Chapter 69: Marriage

The gunpowder smoke dispersed, and Wang Dou and the others saw the terrified, shocked bandits a few paces ahead. Behind and beside them lay bandit corpses strewn in every direction, and some who were not yet dead still rolled and shrieked on the ground. Two volleys from Jingbian Fort’s firearms had killed or wounded at least twenty-odd bandits.

The scene before them left not only the bandits staring blankly — even Xu Zucheng’s retainers nearby, and the retainers from the other forts, were so stunned they could not speak. Were Jingbian Fort’s firearms really this lethal? It far exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Watching those Jingbian Fort arquebusiers continuously advance and withdraw, coolly shooting down so many bandits, they were all shocked.

They had also loosed several volleys of arrows and three-eyed guns just moments ago, but in terms of killing effect, they fell far short compared to Jingbian Fort’s arquebus soldiers.

After the Jingbian Fort arquebus soldiers finished firing, they swiftly withdrew from both flanks.

“Kill!”

The bandits charged by sheer momentum up to the government troops’ front. After the two ranks of Jingbian Fort arquebusiers withdrew, behind them stood a rank of sword-and-shield soldiers holding their shields in grim formation, commanded by Yang Tong. Now, at Yang Tong’s shouted order, they collectively stepped forward, let out a great roar, and hurled their javelins in unison.

Ten javelins came flying, and another wave of shrieks rose from the bandits in front.

At such close range, those heavy, sharp javelins could pierce not just a human body but even a shield. Several bandits were nailed dead to the ground on the spot.

At that moment, the rousing war drums of the central command sounded, and immediately the two ranks of iron-armored pikemen behind Jingbian Fort’s sword-and-shield soldiers leveled their pikes and charged straight out.

“Kill!”

The first rank of pikemen was commanded by Han Chao. At Han Chao’s shouted order, the pikemen all thrust their long pikes at the bandits before them. Their movements were uniform, their pike-thrusts fierce, their bearing utterly relentless.

A rank of pikes stabbed out together like lightning, each thrust aimed at the opponent’s eyes, throat, heart, or waist — the vital points. Amid shrieks of agony, several bandits clutched their wounds and collapsed in pain.

The pikemen thrust once, then thrust again. In the process, some bandits’ broadswords and long pikes also hacked and stabbed at their bodies. Though they had iron armor for protection, a few still let out low, muffled grunts of injury. They gritted their teeth, stood firm without moving, and simply thrust their pikes out once more, stabbing the bandits opposite them to death.

“Withdraw!”

At Han Chao’s command, the first rank of pikemen withdrew, and the second rank, led by Zhong Diaoyang, stepped forward.

“Kill!”

The second rank of pikemen thrust their pikes out in unison, and another wave of shrieks followed.

…

In that brief engagement — counting those earlier shot down by arquebuses, those killed by javelins, and then the several thrusts by the two ranks of pikemen — over thirty bandit corpses had already fallen right in front of Jingbian Fort’s formation, lying strewn across the ground, blood everywhere, with another dozen or so bandits wounded.

Earlier, the bandits had thought they saw an opening on Jingbian Fort’s side. They always picked the softest persimmon to squeeze, and of the two-hundred-plus vanguard attackers, as many as a hundred had been assigned to the front of Jingbian Fort’s formation. They never expected that before they could even react, their casualties would already approach half their number.

Even though these bandit vanguard fighters were the fiercest and most death-defying among the bandits, now every one of their faces changed color, filled with extreme fear, and they merely stood hesitating on the perimeter, not daring to advance.

Han Chao bellowed: “Form ranks!”

With a sharp clatter, the front rank of pikemen leveled their pikes and held them ready; the rear rank rested their pikes against their shoulders.

“Advance!”

The two ranks of Jingbian Fort pikemen moved forward on command. Their movements were uniform, their steps aligned; seen from the side, they were like two perfectly straight lines.

They came on in silence, pikes held ready, exuding a solemn, chilling killing intent.

The bandits before them all turned pale and could only stumble backward, not daring to meet these pikemen head-on.

