Chapter 554: The Great Decisive Battle (Part 1)

On the morning of the seventeenth day of the ninth month, in the fourteenth year of the Chongzhen reign...

The weather was somewhat overcast and cold, the north wind gusting one after another. On the road from Songshan Fort to Mount Shimen, a group of swift horses came galloping through the dust.

This party of riders hurried along through the windblown dust, hooves clattering. The several generals at the front were none other than Ningyuan Regional Commander Wu Sangui, Shanhai Pass Regional Commander Ma Ke, and Miyun Regional Commander Tang Tong.

Tang Tong looked weary, his former slick and dandified image long gone. Ma Ke's face was even more ashen gray. Only Wu Sangui sat ramrod straight in the saddle, the north wind now and then whipping his thick velvet sable-lined silk cloak.

The withdrawal of the Qing troops from the north bank of the Rufeng Mountain and Nüer River had drawn intense attention from the Ming army. Every sign confirmed that the Qing forces were about to launch a major offensive against the Ming army in the near future.

How should the imperial army respond? Should they seize this moment to force a decisive battle with the Qing? With the Emperor's edict urging action, perhaps this very day, Hong Chengchou and the others would have to decide whether to fight or to stand off.

Their mounts snorted white plumes of breath. Ma Ke hunched his neck. All along the way, he had been expressionless, barely uttering a word. Though his spirit seemed wilted, his puffy triangular eyes still flickered with a serpentine, cold and sinister gleam.

Ever since the Battle of Mount Shimen, Ma Ke had been in a foul mood. Although he had been commended repeatedly by Hong Chengchou and others for fighting hard, the Shanhai army had suffered severe losses, morale was low, and the grumbling of his various officers constantly vexed and unsettled him.

In that day's river-crossing battle, Ma Ke and Tang Tong had crossed the river simultaneously. Just as the main army was reaching the opposite bank, Liu Zhiyuan, the Han army Gushan Ezhen left to hold the position, opened fire fiercely with twenty "Divine Might Grand General" cannons. The Shanhai army was nearly shattered by the artillery barrage and had to retreat in haste.

Tang Tong's Miyun army was also besieged on the north bank by the Manchu and Mongol armored cavalry. They formed defensive formations to protect themselves, and only thanks to Wu Sangui's rescue did they manage to withdraw by the narrowest of margins.

In the subsequent battles along the Xiaoling River, Wu Sangui's Ningyuan army took the lead. Ma Ke and Tang Tong were relegated to the bottom of the roster, essentially playing supporting roles. Yet Wu Sangui was no ordinary man; he led his troops charging at the forefront, and whenever there was a fight, he never forgot Ma and Tang.

Given Wu Sangui's deeply entrenched power in Liaodong, the two could hardly defy him. The various battalions of both garrisons took turns going into battle, locked in a grinding stalemate with the Qing forces on both banks of the Xiaoling River. Yet for over a month, the fighting had made no progress. The officers and men of both garrisons were utterly exhausted in body and spirit, and complaints were rife.

Now, with a decisive battle looming, once the great clash began, disaster was more likely than survival. Neither Ma nor Tang had any confidence in what the future held. Only Wu Sangui was brimming with confidence. He gazed at the clouded sky, full of faith that he would lift the siege of Jinzhou and rescue his uncle, Zu Dashou.

The swift horses swept past like a gale chasing scattered clouds and soon arrived at the Viceroy's headquarters at Songshan Fort.

By this time, many officers had already arrived, such as Reinforcement Regional Commander Zuo Guangxian, Liaodong Regional Commander Liu Zhaoji, and Coordinating Defense Regional Commander Meng Dao, among others. Amid the sound of music and drums, a steady stream of high-ranking civil and military officials continued to enter the headquarters gate, taking seats or standing in the main hall according to their rank.

The Viceroy of Ji-Liao, Hong Chengchou, had not made his usual grand entrance last. Instead, he was already seated early in his chair, deep in thought. Beside him were Army Supervisor Zhang Ruoqi, Wang Chengen, and the Imperial Envoy Wang Dehua, who were conversing sporadically.

Seeing Ma Ke, Tang Tong, Wu Sangui, and the others arrive and come forward to pay their respects, a smile appeared on Hong Chengchou's face. He spoke a few warm words of praise to Ma Ke and Tang Tong, then looked at Wu Sangui and said, "Changbo, the great battle is at hand. This is a fine opportunity for us to serve the dynasty. A heroic figure like you has great prospects."

