Di Ming

Chapter 231 "Our army has achieved a great victory!"

Luoxia Pass, the northwest pass of Helan Mountain.

Luoxia Pass was a pass during the Western Xia Dynasty. Although it has been abandoned for hundreds of years, remnants of walls, beacon towers, and watchtowers still remain.

The once desolate Luoxia Pass is now bustling with activity again, with 13,000 Ming soldiers stationed there, their shouts and the neighing of horses filling the air, and their flags fluttering in the wind.

At this moment, four people stood on the watchtower, looking northwest: two civil officials and two military officers.

It was Zheng Guowang, Hao Yunlai, Li Rubai, and Xiong Tingbi who led the rear guard.

Because the Ming army was running out of supplies, but in order to pursue the rebels and Prince Qing in time, Zhu Yin took most of the supplies and led 5,000 elite troops to personally pursue the rebels, while the main force of 13,000 remained in Helan Mountain to await the arrival of more supplies.

Three days ago, the rear army finally received the grain and supplies replenished by Ningxia, and then set off westward to support Zhu Yin in Helan.

It got dark as soon as we left the Helan Mountains, and the army set up camp at Luoxia Pass, preparing to depart early tomorrow morning.

Looking at the stars in the night sky, Xiong Tingbi suddenly said:
"Master Zheng, Master Hao, our army is four days behind the General Fu, and several hundred miles apart, making it difficult to provide quick support. In my humble opinion, just in case, our army should march through the night to close the distance as soon as possible. In any case, our army has been waiting for supplies and resting for several days, which is enough to replenish our strength, and we will have the energy to march quickly."

Zheng Guowang and Hao Yunlai ignored him completely. Their faces were half-lit and half-shadowed under the lamplight, their expressions unpredictable, and it was impossible to tell what they were thinking.

Xiong Tingbi's face turned somewhat grim, and he looked to Li Rubai, who was also a military officer, for help, hoping that Li Rubai would speak up for him.

Li Rubai opened his mouth, wanting to agree with Xiong Tingbi's suggestion, but seeing the cold and aloof expressions of the two imperial inspectors, he swallowed his words.

Civil officials had long held sway in the army, while military generals were mostly responsible for charging into battle and had little power to advise and strategize. Although he was appointed as a deputy general, his official rank was that of a third-grade assistant commander, four grades higher than a seventh-grade imperial inspector. However, he had no say in front of the imperial inspector and could only obey orders.

Xiong Tingbi did not give up and continued to bow, saying:
"Two Daoist masters, it is indeed dangerous to march at night, and it is not advisable according to military strategy, as I am well aware. However, I believe that we must not put our commander-in-chief in a dangerous situation, otherwise the entire army will be in grave danger. Previously, Prince Qing suddenly declared himself emperor, and the army was short of food and supplies. The governor had no choice but to personally lead 5,000 men to pursue him. This was a temporary measure by the governor, and we should not follow the usual procedure. Now that our army's food and supplies have been replenished, we should march through the night to escort our commander-in-chief as soon as possible, lest something unexpected happen."

He was concerned for Zhu Yin's safety, and seeing the two imperial inspectors' indifferent expressions, his tone became somewhat agitated.

Zheng Guowang said coldly, "What do you know, you mere warrior! This is the Gobi Desert. You want to march at night? You can't see the road at night. If you fall into an ambush or stray into dangerous territory, who will take responsibility? Can you bear the responsibility for the safety of more than 10,000 troops? You are just a garrison commander. Do you think you can take responsibility? The commander-in-chief is important, but which is more important, the commander-in-chief or the army? Hmph."

She had long disliked Xiong Tingbi, so she spoke to him without any politeness.

This Xiong Tingbi, relying on some talent, is clearly a commoner, yet he acts like a high-minded and arrogant civil official. What right does he have? Who gave him that face?
Xiong Tingbi's face darkened, and his tone became less polite:

"Master Zheng, although I am a warrior, I am also versed in the classics and am not ignorant of the bigger picture. I am not qualified to take responsibility, but if something were to happen to the General, could you bear the responsibility? The General personally risked his life, leading only five thousand men deep into enemy territory, while our thirteen thousand troops dawdled in the rear. Anyone who didn't know better would think that our army was retreating and avoiding battle, afraid to advance, or even deliberately sitting idly by! I request that you two masters immediately break camp and travel through the night!"

