Chapter 136: After the Battle

Chen Xin rode his horse through Gongji Gate at the north side of Gu'an. He was surrounded by his central army guard, with the Second Company ahead of him. Behind the central army followed the large carts requisitioned by the baggage train — all sorts of carts. Twenty of them were used to carry several dozen seriously wounded men. The last few carts were piled high with over six hundred human heads, and behind them came more than a hundred captured warhorses.

Although the county magistrate had agreed to let him enter the city, he still put on airs and did not come to the city gate to greet him. Having heard that Chen Xin was only a Picket Officer, he sent a Registrar to receive him, meaning for Chen Xin to go to the county office to see him.

Chen Xin had no energy to deal with him for the moment. He first focused on military matters — the priority was arranging defenses, then finding physicians and arranging lodging. He felt this magistrate was overstating the status of civil officials to an absurd degree; in such an emergency, the man could not even put on a show of propriety. The magistrates of Laiyang and Zhaoyuan were not like this. Now, with military merit in hand and the rough operational methods he had worked out, this petty official was simply not qualified to put on airs in front of him. Once inside the city, Chen Xin had his own core team. The organizational ability of the training unit and the instruction unit far surpassed these civil officials. If this magistrate proved tactless, he would organize civilian braves and arrange the city's defenses himself.

The common people of Gu'an who had gathered to watch were awed into silence by this army, whose killing aura had not yet dissipated. Many retreated back into their houses. The bolder ones who remained pointed and gestured at them. Chen Xin ignored them for the time being as well. They had just finished a battle, and every soldier still wore a killer's face — it was only normal that the common folk were afraid.

They marched along the north-south cross street. When the rear unit, the First Company, entered the city, the central army fired a position-change cannon, followed by a single beat of the gong, and all the soldiers sat down.

After the suona horns blew a round, all the chief officers assembled at the central army. Zhu Guobin, who had entered the city first, gave Chen Xin a rough report on the layout inside the city. The Assistant County Magistrate who received them also explained alongside. It was much the same as other cities — a cross-street layout, three hundred and eighty paces long east to west, seven hundred and eight paces north to south. This meant more troops would need to be deployed on the eastern and western walls.

Chen Xin had already discussed this with several chief officers before entering the city. After confirming the details now, he quickly settled on the defensive deployment. The central army would garrison the north gate. The Second and Third Companies, which had suffered lighter losses, were deployed on the east and west walls. Lu Chuanzong's First Company was deployed to the north side. Then each of the three units would detach one killer squad to defend the relatively safer southern wall. Fifty men from the firearms detachment were assigned to each side, temporarily under the command of each company commander. The cavalry and baggage train remained stationed at the cross-street intersection, ready to support any gate according to the central army's flag signals. These several dozen baggage soldiers also had sabers and firelocks. Their training was not as good as the firearms unit, but they knew how to load and shoot from the city wall.

Once the positions were set, each unit returned to assign its manpower, sent out relay riders to report their order of battle, and then marched into different streets off the cross street to prepare their campsites. Since they were inside the city, Chen Xin intended to let them lodge in the townspeople's homes, which would allow for better rest and recovery.

The Wendeng Battalion had regulations for lodging among civilian households. In principle, one squad stayed in one household. If they could not fit, they were placed next door. If there was a government office or a gentry household, they skipped it and did not enter. Dong Yu arranged for the quartermasters and instruction officers to go to each street first. These men had basically all studied and were somewhat more refined than the combat soldiers. They went door to door, knocking and discussing with each household in a soft voice, paying per head for lodging.

When the common folk opened their doors, they were somewhat afraid at first, but with men bearing blades at their doorstep, they dared not refuse. Now, hearing that they would be paid silver for the lodging, they hastily agreed. The quartermasters paid the silver upfront. Seeing this, the common folk set their minds at ease and even provided their kitchens for the soldiers to cook.

Only the wounded soldiers were something none of them were willing to take in, saying it would bring a calamity of blood. Ordinary commoners were all unwilling. In the end, Dong Yu had to find the Wudao Temple north of the city. The abbot there was very kind-hearted and agreed to let them come inside for treatment, and even arranged for some monks to help. Dong Yu also sent men to follow the Registrar all over the city to summon physicians, finding over a dozen physicians to treat the wounded soldiers.