His words carried a deeply meaningful undertone. Wu Sangui saluted solemnly and said, "Many thanks for Viceroy Hong's instruction. Sangui understands."

The perils of war meant that a great battle signified danger, but it also signified a golden opportunity to advance one's fortunes. Yang Guozhu's enfeoffment as Count, in particular, had given many people hope, and Wu Sangui was no exception.

Since the Battle of Mount Shimen, his army's performance had been outstanding. With the backing of the Liaodong powerful families internally and the support of Hong Chengchou and others externally, perhaps after the great battle for Jinzhou concluded, he would have a very good chance to climb even higher.

Seeing Hong Chengchou so cordial and expectant toward Wu Sangui, a flash of jealousy passed through Ma Ke's eyes. He glanced around the hall again. Most of the Liaodong civil officials and military officers had arrived; only the officers and officials of Wang Dou's faction were still nowhere to be seen.

He gave a cold snort. This Wang Dou was putting on more and more airs. His heart burned with envy and hatred. He had spent his entire life on the battlefield and hadn't even been granted a Count. What virtue or ability did this kid have that he might even be enfeoffed as a Marquis?

When Wang Dehua had read the imperial edict that day, Ma Ke had listened nearby. He could scarcely believe his own ears. Wang Dou had suddenly become the Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, General of Pacifying the North, and Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison. Not only in noble rank, but even in military post and appointment, he now stood at the head of all the generals.

Now, everywhere in Songshan, people were discussing the possibility of Wang Dou being enfeoffed as a Marquis, along with Yang Guozhu being enfeoffed as a Count.

Whenever he heard such talk, he felt his face burn with shame. The resentment and injustice in his heart could not be washed away even by the waters of the Nine Rivers. What was especially galling was that Wang Dou had now been appointed Grand Marshal of the Reinforcement Army, giving him the legitimate authority to command the troops of the Shanhai army.

Ma Ke had also heard rumors that Wang Dou had not only brought nearly twenty thousand elite troops to the Liaodong campaign, but also had a detached force pressing in from beyond the frontier, numbering as high as a hundred thousand men.

Upon hearing this news, Ma Ke was terrified and bewildered. No matter how he racked his brains, he could not figure out where Wang Dou had gotten so many soldiers. No wonder the Emperor valued him more and more.

In the Viceroy's main hall, the civil and military officials arriving for the council grew ever more numerous. Army Supervisor Zhang Ruoqi sat in his seat, stroking his long beard, somewhat distracted.

From the letters he had recently received from the capital and various other sources of information, the Emperor's resolve was already set. Under pressure from all sides, the Minister of War, Master Chen, had also shifted his stance toward a decisive battle. Viceroy Hong Chengchou dared not disobey even the Minister of War's orders, so how could he dare defy an imperial edict? Thus, as soon as the Emperor's edict arrived the day before yesterday, they too had quickly changed their attitude. It was just that...

Wang Dou's stance remained unclear. After the edict that day, whether it was Hong Chengchou, Zhang Ruoqi, Wang Dehua, Yang Guozhu, or others, all had visited Wang Dou, either openly or discreetly, making veiled inquiries to probe his attitude. Yet Wang Dou had not revealed the slightest hint, only saying that they would know at the council.

This left Zhang Ruoqi feeling deeply uneasy. For him, the sole purpose of his coming to Liaodong was to carry out the will of the Minister of War, Chen Xinjia.

It was because of Chen Xinjia that he had boarded the same boat as Wang Dou. Now that the Minister of War was leaning toward a decisive battle, if Wang Dou still insisted on a standoff, what was he supposed to do?

After Wang Dou became the Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison, and with his father-in-law becoming the Viceroy of Xuan-Da, Datong Regional Commander Wang Pu and Shanxi Regional Commander Li Fuming had immediately gravitated toward Wang Dou. Although Yang Guozhu had been enfeoffed as a Count, he still seemed to regard Wang Dou as the leader. The same was true for Fu Yingchong, the Vice General of the Forward Battalion of the Divine Machine Brigade.

Needless to say, this applied to Eastern Coordinating Regional Commander Cao Bianjiao and Qiantun Garrison Regional Commander Wang Tingchen. Even Liaodong Regional Commander Liu Zhaoji showed signs of drawing closer to Wang Dou.

Moreover, he had been appointed Grand Marshal of the Reinforcement Army, putting him on an equal footing with Viceroy Hong Chengchou. The higher his prestige, the more his own authority as Army Supervisor in Liaodong, which depended on Wang Dou's support, allowed him to throw his weight around. If Wang Dou insisted on a standoff, that would be tantamount to defying the orders of the Emperor and the Minister of War. Should he still stand with him then?

