Chapter 70: Zhu Ying Volunteers for the Assault!

They had originally intended to use this to pressure Zhu Ying, forcing him into a corner so he would ultimately accept the mission.

As long as Zhu Ying failed to breach the city, it would also be a subtle jab at him.

As long as Zhu Ying failed to breach the city, even the imperial court would find it hard to punish them, and they could then proceed with full-scale assaults at the cost of heavy casualties.

But Fu Youde spoke up.

He immediately shut them down.

But at this moment!

Zhu Ying slowly stood up, facing Fu Youde, and declared loudly: “Your subordinate volunteers to lead the breach.”

As soon as these words were spoken.

Inside the command tent, it was as if thunder had split the sky.

Fu Youde also stared at Zhu Ying in stunned silence.

“General Zhu.”

“Do you know what you’re saying?” Fu Youde’s expression darkened as he fixed Zhu Ying with a stern gaze.

“Your subordinate volunteers to lead the breach.” Zhu Ying bowed deeply and shouted again.

“Are you serious?” Fu Youde frowned, unable to fathom Zhu Ying’s intent.

The earlier provocation by Zhao Yong and Wang Bi could easily be overlooked, since Zhu Ying had ample reason to avoid it.

“I am serious,” Zhu Ying replied immediately.

Seeing this,

Zhao Yong and Wang Bi exchanged glances, both revealing a cold sneer and a gleeful anticipation.

“General.”

“Since General Zhu has volunteered, you ought to honor his patriotic spirit.”

“Our army has struggled for half a month to take Jincheng without success—perhaps General Zhu truly can breach it,” Zhao Yong said at once.

“I second that.”

“With General Zhu’s experience commanding cavalry on the northern frontier, he will surely break through Jincheng,” Wang Bi added immediately.

“I second that.”

“Since General Zhu has volunteered, you ought to honor his bold, patriotic resolve.”

“I second that…”

The Huaixi officers in the tent also began voicing their support one after another.

Fu Youde regarded Zhu Ying with grave seriousness: “General Zhu, siege warfare is not cavalry combat on the northern plains—how do you intend to breach a city with cavalry? Are you planning to abandon your horses and advance as infantry?”

“How to breach the city—I have my own method.”

“All I require is your full cooperation,” Zhu Ying said confidently.

Siege warfare.

Gate warfare.

It’s a test of troop strength and morale.

And whether the gates can be shattered swiftly enough to let the main army surge inside.

For other commanders, it’s nearly impossible.

But for Zhu Ying, breaching the city is not difficult—especially now that he possessed the Grade-Tiger Head Great Knife, combined with his own immense strength. Even if Jincheng’s gate were forged entirely of iron, even if it were impervious to ordinary weapons, Zhu Ying could still cleave it open with a single strike.

Added to that, the authority granted by his official seal would further boost his troops’ combat power and morale.

Zhu Ying was confident.

Zhao Yong, Wang Bi, and the other Huaixi hardliners thought they could push him to the front to suffer defeat—but they didn’t realize Zhu Ying had been waiting for exactly this opportunity.

Since they were willing to hand him the glory of breaching the city, Zhu Ying welcomed it gladly.

Once the city fell,

Zhu Ying wanted to see the faces of these Huaixi hardliners.

“How do you want me to cooperate?” Fu Youde asked.

“Two hours from now, the entire army will bombard Jincheng with artillery.”

“Once I lead the assault to breach the gate, the main force must advance immediately—no delays,” Zhu Ying said gravely.

“You plan to attack under cover of night?” Fu Youde looked surprised.

“Under darkness, my cavalry can conceal their movements more effectively.”

“The Yuan archers’ volleys won’t be as accurate.”

“The artillery barrage is meant to draw the Yuan forces’ attention,” Zhu Ying explained.

“Good.”

“Even if you truly take this mission, once your cavalry reaches the foot of Jincheng—”

“How will you break the gate?” Fu Youde asked sternly.

“I have my own method to shatter the gate.”

“All I need is your full support,” Zhu Ying replied at once, bowing.

“General Zhu.”

“Warfare is no child’s play.”

“The city still holds over seventy thousand Yuan troops, heavily fortified—it’s not something easily breached,” Fu Youde warned again, sternly.

“I volunteer for this mission,” Zhu Ying remained calm.

“Good.”

“Then.”

“I accept your offer.”

“I hope you truly can breach the city.”

“If you succeed, I will personally petition General Feng Sheng and the court in Yingtian to commend you,” Fu Youde said at once.

Zhu Ying bowed deeply: “Your subordinate will not betray your trust.”

Finished speaking.

Zhu Ying turned and prepared to return to the troops.

“General Zhu’s bravery—this time, we shall surely beat drums from the rear to cheer you on,” Zhao Yong said with a sly smile.

“Indeed.”

“We hope General Zhu breaks the city, claims glory, and returns safely,” Wang Bi added with a smile.

They sounded like they were encouraging him, but their expressions clearly revealed they were waiting for him to fail.

“This is all thanks to you two generals for handing this breach mission to your subordinate.”

“Once the city falls, I will surely repay you both,” Zhu Ying said with a faint smile.

He then turned and walked away.

As for the two of them,

Zhu Ying held no respect.

Since Zhu Yuanzhang already intended to elevate him as a formidable general to weaken Huaixi influence,

Zhu Ying would go along with it.

He would use imperial authority to strengthen himself.

As for the Huaixi hardliners, aside from these underhanded schemes, they had no other way to oppose him.

If they overstepped, the court in Yingtian would deal with them.

“This Zhu Ying is arrogant,” Zhao Yong and Wang Bi’s eyes flashed with coldness.

After Zhu Ying left,

“Enough.”

“Order the artillery camp to prepare ammunition immediately.”

“Order the entire army: two hours from now, night assault on Jincheng,” Fu Youde barked.

At this point,

Fu Youde had no choice but to trust Zhu Ying.

Of course,

At this moment,

Fu Youde had no other option.

Giving Zhu Ying one chance at attack might still hold some hope.

Better than Zhao Yong’s endless failures and mounting casualties.

“I only hope Zhu Ying truly has a way to breach the city.”

“Otherwise, if this drags on, the Emperor will surely rage,” Fu Youde thought silently.

Danning Frontier Army, Cavalry Assistant First Battalion.

Strictly speaking, this was the first complete cavalry assistant battalion of the Danning Frontier Army to reach ten thousand riders—a matter of great significance to Danning.

“Gather the troops.”

As Zhu Ying returned to camp, he immediately ordered Liu Lei behind him.

Instantly,

Within the camp,

The drumbeat for assembling troops sounded.

Immediately after,

from each tent, soldiers swiftly donned armor and seized weapons, rushing toward the camp’s parade ground.

And at this moment,

the army’s officers quickly gathered around Zhu Ying.

Now Zhu Ying had become Assistant Commander, commanding two Garrison Commanders, ten Battalion Commanders, and twenty Deputy Battalion Commanders.

First Garrison Commander, Wei Quan.

Second Garrison Commander, Zhang Wu.

All ten Battalion Commanders had been promoted from comrades who had fought alongside Zhu Ying on the northern frontier.

Three days had passed.

The official ranks and duties were fully settled.

The ten thousand cavalry had been fully organized into units.

After all, the troops assembled here were not recruits, but seasoned veterans of the Danning border army.

…

PS: Please follow, please follow, thank you, thank you.





(End of Chapter)