weaving

“Seungjo, remember what I said.”

Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng stood outside the south gate of the vinegar factory and issued military orders: "First, the Tiger Camp and the Feathered Forest Cavalry will spread out within a ten-mile radius around the vinegar factory to guard against and search for any remaining enemy forces; second, Lin Fangping will command the Weiyuan Camp chariot troops to continue clearing out any remaining enemy forces inside the vinegar factory and cleaning up the battlefield; third, Fu Chengjiang will lead Zhu Zhicang's cavalry to immediately seize the pontoon bridge northeast of the vinegar factory."

Fourth, Wang Pu, the general of Datong, led the Datong Standard Battalion and the Western Battalion to advance north overnight, making sure to reach the northern defense line and meet with Wei Zhice before dawn; Fifth, Luo Rucai, the general of Guide, led the Cao Army Standard Battalion and the Right Battalion across the Shu River via the pontoon bridge to the east bank to cooperate with Xiao Yuan's battalion in encircling and annihilating Fei Yangwu's Bordered Blue Banner Jiannu.

Sixth, Ji Donglai and Qiu Yingquan's troops set up camp on the spot, unsaddled their horses, removed their armor, and rested. The next day at dawn, Ji Donglai would advance towards the Tartar camp in the northeast to rescue the civilians who had been abducted by the Tartars; Qiu Yingquan would lead his cavalry and artillery northward to support Wei Zhice's troops.

Furthermore, an order was sent to Li Jiyu's Xuanwu Camp, instructing them to turn north and support Li Fuming and Ge Ruzhi, to jointly intercept the Jiannu Tartars of the Abatai tribe and hold them back from advancing south.

In addition, Chen De's troops will rest and encamp east of the main camp, and will head southeast to the Tartar camp at dawn tomorrow to rescue the captured civilians there; Zhang Mingda is to lead his personal guards to reinforce the main camp to prevent scattered Tartar soldiers from causing trouble.

"I've written them all down."

"Alright, leave it to Mingyuan and have him arrange for someone to deliver it to the generals."

"And..." Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng stopped Liu Chengzhu and said to him solemnly, "Tell all the generals that this battle has reached its most critical moment. You must be on your best behavior and report any new developments immediately."

"Yes, sir." Liu Chengzhu obeyed and left.

…………

In the Battle of Vinegar Village, the Brave and Resolute Army achieved a great victory.

But the victory of the Brave and Resolute Army did not come out of thin air, nor was it a gift from God. It was won with the blood and lives of the soldiers, and with the heroic and fearless spirit of sacrifice of the Brave and Resolute Army soldiers.

Although the Yongyi Army defeated more than 20,000 Tatar soldiers in this battle and captured two Jurchen chieftains, Turge and Shi Tingzhu, it also suffered heavy casualties.

As the saying goes, "To injure the enemy by a thousand, you will lose eight hundred of your own," especially when facing the incomparably brave Jurchen Tartar soldiers. In this battle, the Yongyi Army also suffered more than ten thousand elite soldiers casualties.

Many of the wounded soldiers, although they did not die on the battlefield, would still leave the fighting ranks after recovering and be transferred to civilian positions in accordance with the military regulations of the Brave and Resolute Army.

Therefore, after this battle, the Yongyi Army will be inactive for a period of time, needing to recruit new soldiers and undergo further training and integration before it can return to the battlefield.

However, no matter how you look at it, the Jurchens suffered greater losses. Even though several thousand Tatar soldiers were scattered in the wilderness and were not killed or captured on the spot, after this battle, the Jurchens no longer had the courage or strength to invade the Ming Dynasty.

unless……

Unless the Yongyi Army disappears from the territory of the Ming Empire, the Jurchens will be confined to the Liaodong region and will have no chance of invading the Ming again.

Even the question of how Abatai and his Jurchen troops would be able to withdraw smoothly is now a problem!

…………

Yongning Earl Zhang Cheng did not rush to hold a grand celebration ceremony, nor did he secretly hold a banquet in his own command tent to celebrate, nor did he immediately send the news of victory to the capital.

After making the most crucial military deployments, he immediately went to the medical officers' camp to visit the wounded soldiers...