"How dare you!" Zheng Guowang shouted, his autumn eyes wide with anger as he glared at Xiong Tingbi. "Xiong Tingbi! How dare you speak to me like that!"

Xiong Tingbi stood tall and fearless, his neck stiff, and sneered, "This humble general dares not be arrogant. This humble general only requests that we immediately set out with our troops to join forces with the Governor's Army. If the Governor's Army suffers a loss in the desert, does the Daoist priest think we can escape unscathed?"

"Xiong Tingbi," Hao Yunlai suddenly spoke up, "you're just a military man, what right do you have to presume to discuss important matters? Is it any of your business to interfere in something as trivial as marching through the night? How arrogant!"

Xiong Tingbi gritted his teeth, "Master Hao..."

Hao Yunlai shouted, "Step back!"

Li Rubai finally couldn't help but cup his hands and say, "Both Daoist masters are wise. The vanguard and rearguard are four days apart in their journey, making it difficult for them to coordinate with each other, which is truly inappropriate. It was only out of necessity for the governor to personally pursue the enemy, but the main army should naturally regroup as soon as possible. Moreover, the governor repeatedly instructed us that we should regroup with the vanguard as soon as the supplies arrived, without any delay. In my humble opinion, it would be best to travel through the night."

Zheng Guowang narrowed his eyes and said in a calm tone, "Young General Li, are you questioning me and trying to pressure me by using the governor's army as leverage? Hmm?"

Li Rubai trembled and quickly lowered his head, saying, "This humble general dares not."

Hao Yunlai said, "Young General Li, is it because your brother is also in the vanguard that you are worried about his safety and therefore requested to travel overnight? I know you care about your brother and that concern can cloud your judgment, but this is, after all, military business, and it concerns the safety of more than 10,000 soldiers. You cannot let personal matters interfere with public duty, can you?"

Li Rusong chuckled awkwardly, "How dare this humble general neglect his duty for personal reasons? Master Hao has misunderstood me. I am only concerned about the commander-in-chief and the vanguard, and about the important matter of suppressing the rebellion. That is why I requested to send troops out tonight."

Hao Yunlai stood with his hands behind his back. "According to the imperial system, a large army must be supervised by a military supervisor. Now that the governor is absent, I and Daoist Zheng are naturally the commanders. With such a heavy responsibility on our shoulders, how can we act rashly? If something happens to the army, how will we quell the rebellion?"

"Haste makes waste, let alone in military campaigns. This matter of marching at night is out of the question."

Li Rubai could only sigh and retreat dejectedly, shaking his head in dismay, but dared not utter another word.

Hao Yunlai and Zheng Guowang exchanged a glance, their eyes revealing their contempt for Xiong and Li.

The two men were unwilling to march through the night, not because they intentionally wanted Zhu Yin to advance deep into enemy territory alone, nor because they intended to trap him in a desperate situation. After all, they shared a common interest in suppressing the rebellion, and even though they were at odds with Zhu Yin, they did not want him to be defeated. If Zhu Yin were to be defeated, they would not fare well either.

However, both of them were civil officials, and they had acquired the cautious and conservative nature of the Ming Dynasty officials, seeking stability and unwilling to take too many risks.

They naturally disregarded the suggestions from Xiong Tingbi and Li Rusong.

Suddenly Xiong Tingbi said, "Since the two Taoist priests are unwilling to send troops tonight, then I will lead my 1,500 men and break camp tonight to serve as the vanguard."

"You dare!" Zheng Guowang's eyebrows shot up. "Xiong Tingbi! Do you dare disobey orders? Without my and Master Hao's permission, you dare to mobilize troops without authorization?!"

Xiong Tingbi said loudly, "This humble general dares not mobilize troops without authorization! However, the Governor-General has already given us orders to assemble as soon as the supplies arrive! This humble general is merely following the orders of the Governor-General!"

"How dare you!" Hao Yunlai pointed at Xiong Tingbi. "Xiong Tingbi! Are you planning a rebellion? Or are you going to join Prince Qing? The 1,500 elite soldiers from Jiangnan that you brought are not your private troops, but the imperial army! Without my and Master Zheng's orders, you cannot mobilize a single soldier!"

