Chapter 314: Zuo Shuai

On the eastern shore of Shimen Lake in Anqing, two cannon shots shook both banks. Among the straw-man targets two hundred paces away, a line collapsed along the path of the cannonballs, straw fragments spraying everywhere. After a brief pause, the cannons roared again. Following repeated volleys, the dense ranks of straw men gradually thinned. When the drums sounded, three Companies of Marine Corps advanced swiftly toward the shattered straw-man formation.

The two cannons remained in place; the cannoneers were rapidly cleaning the barrels and cooling them down. Seeing a group approaching, the Artillery Chief barked an order for the soldiers to stand at attention on the right side of the cannon.

Zhang Guowei walked at the very front, with Pi Yingju on his left and Pang Yu and other military officers on his right. Shi Kefa, required to defend Tongcheng, had not come to Anqing to receive them. Zhang Guowei had just arrived in Anqing, bringing over two thousand Jiangnan Reinforcement and Suppression Troops. Combined with those previously dispatched, the entire mobile force of Jiangnan had now been assembled in Anqing; even Jiangpu and Liuhe, located in Jiangbei, were left utterly undefended.

As soon as he disembarked at Sheng-Tang Ferry, Zhang Guowei did not even go to the Prefectural Office but immediately requested to observe the expanded Garrison Commander's battalion drill. Since Pang Yu was the commander of Anqing's main troops, he accompanied Zhang Guowei. Behind them was Xu Strengthening, who had left not long ago and now returned, and further back was Cheng Long, holding the concurrent title of Vice Regional Commander. Of the dozen or so General Officers behind, Pang Yu only recognized Chen Yuwang and Jiang Ruolai. The one he knew best among them was still Xu Strengthening, but Xu Strengthening was in a foul mood; he had barely greeted Pang Yu when they met, then kept a dark face and said nothing. Pang Yu found it inwardly amusing but knew this was not the time to offer counsel. Seeing Zhang Guowei stop in front of the cannon, he hurried forward two steps.

"I must also thank the Military Commander for his recommendation. Since Bao Yu arrived in Anqing, he has cast three Great Bronze Cannons and thirteen of these small bronze cannons for Land Battalion use." Pang Yu gestured attentively. "Since taking office, I have fought the bandits repeatedly and have given the matter some thought. In battle, it all comes down to killing and wounding. Swords, polearms, and arrows all require the formations to clash before they can inflict harm. Cannons are different — they can kill and wound from over a li away. However, the cannons used previously were difficult to transport and too few in number to strike at the Roving Bandits' foundation. I had these serviceable small cannons specially made. This cannon weighs four hundred thirty-seven jin in total, fires a two-jin-five-liang shot, and the barrel is entirely cast bronze. The cannoneers are well-drilled; as long as there is water for cooling, it can fire dozens of rounds in succession. The Garrison Battalion's five Infantry Divisions and one Cavalry Division are each assigned two cannons, opening fire from one li out. If each cannon fires fifty rounds, thirteen cannons can fire six hundred fifty rounds…"

Zhang Guowei slowly walked past behind the cannon, studying the small cannon the whole time, seeming not to have taken in Pang Yu's words. He raised a hand slightly to interrupt. "In the past, various places have not lacked those who cast their own Red Barbarian cannons and Western cannons — they are indeed fine weapons for city defense. Yet whether fighting the Tartars or the bandits, one rarely sees them win in open field battles, let alone with such small cannons. Garrison Commander Pang, this cannon is too short and small. The Red Barbarian cannons I saw in the Capital being sent to Liaodong were all heavy, thick, and imposing. If you want decisive victory in formation battle, I fear you must still rely on the Great Bronze Cannons Bao Yu made before. That is the essential lesson from over a decade of using Red Barbarian cannons. General Pang, do not insist on striking out on your own path, only to take a wrong turn."

