Chapter 90: Fu Youde: Must Personally Petition for General Zhu
Looking at Fu Youde’s expression.
All the officers who had been shouting to kill them all fell silent.
“Since the Five Barbarians disrupted China, the Han bloodline in the Central Plains is no longer as pure; the south is somewhat better, but the north is a mix of many tribes, fully assimilated by our Han people.”
“Even within the military, in the Danning Army, there are Mongol soldiers.”
“If we truly kill every Yuan person we encounter, it will harm the Great Ming’s rule.”
“Assimilation is the root.”
“By the way.”
“After Zhu Yuanzhang’s death, the fool Zhu Yunwen will ascend, and Zhu the Fourth will begin the Jingnan Rebellion; at that time, the strongest force under Zhu Di will still be the Duoyan Three Guards—this is a Danning military system.”
“They were formed by reorganizing the surrendered Yuan troops after crushing Liaodong, and their combat power is especially formidable.” Zhu Ying thought silently.
He naturally understood why Fu Youde did not directly agree to the officers’ proposal of mass slaughter.
Clearly.
The imperial court in Yingtian must have given instructions on how to treat Northern Yuan prisoners, on the handling of Northern Yuan Mongols.
Imperial authority is supreme.
How could Fu Youde dare defy it?
“General Zhu.”
“What is your view?”
Fu Youde turned his gaze toward Zhu Ying.
“Replying to General Fu.”
“Regarding the governance of Jincheng, this officer has little to say.”
“But concerning the disposition of the Yuan people within the city, this officer does have a proposal.” Zhu Ying stood up and said.
“Go on,” Fu Youde asked with a smile.
“Liaodong has been under Northern Yuan control for many years; our Han people have suffered under their enslavement.”
“Among them are wicked Yuan people, but also virtuous Yuan people.”
“This officer proposes that the city’s civilians report the wicked Yuan people; after reporting, immediately arrest them, confiscate their property, exterminate their clans, and execute them publicly before all the people.”
“As for the virtuous Yuan people, they must be governed by state law, treated as subjects, and encouraged to submit to the Great Ming, so they may serve our empire in the future.”
“This is also the Great Ming’s policy of assimilation,” Zhu Ying proposed.
Hearing this,
Fu Youde’s eyes lit up, and he immediately nodded: “Good, excellent.”
“General Zhu speaks wisely.”
“Proceed as General Zhu suggests.”
Seeing Fu Youde agree with Zhu Ying’s proposal, the Huaxi officers glared in dissatisfaction but said nothing more.
“However.”
“Governance requires civil officials; the army’s role is only to conquer and pacify. After dealing with the wicked Yuan people, civil officials must take over governance and implement the Great Ming’s policies,” Zhu Ying said.
“This matter.”
“The court has already considered it.”
“Moreover, the Crown Prince himself has selected the personnel to govern Liaodong,” Fu Youde said.
“General Fu.”
“Jincheng is now secured.”
“My cavalry battalion has also rested and recovered; may we continue our advance?” Zhu Ying asked.
“This campaign, General Zhu has rendered great service; your soldiers have suffered heavy casualties. Rest a few more days.”
“Indeed.”
“General Zhu should rest well.”
Although Zhao Yong and Wang Bi led troops in pursuit, over twenty to thirty thousand troops remained in Jincheng—all from Huaxi.
At this moment,
they feared Zhu Ying would steal their glory again.
“Chief Military Inspector.”
“What are the casualties of the Danning Assistant Commander’s cavalry battalion?” Fu Youde directly asked the Chief Military Inspector.
“Replying, General.”
“The statistics were finalized yesterday.”
“In this battle, General Zhu Ying’s forces suffered a total of 2,158 casualties: 1,075 killed, 1,083 wounded—all being treated in the sick camp,” the Chief Military Inspector reported immediately.
Hearing this number,
the Huaxi officers who had been loudly claiming Zhu Ying’s forces suffered heavy losses fell silent, their gazes toward Zhu Ying filled with shock.
“How did he do it?”
“He led the frontal assault, first engaging the Yuan troops in direct combat.”
“How could his casualties be so low?”
