Chapter 463: The Ningyuan Dispute (Part Two)

After Hong Chengchou took his seat, he invited Wang Chengen, Zhang Ruoqi, and Wang Dou to say a few words as well.

Wang Chengen, as a palace eunuch and the Emperor’s favored Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, could directly memorialize the throne, controlled grain supply and merit verification, and supervised the courage and timidity of the various armies — his power and influence were immense. Both Wang Dou and Zhang Ruoqi deferred, letting the eunuch speak first.

Wang Chengen rose with a smile and said, “I have nothing special to say. Entrusted with a heavy charge by His Majesty, I shall certainly not fail the imperial grace. Grain and fodder transport will be supervised into place; the frontline soldiers shall not lack food or clothing. For those who render meritorious service, I will verify it on the spot, so that no meritorious officer or soldier feels chilled. Of course, should any dare to shrink back in fear and fail to fight wholeheartedly for the realm, then do not blame me for being merciless. In a word, everything is for victory in Liaodong.”

Wang Chengen’s words left a deep impression on everyone present. Though he spoke amiably, the grim intent beneath his words was unmistakable to all. It seemed that to rise high, one absolutely could not afford to offend this man. Seeing this outwardly genial but inwardly deep and coldly severe Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the many officers present all added him to the list of people they needed to curry favor with.

Zhang Ruoqi stroked his impeccably neat beard, appearing to greatly admire Wang Chengen’s words, nodding and smiling from time to time. After Wang Chengen finished, he smiled and said to Wang Dou, “At today’s grand feast, would the Loyal and Brave Count care to say a few words to bolster our army’s prestige and morale?”

Wang Dou laughed heartily and said, “Just now Viceroy Hong and Eunuch Wang have already spoken at length. This count will not make a fool of himself. Let Army Supervisor Zhang speak instead — Dou will listen with respectful attention.”

Zhang Ruoqi demurred a few times, then also rose and said, “The imperial armies are massed in Liaodong. The troops’ morale is serviceable. In my humble opinion, we should strike while their edge is sharp, to settle the victory in Liaodong! Thus, below we shall not fail the people’s expectations, and above we shall not fail the earnest trust His Majesty and the various lords have placed in us.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the various Liaodong officers and Hong Chengchou’s trusted aide Xie Sixin and others all changed countenance. Only Hong Chengchou sat smiling, his expression unchanged.

Zhang Ruoqi spoke at great length. He represented the court and the intent of Minister of War Chen Xinjia, and everyone was very obliging.

Thereafter the hall was filled with harmony, as everyone drank heartily from large cups and bowls. The Liaodong and reinforcing generals in particular were mostly rough-looking military men. They shouted noisily, competing and challenging each other to drink, filling the hall with a clamorous din.

In such settings, Wang Pu was always in his element. Before entering Ningyuan, he had been muttering complaints about the various Liaodong generals, but now he was laughing and chatting amiably with Wu Sangui, Bai Guangen, Ma Ke, Zu Dale, Liu Zhaoji, and others, toasting each other — where was the slightest trace of ill feeling?

Fu Yingchong, Vice General of the Shenji Battalion’s Forward Camp, had his arm around the neck of Miyun Regional Commander Tang Tong, and from time to time they let out low chuckles, though no one knew what amusing matters they were discussing.

The various military men abandoned themselves to revelry, banging their wine bowls with a clatter. By comparison, Wang Dou’s table was rather dull.

Viceroy Hong Chengchou was a refined man. Liaodong Provincial Governor Qiu Minyang appeared rather stern and rigid — as expected of someone from a censor background, he was indeed rather cold. There were also Military Defense Circuit Intendant Cai Maode, Zhang Dou, and others at the same table. They discussed poetry and ci meters — how could Wang Dou understand any of that?

Moreover, before anyone spoke, they first had to sing the praises of His Majesty and the court, and only then would they raise their cups and take a small sip. No one dared to challenge others to drink or compete in drinking, which made it a bit stifling.

Of course, they were still extremely courteous to Wang Dou. Led by Hong Chengchou, they would occasionally bring up military matters and discuss them with Wang Dou, so that he would not feel neglected.

During the banquet, Wang Dou noticed an interesting person — that Right Assistant Administration Commissioner of the Ningqian Military Defense Circuit, still bearing a one-rank demotion, Cai Maode, who looked as if a gust of wind could blow him over. He sat silently the whole time, eating only vegetable dishes and no meat at all. Judging by his seated posture, he seemed to be practicing meditation right there at the table.

Wang Dou knew a little about Cai Maode. He had heard that both his parents kept the Buddhist precepts, and Cai Maode had been influenced from childhood, carrying on the family learning. In daily life he disciplined himself like an ascetic mendicant monk — and it certainly appeared to be true.

