Chapter 502

At the east gate of the Dengzhou Regional Commander's government office, several bodyguards in plain clothes escorted a four-wheeled carriage to a halt before the entrance. The guards came over, checked their waist tags, then peered through the window at the occupants before waving them through. The carriage entered the compound and stopped in the vehicle area.

Zhou Shifa, clutching a sealed document pouch, stepped down from the four-wheeled carriage. When the guards opened the door, the hinges groaned loudly. Zhou Shifa lent a hand to help — the door was quite heavy, because Zhou Shifa had specially added a layer of thin iron plate.

He handled the dirty work in Dengzhou and had offended no fewer people than Chen Xin. In past years he had hidden in the darkness, but after the Jiang Yuegui affair, the Eastern Depot took notice of the Dengzhou Intelligence Bureau. According to information Zhou Shifa himself had obtained, the Eastern Depot now had a dedicated file on him, even digging up his roots from his Tianjin days.

Perhaps because he had been in this line of work too long, his courage had actually shrunk compared to when he was a household retainer. Although the Intelligence Bureau had a fearsome reputation, in reality both its investigations and its action teams operated with extreme caution, always checking for any remaining loopholes. So now Zhou Shifa was especially careful when going out, and had added five more bodyguards.

The Regional Commander's government office was a safe place, so Zhou Shifa brought only one assistant. The two of them held their waist tags in hand, passed through layer after layer of guard posts into the government office, and finally arrived outside Chen Xin's spacious office. Zhou Shifa entered alone.

"My lord, this is the Intelligence Bureau's compiled operational plan for the Tumote and Kalaqin."

Chen Xin nodded and took it. Seeing Zhou Shifa still standing, he gestured to a seat and said, "Shifa, sit. Briefly outline your plan. I will read the details carefully later."

"The plan the Intelligence Bureau has compiled is to support the Chahar, using the profits from transit trade to Chahar to draw in the small and medium Tumote tribes, and to intercept horse caravans traveling from the Shanxi border passes toward Khorchin, Khalkha, and Liaodong."

Chen Xin took two cups and went to pour tea himself. This was his habit — when receiving a small number of trusted subordinates, he personally brewed the tea. For a subordinate, this was a very high courtesy.

As he lifted the teapot and poured, Chen Xin mused, "The Later Jin have swept through the Tumote lands twice. Their deterrent power over those tribes far exceeds that of our Dengzhou garrison. What benefits can we offer those small and medium tribes? Can we make them pull chestnuts out of the fire for us?"

"In terms of broad direction, support the Chahar. Last year we killed Manggūltai at Datong, which had a considerable deterrent effect on the Tumote. Following your deployment, my lord, Zhang Dong sent men to accompany Tang Hongchang's trade caravan on a trip to the Chahar. They established contact with the Chahar. Since the Later Jin withdrew last year, the Chahar have been moving eastward again and have also had some clashes with the Tumote tribes. My subordinates are thinking that this year, through Zhangjiakou, we sell military equipment, southern goods, tobacco, and salt to the Chahar in exchange for Chahar horses and sheepskins…"

Chen Xin listened as he finished pouring and handed the cup to Zhou Shifa, then returned to his own seat.

Zhou Shifa was accustomed to Chen Xin's manner and felt no particular trepidation. After thanking him, he continued, "Our tea, pepper, and tobacco are indispensable on the steppe, and so is strong liquor. When those herdsmen get a craving, they'll even trade a horse for a packet of tobacco. So there's no problem getting trade started. It's just that Lin Danhan doesn't have much to exchange. Horses are not easy to transport, and the goods I just mentioned are already enough to cover the exchange. As for military equipment, they may not necessarily be able to afford the silver."

"We can give them military equipment at low prices. Taking a loss is fine." Chen Xin crossed his legs and said, "Selling to them on credit is also fine. Limited to cold weapons like bows, arrows, swords, and blades. First, the relationship must be established. From what I hear, the Intelligence Bureau's plan is to support the Chahar and make the Tumote act as middlemen — letting them earn a profit from the resale while also allowing the Chahar to recover their strength, thereby containing the Jianzhou Bandits, and in turn making the Chahar the Tumote's backer?"

