Chapter 617: Arrows! Strike!

The Ming Dynasty’s tax and labor registry classified all households into three categories: civilians, military personnel, and artisans. Among military households, there were further subcategories such as officers, warriors, archers, and auxiliary soldiers. These categories in the registry could not be changed easily. Those registered as military personnel were required to serve under the Minister of War before they could be removed from the registry. Hereditary military positions, however, were different. Many meritorious officials from the early days of the dynasty, as well as those who contributed to quelling rebellions, inherited positions like thousand-household commanders or commandants due to their ancestors’ achievements. Originally, the criteria for such hereditary positions were strict, but over the years they had become lax. A single military unit often had five or six commandants, a dozen or so deputy commandants, and countless thousand-household commanders—most of whom held these positions nominally, merely drawing government funds without actual responsibility.

At that moment, the one leading the group surrounding Zhang Chao was Mo Yong, a deputy commandant of Tongzhou Guard. Though he was only 26, he had inherited his deceased father’s military position at the age of 16. He had been in Tongzhou Guard for ten years now. His martial skills were merely average, but he knew everyone there well. Seeing Zhang Chao glaring at him fiercely, he remembered that guy’s strong punches and grew even angrier.

“Why are you staring at me? If you’re not convinced, fight another round! Don’t think just because you’re strong you can win. You’re alone, while there are so many of us in Tongzhou Guard—more than half of whom hold hereditary military positions. See how long you can last?”

As he spoke, he glanced down at Zhang Yue and his group from a superior position, then broke his riding whip and pressed it into his palm. “You’re the eldest son of the Marquis of Yangwu and should have inherited the title, but now you’ve been sent to Tongzhou Guard. Even if you get a title in the future, it probably won’t be yours. Why should I speak up for your third brother? He’s so famous and often appears before the emperor, but what benefits has he ever given you? How much suffering have you endured trying to help him? If you were sensible, you’d be smarter!”

Zhang Yue was about to speak when Zhang Chao pulled him firmly behind him. Looking at Zhang Chao’s broad back ahead, he narrowed his eyes, then heard his elder brother speak.

“That’s my brother. If I don’t speak for him, should I speak for you?” He stepped forward, his broad frame shielding Zhang Yue behind him. “If you can’t even withstand my punches, how can you talk about achieving merits in battles? If you go into battle like this, nine out of ten of you won’t be able to hold your ground. Who says you can compare to your fathers and uncles back then? I may not be great at military strategy, but at least I can stand tall and say outright that I never hesitate to kill on the battlefield!”

“You… you brat are seeking death!”
The already irritable officers became furious. Immediately, shouts and curses mixed with the neighing of horses, creating chaos at the scene. Fortunately, Mo Yong still had some sense and knew that private fights were strictly forbidden in the army, especially in public. He stepped forward to stop a group of his colleagues and said viciously, “Fine, since you want to show off, then have the courage to follow us to the small woods a mile away and fight. There are six of us here—prove you can take us all down!”
“Okay!”
Seeing Zhang Chao agree without hesitation, Zhang Yue felt a headache coming on. The military proposal he had submitted earlier suggested strict scrutiny of military rank inheritance, but that applied to the future, not the past. Cleaning up existing situations would involve too many people, and acting too hastily could undermine the foundation of the army. Yet, he never expected such chaotic rumors to spread even within the army, and they even involved Zhang Chao taking blame for him.
Since Zhang Chao had agreed, the dozen or so officers, knowing he was someone who always kept his word, weren’t afraid he wouldn’t show up. With a shout, they immediately spurred their horses forward. Only after they left did Zhang Chao turn to Zhang Yue and say, “It’s just that they’re all too idle, so they fight to vent their frustration. It has nothing to do with you, third brother! It’s getting late; go home quickly so your family doesn’t worry. Don’t worry, my brother and I have never lost in fights since we were kids…”
“But don’t forget how you and second brother used to insist on doing everything your own way, ending up bruised and swollen, forcing me to cover for you!”
Zhang Yue cut Zhang Chao off. Seeing Peng Shisan pondering while counting on his fingers and the four others rubbing their wrists, he knew exactly what these restless guys wanted. After pondering for a moment, he said irritably, “Since I’ve seen it, I can’t just let you suffer alone. Come on, I’ll go with you!”
Although three years older than Zhang Yue, Zhang Chao had only ever known how to throw punches and never cared about making decisions. So even though he knew it was inappropriate, he couldn’t argue with his younger brother and eventually had to mount his horse and lead the way. As the sky grew darker, the famous small woods in Tongzhou Wei were not far away, and he couldn’t help but look back.
“Third brother, you really plan to fight alongside me?”
“I just want to see how many you plan to take on by yourself!”

