In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 699 Wolf Tracks in the Snowy Night, Crossbow Arrows Point at the Marquis's Crown

Night had fallen, the snow had stopped, and the world was a vast expanse of white.

The tranquil Haramuren forest was suddenly filled with the sound of rapid hoofbeats.
It was as if the mountains had collapsed and the earth had split open, causing the snow on the trees to fall in a flurry.

The hungry wolf, which was gnawing on the carcass, suddenly raised its head upon hearing the noise, its oily green eyes gleaming.

As the major earthquake drew closer...

They gazed longingly at the corpses ahead.

But in the end, it was with the wolf king's mournful howl that...
All the wolves slowly retreated and disappeared into the mountains and forests.

Before long, the huge hoof landed, crushing the corpses that had been piled up on the ground.

The leader, Tuoluhuchaer, yanked hard on the reins.
"Uu——"

The warhorse slowly came to a stop, and the cavalry behind it also stopped.

Tuoluhuchar looked gravely at the corpses scattered on the ground and at the dilapidated camp before him.
A sense of absurdity suddenly welled up in my mind.
What exactly did the soldiers of Da Ning do?
After passing through Halamulin, we had already seen no fewer than ten such dilapidated military camps.
Everyone was slaughtered.
The bodies were left unburied, simply dumped in various places to be devoured by wild animals.
However, their original appearance can still be discerned from these corpses.

Jurchens!
At this moment, the guard who had dismounted to scout returned and reported:
"My lord, are they Jurchens?"

Tuoluhucha's face grew increasingly grim, and he burst into a tirade of curses:

"After we return, we need to establish spies and outposts throughout the tribe in Haramuren!"
It's absurd that so many people were right under our noses and we didn't know!

Those around them looked at each other in disbelief. Who would have thought that the Jurchens would launch an attack in the freezing cold?
However, they dared not say anything and could only bow their heads and agree.

At this moment, the rear ranks slowly parted.

A group of people carrying torches escorted an old man as he walked over.

The old man was none other than Azashili, the former Prince of Liao during the Yuan Dynasty, and now the Commander of Taining Guard.

Halamulin borders Tainingwei.

He heard Torukhur's curses and explained with a dry laugh:

"Turuhuchaer, don't worry."
Only the Jurchens would be foolish enough to wage war in winter; look at their fate!

Even though Taining Guard is not as strong as Duoyan Guard now.

But the person before him was highly respected, and Toruhuchar showed some respect, softening his voice considerably:

"King of Liao, if Da Ning does not send troops, we may not realize that we will be attacked at our doorstep."

Azashiri was completely unconcerned about this:

"Don't worry about it, the Jurchens can't cause any trouble."

If they dare to come to my department, I'll plant them all in the soil as fertilizer.
It's just in time to plant sweet potatoes in the spring; let's see how many they grow.

He looked around at the densely packed corpses, a hint of regret flashing in his eyes:
"The Ming people were so generous. These corpses would have been excellent fertilizer, and they're just wasting them like this."

Upon hearing this, many people present looked down at the skeleton, which was mostly buried by the wind and snow.
An impulse to carry the body home flashed through my mind.

Azashili looked at Tuoluhuchaer and smiled:

"You're still young, don't be so impatient."
Learn from Lord Lu: be methodical and patient in your work.

Look at how they quietly accomplished such a major feat, despite their promise to do business with Shiratsubu.
It seems that doing business is just a facade.

The real purpose, it was for these Jurchen people who were causing trouble.

Tuoluhuchar sighed softly, looking around at the dense forest with a touch of melancholy:
"Now, he's sold us out, and we're still counting the money for him."

"Ugh, what kind of talk is that?"

Azashiri frowned, and the atmosphere became more serious.
"We are now all loyal subjects of the Ming Dynasty, belonging to the Great Ning, and we must obey the orders of our superiors."

"If you disobey your superiors' orders, how can you expect to get any benefits?"

As he spoke, he looked around and laughed:

"Look, these are all merits."

If I'm not mistaken, Lord Lu led his troops to Liaodong.

"I just don't know if he acted on his own initiative or if he received some imperial decree, but we can't go wrong by following his lead."

Tuoluhuchar knew he had a point.

But his pride has always kept him from bowing his head.

Unfortunately, the current situation didn't even give him time to consider it.
Taking a deep breath, Tuoluhuchar looked at the troop of people staggering towards them.
They emerged from the camp, each carrying a small wooden box.

