Chapter 160: Crossing the Border to Suppress Bandits

At the Wanshenghe Rice Shop in Baoanzhou City, lanterns and colored banners were hung everywhere, guests gathered like clouds, and Zheng Niangzi’s uncle Zheng Jinglun, dressed completely anew, was constantly greeting and seeing off guests at the doorway.

“Fourth Master, congratulations, congratulations.”

Every guest who came to offer congratulations said this, and in their eyes as they looked at Zheng Jinglun was nothing but envy. No one knew what incredible luck this Zheng Jinglun had stumbled into — one niece married to the beloved officer of the Garrison Commander, the battalion training officer of Shunxiang Fort who held real power, Vice Battalion Commander Gao Shiyin. And now another niece married to the Garrison Commander’s trusted confidant, Battalion Commander Han Chao. With this, it would be impossible for the Zheng family not to prosper.

Han Chao and Han Zhong, both brothers, were Battalion Commanders, and both were trusted and beloved officers of Garrison Commander Wang. When the brothers were transferred to the prefectural city, word spread that neither had yet taken a wife, and countless people schemed to marry their daughters to the two brothers — yet in the end, the flower fell upon the Zheng household. Many speculated maliciously: Han Chao had rejected even his own family’s beautiful daughter, only to seek out a widow — could it be that Han Chao’s tastes were out of the ordinary?

Of course, everyone only dared to slander in their hearts. On the surface, they still had to greet Zheng Jinglun with smiling faces. In the commercial circles of the prefectural city, who now dared not look Zheng the Fourth straight in the eye? Wherever he went, who did not respectfully address him as “Fourth Master”?

Zheng Jinglun was naturally extremely satisfied with his nieces’ marriages. Back when Zheng Niangzi’s third younger sister Zheng Xiaoyun married Gao Shiyin, Zheng Jinglun had voiced his opposition. But as Gao Shiyin’s official rank rapidly rose, until he finally became Vice Battalion Commander of Shunxiang Fort, that niece’s marriage had already become a proud achievement of his far-sighted vision.

Now his eldest niece was marrying Han Chao — a Battalion Commander’s official status, the Garrison Commander’s trusted confidant — the moment his niece went over, she would be an official’s lady. So Zheng Jinglun was incomparably devoted to Zheng Niangzi’s marriage. These days he had been bustling about, exhausting his mind and energy, his round face grown thin by a full circle — yet his spirits were exceedingly high.

He wore brand-new silk garments, and the smile never left his prosperous face as he ushered guest after guest into the residence.

At that moment in the inner room, Zheng Niangzi’s third younger sister Zheng Xiaoyun watched Zheng Niangzi doing her makeup before the mirror and said, “Elder Sister, you are so beautiful today.”

Zheng Niangzi was somewhat bashful and said softly, “Little Sister, you’re teasing me.”

Zheng Xiaoyun tilted her head and said, “Elder Sister, I’m not teasing you. Dressed up like this, you truly are stunning. When Brother-in-law sees you, I fear he’ll be dumbstruck.”

Zheng Niangzi suddenly sighed: “After all, your elder sister is a widow. I don’t know whether your Brother Han will disdain me…”

Zheng Niangzi had been interested in Han Chao for two years. They say when a woman pursues a man, it’s only a layer of gauze between them — yet Zheng Niangzi had toiled so hard before Han Chao agreed to marry her. Her wish fulfilled, now that the moment had come, she was again plagued by anxiety and doubt.

Zheng Xiaoyun said earnestly, “Brother-in-law is a hero. Since he agreed to marry you, he will certainly treat you well. Elder Sister need not worry.”

Zheng Niangzi thought it over and found it true, and grew happy again.

…

Inside the Han residence, guests came and went continuously. At that moment the master of ceremonies called out: “Sir Li Guangheng, Hereditary Company Commander of the Baoanzhou Central Guard Battalion, has arrived, bearing two ceremonial gifts of congratulations, to congratulate Battalion Commander Han on his joyous wedding.”

Before the main hall of the Han residence, at the master of ceremonies’ call, Han Chao and Han Zhong, the brothers who were receiving guests there, saw a burly middle-aged officer stride in. Beside him were his wife and a beautiful young maiden, about fifteen or sixteen, who seemed quite shy, staying close to her mother’s side, not glancing sideways — apparently Li Guangheng’s daughter.

This Li Guangheng had a rough, coarse face and spoke in a loud, gruff voice. He saluted Han Chao: “Congratulations to Battalion Commander Han on his joyous wedding.”

And that was all he said.

Han Chao smiled slightly: “I’ve put Company Commander Li to trouble. Please, come inside and sit.”

