Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 72 You've ruined our morale! Tonight's night raid, you'll lead the charge!

Meanwhile, the central tent of the Jurchen army was also bustling with activity.

Amin and several other princes, along with their subordinates, were indulging in debauchery, eating the meat and wine they had plundered and playing with the Korean women they had abducted. However, because they still had important matters to discuss, they were still relatively restrained.

Amin reached his calloused hands inside the Korean noblewoman's clothes and violently rubbed them, showing no mercy whatsoever. The Korean woman was in unbearable pain, tears streaming down her face, but she could only bite her lip tightly, afraid to let out a scream, because the last one to cry out had already been cut in two and dragged out to be fed to the dogs.

“Banner Master, the Great Khan has ordered us to return for a meeting. Our surprise attack on Pi Island has failed, and our direct assault has resulted in the loss of many supplies and bondservant aha. It would be better to withdraw for now. Further delay might anger the Great Khan,” said Jirhalang, Amin’s brother.

“I summoned you all here tonight only to discuss the strategy for a night raid, not to listen to your idle gossip! You keep talking about the Great Khan, Jirgalang, are you my own brother or Huang Taiji’s brother? I ordered you to accompany me to conquer Korea, but you keep making excuses. You are truly a traitor!” Amin angrily cursed.

“Brother! I’m doing this for your own good! We only have thirty-three Niru, why should we declare ourselves kings? Besides, that Joseon is poor and dilapidated, even their king has to eat chaff and wild vegetables, how can it compare to the gold and silver mountains and silks of the Ming Dynasty? Just ask these Ejen under your command, which one would be willing to follow you to declare ourselves king?!” Jirhalang actually exposed Amin’s thoughts directly in front of the other Beile.

"Stop talking! Even if there are a thousand reasons, we can discuss them after tonight's battle! From this moment on, you must keep your mouth shut! If you dare to spout nonsense and shake the morale of the army again, don't blame me for throwing you out! Tonight, you will lead your three Niru to supervise the battle, and lead Aha and the armored men to launch a feint attack on the west. The rest of you will follow me to launch a surprise attack from the northeast!"

Listening to the two arguing, Yue Tuo, sitting to the side, was secretly astonished: Good heavens, these two aren't even trying to hide it, discussing independence right in front of him?! He was Daishan's eldest son, and also someone sent by Huang Taiji to monitor Amin.

"Second Prince, should we reconsider? I've heard that old scoundrel Yuan Keli is on the island, and that scoundrel Mao Wenlong is no pushover either."

"We failed to capture the island last night while the Ming people were celebrating the festival, and they've probably already set up their defenses and are waiting for us tonight. I think we should just wait it out. Anyway, we can conscript as many men as we want in Korea, so there's no need to rush to attack the island!" Yue Tuo couldn't help but say.

"Who do you think you are? You think you can ruin my plans?!" Amin roared furiously at Yuetuo, "You'll lead the night raid tonight!"

Amin was extremely aggrieved: That damned Huang Taiji, not only did he turn his own brother against him, but he also sent Yue Tuo, a junior, to annoy him. Unfortunately, Yue Tuo was Daishan's eldest son, and he couldn't touch him. Daishan was too popular; offending Daishan was more troublesome than offending Huang Taiji.

They had advanced rapidly into North Korea without encountering any significant resistance and were on the verge of capturing the Korean capital. However, Yuetuo and Jirgalang secretly allied with North Korea, which disgusted him greatly.

What's with this talk of discussion? Isn't it just a way to pull him back so he can't continue attacking Korea? He was the one who led the troops to conquer Korea, but Huang Taiji got all the benefits. It's outrageous!
Yue Tuo was still young, and his imposing presence was somewhat lacking compared to that of a seasoned and fierce general like Amin. He turned pale after being yelled at. He wasn't afraid of charging into battle; he feared being riddled with dozens of arrows in his back and dying at the hands of the Ming soldiers. He wasn't Amin's younger brother; he was merely his cousin. Amin grew increasingly enraged. He drew his short sword with a "whoosh," grabbed the hair of the Korean woman beside him, dragged her onto the table, and swiftly slashed the blade across her neck. Blood spurted out, even reaching the top of the tent and landing on the faces of several men. Even these ruthless killers couldn't help but feel a chill.

Yuetuo's eyes met the terrified face of the Korean woman, and his hand trembled slightly. Jirhalang wiped the blood from his face and lowered his head as well.

“Ajige, Dudu, Shuoto, Huerhan, Turge, none of you have any objections, right?” Amin said fiercely, staring at the crowd, his short knife still dripping blood.

Several people readily expressed their agreement. In truth, everyone was aware of the feud between Amin and Huang Taiji. It wouldn't be accurate to say they were all loyal to Huang Taiji; most were merely observing. But three of the four great princes were Huang Taiji's brothers. How could Amin, alone, possibly contend with them?

However, everyone had benefited from fighting in Korea with Amin, so they weren't too opposed to his orders. After all, fighting in Korea and Mao Wenlong was better than risking lives to besiege cities. A single shot from the red-coated cannons could obliterate enemies for miles; even the thickest armor was useless if you were hit. If given a choice, they wouldn't really want to get entangled with the Ming army in Liaoxi.

"The Ming army is utterly defeated. Even if they were prepared, what could they do to me? We have sixty or seventy Niru under our command, twice the strength of Mao Wenlong. How could we possibly be defeated? If you follow me to conquer Pi Island, I will make sure you don't sheath your swords for three days. You can plunder all the gold, silver, wealth, women, and bondservants!" After intimidating everyone, Amin said some nice words to appease them.

In the northwestern bay, Mao Wenlong's 3,800 cavalrymen had been hiding for a long time. Even though they had prepared enough warm clothes, the cold wind kept them awake. At dawn, the sentry cavalrymen were almost frozen stiff, and those who had been sleeping were also awakened by the cold.

Mao Wenlong wore a cotton-padded coat over armor, then a battle robe, and finally a cloak with a blanket wrapped around it. He struggled to his feet, rubbing his hands and breathing on them to warm them, feeling extremely tormented. He squinted at the starry sky and saw that the handle of the Big Dipper was pointing northwest of Pi Island. It was probably around dawn, with only about an hour left until daybreak.

"Could it be that Old Yuan guessed wrong?!" Mao Wenlong muttered. He was thinking of leading his troops back; he was getting old and couldn't compare to his younger days. He needed to at least get a couple of bowls of ginseng soup to drink, otherwise, he might die of typhoid fever even if he wasn't killed by the Jurchens—that would be so frustrating.

Just then, the soft sound of hooves rang out. Several horses with hooves wrapped in burlap hooves returned with small, quick steps. The scouts dismounted and stammered, "Great-Great-General, they're here!"

"Good!" Mao Wenlong clenched his right fist and slammed it into his left palm, wincing in pain. He endured the pain for a moment, then said to his personal guards, "Pass on my order: everyone rise, mount your horses, and form ranks for battle!"

(End of this chapter)