Perhaps from years of vegetarianism, Cai Maode appeared extremely frail and thin. Someone had once submitted a memorial saying he was too bookish and weak, unfit for the heavy responsibility of frontier defense. But because he knew how to recognize and employ talent and was versed in military matters, the Emperor trusted him deeply, so Cai Maode’s official career had gone very well. Historically, Cai Maode would serve all the way up to Provincial Governor of Shanxi.

Cai Maode ate his vegetables in silence. Seeing that Wang Dou seemed to be paying him close attention, he nodded slightly to Wang Dou and said, “Is the Loyal and Brave Count fond of Buddhist studies?”

His speech carried a slight accent from Kunshan in Nanzhili.

Before Wang Dou could reply, Liaodong Provincial Governor Qiu Minyang had already shot him a displeased look. The Master said, “The gentleman does not speak of strange forces and disorderly spirits” — to bring this up at a banquet? And to a great general like the Loyal and Brave Count?

Military Defense Circuit Intendant Zhang Dou, a man of wit, laughed and said, “Weili, the Buddhists speak of not taking life. Are you not addressing the wrong person by discussing Buddhist learning with the Loyal and Brave Count, a general steeped in bloody battle?”

The officials all laughed. Cai Maode shook his head and said, “Buddhism speaks of compassion and mercy, yet it also speaks of wrathful vajra guardians who slay demons and vanquish evil.”

Seeing Cai Maode looking at him, Wang Dou pondered for a long moment and said, “Religion is vast and profound, not something Dou can clarify in a few words. However, religion has considerable subtle utility in stabilizing the populace and soothing people’s hearts. We dwell in a boundless universe and are ignorant of many matters. Ignorance breeds fear; fear leads us to ponder and seek out causes and effects. When we cannot find them, we become lost and confused. In this, Buddhist and other teachings have their use. Deliver yourself and deliver others; when the heart is at peace, the world is at peace.”

Wang Dou’s words made everyone at the table look at him with surprise. They had not expected a military man to possess such insight.

Hong Chengchou gave Wang Dou a deep look and stroked his beard in thought.

Cai Maode praised him greatly: “Wonderful! The Loyal and Brave Count’s words are most wonderful! Between life and death there is great terror. Many people fear utter darkness after death, not realizing that darkness is right before their eyes. They all say the matter of life and death is momentous, yet they do not understand the instantaneous transmigration between life and death.”

Cai Maode seemed to have found a kindred spirit, and he began discussing life and death with Wang Dou, to the silent chagrin of the others present.

Just as they were getting into it, two great generals came over carrying wine bowls — it was Shanxi Regional Commander Li Fuming and Auxiliary-Pacification Regional Commander Zuo Guangxian.

Li Fuming was about the same age as Yang Guozhu. His square face was etched with wind, frost, snow, and rain, and his bearing was quite bold and forthright. He came before Wang Dou, laughed heartily, and said, “I have long heard of the Loyal and Brave Count’s great name, but regretted never meeting you. Now that we meet today, we must by all means drink several cups to our hearts’ content!”

Zuo Guangxian, his face a wild tangle of whiskers and his build extremely burly, also said in a thunderous voice, “Quite right, quite right. The Loyal and Brave Count must give us face. Today we shall not return until we are drunk.”

Wang Dou stood up and smiled. “How could I trouble General Li and General Zuo to come over? It should be Dou going over to offer you wine.”

Li Fuming and Zuo Guangxian, seeing that the world-renowned Loyal and Brave Count was so amiable and gave them such face, were both greatly pleased and laughed, “Then let us drink together.”

Li Fuming had originally been a subordinate of Zu Kuan and was a Liaodong man, but since going to the Shanxi Garrison, he had inevitably grown somewhat distant from the various Liaodong generals.

Like Auxiliary-Pacification Regional Commander Zuo Guangxian, he was a great general who had come out beyond the passes with Hong Chengchou after Hong was appointed Viceroy of Jiliao. Zuo Guangxian, however, had originally served under the Qin Army and spoke with a thick Shaanxi accent, renowned for his fierce valor.

Even as they spoke, another large group of great generals came over — it was Liaodong Regional Commander Liu Zhaoji, Ningyuan Regional Commander Wu Sangui, the great Liaodong general Zu Dale, East-Coordination Regional Commander Meng Dao, and others, followed by a large crowd of officers, all coming to offer wine to Wang Dou.

Seeing Wu Sangui approach, Viceroy of Jiliao Hong Chengchou and Liaodong Provincial Governor Qiu Minyang showed smiles on their faces. Hong Chengchou even rose and laughed, “Changbo, have you come to offer wine to the Loyal and Brave Count?”

Wu Sangui saluted and said, “In reply to the Viceroy, precisely so.”

