Chapter 143

In early April, inside the former command office of the Zhenshuo Guard in Jizhou City — now the temporary headquarters of Regional Commander and Regional Commander Ma Shilong — the main hall was filled with military officers in their official robes. Seated at the head were Ma Shilong and Army Supervisor Hu Fuhong.

Sun Chengzong was currently at Shanhai Pass, and with no civil official commanding the troops on the Jizhou side, Ma Shilong essentially functioned as a de facto Grand Coordinator of Military Affairs. He had originally been locked in prison, but after the Later Jin invasion, the court had no generals to use. Sun Chengzong remembered this old subordinate and pleaded with Chongzhen to release him. In the blink of an eye, he went from a prisoner to a high-ranking regional commander.

A censor had once submitted a memorial arguing that most of the relief armies were led by Regional Commanders and that Ma Shilong might not be able to command them, suggesting that Liang Tingdong be put in charge of the Jizhou grand army. But Chongzhen greatly valued this new favorite and kept him in the capital for advisory duty, sending only an army supervisor instead.

Chongzhen deeply loathed the Later Jin army camped so close to his own bedside, and the Ministry of Revenue loathed them too, because the more relief troops gathered, the more food and supplies the Ministry had to provide. Memorial after memorial demanded that all armies engage the enemy as soon as possible. The Ministry of War had no choice but to keep pressing Ma Shilong and Sun Chengzong. After receiving the order, Ma Shilong once again summoned the leaders of the various relief armies for a council.

The officers in the main hall included some Assistant Regional Commanders and Mobile Corps Commanders from the Guanning forces, as well as the Regional Commanders of the various relief garrisons. Behind them stood their own assistant and mobile corps officers. Chen Xin stood among them.

At the end of the third month, the Wendeng Battalion had been transferred to Jizhou and placed under the command of Regional Commander and Regional Commander Ma Shilong. This place was already close to the front lines — a fast horse could reach Zunhua in a single day. Because of the Wendeng Battalion's fearsome reputation, Ma Shilong regarded them as an absolute main-force unit and stationed them at Jizhou's west gate.

Chen Xin should have stood behind his own garrison's Regional Commander, but Zhang Keda of Dengzhou and Laizhou had not come, and Zhou Hongmo had been sent by Chen Xin to the capital to await news. Thus, the Dengzhou Garrison was represented by him alone. His rank was low, and he stood somewhat isolated at the very back of the left rear row. Beside him was a tall, powerfully built man in a full suit of iron armor, with no official robe visible. He had a vicious, cold look and ignored everyone. Chen Xin glanced at him several times, but the man did not even turn his head, so Chen Xin ignored him in return.

Ma Shilong's voice rang out, his tone casual and brash. "Now that all you generals are here, Old Ma will first give you the lay of the land regarding these Tatars. There are still quite a few Tatar soldiers. That Jianzhou Chieftain has left, but he sent his older brother, still a Grand Beile — our brothers in Guanning know him: the Bordered Blue Banner's bastard, Amin."

A buzz of murmuring rose from below. Some Regional Commanders who had never heard the name asked those nearby. The big man beside Chen Xin gave a soft snort, as if he did not fear this Amin in the slightest.

The army supervisor wore a faint smile and did not interrupt. Ma Shilong continued, "That bastard brought more men with him. The son of a bitch doesn't want to leave until he's hauled everything away. I think Amin's got no balls either — Santun Camp is right under his nose and he still doesn't dare move. But Regional Commander Yang can't hold out much longer; the grain will run out eventually. His Majesty asks about it every day. We soldiers — this is the time to repay the Emperor's grace. How should we fight? Let's hear what you all have to say."

"Ma Zongli, you've been talking for ages, but has anyone figured out exactly how many Tatars there are? If we charge in blind and ten thousand Tatars are waiting, who's going to come rescue us?"

Chen Xin glanced over. It was Wu Zimian, the Regional Commander of Yansui Garrison, whose camp was next to Chen Xin's. Chen Xin had become a celebrity lately, and he liked befriending these men. The group of officers often gathered to drink and gamble. Chen Xin had already lost over a thousand taels of silver, which had greatly endeared him to them.

Ma Shilong answered bluntly, "Don't know. Seven or eight thousand, probably. Maybe ten thousand."

Wu Zimian sprang to his feet. "You don't even know how many there are, so what the hell are we fighting for? I didn't come all the way from Yansui to throw my life away. It's just like I said last time — let that Zu Dashou come to Santun Camp. His own Liaodong Garrison isn't in a hurry, so why should us guest troops be?"

Ma Shilong chuckled, not angered. The army supervisor beside him, however, tried to soothe him. "Regional Commander Wu, there's no need for anxiety. The Jianzhou Bandits come and go. According to the Duoyan people, men pass in and out of the border wall every day, so their exact numbers are indeed unclear. But not knowing the exact number doesn't mean we can't fight."

Wu Zimian did not argue with the supervisor. He shot Ma Shilong two hard looks and sat back down.

