Chapter 166

The fourth day of the first month, fifth year of the Tianqi reign. Changsheng Island.

Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy. Huang Shi got up very early every day, because even if he didn't go to bed early, he had no diversions. The officers and soldiers of the Firefighting Battalion always gathered in the evenings to play dice, but Huang Shi had no interest in such things, and from the soldiers to the officers, there was nothing worth gambling on anyway. From top to bottom, the entire body of officers and men lived a life akin to that of Puritans.

After getting up, Huang Shi went to eat breakfast just like an ordinary soldier. Several military mess halls had been built on Changsheng Island. If Changsheng Island was a relatively egalitarian military zone, then the Changsheng Island mess hall was the most egalitarian corner of that military zone. Loud noise was strictly forbidden here, and military salutes were not permitted. Apart from Wu Mu, the two Embroidered Uniform Guard men, and their gang of subordinates, all other officers and soldiers had to collect their food here.

Food was provided according to rank: officer, combat soldier, and auxiliary soldier. Married officers and soldiers could receive an extra family ration. Of course, family rations could not compare to soldier rations. The female soldiers working in the medical battalion definitely got more, and Huang Shi had stipulated that pregnant female soldiers and military dependents could receive additional quotas of duck eggs and meat.

Several snake-like queues were slowly inching forward. Huang Shi also stood in line, waiting to receive his portion of the communal meal. Ever since he persistently queued alongside the ordinary soldiers, the other officers had become too embarrassed to cut in line — or at least, not so brazenly. The food everyone ate was still very meager, and held no advantage over the military households of other garrisons. But when the soldiers saw that the highest commander ate no better than they did, each of them became very easily satisfied. "Inequality, not poverty, is the cause of unrest" — that was probably the idea.

Officers and soldiers with families took their food back to share with their wives. He Dingyuan had clearly gotten up even earlier than Huang Shi; he tucked his portion under his arm and hurried off, merely nodding to Huang Shi in greeting. Huang Shi, a bachelor, found a seat and sat down, chewing heartily alongside the soldiers. The auxiliary soldiers distributing food always gave him a little extra; the flatbread in Huang Shi's hand was clearly a bit larger than what he was entitled to.

Li Yunrui's figure appeared at the doorway. After glancing around for a moment, he headed straight for Huang Shi's position, lowered his voice, and whispered in his ear: "My lord, a Dongjiang military dispatch."

Huang Shi nodded, wolfed down the flatbread in three bites, then drained the water from the wooden bowl on the table in one gulp. He stood up, wiped his mouth, and walked toward the door, with Li Yunrui following closely behind. The auxiliary soldier in the mess hall immediately replaced the wooden bowl with a fresh one of water and took the used bowl away to wash. Outside the door, another soldier responsible for enforcing sanitation regulations ladled a scoop of well water from a barrel for Huang Shi to wash his hands.

Regulations were everywhere on Changsheng Island. New regulations were drawn up every day, and all officers and soldiers lived within these myriad rules, making the entire Firefighting Battalion operate like a machine.

The Dongjiang headquarters had issued a circular to the entire army. Li Yunrui handed the dispatch to Huang Shi. It was urgent military intelligence sent out on the tenth day of the twelfth month of the previous year.

"The Yizhou Dongjiang Army reports that the Plain Blue Banner has disappeared from our front and has been replaced by the Bordered Blue Banner. From Kuandian to the Korean front lines, and across all the Liaodong coastal islands, only the Bordered Blue Banner now faces our forces. No trace of the Plain Blue Banner has been found anywhere." Huang Shi put down the dispatch. The war situation in the Liaodong theater had not gone smoothly this year; the Dongjiang Army had suffered repeated setbacks. The two Blue Banners, which had always been deployed in Liaodong, together comprised eighty-two niru. It now seemed the Later Jin side believed it was temporarily unnecessary to maintain such a large force here.

