Chapter 102 Taking Responsibility in One's Position: "How are you? Does the wound hurt anymore?" "It doesn't hurt anymore. This wound medicine is from my sister-in-law..."
"How is it? Does the wound not hurt anymore?"
"It doesn't hurt anymore. Your sister-in-law must have prepared this wound medicine for you. I never expected to benefit from it."
The main force of this expedition was the central army led by the emperor. Following the route used to fight Galdan last time, the army advanced head-on and stationed itself at Galdan's former stronghold, forcing Galdan's troops, who had already fled to the northern desert, to continue to retreat westward.
Yu Lang led a group of elite soldiers separated from the firearms battalion to follow Shi Wenbing and Fei Yanggu's western army, traveling day and night, crossing mountains and rivers to bypass Galdan's forces and reach Zhaomodo ahead of them to ambush them.
Because the goal is to cut off the retreat and set up an ambush, speed is the key.
Last time, Yu Lang had served as a scout on the expedition. He thought that following the western army on this expedition would be easy, but the two commanders, Shi Wenbing and Fei Yanggu, were really ruthless. Yu Lang almost couldn't keep up with them in the latter half of the journey.
Upon arriving in Zhaomodo, they immediately set up an ambush. Yu Lang's firearms battalion was best suited for taking advantage of any opportunity to launch a surprise attack. Shi Wenbing summoned Yu Lang to his side and asked him only one question: "Can he still hold on?"
"How can we say we can't hold on when we're all this way? As long as we have a breath left, we have to keep going." Yu Lang nodded. Seeing that he was clear-headed, Shi Wenbing had him divide his men into two groups. One half would stay behind and join the cavalry to attack Galdan's flank, while the other half, led by Yu Lang, would circle around to the rear and completely cut off Galdan's retreat.
First, they were driven into Zhaomodo by the central army led by Kangxi, and then they were surrounded and annihilated by the western army.
After Galdan's men realized they had been ambushed, they made several desperate attempts to break through and retreat, but Yulang and his firearms battalion pushed them back each time.
With both their front and rear routes blocked, Galdan's entire force quickly collapsed. The cavalry fled in disarray, trampling many of their own men in the process. A post-battle headcount revealed that at least ten thousand of Galdan's elite troops had been annihilated.
The last wave of attackers, perhaps knowing they had no chance of survival, fought with exceptional ferocity. Yu Lang and his artillery battalion couldn't suppress them; having run out of gunpowder, they simply put away their muskets, mounted their horses, and engaged the enemy. Only a few men remained to guard the gorge entrance, preventing any escapees from getting away.
The firearms battalion had only been established for a short time, and its usual training focused more on firearms and artillery. When they were actually used as cavalry, it was inevitable that some of them, whose martial arts skills were not good, would be scattered by Galdan's cavalry. It was at this time that Yulang was injured when he blocked a knife that was aimed straight at his face.
The injury was on my left shoulder, and the sight of blood everywhere was quite frightening. Fortunately, it didn't damage any meridians or bones; it was just a superficial wound.
After the battle, Akdun, upon receiving the news, immediately brought over the hemostatic powder and wound medicine passed down from the Daijia clan. With a dark face, he bandaged up Yulang, then pushed him to the personal guards under the Zuo Ling before turning back to clean up the battlefield and select spoils of war.
"Come on, take off your boots."
"ah?"
"So, Commander, you've injured not only your arm but also your ear. I suggest you take off your boots."
"Why take off your shoes? You still have two hours to lead your troops to pursue the fleeing enemy. You can use this time to go back to your tent and get some sleep."
"These past few years, I've been in the firearms battalion while you were under the Crown Prince's command. Even if your skills haven't declined, are your regular training sessions the same as ours?"
Shi Wenbing had previously summoned Yu Lang and ordered him to lead the firearms battalion to cover the rear. Akdun originally wanted to go with him. Unexpectedly, Yu Lang left Akdun, Suhe, and Martai to the cavalry attacking the flank, while he himself took the other half to clean up the gap.
This tactic of flanking from both sides may seem impressive because it involves cavalry charging from above, but the most crucial and deadly element is actually the generals and soldiers who close the gap and cut off the enemy's retreat.
Because once the enemy realizes they've been surrounded, human nature dictates that they'll instinctively want to retreat along the same path they came from. They haven't traveled that route before, and a large army is sure to be waiting for them. Retreating offers a chance of survival if they can break through the encirclement.
Therefore, the infantry and firearms battalion led by Yulang faced the greatest pressure after the battle began. They not only had to withstand Galdan's cavalry and infantry attempting to break through, but also had to guard against the scattered and disorganized soldiers who had already collapsed, lest they recklessly charge and tear open a gap in the enemy lines.
“If it weren’t for General Shi’s presence today, I wouldn’t have dared to disobey your orders. I should never have let you go alone. You should have at least taken Suhe and Martai with you. If they had been protecting you, you wouldn’t have suffered this injury.”
