Chapter 534: Throwing In One's Lot

In the sixth month of the eighth year of Chongzhen, the Dengzhou army began to mobilize step by step. Without any troop-transfer orders from the imperial court, the forces of Dengzhou Garrison left their stations one after another. Because commerce in Dengzhou and Laizhou was flourishing, road travel had not been restricted, and the Dengzhou Garrison's movements drew attention from all sides. But those watching soon noticed that the direction of the Dengzhou Garrison's assembly was not Qingzhou Prefecture. The Shandong authorities first breathed a sigh of relief — at least no large bodies of troops had been detected on the Qingzhou Prefecture border.

The First and Third Battalions stationed in Qingzhou Prefecture first pulled back to Pingdu Department, then left the Dengzhou post road and headed east toward Laiyang. The newly formed Ninth Battalion, originally in Pingdu Department, was shifted to Qingzhou Prefecture in their place.

In Qingzhou Prefecture and Pingdu Department, ten mobilization command posts were converted into reserve company-command headquarters. A batch of reserve troops moved from Pingdu toward Qingzhou Prefecture. The nearly one hundred tun-bastions in the Qingzhou Prefecture area possessed more than three thousand privately purchased flintlock muskets. Together with these reserve troops, holding off the imperial court's interior forces posed no great problem.

The First and Third Battalions that reached Laiyang continued eastward, entering the administrative territory of Wendeng County. They would board ships separately from the harbors of Chengshan Guard and Weihai Guard. The Wendeng region was completely under Dengzhou Garrison's control. Roads everywhere were subject to strict inspection. After the middle of the sixth month, overland traffic was cut off entirely, and all trade routes and commerce were shifted to Jinghai Guard. The harbor at Weihai Guard opened on an irregular schedule.

The Dengzhou Guards First Battalion remained stationed at Dengzhou. The reserve troops of Qixia and Penglai were in the process of being mobilized, preparing to relieve the Dengzhou Guards First Battalion. The farthest unit, the Linxian Dragoon Company-Command, would be transported in the final batch.

A troop movement of this scale could not ultimately be hidden from the imperial court, but Chen Xin hoped to delay their discovery of it as long as possible, so that they would not have enough time to assemble forces. The grain shortage Chen Xin had created in the Guan-Ning region was also meant to ensure that the strongest forces — those of Liaozhen and Shanhai Pass — would be hamstrung by logistics and unstable morale, and thus unable to move quickly. Moreover, because intelligence traveled slowly at this time, the Jianzhou Bandits would likewise not receive advance word, which would cut down their preparation time.

Chen Xin and Liu Minyou both returned to Dengzhou to oversee this largest-ever mobilization of the Dengzhou Garrison. Liu Minyou still persisted in running his judicial pilot program, though the pilot was still confined to three locations: Aoshan Guard, the Wendeng old camp, and Weihai Guard. A new Judicial Department had been established under the Civil Affairs Division, and its director was the same temporary judge from before. Chen Xin no longer inquired about this matter. He paid no further attention to nearly everything related to the autumn offensive.

In the office of the Regional Commander's residence, Chen Xin kept flipping through the battle plans and order of battle prepared by the Military Orders Department. Apart from the Fifth Battalion at Wuchang and the just-established Ninth Battalion, all other combat units of Dengzhou were to be shifted to southern Liaodong. The forces taking part in this operation included the Guards First Battalion, the Guards Second Battalion, seven combat battalions, the Jimo Independent Company-Command, the Fuzhou Garrison Detachment, the Mountain Enemy Infantry Company, the Combat Engineer Company, and the Linxian Independent Dragoon Company-Command — a total strength of roughly forty-four thousand. In addition, there were fifteen thousand reserve troops responsible for defending the logistics lines, and thirty thousand civilian laborers. Of the civilian laborers, Dongjiang would provide five thousand.

Beyond the Dengzhou combat forces, the various units of Dongjiang Garrison had agreed to commit roughly ten thousand troops. Deducting the nominal numbers, that should mean five or six thousand combat soldiers, plus a total of seventeen thousand civilian laborers.

