Chapter 17: Officially Appointed as Deputy Commander! Taking Charge of the Battle Troops!
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zheng also wore a thoughtful expression.
“The choice between the logistics army and the frontline combat army.”
“The fact that the Prince of Yan offers me such an opportunity must clearly be because of my father-in-law.”
“Otherwise, he wouldn’t have bothered consulting me,” Zhu Zheng mused quietly in his heart.
Having lived two lives, Zhu Zheng naturally saw through such matters clearly.
A mere logistics unit—how could the illustrious Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, treat it with such favor?
Apart from his father-in-law Guo Zi, there was no other explanation.
It was obvious that Zhu Di had come to know of Zhu Zheng’s connection to his father-in-law.
However, Zhu Zheng was somewhat conflicted now.
Originally, he had hoped to use this chance to grow stronger, to freely scavenge from the fallen and accumulate attributes—the logistics army was undoubtedly the most advantageous for this.
But if he refused now, gaining entry into the frontline combat army later would hardly be easy.
After all, this was a moment when the twenty thousand troops from Tongzhou were submitting and the military structure was being reorganized.
“If I join the frontline army, I should still have opportunities to clear the corpses.”
“After this feigning death incident, all the generals of the Yan army will definitely be on high alert, so finishing off enemies in the frontline army is inevitable. In the future, as long as I apply, there will surely be chances,” Zhu Zheng thought deep down.
At this moment, his decision was already made.
“General Zhang,”
“I choose to join the frontline army and serve the Prince of Yan,” Zhu Zheng said promptly.
Upon hearing Zhu Zheng’s answer, a hint of relief flickered in Zhang Yu’s eyes.
“Good,”
Zhang Yu said loudly, affirming Zhu Zheng’s choice: “A son of Yan land should be like this.”
“To fight on the frontline for the country—that is the true nature of a man.”
“Zhu Zheng, listen to your appointment.”
Without hesitation, Zhang Yu unfolded the military order in his left hand.
“Mark, listen to your appointment.”
Zhu Zheng’s face showed anticipation.
“Logistics army minor banner Zhu Zheng, who bravely slew enemy commanders and killed five foes, rescuing comrades under enemy blades—these are merits of a general’s kill. According to the military merit rewards of the Northern Capital army of the Great Ming, you shall be promoted three ranks and appointed as Vice Commander of a Thousand Households, commanding five hundred troops,” Zhang Yu declared seriously, then solemnly placed the military order into Zhu Zheng’s hands.
“Mark, thank His Highness the Prince of Yan and General Zhang,” Zhu Zheng immediately expressed his gratitude.
At the very moment he received this royal military decree,
“A prompt appeared: Host has received one royal edict and one ordinary treasure chest as a reward.”
“This royal edict even comes with a treasure chest reward.”
“Such fortune,” Zhu Zheng was momentarily stunned, then secretly pleased.
Seeing Zhu Zheng choose to become Vice Commander of the frontline army, Zhu Gaoxu beside him was somewhat stirred, hesitating to speak.
“Zhu Zheng,”
“Since you’ve chosen the frontline army, you must understand the path ahead.”
“No need for needless words,” Zhang Yu said solemnly.
He then called out beyond the hall: “Someone!”
“Yes, General’s orders,”
A hundred-strong bodyguard quickly approached, bowed deeply.
“Take Vice Commander Zhu to the First Thousand-Household Camp to assume command,” Zhang Yu said in a deep voice.
“Understood, will comply,”
The bodyguard immediately acknowledged.
Then he looked at Zhu Zheng.
“Understood, retiring now,”
Zhu Zheng promptly replied.
He then followed the bodyguard away.
“Uncle Zhang,”
“I also wish to join the frontline camp,”
After Zhu Zheng left, Zhu Gaoxu directly said to Zhang Yu, his eyes full of earnestness.
“Second Young Master,”
“You are of noble status and have never truly been on the battlefield. Fighting in battle means risking life and death.”
“How could I let you enter the frontline camp?” Zhang Yu said helplessly.
“Zhu Zheng can do it, so can I.”
“Our whole family is rebelling; if we fail, death is certain.”
“Might as well contribute to our father’s cause on the battlefield.”
“Please, General Zhang, grant this wish.”
Zhu Gaoxu spoke seriously and knelt before Zhang Yu, as if he would not rise unless Zhang Yu agreed.
Seeing this, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Zhang Yu’s eyes.
He had become capable!
…
Inside the military camp,
The tens of thousands of troops gathered on the parade ground began to orderly move to their respective camps.
Under the guidance of the bodyguard captain, Zhu Zheng arrived at the station of a Thousand-Household Camp.
At this moment,
Thousands of Yan soldiers were assembled,
Each armored and armed, one hand gripping a shield, the other a battle blade.
From their aura alone, it was clear this was an elite force.
The First Thousand-Household Camp,
Affiliated to the Northern Capital’s First Command Headquarters Camp, directly under Zhang Yu’s command.
Being assigned to this unit beyond doubt meant it was Zhu Di’s most trusted contingent.
One could say,
Had Zhu Zheng lacked his father-in-law’s backing, even with merit-based promotion to Vice Commander, he certainly would not have entered Zhu Di’s inner circle of troops.
After all,
This was Zhu Di’s last trump card.
And his father-in-law was Zhu Di’s confidant.
With this connection, Zhu Di could trust him fully.
“Commander Tan,”
“Under General Zhang’s orders, I have come to deliver Vice Commander Zhu’s appointment to assume command,”
The bodyguard captain reported respectfully as he led Zhu Zheng to an officer clad in the armor of a Thousand-Household commander.
The commander of the camp turned his head, his eyes fixed on Zhu Zheng.
“So you are the one who killed Xie Gongchu and his five personal guards,” the commander asked, staring intently.
“Yes, that is me,” Zhu Zheng replied, clasping his fists in salute.
“Our Northern Capital’s First Headquarters Camp is composed of brave warriors, and I trust you are no different.”
“I am Tan Yuan, Commander of the First Thousand-Household Camp,”
Tan Yuan spoke gravely, stating his identity.
“Tan Yuan, one of the heroes of the Jingnan Campaign.”
Upon hearing the name, Zhu Zheng’s heart gained some clarity.
Still,
He did not dwell on it further.
“Zhu Zheng,”
Zhu Zheng immediately responded.
“Please return to General Zhang and inform him that the man has assumed his post,”
Tan Yuan then looked to the bodyguard captain.
“Understood,” the captain saluted and immediately turned to leave.
At this moment,
Tan Yuan surveyed the thousands of assembled soldiers before him.
“Soldiers of the First Thousand-Household Camp,”
“Yesterday, Deputy Commander Chen fought valiantly but was struck down by treacherous forces and died heroically.”
“And this man beside me is Zhu Zheng, who avenged Deputy Commander Chen by killing Xie Gongchu.”
“From now on,”
“Vice Commander Zhu Zheng will take over the position of the late Deputy Commander Chen, commanding the First Deputy Thousand-Household Camp, continuing to serve the country, following His Highness the Prince of Yan to eliminate traitors and protect the sovereign.”
“Soldiers, salute Vice Commander Zhu!”
Tan Yuan declared solemnly.
In response,
Boom!
Thousands of soldiers struck their shields with their blades in unison, producing a deep metallic clang that conveyed a solemn and formidable martial spirit.
The next moment,
“Welcome Vice Commander Zhu!”
The soldiers shouted in unison, their voices deafening.
The heroic spirit of the army, the martial grandeur, all fully revealed.
In this atmosphere, Zhu Zheng felt a profound and indescribable emotion.
…