Chapter 435: Advance into the Central Plains

On the fifteenth day of the eleventh month of the sixth year of Chongzhen, goose-feather snow fell thick and fast across the northern land. The Yellow River at Mianchi was sealed with ice for a thousand li; heaven and earth were a single expanse of silver-white. The riverbed, suspended above the ground, had become a long white serpent.

Along the river course, a column stretched endlessly from head to tail, many among them supporting the old and carrying the young. Beside them lay the frozen corpses of the dead, already piled with snowflakes and ice, transformed into white grave mounds. Those walking paid them no heed; now and then, kinfolk would wail a while, then rise and press on with the march. Cheap lives made even the parting of death seem so desolate.

A group of horse soldiers sat their mounts atop a raised embankment of the Yellow River. Beside them, a red banner streamed in the north wind, bearing the three characters "Eight Great Kings." The yellow-faced Zhang Xianzhong stood beneath the banner, looking back toward Yubei. They had been trapped in this patch of land for months and had nearly been finished off.

Zhang Xianzhong asked Liu Wenxiu behind him, "Have all our people finished crossing?"

"Almost done crossing. The Dashing King is twenty li ahead and has already recruited over thirty thousand Henan refugees. Cao Cao has gone east; I hear he's recruited over ten thousand as well." Liu Wenxiu drew his collar tighter. He had looted a fox-fur coat from a landlord's house, enough to withstand such bitter cold.

Zhang Kewang said easily, "You have to say, the Dashing General's idea was a good one. Sure enough, the Yellow River froze early this year, and now everyone has a way out. If we head a bit west, we can raise tens of thousands in a few days too."

Liu Wenxiu glanced at Zhang Xianzhong. "The Dashing General has a nimble mind, but he's always been bold too. When everyone else was scared witless by the Dengzhou troops, he still dared to roam nearby and picked up quite a few of Zijin Liang's men. His strength has grown a lot now. He doesn't speak as politely as before. That man is not one for deep friendship."

"What's to fear? I'm bold too — didn't I also pick up plenty of Zijin Liang's horse soldiers? Speaking of Fifth Brother, he's been a bandit all these years, and then Luo Rucai egged him on to attack Dengzhou Garrison. One reckless plunge and it was all over. I hear he was executed by slow slicing in the capital — a gruesome end." Zhang Xianzhong licked his lips, his words devoid of any pity for Zijin Liang.

Beside him, Zhang Kewang laughed loudly. "The Fifth Great King is dead, so be it. Today we've finally escaped this cursed place. Henan is flat as a whetstone. Those mangy government troops won't catch us now. That Wang Pu and Xuan Mo must be furious to death."

Zhang Xianzhong and Liu Wenxiu also laughed smugly. They had been hemmed in by government troops in the southwestern part of Huaiqing Prefecture in Yubei, completely losing room to maneuver. Dozens of roving bandit bands had scurried back and forth, already at the end of their rope.

In the end, the Dashing General proposed that each band contribute jewels and silver to bribe the two Regional Commanders, including Wang Pu of the capital garrison. None of the bands had food now. Jewels and silver were worthless in Yubei, so they were naturally willing to hand them over. They pooled a large sum of silver and sent it over, claiming they wished to surrender. If the amnesty succeeded, they would give Wang Pu another sum of silver.

Wang Pu was not particularly reliable in battle, but he knew the ins and outs of taking bribes like the back of his hand. So he shared the spoils with the other units, and everyone halted and stopped pursuing the bandits. This gave the bandits a chance to catch their breath. The roving bandits, starving and at death's door, were able to conserve their strength amid the icy snow.

Both sides went back and forth. Wang Pu helped negotiate the terms of amnesty in the middle. In mid-eleventh month, the Yellow River froze earlier than in previous years. The Thirty-Six Camps tore off the mask of amnesty and suddenly crossed the river at the Mianchi section of the Yellow River. The horde escaped from the jaws of death, once again deceiving the government troops with the trick of amnesty and bribery. The great encirclement that the Ming army had painstakingly constructed collapsed completely. A year's hard work had all been for nothing.

Zhang Kewang said smugly, "Those mangy government troops are all fools, toyed with in the palm of our hand."

Liu Wenxiu laughed coldly. "You think they're fools? Then you're the real fool. If the Thirty-Six Camps are wiped out, where will they go to make their fortunes? Those officers are smarter than the next, they just don't apply it to fighting wars."

Zhang Xianzhong let out a hearty laugh. "Who the hell cares if they're smart or not? We've escaped again this time. Now the sky is high and the earth is wide — plenty for me to plunder. Lads, follow me and plunder Henan!"