Just as pale-faced were Xu Zucheng’s retainers nearby and the retainers from the other forts. Jingbian Fort’s arquebuses had already astonished them; after witnessing these pikemen’s method of combat, they felt an even deeper chill. Orderly, efficient — one pike thrust, utterly relentless, indifferent to both the enemy’s life and their own…

They were not men at all — they were plainly cold, highly efficient killing machines.

Though these retainers fought with great bustle and spectacle, they achieved little. In near silence, the men on Jingbian Fort’s side had already killed several times their own number. Why was this?

Xu Zucheng’s central command was set up on a small hill, where a rough platform had been hastily erected. He had watched the entire shooting performance of Jingbian Fort’s arquebus soldiers and was utterly astonished. He said, “What kind of firearm is Jingbian Fort using? Why is it so lethally effective?”

Yang Dongmin beside him said doubtfully, “They should be arquebuses, but why are their arquebuses…”

He trailed off, puzzled, not knowing how to continue.

Next, the combat of Jingbian Fort’s pikemen shocked everyone once more. The men at the central command all stared blankly as the two squads of pikemen over there advanced in formation, watching the bandit vanguard fall back continuously, until finally they let out a cry and, in a swarming mass, scrambled and fled for their lives, abandoning armor and weapons all over the ground.

Xu Zucheng murmured, “Truly formidable!”

…

The bandit vanguard was routed, and the government troops pursued them for a while. Unlike the other government troops, who were in disarray, Jingbian Fort’s soldiers maintained their formation even during the pursuit. The government troops chased for a time, and when the enemy’s mounted troops came out to intercept, they pulled back and returned to formation.

The first battle ended in victory, and the government troops’ morale soared.

During a rest break in the fighting, Xu Zucheng summoned Wang Dou over to speak with him. Looking at Wang Dou’s subordinates standing in stern formation, Xu Zucheng nodded repeatedly: “Fine soldiers indeed!”

He said, “Wang Dou, are these the retainers you have trained?”

Wang Dou clasped his fist in salute and said, “In reply, my lord, these are all military households of Jingbian Fort. Your humble subordinate has only given them a few months of rough training!”

Everyone collectively drew a sharp breath. Military households given only a few months of rough training?

If training soldiers for a few months produced this, what would they become after a few years?

Xu Zucheng was also speechless. Finally, he sighed and said, “The younger generation is truly formidable!”

His personal commander Yang Dongmin also remarked from the side, “Such ferocity and valor — I fear even the troops of Marshal Qi back in the day were no better than this!”

Yang Zhichang, the Garrison Commander of the Five Forts, was also utterly astonished and looked at Wang Dou in disbelief.

Xu Zucheng then looked with emotion at the arquebuses in the hands of Jingbian Fort’s arquebus soldiers. Hearing that these arquebuses were merely forged by ordinary craftsmen from Shunxiang Fort, he remained silent for a long while.

He looked at Wang Dou’s soldiers. Although they were merely ordinary military households of Jingbian Fort, they all possessed abilities comparable to retainers. Even the two squads of logistics soldiers drew Xu Zucheng’s serious attention, making him overlook the beggar-like rags they wore. He also heard that Wang Dou still had several more squads of troops left guarding the fort. By this reckoning, Wang Dou had a force of over a hundred and several tens of men, all with fighting strength comparable to retainers.

The former Garrison Commander of Shunxiang Fort, Xu Zhongjun, had only fifty retainers. Xu Zucheng studied Wang Dou for a long time, pondering inwardly. Perhaps this Wang Dou…

…

The government troops fought several more major engagements with the bandits. When the fighting grew intense, the bandits’ cavalry repeatedly attacked the government troops’ flanks, but Xu Zucheng had long prepared for this situation, placing large numbers of fire arrows and flying lances on both wings, and also deploying several crouching-tiger cannons.

The bandits cherished their cavalry above all else. Seeing no advantage to be gained, they merely maneuvered at a distance on the perimeter, seizing an occasional opening to dart in and take a bite before immediately leaving. Although they did not inflict much damage on the government troops, the psychological pressure was immense.

