Chapter 270: Who Should Be Sent to Raid Chongqing?

When Yuan Keli first learned that His Majesty had sent a young man over, he had some thoughts on the matter, but it was hardly grounds for refusal or resistance.

After all, he had been in officialdom for so many years—what big fish or small fish hadn't he seen?

Even if His Majesty sent a supervisor, let alone a young man, it would be perfectly normal.

Yuan Keli's subordinates had picked up some rumors that His Majesty had sent this Sun Chuanting to study under Yuan Keli's wing.

This only made Yuan Keli curious—what kind of young man could earn such high regard from His Majesty?

After these days of interaction with Sun Chuanting, Yuan Keli couldn't help but sigh—this young man truly was a talent.

"Your Excellency, Guiyang is just ahead. The scouts have already returned—Governor Li Biao of Guizhou has mustered his forces and is preparing to support Sichuan." Sun Chuanting rode up beside Yuan Keli.

"Based on intelligence gathered along the way, the situation in Sichuan is not good. Both Chongqing and Chengdu are besieged. The rebels are striking out in all directions—tens of thousands of them split into several columns attacking everywhere. She Chongming is personally leading the assault on Chongqing. The situation is critical."

Yuan Keli looked at Sun Chuanting with a questioning gaze and asked in a clear voice: "What do you think should be done?"

After a moment's thought, Sun Chuanting spoke solemnly the words he had been mulling over for some time: "This subordinate believes one must capture the ringleader before the rebels. Since She Chongming is at Chongqing, we should strike straight for Chongqing."

"Though She Chongming's forces appear formidable, I do not believe he has several hundred thousand men. He has split his troops into multiple columns, so each column cannot be very large. If we dispatch a small elite force carrying dry rations on a forced march straight to Chongqing, this subordinate believes we are certain to achieve results."

"Once Chongqing is pacified in a single battle, the other rebels are nothing but a rabble. Given the current situation, She Chongming cannot have many men at Chongqing."

Yuan Keli shot Sun Chuanting an appreciative look—truly a young man, and a bold one at that.

He looked at Sun Chuanting with a gentle smile and continued: "If I were to send you, how many men would you need?"

"The five thousand behind us, plus five thousand Wolf Troops—that will suffice." Sun Chuanting said steadily.

Having traveled the whole way, Yuan Keli naturally knew the quality of the five thousand men behind him.

To be honest, he had commanded troops for many years and had seen no small number of border troops and imperial soldiers, but he had truly never seen any as excellent as these five thousand behind him.

First was their physique—these men were truly tall and powerfully built.

Yuan Keli had seen them strip off their clothes; their bodies were covered in knotted muscle, robust indeed. And when selecting the troops, their height had clearly been taken into account—none stood below 5 chi 5 cun. (Zhou Zhou's drooling note: one Ming dynasty chi equals 31.1 centimeters today, so 5 chi 5 cun is roughly 1.7 meters.)

With physiques like that, one look told you they were unquestionably elite.

Then look at their equipment—all their armor was cast in one piece, the breastplate light yet highly protective, their blades sharp. One could say it was excellent gear.

Beyond that, they were uniformly equipped with steel crossbows. These didn't warp even in hot weather, had a fast rate of fire and high accuracy, and could play a tremendous role in urban street fighting or mountain forests.

In addition, these men were also equipped with the court's newest muskets—self-igniting muskets that could be used even in rain today, as long as the powder didn't get damp. They also carried paper-cased cartridges wrapped in kraft paper.

At the same time, each squad had a light small cannon that could fire grapeshot, solid shot, or explosive shells. Though its range was only five hundred paces, in a place like the southwest, this was a treasure.

Yuan Keli hadn't expected Sun Chuanting to set his sights on these men behind him at the very first opportunity.

In fact, Yuan Keli knew Sun Chuanting's proposal was a good one—after all, the situation in the southwest was chaotic, and sending men on a surprise strike against Chongqing was indeed an excellent choice. Though risky, it was worth attempting.

But Yuan Keli also had his concerns. These five thousand were no ordinary soldiers—they were His Majesty's personal guards, said to have been trained by Qi Jin, and the one leading them was Qi Jin's own son. If you lost a large portion of them, how would you explain yourself to His Majesty when you returned?

And then there was this Sun Chuanting before him—a promising young talent His Majesty had his eye on. His Majesty had sent Sun Chuanting to study at his side, hoping that one day he would mature into a capable official. In other words, His Majesty intended him as a reserve force, someone to be used in the future.

If Sun Chuanting died at Chongqing, how would he explain himself to His Majesty when he returned?

This was where Yuan Keli hesitated, though he didn't show it. He still looked at Sun Chuanting and said slowly: "Sending a surprise force to Chongqing would indeed have the effect of a raid. But if the battle fails at the first attempt, we will certainly lose men and generals, and it will also damage the court's military prestige. It is too perilous—not advisable."

