Chapter 196: Lu Xiangsheng in Mourning

In mid-March of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Wang Dou arrived at Mashuikou. Along the way he passed Shunxiang Fort, Huiyao Fort, Shiweng Fort, Chadao Fort, Shimen Fort, and other places. Following the ancient road through the pass, these key strongpoints and garrison forts were all vigorously repairing roads and setting up supply storehouses. At Niujiaowa, not far from Mashuikou, over a thousand soldiers were especially busy constructing a large fortified camp.

After inspecting the Niujiaowa area, Wang Dou, leading a few guards and accompanied by Han Chao and others, dressed in plain cloth robes, was welcomed into Mashuikou city by Mashuikou Garrison Commander Chu Qinmeng.

Along the way, Wang Dou paid close attention to the surrounding terrain. As expected, Mashuikou city was indeed a strategic stronghold, embraced by mountains on all sides with a river flowing alongside. Everywhere were steep, narrow ravines — a typical mountain fortress. Holding Mashuikou allowed movement east toward Laishui and Yizhou, west toward Weizhou, and north toward Baoanzhou, making it the essential route from Baoanzhou to Yizhou.

From Chu Qinmeng's account, Wang Dou learned that Mashuikou city had four gates and four passes. First was the East Pass, where a small fortification was built cutting off the official road from Baoanzhou to Yizhou, also called the First Gate. Following the official road west for about one li, there was another city gate, called the Second Gate. Entering the Second Gate brought one into Mashuikou city proper.

Not far west along the city wall, atop a gentle slope stood another city gate, called the Third Gate. Finally, another li west was the Southern Heavenly Gate, also called Tianmen Pass, connected to the Zhenbao Garrison Great Wall, with massive boulders piled everywhere — easy to defend and hard to attack.

As he traveled, Wang Dou secretly marveled at Mashuikou's strategic importance. If this place were not under his control, his future plans would come to nothing. Han Chao beside Wang Dou also observed silently, committing the key points seen along the way to memory.

After entering through the East Pass, Wang Dou saw that along both sides of the rugged official road stood numerous soldiers' dwellings. Just as Wang Dou had guessed, every one of them was in tattered clothes and listless. Seeing the state of these soldiers, Chu Qinmeng was quite ashamed. He said, "I must let my brother laugh at me. The troops under my command cannot remotely compare with my brother's government troops in the prefectural city."

Wang Dou consoled him, saying, "Brother Chu, why blame yourself? The court fails to issue pay and provisions, leaving the soldiers without food or clothing — this is hardly your fault."

As they talked, they entered Mashuikou city through the Second Gate. Wang Dou saw that Mashuikou city was quite small, with narrow streets, even smaller and more dilapidated than the original Shunxiang Fort.

Yet though the sparrow is small, it has all five organs. Inside there was an Assistant Regional Commander's residence, a Garrison Commander's residence, and numerous soldiers' barracks. Like other military forts, it contained many temples. According to Chu Qinmeng's introduction, there were over a dozen temples large and small, the most popular being the Temple of Emperor Guan Sheng. In addition, the city had a bell tower and a drum tower that marked the hours daily.

Mashuikou's Assistant Regional Commander Yang had led his troops to garrison Yizhou. Therefore, Mashuikou's garrison numbered only one thousand three hundred men. Wang Dou estimated that with desertions, the actual strength was less than a thousand.

Entering the Garrison Commander's residence, Chu Qinmeng entertained Wang Dou. He ordered his retainer to slaughter a sheep, and the two sat facing each other, drinking.

Wang Dou smiled and said, "When I entered the residence just now, that young lady was your daughter? Brother Chu is fortunate — your daughter is already so grown."

Chu Qinmeng was thirty-five this year, with one son and one daughter. His son was seventeen, his daughter sixteen — truly good fortune. Speaking of his daughter, a doting expression appeared on Chu Qinmeng's face. He sighed, "This daughter of mine is indeed well-behaved. I've been thinking she ought to marry, but I simply cannot find a suitable young man, which rather troubles me."

He looked at Wang Dou. "Does Brother Wang have any fine young men under his command he could introduce to me?"

By Chu Qinmeng's thinking, it would be best if his daughter married Wang Dou as his wife. Regrettably, Wang Dou already had a wife — his own daughter could not possibly become his concubine, could she? Determined to forge close ties with Wang Dou, he set his sights on the officers under Wang Dou's command.

Chu Qinmeng's words aligned perfectly with Wang Dou's intentions. He quickly thought it over — every officer under his command already had a wife. Finally, Wang Dou thought of one.