Zhou Shifa nodded. "For the profit from this resale trade, we can attract the able-bodied men of small and medium tribes to serve as horse bandits. After the Lushun battle the year before last, many Outer Feudatory Mongols took part in the fighting. When they returned to the steppe, the name of our Dengzhou garrison awed the grasslands, and the Later Jin's deterrent power greatly diminished. Coupled with Manggūltai being killed, the psychological shift among the steppe tribes has been considerable. As long as our army pins down the Later Jin forces in southern Liaodong and displays its strength, the Mongol tribes on the steppe will gradually drift away from the Later Jin. If by chance the Later Jin troops raise an army in retaliation, we will connect those raiding tribes with the Chahar and provide them a line of retreat."

Chen Xin recalled the Foreign Affairs Bureau's plan. Song Wenxian's plan was to trade goods for Later Jin heads — that approach could also be pursued. Zhou Shifa's approach would require the trading company to contribute more effort.

The Mongols were the Later Jin's right arm. Without Mongol manpower and strategic coordination, the Later Jin would have no opportunity for further expansion. So the contest for the Mongols was a key point. The Mongols of this era had little national consciousness. Among the various tribes, the strong devoured the weak, and they followed absolutely the steppe law of the strong ruling. Profit was one aspect, but the most important thing was still strength.

"This matter can be set in motion. However, Hudun Tuque is a shortsighted man. If by chance he goes back to raiding the Tumote tribes as he did before, then your plan would be somewhat worrisome. Still, the broad premise of supporting the Chahar is correct. The Lushun battle dealt a head-on blow to the Outer Feudatory Mongols, and the Chahar can at least give them one more option. In addition, contact the Tumote and Kalaqin tribes you are familiar with directly. If they are willing, invite them to send people to Denglai for this… inspection. After the spring offensive achieves results, take them to the Fuzhou area, select a few places, and show them the results. Call them observers."

………

"Damn that Military Command Bureau. They never said earlier that they'd be transferring us to Liaodong right after the new year, and they still gave the NCOs and officers leave. I've only just finished the First Major Training Outline! The oblique-order tactics that Lord Chen specifically ordered me to test haven't been drilled at all, the mixed infantry-cavalry formations haven't been drilled, and the line formation with interspersed columns hasn't been drilled either. Liu Po, that bastard!"

Zhong Laosi sat in the battalion commander's office at the Jiaozhou Second Guards Battalion encampment, cursing loudly. Zhao Xuan stood to one side, reading the formal orders by himself. Zhong Laosi had been cursing Liu Po ever since returning from the Dengzhou meeting a few days ago. Zhao Xuan knew his temper and treated it all as wind past his ears.

Also in the office were the military judge Jiang Changyue, First Company Commander of the Second Battalion Zhu Feng, Second Company Commander Liu Yue, and Zhou Shao'er, who had become a Squad Commander — still a promotion compared to his previous post in the Long Qibing.

Zhu Feng came from a tenant-farmer family in Wendeng. He was among the first batch of students after the vocational school was established and entered the army immediately upon graduation. His learning ability was naturally stronger than that of the older generation of soldiers who had risen through the ranks, and he quickly reached the Regional Commander's Aide Office. He was subsequently sent down to observe in a combat battalion, participated in the Lushun defensive battle, the Jinzhou pursuit battle, and the two Liaodong offensives in the seventh year of Chongzhen. Having earned merit in battle, he was promoted to First Company Commander of the Second Guards Battalion, and was currently the youngest Company Commander in Dengzhou.

Zhong Laosi held some contempt for this young Company Commander. After all, he was a youngster. Although he also felt that the Young Guards soldiers needed young officers, he still did not think they should be this young.

Zhu Feng, who had been sprawled over the table, looked up and said to Zhong Laosi, "Battalion Commander Zhong, this is the central-route map issued by the Military Command Bureau. The military forts marked on it are fairly complete. From Xiuyan to Lianshan Pass, it is all mountain streams and river courses. The paths are narrow, suitable for our army's artillery to exert its power. Director Liu must have known that we have only completed the First Major Outline, so he specifically arranged for us to go to the central route. In addition, mountain infantry and one Mandarian Duck Formation company have been attached to support our unit, which is suited for operations in that region."

Zhong Laosi cut him off with a wave of his hand. "You have to see the terrain to know. Last year our scouts followed Shang Kexi into that area. Shang Kexi and his men have traveled it countless times, but since we know we're going there, we still need to drill repeatedly. Our battalion still has no chief of staff. Starting tomorrow, you will first lead the staff in formulating a training plan. Find a similar terrain nearby and drill mountain marching and engaging the enemy. Then, based on the problems discovered during the exercise, prepare contingency plans. I want to see them before the Liaodong Sea thaws."

