Chapter 17: Defense Commander Xu Zhongjun

Xinzhuang was not far from Dongjiazhuang. Traveling south for a few li, the fortified village soon appeared before everyone's eyes.

Arriving at the Ying'en Gate on the east side, some soldiers and civilians who had come out to work in the fields saw Wang Dou and his group. A few recognized Wang Dou and the others, and immediately astonished pointing and chattering arose continuously.

"Look, aren't those the very heroes who paraded through the fort boasting of their deeds that day?"

"Exactly, exactly, it's them! I heard those few killed ten Tartars, and even our Company Commander was full of praise. Truly heroes."

"Isn't that so? Look at the horses beneath them, seized from the Tartars. Such fine horses, truly enviable to behold."

"This is what they deserve. If you had the skill to kill Tartars, you could ride such fine horses too."

"Look! The one at the very front is Wang Dou. I heard he alone killed five Tartars. Sure enough, he looks utterly ferocious..."

"That Wang Dou is openly carrying a woman behind him, isn't that a bit, well..."

"Are you minding too much business?"

Amid the crowd's pointing and gesturing, Wang Dou and his group strode proudly to the fort gate. The several soldiers guarding the gate had clearly seen Wang Dou and his companions before, and all greeted them warmly, their eyes burning even hotter as they looked at the sturdy, fat horses beneath the riders. One of them asked Wang Dou and the others their reason for entering the fort. Wang Dou explained, and the envy in those soldiers' eyes became impossible to conceal. This Wang Dou had originally been a common soldier just like them, and now he was about to be promoted to Platoon Leader. Looking at themselves, ah, comparing oneself to others is truly maddening.

Wang Dou exchanged a few polite words with the soldiers and pressed some silver coins into each man's hand. The soldiers' expressions grew even more cordial; they even waived the inspection of Wang Dou's group's personal waist tallies and directly let them enter the fort.

Han Zhong said smugly, "It seems we brothers are truly famous within the fort. Even these gate guards give us face."

The men behind him laughed, but Wang Dou was pondering. From these fort gate guards, one could see how lax the local defense was. If his own subordinates were like this, it would absolutely not be tolerated.

They proceeded into the fort, greeted everywhere by gazes and chatter of all kinds. Arriving before the Battalion Commander's official hall on East Street, the men dismounted. Wang Dou was about to ask the gate guards to announce them when Zhang Tanggong, the head of Zhang Gui's retainer squad, walked out.

Seeing Wang Dou, Zhang Tanggong laughed heartily and came forward to greet him. He said, "What a coincidence! We were just mentioning Brother Wang, and here Brother Wang arrives. Wait here a moment; let your elder brother go announce you to the Company Commander."

Wang Dou bowed deeply: "I trouble you, Elder Brother Zhang."

Zhang Tanggong pointed at Wang Dou and feigned anger: "You and I are as close as flesh and blood kin. Saying such words is treating me as an outsider."

He strode inside, and very soon, Zhang Gui's hearty voice could be heard, followed by Zhang Gui himself striding out. He laughed heartily and said, "I was just speaking of Brother Wang, and here Brother Wang comes."

Today he wore the official uniform of a Vice Battalion Commander, with a bronze lion-shaped waist tally at his belt. He looked extremely spirited; it seemed he had indeed been promoted.

Wang Dou hurriedly led his men forward to pay their respects. Zhang Gui chuckled and stepped forward to help Wang Dou up: "Brother, no need for excessive courtesy, no need for excessive courtesy."

His spirits were excellent. Seeing Han Chao and the others behind Wang Dou, he also nodded and said, "The several heroes have come together as well. Very good!"

Wang Dou congratulated him on his promotion. Zhang Gui beamed with delight and said, "This is also thanks to Brother Wang's good fortune!"

After the two exchanged a few words, at Wang Dou's signal, Xie Xiuniang stepped forward somewhat nervously and curtsied to Zhang Gui. Zhang Gui looked at her and smiled: "This is your honorable wife? Sure enough, she is elegant in appearance and intelligent in mind. My old lady at home has long been thinking of you."

He had rarely spoken such refined words, and then he called for a maidservant to lead Xie Xiuniang to the rear courtyard.