He told his younger brother Han Zhong to escort Li Guangheng in, but to his surprise, when he called out, Han Zhong did not respond. He looked over in astonishment and saw his own younger brother staring fixedly at that young Miss Li, mouth agape, his eyeballs not moving in the slightest.

Li Guangheng entered the main hall and saw Battalion Training Officer Tian Changguo and Garrison Farm Officer Zhang Gui chatting merrily. Tian Changguo was his direct superior, so according to protocol he stepped forward to salute Tian Changguo and pay his respects. Tian Changguo saw Li Guangheng, uttered an “Oh,” and said indifferently, “So it’s Company Commander Li. Since we are not in the military at present, there is no need for excessive ceremony.”

After that one remark, he continued joking and laughing with Zhang Gui.

Li Guangheng had met a soft rebuff. Disgruntled, he withdrew, found a place to sit by himself, and seeing wine on the table, felt his mouth water — but unfortunately such an occasion did not permit discourtesy. He sat glumly in a daze for a long while and sighed.

Suddenly he felt a sharp pain at his waist — it was his wife, Lady Liu, pinching him. He frowned and said, “Madam, what are you doing?”

His wife Lady Liu hissed viciously in his ear: “Why were your eyes fixed unblinkingly on those women over there? Confess honestly — have you taken a fancy to some fox spirit?”

Only then did Li Guangheng realize that, lost in his own thoughts, his gaze had at some point come to rest on that group of female family members. He said angrily, “What nonsense are you spouting?”

He suddenly noticed his daughter was missing: “Eh? Where has Yi’er gone?”

Han Zhong was like an ant on a hot pan — he wanted to go over and exchange a few words with that young Miss Li, but could not muster the courage. He watched that young Miss Li quietly hiding in a dark corner beside a table, her back turned, doing who-knew-what over there.

After circling around several times, he finally worked up his nerve. Bristling with bravado, he strode over, and imitating the manner of opera scripts, made a bow to that young Miss Li and said: “…My greetings to you, young lady.”

That young Miss Li jumped in fright, her mouth rapidly working a few times as she swallowed a huge mouthful, then turned around. Her face was somewhat red, as if from being stuffed. Seeing it was Han Zhong, she straightened her sitting posture and said in a soft, delicate voice, “So it is Battalion Commander Han. Is there something you need?”

Han Zhong stood dumbstruck for a long while before remembering his next line: “This humble student is Han Zhong. May I ask the young lady’s native place, her age, her honored name, and whether she is betrothed?”

The young lady’s face slowly reddened, her head drooping nearly to her chest. She said bashfully, “This humble maiden is called Li Yiyi, that is all.”

Han Zhong made a few “oh” sounds, his soul adrift, simply staring fixedly at that young Miss Li.

Young Miss Li remained bashful for a long while, then saw that Han Zhong was merely standing beside her, neither speaking nor leaving. Gradually, her expression grew unfriendly. Suddenly she glared, her eyes bulging, and said in a fierce, vicious tone: “Who stares at a person like that? Shameless lecher.”

Seeing her face change in an instant, Han Zhong could only stand there stunned.

…

As guests continued to arrive, the atmosphere inside the Han residence reached a climax. Suddenly the master of ceremonies called out: “His Excellency Garrison Commander Wang of Baoanzhou has arrived.”

Immediately a stir ran through the hall, and everyone rose to their feet. Han Chao saw that his younger brother had run off somewhere unknown; he had no time to think further and hurried out to welcome them. He saw Wang Dou, hand in hand with his wife Xie Xiuniang, walking in with a smile. Xie Yike, leading several guards, followed behind the two with head high and chest out.

Han Chao was about to perform a grand ceremonial obeisance, but Wang Dou stopped him and said with a smile, “Brother Han, today you are the bridegroom — there is no need for such grand ceremony.”

He looked Han Chao over carefully and nodded repeatedly: “You have finally started a family. This settles one matter on my mind.”

Wang Dou embraced him and patted him lightly on the back again and again: “Good brother.”

A chorus of exclamations arose, and countless pairs of envious eyes turned toward Han Chao.

This gesture from Wang Dou also made Han Chao choke up: “Many thanks, my lord.”

Wang Dou laughed: “Today is your day of great joy — tears would be out of place.”

Smiling, he led his wife inside. Afterward, a stream of officers and officials came up to pay their respects to Wang Dou, and the Han residence grew even more festive.

…

“Here comes the bride!”

Firecrackers exploded, and the grand bridal procession set out from the Wanshenghe Rice Shop, heading toward the Han residence. Along the way it drew countless crowds of onlookers, and throngs of children chased after the procession.

Amid the crowd stood a woman in a daze, her figure alluring. Watching the bridal sedan chair recede into the distance, she said bitterly: “Faithless man.”

