Chapter 514: The Alliance

"Elder Zhou Yanru."

Pang Yu repeated the name in a low murmur. He had never dealt with Zhou Yanru. By the time he arrived in Tongcheng, Zhou Yanru had already been dismissed from office, and he rarely heard the name mentioned. Later, when Ruan Dacheng introduced him to Feng Quan, the Dark Sentinel Division compiled a complete dossier on Feng Quan, in which Zhou Yanru's name appeared and was flagged as a key figure for reference.

Zhou Yanru was a native of Yixing, a former Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and an in-law of Feng Quan through his children's marriages. At the same time, he was the examination mentor of Zhang Pu, making him acceptable to both the Restoration Society and the Eunuch Faction.

"Mr. Wu said just now that Mr. Yushan also approves?"

Wu Changshi paused briefly, then smiled. That Pang Yu could ask such a question showed he clearly understood the political situation at court and was not merely some warlord entrenched in a corner of the realm.

After a moment's thought, he said, "General Pang, you see clearly. Mr. Yushan has not opposed it, nor has he said he approves. On this matter, Elder Feng can mediate. Jizhi is arranging for the three gentlemen to meet. Those gentlemen are men of vast learning; they will certainly not let minor points of decorum obstruct the greater cause."

Pang Yu nodded in agreement. According to the reference dossier he had read, Qian Qianyi and Zhou Yanru had originally been political enemies.

In the early years of the Chongzhen reign, Qian Qianyi was preparing to enter the Cabinet. At that time, Qian Qianyi was in his brilliant prime and had the strong backing of the Donglin faction. Once in the Cabinet, he was highly likely to become Chief Grand Secretary.

Zhou Yanru and Wen Tiren, deeply wary of this formidable rival, immediately moved to block him, digging up the imperial examination fraud case. After a relentless assault, Qian Qianyi's political future was severed. He could only return to Nanjing to serve as an unofficial literary leader.

Over the years, however, Qian Qianyi's influence within the Donglin faction only grew. So when Wen Tiren struck at the Donglin again, he still chose Qian Qianyi as his target. But even after bringing down Wen Tiren, Qian Qianyi still could not be reinstated, because the Emperor had already formed a bad impression of him.

Thus, for Qian Qianyi, Zhou Yanru was in fact the rival who had cut off his political future. Feng Quan was likewise a member of the Eunuch Faction whom the Donglin had labored to overthrow. On the surface, they were all mortal enemies. But for politicians, friend and foe shift with the circumstances. Zhou Yanru was the most suitable candidate they could currently find, and Qian Qianyi might well be able to accept that.

According to Wu Changshi, Qian Qianyi had not opposed it so far, but he had not yet given his final word. In last year's major case, Feng Quan had played no small role in enabling Qian Qianyi to emerge unscathed. Through that process, Qian Qianyi had personally experienced the Eunuch Faction's power. His willingness to talk with Zhang Pu and Zhou Yanru was about securing his own interests.

In this alliance that Zhang Pu was now assembling, Zhang Pu represented the Restoration Society, which controlled the examination system and held enormous influence among the gentry scholars. Feng Quan represented the Eunuch Faction condemned in the Reverse Case, with its close ties to the palace eunuchs.

Qian Qianyi represented the deeply entrenched Donglin faction at court, with its extensive and vast network of connections throughout the imperial government and local officialdom.

Zhou Yanru had the persona of a Lone Minister and had once served as Chief Grand Secretary. If his restoration succeeded, he could only be Chief Grand Secretary. So when Wu Changshi planned this, he aimed directly for that position from the start.

A Zhou Yanru backed by a political alliance would be no comparison to someone like Liu Yuliang. At the very least, governance would be far more stable.

Wu Changshi was like the Document Receiving Official for this alliance. In just over a year in the Capital, he had already reconciled three opposing factions and identified someone who could represent the interests of all three.

Compared to them, Pang Yu could not represent any particular faction, and his strength was limited to the Anqing Battalion. Wu Changshi had approached him to join this alliance because Pang Yu had a modest reputation and was the most suitable military commander the Restoration Society could find — existing within the alliance as an enforcer, assisting the other gentlemen with frontier military affairs. His actual status could not compare with that of the other parties.

But now, after the Susong Campaign and the Relief Expedition, Pang Yu had not only fame but had proven strength surpassing that of ordinary military commanders. In particular, he could defeat the Qing army in a head-on battle — something Government Troops had not achieved in many years. From what Wu Changshi observed, Pang Yu was held in considerable esteem in this main hall. It seemed he could no longer be placed in his former status.