When they got closer, everyone stared intently at the wooden box.

"Sir, it's another chest of gold and silver, and there are some jewelry pieces inside."

The leading soldier opened the box, held the torch close, and illuminated the glittering gold inside.

The guards involuntarily held their breath.

King Azashili of Liao stepped forward without ceremony, grabbed a handful, felt its weight, and said with a smile to Tuoluhuchaer:
"Look, just based on these remaining jewels, we have no choice but to obey orders."

There were eleven camps along the way, and each camp left something behind. They treated us like their own people.

I heard that when the Ming dynasty was besieging a city...

They would deliberately leave some treasure unexplored for the rear guard to search, so that they too could get a taste of the spoils.

I never expected we'd be treated like this now, hahaha.

Azashili's loud voice drew smiles from many people.

But for some reason, when Torukcha heard this hearty laughter...

I felt a dull ache in my heart, and my missing right arm became itchy because of the cloudy weather.
"The situation is beyond our control. Even if I wanted to lead a rebellion now, I'm afraid no one would listen."

He spoke silently, looking into the darkness ahead, a sudden sense of confusion washing over him.

Compared to the Ming Dynasty, the Doyan Three Guards were too small.

Even compared to Da Ning, the Three Guards of Duoyan are now much weaker.
"Can I really succeed?"

A sense of emptiness welled up in Toruhuchar's eyes.

Azashiri saw everything and could roughly guess what he was thinking.

However, Azashiri did not intend to try to persuade him.
Because he was old, with half his body buried in the ground,
It's enough to make life a little better for our people.
As for what happens after I die, I don't care anymore.

"Let's go, keep following. If this battle really requires our intervention..."

Those tribesmen must work harder and show the Ming soldiers that we are no less capable than the royal army.”

As Azashiri finished speaking, a slight commotion arose within the army.
Many people tightened their grip on their long knives, their faces turning fierce!
They might not be able to defeat the Ming army, but they have never been afraid of the Jurchens.

Three days have passed since Huang Yingzhi woke up at Lingshan Slope in Liaodong.

As he predicted, the situation rapidly spiraled out of control.
With food and supplies scarce, the soldiers' morale was completely low.
Seeing that the Jurchens had built a camp outside Lingshan Slope, the soldiers had lost their will to fight.

The soldiers in the camp talked all day about turning back or settling scores with the Liaodong Commandery.

Some of the words were so shocking that even Huang Yingzhi was terrified when he heard them.
Outrageous. Absolutely outrageous.

But he didn't have any good solutions either.

He could only drag his ailing body from tent to tent, comforting as many soldiers as he could.

My illness hasn't improved much, and my throat has been damaged because of this.

At this moment, he was wearing a thick fox fur coat.
Standing on the north wall of the Lingshanpo camp, looking towards the camp ahead.

His face grew increasingly grim as he stared at the outer fence, which had not a single gap in it, and his ominous premonition grew stronger.

"Have you found out which Jurchen tribe they are on the other side?" Huang Yingzhi asked.

Yao Xiujie followed beside him, and he had also lost some weight.
"My lord, we can only speculate that it is a branch of the Haixi Jurchen."
However, compared to the previous ones, this one is much more elite.

Not only were the camps well-built, but the soldiers were also much more elite.

They patrolled outside in groups of ten every day.
This made his subordinates feel somewhat dazed, as if they had seen one of their own.

"It seems there are quite a few Jurchens living in the northern mountains."

Huang Yingzhi said with some emotion,
He could also see that these Jurchens were completely different from those he had fought a few days ago.

"When do you think they'll start their attack?" Huang Yingzhi continued to ask.

"Sir, it should be tonight or tomorrow morning."
Their camp was completed by noon.
"Moreover, they have just started a fire to cook a meal, but it is not yet clear whether it is wartime cooking or ordinary eating," Yao Xiujie replied.

"They don't lack food?" Huang Yingzhi frowned.

"Sir, you should not lack it."
Only a few of those starving savages were seen at first.
It should be used to prevent us from destroying the camp.
Seeing that we hadn't made a move, those wild Jurchens were all brought back.

Yao Xiujie explained.

Upon hearing this, Huang Yingzhi's expression turned somewhat grave.

