Chapter 435: Appraisal

"Not a single soldier or horse has been seen at Gu Pass. The Tartars did not enter Shanxi through Longgu Pass Pass Pass; the entire brigade is still in Ji'nan."

On the early evening of the sixth day of the twelfth month, the last trace of light still lingered in the Capital's sky, and the low, deep beat of the evening drums drifted through the air.

Inside the study of a large residence in the inner city, Yang Sichang, his face slightly flushed, was breathing rapidly. The several sheets of petition paper in his hands trembled faintly. Standing before him was Shen Xun, Director of the Company of Operations in the Ministry of War. Shen Xun kept his head lowered, not daring to make a sound, waiting for Yang Sichang to digest the information in his hands.

Yang Sichang had been in poor health lately. He had claimed illness for seven or eight days in the last third of the eleventh month and only returned to work at the start of the twelfth, but he still sometimes could not take up his duties in the Cabinet. Today he had returned to his residence after noon, and Shen Xun had followed him here from the Ministry of War.

The Tartars were rampaging through the Capital Environs, but this had been going on for some time now. The fall of an ordinary city or two no longer greatly agitated the Court Officials. Shen Xun would not have rushed to his residence in the evening to disturb him over that.

Only after a long while did Yang Sichang's breathing calm. He raised the petition paper in his hand and asked Shen Xun, "When was this received?"

"Both arrived after noon. First, we received a dispatch report from He Qilong at Gu Pass, stating that not a single slave soldier or horse had been seen on the roads inside or outside the pass. Your subordinate immediately sensed the gravity of the matter and ordered the Provincial Courier Official to verify the Shanxi dispatch reports received today. After verification, someone was sent to deliver them to you, venerable sir. Following that, Zhang Qiping, the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Baoding, along with the Regional Inspector, jointly submitted a memorial impeaching Lu Xiangsheng. With no one in the Cabinet to draft the Drafting and Redacting, it was sent into the palace. As this involves the critical matter of the elite rally to the king forces, your subordinate felt obliged to report to you, venerable sir, even if it meant disturbing your recuperation."

Yang Sichang waved his hand dismissively. His brow furrowed deeply, he took a step and then stopped. "What is Zhang Qiping impeaching Lu Xiangsheng for?"

"Hoarding troops without rendering aid, sitting back and watching the bandits. He impeaches Lu Xiangsheng for standing by and watching Nangong fall without the slightest intent to relieve it. Secondly... Huolu has also fallen. He impeaches Lu Xiangsheng for lingering at a strong city and going through the motions."

"Huolu... Huolu is no more than fifty li from Zhending Prefecture." Yang Sichang turned his head and strode over to Shen Xun. "The Supreme Commander, the Provincial Administration Commissioner, and the Grand Defender are all gathered at Zhending. It's barely fifty li away — how is Lu Xiangsheng the only one standing by and watching? What was Zhang Qiping himself doing!"

Shen Xun shook his head. "There were prior memorials regarding Huolu's plea for help. Your subordinate truly cannot understand. Over twenty thousand troops were right outside Zhending city, and over five thousand inside the city. Fifty li is but a half-day's march. How could there be no relief in ten days? Calling it 'standing by and watching it fall' is putting it lightly."

Yang Sichang let out a breath and asked again, "Were there any dispatch reports from Lu Xiangsheng after noon?"

"Lu Xiangsheng's dispatch report states that they have been out of grain for several days. If his words are true, they should have been out of grain for over ten days. It also states that all the prefectures and counties of Baoding and Zhending keep their city gates tightly shut, and upon seeing Government Troops approach the walls, they fire arrows and cannons. The implication is a request for the Cabinet to once again urge the local prefectures and counties to ensure the provision of marching rations. It also states that the Longgu Pass Pass Pass report was false, and that on the twenty-ninth, an order token was sent recalling Wang Pu's forces."

Yang Sichang turned his head to look at Shen Xun. "Wang Pu was only sent to Daoma to outflank the enemy on the twenty-eighth, and the order was changed on the twenty-ninth. It has been nearly ten days since. Has Wang Pu returned?"

