Chapter 43: Mu Ying

Zhu Yong felt a stir in his heart, recalling that pill.

But he said nothing, only smiled.

The two chatted a while longer, and Mu Ying rose to take his leave, saying, "Rest early; tomorrow at the hour of Mao we set out."

The tent curtains fell, and the tent grew quiet again.

Zhu Yong lay on the marching bed, staring at the tent ceiling.

Outside came the footsteps of patrolling soldiers, and distant horse whinnies.

This was his second campaign.

Unlike the first time, this time he knew what he would face.

Kuokuo Tie Mu Er, the Northern Yuan's last famed general, had entrenched himself in Mobei for years, commanding tens of thousands of cavalry.

This battle would not be easy.

But he was not afraid.

He patted the brocade pouch in his chest and recalled his elder brother's parting admonition.

On the fifteenth day of the third month, the great army passed Jinan Prefecture.

The Prefect led officials outside the city to greet them and reward the three armies.

Xu Da ordered a half‑day rest, letting the troops have a hot meal.

Zhu Yong wandered around the camp.

The soldiers in the camp, seeing Zhu Yong approach, rose to salute.

"Prince!"

"Everyone sit, everyone sit." Zhu Yong waved his hand and walked to a large pot.

The pot was simmering meat, its aroma filling the air.

Firehead Soldier, a veteran in his early forties, saw Zhu Yong eyeing the pot and grinned, "Prince, would you like a bowl? Today the Prefect sent ten pigs, more than enough!"

"One bowl." Zhu Yong replied without hesitation.

The veteran ladled a large bowl of meat and grabbed two buns.

Zhu Yong took it, squatted by the pot, and ate.

The surrounding soldiers watched him quietly.

Prince Wu, the famed three‑hammer city‑breaker, ate just like these big‑headed soldiers.

"Prince, how does the meat taste?" a bold soldier asked.

Zhu Yong chewed the meat, vaguely saying, "Fragrant! Even more than the palace… even more than what I eat at home."

He almost let it slip.

Indeed, palace cuisine is exquisite, but meat boiled in a big pot has its own flavor.

The soldiers all laughed.

A scar‑faced veteran said, "Prince, when we reach Beiping, General Chang will surely treat us to roasted whole lamb; his lamb‑roasting skill is the best in the entire army!"

"...."

The soldiers chattered, and the atmosphere grew lively.

Zhu Yong listened, feeling reassured.

These troops might one day be under his command.

He would lead them into battle and bring them back alive.

March twenty‑first, Dezhou.

At the Canal dock, hundreds of cargo boats had been waiting for a long time.

The great army would switch to the water route, heading northward along the Canal.

Zhu Yong rode such a large ship for the first time.

He stood at the bow, watching the scenery on both banks recede slowly.

Li Wenzhong walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with him.

"Prince Wu, are you used to sailing?"

"It's okay, just a bit shaky." Zhu Yong answered honestly.

Li Wenzhong laughed, "It's only the beginning; once we're out to sea, that's what shaking really means."

He paused, then continued, "But this time we won't take the sea route; Mongolia is in the northwest, so we'll go from Beiping through Juyong Pass, across Xuanfu, into Shanxi, and finally to Gansu."

Zhu Yong nodded.

These routes were written in the brocade pouch his elder brother gave him, and Zhang Wu had been reciting them to him these past days.

"Prince, General Xu asked me to tell you that after we reach Beiping, General Chang will assign five thousand soldiers to you. But those five thousand are not for you to charge into battle; you must learn to have them set up camps, march, ambush, and cover retreats. You've studied with me for so long; it's time to put it to use."

"War relies not only on bravery but also on the mind." Li Wenzhong said solemnly.

Zhu Yong listened attentively.

"I know you are the bravest among the three armies, but a good general must be able to lead troops to victory and bring them back alive. Remember that." Li Wenzhong patted his shoulder.

"I've got it." Zhu Xu gave a firm nod.

