Chapter 394: Different Treatment

Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu, leading their own guards, entered Luoyang City through the north gate.

Once inside the city, they saw panic everywhere. News of the fall of the East, South, and West Passes had spread,

dealing an unprecedented blow to the soldiers and civilians within the city.

Everywhere, the militia, village braves, and able-bodied commoners whispered among themselves: "How is this possible? It has only been

a short time, and three passes are already lost? General Wang and Regional Commander Chen just won a great victory at the North Pass, killing several thousand bandits

too."

"I always knew those soldiers were unreliable. Fellow villagers, the defense of Luoyang City must still

rely on us, the local commoners and elders."

"If government troops could be relied on, sows would climb trees. Bandits pass through like a scourge, soldiers pass through like a fine-toothed comb. Those soldiers are

like wolves and tigers to the common folk, only knowing how to kill the innocent and claim merit. When facing the bandits, they are utterly helpless."

"Exactly. After those government troops arrived, we people of Luoyang tightened our belts, counting on them to defend

the city. Look at what results they've produced — a bunch of useless trash."

"What do we do? Can Luoyang City hold?"

Those militiamen and village braves discussed without any restraint. Even the loud rebukes from the officers and men of Wang Shaoyu's main battalion defending the north gate

were useless. Hearing these people's criticisms and curses, those main battalion officers and soldiers were either numb,

or looked embarrassed, or were dismissive, leaving military morale everywhere in turmoil.

Hearing the commoners' whispers, Chen Yongfu's expression turned grim, and Wang Dou's heart was also heavy.

No wonder the commoners were dissatisfied. Those government troops were truly too incompetent, too disappointing. Not to speak of the historically

praised Yue Family Army and Qi Family Army, welcomed with food and drink by the people — even an army that merely observed basic military discipline and could protect

the commoners would be met with wholehearted affection. Just like Chen Yongfu's Vanguard Battalion, which was

deeply respected in Luoyang City.

Most of the armies in the late Ming were beyond saving. If one said that in the mid-Ming they suffered heavy suppression, by

this late Ming period, they had turned the tables and become masters, their status soaring rapidly, yet they displayed none of the corresponding

qualities. They were still adept at harming the commoners, but when it came to fighting the enemy, they were utterly worthless.

The literati ruin the state, the military men ruin the country. The late Tang military governor secessions, the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, and these military

ruffians of the late Ming — all are equally great scourges, bringing no benefit whatsoever to the nation.

As they proceeded into the city, all manner of angry curses continued, all cursing the government troops' incompetence. However, upon seeing Wang Dou and Chen

Yongfu approach, those militiamen, village braves, and commoners immediately fell silent, then replaced their expressions with looks of respect. Evidently,

the incompetent government troops they spoke of were clearly distinguished

from the Shunxiang Army and Vanguard Battalion soldiers before their eyes.

"General Wang, Regional Commander Chen."

All along the way, commoners hailed them with cheers.

The more critical the moment, the more Wang Dou's Shunxiang Army and Chen Yongfu's Vanguard Battalion became the backbone

of the Luoyang commoners.

"You two generals, can Luoyang City hold?"

Suddenly a voice came from beside the street. Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu exchanged a glance. Wang Dou smiled slightly,

gesturing for Chen Yongfu to speak.

Chen Yongfu called out loudly: "Elders and brothers of Luoyang City, I, Chen Yongfu, guarantee you,

with General Wang and myself here, Luoyang City will certainly be as solid as a golden soup!"

"Excellent!"

Thunderous cheers erupted everywhere in the streets and alleys.

"What is Chen Yongfu trying to do, currying favor with the people like this?"

On Luoyang's North Main Street, near the crossroads, Henan Regional Commander Wang Shaoyu was leading his trusted officers toward

the branch office of the Provincial Administration Commissioner. That was the Luoyang temporary office of Army Supervisor Vice Commissioner Wang Yinchang. Whenever he came to Luoyang, he

always stayed there.

All the way from the north gate, the streets were lined with commoners pointing at them and cursing, scolding them

as incompetent government troops. Though Wang Shaoyu was angry, he could do nothing, so he could only awkwardly pretend not to hear. Yet unexpectedly,

waves of cheers came from the direction of North Main Street.

Wang Shaoyu halted his horse and listened carefully, his expression turning extremely grim.

Wang Shaoyu was in his fifties. He had no talent for leading troops, was greedy and covetous of goods, and was the most ruthless

in skimming military pay. He had no particular ambitions, only wanting to line his pockets and retire. Given his muddled and incompetent conduct,

had it been anyone else, they would have been replaced long ago.

