Chapter 430: The Instinct of Power

The matter of Xu Yue'e was a sensitive topic in the Eastern Route. The various commanders simply pretended not to know, feigning deafness and muteness, and did not discuss it.

Privately, each commander harbored worries — would this woman bring ill fortune to the Grand General? Only Qin Yi, the Staff Officer of the Central Army Division, disagreed, holding that the sage does not speak of strange forces and chaotic spirits, and that talk of inauspiciousness was pure nonsense. He believed that if the Grand General won this woman over, the Eastern Route would gain another strong arm, greatly benefiting future plans.

Wang Dou led the great army northward. When they entered Baoding Prefecture, Baoding Viceroy Yang Wenyue, Baoding Provincial Governor Xu Biao, Regional Commander Hu Dawei, and others came out to welcome them, paying their respects to Wang Dou with subordinate rites.

In terms of military rank, Wang Dou was General Who Subdues the Caitiffs — actually considered General of the Left Who Subdues the Caitiffs, because the Liaodong Regional Commander held the seal of "General of the Front Who Subdues the Caitiffs." Hu Dawei was General of the Front Who Subdues the West, making him equal in rank to Wang Dou.

However, Wang Dou had been enfeoffed as a Count. At this time, as a Count, all noble ranks in the Great Ming were of transcendent status — how could that be trivial? Even Baoding Viceroy Yang Wenyue, when meeting Wang Dou, had to perform the two-bow salute from the right, while Wang Dou merely needed to return the courtesy from the left.

Of course, many dukes, marquises, and counts enjoyed surface prestige, but if they held no real power in hand, many military chiefs, viceroys, and provincial governors would not take them seriously.

Still, everyone observed the outward proprieties, especially the Great Ming civil officials, renowned for their exhaustive attention to ritual.

Moreover, Wang Dou commanded a powerful army that drew the world's sidelong glances. No one was willing to offend such a man without necessity!

When he saw Hu Dawei, Wang Dou was very pleased. He and Hu Dawei had forged their bond fighting shoulder to shoulder in bloody battle at Julu. Besides, in the Zhenbao Garrison, had not Hu Dawei taken considerable care of Han Chao and Xu Yue'e? Hu Dawei was equally delighted. The young friend of former days had become the world-renowned Loyal and Valiant Count, General Who Subdues the Caitiffs. Though his thoughts were somewhat mixed, his happiness for Wang Dou was plain for all to see.

Hu Dawei, emulating Wang Dou, had also organized and trained two battalions of new troops. Baoding Viceroy Yang Wenyue was vigorously organizing and training a wagon battalion. If paired with Hu Dawei's cavalry and new troops, it would be quite formidable.

Of course, the wagon battalion was costly and slow-moving — that was one of its drawbacks.

In those years, Wang Dou had used wagon battalions. After his cavalry matured, he had rarely employed them.

Wang Dou stayed one night in the Baoding prefectural city. Yang Wenyue and the others were intent on cultivating ties with Wang Dou, and Wang Dou shared the same inclination. For a time, both host and guests were well pleased.

Leaving the Baoding prefectural city, Wang Dou again led his troops to Laishui.

……

That day, the Laishui Garrison Commander's official hall was packed to capacity, filled with laughter and cheerful talk. Not only Han Chao — all the commanders under Wang Dou who had accompanied the army on this campaign were present in full force: Xie Yike, Wen Fangliang, Sun Sanjie, Wen Daxing, Li Guangheng, Zhao Xuan, Gao Shiyin, Wu Zhengchun, Shen Shiqi, Gao Xun, Chi Dacheng, and others.

Wang Dou ordered a grand banquet laid out. Everyone ate and drank as they pleased. The Grand General had not held such a rank-free, relaxed, and joyful grand banquet in a long time, and for a while everyone was delighted.

Han Chao knew Wang Dou was fond of local delicacies from various regions, so the dishes served were all Laishui specialties. There were fat-lamb hotpot, fresh-fish hotpot, red-braised pork hock, spring chicken stew, farmhouse sausages, large vats of richly brewed mushroom soup, and more — accompanied by large platters of dumplings and big sesame flatbreads stuffed with meat. Everyone cried out in satisfaction.

Wen Fangliang was blissfully eating a flatbread stuffed with meat while ladling fresh-fish soup to drink. He exhaled comfortably and said with a smile to Han Chao, "Old Han, it's truly a pity you didn't get to eat Xinye's flat noodles — that's also a unique specialty."

Han Chao was by nature quiet and quite calculating. After some time apart, he had grown even more steady and composed. Now he smiled faintly and teased, "Old Wen, when did you switch to studying food? Weren't you most expert at trifling with young ladies?"