Li Yunrui had already organized the relevant intelligence and briefed Huang Shi fluently: "The chief of the Jianzhou rebels' Plain Blue Banner is Manggūltai. The lesser chief is Muhalian, with a total of twenty-one niru. Judging from the dispatches, this banner has been missing for a month now. Analysis of previous dispatches this year indicates the banner has suffered almost no losses and its combat strength is fully intact."

"Has this intelligence been sent to Mobile Corps Commander Jin?"

"Not yet. Your subordinate came first to report to my lord."

"Mm. Then come with me to find Mobile Corps Commander Jin."

"At your command, my lord." Huang Shi took Li Yunrui and hurried to Jin Qiude's staff department. The dozen or so staff officers immediately began examining this intelligence, periodically questioning Li Yunrui.

Once there were no further doubts, Li Yunrui saluted and left. Only Huang Shi, Jin Qiude, and his staff subordinates remained in the room.

Jin Qiude synthesized his subordinates' opinions and made his assessment: "The Jianzhou rebels may not necessarily come. After all, there is no horse fodder in the field this season, so it does not seem an opportune time for an offensive. I believe this is merely a routine redeployment." In the past, Later Jin offensives had mostly been concentrated after autumn, whereas this season was primarily a period of Dongjiang Army activity. "It is not unheard of for the Jianzhou rebels to attack in winter, but that was to exploit the freeze to launch surprise raids. Now, all units of our Dongjiang Army are actively breaking the ice. The Jianzhou rebels gain no advantage by launching an offensive in winter."

"The Jianzhou rebels at Nanxinkou on the opposite shore are still breaking the ice. Even if they cease operations tomorrow, our forces will have ample warning time. I believe we can raise our alert level by one grade; that should be sufficient." Changsheng Island's regulations had spread to every corner. Militarily, five alert levels had been established. Since the discovery that the opposite shore had begun breaking ice, Changsheng Island's alert level had been lowered to the minimum — aside from basic reconnaissance and vigilance, the combat soldiers were all conducting training. Raising the alert level to Grade Four would mean rotating one infantry unit to alert status each day; that unit would halt training and assemble in the barracks near the coast.

"If our forces discover they have stopped breaking the ice, we can raise the alert level by another grade." Jin Qiude's expression was very relaxed, a trace of contemptuous smile at the corner of his mouth. "If the Jianzhou rebels truly intend to use a single Plain Blue Banner — a Plain Blue Banner of only twenty-one niru — to attack us, I suggest my lord accept this battle."

Twenty-one niru meant two thousand combat soldiers. That number held no advantage over Changsheng Island's combat soldiers, and the Firefighting Battalion would enjoy the home-field advantage. Huang Shi also hoped the enemy would take the initiative to attack the island, but he very much doubted they would do so. The Firefighting Battalion's combat effectiveness was, after all, somewhat renowned by now.

Of course, sitting and waiting for Later Jin to attack on their own was a very tempting prospect. Huang Shi finally gave Jin Qiude his orders: "Draw up several plans, ranging from being attacked by one Plain Blue Banner, to being attacked by the Plain Blue Banner and the Plain Red Banner from Fuzhou... calculate based on half a Plain Red Banner — thirteen niru. I want to see a comprehensive plan."

"At your command, my lord."

Deep in his heart, Huang Shi faintly sensed that history had already returned to its original track. Although he did not believe the Later Jin side fully understood the Firefighting Battalion's combat effectiveness, much less its equipment level, he believed that the Later Jin commanders who had been defeated before would certainly exaggerate the Ming army's combat strength to absolve themselves. Therefore, the Later Jin side's estimate of the Firefighting Battalion's combat effectiveness should be relatively high.

Changsheng Island looked like a tough bone to crack no matter how you looked at it, and if worse came to worst, the Ming army still had the trump card of breaking the ice. With the ten thousand-plus able-bodied men currently on the island, breaking open the frozen ice surface was a matter of a few days. In contrast, Lushun had no such natural barrier, and Zhang Pan had already mobilized in force to build Nanguan. Once Nanguan Fort was completed and formed a mutual support network with Jinzhou, Lushun would become a hinterland and no longer be threatened. Once the Ming army had thoroughly consolidated this Liaonan bridgehead, they could steadily advance toward Fuzhou — something the Later Jin side would likely find intolerable.

