Chapter 519: Foreknowledge

"Most of the troops and horses here in Anqing have been transferred to fight the Tartars. Those Iron Armor Soldiers and Horse Soldiers left in September last year."

A table had been set up in the room. Liu Wenxiu sat at the head, listening while holding a porcelain bowl and drinking water.

"About a month ago the court came to transfer troops, and took all the soldiers and horses from the Tongcheng and Qianshan areas. Now Anqing is empty everywhere — you hardly ever see cavalry. The Prefectural City and Shipai have one or two thousand soldiers who can fight, but most are infantry. Qianshan has a new infantry unit called the Mountain Camp, which has locked down the Official Road at Tianning Fortress. But at Shijingpu there are only some miscellaneous troops — not the same bunch that fought at Susong."

Liu Wenxiu set down his bowl, dipped a finger in water, and began tracing on the table. Streak after streak of water remained on the surface — lines and dots, their meaning unclear.

After tracing for a while, Liu Wenxiu stopped and said, "We've been to Tongcheng and Qianshan before. Our scouts have traveled these routes countless times over the years. Anqing is a long strip. From Qianshan to Taihu, there are three Pedestrian Roads leading to the Prefectural City. First send small Camp Heads to draw the Anqing troops toward Tongcheng and Susong, emptying out Taihu and Qianshan. Geli Yan and Ma Shouying will take the Pedestrian Roads and strike the Prefectural City by surprise. This place has been at peace for two years — they will never expect it."

Yu Baodao asked cautiously, "But is Eight Master also coming?"

Liu Wenxiu glanced at him. "Cao Cao is in Fang County. The government troops at Mianyang Port will certainly think he is heading west. My Sworn Father could go to Fang County, but this year Huguang has suffered a great drought — the land is full of Servants. The government troops have all gone to fight the Tartars. Huguang and Henan are both empty, so naturally he could also come east. In the Yinghuo Mountains, Geli Yan and Ma Shouying can provide support. Once you leave the mountains, you are in Anqing. Anqing's elite troops are not here, and the Prefectural City is just right — rich and prosperous. Raze his city, and this army will have no place to draw its pay, so naturally it won't compare to before."

Yu Baodao said with a trace of Excitement, "That Anqing Battalion has killed so many of our people — it's time they tasted some suffering."

"This Anqing army has struck and killed us several times. That Runner Pang is the most detestable. My Sworn Father wants nothing more than to hack Runner Pang to pieces. But this time, let Geli Yan and the others do the attacking. Once my Sworn Father rises again, word will spread and every place will be on guard — that would only make things more troublesome. Right now, everywhere is at peace, and no one is on alert. That's best." Liu Wenxiu pondered for a moment, then said, "Once Geli Yan and the others come out of the mountains, the Anqing troops from every direction will certainly move to intercept them. The naval forces at Zongyang will surely be transferred away in full as well. Here in the Prefectural City, we'll leave some men as Inner Responders to break the city. At Zongyang, we rescue those women, and by the way, loot Zongyang Town. I hear it's even richer than many county seats."

Second Locust was also in the room. He was a gang leader under Liu Wenxiu and had followed him for many years. He had been staring down at the water traces Liu Wenxiu had drawn, but now, hearing Zongyang mentioned, he slightly raised his head.

"Reporting to the Old Camp Chief, your humble servant has been in the Prefectural City for a long time. I've heard the locals say that every year, the grain ships leaving Zongyang for the river are no fewer than those from the Prefectural City. The town is full of wealthy households — we could loot quite a lot of goods. But after looting, how do we link up with Master Geli Yan and the others?"

"Still take boats downstream, enter Chaohu and go to Chao County. Go ashore there and wait for Ma Shouying." Liu Wenxiu asked casually, "Is that Pang Yu not in Anqing?"

"Last year, he was the one who led troops to fight the Tartars. Those Tartars are not easy to deal with — they've killed who knows how many Regional Commanders and Deputy Generals. That fellow Pang has probably already been beaten to death."

