Chapter 134: Section 18: Fated Rivals

Zhao Yinqi said bitterly, "It is that scoundrel indeed!"

"Though Huang Shi may be lacking in personal virtue, he has rendered great service to the state. Had he not turned his army back to quell the rebellion at Guangning, over a hundred thousand civilians and a million piculs of grain stores would have all fallen into rebel hands. Even for your own family, he in fact showed life-saving kindness."

"I acknowledge my error."

"In the fourth month, he and Zhang Pan defeated the Jianzhou slaves at Lüshun Fort. Last month, at the battle of Jinzhou, he alone took four hundred and sixty-seven heads, every one of which this Prefect personally inspected." Yuan Chonghuan lightly tapped the table in admiration. "Since the rise of the Jianzhou slaves, the government armies have known nothing but defeat. Yet Huang Shi has won three battles in three campaigns, and furthermore routed several thousand Jianzhou slaves with a mere eight hundred government troops. That such a fierce general exists in this world — had I not seen those heads with my own eyes, I would truly find it hard to believe."

These words left Zhao Yinqi momentarily deflated. "I too have glimpsed that bandit soldier from afar. He is tall and powerfully built — at a glance, one can tell he is a fierce and reckless desperado."

Yuan Chonghuan stroked his beard and smiled. This description matched the image of Huang Shi he held in his mind perfectly. "Huang Shi suffered six wounds this time and yet fought to the death without retreating — he is indeed a brave and reckless desperado." Yuan Chonghuan extended a finger and rapped it on the tabletop. "Lord Zhao, a thousand troops are easily raised, but one general is hard to find."

"I understand Your Excellency's meaning," Zhao Yinqi said, folding his hands and bowing formally. "I shall at all times preserve an impartial heart, and will never let private grievances override public duty by deliberately making trouble for that bandit."

Yuan Chonghuan noticed a faint shadow of worry lingering between Zhao Yinqi's brows as he spoke, and so he spoke with him again in heartfelt confidence.

Zhao Yinqi sighed and spoke the words in his heart: "It is my younger sister. A marriage contract had already been drawn up with a colleague on the Ningyuan Circuit, and only the formal betrothal and name-inquiry rites remained. But now it seems she must observe three years of mourning. I do not know whether the other party is willing to wait, willing to proceed with the betrothal. If they are not... my sister will be eighteen after this New Year — by nominal age. Three years from now, what is to be done?"

Yuan Chonghuan stroked his beard and pondered for a moment. Since it was for the sake of public duty, he might as well act boldly and resolve this worry weighing on his subordinate's mind. "Give me that family's name. Since he is an official on the Ningyuan Circuit, this Prefect will not tolerate any deceitful intent from him. Furthermore, since I have already cut short your mourning obligation, I might as well cut short your sister's by one year as well. She may marry after two years."

"This... this..."

"It is no matter. Let the censors say what they will."

Yuan Chonghuan was also quite willing to lend Zhao Yinqi a helping hand. After all, he was not only a subordinate official but also a junior member of the Donglin Party. Now the eunuch faction's power at court was steadily swelling, and dark clouds already loomed over the city.

Besides, resolving the matter peacefully like this could also be considered preserving a general for the state — in times of national crisis, one longs for good generals.

Overjoyed, Zhao Yinqi prostrated himself. "I thank the Prefect, my lord."

Two years later would be the end of the fifth year of the Tianqi reign. The other party should be able to wait that long. Zhao Yinqi could not help but begin counting the days. The twelfth month had no truly auspicious days, and the first month was not very suitable either. He figured his sister could marry in the second month, and the age of twenty would not be considered too late... Yes, that would be the second month of the sixth year of Tianqi.

"General Huang's troubles are no great matter. I shall write at once to Eunuch Wei. Eunuch Wei will speak on General Huang's behalf before His Majesty. Set your mind at ease."

"Many thanks, Eunuch Wu."

At the same moment, on Changsheng Island, Wu Mu was chatting with Huang Shi in high spirits. Huang Shi had told Wu Mu about the impeachment he might face, and Wu Mu immediately thumped his chest and took full responsibility for the matter. Moreover, after the battle of Jinzhou, Wei Zhongxian had received praise from the Tianqi Emperor, who commended his unique insight — the men Wu Mu had personally selected were all very capable. So Wei Zhongxian should likewise be unwilling to see any trouble befall Huang Shi. Wu Mu promptly assured Huang Shi that he would arrange to have the Zhao family matter suppressed.

