Chapter 512

South of Gaizhou, outside the sturdy southern wall of Yulinpu, earthworks had been thrown up along with some simple wooden archery platforms. These platforms rose higher than Yulinpu's own fort wall, and from them smoke billowed as volley after volley roared out with deafening force. Four eight-pounder cannons were trained on this section, blasting the battlements and sending stone chips flying in all directions. The Later Jin soldiers atop Yulinpu's wall ducked and dodged for cover, only raising their heads to loose a few arrows in the gaps between musket volleys.

The moat outside the fort wall had long since been filled in. Several large breaches had been dug into the wall, their edges blackened with scorch marks — these had been opened the previous day by combat engineers, who then used them to lay traps during the night, killing several dozen Later Jin soldiers. The Dengzhou garrison had already cut off Yulinpu's communications to the north. During the day, Later Jin troops sent cavalry out from Gaizhou to pin down the Dengzhou horsemen, but they could not break through to Yulinpu; only under cover of darkness could they secretly slip a few supplies into the fort.

In Ming times, places called pu were essentially official relay stations, also providing lodging and rest for traveling officials. There were three Yulinpu stations in Liaodong — one at Yizhou, one at Shenyang, and the one now before them. This Yulinpu was the last military fort south of Gaizhou, retained by the Later Jin as an outpost for the city. Inside the small fort were over four hundred Later Jin troops, both armored soldiers and auxiliaries, plus more than seven hundred bondservants. After two days of attrition, the Later Jin had lost over a hundred men; without reinforcements, holding the fort would be extremely difficult.

Chen Xin, surrounded by a cluster of guards, arrived behind one of the earthworks. He had just reached the spot. Raising his telescope, he observed for a moment, then turned to Zhu Guobin beside him and asked, "How many Jianzhou Bandit cavalry came out of Gaizhou yesterday?"

"Close to a thousand riders. Our cavalry formation engaged them only once and cut down over a hundred. Those Later Jin troops then withdrew back to Gaizhou. Our Long Qibing have already seized the ferry crossing south of Gaizhou. We deliberately pulled back last night, but the Gaizhou Later Jin forces haven't come out today."

Chen Xin frowned. "Are they really not going to try to relieve Yulinpu?"

Zhu Guobin knew Chen Xin was asking himself, so he did not answer. Their original plan had been to besiege Yulinpu, draw the Gaizhou Later Jin army out to its rescue, wear down its effective strength, or lure the main Later Jin force into the open.

The main body of the Liaonan Brigade had reached Guotoupu and Guo'erpu. The campaign reserve — the cavalry company of the 1st Guard Battalion plus two company-strength units transferred from Dengzhou — had crossed Fuzhou. The flank was screened by Xiuyan. At Nanguan in Jinzhou, large numbers of reserve troops had been mobilized to carry out defensive duties. The relay forts along the route had been reinforced with trench works and were under tight guard, controlling the official road that was easiest for projecting troops. The 1st Guard Battalion's cavalry company was stationed at Xin'anpu in the middle sector, with riders shuttling back and forth to provide support. Given the Later Jin's grain reserves, they lacked the capacity to attack a defense in such depth.

After the Liaonan Brigade's cavalry reached Gaizhou, the Later Jin troops guarding the Xiuyan sector had promptly fled. The Liaonan Brigade established contact with the 2nd Guard Battalion and pushed the fieldworks on the mountain paths forward to the mouth of the pass. The situation along the Gaizhou line had become even more favorable.

Yet the Later Jin forces on the Gaizhou line had shrunk back and refused to come out — something Chen Xin had not expected. At the moment, Liu Po was in charge of the defense at Jinzhou. The staff officers had gamed out multiple scenarios, but the final decision rested with Chen Xin, and he could only discuss it with Zhu Guobin.

"My lord, perhaps they are concealing their troops inside Haizhou city, waiting for our infantry to move north past Gaizhou and out from under the cover of the line of military forts before they strike."

Chen Xin frowned. "According to the Military Order Directorate's original estimate, taking Gaizhou would require at least five days, and the precondition was first drawing out the bulk of its cavalry. If their cavalry is there to tie us down, we might not take it even in ten days. We don't necessarily have to capture it, but if we don't wear down the Later Jin cavalry at Gaizhou, the threat to Haizhou won't be sufficient."

In this spring offensive, the best outcome Zhu Guobin had envisioned was to wreck Gaizhou city, pushing the Later Jin defensive line further back. Repairing it would then demand vast manpower from the Later Jin, and the Dengzhou garrison's cavalry would not let them repair it in peace. By the autumn offensive, Haizhou itself would be the front line.

Although Zhu Guobin was eager to take Gaizhou, he knew the difficulties were many. The most critical was the shortage of Dengzhou cavalry. The regular cavalry in Liaonan amounted to only the Liaonan Brigade's cavalry battalion of 2,100 men; now, with the 1st Guard Battalion's cavalry company added, the total was just over 3,000. The Long Qibing could only support them in battle. That was more than enough for raiding and disruption, but when facing the Later Jin main force, they were still not up to the task.

