Chapter 147: Stirring Up Trouble

Guangdong Provincial Governor's Office.

"We've just received word that the Huguang campaign force suffered heavy losses in Guilin and has retreated to defend Huguang."

"After receiving the news, the combined Yunnan-Guizhou army also withdrew from Among Guangxi."

"Now the main rebel force is moving toward Guangdong. Fellow officials, do you have any strategies to defeat them?"

Hearing Governor Zou Zou Yunchuan's question, Li Mu internally rolled his eyes.

The court's strategy was for three armies—Yunnan-Guizhou, Huguang, and Guangdong—to launch a joint campaign against the Among Guangxi rebels.

Among them, the Huguang force was the most aggressive—and the hardest hit.

The Yunnan-Guizhou side advanced more slowly but had entered Among Guangxi and recaptured several counties.

Only Guangdong had done nothing at all, letting the rebels and their allies fight it out.

With the battlefield situation deteriorating, Governor Zou Zou Yunchuan of Guangdong bore at least half the blame.

Had the Guangdong army actively joined the encirclement, the rebels would never have had the chance to concentrate their forces and crush the Huguang army.

"Your Excellency, when troops come, we meet them with soldiers; when water comes, we block it with earth.

We now have 250,000 troops gathered in Guangdong—there's no need to fear the enemy. We should simply march out and exterminate the rebels!"

"If only someone hadn't hesitated and delayed sending troops, the rebels would've been crushed long ago!"

Said Xue Xue Weicheng, the Provincial Administration Commissioner.

Sweeping one's own doorstep clean while ignoring snow on a neighbor's roof—that was the norm among Daxu officials.

But normal didn't mean everyone agreed; Xue Xue Weicheng deeply resented Governor Zou Zou Yunchuan's passive avoidance of battle.

"Commissioner Xue, the rebels are advancing fiercely; rashly engaging in battle is not the best strategy.

We should first send envoys to contact the Huguang and Yunnan-Guizhou campaign forces and coordinate a joint offensive."

Followed immediately by Liang Qixin, the Provincial Surveillance Commissioner.

Due to the need for power checks, the relationship between Governor, Administration Commissioner, and Surveillance Commissioner was usually strained.

The court typically appointed officials from different factions to these posts.

In Guangdong, it was clear the Governor and Surveillance Commissioner had politically aligned to suppress the Administration Commissioner's influence.

The three senior civil officials clashed fiercely, while the military officers below sat in detached silence.

…

"Uncle Qi, how long do you think they'll keep arguing?"

Bored, Li Mu struck up a conversation with the commanding officer of Two Huai'an Camp, seated beside him.

The man was a distant cousin of Li Mu's father-in-law, one generation senior in kinship, yet their ages were nearly identical.

Because their postings were adjacent, the two families often visited each other and maintained a relatively good relationship.

"From my experience, if no one intervenes, I'd guess they'll argue until the meeting ends.

If we lit a match under them, they might even come to blows."

Said Jing Jing Yifeng with a chuckle.

Military officers rarely liked civil officials.

Now that the civil officials were fighting among themselves, they were only too happy to watch.

"Why don't you go stir them up and see if they'll really fight?"

Li Mu joked.

"They're all elderly men—we should respect our elders and care for the young.

If they really start fighting and accidentally kill one or two…

When the court investigates and finds we provoked it, won't that be terrible?"

Jing Jing Yifeng retorted playfully.

Fortunately, in military meetings, officers sat toward the back—if they'd been seated closer, hearing this exchange would've driven them to apoplexy.

Nearby officers, hearing their words, wanted to laugh but feared trouble, each turning beet-red.

In the Daxu court, officers who dared offend civil officials were few and far between.

"You're right—we shouldn't provoke these old men.

But fighting under their command, I fear a incompetent general will doom the entire army.

Why not, before the Guangdong campaign begins, we two go off on our own?"

Li Mu extended the invitation.

Attacking Among Guangxi by sea, striking straight at the rebels' stronghold—strategically, it made perfect sense.

But such independent action, detached from civil authority, was still out of bounds.

Though he had connections in court who could suppress the fallout, it was still too reckless.

Returning to the capital, he'd certainly be scolded.

To avoid being the sole target, Li Mu felt he needed to drag others into sharing the blame.

Among all the officers present, only this distant Uncle Qi had the guts to do it.

"But with just our two camps, won't our forces be too weak?

If we anger the rebels and they pour everything into securing their rear, I don't think these old men will lift a finger to help.

Besides, they hold the grain and pay—what if they deliberately delay supplies? That's another problem."

Said Jing Jing Yifeng, hesitant.

Unlike Yangzhou Camp, which Li Mu had personally built, Jing Jing Yifeng's position as Two Huai'an Assistant Regional Commander came after a power reshuffle.

He'd never seen combat and had no idea of his troops' actual fighting capability.

"Wrong—it's not two camps, it's four.

I didn't just bring Yangzhou Camp; I also brought the Yangzhou Naval Force and the newly formed unit dispatched from Nanjing.

Combined with your Two Huai'an Camp, we have nearly 20,000 troops.