At present, the gates of Gu'an were manned by some low-ranking clerks. They understood nothing of warfare or defense. Seeing combat soldiers arrive, they could not wait to hand the responsibility over. The officers at each gate quickly took over the city's defenses. As per Chen Xin's requirements, one platoon was to be kept on each section of the city wall at all times, and at least one killer squad was stationed in each gate tunnel.

Before dinner, they went to the north gate, where the central army was stationed, to report in. Together with the staff officers, they marked their respective encampment positions on a newly drawn rough map and received the night's password. Once these matters were settled, they gathered inside the gate tower to hear the battle report.

Liu Pojun, holding the compiled data, began to report to the surrounding chief officers, his voice trembling slightly: "In the battle before noon today, our Wendeng Battalion beheaded a total of six hundred and seventy-two from the Jianzhou Bandits' main force. Among them were one Jia-la-ezhen, one Niru-ezhen, and eighty-three Bayara of the Jianzhou Bandits. There were also twenty-nine heads from Mongol tribal soldiers. No prisoners were taken. We captured one Jia-la banner and one Niru banner. Our Wendeng Battalion suffered one hundred and seventy killed and one hundred and sixty-two wounded. Over fifty are seriously wounded. Nearly half came from the First Company. Among them, the Third Killer Squad, which faced a charge by the Jianzhou Bandits' White Armor Soldiers, has only eleven men left including the wounded. The Second and Fourth Killer Squads also suffered considerable losses."

Lu Chuanzong cursed a few times under his breath. His company had suffered the heaviest casualties. Reorganizing the personnel was another troublesome matter. Newly transferred men, after all, would not have the practiced coordination of the original team, and combat effectiveness would inevitably be affected.

Hearing that there were no prisoners, Chen Xin felt a bit helpless. It would have been best to have prisoners, but these combat soldiers had seen red. After killing those still standing, they went on a chaotic rampage against those still moving on the ground, leaving not a single prisoner. He said bluntly: "For the killer squads with heavy losses, merge and reorganize them into complete squads within the company structure. Any surplus personnel in each company are to be temporarily organized as the Company Commander's personal guards. Next is Dong Yu. Report to the chief officers on the spoils and aftermath matters."

Dong Yu still wore his cautious expression. He stood and gave these lords a slight bow, then opened his ledger and reported: "The spoils obtained come from two sources: first, what was taken from the bodies of the slain Jianzhou Bandits; second, what was carried on the ownerless warhorses they did not have time to take away. What has been tallied so far: two thousand two hundred taels of gold, thirteen thousand taels of silver, and one hundred and ten warhorses. Eighty-three suits of Bayara armor, over three hundred suits of scale armor and mail armor, and over five hundred padded cotton armors. Blades, spears, and other weapons have not yet been counted — roughly close to a thousand pieces. Three hundred bows. There is also a fair amount of jewelry and such, which has not yet been tallied. The weapon attrition of our own army is also being counted. For our fallen soldiers, if their final letters requested burial, they will be buried outside Gu'an. If cremation, their ashes will be carried with the army. The wounded are all settled at Wudao Temple. Besides the medics, we have also hired over a dozen physicians and some civilian laborers to help."

Hearing the gains, everyone grew cheerful again. But what was taken on the battlefield was only a small part. Who knew how many fine things the Tatars had looted? It was a pity they could not find their encampment. The more gold and silver there was, the more likely Lord Chen would raise the combat allowance by a grade when he distributed it. Chen Xin, meanwhile, was calculating in his mind how much pension money would need to be paid out, along with the costs of settling disabled soldiers.

After a moment, Chen Xin continued his arrangements: "After Dong Yu finishes counting, compile a register. Deliver the captured weapons below the gate tower. Starting tomorrow, the training unit will use them to organize civilian braves. Distribute the common Jianzhou Bandits' weapons and ordinary padded cotton armors to them. The instruction unit must make them understand that the Jianzhou Bandits may come again, and they must be made determined to fight to the death. As for weapons, our own blacksmiths can repair some. Do not distribute those Bayara iron armors. For those among the civilians who are strong and bold enough, issue them padded cotton armor or iron armor. Also, you are in charge of the soldiers lodging in civilian homes. Be courteous to those households. On this expedition to relieve the capital, we must let them know that our Wendeng Battalion are not ruffian soldiers."

