Chapter 185

Under the warm, bright sun, thirty *li* in front of Shanhai Pass was Battalion Commander Wang's station.

Although it was already September and the weather had turned cold, on the drill ground, a group of big-headed soldiers, shirtless, with sweat flowing like a river and resolute expressions, were making "Ha-He" sounds in their mouths, performing martial arts in one move and one style.

The big-headed soldiers had practiced military posture and marching in step for a month before changing subjects. It was also during this month that, whether veterans or new recruits, they were supplied with good food and drink, and their bodies were nurtured quite well.

Because of this, Wang Yan also passed down the set of boxing techniques he had summarized before that took into account both body forging and fighting, and at the same time, cooperated with the herbal formulas he had obtained to nourish them. Of course, the medicinal effect was far from the level of those secret formulas; they were simply too expensive, and if more than a thousand people used them, he couldn't afford to raise them.

It was also because of this that after practicing for another month, the differences in individual physical talents could be roughly seen. Wang Yan organized an internal martial arts competition, decided on the top 200 seed little brothers, supplied them with medicine, and increased the training volume.

After finishing these things, it was now.

On the high platform set up in front of the drill ground, Wang Yan, in a black tight-fitting outfit, sat lazily on a round-backed chair made entirely of rosewood. His freshly washed, loose long hair danced with the wind, his right foot stepped on the front corner of the chair, his whole body leaned against the back of the chair, his left hand rested on the armrest supporting his head, and he looked boredly at the big-headed soldiers performing martial arts below, lost in thought.

The business was doing quite well, and sales were relatively popular. The most awesome thing was that he even heard that those two soaps had been sold to the Mongols, Later Jin, and Korea. As for the drunken and dreamy Jiang Nan, it went without saying. The famous courtesans in the brothels there were now all using this stuff. Wang Yan also cooperatively launched a set of exquisite scented soaps with various fragrances, such as plum, orchid, bamboo, chrysanthemum, spring, summer, autumn, winter, etc., which were quite popular.

The big-headed soldiers practicing martial arts below were also not bad; they already had considerable combat effectiveness on the battlefield with knives. Without blowing his own horn, the thousand or so people under his command now, if they went out to fight a field battle with their previous selves, under the cooperation of the military formation, fighting three thousand would not be a big problem. Of course, the casualties would also be not small; basically, they would be crippled after one battle.

If fighting the Later Jin, there was no way to measure it; after all, there were still a small half of new recruits who had never been on the battlefield. But in the case of a thousand people fighting each other, it should not be a big problem. Because at this time, once casualties exceeded the line in battle, they would directly collapse. The soldiers he trained were much better than those people; this was the military prestige cast by his iron and blood.

He trained them so harshly; after such a long time, there were definitely those who were unconvinced, or those who wanted to escape. But the problem was not big. Those who were unconvinced were beaten half to death by Wang Yan, and those who escaped were caught back, and right on this high platform, Wang Yan did it himself, beheading them directly in front of thousands of people.

Big stick and sweet jujube; the big stick was smashed down, and the sweet jujube followed. Not to mention food and drink, Wang Yan issued the military pay of these big-headed soldiers in full. Battalion Commander Wang was merciful; when they were on holiday, except for a small number of people who sent money home and didn't go anywhere, most of them went to brothels...

It had only been two months, and having such results was quite enough. And he wouldn't look for trouble for himself for no reason, taking people to fight against several times the enemy.

The rest was the training of military doctors, and those craftsmen.

As for military doctors, the medical conditions were there, and he couldn't make any flowers. It was just teaching them some suturing techniques, as well as disinfection, etc.

As for the craftsmen, they were currently researching the steam engine Wang Yan gave them...

And other things were all done by Sun Fugui and the subordinates he promoted. After this period of exercise, Sun Fugui's ability was still enough, and he handled things very properly.

Sun Fugui's family had also been picked up long ago and settled in Shanhai Pass, and he had sent people to guard them.

In fact, as long as Sun Fugui maintained his current state, was not greedy, and didn't die an unnatural death, basically there would be no problem with his wealth in this life.

The reason he promoted another person was not that he couldn't trust Sun Fugui. But handing all the work to one person was truly looking for trouble for himself. Promoting one person to balance it out could be considered an insurance, which was good for everyone.

It was also because of this that Wang Yan basically had no serious business now, so he could only watch the big-headed soldiers under his command drill here, looking for a sense of existence.