By the afternoon, the bandits collapsed. Their cavalry fled first, and the remaining infantry followed in a rout. Of the three thousand bandits, one portion vanished to parts unknown; only the core of several hundred cavalry and just over a thousand bandits fled into the main bandit encampment set up near Yizhuang, fortifying themselves and refusing to come out no matter how the government troops outside cursed and taunted.

…

In the first fort, several li from the bandits, the government troops all gathered within this small military fort to make camp and rest.

Yang Dongmin said, “My lord, in this battle our forces have taken over eighty heads, wounded over a hundred bandits, and captured over a hundred sets of swords, shields, and long pikes, along with incalculable supplies. My lord, this is a great victory!”

Xu Zucheng merely listened impassively. Everyone else was also somewhat distracted. “Great victory” sounded fine, but in truth they had only beheaded some of the old and weak among the bandits — very few were able-bodied young men, and the majority had been killed by the Jingbian troops in front of the formation.

Of the three thousand bandits, fewer than a thousand were able-bodied young men, and that core of over three hundred cavalry had suffered virtually no losses at all. Now the bandits had shrunk back into their camp. If the government troops tried to storm the stockade by force, the casualties would likely be heavy. There was another point: if the bandits could not hold out in the camp, they could simply abandon those refugees. With their several hundred cavalry, they could go elsewhere, coerce more refugees, and very quickly gather a force of several thousand again and come back in force.

The key was how to destroy those several hundred cavalry.

"A night raid? In this pitch darkness, Squad Commander Wang, you want to lead men on a night raid?"

Because Wang Dou was valued by Xu Zu, during the military council, although Wang Dou was only a Squad Commander, he was fortunate enough to have a seat and put forward his own suggestion.

Hearing Wang Dou's words, Yang Zhichang, the Garrison Commander of the Five Forts, immediately spoke up to mock him.

Night blindness was widespread in this era, making it hard to see at night, and organizing night battles was extremely difficult — night fighting was pure chaos, so it was no wonder Yang Zhichang said this.

Zhang Gui said angrily, "My Lord Yang, last year when we exterminated the bandit stronghold at Siqingliang, it was Squad Commander Wang who led men in a night raid to break it. How can a night raid be impossible?"

Hearing Zhang Gui's words, Xu Zu was somewhat moved. He mused, "It's just that each fort has very few retainers and night scouts skilled in night fighting — I fear the troops would be insufficient!"

Although every officer had some retainers, most lacked the ability to fight at night. The night scouts were accustomed to nighttime activity, but each fort had only a small number of them, and they had no experience coordinating with one another. Who would command and lead them was also a problem. Night fighting was notoriously perilous; any tiny mishap could ruin the entire effort.

While he was still deliberating, Wang Dou stood up again, clasped his fists, and saluted, "My Lord Xu, since this night raid was my suggestion, I am willing to lead my men to raid the camp!"

Yang Zhichang, the Garrison Commander of the Five Forts, immediately sneered, "Squad Commander Wang, in the army, there are no idle jests!"

Wang Dou said calmly, "I dare to sign a military pledge!"

……

At night, Wang Dou quietly led his five squads of combat troops and two squads of logistics troops out of the main fort. According to his discussion with Xu Zu and the others, if the night raid succeeded, Wang Dou would fire a rocket signal, and then the officers and troops at the main fort would lead soldiers to support him.

Watching Wang Dou and his men's figures disappear, Xu Lu sighed, "This young man just can't keep his cool, can't stand provocation. This band of roving bandits is no small matter — they're nothing like the mountain bandits at Siqingliang!"

Zhang Gui stared blankly and said, "He should be fine!"

Xu Lu sighed, "Hard to say."

He just shook his head and sighed. These days he and Zhang Gui had become very close, and now the two of them stood together talking.

Apart from Xu Lu and Zhang Gui, none of the others had any mind to rest. Everyone stood quietly on the fort wall, concentrating intently on any movement to the west.

Time passed quietly. The Chou hour passed — no movement. The Yin hour passed — still no movement.

Yang Dongmin walked up beside Xu Zu and said softly, "My lord, the night is deep and the dew heavy. Why not go back and rest?"

Xu Zu shook his head and said, "No matter, let us watch a while longer!"