"This… it is just that large cannons are difficult to transport. Previously, when moving them on the Official Road, the Great Bronze Cannons were often damaged. I have heard that those Red Barbarians mount their large cannons on ships, so they need not worry about overland transport." Pang Yu stole a glance and saw that Zhang Guowei's expression was not good. After a brief hesitation, he quickly added, "But Your Excellency has awakened me. They must still be fit for use on the battlefield. Even if transport is difficult, we must still use the Great Bronze Cannons. I will remember this."

Zhang Guowei reached out to touch the small cannon. Pang Yu hurriedly tried to warn him the barrel was scalding hot, but Zhang Guowei had already withdrawn his hand after a light touch. He softened his tone and continued, "I was not saying this cannon is useless. I know that whenever the Liao Garrison fights the Tartars, they have large numbers of cannons and fire lances, all far more imposing than this small cannon. Yet not once have they not suffered a great defeat against the Tartars' bows, arrows, swords, and polearms. This shows that in the clash of battle formations, one cannot rely on firearms. But Garrison Commander Pang's determination to build weapons and kill bandits is commendable for its loyalty and courage."

"I am merely doing my duty." Pang Yu spoke modestly, but he truly had not expected this. Zhang Guowei was a practical technocratic official, yet he seemed to have no regard at all for this small cannon. Then it occurred to him: he himself knew that cannons would inevitably dominate the battlefield, but Zhang Guowei and others could not be certain of this, so naturally they would not invest in artillery as unreservedly as he did.

The war drums continued their steady beat. The Marine Corps had already broken through the straw-man formation, dissolved their ranks, and charged forward. Beside him, Cheng Long and the dozen or so other Jiangnan Officers craned their necks, watching with intense focus. Zhang Guowei said to Xu Strengthening, "Regional Commander Xu, you may lead the officers to observe the formation."

Pang Yu caught the implication that he was meant to stay behind, so he waited to the side. Pi Yingju on the other side also grasped the intent and quickly said to Zhang Guowei, "I will accompany Regional Commander Xu."

Zhang Guowei gave Pi Yingju this advice: "For the Jiangnan Army's redeployment, troop pay is to be supplied by Yingtian, and provisions by Anqing. If the Roving Thieves come in force, we may have no choice but to ask the Supreme Commander to send reinforcements. If reinforcements are secured, Anqing Prefecture must make preparations."

Pi Yingju said respectfully, "I understand. I have long since made ready at the Wanyi Granary. Should reinforcement troops come from elsewhere, I would sell off my own family property to ensure full supply."

Zhang Guowei nodded. Xu Strengthening and Pi Yingju led the assembled civil and military officials forward, leaving Pang Yu and Mr. Ma at his side. Zhang Guowei remained silent for a moment, then led the two of them at a leisurely pace toward the lakeshore. He stopped only at the bank, gazing steadily at the lake's surface.

Pang Yu had no idea what Zhang Guowei was thinking, but it surely was not water conservancy. He shot Mr. Ma a questioning look; Mr. Ma merely shook his head slightly. For the moment, it was not appropriate to speak.

After a long pause, Zhang Guowei said slowly, "Before I came to Anqing, both the Yingtian Yamen and the Southern Capital had people filing accusations against you. I hear there were even Censors from the Capital."

Pang Yu asked cautiously, "What are they accusing this humble one of?"

Zhang Guowei did not answer. He spoke softly: "You know about Mr. Yushan's matter."

Pang Yu did not overthink it. He needed to be in the same boat as Zhang Guowei now, so he did not play dumb. "This humble one has heard of Mr. Yushan's matter, and also knows that some wish to implicate me in it."

Pang Yu did not explain how he was being implicated. Zhang Guowei's few words were simply to inform him of the situation. The two of them were now grasshoppers tied to the same rope; without a major victory, they could not escape this predicament. Zhang Guowei wanted Pang Yu to risk his life in earnest. He probably would not ask about the detailed connection between the money house and Qian Qianyi. He had never delved deeply into Pang Yu's gambling dens or money house. The Great River Silver Bank had made a huge splash in Nanjing — Zhang Guowei surely knew of it and must have known it was Pang Yu's enterprise. That was not important to Zhang Guowei. He had not asked before, and naturally he would not ask now.