Turning the matter over in his mind, Zhang Ruoqi felt utterly confused and conflicted.

Suddenly, a stir arose outside the hall. The gate officer loudly announced, "The Grand Marshal of the Reinforcement Army, the Loyal and Brave Count Wang Dou, and the Loyal and Upright Count Yang Guozhu, have arrived!"

Immediately, a thunderous response echoed from within the second gate. The drums and music inside and outside the hall were struck up with even greater vigor. Zhang Ruoqi unconsciously rose to his feet. Looking at Hong Chengchou and the others, he saw they had also stood up, as had the officials and officers on both sides. All eyes turned toward the doorway.

The gate officers relayed the announcement layer by layer, their voices ringing out loud and clear. Amid the stirring drum and music, a group of generals in full, immaculate armor strode in with heads held high. The man at their head was none other than the Grand Marshal of the Reinforcement Army, General of Pacifying the North, Wang Dou. Beside him was the Deputy Grand Marshal of the Reinforcement Army, General of Guarding the North, Yang Guozhu.

Also following closely behind were Datong Garrison Regional Commander Wang Pu, Shanxi Regional Commander Li Fuming, Liaodong Regional Commander Liu Zhaoji, Eastern Coordinating Regional Commander Cao Bianjiao, Qiantun Garrison Regional Commander Wang Tingchen, and the Vice General of the Forward Battalion of the Divine Machine Brigade, Fu Yingchong, among others.

The military forces under just these men accounted for more than half of the Liaodong reinforcement army, and these men all looked to Wang Dou as their leader. From this, one could see the power and prestige of the Jingbian Army in Liaodong, and one could also imagine how crucial Wang Dou's stance was to this council.

Watching Wang Dou stride forward with the vigor of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, his hand resting on his sword, a confident and composed smile on his face, the thought arose in many minds: "This is how a true man should be."

Under the gaze of countless eyes, with the Viceroy and the Army Supervisors rising to greet him, at this moment, Wang Dou had reached the pinnacle of a military man's glory.

A look of envy appeared on Wu Sangui's face. Ma Ke's fists clenched quietly. On Hong Chengchou's refined, scholarly face, there was an indescribable expression. Zhang Ruoqi suddenly felt an emptiness inside. He realized that he was merely a fox borrowing the tiger's might, while Wang Dou possessed true strength and prestige.

Under the complex gazes of the crowd, Wang Dou strode proudly forward, exchanged salutations and pleasantries with Hong Chengchou and the others, and then took the high seat of honor, sitting side by side with Hong Chengchou on the left and right.

At that moment, three cannon shots sounded, and the music ceased. The entire Viceroy's headquarters fell silent. All the high-ranking civil and military officials in the hall performed the grand ceremony of reporting their names and paying homage to Wang Dou and Hong Chengchou seated above. Only then did they bow and take their seats, respectfully awaiting instructions.

Many people's eyes still stole glances at Wang Dou seated in the place of honor above. For so many years in the Great Ming, this was the first time a military man had sat high and side-by-side with a high-ranking civil official. Many felt an indescribable mix of emotions.

The scene of Wang Dou's entrance just now had also left Wang Chengen and Wang Dehua with complicated expressions. Wang Dehua, as the imperial envoy who had delivered the edict, had happened to be present at this juncture and had temporarily stayed on, which also implied a role of observation and oversight. He took a guest seat, while Yang Guozhu took Wang Dou's former place, sitting in the foremost position among the military officers.

Wang Dou sat in his seat. His hands, broad and powerful, rested on the armrests on either side. He quietly observed the people below.

From this vantage point, he could see the expressions of the civil officials and military officers in the two rows below with perfect clarity. Some were envious, some jealous, some ardent, some expectant, some dismissive, some expressionless. He had them all in the palm of his hand. Was this the taste of being in a position of power?

Wang Dou suddenly felt a moment of daze. Back when he had first transmigrated to the Great Ming, struggling desperately just to survive at Jingbian Dun, could he have imagined a day like this?

Once everyone was seated, all looked up toward Hong Chengchou and Wang Dou at the head of the hall.

Hong Chengchou cleared his throat. His sharp gaze swept over the assembly below before he slowly began, "Since assuming my commission, I have been deeply favored by the imperial grace, filled with trepidation and fear. I have only my death to offer in repayment to His Majesty. Now the slave rebels run rampant, and the common people suffer. We can only obey the previous decree, set a date, and concentrate our forces to exterminate them, thereby pacifying the land. What are your views, gentlemen? You may all speak in turn."

