lovenovelstory Chapter 16 Enforcing Strict Military Discipline
Chapter 16 Enforcing Strict Military Discipline
"By order of the king!"
Zhu Mu's voice echoed through the long street, drowning out all the noise.
"Within the capital city, all treasuries, granaries, money, grain, cattle, and horses shall be confiscated and used for military purposes! Looting of civilians, indiscriminate killing of surrendered soldiers, and burning of civilian dwellings are strictly prohibited!"
"Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"
The order caused an uproar.
"Your Highness! This..."
Chang Yuchun rode up, his face still stained with wet blood, and asked in bewilderment:
"The soldiers fought valiantly, and according to the rules... it's only right that they receive some spoils of war!"
Zhu Mu looked directly at him, his tone firm:
"General Chang, I ask you, what is the purpose of our Northern Expedition?"
Chang Yuchun was taken aback:
"The natural order is to expel the barbarians and restore China!"
"Well said!"
Zhu Mu's voice suddenly rose.
"We are driving out the barbarians, not becoming barbarians ourselves! We are fighting a war of righteousness, not the actions of beasts! If we allow our soldiers to burn, kill, and loot today, how are we any different from the Mongols of yesteryear?"
"We gained an empty city, but lost the hearts of the people! What Father Emperor wanted was a stable North, not a scorched earth!"
"Your merits will be rewarded! Do not let greed cost you your lives!"
Just then, a commotion and a woman's cries came from afar.
"Guards battalion, go check it out!"
Zhu Mu shouted sternly.
A moment later, the Imperial Guard brought over several soldiers who were reeking of alcohol, carrying stolen silks, and trying to drag the women away.
With witnesses and physical evidence at hand, the soldiers were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground, begging for mercy.
Zhu Mu didn't even glance at them, and coldly said to the law enforcement officer beside him:
"Drag him away and execute him. Hang his head at the city gate and convey my order: Anyone who violates this rule again will be punished the same way!"
"Your Highness, spare my life!"
The cries and pleas for mercy abruptly ceased.
Blood stained the bluestone slabs of Shangdu.
The entire army was silent, trembling with fear.
The burgeoning desire to plunder was instantly extinguished by the ice water.
Their gazes toward the King of Chu shifted from fervor to deep awe.
This prince was a master strategist on the battlefield, and even more so, ruthless in upholding military discipline!
Chang Yuchun was deeply shocked when he saw the bloody human heads.
He remained silent for a long time, then finally bowed respectfully to Zhu Mu, expressing his heartfelt admiration.
"Your Highness... is right! I was mistaken."
……
The army seized countless cattle, sheep, horses, gold, and silver treasures. After resting for three days, they embarked on their journey home, laden with a glorious victory.
It was the height of summer, and the weather was scorching hot.
Several days of marching had left everyone exhausted.
When the army arrived at Liuhechuan, the soldiers erupted in thunderous cheers upon seeing the clear river water.
Chang Yuchun rushed to the riverbank first. He was covered in sweat and felt unbearably hot. He laughed loudly and was about to take off his armor and jump into the river for a good time.
"General Chang, stop!"
A loud shout rang out; it was Zhu Mu.
He rode up on horseback with a solemn expression.
"All soldiers, listen to my command! No one is to remove their armor immediately! No one is to drink cold water immediately! Lead your horses slowly and wait until the sweat has dried and your bodies have cooled down before you may drink water or wash!"
Military orders are absolute, and most soldiers immediately obeyed.
But Chang Yuchun was somewhat unconvinced. He wiped his sweat and laughed:
"Your Highness, you're being too cautious. I've fought half my life; I'm not that delicate."
As he spoke, he untied the straps of his breastplate.
At the same time, several veterans in the team, who also didn't care, took the lead, removed their heavy armor with a "whoosh," and let out a shout of relief as they went shirtless.
Zhu Mu's face instantly turned extremely ugly.
He knew it was too late.
Sure enough, less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the old soldiers who had been disarmed suddenly let out a scream, their bodies convulsed violently, foamed at the mouth, and fell straight down.
The military doctor rushed forward, but it was too late to save him.
"The 'removing armor' trend! It's the 'removing armor' trend!"
An old soldier shouted in terror.
The entire army was terrified!
Chang Yuchun froze in place. He had only unfastened half of his armor, but now it felt as heavy as Mount Tai.
He watched helplessly as those soldiers, who had been full of life just minutes before, turned into cold corpses in the blink of an eye.
A chill ran from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head, and my back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.
He got it.
If it weren't for His Highness the King of Chu's timely shout, it might be Chang Yuchun lying on the ground right now!
He slowly fastened his armor again, walked up to Zhu Mu, and his expression was extremely complicated.
He dismounted, bowed deeply to Zhu Mu, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a hoarse but sincere voice:
"Your Highness... I will never forget your life-saving grace!"
Zhu Mu helped him up and sighed:
"Duke of E, please rise quickly."
"The soldiers are the treasures of my Great Ming Dynasty. I do not want to see any of them die not from the enemy's blade, but from their own negligence."
"I enforce strict military discipline not only for the sake of military prestige, but also for the lives of all of you!"
At this moment, the banks of the Liu River were completely silent.
Throughout the entire army, from high-ranking officers to ordinary soldiers, there was no longer a trace of doubt in their eyes when they looked at Zhu Mu.
……
As night fell, bonfires were lit along the banks of the Liu River.
Inside the central command tent, Li Wenzhong and Chang Yuchun sat facing each other.
Chang Yuchun picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy wine burned down his throat, but it couldn't dispel the lingering fear and shock in his heart.
He slammed the bowl down on the table with a loud "bang".
"Wenzhong, you must say our Prince Chu is truly extraordinary!"
Chang Yuchun's dark face was full of emotion, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"I remember it clearly. Just a few years ago, on the city wall of Hongdu, he was still a half-grown child. Although he was brave, he was still quite immature."
"In just a few years, look at him now! He's a master strategist, decisive in battle, and his military discipline is stricter than any military law! If it weren't for him, I, Old Chang, would have really lost my life here in Liuhechuan!"
As he spoke, he filled his bowl again, his words filled with the relief of surviving the ordeal and heartfelt admiration.
Li Wenzhong was not as excited as him. He silently poured himself a full glass of wine, picked up the bowl, but did not drink it. His gaze, seen through the flickering candlelight, appeared exceptionally profound.
He remained silent for a long time, so long that even Chang Yuchun found it somewhat strange, before slowly speaking:
"Yu Chun, do you think His Highness stopped you today only to save your life?"
"What else?"
Chang Yuchun stared wide-eyed, puzzled, and asked,
"A life-saving grace, an immense favor, what more could there be?"
Li Wenzhong shook his head, took a small sip of wine, and frowned slightly at the pungent taste.
"His Highness wants to save your lives for more than just today."
His voice was soft, yet it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake.
"What he wanted to save was the future of us military officers who had spent half our lives on the battlefield."
Chang Yuchun was even more confused, so he moved closer:
"Wenzhong, what do you mean by that? I don't understand."