Ming Dynasty: Is a mere unruly commoner rebelling against heaven?

Chapter 283: A Hundred Thousand Black Cavalry Head South!

Wang Zhi and Gao Shun left the long pavilion.

Zhu Youcheng stared blankly at the fat carp in the lake snatching food. Only after the koi had devoured all the fish food and the lake surface had returned to calm did he regain his senses and let out a long sigh.

“Alas, the world is bustling, all for profit; the world is in turmoil, all for gain.”

“Since you are willing to risk your lives for silver, then I will grant you all your wishes!”

Zhu Youcheng frowned deeply. Even though the scenery before him was beautiful, his mood remained extremely heavy.

No matter what, the people of Jiangnan were also his subjects.

He was unwilling to create more bloodshed, nor was he willing to see Jiangnan turned into a desolate land with rivers of blood.

But now, all of this was the result of the Jiangnan gentry’s relentless pressure; he couldn’t be blamed!

“Xiao Jing.”

“This servant is here.”

The eunuch Xiao Jing, who now managed the daily operations of the Directorate of Ceremonial, silently arrived behind Zhu Youcheng.

He bowed deeply, respectfully awaiting Zhu Youcheng’s orders.

“Order the Eastern Depot to send its agents with my edict to the nine border towns.”

“Tell the nine generals of the border towns to immediately dispatch troops south to join Gao Shun and quell the rebellion in Jiangnan!”

Xiao Jing bowed deeply, cupping his hands in acceptance of the order: “Yes, Your Majesty!”

...

After Wang Zhi and Gao Shun silently walked out of the West Garden, Wang Zhi said to Gao Shun, “General Gao, tomorrow at Mao hour (5-7 AM), this director will lead two thousand West Depot agents to the Xishan military camp.”

“At that time, the Jiangnan operation will be entirely under General Gao’s command!”

Gao Shun nodded: “Good, we will depart on time at Chen hour (7-9 AM) tomorrow!”

“After arriving in Jiangnan, the task of gathering combat intelligence will be left to Director Wang.”

Wang Zhi nodded, cupping his hands towards Gao Shun: “May this journey live up to His Majesty’s trust.”

“Suppressing Jiangnan is of utmost urgency!”

After Gao Shun returned the salute, one headed towards the Xishan military camp, while the other returned to the West Depot’s office.

Wang Zhi returned to the West Depot’s office and, in a very short time, summoned all the West Depot agents who could be mobilized in the capital.

Thanks to Zhu Youcheng’s previous large-scale purge of Jiangnan people in the capital, almost none of the high-ranking officials in the capital were from Jiangnan.

Therefore, even though Jiangnan was in complete chaos, the capital was still surprisingly calm.

Those annoying Jiangnan civil officials could no longer stir up any trouble in the court.

This also allowed Wang Zhi to draw more manpower from the capital to participate in the war to quell the rebellion in Jiangnan.

Inside the West Depot’s office, people were bustling about. More than two thousand West Depot agents stood before Wang Zhi, their expressions solemn and their bodies filled with murderous intent.

Except for the necessary personnel who had to stay in the capital to operate the West Depot’s office, Wang Zhi wanted to take all the other agents with him!

“Sharpen your weapons, feed your horses, and conserve your energy. Meet at Xishan tomorrow at Mao hour!”

“The Jiangnan rebellion is of great importance. This battle must not be lost!”

“Yes, Director!”

...

Xishan military camp.

After Gao Shun returned to the Xishan military camp, he, like Wang Zhi, immediately summoned all the soldiers in the Xishan military camp.

At this moment, the number of soldiers in the Xishan military camp had reached its peak.

Apart from Wang Yue leading an army of 100,000 south to conquer Annam, the remaining soldiers of the three major camps of the capital and the soldiers of the Trapped Camp were all stationed in this Xishan military camp.

Eighty thousand Trapped Camp soldiers, one hundred and fifty thousand soldiers from the three major camps of the capital, a total of two hundred and thirty thousand troops, fully armed and ready, gathered in the Xishan military camp’s training ground, waiting solemnly for Gao Shun’s address.

Gao Shun stood on the platform for generals, his eyes scanning the dense army below, and shouted loudly: “The Jiangnan rebellion is extremely urgent. His Majesty has ordered that tomorrow this general will lead an army of 100,000 south to quell the rebellion!”

Before Gao Shun’s voice had even faded, the 230,000 soldiers in the Xishan military camp’s training ground had already become excited!

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

The 230,000 troops were agitated, each craning their necks, staring eagerly at Gao Shun, shouting loudly to kill.

Their eyes were full of desire, hoping to be selected by Gao Shun to join him in the expedition to Jiangnan and quell the rebellion.

Logically speaking, Zhu Youcheng, being so fond of military aggression, having launched multiple internal and external battles in just two years, should have made the soldiers feel tired and disgusted with war.

