Uncle from a poor family

Chapter 870 Destiny
Wang Shouren did not argue with this group of "uncouth warriors".

He now feels a sense of desolation at his unfulfilled ambitions, and even has serious doubts about what he has done.

He had led his troops through many hardships to this point, only to end up in a miserable state where he couldn't even find his direction in life. He felt that all his previous efforts had been in vain, which led to deep self-doubt.

In this situation, he no longer objected when his men insisted on following Qin Yun's group to join the enemy's central army in order to gain enough military merits.

Whether he fights or not is not that important to him now.

After nightfall.

Qin Yun's troops did not intend to hit and run. After communicating with Wang Shouren, this Ming army actually put down their packs and set up camp again.

Upon learning the news, Zhu Hui quickly came to consult Wang Shouren.

Despite Zhu Hui's previous ambitions and even plans to establish his own independent force, effectively sidelining Wang Shouren, he still needed Wang Shouren to lead them to victory in the face of a potential major battle. Therefore, he maintained a basic level of respect on the surface.

"Brother Wang, how about we go and pay a visit to that Commander Qin?"

After reporting on military affairs, Zhu Hui smiled and asked Wang Shouren for his opinion.

Wang Shouren frowned and asked, "What Commander Qin? Isn't that the Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Garrison?"

"He has always been a commander of a thousand households, and was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard sent by His Majesty to protect the Zhang family."

Zhu Hui patiently explained, "This man is from the capital and has an extremely powerful background, but he is very low-key. So far, he has never shown any signs of his abilities. But you see, when it comes to important matters, he is very decisive and ruthless. He can lead troops to fight on the grasslands as if it were child's play... No wonder the young imperial uncle of the Zhang family trusts him so much."

Only then did Wang Shouren realize that the Zhang family's maternal relatives also had their own direct descendants.

He used to be just an ignorant young man, so it was naturally difficult for him to understand these court secrets. What he has now come into contact with and learned is a part of the core of power in the court.

"If you come with me to visit, what will happen to the soldiers at the camp?"

Wang Shouren asked.

Zhu Hui laughed and said dismissively, "Look at those Tartars, after fighting a battle during the day, they all chickened out. Who would dare to come now?"
"Speaking of which, the current situation is really strange. The Tartars are right around us, and dangers lurk everywhere, yet it gives people the feeling that we can go wherever we want without any scruples."

Wang Shouren said, "It all comes down to strength."

"Who says it's not?"

Zhu Hui said with a proud look on his face, "So, we have to follow the right people... First there was Wang Weining, who could stop the children from crying at night on the grasslands, and now there is the young imperial uncle of the Zhang family, who is invincible and can kill Tartars more effectively than he can kill little brats... It seems that it is only right that God will help us achieve fame and success, and no one can stop us!"

……

……

Unable to resist persistent pleading, Wang Shouren finally allowed Zhu Hui to accompany him to visit Qin Yun.

When they arrived at Qin Yun's army, they found that Qin Yun's troops were full of energy. Some were playing music and singing, while others were chatting in groups. The relaxed atmosphere... didn't seem like they were fighting on the grasslands.

Wang Shouren had only one thought in his mind: Aren't these people afraid of a night attack by the Tartars?
Also, how are they able to stay so tired?

After toiling day and night on the grasslands, how can they still have such good energy? They seem to be laughing and joking... It's clear they have solid strength as a guarantee; with fearlessness, their spirits are revitalized.

"Greetings, Young Master, General Wang."

Qin Yun was quite polite to the two of them, and did not have the arrogance that a victorious general should have.

After all, Qin Yun wasn't some big shot before. As the head of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he was more about struggling to survive in the cracks of power, and he didn't dare to offend anyone.

Zhu Hui smiled and said, "Commander Qin, please allow me to address you this way, since that's what everyone else calls you..."

Qin Yun humbly replied, "That title is quite appropriate. Even though I hold the position of Commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, in reality... I am more of a commander of a thousand households."

"But haven't you already received a substantive post?"

