly urged his horse forward, and slowly drew up before Wanyan Yuzhuo. Only then did he speak softly: "What is this — can We not discipline you, Consort Wan?!"

Wanyan Yuzhuo stamped her foot, her voice full of mortified fury. "Your Majesty, these dog slaves dared to fight with Your Majesty's soldiers — they deserve death!"

Chongzhen gave a cold snort. "We will tell you once more: they are not your slaves. They are soldiers of the Great Ming!"

Seeing that Wanyan Yuzhuo still wore a defiant expression, Chongzhen continued, "We brought you here today precisely to tell you that from now on, these men will serve on equal terms with the Xibe cavalry who have come to guard the capital.

They are no different from Han people, and they are no longer your slaves. Do you hear?"

With that, Chongzhen ignored Wanyan Yuzhuo and turned to look at the Xibe cavalrymen. He asked, "You have all heard this? Is there any among you unwilling?"

Deep in Wanyan Cheng's heart, a phrase from ancient legends suddenly surfaced: "Heavenly Khan!" His heart trembling, Wanyan Cheng stole a glance at Wanyan Yuzhuo.

Wanyan Yuzhuo merely snorted coldly.

"What are you looking at me for?

His Majesty says you are no different from Han people, so from now on you are no longer my slaves. You've gotten off easy!"

Having said this, she threw a fit of pique, turned, snatched the whip back from Chongzhen's hand, mounted her horse, and rode straight off. Chongzhen's expression flickered, and then he ordered Fang Zhenghua, "Escort Consort Wan back to the palace."

Only then did Chongzhen dismount and walk over to where Zhang Zhiji stood.

Seeing Chongzhen dismount, the Duke of Ying, Zhang Weixian, along with Wang Sui'en and the others who had remained seated on their horses until now, all tumbled from their saddles and gathered behind Chongzhen.

Chongzhen looked at the young lord of the Duke of Ying's household, Zhang Zhiji, with keen interest, his expression peculiar.

"The young lord is quite capable, is he?

Leading troops in a private brawl — why don't We see you leading troops beyond the passes to kill the Jianzhou barbarians? Are you a master at internal strife and a bungler against external foes?"

Zhang Zhiji, terrified into a cold sweat, knelt on the ground. "Your servant's crime deserves ten thousand deaths!"

The Duke of Ying, Zhang Weixian, also hurriedly stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant has failed in discipline, allowing this unfilial son to commit a grave error.

Once I return home, I shall break his dog legs and forbid him from setting even half a step outside the household gate."

Hearing Zhang Weixian speak thus, Chongzhen was startled. We came here only to win over these Xibe cavalrymen, and incidentally to test whether that transmigrator training We received in Our past life was actually any use.

We had no intention of making you break the young Duke of Ying's legs! Breaking them is no great matter in itself, but where would We find such loyal talent then?

At this, Chongzhen softened his expression and smoothed things over for Zhang Weixian.

"My beloved minister, your words go too far.

We came here merely to see what mischief this young lord and the Xibe soldiers were up to; We had no thought of punishing him. After all, a brawl, so long as it is kept within certain bounds, is hardly a matter of great consequence."

Zhang Weixian, however, bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, had this been reported to the Ministry of War beforehand and placed on record, it would not be a private brawl and would indeed count for little. But this unfilial son led troops in a private brawl — he cannot go unpunished."

Chongzhen was inwardly displeased. I've already offered you an out — we could all just get along fine. Why is this Duke of Ying so stubbornly fixated on principle?

But on second thought, it was better for these nobles of merit, or rather the military clan, to be rigid about principles. If they were all as slippery as those civil officials, that would be truly sickening.

Having thought it through, Chongzhen said, "In that case, he should be punished. But We believe that simply beating him won't do. After all, he is meant to kill the enemy for the state — if he's beaten senseless, who bears the cost?"

Zhang Weixian's aged face twitched. If not a beating, then what? Execution?

He then heard Chongzhen continue, "How about this: select a room that can hold only one person, leaving a window opening of about a foot or so. Inside, apart from a bed and a chamber pot, nothing else is permitted.

Henceforth, for soldiers in the army from top to bottom, no matter who errs — except for minor offenses where a beating with the plank will suffice — all the rest shall be locked inside to reflect properly.

With one condition: neither the guards outside the door nor those delivering meals are permitted to exchange a single word with the confined man. Furthermore, no man is to be confined for more than three days!"

Then, with a rather peculiar expression, Chongzhen said to Zhang Zhiji, "Young Lord, We shall give you a choice. Will you take fifty heavy strokes of the plank, or three days in confinement?"

Zhang Zhiji laughed inwardly. The Emperor, wise for a lifetime, is foolish for a moment!

The outside world spreads tales of how brilliant and divinely astute His Majesty is, how no minister, however cunning, can deceive him. But now it seems this Emperor, who is about my own age, has his foolish moments too.

I'll just go in and sleep for three days and three nights — what's the big deal?

Having made up his mind, Zhang Zhiji immediately kowtowed and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your servant chooses three days of confinement."

Seeing Chongzhen's faint, ambiguous smile, Zhang Zhiji boldly grinned and added, "My father's plank is far too heavy. I fear that after fifty strokes, your servant would be beaten into a cripple, unable to serve the state, heh heh."