Hong Chengchou stroked his beard and smiled. “As it should be. The Loyal and Brave Count is outstanding in commanding troops and fighting battles. Changbo, you are uniquely gifted in strategy, incorruptible, and surpassingly brave — also an outstanding talent of our Liaodong. You two should draw closer together.”

Wu Sangui saluted again and said, “The Viceroy’s instruction is correct. Sangui thinks the same.”

Zu Dale laughed heartily. “Xuan Garrison has its outstanding talents, and our Liaodong also has its outstanding talents. In the future, this world will belong to you young men.”

Zu Dale was at this time the cousin of Zu Dashou. The three brothers Zu Dashou, Zu Dale, and Zu Dabi were all great Liaodong generals. The Zu family had been a prominent Liaodong clan for generations, wielding enormous influence. Zu Dale was also a senior to Wu Sangui, and in his words he vigorously backed Wu Sangui.

Hearing Zu Dale speak thus, the crowd behind him all echoed in agreement. Only Liaodong Regional Commander Liu Zhaoji smiled and said nothing.

Wang Dou looked at Wu Sangui — still that fair and handsome face, the bearing of an aristocratic scion fully evident. Judging by the crowd’s manner, they seemed to regard him as their leader, and many even spoke with a fawning tone. Beside him, Viceroy of Jiliao Hong Chengchou and Liaodong Provincial Governor Qiu Minyang also showed genuine fondness for Wu Sangui, praising him repeatedly in their words.

“He’s certainly good at winning people over.”

This thought flashed through Wang Dou’s mind. According to the intelligence he had received, after Wu Sangui assumed the post of Ningyuan Militia Regional Commander, with Hong Chengchou’s support he vigorously trained troops. In two years, he trained twenty thousand Liaodong soldiers, all combat-effective. Together with his father Wu Xiang, he also trained a force of Wu family retainers, including two thousand elite cavalry, organized into forty squads of fifty riders each, each squad under a cavalry commander.

Wu Sangui wrote the names of these cavalry commanders on bamboo slips and normally kept them tucked in his boot shaft. In an emergency, he would casually pull a slip from his boot, call out a cavalry commander’s name, and that commander would immediately lead his cavalry squad to follow him in charging and breaking the enemy lines, unstoppable in every engagement.

Moreover, Wu Sangui was also quite skilled in battle. In the thirteenth year of Chongzhen, after the Qing troops besieged Jinzhou, whether in the encounter battle at Jiama Mountain, the surprise raid on the Qing Bordered Blue Banner camp, or the ambush at Wudao Ridge, he repeatedly delivered outstanding performances.

Especially in the fourteenth year of Chongzhen, when Qing cavalry swarmed everywhere around Jinzhou and Songshan with particularly rampant momentum, and Jinzhou ran short of grain and fodder, the various grain transport officers were terrified of the enemy and dared not go. Wu Sangui volunteered, using the ploy of the New Year holiday to catch them off guard and deliver the grain.

On the second and third days of the first month, he used 3,400 ox, mule, and donkey carts loaded with 15,000 dan of rice, safely evaded Qing surveillance, and transported the grain to Jinzhou. Afterward, he returned empty-carted safely to Ningyuan without encountering any alert or the slightest mishap, earning great praise from Viceroy of Jiliao Hong Chengchou and Liaodong Provincial Governor Qiu Minyang.

Everyone believed that Wu Sangui’s risking himself to supervise grain transport showed his courage and strategic vision far surpassed the other officers, that he applied himself sincerely to his duties, and that his loyalty could scorch the sun.

With the full support of his father Wu Xiang and his maternal uncle Zu Dashou, and with Wu Sangui himself being extremely adept at social relations — generous with wealth, courteous to men of talent, amiable to all, and free of the arrogance typical of famous lineages — he was highly regarded by officers and officials throughout Liaodong.

Wu Sangui was also extremely skilled at currying connections. When Gao Qiqian served as Army Supervisor in Liaodong, Wu Sangui acknowledged him as his adoptive father. When Fang Yizao served as Provincial Governor of Liaodong, Wu Sangui became sworn brothers with Fang’s son Fang Guangchen. After Hong Chengchou took command in Liaodong, he quickly became close friends with Hong Chengchou’s trusted aide Xie Sixin. With such shrewdness and astuteness, it would have been hard for him not to rise.

Looking at Viceroy of Jiliao Hong Chengchou beside him, the expression of reliance on him was obvious.

By comparison, Liu Zhaoji, the Liaodong Regional Commander, was in a somewhat awkward position. In terms of backing and prestige, he could not compare with Wu Sangui. In fact, Hong Chengchou was already considering dismissing Liu Zhaoji and replacing him with Wu Sangui as Liaodong Regional Commander.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)