In the medical officer camp, everything was decided by the military medical officer Shi Jianneng. Even the Earl of Yongning, Zhang Cheng, could not issue orders here and could only be a spectator.

However, rules are rules, but social etiquette cannot be ignored.

Although the medical officer Shi Jianneng did not arrive at the camp gate to wait for him immediately, he put aside his work and came to accompany the Earl of Yongning to inspect the wounded soldiers after the Earl of Yongning entered the medical officer camp.

"You go about your business. The battle is over, and you'll be the busiest one. You don't need to come and keep me company."

"Yes. The wounded have all been treated by the medical officers. I happen to be free right now and have nothing to do."

"Well," Zhang Cheng said with a smile, "I feel much better now that you say you're not too busy. Doesn't that just mean our casualties aren't too high?" "Lord, our casualties in this battle were quite high," Shi Jianneng said with a solemn expression. "The reason why the medical camp is so well-organized is entirely due to Lord's foresight and orderly preparations, which is why there was no panic."

"but……"

Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng immediately turned his eyes to the physician Shi Jianneng and asked anxiously, "But what?"

"My lord, there are too many wounded soldiers. The medical camp is almost full, and many wounded soldiers are still waiting for treatment outside the camp but cannot be brought in."

"Ah."

Marquis Yongning Zhang Cheng instantly understood his meaning, and immediately turned to look at the central officer Zhang Mingyuan, saying, "Mingyuan, each battalion has military duties to attend to, so this matter will be left to your personal guard."

"Here."

Zhang Cheng then looked at Shi Jianneng and asked him, "I asked Fangping to leave behind the wagons and barges of Weiyuan Camp for the purpose of transferring the wounded to Tancheng. Now, the task of escorting the wounded to transfer has been handed over to Mingyuan."

"But, would you need to send a medic from here to care for the wounded?"

"Don't worry, my lord. I can arrange for the lightly wounded soldiers to leave first, without the need for medical officers to accompany them. The second group will be arranged to transfer the wounded who are in stable condition. At that time, I will arrange for four medical officers to accompany them with ten physicians, so that they can take care of them along the way and continue to provide follow-up treatment when they arrive in Tancheng."

“Alright.” Zhang Cheng looked at Zhang Mingyuan again and said, “Pass down the order that the accompanying cavalry should only keep watch and search along the way, and do their best to ensure the safety of the wounded. All matters involving the wounded shall be handled according to the instructions of the accompanying medical officer.”

"Here."

"You can now coordinate with Physician Shi for the rest."

"Here."

Only then did Zhang Cheng ask Shi Jianneng, "How is Liu Tichun?"

"General Liu has nine wounds all over his body, including two arrow wounds, three knife wounds, two spear wounds, one axe wound, and one hammer wound. All the wounds have been cleaned and bandaged."

Shi Jianneng showed a hint of difficulty on his face, and then said, "However..."

His incomplete statement worried Yongning the most, and he pressed him urgently, "But what is it? Tell me quickly."

“General Liu has lost too much blood and his face is deathly pale, without a trace of color. He has been asleep since he entered my medical camp, and it is still uncertain whether he will wake up.” Shi Jianneng said, shaking his head and sighing.

Zhang Cheng sighed inwardly. He had seen many cases of excessive blood loss, but even so, he refused to give up. He looked at Shi Jianneng with hopeful eyes and said to him, "Liu Tichun, you must treat him personally. Do not entrust the treatment to others. If possible, spare no effort to save his life."

"Rest assured, Lord, Jianneng will do his best to treat General Liu."

"Well, how are Xiao Sanjie and Zhu Zhicang injured?" Only now did the Marquis of Yongning ask about the two of them.

"Zhu Zhicang is in better condition. Although he has four injuries, they are all minor. As for Xiao Sanjie, his condition is worse. His injuries are more serious and he will need some time to recover. However, their injuries are not life-threatening."

That's good.

Zhang Cheng felt slightly relieved and said, "Come on, come with me to see the two of them."

Shi Jianneng clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and asked, "Lord, won't you go and see General Liu?"

Zhang Cheng paused, then smiled and said, "Since Erhu is still unconscious, let him sleep a little longer. I'll go see him when he wakes up."

"Alright. This way, sir. Zhu Zhicang and Xiao Sanjie are in medical tent number three." (End of chapter)