Chapter 506

"Your subordinate Shang Kexi pays his respects to Sir Zhong, who slew Manggūltai." A tall, sturdy man of Liaodong strode up to him, his expression fervent as he addressed Zhong Laosi. "Shang, on behalf of my father, my brothers, and the millions of Han people of Liaodong who were murdered, thanks Sir Zhong. It is you who have avenged us all."

"Sir Shang is too kind." Zhong Laosi boomed in his loud voice. "Killing bandits for the country is a soldier's duty; it warrants no thanks. Your own exploits back in the day, risking life and limb raiding Liaodong, were also covered in our martial studies. Sir Chen has said as well that Shang Kexi dares to fight the Tatars, and counts as a true man worthy of our Dengzhou Garrison's regard. I'm just like Sir Shang — I love fighting Tatars most of all. This time, let's fight them well and settle a few more scores."

Shang Kexi burst out laughing. He had originally assumed the officer who killed Manggūltai would have a temperament similar to Chen Xin or Zhu Guobin, but this man turned out to be rough and forthright, which suited his own disposition perfectly.

"To have caught the eye of Sir Chen and Sir Zhong means my efforts have not been in vain. Sir Zhong, this way, please." Shang Kexi gestured toward Huanggu Island Fort.

Zhong Laosi was about to step forward when Zhao Xuan tugged him from behind. Zhong Laosi quickly gestured for Shang Kexi to go first. Shang Kexi was fairly observant; one glance at Zhao Xuan's sleeve insignia told him this was a Political Instructor of the Dengzhou Garrison. Having dealt with the Dengzhou Garrison for a long time, he knew the officers who commanded troops were all straightforward and easy to get along with, whereas the Political Instructors had many twists and turns in their thinking, wielded great power in the army, and were not to be casually offended.

Realizing he had been somewhat agitated upon seeing Zhong Laosi and had thus slighted this Political Instructor, he hurriedly exchanged greetings with Zhao Xuan as well and invited him into the fort together.

Once inside the fort, Zhong Laosi, without a second word, first inspected the defenses. This place was the rear line for the current operation and could not afford any problems. Huanggu Island Fort had received help last year from Dengzhou combat engineer instructors to set up its defenses, and Shang Kexi had maintained them ever since. Every detail was in perfect order, and defensive supplies like gunpowder were amply stocked. Zhong Laosi set his mind at ease.

Having earned Zhong Laosi's approval, Shang Kexi felt somewhat proud. After all, this was Zhong Caisheng, a man renowned even at the imperial court. The story of him slaying Manggūltai had already been adapted into storytelling performances and operas. Last time, the Dengzhou Garrison specially dispatched a performance troupe to Guanglu Island, Shicheng, Pi Island, Huanggu Island Fort, Tieshan, and other places to perform. The storytelling piece "Narrow Road Encounter" told exactly this tale. Because Manggūltai had a notorious and fearsome reputation in Liaodong and had killed many Liaodong people, the officers and men of the Dongjiang Garrison loved this segment most of all, followed by "Lovers in a Troubled World" and "Homeland." Anyone who had come out of Liaodong back then could not watch them without weeping. Thus, Zhong Laosi's fame in Dongjiang was extraordinarily resounding, perhaps second only to Chen Xin, the protagonist of "Homeland."

As Zhong Laosi walked through the fort, news of the arrival of the hero who had slain Manggūltai slowly spread. Wherever he went, Dongjiang soldiers watched him with eyes full of reverence. Finally, when he reached Shang Kexi's temporary residence, the gathered Dongjiang soldiers burst into a unified cheer, and the cry of "True Man" resounded to the skies.

Zhong Laosi showed not the slightest discomfort. Beaming with pride, he cupped his hands in salute to those around him. Shang Kexi, standing to the side, laughed heartily, not feeling in the least that Zhong Laosi had stolen his thunder. He was now wholeheartedly devoted to following Chen Xin. He had even sent over a hundred family members, including those of his elder brother Shang Keyi, to Dengzhou, making his stance clear. He was already considered half a man of the Dengzhou Garrison.

After the excitement had lasted a good while, Zhong Laosi finally entered Shang Kexi's residence. Shang Kexi said to Zhong Laosi respectfully, "Sir Zhong, I have prepared a welcoming banquet. Shall we first..."