He smiled and said, "That personal guard of mine is my young brother-in-law. The lad is nineteen this year and has been reluctant to marry. I just don't know if he has the good fortune to aspire to a match with Brother Chu's family."

Xie Yike was Wang Dou's brother-in-law and also his personal guard — his future prospects were limitless. Chu Qinmeng was also satisfied. Earlier, when he welcomed Wang Dou, he had noticed this sturdy young man. Hearing it was this fellow, he immediately made the decision: "Brother, what are you saying? It is I who would be aspiring upward."

The two laughed heartily together, and the matter was thus settled.

Now that the two were effectively in-laws, their manner toward each other grew even warmer.

Chu Qinmeng could not wait and said, "A few days ago, brother mentioned doing some trade — I wonder about that matter..."

Wang Dou pondered briefly and said, "To be honest, the reason my Baoanzhou has been able to prosper is that after I trained my soldiers, I sent them out to suppress bandits. The money and provisions they seized were continuously used to support the army and the people. In this virtuous cycle, Baoanzhou was able to develop thus."

"I hope Brother Chu can join in, so we may grow wealthy together."

Chu Qinmeng was startled and said, "Brother, you..."

So this was the secret of Wang Dou's success. Chu Qinmeng further guessed that Wang Dou intended to cross through Mashuikou to suppress bandits in Yizhou and other places. He was greatly shocked by Wang Dou's audacity. He said, "These past few years, brother, have you been doing this all along?"

Wang Dou nodded.

Chu Qinmeng's heart stirred. "Each time you go out to suppress bandits, how much can you gain?"

Wang Dou said, "No less than three thousand taels of silver."

Chu Qinmeng was even more astonished. "So abundant?"

His heart was thoroughly stirred. Then he hesitated and said, "It's just that the soldiers under my command..."

Chu Qinmeng had seen the troops throughout Baoanzhou — all strong soldiers and sturdy horses. Such an army going out to suppress bandits would naturally be invincible. But if his own troops went into battle, he feared there was a risk of failing to suppress the bandits and being suppressed instead.

Wang Dou had also considered this point and said, "Of Brother Chu's forces, how many do you estimate can take the field?"

Chu Qinmeng calculated for a moment and said, "I have three hundred retainers under my command... hmm, I estimate I could field five hundred men."

Wang Dou said, "That will suffice."

He said, "I will support Brother Chu with one hundred firelocks to strengthen your combat power."

Chu Qinmeng had long since witnessed the power of Baoanzhou's new-style firelocks. Hearing Wang Dou's words, he was even more delighted. With these firelocks, what need was there to fear those bandits? Breathing heavily, he gritted his teeth and said, "The timid starve to death, the bold die from overeating. Fine — let's do it."

Afterward, the two discussed the details carefully. A key problem was that over a hundred li southwest of Mashuikou, Zijing Pass sat astride the official road between Baoanzhou and Yizhou. How to get troops through Zijing Pass, and how to transport captured money and provisions back through the pass — this was a difficult problem.

Chu Qinmeng hung up a map, and the two studied it closely. Wang Dou said, "Brother Chu, first of all, we must establish a strongpoint at Henanwa, set up some storehouses for transshipping supplies, and then likewise build a fortified camp at Zhaogezhuang. In the future, any captured goods can be stockpiled there first and then transported back through the pass at our leisure."

Chu Qinmeng said with difficulty, "Establishing fortified camps and strongpoints is indeed necessary, but the money and provisions in my hands..."

Wang Dou said, "Brother Chu need not worry. The money and provisions for building the fortified camps and strongpoints will all come from me. Brother Chu need only have his troops participate in the construction. As for their food and supplies, I will certainly not treat them poorly."

Chu Qinmeng thought to himself that Wang Dou was indeed wealthy and generous. He smiled and said, "With full bellies, those rascals will surely run faster than anyone."

He stared at the map, studying it closely. Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he smiled. "I had forgotten."

He pointed to the location of Zhaogezhuang and said, "This place is near the Juma River. Although the banks on both sides are steep and difficult for travel, in winter the ice freezes thick and solid. Men, horses, and carts can travel on it without any worry. When we transport captured goods in winter, we can go directly from Laishui city to Zhaogezhuang, without needing to pass through Zijing Pass."

Wang Dou nodded and said, "In that case, we must establish a strongpoint at Songgezhuang at the river mouth."

