Chapter 76

Inside the prefectural Ya .

“The Ministry of War has sent an urgent order, pressing us to march and crush the rebels in Taizhou. What are your thoughts?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked, holding the military order.

Dayu has a tradition of civil officials controlling the military; theoretically, the Ministry of War can command all armies nationwide.

But the Five City Military Command is somewhat special—it possesses a military structure while also assuming partial functions of a local government, and has long answered directly to the Emperor.

This time, the Marquis of Wuyang came south as an Imperial Commissioner. Whether to accept the Nanjing Ministry of War’s orders became a murky matter.

“Commander, Nanjing is deliberately provoking us.

Yangzhou’s situation has just stabilized; we cannot rashly launch external campaigns.

I say we simply ignore them. The excuses are ready—they haven’t even delivered one-tenth of the weapons and equipment they promised!”

Zhao Yawei said dismissively.

Dayu employs a dual-capital system; though the two capitals appear equal in status, real power lies with the northern capital’s Six Ministries.

The Nanjing Six Ministries exist mostly as a backup.

They have a voice in all matters, but when decisions must be made, Nanjing’s Six Ministries are powerless.

Compared to the northern capital, Nanjing is mostly a retirement ground for officials who lost power struggles.

Without the Two Huai rebellions, they wouldn’t even have the chance to issue orders.

Such an office holds little deterrent power over noble-born officers.

“Captain Zhao, that’s wrong!

The Ministry of War issued a military order—how can a general disobey?

As for Nanjing provoking us, that’s merely your own biased assumption.

I say we march immediately, clear the rebels in Taizhou, and restore peace to the realm!”

Commander Rong jumped up to rebut.

At every prior military meeting, the Marquis of Wuyang and the five Battalion Commanders had privately discussed and made decisions outright.

This had accumulated deep resentment among the nominal officers, including Commander Rong.

After repeated efforts, they finally gained the right to attend the meetings.

Under these circumstances, they naturally had to perform, to demonstrate their abilities.

In their view, five hundred soldiers could crush hundreds of thousands of troops; the rebels were surely just a rabble.

They couldn’t even be called an army—just a mob of rioters.

When our army advances, the enemy will surrender at the mere sight.

“If Commander Rong is so capable, then let him lead the troops.

We don’t expect you to clear the Taizhou rebels—just retake a few counties, and we’ll have given Nanjing something to show!”

Zhao Yawei sneered.

The rebels may be a rabble, but Yangzhou’s defenders are no better.

Problems were not obvious during city defense; once they left the walls to fight in open battle, all hidden flaws would surface.

“Captain Zhao’s suggestion is excellent—if Commander Rong leads the troops, he’ll surely crush the rebels at once.

If he secures this military merit, even Consort Rong will have reason to smile.

I’m sure Commander Rong won’t refuse such a chance to prove himself!”

Tang Battalion Commander added mockingly from the right.

Before joining the Ya , he had been at odds with Commander Rong and had frequently fought him outside.

Unfortunately, every time he won a brawl outside, he’d return home to be beaten black and blue.

After several such setbacks, he learned the truth: someone had snitched on him.

Over time, the grudge between them solidified.

After joining the Five City Military Command, for the sake of his career, they set aside past grievances.

But that didn’t stop him from enjoying his old rival’s humiliation.

A formally appointed Commander was a major figure in the capital; a nominal Commander was just a figurehead.

His real power was less than that of a practical Company Commander in the Ya .

When they were being polite, they called him Commander Rong; when not, they wouldn’t even let him enter the Ya ’s gates.

“Fine, I’ll go—do you think I’m afraid?

Prepare fifty thousand troops—I’ll lead them out tomorrow to crush the rebels and restore peace!”

As soon as Commander Rong spoke, countless mocking glances turned toward him.

“Commander Rong, Yangzhou doesn’t have fifty thousand troops.

Though we claim a hundred thousand on paper, even counting all yamen runners, the city has barely ten thousand infantry.

Those conscripted youths don’t even have proper weapons—can you really expect them to charge into battle with firewood sticks?

How about this: you lead seven thousand troops, but publicly claim fifty thousand?”

Li Mu added smoothly.

This was an unspoken agreement within the Five City Military Command: after the Marquis of Wuyang spoke, the Battalion Commanders would take turns responding.

Though privately competitive, they maintained unity when facing outsiders.

Before the meeting, the Marquis had hinted they should find a way to drive out these annoying figures.

“Seven thousand it is—I’ll lead the troops out tomorrow, and you’ll see what real warfare looks like!”

Commander Rong forced a calm tone.

Publicly cornered, he couldn’t lose face—no matter if he could crush the rebels, he couldn’t lose his Qishi .

“Commander, mighty!”

“Commander, Baqi !”

…

Watching the Wankuzidi who were egging each other on, the Marquis of Wuyang’s face turned green with rage.

In the Five City Military Command, there could be only one Commander—and that was him.

A nominal nobody dared to stand equal to him? Pure suicide.

Even among imperial relatives, there were ranks.

Imperial consorts had expiration dates; with so many beauties in the harem, any one could fall from favor overnight.

But he, the imperial uncle, was permanent—the Emperor could replace consorts, but not his mother.

“Very well, it’s settled.

Tomorrow, Commander Rong will lead the provisional battalion and Yangzhou’s official troops into battle.

I won’t interfere in how the campaign is fought.

But within half a month, you must retake three counties and open the road to Taizhou!”

The Marquis of Wuyang smiled pleasantly.

With the Five City Military Command’s strength, retaking three counties and opening the road to Taizhou was no challenge.

Sending seven thousand of the city’s ten thousand troops proved his seriousness.

The problem was: the elite troops of the Five City Military Command were precisely the three thousand-plus not sent out.

During the earlier Yangzhou defense, the Battalion Commanders had already filtered the soldiers.

The truly combat-capable troops had been kept for themselves; the force being sent out now was all trash.

A trash army under a trash commander—if they still defeated the rebels, it would defy heaven itself.

On the path of betraying allies, they were going further than ever.

“Lord, are we going too?”

A portly middle-aged man asked belatedly.

Commander Rong leading troops? He could cheer him on—but actually going into battle? No way.

They all moved in the same circles; he knew exactly what his buddy was made of.

“We’re all colleagues—merit belongs to everyone.

How can Deputy Commander Che be sympathizing with rebels, unwilling to serve the court?”

The Marquis’s cutting words silenced the Wankuzidi who had been thinking of backing out.

Sympathizing with rebels, refusing to serve the court—no one could answer that.

(End of Chapter)