Chapter 616: Those Who Block the Path Shall Die!

Beside Cai Maode, his staff and personal attendants were all indignant. One staff member said, "My lord, you absolutely must not do this. The gentry, officials, and officers of Taiyuan are clearly pushing you to take the lead while they reap the benefits from the sidelines. Moreover…"

He gritted his teeth and snorted, "Who knows if those people harbor treacherous intentions? If something happens to you on this trip, they can use it as a pretext. If nothing happens, Taiyuan escapes a calamity. What a fine calculation they've made."

Cai Maode shook his head. "As Provincial Governor of the Jinzhen garrison, it is my Heaven-ordained duty to protect my homeland. How can I shrink from my responsibility?"

He said, "Even if the officials, officers, and people of Taiyuan said nothing, I would still go."

Seeing they could not dissuade Cai Maode, his attendants could only say, "Then we shall accompany you, my lord."

Cai Maode shook his head. "That won't be necessary. I shall go alone. I have worked alongside the Marquis of Yongning before and know that his subordinates are not the kind to wantonly slaughter the innocent."

He descended the Gongji Gate tower and mounted a horse. The gate commander, trembling with fear, cracked the gate open just enough for Cai Maode to slip through, then slammed it shut again with a clang.

Cai Maode glanced back and gave a self-deprecating smile. Through the wind and snow, he crossed the drawbridge and rode forward.

Gusts of cold wind swept over him, buffeting his thin, frail body. His sleeves billowed as if he might ride the wind and depart.

…

"The city of Taiyuan is magnificent. Every twenty-five battlements rise into a tower, surpassing even the divine capital. Vast and boundless, it possesses a heroic spirit…"

Gao Shiyin was reciting toward the city walls. A gust of snowy wind swept by, making his horse paw the ground uneasily and snort fiercely. Gao Shiyin yanked hard on the reins and cursed at his warhorse, "Stupid horse, stop fidgeting. Your big brother here is reciting poetry."

The fine steed whinnied even louder and turned its head to look at Gao Shiyin, its clear eyes full of pure innocence.

Gao Shiyin's heart softened at once. He stroked the horse's head and said, "Alright, alright, I won't scold you anymore. I know you've endured a lot lately. When we get home, I'll reward you handsomely."

Li Guangheng laughed heartily. "Brother Gao, it seems the poem you're reciting is what Wang Shizhen said when he set foot in Shanxi. The Intelligence Directorate's dossier notes that point."

Beside him, Han Chao, Li Yunshu, and the others all burst into laughter. In the bitter cold, their exposed faces were smeared with thick grease, yet the freezing wind still cut cracks into their skin. But these men, long hardened by military life, paid it no mind.

Gao Shiyin, neither blushing nor flustered, declared smugly, "I only said I was reciting poetry. I never said I wrote it."

After laughing, Han Chao exhaled a heavy cloud of white breath and looked toward the city of Taiyuan ahead. "It's about time. The Intelligence Directorate's agents inside the city should make their move within the next day or two. In this freezing weather, we can't stay outside the city for long."

Everyone nodded. To move swiftly, the entire expeditionary force carried the Jingbian Army's fried-noodle bags, one bag sustaining a soldier for fifteen days. Even the accompanying Datong Garrison and Shanxi Garrison troops were equipped the same way.

Considering the condition of the horses, Wang Dou had also allocated many mounts for them to rotate, along with ample cheese for both soldiers and horses.

There were also large numbers of mules and horses carrying tents, dried meat, and bean fodder.

Although the Logistics Directorate and the supply battalion were continuously bringing grain and fodder up from the rear, this was still a light marching configuration, incomparable to standard campaign logistics. Some horses had already collapsed from exhaustion or fallen ill. Only by swiftly completing the seizure of Taiyuan and obtaining substantial spoils could they proceed with operations against Taigu, Pingyang, and other places.

Suddenly, Li Guangheng's expression shifted. "Someone is coming out of the city."

…

Outside the tent, the cold wind howled. Inside the main tent, Cai Maode sat with Han Chao, Li Guangheng, Gao Shiyin, and the others. His bearing was composed, showing no unease despite being surrounded by a great army. At that moment, he was savoring a bowl of steaming hot meat broth with evident relish.