"The dispatch report did not mention it."

"Would Wang Pu return?" Yang Sichang suddenly shouted in anger. "What kind of man is Wang Pu? Even if Chen Xinjia doesn't know, does Lu Xiangsheng not know? A cowardly, hesitant general like that — given such a pretext to return to Shanxi, once he's out of Lu Xiangsheng's sight, whether there are Tartars at Longgu Pass Pass Pass or not, Wang Pu would never turn back. He would certainly bury his head and race toward Shanxi, dragging things out until the Tartars leave the passes."

Shen Xun nodded silently. Among the Xuan-Da Three Garrisons, the Datong garrison had the strongest troops, but Wang Pu had the worst reputation. Becoming the Datong Regional Commander at such a young age was largely due to the lingering influence of his military family. At the same time, Wang Pu was highly skilled at reading the situation and gauging the atmosphere. The timing of the last Jingyang Courier Station Great Victory had been chosen very opportunely. The Tartars had been raiding for a month, and the Government Troops had not a single victory to show. From top to bottom, everyone needed a victory. Against the backdrop of Gao Qiqian reporting the Gaoyang Great Victory, Lu Xiangsheng could only play along, and the Ministry of War had no choice but to hold their noses and accept it. The result was that Wang Pu had effortlessly gained a great victory.

"What did Lu Xiangsheng say when he was in the Capital? He was determined to fight two great battles of annihilation. At that time, the Tartars were massed in two columns, and he was single-mindedly set on attacking them. Now that they have split into several columns, he merely tails them in vain. To this day, a month later, not a single attack or kill has been seen." Yang Sichang paced rapidly within the study. He suddenly waved his arm violently, his voice tearing. "Over ten prefectures and counties have fallen. Over twenty thousand elite Border Army troops have no idea whatsoever where the Tartars even are. How dare they be called crack soldiers? All reconnaissance is as deaf and blind as can be. Reconnaissance unclear, yet he dares to move troops and assign generals. Does Lu Xiangsheng even deserve to be called a general who dares to fight!"

Yang Sichang crumpled the several sheets of petition paper in his hand into a ball and hurled it violently to the ground. He turned to Shen Xun and said, "Has the document demoting Lu Xiangsheng to Vice Minister of War, to atone for his crimes through service, been sent out?"

Shen Xun lowered his head and said, "It was sent before noon. Liu Zhongtang has been reassigned as Imperial Inspector. In this entire court, I fear only you, venerable sir, could persuade the Emperor to retract his decree."

"The day before yesterday, when the Emperor wanted to replace the Supreme Commander with Liu Zhongtang, do you know why this official opposed it with all his might, exhausting every effort to make the Emperor retract his decree?"

"Changing commanders on the eve of battle is a grave taboo in military affairs. Lu Doutang has always held the troops' hearts and enjoys considerable prestige in the army. Replacing him so abruptly with Chief Grand Secretary Liu would instantly breed suspicion among the troops. At this critical moment of great battle, it could trigger a mutiny."

Yang Sichang nodded. "That is indeed so. When in the Capital, this official also discussed with Lu Doutang that the only usable rally to the king forces were the two commands of the Supreme Commander and the Supervisor. They could not be carelessly thrown away in reckless battles against the Tartars. As long as the main army is present, the Tartar forces will not dare to split up. Now the Tartars are in two columns, and the Supreme Commander and Supervisor are also in two columns. One cannot do without the other, so naturally, we cannot change commanders on the eve of battle. But that is only the first reason."

Shen Xun did not interject. Yang Sichang continued, "The second reason concerns Lu Xiangsheng himself. Over ten cities in Ji'nan have already fallen. Lu Xiangsheng is the Regional Commander of Relief, in overall command of the rally to the king forces. Once his position as Supreme Commander is revoked, what fate do you think awaits him?"

Shen Xun sighed but did not speak aloud. Everyone in the Capital's official circles knew that as more and more prefectures and counties in Ji'nan fell, and civilian casualties became horrifically severe, the court would ultimately need someone to shoulder the blame. Lu Xiangsheng was the most likely candidate. Judging from the current situation, if no significant military achievements followed, Lu Xiangsheng's fate would certainly be at Caishikou.