When Xiong Tingbi heard the words "to surrender to Prince Qing," his face turned ashen with anger. He hadn't expected Hao Yunlai's words to be so vicious, setting such a serious accusation right off the bat.

"Master Hao, be careful with your words!" Xiong Tingbi retorted without backing down. "Although I am not a civil official, I will not tolerate baseless slander! How can you casually utter the words 'to submit to Prince Qing'? What evidence do you have, Master Hao! Hmph, this humble general will depart immediately! Whether you are guilty or not, the court will have its own judgment, and the military governor will have his own decision!"

"Proof?" Hao Yunlai sneered. "Just because you took your troops and left overnight without authorization, who dares to say you're not suspected of defecting to Prince Qing? Who can guarantee that! Your words were insolent and your behavior arrogant and rude. For this alone, I can immediately strip you of your military command! Guards!"

"Present!" Several armored guards immediately appeared. "Please give your instructions!"

Hao Yunlai pointed at Xiong Tingbi, "Xiong Tingbi has no respect for the court, disregards discipline, and is suspected of defection and collusion with the enemy. Seize him!" "Yes, sir!" Several guards pounced on Xiong Tingbi like wolves and tigers.

"Who dares!" Xiong Tingbi gripped his sword. "I am innocent! Who dares to arrest me?! Are they deceiving me because my sword is not sharp enough?!"

His personal guards also quickly stepped forward, their hands on the hilts of their swords, coldly staring at Hao Yunlai's guards.

Hao Yunlai was stunned. He never expected that Xiong Tingbi, a mere military man, would be so audacious as to resist arrest!

Zheng Guo, who was observing the qi, was "trembling with excitement." She had never imagined that Xiong Tingbi would be so arrogant!
This is outrageous! This is defying the heavens!

"Xiong Tingbi, you are already guilty." Zheng Guo's starry eyes were icy cold. "If you dare to resist arrest again, I will have no choice but to kill you on the spot!"

Li Rubai quickly stepped forward and said, "Two Daoist priests! Although Xiong Tingbi has spoken rudely and acted eccentrically, I guarantee that he has no ulterior motives. At present, the task of suppressing the rebellion is of utmost importance, and we need capable people. I beg you two Daoist priests to be lenient and temporarily forgive his mistakes. Xiong Tingbi, why don't you kneel down and beg for forgiveness!"

Just then, a soldier from the Zheng family reported from below the stage: "Fourth Master! The messenger of the Military Governor has arrived! He has the Military Governor's official documents!"

"Let him in!" Zheng Guowang said, having no choice but to let Xiong Tingbi go for the time being and deal with him after seeing the messenger.

Soon, Wei Zhongxian, looking travel-worn and exhausted, appeared in the audience.

Wei Zhongxian ran four horses to death, galloping two or three hundred li in three hours, his inner thighs were chafed raw, and only then did he reach the rear camp of Luoxia Pass.

His legs were burning with pain, and blood kept seeping out, but Wei Zhongxian remained silent as if nothing had happened. No one could tell that he had rushed there at great risk.

It was already 6:45 PM.

Wei Zhongxian looked at the army that had already set up camp, his eyes filled with gloom.

Hmph, Li Rusong and Qin Liangyu are facing an enemy several times stronger than themselves at Jilu Village, and our lord is resisting a 10,000-strong Tatar army at Danxia Land, yet the main force of the rear army is still camped here in a stable manner, without even marching overnight to provide support!
He observed their expressions and guessed their thoughts. After a moment's thought, he had a guess in his mind.

It must be because Xiong Tingbi wanted to march overnight, but the two imperial inspectors disagreed, leading to a dispute and the awkward atmosphere.

Now that their lord is trapped in that Danxia land, he has sent them to deliver a rescue order. Normally, the two of them must obey their commander's orders.

But the situation is very delicate now, and the two of them have a reason not to send troops!
Both men could have easily refused to send troops, citing the imminent danger to their lord, the likely death of his lord, and the enemy's ambush, in order to preserve their forces.

In this way, although they lost their commander, they would have the merit of protecting the rear army, which would offset their sin of not rescuing their commander.

Zheng Guowang was the younger brother of Consort Zheng, so the emperor would naturally protect him and would not punish him.