In the region of Henan, Chen Yongfu's Vanguard Battalion was stationed there. Chen had long enjoyed a reputation for military expertise. Because the amount

of phantom payroll he consumed was small, his soldiers were not only more numerous than Wang Shaoyu's but also tougher. Moreover, Chen

Yongfu was on good terms with Henan Provincial Governor Li Vanguard Commander. Li Vanguard Commander had long found Wang Shaoyu an eyesore and had the intention of letting Chen Yongfu replace

him.

Fortunately, Wang Shaoyu was on good terms with Army Supervisor Vice Commissioner Wang Yinchang. In consideration of the large annual tributes, Wang

Yinchang reluctantly protected him. Wang Yinchang had curried favor with the current Senior Grand Secretary and Minister of Personnel, Li Rixuan. Out of regard

for this connection, Li Vanguard Commander forcibly restrained himself and had not yet moved against Wang Shaoyu.

But times had changed. Chen Yongfu had won a great victory at Ruzhou, and now another great victory at the North Pass. This military merit and prestige

He hoped to far surpass Wang Shaoyu early on. If he himself still had no merit, Chen Yongfu would become the Henan Regional Commander.

It was only a matter of time.

At most, because he was the Regional Commander, he would share a portion of Chen Yongfu's merit and obtain a high-ranking but

powerless post. This was what Wang Shaoyu did not wish to see. In Kaifeng Prefecture, he had long been at odds with Chen Yongfu.

Pay.

Normally, because he was the Regional Commander, Chen Yongfu had no choice but to treat him with deference. If Chen became

Regional Commander, where would he put his own face?

In view of this, not to mention Wang Shaoyu's anxiety, his backer Wang Yinchang was equally anxious. After the three passes fell,

he hastily summoned Wang Shaoyu to discuss matters, also wanting to ask whether he could

achieve some merit in the coming city defense battle.

But to be honest, let alone achieving merit, whether he could even keep those arrogant soldiers and fierce officers under his command in check,

Wang Shaoyu had no confidence.

A few days earlier, because he and Wang Yinchang and others had embezzled a good deal of the silver allocated by the Prince of Fu, the troops

of his main battalion were full of complaints, and many openly shouted about surrendering the city to the enemy. Wang Shaoyu lacked

the ability to suppress them and could only turn a blind eye, praying to gods and divining for peace and safety.

The more he had a knot in his heart, the more things seemed to go against him. He heard thunderous cheers from the direction of Beidajie, all

voices of "General Wang, Commander Chen." In Henan, he was the Regional Commander; Chen Yongfu was merely the Vice

Regional Commander. The soldiers and civilians of Luoyang were cursing him loudly,

while their praise for Chen Yongfu surged like a tide, and even his title had changed. How could Wang Shaoyu's face not look ugly?

He cursed a few times and entered the branch administrative office with bitter resentment.

Entering the main hall, he saw former Minister of War Lu Weiqi, Military Defense Vice Commissioner Wang Yinchang, Henan Prefecture Prefect

Kang Mengshuan, and various Luoyang city officials. Also present were Mobile Corps Commander Liu Jianyi, Luo Tai, the Luoyang Garrison Commander, and the four

Kang Mengshuan and various Luoyang city officials. Also present were Mobile Corps Commander Liu Jianyi, Luo Tai, the Luoyang Garrison Commander, and the four

militia corps commanders assembled in the hall.

A dense crowd of people filled the room, listening to a fat man in a yellow robe seated in the host's position cursing loudly: "The prince's mansion

provided large sums of silver precisely counting on you all to kill the bandits and protect the city. It hasn't even been a single shichen, and Dongguan and

Nanguan are already lost. A bunch of wine sacks and rice bags — what use is there in spending so much silver to support you?"

The one cursing was none other than the Prince of Fu's heir, Zhu Yousong. Dongguan and Nanguan had been lost, and soon after Xiguan was also

lost. The Prince of Fu was greatly alarmed and hastily sent his son out to inquire about the reasons. But the various Luoyang officials and officers

all pushed responsibility onto one another, none willing to bear the blame. Zhu Yousong grew furious and cursed everyone in the hall

together.

Mobile Corps Commander Liu Jianyi was a sinister-looking man in his forties. Luo Tai was a huge fat man, also

past forty, but fat as he was, he was not as grotesquely obese as the Prince of Fu and his heir. Hearing the heir

spray condemnation everywhere, Liu Jianyi and Luo Tai paid no mind and still sat at ease.

They knew that at this critical juncture of city defense, neither Military Defense Vice Commissioner Wang Yinchang nor the Prince of Fu and his heir

dared do anything to them. Being cursed at a few times would not kill them.

Sure enough, after they entered the branch administrative office, although Wang Yinchang had some reproach toward the two, he only

ordered them to redeem themselves by performing meritorious service; as for actual punishment, he dared not impose a single one. This made the two even

more calm and composed.

As Zhu Yousong cursed on without stopping, Liu Jianyi snorted disdainfully. So what if he was a prince? He

himself had troops in hand, so he did not even give a prince the time of day, let alone a mere heir.