Liu Wenxiu chuckled darkly. "Dead would be letting him off easy. My Sworn Father hates that Runner Pang bitterly and has repeatedly ordered us to find a chance to kill him as well. Then let him off. We'll split into two routes — break the Prefectural City and rescue the women."

Second Locust, who had remained silent all along, suddenly spoke. "The government troops in Zongyang Town, and those on the boats, will absolutely not be transferred to rescue Tongcheng. If we rescue the women and happen to run into these Water Camp troops, we'll be capsized in the water with nowhere to flee."

Liu Wenxiu looked up at him. "So, Second Locust, are you saying we shouldn't rescue the women?"

"They're just some women. Which of the Old Camp Chiefs at the various posts doesn't have new women? The ones they caught before — let them be caught. Why rescue them? It's not like there's a shortage of women."

Liu Wenxiu couldn't help but laugh. Yu Baodao observed Liu Wenxiu's expression for a moment, then said, "Zongyang doesn't just have women. The young children captured from the various household heads are also inside. Those household heads don't lack women, but their own children are still precious to them. Besides that, there's another courtyard holding men from the various Camp Heads. For some reason, they were neither beheaded nor sent to the court."

Second Locust's brow twitched, but he said nothing further, listening as that Yu Long Family continued, "Inside the City Wall of the Prefectural City, we can only bring in twenty or thirty men here. Any more would raise suspicion. Leaving more outside the city would be of little use either."

Liu Wenxiu looked at the two of them, then finally said, "Since that's the case, leave only thirty men in the city. All the rest go to Zongyang. Bring out the women and children. As for those being held — since they are old brothers, bring them out as well. Find out exactly why they were being held. We'll act simultaneously with the Prefectural City operation here."

Second Locust and Yu Baodao said together, "Your humble servants have noted it."

In the afternoon, the Sheng-Tang ferry was bustling with people coming and going. Second Locust arrived at Wharf again and crouched down in front of the Shipping Company. Just then, several boat captains came out of the Shipping Company and stopped in the doorway, arguing about something. Second Locust couldn't understand their accent — they were probably from the Lower River. These few men blocked the doorway, making it impossible for Second Locust to observe inside.

A flash of murderous intent flickered through Second Locust's eyes. If the Western Camp's main army were here, he would make these men who were in his way die a most miserable death.

The boat captains argued for quite a while before heading east. Second Locust looked inside the Shipping Company again. His contact at Mianyang Port had told him that the Great River Shipping Company at every river dock had men from the Dark Sentinel Division. He had observed the Shipping Company many times and could roughly tell which ones were Dark Sentinel Division men.

At that moment, several Canal Gang members in short white jackets walked past in front of him. Second Locust turned his head. The dock before him was packed with Grain Transport Ships. On the river, the sails of the Anqing Water Camp's Scout Boats dotted the surface in patches.

Second Locust's hands rubbed together in front of him. Inside were only a few bits of silver. Although he had silver in Gucheng, when out on assignment following Baodao, carrying private silver money was forbidden. When he himself took squad leaders out on spy missions, he also forbade squad leaders from carrying silver.

In nearly a year in Anqing, Second Locust had entered Yu Baodao's room many times but had never found where Yu Baodao stored his silver. He knew Yu Baodao had other hiding places, not near the dock — roughly on the west side outside the city. But he had been shaken off every time he tried to follow, and once had nearly been discovered by Yu Baodao.

Without silver, he could go nowhere. If he stayed, he would have to face the danger in that courtyard at Zongyang.

The people imprisoned inside were very likely witnesses captured in successive battles, specifically used to control informants like him. If these people were taken away by Liu Wenxiu, Second Locust's own fate needed no elaboration.

The wind on the river blew past, and the shop sign on the Shipping Company's door flapped noisily. The road was thronged with people like woven cloth. Second Locust crouched by the roadside watching the shopfront. After waiting a long time, Second Locust stood up, looked left and right, then walked toward the west side.

Second Locust's eyes swept over the oncoming crowd. After walking about thirty paces, he turned around on the spot and headed back toward the east side, his gaze darting rapidly from beneath his straw hat to observe the situation ahead.

