Chapter 267: The Overall Situation

"Sir, Zu Keyong's unit and the Anqing Garrison Battalion clashed at the north end of Zhulong Bridge. Both sides took some injuries, but no one was killed." Outside a roadside food stall at the south end of Zhulong Bridge, Zhou Yuanru spoke in a low voice to Lu Xiangsheng, who was dressed in Confucian scholar's robes.

Days of continuous marching and combat had left Lu Xiangsheng's face covered with the dust of travel, and his scholar's robes bore many stains. Ever since the Roving Bandits broke out of the passes the previous year, Lu Xiangsheng had been rushing about without rest, yet had only won two minor victories, unable to reverse the overall situation. The heartland of the Central Plains was ravaged and devastated, and he was under immense pressure. This time, pursuing them from Henan all the way to Nanzhili, he had finally forced the Roving Bandits into a decisive battle at Chuzhou. The two hundred thousand Roving Bandits that Gao Yingxiang had gathered vanished like smoke. In the vicinity of Chuzhou alone, over a hundred thousand scattered servants and camp followers had fled. The core fighting strength of the bandits, the Horse Soldiers of each division, had also suffered heavy losses, and their supplies were almost entirely lost. In the short term, they no longer had the ability to attack cities.

Even after this great victory, Lu Xiangsheng's expression was not relaxed. He gave a low grunt of acknowledgment, his eyes scanning the area around Zhulong Bridge. In the streets and alleys south of the bridge, corpses were piled along the roadside. The stone slabs of the street bore dark, blackened bloodstains. Wisps of smoke drifted from the houses on either side of the road; the Fire Soldiers of each unit were cooking.

"What were they fighting over?"

"First, military merits. Zu Keyong claims that the victory at Zhulong Bridge was won by the Liao Army's vanguard. Second, the scattered horses. Zu Keyong believes they rightfully belong to the Liao Army. But that Garrison Commander Pang firmly insists that it was the Anqing Garrison Battalion and the Yingtian Grand Coordinator's Standard Battalion who pursued them to Zhulong Bridge, causing the Roving Thieves to scramble and trample each other for the victory, and that both the battle merits and the spoils belong to him."

"Did it delay the bandit suppression pursuit?"

"Zu Keyong is the vanguard. It delayed them for over an hour. After Li Chongzhen arrived at Zhulong Bridge, he dispatched other troops to pursue towards Dingyuan."

Lu Xiangsheng did not speak. A civil official beside him, however, bowed and said, "Sir, your military duties are pressing. From here on, the roads are smooth. This humble official will no longer trouble the Regional Commander. On behalf of the tens of thousands of people of Chuzhou, I once again bow in gratitude for your grace in rescuing Chuzhou."

As he spoke, he bowed deeply. Lu Xiangsheng gestured to Zhou Yuanru, who immediately stepped forward to help the civil official up.

"Killing thieves for the nation is our duty. But you, Sir Li, as Chief Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, ascended the walls to aid in the defense and killed bandits scaling the walls at night—you are the model for today's literati. That Chuzhou was preserved intact this time, your contributions cannot be overlooked. Outside Chuzhou city, the Roving Thieves numbered two hundred thousand. Yesterday at Physics Bridge, fewer than ten thousand were slain. My subordinate units have captured perhaps tens of thousands. Many scattered Roving Thief infantry and camp followers still roam the outskirts. I am leaving Lei Shisheng's unit to assist in the defense. When you return to Chuzhou, Sir Li, you must also remind Prefect Liu to properly handle these refugees."

That civil official was Li Sijue, Chief Minister of the Nanjing Court of the Imperial Stud. The Nanjing Court of the Imperial Stud was located in Chuzhou, the only central government agency stationed there. Its office was beside Longchi, southwest of Chuzhou city. It had also been severely damaged by the Roving Bandits this time and was naturally besieged within Chuzhou city. On the day the bandits' Horse Soldiers arrived, he had led his subordinates on night patrol and killed a Roving Bandit who was stealthily scaling the wall, thus sparing Chuzhou the fate of Hezhou.