"First, the military situation. Although I've looked at the sand table, I've never actually been there. Sir Shang knows Liaodong like the back of his hand. I must trouble Sir Shang to give us a detailed account of the terrain around Xiuyan."

Shang Kexi was also familiar with the working style of these Dengzhou Garrison officers. Zhong Laosi's behavior was not the least bit surprising. Zhu Guobin, who outranked Zhong Laosi, was the same way — upon arrival, they discussed official business first.

Shang Kexi walked over to the sand table made by the Dengzhou instructors. "Then allow me to speak first. The place called Xiuyan — I have been there and back countless times. It lies in a flat valley amid a cluster of mountains. Roads extend in all directions, the most important ones leading to Gaizhou, Haizhou, Lianshan Pass, and other places. The roads mostly follow mountain valleys or old riverbeds. The distance to Haizhou and Gaizhou is over two hundred li. There are three routes to Lianshan Pass, with distances around three hundred li. The best one goes north via Tongyuan Fort. After passing Tongyuan Fort, it follows the Jinjia River valley northward. The route from Fenghuang City to Lianshan Pass also goes via this road. The road is relatively wide and was also the tribute route used by Korea in previous years."

Zhong Laosi pointed toward the direction of Fenghuang City. "Are the Dongjiang Garrison troops setting out from Fenghuang City this time under Shen Shikui's command?"

"Yes. The commander is named Shen Zhixiang. My elder brother Shang Keyi has led troops to Kuandian and may raid Hetu Ala in the Jianzhou Guard."

"Shen Zhixiang?" Zhong Laosi had no impression of this man. He turned to look at the intelligence staff officer behind him. The young staff officer hurried over and said, "Shen Shikui's nephew, also a Vice Regional Commander. His fighting ability is passable."

Zhong Laosi nodded, not taking it to heart. Official ranks in the Dongjiang Garrison were not worth much; every island was teeming with Regional Military Commissioners and Company Commanders. Some men had only a handful of soldiers under them yet still styled themselves Mobile Corps Commanders.

In the original history, this Shen Zhixiang would become the Duke Who Continues Obedience of the Manchu Qing. After Shen Shikui became the Regional Commander of the Dongjiang Garrison, he planned to kill Shang Kexi, but the result was that Shang Kexi was forced to defect to the Later Jin. Later, when Ajige and others broke through Pi Island, Shen Shikui was killed. Shen Zhixiang fled to Shicheng Island and appointed himself Regional Commander. The Ming court, of course, refused to recognize him. After cutting off his pay and provisions, Shen Zhixiang defected to the Later Jin. He had only 2,500 men, yet among them were nine Vice Generals, eight Assistant Regional Commanders, eighteen Mobile Corps Commanders, and thirty-one Regional Military Commissioners — all appointed by Shen Zhixiang himself.

But now that the Dengzhou Garrison had come to southern Liaodong and the Later Jin's fortunes were declining day by day, Shen Zhixiang naturally would not defect to the Later Jin again. In this spring offensive, he had been dispatched by Shen Shikui to attack the line from Fenghuang City straight to Maji Fort.

Shang Kexi continued, "Xiuyan and Fenghuang City were abandoned last winter. The Jianzhou bandits did not garrison them either. After the start of spring, only a small number of scout riders remained, blocking our reconnaissance to the north. Five days ago, after receiving the urgent dispatch from Sir Chen, my troops have already advanced toward Xiuyan to sweep away those obstacles blocking Sir Zhong's path. Assistant Regional Commander Mao of Guanglu Island is also on this route and should have set out with his troops by now. As for the men from the Dongjiang Garrison side, I am not entirely sure when they will move."

Hearing Shang Kexi refer to Shen Shikui and the others as "the Dongjiang Garrison," Zhao Xuan couldn't help but glance at him. It seemed this Vice Regional Commander Shang did not consider himself part of the Dongjiang Garrison at all.

Zhong Laosi looked at Shang Kexi. "In other words, the situation regarding the Jianzhou bandit forces north of Xiuyan and Fenghuang City is still uncertain."

Shang Kexi nodded, somewhat ill at ease, then quickly added, "The Dengzhou Garrison's special service teams have already set out for Xiuyan to help drive off the Jianzhou bandits' scouts. With them there, scouting north of Xiuyan should not be a problem."