But the current situation was completely the opposite.

Not only were the soldiers not tired, not only did they not hate war, but they were all unusually excited, vying to participate in the new war.

The reason was none other than Zhu Youcheng giving them enough silver.

When the soldiers who had gone out to war dragged their tired bodies back to the military camp.

After seeing the full bag of silver distributed to them, they immediately grabbed their weapons and returned to the training ground.

Four large-scale foreign military operations within two years was Zhu Youcheng’s limit, but it was far from the limit of these soldiers.

As long as the military pay was in place, there were no enemies they could not defeat.

Imagine you are a soldier of the Great Ming, and your annual military pay is less than ten taels of silver.

And after you go out to war for a few months, the bonus you receive is five years of your military pay.

And all military pay is paid in full in cash, without any deductions or delays.

Holding this full bag of silver, you will only regret that you did not try your best on the battlefield, that you did not kill enough enemies, that you were far from reaching your limit of killing.

And there are only two words in your mind...

Now, there is another task in front of you to earn several years of military pay in a few months, how can you not be excited, how can you not be excited.

There were a total of 230,000 soldiers present, but only 100,000 could enjoy such an honor.

So everyone was full of expectations, hoping that Gao Shun could choose them.

But Gao Shun also had his own considerations regarding this battle.

This expedition to Jiangnan to quell the rebellion was different from the previous three large-scale military operations.

Before, the military operations were to kill foreigners, kill barbarians, and kill rebels.

This time, quelling the rebellion in Jiangnan meant killing the people of the Great Ming, some of whom were heinous gentry and wealthy families.

Some were just ordinary people who were bewitched, coerced, or even intimidated.

Gao Shun was worried that this battle would leave some soldiers with wavering wills with lifelong psychological shadows.

Therefore, in addition to combat power and loyalty, Gao Shun had to consider the steadfastness of their will.

After thinking it over again and again, Gao Shun decided that the main force would all be dispatched from his Trapped Camp.

The remaining people would be selected from the Three Thousand Camp and the Divine Machine Camp.

Considering mobility, the troops going to Jiangnan to quell the rebellion this time were all cavalry.

“For this expedition, this general has decided to select 50,000 Trapped Camp soldiers, 30,000 Three Thousand Camp soldiers, and 20,000 Divine Machine Camp soldiers to go on the expedition together!”

“Those whose names are called, step forward immediately!”

“Prepare your luggage, conserve your energy, and depart on time at Mao hour tomorrow!”

After Gao Shun announced the order, he waved to the side, and had his deputy general Xu Chang select the names of the people going on the expedition one by one.

“Chen Liuding!”

"Here!"

"Zhao Yiya!"

"Here!"

"Zhou Dabao!"

"Here!"

"..."

As Xu Chang called out each name, the soldiers whose names were called stepped out of the ranks with joy, feeling deeply honored.

The soldiers whose names hadn't been called yet frowned anxiously, clenching their fists, eagerly awaiting their names.

As the largest unit, the Five Armies Camp was silent, and every soldier's face was gloomy.

Gao Shun only wanted the soldiers from the Trapped Camp, the Three Thousand Camp, and the Divine Machine Camp. They, the soldiers of the Five Armies Camp, would have no part in this great battle.

...

Just as Gao Shun was mustering his troops for the expedition in the Western Mountain Military Camp, the atmosphere in the East Depot was also filled with tension and oppression.

After receiving the news from Xiao Jing, Liu Jin was stunned for a moment, then pounded the table in regret.

"Damn it, one step too late again!"

At this time, Liu Jin also received news about the rebellion in Jiangnan.

But before he could report it to Zhu You樘, Zhu You樘's order had already arrived at his East Depot.

Helpless, Liu Jin missed this opportunity to show his worth to Zhu You樘 and could only try to complete Zhu You樘's order as quickly as possible.

"You few! Quickly send these few imperial edicts to the hands of the nine great generals of the nine border towns!"

"Do not delay for a moment. If you miss the big event, this old one will not spare you!"

Liu Jin said with a serious expression to the nine East Depot agents he had selected.

At the same time, Liu Jin also handed the nine imperial edicts made by the Directorate of Ceremonial to them respectively.

The nine East Depot agents bowed and cupped their hands, accepting the imperial edicts from Liu Jin: "Yes, Director!"

Then, the nine East Depot agents immediately packed their bags, mounted their horses, and rushed out of the capital overnight.

They went all the way north, going to lead ninety thousand border troops south to crush Jiangnan in one fell swoop!

...

The next day, at Mao hour (5-7 AM).

Western Mountain Military Camp.

One hundred thousand troops stood ready in full battle array.

They were uniformly dressed in black armor, riding black horses, and surrounded by an air of solemnity.

Because they had experienced many battles and personally killed many enemies.

