Chapter 29: Time Is Life

For Ma Xun, time was not money; it was life.

The current forced march was intended to lay a stronger foundation for the Ming dynasty’s strategic showdown in Shaan-Gan, and, more importantly, to save the life of Chang Yuchun.

It was the seventh lunar month, corresponding to August in the solar calendar—the height of the sweltering summer heat. Ma Xun felt as though he were melting; even stripped to the waist, he was drenched in sweat, his skin coated in a fine layer of dried salt. Lacking ingredients like patchouli oil or perilla leaf oil, he had to settle for a makeshift, budget version of "Huoxiang Zhengqi" liquid, brewed from Atractylodes, dried tangerine peel, and Poria cocos. It was mediocre at best.

Secretary Xu brought over a bowl of mung bean porridge. "Uncle, have some to cool down."

Ma Xun took the bowl and asked, "How is the preparation of the Zhengqi liquid for the soldiers coming along?"

"They’re boiling it, but the men don't like the taste," Xu complained with a smile. "These grunts don't know what's good for them; some even secretly pour it out! They aren't afraid of dying from heatstroke, it seems!"

Ma Xun chuckled. "It’s so hot. If anyone really gets heatstroke, make sure to follow the procedures I taught you."

The army possessed some basic knowledge of heatstroke treatment, but due to the limitations of the era, the emergency protocols were far from comprehensive. Ma Xun had shared everything he knew, utilizing every bit of his own knowledge.

In the Ming army, medical officers were typically selected from young soldiers for basic training before being sent for further study at the Imperial Academy of Medicine, or sometimes directly dispatched by the Academy to various garrisons. This was the benefit of a long-standing tradition; systems for medical officers had existed since the Qin and Han dynasties. By the Ming era, most garrisons had medical officers, physicians, pharmacists, and veterinarians, though often only one medical officer and two physicians were assigned to a garrison, sometimes even fewer.

Ma Xun had also instructed the medical staff accompanying this expedition, focusing primarily on preventing heatstroke. Along the way, soldiers who suffered from acclimatization issues were allowed to continue if their condition was mild; those who were severely ill were left in nearby prefectures or counties, instructed to catch up once recovered. If non-combat attrition occurred, there was no choice but to bury the dead.

History had provided a wealth of experience, and the cruelty of war had necessitated an increasingly mature approach to treating wounded and sick soldiers. Establishing stations to house the wounded, dispatching medical staff for treatment, assigning dedicated personnel for care, and providing provisions and medicine were the basic guarantees. Medical officers were evaluated based on the number of deaths and the recovery rate of the wounded, with rewards and punishments doled out accordingly.

However, Ming military doctors remained relatively scarce. For the average soldier, healing was mostly a matter of mutual help among comrades. On the battlefield, life and death hung in the balance, and it was nearly impossible for military doctors to rush to the front lines to save the wounded. By the time the battle ended and the fields were cleared, many had already missed the golden window for treatment. This was the limitation of the age, of medical science, and of the brutality of war.

Mu Ying walked over, drenched in sweat. "Uncle, the troops are all settled."

Ma Xun asked, "Where are we now?"

Mu Ying replied, "We passed Xuanhua yesterday."

"Xuanhua?" Ma Xun paused, surprised. "How did I not know that?"

Xuanhua was famous. Located near present-day Zhangjiakou in Hebei, the ancient city was built during the Tang dynasty. Since ancient times, it had been a vital strategic location—shielding the north, guarding the desert to the rear, controlling the dangerous Juyong Pass to the left, and holding the solid defenses of Yunzhong to the right.

During the Yongle period, the Nine Border Towns were established, and this place became the throat of defenses against the Oirat. Zhu Houzhao—the Grand Tutor, Mighty General, and Duke of Zhenguo—had established his residence here in Xuanfu. When the "exchange student" Emperor Zhu Qizhen heard of the Oirat invasion, he traveled from Beiping through Xuanfu to Datong, before turning back to Xuanfu. During his return, he was caught in an ambush by Esen, losing tens of thousands of men. Zhu Yong, the Duke of Cheng and a hero of the Jingnan Campaign, was killed in an ambush at Yao'erling, his entire army wiped out. By the time the Emperor reached Tumu Fortress, his entire force was annihilated.