At this moment, he was sitting on the chair, his eyes drifting, researching whether to make some moves or something. Although he had a lot of materials and silver in his hands now, he couldn't use too much of that stuff; after all, there were only so many people. Besides, he was a damn military officer; he had been idle for more than half a year. If he didn't fight, how could he rise to power?

Last month, the sixth year of the Great Ming Tianqi, August 11, Nurhaci died. Yuan Chonghuan sent people to mourn; of course, saying it was mourning, there was also the purpose of probing the reality...

Then Hong Taiji rose to power and directly wanted to negotiate peace with Regional Inspector Yuan.

Yuan Chonghuan agreed...

Of course, having a period of peaceful development and accumulating strength was indeed the best strategy.

So now, they were fighting and talking at the front, and in the rear, they were starting large-scale land reclamation, reportedly submitting a memorial to Zhu Youjiao wanting to recover the territory lost by the previous big brother Gao Di...

How specifically it was said, there was no result yet; it was estimated that the higher-ups were still discussing it. Anyway, Wang Yan didn't receive any news from Man Gui.

Wang Yan supported his head and couldn't help but think, that damn Later Jin, this *Beile*, that *Age* (prince)—did they just watch Hong Taiji rise to power? Did they have no extra little thoughts or something?

At such a sensitive time of power transfer, did Regional Inspector Yuan and the bunch of civil and military officials in the temple have no thoughts? Did they not say to send someone to poke at other *Beiles* who were qualified to inherit the Khan position?

The Later Jin's troops, counting fully, were 200,000. Since the Battle of Ningyuan, in the half year until now, troop movements and filling vacancies had never stopped. It was estimated that there were more than 100,000 troops.

But until now, Nurhaci had been dead for a whole month, and there was no movement at all.

Wang Yan didn't believe that this bunch of people didn't know the specific situation, and similarly didn't believe that no one had thoughts. But the result of history told him that Hong Taiji sat firmly in the big brother's position.

Now that the subordinates were straightened out and the foundation was laid, it was definitely not okay not to fight.

Thinking and doing, Wang Yan stood up directly and was about to leave.

And seeing the Battalion Commander in front suddenly stand up, thinking that the big brother had something to say, the big-headed soldiers performing martial arts below subconsciously stopped their movements.

Seeing this situation, Wang Yan's face was a bit dark; just now he was thinking that these soldiers were training quite well, but what the hell was this?

Wang Yan paused his steps, stood at the edge of the high platform, and shouted: "Did I tell you to stop? Huh?"

Seeing the big brother lose his temper, the little brothers below stood at attention properly, not daring to have any movement. No idiot was smart enough to panic and continue the previous movements, because past experience told them that they would be cleaned up even more fiercely if they did that.

It had to be said, working under this Battalion Commander Wang was quite good; usually everyone chatted and laughed, the Battalion Commander had no airs, and the military pay was sufficient, and if there was something to find him, it could be handled. Basically, everything was good, it was just that this damn training all day long was killing people...

Knowing that they were going to suffer again, the big-headed soldiers below had their own thoughts...

Nodding with satisfaction, Wang Yan shouted: "Run forty *li* within an hour; those who can't finish will practice with me tomorrow, move faster..."

"Yes, Battalion Commander."

The people below responded in unison, and then they ran out in a swarm silently, without extra words.

After everyone ran away, Wang Yan walked down the high platform swaying, returned to the room, and was helped by his subordinates to tie his hair, put on clothes, and put on armor. Although being served by men was somewhat strange, let's make do for now; after all, he was currently quite inconvenient, and it would be fine after a while; he had to get two women to serve him anyway.

After finishing, Wang Yan girded his waist knife, went out, mounted his horse, and whistled towards Shanhai Pass.

This was a military operation; if he didn't greet the big brother, he would truly be floating.

The distance was no more than thirty *li*, and it wouldn't take long for him to run there, not to mention he was riding a horse. Although his horse was not a thousand-*li* horse, it was a top-notch warhorse, hmm... fast as lightning.

After a while, arriving at the Regional Commander's mansion, he followed the usual practice and let the little soldier standing guard at the gate report.

Although Man Gui had already explained that he could go directly when he came, he was a little brother after all, and the rank difference was too big, so he couldn't take it seriously.

A moment later, the little soldier standing guard came to lead the way, and Wang Yan followed the little soldier to the place where Man Gui handled affairs, familiar with the road.