Zhu Guobin thought for a moment and said, "This subordinate believes the staff's first scenario is the most likely. This offensive is on such a large scale that Huang Taiji cannot have failed to mobilize all his armored soldiers. If they are not at Haizhou or Gaizhou, then they are likely in the direction of Lianshan Pass or Hetu Ala. The most probable is Lianshan Pass, since the road there is broader than the one to Hetu Ala."

Chen Xin gazed at the smoke-shrouded Yulinpu before him and said to Zhu Guobin, "Have the remaining company of the Jimo battalion force-march from the Gaizhou eastern mountain pass to Xiuyan and place themselves under Zhong Lao's command. Also dispatch relay riders to notify Zhong Lao to be wary of the Lianshan Pass direction — his encampment must be tightly defended. Yulinpu must be taken by noon tomorrow. After that, send out patrol cavalry north to the Yaozhoubao line and draw the Gaizhou Jianzhou Bandit cavalry out."

At Shangzhuangzi, north of Tongyuanpu, the long column of the Pi Island Dongjiang army was just setting out. This place lay between Caohekou and Tongyuanpu, ten li from Caohekou and fifteen li from Tongyuanpu. At the marching speed of the Dongjiang troops, encumbered as they were by civilians digging for ginseng, covering thirty or forty li a day was considered good. After passing Tongyuanpu the day before, they had spent the night at Shangzhuangzi. Today they were preparing to head toward Lianshan Pass, a direction no large force had visited the previous year, making the chances of finding ginseng somewhat greater.

Shen Zhixiang sat high on his horse. He had fought the Jianzhou Bandits for many years and knew how formidable they were. So even though he did not believe the Jianzhou Bandits were truly nearby, he still sent half his retainers out as forward scouts.

By noon, they reached Caohekou. This spot also led to Caohebao and Samajibao, hence the name Caohekou. The Mobile Corps Commander in charge of scouting rode over, knelt before Shen Zhixiang, and said, "My lord, shall we rest a while and let the military households go up the mountain to dig for things?"

"Dig for what? First set up the stoves and cook a meal. After eating, we keep moving toward Lianshan Pass. When we reach the watershed this afternoon, then we'll hunt and dig for ginseng." Shen Zhixiang spoke with an air of confidence. "We'll go all the way to Lianshan Pass first, scare the Jianzhou Bandits, then turn back and dig our way slowly home."

The Mobile Corps Commander looked up with an ingratiating smile. "So we stop once we reach Lianshan Pass? We're not going to take a look at Tiananshuijing Station?"

"I'm not going. If the Dengzhou troops want to go, they can go themselves." Shen Zhixiang glanced around at the verdant mountain ridges, humming a little tune under his breath as he rode forward. When he reached the crossroads at Caohekou, he instinctively glanced east toward Caohebao. From here it was about thirty li to Caohebao, and there was also a road that led into central Liaodong.

After Liaodong fell, that road saw little traffic, and with the arrival of spring it was already overgrown with weeds. The wind blowing through the mountain pass swept down the valley with a low, moaning sound; the valley felt vast and eerily still.

The road from Samajibao into central Liaodong was narrow and difficult, not a main route into the region, but it was still passable. Having spent so long in Dongjiang Town, Shen Zhixiang knew these parts like the back of his hand — which meant there could be Jianzhou Bandits there too.

Shen Zhixiang reined in his horse and stopped. He beckoned his retainer Mobile Corps Commander over. When the commander drew near, Shen Zhixiang pointed toward Caohebao and said, "Take fifty retainers, two hundred battle troops, and three hundred auxiliaries and go scout the road to Caohebao."

The retainer commander looked taken aback. "Isn't Caohebao where Big Pockmark Liu was headed? When we left Fenghuang City, he went north along the Caohe River." The Big Pockmark Liu he referred to was an Assistant Regional Commander, formerly one of Shen Shikui's retainers. When they were at Fenghuang City, Shen Zhixiang had sent him up the Caohe river valley — with any luck, he might even bring back some eastern pearls.

"Ah, ah, that's right. Big Pockmark Liu can be trusted in a fight. Forget it, then. Send two riders to ask him — that dog, who knows how much ginseng he's dug up. We'll see how much he hands over when he gets back." Shen Zhixiang cursed a few times, then continued on toward the watershed.

Outside Tongyuanpu, Zhong Lao had just arrived with the 1st Battalion. The narrow mountain paths made both camping and marching a matter requiring careful arrangement. Fortunately, Zhong Lao had several staff officers to help him, which lightened his own workload considerably. But the trek from Xiuyan, over the wet and slippery mountain trails, had still tormented Zhong Lao enough.