In just a moment, many thoughts had raced through Wu Changshi's mind. He paused briefly, then said to Pang Yu, "The Strike General Merit must absolutely be secured for you, General. Leave this matter to me. General, you need only focus on dealing cautiously with the Tartars."

Pang Yu hurriedly expressed his thanks. He was already feeling the benefits this alliance brought him. With his current foundations in the Capital, he had no way whatsoever to influence high-level decisions. Having Wu Changshi handle it saved him an immense amount of energy.

If Zhou Yanru truly could return as Chief Grand Secretary, this alliance would simultaneously control the Cabinet, Capital Officials, Local Officials, the gentry, and public opinion — plus Pang Yu's military support. Matters would proceed far more smoothly, greatly benefiting the development of both the silver bank and the shipping company.

"The Tartars are powerful. The Emperor's intent conveyed to the Ministry of War is to take another three to five thousand heads. General Pang already has military merits; you need not necessarily go risk your life again. Fighting Tartars and fighting Roving Bandits are not matters of a single morning or evening. Preserve this useful body to bring benefit to the realm. General, you too must set aside minor points for the greater cause."

Pang Yu had originally had no intention of going to fight to the death again either. When he had headed north from Yangcun, he had only a little over five hundred men left. In recent days, rain and snow had come together, and over thirty more casualties from illness and injury had further depleted his numbers, forcing them to remain inside Jizhou city. Of the remaining four hundred-odd men, another twenty percent were ill. Even the artillery could only scrape together five gun crews. He absolutely would not go throw his life away against the Tartars now.

From what he understood of the situation, the Qin Army, the Xuan-Da forces, and the Liao Garrison were much the same. Every unit had suffered heavy attrition. After a winter of marching and fighting, both horses and men had reached their limits. So even if Shen Xun pressured them, the results would not be much different.

Just as he was about to agree, one of Sun Chuanting's staff advisors entered the hall and announced loudly, "The Tartars have seized Qingshan Pass. Sun Doutang orders the military council canceled. All general officers are to return to camp and prepare to march for Santun Camp."

A stir immediately ran through the hall. Qingshan Pass had been easily taken by the Qing Left Wing last September. After the Qing army entered the frontier, the Ji Garrison had reoccupied it, restoring the integrity of the defense line. Now, with Government Troops massed at Jizhou, the Tartars had, right under their noses, once again captured Qingshan Pass. These key border strongholds were, by all reason, exceedingly difficult to take, yet before the Qing army they seemed as easy to enter as a market fair. Only after they had seized the pass did everyone learn of it.

The three Supreme Commanders, the Grand Supervisor, and Zu Dashou had not shown themselves the entire time. Pang Yu guessed they were holding a small meeting in the rear hall, perhaps with Shen Xun attending as well. It must have ended in discord. All the general officers were already gathered here; even with urgent military intelligence, they could have first deployed and then marched.

The only explanation was that the several men had failed to reach any agreement at all. There was nothing left to say. It would still be every man fighting his own battle, so there was no need to discuss coordination together.

The general officers of the Relief Army clustered together, constantly glancing this way, likely waiting for Pang Yu to confer.

Pang Yu turned to Wu Changshi and asked, "Mr. Wu, do you still intend to go to Santun Camp?"

"I would like to go, but I fear the censors from the Section for Scrutiny who came with me will not be going. I cannot stand out alone." Wu Changshi paused, then continued, "General, you are a student of Elder Mace. After the Tartars exit the frontier, before General Pang returns to his post, first meet with Elder Feng. There happen to be some important verbal messages to carry back. When the General returns south, meet with all three gentlemen. The realm is in such ruin; these gentlemen cannot simply cultivate their reputations in retirement. If Elder Zhou can be restored sooner, it will be a blessing for all under Heaven."

Wu Changshi's words were all fine-sounding phrases, but the real point was to move forward with Zhou Yanru's matter as soon as possible. This affair was his own handiwork; naturally, he stood to gain the most from its success, so he was bound to be highly proactive. Pang Yu understood that this alliance was nearing completion, and everyone involved hoped to claim a share in the court's distribution of power.

He cupped his hands toward Wu Changshi and said, "It shall certainly be as you wish, sir."

On the third day of the third month, sixty li east of Santun Camp, Pang Yu stood on the riverbank, raising his telescope to observe the Qing troops on the opposite shore.

Across the way were about two hundred Mounted Armor. These Qing troops were in no better condition than the Ming Army. Most of the horses were extremely gaunt. The moment they halted, the riders immediately dismounted to prevent excessive wear on the mounts.