Last time, they used grain to breach the camp.
Now, smoke rises from the camp, making it extremely difficult to win with food even if the goal were to be achieved again.

"Tell the brothers to prepare to meet the enemy. No matter what, we must keep the Jurchens out."

Yao Xiujie looked hesitant, his lips slightly pursed:

"Sir, we're running out of food." "When will Mei Yi arrive?" Huang Yingzhi asked.

"The message that came this morning should arrive by evening," Yao Xiujie replied.

"Well, I'll go and tell him that if the Liaodong Military Command doesn't provide food, then there's no need to fight this war."

Huang Yingzhi's expression was calm, though her voice was flat.

But those around felt a chill, as if the voice was suppressing anger.

The soldiers probably didn't know what had happened.
However, if Huang Yingzhi, as the chief official, still failed to grasp the current situation at this point, he would truly be unworthy of his rank of third grade.

After observing the Jurchen camp for a while, Huang Yingzhi, as he left the high platform, solemnly instructed:
"Bring the remaining 3,000 troops from the 30,000 guards here; the rear is not safe."

Yao Xiujie was taken aback upon hearing this, his expression somewhat complicated, but he finally nodded slightly.
"Yes, my lord."

As evening approached, the sky turned dark and gloomy again.

Dark clouds rolled in, and the breeze gradually picked up.

It looked like another heavy snowfall was imminent, which made the soldiers in the front-line camp very worried.

It's almost the end of March, is this snow still not going to stop?
After the first snowflake fell
Commander Mei Yi arrived at the Lingshanpo position, surrounded by more than a hundred soldiers.

Although the sky was overcast at the moment

But he looked extremely relaxed, and even hummed a little tune as he dismounted.

The situation is chaotic, but the outlook is excellent!

The group hurriedly entered Lingshan Slope.
Mei Yi soon saw Huang Yingzhi, who had regained consciousness, in the main hall.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she quickly regained her composure.

"General Huang, you're awake?"
I was extremely worried when I heard the news that you had fainted.

The situation on the front lines is tense. Without a shrewd and experienced leader like General Huang in charge,

"I am indeed somewhat worried."

As the Marquis of Runan, his understanding of interpersonal relationships and social customs goes without saying.

His gentle tone even made some of the generals present find it hard to believe.

Is this still the same scoundrel who never provides food or provisions?

Huang Yingzhi sat at the head of the table, looking dejected. He did not rise, but only forced a dry laugh:

“Lord of Runan, I have just recovered from a serious illness and am not able to move around easily. Please make things easier for me, Lord of Runan.”

Mei Yi didn't pay any attention to this and sat down down.

After he sat down, Huang Yingzhi asked softly:
"Lord of Runan, may I ask when the grain supplies from Liaodong will arrive?"

Mei Yi was taken aback and looked at the person in the upper seat with some surprise:
"General Huang, the magistrate has allocated all the grain and provisions for the Tianjin Garrison."

Huang Yingzhi's forehead veins throbbed violently:
"My lord, the grain supplies have been burned by some Jurchen prisoners."
The army is currently facing a severe shortage of supplies; please send them as soon as possible.

Mei Yi's expression was strange. He chuckled lightly, put down his teacup, and his voice carried a hint of sarcasm:

"General Huang, the grain supplies were burned because the Tianjin garrison soldiers failed to guard them properly."

Now you've come to me demanding provisions.

"I am also at my wit's end; I can't possibly conjure up grain for you."

These words enraged many of the Tianjin garrison soldiers present.

Yao Xiujie suddenly stood up, glaring angrily, his voice filled with rage:
"The rear army's provisions are being guarded by your Liaodong soldiers."
Now that the grain supplies have been burned, how can you blame it on Tianjin?

"Oh?"

Mei Yi wasn't angry after hearing this; instead, he looked over with some surprise, his reaction quite exaggerated:

"Is Qi Jingfeng in charge of the rear defense? I did not order him to do this."

"boom!"

Another Tianjin garrison general slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and pointed at Mei Yi:
"It's because Lord Huang saw that your soldiers in Liaodong were working too hard, so he sent them to the rear army to handle logistics."

Now that the grain supplies have been burned, Liaodong is responsible and must send over new grain supplies.

Otherwise, let whoever wants to fight this war fight it!

These words immediately created an atmosphere of tension between the two sides.

