Chapter 28: If the Enemy Can Go, So Can I!

Deep into the night, the Beiping encampment echoed with thunderous snoring, yet Fan Tong, clutching a food hamper, crept stealthily toward Xu Da’s command tent.

Inside the hamper sat a freshly roasted Cantonese-style goose, its skin a deep date-red and glistening with oil. Beside it lay a platter of smoked horse sausage and air-dried mutton, their aroma rich and bold. Tucked at the very bottom were two chilled flasks of plum juice.

One who offers favors without a reason is hiding an ulterior motive.

Inside the tent, Xu Da sat hunched over a letter, his brows knitted into a tight knot. The letter had arrived via an eight-hundred-li express courier from Yingtian Prefecture, written in Zhu Yuanzhang’s own hand. It contained no grand military strategy, only mundane talk of home life, yet the implications between the lines left Xu Da feeling more exhausted than if he were facing a hundred thousand Yuan soldiers.

"...Di’er is with you, and I am at ease. A fledgling eagle must eventually leave the nest; how can it learn to soar if it never braves the wind and rain? Do not hesitate to train him strictly. Treat him as an ordinary soldier; life and death are fated, and prosperity is determined by heaven. See that he does not learn of my intentions, lest he grow arrogant..."

Treat him as an ordinary soldier? Life and death are fated?

Xu Da set the letter down and rubbed his temples.

Your Majesty, you speak so easily. That is Prince Yan, the future Prince of the Northern Borders, your most formidable son! If he were to suffer even a scratch under my command, how would I answer to you?

At that moment, a personal guard announced from outside, "Commander, Battalion Commander Fan requests an audience."

Xu Da raised his eyes, his heart clear as a mirror. This fatty was usually nowhere to be found, but whenever he showed up, it never spelled anything good.

"Let him in."

As soon as Fan Tong entered, he placed the food hamper on the table, his face wreathed in smiles. "Commander, you’ve been working hard! With the army resting, I thought I’d bring you some appetizers to go with your wine and help build up your strength."

Xu Da glanced at the glistening roast goose and gave a cold snort. "You rascal, a weasel offering New Year’s greetings to a chicken—you’re up to no good. Speak, what mischief are you brewing now?"

"How can you say that? I’ve just finished reorganizing the troops and had a few thoughts, so I came to report to you!" Fan Tong said, deftly tearing the goose apart and offering the most succulent leg.

Xu Da did not take it, merely staring at him. "Speak."

"Commander, troops are forged in training, but even more so in battle. We drill every day, but no matter how good it looks, it’s just for show. Whether it’s a mule or a horse, you have to take it out for a run to know." Fan Tong rubbed his hands together, his true intent revealed. "I want to take the boys out for a spin, to forage a bit."

"Forage?" Xu Da’s eyes narrowed. "You mean you want to go ‘grass-gathering’ in Yuan territory?"

"Heh, nothing gets past you, Commander," Fan Tong laughed. "Those northern tribes have herds of cattle and sheep running all over the mountains. Our men eat meat every day, and the consumption is huge—we have to find a way to generate some revenue, right? Besides, it’ll let them see some blood so they don’t get weak-kneed when they finally face a real battlefield."

Xu Da fell silent. In his mind, he saw Zhu Yuanzhang’s letter and the face of Zhu Di, which grew fiercer and more valiant with each passing day.

Fan Tong’s vanguard battalion was an unreasonable meat grinder, but for that very reason, it was incredibly dangerous. Let Zhu Di go on an adventure with this fatty?

"No," Xu Da refused flatly. "The border has just stabilized; we should not act rashly. With your few men, if you run into the main Yuan force, you’ll just be serving yourselves up on a platter."

"Commander, I’m not stupid!" Fan Tong grew anxious. "I won't charge deep inside. We’ll just wander around the border and snatch a few hundred sheep before running back! Consider it a live-combat drill! Look at my boys—they’re so hungry their eyes are glowing green. If I don't give them something to do, I’m afraid they’ll start gnawing on their own tents!"

Fan Tong pleaded and wheedled, using every flattering word he knew, nearly clinging to Xu Da’s legs in desperation. Looking at this rogue-like display and remembering the Emperor’s instruction to "train him ruthlessly," a conflict raged in Xu Da’s heart.

Perhaps this was an opportunity. Letting Di’er follow this fatty to experience true, unreasonable field combat would be more effective than a hundred drills in camp.

"Fine!" Xu Da finally relented, slamming his hand on the table. "I will provide the horses! But you listen to me!"

He pointed at Fan Tong’s nose, enunciating every word. "You are only permitted to operate within fifty miles of the border! You must be back within three days! If a single hair is missing, I will skin you alive!"

"Understood! Just watch me!" Overjoyed, Fan Tong grabbed the goose leg from the table and bit into it, mumbling, "I guarantee I’ll bring everyone back in one piece!"

When the news spread, the entire camp erupted.

"Why? Why does Butcher Fan get to lead the horses out again?"

"We’re here chewing black buns while his men eat meat and drink wine, and now he gets to go out and snatch the glory?"

Several generals ran to Xu Da’s tent to complain, only to be shut down by a single sentence.

"Whoever is dissatisfied, go run a lap on the vanguard’s training ground. Whoever can walk back out standing, I’ll give them the horses to lead the expedition!"

Outside the tent, there was total silence.

In the vanguard camp, the atmosphere was jubilant. Fan Tong had dozens of large water vats brought out, pouring in bottles of "Abyssal Bloodline Strengthening Serum," which emitted a strange, fishy, sweet scent. Diluting it would weaken the effects, but it would still significantly enhance strength, bone density, and endurance.

"Listen up! I spent a fortune on this tonic! Drink it, and it will make your bones harder than iron!"

The soldiers looked at the bubbling, eerie liquid with suspicion. Without a word, Fan Tong scooped up a ladle and walked over to his "Demon Bull." The black ox, possessing a touch of sentience, seemed to sense something and pawed the ground uneasily.

"Drink!" Fan Tong gave a low shout and forced the ladle of serum down the bull’s throat.

After drinking, the black bull shuddered, its copper-bell-sized eyes instantly turning blood-red. It tilted its head back and let out a roar that sounded nothing like a cow, seemingly bursting with excitement as its muscles grew even more dense and knotted.

At that, the eyes of every soldier widened.

"Drink! All of you, drink! One large ladle each—anyone who wastes a single drop will face military law!"

Thousands of soldiers lunged forward like starving wolves, snatching up the serum until the vats were dry.

Zhu Di also drank a ladle.

That familiar, violent, hot current surged through his entire body again, but this time, he felt no pain—only a sense of ease as if he had been reborn. He felt the dormant power within him resonate with the serum, growing frantically.

Before departing, Fan Tong stood atop a supply wagon piled high with dried meat, looking down at the thousands of soldiers. He spoke no grand words of national justice or building a legacy. He simply pointed to the north and roared with all his might:

"Lads!"

"Over there, there are fat sheep grazing, roast bulls running free, and countless gold and silver treasures just waiting for us to take them!"

"Now, fill your bellies! Then follow me and let’s go fill our pots!"

"Move out!"

The army of thousands, like a black flood, kicked up a sky full of dust and surged toward the vast grasslands.

Zhu Di sat on his horse, gripping his cold, spiked club. He looked at the somewhat ridiculous, fat figure riding on the back of the bull in front of him, but in his heart, there was no longer a trace of contempt.

He did not know what terrifying combat power this army, fed on serum and roasted meat, would unleash. He only knew that from today on, he would witness with his own eyes a brand-new mode of warfare that would completely subvert everything he had ever known.

Welcome to Fan Tong’s hunting ground.