Chapter 476: Renown

"Lord Pang's battle at Tongcheng Post — two successive dispatch reports were delivered, Lord Liu Zhongtang memorialized directly to the palace, the head count reached over a hundred, and then the Dong'e County Magistrate confirmed the slaying of officers and the breaking of the camp. The Ministry of War sent a reply ordering Dongchang Prefecture to verify the heads, but His Majesty's mood has greatly improved, and even yesterday's imperial rescripts were much milder as a result."

Inside the Dong family residence in the inner city of the Capital, the short and stout Dong Xinkui wore a pleased expression, and his tone toward Zhang Mazi carried more respect. "The Anqing Battalion took over a hundred heads. Lord Liu Zhongtang reported directly to the palace, and the Ministry of War didn't even receive the dispatch reports until a day later. When His Majesty summoned the court for consultation and inquired about the Anqing Battalion, Yang Sichang still reported that they were in Xuzhou — it's become a joke in the palace these past two days. In just these two days, Lord Pang's name has spread throughout the official circles of the Capital. Many people have come to Dong Mou to ask about this Deputy Regional Commander Pang."

Zhang Mazi said in astonishment, "Lord Pang had the great victory at Susong. I had thought he already had a reputation in the Capital before this."

Dong Xinkui laughed in spite of himself. "Brother Zhang, you don't understand. Officers who win victories against the Roving Bandits are countless; those who win against the Tartars are few and far between. The Ministry of War and His Majesty both know about the Susong victory, but in the end, how many camps you broke through is what you report yourself. There were only so many heads, plus the head of Sweeping King. People like Zuo Liangyu, Sun Chuanting, and Zu Kuan can also accomplish such things."

At that moment, a maidservant came in to serve light refreshments. Dong Xinkui waited until she had left before continuing. "When it comes to the Jurchen Slaves, it's different. The distant Ningyuan victory was only two hundred and sixty-nine heads. And speaking of recent events, what victories have been reported during this incursion? Six heads outside the Ji Garrison pass, seven heads by the Gonggu Battalion in Zhending Prefecture, twenty by Wang Pu at Jingyang Post Station, one hundred and fifty at the Qingdu victory — but the local authorities and the Ministry of War only verified the heads, with no banners, drums, armor, or equipment as proof, and no live captives presented. At the critical moment when the Eastern Invaders had just marched south, whether the heads verified by the Ministry of War were real or fake was something both officials and commoners in the Capital had doubts about. Dozens of cities to the south have been breached, at the very least several hundred thousand civilians are dead, the prefectures of Zhili lie in ruins, the supervising censors are submitting joint impeachment memorials, and the Cabinet and Ministry of War have long been utterly overwhelmed. Now, whatever the various garrisons report, neither officials nor commoners believe any of it. What is most lacking right now is a single reliable great victory."

Zhang Mazi rubbed his hands together, a trace of excitement in his heart. He had been pleased for a moment when he received the news of over a hundred heads taken, but it was far from elation. Now, hearing Dong Xinkui put it this way, these hundred-odd heads seemed far more important than he had imagined.

"Lord Pang's great victory at Tongcheng Post — if he sends the banners and captives, whether for the Ministry of War or the Cabinet, there will be a credible great victory that can somewhat quiet public opinion at court and among the people. The one thing now is to send the heads and banners as quickly as possible, especially the captives. If there are several dozen, send them to the Capital to present captives beneath the palace gates, let the commoners of the Capital see with their own eyes. The Ministry of War and the Cabinet can catch their breath, and His Majesty can save face. What His Majesty cares about most is precisely this face."

Zhang Mazi put on a look of sudden realization. "His Majesty must also consider face. This is something I truly had not thought of."

"His Majesty is a man who cares most about face. The worst mistake Lu Xiangsheng made was failing to leave His Majesty any face. It's not that he didn't understand this principle..." Dong Xinkui shook his head as he finished speaking.

