Chapter 55: Bu Wan Discusses Huaixi
“Your servant accepts the order.”
The commander of the Personal Guard immediately bowed to Feng Sheng and accepted the order.
“The Tartars are now in chaos; their chieftain has been beheaded by Zhu Ying. The task assigned to him by Governor Bu has already been far exceeded.”
“He should be returning soon.”
Feng Sheng spoke in a low tone, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Bu Wan smiled and immediately said, “Your Excellency speaks truly. Originally, I only ordered Zhu Ying to hold the northern frontier for half a month, waiting for our main army to arrive. Yet he remained there over a month and achieved such remarkable results—something I never imagined.”
“How old?” Feng Sheng asked with a smile.
“He enlisted at sixteen. More than half a year has passed; he should be turning seventeen in a few months,” Bu Wan replied at once.
“He is indeed a talent of our Great Ming. With proper cultivation, he will surely become one of our most formidable generals.”
“When he returns, I shall meet him in person,” Feng Sheng laughed loudly.
“Your Excellency.”
“I plan to launch a night raid on Kaiyuan City tonight to disrupt the Yuan forces and prepare for its capture.”
Watching Feng Sheng praise Zhu Ying so highly, Lan Yu stepped forward and loudly requested the mission.
Clearly.
He did not wish his own glory to be overshadowed by Zhu Ying.
“How to attack is for you, Marquis of Yongchang, to decide,” Feng Sheng said, having seen through Lan Yu’s intentions and offering no obstruction.
In the army, merit speaks for itself. If you compete for achievements, as long as you do not cause disorder, compete all you wish—but within bounds.
“Your servant accepts the order.”
“Within ten days.”
“I shall break Kaiyuan City and annihilate the Yuan garrison within it,” Lan Yu declared loudly, shortening his previously stated deadline of half a month.
“I await your results.”
“If you break the city within ten days, I shall personally petition His Majesty to grant you merit.”
“General Fu Youde’s assault on the heavily defended Jincheng is the same.”
“Whoever breaks the city first shall claim the primary merit,” Feng Sheng added at once.
…
Inside the camp!
Bu Wan, Chen Heng, and Liu Zhen sat facing each other, all smiling.
“How did you feel today?” Bu Wan asked with a smile.
“Greatly inspired.”
“All along,”
“our Danning frontier troops have never stood out among our Great Ming’s regional armies; we were never notable in the Ministry of War or the imperial court. The Beiping troops were always considered the strongest on the frontier. But now, with Zhu Ying’s continuous victories and our Danning troops fighting to the death against the Yuan without retreating, our Danning frontier troops have truly earned our reputation,” Chen Heng said with a smile.
After their separate commands in the northern frontier that day, Chen Heng and Liu Zhen, both Assistant Commanders, led their troops to raid Yuan-controlled Liaodong while retreating gradually.
As the main army arrived, Chen Heng and Liu Zhen merged their forces under Feng Sheng’s command.
“Indeed.”
“Zhu Ying,”
“is young yet possesses boldness and generalship—his future is boundless.”
“With Zhu Ying’s current achievements, he is more than worthy of promotion to Assistant Commander, commanding ten thousand troops,” Bu Wan said with deep emotion.
The first time he heard Zhu Ying’s name was when Zhu Ying single-handedly slew a hundred enemies, cut down their commander and banner. At that time, Bu Wan first recognized Zhu Ying—and Zhu Ying was then merely a Company Commander.
“His command ability—I am not his equal.”
“Not just promotion to Assistant Commander—even promotion to Deputy Commander or full Commander would be entirely justified,” Chen Heng said with great admiration.
“That is true.”
“At first, we thought Zhu Ying’s slaughter of a hundred enemies was merely brute courage. But now, after his deep-penetration campaign behind enemy lines, his exceptional command ability is undeniable.”
“He led four thousand cavalry into enemy territory, where one misstep could have led to encirclement and total annihilation.”
“Yet he inflicted heavy losses, killed their leader. If I had commanded in his place, I might not have lasted ten days before retreating back into Great Ming territory,” Liu Zhen admitted frankly.
“Zhu Ying—his future is boundless.”
“Not just because of his battlefield achievements, but because he has already caught the Emperor’s eye.”
“Hereditary County Baron—that is an extraordinary honor.”
“Who in our entire Danning frontier army holds such a title?”
“This is the Emperor’s wisdom,” Bu Wan said with deep emotion.
When he first heard the news, Bu Wan was stunned. But after years in office, he understood the hidden implications: the current Emperor intended to cultivate Zhu Ying and establish him as a benchmark—a young, valiant general—for the Great Ming army.
“Your Excellency.”
“I heard the imperial envoy from Yingtian is still waiting in camp—is this true?” Chen Heng asked cautiously.
“True.”
Bu Wan nodded, his expression grave: “Bestowing a noble title is a major matter. Only an imperial envoy may present the seal of rank, ensuring proper solemnity and honoring the dignity of the title.”
“Since you are here today,”
“I must give you some advice,” Bu Wan said sternly, looking at Chen Heng and Liu Zhen.
“Please, Your Excellency.”
Chen Heng and Liu Zhen replied at once.
“Though we now campaign alongside the Huaixi hardliners under Marquis of Yongchang, remember: do not grow too close to these Huaixi hardliners. Beyond military matters, have no private associations,” Bu Wan whispered, his tone severe.
Hearing this,
Chen Heng and Liu Zhen fell silent.
Then,
Chen Heng understood the implication: “Are you saying the Huaixi hardliners are too arrogant, and you fear we might offend the imperial will by associating with them?”
“The Huaixi hardliners are known for their arrogance and self-importance.”
“Who in the court does not know?”
“Yet despite repeated warnings from His Majesty, they show no restraint. They still cling to their merits and act with impunity. Perhaps the Emperor tolerates them out of respect for their achievements—but I do not believe they will escape punishment forever.”
“Getting too close to them will lead to no good end.”
“Of course,”
“they form their own clique; outsiders cannot join.”
“Even if you try to curry favor, they will never accept you.”
“In short, deal with them cautiously.”
“This is advice from my years in officialdom,” Bu Wan said sternly.
Hearing this,
Chen Heng and Liu Zhen immediately bowed and thanked him: “Thank you, Your Excellency.”
“Today, when Zhu Ying’s achievements reached camp, how arrogant the Marquis of Yongchang was—I saw it clearly.”
“Getting close to them will bring no good end,” Chen Heng said.
“Indeed,” Liu Zhen nodded.
Clearly,
they fully agreed with Bu Wan’s words.
“Just cooperate in military duties.”
“Our Danning frontier troops have fulfilled our duty in this campaign against Naha Chu. What comes next is the responsibility of General Feng and the Marquis of Yongchang,” Bu Wan said with a faint smile, showing little concern for the campaigns ahead.
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[85] (End of Chapter)
(End of Chapter)
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