Hearing Lu Xiangsheng's words, he repeatedly voiced his agreement, showing great deference to Lu Xiangsheng. The Court of the Imperial Stud was the court agency responsible for raising horses, but its rank was not equivalent to a Bi Ma Wen. The Chief Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud held a rank of Junior Third Grade. Lu Xiangsheng had previously been Vice Censor-in-Chief and Grand Coordinator of Huguang, also a Junior Third Grade official. The post of Five-Province Bandit Suppression Director was provisional and had no official rank, so the court had additionally appointed Lu Xiangsheng as Vice Minister of War, a Senior Third Grade official, half a rank higher than local grand coordinators, to facilitate his dealings with local authorities.

But Li Sijue's deference to Lu Xiangsheng did not stem from official rank. That extra half-rank did not confer actual administrative authority and was of no practical use. Lu Xiangsheng's recent rise had been astonishing; he had been promoted three times in two years. Currently, most in official circles believed Lu Xiangsheng would sooner or later be promoted to Minister of War. But most importantly, it was about the Emperor. With this great victory over the Roving Bandits, he was certain to gain even more of the Emperor's favor. As Five-Province Regional Commander, Lu Xiangsheng had the right to memorialize the throne directly. The Emperor's mood upon reading victory reports was especially joyful. If Lu Xiangsheng merely mentioned Li Sijue in his report, it would be more effective than five years of silent, arduous toil.

So Li Sijue had left the city immediately after yesterday's battle at Physics Bridge, staying by Lu Xiangsheng's side to coordinate Chuzhou's provision of grain and fodder, and also to serve as a witness for the local dispatch reports. He had followed all the way to Zhulong Bridge, and his show of diligence had been more than sufficient. Now, hearing Zhou Yuanru speak of these soldiers' disputes, he deemed it inconvenient to listen further.

"Chuzhou is the gateway to Yingtian and the lock and key of Jiangbei. Sir Li, having been stationed here for so long, should petition the various ministers in Nanjing to plan ahead, to guard against another Roving Bandit incursion."

"This humble official understands. It's just…" Li Sijue paused, then said, "Upon meeting you, Sir, I was filled with admiration. I shall speak frankly. When the Roving Bandits entered Nanzhili this time, the Southern Ministry of War dispatched three thousand men from the Nanjing Divine Machine Battalion to Chuzhou. Who knew the Roving Thieves would first head for Puzikou? Naturally, the Southern Ministry of War's priority was to protect Nanjing, so they recalled the Divine Machine Battalion by water route to defend the river. Thus, Chuzhou had no troops available. Had it not been for your rescue, Sir, it truly could be described as perilous as a pile of eggs."

Lu Xiangsheng said gently, "The scourge of the Roving Thieves has already blazed fiercely, and the north is in ruin. It is only reasonable that the ministers in Nanjing do their utmost to preserve the peace of Jiangnan. However, Nanjing's safety lies not in the river but in Jiangbei. If places like Chuzhou, Jiangpu, Liuhe, and Yangzhou cannot be held, a single Great River cannot stop the Roving Bandits."

His words were polite, but Li Sijue knew Lu Xiangsheng was reproaching the Southern Ministry of War. Ever since the Roving Bandits rose, discussions of military matters among court and country scholars had proliferated. Li Sijue had also found some basic military texts to read and understood principles like 'to defend the river, one must defend the Huai.' Back in the day, the Grand Ancestor had first seized Chuzhou before taking Jiangnan.

"This humble official will certainly convey this opinion to the ministers in Nanjing." Li Sijue bowed again after speaking. Lu Xiangsheng politely bade him farewell and stood in place, watching Li Sijue depart into the distance.

Zhou Yuanru watched Li Sijue's retreating figure from the side and said in a low voice, "Even if Sir Li goes to speak, the Nanjing Ministry of War may not listen. Should the Roving Thieves approach the river again, they will still draw a circle on the ground as their prison, wanting only to rely on that Great River."

Lu Xiangsheng smiled. "Not everyone is like that. That Anqing Garrison Battalion both defends and attacks. Not only did they travel a thousand li to reinforce Nanjing, but they also pursued the bandits to Chuzhou, forcibly crossed the Pure Stream River, and struck the strong bandits' right flank. It's a pity there are too few like them."