Then several more Regional Commanders asked about pay and provisions in a barbed, sarcastic tone. Ma Shilong fobbed them off with another round of laughter. The atmosphere in the hall grew even more stifling. Eventually, no one spoke. Chen Xin did not make himself a target either. In truth, the Later Jin had at most a few thousand men, and they had to split their forces to defend four cities. The Great Ming relief troops and Guanning troops combined numbered over a hundred thousand. A direct siege on all four sides would end it.

It looked to be another meeting ending in discord. Such councils had already been held three times, each time with more people. Every time, Ma Shilong just let everyone talk, and then it dragged on without any conclusion.

At that moment, a heroic-looking officer stepped out from the Guanning army side. Chen Xin had not seen him before; he had probably come from the Yutian area. He said loudly, "At a time like this, you're still talking about pay and provisions? We've all got food to eat. Beat the Tatars, loot their damned silver, and you'll have your pay. Does silver just fall from the sky if we sit here? Marshal Ma, Shimen Post still stands, only half a day from Zunhua. There are at most two or three thousand Tatars in the city. With tens of thousands of us here, why the hell should we fear them? As long as we march fast and bring the red-barbarian cannons to attack the city, can they hold? Cut off the Jianzhou Bandits' route of retreat west of Xifengkou, then join forces with Grand Guardian Zu to attack Qian'an. Yongping and Luanzhou will become dead ground, and we can deal with Amin at our leisure. I am willing to serve as the army's vanguard."

The military officer beside Chen Xin also shouted, "I am willing to serve as joint vanguard with Assistant Regional Commander Cao."

Ma Shilong praised them. "Assistant Regional Commander Cao and Regional Military Commissioner Zuo are both brave and valiant. The vanguard position is yours. What does everyone think of Assistant Regional Commander Cao's strategy?"

Every one of those Regional Commanders tilted their heads away. Only Wu Zimian said, "Both generals are exceptionally bold. But have you forgotten the affair of the four-pronged advance, where all four routes were routed? In the first month, Marshal Ma also went to attack Zunhua. Zunhua's walls are high and thick. What if we fail to take it quickly and our troops are bogged down before a strong fortress? As the saying goes, divided we are weak, united we are strong. In my view, we should wait for the Grand Coordinator to set a date and mass our troops together. Besides, soldiers serve for their rations. Asking for pay is no shameless thing. Why can't it be said?"

The buzz of murmuring rose again in the hall. Since the old chieftain raised his banner, over a dozen Regional Commanders had died in Liaodong. During this invasion, several more had died, and two had been captured alive.

That Assistant Regional Commander Cao did not give face to this Regional Commander from an outer garrison. With some disdain, he said, "Is this the time to demand pay? His Majesty longs day and night to drive the Jianzhou Bandits out of the passes. Instead of first thinking how to relieve His Majesty's worries, Regional Commander Wu thinks only of pay. What kind of sentiment is that?"

Wu Zimian stood up, pointed at the Assistant Regional Commander, and cursed, "Cao Wenzhao! I am at least a Regional Commander of an entire garrison. I won't tolerate insolence from a mere Assistant Regional Commander." He then turned to Army Supervisor Hu Fuhong and declared righteously, "Supervisor Hu, we guest troops have all come a thousand li. We did not come seeking personal gain; our sole intent is to repay the Emperor's grace. But how can these common soldiers understand such principles? What do soldiers fight for? It has to be silver. We can't fight a war with just a few Regional Commanders."

Hearing the name Cao Wenzhao, Chen Xin carefully studied this expert at exterminating refugees. He had a tall, straight bearing and a handsome, heroic face — a good-looking man. Cao Wenzhao was a late-Ming commander Chen Xin knew of, and he had heard much about him recently. Last year, he had still been a Mobile Corps Commander. He had achieved no particular merit during the Jianzhou Bandits' invasion. After the bandits pulled back to the Yongping area, Cao Wenzhao had been stationed in the Yutian region.

In the second and third months, the Jianzhou Bandits attempted to plunder Fengrun and Yutian. Cao Wenzhao clashed with them twice near Luanzhou, both times in open field battles. Though he did not win a major victory, he did not lose to the Jianzhou Bandits either, and he forced them to withdraw back to Luanzhou, maintaining the stability of the Ming army's battle line. He was one of the few in the Guanning army who dared to fight the Jianzhou Bandits in the field, and all the relief troops had heard of his reputation. Because of those two battles, he had just been promoted from Mobile Corps Commander to Assistant Regional Commander — also a battlefield promotion.

The Assistant Regional Commanders and Mobile Corps Commanders of the Yansui Garrison behind Wu Zimian also stood up and began shouting curses. Cao Wenzhao stood with his head high, looking coldly at the Yansui officers.

The other Regional Commanders present, hearing Wu Zimian's words, all began to voice their grievances, now directing their complaints at Hu Fuhong. The main hall descended into chaos. Ma Shilong sat calmly in his high seat, his expression as serene as if he were watching a play.

Cao Wenzhao's hard-won proposal for battle was thus tossed aside once again. He sat down in indignation, his face full of unwillingness.