Hearing this, Zhang Chao immediately remembered the cold looks and schemes he had endured these days. His martial skills had once been praised by the emperor himself, and after being transferred to Tongzhou Guard, he had become one of the best. Yet, it was hard to fight against multiple opponents; those officers took their anger out on him, leading to almost daily fights. The number of people he knocked down was roughly equal to the number of injuries he sustained. Seeing the small grove ahead, he let out a low sigh.

“I don’t have a sharp mind like yours. I just charge in and fight—after all, no one dares to kill anyone!”

Peng Shisan, who had been quietly following behind, suddenly spurred his horse forward, silently drawing his waist knife, then said calmly, “Most of the time, private fights in the army indeed don’t involve killing. Besides, you are the eldest son of Lord Yangwu, but even so, some people might act impulsively and forget the consequences. Young master, protect the third young master and retreat!”

At that moment, Niu Gan and the other two also moved forward, drawing their swords and staying on high alert. In the blink of an eye, as Zhang Chao was still puzzled, he suddenly heard a sharp sound of something cutting through the air, followed by the clanging of swords hitting something and loud shouts. Having experienced life-and-death battles, Zhang Chao quickly realized what was happening, his expression turning extremely grim.

It was arrows!

Even in private fights in the army, people used fists or swords; few would resort to such weapons. Though those men were impulsive, how could they dare ignore military rules so recklessly? That could cost them their heads!

Peng Shisan’s sharp eyesight and hearing, honed since childhood by his father, had proven extremely useful in Jiaozhi and hadn’t declined over time. Thus, he had detected the reflection of arrows in the forest under the fading sunlight. Noticing that it was getting darker, he turned to Zhang Chao and said, “Even if the officers in Tongzhou Guard want to teach you a lesson because of their dissatisfaction with the third young master, this has gone too far. Young master, take two people and slowly retreat with the third young master. I’ll take Niu Gan and Zhang Bu to investigate inside!”

With such an unexpected disturbance, Zhang Yue naturally wouldn’t stubbornly stay there to show off, but he still repeatedly instructed Peng Shisan to be careful. After retreating dozens of steps, he saw the three figures disappear at the edge of the forest. Taking this opportunity, he asked Zhang Chao when the rumors had started, but Zhang Chao just shook his head.

“I used to be quite popular in the army, but things changed a few days ago. Rumors are spreading among us officers, saying that the court plans to eliminate redundant officers and will not grant hereditary military positions easily in the future, with strict controls even when passing them on. There are also regular assessments—once a year for lower-ranking officers and every three years for higher ones—where those who fail are immediately dismissed, and those who engage in corruption are not only stripped of their ranks but also punished and exiled. These rumors are the most widespread. Some say that because the Ministry of War wants to enforce these rules, you’ll be sent to Oirat soon to avoid attention.”

“Go to Oirat to avoid attention? Absolute nonsense!”

Despite his usual calmness, Zhang Yue finally became angry upon hearing Zhang Chao’s words. He remembered every item in the proposals he had written himself clearly; none of them matched what Zhang Chao said. After all, the emperor had had a plan in mind—to avoid strong backlash, he had discussed it in the cabinet and with the various government officials, not in a public court session. How did it become something everyone knew? The most ridiculous part was the idea of going to Oirat to avoid attention—was that even a place to do so?

“Is that why you haven’t gone home all this time?”

Although Zhang Chao had grown up with Zhang Yue and their relationship had always been good, their temperaments were different. He had hardly ever heard his younger brother use such vulgar language, so he almost popped out his eyes just now. Hearing Zhang Yue’s question, he looked embarrassed and said, “I have to deal with these provocations every day, and my body is always covered in bruises. Your sister-in-law is meticulous; she’ll inevitably ask questions when she sees them. Why bother her with such trivial matters? It’s better for me to stay in the army. Besides, I don’t want you to know about these troubles…”

Though grateful for Zhang Chao’s concern, Zhang Yue still sighed helplessly. “Elder brother, I’ll eventually have to know about these things. Why hide them from me? Besides, seeing your body covered in bruises—how can I feel comfortable? And it’s not easy for you in the army either. You’ve gone through so much for me—how will you lead troops and fight battles in the future?”

“Younger brother, you worry too much. The family can’t do without you. All I have is brute strength; I can help a little if I can…”

Since their grandmother, Mrs. Gu, passed away, the two brothers had not had a proper chance to talk alone like this in a long time. Although the circumstances were not ideal, neither of them cared. After a while, cries of alarm from the forest broke the silence. Seeing Zhang Chao’s surprised expression, Zhang Yue smiled slightly.
“Lao Peng’s combat skills go without saying. Niu Gan and Zhang Bu might be slightly inferior in fighting, but their ability to hide and evade for months in the grasslands is among the best. If there are no skilled assassins among them, then they’re all doomed to get beaten!”