What Dengzhou Garrison had told them was that, as with the spring offensive, the aim was to disrupt the Jianzhou Bandits' autumn harvest. So the Dongjiang men did not give it much further thought. Huang Long still agreed to continue attacking Hetu Ala. Shen Shikui promised to send more armored troops than last time to assist in attacking Lianshan Pass.

Among them, the largest contingents were the forces under Shang Kexi and 'Mao' Chenglu. Their equipment was also the best; each even had three hundred battalion troops using Dengzhou flintlock muskets. Their main line of attack was still the Xiuyan–Lianshan Pass route. But in view of the poor combat performance of Shen Shikui's troops the previous time, Chen Xin specifically deployed the Jimo Company-Command at Fenghuang City and Tongyuanbao, and had Shang Kexi send a thousand men ahead of time to garrison Fenghuang City.

Chen Xin's left-hand fingers slid across the map on the desk. He tapped a few times at the Xiuyan position. Xiuyan's location was extremely important, but the corridor between it and Gaizhou was narrow, which meant the command system could not relay messages quickly. Chen Xin hoped to concentrate the maximum number of troops in the main area of operations.

His fingers continued sliding westward. The southern Liaodong region was in fact a peninsula. The interior was all mountains, while the coastal areas were alluvial plains — the terrain was gentle and flat, more suited to large-corps operations. Once past Gaizhou, one could consider it the central Liaodong region. There the terrain opened up, dotted with key strongpoints like Yaozhoubao, Haizhou, and Niuzhuang.

For the Later Jin, the closer the decisive battle was fought to central Liaodong, the smaller their logistical burden would be, while their cavalry could carry out raids across the broad terrain, putting ever greater logistical pressure on the Dengzhou Garrison.

Chen Xin frowned as he looked at several locations. He hoped the Jianzhou Bandits would fight a decisive battle with him at Fuzhou. But if Huang Taiji was unwilling to give battle, Chen Xin would have great difficulty forcing the Jianzhou Bandits to come to his chosen battlefield.

Across from him, Liu Minyou raised his head from the papers. Just as he was about to speak, he caught sight of Chen Xin's expression and could not help smiling. "Worried about the decisive battle? Huang Taiji will come."

Chen Xin looked at Liu Minyou curiously. "Why? I'm worried he won't come. Our army cannot remain concentrated in southern Liaodong for long. That would strain our transport capacity, and the area around Dengzhou and Laizhou would also become unstable."

Liu Minyou stood up and tapped the location of Shenyang on the map. "You have over forty thousand men, and close to a hundred thousand counting the reserve troops and civilian laborers. The moment your grand army appears at Fuzhou, Huang Taiji will be forced to mobilize the entire Later Jin army. Their stations will not be far from Fuzhou. Given the Jianzhou Bandits' current mobilization potential, they cannot sustain it for long. We may have a hard time of it, but we can drag the Jianzhou Bandits to death — that is achievable. So he will certainly be the first to crack."

"I'm worried about it dragging into winter."

"The Civil Affairs Division and the trading company can provide over two hundred and fifty thousand shi of grain supplies, enough to guarantee six months' provisions for the grand army. Of course, this will cause grain prices in Dengzhou and Laizhou to spike as well, but we can endure that. After the autumn harvest, grain prices will fall back somewhat. The Jianzhou Bandits cannot do the same. More importantly, Huang Taiji does not know how long we can hold out."

Chen Xin nodded, his expression relaxing considerably. He pointed at Shenyang. "The area around Shenyang is the richest. As long as we can threaten it, Huang Taiji will have no choice but to set up defenses everywhere, and then opt for a quick, decisive battle. But the mountains of southern Liaodong are not his forte, so fighting a decisive battle with me between Haizhou and Gaizhou becomes his only choice."

Chen Xin then pointed at Niuzhuang. "This place connects to western Liaodong. The attitude of Liaozhen bears watching. If they learn that our Dengzhou forces have come out in full strength, they might also supply grain to the Later Jin, so they can keep straddling the fence."