Zhang Mazi lowered his voice. "Mr. Dong, now that you mention it, I recall something. It seems that this time two Supreme Commanders have died, but fewer military officers have died. There are rumors that at the battle of Jiazhuang, it's one thing that Hu Dawei and Yang Guozhu broke through the encirclement and escaped, but Li Chongzhen, the Central Battalion Vice General who was guarding the Supreme Commander, also saved his own life, leaving Lu Xiangsheng to die alone."

Dong Xinkui gave a cold chuckle. "Brother Zhang, just listen to these words, but do not go spreading them around. Whether this Lu Xiangsheng is dead or not, and if dead, exactly how he died — there is still no settled conclusion in the Capital. His corpse has indeed been transported to Zhending Prefecture, but Zhang Qiping and the Regional Inspector both refuse to confirm the body's identity, so it cannot yet be publicly announced."

"In that case, Lord Lu Doutang still cannot have his funeral and burial."

"Naturally not. If you bury him and the relevant office declares that death was not confirmed by sight of the body, then Duke Lu's reputation in life and after death would be utterly destroyed. For now, he can only be kept in this way at Zhending Prefecture, to be encoffined when the time is right." Dong Xinkui sighed. "The current Imperial Inspector is Sun Chuanting. His seal, sword, and banners have all been issued by the Ministry of War. Ministry of War dispatches say he went from Baoding to Zhending, and then from Zhending toward Dezhou. Where he is now, no one knows. His post as Regional Commander of Relief is not an easy one. The Xuan-Da army has collapsed, the various relief columns have not the slightest will to fight. I hear the Jurchen Slaves have gone east of Linqing. Who knows how many more will die. One can only hope that on their return journey these Tartars will not pass through the Capital, but go by way of Tongzhou instead."

Zhang Mazi inwardly agreed. He was an old hand from the Tongcheng Constable Fast Squad, one of the earliest sent out to scout in various places, and had experienced Roving Bandits threatening the city several times. But being besieged inside the city for so long this time was a first. The Capital was just one city wall, and the Jurchen Slaves were right outside that wall. To say he was not afraid would be a lie. That kind of pressure had lasted for two or three months. The Eastern Invaders still had not left the passes, the King's Relief Army was useless, and everyone in the Capital, gentry and commoners alike, was on the verge of emotional collapse.

Dong Xinkui turned his head toward him and said, "Back to the main business. With this trip by the Tartars, many in the Capital want to send their families and fortunes south. Taking advantage of the momentum from General Pang's great victory, you must get things moving quickly. Even after the Tartars leave the passes, the places they've passed through will surely be rife with banditry. One will certainly need reliable men to entrust one's family and fortune to. Right now, the name with the greatest renown is Lord Pang. If Lord Pang can win another one or two engagements, he will be even more reliable."

Returning from the Dong family's outer residence to the shop on the inner street by Chongwen Gate in the outer city, the deputy met Zhang Mazi in the second courtyard and said, "Wu Changshi sent word, asking that the Shopkeeper deliver a letter to Lord Pang. If he comes near the Capital with the King's Relief Army, he must meet with him. There are important matters to discuss in person."

Zhang Mazi did not stop walking, merely grunting in acknowledgment. The deputy followed behind, speaking as they walked. "Someone also came from Old Master Feng's side, with the same intent as Wu Changshi."

Zhang Mazi stopped and asked, "Feng Quan?"

"The messenger said that Mr. Feng has gone to Zhending Prefecture to pay respects to Lord Lu Doutang. If Lord Pang reaches the Capital, he wishes to invite the lord to Zhuozhou for a meeting."

Zhang Mazi waited a moment, then laughed. "Lu Xiangsheng was originally of the pure stream. Defeated and dead, no one even dared to identify his corpse. Only a man of the Eunuch Faction goes to pay respects. If word gets out, it's laughable to death."

"Then how should I reply to Mr. Feng's side?"

