Chapter 431: Too Mighty and Majestic

Han Chao agreed, but then he made a request to Wang Dou: "Grand General, when you campaign in Liaodong, I request to follow."

For a moment, the eyes of everyone in the hall turned toward Wang Dou. The Jingbian Army valued military merit above all. The officers who had campaigned against the roving bandits could see that upon returning to the Eastern Route, every man would be promoted. Those officers who had not gone on campaign could not help but harbor their own thoughts. On this coming Liaodong campaign, whom would the Grand General summon to go?

But Wang Dou knew that Han Chao's reason for wanting to campaign, besides military merit, was his bone-deep hatred for the Qing soldiers and his desire to avenge his younger brother Han Zhong.

Wang Dou pondered silently. He had been promoted to Regional Commander, and upon returning to the Eastern Route, he would have to begin establishing the new battalion system. Han Chao was the senior general of the Jia Division, and indeed he could not be left stationed at Laishui forever.

He said, "I have my own plan for this matter. For now, remain at Laishui at ease and await the dispatch from the Staff Department."

Han Chao's eyes showed delight, and he respectfully assented.

In the middle of the fourth month of the fourteenth year of Chongzhen, at Yongning City on the Eastern Route of Xuanfu Garrison.

In a Buddhist chapel within the General's residence, Xie Yike was praying: "Greatly merciful and compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva, your disciple prays with a sincere heart, hoping the General will have a safe journey. If there are calamities, your disciple is willing to bear them in his stead. Your disciple is willing to forfeit ten years of life in exchange for the General's safe return home, safe and sound..."

She gazed at the Buddha image above. The benevolent-looking Bodhisattva gave her more hope and courage. She continued her prayer: "Greatly merciful Bodhisattva, compassionate and great Guanyin Bodhisattva, please accept your disciple's most sincere supplication. Compassionate and great Guanyin Bodhisattva, please accept my most sincere supplication..."

After finishing her prayer, Xie Yike bowed reverently once more, feeling her heart grow much calmer. She left the chapel, and her personal maid Chun Chun came bounding over in delight, saying rapidly, "Lady Countess, Lady Countess, the General has returned! I heard from Brother Yang in the residence that the General's troops have already passed Badaling and will soon be back in Yongning!"

This maid was named Chun Chun — a pleasant-sounding name, but the girl herself was big-boned and sturdy, with large hands and feet. Most of the maids in the General's residence were like this. They were mostly family members of Jingbian Army soldiers, many of them broad-shouldered and thick-waisted. What Wang Dou valued was their loyalty and reliability; he paid no mind to their individual appearances.

To be chosen to serve in the General's residence was an honor. They had not sold themselves into servitude — it was more akin to a guard post, a job. Working in the residence not only brought generous monthly wages but also an uncommon status. Even a lowly maid was not someone others dared look down upon.

The "Brother Yang" Chun Chun mentioned was the former Night Scout soldier Yang Hu, Master Hu. Favored by Wang Dou, he had been promoted to Guard Company Commander and was now charged with protecting the General's residence. The aloof and proud air he carried greatly attracted the gazes of some maids, and Chun Chun was one of Yang Hu's admirers — she had been constantly urging Xie Yike to have Brother Yang marry her.

Hearing this news, Xie Yike stumbled and nearly lost her footing. Shocked and overjoyed, she said, "Truly?"

She turned back and bowed several more times toward the chapel: "Many thanks to the Bodhisattva for answering my prayer, many thanks to the Bodhisattva for answering my prayer."

Leading Chun Chun, she went excitedly to find Lady Zhong.

At that moment, Lady Zhong emerged surrounded by a cluster of serving women and maids. The crowd gathered around Lady Zhong and said in a continuous stream: "Congratulations, Grand Lady Countess, you shall soon see the General."

Lady Zhong's eyes glistened with tears as she murmured: "That rascal of a boy, home at last."

Just then Xie Yike, Ji Junjiao, and the other women arrived. Xie Yike was beside herself with joy and supported Lady Zhong, saying: "Mother, the Bodhisattva has answered my prayer. The General has truly returned."

Lady Zhong smiled and nodded, but Ji Junjiao let out a laugh and said: "Sister, the Grand General's victorious return relies on strong armor and sharp weapons, on strategy and planning — not on some Bodhisattva answering prayers."

Xie Yike gave a little cry, pressed her palms together, and said rapidly: "Avert all taboos, avert all taboos — Bodhisattva, take no offense."

