Chapter 274: The Most Important Matter

"Leave your blade and your retainers. You, come with me."

A squad leader from the Central Army Guard Corps barked the order, surrounded by sentries standing ramrod straight. Geng Zhongming did not dare hesitate; he waved off his retainers, then put on a fawning smile and bobbed his head obsequiously at a passing Wendeng Battalion staff officer. The staff officer gave him a baffled look and walked on.

"Keep up. Chen Daru is waiting for you." The Central Army Guard soldier leading the way said this to him, his manner neither warm nor cold.

Under his guidance, Geng Zhongming walked deeper into the department compound. Along the way, Wendeng Battalion officers kept striding past, brushing by him in haste. Some soldiers had already packed those distinctive knapsacks and carried them into the courtyard, waiting to fall into formation — they looked ready to march out at any moment.

"My lord, is General Chen about to break camp?" Geng Zhongming knew Chen Xin had gone after Kong Youde and could not fathom why he had returned so soon. Everywhere he looked, he saw Wendeng Battalion soldiers forming up to march out of the city; he had no idea what had happened.

"Don't ask too many questions. General Chen will explain it to you himself."

At Pingdu, Geng Zhongming had opened the east gate and let the Wendeng Battalion army enter the city to crush Li Jiucheng completely. Right after that, he formally surrendered to Chen Xin, and then a man named Zhang Dong from the Intelligence Bureau came and gave him orders, assigning him to do certain things that could not see the light of day. Geng Zhongming himself also made a tidy profit on the side.

Though these activities brought benefits, they always carried hidden worries. The main one was that Chen Xin's own troops were mostly garrisoned only in the barbican and at key points inside the city. Apart from clearing out the rebels' original camps, they basically stayed out of such affairs.

But now that he had been summoned, his heart was pounding. Although Chen Xin had received him after the city fell, the conversation had not gone deep. Geng Zhongming had a nimble mind, and he was terrified of being silenced — of being used by Chen Xin as a scapegoat to placate the local populace.

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. Every time he met Chen Xin, he expressed his willingness to be absorbed into the Wendeng Battalion — whether to become a wealthy gentleman or to keep soldiering, everything would be up to Chen Xin. And Chen Xin would only deflect him with bureaucratic platitudes, saying that Geng Zhongming would henceforth be under the direct command of Army Supervisor Lü.

Geng Zhongming could not contain the dread in his heart. He glanced left and right; no one was paying attention to this side, only the soldier leading the way ahead of him. At this moment, only that soldier could provide a bit of information. Once he made up his mind, he habitually grabbed the soldier's hand and slipped out a gold ingot to press into it. "Brother, could you give me a hint about what important matter Chen Daru has?"

The soldier immediately flung it away, stopped, and said loudly, "Geng Assistant Regional Commander, are you trying to get me killed? The military judge has already lopped off more than ten heads."

Geng Zhongming grew frantic, thinking he had given too little. He fished out another ingot and pressed it over. "Don't take offense, brother. It's just a small token, nothing to worry about."

"Your mother! If you don't put that away right now, I'm calling someone." The soldier was getting a bit agitated himself. He yanked out his waist saber and started cursing.

"Ah!" Geng Zhongming jumped in fright and stumbled back two steps, a little dumbfounded. Seeing that the soldier did not seem to be putting on an act, he hurriedly put the gold ingots away.

The soldier watched the ingots being stowed and secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva. What these people casually handed out could match one or two years of his military pay. In his heart, he actually wanted it very much, but the military judges and indoctrination officers had already arrested seven or eight Wendeng Battalion soldiers in Pingdu Department, all for privately hiding captured goods. Originally, they were to be sent back to Wendeng for trial and sentencing, but Nie Hong believed that would lack sufficient deterrent force and feared it would encourage more people to take chances. After seeking Chen Xin's approval, he had all the offending soldiers executed by firing squad at the west gate; those whose families had already been allocated land had their fields confiscated, and the entire army was notified of this yesterday.

As a result, everyone was indeed terrified. Wendeng Battalion regulations on campaign allowed soldiers to carry no more than two taels of ready silver on their person. If anyone took gold or silver, the military judges could easily discover it just by inspecting their carried belongings. Taking too little was not worth the risk. After the announcement, some who had privately taken gold or silver dared not keep it and secretly threw it away somewhere or hid it, planning to retrieve it later when they had the chance.

