Chapter 254: North Gate

As the sky brightened, the sound of shouting and killing shook the city of Dengzhou. Layers of black smoke drifted above the city walls. The streets and alleys were filled with the wails of the city's residents. Groups of rebel troops were still pouring in continuously through the East Gate, surging into the city.

Li Jiucheng, his eyes completely bloodshot, stood atop the Chunsheng Gate tower, a cruel smile on his face as he looked at the scene before him. Standing around him were all old comrades from Dongjiang. Kong Youde, Geng Zhongming, and Chen Guangfu all naturally regarded Li Jiucheng as their leader now. Since the uprising at Wuqiao, this man had led the rebel army to break through city after city, and had exploited Sun Yuanhua's eagerness to negotiate a settlement to safely bring his forces back to Dengzhou, using inside collaborators to take the city in one stroke. His achievements were his prestige. Although he was not originally the highest-ranking officer, he had now become the backbone of this group of Dongjiang soldiers.

Kong Youde pointed toward the South Gate. Li Jiucheng turned to look. Li Yingyuan's Company Commander banner had been raised at the South Gate. A large number of Dongjiang soldiers within the city had defected during the battle. The Main Battalion had already collapsed under the attack of the Liaodong troops, who outnumbered them several times over, with some surrendering. Sun Yuanhua and Zhang Keda had lost all momentum.

Geng Zhongming laughed heartily. "Brother Li is not only invincible on the battlefield, but his stratagems are also so brilliant that he actually captured Dengzhou. We Liaodong people have been oppressed for too long; people's hearts yearn for change. The Right Battalion of the Guard also defected during the battle and turned right around to attack the Main Battalion. Dealing with Zhang Keda's small number of southern troops was as easy as chopping melons and vegetables."

Kong Youde, however, was not so optimistic. Among the few of them, Geng Zhongming was full of schemes, Li Jiucheng fought fiercely, and he himself was relatively calm, always seeking a secure outcome. He stood to the side and warned Li Jiucheng, "Brother Li, the city is broken, but we are not Tatars who can just grab what we can and go back home. Who will govern this city in the future? How should we treat Lord Sun and Zhang Keda? And what about the Water City to the north, with Lu Zhi still inside? Should we attack it directly, or leave Lu Zhi to negotiate for amnesty? Brother Li, you should make a decision soon."

Li Jiucheng gave a cold snort. "The Water City must be taken no matter what. But for now, we must first get the city under control. Ying'en Gate and Zhenhai Gate are not yet in our hands. What exactly did Wang Bingzhong say?"

Geng Zhongming replied, "He sent someone to say he agrees to join us, but he won't send troops to attack Sun Yuanhua. I think he's waiting to see which way the wind blows, but he's always been like that. I agreed at the time. If Lord Li wants to take Zhenhai Gate, he won't be able to stop us if we move now."

Li Jiucheng shook his head. "He should have seen clearly which way the wind blows by now. He's an old brother from Dongjiang, after all, more reliable than outsiders. One more man means one more share of strength. Taking Dengzhou is just the beginning. There's still Yu Dacheng in Laizhou, and Wendeng Camp to the east. We must quickly capture the Water City and send people to contact our brothers on the islands. With more men, we won't have to fear that Chen Xin. He wants to take a share of the silver we earned with our lives—he's dreaming. Now that I've entered the city, I don't need to pay him any mind."

Geng Zhongming had never been to Wendeng and was not particularly afraid of Wendeng Camp. Hearing this, he laughed. "Wendeng Camp only has three or four thousand men. Once our old Dongjiang brothers come over, we can assemble a great army of twenty to thirty thousand. We'll push for Lord Li to be king, and then we can wipe out Wendeng in one sweep. Those cigarette factories there will be ours for the taking. With troops and money, we'll be in a good position to negotiate for amnesty. When the Dongjiang brothers come, they'll need money, grain, and women. We'll have to think of more ways."

Li Jiucheng nodded. A twisted, cold smile appeared on his brutal face. "We still have to rely on this city of Dengzhou. The first priority is to capture Sun Yuanhua and make him hand over the Grand Coordinator's seal, so we can order all the departments and counties of Denglai to send money and grain to the prefectural city. I've long been sick of the wealthy households in this city; we'll rob them along with all the locals." Although he had now rebelled, he had little confidence in how to control such a large area. Years of civil officials being exalted and military men debased had also left him with a degree of self-loathing. He continued, "You all know the Dongjiang brothers. I'm afraid only Marshal Mao could make them all submit. Don't push for me to be king. If Lord Sun is willing, let him be the nominal leader and help us manage the territory around Dengzhou. We'll control all the troops, so we won't have to fear him causing any trouble."

Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming temporarily agreed upon hearing this, but Kong Youde clearly did not think highly of the plan to requisition money and grain. All the departments and counties of Denglai likely already knew the rebel army was besieging the city. To suddenly try to summon money and grain with just an official seal was far too wishful thinking. He thought for a moment and said, "Even these locals in the city—we can't kill them all. Lord Sun treated us Liaodong people quite well. Why don't we just set him up as king and use his name to summon the surrender of Fushan, Ninghai, Qixia, and the other areas? Brother Li, you still shouldn't underestimate Wendeng Camp. Those three thousand men of theirs are all elite soldiers. Our first priority is to hold Dengzhou securely. Dengzhou is surrounded by mountains, easy to defend and hard to attack. We'll defend Huangxian to the west, Qixia to the south, and take Fushan to the east. Once the situation is stable, we still need to have a good talk with Chen Xin and offer him some benefits."

Li Jiucheng laughed heartily at Kong Youde. "Brother Kong, this is a prudent plan. You must offer more ideas in the future. We brothers will share the wealth and honor of this city of Dengzhou. But that's still a bit early. The most urgent matter today is to reorganize the troops in the city and quickly capture the Water City."

Geng Zhongming looked around. The troops entering the city were scattering more and more as they ran. Most of those entering later were mountain bandits, local ruffians, and street thugs who had joined Li Jiucheng in Shandong, along with several thousand conscripted laborers. These originally simple people were slowly transforming into army riffraff. Many had already left their ranks without permission as soon as they entered the city, smashing open the doors of houses along the road and rushing in to begin looting.

He said with some difficulty, "Lord Li, look at the city. Our men are in chaos. And what about those old brothers in the city who surrendered to us? They haven't looted anything in Shandong. If we don't let them loot a bit now, I'm afraid they won't be willing to attack the Water City."

Li Jiucheng was silent for a moment before finally saying, "I'll give you one day at most. Brother Geng, leave some men to hold the East Gate. This area around the East Gate is yours to loot. Also, have Chen Guangfu take Ying'en Gate; that area is his to loot. And tell Wang Bingzhong to come see me. He should have seen clearly which way the wind blows by now. He needs to give me a straight answer on which side he's on."

Geng Zhongming breathed a sigh of relief. If they were to lead the men to attack the Water City today, those Liaodong soldiers who had just surrendered would not obey orders, and the same went for his own subordinates. It might even cause internal strife. Letting them loot for a day or two first would make it easier to discuss later matters. He turned and called over two of his retainers, ordering them to notify Chen Guangfu and Wang Bingzhong.

After their discussion, the three men led a large group of retainers down the gate tower stairs, preparing to enter the city and command from a central position. These retainers were their primary military force. There was still resistance in the city at the moment. All three were battle-hardened veterans and kept their retainers under control, not letting them join the chaotic fighting in the city, ready to deploy them wherever resistance still remained.

The three had just reached Chunshengmen Street when a retainer rode up on horseback and loudly reported to them, "Grand Coordinator Sun has been captured. Also captured with him is Wang Zheng of the Coastal Defense Circuit."

Kong Youde quickly asked, "What about Zhang Keda?"

"Not found yet. A few of his retainers said Zhang Keda returned to his own residence. Company Commander Li is leading men there now."

"Where is Sun Yuanhua?"

"He's being escorted here now."

Li Jiucheng laughed heartily and led the group quickly forward. By now, both sides of the main road were strewn with corpses. Blood flowed along the gaps in the bluestone pavement, spreading through the streets. People kept rushing out of their homes in panic, only to be chased down and hacked to death by the pursuing rebels, who then robbed their belongings. The cries of women filled the streets and alleys.

Li Jiucheng had done this all the way through Shandong. He had a rule that soldiers had to hand over half of their plunder to the officers. He and Kong Youde had thus quickly become rich men. Plunder was the sole means by which his army maintained morale, much like the Jianzhou bandits in Liaodong, except that the Jianzhou bandits' distribution system was slowly being formalized, giving them a slightly stronger degree of organization and military discipline.

When they reached Mifen Bridge, they saw Sun Yuanhua, covered in blood and grime. He, Wang Zheng, Zhang Dao, and others had their hands bound and were being escorted over by several rebel soldiers. Behind them were also some other officials and over a dozen Portuguese men under guard.