Zhu Hui laughed and said, "Don't be so modest! But since you've brought your troops to the grasslands, it's more friendly to call you Commander Qin... Speaking of which, we're both soldiers, so we should help each other out here, don't you think?"

Wang Shouren found it strange.

He thought to himself, "As expected, this warrior is straightforward; he doesn't even beat around the bush when he speaks."

Wang Shouren realized that he might never be able to integrate into the military community.

This group of people speaks directly and acts decisively. They seem to be a bunch of willful and reckless individuals, completely lacking the perfunctory politeness of scholars.

Being with this group of people made Wang Shouren feel like an outsider.

"I do not know where the Second Young Master is currently leading troops."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qin Yun finally revealed his true intentions to Zhu Hui: "Previously, I was just following the orders from above. After all, the plan was ready. My troops only needed to fight as they marched to the agreed meeting point... Each group could support each other from a distance and fight independently."

Zhu Hui said, "You mean to say that the already small number of troops will be divided into small units for combat?"

Qin Yun nodded and said, "Yes, if we concentrate our troops, the Tatars will definitely not come to fight... They are already wary of us."

Zhu Hui laughed and said, "You're absolutely right about that. Even though my unit only has two thousand soldiers, the Tartars avoid us when they see us now. Back in the north of Yinshan, when we fought against the Tartars alongside Commander Wang, the situation was pretty much the same as it is now."

Taking advantage of the situation, Wang Shouren asked, "How many troops did Zhang Guojiu bring into the grasslands?"

This time, Qin Yun simply smiled and remained silent.

Wang Shouren then asked, "Where is the agreed meeting place? On this vast grassland, if any of the various armies encounters trouble, how can we guarantee that the soldiers will return alive? Some of the firearms will inevitably fall into the hands of the Tatars. Aren't we afraid that they will study them and then copy them?"

The questions came out in rapid succession.

"General Wang need not worry about that."

Qin Yun reassured him, "Don't worry, the Tatars can't imitate our firearms."

Wang Shouren was very puzzled.

How much confidence does Zhang Yanling have?

They actually believe that the firearms he personally developed cannot be copied by others?
Qin Yun continued, “Even if the Tatars could grasp its form, they couldn’t grasp its essence. The Second Young Master has already stated that this anger involves many complex… formulas… As for what those formulas are, this humble servant doesn’t quite understand either, so…”

The implication is that I am only responsible for using firearms and do not manufacture them, so asking me is useless.

I will do whatever I am told. Trying to bother me is futile.

Zhu Hui laughed and said, "As expected of the Second Young Master, his extraordinary abilities were demonstrated when he led troops in the south to quell local banditry. Now, on the grasslands, he is like a god of war, striking fear into the hearts of the Tatars..."

Wang Shouren couldn't help but glance at Zhu Hui.

I thought to myself, is it really necessary for you to praise a young man like this?
What kind of charm does that kid possess that makes the emperor trust him so much and makes the court feel at ease entrusting him with such great authority as troops and the pacification of the grasslands?

"So, the firearms you use are so powerful that one can take on a hundred enemies?"

Wang Shouren pressed for further details.

Qin Yun said, "The idea of ​​one person fighting against a hundred is an exaggeration. It depends on the specific circumstances of the battle, and we should try our best to avoid close combat... These are all courses that have undergone rigorous training. We know what strategies to take when encountering different enemy situations. These are the results of the past six months of hard training. Young Master, you have also received training in the New Army, so you should know this, right?"

Zhu Hui laughed and said, "I'm not with you guys. We're trained in the use of old firearms. But you guys are training in the use of entirely new ones... It's different, really different."

"It's pretty much the same."

Qin Yun said, "Basic tactical drills are all the same." Wang Shouren asked again, "Why can your firearms still fire after you've fallen down?"

Without Qin Yun needing to explain, Zhu Hui took the initiative to speak: "Brother Wang, actually our firearms can also be used, but when we suddenly saw Commander Qin and his men using this firing method, we were a little confused. Thinking about it afterward, it should be to reduce the exposed area of ​​the body, and aiming, pulling the trigger, and loading bullets are all more energy-efficient."