"In handling matters in the Capital, we rely heavily on Feng Quan. Lord Pang also holds this man Feng Quan in high regard. Naturally, we agree first. But this Capital is a place where fish and dragons mingle. Relying solely on Dong Xinkui for information is not entirely reliable. We absolutely must have our own channels for information. Have the eyes and ears inside the palace been able to gather any intelligence yet?"

The deputy glanced at Zhang Mazi. "It's all just palace rumors. We still have no useful intelligence."

"If the eyes and ears below are ineffective at gathering intelligence, the one in charge must find a way to make them effective. We are the Dark Sentinel Division. Failing a task is not as simple as taking a beating from the master — military law hangs over our heads."

"Your subordinate understands. It's also that these informants have no foundation. That Lin Dengwan sent word out, saying he wants to help inquire about the hometown situations of the managing eunuchs inside. Your subordinate thought this could be done, to make it easier for these informants to operate later..."

"Which eunuchs exactly, and where are their hometowns?"

The deputy had come prepared and listed the place names one by one. Zhang Mazi's gaze shifted over. "Do you think these people are really managing eunuchs?"

"Your subordinate knows that this place in Daming Prefecture is Lin Dengwan's own home. He fabricated a family surnamed Xue, possibly his neighbors. If the neighbors are unharmed, his own family is likely unharmed as well. The other two families may truly be managing eunuchs."

"When you reply to him, you must give him a warning." Zhang Mazi thought for a moment. "The managing eunuchs, great and small, in the palace all come from around the Capital, with Hejian Prefecture the most common. I fear recently they are all anxious about their homes. For the Senior Supervisors and Junior Supervisors, naturally the Capital Battalion has people to investigate. But the ordinary managing eunuchs below probably have no one paying them any attention. Yet these people are useful and will make things easier later. For those few that Lin Dengwan reported, arrange for people to investigate. Along the way, also go check on the homes of others with whom we have dealings. If they are dead, help with the burial. If alive, lend a hand — it's also a way to establish a connection."

"Your subordinate understands."

Zhang Mazi nodded. "In all things, remember this: the vital information of the realm is all in the Capital, and the vital information of the Capital is all within the Imperial City. Spending some silver and some effort are trifles. I must also report upward. Lord Pang is about to arrive. What will we use to make our report? Reliable information."

"Dong'e today gathered five regular cavalrymen and two mounted scouts. Chen Rulie petitions to leave a Clerk Officer at Dong'e to continue gathering, while the remaining personnel and horses come to Tongcheng Post to assemble."

"Approved."

"Yesterday, cavalry scouts probed north. Chiping County still stands; the Tartars withdrew without attacking. Cavalry reconnoitered the northeast and east, discovering traces of recent large-force movement. Following the lord's orders, they did not advance further. It is estimated that over ten thousand men and animals traveled via the post road toward Gaotang Prefecture, and over ten thousand men and animals toward Qingping. The tail of the column likely passed through two or three days ago. It is estimated they have already reached the vicinity of Jinan Prefecture."

Pang Yu did not look at the map. He could guess these two directions without looking. The Qing army was spreading out its front. The subsequent route was also easy to guess: they were preparing to sweep back north like a brush, scouring the west side of the Grand Canal once, then the east side once more, wasting no part of the route.

Tu Dianli continued, "Forward reconnaissance is weak. Currently, the mounted scouts have suffered severe losses. In total, the directly subordinate Mounted Scouts Centurion has died in battle, of the three directly subordinate Banner Commanders, two are dead and one missing. The First Division Mounted Scouts Banner Commander has died in battle. Only Second Division Banner Commander Chen Bin remains, and that is thanks to the effectiveness of the military medic station. For now, he still cannot ride a horse. At present, only a dozen or so are usable, and that includes the Border Army Night-Not-Returning scouts recruited along the way. Additionally, there are over thirty wounded mounted scouts in the military medic station."

Pang Yu nodded. He had grown accustomed to the characteristics of an army. Training required a very long time, but losses often occurred in just a day or two. In the span of a commander's single thought, years of accumulation could be thrown away.