Sure enough, Zhang Guowei did not press for details. Instead, he turned to look at Pang Yu and said, "The Jiangnan Reinforcement and Suppression Troops now number over four thousand. General Pang's Garrison Battalion has three thousand five hundred. Add Circuit Intendant Shi's Standard Battalion, the Army Courage Battalion, and the New Courage Battalion — that makes over ten thousand troops in total. Garrison Commander Pang has fought the Roving Bandits before. Do you dare guarantee a great victory?"

"Against any single Roving Bandit Camp Head, I dare say we would surely win. I only fear the Roving Bandits gathering together. If they come in a horde of three or four hundred thousand, with over ten thousand Horse Soldiers, then I dare not boast."

Zhang Guowei slowly let out a breath. "I think the same. That is why massing the Jiangnan Army alone is not enough to secure victory. We must still request troops for reinforcement and suppression."

"Your Excellency means…"

"I have already written a personal letter to Zuo Shuai, requesting his forces to come to Anqing for reinforcement and suppression."

When Pang Yu heard the title "Zuo Shuai," he was momentarily confused, then realized it was Zuo Liangyu. He had long heard Zuo Liangyu's name. This Regional Commander Zuo had already moved from Henan to Lu'an Prefecture. After driving out Zhang Pangzi, his main force had been stationed at Shucheng, just one mountain away from Tongcheng. Pang Yu was also accustomed to the contempt of civil officials. Zuo Liangyu was merely a Regional Commander; addressing him as "Regional Commander" was already considered polite. He had not expected Zhang Guowei, the exalted Henan Governor, to call him "Zuo Shuai."

Zhang Guowei turned to Mr. Ma and said, "Mr. Ma, draft another Official Dispatch to Zuo Shuai. The wording must be courteous and earnest. Urge him to be sure to march his troops south. All rations and pay en route will be borne solely by Anqing."

Pang Yu listened from the side. Clearly, in Zhang Guowei's mind, even with the Yingtian Troops massed at Anqing, he still dared not claim certain victory over the Roving Bandits and was desperate for reinforcements. Zhang Guowei's current circumstances were almost identical to Pang Yu's — not only facing immense military pressure, but politically the same. At such a time, the need for reinforcements was especially urgent. In the matter of fighting the Roving Thieves, Zuo Liangyu still had quite a reputation. He had inflicted major defeats on the Giant Bandits many times in the Central Plains — that was his good reputation. But his army's discipline was lax; the common folk's saying "when the bandits come it's bitter, when the troops come it's bitter" owed no small part to his contributions.

And the closest force was Zuo Liangyu's — it was practically the only army with any hope of coming. The nearby Liu Liangzuo and Mou Wenshou were troops under the Canal Transport Governor. Zhu Dadian and Zhang Guowei were both Governors of Nanzhili, direct competitors; they were unlikely to weaken themselves to send Zhang Guowei aid. Huguang could barely look after itself — large numbers of Roving Bandits were active in Macheng, Huangmei, and Guangji — so they could spare no reinforcements even less.

Reinforcements would naturally increase the odds of victory, but in Pang Yu's mind, the best reinforcements were still the Liao Garrison. Although they had parted on bad terms last year, if they truly had to take the field together, Pang Yu would still rather choose the relatively familiar Liao Garrison, because he had seen their cavalry with his own eyes by the Pure Stream River. They were simply better than the Jiangnan cavalry, including Chen Yuwang's Household Retainers. And what Anqing lacked most was cavalry. Pang Yu's own Cavalry Ying now had only over four hundred men, and they were still far from proficient in drill. As for Zuo Liangyu's side, Pang Yu had never even seen them, so naturally he thought the Liao Garrison was better.

He probed cautiously, "Zu Kuan and those Liao Garrison units are also under the Five-Province Supreme Commander. Your Excellency might as well give it a try."

