Chapter 261

The Zhenyang Gate finally creaked open. Behind Chen Xin appeared more than a dozen soldiers from the Central Army Guard. They followed Chen Xin into the city and remained at the gate. Zhou Shifa had originally placed informants in the Water City and hidden a squad of combat troops in several temples on Mount Danya. After the chaos erupted, Lu Zhi shut the main gate, severing contact between the two sides. After seeing the fireworks at the north gate, the operatives hiding in the Water City secretly lowered dozens of men down the western wall. They rushed to the north gate and joined the battle, playing a crucial role in its defense.

Although the intelligence they reported indicated there were not many Liaodong men in the Water City, danger could still lurk everywhere in Dengzhou at this moment. Chen Xin was still worried about problems arising, so he first had Zhang Dong confirm it was safe before showing himself, and he left the guard unit to control the city gate.

In his agitation, Lu Zhi did not notice. Chen Xin knelt before Lu Zhi right there at the gate and said, "Ever since I heard the rebel army had besieged the city, I have been constantly worried for your safety, my lord. Lord Yu was hesitating and holding back near Laizhou, so I took the initiative to bring my troops to Qixia. But Lord Sun had previously issued an order forbidding any attack on Li Jiucheng's rebel forces. Bound by military orders, I was forced to linger at Qixia. Two days ago, we captured two rebels who had fled. They said Li Jiucheng planned to send collaborators to breach the city. Worried for your safety, my lord, I disregarded Lord Sun's strict order and force-marched my troops here. Just as we arrived, we heard that someone was holding the north gate, so I dispatched troops to support them. By Heaven's grace, the north gate was held, and seeing you unharmed, my lord, the great stone in my heart has finally fallen."

"Good, good. The strong wind reveals the sturdy grass. I was not wrong about you." Lu Zhi finally slowly calmed down. He did not take Chen Xin to the gate tower. The rebel army's Hongyi cannons at the east and west gates fired sporadically, making the tower unsafe. The Naval Defense Command and the Army Supervisor's residence were also somewhat far. Anxious to understand the situation in Dengzhou, he went to the duty room beneath the tower, dismissed the other soldiers, and politely invited Chen Xin to sit.

He had personally witnessed the formidable combat power of the Wendeng Battalion on Shenmi Island. He knew very well what a personal battalion was like. Although much stronger than the Shandong troops, it was not on the same level as the Wendeng Battalion. Now that his safety was confirmed, Lu Zhi immediately began to concern himself with other matters. "General Chen, the chaos erupted suddenly last night, and communications with Dengzhou were cut off. I have been in the dark. How did the rebels suddenly enter the city? Do you know where Lord Sun and Regional Commander Zhang are? Are they safe?"

Chen Xin's face was full of grief. "We captured some disorderly soldiers in the city. According to their confessions, after the routed troops entered the city the day before yesterday, they colluded with some Liaodong soldiers to act as collaborators. They breached the east gate and let the rebels in. Lord Sun was captured by the rebels. After the city fell, Regional Commander Zhang... died a martyr's death."

Lu Zhi let out a long "Oh," his tone carrying a hint of desolation. He then turned and cursed loudly, "That Sun Yuan... Lord Sun first issued strict orders forbidding all forces along the route from attacking the rebels, allowing them to advance unhindered. Then a few days ago, he insisted on letting the routed troops into the city. Regional Commander Zhang strenuously objected but failed. He came to see me afterward, wanting me to stop this matter. But by then, the routed troops were already inside the city, and Zhang Dao is Lord Sun's trusted man. Considering the camaraderie among colleagues, I found it inconvenient to obstruct further. When Regional Commander Zhang left, he was deeply worried, which showed his heart devoted to serving the country. I never thought he would thus be separated from us by death. Hateful, truly hateful."

Chen Xin also sighed softly. "Regional Commander Zhang was indeed admirable. Hearing of this, I too am filled with grief and indignation. Please restrain your sorrow, my lord. The rebels still occupy the city. If we can sweep them away quickly, we can let Lord Zhang's spirit rest in peace."

Lu Zhi nodded gently. Once his mind was settled, his thoughts became active. He realized this was actually an opportunity—an opportunity to expand the power of the Army Supervisor. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "General Chen, how many troops have you brought this time?"