Reaching the Shipping Company's door again without detecting anything unusual, Second Locust lowered his head, shielded his face with his straw hat, and walked straight through the door. He stopped before a man he had identified as a Dark Sentinel Division operative.

The man looked up and saw Second Locust. "Is the customer looking to rent a boat or bring a boat into the association..."

Second Locust raised his head, his eyes staring from beneath the straw hat at the man. "I am Dark Sentinel Division Spy Number Thirteen, codename Broken Tail. I have urgent intelligence. I want to speak to the person in charge."

The twenty-seventh day of the third month, twelfth year of the Chongzhen reign. Assistant Regional Regional Commander Office of Anqing.

He County Yamen hurried into the main hall of the rear courtyard. This had originally been the Defense Officer's residence, but Pang Yu had bought his own courtyard, so this place was assigned to the Advisory Room for use. The main hall served as the Advisory Room's council chamber. On the wall in the center hung a map of the entire realm, with Red Banners marking several locations where Anqing garrison troops were stationed. Enemy forces and friendly forces were also marked respectively.

The long table in the room was already packed with people. Yang Xueshi sat at the head; the rest were all military officers. He County Yamen swept a quick glance — even the Local Militia Company Commanders from Huaining County were present. They were basically all from the military affairs system. He alone was a civil clerk.

Everyone rose one after another to salute him. He County Yamen waved a hand and sat down, but there was not a single sheet of paper on the table in front of him, and he had no idea what matter was to be discussed.

"Clerk He has just arrived, so I, Yang, will be brief. Before noon today, the Dark Sentinel Division's Anqing station received a piece of intelligence at the Shipping Company. It came from an informant inside the Western Camp. The name was not mentioned, but the Dark Sentinel Division says it has been verified and confirmed to be an informant planted after capture at Puzikou."

"Western Camp?" He County Yamen looked up in surprise. The Western Camp was clearly a thousand li away in Xiangyang. Why had it suddenly appeared in distant Anqing? He scanned the room and spotted a Centurion from the Dark Sentinel Division.

"It is indeed the Western Camp." Yang Xueshi nodded toward the Dark Sentinel Division Centurion, signaling him to continue.

"An advance party of six infiltrated Anqing last year and opened a Rice and Beans shop, using a man from Susong as the shopkeeper for cover. The leader is a Shao Bao Du Qi from the Old Camp's Third Post, surnamed Yu, with the nickname Uphill Tiger. The informant believes there are other strongholds besides the Rice and Beans shop. He has tailed Baodao multiple times and discovered that Western Camp personnel have been arriving in succession since the second month. Three days ago, Liu Wenxiu, a General Officer of the Old Camp's Upper Third Post, arrived at the Sheng-Tang ferry. The objective is to start a fire within the Prefectural City as a signal, coordinating with seven Camp Heads including Geli Yan and Old Huihui to attack the Prefectural City. At the same time, another force will strike the Covert Sentinel Division Academy at Zongyang, planning to rescue the people imprisoned there."

He County Yamen glanced at Yang Xueshi. Seeing that the other man had no intention of explaining, he frowned and said to the Dark Sentinel Division Centurion, "What kind of people are imprisoned in the Covert Sentinel Division Academy that the Western Camp would travel a thousand li to rescue them?"

"This humble servant does not know either. This is not a matter within this humble servant's office. Within the Dark Sentinel Division, inquiring into the secrets of other offices is strictly forbidden."

He County Yamen gave a Slight Smile. "Meaning we are even less entitled to inquire. But if it's a secret that even the Document Receiving Office and the Military Office don't know, how did the Roving Bandits a thousand li away manage to find out about it?"

The Dark Sentinel Division Centurion's face showed embarrassment. "This humble servant still does not know."

"Then does the Dark Sentinel Division intend to wipe out this band of spies with its own full strength?"

The Centurion's fleshy cheeks twitched twice. "Naturally not — that is why it has been reported to Sir Yang here."