"Venerable sir, you argued forcefully on solid grounds and finally secured for Lu Doutang this chance to atone for his crimes through service." Shen Xun looked up at Yang Sichang and then said, "During that day's audience at the Platform, the Emperor himself said that Lu Xiangsheng was merely sitting outside Zhending city, while over a dozen places on the western route lay ruined and broken — how could he be used again? Had it not been for you, venerable sir, arguing so forcefully, Liu Zhongtang might truly have gone to oversee the troops. He has talked too much of war and swordsmanship, thinking frontier talent is just like a game of chess. With a bit of goading, he would actually dare to go and oversee the army. In a way, venerable sir, you also saved Liu Zhongtang. That day during the audience, Liu Zhongtang already showed signs of wanting to back out. I imagine he has come to realize the situation in his heart. Now we can only hope that Lu Doutang will fight for a sliver of survival for himself and not fail your kind intentions, venerable sir."

"And this is how Lu Xiangsheng repays it. Now, many prefectures and counties in the two prefectures of Zhending and Baoding have already fallen. Yesterday, I fought for Lu Xiangsheng to earn this chance to atone for his crimes. Today, I receive this false report from Longgu Pass Pass Pass. Although Gao Qiqian, leading the Guan-Ning forces, has achieved no great merit, he has at least been able to follow the eastern enemy column all the way, even outflanking them to the front of Linqing, ensuring that Dezhou and Linqing were not lost. Yet Lu Doutang's Xuan-Da forces have no idea whatsoever of the Tartars' whereabouts. Who knows how many more cities the Tartars have broken through? At tomorrow's audience, this official does not know how to report back to the Emperor." Yang Sichang looked down at the crumpled ball of paper for a moment, then slowly turned to Shen Xun. "Even so, it is still best for Lu Xiangsheng to command the Xuan-Da Army. But we must also make preparations. Send a ministry dispatch to Sun Chuanting, ordering him to lead his troops to assist in the coordinated suppression of the western route."

Hearing this, Shen Xun knew that Yang Sichang had effectively given up on Lu Xiangsheng, though this had not just begun at this moment. Sun Chuanting's previous strategic thinking aligned with Yang Sichang's. He believed the Government Troops' field battle capability was far inferior to the Qing army's and advocated avoiding pitched battles with the Qing army. He even went a step further than Yang Sichang, proposing that the army be dispersed to defend the various prefectures and counties, completely abandoning mobile warfare.

Therefore, Yang Sichang had actually long intended to replace Lu Xiangsheng with Sun Chuanting. It was only out of concern over changing commanders on the eve of battle that he had delayed implementing it. It was not, as he himself claimed, out of genuine sentiment for Lu Xiangsheng. Because up to this point, Yang Sichang had not responded to the request in Lu Xiangsheng's dispatch report — namely, resolving the Xuan-Da Army's marching ration problem.

Shen Xun also knew this matter was very difficult to resolve. The prefectures and counties were already strained in rations and pay. During wartime chaos, government decrees were hard to enforce. The primary task of the Local Officials was to keep their own prefectures and counties from falling. Moreover, the army had become accustomed to looting and plundering; the county defense forces guarded against them as much as they did against bandits. Getting them to readily provide marching rations was, at present, nearly impossible.

"Your subordinate understands."

Yang Sichang coughed twice and spread a sheet of paper on the desk. Shen Xun did not know what he intended to write but quickly went over to help grind the ink.

Yang Sichang picked up his brush and paused for a moment. "Some things are better said clearly. This official will write a letter to Lu Doutang. You will send it along with the ministry dispatch."

"In the field with the Supreme Commander's forces, all reconnaissance is as deaf and blind as can be. The venerable sir is usually so impassioned and valiant — why is he now merely tailing them so...?"

On the evening of the eighth day of the twelfth month, inside the Xuan-Da Army camp at Nangong County, Zhending Prefecture, Yang Tinglin hurled the letter to the ground and cursed, "That vile, disloyal, unfilial, unrighteous scoundrel Yang Sichang — how dare he rebuke others like this!"