From top to bottom, the Anqing Battalion lacked practical experience in fighting the Qing army, especially in underestimating the enemy's degree of organization and mobility. Most of the losses stemmed from this.

Pang Yu closed his eyes briefly, drove away the feeling of regret, then looked at Pang Ding and asked, "Where is Lord Liu Zhongtang preparing to go?"

"Lord Liu Zhongtang is preparing to go to Linqing. His intention is to send his own people to Dongchang Prefecture to take charge of verifying the military merits, while the Anqing Battalion proceeds to Linqing to rendezvous with him."

"Rendezvous with him?" Pang Yu frowned. "Lord Liu Zhongtang is the Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. He should be the most reliable person. He left the Capital as Imperial Inspector. With Lord Lu Doutang dead, could this Imperial Inspector role turn into leading the army? Has the situation at Linqing been clarified?"

The several men in the room all shook their heads. Tu Dianli replied, "Your subordinate does not know. But the relay horse sent by Lord Liu Zhongtang mentioned that the current Regional Commander of Relief is Sun Chuanting. Perhaps it is His Majesty's intention, thinking that two routes not under unified command is detrimental to suppressing the bandits, and so he is sending the Chief Grand Secretary to coordinate the two routes?"

"Sun Chuanting is heading to Dezhou, Supervisor-in-Chief Gao is at Linqing. The combined forces total fifty thousand... sixty thousand? It will be very difficult for Lord Liu Zhongtang to coordinate these two routes."

Pang Yu looked at the map. The battlefield situation he could currently grasp was that the Jurchen Slaves had gone one route east and one route north. But exactly how far east the Jurchen Slaves had gone, he could only guess. Judging by the timing, they should have reached Jinan at the farthest. At present, the mounted scouts could not perform their role, so he was completely ignorant of the Qing army's specific location.

He also did not know the positions of friendly forces. Since the Qing army had just passed through, everywhere was chaos and turmoil. The roads were overrun with all kinds of routed soldiers and bandits. Transmitting information often depended on luck. He could exchange messages with Liu Yuliang in Zhending Prefecture, but to this day he could not establish contact with the closer Linqing, and did not even know whether those troops were still at Linqing.

Tu Dianli marked two friendly force symbols on the map. "Shandong Regional Commander Ni Chong passed through Dongchang Prefecture and has been at Boping these past two days. He encountered our patrol cavalry and asked whether grain and fodder were easy to find nearby. The other force is the Dengzhou Garrison Standard Battalion led by Denglai Grand Coordinator Yang Wenyue, numbering roughly over two thousand. They came out from Linqing, were at Dongchang Prefectural City the day before yesterday, and reached Dong'e last night. It is said they intend to go south to Dengzhou. The Vice Town Commander of the Provincial Commander's Standard Troops Battalion said that the Liao Garrison is still at Linqing, and that Kong Youde's band of Dongjiang Rebels also entered the passes alongside the Tartars. They are familiar with Denglai and will surely head there. The Provincial Commander's Standard Troops Battalion wants to rush back to relieve it and asks us to go together to Denglai to provide relief."

Pang Yu smiled and asked, "In the ministry orders sent by the Ministry of War, is Ni Chong also supposed to go to Jinan?"

"Yes." Pang Ding said in a low voice, "He seized our stored grain in Xuzhou, and when he was near Linqing and heard the Tartars were marching south, he turned tail and ran back to Xuzhou."

"Inform them of the Tartars' movements. As for the rest, forget it." Pang Yu stood up and took the document from Pang Ding. After examining it carefully again, he said, "Lord Liu Zhongtang's document states 'accompany in marching to provide relief,' meaning we are to follow his movements. This is Lord Liu Zhongtang's formal document, ordering the Anqing Battalion to proceed to Linqing. This must be properly kept. Treat the relay horse riders well. For now, do not note when it was received. We will go to Linqing to rendezvous with Lord Liu Zhongtang."