Next, Zhou Shifa reported on the enforcement of military law. When it was Huang Side's turn, he was just about to offer a few words of flattery when the rapid clatter of hoofbeats sounded below the gate tower. Two night scouts threaded their way through the naked Jianzhou Bandit corpses beneath the wall and galloped urgently to the base of the tower. Everyone inside knew there was military intelligence, so Huang Side paused. The Squad Commander on duty atop the gate tower lowered a hanging basket, pulled up two waist tallies, verified their identities, and opened the gate to let them through.

A night scout hurried up the gate tower. After saluting, he said loudly: "My lord, we have found the Jianzhou Bandits' encampment."

Chen Xin figured the Jianzhou Bandits would soon flee and did not plan to pursue them. He said flatly: "Where?"

"North of the Lugou River, at a place called Beizhuang. We found them shortly after they returned to camp. We clashed several times with their scout riders. They agreed and quickly ran north. Before withdrawing, they slaughtered over two thousand of the common people they had abducted. The camp is strewn with corpses."

All the chief officers sprang to their feet with a whoosh. Zhu Guobin was so angry he gasped for breath in great heaves. Dai Zhenggang bellowed curses: "Heaven-cursed Jianzhou Bandits! Couldn't beat our Wendeng Battalion, so they vent their rage on the common people."

Chen Xin remained seated, unmoving. After a long while, he said: "Huang Side, take your entire instruction unit to Beizhuang. Select one soldier representative from each squad to accompany you. If there are any survivors, bring them back to Gu'an."

Huang Side acknowledged loudly, then asked: "My lord, should we bring some of Gu'an's gentry along?"

"Yes. Mobilize some commoners and gentry to go and observe. If they are afraid, remember to tell them that cavalry will protect their safety the entire way."

"What about that county magistrate?"

"I will go see him immediately."

Lu Chuanzong said, somewhat resentfully: "My lord, why should we bother with such a cur official? What is the point of seeing him?"

"He is, after all, the local official. Invite him to also go observe the Jianzhou Bandits' atrocities. When he returns, he should be somewhat more cooperative. Dong Yu, prepare some ready silver."

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On the fifth day of the twelfth month, countless Eight Banner flags fluttered above Liangxiang City, southwest of Jingshi. The Later Jin Khan's great banner stood before the county office gate. Inside the original county office hall, several warming stoves had been lit. A circle of shaven heads ringed the room. At the head were three chairs covered with bear pelts, one of which was currently empty.

The sound of slapping echoed through the hall. In the open space at the center, a towering, mighty man roared in fury, brandishing a thick cowhide whip as he lashed savagely at a person kneeling on the ground. The clothes of the man on the ground were shredded to pieces, his body crisscrossed with bloody marks. With each lash, he only trembled slightly. The several Mongol Jia-la-ezhen kneeling behind him were silent as winter cicadas, their heads pressed to the floor. None of the onlookers around dared step forward to intercede, only occasionally raising their heads to glance.

Huang Taiji, seated in the middle at the head, looked down at the floor with a calm expression. Beside him, the Second Great Beile, Daišan, ceaselessly turned the thumb-ring in his hand, lost in unknown thoughts.

The one kneeling on the ground was none other than Unage. He had fled back after losing troops and officers at Gu'an. The two thousand Jianzhou main-force soldiers he had led suffered catastrophic losses, with over six hundred bodies left behind. After returning to camp, the enemy's scout riders quickly located their encampment. The panicked Jianzhou Bandits, fearing the enemy's main force was behind them, hurriedly set out before they could tend to the wounded. During the retreat, several dozen more wounded died on the way. Now, nearly a hundred wounded had returned to Liangxiang, and some among them would certainly not hold on.

The total losses might approach eight hundred, including one Jia-la-ezhen. The most lamentable among them were the eighty-plus Bayara. These men were not something you could simply conscript at will; they were selected only after years of tempering in battle. The Plain Blue Banner alone lost nearly forty, with a few from each of the other banners among them. They had not suffered such a crushing defeat in many years. No wonder the three Great Beile were in such a violent rage.

The mighty man finally stopped. He panted a few rough breaths, looked at the barely breathing Unage on the ground, and cursed: "Dog of a bondservant! You didn't even want your master anymore, just ran back yourself. You cannot be kept alive."