The maidservant said respectfully, "Madam, please follow this servant."

This form of address made Xie Xiuniang pause for a moment, feeling as if a different world was opening before her. She thought how in the past she had been just like this maidservant, yet now this maidservant was respectfully calling her "Madam"... She glanced nervously at Wang Dou. Wang Dou gave her a reassuring look. Xie Xiuniang straightened her floral-patterned clothes and, with an expression as if ascending a mountain of swords or plunging into a sea of flames, followed the maidservant away.

After Xie Xiuniang left, Zhang Gui said warmly to Wang Dou, "Brother Wang, let us go inside."

Without the slightest hesitation, he took Wang Dou's hand and led him toward the inner courtyard, the rest following behind the two.

As Zhang Gui walked, he smiled at Wang Dou and said, "Brother, your face is truly great. After the newly appointed Defense Commander, Lord Xu, arrived at the estate, the very first person he named to see was you."

Wang Dou hurriedly said, "This is all due to the Company Commander's favor, which gave Wang Dou this opportunity."

Zhang Gui nodded with satisfaction. This young man knew how to read a situation and show appreciation; he was indeed worth cultivating closely.

When the group reached the main hall, they saw two military officers sitting inside talking. Seeing Zhang Gui and Wang Dou's group enter, both men turned their gazes toward them.

Wang Dou looked over. Seated in the center was a military officer in his forties, wearing the uniform of a Battalion Commander, bearing the bear embroidery of a Principal Fifth-Rank military official, with an exquisite bronze qilin tally at his waist. His gaze was steady and gentle. The man beside him, nearing forty, wore the uniform of a Vice Battalion Commander.

Seeing the group enter, the Battalion Commander rose with a smile, and the Vice Battalion Commander beside him also stood.

Zhang Gui hurried forward a few steps. The authority he held before Wang Dou and the others was completely gone; the smile on his face seemed to make even his short whiskers quiver. He bowed respectfully to the Battalion Commander and said, "Lord Xu, Wang Dou and the other heroes have arrived."

The Battalion Commander smiled and nodded. Zhang Gui turned back to Wang Dou and the others and said, "Brother Wang, this is Lord Xu Zhongjun, the newly appointed Defense Commander of Shunxiang Fort. This is Lord Du Zhen. Lord Xu and Lord Du have taken time from their busy schedules to come to our estate. This is an honor for all of Dongjiazhuang. Come quickly and pay your respects."

Wang Dou dared not be remiss. He hurried forward and, according to the rites for common soldiers, kowtowed and bowed to Xu Zhongjun. Han Chao and the others were equally excited, closely following Wang Dou to pay their respects.

Xu Zhongjun said gently, "You may rise."

He extended his hand in a slight lifting gesture, as if channeling qi, and Wang Dou's group rose smoothly to their feet.

Xu Zhongjun carefully scrutinized Wang Dou and his men. Seeing that they were all broad-shouldered and powerful, with fierce and valiant bearing, he could not help but praise repeatedly: "Truly heroes of outstanding ability, worthy of being called good men who resist the Tartar caitiffs!"

His voice was soft, his bearing rather refined and scholarly, a fine sword hanging at his waist. Yet he possessed a naturally awe-inspiring and dignified presence, the authority and majesty that came from long holding high office. The Vice Battalion Commander Du Zhen beside him, however, wore a face full of arrogance, looking down at Wang Dou and the others with a condescending air.

Zhang Gui interjected, "This is all thanks to Lord Xu and Lord Xu's steady command that our Dongjiazhuang achieved such a great victory."

Xu Zhongjun said with a smile, "Zhang Gui, you are becoming ever more glib."

Zhang Gui split his mouth in a wide grin. Wang Dou clasped his fists and said in a ringing voice, "The Defense Commander overpraises us. The Tartar caitiffs poison the countryside. In this time of national calamity, Wang Dou and his men, as officers and soldiers of the Great Ming, can only repay the nation's grace with our deaths. Even if we die on the battlefield, it is merely wrapping our corpses in horsehide!"