Very naturally, Battalion Commander Wang knelt on one knee with a 'crack', cupped his hands and saluted: "Your subordinate Wang Yan, pays respects to the Regional Commander."

"Hey, how many times have I said it, I treat you like a nephew, no need to be formal." After Wang Yan paid respects, Man Gui stood up and helped Wang Yan up, saying: "Get up quickly, sit down and talk."

"Thank you, my lord."

As he spoke, Wang Yan skillfully sat in the lower position.

After someone served hot tea, Man Gui smiled and said: "What's the matter with finding me this time?"

"My lord, now Nurhaci is dead, the Jianzhou Jurchens must be internally turbulent. And your subordinate has been training troops for a long time, which is just the time to test the results, so your subordinate thought..."

Before Wang Yan finished speaking, Man Gui frowned and interrupted: "You want to send troops?"

Nodding, Wang Yan said: "Yes, my lord. Of course, your subordinate will not move with thousands of people, but will take the fifty cavalrymen allocated by my lord earlier, go deep behind enemy lines, and destroy their rear like General Mao."

Now the relationship between the two was extraordinary, with major interests involved, so just say whatever there was. If it could be done, Man Gui would agree. If it couldn't, Man Gui would also say it. Instead of playing official jargon with him without a single serious word.

Man Gui didn't speak, frowning, his hand on the table tapping back and forth. After a while, he looked at Wang Yan: "I know you are eager for meritorious service, but now Regional Inspector Yuan is negotiating peace with the Jianzhou Jurchens, and one move affects the whole situation. If you move, I'm afraid it will affect the strategy of the higher-ups, which is not easy to handle..."

He didn't quite understand how Wang Yan's brain worked; at such a young age, earning so much silver, wouldn't it be good to live honestly and comfortably? Why did he still think about going out to kill people for no reason?

"My lord, your subordinate believes that the Jianzhou Jurchens have not given up their heart to destroy our Great Ming and have coveted our Great Ming's rivers and mountains for a long time. Even if they negotiate peace on the surface, it is just a delaying tactic to buy time because they are currently unstable internally, and they will fight sooner or later."

Wang Yan's sincere eyes met Man Gui's: "General Mao in Korea has not stopped his actions, and the sentry posts on the Jinzhou front also have friction from time to time. And your subordinate will erase the traces of our Great Ming when taking troops out and disguise as strongmen, so your subordinate privately believes that it will not have any impact on the peace talks."

Man Gui still frowned and pondered. In fact, he supported sending troops at this time. Even an amateur in military strategy like Battalion Commander Wang knew that the interior was unstable, not to mention him, Regional Commander Man, who had been in the army for many years?

But the world was ultimately decided by civil officials. Don't look at how awesome Wei Zhongxian was; he was just pushed out by the Emperor to fight the civil officials. Just like this, when Wei Zhongxian sent people to Jiang Nan to collect taxes, they were gone wave after wave...

Unknowingly, Man Gui thought for a long time, and suddenly slapped the table: "Do it."

"Yes, my lord."

Wang Yan stood up and accepted the order decisively.

"That... must be careful, don't let people discover the traces of our Great Ming, and, if you are defeated and captured..."

Without needing him to say more, Wang Yan said: "My lord, rest assured, your subordinate will only die in battle and will not be captured."

Saying so on the surface, he couldn't help but complain in his heart: Damn, waited for at least an hour, the table was slapped so loudly, I thought Regional Commander Man was very urine-like, but it turned out to be just this?

Man Gui stroked his beard and nodded, stood up and said: "In that case... be careful in everything..."

"Thank you, my lord, your subordinate takes my leave."

Wang Yan cupped his hands and saluted, stepped back two steps, turned around, and walked away with big strides...

Returning to the station, the bunch of big-headed soldiers had long since finished running and had already rested and started boxing.

Taking a look, Wang Yan had someone notify Sun Fugui to come see him, and turned back to his residence.

Not long after, Sun Fugui knocked on the door and walked in: "My lord."

Wang Yan didn't talk nonsense and said directly: "Let the first forty-nine people who competed before and the eldest son of Physician Li rest well, and prepare dry rations and water for fifty people for a week, and prepare all the weapons and armor without marks that we prepared before."

"Is my lord going out to fight?"