Yu Lang's close association with the Crown Prince and his deep favor with him had both advantages and disadvantages. The advantages were self-evident, but the disadvantage was that he was too far away from the firearms battalion and the Eight Banners soldiers under his own command. In the event of a real battle, he would have too few close followers, and if something happened, he wouldn't even have anyone willing to shield him from harm.
"It's as if they weren't injured. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. As a captain, I should lead the charge to have the confidence to command my men to fight alongside me. Why should I bring more personal guards or raise a few suicide soldiers? What's the point of me leaving the capital? It would be better to stay in the capital so that we can both feel at ease."
Covering the rear and securing the escape route was no easy task. The real credit and recognition went to the cavalry and the vanguard who charged first into Galdan's flank. This was a typical job; doing it well was your duty, but doing it poorly and letting Galdan escape meant you'd be the first to be punished later.
Shi Wenbing knew perfectly well that this job was difficult, so why did he insist on giving it to Yu Lang? It was simply because Yu Lang was a commander that the Crown Prince had openly placed into the firearms battalion. If Yu Lang didn't crack this tough nut, he would never be able to stand tall in the army.
"Take you with me, take Suhe and Martai with me. Should I also take everyone under my command? If something happens, you will all take the fall for me one by one. Only when all the cavalry and infantry under my command are dead will it be my turn to face the enemy directly."
Besides, after returning to the capital this time, the Crown Prince won't let me stay in the Firearms Battalion indefinitely. I'll either return to Yuqing Palace to serve or be assigned another position. You're different; you'll have to stay in the Firearms Battalion from now on. Will you follow me to cover the rear or charge into battle first? Tell me, what's your choice?"
"Alright, alright, you're the commander, you get to decide everything. I was just complaining for nothing, why did I have to invite all this trouble?"
Akdun understood Yulang's meaning. Although he was ultimately allowed to break through the encirclement and escape into the depths of the western desert with dozens of cavalry after killing Galdan, he, Suhe, and Martai had made a great contribution by being the first to charge into battle. When they returned to the capital, they would certainly be among those rewarded for their merits.
They could only be useful if they could steadily climb the ranks in the firearms battalion and be put to good use when the Crown Prince needed them. Therefore, it was the best choice for Yulang to give them the opportunity to shine, both morally and logically, but Akdun just felt uneasy about it.
“You are our captain. Our captain has had a lot of hardship over the years. We finally had a few years of peace after you got married and had a wife.”
"Our clan is very reassured about accompanying the emperor on this expedition. We know that no matter whether we return or not, our families will still have someone to take care of them."
“Before you left, your sister-in-law told me to please save your life, otherwise it would be uncertain who would take over the position of Zuo Ling in our Hesheli branch. We’ve only had a short time of good times, and we’re all reluctant to let you go.”
"Then there's even less to fear. Even if I'm gone, there's still your great-grandmother. She's incredibly capable; she can still manage without me."
"Nonsense. It's because you're here that Grandma is able to manage all the miscellaneous affairs under the banner. Without you, why would she bother dealing with those troublesome people in the clan? Who is born liking to make trouble for themselves?"
"Hurry, hurry, let me see the blisters on your feet. We need to get them removed now, otherwise you won't be able to walk tomorrow even if your shoulder is fine."
Akdun continued to urge Yulang to take off his shoes and boots. After several days of travel without proper rest, and then a fierce battle upon arrival, Yulang had indeed lost all feeling the blisters on his feet, which had gone from painful to painless.
"Then ask the cook to bring a bucket of hot water. I'm afraid the smell will bother people because I haven't taken my shoes off for several days."
"You're just being fussy. You're urging me to go rest. With an old man like you, when will I ever get a break?"
Akdun muttered complaints, but his body still obediently got up and went out to fetch a bucket of hot water. He made Yulang, the young master, wash and dry his feet, and then he picked out the blisters that covered the soles of his feet one by one.
"Ouch, ouch, be gentle! It doesn't hurt this much even if you cut me with a knife! Stop squeezing it, okay? It's not like you can just pop the blister."
"If you don't squeeze out all the pus from the blister, Lord Yu will just be waiting to rot."
After popping and squeezing out the blisters, sprinkle the wound medicine prepared by Dai Jia on them. There's no need to bandage them anymore; just leave them barefoot to dry. After an hour or two, they'll be dry enough to wear socks and shoes, and they'll scab over and heal in a couple of days.
There's no room for formalities when fighting on the front lines. If Yu Lang hadn't been injured, he probably wouldn't even have a separate tent right now. The tent wasn't very big either, but Akdun and Yu Lang could talk clearly from inside, and Shi Wenbing and the strategist standing outside could hear them clearly.
Without disturbing the people inside the tent, Shi Wenbing didn't go in but led his strategist and entourage to a secluded place in the distance.
"This time when he returns to the capital, I'm afraid Suo'etu will be even less able to control Lord Yu."
"That's exactly what I wanted—to be unable to control him. He's certainly lived up to expectations. Before, I was most afraid of him leading men to cover the rear, and he wouldn't do it. If that had happened..."
Shi Wenbing disliked Suo'etu but never held a grudge against him, because in his eyes Suo'etu was a powder keg that could kill Mingzhu when useful, and could also easily kill the Crown Prince when a hindrance.