Kong Youde hurried forward a few steps. Seeing a wound on Sun Yuanhua's neck that was still oozing blood, he moved to untie the ropes binding Sun Yuanhua, angrily shouting at the escorting rebel soldiers, "Who told you to treat Lord Sun like this?"

Sun Yuanhua violently shook him off and cursed Kong Youde, "Assistant Regional Commander Kong, spare me your hypocrisy. Before you left, you swore to me that you would strike a fierce blow against the Jianzhou bandits. So this is how you strike a fierce blow. I can only blame myself for not heeding Grand Coordinator Sun's warning back then, for kindly taking in you ungrateful, treacherous Dongjiang soldiers. Even when you rebelled and reached the city outskirts, I still kindly let in the routed soldiers you sent, leading to the devastation of Dengzhou. I deserve this."

At the end, Sun Yuanhua laughed three times, staring at the group of Dongjiang officers with utter contempt. Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming, who had received the most favor from Sun Yuanhua, felt their faces burn somewhat and turned their heads away, unable to look at him. Li Jiucheng, however, stared coldly at Sun Yuanhua. Sun Yuanhua fixed his gaze on Li Jiucheng and said, "Li Jiucheng, you shameless scoundrel. To embezzle the horse-buying silver, you actually raised troops in rebellion, raping and pillaging all along the way. How are you any different from the Jianzhou bandits? Looking at your smug expression, it's clear you have no sense of shame, making you even more detestable than Kong Youde and the others."

Li Jiucheng said coldly, "Back in Liaodong, I killed entire villages. I was never a good man to begin with. But why must Lord Sun speak with such righteous indignation? The horse-buying silver was twenty thousand taels, but only ten thousand reached my hands. Lord Sun, you took at least three thousand. The various lords in the court, with all their talk of morality, took seven thousand. Why am I the only one who is detestable?"

Sun Yuanhua was momentarily speechless. Li Jiucheng continued, "I know Lord Sun is not greedy, and that you kept the silver only to curry favor with your superiors. We all remember your kindness toward the Liaodong people. As long as Lord Sun is willing, we are willing to continue serving you as our master. We ask Lord Sun to declare himself king in Denglai, accepting titles from the imperial court but not its orders. In the future, you won't have to fawn over those ministers and grand secretaries in the court. Wouldn't that be more comfortable than now?"

Wang Zheng, behind them, spat and cursed loudly, "Li Jiucheng, your heart is blinded by greed. Even now, you still want to exploit Lord Sun's reputation. The imperial court will not let you succeed. They will surely send a great army to annihilate you all, confiscate your property, and exterminate your clans."

Li Jiucheng ignored Wang Zheng and said to Sun Yuanhua, "I only have a father and a son. Confiscating property and exterminating my clan is just two lives. What do I have to fear? Since ancient times, wealth and honor are found in danger. What does Lord Sun think?"

Just as Sun Yuanhua was about to continue his furious cursing, the gate of a residence by the roadside creaked open. A disheveled woman screamed as she ran out, covering her chest with only a bellyband that left her fair shoulders exposed. Two disorderly soldiers chased after her and grabbed her. Just as they were about to drag her back, they looked up and saw the group of lords standing there, freezing in place.

The woman saw the officials on this side and cried out shrilly, "Father, save me!"

The County Magistrate of Penglai, who was being held behind them, let out a miserable cry and struggled to rush over, but was pinned firmly to the ground by two retainers. Li Jiucheng grinned savagely. "So it's the County Magistrate's daughter. I'll have to try her out myself."

The Penglai County Magistrate wept, "I surrender. Please accept me, Lord Li. My daughter has not yet left the women's quarters. Please, Lord Li, spare her life."

Geng Zhongming laughed. "Usually when you see me, aren't you always so arrogant, never even deigning to glance at us Liaodong soldiers? Now you're kneeling before me too."

Li Jiucheng said to the two disorderly soldiers, "Drag the County Magistrate's daughter back inside and lock her up. I'll personally sample the County Magistrate's young lady later."

The County Magistrate kowtowed fiercely on the ground, his forehead already dripping with blood. The lofty image of the civil official was utterly shattered. The group of Dongjiang soldiers watched and roared with laughter, savoring an indescribable satisfaction. Their sense of inferiority was transforming into a sense of superiority.