"Over a thousand men, with another two thousand on the road. They should arrive around noon tomorrow. In addition, there are three to four thousand civilian laborers from the various guard battalions. I temporarily issued them weapons; they can serve in a pinch. But the rebels inside the city are estimated to number over ten thousand. There will be a bitter fight tomorrow."

"General Chen, whatever support you need from me, speak freely."

"I need grain and horse fodder. I request that you provide supplies to the troops at Zhenhai Gate, my lord."

Lu Zhi agreed immediately. "That is only right. Chen Xin, you force-marched here and surely brought no provisions. Fortunately, there is still a fair amount in the Water City."

Chen Xin feigned hesitation for a moment, then said, "Furthermore, Lord Sun is currently in the hands of the rebels. I am constrained by the fear of harming the hostage, worried that the rebels, driven to desperation, might harm Lord Sun and the others. Secondly, I also fear that Lord Sun, under the rebels' coercion, might issue some orders against his will. At that point, I would be caught in a dilemma. Therefore, I would like to request that you take charge of the overall situation, my lord, so that I have a backbone to rely on."

This proposal perfectly suited Lu Zhi's intentions. The two had already colluded on Shenmi Island. With a few words, Chen Xin made his meaning clear: he wanted to invite Lu Zhi to assume the powers of the Provincial Governor.

Lu Zhi stood up and paced back and forth. Chen Xin did not disturb him. After stopping, Lu Zhi fixed his gaze on Chen Xin and said, "I am but a eunuch, originally only serving as an Army Supervisor on behalf of Heaven. The affairs of the Provincial Governor are beyond my purview. However, these are extraordinary times, so I must reluctantly shoulder this burden. But this matter must be reported to the imperial court immediately. It must be made clear that Dengzhou has fallen, that Lord Sun has been captured alive by the rebels, and that I am acting out of necessity. Otherwise, the saliva of those censors could likely drown me. Would General Chen be willing to co-sign a military report?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xin understood that Lu Zhi wanted to cut off Sun Yuanhua's retreat, to fix the crimes of losing the city and territory on Sun Yuanhua, and then secure his own military merits, thereby carving out some significant authority from the Deng-Lai Provincial Governor's purview for himself. Now that Dengzhou had fallen, Chen Xin did not want Sun Yuanhua's life. But the news Geng Zhongming had sent via a messenger left him with no other choice. He needed a reason to continue his subsequent plans. However, he was only a Vice Regional Commander; he needed Lu Zhi to take the lead. Lord Sun could only be left to his fate.

Chen Xin cupped his hands. "I will follow your lead, my lord. From this moment on, no military order from Lord Sun will be carried out, and no document bearing the Provincial Governor's seal will be accepted."

Lu Zhi nodded. "Then I will immediately begin writing a memorial to report directly to His Majesty. General Chen, you had best write yours immediately as well."

"Yes. I will dispatch relay riders tonight to send it urgently to Jingshi."

The two immediately began writing, consulting each other on the details, which had to be consistent. It took them nearly half a shichen to finish. Lu Zhi then called for his private secretary to polish the draft and recopy it. What the two memorialized largely conformed to the facts. Sun Yuanhua's documents sent everywhere strictly forbidding attacks on the rebels were undeniable, and letting the routed troops into the city was also his idea. Both memorials firmly asserted that the rebels had already captured Dengzhou, leading to its devastation. Lu Zhi personally led troops to hold the Water City, repelling multiple rebel attacks. Fortunately, Chen Xin arrived in time, and coincidentally, righteous civilians at the north gate provided support, thereby retaking Dengzhou city. The latter part of Lu Zhi's memorial consisted entirely of impeachment charges against Sun Yuanhua. Chen Xin's military report conveyed roughly the same meaning but emphasized more strongly that the rebel forces in Dengzhou currently numbered twenty to thirty thousand, that the situation was not optimistic, and that he could only do his utmost.

Once this memorial was submitted, Lu Zhi believed it would solidify the crime of losing the city and territory. His standing in the Emperor's heart would greatly rise. Recently, Cao Huachun had also sent him word that the Emperor increasingly lacked trust in officials everywhere, dispatching more inner-court eunuchs. The power of Army Supervisors and Garrison Eunuchs in various regions might even expand.