At the exact midpoint of the Yin hour, suddenly, in the direction of the bandit camp to the northwest, flames and thick smoke shot up to the sky, mixed with the faint sound of gongs and battle cries.

Zhang Gui was overjoyed. He slapped his thigh and shouted, "It seems Wang Dou has succeeded!"

Xu Lu, Yang Dongmin, and the others were also overjoyed. Yang Dongmin said, "Brother Wang is truly outstanding — he really raided the bandit camp!"

Xu Zu also laughed heartily and was about to give the order to send troops to support.

Yang Zhichang hurriedly said, "My lord, we have not yet seen the rocket signal Squad Commander Wang agreed upon. Moreover, the sky is still not light — marching at night would likely lead to chaos. It might also be a feint by the bandits. Would it not be better to wait and see?"

At once, the men from the Five Forts all chimed in to urge caution, saying that Lord Yang's words were prudent — better to wait a little longer, until Wang Dou's rocket signal appeared, it would not be too late. Hearing everyone speak this way, Xu Zu also grew hesitant. He had everyone continue waiting, all the way until the Mao hour, when the sky was just barely light, a rocket shot up from the northwest, extraordinarily conspicuous in the night sky.

Xu Zu loudly gave the order to send troops to support. He mustered all his soldiers and horses and charged straight for the bandit camp.

The officers and troops entered the camp and saw that most of the interior had already been burned down. Everywhere were broken wood and shattered branches, the ground covered with the corpses and blood of the roving bandits. Everyone clicked their tongues in amazement.

Inside the camp, Xu Zu and the others saw Wang Dou, his face and body covered in blood. Looking at his subordinates, they too were drenched in blood from head to toe — impossible to tell whether it was their own or the enemy's. It was clear that many of them had been wounded.

Wang Dou wearily reported to Xu Zu: leading just over eighty men, after successfully raiding the camp, they had slain over two hundred bandits and captured over five hundred roving bandits. Most of the roving bandits' cavalry had been killed; it was estimated that only a few dozen had fled, and some other bandits had scattered under cover of night. They had also seized over two hundred eighty warhorses, a certain amount of gold and silver, and so much grain, fodder, and supplies that there had been no time to tally them.

Looking at the gruesome scene inside the camp, Xu Zu sighed, "Wang Dou, you have rendered great merit in raiding and destroying the bandit camp. This shall be recorded as the foremost merit. I will report your achievement and request a reward for you."

Everyone nodded with admiration. Wang Dou had achieved this merit by defeating a larger force with a smaller one, accomplishing what none of them could have done. Each of them was full of praise.

Only Yang Zhichang gave a light snort, a look of jealousy flashing in his eyes.

Xu Zu gave orders to search for and exterminate the remaining bandits and to inventory the supplies. Looking at the chest after chest of gold and silver before them, and the vast amounts of grain and fodder, everyone was beside themselves with joy. This haul was far too great.

Looking at the over two hundred eighty warhorses before him, Xu Zu deliberated for a moment, then said to Wang Dou, "Squad Commander Wang, these captured horses and supplies…"

Wang Dou bowed deeply, "Everything is for My Lord Xu to decide!"

Xu Zu was taken aback, then threw his head back and laughed heartily. He heavily clapped Wang Dou on the shoulder and said loudly, "Wang Dou, you are excellent — truly outstanding!"

……

On the ninth day of the tenth month of the eighth year of the Chongzhen reign, Wang Dou got married.

That day, the entire Jingbian Fort was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, brimming with joy. All the military households set aside their tasks and came to busy themselves with Wang Dou's wedding.

That day, the guests were many. Besides the relatives and friends of the Wang and Xie families, officers from every fort came bearing congratulatory gifts.

Wang Dou was dressed in the full attire of a bridegroom, bustling about greeting guests. His mother, Lady Zhong, was even more spruced up, looking brand new and beaming with joy, attending to everything everywhere. Her son was finally getting married, and as a mother, this settled one of the worries on her heart.