"That Garrison Commander Pang is still waiting at the north end of the bridge, requesting an audience. Would you like to see him, sir?"

"Have him come over." With that, he turned and entered the food stall.

Zhou Yuanru immediately went to the north end. Before long, he returned leading a general officer, who upon entering immediately knelt on the ground.

"This humble person, Anqing Garrison Commander Pang Yu, kowtows before the Regional Commander."

"Garrison Commander Pang, please rise."

After Pang Yu rose, Lu Xiangsheng scrutinized him carefully. The man was very young, not the burly, powerful type, but rather somewhat refined in appearance. He wore no helmet, his chain mail was torn in several places with faint traces of blood, and he held a box in his hands.

"In yesterday's fierce battle at Physics Bridge, we were greatly aided by Garrison Commander Pang and were able to achieve a great victory over the Roving Thieves. I see your armor is damaged. Are you wounded?"

Pang Yu heard the gentle tone in Lu Xiangsheng's voice but dared not lower his guard. Zhang Guowei was often like that too, but one careless moment and he would dig a pit for you. People who could reach this level in officialdom were all shrewd. When speaking with them, one had to demonstrate one's ability without boasting or talking big.

"Some minor wounds sustained at Physics Bridge, and some sustained last night at Zhulong Bridge. For the most part, this humble person only noticed them after the battle. Simple bandaging has made them no hindrance; I dare not trouble you, sir, with concern. As long as your military orders come, this humble person can still fight and kill."

As Pang Yu spoke, he was also secretly sizing up Lu Xiangsheng. This Five-Province Bandit Suppression Director was not wearing military attire, still sharply distinct from the rough soldiers around him. Yet the stains and tears on his clothes had not been attended to, showing he did not put on the airs of a civil official. No other civil officials were visible in the room; instead, a military officer was at his side. Pang Yu formed an initial impression of Lu Xiangsheng in his mind. This man truly led troops into battle, more pragmatic than administrative officials like Zhang Guowei.

Lu Xiangsheng's expression remained unchanged as he listened. This Garrison Commander Pang had deliberately mentioned in his reply that he had reached Zhulong Bridge last night, implying that his claim to the military merit was genuine.

He changed the subject. "From Anqing to Chuzhou, your battalion advanced by both water and land. I heard that at Puzikou you also slew several hundred Horse Bandits, and then rushed to Chuzhou to join the battle. Your garrison battalion can be called an elite force. Did you train them yourself?"

"In reply to you, sir, whatever modest merits the garrison battalion has achieved are all thanks to the generous treatment of Lord Zhang and Circuit Intendant Shi. The battalion's military stipend silver is sufficient, and its armor and weapons are adequate. The officers and men are mostly commoners displaced by the bandits last year. Every man harbors a bitter, bone-deep hatred for the Roving Thieves, and thus they are willing to risk their lives in battle. This humble general has merely done the trifling, insignificant task of drilling them."

A trace of surprise flickered across Lu Xiangsheng's face. Anqing was also part of his jurisdiction. He knew its importance to Zhang Guowei, and had always assumed Zhang Guowei had drawn elite troops from Jiangnan to form the garrison battalion, which was why it was so combat-effective. He had not expected it to be recruited only at the start of the year. Many battalions recruited refugees, but few could fight. This made the young officer seem all the more exceptional.

"Also, this subordinate is fond of some ingenious devices, which indeed have remarkable effects when used on the battlefield. This time, sir, you have broken the bandits at Chuzhou and saved the millions of people of Nanzhili. This humble person boldly presents this to you, hoping it may slightly aid you, sir, in achieving an early success in exterminating the bandits." Having spoken, Pang Yu handed the box to Zhou Yuanru.

Curious, Lu Xiangsheng received a brass tube. Under Pang Yu's guidance, he pulled out three sections. After trying it, he slowly stood and walked to the window, using the telescope to gaze around in all directions.