Silence filled the hall. Everyone turned in unison to look at Wang Dou. Although Hong Chengchou had resolved to obey the edict and wage a decisive battle against the eastern slaves, if the Grand Marshal of the Reinforcement Army, Wang Dou, disagreed, this battle still could not be fought.

To fight, or not to fight — the key lay in Wang Dou's intent.

As everyone waited, Hong Chengchou also looked over without any change in expression. For some reason, he felt a twinge of nervousness inside.

In the profound silence, amid the crowd's anticipation, Wang Dou's deep, steady voice was heard slowly saying, "What Viceroy Hong says is very true. The time has come. We can wage a decisive battle with the slaves."

For a moment, the officials and officers packed throughout the hall all let out a sigh of relief, smiles breaking out on every face. At present, the most combat-effective army in Liaodong was Wang Dou's Jingbian Army. If Wang Dou had defied orders and refused to fight, they would not have known what to do.

Wang Dehua, who resembled a Maitreya Buddha, was the first to speak in praise: "The Loyal and Brave Count's loyalty is commendable. He has repeatedly rendered meritorious service and should serve as a model for all the armies... To wage a decisive battle with the slaves, the time has indeed come."

He laughed heartily, a joy that came from the bottom of his heart.

If Wang Dou resolutely defied the imperial decree, he would not even know how to report back to the Emperor. After all, on his way to Liaodong, he had heard that among the Liaodong reinforcement armies, only Wang Dou opposed a decisive battle and insisted on a standoff with the slaves.

As he laughed heartily, he suddenly felt a trace of desolation. He was the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the Seal-holding Eunuch, yet now he had to flatter a mere military man. Recalling the past, how awe-inspiring the great eunuchs Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian had been — compared to them, he was like a grandson...

But since Wang Dou was so awe-inspiring, befriending him was also a wise choice.

Zhang Ruo likewise breathed a huge sigh of relief and also praised profusely: "The Loyal and Brave Count safeguards the peace of the realm, defends the frontiers and wages war, his toils and merits towering — truly a pillar of the state, a model for the three armies."

The civil officials in the hall likewise chimed in with a tide of praise: "The Loyal and Brave Count's lofty righteousness..."

"The Loyal and Brave Count sees clearly across ten thousand li..."

"The Loyal and Brave Count..."

"Loyal..."

Wang Pu and Fu Yingchong below the dais also relaxed. The great army had been locked in a standoff with the bandit slaves, and everyone was weary and exhausted. Now that the Emperor's decree had arrived with grand rewards and promotions, morale was at its peak. If Wang Dou disobeyed the decree, they did not know whether they could hold on.

But if the Jingbian Army did not move, they dared not move recklessly either. Yet resisting the imperial order filled their hearts with dread. Though they had bound themselves to Wang Dou and, after his promotion to Regional Commander of Xuanfu, had fawned and flattered even more, when it came to defying an imperial order, they were still inwardly terrified. The present outcome could not be better.

Wang Pu raised his arm and shouted: "The Loyal and Brave Count speaks truly — the time for a decisive battle with the Tatars has come. Now the royal army's spirit blazes like a rainbow; this is the moment to strike with united force and annihilate the bandit slaves."

Fu Yingchong hastily echoed him. Cao Bianjiao, Regional Commander of the Eastern Coordination, and Wang Tingchen, Regional Commander of Qiantun Guard, likewise agreed. Wang Dou had been promoted to Grand President of Reinforcement and Suppression and appointed Regional Commander of Xuanfu Garrison, and might even be enfeoffed as Marquis. They felt envy and heat in their eyes, yet also felt joy for Wang Dou.

Zuo Guangxian, Regional Commander of Reinforcement and Suppression, muttered: "I have long been impatient. Decisive battle with the Tatars — let us fight it out cleanly."

Liu Zhaoji, Regional Commander of Liaodong, and Li Fuming, Regional Commander of Shanxi, also slowly nodded and voiced their approval.

With a single word from Wang Dou, the momentum of a hundred voices answering one call instantly arose.

Hong Chengchou and Qiu Minyang and others had flickering gazes, but Hong Chengchou's face still bore a mild and composed expression. He said gently to Wang Dou: "This Viceroy has heard some news — the Loyal and Brave Count has tens of thousands of troops pressing from beyond the frontier toward the bandit slaves' Yizhou and other places?"