After the Shenmi Island affair, Lu Zhi had already gained control of the Dengzhou armory and granary. Then, using the opportunity of Chen Xin's impeachment regarding the Liaohai smuggling, he reported all the naval officers of other factions to the imperial inspector. They had been swept up entirely by the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot. The remaining naval forces were all on his side. He did not dare to covet the performance evaluations of local civil officials. His goal was to further obtain the authority over military pay and provisions. That would make him equivalent to more than half a Provincial Governor, and then he could become a powerful ally for Cao Huachun.

After reading it, the private secretary's forehead was slightly sweaty. He dared not ask a single question. After hastily polishing the text, he handed it to Chen Xin. Immediately, several relay riders took the documents and left the city. They would detour through Qixia and take the land route to Jingshi.

Chen Xin rubbed his bloodshot eyes. He had been suffering from insomnia during this period. After receiving the urgent report from the bucktoothed man the day before yesterday, he had let the army rest for most of the night before setting out. Chen Xin, however, could not sleep at all. Then he traveled several dozen li to reach Pingshan. While the troops rested again, Chen Xin, Zhu Guobin, and others had been continuously studying various plans. After that, rest was even more impossible. By now, he had gone two days and three nights without sleep.

The battle for Dengzhou held immense significance for him. It was a crucial step in the development and expansion of the Wendeng Battalion system. The steps involved were complex and wide-ranging. The moment he closed his eyes, he kept thinking about what might have been overlooked. Under extreme mental tension, various factors greatly affected his psychology. He thought so much about schemes that he even forgot how to fight a battle. This made him realize he was not yet a truly qualified commander. Fortunately, Zhu Guobin had played the role of chief of staff this time, often helping him sort out his thoughts.

Now that another link in the chain was secured, his mind relaxed, and waves of exhaustion immediately hit him. Chen Xin struggled to keep his eyelids open, forcing himself not to doze off. He seemed to remember there was something else. He racked his brain for a while before finally recalling it.

Chen Xin said to Lu Zhi in a low voice, "After I entered the city, Geng Zhongming, seeing that the situation was hopeless, intends to turn coat. I would like to ask you to set his mind at ease, my lord."

Lu Zhi naturally agreed to this. He also had his own plans. He needed his own trusted confidants. Those who came over to his side now were the best candidates.

With all matters settled, Chen Xin knelt before Lu Zhi and said, "My lord, the streets and alleys in the city are dense, and the rebels are scattered everywhere. They could appear beside us at any moment. Moreover, the Hongyi cannons at the east and west gates are still firing. No place in the city is secure. I request that you remain in the Water City to oversee the overall situation. Once the reinforcements arrive, I will personally lead the troops to counterattack and retake Dengzhou city. When the rebels are swept away, I will then invite you to inspect the spoils and severed heads."

Lu Zhi understood Chen Xin's implication: he wanted to share the plundered wealth with him. This subordinate was both capable and tactful; he had indeed made the right choice in recruiting him.

When Chen Xin walked out of Zhenyang Gate again, two 4-pounder cannons were just passing by the gate. They were pulled by four horses. Two gunners sat on the two horses on the left side. Behind them trailed a two-wheeled ammunition cart. Two gunners sat on the ammunition cover. The 4-pounder's carriage was hooked behind the ammunition cart, dragged along upside down. Rammer tools were inserted on the carriage. At the very rear were two gunners walking with torches. Both men and horses looked utterly exhausted. The horses moved very slowly and kept snorting.

Zhang Dong, who had been waiting outside the gate, came up to greet him, unable to conceal the joy on his face. "My lord, the artillery has all arrived. These are the 4-pounders of the Third Company and the Third Battalion Headquarters. Also, Dai Zhenggang's relay riders have arrived. They can reach us before noon."

With the artillery's arrival, the Wendeng Battalion's firepower would far surpass the rebels'. Holding out until noon, whether in the north or south, would be no problem. Chen Xin's last worry was dispelled.

Inside Dengzhou city at this moment, the noise had lessened. No emergency signals had been sent from Zhenhai Gate or Mishen Shan. The east was beginning to show faint white light. Chen Xin let out a long breath.

Zhang Dong respectfully asked, "My lord, how should I reply to Geng Zhongming's man?"

"Tell him that both I and Lord Lu have agreed. The other matters will proceed according to our discussed arrangements."