After saying that, he turned to Qin Yun and said, "Commander Qin, since we've learned the same things as you, could you... spare us a batch of new firearms? That way, we can provide reinforcements if we encounter any emergencies in the future..."

Now Wang Shouren had fully witnessed Zhu Hui's shamelessness.

How can someone so brazenly and righteously take someone else's job?

While it's understandable from a moral standpoint, why does it seem so shameless the more you think about it?
With a hint of embarrassment on his face, Qin Yun shook his head and said, "This... is not allowed. Young Master, not to mention that there are strict orders in the army not to lend out guns, just considering the quality of the soldiers—your troops have not undergone systematic training and do not know how to use the new firearms skillfully, so they cannot unleash their great power."

"Don't worry, once the entire army is equipped with this new weapon, daily training will definitely begin, and then there won't be so many concerns... Given the good relationship between the old master and the second young master, you will definitely be among the first units to be equipped, so there's no need to rush."

"Isn't it because... we can't wait?"

Zhu Hui said with a smirk, "I see that many people in your army have two guns..."

At this point, Wang Shouren and Zhu Hui had completely different perspectives.

Zhu Hui was determined to obtain the enemy's brand-new firearms to strengthen his army.

What Wang Shouren heard was that Zhang Yanling intended to promote this type of individual firearm, which could fight ten enemies at once and was almost invincible, throughout the entire army. That meant that... whether or not the grasslands were pacified at the moment seemed to be irrelevant.

As long as Zhang Yanling is diligent and the imperial court can afford sufficient military expenditures, the Ming Dynasty will have almost no chance of losing in future foreign wars.

The only question is how well this new firearm was kept secret. At what point might it be copied by a potential enemy of the Ming Dynasty?
Qin Yun said, "This is a necessary piece of equipment for the army. Weapons can be rotated during combat to kill as many enemies as possible. That's all... Young Master, please don't put me in a difficult position."

Zhu Hui exclaimed, "Isn't this because I wanted to learn how to use the new firearms? Oh, by the way, those cannons... the shells can be fired immediately after being put into the cannon, and they still have such great power after landing... I wonder if you have any? Can you give us some?"

“That kind of training requires even more rigorous training,” Qin Yun replied directly. “Please forgive me for not being able to provide it. This is also a rule in the military that cannot be violated.”

Zhu Hui did not insist, his face full of regret. He glanced at Wang Shouren, seemingly seeking approval, and said, "I never expected to have such an eye-opening experience on the grasslands. If I had known that following the Second Young Master would bring such merit, I shouldn't have gone with my father to Yansui to join Wang Weining. I missed the opportunity to establish a lasting legacy."

Wang Shouren was inwardly disgusted upon hearing this...

What are you talking about?

Do you look down on Wang Weining?

But upon further reflection, it seems that the Zhu family father and son did indeed have some problems with fundamental principles.

You were doing well in Datong, but you insisted on going to Yulin for military merit, and then you went to Hetao... In the end, you didn't even get the favor of that Three Border Commander. Although you were lucky enough to get military merit in the end... wasn't it all thanks to me?

You and your son really lack foresight.

But then again, before this battle, who would have believed that the key to the Ming Dynasty's pacification of the grasslands was not in Yansui, but in Datong?
……

……

Zhu Hui and Wang Shouren left Qin Yun's military camp and led their horses back to their own camp.

It's not that they don't want to ride horses.

After a long and arduous journey, their warhorses were exhausted and could barely carry a person. Moreover, since they were going to join Zhang Yanling's central army with Qin Yun and the others, they had to make long-term plans.

Now that the livestock are exhausted, it's like losing our most important strategic resource.

Therefore, when we can rely on two legs, we resolutely refuse to rely on four.

"General Zhu, why did you directly ask Qin Yun for firearms? Not only did you lose face, but you also let him know your intentions, making him more wary of us."

Wang Shouren was somewhat dissatisfied with Zhu Hui's previous performance.