Chu Qinmeng pointed to one of the routes and said excitedly, "Not only that — Zhaogezhuang has a hidden mountain path that leads to the flatlands between Yizhou and Laishui, also without needing to pass through Zijing Pass."

Wang Dou thought to himself, "It seems I must also establish a strongpoint at what would later be Liujing Township in Yi County."

Their plans settled, Wang Dou took his leave. Chu Qinmeng escorted him all the way out past the East Pass, casting meaningful glances at Xie Yike.

Once they were well away from Mashuikou, Xie Yike suddenly whispered to Wang Dou, "Brother-in-law, I don't want to get married."

Wang Dou glanced at him. This kid — he had actually eavesdropped on his conversation with Chu Qinmeng?

He glared and said, "Is it up to you whether you want to marry or not? You're no longer young — do you know how much your sister has worried herself sick over your marriage?"

He said, "Let me tell you, that young lady of the Chu family is refined in appearance and intelligent in mind — truly a fine match for a wife. She is also the daughter of Garrison Commander Chu. Do you think she is not good enough for you?"

He said, "After you are married, you must treat her well. If there is any mistreatment, I will not let you off."

Wang Dou's torrent of scolding left Xie Yike speechless. He was rather afraid of this brother-in-law and dared not say anything, so he could only follow behind Wang Dou with a mournful face.

When Wang Dou returned to Baoanzhou and mentioned the marriage between Xie Yike and the young lady of the Chu family, Xie Xiuniang was indeed very delighted and immediately began busily preparing her brother's wedding with great urgency.

At the same time, Han Chao led his troops through Mashuikou and began constructing fortified camps and strongpoints on a large scale at the then utterly desolate Henanwa and Zhaogezhuang. Chu Qinmeng dispatched his own troops to assist. Wang Dou proved true to his word — the government troops from Mashuikou who helped received generous daily provisions for their labor, with full meals and occasional meat, which lifted their spirits greatly. Everyone wanted to come out and work. Under the deliberate efforts of the Baoanzhou officers and men to build rapport, the troops from the two places soon mingled as one.

Very quickly, the fortified camps and strongpoints at Henanwa and Zhaogezhuang were completed. Beside the Zhaogezhuang fortified camp was the Juma River. Following the winding Juma River out, before one's eyes lay Laishui, Yizhou, Zhuozhou, and other places — a vast North China Plain.

……

While Wang Dou was busy opening the vital communication routes from Baoanzhou to Yizhou and other places, in the third month of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, the situation in the Xuanfu Garrison grew tense for a time.

At the beginning of the third month, Xuanfu Regional Commander Yang Guozhu reported by relay post: "Squad Commander Kang Youde, previously dispatched on reconnaissance, spied the campfires of the Tartar bandits at a place called Tulikenjiaer, stretching for over thirty li. I fear the bandits intend to invade."

Tens of thousands of Qing soldiers and Mongol soldiers gathered two hundred li beyond the Xuan-Da frontier, once again attempting to invade the Central Plains from various points in Xuan-Da. Upon receiving the alarm, both the Ministry of War and Xuan-Da Viceroy Lu Xiangsheng issued strict orders to stand guard. The very day the alert arrived, Lu Xiangsheng raced through the night from Yanghe to the Xuanfu garrison city.

Based on the situation on all sides, Lu Xiangsheng deduced the intention of the enemy forces beyond the frontier: they would order the troops from various parts of Xuan-Da to mass at the Xuanfu Garrison, and then they would strike where the defenses were weak. Therefore, he sent dispatches ordering the troops everywhere not to move, while he himself led his Viceroy's Personal Battalion to Datong Right Guard, strictly warning the frontier officers not to speak lightly of going out to battle.

By the beginning of the fourth month, Lu Xiangsheng said: "The slave cavalry are now slack; we can strike."

The Qing scouts beyond the frontier learned that the Xuan-Da troops had come sixty li from the border wall, preparing for a decisive battle with the Qing forces and the various Mongol tribes, and fled in haste. Thereafter, Lu Xiangsheng stationed his troops at Yanghe. The Qing forces beyond the frontier, seeing that Lu Xiangsheng's defense of Xuan-Da was tight and strict, had no choice but to abandon their plans in frustration.

In the fifth month of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Lu Xiangsheng was shocked to learn that his father had died of illness on the road back to his hometown of Yixing. Overcome with grief, he submitted ten memorials in succession, earnestly beseeching the Chongzhen Emperor to permit him to return home for the funeral and observe three years of mourning for his deceased father.