Geng Zhongming had also heard about this matter. He had always assumed Chen Xin was merely putting on a show — grabbing some rebels and pretending to execute them for the commoners to see. He never expected it was real. In his view, this was far too inhuman. Who ever went to war without making a little fortune on the side?

Yet his fear of this army had already surpassed his fear of the Jianzhou bandits. In truth, Geng Zhongming had been quite a capable fighter back in Dongjiang Town; leading small bands deep into Liaodong on raiding missions was a common occurrence for him. He had even gone in disguise to the vicinity of Shenyang. Among the Jianzhou bandits he had seen, some were extremely fierce, but others were utterly ordinary. This Wendeng Battalion, however, seemed as if cast from a single mold. Even when seen on the streets, they walked in perfect unison. Many of the reserve battalion soldiers lacked that ferocious edge, yet this army made Geng Zhongming even more afraid.

Ever since, he had constantly congratulated himself on the choice he had made back in Dengzhou. This army left him with no confidence to fight at all. No matter how Li Jiucheng fought, he could never have won. The only hidden worry was whether Chen Xin would keep his promises.

The soldier led him to the entrance of a duty room on the side of the main hall and handed him over to the guards there. The guards ushered Geng Zhongming into the room. Geng Zhongming swept a quick glance around and saw Chen Xin seated in the place of honor. Beside him sat a man who looked like a scholar, and around them stood several fierce-looking Guard Corps soldiers.

Wang Bingzhong was also inside, sitting cautiously on the corner of a chair at the lower right-hand side. On the lower left-hand side sat two men. One was Zhang Dong from the Intelligence Bureau; the other, a man exuding a sinister and ruthless air, he had never seen before. However, this man sat in the seat of precedence above Zhang Dong, clearly indicating his status was higher.

Geng Zhongming's heart tightened. He guessed this man was the Zhou Shifa Zhang Dong had once mentioned. Seeing him now, he was indeed filled with a sinister and ruthless aura.

Chen Xin was all smiles and warmth, talking about something with Wang Bingzhong; the atmosphere was quite congenial. Geng Zhongming's heart relaxed slightly again. He stepped forward and announced loudly, "Geng Zhongming, Assistant Regional Commander bearing my crimes, reporting to General Chen!"

Seeing Geng Zhongming enter, Chen Xin rose politely and personally helped him up. "General Geng, you have worked hard. I was just hearing from Zhang Dong that General Geng has performed exceedingly well in the city these past days. I have urgent matters today and must rush back to Dengzhou. Before I leave, I wanted to thank General Geng and Wang Company Commander in person for serving the imperial court with all your hearts."

"This humble one dares not accept such praise. That this humble one has this chance to serve the imperial court loyally is all thanks to you, my lord. This humble one was able to stray from the lost path... stray from..."

"Stray from the lost path and return." The scholar beside Chen Xin said with a smile, "To recognize one's errors and correct them — there is no greater good. General Geng, by acting as an inside agent and opening the city gate, you allowed the people of Pingdu to escape calamity sooner. This is truly a deed of merit for the altars of the state. This old man thanks the general on behalf of the people."

Geng Zhongming did not know who this man was. Chen Xin extended a hand toward the man and introduced him to Geng Zhongming: "This is my advisor, Song Wenxian, Mr. Song. He has been a close friend of mine for many years. Mr. Song has also held important posts in several successive administrations of the Deng-Lai Grand Coordinator's office. Once the Dengzhou matter is settled, he will join our Wendeng Battalion to share more responsibilities with me."

Geng Zhongming had never heard of this man. By the time he arrived, Song Wenxian was no longer at the Dengzhou Grand Coordinator's government office. But just seeing that he could sit beside Chen Xin with a completely natural bearing told Geng Zhongming that he was one of Chen Xin's trusted confidants. Without caring that Song Wenxian did not even hold an official rank, he knelt again to pay his respects to Song Wenxian.

Song Wenxian hurriedly helped him up, repeatedly protesting that he was unworthy of such courtesy, and told him that from now on they should help each other out.

Chen Xin then introduced Zhou Shifa to him. Geng Zhongming greeted him with the same extreme caution, not daring to put on the slightest airs in his etiquette, even though Zhou Shifa's military rank was only Vice Guard Commander.