Wang Yan nodded: "It has nothing to do with you. After I leave, you are responsible for everything. Guard the home well, train the brothers well, and earn silver well."

"My lord, rest assured, your subordinate guarantees with this life that there is no problem."

"Go."

"Yes, my lord."

After Sun Fugui left, Wang Yan opened the back door and went to a room in the back that had been thickened with several layers of walls. Feeling in the dark, he found dozens of small, exquisitely packaged parcels the size of a palm, and waved his hand to collect them all into the space.

He had already made glycerin, so he definitely couldn't waste it. Before, he was still lamenting that chemistry was good, so it had to be used in place. For such a long time, he had long been trembling with fear and configured so many explosive packs. No way, he had to be afraid; this thing would truly explode if not handled well. He didn't have much, and he couldn't escape either. And for the sake of lethality, he even added a lot of small iron pieces inside.

After making them, he secretly ran to the distant mountains to test their power, which was quite enough. In the words of Regional Inspector Yuan, one explosion and countless dead heads.

Returning to the front room, he carefully wiped the Yanling saber he had specially ordered people to collect materials for, which was pitch black and restrained its cold light.

Speaking of this Yanling saber, one had to mention the theme of his "Xiuchun saber."

According to his understanding, the shape of the Xiuchun saber was generally similar to the Yanling saber, and the difference was nothing more than imperial manufacture. Man Gui had a Xiuchun saber, which was rewarded to him by Zhu Youjiao before.

And the Yanling saber was standard equipment of the Great Ming. The knife he used to howl and kill people before was the Yanling saber. This time, he specially ordered a new one because the knife was too light, only two *jin* and a bit, which was somewhat insufficient for his physical fitness. And this newly made knife weighed nine *jin* and was slightly lengthened, probably about one meter. It wasn't just right for him, but anyway, it was much handier than the two-*jin* one.

Besides that, there were bows and arrows. He got a two-*shi* bow, probably about two hundred and forty or fifty *jin*. He had measured a three-*shi* one, and he could pull it open, but it wasn't sustainable, and the output ability was poor. Comparatively, the two-*shi* one was much better, and he could fire continuously.

The weapons used by his subordinates were naturally standard, and a batch of Yanling sabers weighing three *jin* and a bit were made. They didn't use bows, but compound crossbows he had researched with craftsmen for a period of time. Due to material limitations, they might not reach the lethality of modern ones. But compared to ordinary bows and arrows, they were not bad, and they were not difficult to use, and the speed of loading the crossbow was not slow.

Mainly, this was a small-scale Mobile Corps Commander war, and there was no need for large-scale covering strikes of bows; precise flat shooting was quite enough.

Sun Fugui executed Wang Yan's orders very well, and everything was ready.

The next day, before dawn, Wang Yan, who had rested early, along with forty-nine little brothers and one military doctor, were ready to go.

No extra nonsense, after checking that there was no problem, Wang Yan led people to set off directly.

They didn't walk loudly, and it took two days to take a detour out of the actual control range of the Great Ming.

Going out this time, Wang Yan didn't have any strategic intentions or anything. If he had to say there was one, it was to disturb the rear, but mainly it was to cut off heads, exchange for military merit, and rise to power.

Therefore, to avoid Man Gui's "one move affects the whole situation," Wang Yan hid and tucked away and marched urgently for five days, going all the way to the vicinity of the Guangning Rear Tun Guard that had already been lost.

To tell the truth, his position was still relatively awkward, not far from Jinzhou in the rear, and not far from the Later Jin's old nest, Shengjing. In fact, Wang Yan still wanted to run further; if it weren't for the lack of dry rations, he would have wanted to go directly to the rear of Changchun.

At this time, the night was dark and the wind was high, and Wang Yan led fifty people to a mountain hollow far away from the Later Jin army's station, looking at a sentry post below.

The Later Jin had occupied this place for a period of time, and it could be considered a place where the two armies confronted each other, so there were quite a few garrison troops here. It was just that this bunch of soldiers were used to burning, killing, and looting, and their military discipline was not very good. And they had always been the ones sending troops to fight the Great Ming, and they had been chasing and attacking cities all the way, beating the Great Ming until their heads were covered in bags, so this confidence had long since come up.

Guarding against the Great Ming? Just that group of bastards who only knew how to run, or else hid in their shells and wouldn't come out—what the *der* was there to guard against?

So, what Wang Yan saw was them drinking and eating meat inside, having a great time...