“Over two thousand casualties, fewer than a thousand dead.”
“How is that even possible?”
“Our own casualties after entering the city exceeded five thousand.”
“Total army casualties exceeded ten thousand.”
The officers’ expressions changed.
Such battle results,
they simply could not imagine.
They knew why they still remained in Jincheng—because their earlier assault into the city had inflicted heavy losses, and now they were resting and recovering.
Zhu Ying’s casualty figures truly stunned them.
“Are the statistics accurate?”
Fu Youde stared intently at the Chief Military Inspector.
“Replying, General.”
“Accurate.”
“I specifically dispatched soldiers from the Inspectorate to enter General Zhu’s camp and count the casualties, including those in the sick camp.”
“These casualty figures are absolutely correct,” the Chief Military Inspector replied immediately.
His duty was to tally battle achievements and casualties; these figures would never be wrong.
“General Zhu.”
“How did you achieve this?”
“You led the frontal charge, faced the enemy head-on—and still suffered so few casualties?” Fu Youde asked, genuinely curious.
In truth, he was astonished by the result.
“Replying to General Fu.”
“Since I first commanded troops in the army,”
“from Squad Leader to Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Commander, Garrison Commander—I have always upheld one principle.”
“That is: the commander does not seek to survive, the soldiers do not fear death.”
“Each time we charge, I lead the soldiers ahead.”
“Perhaps this is why my troops have become stronger—they fear no death, and thus fight with relentless courage, trading lives for lives,” Zhu Ying replied calmly.
“The commander does not seek to survive, the soldiers do not fear death.”
“Indeed.”
“It certainly boosts morale.”
“But General Zhu, you are flesh and blood, a man—don’t you fear being cut down in the chaos, dying before your soldiers?”
“This method may inspire morale, but it is not to be taken lightly.”
“A commander should focus on command,” Fu Youde said solemnly.
“Thank you for your teaching, General Fu.”
“But in my view, if I die on the battlefield charging forward, it is the honor of a soldier—I die without regret,” Zhu Ying replied firmly.
Seeing this,
Fu Youde nodded, a flicker of approval in his eyes, and said no more.
Several Huaxi officers, hearing Zhu Ying’s words, also showed a glint of something different in their eyes.
Though they resented Zhu Ying, as military officers, they genuinely respected his blood and courage.
“Since General Zhu’s forces suffered few casualties, he shall take on the mission.”
“The Yuan forces fled to Gaizhou; our main army is pursuing them, but in Kaiyuan’s direction, Marquis Yongchang has not yet broken through. I order you to circle from Jincheng to Kaiyuan, cut off the Yuan army’s supply lines and retreat routes,” Fu Youde considered a moment, then ordered Zhu Ying.
“This officer accepts the order.”
Zhu Ying immediately accepted the order.
Compared to chasing after Gaizhou, where Zhao Yong and Wang Bi had already led troops, Zhu Ying would gain little glory by joining them, and few chances to fight. But heading to Kaiyuan was different—he might yet gain more battle merit, even strike a crushing blow against the Yuan army.
Jincheng and Kaiyuan are the two northern and southern shields of Liaodong.
One to the north, one to the south, yet separated by no more than a hundred li.
If one city falls, another must react—troops are moved, reinforcements dispatched, and all manner of consequences follow.
That is why.
Whoever breaks through first, Jincheng or Kaiyuan, earns the primary merit.
In battle, when a key position shatters, the opposite flank must inevitably suffer.
“Gentlemen, all commanders.”
“You have suffered heavy casualties in the siege. I permit you additional days of rest before rejoining the main force,” Fu Youde said to the other generals.
“Your orders are received.”
Several generals bowed in assent.
They lacked Zhu Ying’s cohesion; their ranks were still thin from losses and needed rest.
Just then!
“Old man Yan Bing requests an audience with General Fu.”
Outside the hall.
Yan Bing, the battlefield medic of the wounded camp, shouted loudly.
Seeing him arrive,
Zhu Ying showed no surprise.
“So the hemostatic powder is working,” Zhu Ying thought silently.
Otherwise,
Yan Bing would never have come to see him.
“Enter.”