Perhaps influenced by history, the more Huang Shi pondered, the more he felt his reasoning was sound. If the Later Jin army moved south to eliminate Lushun, Changsheng Island would be left isolated and helpless, and the route for Liaodong refugees fleeing south would also be blocked.

Having finished his deliberations, Huang Shi issued his orders: "Send an official dispatch to General Zhang Pan at Lushun, instructing him to heighten his alert. Simultaneously, send dispatches to Guanglu, Zhangshan, and the other islands in Liaonan, informing them that we may face the danger of a surprise attack. All units are to increase their vigilance."

For both public and private reasons, Huang Shi had to help Lushun. Publicly, the Lushun Army was one of the finest crack units in the Dongjiang Army. This time, the Dongjiang headquarters had also transferred nearly ten thousand able-bodied men to assist Zhang Pan in building Nanguan. These able-bodied men were also the elite of Dongjiangzhen, with not a single elderly or weak among them. Privately, if the most combat-effective Firefighting Battalion in Liaonan sat idle during this battle, not only would the Dongjiang headquarters and his colleagues consider Huang Shi a petty man, but Sun Chengzong in Liaoxi would probably also be greatly disappointed, thinking Huang Shi was refusing to save a dying comrade and kicking a colleague when he was down for the sake of his own future prospects.

The eighth day of the first month, fifth year of the Tianqi reign.

Lushun's reply arrived at Changsheng Island. The soldiers who had delivered the message told Huang Shi that after Zhang Pan read the warning, he treated the messengers to a fine meal of wine and meat. Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, Zhang Pan had already had his private secretary draft a reply. The two soldiers had entered Lushun that morning and set out on their return journey to Changsheng Island that very afternoon.

Opening Zhang Pan's reply, an intimate salutation immediately met his eyes: "Brother Huang, reading your letter is like seeing you in person..."

The entire letter was written with warm enthusiasm. Zhang Pan told Huang Shi not to worry about anything; he had already mobilized the Lushun Army and made preparations to meet the enemy. The main force of the Lushun Army's Vanguard Battalion had already moved north to set up defenses at Jinzhou, while a portion remained at Nanguan to cover the seven thousand auxiliary soldiers building the fort. The Hard Front Battalion remained at Lushun as Zhang Pan's directly commanded unit. His plan with this deployment was to drag the war into a battle of attrition. Jinzhou Fort sat astride the vital route into Dalian Bay. The Later Jin army could not open its supply lines without taking Jinzhou, and without opening its supply lines, it could not leisurely construct siege equipment. Lushun would naturally be as secure as Mount Tai.

The other threatened target was Nanguan Fort, which was under construction. Since Nanguan Fort was only a little over ten li from Jinzhou, cavalry could arrive in an instant. But Zhang Pan was not too worried. A Later Jin army without grain and fodder supplies could not besiege Nanguan for more than a few days, and if the Later Jin army attempted a direct assault without relying on siege equipment, the Ming army would naturally welcome it. In summary, Zhang Pan believed the Later Jin army had no choice but to storm Jinzhou, so he had transferred the main force of his finest Vanguard Battalion to Jinzhou for defense.

After the Dongjiang Army occupied Jinzhou, they had already repaired the docks, and Zhang Pan had also shipped over a good deal of equipment and grain. In his letter, he explained his plan to Huang Shi: if the Later Jin army moved south again, he would let Jinzhou be besieged, using it to blunt the Later Jin army's edge. Then Zhang Pan and Huang Shi would agree on a time and simultaneously attack the Later Jin army bogged down beneath the city walls from both sides.

"...Heads taken and spoils captured shall be split equally with you, brother, just as in the previous campaign.

Your younger brother, Pan, bows in salute."

The ninth day of the first month.

The three seagoing vessels of the Heidao fleet had all been detained. Changsheng Island's military households were being sent in large numbers to Zhongdao. There were simple dwellings there already; with more coal and charcoal burned, it would not be too hard to endure.