Not far from Han Chao sat Xie Yike, Gao Shiyin, and Shen Shiqi. The three had much the same eating style. Gao Shiyin clutched a red-braised pork hock in one hand and two large flatbreads in the other, taking a bite from the left and a bite from the right, eating with immense relish, the coarse flesh of his cheeks bulging high, his face gleaming with grease.

Shen Shiqi was likewise gripping an enormous hock, gnashing his teeth as he ate, his eyes staring fixedly ahead.

Xie Yike was somewhat more refined, clutching a large chunk of mutton and eating bitterly, all the while careful not to let grease spots stain his small mustache.

At this moment, hearing Han Chao's words, the three burst out laughing in unison. Their walking gaits were similar, and even their expressions when laughing heartily were quite alike.

Seeing their smiles, had a small child been present, it would surely have wept without ceasing.

Wen Fangliang pointed at the three and cursed, "You Three Crab Generals — your laughter is far too terrifying!"

He shook his head and sighed, "If a man is not amorous in youth, his youth is wasted. Though I am no longer young... as they say, awake, grasp the power of the realm; drunk, rest on a beauty's knees... Of course, 'awake, grasp the power of the realm' refers to the General. As for me, 'drunk, rest on a beauty's knees' will suffice."

In truth, he was an extremely astute man, decisive and possessed of great wisdom. But his outward manner was slick, and he appeared cynical and irreverent. Those who did not know him took him for a profligate son of privilege.

Shen Shiqi grinned mischievously, "Company Commander Wen's romantic fortune goes without saying..."

He turned toward Wang Dou, seeming to want to put on a fawning, sycophantic expression, but the coarse flesh of his face kept twitching, making it more frightening than weeping.

He flattered, "If we speak of romantic fortune, the Grand General must be counted foremost under heaven. The Second Madam is the foremost beauty of the Eastern Route... ahem, the foremost beauty under heaven — and has she not given her heart to the Grand General? Your humble commanders are far, far beneath you!"

Wang Dou pointed at him and laughed, scolding, "You brat, your bootlicking looks like you're about to cry — better not do it at all."

The crowd again roared with laughter. Shen Shiqi merely rubbed his head and grinned foolishly. His looks could rival Gao Shiyin's, but his temperament was even more violent and cruel. Yet before Wang Dou, he was as docile as a little cat.

Thereafter, everyone chatted and laughed, quite relaxed and content. During the banquet, Chi Dacheng still sat alone, expressionless. The man was rigid and prim, iron-faced and merciless — truly unlikable. Yet the Grand General valued him, and his position as Chief Garrison Supervisor remained secure and steady.

Sun Sanjie spoke softly with Zhao Xuan and Wu Zhengchun. He was rough-hewn in appearance, but his voice was like that of a delicate young actor, which often drew covert laughter. Though many meant no harm, it unintentionally wounded his sensitive heart. Wu Zhengchun was quiet and gentle, and Zhao Xuan cared only for his cannons. The three, in fact, got along better in conversation.

Gao Xun was somewhat aloof and proud, but he shared more common ground with Li Guangheng, and from time to time they discussed in low voices the use of cavalry or battle formations.

After the banquet, everyone took tea in the hall. The various company commanders and Central Army staff officers likewise took their seats. Han Chao reported to Wang Dou on the affairs of Laishui.

The Jia Division he commanded was stationed at Laishui, solely engaged in bandit suppression, not managing civil affairs and not disturbing the populace. Thus soldiers and civilians lived in peace, the gentry praised them, and there were frequent gestures to express gratitude to the troops. He had cultivated ties with the officers of Zijing Pass, Zhenbiancheng, Yanhekou, and other places, also achieving good results. Through infiltration and bribery, the retainers under each officer — even many of the men themselves — were Shunxiang Army soldiers in disguise.

Wang Dou nodded. Temporarily avoiding conflict with local military officers and gentry had yielded clear results. Places like Laishui were firmly controlled in his own hands. Moreover, with no bandit scourge locally, the common people could live and work in peace. Although harsh taxes and miscellaneous levies were just as numerous and the people were constantly bankrupted, compared to other places, it was far better.

And as soon as refugees appeared, they were sent into the territory of the Eastern Route. Laishui instead gave people a sense of clean and enlightened governance. The local county magistrate had unexpectedly gained a reputation for "outstanding administration" and was even more approving of Han Chao.

Regarding this, Baoding Viceroy Yang Wenyue was commendatory. The grain and pay allocated by the imperial court were all supplied to Han Chao's division as fully as possible. Of course, these grain and pay supplies were all transported into the territory of the Eastern Route, and the provisions needed by the Jia Division were then allocated from the Eastern Route.