"Better to mobilize the surrounding troops and advance steadily. Since She Chongming's divided forces are few in number, we can slowly fight our way over bit by bit. It will take more time, but the advantage lies in safety." Yuan Keli had the air of "I'm old, I don't want to take risks."

Sun Chuanting grew anxious. He tightened his grip on the reins and said hurriedly: "Your Excellency, we can wait, but the people of Chongqing cannot wait, and neither can the people of Chengdu. They are besieged by rebels right now—we cannot delay any longer!"

"Only by letting them know reinforcements have arrived can they keep the faith to hold on. At the same time, once reinforcements reach the walls of Chongqing, even if we suffer a small setback and cannot defeat She Chongming, it doesn't matter—we can hold our position and await further reinforcements. Then, coordinating from inside and out, there will naturally be remarkable results!"

"If the raid can kill She Chongming, or rout the rebels outside Chongqing, it will surely boost our army's morale and restore the faith of those besieged civilians in the court!"

Sun Chuanting's gaze was resolute as he continued: "For the morale of the army and the people, for the civilians within Chongqing's walls, this subordinate believes we should send men to strike. Even if we suffer some losses, they fall within acceptable bounds."

Hearing Sun Chuanting's words, Yuan Keli furrowed his brow and pondered for a long while, as if weighing his words.

After a long moment, Yuan Keli sighed and said with some helplessness: "You know as well as I do that the men behind me were assigned to us by His Majesty. If we lose too many of them, we have no way to answer to His Majesty."

"And you—you were also personally sent to my side by His Majesty. If anything were to happen to you, I would have no way to answer to His Majesty either."

"I cannot let you take such risks, so it's better to advance steadily."

Upon hearing this, Sun Chuanting's face instantly flushed red.

Sun Chuanting had originally thought this trip to the southwest would be his chance to display his talents, an opportunity to serve his country with all he had learned. Who would have thought it would come to this?

He had actually become the one holding things back?

At this thought, Sun Chuanting felt both shame and embarrassment, but there was nothing he could do—he couldn't very well say His Majesty had done wrong, could he?

Nor could he say Yuan Keli had done wrong. If he fell out with Yuan Keli, there would be even less hope.

Sun Chuanting was caught in a dilemma, truly frantic with worry.

Before Sun Chuanting could speak, a man rode up to their side. Holding a horsewhip, he clasped his hands in salute to Yuan Keli and said: "Your Excellency, this subordinate has something to say."

Seeing who it was, Yuan Keli was taken aback.

Sun Chuanting was also taken aback.

Neither of them had expected him to step forward at this moment.

The one who stepped forward was naturally none other than the military officer who had accompanied Yuan Keli and Sun Chuanting to the southwest this time—Qi Jin's son, Qi Yuangong.

Yuan Keli gave Qi Yuangong a subtle glance and asked with a hint of puzzlement: "What do you have to say?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, my Qi family's ancestor once served as a personal guard to the founding emperor, following him for many years through campaigns north and south, through dozens of battles large and small. In the fourteenth year of Hongwu, he fell in battle while accompanying Fu Youde and Lan Yu on the expedition to Yunnan, and his descendants were granted hereditary succession to the title of Illustrious Martial General."

Qi Yuangong didn't say anything else—he first recounted his family's history.

"My Qi family has served the Great Ming as military officers for generations, fighting countless campaigns north and south. My grand-uncle Qi Jiguang pacified the wokou pirates in the southeast and fought the Tatars in the north."

"My father joined the army in his youth and rendered repeated military merits. He rose from Centurion through Garrison Commander, Mobile Corps Commander, and Assistant Regional Commander. In the early Wanli years, he followed Regional Commander Liu Ting on the campaign to Guanxi and was the first among the generals to scale the walls of Gaoli City."

"My Qi family has expanded the territory of the Great Ming. Though I cannot claim our war record is dazzling, we have accumulated merit upon merit—from south to north, the blood of the Qi family has been spilled."

"From the founding of the Great Ming to this day, no one in my Qi family has ever known fear or cowardice. My father trains troops in the capital not to guard gates and courtyards. This time, His Majesty sent Qi Yuangong to lead troops to the southwest—not merely for a stroll."

"Striking Chongqing is dangerous, but if it needs to be done, then it must be done—even if it costs this life!"

"If the brothers who followed me here return to the capital without having fought a single battle, we will have no way to answer to His Majesty. My father watches me in the capital, and His Majesty watches me in the capital as well. Your Excellency, please permit us to launch a surprise attack on Chongqing!"

After saying this, Qi Yuangong immediately dismounted, knelt on the ground, and kowtowed to Yuan Keli.

He pressed his head to the ground and did not lift it again for a long time.

Yuan Keli looked at Qi Yuangong, admiration filling his eyes, yet he spoke no words of praise. Instead, with a grave face, he asked, "You are still young, and this battle will be extraordinarily perilous. What if you are killed in action?"