Zhu Feng stood at attention and saluted in standard fashion. "Yes, sir! But this subordinate still has one question."

"Speak."

"From the Liaodong terrain analysis issued by the Military Command Bureau last year, Xiuyan to Lianshan Pass looks close, but in reality the road twists and turns. It is roughly three hundred li, a longer distance than Fenghuang City, and the road is also worse. On the contrary, the road from Fenghuang City through Tongyuanbao to Lianshan Pass is straight and level, far more suitable for marching. Since our attack objective is Lianshan Pass, why not ship the troops and supplies by sea to land at Zhenjiang and strike out from the Fenghuang City line?"

Zhong Laosi looked at Zhu Feng for a moment and said, "Why didn't you ask when Liu Po was explaining this at the meeting?"

"This subordinate had not thought of it at the time."

Zhao Xuan, standing nearby, interjected, "The spring offensive is launched in cooperation with the Dongjiang garrison. Coordinating relations with a friendly garrison is also a critical link. Attacking from Fenghuang City would mean we could only land at Zhenjiang. That is the core area of the Dongjiang garrison. Shen Shikui and Huang Long are right there, and these two are not particularly close to our Dengzhou garrison. Rashly committing a large number of our garrison's troops would instead arouse suspicion in their hearts, which would be detrimental to this spring offensive in cooperation with Dongjiang. Sometimes it's not that a place looks good that we can just go there."

Zhong Laosi slapped the table and said, "Thinking through problems is fine, but you need to think them through earlier. Ask Liu Po at the meeting. What level is an operational conference that Lord Chen personally attends? If you don't speak at the meeting, once the meeting sets the tone, changing it afterward becomes extremely difficult. So before the meeting, you have to do your homework thoroughly. Coming afterward and saying this is wrong or that is wrong is of damn all use."

Zhu Feng looked somewhat ashamed, but still held his head high and his chest out.

Zhao Xuan quickly tried to smooth things over. "Battalion Commander Zhong, speak kindly. Company Commander Zhu's raising of the point is also correct. Military orders cannot be questioned, but right now the Military Command Bureau has only issued operational intent, not yet formal combat orders. If there really is a problem, it should be raised."

Zhong Laosi shot him a glare, then turned to Zhu Feng and said, "Liu Po is not wrong on this matter. Besides what Training Officer Zhao just explained, now I'll tell you why we must set out from Xiuyan. Xiuyan is on the flank of Gaizhou, with roads leading to Haizhou, Yaozhoubao, and Gaizhou. Our Second Guards Battalion is not charging straight at Lianshan Pass. We must mix feint and real, using the mountains' advantage in screening reconnaissance and favoring defense to deliberately deploy deceptive forces — placing feint troops on the roads from Xiuyan to Gaizhou and Haizhou, so that the Jianzhou Bandits dare not shift all their troops from Haizhou and other places to Gaizhou, nor can they empty Gaizhou to actively attack our southern-route logistics base at Fuzhou. With our Second Battalion deployed at Xiuyan, the Jianzhou Bandits are already in a passive position. After our battalion completes the feint, we will then march rapidly toward Lianshan Pass. Once we suddenly seize Lianshan Pass, the Jianzhou Bandits will then have to set up defenses south of Liaoyang and Shenyang. Then there is the harassment by the Dongjiang garrison on the northern route, which the Jianzhou Bandits must also deal with. Their forces will be continuously dispersed along the edge of the central Liaodong plain, unable to concentrate in one place. Only then will the Southern Liaodong Provisional Brigade have the conditions for a decisive battle. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

"Then go formulate the mountain training plan. The soldiers on leave are all about to return. Don't screw things up for me."

………

"Gou'er, take a bit more." Tang Dongshi tried to squeeze another piece of cured meat into Tang Wei's pack.

"Aiya, no more. I can't carry it." Tang Wei said, somewhat exasperated. "I still have to carry it to the guard city, and only then can I catch a cart to Jiaozhou. With snow this heavy, it might take two days to get there. You've packed so much. It's a hassle to carry."

"Then…" Tang Dongshi glanced at the little remaining space and immediately grabbed a jar. "Just one more jar of honey."

"We already have Fujian rock sugar and white sugar. I won't take it. I…"

"Pack it!" Tang Dongshi barked, and Tang Wei immediately shrank back.

"Your father will escort you to the guard city. You won't have to carry it." Tang Dongshi's expression softened, and her tone dropped. She tightened the collar of Tang Wei's military uniform and, looking at her son in his soft military cap, forced out a smile and said, "My youngest really looks imposing, far more imposing than before you became a soldier. You're a true man now."