The Xuan-Da Army had been out of grain for nearly ten days. Some units had long since begun slaughtering horses and mules to stave off hunger. To this day, the grain supply had still not been resolved. Now, the problem was no longer that the prefectures and counties would not open their gates, but that there were no cities left from which to demand supplies.

The Xuan-Da Army had left Zhending Prefecture on the twenty-ninth, marching eastward all the way. Prefectures and counties along the route, such as Luancheng and Zhaozhou, had all been overrun. Inside and outside the cities, chaos reigned, and corpses littered the fields. Outside the ruined cities, wind and snow intermingled, and amidst the howling north wind, faint sounds of weeping could be heard.

Lu Xiangsheng sat on a small stool inside the tent, holding another sheet of paper in his hand. In a low, deep voice, he said, "Reconnaissance unclear, deployments without direction. Yang Sichang is not wrong. He was even being polite... This one: 'Supreme Commander Lu Xiangsheng personally leads the elite troops of the Three Garrisons, yet lingers at strong cities, displaying much cowardice and deceit. Much cowardice and deceit.'"

Yang Tinglin knew that the paper in Lu Xiangsheng's hand was the Edict the Emperor had written to Liu Yuliang, appointing him to leave the Capital as Imperial Inspector. It also contained the disposition of Lu Xiangsheng: demoted to Vice Minister of War, to atone for his crimes through service. The passage in the middle was the Emperor's appraisal of Lu Xiangsheng. 'Lingering at strong cities' described his actions; 'much cowardice and deceit' described his character.

Yang Tinglin naturally understood what those words — 'much cowardice and deceit' — meant to Lu Xiangsheng, a fellow Presented Scholar. They practically erased the lifelong devotion to loyalty and filial piety that Lu Xiangsheng had pursued. Most gravely, these four words were spoken by the Emperor.

Lu Xiangsheng's face was ashen. He gently tossed that paper to the ground, then stared blankly at another sheet in his hand. "'Hoarding troops without rendering aid, idling at the crossroads' — that also refers to Lu... The prefectures and counties of Zhending Prefecture that have fallen so far include Xingtang, Zanhuang, Longping, Luancheng, Yuanshi, Lingshou, Wuji, New River, Zhaozhou, Lincheng, Nangong... What of Huolu?"

Yang Tinglin did not answer. Lu Xiangsheng muttered to himself, "Huolu has also fallen. Huolu was breached on the twenty-ninth. The Tartars massacred the entire city."

Yang Tinglin could not help but console him. "It was not your fault, Doutang. It was because General Tiger's relief forces could not arrive in time. He is now heading east to rendezvous with us."

"Yet Wang Pu is nowhere to be seen, with no news at all." A grin spread across Lu Xiangsheng's face, but there was no trace of laughter. He looked gaunt and haggard; only the hem of his hemp robe trembled incessantly.

After a long while, Lu Xiangsheng finally stood up, his body swaying slightly. Yang Tinglin hurried over to support him.

Lu Xiangsheng waved him off, steadied his gaze on Yang Tinglin for a moment, and then said, "The army has long been short of grain. Provisions and fodder are of the utmost importance. The local authorities are all civil officials. Now, in this army, only Boxiang is a Presented Scholar, which makes dealing with the local authorities easier. I must trouble Boxiang to leave the camp and press for the provision of grain and fodder."

Without much thought, Yang Tinglin immediately agreed. "Rest assured, Doutang. Your subordinate will exert every last effort. Even if I must beg on my knees, I will secure the grain and fodder."

Lu Xiangsheng cupped his hands in salute to Yang Tinglin. He turned his head to look at Gu Xianyi, the captain of his Personal Soldiers, standing behind him. "Xianyi, escort..."

Before Lu Xiangsheng could continue, Gu Xianyi had already proactively said, "This humble one will certainly send men to escort Sir Yang. Please rest assured, Doutang."

In the dim lamplight, Lu Xiangsheng looked at Gu Xianyi for a moment. A sincere smile suddenly appeared on his face as he nodded to Gu Xianyi.