"That's why I've made this year's grain shortage fiercer than last year's," Liu Minyou said, unconcerned. "Zu Dashou won't have surplus grain to give the Jianzhou Bandits. From Liaozhen's perspective, providing grain to the Jianzhou Bandits carries very high risk. The Later Jin is fading by the day. If they are finished in a single battle, he would have to face the fury of the Dengzhou Garrison alone. Jinzhou can hold off the Later Jin army, but it absolutely cannot withstand one blow from your grand army."

Chen Xin gave a rueful smile. "How is it that this time your grasp of strategy is even clearer than mine?"

Liu Minyou shook his head, smiling. "Because you're too torn between hope and fear, trapping yourself in the situation. Splitting off the Mongols, cutting the Xuanfu trade route, creating the Guan-Ning grain shortage, controlling Dongjiang, seizing the southern Liaodong strongpoints — we've done it all step by step. We've only moved the final blow forward. In truth, we've already gamed this out long ago. The chance of Liaozhen aiding the Jianzhou Bandits is very, very small. You only need to concentrate your attention on the battlefield. Other matters — there's me, Song Wenxian, and Zhou Shifa to handle them."

"Well said." Chen Xin cupped his hands toward Liu Minyou. "Thank you for the reminder."

Liu Minyou returned the gesture, then said, "Now let me talk to you about logistics. From the end of the fifth month through the sixth month, we purchased eighty thousand shi of grain in the Northern Grand Canal region. The first and second batches have already set sail from Tianjin. Once those ships reach Jinzhou, they will return to Dengzhou and Laizhou to take part in troop transport. The remaining grain will all be shipped from Dengzhou and Laizhou, relying mainly on the transport capacity of the trading company and the various tun-bastion shipping cooperatives. The transport plan will continue through the ninth month. The Dengzhou and Wendeng naval forces have already shipped an extra batch of arms and provisions to Dongjiang. This transport capacity has affected the shipment of cotton cloth, but this year all matters must submit to the grand strategy."

Chen Xin stood up. "If we hold out through this year, once Liaodong is recovered, our entire position comes alive. The Civil Affairs Division must prepare next year's resettlement plan. Everyone going to Liaodong gets thirty mu of land. We must use the old Dengzhou tun-households as the backbone, supplemented by newly arrived refugees, and broadly establish tun-bastions in Liaodong. In two or three years, the Dengzhou system's grain supply will be fully self-sufficient, and we can then set our sights on the realm. The civil administration structure in Liaodong must be established before the imperial court's, so you need to arrange this plan as quickly as possible."

"The imperial court will certainly try to stick a foot into Liaodong. You must be prepared for that in advance."

Chen Xin laughed heartily. "The court's execution capability isn't enough to swallow Liaodong. Of course I'll be prepared. Once my grand army's mobilization is complete, we must also build up momentum."

Before Liu Minyou could reply, the adjutant outside said loudly, "My lord Chen, His Excellency Wang, the Provincial Governor, has arrived. He says he has something he wishes to discuss with Your Lordship."

Chen Xin raised his eyebrows and looked at Liu Minyou. Liu Minyou spread his hands, indicating he had no idea what Wang Tingshi had come for.

Chen Xin thought for a moment. "It may be about the change of Provincial Governor, or perhaps he wants to ask for my help. I'll go see him."

…

Chen Xin received Wang Tingshi in the main hall. Chen Xin still performed the subordinate's ritual of kneeling in salute. Wang Tingshi strode over and helped Chen Xin up. When Chen Xin raised his head to look at him, he saw that Wang Tingshi's expression seemed rather emotional — though whether it was feigned or genuine was hard to tell.

"My lord Wang, what is this about?"

Wang Tingshi, uncharacteristically, patted Chen Xin on the shoulder. "Commander Chen, we have known each other for seven years now. When I first met you, you were still serving as a Battalion Commander at Weihai, and you came to Dengzhou to ask Sun Guozhen for your pay in silver. That was the first time this official saw you. At that time, this official was the Deng-Lai Circuit Intendant."