Tang Wei puffed out his chest and said, "I am a true man. Our battalion commander said it: Dengzhou soldiers are all heroes who stand tall and upright."

"What use is being a hero if you haven't even found a wife?" Tang Dongshi's eyes reddened a little. "Gou'er, tell me, why did you have to go and fancy a female opera singer, when you were doing perfectly fine? You say you'll only take a concubine. I know you're still infatuated with that opera girl. What do you mean, a singing girl…"

Tang Wei lowered his head and said, "Mother, it's not the same as what you say. Hers is a proper occupation."

Tang Dongshi sighed and did not press the matter further. After Tang Wei returned, he had only agreed to take a concubine. In the end, both families backed out. The custom of taking a concubine before a wife did exist, but it was generally only practiced by wealthy, prominent households. Among families of matching social standing in the surrounding countryside, no one was willing to marry their daughter to Tang Wei. They feared it would sound bad when spoken of. As a result, Tang Wei stayed an extra five days but failed to arrange a match with any family. Even the refugee family from outside the Thirteen Forts did not agree. That family's daughter quickly found a worker from the Wendeng Cigarette Factory who had returned home to visit his family. Tang Dongshi's joy turned to nothing once again.

Originally, Dengzhou combat soldiers had an easy time finding wives, but Tang Wei happened to have the nickname "Opera-Singing Tatar," which everyone around knew. In this era, looking down on opera performers was the norm among the common people, and this also affected Tang Wei's grand matchmaking plans. Given their family circumstances, finding a family from farther away was still possible, but with Tang Wei about to leave at any moment, the marriage simply could not happen.

"Don't starve yourself. Eat more. Don't run to the front in battle." Two teardrops fell from Tang Dongshi's eyes. "Both your elder sisters are married off. You're the only son I have left. If anything happens to you, who will care for me in my old age and bury me when I die…"

As she spoke, she began to sob. Tang Wei felt a pang in his heart and could not help envying those who had older or younger brothers — at least someone would be there to look after their parents.

"Mother, I had my fortune told. I have a great destiny and won't die. Don't worry." Tang Wei suppressed the sorrow in his heart and lifted the pack from the ground. Old Tang, who had been silent all along, came over and took it with one hand. His arms, toughened by years of labor, seemed even stronger than Tang Wei's. Tang Wei had no choice but to pick up the other bundle containing some food and clothing. Father and son slowly walked toward the guard city. Tang Dongshi leaned against the stone wall at the village entrance, wiping her tears as she watched the two of them step onto the official road to the guard city.

The two walked in silence the entire way. From Erdaogou Village to the guard city was over ten li, and the winter journey was slow. Tang Wei's stamina had improved considerably since joining the army, but he still could not match his old father. Old Tang carried that heavy pack in one hand and strode swiftly, showing not the slightest intention of resting. It was Tang Wei who requested a break. During the rest, he offered Old Tang a Silver Wendeng Cigarette. Old Tang tucked the cigarette into his coat and went back to smoking his loose tobacco.

By the time they reached the guard city, it was already noon. The two found the cart and horse market at the north gate. There were quite a few people heading to Jiaozhou, which put Tang Wei at ease. He said to Old Tang, "Father, it's past noon. Let's find an eating house in the guard city and have a meal."

Old Tang set the pack on the ground, raised his eyes to look at Tang Wei, and his dark, wrinkled face bore a trace of gentleness. "Not eating. Save a bit. I'm heading back."

"Father, eat. It's nothing." Tang Wei moved to pull Old Tang along. He really did not consider this bit of money to be anything.

Old Tang waved his hand and said to Tang Wei, "Take care on the road."

Without waiting for Tang Wei to reply, he turned and headed back. After a few steps, he stopped, tightened the belt around his waist, tugged down his thick padded jacket, and then continued forward. His slightly stooped, broad back reached the western end of the cart and horse market and stopped again. He squatted on the ground and worked his fire striker for a while. A moment later, he exhaled a puff of smoke. The white smoke drifted past the hat atop Old Tang's head and floated into the air. After a few puffs, Old Tang stood up and slowly disappeared into the bustling crowd of the cart and horse market.

PS: Author's note: Requesting Best Character evaluation votes. Please do not vote for the work. Please be sure to vote for "Best Character" — "Chen Xin." The voting address is pinned in the book review section. (To be continued…)