…

On the twenty-sixth day of the first month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, not long after Han Chao married, his younger brother Han Zhong also married. His wife was Li Yiyi, the daughter of Li Guangheng, Hereditary Company Commander of the Baoanzhou Central Guard Battalion. This young Miss Li was also a renowned beauty of Baoanzhou. Han Zhong had fallen in love with her at first sight and would marry no other. Through the matchmaking of a well-meaning person, the lovers were finally united in marriage, and all the world cited it as a fine tale.

The Han brothers, one after the other, wedded two beauties, making all onlookers green with envy. Only after many days of bustle did Baoanzhou gradually quiet down.

While Baoanzhou was quiet, the outside world remained in tumult. In the middle of the first month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, the Qing Emperor Huang Taiji personally led a campaign against Korea, condemning it for breaking its treaty and aiding the Ming. The Qing army swept all before it, taking Yizhou and Anzhou in succession and pressing straight toward Pyongyang. The Korean King Li Zong fled with his eldest son and all his officials to the South Han Mountain, and ordered his second son to take the family dependents to refuge on Jianghua Island, while sending to the Great Ming for aid.

The Great Ming ordered Regional Commander Chen Hongfan to dispatch naval forces from various garrisons to the rescue. Only after the Ming fleet set sail did they learn that the tributary state of Korea had already presented its seals of authority and surrendered to the Qing.

On the third day of the second month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, Zhang Xianzhong, Luo Rucai, and others linked their camps for a hundred li and pressed straight toward Anqing, causing great alarm in Nanjing. The Chongzhen Emperor issued an edict ordering Zuo Liangyu, Ma Kuang, Liu Liangzuo, and others to combine forces and relieve the siege. Zhang Xianzhong fought a great battle with the Ming army beneath the walls of Anqing. Zhang Xianzhong suffered a crushing defeat and retreated to hold the Tianwang Ancient Fortress at Qianshan. The Ming Anqing Provincial Governor Zhang Guowei sent orders for Regional Commander Zuo Liangyu to search the mountains; Liangyu refused to comply, instead letting his troops plunder and abduct women. After encamping for over a month, he simply marched north on his own.

On the eighth day of the second month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, Baoanzhou City organized a grand spring plowing ceremony. Soldiers and civilians of the city poured out in full force, beating gongs and drums, carrying a paper-mache spring ox and plow implements, setting off firecrackers all along the way, and bearing the spring ox into a thatched hut at the edge of the fields. Led by Wang Dou and Department Magistrate Li Zhenping, they burned incense and prayed to August Heaven and Bounteous Earth, hoping for abundant harvests of all grains in the new year.

Afterward, the year’s intense spring plowing began. The winter wheat planted in the fields needed watering, greening, jointing, top-dressing, and weeding. On the drier lands, millet and sorghum were sown. Because the prefectural city had exempted soldiers and civilians from this year’s tax grain levies — whatever the fields produced was entirely their own — everyone’s motivation was exceedingly high. Apart from a few wealthy households, the soldiers and civilians of the prefectural city still relied mainly on human labor for plowing and watering, and everyone longed for the day when irrigation wells would be dug on their own fields and draft oxen distributed.

The Garrison Commander had already promised everyone that draft oxen would be distributed and irrigation wells dug before the autumn sowing. Everyone had already heard that in the Garrison Commander’s original Shunxiang Fort, oxen were already being distributed — one draft ox for every four households — and that once the purchased oxen currently being transported arrived, the distribution would improve to one ox for every three households. Everyone eagerly awaited the coming of that day.

Watching the soldiers and civilians in the fields display an enthusiasm they had never shown before, Department Magistrate Li Zhen was deeply moved. Wang Dou said, "This is all thanks to my lord's benevolent governance, which has stirred the people's gratitude and made them labor so diligently."

Department Magistrate Li Zhen shook his head and let out a deep sigh.

……

After the intense spring plowing ended, the people of the prefectural city threw themselves into reclaiming wasteland. Two days after the Clear and Bright Festival, Wang Dou summoned Han Chao, Han Zhong, and Wen Fangliang from the prefectural city, as well as Lin Daofu, Gao Shiyin, Sun Sanjie, and others from Shunxiang Fort, to come and discuss matters. In convening everyone this time, Wang Dou intended to have them go out and suppress bandits to generate income. Now that there were no more bandits to suppress within the borders of Baoan Prefecture, they could only go beyond the borders to fight.

When he saw Han Zhong, Wang Dou was taken aback. His face was covered with scars, and he cowered timidly, not daring to look at anyone.

Wang Dou asked in surprise, "Brother Han Er, what happened to you?"

Han Zhong stood there aggrieved. After a long moment, he suddenly burst into tears: "My wife beat me, wuuuuuuu…"

。