Chapter 590: To Fight the Khorchin

This was a very simple fact that everyone in Shenyang could see.

All at once, the entire city of Shenyang grew tense. And the Ming army began mobilizing frantically.

Of course, this was in the eyes of the Mongols. In the eyes of the Ming people, it was the army returning in triumph.

As Xiong Tingbi led his men back, the whole of Shenyang reached its peak of activity—Ming soldiers could be seen everywhere.

These soldiers who had just come off the battlefield still carried the stench of blood on them, enough to frighten anyone.

Zhu Youxiao didn't care about this in the slightest—or rather, he wanted to give it a push from behind. Only by scaring those Mongols half to death would they dare to follow him.

In this world, it was always fists that did the talking. No matter how reasonable your words were, people wouldn't be willing to listen. Fists couldn't speak, but they could make the other side quiet down and become willing to hear you out.

The day Wang Zaijin arrived in Shenyang was precisely when the city was in such a state.

His mood was grave, but even more than that, he felt excitement and relief.

He could finally leave Guangning behind—he had truly been there far too long.

Of course, this achievement was also something Wang Zaijin was proud of. In his years at Guangning, he had not betrayed His Majesty's trust, managing the entire city in perfect order.

Under these circumstances, the Ming's situation in Liaodong was very stable. After several years of struggle, they had finally wiped out the rebel forces led by Hong Taiji in one stroke.

For Wang Zaijin, this was the embodiment of his life's worth.

But Wang Zaijin also knew that his mission in Liaodong was complete—this time, he would finally be leaving this place.

Though he didn't know what position His Majesty would arrange for him, he imagined it wouldn't be too minor. Still, he needed to meet His Majesty first.

His Majesty had summoned him this time—it certainly wasn't for idle chat.

Seeing Xiong Tingbi at the gate, Wang Zaijin was taken aback.

The two of them were now one the Governor of Guangning and the other the Governor of Liaodong—their ranks matched well enough, except Xiong Tingbi was somewhat greater in stature and more favored by the Emperor.

But having both spent years in Liaodong, they knew each other well and got along quite amiably, which was a good thing.

Upon meeting, Wang Zaijin smiled and said to Xiong Tingbi: "Congratulations, congratulations! In this Liaodong campaign, Lord Xiong displayed mighty prowess—I heard all about it even in Guangning. Having rendered such great merit this time, a promotion must surely be close at hand."

Hearing these words, Xiong Tingbi not only failed to show a pleased expression, but instead shook his head with a wry smile.

Pointing a finger at Wang Zaijin, Xiong Tingbi said: "You just go ahead and mock me. Don't you know how it really went?"

Hearing this, Wang Zaijin also laughed.

Of course he knew how it had really gone.

In this Liaodong campaign, Xiong Tingbi had at least managed to get himself involved and scrape together some merit. But Wang Zaijin hadn't had that good fortune—he'd spent the whole time watching from Guangning.

Nominally he was there to guard against the Mongol tribes, but who didn't know—would the Mongol tribes actually dare to attack?

They wouldn't dare even if you scared them to death.

The facts were exactly as everyone had predicted—the Mongols hadn't dared to come. So in this Liaodong campaign, Wang Zaijin had merely watched the excitement, without even a chance to wave a flag and shout.

Though Xiong Tingbi had gotten himself involved and done somewhat better than Wang Zaijin, in reality it was much the same—if you really wanted to talk about how much merit he'd scooped up, it wasn't much at all.

The credit for this great Liaodong campaign had all gone to the imperial guard units sent from the capital, especially Lu Xiangsheng and his men. Look at how they destroyed Hong Taiji in that one battle—what tremendous prestige that was!

After that, they'd even taken Hetu Ala—that was enormous merit. Those two groups had feasted to their hearts' content, leaving only a bit of the dregs to be doled out to Xiong Tingbi.

As for Wang Zaijin, he hadn't even gotten a share of the dregs.

"There's nothing to be done about it." Xiong Tingbi shook his head and said: "Those men truly can fight! When facing Hong Taiji, they fought with overwhelming force—not only fast but also clean, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy while suffering few of their own."

Wang Zaijin glanced at Xiong Tingbi, who wore a wistful expression, then laughed and said: "What do you think? Unconvinced in your heart, aren't you?"

Xiong Tingbi didn't answer this question.

In truth, there was no need to say it—everyone knew he was unconvinced.

What did the Son of Heaven's personal troops cost?

Their training, their equipment—how could his own compare?

Not to mention anything else, just look at what they ate. What did his own soldiers eat?

There was simply no comparison.

Reaching out to pat Xiong Tingbi, Wang Zaijin said: "You know the reason why, so I won't try to persuade you. This time His Majesty has summoned me—do you know what it's about?"

Xiong Tingbi nodded—of course he knew what it was for. They were the Son of Heaven's personal troops, so naturally they had to have the best.