Zhang Dong looked up at Chen Xin. "After it's done, should we..."

"Not necessary. Keep him."

Zhang Dong was somewhat puzzled. Geng Zhongming was a fence-sitter, and his command of troops was merely average. He always felt keeping him was useless.

Chen Xin said wearily, "The imperial court cannot allow Dengzhou to be filled entirely with our people. Rather than having some unknown newcomer come here, it's better to keep this fence-sitter. Besides, keeping a contingent of Dongjiang troops can divert the resentment of the afflicted commoners. Our room for maneuver will actually be greater. Keeping him also lets those on the various Dongjiang islands know that there is still a path to survival here, which will greatly benefit our future strategy. Moreover, he has another very important use."

Zhang Dong's mind raced. He seemed to grasp something from Chen Xin's words but couldn't quite think it through. After a moment, he gave up trying to figure it out completely and simply said with admiration, "Understood. My lord is truly far-sighted."

Chen Xin turned his head and smiled at him. "You all performed excellently this time. When merits are assessed, you will naturally receive your rewards. As our territory expands in the future, your vision needs to broaden. The mind needs tempering just like your martial skills. Think more, use it more, and your mind will become sharper and sharper. Whether to kill a man or not depends on weighing the gains and losses, not simply silencing him. This time, it's not just Geng Zhongming. Li Jiucheng and Kong Youde may seem useless now, but they can still be of great use. The Dengzhou affair doesn't just affect Dengzhou. We must use this opportunity to grow stronger and reap the full benefits." Chen Xin sighed softly, looking at the thin smoke hanging over Dengzhou. "Otherwise, such a tragic cost will have been in vain."...

At the Penglai County office, Sun Yuanhua had just stamped the Provincial Governor's official seal on a document. Li Jiucheng carefully picked up the document and blew the ink dry. He said to Sun Yuanhua respectfully, "Thank you, my lord, for disregarding past grievances. I will surely repent and reform in the future and serve you with all my heart."

Sun Yuanhua said coldly, "You need not speak such empty words. I now see many things clearly. Thanks to you generals, this position of Provincial Governor is naturally untenable. You have learned your lesson this time. Look after yourself."

Sun Yuanhua sighed and closed his eyes. He had actually already guessed Li Jiucheng's intentions. He hated Li Jiucheng to the bone and was not truly willing to let him off so easily. But for Sun Yuanhua, the crime and responsibility were far from his alone. He was already under investigation by the imperial inspector. If he now allowed Chen Xin to annihilate all the disorderly troops, it would solidify his own crime of losing the city and territory. Given Chen Xin's character, he would most likely add insult to injury and submit an impeachment against him. At that point, those who had recommended him, like Zhou Yanru and Xu Guangqi, might be dragged down by him. At the same time, he also wanted to reduce the disaster for the people of Dengzhou. Offering amnesty to the rebels now could at least preserve some of the commoners.

So after much deliberation, he finally agreed to Li Jiucheng's request, on the condition that Li Jiucheng immediately stop the killing and burning in the city. He did not raise other conditions, because both sides knew Sun Yuanhua's position as Provincial Governor would not last long; he was merely awaiting the imperial guards to arrest him. Li Jiucheng, on the other hand, needed to survive the immediate, extreme crisis and agreed fully, because he needed to assemble his troops anyway to prevent a sudden attack by the Wendeng Battalion.

Li Jiucheng instructed the several rebels guarding Sun Yuanhua, "Go bring Lord Sun's family over. Also, find some maids and serving women to take good care of him."

Sun Yuanhua replied coldly, "Just let my family come. I am an old man who has lost the city and territory, already a body awaiting punishment. Why would I care about such trivial matters?"...

After daybreak, Dengzhou city fell into a kind of quiet. Neither the rebels nor the Wendeng Battalion launched large-scale attacks. After dawn, the rebel officers sent out their retainers and lower-ranking officers to gather their troops. The city's residents hid in various secluded places, hoping the turmoil would pass soon.

In a large residence west of the prefectural office, south of Caoqiao, Geng Zhongming was pacing restlessly in the courtyard. The conditions he had proposed to Chen Xin were to retain his official post and his battalion, and to keep his plunder. In return, Geng Zhongming would open Caoqiao and the east gate, allowing the Wendeng Battalion to enter the city smoothly. He had proposed the conditions, but he did not think Chen Xin would agree. His bottom line in his heart was to save his own life, keep his plundered property, and go elsewhere to live as a wealthy man.