This most elite army, even when standing still, had a compelling aura that made people afraid to look directly at them.

Outside these one hundred thousand black riders, there were also two thousand West Depot agents led by Wang Zhi, arrayed among them.

These agents mainly served to collect intelligence and act as supervising eunuchs.

"The entire army, listen to my command!"

Gao Shun, wearing heavy armor, sat on a black horse, holding a long halberd, personally commanding the six armies.

He turned around and scanned the faces of all the soldiers present.

Looking at the resolute eyes and solemn expressions of the soldiers, Gao Shun nodded in satisfaction.

"Attack!"

Gao Shun raised his halberd and took the lead, rushing onto the post road and heading south.

Wang Zhi, who was already at Gao Shun's side, immediately whipped his horse and followed Gao Shun's pace.

Subsequently, one hundred thousand troops also surged up, stepping onto the post road, rushing towards Jiangnan with great momentum.

These one hundred thousand troops were all cavalry.

In addition, Zhu You樘 had made preparations in advance, allowing the transport soldiers to transport the northern grain along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal to the south in advance.

Therefore, Gao Shun did not need to consider the issue of supplies at all for this expedition.

Without the burden of logistics and without the limitations of infantry, these one hundred thousand black riders rushed to Jiangnan, which was a mighty and unbridled force.

The one hundred thousand black riders were like a black tide, surging along the post road next to the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, heading towards Jiangnan.

Truly, once Jinling is in chaos with war, one hundred thousand black riders will descend upon Jiangnan!

...

Nine border towns.

Xuanfu.

Because Xuanfu was the closest to the capital, the East Depot agent who came to deliver the decree was also the fastest to reach Xuanfu.

"The Emperor has an edict! Open the city gate quickly! The General Officer of Xuanfu, come out immediately to receive the edict!"

The East Depot agent, galloping on horseback, hadn't even approached the city wall when he raised the imperial edict in his hand and shouted loudly to the guards on the city wall.

The guards on the city wall, hearing that it was an imperial edict and seeing that this person was dressed as an East Depot agent, did not dare to be careless and quickly opened the city gate.

At the same time, they quickly sent a person to the tent of Wang Chun, the General Officer of Xuanfu, to report the situation.

"Report!"

"General, the imperial edict has arrived! Please go out to receive the edict!"

Wang Chun, who was originally dealing with military affairs, suddenly became serious when he heard this.

He didn't say much, but quickly stood up, quickly rushing out of the camp while tidying up his clothes.

When he arrived at the Xuanfu training ground, the East Depot agent in charge of delivering the edict had already arrived at the training ground.

The East Depot agent dismounted, took out Zhu You樘's imperial edict: "Wang Chun, General Officer of Xuanfu, listen to the edict!"

Wang Chun quickly knelt down to Zhu You樘's imperial edict, listening quietly to the edict.

"The nine great generals of the nine border towns shall immediately send troops south to join forces with Gao Shun, Left Deputy Commander of the Central Military Governor's Office. All actions shall be under Gao Shun's command!"

After the East Depot agent finished reading the edict, Wang Chun quickly and respectfully accepted the edict: "This humble subject, Wang Chun, respectfully obeys the imperial edict!"

After Wang Chun received Zhu You樘's imperial edict, he immediately ordered the adjutant beside him: "Blow the horn, summon the soldiers, and immediately send troops to Jiangnan!"

"Yes, General!"

The adjutant went to carry out the order, and soon, a loud and deep bugle sounded on the Xuanfu training ground.

The bugle sound spread to every corner of Xuanfu, and every soldier who heard the bugle sound immediately put down what they were doing and rushed to the Xuanfu training ground to assemble as quickly as possible.

Soon, the Xuanfu training ground was filled with Xuanfu soldiers.

"The ten thousand cavalrymen I selected earlier, step forward!"

Wang Chun stood in front of the army and ordered loudly.

The next moment, ten thousand disciplined and well-equipped cavalrymen stepped out of the ranks.

Several days ago, they had already prepared to go to Jiangnan to fight, and at this moment, they were all ready and waiting to set off.

"Wang Shi!"

"Here!"

Wang Chun looked at a general standing at the front of the army, who was his younger brother, Wang Shi.

In order to complete Zhu You樘's task without fail, Wang Chun even included his younger brother, Wang Shi, in the team going to Jiangnan.

"The team going to Jiangnan will now be led by you!"

"This battle can only be won, not lost!"

"Yes, General!"

Wang Shi accepted the order, then drew the long knife from his waist and immediately ordered: "The entire army, attack!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Behind Wang Shi, the shouts of killing were loud and earth-shattering.

Wang Shi led ten thousand Xuanfu border troops, galloping wildly, out of the Xuanfu city gate, heading straight for the south.

Going all out to catch up with the hundred thousand troops led by Gao Shun ahead.