Fu Youde called out to the hall’s entrance.
The personal guards immediately stepped aside.
Yan Bing, face flushed with excitement, hurried into the hall.
When he saw Zhu Ying, his excitement deepened beyond words.
“Medic Yan, is there something urgent?”
“I told you, if you need anything, just send a messenger—you needn’t come yourself,” Fu Youde said at once.
“General Fu.”
“This time… this time I come with urgent news.”
“Concerning our wounded soldiers—and their very survival,” Yan Bing said, voice trembling with gravity and emotion.
“What has happened in the wounded camp?” Fu Youde’s face darkened.
Yan Bing, still agitated, turned his gaze to Zhu Ying.
“General Zhu.”
“The hemostatic powder you provided has miraculous effects.”
“For soldiers bleeding uncontrollably—after applying your powder, all bleeding stopped.”
“Moreover,”
“It also accelerates healing in those infected with pus and toxins, after draining the poisoned blood.”
“With this powder, over a thousand of your wounded—minor and severe alike—have survived at a rate of seventy to eighty percent.”
“Even with insufficient supply, this is the result. With enough, survival rates could exceed eighty percent—perhaps much higher.”
“This powder is a divine remedy. If issued to the entire army, our Great Ming soldiers will die far less from wounds, preserving our military strength,” Yan Bing declared, voice shaking with fervor.
Hearing this,
Fu Youde understood at once.
“Medic Yan.”
“You mean General Zhu gave you a powder—and it works wonders?” Fu Youde asked.
“General Fu.”
“This is no mere wonder—it is divine.”
“Previously, only four or five out of ten wounded survived treatment. With this powder, survival rises to eight out of ten—or higher.”
“It is a divine remedy,” Yan Bing said, trembling with awe.
His fervor drew glances from every general in the hall; their eyes lingered on Zhu Ying with astonishment.
“General Zhu, is this truly so effective?” Fu Youde turned to Zhu Ying.
“This powder is a family heirloom. When I enlisted, I brought some with me. In the northern frontier, seeing brothers bleed out, I tried it—and it worked.”
“Seeing so many comrades fall, I gave them all the powder I carried,” Zhu Ying replied calmly, stepping forward.
Yan Bing looked at Zhu Ying, lips parting as if to speak, yet hesitated—afraid of being presumptuous.
Seeing his expression, Fu Youde knew what he wished to say.
Yan Bing had come here precisely for this reason.
“How can I even ask?”
“It’s a family secret—and it works this well. To a nation, it’s priceless. How can I ask Zhu Ying to surrender it?”
Fu Youde now felt trapped.
As one of the campaign’s commanding generals, to request such a thing would seem like coercion.
“To prevent our Great Ming soldiers from dying of wounds, I offer the family recipe for this hemostatic powder to the imperial court.”
Zhu Ying declared loudly.
In truth, this powder was merely an enhanced version of battlefield wound powder—of little value to civilians, useful only in the army.
To maximize its worth, it must be sold to the Great Ming—or to foreign tribes.
Traitor?
Zhu Ying would never do that.
So the greatest benefit lay in offering it to the Great Ming.
To earn merit.
Of course,
More crucially, Zhu Ying stood among the troops, witnessing countless brave soldiers charging into battle, dying for their country, for the Huaxia people.
This powder could save countless Huaxia sons. That was great virtue—not merely duty, but brotherhood. Only soldiers who’ve fought together truly understand such bonds.
So publicly, Zhu Ying could not bear to watch his brothers die from wounds they could have survived.
Privately, he sought merit through this act.
Of course,
The foundation remained public duty.
Because Zhu Ying could not bear to watch his comrades die from wounds they might have survived.
Had it not been for this, he would never have considered revealing the powder.
“General Zhu, are you serious?”
Fu Youde stared at Zhu Ying, disbelief in his eyes.
The Huaixi generals’ gazes toward Zhu Ying shifted.
“Of course I am,” Zhu Ying smiled.
“General Zhu.”
“This recipe is immensely valuable. Name your request—I will personally bring it before the Emperor. It will be granted,” Fu Youde said solemnly.