The head retainer had returned once during the night. Chen Xin had not yet arrived at the north gate at that time. Zhou Shifa, acting as the commanding officer at the north gate, had agreed to accept his surrender but dared not agree to the conditions, saying they had to wait for Lord Chen to come to the north gate to decide. After the head retainer returned and reported this, Geng Zhongming sent him back to wait for Chen Xin. This time, he had been gone a long time and still had not returned. He did not know if the Wendeng Battalion had chopped his head off. If so, it meant Chen Xin did not intend to leave anyone alive.

Throughout the night, small squads of Wendeng Battalion troops had been active near the north end of Caoqiao, occasionally blowing bugles and a kind of military horn he had never heard before. The rebels at the south end of the bridge were jittery, firing cannons, muskets, and arrows wildly at any sound. Overnight, many more men had deserted. Geng Zhongming had even prepared a set of commoner's clothes, ready to change and flee at any moment.

Geng Zhongming had just sat down for a moment when he abruptly stood up again and walked to the main gate. After peering out for a while, he returned disappointed once more. On the way, he tripped over a corpse on the ground and nearly fell. He kicked the corpse hard twice.

Just as he finished cursing under his breath, the head retainer's voice sounded at the doorway. "My lord!"

Geng Zhongming turned around, grabbed him, and dragged him over to a corner. "Did you see Chen Xin? What did he say?"

"I saw him. He was quite amiable. He said he knows you were coerced by the disorderly troops and acted out of necessity, which is extenuating. He agreed to let us keep our official posts and battalion, and also promised to ensure the safety of your family."

"Ah?! He agreed?" Geng Zhongming had not expected that after asking for the moon, Chen Xin would actually agree. "Then, then what are his terms?"

"He wants us to stop looting the commoners, gather our troops, and also..."

Geng Zhongming interrupted, "Does he want me to capture Li Jiucheng and deliver him to his camp?"

"No, he said you must not tell anyone. No matter what Li Jiucheng does, just follow him. He'll give you further instructions along the way. In the end, he guarantees you'll get the amnesty."

"Ah?" Geng Zhongming was stunned, but after a moment the confusion on his face slowly turned into a grin. "This Chen Xin is a real bastard. He wants me to do his dirty work, and then let Li Jiucheng take the blame."

After speaking, he frowned again and asked, "The terms are good, but this man is so treacherous. Zhang Keda is dead. After this battle, he's bound to become the Deng-Lai Regional Commander. By then, with his strong troops and sturdy horses, how do we know he won't burn the bridge after crossing the river?"

The head retainer instead laughed. "We have Army Supervisor Lü. He had me disguise myself as a personal guard and took me to see Lü Zhi. Lü Zhi told me himself. Lord Lü also said that in the future, our Central Battalion will be reorganized into the Qibing Battalion, under his direct command."

"Really? Damn you, why didn't you say earlier that Lü Zhi had seen you?" Geng Zhongming kicked him several times. His trust in Lü Zhi's character far exceeded his trust in Chen Xin. He finally saw a glimmer of hope again. Following Lü Zhi was clearly a better deal than following the Wendeng Battalion.

Geng Zhongming was still hesitating when suddenly a peculiar cannonade erupted from the northern wall. He jumped onto the parapet to look. The side near the east gate was billowing with white smoke. The cannon fire was relentless. The battlements on the eastern side were being smashed to flying stone chips, and the rebel troops stationed there were collapsing and retreating.

The Wendeng Battalion had actually already brought their cannons into position. Before Geng Zhongming could decide, a retainer rushed in. He had been sent to observe the situation at the southern wall. As soon as he entered, he shouted, "That dog-fucking Wendeng Battalion has more troops coming. I saw it with my own eyes at Chaotian Gate. Coming from the Qixia direction, there must be over a thousand men. They've all slipped into our Mishen Shan main camp. Kong Youde's face has gone completely white."

The head retainer was utterly despairing. He said urgently to Geng Zhongming, "My lord, this..."

"Damn you. Go give them the reply. We'll do it."