Qi Yuangong raised his head, flames seeming to leap in his eyes. In a low, steady voice, he said slowly, "Dying on the battlefield is the fate of a fierce general. If I truly fall in battle, then I will have given my all for the Great Ming. To follow my ancestors into death, I have no regrets in my heart."

"Besides, the rebels in the southwest are nothing but dirt and straw. If they want my life, they don't have the skill for it!"

The admiration in Yuan Keli's eyes deepened, and he could not help but sigh slowly, "The Young Master Qi truly has a worthy successor!"

Sun Chuanting, standing to one side, had long since been stirred by this passionate exchange. He was still young now, and under such an atmosphere, he was naturally deeply moved.

He too dismounted from his horse, stepped forward, and knelt on one knee, saying, "Sir, let me go."

Yuan Keli had no doubts about Sun Chuanting's martial prowess. Along the way he had seen that Sun Chuanting wielded a blade with great skill and was also extremely adept at archery—not far from being able to pierce a willow leaf from a hundred paces.

In his heart, Yuan Keli wanted Sun Chuanting to go, yet he was still worried—and also because he truly had no suitable candidates left under his command.

This trip to Chongqing would certainly be dangerous. But in Yuan Keli's view, since Sun Chuanting had chosen to follow him here, there was no reason for him to hide in the rear and enjoy himself.

Letting him coast along safely to gild his résumé—that was not something he himself could do.

If Sun Chuanting had merely come to gild his résumé, Yuan Keli would never have considered any of this. But having discovered that Sun Chuanting was a man of talent with exceptional ability, Yuan Keli naturally developed the idea of giving him an important role.

At the same time, Yuan Keli hesitated inwardly, hoping no danger would befall him.

Before Yuan Keli could speak, Sun Chuanting continued in a ringing voice, "The southwest is in rebellion, and the mountains and rivers are not at peace. As a subject of the Great Ming, I naturally cannot shirk my duty. I beg you, sir, to grant my request! If you do not let me go to Chongqing today, I, Sun, will die here before your eyes!"

Sun Chuanting's face flushed bright red. This was truly what he felt in his heart—he had clearly been stirred to a considerable degree of fervor.

The reason was simple: the people and officers in Chongqing were all waiting for rescue. Originally, a surprise attack on Chongqing had been possible, but because of his own presence, they had to advance steadily instead.

Not only had he failed to help, he had actually held them back. Sun Chuanting felt he had let down the soldiers and civilians of Chongqing. Added to Qi Yuangong's words just now, Sun Chuanting was completely fired up.

These words startled Yuan Keli.

Qi Yuangong, standing to one side, was startled as well.

Yuan Keli knew that at this moment, it was better to agree to Sun Chuanting.

This kind of situation—a civil official getting carried away—was not something Yuan Keli had never encountered. If he didn't go along with him now, the man truly might die right here.

If he died here, then he himself would really be in deep trouble.

If Sun Chuanting died in battle at Chongqing, even if Your Majesty blamed him, he most likely would not be punished. After all, at a time like this, anyone could die on the battlefield—such things could not be guaranteed.

But if Sun Chuanting committed suicide before his very eyes, then he would be utterly finished.

So Yuan Keli nodded and said, "Fine, then you two go. First enter Guiyang with me. After I meet with Li Biao, the Governor of Guizhou, you can set out. Bring sufficient grain and supplies, and then be on your way quickly."

"You can also rest assured—I will lead Guizhou's forces close behind you, holding the line for you from the rear."

Upon hearing this, joy appeared on the faces of both Sun Chuanting and Qi Yuangong, and they bowed simultaneously, saying, "Thank you, sir."

Yuan Keli stroked his beard, nodded lightly, then gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying, "Alright, go. Prepare well. This time I have taken responsibility on my own account—don't disappoint me."

"Yes, sir." Sun Chuanting and the other acknowledged, then ran ahead to make preparations.

After the two had left, Yuan Keli finally let out the breath he had been holding.

Glancing at the staff officer beside him, Yuan Keli asked, "I didn't let anything slip just now, did I?"

"No." The staff officer said with a smile, "How could young men have so many thoughts?"

Yuan Keli shot a glare at the staff officer and said irritably, "Are you saying I'm a wily old fox, or that I'm a shrewd old schemer? Young men need to be knocked into shape—otherwise, how will they improve?"

"But haven't you gone a bit too far?" the staff officer said with some helplessness.

"How is it too far? They're young and hot-blooded. If I just sent them out without doing anything, do you know what would happen to them? At the very least, after this incident, they'll be more cautious on their own."

Yuan Keli said, "This way, the odds of a successful surprise attack on Chongqing are also greater."

The staff officer nodded and said no more, wearing an expression that said, "You're the senior official—whatever you say is right."