Judging by their banners, they were confirmed to be elements of the Bordered Yellow Banner and the Plain White Banner — definitely the vanguard of the Qing Left Wing. On the road behind them, an unbroken stream of men and carts could be seen passing through the mountain pass toward the direction of Taiping Fortress. The Qing army was beginning to exit the frontier.

The Qing army's movements were far less swift than before. They had lingered at Mace'an for a long time, attacking no cities or towns, delaying for ten days before exiting the frontier.

"Sun Doutang has forwarded dispatch bulletins. Several bands of Eastern Invaders, each numbering from several hundred to a thousand men, have appeared at the various passes along the border."

Pang Yu took the dispatch bulletins handed over by Tu Dianli. There were five in total, sent from the various passes near Qingshan Pass, covering everywhere from Lengkou to Xifengkou.

"The Tartars outside the border have come to meet them." Pang Yu handed the bulletins back to Tu Dianli. Though the Qing troops opposite were dusty and travel-worn, their overall coordination still far surpassed that of the Ming Army. The greater their numbers, the greater their advantage. Now the support forces outside the passes were also mixing feint and real, making it impossible for the Ming Army to determine which pass they would actually use to exit. This effectively dispersed Ming forces. Sun Chuanting must be in an extremely difficult position right now.

Even though Pang Yu could now see the Qing vanguard, he still could not be certain that the Qing army would definitely take Qingshan Pass, or whether they might exit through multiple passes simultaneously.

And after concentrating, the Ming Army had only become more chaotic. Two Supreme Commanders plus one Grand Supervisor — their subordinate Regional Commanders alone numbered nearly ten, with vice commanders, colonels, and majors beyond count. The three commands had no unified chain of command; they even fought over the right-of-way on the march.

The massed Ming forces displayed neither heightened will to fight nor any capacity for coordination. Tens of thousands of men were jammed together east of Santun Camp. Pang Yu saw the elite Liao Garrison troops led by Zu Dashou. Their cavalry, in both quantity and quality, far exceeded those of the other garrisons. Because they had not marched into the interior, both men and horses were fat and strong. But their appetite for attack was very low; they followed behind the Relief Army, and even skirmishes between their scout cavalry and the enemy were rare.

So Sun Chuanting still had to rely on the Relief Army. Exhausted men and spent horses, the Relief Army was completely suppressed by the Qing cavalry in the forward skirmishing and had no idea of the Qing army's direction of movement. Every military unit dragged its feet. Under Sun Chuanting's constant urging, Pang Yu and the other Relief Army forces used their numerical superiority to push back the Qing Scout Cavalry and finally reached the mountain pass, only then confirming that the Qing main force was in the process of exiting the frontier.

The total number of Qing troops that had entered the frontier was around fifty thousand. They had plundered hundreds of thousands of people and livestock, with carts and carriages numbering in the tens of thousands. For dozens of li north from Mace'an, it was all Qing army camps.

This supermassive column needed to enter the mountain region and exit through the various passes. In this process, the mountain pass before them was critically important. Two river channels converged here, with multiple shallows that could be forded.

The first to reach the mountain pass were Cao Bianjiao and Yang Guozhu. Pang Yu had only arrived today, following Sun Chuanting. Wang Pu and Li Chongzhen had arrived at the same time.

Sun Chuanting took Pang Yu's telescope to observe. There were not many directions of movement at this mountain pass. The Qing army had built a solid camp on the opposite bank, cutting off the Ming Army's line of advance, and had deployed numerous troops to shield the main road behind them.

In front of the Qing camp were deep trenches and high ramparts, with many Bright Armor Tartars defending the rear. Given the Relief Army's strength, there was no possibility of breaking through.

Pang Yu stole a glance at Sun Chuanting. This Regional Commander of Relief's relationship with the Ministry of War had only eased for ten days. Recently, the disputes had grown increasingly fierce. Word had come from the Shaanxi Provincial Commander's Standard Troops that the Ministry of War was insisting the Relief Army fight a major battle, that they must rescue a sufficient number of common people, and had dispatched Censors of the Section for Scrutiny to wait and verify the results. Sun Chuanting, naturally, could not deliver. He wrote several letters a day arguing with Yang Sichang. The replies from the Emperor and the Cabinet grew ever harsher. In just a few days, Sun Chuanting had become visibly haggard.

Only after observing for a long while did Sun Chuanting lower the telescope. He looked at the several general officers and said, "Per the ministry dispatch received from the Ministry of War, rescuing the common people is the priority. Scout out the Tartar camp, select men and horses for a night raid, and be sure to rescue as many of the people as possible."