After this round of introductions, Geng Zhongming's heart settled a little. He took a seat above Wang Bingzhong and merely cupped his hands in greeting to Wang Bingzhong.

Once the guards had served tea, Chen Xin addressed the two of them: "Due to the urgency of the situation, I must return to Dengzhou today. The reason I have asked you both here today is that there is one matter I wish to discuss with you."

Wang Bingzhong hurriedly fawned, "I heard that my lord went after Li Jiucheng the day before yesterday. This humble one had assumed my lord must have already achieved complete success. Could there still be some unforeseen complication?"

"Exactly. Li Jiucheng and Kong Youde fled by sea." Chen Xin admitted it frankly, his expression unchanged.

With a bang, Geng Zhongming slammed his palm on the table and cursed, "That Li Jiucheng has done every evil deed imaginable, and yet he still refuses to submit to execution! This only proves how utterly violent and vicious he is. Does Chen Daru wish for me and Wang Company Commander to lead troops to assist in the extermination? Please, my lord, just give the order, and I will certainly handle it properly for you."

Wang Bingzhong also hurried to declare his stance, afraid of being left behind.

Chen Xin shook his head and smiled. "I thank you both for your goodwill. However, they have already put to sea. What worries me most is that they may go and join the Jianzhou bandits."

"Join the Jianzhou bandits?" Geng Zhongming and Wang Bingzhong were genuinely surprised. Although they were unruly and insubordinate in normal times, they had never entertained the thought of surrendering to the Tatars. Geng Zhongming's father had died in a raiding battle in Liaodong, and most of his other relatives had also been killed. The hatred he bore toward the Jianzhou bandits could not be exhausted in a day and a night of telling.

"Kong Youde, that... that dog of a wretch, would he truly be willing to join the Jianzhou bandits? The Tatars slaughtered his entire family, leaving only him alive. This..."

"It cannot yet be confirmed, but neither can we afford not to guard against it. Especially since that Lüshun garrison commander, Chen Youshi, has old ties with Kong and Li. With a favorable wind, Lüshun is only a day's sail from Dengzhou. You are both old Dongjiang men; I need not elaborate on how important Lüshun is."

Both men nodded simultaneously. Lüshun was like a great gate controlling the Liaodong Sea. If supported by a powerful naval force, the scope of its deterrence could cover Guan-Ning, Dongjiang Town, southern Liaodong, Deng-Lai, and Korea. The Later Jin had taken it twice, yet both times left no troops to garrison it. This not only showed the weakness of their military strength but also demonstrated that the old chieftain's strategic vision was not particularly brilliant.

Wang Bingzhong had already written an impeachment letter in Dengzhou, exposing Chen Youshi's secret collusion with Li Jiucheng. Geng Zhongming simultaneously realized that Chen Xin might be about to make a move against Lüshun. It seemed Chen Xin wanted him to help with some underhanded scheme, and he could also submit a pledge of allegiance in the process. He was not afraid of doing things that meant sacrificing a fellow daoist.

Both Geng Zhongming and Wang Bingzhong focused their attention intently, pondering how to use Chen Youshi as their stepping stone.

"However, I did not ask you two here today to assist in an extermination campaign." Contrary to their expectations, Chen Xin said flatly, "What I want to ask about today is the matter of Geng Jingcai going up to the gate tower on the night Dengzhou fell."

His speech suddenly quickened, his tone laced with killing intent. "Geng Jingcai, dispatched by Geng Zhongming, entered the Zhenhai Gate to beguile Wang Bingzhong into rebellion. Wang Bingzhong, ignoring the remonstrations of righteous civilians, immediately attempted to behead the righteous civilians at Zhenhai Gate and plotted to trick open the Zhenyang Gate before dawn to kill Army Supervisor Lü Daru..."

The atmosphere in the room changed abruptly. Before Geng Zhongming and Wang Bingzhong could even react, a leather belt was suddenly looped around Wang Bingzhong's neck from behind. Several large, rough hands pressed down on his shoulders and arms simultaneously, pinning him firmly to the chair.

Caught completely off guard, Wang Bingzhong had no defense. His hands were held down with deadly force. His eyes bulged wide; suffocation filled his gaze with utter terror. In the blink of an eye, his face was flushed crimson from the strangulation. His body struggled desperately, the chair twisting and emitting creaking sounds. The noise of the chair legs scraping against the floor was even more grating.