He looked for a long while without any sign of returning to his seat. Pang Yu had not expected Lu Xiangsheng to be so interested in the telescope and could only wait where he stood.

Finally, Lu Xiangsheng put down the telescope. When he returned and spoke to Pang Yu again, his tone was even gentler.

"Truly an ingenious device, and truly a useful one." Lu Xiangsheng turned it over in his hands. On the brass tube were the four characters 'Victory from a Thousand Miles.' He reflected that Pang Yu was quite the flatterer.

But this telescope had originally been for Pang Yu's own use; those four characters were for self-aggrandizement. When he set out from Anqing, he had not expected to meet Lu Xiangsheng. Now that the main battle was over anyway, he was giving it as a favor at no cost to himself.

Lu Xiangsheng handed the telescope back to Zhou Yuanru to put away properly, then turned to Pang Yu. "Does Garrison Commander Pang have any other military equipment in his camp that differs from other battalions?"

"Only two bronze cannons. Originally, they were convenient because we had boats for transport, but this time they were very inconvenient to move and were damaged at Physics Bridge. The rest are more or less the same as official-made weapons."

Lu Xiangsheng nodded. "Observing the military texts of past dynasties, they all emphasize the importance of troop types and equipment. Yet those who discuss military matters today mostly prattle on about terrain and strategy, or recommend a profusion of shoddy devices, not realizing that victory must still be won blade by blade, spear by spear. Seeing that you selected and employed these two types of equipment, I know you are a man who knows what to choose and what to discard. Anqing is a thoroughfare; to have Garrison Commander Pang guarding it shows that Lord Zhang has a keen eye for talent. In the future, for the grand plan of pacifying the bandits, Garrison Commander Pang will surely have a time of great utility."

Pang Yu hastily demurred. It was not that he knew what to choose and discard. In reality, Bao Yu also had all sorts of weapons. Pang Yu at least knew the general trend of development: what would be used in the future was certainly practical. Those things that were not applied on a large scale must inherently have flaws in application or production, saving him the trouble of trial and error.

"This humble person will certainly do his utmost to defend Anqing. However, at present, the garrison battalion plus the Water Camp have a total troop quota of fifteen hundred. Anqing faces battle on three sides. Since the start of the year, dealing with the Roving Thieves has left us stretched thin, with a distinct feeling of being overwhelmed."

Lu Xiangsheng heard Pang Yu's request but did not respond directly. Pang Yu was also eyeing his special privilege of memorializing the Emperor directly, hoping to increase his own weight in the Emperor's mind and gain benefits in troop quotas and stipends. All military commanders had this idea. As Five-Province Regional Commander, Lu Xiangsheng did not consider this a personal favor request. Recognizing and employing talent was his own duty—placing troop quotas in suitable places and in the hands of suitable people. If Anqing could be as stable as Mount Tai, it would be greatly beneficial to his overall strategy of exterminating the bandits.

After waiting a moment, Lu Xiangsheng smiled slightly and looked at Pang Yu. "After the battle of Chuzhou, those who fled from the various Roving Thief camps are all Horse Soldiers. Your garrison battalion, Garrison Commander Pang, consists mostly of infantry. Pursuit would be fruitless. Moreover, having come a thousand li and fought successive battles, your unit shall remain in Chuzhou to handle those scattered refugees together with Mobile Corps Commander Lei."

There were no teacups on the table, but Pang Yu knew he was being dismissed. He immediately bowed respectfully and withdrew from the food stall. Zhou Yuanru followed to see him out.

Lu Xiangsheng himself opened the box and took the telescope in hand, examining it carefully. When Zhou Yuanru returned, he was slightly taken aback; he rarely saw Lu Xiangsheng so attentive to an object.

Just then, the personal soldiers inside reported that the meal was ready. His attendants brought in the food: two meat dishes and two bowls of hot rice. Lu Xiangsheng gestured for Zhou Yuanru to sit down with him. Both were on campaign, so Zhou Yuanru did not stand on ceremony and immediately wolfed down the food. The previous day, they had been blocked by those tens of thousands of infantry and camp followers, allowing the bandits' Horse Soldiers to escape. In the evening, they had gathered their troops and dealt with captives. At dawn, they had set off in pursuit before having time to prepare a meal, and were indeed ravenously hungry.