"The bulk of the Liaodong Garrison Army has already been transferred back to Liaodong. When the Tartars invaded, Zu Dale's forces and the greater part of Li Zhongzhen's were already redeployed for rally to the king, and afterward returned to guard the Liao Garrison. Only Zu Kuan's forces remain in Henan. Hong Supreme Commander is still contesting their assignment with the Director-General's Department — there is absolutely no possibility of transferring them to reinforce Anqing." Zhang Guowei paused, then continued, "So-called internal strife and foreign invasion — the court has only this many troops fit for battle. The Tartars' strength grows daily. In the Jisi Year's rally to the king, there were still Xuan-Da and Liaodong Garrison troops meeting the enemy in formation. But look at last year's invasion: not a single unit dared to fight in formation battle, none even dared to follow behind. Did Zhang Fengyi and Liang Tingdong die of fear of battle? In truth, they died because there were no troops fit to use."

Pang Yu had nothing to say to that. The Liao Garrison could not be counted on; the only one left to count on was Zuo Liangyu. Zuo Liangyu's forces originally belonged under the Henan Governor's command, and now the Henan Governor Wang Jiazhen was the Five-Province Supreme Commander, so supporting any part of Jiangbei was permissible. But by the same token, it also meant that not supporting any place was equally permissible. As long as Zuo Liangyu did not enter Anqing's territory, he would not fall under Zhang Guowei's command. In other words, as long as the Director-General's Department gave no order, it was entirely justifiable for Zuo Liangyu not to reinforce Anqing.

If they went through the Director-General's Department — Wang Jiazhen was currently in Kaifeng, and apart from the time lost in communication, Zuo Liangyu was now a general in the field, stationed in Zhu Dadian's jurisdiction. Even if the Director-General's Department issued an order, it might not be effective. If Zuo Liangyu did not want to come, he could also request reinforcements from Zhu Dadian, and Zhu Dadian would naturally be more than happy — then it would become a wrangling lawsuit. Even within the bounds of the system, Zuo Liangyu had considerable autonomy, let alone his well-known record of defying military orders, which even Pang Yu had long heard of.

That was why Zhang Guowei had to write a personal letter, and on this side draft an official dispatch, with special emphasis on being courteous, lowering his posture to request Zuo Liangyu's aid as if to an equal — more like pleading. He had no choice, because Zuo Liangyu was simply too sought-after right now.

Pang Yu detected a certain desolation in Zhang Guowei's words, likely because of the fates of Zhang Fengyi and Liang Tingdong. His own current situation was quite similar to those two, except the Roving Bandits were not as powerful as the Tartars, and his subordinates were not as intractable as those frontier garrison commanders. At least officers like Pang Yu, Xu Strengthening, and Cheng Long still obeyed orders. Zhang Guowei could still struggle; if he could secure Zuo Liangyu, it would undoubtedly add enormous weight to his side.

Pang Yu quickly said, "This humble one dare not boast of valor, but as long as the Military Commander gives the order, whether Tartars or Roving Thieves, I will not flinch."

Zhang Guowei's expression cleared slightly. After a long pause, he said, "A so-called great victory — whether it be the head of a Giant Bandit, several thousand severed heads, or breaking the bandits' linked camps — this time I have come precisely for a great victory. Without reinforcements, we must rely on General Pang and the Jiangnan Army. Even with reinforcements, the hard fighting will still depend on ourselves."

"I strictly obey Your Excellency's commands."

Zhang Guowei seemed to rally his own spirits. He waved a hand and said, "I will take you to meet the officers who have come to reinforce this time. You must become acquainted with one another to fight together well. Do not let Zuo Shuai look down on our Yingtian Troops."

With that, he strode forward. In the distance, the gong sounded; the Marine Corps was assembling and withdrawing.

Pang Yu stood rooted in place for a moment, watching Zhang Guowei's retreating figure. He murmured in confusion, "Zuo Liangyu — Zuo Shuai?"