Chapter 82

Unlike Shenyang, which had yet to emerge from the icy cold, the grasslands in March were already basking in the warmth of spring, with tender green grass eagerly poking through the soil. Diligent little birds began to forage for food, and many wild deer and small animals started to appear on the grasslands. A groundhog emerged from a burrow, its furry body carrying a bunch of freshly picked alfalfa, looking around curiously.

Suddenly, the groundhog's lazy gaze brightened, and its small ears perked up. Soon, its little head retreated, and with a swift movement, it disappeared back into the burrow. As the groundhog vanished, a rhythmic sound of hooves began to approach from the distance.

Wu Chengfeng rode on his red steed, gazing at the vast, endless grasslands ahead. He took a deep breath, a look of contentment spreading across his face.

"Hey, Gazi, stop staring. It's just a patch of grass, what's so interesting about it?" Feng Xiaoming, riding up beside him, asked in puzzlement.

"Hehe... Uncle Wu, you don't understand. In the past few years, while serving under Cheng Minghui, I often fought the Mongol Tartars on the grasslands. I've long grown accustomed to the scent of the grasslands," Wu Chengfeng said with a simple, honest smile. He knew Feng Xiaoming well, having grown up with him. Although Uncle Wu was somewhat greedy, he was genuinely good to those around him. When Wu Chengfeng was away from Yingzhou, his mother had been well taken care of by Wu Chengfeng.

"Hehe, you were born to be a soldier," Feng Xiaoming remarked with a sigh. "Just look at you, you got promoted to a battalion commander as soon as you met Lord Yue. Now I have to call you 'Sir'!"

"It's all thanks to Lord Yue's favor," Wu Chengfeng replied with a humble smile. "But don't be disheartened, Uncle Wu. It won't be long before Lord Yue promotes you too."

Seeing Feng Xiaoming's somewhat dejected look, Wu Chengfeng offered a few words of comfort. He knew how much Uncle Wu yearned for promotion, which was why he had given up his position as a village headman to become a company commander. The hardships he endured were not something everyone could bear. After joining Lord Yue's forces, Wu Chengfeng knew very well how rigorous the training was. Regardless of the weather, all officers and soldiers had to drill daily, with no exceptions. Even Lord Yue, as the commander, spent about ten days a month living in the camp and drilling with the troops. If the commander himself was so dedicated, the other officers had no excuse not to follow suit.

It was precisely because of this strict training, combined with generous pay and a clear system of rewards and punishments, that this army was far superior in discipline and quality to any other army Wu Chengfeng had seen in the Ming dynasty.

After a few more words of idle chat, Wu Chengfeng said, "Uncle Wu, you should get back to your unit. If you stay away too long, Lord Yue will scold you."

"Hmph, I'm not afraid of that guy. If it weren't for his years as a page to the commander, he wouldn't have gotten the position of battalion commander," Feng Xiaoming grumbled.

Wu Chengfeng smiled but didn't argue. He stretched, took out a telescope from a leather case at his waist, and scanned the area ahead. His lips curled upward as he pointed and said, "Uncle Wu, there's no need to argue. Look, we've already reached the科尔沁部落的牧场. You should go back and organize your unit. We can't let the Mongols look down on us."

Hearing this, Feng Xiaoming perked up. "Alright, I'll show those Mongols the might of our Ming army!" With that, he spurred his horse and galloped back to the rear.

As Wu Chengfeng and his men arrived, in a large tent of the科尔沁部落, several dozen miles away, Zaisan sat on his tiger-skin throne, laughing heartily. To his left sat two stunningly beautiful women. One wore traditional Mongolian attire, with a delicate white cotton scarf around her slender neck. The other wore a traditional Manchu qipao and thick-soled palace boots. They were Zaisan's daughters, Hailanzhu and Dayuer. In front of them sat two young men in elaborate clothing, who were none other than Dorgon and his younger brother Dorji, who had accompanied Dayuer to visit her family.

"Dayuer, I'm so glad you came to see me. It's been ten years since you married, and you haven't been back. I and your sister have missed you so much. Since you're here, stay a while and spend time with me and your mother. You can also help with your sister's wedding. What do you think?"

Dayuer smiled gently. "Of course, Father. I came specifically for my sister's wedding. I'm also curious to see which young man has captured her heart, given her high standards."

"That's wonderful!" Zaisan laughed, raising a teacup. "Come, everyone, let's have some tea. I forgot to tell you, these tea leaves and cups were sent by your future brother-in-law. They say these are quite rare in the Ming dynasty."

"Oh, really? I must take a closer look," Dayuer said, picking up the teacup and examining it carefully.

The teacup, which would be a common, colorless glass cup in modern times, was a luxury item in this era. Although glass-making technology existed in the West, it was still a luxury due to production limitations and had not yet spread widely to the East. Clear, transparent glass cups were particularly rare.

As Dayuer held the glass cup, she saw several slender tea leaves swirling in the light yellow tea, and she gasped in amazement. "Oh, Father, you're right. This cup is so exquisite, and you can see through it. It's truly amazing."

Seeing his daughter's delight, Zaisan laughed heartily. "Dayuer, if you like it, your sister can give you a set when you return. Hailanzhu, you have some extra, don't you?"

"Of course, if my sister likes it, I'll give her a set. I have plenty," Hailanzhu said with a smile.

"Hmph..."

At that moment, a slight snort came from the side. Everyone turned to see that it was Dorji, sitting next to Dorgon.

Zaisan asked, puzzled, "Prince Dorji, why are you displeased?"

Dorgon sneered. "Nothing, I just think you're putting the cart before the horse, Zaisan. These Han people are only good at making fancy trinkets. No matter how beautiful they are, they are just superficial and fragile, like this."

With that, Zaisan picked up the glass cup and threw it toward the door, where it shattered with a sharp sound.

The tent fell silent, and Zaisan's smile faded. He stroked his short beard and said darkly, "Prince Dorji, it seems I have failed to entertain you properly today."

Not only Zaisan, but also Hailanzhu and Dayuer looked displeased. Deliberately breaking the host's belongings in front of the host was a serious breach of etiquette.

Dayuer's face turned stern. "Fifteenth Brother, what are you doing? How dare you act so rudely in front of Father! Don't you fear I'll report you to the Khan?"

Dayuer's outburst changed the situation. In private, she was the concubine of Huangtaiji, making her Dorji's fourth sister-in-law. In public, she was the Khan's concubine, his superior. If she reported him to Huangtaiji, even as a prince, Dorji would be in trouble.

If Dorji had been sensible, he would have apologized and smoothed things over. But he seemed to have lost his mind. He stood up and said defiantly, "What's wrong with me? Am I lying? The Han people are weak and incapable. They are like lambs, hiding in their pens. Whenever we want to eat, we can raid the south. If we like something, we can just take it. Can they stop us?"

"You... you scoundrel!" Dayuer's face turned pale with anger. Although she was known for her kindness, this did not mean she lacked a temper. As the Khan's concubine, she represented Huangtaiji in certain situations. Dorji's words were not just rude; they were a slight to the Khan himself.

With a cold look, Dayuer turned to Dorgon. "Fourteenth Brother, how can you let your brother speak such nonsense? Aren't you going to do something?"

Dorgon had known from the start that things were not going well, but he hadn't had time to intervene. Seeing Dayuer's pale, angry face, he quickly stood up and shouted at Dorji, "Fifteenth Brother, that's enough! What are you trying to do?"