“I offer this recipe with no demands—only that our brothers on the battlefield survive.”
“Beyond that, I ask for nothing.”
Zhu Ying spoke.
He pulled a sheet of paper from his robe.
The exact recipe for the hemostatic powder.
Clearly,
Before coming here, Zhu Ying had copied it.
To a nation, the recipe held great value—but many of its ingredients required imperial resources to procure.
Zhu Ying had no use for it now.
And even if he one day rose to power, founded his own state in this world, he could still use this recipe to make the powder.
“General Zhu, you prepared this in advance?”
Seeing the recipe, Fu Youde’s eyes filled with respect.
Then,
Fu Youde descended the steps and strode to Zhu Ying’s side.
And then,
He bowed deeply before Zhu Ying.
“General Fu, what are you doing?”
Zhu Ying rushed to stop him.
“General Zhu.”
“This bow recognizes no rank, no hierarchy.”
"This bow is made solely for the million soldiers of our Great Ming."
"Once this hemostatic powder formula reaches Yingtian, the Taiyi Academy will spare no effort to produce it; countless soldiers of our Great Ming will owe their lives to this hemostatic powder."
"This bow, you deserve."
Fu Youde clasped his fists and bowed deeply, his expression solemn.
As his words faded.
The other generals in the hall now all stepped forward to stand before Zhu Ying.
Even the former Huaixi warlords now bowed deeply to Zhu Ying: "General Zhu, your virtue is great."
Looking at these men.
Zhu Ying made no further attempt to stop them.
"After all, they’ve fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood—they still carry brotherhood for their fellow soldiers," Zhu Ying thought silently.
"General Fu."
"Here is the formula."
"I hope you will send it directly to Yingtian, and ensure no foreign tribes or nations obtain it—otherwise, it will become a disaster for our Great Ming," Zhu Ying said.
Fu Youde solemnly accepted the formula, glanced at it not once, and folded it away immediately.
Then he strode to his desk and picked up his brush to write an urgent report.
A moment later.
He placed both the bamboo tube of the urgent report and the formula inside it.
"General Zhu, rest assured."
"I will submit this formula via urgent report to Yingtian—no leak will occur."
"Nor will today’s events be disclosed."
"Whoever dares to leak it will face military law without mercy."
Fu Youde swept his gaze across the generals in the hall and coldly commanded.
"Understood, General," Zhu Ying nodded.
"General Zhu."
"You have such a heart for the nation. Though you refuse rewards, I cannot fail to recommend you for merit."
"The efficacy of this formula has been proven; if deployed throughout the army, it will save countless soldiers from dying of wounds. You are their great benefactor."
"I will surely petition the Emperor to reward you for this deed," Fu Youde thought silently as he stared at Zhu Ying.
And now.
Several Huaixi generals looked at Zhu Ying, their eyes filled with shame.
"Were Zhao General and the others truly right to target Zhu Ying?"
"Such a formula, such a miraculous medicine—and he gave it away without hesitation."
"Sigh... perhaps we have been too harsh."
"Zhu Ying’s virtue is too great—I cannot match him..."
At the moment Zhu Ying revealed this formula.
A wave of shame surged through the hearts of these Huaixi warlords.
"General Zhu."
"I heard your warhorse died amid the chaos during the siege," Fu Youde suddenly said.
"When charging ahead, arrows and spears are unavoidable."
"But I’ve already sent my personal guards to select a new one from the rear logistics," Zhu Ying replied at once.
"No need to waste time."
"I’ve already prepared one for you."
Fu Youde smiled.
He took Zhu Ying by the hand and led him out of the hall.
Before them.
A tall, powerful warhorse stood before them, its limbs thick and long, radiating strength.
Its entire coat was black, larger by a full measure than ordinary warhorses.
Seeing this horse, even Zhu Ying—who knew little about horses—recognized it at once.
"Blood-Sweating Steed?"
Zhu Ying stared at Fu Youde in surprise, his eyes bright with delight.
PS: First chapter, five thousand characters delivered. Today’s minimum is ten thousand; further updates depend on your support.
[253] (End of Chapter)
(End of Chapter)
End of Chapter