With a heavy cough, Liu Jianyi suddenly interrupted Zhu Yousong's tirade: "Your Highness, the roving bandits are

powerful, besieging us with tens of thousands of men. Your humble officers were outmatched and retreated to defend Luocheng, also to preserve our troop strength

and better defend the main city gates. Your Highness condemns us without allowing any explanation — I fear this chills the hearts of loyal and brave

soldiers."

Zhu Yousong was taken aback. These words seemed to have some reason. But then he recalled —

no, how was it that Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu could hold Beiguan? By Liu Jianyi's account, it sounded as if they

were justified in abandoning and withdrawing from the pass cities?

Zhu Yousong, ignorant in military affairs, pondered and was about to speak when Lu Weiqi already barked sternly: "General

Liu, how dare you speak to the heir in such a tone? Do you still understand proper order and decorum?"

Wang Yinchang likewise rebuked him.

Liu Jianyi had no choice but to stand and cup his hands toward the heir Zhu Yousong: "Your humble officer spoke out of turn. I beg the heir to

punish me."

Zhu Yousong snorted. His small eyes glanced at Liu Jianyi. Even though he was ignorant in governance and military affairs,

he knew that under such circumstances with a powerful enemy pressing the city, he could not lightly punish men like Liu Jianyi. He swept his gaze across

the hall and said shrilly, "Why has Wang Dou and the others still not arrived?"

At the mention of Wang Dou, Wang Yinchang, who had been wearing a gloomy face, perked up. He cupped his hands toward the heir Zhu Yousong

and said: "Your Highness, your subordinate has already sent a messenger to Beiguan to request General Wang and General Chen to come discuss matters. Presumably

they will arrive shortly."

Zhu Yousong's expression eased, and he grunted in acknowledgment.

Lü Weiqi stroked his beard and smiled slightly: "With Generals Wang and Chen here, we can surely turn the tide and strike."

"Drive back the roving bandits."

"What Lord Lü says is most true."

The various officials in the hall all spoke up, and a burst of cheerful laughter and talk filled the hall.

Hearing the Luoyang officials praise Wang Dou and Chen Yongfu so highly, Liu Jianyi and Luo Tai exchanged a

glance, their faces both turning ugly.

Soon Henan Regional Commander Wang Shaoyu entered. Liu Jianyi and Luo Tai rose to greet him, exchanging

a few pleasantries with Wang Shaoyu. The Luoyang Garrison Commander and the four Chief Militia Leaders did the same.

In terms of elite quality, the recently formed militia troops and their military training could not compare with the

garrison troops of Luoyang. The fighting strength of the Luoyang garrison troops, in turn, could not compare with the mobile troops of Liu Jianyi and his men.

The mobile troops of Liu Jianyi and his men, in turn, could not compare with Wang Shaoyu's Main Army Battalion.

Although Wang Shaoyu's troops were nothing special in Wang Dou's eyes, to the Luoyang Garrison Commander and the four

Chief Militia Leaders, Wang Shaoyu's Main Army Battalion was an extraordinary presence. Not to mention that Wang Shaoyu was the Henan

Regional Commander, his official rank placed him here, making him the direct superior of the Luoyang Garrison Commander and his like.

Seeing Wang Shaoyu enter, Wang Yinchang's expression also softened, and he said to him: "Regional Commander Wang, you have come

just in time. Please, sit down quickly."

Wang Shaoyu, seeing the importance everyone placed on him, sat down contentedly at the head seat among the military officers.

Come.

At that moment, the gate officer came to report: "General Wang and Vice Regional Commander Chen have arrived."

"Excellent."

The heir Zhu Yousong rose straight to his feet: "I shall go out personally to welcome them."

He strode out, taking the lead.

Wang Yinchang and Lü Weiqi exchanged a glance, both smiling: "We shall also follow the heir out to welcome them."

"Indeed, indeed."

All the officials in the hall said, and a great dark mass of civil officials all followed the heir Zhu Yousong out.

Go.

Wang Shaoyu looked toward Liu Jianyi and Luo Tai, and saw that the faces of all three of them were twisted and contorted.

Wang Shaoyu cursed bitterly in his heart: "What's so great about them."

The three military officers had no choice but to follow out together.

※※※

Old White Ox:

Another chapter at 8 PM.

Haven't checked the subscription numbers for over a month, and found that the highest single-chapter subscription has already passed eight thousand. I wonder

when it will break ten thousand. This book is strange; the highest subscription is not in the first chapter, but in the second

chapter. How odd.

But over a month ago the average subscription was over five thousand three hundred, and it's still the same now, not budging

at all for a long time. That's also strange.

QQ keeps failing to log in, saying the password is wrong. Haven't been able to log in for almost a month. (To be

continued. If you wish to know what happens next, please log in to Qidian. More chapters, support the author.)