Although Hu Dawei knew perfectly well what was going on, he had kept silent all along and never spoke of it openly.

Moreover, Han Chao further reported that not long ago, the imperial court, citing meritorious troop training by Yang Guozhu — General Who Guards the North and Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison — had granted him the title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. Ma Guoxi, the Eastern Route Military Defense Circuit, had governed with effective methods and likewise received an imperial decree of commendation. Also, Chen Jiugao, the Regional Commander Behind the Tombs, had already entered and garrisoned the cities of Liugou, Chadao, Yulin, and others.

Wang Dou's gaze was deep. In truth, he had long known this intelligence. Using the Night Scouts as a link, the territory of the Eastern Route had always maintained contact with him. Even a thousand li away, the affairs of the Eastern Route could not escape his eyes.

Wen Fangliang said, "Grand General, while the court openly commends Yang Guozhu and the others, covertly, it is not without intent to check and balance the General."

Staff Officer Qin Yi said, "This student believes the court is not deliberately targeting the General; this is an instinctive precaution. However, the Eastern Route is but a place where a hidden dragon rests in shallow waters. We must seize the entire Xuanfu Garrison before we can have the vast freedom of sea and sky."

Wang Dou nodded. Yang Guozhu was General Who Guards the North. In terms of military rank and assignment, he himself was General Who Subdues the Caitiffs and Regional Commander of Militia Training for Xuanfu Garrison, still subject to Yang Guozhu's command.

The title of Count sounded pleasing in name, but carried no real power — unless he himself were to hold the seal of "Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs." But to be enfeoffed as Grand General was perhaps even harder than obtaining the title of General Who Guards the North. That was a station held by men like Xu Da, Li Wenzhong, Chang Yuchun, and Lan Yu, who had been enfeoffed as Dukes and Marquises.

Once one reached Grand General, there were no further distinctions of Guard, Subdue, Pacify, and the like. Whether Grand General Who Subdues the Caitiffs, Grand General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs, or Grand General Who Guards the North, all were of equal rank. Since the Great Ming entered its middle period, only Ma Gui had been enfeoffed as Grand General for Coastal Defense Against the Wa. And there was also Qiu Luan, who was enfeoffed as Grand General Who Pacifies the Caitiffs, additionally granted Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and enfeoffed as Marquis of Xianning — enjoying glory and favor for a time.

Wang Dou believed the Emperor was not deliberately targeting him; it was purely an instinctive reaction of power. Nor was it wrong from the court's standpoint. Even if the Chongzhen Emperor favored him, with the Eastern Route right before his eyes, he would subconsciously guard against it.

However, Qin Yi was right: if one wished to accomplish great things, one could not be confined to the single territory of the Eastern Route.

He asked, "This Chen Jiugao — what is his background?"

Wen Daxing managed intelligence. He said, "Chen Jiugao — this man is of noble descent. Formerly Vice General of the Right Battalion of the Divine Mechanism Six Battalions, acting Assistant Commissioner-in-Chief. He is fond of empty formalities, fond of idle talk, fond of grand boasts. I hear he quite wins His Majesty's favor."

Wang Dou said, "Good."

This kind of person was easy to deal with. What sort of place was Liugou? A poor military fort — in later ages, a small mountain village under a rural township. At present, its walls were only three hundred and eighteen zhang in circumference. Together with Chadao Fortress and Yulin Fort, it fell under the jurisdiction of the Southern Mountain Route of Xuanfu Garrison, specifically tasked with guarding the imperial tombs.

The original Southern Mountain Assistant Regional Commander, Yu Gui, was on good terms with the various commanders of the Eastern Route and was privately regarded as a member of the Eastern Route. With this Chen Jiugao thrusting a pole in sideways, Yu Gui would be resentful in his heart — that would be strange indeed. Men of noble descent were always supercilious; it would be a wonder if he did not fall out with the local garrison commanders when the time came.

Moreover, coming from the dazzling, bustling world of the capital to the Southern Mountains — could he even get used to living there? So after hearing the intelligence, Wang Dou already did not take this man to heart.

Once the great army reached Laishui, it was in fact not far from the Eastern Route. Because they would soon be setting out on campaign to Liaodong, Wang Dou planned to leave the cannons and a portion of the provisions at Laishui — roughly one month's rations for an army of ten thousand men. The provisions for men and horses amounted to about ten thousand dan.

After all, returning to the Eastern Route now meant crossing mountains and ridges, passing Juyong Pass, climbing Badaling, and so on — quite inconvenient. With a part of the Jingbian Army at Laishui, there would be no need to wear themselves out going back and forth.

The remaining several tens of thousands of dan of provisions, three hundred thousand taels of silver, along with horses and mules, would be transported back to the Eastern Route.