The reason Huang Shi did not write to the Ningyuan Prefecture to plead for leniency was that he simply had no idea how to deal with Yuan Chonghuan. The history books he had read were insufficient to construct a clear image of the man. Assessments of him were either mythologized to the heavens or disparaged as utterly worthless. Huang Shi remembered that Yuan Chonghuan could steadfastly defend his own city, yet could also arbitrarily execute a fellow grand general on his own authority. Yuan Chonghuan had made baffling mistakes, yet had also fought on the front lines in heavy armor, refusing to retreat despite being struck by multiple arrows. In short, Huang Shi could not grasp the thread of his thinking at all. This man's figure was deeply hidden in the mists of history...

Huang Shi considered that, historically, Yuan Chonghuan had been capable of killing Mao Wenlong, so he would most likely not speak favorably for a military officer of the Dongjiang faction. All the more so since he himself had declined Yuan Chonghuan's invitation to go to Ningyuan Fort at Shanhai Pass. So it was better not to invite humiliation upon himself. Taking the eunuch faction's route was more reliable. He knew that if Wei Zhongxian was willing to help, he could naturally suppress the matter by force.

While making desultory conversation, Huang Shi's mind was turning over other thoughts — "If I have not altered history too much, a great battle will still break out at Ningyuan. If my plans for training the troops all go smoothly, I can personally lead soldiers to rescue Juehua when the time comes, and save Zhao Yinqi's life. That can be considered repaying him. Yes, the first month of the sixth year of Tianqi."

At that same moment, at Shanhai Pass, in Zhao Yinqi's home.

"Mother, let your daughter support you."

"Good daughter."

The family boarded the carriage and headed straight for Juehua.

At the end of the eleventh month of the third year of Tianqi, Dongjiang sent an order requiring Huang Shi and Zhang Pan to report immediately to the Dongjiang headquarters. The imperial court's commendations had been issued, and Mao Wenlong, by imperial decree, was to personally bestow encouragement.

"During the days I am away at Dongjiang, Garrison Commander Zhao will be in charge of military affairs, Garrison Commander Yang will be responsible for the old camp, Garrison Commander Jin will oversee military law, and Garrison Commander He will continue training the soldiers. If enemy activity arises, Garrison Commanders Zhao and He will handle it jointly."

The Dongjiangzhen headquarters had already sent orders for Huang Shi and Zhang Pan to proceed immediately to Dongjiang Island, and Huang Shi was now briefing his subordinates on the work at hand. All the officers were eager and restless, except for Zhao Manxiong, who was still pondering something with that half-dead look of his. Lately, the very sight of him like this irritated Huang Shi.

"If any major matter arises that one man cannot decide alone, the four of you shall deliberate among yourselves. If there is a two-against-two deadlock, then Garrison Commander Zhao shall have the final say." Though annoyed, Zhao Manxiong was still the man Huang Shi trusted most, both in ability and in experience.

"Understood."

After these matters were settled, everyone waited for Zhao Manxiong. After a moment, he spoke up and asked, "What about Army Supervisor Wu?"

Can't you ask a question with some substance? Huang Shi frowned and said, "What else can be done? Of course you must show him respect. But the one he oversees is me, not you. The one the imperial edict in that brocade box can kill is also me, not you. If anything truly comes up, let Garrison Commander He go and speak. Eunuch Wu admires his martial valor."

"Rest assured, my lord."

Looking at his solemn-faced subordinates, Huang Shi laughed lightly. "This time I am going to receive a reward. Why do all of you look as if you are facing a formidable enemy?"

After the great victory at Jinzhou, the Son of Heaven promoted Mao Wenlong to Left Chief Commissioner, with the title of General Who Pacifies the Liao, hereditary Battalion Commander of Dongjiangzhen, and bestowed upon him the Imperial Sword.

At the same time, the Tianqi Emperor issued a decree: Dongjiang Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Pan was to be hereditary Company Commander of Dongjiangzhen, with the additional titles of Lüshun Regional Military Commissioner and Jinzhou Regional Military Commissioner.

Dongjiang Assistant Regional Commander Huang Shi was to be hereditary Company Commander of Dongjiangzhen, with the additional titles of Changsheng Regional Military Commissioner, Xidao Regional Military Commissioner, and Zhongdao Regional Military Commissioner, and was bestowed the Emperor's Silver Command Arrow.