He turned his head to Huang Taiji and said: "Eighth Brother, my opinion: behead all the Mongol Niru-ezhen who came back. Then we muster the great army and slaughter every last chicken and dog in that Gu'an. We must capture that Ming army commander and hack him to ten thousand pieces."

Huang Taiji stood, personally pulled the mighty man back to the seat of honor, invited him to sit, and advised: "Fifth Brother, calm your anger first. In marching and war, there are many things hard to predict. Let us first clarify the situation, then decide our strategy."

Mang Gūltai nodded, still huffing with rage. Only then did Huang Taiji look at Daišan and ask: "Second Brother, what do you think of this Ming force?"

Daišan, still rubbing the thumb-ring on his hand, half-squinted his eyes and said: "From what Unage described, it seems like a mix of Zhejiang troops and Sichuan troops by the Hun River, and perhaps even surpassing them. That commander also has some cunning tricks. If that is truly the case, I do not think we should go attack that Gu'an. Let them continue coming north, and then deal with them — it won't be too late."

Mang Gūltai said urgently: "And what if they don't come?"

At this, a young man below answered: "Since there is such a strong Ming army, even if they don't come this time, they will one day be transferred to Liaoxi. The Third Beile will have plenty of chances for revenge; there is no need to rush."

Several others nearby also voiced their agreement. Having heard the descriptions from Unage and the others, they were all somewhat worried about assaulting a strong city. If they went solely to avenge the Plain Blue Banner and each banner threw in many more lives, it would be far from worth it. With the current harvest being so plentiful, none of them had the heart for a desperate fight.

Huang Taiji was also unwilling to march over a hundred li further south to attack a fortified city. His plan was still to plunder around Jingshi and establish political advantage. Hearing this, he said approvingly: "What Mergen Daiqing says is reasonable. Though this Ming force is detestable, we need not rush. At present, we are deep in enemy territory; it is inadvisable to attack strong, fortified cities. If they take the initiative to come north, that is another matter."

Mang Gūltai's face was full of displeasure, but of the three Great Beile present, two opposed him, and the four Junior Beile also made it clear they were unwilling to go. Huang Taiji advised: "Fifth Brother, there is no need for this. That Ming commander, having gained military merit, will surely be busy reporting it. He will likely soon be transferred to Jingshi by their Emperor. Those Ming court officials will certainly press them to march out and give battle. Perhaps very soon, Fifth Brother will have his revenge."

Mang Gūltai did not reply. He abruptly stood and strode out of the hall. As he passed by Unage, he kicked him over with one foot. Unage toppled sideways onto the floor, then immediately scrambled back up and knelt properly.

After Mang Gūltai left, an awkward atmosphere filled the hall. Huang Taiji, his face calm, stood up. He personally helped Unage to his feet, looked around at the surrounding Jianzhou Eight Banner lords and Gūsa-ezhen, and said: "Regional Commander Unage lost troops and officers in this battle. By rights, he should be executed. But he came to submit to our Great Jin in the early years of the Tianming reign. For many years, he has been brave, fierce, skilled in war, and of distinguished merit. He even led troops to breach Juehua Island. My opinion: demote him to Third-Class Assistant Regional Commander. From the Niru he personally commands, fine him two and hand them over to his Banner Lord. Allow him to rise from disgrace and atone for his crimes. What do you all think?"

Mang Gūltai was not present, and the other banners had not suffered great losses. Since Huang Taiji had spoken, they said nothing more. The Deliberative Assembly thus passed the punishment for Unage. Unage, who had thought he would surely die, knelt at Huang Taiji's feet, tears and mucus streaming down his face.

Huang Taiji sighed and said: "This affair at Gu'an reminds us that the Ming state does not entirely lack soldiers who can fight. In the future, when dividing our forces, do not rashly attack strong encampments and cities. All of you, remember this well."

The seated men all nodded in agreement. Huang Taiji continued: "However, we cannot completely ignore him either. Mergen Daiqing, take two Bayara and two armored soldiers from each Niru and go scout Gu'an. If he is still in the city, you must ensure that not a single horse of his dares venture outside the city! Circle the city, seek provocations, and strip away their morale. Let this Ming army know the military might of our Great Jin. But remember — you must not attack the city."