GBP Chapter 447 General Liu, you've finally arrived!
Chapter 447 General Liu, you've finally arrived!
Urged on by Zhu Dadian, the soldiers of the standard battalion boarded the ship one after another.
After everyone had boarded the ship, Su Hongtu looked back at the two cavalrymen fighting fiercely, shook his head, and was the last to jump onto the board.
In that short time, the standard battalion had been routed by Liu Wenxiu's eight hundred cavalry. Liu Wenxiu, a master swordsman, charged ahead as the spearhead, and none of the standard battalion cavalrymen in his path could withstand a single blow. Under his leadership, the eight hundred cavalrymen, like a sharp arrow, pierced through the enemy's formation, then turned and charged again. Under repeated attacks, the standard battalion cavalry suffered heavy losses and offered little resistance.
The cavalry commander was filled with regret. He had thought Liu Wenxiu was all talk and no action, but once the battle began, he realized that he was far inferior to his opponent. Although Liu's forces were slightly smaller, he was cutting through their ranks like vegetables.
After several rounds, the heavily wounded cavalry of the standard battalion could no longer hold on. The captain was the first to withdraw from the battlefield, and the rest followed suit when they saw their commander fleeing.
In the battlefield of cold weapons, cavalry combat was all about "the brave prevailing in a narrow encounter," and victory or defeat often hinged on a few rounds. Retreating in the face of battle, exposing one's back to the enemy, was tantamount to suicide. The standard cavalry fled in panic, completely abandoning resistance. Liu Wenxiu seized the opportunity to launch a flanking attack from behind, easily reaping lives, his blade even becoming dull from the blows.
Almost all of the thousand or so standard cavalrymen were slaughtered, with less than two hundred remaining and scattering in all directions. Liu Wenxiu ignored these deserters and kept a close eye on the armored centurion. He finally caught up with him, beheaded him with a single stroke, and held the head in his hand triumphantly. His men gathered around and roared in victory.
The sound reached the ship, and Zhu Dadian turned around and saw the bloody head of the cavalry commander. He quickly urged, "Set sail!"
The boat slowly left the shore. Liu Wenxiu tied the severed head to the saddle, led his troops to the shore, and seeing that they could not catch the big fish, he reluctantly took out his bow and arrow and shouted, "You corrupt official, take this arrow!" He drew his bow and shot an arrow at Zhu Dadian, who was dressed in a civil official's robe.
The arrow flew over like a meteor. Su Hongtu rushed over, grabbed Zhu Dadian, and rolled him to the ground. With a "thud," the arrow embedded itself in the cabin wall, its fletching still vibrating.
The boat drifted further and further from the shore, out of reach of the arrows. Su Hongtu helped Zhu Dadian to his feet and brushed the dust off him. Zhu Dadian, still shaken and frustrated, said, "The cavalry were all wiped out. If it weren't for you, Hongtu, I would be all alone... Ah, I lost my life with that arrow, but at least it's over, saving me from being punished by the Emperor later..."
Su Hongtu was about to say a few words of comfort when he saw Zhu Dadian's eyes glazed over and he was about to collapse. He reached out to help him, but it was too late, and he fell down with a thud.
The days of fleeing had exhausted Zhu Dadian's physical strength, the loss of prefectures and counties continued to ravage his spirit, and the complete annihilation of his cavalry was the final straw. Zhu Dadian, whose official career had always been smooth sailing, could not withstand this series of blows and mental torment, and finally collapsed.
He remained unconscious for several days. Zhu Dadian couldn't open his eyes, but he could vaguely hear conversations outside. He could feel himself being carried off the ship and placed in a room, where someone would force-feed him something every day.
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Dadian's mind grew increasingly muddled, and he could no longer distinguish between the things he perceived in the outside world and his dreams. One day, he heard someone deliver an imperial edict. The edict stated that after assuming the positions of Grand Canal Transport Commissioner and Governor of Fengyang, he was dismissed from all his official posts for "losing control of prefectures and counties" and "delaying the suppression of bandits." Moreover, a censor from the Ministry of War and an imperial censor impeached him for "failing to maintain integrity" and "embezzling money and bribes until his pockets were empty." Emperor Chongzhen issued another edict to confiscate his old home in Jinhua, obtaining more than one million taels of silver, all of which was to be used as military funds. Furthermore, the edict stated that Emperor Taizu would "skin him and stuff him with straw" as a warning to others.
Zhu Dadian broke out in a cold sweat. His family fortune had already been confiscated by the army, and now they wanted to exterminate him completely? This was too inhumane! He couldn't help but shout, "I have rendered meritorious service in suppressing the bandits. I beg Your Majesty to consider my small contribution and spare my life!"
At this shout, he actually sat up, panting heavily as he opened his eyes. He found that there was no imperial edict at all; he was in a tent, lying on a bed, with a servant carrying medicine beside him, staring at him in disbelief.
The servant stood there for a moment, then put down his bowl and spoon, and dashed out, shouting all the way, "He's awake! He's awake!"
After a while, Su Hongtu arrived with the doctor and exclaimed happily, "Governor, you're awake?"
The doctor sat down and took Zhu Dadian's pulse. After a while, he nodded and said, "This gentleman is just too tired and mentally exhausted. There's nothing seriously wrong. He'll be fine after a few days of rest."
Zhu Dadian returned to reality from his dream and asked, "Hongtu, where is this?"
Before Su Hongtu could answer, several more people walked in. The one in the lead smiled and said, "Lord Zhu is awake? It's been several months since we last met in Shandong. How have you been?"
Zhu Dadian looked closely and immediately burst into tears: "General Liu, you've finally come." This man was none other than Liu Ye, the savior he had been longing for.
After Liu Ye led his troops to Nanjing, due to the opposition of the garrison eunuch Chang Kun, the Nanjing authorities allowed the army to pass through, but not to enter the city. They could only camp outside the city. Whether the previous Suzhou silk trade was involved, or whether his纨绔 (playboy) adopted son Chang Wei had reported it, is unknown. However, Liu Ye was not there for sightseeing, so not entering the city didn't matter. He camped in the suburbs and used the silver he carried to purchase grain in preparation for gathering refugees in the future.
After Su Hongtu carried the unconscious Zhu Dadian across the river to the other side, they ran into the Qionghai Army stationed outside the city and returned to their organization. Zhu Dadian was also placed in the military camp, treated by a doctor, and cared for by a special person.
Liu Ye comforted Zhu Dadian, saying, "Lord Zhu, I heard about your ordeal from Commander Su. It's just a few lost prefectures and counties. I'll cross the river and take them all back for you."
This bold statement immediately reassured Zhu Dadian. He wouldn't believe anyone else saying this, but he couldn't disbelieve Liu Ye's words; Liu Ye's glorious achievements were undeniable, and he could challenge him to a duel. He was extremely grateful: "If I can use General Liu's strength to subdue the prefectures and counties, and by some stroke of luck retain my position as governor, I will surely be richly rewarded in the future!"
Liu Ye chuckled and said, "Lord Zhu took good care of me when I was in Shandong, so it's only right that I return the favor. Besides, I was originally sent by the court to suppress the bandits, so it's just my duty. Leave the fighting to me, Lord Zhu, just take good care of yourself."
After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Ye left the tent, and Su Hongtu followed him out, whispering, "General, if we conquer those prefectures and counties occupied by bandits, will Lord Zhu be able to keep his official position?"
Liu Ye shook his head: "It's just words of comfort. Given Chongzhen's temperament, I'm afraid the imperial edict to dismiss him from his post is already on its way."