Chen Xin was first startled, then hurriedly bowed. "Such a distant matter — I am humbled that Your Excellency still remembers it." In truth, Chen Xin himself could no longer recall clearly when he had first met Wang Tingshi, because at the time he had no idea Wang Tingshi could become Provincial Governor.

"At that time, this official felt that Commander Chen was no ordinary military man. Seeing Commander Chen again today, you have reached the pinnacle of a military man's career, your achievements not beneath those of Qi Jiguang. That is why I feel some emotion in my heart."

Chen Xin made a few modest remarks. Wang Tingshi was somewhat unguarded today. Chen Xin quickly dismissed his subordinates, invited Wang Tingshi to take the seat of honor, and personally brewed tea for him. After busying himself with this, he sat down to Wang Tingshi's right.

Wang Tingshi picked up the tea, took a sip, and sighed. "In the past, people always asked this official why the Dengzhou Garrison alone could produce a strong army. This official's answers were often incoherent. Today, drinking the tea here at Commander Chen's residence — still the ordinary Hangzhou variety — this official finally understands. It is a case of those below following the example of those above."

Chen Xin smiled. "Your subordinate is a mere military brute. I can't discern the quality of fine tea; every tea tastes the same to me. I hope Your Excellency will not laugh at me."

Wang Tingshi gently set down his teacup, then said abruptly, "This official has submitted a memorial to His Majesty, resigning from office."

Chen Xin was momentarily stunned, then understood that Wang Tingshi's maneuvering in the capital had failed. The Chongzhen Emperor was determined to replace the Deng-Lai Provincial Governor, so Wang Tingshi had chosen to resign. A moment later, Chen Xin grasped Wang Tingshi's thinking. By resigning and returning home before the court issued its appointment, Wang Tingshi would let the Emperor go with the flow, sparing him the need to arrange another post for him.

Back in the first year of Chongzhen, when the Emperor moved against the eunuch faction, Wang Tingshi had nearly been implicated. Later, he had with great difficulty parlayed the military merits of the Wendeng Battalion in the Four-City Campaign into a post as Vice Minister of War, and after that returned to Dengzhou and Laizhou. Over these years, he had earned both reputation and silver. But the Emperor had grown suspicious of him, which was why there was an intent to transfer him.

Transferred to any other place, Wang Tingshi would be no different from any ordinary civil official. He was no Lu Xiangsheng or Hong Chengchou; he had no true elite troops of his own. In the past, he had a Liu Zeqing who was passably competent, but last year the Dengzhou Garrison finished him off. Now he was much like Wu Zhiwang or Yang He back in the day. Without the support of the Dengzhou Garrison, Wang Tingshi could not surpass the political achievements he had made in Dengzhou and Laizhou. Moreover, he could see clearly that suppressing the roving bandits was not something that could be settled overnight. If a blunder like Chen Qiyu's occurred, he might instead be sent into military exile or thrown in prison. Better to retire at the height of his career and preserve his life and family's safety.

Chen Xin looked at this superior with whom he had dealt for several years, and felt some emotion in his own heart. This man was quite adept at being an official. Though he took money when it was due and occasionally made things a bit difficult for Chen Xin — just as Chen Xin occasionally schemed against him, for instance using the Jiang Yuegui affair to kill Liu Zeqing — that was the normal state of affairs in officialdom. On major issues, the two had no conflicts. Every time they fought the Later Jin, Wang Tingshi gave his full support, as did Lu Zhi.

Neither of these two could be called good men, nor were they exactly incorruptible officials. But in the world of officialdom, for several people to get along for years without major conflict was rare. And Lu Zhi and Wang Tingshi had helped Chen Xin cover up quite a few things. Although they did it for the benefits, they had still greatly helped the Dengzhou Garrison.

Having associated for so long, some feelings had developed. Chen Xin asked with concern, "My lord Wang, you must not be disheartened. With your civil and military talents, there will always be a time when you are recalled to office."

Wang Tingshi shook his head and changed the subject. "This official has come primarily to tell Commander Chen who the new Provincial Governor will be."

