Chapter 38: Shen Family Moves, Zhu Ying Sets the Ambush!

「Indeed.」

「Compared to looting corpses, killing enemies yields results faster.」

「All attributes are about to break a thousand; just wait for the next big battle.」

「I’ve already gained over ten years of lifespan from looting—originally I was meant to live to eighty-eight, now I’ve extended it by over a decade; immortality isn’t a dream.」

「No one can outlast me in a contest of endurance—not even that ancient turtle Sima Yi from the Three Kingdoms.」

「The future looks promising.」

Zhu Ying thought to himself with quiet satisfaction.

Looking at his attribute panel, this was the tangible manifestation of all the kills he’d looted.

He snapped back to awareness.

Zhu Ying slowly stood up; around him, many comrades leaned against their horses, fast asleep—days of retreat and combat had left every soldier utterly exhausted, for none possessed his endurance.

「I hope they all make it home.」

Zhu Ying scanned the night sky, silently thinking to himself.

He then walked slowly toward the rear to patrol the night watch.

……

Beiping Prefecture!

The Shen family.

「Father.」

Shen Rong strode into the main hall, his face grim.

「Still haven’t found her?」

Shen Wansan looked at Shen Rong, frowning.

「That slut has already left, and Zhu Ying’s steward is gone too.」

「Looks like she went to find Zhu Ying.」 Shen Rong sneered.

「Girls really do turn against their families when they grow up.」 A flicker of anger crossed Shen Wansan’s aged face.

「Father.」

「We shouldn’t have taken in that slut in the first place—we raised her, and now she turns her back on us.」 Shen Rong was also growing angry.

But as soon as he spoke those words,

Shen Wansan shot him a sharp glare.

Shen Rong’s face paled with fear: 「I spoke out of turn, Father.」

「Enough.」

「Don’t mention this again.」

「If she’s gone to look for him, let her go.」

「Danning Prefecture is vast—she won’t find him so easily.」

「And if she dies out there, it has nothing to do with the Shen family.」

「Have you gathered any news on Zhu Ying?」 Shen Wansan asked in a low tone.

Shen Rong immediately replied: 「Father, we have good news.」

「The Danning army has mobilized against the Tartars on the northern frontier, and the Northern Yuan seems to have gotten involved too—our family’s merchant caravans have taken on a flood of military supply runs to Danning.」

「It’s said the border troops of Danning have already moved.」

「Zhu Ying is just an ordinary man—neither scholarly nor martial—he’ll surely die on the battlefield.」 Shen Rong sneered.

「Have you sent men yet?」 Shen Wansan asked cautiously.

「Men have already been dispatched to Danning. We have Zhu Ying’s full enlistment records—if he survives the battlefield, we have plenty of ways to make sure he doesn’t.」 Shen Rong sneered.

「Handle it thoroughly.」

「Leave no trace.」

「He’s just a boy, but Zhu Ying’s grandmother once had an unusual background—though she’s dead now, we must still proceed with caution.」

「Also, you must find Zhu Ying’s steward and that girl—preferably so they never return. After all, that girl is a threat; if she’s discovered, the Shen family is finished.」 Shen Wansan lowered his voice, his expression grave.

Shen Rong nodded immediately: 「Father, rest assured—I understand.」

「How is the matter with the Lü family?」

「After all this time, have you reached an agreement?」 Shen Wansan asked anxiously.

「It’s settled.」

「As soon as the dowry is ready, she can be brought over.」 Shen Rong said proudly.

「Hmm.」

A smile spread across Shen Wansan’s aged face: 「Once the Shen family marries into the Lü family, we’ll be firmly established in the Great Ming—royal nobility, we’ll finally be tied to the imperial clan.」

「Father is truly brilliant.」

「Our second and third sisters married into the Huaixi meritorious families; now our fourth sister is to marry into the maternal clan of the future Crown Princess.」

「The Shen family is forging alliances on two fronts—we’ll stand forever in the Great Ming, forever the richest family in the realm.」 Shen Rong said with deep admiration.

「That’s precisely why Zhu Ying must die—to ensure the Shen family’s long-term prosperity, we must ally with great clans. Our family’s wealth is too great; if we hadn’t maintained so many Liyi ties with the Huaixi meritorious families over the years, we’d have been devoured down to the last coin. Now, marrying into the Lü family is to preserve our family’s flourishing.」

「In the end,」

「It’s all for the sake of the family’s continuation and prosperity.」

「For this, anything can be sacrificed.」

「In this world, wealth alone is nothing—those people hold power. Against power, even the greatest fortune is merely a number.」 Shen Wansan said with a tone of weary insight.

……

Northern Frontier, Tartar territory!

Behind a low-lying hill.

Nearly four thousand Ming cavalrymen were scattered on both sides, each drenched in blood, each radiating a thick stench of gore.

At their head, a general stood, holding a long saber, waiting in silence.

At that moment!

Several fast riders swiftly crossed the low basin and arrived before Zhu Ying.

「Report, Garrison Commander.」

「The Tartar cavalry is less than four li away and approaching this position.」

「At their current pace, they’ll arrive within the time of one incense stick.」 The scout squad leader reported loudly.

「Good.」 Zhu Ying nodded, waved his hand: 「Take your positions.」

「Your orders, sir.」

The scouts swiftly rejoined the formation.

「Brothers.」

「This place is the grave we’ve prepared for these Tartar cavalrymen.」

「This battle—when they arrive, it will be their end.」

「All officers and men, listen!」

「Form into four battalion attack formations, hidden behind the hills.」

「Wait until the Tartars are trapped, then unleash arrows and strike.」 Zhu Ying gave the order immediately.

「Your orders, sir.」

The soldiers swiftly dispersed, hiding on either side of the hill—perfectly concealed on the slope.

This location—

was a spot Zhu Ying had searched for some time to find; hard to come by on the northern frontier’s plains, it sat at higher ground with a low, gentle rise.

From below, no trace of the Ming troops could be seen.

Moreover,

once they passed through this low basin and climbed up, they’d have no chance to retreat.

This, then, was the grave Zhu Ying had chosen for them.

Eliminate them.

The Tartar cavalry was effectively crippled by Zhu Ying—they could no longer pursue him.

Once their cavalry was broken, Zhu Ying could move freely within their territory.

This was the purpose of Zhu Ying’s ambush here.

Zhu Ying stood atop the valley’s entrance, holding his carved bow, eyes fixed ahead; every soldier gripped his bow, ready to strike.

Everything was set—waiting for the Tartars to walk into the trap.

Over these past days,

Zhu Ying deliberately left traces—fleeing while leaving signs—to lure them in.

……

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(End of Chapter)