Thinking of this, Wei Zhongxian's mind raced, and he suddenly revealed a happy expression, laughing, "First of all, I would like to congratulate you both on our great victory!"

"Our army has won a great victory?" Hao Yunlai and Zheng Guowang thought Zhu Yin was in danger deep in the desert and sent people to urge rescue.

But to my surprise, it was a report of victory!
Xiong Tingbi and Li Rubai, who were initially worried, felt relieved and relieved upon hearing the words "great victory".

"General Fu and General Li have achieved a great victory?" Zheng Guowang's expression lit up with joy. "Have they captured Bo Bai and Prince Qing?"

Hao Yunlai was overjoyed; he had also contributed.

Wei Zhongxian laughed and said, "No, but Bo Bai and Prince Qing are like grasshoppers in autumn; they won't last long."

Upon hearing the word "no," Zheng Guowang and Hao Yunlai's smiles froze. But Wei Zhongxian continued, his expression brightening:
"Two Taoist priests, General Li, General Xiong, the pacification army first defeated the Oirat cavalry who came south to support the rebels at Jilu Village, killing thousands. Then, they pursued the victory and surrounded the remnants of Prince Qing and Bo Bai's army at Danxia, ​​more than two hundred miles to the west. Although the place was easy to defend and difficult to attack, the enemy only had two or three thousand men left and was about to be wiped out."

Zheng Guowang and Hao Yunlai smiled again when they heard that Prince Qing and Bo Bai had been surrounded.

It's done! It's done!
Wei Zhongxian said, "Therefore, the General sent me to deliver an order, commanding the two Taoist priests and the two generals to march overnight and rush to besiege the rebel army, striving to capture it as soon as possible!"

At this point, he glanced at Li Rubai and said, "This is also General Li's wish. He hopes that the Second General will participate in this battle and achieve even greater merit."

Zheng Guowang suddenly said, "Since Prince Qing and Bo Bai are at their wits' end and cannot escape, and the general is confident of victory, why send 13,000 rear guards to join the battle overnight? Wouldn't that waste a lot of supplies?"

Hao Yunlai's eyes flickered, and he asked in confusion, "Yes, the general is confident of victory, so why order the rear guard to march overnight? It seems unnecessary."

"It's necessary! Absolutely necessary!" Wei Zhongxian's expression turned slightly grave. "The pacification army has captured a general of the Oirat and interrogated him, discovering that Huo Luochi has already marched north to meet Prince Qing and Bo Bai. If we can't capture Danxia Land quickly, and wait for Huo Luochi to lead his army to the rescue, Prince Qing and Bo Bai will be able to escape. Once they escape, wouldn't it be like a cooked duck flying away?"

"By then, not only will the governor be guilty, but all of you will be implicated. Therefore, we must now fight like a lion hunting a rabbit, exert all our strength, and capture Danxia as quickly as possible. By the time Huoluochi arrives to rescue us, Bo Bai and Prince Qing will have already been captured by the royal army. Huoluochi's rescue will fail, and their morale will surely plummet. Our army can then take the opportunity to attack and destroy Huoluochi. In this way, we can defeat them one by one and achieve complete victory."

Zheng Guowang and Hao Yunlai nodded and said in unison, "Excellent! A brilliant plan to pacify the army!"

Without further hesitation, Zheng Guowang said, "Send the order! Break camp immediately! March through the night! We must rendezvous with the governor by tomorrow afternoon!"

"Woo woo woo—" The bugle sounded in the camp, and the more than 13,000 Ming soldiers who had just set up camp immediately set off overnight in a grand procession!
Wei Zhongxian only breathed a sigh of relief after the army set off.

This is certainly the best outcome.

If Zheng Guowang and Hao Yunlai hesitate and refuse to withdraw their troops, he will have no choice but to contact Xiong Tingbi, launch a mutiny, detain the two supervisors, and seize military power.

Fortunately, the two imperial inspectors believed his story, so he didn't have to resort to such a desperate measure, saving him a lot of trouble.

I hope my lord can hold on until tomorrow afternoon!

P.S.: I've had such a tough time these past few days because I didn't have any drafts saved up. I had to squeeze in some writing while visiting other people's homes for the New Year. My New Year, sob sob...

(End of this chapter)