Ji Junjiao shook her head slightly, her beautiful eyes showing a dazed longing. In her heart she whispered: "My man, you have finally come back."...

Just as everyone in the hall was rejoicing and talking animatedly, news soon reached each of them, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly chilled.

Lady Zhong frowned: "What? Dou's army has diverted to Baoan — he wants to go first to Shunxiang Fort to pay homage to the fallen soldiers?"

She looked at the disappointed faces around her and said: "Going first to the Shrine of Honored Loyalty to pay homage to the soldiers is the right thing to do. We shall wait a little longer. In any case, once that rascal reaches the Eastern Route, we will see him soon enough."

"Home at last."

Wang Dou led the great army straight past Badaling, then past Chadao City. Chadao City had a circumference of just over two li, built on flat ground, a few li from Badaling. It served as a screen for the Badaling pass city and fell under the jurisdiction of the Southern Mountain Route of Xuanfu Garrison, defended by a single Garrison Commander.

Once past Chadao City, the Huailai Basin lay before them.

Gazing at the familiar scenery before his eyes, Wang Dou murmured: "It's so good to be home."

When he had led the great army north and entered the boundaries of the capital region, the entire Jingji area had been stirred, with spectators gathering like the tide.

When they reached Lugou Bridge, officials of the capital, led by Grand Secretaries Fan Fucui, Li Rixuan, Chen Xinjia, and others, came out in grand force to welcome and feast them. Another imperial edict of commendation was issued, bestowing gold coins, silks, and cloth.

The imperial edict stated that the Loyal and Brave Count had toiled on campaign and should return to the Eastern Route as soon as possible to rest and reorganize. When the time came to campaign in Liaodong, the Emperor would personally review the expeditionary army and host a banquet to bid the Loyal and Brave Count a heroic farewell.

Wang Dou did not linger long near the capital region, and finally, in the middle of the fourth month, he returned to the Eastern Route.

Indeed, not far past Chadao City, one was already on the Eastern Route.

A few li beyond Chadao City on the Eastern Route, a huge stone stele had been erected. On it, in bold, sweeping calligraphy, were the large characters: "Imperial Ming, Xuanfu Garrison, Huailong Circuit, Eastern Route."

The calligraphy was powerful and vigorous, bearing the manner of a great master. Wang Dou had invited the Provincial Governor of Xuanfu Garrison, Ji Shiwei, to write it. Beside the stele was a large group of monumental stone sculptures, all depicting soldiers of the Shunxiang Army — some shouting battle cries, some fighting fiercely, some gazing in silent contemplation — filled with an infectious power that made one's blood boil.

Beside the stele and the sculpture group ran a flat, straight road, paved with sand and gravel mixed with some lime-mortar slurry, giving the road surface a solid and durable appearance. The road was broad, allowing several horse-drawn carts to travel abreast. The center was slightly raised, with drainage ditches on both sides. Trees lined the roadside. Every few li, there was a small pavilion for travelers to rest.

Not far to the northeast were the mountains. Along the mountainside, a vast complex of refugee reception camps had been built. Whenever refugees entered the territory, they were quarantined and examined here. After recuperating, they were assigned one by one to various parts of the Eastern Route. The reception system was orderly and methodical.

Everyone who saw this scene for the first time felt as if their eyes and ears had been refreshed, sensing an unprecedented boldness of vision sweeping over them.

Among the great army were still some soldiers, civilians, and gentry from Xiangyang Prefecture who had followed the army north. Some had persevered, while others had dispersed along the way. Now, beholding this scene, all were extremely excited: "The lands of the Eastern Route indeed have a wholly different atmosphere. The moment one enters the territory, one truly feels as if one has found the Peach Blossom Spring."

Many people also sighed with emotion as they looked at the official road — this road was truly excellent.

Official roads throughout the Great Ming had long fallen into disrepair. Especially in the north, the roads were not only full of potholes, but over time had accumulated thick layers of mud, sand, and dust. On dry days, sand and soil buried one's feet and dust covered one's face; on rainy days, mud filled the roads and there was nowhere to step. How could they compare to the Eastern Route's official roads, which were excellent to travel on whether sunny or rainy?

Seeing the Xiangyang scholars and commoners react this way, the Jingbian Army soldiers beside them could not help but feel proud. This was their home — the Eastern Route! The place that haunted everyone's dreams.