Hu Fuhong had no solution for the Regional Commanders' complaints and could only offer kind words of consolation. Everywhere, hands were stretched out demanding silver. Although the Ministry of Revenue had received some funds, it still could not guarantee that all the relief armies would be paid in full. After much difficulty in placating them, the hall fell silent once more.

Hu Fuhong noticed Chen Xin staring blankly at the very back. Remembering that this man had killed quite a few Tatars, he quickly said, "General Chen, you achieved the great victory at Gu'an. What is your opinion on killing the bandits?" The surrounding military officers all turned to look, their gazes a mix of envy, jealousy, and admiration — most of the admiring ones being those who had won Chen Xin's silver.

Chen Xin stepped forward and said, "I defer to the various my lords and commanders. You are all veteran generals who have survived a hundred battles. There is no place here for a lowly officer like me to speak."

The assembled Regional Commanders all stroked their beards and smiled faintly. He was far more agreeable than that Cao Wenzhao. Chen Xin then continued, "If the various my lords decide on a strategy, I am also willing to serve as vanguard alongside Commander Cao."

Cao Wenzhao looked over and gave Chen Xin a friendly nod.

Ma Shilong knew Chen Xin was a man in favor. He had originally asked the Ministry of War for him several times without success; it was only when the Emperor personally arranged it that the Ministry transferred him to Jizhou. Having met him a few times and found him agreeable, Ma Shilong stood up and praised him. "General Chen truly is a man His Majesty values. That battle report you submitted last time also contained an excellent plan. If the Ministry of War's reply grants approval, General Chen shall serve as joint vanguard with General Cao."

Hearing him mention the battle report, Chen Xin cursed inwardly. He had long ago submitted a report to both Ma Shilong and the Ministry of War. His opinion was almost identical to Cao Wenzhao's. Under the current circumstances, the best way to attack a salient was from both sides at its base. The assembly positions of Ma Shilong and Zu Dashou were already excellent to begin with — a direct attack from both flanks on Zunhua and Qian'an would seal off the main retreat routes north from Yongping and Luanzhou, likely trapping at least half of the Jianzhou Bandits inside the passes. It might even be the greatest merit achieved since the Eastern Campaigns began. But neither Ma Shilong nor the Ministry of War had given any reply at all.

In truth, the Jianzhou Bandits' deployment showed no resolve whatsoever. They wanted to hold onto their enclave while also pulling out troops. They had not occupied Santun Camp first, and as a result, Shandong Regional Commander Yang Zhaoji had seized it while Ma Shilong was attacking Zunhua, becoming a stubborn nail-household there. The Jianzhou Bandits attacked once but failed to take it, and then did not press the attack further, simply leaving it sitting between Qian'an and Zunhua. Shimen Post was not far southwest of Zunhua, controlling the official road to Jizhou. After Ma Shilong occupied it, the Jianzhou Bandits did not dare attack it either. Pressed from both east and west, the situation of the Jianzhou Bandits in Zunhua was truly abysmal. No matter how one looked at it, their strategy was incomprehensible — devoid of both resolve and planning. Chen Xin's own guess was that Huang Taiji had compromised with the various banners to produce such a clumsy strategy, the basis for the decision being their extreme contempt for the Ming army, treating every Later Jin soldier as a fierce warrior who could fight a hundred. Then the executors were incompetent, resulting in this mess. He only wondered whether, after his own appearance, the forces Huang Taiji had left behind had been strengthened.

Ma Shilong was a veteran of military campaigns. What Chen Xin could see, he had seen long ago. In the first month, fresh out of prison and eager to prove himself, Ma Shilong had taken advantage of Huang Taiji's campaign against Yongping and Shanhai Pass to attack Zunhua once — he just hadn't managed to take it. Now the Jianzhou Bandits' strength in Zunhua was greater than in the first month, and he was very hesitant. Ma Shilong had been badly mauled by the Jianzhou Bandits in Liaoxi before. Chen Xin guessed he had developed a psychological scar and feared taking responsibility and being thrown back in prison. That was why he would rather stall and bicker like this, waiting until the Ministry of War's officials made a decision, or until the Viceroy of Jizhou and Liaodong, Zhang Fengyi, arrived, before launching an attack. That way, even if they lost, he would have an excuse. Of course, the best scenario would be for Zu Dashou to attack Qian'an first, which would greatly reduce the pressure on him.

After Chen Xin stepped back, the several Regional Commanders began demanding other supplies in their sarcastic, barbed manner, and the topic veered off course once again. Chen Xin heard the Regional Military Commissioner Zuo beside him sigh softly.

Chen Xin took note. It seemed this man still had some ambition.

Regional Military Commissioner Zuo now knew Chen Xin's identity. He leaned over on his own initiative and said in a low voice, "So it is General Chen, who crushed the Jianzhou Bandits at Gu'an. I have been remiss."

Chen Xin replied politely, "Not worth mentioning. I have yet to learn your honored name, my lord."

"I am Zuo Liangyu."