A voice spoke beside him. "Indoctrination Officer, sir, this subordinate will puncture the blisters for you, but tonight you must change into a dry pair of socks, and your shoes as well."

Zhong Lao turned his head and saw Zhao Xuan lying flat on the ground, his feet propped up as a medic tended to him. After speaking, the medic poured some liquid from the coconut gourd at his waist, and the smell of alcohol quickly wafted over. Zhong Lao's throat made a gulping sound. This high-proof alcohol was produced by repeated distillation, but it smelled much the same as ordinary spirits. He himself had secretly drunk it on many occasions, only later discovering the concentration was too high, after which he switched to diluting it with water before drinking.

But on campaign he dared not do such a thing, for this was life-saving material. Sure enough, Zhao Xuan on the ground said, "Use just a little. Save more for the wounded. This foot of mine is nothing serious."

The medic acknowledged the order. Another one beside him washed the sole of Zhao Xuan's foot with clean water, then swabbed it with alcohol. After that, he punctured the two large blisters on Zhao Xuan's sole, squeezed out the pus, bound the foot tightly with cotton cloth, and then found a pair of cowhide boots for Zhao Xuan. But Zhao Xuan did not take them; he put on his own cloth shoes by himself, hissing in pain when his foot touched the ground.

Zhong Lao cursed from the side, "These cloth shoes were wrong from the start — not even as good as the black Tatar boots with iron mesh. Why does the 1st Guard Battalion all get cowhide boots while we have to use cloth shoes? Is Dong Yu on better terms with Wang Zhangfu, so he only issues them to his unit?"

Zhao Xuan grimaced and waved a hand to cut him off. "Will you say a few words less? Dong Yu said it's the next batch. Slaughtering plow oxen is forbidden in Dengzhou — where are we supposed to get that much cowhide all at once?"

Zhong Lao snorted and turned to look at Zhu Feng behind him. "That bastard Shen Zhixiang has gone off toward Lianshan Pass. Our troops can't all get here at once. Take the 1st Company of the 1st Battalion and two platoons from the Jimo Battalion and head first to Caohekou. Then probe east toward Caohebao and Samajibao. Whether or not you find any sign of the enemy, someone must report back every day."

Zhu Feng immediately came to attention and acknowledged the order. Zhong Lao then addressed the captain of a special duties squad who had just arrived: "From Tongyuanpu, head east, cross directly over the mountains into the Caohe river valley, then scout toward Samajibao. Along the way, see whether that Dongjiang force that went north from Fenghuang City actually exists."

After issuing these deployments, Zhong Lao studied the position of Lianshan Pass on the map. Zhao Xuan leaned in and asked, "Aren't we going to advance on Lianshan Pass right away?"

"Shen Zhixiang's men are clogging the road ahead. If we rush up, we'll just get jammed together. We'll assemble our troops here at Tongyuanpu first. At best, only half will arrive today. The main bodies of Shang Kexi and Mao Chenglu probably won't get here until tomorrow. What worries me most right now," Zhong Lao pointed east, "is that Shen Zhixiang hasn't reported any enemy situation at all from the Caohebao direction. The Jimo Battalion troops that arrived first sent out small scout teams several times, but each time they were blocked by Jianzhou Bandit pickets before reaching Caohebao. And yet Shen Zhixiang claims he sent a force north from Fenghuang City along the Caohe river valley, and even says there are definitely no Jianzhou Bandits at Caohebao. He's treating military intelligence like a child's game."

Zhao Xuan looked at Zhong Lao. "You mean the Jianzhou Bandits might be lying in ambush for us at Samaji?"

Zhong Lao waved a hand. "I'm only saying it's a possibility. The Jianzhou Bandit scouts have repeatedly intercepted our reconnaissance teams at Caohebao — there has to be a reason. Of course, it could also be a feint by the Jianzhou Bandits, making us mistakenly think there's an ambush at Samajibao and thereby slowing our advance. Guessing is useless; we have to make direct contact with the Jianzhou Bandits. And that dog Shen Zhixiang just happened to botch this contact job. Partnering with that bastard Shen Zhixiang is worse than finding a rat for a partner. Zhu Feng!"

Zhu Feng immediately ran over. Zhong Lao said to him loudly, "When you scout toward Caohebao, if you run into a large force of Jianzhou Bandits on the road, withdraw if you can. If you can't, then set up a defensive position on the spot and hold them back. If you encounter Shen Zhixiang's troops on the way, order them to advance on Samajibao. They must reach it within two days. Anyone who disobeys, you will, on my authority, on the spot..."

"No, no." Zhao Xuan hurriedly stepped in to stop him. He said to Zhong Lao, "You can't do that. They are, after all, allied troops. Pi Island is far away, and relations are not easy to build. Our lord has already put in great effort just to get them to fight the Tatars together with us. Here's what we'll do: I'll go with Zhu Feng." (To be continued...)