Di Ming

Chapter 24 Hidden Arrow
Zhu Yin saw that Ning Caiwei's face was bruised and swollen, and the blood from her nose had dried up. How could he not know that she had been slapped?

This must be the first time Caiwei has been beaten.

Seeing Zhu Yin's worried expression, Ning Caiwei quickly said:
"I'm fine, I just got slapped twice and had my toes stepped on. Don't worry."

"If you hadn't come to save me in time, I would have been hanged as a sacrifice."

She couldn't help but smile, a miserable smile.

His hair was disheveled, and his cheeks were red and swollen.

She whispered again, "You were like a prince who fell from the sky just now, even though you're a bit young, hehe."

Having survived the ordeal, the young woman's mindset became more open-minded, and she seemed to have become a bit more playful.

Zhu Yin's face was grim. "This time, we can't let it go like this. Someone has to pay the price!"

Ning Caiwei is the woman he will marry when she grows up, and he will never allow her to be bullied.

With Zhu Yin by her side, Ning Caiwei felt extremely at ease and asked, "Where are my sister and the puppy?"

Zhu Yin helped her up, saying, "She's alright, she came with me."

Upon hearing this, Nurhaci couldn't help but recall the words of the shaman lady.

The shamanic woman, who possessed the "Seven Dark Clouds," told him of several rare and auspicious omens. One of them was the arrival of a young boy and girl, accompanied by a baby and a dog, from afar…

None of the possibilities she mentioned had been encountered before.

But it seems that we have met the young boy and girl who came from afar with a baby and a dog today.

Nurhaci couldn't help but ask, "Young master, did you bring this little princess, your sister, and your beloved dog with you from the Central Plains?"

He wanted to confirm whether the three people and the dog had come to Jianzhou together from afar.

Zhu Yin noticed that Nurhaci's expression was a bit strange, as if he was expecting something.

Zhu Yin nodded and said, "We did indeed come from the Central Plains together, General Tong..."

Before he could finish speaking, Nurhaci clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Excellent! Young masters, you are my benefactors!"

Nurhaci, who was usually deep in thought and never showed his emotions, was actually a little excited at this moment.

Shurhaci, standing behind him, could not hide his delight, and his gaze toward Zhu Yin became even more friendly and enthusiastic.

This is an extremely auspicious sign, one that has never been seen before!
The shaman lady's predictions were incredibly accurate!
Zhu Yin, who was good at reading people's expressions, immediately realized what was going on.

Wild Boar Skin Brothers, are you treating yourselves as lucky charms?
They practice shamanism, they believe in this.

Zhu Yin's mind raced, and he said subtly:
"A distinguished guest? It's strange, but when I saw General Tong and General Tong today, I felt very familiar with them."

"It's as if I've met you in a dream, and I feel an instant connection with you. How strange!"

“Not surprising, not surprising!” Shurhaci blurted out, unable to contain himself. “The shamanic woman divined that your arrival is extremely auspicious…”

Seeing that his younger brother had already blurted it out, Nurhaci could only nod and say:
"Yes, young master, you are like auspicious clouds, drifting to me. It must be the Buddha... it must be the great blessing of the Ming Emperor that has brought me good fortune."

Nurhaci was well-versed in the Central Plains. He studied Chinese in Li Chengliang's residence, read many books, and had a deep understanding of the Han people's psychology.

In his view, Han people are concerned about their reputation and are also arrogant.

You cannot speak to them using the Jurchen language. You must not only try your best to speak Han Chinese, but also act like a Han Chinese.

In the eyes of Zhu Yin and Ning Caiwei, Nurhaci, the Jurchen chieftain, was actually the one who spoke and acted most in a Sinicized manner.

But the two men were also well aware that this was the secret to Wild Boar Skin's success, and also his disguise.

When he later grew powerful and revealed his true colors, raising his sword against the Han people of Liaodong, the world finally realized what kind of heart this "General Tong" truly possessed.

Just as Zhu Yin was about to speak, another commotion arose outside. Immediately afterwards, Eidu, clad in full armor, entered and addressed Nurhaci:

"My lord! Their armored men have arrived, numbering six or seven hundred!"

Nurhaci frowned and looked at the child, Zhu Yin.

It's not that he lacks his own opinions, but rather that he doesn't want a civil war!
The armored warriors of the Jueercha clan are so precious that it hurts to see even one of them die.

Zhu Yin sneered, "With the Ming cavalry here, do they dare to rebel? Commander Xue!"

“Your humble servant is here!” Xue Cheng stepped forward.