Zhong Laosi picked up a thin wooden stick from the ground and pointed at the location of Fenghuang City. "What is the approximate number of Shen Zhixiang's troops?"

"Those who actually fight number around two thousand. Those who follow along to dig ginseng and hunt sable usually add another two thousand or more."

Zhong Laosi frowned as he looked toward Fenghuang City. This time was different from before. In the past, the Dongjiang Garrison fought its own battles, but this time, Dengzhou Garrison troops had been committed. Fenghuang City was on the flank of Xiuyan. Between Xiuyan and Fenghuang City lay a barrier of great mountains. A large army could only move by detouring to the south or via Tongyuan Fort, making mutual support utterly impossible. If this flank collapsed, the central column would be in extreme danger. The Jianzhou bandits could drive straight into the rear of Xiuyan and cut off the retreat route of the Second Guards Battalion, while all other roads leading from Xiuyan went to places in the hands of the Jianzhou bandits.

Zhong Laosi gazed toward Lianshan Pass for a while. This operational objective had been issued by the Military Orders Department and was known only to those of Company Commander rank and above. Shang Kexi did not know it, because there might be Jianzhou bandit spies within the Dongjiang Garrison. Shang Kexi would only be formally informed after they reached Xiuyan.

Zhong Laosi paused for a moment, then moved the bamboo stick to point at the location of Tongyuan Fort. "Sir Shang, what sort of place is this Tongyuan Fort?"

"Tongyuan Fort is just like Lianshan Pass — a crossroads in the Jinjia River valley. It cannot be considered a particularly strategic or difficult position. From this place, the road goes north to Lianshan Pass, southwest to Xiuyan, southeast to Fenghuang City, and east to Caohe Fort. In terms of importance, it is even more critical than Xiuyan."

Zhong Laosi looked at Zhao Xuan and Zhu Feng. This matched the analysis of key Liaodong locations issued by the Military Orders Department. Tongyuan Fort was indeed a vital point. Controlling this location would allow one to contain the main military routes from central Liaodong to the Liaodong coast.

Shang Kexi added, "This place, by rights, is Shen Zhixiang's responsibility. I don't know if he has moved yet. If you, my lord, intend to occupy this place, we may need to set out earlier."

Zhu Feng came forward from behind and said, "Sir Zhong, the thaw has begun in Liaodong now, and the roads are muddy in some places. Mao Chenglu may not be able to reach Xiuyan as punctually as the Military Orders Department's schedule demands. Also, only part of Shang Kexi's main force has just left. If three columns of troops march simultaneously later, they might get jammed on the roads."

After hearing this, Zhong Laosi said to Shang Kexi, "Sir Shang, in this spring offensive, our Dengzhou Garrison is cooperating with your esteemed unit. However, the smooth flow of military orders within the army is the top priority. I must make this clear to Sir Shang here."

Shang Kexi immediately said with a solemn expression, "Sir Zhong, rest assured. Sir Chen's orders were explicit. Sir Zhong is the commanding officer of this column. Any assignment Sir Zhong gives is a military order, and I, your subordinate, will obey without fail."

Zhong Laosi and Zhao Xuan immediately took a great liking to Shang Kexi. Unified command was what they had worried about most before, fearing all sorts of hidden problems might arise from it.

"Sir Shang is straightforward. I shall also state clearly: our Dengzhou Garrison calls a temporary column a Battle Group. I am only temporarily assuming the role of commander. However, because the roads are narrow, I'm afraid I must ask your esteemed unit to set out ahead of schedule. A portion of our garrison's troops that have come ashore will accompany you in the advance to Xiuyan. As for today's welcoming banquet — no drinking." Zhong Laosi glanced at Zhao Xuan beside him. "The Dengzhou Garrison has military regulations. After the battle is fought and we return, then we shall drink to our hearts' content."

Shang Kexi immediately waved a hand. "My lord, please."

Zhong Laosi cupped his hands in thanks, then turned his head and said in a low voice to Zhu Feng, "Tell that department head of the Jimo Battalion Headquarters: according to our plan, after reaching Xiuyan, dispatch two companies and a portion of Shang Kexi's troops to Tongyuan Fort. We must seize this place. Even if Shen Zhixiang has occupied it, take it from him for me." (To be continued...)