Chapter 84: Prisoners

It was late at night, and the snow was still falling.

The hollow grew gradually quiet, with only the crackle of the Fire Pit and occasional horse whinnies.

Zhu Yong was not sleeping; he wore the Great Cloak and patrolled the camp.

Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng followed behind, each carrying a windproof lantern.

Reaching the area where the prisoners were gathered, cries of children rose from several tents, quickly muffled by adults.

Zhu Yong stopped, lifted the flap of a tent.

Inside were more than twenty people, mostly women and children.

Seeing him enter, they huddled together in terror.

"Don't be afraid, I'm just looking," Zhu Yong said naively.

He glanced around; the tent was relatively warm, with dry straw and blankets spread on the floor.

Though cramped, it was still better than being outside.

He stepped out and inspected several other tents; the situation was similar.

"Prince, you are too kind to these prisoners. According to military rules, it's enough that they survive; we don't concern ourselves with their comfort,"

Chen Heng whispered.

Zhu Yong gave no reply, only asked, "Have the ones who froze to death been buried?"

"They are buried, in pits dug on the slope—five elders," Zhang Wuhe said.

"Alright, after we return, record their names; if we can locate their families, give them some relief,"

"Understood."

Continuing the patrol, he arrived at the soldiers' resting area.

Most had already slept, wrapped in blankets and curled beside the Fire Pit. A few who stayed awake whispered in small groups.

"We're heading back; it's time for a promotion, right?"

"Whether we get promoted, I don't know, but there will certainly be silver rewards; the Prince is never stingy,"

"That's true. The last time we fought Helin, I took ten taels of silver—enough for my family for half a year,"

"...."

Zhu Yong listened, smiled, did not disturb them, and slipped away quietly.

Returning to his own resting spot, Wang Baobao was still awake, sitting by the Fire Pit polishing his sword.

"Elder Brother, still not asleep?" Zhu Yong sat down beside him.

"Couldn't sleep, recalling old times. Back then I also led troops on this Grassland, faced such snowstorms; that night I lost three hundred brothers,"

Wang Baobao said blandly.

He paused, then continued, "So today, seeing the Prince's thorough arrangements, I am pleased. A commander must cherish his soldiers as his own children."

Zhu Yong fell silent for a moment, then said, "Elder Brother, when we return to Yingtian, train troops with me! The capital camp has thirty thousand soldiers and horses; it needs a commander."

Wang Baobao was startled, looked up at him.

"Prince, you don't doubt me?"

"Doubt what? You're the elder brother of Guanyin Nu, which makes you my elder brother as well. Moreover, you're familiar with the Grassland and Northern Yuan; with your help, fighting Northern Yuan will be easier later."

Zhu Yong said naively.

A hint of complexity flashed in Wang Baobao's eyes, then hardened into resolve.

"Very well, thanks to the Prince's trust, I will not fail the charge."

Night deepened, and the snow lightened.

Zhu Yong tightened his Great Cloak, leaned against the earthen slope, and closed his eyes.

In his mind the scene of Yingtian Prefecture rose: the imperial palace, Wu Wang Fu, and the Guanyin Nu within Wu Wang Fu...

A faint smile curled his lips.

Hongwu Year Four, the twenty‑third day of the fourth month.

The snow at White Wolf Hollow stopped.

At dawn, a thin mist spread over the hollow.

The campfire had gone out, leaving piles of ash emitting bluish smoke.

The soldiers rose early, packed their gear, fed the horses and prepared the saddles.

After a night of rest, most regained their spirits; though their faces still showed fatigue, their eyes now held light.

Zhu Yong stood on the slope, watching the camp's bustling scene.

The snow‑covered Grassland stretched white as a sheet, the sky a washed‑out blue, sunlight striking the snow and reflecting a dazzling glare.

"Prince, everything is ready; we can depart at any moment," Zhang Wuhe reported as he approached.

Zhu Yong nodded and asked, "How are the prisoners?"

"Two elders have died; the rest are fine. A few children have fevers, the army doctor gave them medicine; they should hold on," Zhang Wuhe said.

"Alright, let's set out," Zhu Yong turned and walked down the slope.

Horn Sound rang, and the troops began to assemble.

The prisoners were re‑formed; the old, weak, women and children placed in the middle of the formation, the youths and strong in the outer ring.

This time no ropes were needed; after yesterday's snowstorm, the prisoners understood that only by following the Ming army could they survive.

The great army slowly left White Wolf Hollow, continuing toward Buyuerhai.

The road after the snow became harder to travel.

Melted snow turned the grassland into mud; hooves sank, splashing mud.

The column's speed slowed; they could cover only Thirty Li in a day.

They walked another two days and entered a hilly area.

The snow here had thinned considerably, and some sun‑facing slopes already revealed withered yellow grass.

Wang Baobao pointed ahead and said, "Cross this hill range, and we'll reach the Kherlen River; after crossing the river, another 150 li brings us to Bu Yu Er Hai."

"Can we cross the Kherlen River now?" Zhu Yong asked.

"At this season, the river should have just thawed, so the water isn't deep, but the current is swift; we'll need to find a shallow ford," Wang Baobao said.

Just then, the scout who had been probing ahead returned.

"Report, Prince, a small tribe was spotted five li ahead, about a hundred tents, with cattle and sheep."

Zhu Yong halted the horse and looked at Wang Baobao.

Wang Baobao frowned and said, "There shouldn't be a tribe around here; they may be nomads who migrated from the north."

Lan Yu spurred his horse forward and said, "Prince, shall we attack? About a hundred tents, at most five or six hundred people; a single charge could take them."

Zhu Yong pondered briefly, shook his head, and said, "No attack; we'll bypass it."

"Bypassing it would be a credit handed to us," Lan Yu said, puzzled.

Having come out with Wu King this time, Lan Yu felt himself grow dim; after following his brother‑in‑law for so long, he still couldn't match Wu King.

"Our target this time is the Bei Yuan Wang Ting of Bu Yu Er Hai; we must not create extra complications. Attacking this small tribe would waste time and risk leaking our plans," Zhu Yong explained.

Wang Baobao agreed, "Prince is right; these small tribes are like eyes on the Grassland—strike one, and the news spreads quickly."

Lan Yu only then caught on, scratched his head, and said, "The Prince is indeed thorough."

The main force turned its direction, made a large bend, and avoided that tribe.

After walking another half‑day, a winding river appeared ahead.

The Kherlen River was reached.

The water had indeed just thawed; broken ice floated on the surface, and the current rushed by with a roaring splash.

The river spanned roughly twenty zhang in width, its depth unfathomable.

Wang Baobao led his men along the river in search, and finally found a shallow ford three li downstream.

Here the river widened, the current slowed, and the riverbed consisted of hard sand and stone.