Zhao Zunian, the deputy commander of Liaodong, spoke in a sinister tone:
“You are acting on orders from above, and you have received imperial decrees to come to Liaodong to fight.”

Now you're saying you're not going to fight anymore, and that's it?

Where is the dignity of the palace? Where is the face of the Ming Dynasty?

"How can we fight without supplies?"
You suffered a defeat in Liaodong, and now we have to clean up the mess.

"You can't even figure out how to allocate grain supplies? No wonder you Liaodong suffered defeats!"

Yao Xiujie reprimanded him without any politeness or consideration.

Mei Yi's face immediately darkened, and he swept his gaze sharply over there:
"Lord Yao, be careful with your words. Some things are not just empty talk."

"Hmph, if you want Tianjin to continue fighting, then provide the necessary supplies, otherwise there's no way!"

Since we've already torn off all pretense of civility,

Yao Xiujie's words became increasingly heated, and he was almost about to point at Mei Yi and hurl insults at him.

"There is no food or supplies in Liaodong right now, but you still have to fight this battle."

"Now that we've taken on the defense of 30,000 troops at the front, we must hold fast! This is a military order!"

Mei Yi's eyes flashed with a fierce light, and his original appearance as a wealthy young master turned gloomy.

"Military order? From which military order?"

Yao Xiujie sneered without any politeness, his face showing a mocking expression.

With a loud bang, Mei Yi suddenly stood up and pointed at Yao Xiujie:
"Of course, it's my order as the General of Liaodong! Are you going to disobey my orders?"
Military law dictates that anyone who disobeys a superior or defies orders shall be executed!

The atmosphere suddenly froze.

Neither side yielded, and both had even drawn their long swords halfway.

At this moment, a chuckle came.

Huang Yingzhi took a small sip of tea, her face pale as if she hadn't fully recovered from a serious illness. She raised her aged, cloudy eyes...

He glanced directly at Mei Yi, his expression somewhat strange:
"Lord of Runan, leave yourself a way out; it's better to meet again in the future."
"The supplies have arrived. How about Tianjin continues to defend the northern border for Liaodong?"

"Don't even think about it!"

Mei Yi gritted his teeth and stared intently at Huang Yingzhi.

Upon hearing this, Huang Yingzhi was not angry at all; instead, he shook his head helplessly.

"It seems the Marquis of Runan didn't teach you properly."

You, young marquis, are far too naive to expect others to obey you based solely on an official title.

No. Perhaps "naive" would be a more accurate description.

Mei Yi's expression changed; he could naturally tell that the "Marquis of Runan" referred to his father.

Huang Yingzhi continued:
"I have met the old Marquis myself. He is wise and brave, generous in his actions, and never stingy with his subordinates."

Several centurions under my command were soldiers of the old marquis.
Back then, during the war in Yunnan, the old Marquis ordered his men to loot indiscriminately. When the imperial court questioned him, he took full responsibility.

How did it become like this when it came to you?

Huang Yingzhi shook his head, his voice weary and heavy:

"The title of Marquis of Runan has fallen into your hands, which can be considered a sign of your family's decline. No wonder you would resort to such underhanded tricks."

"Huang Yingzhi! What nonsense are you spouting!"
The court sent you to fight the Jurchens, so you'd better stay here and guard this place well for me!

Mei Yi seemed to have been struck in the spine, and his voice suddenly rose.

"That's not how you get people to obey you."
"I've traveled all over the country, fought wars for almost forty years. What haven't I seen? This can't scare me!"

Huang Yingzhi suddenly turned ferocious, staring intently at Mei Yi, his voice resolute:
"Men, arrest this Marquis!"
Let's see who's in charge here in this military camp, you or me!

The next moment, orderly footsteps sounded outside the tent.

A troop of soldiers, clad in armor and armed with bows and crossbows, surged in.

Sharp crossbow bolts were immediately aimed at Mei Yi and Zhao Zunian.
You can clearly see that the crossbow bolt is already on the string!

"I am the Marquis of Runan, appointed by the imperial court. How dare you!"

Mei Yi felt a prickling sensation on his back, his face turned somewhat absurd, and his voice changed drastically.

Seeing his reaction, Huang Yingzhi smiled helplessly:

"My lord, are you truly ignorant or are you pretending not to understand?"
"You want our lives, and we're expected to acknowledge your official position? What kind of logic is that?"

(End of this chapter)