Zhu Yin ordered, "Commander Xue, please lead our Ming cavalry to form ranks and await orders. Draw your swords and nock your arrows!"

"Yes, sir!" Xue Cheng accepted the order and left.

Zhu Yin was not his commander, but the young general had already instructed him to temporarily obey the young master's orders.

This young master is so decisive and composed; he doesn't seem like a child at all. We shouldn't underestimate him because of his age.

At this time, the tribesmen of Baoshi, Kangjia, Longdun, and Ahana had gathered their troops and returned.

The more than 600 armored men stationed in Hetu Ala, including the unarmored aha (slaves), were all mobilized.

Nurhaci's two generals, Anfeiyanggu and Eidu, led five hundred armored men and joined forces with Xue Cheng's one hundred Liaodong cavalry to hold off the enemy.

The two armies faced each other across the street, each side bringing over a thousand men, a dark mass, creating a very tense atmosphere.

The civil war within the Jueercha clan was about to erupt.

However, due to their concerns and the involvement of the Ming army, they dared not start a war rashly.

Zhu Yin, supporting Ning Caiwei and hiding behind the Ming soldiers, asked, "Who captured you to be buried alive with us? And who beat you?"

Ning Caiwei squinted and searched for a while, then pointed to a middle-aged man wearing blue armor with a wide mouth and small eyes, "It's him!"

“His name is Kang Jia. He’s the one who captured me to be buried alive with him, and he’s the one who beat me.”

Zhu Yin nodded, his small face full of murderous intent.

After a moment's thought, he walked up to Xue Cheng and whispered a few words.

At this moment, Bao Shi had changed into a set of armor imitating that of the Ming army. Despite his advanced age, he rode his horse with vigor, cracking his whip and shouting:

"Nurhaci! Shurhaci! Your great-uncle was holding a funeral, and you dared to bring troops into the city and disrupt the mourning hall! This is a great disrespect to Mother Fodo!"

"Are you still descendants of the Jueercha clan?! Yeru touched your heads! Turning you into heartless jackals!"

Nurhaci and his brothers, also clad in full armor, marched out imposingly from the crowd.

When the tribesmen saw Nurhaci, who was holding a long knife and whose body was as tall as an iron tower, they were immediately discouraged.

Nurhaci started his rebellion with thirteen suits of armor, and it has been five years since then.

In the past five years, he has gone from a mere dozen or so armored rookies to conquering the entire Suksuhu tribe, the entire Dong'e tribe, and half of the Hunhe tribe.

He killed his enemy, Nikan Wailan, who once dominated Jianzhou, and became the most powerful Shule Beile among the Jianzhou tribes.

They have had few defeats in the past five years and have won almost every battle.

Their reputation for bravery and skill in battle even spread among the Haixi Jurchens!
He was indeed the first Baturu of the Jueercha family and a great contributor to the Jueercha clan.

But he should not inherit the hereditary title of commander, and he should not presume to call himself a prince!

Nurhaci looked coldly at these tribesmen, his voice slow and deep:
"I swear before the ancestral spirits that Lord Cuohazhan knows everything. I, Nurhaci, have come today not to disrupt the funeral, but to demand an explanation."

"Sixth Uncle, Fifth Uncle, and all of you cousins, you have impersonated me to kidnap people and livestock from other tribes. Isn't that a crime?"

He acted with great restraint, even though he desperately wanted to kill his people.

“Nurhaci!” Kang Jia roared, pointing at Nurhaci:

“You’re just a junior, how dare you speak to my father like that! My father is the Mukunda (clan chief)! He is the Ningguta Beile!”

"You arrogant and rude person, aren't you a descendant of the Jueercha clan?"

At this point, he suddenly smiled.

"That's it! I understand! You are indeed no longer a descendant of the Jueercha clan! Because you are a son-in-law who married into the family! Hahaha!"

"What right does a son-in-law have to inherit the family business and manage the guards? We Jurchens are the youngest son who guards the family business!"

"The hereditary title of Commander should belong to my father! Your grandfather, Juechangan, was never qualified to hold it!"

Upon hearing this, Nurhaci's face turned ashen with rage, and he trembled all over.

Don't expose someone's shortcomings, and don't hit someone in the face.

Kang Jia, I swear to kill you!
But at this moment.

Suddenly, the bowstring snapped, and an arrow shot out, striking Kang Jia squarely in the unprotected face and entering through the eye socket.

This was a hidden arrow, shot out of nowhere, without any prior warning.

Kang Jia let out a scream and tumbled off his horse.

"My son!" Bao Shi cried out, his eyes wide with fury at the sight!

"Who! Who fired the arrow!"

(End of this chapter)