Geng Zhongming stood up in a panic, his mind going blank as he watched Wang Bingzhong's struggles.

Wang Bingzhong's tongue was already protruding. Geng Zhongming's hands trembled; instinctively, he wanted to reach for his blade, only to find an empty scabbard. He looked again at Chen Xin and the others and saw that Chen Xin, Zhou Shifa, Zhang Dong, and the rest all remained seated in their original places. Only two other guards had drawn their sabers and stood on alert on either side of him, but they showed no sign of coming forward to hack him down.

"Wang Bingzhong, later compelled by the pressure of righteous civilians, switched sides to join the royal army entering the city. Yet in Dengzhou and Pingdu, he indiscriminately slaughtered the innocent. His brutality was no less than that of the rebels, to the point that popular resentment boiled over. Without killing him, it would not be enough to serve as a warning to those who come after."

Under the gaze of the many pairs of cold, sinister eyes in the room, Geng Zhongming felt like a helpless child. In just a short span of time, his body was already drenched in sweat.

The kicking of Wang Bingzhong's legs grew weaker and weaker. Geng Zhongming turned his head in alarm to look behind him; no soldiers were approaching with a leather belt. Suddenly, it dawned on him. With lightning speed, he threw himself to the ground and kowtowed repeatedly to Chen Xin, his forehead striking the stone slabs with loud thuds.

Chen Xin's voice suddenly became calm and measured again. "It has now been ascertained that Geng Zhongming, at the time of the Battle of Dengzhou, experienced a sudden awakening. Though his body was in the rebel camp, his heart was with the royal army. With painstaking effort, he concealed himself at Li Jiucheng's side, feigning compliance. In the campaign at Pingdu Department, he opened the east gate, allowing the royal army to capture Pingdu smoothly and crush the rebel forces under Li Jiucheng in one blow. He should be recognized for the foremost merit in the Battle of Pingdu. Even more commendable, upon witnessing the lawless acts committed by the troops under Wang Bingzhong, he was so overcome with righteous fury that he cut down Wang Bingzhong, restoring a clear and bright world to the people of Deng-Lai."

Hearing this, Geng Zhongming stopped kowtowing. He gasped for breath, knowing that this head of his might have a chance of staying on his shoulders. But he still dared not raise his head. The sweat pouring from his scalp had soaked his hair through, dripping down from his lowered forehead and splashing in tiny blooms on the bloodstained stone slabs.

"The military discipline of his unit is strict and solemn, which also shows his skill in commanding troops. He is a rare talent among generals. At this time of crisis in Liaodong and hardship in national affairs, your servant Chen Xin kowtows and begs that he be permitted to atone for his crimes while retaining his original post."

Geng Zhongming finally raised his head. Chen Xin, smiling cheerfully, lit a cigarette. After taking a couple of puffs, he crouched down in front of Geng Zhongming's face and stuck the cigarette into Geng Zhongming's mouth.

"I hear General Geng is quite fond of the Wendeng Fragrance brand produced in my Wendeng. From now on, I'll send you a large box every month."

"This... this... this humble officer dares not."

Chen Xin laughed. "It's just a few boxes of cigarettes. What's there to dare not?"

"S... small man give silver buy... buy."

"General Geng, what this official just said is the report that will be sent to Lu Daru and the Ministry of War. Your merits will not be shortchanged. Wang Bingzhong surrendered earlier than you, so you must think this official is burning bridges and killing to silence people. But this official tells you that is not the case. Do you wish to know why?"

"This... this lowly official dares not presume. This lowly official wishes to know."

"Because he had already pledged allegiance to this official before the Zhenhaimen incident, yet midway he saw profit and forgot righteousness, nearly ruining my great plan. When working for this official, the most important thing is loyalty. Any act that violates this principle, this official will not tolerate even once. That is the reason he had to die."

"This lowly official engraves it upon his heart, and for all days to come will never dare forget."

Chen Xin stood up and said, "As long as you serve loyally, there will be only benefits and no calamities. Now then, tell this official the best way to take Lushun. After that, you will go out, lead your men, and exterminate Wang Bingzhong's unit. As for the reason, this official has already stated it just now."

"This lowly official understands. This lowly official accepts the order."

Geng Zhongming finished answering and finally knew his life was spared. He stole a glance at Wang Bingzhong beside him. Wang Bingzhong's eyes were wide open, and he lay back in his chair, long since dead.