Only then did Yang Xueshi speak. "After the Susong battle, the bandits in the Yinghuo Mountains have long ceased coming to Anqing. Originally, when Lord Pang led troops to serve the king, Anqing's forces were still sufficient. But we never expected that Circuit Intendant Shi would also take the Junyong, Wusong, and other battalions with him. These past few months, Anqing's defenses have been empty — presumably the Roving Bandits have scouted this clearly as well. The seven Camp Heads in the mountains, with their Horse Soldiers combined, number several thousand. They would not be easy to handle. Fortunately, this informant came forward to report. We plan to mobilize the New Courage Battalion, the Mountain Camp, the newly recruited Reserve Command, the Huaining Local Militia, the Water Camp's Anqing garrison, the Martial Academy's enrolled student soldiers, and other units. The Military Office and the Advisory Room have already drafted an operational plan. As it was drawn up in haste, we have specially invited Clerk He to join in the deliberation. In addition, the Jiangnan Reinforcement Units, the Prefectural Office, and the various county offices still need the Document Receiving Office to relay the notification."

He County Yamen looked at the Dark Sentinel Division Centurion. "We only know the Roving Thieves are coming because we received the Dark Sentinel Division's secret intelligence. Our greatest advantage is this foreknowledge. The Prefectural Office and county offices are full of slick and slippery underlings. Once word is relayed to them, within half a day it will spread until everyone knows. The Roving Bandits certainly have Spies in more places than just the Prefectural City — they will naturally be able to scout it out as well. You would then lose this foreknowledge. Among Anqing's garrison forces, only the men of our Cavalry Camp are reliable. Notifying them would be useless. My humble opinion is to wait until the bandits in the Yinghuo Mountains actually appear before notifying the prefectural and county offices."

Yang Xueshi hesitated for a moment but did not argue. He County Yamen tapped his fingers twice on the tabletop and continued, "We just received word: Lord Pang heavily defeated and rebuilt the Slaves at the Yongding River, achieving a merit unparalleled in this age. We did not go to risk life and limb — we must not only hold Anqing well, but hold every part of the Great River well. The Western Camp's infiltrating Spies and the Yinghuo Mountain bandits coming out of the mountains absolutely do not involve Anqing alone. Since they dare to come attack the Prefectural City, the Eight Bandits in Gucheng, Cao Cao in Fang County, Hun Shiwan, and Chuang Tatian's various forces in Suizhou are surely about to rebel again — and it is highly likely they are heading for Anqing. We must immediately report to Zhang Military Gate, the Fengyang Regional Commander's Yamen, and Huguang's Fang Military Gate. Once battle begins at the Prefectural City, our own Relay Horses will immediately relay word to all the surrounding prefectures and counties along the route, so that every place is not left completely unprepared."

The officers at the table all nodded slightly. Yang Xueshi agreed, "Clerk He's thinking is thorough. We will trouble you with the communications to the various yamens. Next, the troop deployments. Since the infiltrating enemy has not yet had all his hiding places identified, we will wait until he goes to Zongyang to annihilate him. That route of Roving Bandits numbers around fifty men. Mobilize the Water Camp's First Division, First Company to handle the interception on the water. The Dark Sentinel Division's Action Team and the Reserve Command's Second Company will handle the land pursuit and extermination..."

As Yang Xueshi read out each item, the clerks beside him recorded it at flying speed, and those below rose one after another to acknowledge that they had heard.

Before Zongyang was finished, an advisor entered through the main gate. He came to Yang Xueshi's side and said, "Sir, the Tongcheng Local Militia reports that Roving Bandit forward sentries have appeared at North Gorge Pass. The Night-Not-Returning captured two men. One has confessed to being an Old Camp squad leader under the Left Golden King. Before departing, he heard the Left Golden King say things like 'The Anqing Army has gone to fight the Tartars — we will go break Tongcheng and kill the dog Runner Pang.'"

The officers attending the meeting broke into a Low Murmur. They had only just received the intelligence — they hadn't expected the Roving Bandits to arrive so soon. It now basically proved that the Dark Sentinel Division's intelligence was accurate.

Yang Xueshi glanced at He County Yamen. He County Yamen nodded for him to continue. Yang Xueshi addressed the assembly: "The Roving Thieves are about to launch their attack. Orders are to be issued to all units immediately."