Looking at Zhang Zhiji's glib manner, Chongzhen could not, for the life of him, connect this slick-talking fellow with the man who would later raise a son destined to die a martyr's death as Duke of Ying.

But no matter. Since you chose confinement yourself, We shall grant your wish. When the time comes, if you can endure three full days, We will salute you as a true man!

Chongzhen was not particularly surprised by the young lord Zhang Zhiji's choice. No one who had never witnessed the terror of confinement would think three days locked up was anything serious.

On this point, even those tough guys of later ages — men who wouldn't cry out after taking a bullet — once thrown into a confinement cell, the toughest among them couldn't last seven days. A seven-day confinement had always been described as a "seven-day tour of hell."

In any case, Wanyan Cheng and his crew had been lashed by Wanyan Yuzhuo, and he himself had played the good guy. Whether he could win their hearts would have to be seen later.

The young lord Zhang Zhiji had successfully created favorable conditions for the introduction of confinement, and would become the first man in all the Great Ming to taste its flavor.

Seeing that the matter was essentially resolved, Chongzhen remounted his horse. After ordering Zhang Zhiji and Wanyan Cheng and the others to rise, he continued, "You like to fight, do you?

In a few days, the three thousand Xibe cavalry entering the capital to serve as guards will arrive. We shall wait and see how you perform on the battlefield.

Whoever takes the most heads of the Jianzhou barbarians shall be declared the winner. When the time comes, We shall personally award the victors their battle standard!

Furthermore, whichever guard unit wins, to that unit We shall grant the duty of guarding the palace precincts, rotating once a year."

Hearing this, Zhang Zhiji's face lit up with delight. "Your Majesty's words are true?"

Chongzhen laughed. "A monarch's words are no jest!"

Zhang Zhiji, rubbing his fists and eager for action, stared at Wanyan Cheng and declared, "Your servant is certain to win!"

Wanyan Cheng, his face full of disbelief, knelt and said, "Your Majesty's words are true? If we slaves win, we will be permitted to guard the palace precincts?"

Chongzhen's face filled with displeasure as he barked, "Stand up! From now on, you are no longer slaves. Straighten your backs with dignity! You and they are all the same — all of you are Our soldiers, not slaves! Have you committed this to memory?"

Wanyan Cheng rose from the ground, struck his chest with his fist, and said, "Yes! Your servant commits it to memory! Your servant is no slave — your servant is Your Majesty's soldier!"

Watching Wanyan Cheng and the other Xibe cavalrymen, their expressions a mix of emotions, Chongzhen thought to himself that their hearts could be won. He let out a great laugh, then addressed the many Xibe cavalrymen: "We shall await your performance!

We await the day you beat that young lord Zhang Zhiji into the dirt and then come to guard the palace precincts!"

With that, he wheeled his horse around, whipped it, and rode off in a cloud of dust. After Wang Cheng'en, Zhang Weixian, and the others had followed closely behind Chongzhen and departed, Zhang Zhiji gave a cold snort and said to Wanyan Cheng, "You got lucky today! We'll settle this another time!"

Wanyan Cheng shot back, "Another time it is! Who wins and who loses is still far from certain."

Setting aside how Chongzhen coaxed Wanyan Yuzhuo after returning to the rear palace, and setting aside how Zhang Zhiji, on only his second day in confinement, began clawing at the walls and trying to coax the soldier delivering his meals into talking with him — the secret report delivered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard the very next day alone was enough to send Chongzhen's just-recovering mood plummeting straight back to rock bottom.

"A pig that lacks a pig's self-awareness — deserves the slaughter!"

——

Penguin group: 482571206

Bullets are generally divided into light rounds and heavy rounds. Light rounds are for assault rifles, heavy rounds for machine guns. The rabbit doesn't have dedicated sniper rifle rounds, so the rabbit family's sniper rifles also use heavy rounds.

To achieve high penetration, heavy rounds generally have a larger powder charge. The eagle family uses tungsten for the bullet cores — something the poor rabbit simply can't compete with.

The rabbit family's heavy rounds are of relatively poor quality, with weak penetration; their only advantage is being cheap, and cheap is all they've got.

But light rounds, heh heh.

Light rounds are for rifles, which means 90% of the ammunition circulating on the market is light rounds. Normally there aren't many restrictions on ordinary bullets internationally, but the moment the rabbit family's bullets hit the market, the other countries couldn't sit still.

Eagle-chan is even considering banning the rabbit from exporting bullets — the reason, heh heh.

Both the eagle family and Big Mao's family use lead cores for their light rounds. The bunch at the Southwest Light Weapons Factory, when they were developing their bullets, who knows what got into their heads — they used steel cores.

Maybe because steel is cheap? Although steel-core bullets don't match lead-core ones in cavitation effect, their penetration capability can blast eagle-chan and Big Mao so hard their shit flies out.

Eagle-chan's soldiers look pretty formidable all geared up in body armor, but the current standard-issue eagle-chan body armor can stop lead-core bullets — it can't stop the rabbit family's steel-core rounds.

That's why a certain rabbit once crowed arrogantly, "Thirty years and you still won't be able to stop them." Arrogant, isn't it?

(End of chapter)