Chapter 52: Rebels Are Coming

In August, the Jiangnan sun scorched the earth.

Prolonged high temperatures, combined with the plum rain season, turned the Huai region into a giant steamer.

The harsh climate brought many troubles to the imperial army suppressing the rebellion.

“Set up camp!”

Seeing his soldiers drenched in sweat, Jing Guoliang reluctantly ordered.

Marching only twenty li a day—snail-like speed—would make anyone laugh themselves sick if it got out.

But there was no choice; too many soldiers had collapsed from heatstroke along the way.

Forcing high-intensity marches would cause non-combat losses to reach terrifying numbers.

The court had considered everything for this campaign—except that northern soldiers couldn’t adapt to the climate of Jianghuai.

“Brother Jing, things are looking bad.”

Zuo Guangen has sent another messenger to pressure us—the rebels are besieging Huai’an Prefecture, and even our Grand Coordinator can’t sit still!”

Marquis Li Yuan chuckled teasingly.

Though he spoke of trouble, his face showed not a trace of panic.

In this world of mutual decay, you don’t need to be strong yourself—just have opponents who are worse.

The rebels may seem mighty, but they fight independently, each on their own.

The Jianghuai clans merely lit the fire of rebellion; their control over the lower ranks is loose.

Those salt-merchant leaders who seized command after joining them are no longer as obedient as before.

“Brother, your tongue is still as sharp as ever.”

When did this Grand Coordinator ever offend you? I don’t recall.”

Duke Jing Guoliang replied with a half-smile.

The aristocratic elite’s disdain for the eunuch faction was never a secret.

Over the years, they’d seen too many favored eunuchs rise to power—only a handful ever died peacefully.

“Grand Coordinator” is not a title to be tossed around lightly; the last Chancellor of Dayu ended with his entire family executed.

To the old aristocrats, the mighty Zuo Guangen was already half-dead, one foot in the coffin.

Disdain aside, envy and jealousy were equally unavoidable.

They were the original shareholders, yet their political voice was weaker than that of a bunch of eunuchs.

“Brother Jing, why pretend you don’t know?”

This Grand Coordinator hasn’t offended me—but he’s never fulfilled the promises he made to us!”

He holds all the power, yet keeps claiming conditions aren’t ripe.

Such obvious lies—I can’t believe you haven’t thought about it, Brother Jing!”

Hearing Li Yuan lay it bare, Duke Jing Guoliang’s face darkened.

Resentment was inevitable—the eunuch faction had played the aristocrats for fools and slapped him hard across the face.

To ensure his son’s smooth advancement in the Ministry of War, he’d recently arranged specialized training for him.

Everything was ready—then the position vanished.

His decision to lead troops southward was partly driven by shame—he couldn’t face his family after losing face.

“Even if we have thoughts, what can we do? The civil official bloc fiercely opposes our interference in the Six Ministries.”

Aside from the eunuchs, we have no allies on this issue.”

Now that the eunuchs are dragging their feet, we can’t force them.”

You’re not thinking of using this rebellion to pressure Zuo Guangen, are you?”

Jing Guoliang asked, alarmed.

Political maneuvering must consider the bigger picture.

Delaying the suppression of the rebellion might trap the eunuchs—but our own losses would be severe.

For the salt revenues of Huai and Jiang, we’ve already paid a heavy price.

Even if those sacrificed were eyesores, they were still our own.

“Brother Jing, where are you getting such ideas? We’d never do such a thing!”

The eunuchs delaying the Ministry of War appointments? We can understand that.”

The civil officials fiercely oppose it—Zuo Guangen must consider his subordinates’ opinions.”

My point is to use this rebellion to expand our political influence.”

Huai and Jiang are prime territory; after this unrest, many positions will open up.”

We don’t covet civil posts—but we must secure military vacancies.”

Li Mu spoke calmly.

Due to the hereditary military system, actual military posts are scarce—and mostly located on the northern frontier.

The aristocrats today aren’t like those of the dynasty’s founding; after decades of luxury, asking them to endure the hardships of the frontier is too much.

Huai and Jiang are different: though the climate may be uncomfortable, the region is wealthy.

“Brother, you’re right—we can’t give ground this time!”

Jing Guoliang said solemnly.

The aristocratic bloc came here for the salt profits; if we don’t have our own men watching, those below won’t behave.

If the court’s salt taxes can be slowly eroded, our own shares will naturally be targeted.

…

Yangzhou City.

“The rebels are splitting forces and heading south toward Yangzhou?”

Marquis Wuyang asked, visibly shaken.

These past days, he’d profited heavily from salt merchants and was preparing to press further—then came this nightmare.

“Commander, the news came from the Embroidered Uniform Guard—it’s reliable.”

The imperial army is advancing on Huai’an; the rebels’ plan to cut the Grand Canal has failed.”

If they don’t want to be surrounded and destroyed, they must find a way to break the deadlock.”

Yangzhou overlooks the riverbank, faces Jingkou, stretches along the southern sea, and presses against the Huai River.”

Since ancient times, it has been a strategic battleground.”

Judging by the rebels’ intent, they aim to capture Yangzhou, then Nanjing—to shake the entire southeastern half of the empire!”

Li Mu analyzed seriously.

Whether the rebels truly had such a grand strategy was unclear—but he needed everyone to believe they did.

Being a middleman isn’t easy; simply throwing money at connections doesn’t prove his value.

“The rebels are coming—what’s our response?”

Marquis Wuyang anxiously asked the group.

He was an imperial relative—profiting and persecuting others, perhaps he was skilled.

Leading troops into battle? This was his first time.

The Five City Military Command nominally counted as an army, but its real duties were maintaining order and rooting out crime.

How capable they were in actual combat? He had no idea.

“The rebels are advancing fiercely—we must immediately conscript able-bodied men to defend the city and send envoys to request aid from the Capital Garrison.”

Captain Zhao Yawei of the East City spoke first.

The proposal was standard—no brilliance, but no flaws either.

Compared to the Huaijiang rebels, the Five City Military Command was an outsider.

Simply holding ground was hard enough; venturing out to suppress the rebellion was clearly unwise.

“Captain Zhao speaks wisely—this concerns the empire’s safety; we must act cautiously!”

The Captain of the West City immediately agreed.

The southern force nominally numbered five thousand, but only the retainers brought by aristocratic heirs had real combat value.

They made up less than half the total force, and two-thirds of them were under these two men’s command.

Power determined voice—and their opinions represented the army’s mainstream.

“Commander, the two Captains are right.”

But beyond seeking aid and holding the city, we must also calm the people.”

The rebels swept through Huai and Jiang so quickly largely because they coerced local gentry.”

In the past, these rebels forged ties through marriage, teacher-student bonds, and funding scholars.”

Now that they’ve rebelled, gentry across the region fear retribution and are gripped by panic.”

To hold Yangzhou, we must prevent the rebels from winning over the gentry.”

I propose the Commander issue a public proclamation in his capacity as Imperial Commissioner.”

Promise that if they sever ties with the rebels and help defend Yangzhou, their crimes will be pardoned!”

Li Mu added smoothly.

(End of Chapter)