Since the field kitchen wagons could not keep up, they used only ordinary pots and stoves. A large cauldron held drained chunks of meat, with salt, dried vegetables, spice bark, and other seasonings added, all boiling vigorously. Drinking it down in such bitter cold was exceptionally comforting.

In addition, Cai Maode held a piece of cheese in his hand, chewing it slowly and nodding from time to time.

Han Chao smiled and said, "The Grand General says this stuff quickly replenishes heat and protein. I don't understand what that means, but our Jingbian Army already stocks it in large quantities for both men and horses."

Cai Maode nodded. "The Marquis of Yongning's breadth of knowledge has always earned my admiration."

Gao Shiyin gulped down his meat broth noisily while continuously stuffing fried noodles into his mouth. He looked at Cai Maode and said indistinctly, "Isn't Army Gate Cai a vegetarian? What made you change?"

Cai Maode smiled faintly. "General Gao, in important matters, one must adapt to circumstances."

Gao Shiyin nodded. "Good adaptation. Army Gate Cai is too thin precisely because of vegetarianism. You should eat more meat."

As they spoke, only Li Yunshu and the others beside them remained silent.

When everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, Cai Maode accepted a cup of hot tea personally handed to him by Han Chao and said with a smile, "Thank you, General Han."

He took a sip of hot tea, held the cup in his hands, and said with a solemn expression, "Generals, is it possible to cease hostilities and withdraw your troops?"

Li Yunshu and the others averted their eyes from his earnest gaze. Han Chao smiled and shook his head. "Lord Cai, you know that is impossible."

He said, "The treacherous merchants have brought disaster upon the Eastern Route, particularly by colluding with the enemy and betraying the nation. The Grand General is thunderously enraged. Only the blood of these treacherous merchants can wash away the fury of our Eastern Route's soldiers and civilians."

He continued, "Lord Cai also knows that our army holds a vast amount of evidence — all kinds of documents, shocking to behold. On this expedition, not only our general, but also Viceroy Ji and Provincial Governor Zhu have all approved the orders for property seizure and arrest."

Cai Maode sighed. "I know all this."

He sighed again. "The Great Ming's situation being what it is, change is inevitable. But the Xuan-Da region is a critical area. To rashly lead troops here — might that not give others a handle against you? I fear the Marquis of Yongning is acting too hastily. I worry…"

He shook his head.

Han Chao said calmly, "We merely follow orders. But comparing the rest of the Great Ming to the Eastern Route, I believe our general is doing the right thing."

Cai Maode fell silent. What he and Han Chao were discussing were, in truth, two different ideological concepts. In later generations' terms, Wang Dou would be considered a radical, while Cai Maode belonged to the moderate faction. No amount of debate would yield a clear resolution, especially since Han Chao and the others were merely carrying out orders.

He pondered for a long moment. "Taiyuan's walls are high and thick. Its soldiers and officers are numerous…"

Han Chao smiled faintly. "Lord Cai knows that our Jingbian Army never fights a battle it is not certain of winning."

Cai Maode understood at once. The Eastern Route had collaborators inside the city. He had heard of the prowess of Wang Dou's Intelligence Directorate; they must have long since placed operatives in position. This city, they were determined to take.

He mused, "If this city is opened by internal collaborators…"

Han Chao understood his meaning and said, "There will certainly be some chaos. The army will seize the opportunity to enter the city, and some officials and officers will inevitably be caught up in it. Some resisting soldiers and civilians will be cut down."

Cai Maode stroked the Buddhist beads on his wrist for a long time. Finally, he sighed. "Very well. This old man will find a way to open the city gates. But you must all promise me this: minimize the killing. Above all, do not implicate the innocent. I hope this matter can be over as quickly as possible."

Han Chao said, "Lord Cai may rest assured. When we were in Liaodong, you already knew our army's discipline."

Then a cold gleam flashed in his eyes. "We target only the treacherous merchants. Of course, if we encounter attacks from soldiers or civilians, our troops will show no mercy, nor will they stand idle waiting to die!"

Cai Maode sighed. It was impossible that certain people inside the city would not resist.