Advancing along the flat official road, with dense wheat fields on both sides, the Xiangyang scholars and commoners clicked their tongues in wonder again. Like everywhere else in the Great Ming, the Eastern Route also suffered from drought. What set it apart was that the water conservancy facilities here were thorough and complete, and the organizational strength of the populace was exceptionally robust.

Many sighed with emotion. Although the water resources here were not as abundant as in the south, with these irrigation wells, waterwheels, canals, and ponds, filling one's belly was no problem at all. In these times, to have enough to eat and warm clothes to wear — that was the promised land in everyone's heart. The people's resolve grew firmer; they made up their minds to settle down on the Eastern Route, and even, given the chance, to bring their families over and make this place their new home....

The great army marched to a point not far from Yulin Fort. At the edge of Yulin Fort, the official road would split in two — one branch going to Yanqing and Yongning, the other to Huailai and Baoan.

Scout riders had long since come to report: Huailong Military Defense Circuit Intendant Ma Guoxi, Yanqing Department Magistrate Wu Zhi, Yanqing Department Garrison Commander Li Jinsheng, Huailai Garrison Commander Huang Changyi, Baoan Guard City Garrison Commander Xu Zucheng, Yongning City Garrison Commander Wang Yide, Baoan Department City Garrison Commander Zhong Diaoyang, along with over a hundred thousand commoners, were all waiting to welcome them near the crossroads.

Southern Mountain Route Assistant Regional Commander Yu Gui was also among the welcoming crowd. The newly appointed Linghou Regional Commander Chen Jiugao had not appeared; it was said he was currently fuming in the small town of Liugou, angry at Yu Gui and the others for their slighting of him.

Also present were the various Jingbian Army officers who had remained behind: Zhong Xiancai, Yang Guodong, Lei Xianbin, Huang Yujin, and Yin Yijin — all were there waiting to welcome them.

Wang Dou's heart was full of anticipation. He urged his mount forward, and soon he saw the dense mass of people ahead, stretching boundlessly — no one knew how many had gathered.

When they saw Wang Dou's great banner, the entire crowd stirred, and cheers rose like the tide: "Loyal and Brave Count! Grand General!"

"Loyal and Brave Count! Grand General!"

Watching the surging heads, the waving arms, the excited crowd, Wang Dou's eyes grew moist. Riding on horseback, he waved to the crowd in greeting, drawing even greater roars like a tidal sea, heads surging forward.

Amid the cheers, Wang Dou arrived at the front. Whether Ma Guoxi, Wu Zhi, or any of the other officials and officers, all knelt together: "We pay our respects to the Loyal and Brave Count."

Wang Dou looked at each of them and after a long moment said: "Please rise!"

The group rose. Military Defense Circuit Intendant Ma Guoxi was still the same — square-faced and large-eared, with a long beard reaching his chest, a gentle smile on his face. After climbing to his feet, he showed not the slightest awkwardness or disappointment at greeting Wang Dou with the ceremony of a subordinate official. He flicked his bright red official robe and, in his thick Jinan accent, praised: "The Loyal and Brave Count has slain the bandit Xian and achieved a merit unparalleled in our time. This humble official congratulates the Grand General, congratulates the Loyal and Brave Count."

Wang Dou smiled faintly: "Congratulate our Great Ming!"

Wang Dou looked toward Zhong Xiancai, Lei Xianbin, and the others who had remained behind. It was clear that Zhong Xiancai had grown much thinner. He gazed at Wang Dou with excitement, then suddenly raised his arm high, his soft, fine voice rising sharply as he cried: "Grand General — ten thousand victories!"

First the Jingbian Army soldiers roared in response, then the sound ignited the excited crowd. The field boiled over as countless people took up the cry, until finally it merged into one: "Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories! Ten thousand victories!"

As the mountain-toppling, sea-churning sound rose wave upon wave, Ma Guoxi's smile grew somewhat stiff. Yanqing Department Magistrate Wu's facial muscles twitched. Yanqing Department Garrison Commander Li Jinsheng, Huailai Garrison Commander Huang Changyi, Baoan Guard City Garrison Commander Xu Zucheng, Yongning City Garrison Commander Wang Yide, and the others all felt a shared glory, feeling that this journey had not been in vain.

Assistant Regional Commander of the Nanshan Road, Yu Gui, grinned from ear to ear, while many of the Xiangyang scholars and commoners accompanying the army had tears welling in their eyes — it was simply too awe-inspiring.

A Xiangyang scholar said joyfully, “Our lord is truly a hero among men.”