Lu Xiangsheng picked up his bowl and ate while pondering something. His position faced the main door. Opposite him were piled the corpses of Roving Bandits. Soldiers of the Supervisor Battalion were sitting on the corpses, eating.

After Zhou Yuanru had eaten for a while, Lu Xiangsheng turned to look at him and said softly, "Regarding the dispute between Zu Keyong and Pang Yu—this place is the battlefield. Who do you think is telling the truth?"

Zhou Yuanru hastily swallowed the food in his mouth. He lowered his head for a long moment, then said, "Here, there are many corpses but little blood. No bodies of government troops are visible, indicating no fierce battle was fought. Earlier, this subordinate interrogated several wounded Roving Thieves from this area. Around nightfall yesterday, government troops suddenly arrived in pursuit from behind, causing panic among the Roving Thieves crossing the bridge. Garrison Commander Pang just said they arrived at Zhulong Bridge in the evening, which generally matches this. At that time, Zu Keyong had not yet entered Guan Mountain. I'm afraid what Garrison Commander Pang said is true. Zu Keyong saw that Garrison Commander Pang holds a low rank and wanted to seize his battle merits."

"Then what do you think should be done?"

"Praise Zu, suppress Pang."

Lu Xiangsheng nodded slightly, said nothing more, and put another mouthful of rice into his mouth.

Seeing this, Zhou Yuanru put down his bowl and said in a low voice, "The horses need not even be mentioned. Since Li Chongzhen's unit entered Nanzhili, no fewer than two hundred warhorses have died from sickness and exhaustion along the way. If they are not replenished, his unit's combat strength may prove unfit for major use. Ever since you took office, sir, every battle has relied on the Liaodong Cavalry. The battle of Chuzhou was no different. Zu Kuan is currently still a Vice Regional Commander with the title of Regional Commander, waiting for military merits to be promoted to full Regional Commander. Zu Keyong is waiting to be promoted to Mobile Corps Commander. Li Chongzhen also has subordinates awaiting promotion. If the battle merits of Zhulong Bridge are given to them, the Liao Army will be more useful to you, sir, and there will be hope of extinguishing the scourge of the Roving Thieves."

Lu Xiangsheng unhurriedly set down his rice bowl, picked up the telescope again, and neither agreed nor disagreed with Zhou Yuanru's words.

Zhou Yuanru glanced at the telescope and added in a low voice, "As for that Garrison Commander Pang from Anqing, just say they arrived at Zhulong Bridge together with the Liao Garrison. Give him a share of the head-hunting merits so he can also be promoted, and that will be enough. Besides, he still has his battle merits from Physics Bridge; he won't be shortchanged."

Lu Xiangsheng glanced at Zhou Yuanru, then shook his head with a sudden rueful laugh. "Credit all the military merits from Zhulong Bridge to Zu Kuan and his men. The horses and mules at Zhulong Bridge are all to be collected by the Liao Garrison. After you eat, go deliver the order to Garrison Commander Pang — his unit is to return to Chuzhou immediately."

Zhou Yuanru understood Lu Xiangsheng's meaning. The military merits, horses, and mules all went to the Liao Garrison, and Pang Yu was being transferred back to Chuzhou, which would prevent the two armies from mixing and sparking further disputes. But this truly treated the Garrison Battalion shabbily.

He hesitated a moment, then asked, "But Garrison Commander Pang contributed effort over there, yet gets not a shred of military merit. He'll likely lodge a complaint with Zhang Guowei. The Liao Army has been inside the passes for half a year now, and there are already quite a few memorials from various places denouncing them for ravaging the countryside. Zhang Guowei is, after all, a prominent Donglin official…"

Lu Xiangsheng set down the telescope and shook his head. "Just now you said yourself that suppressing the bandits depends entirely on the Liao Garrison. Zu Kuan probably thinks the same way. Only when someone impeaches them can they be better used by me, which is more advantageous for the overall bandit-suppression effort."