Chen Xin immediately listened attentively. Recently, the Depot and Guard were concentrating on attacking the Dengzhou intelligence network, and his own intelligence apparatus in the capital was in the midst of reorganization, so news was somewhat delayed. Having Wang Tingshi provide information was naturally very good.

Wang Tingshi said quietly, "This matter has dragged on for several months. Because it involves two powerful garrisons — Dengzhou and Dongjiang — it has long remained unresolved. Originally it was thought to be Zhu Dadian, but that man has now set his sights on the post of Fengyang Governor-General. The person the Emperor finally settled on is named Yang Wenyue."

On hearing this, Chen Xin actually breathed a sigh of relief. This Yang Wenyue was the Right Provincial Administration Commissioner of Shandong. Although Chen Xin was not especially familiar with him, he had dealt with him quite a bit through the trading company, and the relationship was closer than with Zhu Dadian. The Foreign Affairs Department had arranged an impeachment in the capital, bribing a censor to accuse Zhu Dadian of accepting bribes from Dengzhou and Laizhou. The timing had been during Chen Xin's last visit to the capital. Although there was no evidence, it had clearly had an effect: the Emperor had abandoned the idea of making him Deng-Lai Provincial Governor.

This outcome was one both sides were happy to see. Zhu Dadian was only too glad not to go to Dengzhou and Laizhou. And this Yang Wenyue was also someone Chen Xin could accept. In history, Yang Wenyue rose to become Governor-General of Baoding and Shandong, with the concurrent title of Right Vice Minister of War. At the crucial Battle of Zhuxianzhen — the battle that changed the course of the war between government troops and roving bandits — he was betrayed by a clique of warlords and later killed by roving bandits at Runing in Henan.

"This man is ordinary in military affairs, but his temperament is mild. Commander Chen, you can rest easy in dealing with him. It would not hurt to send someone to Jinan in advance to establish ties."

"Thank you for the advice, Your Excellency." Chen Xin asked respectfully, "Then if His Majesty grants your request, will Your Excellency be returning to your hometown?"

Wang Tingshi sighed. "It has been so long since I left Nanchang that my longing for home has faded somewhat. This official may stay in Dengzhou and Laizhou for a while. Strange to say, having stayed in this place so long, I find myself somewhat reluctant to leave for the moment."

Chen Xin quickly said, "It is sometimes like that. When you've stayed in a place a long time and grown accustomed to its climate and customs, it becomes just like your own hometown. Your subordinate has always wished to learn the art of officialdom from Your Excellency, only Your Excellency was always busy with public duties. Now at last there is this opportunity. With Your Excellency's learning and administrative ability, it would truly be a blessing for Dengzhou and Laizhou. I will immediately arrange for soldiers. As long as Your Excellency is in Dengzhou and Laizhou, even if you are no longer Provincial Governor, your subordinate will certainly guarantee Your Excellency's safety."

Wang Tingshi turned his head, looked at Chen Xin, and smiled knowingly. A more important reason he was staying in Dengzhou and Laizhou was that the Dengzhou Garrison was rising swiftly, while the Great Ming, battered by the roving bandits, grew ever weaker. As a local powerbroker who had served as Deng-Lai Circuit Intendant since the first year of Chongzhen, Wang Tingshi deeply understood the changes in Dengzhou and Laizhou over these years. He intended to wait until the situation became clearer before making his decision.

For Chen Xin, the old-style bureaucrats were a vast group. He could not set all of them against him. He needed that thousand-catty horse bone to put on display. Wang Tingshi, a Metropolitan Graduate by origin who had served as Vice Minister of War and Deng-Lai Provincial Governor, had sufficient status and prestige. He was the perfect exemplar.

Wang Tingshi had also seen this clearly, so by staying in Denglai for now he could continue to maintain his shops and other interests. In the long run, if Dengzhou Garrison truly had a day when it could contend for supremacy, he could conveniently switch allegiance nearby and become a follower-of-the-dragon minister. If Dengzhou failed to stabilize, it was still a profitable political transaction.

Wang Tingshi slowly rose and cupped his hands, his manner far more respectful than when he had arrived. "I thank my lord Chen for his generous hospitality." (To be continued.)

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