Sun Yuanhua was so angry that his beard trembled slightly. He glared at the crowd, momentarily speechless. After laughing, Li Jiucheng said to Sun Yuanhua, "Lord Sun, you'd better consider it carefully. You treated us Liaodong people well, so I won't touch your family. But you've lost the city and the army; the imperial court won't give you a way out. Rebel with us, and at least there's still hope."

At that moment, a retainer rode up on horseback and said loudly, "Lord Li, Zhang Keda killed his wife and concubines at his own residence, then hanged himself and set a fire. He is already dead." The rebel officers clapped each other's hands in celebration. With Zhang Keda dead, the Main Battalion was no longer a concern. There was no longer any organized force within Dengzhou city.

Li Jiucheng turned to Sun Yuanhua with slight excitement and said, "Lord Zhang was a true man, but his death was pointless. Lord Sun, please consider carefully the proposal I just made."

"Say no more," Sun Yuanhua interrupted with a resolute expression. "I was already supposed to die. I was only captured because my attempt to cut my own throat failed. If you think you can coerce me, you are gravely mistaken. A true man should die where he ought to. I have lost a city and disgraced the nation; I deserve to be executed at the marketplace. Do you truly believe I would cling to life and willingly live in a den of jackals and leopards?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zheng stepped forward and said, "I will accompany Lord Sun on this final journey."

The group of rebel officers fell silent. Although they had subdued these civil officials by force, Sun Yuanhua and Wang Zheng displayed a courage that they found difficult to understand, diminishing the sense of superiority in their hearts. Sun Yuanhua and Wang Zheng had all the flaws typical of officials of this era, but they also held beliefs they steadfastly adhered to. These Dongjiang soldiers had hatred, but they had never had faith, so they could never understand those willing to sacrifice themselves for their beliefs.

Kong Youde looked at the Portuguese men behind them. These men had been teaching the various battalions how to use the red-barbarian cannons and could be considered their teachers. Last night, they had fired cannons from the city wall, inflicting some casualties on the rebels, and had also put up a brave resistance at the South Gate. Fifteen of the thirty Portuguese had died, leaving only the dozen or so before them.

The Portuguese leader also shook his head and said, "I'm sorry. Although we are mercenaries, we have a mercenary's code. We will not surrender to a rebel army."

Sun Yuanhua laughed up at the sky. "How ridiculous that the censors in the court impeached me for believing in a foreign religion and employing foreigners. Now, when the fierce warriors of Liaodong revolt, it is the foreigners who swear to resist the enemy to the death. Ridiculous, ridiculous." After laughing, he shook his head and walked forward a few steps, then stopped and turned back to the officers. "You think that by taking Dengzhou you can carve out territory and declare yourselves kings? Just looking at your conduct, you are all short-sighted fools. Li Jiucheng, though you could scheme against this old man, you are still far, far inferior to that Chen Xin. I have long since figured it out: sooner or later, you will just be making a wedding dress for Chen Xin. You may be proud for a time, but in the end, you cannot escape defeat. I will quietly await the good news of your downfall."

Li Jiucheng, his face dark and gloomy, watched as Sun Yuanhua and the others walked on their own into the county office not far away. Geng Zhongming, thinking he was angry, quietly advised, "My lord, don't be angry. These civil officials are all like this—fierce in appearance but cowardly inside. Perhaps they'll come around in a couple of days."

Li Jiucheng said to Geng Zhongming and Kong Youde, "What Sun Yuanhua just said has reminded me. These past few days, Wendeng Camp has indeed been far too quiet. Quickly send more scouts to reconnoiter Huangxian, Qixia, Fushan, and the other areas. Have Wang Bingzhong come see me immediately."

The words had barely left his mouth when a Company Commander came running back from the north in a fluster, saying angrily to Li Jiucheng, "That dog Wang Bingzhong has set up a strong barricade at Cao Bridge and won't let us pass. We went around to Dengzhou Bridge, and he sent his brother to lead troops looting nearby. When a few of my men went there, they killed one of them, saying that area was assigned to them and we're not allowed to loot there. Damn it, are they still brothers from Dongjiang or not?"

Geng Zhongming, on the contrary, felt relieved. He said to Li Jiucheng, "It seems we don't need to worry about Wang Bingzhong."

Li Jiucheng cut him off. "I've got a nagging feeling that something's not right. This North City must be in our hands today. You personally take some men to Cao Bridge to negotiate. Make it clear to Wang Bingzhong that he can have the north of the city to loot, but I want the North Gate today." (To be continued.)