Zhang Xianzhong gave a great shout. The horse soldiers followed behind him, galloping away with a roar. Amid the swirling blizzard, tens of thousands of roving bandits climbed over the embankment and crossed the Yellow River. Ahead of them lay the vast, rugged mountains of Mianchi. Beyond those peaks lay the boundless Central Plains.

"Maintain current speed. Make camp at Zhanggezhuang before nightfall."

Zhong Lao gave the order to the messenger, then turned and brushed himself off several times. Large flakes of snow drifted down.

"Damn this cursed weather, snowing so hard." Zhong Lao grumbled a few curses. Beside him was the marching Long Qibing Company Headquarters, currently eleven hundred men strong, with five hundred auxiliaries, all equipped with horses captured in several engagements.

Ahead of them was the one-thousand-man cavalry company headquarters. The Fifth Battalion now had four company headquarters, the largest of any battalion in Dengzhou Garrison. At Lixian Tunbao there was also a reserve company headquarters. Most of the monthly supplies came via the trading company along two routes — the Huan River and the Wei River — with the Supply Bureau settling accounts with the trading company. It was also the battalion with the greatest expenditure.

Since Chen Xin had left, the Fifth Battalion had not fought any major battles, remaining deployed between Huixian and Linxian. Only the cavalry frequently went out, using real combat to train troops in the two prefectures of Weihui and Huaiqing.

These two thousand-odd horses, besides grazing daily, also required twice the soldiers' rations in concentrated fodder — equivalent to adding five thousand more soldiers.

Although purchasing these beans in Linqing was easy, transporting them to Linxian and Huixian was quite laborious and time-consuming. Wang Erya initially mobilized the trading company's own strength for transport, but later it became too heavy a burden. Using cigarettes as a bargaining chip, she had local merchants in Great Ming Prefecture provide the supplies, preferring to let them earn some silver. The results were far better than providing it herself, and Liu Minyou also approved of this method.

When stationary in normal times it was fine, but now that they had begun forced marches in pursuit, the baggage train's capacity could not meet the cavalry's demands. Zhong Lao reckoned that relying on their own carried supplies, the two cavalry units could at best pursue as far as Mianchi.

Just as he was thinking this, a group of riders caught up from behind. Seeing it was Chief of Staff Wang Mafu, he twisted his mouth and went to meet him. This Wang Mafu had started as Chen Xin's adjutant and was thoroughly versed in military tactics and regulations, but had no achievements to speak of in actual combat. Naturally, he could not easily win the approval of an officer like Zhong Lao.

Liu Pojun reined in his horse before Zhong Lao. "By order of the Battalion Commander, the Long Qibing are to halt the advance."

Zhong Lao was taken aback. "Why?"

"Huaiqing Prefecture is a hundred li of desolation. After crossing the Yellow River, the roving bandits split into several columns. Everything along the way in Mianchi County has been looted clean. We cannot requisition grain locally, and the baggage train cannot provide sufficient fodder and provisions. At most, they can supply marching rations for the cavalry combat troops as far as Luoyang. Therefore, the Long Qibing's movement must be halted. The cavalry infantry will pursue. The baggage train can only manage this much."

Zhong Lao looked sideways at Wang Mafu. "Meaning the cavalry can at most reach Luoyang, and then we rely on infantry to chase those horse soldiers? Chief of Staff, do you think they can catch them? For the past two months, I've been recommending the entire army enter Huaiqing Prefecture. The bandits had no room to maneuver — one battle would have settled it. The Thirty-Six Camps would never have escaped. Every staff meeting, you all had this reason or that, even bringing up saving face for the capital garrison. Since when has our Dengzhou Garrison ever given face to other battalions? Now, knowing we can't catch them, we still have to chase? What are you sending infantry to do, round up a bunch of refugees? At the staff meeting, Mr. Liu said the cavalry should pursue with full force, with the baggage train prioritizing the cavalry and Long Qibing. And now it's changed the moment we step out the door? Drop the Long Qibing at Huaiqing, drop the cavalry at Luoyang — how do you plan to chase the bandits? Might as well all go back to Linxian."

"Carry out the order." Wang Mafu turned his horse, pulled out a command token, and tossed it to Zhong Lao. He said coldly, "Vice Battalion Commander Zhong, I remind you: Mr. Liu is only the head of the Civil Affairs Department. This is the Fifth Battalion, and this is Commander Zhu's military order. Formally delivered by the Chief of Staff — there is no room for you to haggle. Clear the road and let the infantry pass!"

"I demand an officers' meeting!"

"No need. As Chief of Staff, I support Commander Zhu's decision. It's impossible that all officers oppose it. Execute immediately."

Zhong Lao, his face full of reluctance, saluted Wang Mafu. He thought it was clearly impossible to catch them, yet he didn't know why they still had to send infantry in pursuit. In this sky full of wind and snow, they might as well stay in Linxian and winter there.

