Chapter 67: We Swear to Follow the General to Death! [Request Follow-Up Reading]

"This subordinate does not understand the general's meaning."

Zhu Ying understood inwardly but pretended ignorance on the surface.

Seeing Zhu Ying’s reaction, Fu Youde did not press further, but said solemnly: "General Zhu, be cautious in the army from now on."

"Thank you for your guidance, General."

Zhu Ying replied with feigned ignorance, though he understood perfectly.

"Go."

"Rest well for a few days."

Fu Youde waved his hand.

Zhu Ying bowed with clasped fists and withdrew slowly.

Watching Zhu Ying’s figure, Fu Youde’s face bore a look of deep thought.

"Huaixi, Huaixi."

"It succeeded through Huaixi."

"It will also fail through Huaixi."

"Sigh."

Fu Youde murmured to himself, weighed down by countless thoughts and burdens.

He left the main camp.

Under the escort of his personal guards, Zhu Ying walked slowly toward his own encampment.

"The Emperor values him, the Crown Prince values him, grants him a title, promotes him."

"Beyond genuine merit-based rewards, this is mostly about setting a benchmark in the army and suppressing Huaixi."

"Imperial power."

"It has instantly placed me on the opposite side of the Huaixi hardliners."

Zhu Ying pondered inwardly.

Originally,

when Zhu Ying received his rewards, he had been unclear—after all, these honors seemed earned purely through battlefield merit.

But after seeing the hostile glances from so many officers in the tent, Zhu Ying immediately understood.

The imperial court was elevating him to undermine Huaixi’s prestige within the army.

"But."

"Since you’re elevating me, why would I refuse?"

"Huaixi."

"If history holds true, it will eventually be slaughtered by Zhu Yuanzhang."

"Arrogant soldiers, overbearing men who cling to their merits and refuse to temper themselves—they’re nothing but locusts awaiting autumn."

After these thoughts came to him, Zhu Ying felt no fear or anxiety.

Because his full attributes were the source of his confidence.

Even if surrounded by a thousand troops, Zhu Ying was certain he could fight his way out.

He returned to the logistics camp, his temporary quarters.

Though granted leave, Zhu Ying’s troops had already awakened in the camp, sharpening blades and repairing bows and arrows.

"Garrison Commander."

"Garrison Commander..."

Seeing Zhu Ying arrive, the soldiers gathered around him, their gazes filled with reverence and trust.

"Brothers."

"From now on, you can’t call me Garrison Commander anymore."

Liu Lei said with a smile.

"Has the Garrison Commander been promoted?"

Zhang Wu asked eagerly.

Wei Quan and the others also looked on expectantly.

"By imperial grace,"

"I have been promoted to Deputy Commander of the Danning Frontier Army, commanding ten thousand troops."

"And granted the title of Baron of a County."

Looking at these comrades who had shared life and death with him, Zhu Ying smiled and spoke at once.

Hearing this,

the surrounding soldiers’ faces lit up with excitement.

"Congratulations, General!"

"Congratulations, General!"

"General led us to slaughter enemies on the northern frontier, slaying countless foes. Even promotion to Regional Military Commissioner would be justified—this is what you deserve."

"Exactly."

"General led us into battle, always charging first—this is real, proven battlefield merit. This is what you deserve."

"The court has shown great favor, granting you a noble title as well."

"Wonderful."

"..."

Each soldier was happier than if they themselves had been rewarded, eagerly offering their congratulations to Zhu Ying.

"Brothers, General Fu has already ordered the Chief of Military Police to compile your battlefield merits and award promotions accordingly."

"Your rewards should be issued within the next day or two," Zhu Ying added to the troops.

Hearing this,

Wei Quan and Zhang Wu and the others wore expressions of concern.

Then,

Wei Quan stepped forward and knelt before Zhu Ying, his face heavy with worry.

This sudden kneel stunned Zhu Ying; the surrounding soldiers froze in surprise.

"What are you doing?"

Zhu Ying immediately stepped forward to help him up.

But Wei Quan stepped back, his expression solemn: "General’s promotion is fully deserved. But this subordinate begs the General not to abandon us, your old comrades who have shared life and death. We beg you to continue leading us into battle and earning glory."

"I’ve served for nearly a decade, but General, you are fearless and a master of command."

"I serve only you."

"If I may follow you into battle until death, I will have no regrets."

Wei Quan declared loudly, his tone utterly sincere—every word true.

Seeing Wei Quan speak,

Zhang Wu,

Zhuang Wei,

Luo Hua,

the three Battalion Commanders immediately knelt before Zhu Ying and shouted: "We vow to follow the General to death—please do not abandon us!"

As these Battalion Commanders spoke,

the surrounding soldiers suddenly understood, their faces also clouded with worry.

Then,

nearly three thousand soldiers gathered without hesitation—whispering, then roaring—they all knelt before Zhu Ying at once.

"We vow to follow the General to death—please do not abandon us!"

"We vow to follow the General to death..."

At this moment,

thousands of voices rose in perfect unison, each voice solemn and resolute.

Though they had followed Zhu Ying for less than three months, every man had been won over.

Not only because of his ferocity, but because he led from the front, cared for every soldier, and on the northern frontier, even if one man fell behind, Zhu Ying would turn back to rescue him.

In the chaos of battle, Zhu Ying had taken countless blades and arrows meant for his brothers.

Such a commander—how could they not wish to follow him?

Seeing this scene,

to earn such trust and devotion from his troops,

Zhu Ying’s face softened with emotion, then he smiled: "Brothers, who said I would abandon you?"

"Though I’ve been promoted, I still belong to the Danning Frontier Army—I remain your direct commander."

"Moreover,"

"the Tartar horses we captured will now serve us."

"General Fu has ordered: I will command the first full cavalry Deputy Commander battalion of Danning Prefecture, leading ten thousand cavalry."

"All of you are members of this cavalry Deputy Commander battalion."

"General Fu has already ordered troops to be assembled—once they arrive, the cavalry Deputy Commander battalion will be formed."

"My old brothers, you may still follow me, Zhu Ying, into battle and conquest," Zhu Ying declared loudly.

Upon hearing this,

every soldier’s face flushed with excitement.

"We swear to follow the General to our deaths!"

"We swear to follow the General to our deaths..."

All the officers cried out in fervor, and deep down, each of them breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Enough."

"Get up, all of you."

"With no battle imminent, rest well."

"Once the new troops arrive in a few days, you’ll have hard work ahead."

Zhu Ying waved to the soldiers around him, then walked toward his tent.

"Liu Lei."

At the entrance of the tent, Zhu Ying stopped.

"Your orders, General," Liu Lei said at once.

"I’ve now been promoted to Assistant Guard Commander and may have two hundred Personal Guards. Pick them from among the old comrades," Zhu Ying instructed.

…

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