Moreover, ensuring the center's superiority over the regions was something every dynasty did—much of the equipment had to be given first to the capital's forces. Even if those men might not know how to fight, they still got priority.

As for the border troops, they could only be placed in the second tier. Though Liaodong also had battles to fight, it was the same there.

There was nothing puzzling about this matter, and nothing to complain about—it was just somewhat disheartening.

Hearing that Wang Zaijin had been summoned by His Majesty this time, Xiong Tingbi immediately grew excited.

Pulling Wang Zaijin inside as he walked, rubbing his hands and grinning, he said: "You haven't heard yet? Your area is a bit out of the way—your news travels slowly."

"Word has spread all over Shenyang by now—we're going to war this time. And let me tell you, if fighting really breaks out, whether it's you or me, we'll both be the main force."

"If we fight well this time, who knows—we might earn enormous merit, enough to fully make up for what we missed in Liaodong. Maybe we'll even get a big windfall."

Hearing this, Wang Zaijin was startled, then looked at Xiong Tingbi with some excitement and said: "Fighting the Khorchin, or the Inner Khalkha? Or fighting them both together?"

"How did you know?" Xiong Tingbi looked at Wang Zaijin and asked in confusion.

"Isn't it simple?" Wang Zaijin spread his hands with a look of utter certainty and said: "In the Liaodong region right now, who else is left that can be an enemy of our Great Ming?"

"Hong Taiji is gone—could we go fight Joseon? With Joseon being that cowardly, let them strut around and show me what they've got?"

"Aside from Joseon, the ones we've always been fighting are the Mongols. And the Mongols who can fight alongside us are the Inner Khalkha and the Khorchin. Who else would dare? If not them, then who would we fight?"

"Besides, if they're using us, it can only be to deal with the Mongols. If it were anyone else, wouldn't those imperial guard units from the court just crush them with overwhelming force? What would they need us for? No matter how many men the enemy sent, it wouldn't matter. Only in those desolate places on the steppe do you need numbers. And we have numbers."

"Impressive." Xiong Tingbi looked at Wang Zaijin and said admiringly: "Your analysis makes sense."

"Enough, don't try to butter me up." Wang Zaijin looked at Xiong Tingbi and said: "Everything you just said was completely deliberate—don't think you can get me to owe you a favor. When fighting truly breaks out, the credit belongs to whoever earns it. Even brothers settle accounts clearly—you don't need to scheme against me right now."

"Besides, when fighting Hong Taiji, you already earned plenty of merit. But my brothers here are starving for a chance—the men under my command have their eyes red with hunger. With an opportunity like this, there's no way I'm letting you have it."

Xiong Tingbi glanced at Wang Zaijin, gave a simple, honest smile, and slapped his chest as he said: "How could you think that way? Your brother isn't that kind of man—am I that kind of person?"

"Your brother has always been an honest man. Let me tell you, this matter—we really ought to discuss it properly. Once war truly breaks out, who takes which side is something that needs to be worked out."

"Look, we've got plenty of people in Shenyang—strong troops and sturdy horses. Out on the grasslands it's more dangerous, so wouldn't I have to protect you? It's best to let me take the lead."

"Your people in Guangning are few. If you lost even a little, wouldn't that break your heart? This is the foundation you've built up over so many years—you can't just let it be wiped out like this."

"See how considerate I am? When we get before His Majesty, let's not squabble or fight. Right? Let's be practical, lay out the real situation before His Majesty, and see what He does."

"Get as far away from me as you can." Wang Zai Jin shot Xiong Tingbi a glare and said crossly.

He really thought he could fool him like some half-wit.

This Liaodong campaign had indeed shown off the might of the Great Ming.

The soldiers throughout Liaodong were dissatisfied—extremely, extremely dissatisfied.

The reason was simple: this time they hadn't gotten any credit at all. They'd trained in Liaodong for so many years, thinking every day about fighting battles and winning glory.

Because last time they'd beaten Nurhaci and even killed him, they were unprecedentedly united, and Zhu Youxiao had rewarded them.

That reward had been no small matter, and the thought had already taken root in their hearts. With a first time, naturally they wanted a second. These men had long since been ready to pull off a big score.

But then those imperial guards from Beijing had stolen their business—how could they possibly feel good about that?

Their resentment ran deep.

As Wang Zai Jin put it, their eyes had gone red.

If his own Guangning was like this, then how much more so Xiong Tingbi's Shenyang?

Liaoyang was probably the same.

So if they really did fight the Mongols this time, this would be a golden opportunity to earn merit—how could they possibly hand it over to someone else?

Xiong Tingbi was pulling this sort of trick too?

"Don't think I don't know you—never satisfied with what you grab, always diving at any advantage." Wang Zai Jin snorted coldly and said crossly: "I'll tell you plainly, this time it's absolutely out of the question."

"As long as I'm here, I will never agree to this. If you're not convinced, we can go before His Majesty and argue it out. And when we get there, you'd best drop this act of yours."