For a moment, every gaze in the hall converged on Wang Dou.

Regarding this news, the various officials and generals of Liaodong were also extremely concerned. But information from beyond the frontier was chaotic — some rumors said Wang Dou had brought a hundred thousand troops, some said tens of thousands, some said thousands. Few knew the exact number.

Seeing the expectant expressions of the crowd, Wang Dou pondered briefly and no longer concealed it. He said frankly: "There are over ten thousand elite troops beyond the frontier, raiding, plundering, and burning to unsettle the hearts of the slave bandits' allies. By now, I presume the army has already pressed toward Khorchin or Yizhou and other places."

Because Wen Fangliang's army was too far from Jinzhou and such places, even with scout riders maintaining constant contact, Wang Dou could not grasp their movements in real time and could only infer based on the prior strategic plan.

However, the scout riders had learned that because of the rich harvest beyond the frontier, every man in the expeditionary army now had a horse, making them highly mobile and agile, moving with extreme speed.

At these words, everyone in the hall was wild with joy. The sharpness of the Jingbian Army was known to all under heaven! Everyone also knew that in Wang Dou's army were fierce generals like Wen Fangliang and Gao Shiyin, none of whom had yet arrived in Liaodong — so they must be the ones leading the troops beyond the frontier.

Although Wang Dou was suspected of dispatching troops beyond the frontier without authorization, that was a matter between Wang Dou and the imperial court. If this news was true, it would considerably increase the Great Ming's odds of victory in this Jinzhou campaign — no wonder everyone was delighted.

Hong Chengchou said with a smile: "Good. With these words from the Loyal and Brave Count, this Viceroy is even more at ease."

The gaze he directed at Wang Dou held both admiration and pity. For the sake of victory in the great battle, Wang Dou had left no stone unturned, expending a great number of elite troops, and dispatching troops beyond the frontier without authorization would easily arouse the court's suspicions. For the sake of the nation, very, very few Great Ming military men could go this far.

Zhang Ruo clapped his hands in high praise: "No wonder the scout riders report back that the northern caitiffs in the bandit slaves' camp are in panic — so their lair has been raided."

Even as he rejoiced, his smile was somewhat stiff. Although the Loyal and Brave Count's action was for the Jinzhou campaign and for the Great Ming's victory, still...

It seemed that after the Jinzhou affair was settled, he would need to keep his distance from Wang Dou, lest he invite calamity upon himself in the future.

Wang Chengen and Wang Dehua's expressions grew increasingly complicated. Most of the officers in the hall did not think that far, and were simply filled with admiration for the Jingbian Army's expedition beyond the frontier.

In the hundred years of the Great Ming, this was the first Ming army to sortie beyond the frontier on a large scale. The shock and awe inflicted on the caitiffs was unparalleled. If it were them, setting aside their troops' combat effectiveness, each of them would be utterly blind to the situation beyond the frontier — not to mention fighting, the likelihood of getting lost was as high as ninety-nine percent.

Of course, men like Ma Ke felt a surge of glee in their hearts. This Wang Dou was excessively arrogant; dispatching troops beyond the frontier without authorization meant his good days were soon coming to an end.

And by this point, not only Wu Sangui, but even Ma Ke and Tang Tong no longer hesitated about the decisive battle. The crowd shouted in unison: "We request Viceroy Hong and Grand President Wang to bestow the plan of operations!"

Hong Chengchou rose to his feet: "Good. This great battle concerns the nation's fate. We, who have received the state's grace generation after generation, must strive with united strength and fight fiercely. Any who fail in combat duty shall be strictly impeached and punished by this Viceroy without leniency!"

He looked at Wang Dou: "The Loyal and Brave Count is seasoned in warfare, which this Viceroy has always admired. I invite the Loyal and Brave Count to explain to the assembled generals, while this Viceroy listens attentively by the side, ready to fill in any gaps."

He generously handed the arrangement and deployment of the decisive battle's forces to Wang Dou. First, in fighting battles, he truly was not Wang Dou's equal. Second, in his innermost heart, Hong Chengchou vaguely guessed that Wang Dou was already a flower at its last bloom — perhaps after the Jinzhou campaign, the fate awaiting Wang Dou would not be pleasant. Adopting a magnanimous posture would benefit himself without harm.

To be honest, being so suppressed by a military man that he could barely breathe had displeased Hong Chengchou. Now he secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The Great Ming, in the end, was still the world of civil officials.

Old Bai Niu: Tomorrow at noon, one more chapter. (To be continued.)