Wang Dou was ushering guests one by one into the hall when he suddenly heard a burst of hearty laughter, followed by a rough, bold voice, "Brother Wang, your elder brother has come to offer his congratulations! Great joy, great joy — today you have double happiness arriving at your door."

It was Zhang Gui arriving with his retainer squad leader Zhang Tanggong, along with several men carrying chests of congratulatory gifts!

Wang Dou hurried over to greet them. After the two exchanged pleasantries for a while, Wang Dou said, somewhat puzzled, "Double happiness arriving at the door? Your younger brother here doesn't understand what you mean, elder brother!"

Zhang Gui laughed heartily, "You still don't know? The Garrison Commander has appointed you, brother, as the Garrison Commander of Shunxiang Fort. The appointment document will come down soon."

Wang Dou was stunned for a moment. This happy news had come far too suddenly. He asked, "Then what about you, elder brother?"

Zhang Gui grinned so widely he couldn't close his mouth, and said, "Thanks to your good fortune, brother, I've been transferred to the prefectural city. From now on, even though we brothers won't be in the same place, we must still stay close!"

Only after Zhang Gui explained did Wang Dou understand. It turned out that recently, both the prefectural city's Agricultural Colony Officer and the Drill Officer had been transferred to the guard city, leaving two vacancies. This time, Zhang Gui and Lin Daofu had rendered merit in suppressing bandits, so the two of them were transferred to the prefectural city, appointed as Agricultural Colony Officer and Drill Officer respectively. As for the vacant Garrison Commander position at Shunxiang Fort, Wang Dou would take it over.

Although Wang Dou was currently only a Squad Commander, he had recently achieved great merit, so this promotion was certain. While the official rank of a hereditary Ming officer had to be appointed by the Ministry of War, the position of Garrison Commander could be fully appointed by the Garrison Commander. For the current Garrison Commander Xu Zu, he already had his eye on the next position of Guard Commander. Shunxiang Fort needed a capable person to take over, and Wang Dou was of course the only choice.

Looking at Wang Dou before him, Zhang Gui sighed inwardly. This fellow's career luck was simply too strong — at such a young age, he had already risen to the position of Garrison Commander, a height many people could never reach in a lifetime. But he himself had no reason to be unhappy. Although he hadn't become a Garrison Commander, being transferred to the prefectural city as Agricultural Colony Officer was also great joy. After all, the prefectural city was prosperous, far better than staying in a tiny Shunxiang Fort.

As the scholars have a fine saying: lose at the eastern corner, gain at the mulberry grove, or something like that. Applied to himself, it was truly most fitting.

Hearing Zhang Gui's words, Wang Dou quickly collected himself. Zhang Gui was being transferred to the prefectural city as Agricultural Colony Officer, and he himself was becoming Garrison Commander — there would be many occasions in the future to ask for his help, so building a good relationship was essential. He hurriedly said, "Shared joy, shared joy. Elder brother, you have been promoted to a high post — your younger brother also congratulates you. In the future, I will have to trouble you often, elder brother."

Zhang Gui's face was wreathed in smiles, his teeth showing through his grin. He said, "Easy to say, easy to say. We're brothers — if you have any business, just come find me!"

Wang Dou ushered Zhang Gui inside. Very quickly, the happy news of Wang Dou's promotion to Garrison Commander of Shunxiang Fort spread, and the military households inside the fort were even more delighted.

Then more guests came rolling in. Lin Daoji came. Zhang Jungui came. Chang Zhengwei, the Squad Commander of Huiyao Fort, came. Zhong Dayong, the Adjutant Officer, came with a face full of smiles. Also coming were Feng Dachang, the Clerk of Shunxiang Fort; Jia Duonan, Lu Xianyang, Zhang Shutang, the hamlet chiefs of Zhou Hamlet, Hu Hamlet, and Chafang Fort; and others. Each of them wore an ingratiating smile, their expressions respectful and warm, calling out "Garrison Commander, my lord" with every breath.

Wang Dou greeted them one by one with a smile. Beside him, someone called out "Brother-in-law" — it was Xie Xiuniang's younger brother, Xie Yike.