And we have cavalry—establishing a foothold in Lianzhou Prefecture is no problem.

If Guangdong's Provincial Governor refuses to supply grain, we'll impeach him as a eunuch faction remnant.

Claiming he resents the court's purge of the eunuchs, he's deliberately delaying the campaign to retaliate.

I recall the late Among Guangxi Provincial Governor was a favorite student of Master Zuo, a pillar of the Pure Stream faction.

Guangdong's refusal to send reinforcements, letting Among Guangxi fall, is the clearest proof.

The Emperor hates eunuch factions most of all. If we find someone to whisper in his ear, they won't escape punishment."

Li Mu lied without blinking.

He had indeed brought many men, but the real combat troops were still Yangzhou Camp.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard's provisional unit? Their combat effectiveness? Only heaven knew.

He had no hope for such a force—morale and discipline were nonexistent.

The navy's role was to secure the rear and transport supplies; they wouldn't be deployed in land battles.

Accusing Guangdong's Governor of being a eunuch remnant? Pure bluffing.

Anyone holding a provincial governorship had powerful backers in court.

If a single impeachment could topple him, Zou Zou Yunchuan would've been removed long ago.

Unless he could persuade his uncle or father-in-law to act, his own minor rank's impeachment would be ignored by the court.

"You've got guts—I'll admit, it's worth trying.

Why not recruit more partners? After taking Lianzhou Prefecture, we could just as well retake Nanning and Xunzhou Prefectures."

Jing Jing Yifeng's eyes gleamed with eagerness.

No one liked fighting a humiliating, passive war; autonomy had always been the dream of Daxu officers.

Li Mu's vision genuinely stirred him.

For officers with connections like them, as long as they won, minor transgressions meant nothing.

Even if Guangdong's civil officials resented them, they wouldn't risk angering two Grand Secretaries by actually impeaching them.

If things turned hostile, they could just turn around and accuse the civil officials of being eunuch remnants.

Others wouldn't believe it—but Master Zuo Zuo Hongjiang, who'd lost his student, might.

If he held a grudge against the Guangdong Governor and joined forces with them, they might actually bring him down.

But this extreme tactic was a last resort—toppling the Guangdong Governor would make enemies of his behind-the-scenes patrons.

It meant stepping into factional politics, with too many hidden dangers afterward.

"If you can bring others along, I have no objection.

But our orders are to suppress the Among Guangxi rebellion; nowhere does the decree say we must take orders from Guangdong's Governor.

Leading our troops out independently doesn't violate military orders.

They're different—they either came to Guangdong under orders, or they're local Guangdong troops.

If they join us, victory gives us room to maneuver; defeat means losing their heads."

Li Mu said indifferently.

If he truly wanted to recruit others, he was confident he could persuade his colleagues.

But war was fought with grain and pay—moving a large force meant logistical nightmares.

He'd arrived by sea, bringing massive grain reserves sufficient to feed 20,000 men for three months.

Even if the court delayed funding, he had enough time to send ships back to Yangzhou for more supplies.

Whether he requested grain from Nanzhili or advanced his own funds, he could guarantee the army's logistics.

But if troop strength increases to sixty thousand, they can only afford one and a half months of rations—the pressure surges immediately.

Instead of advancing directly into Among Guangxi, they landed first in Guangdong.

On one hand, it was to rest the troops; on the other, someone was responsible for feeding them, reducing grain consumption.

"Generals Wei and Liu, you've both heard."

Do you want to join us? Give us a straight answer."

Jing Jing Yiyu spoke without any courtesy.

He knew Li Mu spoke the truth: Guangdong's local troops would never dare offend the Provincial Governor's office.

Only these foreign troops dared ignore the Guangdong Provincial Governor.

"General Wei, please show mercy and let us go!

You don't fear offending anyone—we do!"

Fujian's Regional Commander Wei Gao Zhiyuan said helplessly.

To be frank, he was genuinely tempted.

But reason told him he couldn't risk it.

These two men had powerful patrons—if trouble arose, they could simply walk away.

Given the faces of the two Grand Secretaries, Guangdong wouldn't press the matter.

But he, a temporary Regional Commander, was different—he had some connections, but couldn't cover the cost.

If they joined and lost the battle, he might end up taking the blame.

"General Wei speaks truly. Gentlemen, we'll pretend we heard nothing—please go your own way."

Jiangxi's Regional Commander Liu Yingjie added in a lowered voice.

Deep inside, he couldn't help cursing.

Discussing such matters—conspire in private.

If there had been a guarantee of backing, he might have dared to take the risk.

But in this setting, no matter how softly they spoke, everyone nearby could hear.

By the time the meeting ended, the news would reach the Three Titans' ears.

"If you won't join, fine—Jing won't force anyone."

If you want to betray us, I won't stop you.

But when you fight alongside those men, on the battlefield, you're on your own!"

Jing Jing Yiyu said it with chilling indifference.

Seeing this, Li Mu wondered if partnering with his Seventh Uncle had been the right choice.

Though he spoke nothing but truth, sometimes the truth is the most hurtful thing of all.

…

(End of Chapter)