The fleet pressed on day and night, traveling north along the Canal.

March twenty‑eighth, Tongzhou dock.

Chang Yuchun had been waiting here for three days.

Seeing the fleet dock, he strode forward to greet them.

Xu Da had just stepped off the ship when he was seized in a hug: "Brother! I finally got you here!"

Xu Da, choked by the embrace, laughed and scolded, "Let go! You wild ox!"

Chang Yuchun chuckled, released his grip, swept his gaze backward, saw Zhu Yong, eyes brightening: "Prince!"

Zhu Yong stepped forward quickly and said: "General Chang!"

Chang Yuchun sized him up from head to toe, gave his shoulder a hard pat and said: "Good lad, even sturdier! This armor's fine, more imposing than back at Kaiping!"

He then glanced at the pair of hammers behind Zhu Yong, grinned and said: "This time, we'll use these hammers again to smash Kuokuo's head to pieces!"

All the generals laughed.

The army rested one night at Tongzhou, and the next day set out for Beiping.

Beiping City, the former Yuan capital, is now a Great Ming stronghold in the Northern Region.

The city walls are tall, and arrow towers stand in profusion.

For over a month, Chang Yuchun has been training troops here, defending the city like an iron bucket.

After entering the city, Xu Da immediately gathered the generals to discuss matters.

In the main hall of the General's residence, a huge sand table sat in the center, studded with flags of various colors.

Xu Da pointed at the sand table: "Scouts report that Mongolia's main force is still around Lanzhou, but its cavalry has already appeared in Ningxia, Hetao."

I propose the army split into three routes: I will lead the central army out through Juyong Pass, Chang Yuchun will command the left army out through Gubei Pass, Li Wenzhong will command the right army out through Xifeng Pass; the three will advance together, rendezvous at Xuanfu, then move west into Shanxi.

He looked at Zhu Yong and said: "Prince Wu will lead a five‑thousand‑strong detachment, moving with the left army, but you have authority to decide on the spot; if an opportunity arises, you may strike on your own."

Zhu Yong clasped his fists: "Yes!"

Chang Yuchun added: "I've already selected your five thousand men, all veterans who've followed me for years: 1,500 cavalry, 3,500 infantry, plus two hundred heavy carts for supplies; tomorrow you will take command."

"Thanks, General!"

After the meeting, the generals dispersed.

Chang Yuchun stayed behind with Zhu Yong alone and led him to the camp.

On the Training Ground, five thousand soldiers formed ranks awaiting orders.

Seeing Chang Yuchun and Zhu Yong approach, a Thousand Household shouted loudly: "All present, salute!"

The five thousand men simultaneously clasped their fists with a swish.

Chang Yuchun told Zhu Yong: "These men are yours now; lead them well."

Zhu Yong looked at the sea of dark soldiers before him, inhaled deeply, and stepped forward.

Five thousand pairs of eyes stared at him.

He spoke, his voice low but clear:

"I am Zhu Yong, and from now on, I will lead you into battle."

He paused, then said:

"My only rule: stay close to me when charging, and when retreating I cut off the rear—live to go out, live to return."

The Training Ground fell silent for a moment.

Then, the five thousand shouted in unison:

"May we follow the Prince!"

The shout rang to the heavens.

Chang Yuchun watched from the side, a smile curling his mouth.

This kid has a bit of a general's bearing.

That night, Zhu Yong stayed in the camp.

His tent was pitched in the center of the camp, with Zhang Wu and Chen Heng guarding outside the tent.

Wang Gui is now his Royal Guard Captain, leading fifty hand‑picked men to guard him.

Night deepened, and Zhu Yong had not yet slept.

He sat beneath an oil lamp, watching the flags on the sand table.

Kuokuo Tie Mu Er…

This battle is about to begin.

From outside the tent came the clang of a gong; it was the third watch.

Zhu Yong blew out the lamp and lay on the bed.

In the darkness, he clenched his fist.

Father, mother, elder brother.

When I win this battle, I'll go home.