"Post riders, pass the word: Long Qibing halt the advance, clear the main road." After Zhong Lao gave the order, the bugler sounded the brass horn. The Long Qibing all halted, then moved to the roadside to wait for the infantry to pass.

After Zhong Lao ordered a rest in place, the soldiers in the ranks stamped their feet on the spot to keep warm. Zhong Lao dared not stand still either. Out of boredom, he paced beside the formation, stopping when he reached the First Company where Guan Dadi was. He found Guan Dadi's position and said to him, "Did that girl your sister tried to match you with agree or not?"

Guan Dadi chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "She met me, it's just, she keeps asking how much silver the medal rewarded me."

"What did you tell her?"

"Twenty taels, but I gave it all to my mother, to build a big house for my little brother... Ah!"

Zhong Lao smacked him on the head. "Damn you. You, the eldest brother, aren't even married yet, and you're building a big house for your little brother? Of course the girl wouldn't agree. With a fool's head like yours, it'd be strange if you found a wife. Why couldn't you just say twenty taels? Why did you have to add that extra line?"

Guan Dadi laughed foolishly. "You never told me before."

Zhong Lao coughed. "How about this: you get your sister to match me with one too. I've seen a few of those young girls in there, some are quite fetching."

The soldiers nearby who overheard all started jeering. Zhong Lao waved at them and cursed, "What, can't I find a wife? Your company commander's wife — I was the one who spoke for him."

Zhou Shao'er popped up and said, "That's true enough. But I've saved more silver than you. Vice Battalion Commander, have you saved enough silver? At the going rate in Denglai, a betrothal gift under ten taels won't do these days."

Zhong Lao thought about it seriously. His monthly pay was always spent as soon as he got it, and last year he'd been docked for a full half-year. He'd only managed to save anything these past few months in Henan. Calculating, it was enough for the betrothal gift, but the house he'd bought before was too small — he'd still need to get a bigger place.

He couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated. His daily expenses were still a bit too high. Fortunately, there was the combat bonus from the battle where they killed Zijin Liang, and these months in Henan also had combat subsidies, so his income was a bit higher than usual. If he was frugal, he could scrape it together soon.

A quarter-hour later, the infantry behind caught up. They marched past with high morale and a great clamor, though their pace was not fast. Some soldiers even jeered a few taunts at the Long Qibing by the roadside.

"What are you so smug about?" Zhong Lao cursed toward the infantry column. "Tell Huang Yuan: if those two stubby little legs of yours can catch the bandits' horse soldiers, I'll empty his piss-pot for him. If you can't catch them, he comes and empties mine."

The Vice Battalion Commander started cursing, and the infantry side instantly fell silent. Zhong Lao looked immensely pleased with himself. Just as he was about to continue cursing, someone suddenly rapped him on the back of the head. He spun around, ready to curse the person out, but the moment he saw who it was, he immediately shut up.

Zhu Daichun looked at this troublemaker before him. "Vice Battalion Commander Zhong, save some energy for real work. Just because the Long Qibing aren't moving doesn't mean there's nothing to do. The Deputy Director of the Military Affairs Bureau is coming to assess training. Since you're staying, you'll serve as the Fifth Battalion's representative. Also, Huang Yuan has been transferred back to the Dengzhou Mobilization Bureau. He is no longer a company commander in the Fifth Battalion."

"Huang Yuan transferred away? That kid's pretty good in a fight. Changing commanders right before a battle isn't very proper." Zhong Lao rubbed his nose. "But why conduct an assessment so early? This Long Qibing unit has only trained for a few months, and the Military Academy hasn't sent any replacements..."

Zhu Daichun cut him off. "The Military Affairs Bureau's order is for him to return. Whether it's proper or not is not your concern. What's improper is a soldier disobeying orders. Prepare as you're told. For now, return to the Huixian camp. Once marching rations are sufficient, rejoin the main force."

Zhu Daichun left as soon as he finished speaking. Zhong Lao cursed a couple of times under his breath and waited for the infantry column to pass. After the First Regiment passed, what came next was the very propaganda team they'd just been talking about. Some women walked along beating bamboo clappers, drawing waves of cheers all along the way.

Zhou Shao'er and the others all turned their heads and made faces at Zhong Lao. Zhong Lao flattened his mouth and cursed under his breath, "Damn it, still dragging along these actors. If you can catch the bandits' horse soldiers, I'll take your surname, Zhu. Zhu Daichun and Wang Mafu are the same breed as Liu Pojun — fierce when riding on Mr. Chen's coattails, but cowards when left to stand on their own." (To be continued.

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