Zhang Gui and the others all nodded. Xu Zhongjun looked at Wang Dou, a surprised expression appearing on his face. Wang Dou's steady bearing and proper conduct already satisfied him, and now hearing Wang Dou's impassioned words, it was truly hard to tell that he came from a background of rough, low-ranking soldiers.

He exchanged a glance with Du Zhen and said thoughtfully, "Wang Dou, do you have a family tradition of learning? Can you read and write?"

Wang Dou clasped his fists and said loudly, "My ancestor Wang Hu once served under Marshal Qi. Back then, he followed the Qi Army in campaigns north and south, and later lived in seclusion in the countryside. From childhood, Wang Dou practiced martial arts and studied writing with his family. All that I have learned was passed down from my honored ancestor!"

Xu Zhongjun could not help but be moved: "So you are descended from a loyal and virtuous line!"

He looked Wang Dou up and down, a keen interest now appearing on his face. A deep family tradition, coupled with excellent martial skills — if such a talent could be recruited under his command, it would be like adding wings to a tiger. However... this Wang Dou was a direct subordinate officer under his own subordinate Zhang Gui. Directly asking for the man would be inappropriate; there was no need to rush.

He pondered inwardly, while Han Chao and the others only now understood that Wang Dou's ancestor had once followed Grandpa Qi. No wonder his knowledge and martial skills were so outstanding! Thinking of this, their desire to follow Wang Dou grew even more fervent.

Xu Zhongjun smiled and offered Wang Dou a few words of encouragement. Then his expression turned solemn, and he summoned his attendants, who came forward bearing official uniforms, commissions, and other items.

Wang Dou and the others knew the main event had arrived. For a moment they were somewhat nervous, each standing ramrod straight. Even Zhang Gui sat up formally.

Xu Zhongjun came before Wang Dou and said warmly, "Wang Dou, you have rendered meritorious service in slaying the Eastern Slaves. Your achievements are truly commendable! By order of my superiors, I bestow generous rewards to boost morale. Wang Dou, you have taken three heads and seized countless spoils. You are hereby promoted two substantive ranks, awarded sixty taels of silver, and one set of silk cloth. In the future, you must continue to exert yourself with all your heart and live up to this appointment!"

Wang Dou loudly acknowledged the order. He knelt and received one by one the waist tally and commission, the official uniform and seal, the reward silver and silk cloth that Xu Zhongjun handed over, his heart filled with joy.

Looking at the items in his hands, being promoted was indeed different. The Platoon Leader's waist tally was made of fine bronze and wood, heavy in the hand. The official seal of bronze was also exquisitely crafted. And that silk cloth felt so comfortable to the touch.

The reward silver he received was also of that fine, smooth "gold flower" silver, twenty-five taels per ingot, with curved ends and a cinched waist, stamped with two marks in the center. This kind of silver was always destined for the national treasury, so it was cast extremely well, with inscriptions of time, place, weight, silversmith, and supervising officials all complete. This was what was called "snowflake silver."

However, the reward silver Wang Dou received now was sixty taels. Originally, he had reported three heads, so by rights he should have received ninety taels of reward silver. But it was an old custom in the Great Ming that silver passing through hands was always subject to deductions. Moreover, since everyone above was pleased with this military achievement, the deduction was already considered small. From ninety taels, he actually received a full sixty taels, which was already extremely rare.

Looking over at Han Chao and the others, they too each received their rewards. Everyone was overjoyed. Whether it was the waist tallies and commissions in their hands, or the official uniforms and seals, they kept turning them over and over, unable to stop looking. Especially Qi Tianliang, who split his mouth in a ceaseless silly grin, repeating, "Old Qi here has finally seen this day too."

Seeing the expressions on Wang Dou and the others, Xu Zhongjun and Zhang Gui exchanged knowing smiles. They could understand how Wang Dou and his men felt — just a few days ago, when they themselves learned of their own promotions, their behavior had been no better than Wang Dou's group.

Xu Zhongjun chuckled heartily and said, "Good, all rewards have been bestowed. Seeing that the hour is no longer early, my lord Zhang, should we not begin the feast?"

Zhang Gui hurriedly said, "Indeed, indeed, it is time to begin the feast. Attendants, set out the wine for me, and let us honor these heroes with a victory banquet!"