Zhu Hui said, "Why go around in circles when we can't just ask for good things directly? What's the point of being wary of us? We're not going to just steal them! Maybe we'll actually have a chance to get them in the future..."

"What do you mean?"

Wang Shouren frowned.

He believed he had considered all aspects of the problem, but it seemed that Zhu Hui was more insidious and even prepared to use unconventional methods.

Zhu Hui leaned closer and whispered, "Let's just follow them. When they're fighting, we'll just watch from the sidelines. I don't believe they can always crush them and win... When they run into trouble, we'll send reinforcements and take some firearms... It'll be a piece of cake, won't it?"

Wang Shouren said, "You...are you waiting for them to be reduced in number?"

Don't say such harsh things.

Zhu Hui laughed and said, "Where in war is there no such thing as no deaths? If people die, who gets the firearms? Originally, each person was supposed to have two new firearms, so why not one per person? We've all come, but they refuse to give us theirs. After they suffer casualties in the battle, it would be perfectly reasonable for us to take their firearms, wouldn't it?"

Wang Shouren frowned and said, "Our men are already used to the original way of fighting, so there is no need to make any changes."

Zhu Hui, however, had a different opinion: "Brother Wang, have you considered what we might need from Zhang Guojiu's men if we really join forces with them?"

"Ok?"

Wang Shouren's expression changed, clearly realizing the crux of the problem.

"By then, they will have new firearms and can move freely through thousands of troops, while we will only be able to rely on some old firearms... Do you remember when we were north of Yinshan, if the Tatars really didn't want to fight us, then we had no way to deal with them?"

Zhu Hui said seriously, "Because our firearms are more cumbersome, more difficult to fire, and even more difficult to load shells. If we had their firearms, wouldn't we be able to... participate in it?"
"You said it yourself, we can't just be bystanders."

Wang Shouren said, "That's true, but we can't disregard face and rules, can we?"

Zhu Hui sighed, "What's the point of saving face now? Having new firearms is equivalent to having military merit. We'll be able to live a life of luxury and even pass on our ancestral property to future generations... I know your father is a Hanlin scholar and your family is wealthy, but what family would complain about having too much land and property?"

"Ok?"

Wang Shouren looked over.

You can criticize me, but why drag my father into this?

Zhu Hui said, "We need to find an opportunity to get a batch of new firearms to improve the combat effectiveness of the troops. Also, we need to transfer some people and concentrate the remaining horses that can run, so that we can advance or retreat as we please, and military merits will be easily obtained."

Wang Shouren wondered to himself, who is the real strategist in this army?
Normally, all you do is sabotage others and try to go back to the Ming Dynasty to live a peaceful life. But now... you seem quite belligerent?

Where is your self-respect?
"My lords, there are signs of Tartar activity. You two should return to camp immediately." Before the discussion could reach a conclusion, a messenger brought the message.

Zhu Hui asked in surprise, "What's going on?"

He did not believe that the Tatars at present had any intention of offending the Ming army.

Wang Shouren was also somewhat nonchalant, shaking his head and saying, "We just fought with the Tartars. To them, our whereabouts are not secret. Moreover, this is the heartland of the Tartars' activities. There are probably several hundred Tartar tribes around here. It is not surprising that we encountered Tartar troops."

Zhu Hui said, "Good heavens, all sorts of people from the grasslands have gathered here. This is the prelude to a major battle! By some twist of fate, we didn't miss out, and it's fortunate that we listened to your advice, Brother Wang."

Wang Shouren looked up at the vast night sky, where dark clouds obscured the stars and moon. A look of bewilderment crossed his face as he said, "If we are merely playing a supporting role to others, and everything we do is just to pave the way for their success, then so what?"

"I do not believe."

Zhu Hui smiled and said, "Since we're here, we'll definitely get a share of the credit when we go back and reward our contributions. As for that General Wang, it seems he missed a great opportunity! He was born to make a name for himself, but he chose to back down at the crucial moment. It seems... he's the one who's stuck in the old ways and doesn't strive for progress."

(End of this chapter)