His family had connections with the Shen family, the Shen clan, and Yulang's Hesheli family. In his view, the best outcome in the future would be for Yulang to gradually replace Suo'etu's position in the Hesheli lineage.
The Crown Prince needs the Shi family as an arm, but one Shi family is not enough. It would be best if the Hesheli family did not fall. Even if he were to ascend the throne one day, the Shi family and the Hesheli family, who are both maternal relatives, would need to check and balance each other or even become adversaries. This would be far more stable than having only one family dominating.
"They're just too young. They've only been here a short time and they're already like this. If they were stationed in Fuzhou like we were, they would have had a lot of trouble."
"Don't laugh at him. Back when I hired you as my advisor, who was it that wanted to pack up and go home after only two days in the military camp?"
Yu Lang's cries of pain were quite alarming. Shi Wenbing had originally intended to go in and talk to him, but upon hearing the commotion, he didn't go in.
“Being young is good. Being young means you have many years to live, which is much better than us old men. The Crown Prince needs someone like that. With him and Lady Shen around, the Crown Princess's life will be easier.”
The campsite was relatively quiet at night. Inside the tent, Akdun cleaned up the blisters on Yulang's feet and then went back to his own tent to rest.
As soon as Akdun left, Yulang cried out and lay down on the makeshift mat on the ground, not wanting to move. He fell asleep in no time.
Shi Wenbing, along with his strategist, returned to the commander's tent to discuss how to pursue the enemy after dawn. He was completely unaware that Crown Prince Yinreng, far away in the capital, was sneezing several times because of their constant chatter.
"Master, it's getting late, you should rest."
"I haven't finished reading today's memorials yet, let's talk about it later."
As the Crown Prince oversees the country, all matters, big and small, both inside and outside the court are sent to Yinreng. In particular, the Ministry of Revenue, which is responsible for the allocation of provisions for the expeditionary army, must be kept under constant surveillance.
Yinreng could neither control nor manage how the battles were fought at the front; all he could do was ensure that there were absolutely no problems with the supply line.
If he does this well, it's his duty; if he doesn't, it's all because he, the crown prince, is incompetent. Besides, he originally thought that Suo'etu wouldn't be able to go this time, so he tried every means to put that brat Yulang into the firearms camp.
Who knew that the Emperor would act so unpredictably? Instead of leaving Mingzhu in the capital to make him unhappy every day, he led Suo'etu and Yulang out of the capital.
"Your Highness, before Lord Yu left the capital, he left me a message, saying that I should tell you when I felt it was time to speak. I think it's time to say it now, would you like to hear it?"
"Why can't he say something directly to me, instead of having you relay it to him?"
Upon hearing this, Yinreng abruptly raised his head, frowning and staring intently at He Yuzhu. His expression held not only surprise and dissatisfaction but also a hint of grievance. What important matter couldn't be discussed directly with him before the expedition, but instead had to be relayed by this servant, He Yuzhu? Did he think he was going to eat him?
"Lord Yu said that a general in the field may disobey the emperor's orders, which is both right and wrong. It is true that a general should be able to adapt to unexpected situations, but most of the time, unless it comes to that, he should do whatever the emperor says."
“Your Highness, as the Crown Prince, you are also ‘a general in the field’ when you are overseeing the country. The affairs of the court are within the country wherever His Majesty is. Even if you are guarding the capital, the capital is still outside. If His Majesty wants you to oversee the country, then you should oversee the country. As for other important matters of the court that you are unsure about, you should let go and leave them to His Majesty to decide.”
After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he kowtowed and bowed, saying, "My lord, these are the words of Lord Yu. This servant is merely relaying them. Please forgive me, my lord."
"Those words were spoken by that bastard Yu Lang, but it was you, He Yuzhu, who chose when to say them. I'll remember your crimes, and we'll settle accounts with you both when he gets back!"
Despite his anger, Yinreng regained his composure after his outburst. He stared at He Yuzhu for a long while before finally asking, "Have I been interfering too much lately?"
"My lord, others may not understand, but how could I not understand? All your painstaking efforts are for the sake of the country and the world."
"That's really too much."
Yinreng sighed deeply and put down his pen, remaining motionless for a long time. During this period, as the Crown Prince Regent, Yinreng was afraid of delaying the war, state affairs, and matters of the world. No matter how big or small the matter was, he would discuss it with the Six Ministries and the ministers of the Council of State before sending the memorial with the small note attached to it to Kangxi.
Looking back now, I realize I did too much. Perhaps things without answers shouldn't have answers. This world belongs to Father Emperor, and the answer should be decided by him.
"Someone, sort out and organize these memorials that have already been reviewed by the Six Ministries and the Ministers of State Affairs, and send them to the Emperor for his decision."
After saying this, Yinreng got up and walked around the desk to leave. He Yuzhu also got up from the ground and followed closely behind. He only breathed a slight sigh of relief when he saw that the Crown Prince was walking towards the Crown Princess's courtyard.
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I've been working like crazy this week, so I can only maintain daily updates for now. I'll update twice a week when I'm not so busy.
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