Looking at Cai Maode, Han Chao asked with concern, "If Lord Cai opens the city gates, might it affect your official position…"

Cai Maode said calmly, "The situation being what it is, what does personal rank and title matter?"

…

On the sixth day of the twelfth month, at the hour of Si, the Yichun Gate and Yinghui Gate of Taiyuan suddenly swung wide open. The drawbridges were lowered, and the Jingbian Army outside the city seized the chance to charge in, swiftly gaining control of these two city gates. The follow-up forces poured into the city in a rolling tide, rapidly seizing the other gates and key points.

Taiyuan descended into utter chaos. Countless merchants, commoners, military households, and residents on the streets watched in stunned disbelief as the iron cavalry army entered the city in disciplined formation from several directions. Hearing the orderly thunder of their approach from afar, everyone scrambled to get out of the way in terror, not knowing what to do.

Many others shouted in frantic rage, "Who is it? Who opened the gates?"

Amid the chaos, they hastily organized, pulling together some officers and soldiers while also inciting some civilians, intending to block the army's advance into the city.

Gao Shiyin led the Vanguard Battalion troops in through Yinghui Gate. When they were not far from Central Street, a subordinate reported that from Xindao Street, Bugong Street, and Yuanxi Street, dense masses of people — no one knew how many — were surging toward them, every one of them armed with blades, spears, and clubs.

At their head were actually some Chief Ministers from the Prince of Jin’s estate, along with eunuch stewards from the Eastern and Western Undertaking Offices.

The troops entering the city had already sent men to post proclamations everywhere, and martial law was imposed across the entire city at once. These fellows not only ignored the orders but even dared to come and block the way — they must have eaten the gall of a bear and the heart of a leopard.

Gao Shiyin roared, “Death to those who block the road!”

He shouted, “All dismount! Prepare for battle!”

“Drive out the eastern-road scoundrels!”

“I am a eunuch of the Prince of Jin’s Undertaking Office! Who dares make a move?”

“Wang Dou, you dog of a traitor, so brazen and reckless — do you dare hold the Feudatory Prince in no regard at all?”

Crowds from every street kept gathering. Several eunuchs, some fat and some thin, strutted with swaggering arrogance at the very front of the surging flow of people.

Behind them stretched a vast, mighty stream of people — soldiers, residents, merchants, students, officials, gentry, local ruffians, household retainers. In ordinary times they might have despised and resented these eunuchs, but now the eunuchs had become their backbone.

Because these men represented the Prince of Jin!

No matter how utterly unrestrained Wang Dou might be, would he dare raise a hand against the Prince of Jin’s representatives?

And so the crowd following behind them grew larger and larger. With numbers on their side, their courage swelled. Even when some saw that the hat-wearing troops up ahead had already formed up in tight array, holding black matchlocks aimed straight at them, the mass of people still strode forward.

Just as they drew near the firing line, at the very moment their momentum reached its peak, they heard the furious roar from up ahead: “Fire!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The crackling reports of firelocks, like beans popping, rang out in unbroken succession. White smoke from the priming powder igniting spread through the firing formation, and then on the bodies of those in front, burst after burst of bloody mist exploded!

The crowd collectively froze. Those swaggering eunuchs, even more in disbelief, felt at the spots where they had been hit, then touched their mouths and noses — those places, too, were shaken and bleeding. Then unbearable agony struck, and they collapsed to the ground, rolling and shrieking in misery.

“Fire!”

The front rank of matchlock soldiers withdrew, and the second rank mercilessly pulled their triggers at the crowd ahead.

The deafening roar of the guns erupted once more, and again plumes of bloody mist rose.

Those struck by bullets first looked stunned, then their faces showed utter disbelief, and finally they fell, wailing and shrieking with all their might.

“Fire!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The acrid smell of gunpowder smoke drifted through the cold air. More white smoke spread, and the stench of blood began to waft in every direction.

“Ah!”

“They’re killing people…”

The crowd finally came to its senses. Shrieking in terror, with a thunderous roar they fled in all directions, scattering like birds and beasts.

“Form ranks and advance!”

The soldiers of the Vanguard Battalion stepped over the corpses of those eunuchs who had died with their eyes still open, pressing forward.

Their army boots pounded on the bluestone-paved main street in a single, uniform, thunderous crash. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)