This fellow was sixteen years old this year. He had fine, handsome features, but his build was stocky and robust. He was the only remaining male in the Xie family. Xie Xiuniang had eight siblings in total. A few years ago, two younger brothers had starved to death, one elder brother and two elder sisters had been given away. Now, only one elder sister and this younger brother remained in Xie Xiuniang's family.

Xie Yike was a naturally sociable fellow. In just a few days since arriving at the fort, he had already become fast friends with everyone. Wang Dou liked him very much too.

At that moment, he glared at Xie Yike, "You rascal, all you know is running around everywhere, and you don't even help me attend to the guests."

Xie Yike shouted, "Great! Whatever my brother-in-law says, that's what we'll do."

Suddenly they heard the guest announcer call out: "Garrison Commander Lord Xu Zucheng has arrived!"

At once a stir rippled through the hall, and a chorus of voices said, "Lord Xu has come!"

Wang Dou also hurried out to welcome him.

……

Outside the house was a hubbub of noise, but inside it was quiet.

This was the bridal chamber of Wang Dou and Xie Xiuniang. Inside, red candles blazed high, and a large, bright-red wedding bed had been laid out.

At this moment on the wedding bed, Xie Xiuniang sat upright in full bridal attire. Around her, several clever maids chosen from the fort attended her, and now the maids were chattering away, simply reporting the situation outside to Xie Xiuniang.

Two of the maids were even clapping their hands as they circled Xie Xiuniang, singing a northern folk tune: "Foolish darling, my dear, let's knead a lump of yellow clay and mold the two of us. Mold a you, mold a me. Mold us so lifelike, mold us to lie together on the bed and rest. Then smash the clay figures, wet them with water and knead them anew. Mold another you, mold another me. On brother's body there is sister too, on sister's body there is brother too…"

This was a popular folk song in the northern regions of the Great Ming at the time. The lyrics and tone were rather bold, and they made Xie Xiuniang both shy and happy, so that she only blushed and lowered her head.

Suddenly a stout woman came in and shouted loudly, "Aiya, congratulations, young lady! His Lordship has been promoted to Garrison Commander — this is truly a great joy!"

Everyone could hardly believe it, and the several maids especially kept asking questions all at once. The stout woman said loudly, "The news has spread all through the hall now — this matter is absolutely true!"

Everyone offered congratulations to Xie Xiuniang in a continuous stream. The stout woman said loudly, "Young lady, you are truly blessed — now you've become an official's wife!"

Listening to everyone's congratulations, Xie Xiuniang felt somewhat dazed. The words beside her ears seemed to grow very distant. She only thought dreamily: she had finally become Wang Dou's wife. She had hoped day after day, longed day after day, and this wish had at last come true…

That kind of longing and her feelings for Wang Dou — she could not express them in words. Once she had heard a little song, and she felt it sang straight into her heart.

"If we are to part, unless heaven becomes earth. If we are to part, unless east becomes west… When you wish to part, you cannot part from me. When I wish to leave, I cannot leave you. Even if we die and go to the Yellow Springs, we still shall not become parting ghosts!"

Xie Xiuniang felt something welling up inside her chest; her emotions surged fiercely. She had the urge to cry, but in front of everyone, she was too embarrassed to weep.

Suddenly another loud cry came from outside: "Aiya, Garrison Commander Lord Xu has also come!"

At once everyone in the room rushed out. Xie Xiuniang also stood up instinctively, then sat back down. She sat there in a daze, and without knowing when, her tears had already begun to fall. Perhaps this was what the scholars called happiness.

《End of Volume Two》

※※※

Old White Ox:

Volume Two is finally finished. In the next volume, the magnificent historical panorama of the late Ming will slowly unfold, and a great era will arrive. It should be an even more splendid story.

ps: The next volume begins tomorrow, and it will also be entering VIP. Friends who have not yet bookmarked it, please do so, lest it become inconvenient to find later.

Also: I am but a small author, and my basic income depends entirely on chapter subscriptions. Please, friends, subscribe often to support me. After this book enters VIP, regular updates will generally be posted around six in the evening or around eight at night. If a chapter has five or six thousand characters, there will generally be no second update.

Thank you, Old White Ox, August 14, 2010, 20:49!

.,