Chapter Fifty-Four: The Unforgettable Sacrifice

  A puff of smoke rose, ten rifles fired simultaneously, then a row of riflemen retreated after collecting their guns, and another row of riflemen advanced with their guns, firing shots. After five rounds of shooting, Wang Jinbao and the wounded soldiers in front of the array had all fallen to the ground.

  "It's all over, lay down your arms and surrender, and you will be spared." Zhu Yongxing shouted loudly to the remaining Qing troops on the hillside.

  Chen Yi Yao was taken aback for a moment, and a complex expression floated onto his face. He then shouted loudly: "Your Highness shows mercy, spare the lives of those who surrender."

  "Surrender and you will not be killed! Surrender and you will not be killed! Surrender and you will not be killed……" The Ming army either struck their swords against their shields or pounded the ground with their spears, shouting in unison as they advanced in formation with an aura of overwhelming power.

  ……

  It's not that I'm capable of predicting the future, but rather that I've experienced such a tragic history before; it's not that I've received divine inspiration to create earth-shaking and heaven-moving killing machines, but rather that I have several hundred years more experience than you. Zhu Yongxing stood on the mountain ridge, gazing out at this land which was once beautiful, but now wore a desolate and bleak appearance.

  The last three hundred or more Qing troops, after their commander was killed, thoroughly lost their will to fight in the face of the surging Ming army and surrendered. In this battle, over 500 Qing soldiers were killed in the valley ambush, nearly a thousand died in the desperate assault on the mountain, there were several dozen wounded, and over three hundred surrendered, with two thousand elite troops completely annihilated.

  While Ming army and Mengshan Kezu armed forces had geographical advantages, they still lost more than 400 men, with over 200 wounded, nearly one-third of the 2,000-strong force were casualties. As for the 500 Dai soldiers led by Dao Bailong, who were arranged by Zhu Yongxing to ambush Qing troops at the top of the valley, there were almost no deaths or injuries. However, Dao Bailong's heart was not at ease, as Zhu Yongxing's arrangement seemed to be both caring and distrustful of him.

  The Grey Slope's ambush, the Valley of Assassins' sneak attack, and the series of earth-shaking explosions that Bai Hu Long witnessed from afar at the top of the valley, all made him have great reverence for Zhu Yong Xing, and deep doubts about his own hesitant decision.

  Perhaps we should fight for Your Highness with the strength of the entire tribe, just like the Miao Shan Ke clan. Now the chief of the Miao Shan Ke clan is already the Grand Marshal of Annan, and Gao Ping is equivalent to a vassal state bestowed by Your Highness. If they make further contributions in the future, their vassal state will not be limited to Gao Ping, and their official position will not be limited to just one Grand Marshal. Although this goal seems distant, the Miao Shan Ke clan can shed blood for it, and they must have seen hope of success in it.

  Everyone says that Your Highness has the help of divine spirits, and this time entering Yunnan is a great cause. Repeatedly observing, Your Highness indeed has the majestic appearance of a king, and indeed has the most admirable and ingenious calculations! Qīng Bái Lóng, accompanied by more than ten guards, came from the top of the gorge to the mountain ridge, walking very slowly along the way, but his mind was racing rapidly, weighing and analyzing, finally making up his mind.

  "General Chen, do you know why I stopped you from killing General Wang Jinbao? Killing the enemy in front of everyone boosts morale, and it's not wrong for a battalion commander to do so. But you are the main general of the army!" Not far away, Bao Bailong heard Zhu Yongxing lecturing Chen Yeyao.

  "That is Your Highness's love for the end general, how can the end general not know in his heart." Chen Yiying slightly bowed, after this battle, his attitude towards Zhu Yongxing became even more respectful.

  "Generals have their positions, soldiers have their positions. In the army, everyone has to do their job, command and fight in an orderly manner." Zhu Yongxing pointed to Chen Yi's general flag and continued: "Your position is there, not like a small soldier rushing up to wield a knife and kill people. Leading by example is what mid-to-low-level officers should do. As the main general, you need to oversee the overall situation and command comprehensively. If the main general is injured or killed, do you know what kind of impact it will have? The army's morale will be in disarray, the soldiers' spirits will be low, and even if we can win the battle, it may still be turned around. That Wang Jinbao is an example. If he were commanding from behind, the battle would not have ended by now, and those remaining Qing troops might not have surrendered so easily. Our army's casualties would have been even greater."

  Mo will understand. Chen Yi Yao just wanted to behead the enemy general in a situation where victory and defeat were already decided, and snatch a trophy in front of Zhu Yong Xing, how could he not understand the meaning behind Zhu Yong Xing's words.

  Of course, this is also a habitual and traditional way of thinking, and Chen Yi didn't know what the general should do. In ancient times, great generals often had the habit of directly confronting enemy commanders to determine victory or defeat. It seems that after competing in wits, they would engage in a one-on-one duel, beheading the enemy commander on horseback, which would give them an even stronger sense of accomplishment.

  Zhu Yongxing nodded, his tone becoming solemn. "The names of our fallen soldiers must be recorded clearly. The brave warriors who have given their lives for the country should forever receive sacrifices and worship from future generations. There should be a memorial tablet to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. As for the wounded soldiers, they must be well taken care of and treated. Their deeds will be recorded and rewarded in due time. From now on, I think we should not simply reward based on the number of heads taken, as for the detailed rules, let me think about it carefully."

  "Your Highness is so considerate of the generals, it's admirable. I'll go take care of it now." Chen Yiyao bowed and saluted, his armor clanking as he turned to leave.

  In the feudal army, the lives of ordinary soldiers were like grass, used as consumables, and their lives were used to replace the officers' advancement. Even if they died or were disabled, there was not much consolation, and the military leaders would naturally forget them quickly and then find ways to fill the vacancies. Of course, in any army, soldiers are actually consumables, but in Zhu Yongxing's heart, he did not want these soldiers to disappear silently.

  Zhu Yongxing once heard a saying: Chinese soldiers are the most worthless soldiers. The Chinese nation is not a forgetful nation, but they really forgot many things, which he heard and saw in later generations. From now on, do your best to let those martyrs who died for the country have a place of rest, this is the honor and dignity that the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the national anti-aggression war should enjoy.

  "Your Highness has a kind heart and remembers even the soldiers who died in battle." Bao Bai Long saw Chen Ye Yao leave, then stepped forward to pay his respects.

  "There are gods three feet above our heads, this is a sacrifice and dedication that can never be forgotten. Whoever forgets, whoever is shameless; whoever forgets, whoever commits a crime." Zhu Yongxing stretched out his hand, made a gesture of support, and said solemnly: "The heroic spirit will live on forever, eternal and immortal. I will build a mausoleum for them in the future, and erect a towering monument to record their names, so that they can be revered and respected by future generations."

  Bai Long nodded in agreement, and Zhu Yongxing's words further solidified his determination. Such a noble and dignified superior, who is meticulous in thought, considerate of subordinates, not stingy or unkind, and values life, is indeed worthy of devotion.

  "Governor Dao Tu, there's no damage on your side, is there?" Zhu Yongxing asked casually, showing a bit of concern.