However, the Xuanfu garrison had only been established during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, and at this moment, it was merely an earthen city.

Mu Ying and the others were accustomed to Ma Xun asking seemingly low-level questions; after all, he was not a military man. Reaching Xuanfu meant they were closer to Kaiping and about to enter Inner Mongolia.

As Ma Xun was inquiring about the geography, Ping An hurried over. "Uncle, our scouts have encountered the scouts of the Duke of E."

Ma Xun was immediately agitated. "The Duke of E? Where is he now?"

Ping An replied, "Just north of Xuanhua. He’ll reach Yulin Fort in less than two days' march."

Mu Ying smiled. "General Chang is worried about the war in Shaan-Gan, but this is typical of his character. He has always loved to charge ahead with his troops; his marching speed is always incredibly fast."

Ma Xun took a deep breath. Was this the moment of Chang Yuchun’s fatal tribulation?

Without hesitation, Ma Xun ordered, "Rest for one hour! We march north immediately!"

Mu Ying was confused. "Uncle, since General Chang is already leading his troops back..."

"Shut up!" Ma Xun commanded, leaving no room for argument. "If he leads his troops south, Kaiping will surely be left defenseless. Since the Emperor ordered us to go to Kaiping, we must get there now!"

Mu Ying had never seen Ma Xun so furious and was momentarily stunned. Secretary Xu, Ping An, and the others were equally surprised, but they quickly understood.

Ma Xun was just timid, they reasoned, worried about failing the Emperor’s orders. Chang Yuchun had turned back because he was anxious about the war in Shaan-Gan, but Ma Xun, the Imperial Uncle, feared the void in Kaiping's defenses. In their view, a man like Chang Yuchun wouldn't make such a low-level error; even if he were returning, he would surely leave some troops behind to prevent the Yuan forces from mounting a comeback. But since the Uncle was determined to fulfill the imperial decree, marching faster was hardly a mistake.

They wouldn't offend Ma Xun over such a small matter. Though it would be hard on the troops, military life was never easy.

Ma Xun had no way to explain his true fears. Could he tell them that General Chang was fated for a disaster that was already upon him? He had hurried to Xuanhua, only to find that the General was even more impatient!

Amidst the grumbling of the soldiers, the Imperial Left Guard and the Flying Bear Guard resumed their march.

To the north, Lan Yu rode joyfully to Chang Yuchun’s side. "Brother-in-law, our scouts bumped into the Imperial Uncle's scouts!"

Chang Yuchun laughed. "The Imperial Uncle is indeed impatient. I thought it would take another five days to meet him."

"What kind of skills does the Uncle have?" Lan Yu scoffed. "It must be Mu Ying leading the troops. The Uncle is just a bookworm; I’m afraid he won't be able to handle two months of marching."

Chang Yuchun glared at his brother-in-law, offering a stern warning: "Say one more word, and I'll whip you!"

Lan Yu had been bold and reckless since childhood, and in the years following Chang Yuchun, he had learned most of his mentor's military prowess. Many said he was just like Chang Yuchun, a comparison Lan Yu took pride in, as he modeled himself after his brother-in-law in every way.

But Chang Yuchun was frustrated; his brother-in-law had only learned the superficialities. Though Chang Yuchun appeared to be a fierce warrior, those who commanded ten thousand men needed to be both bold and meticulous. Others called him the bravest man in the world, a product of the greenwood, but Chang Yuchun knew his roughness was merely a facade. If he weren't sharp and sensitive, he couldn't have become the second-in-command of the military, second only to Xu Da, and a man deeply trusted by the Emperor.

As for that boy Lan Yu, he had learned how to fight, but knew nothing of strategy or politics! He would have to keep teaching him—Lan Yu was only thirty; there was still much to learn.

"Since the Imperial Uncle’s troops are near, pick up the pace," Chang Yuchun said, gazing into the distance. "Let the Uncle guard Kaiping; I am going to crush Zhang Liangchen!"

Lan Yu was ecstatic. Having just broken Yuan Shangdu, he had heard the Yuan court was gathering forces to support Qingyang. Following his brother-in-law to slaughter them would surely wipe out those Yuan Tartars for good!