After reading Zhang Pan's letter, Huang Shi knew he could not persuade Zhang Pan, so Changsheng Island's residents were sent in large numbers to Zhongdao to take refuge. That way, in an emergency, the Firefighting Battalion could sortie in full force without worrying about the rear.

This mobilization naturally severely disrupted the calm and orderly life on Changsheng Island. Moreover, under this tense atmosphere, the vast majority of the military households became increasingly fearful and unsettled. Since the founding of the Changsheng Island army, Huang Shi had never once contemplated abandoning Changsheng Island, and the soldiers under his command had never imagined such a day either.

Watching the chaotic bustle on Changsheng Island, Jin Qiude was also infected by the tense atmosphere. He asked with some unease: "My lord, we have only received word that the Plain Blue Banner has withdrawn from the Kuandian front. We still haven't determined its specific movements. Is it worth such a massive mobilization?"

Huang Shi could not use "I know history" to explain this action, so he could only remain silent.

The tenth day of the first month.

Starting the previous night, the Later Jin army at Nanxinkou had stopped breaking the ice. Now Changsheng Island's alert level had been raised to Grade Four. This required all officers to report to Huang Shi's tent during their leisure time. He Dingyuan's work attitude had been very unenthusiastic lately; he always clocked in at the last possible moment. Today was the same. As he stepped through the doorway, the officers in the room turned to look at him in unison, each face solemn.

He Dingyuan stopped abruptly. He rubbed the back of his helmet, then cautiously and slowly walked into the tension-filled tent, murmuring: "I... I'm not late, am I?"

Huang Shi told him with a grave expression: "No."

So far there was no further intelligence, but everyone still had to be on duty here. A large table had been set up in the tent, and the senior officers of Changsheng Island sat around it in a circle, all working on their tasks with stern faces. Through arduous and painstaking study, Yang Zhiyuan and Zhao Manxiong had finally evolved from illiterate to semi-literate and could now handle simple paperwork.

Only He Dingyuan, who was responsible for training, was constantly fidgeting. Training had now been suspended, so Huang Shi told him to use this idle time to think about how to improve the training regulations. The Changsheng Army was newly established, and there was simply too much paperwork that needed revision and organization.

Although he kept his head down, looking at various problem reports and considering how to improve the existing regulations, Huang Shi could still sense that baboon He Dingyuan constantly shifting around in his peripheral vision. He lowered his head a bit more, letting his hair cover more of his field of view — good, now he wouldn't be disturbed.

Crash — a loud noise suddenly erupted in the quiet tent, but not a single person made a sound. Without pausing, Huang Shi continued writing on his paper. Without raising his head, he asked: "Mobile Corps Commander He, what are you up to now?"

"N-nothing."

"Mm." Huang Shi said no more.

While reviewing the drill regulations, He Dingyuan had been tilting his stool back and forth to amuse himself, and finally sent both the stool and himself crashing to the floor. He quietly and carefully picked himself up, cautiously climbed back up, and sat down.

A while later, Huang Shi heard He Dingyuan whispering with Yang Zhiyuan again. Though he didn't want to listen, the words kept drilling into his ears one by one. Amidst the buzzing conversation was the "shh — shh" hissing sound He Dingyuan made; he had the nerve to tell Yang Zhiyuan to lower his voice — did He Dingyuan not know his own voice was louder than anyone else's? As Huang Shi listened, his hand gradually stopped its work...

Smack — Huang Shi lightly slapped his brush down onto the table. He Dingyuan and Yang Zhiyuan hurriedly apologized together: "We acknowledge our error and beg my lord's punishment."

He Dingyuan still tried to explain, pointing at the items beside Yang Zhiyuan's hand and saying: "I just happened to see Mobile Corps Commander Yang looking at the food supply. So..."

Before he could continue, Huang Shi cut him off and asked: "Is it confirmed?"

"I don't know, that's why I was telling Brother Yang not to rush, to wait until I've asked clearly before recording it."

Huang Shi stretched out his hands and began to applaud, laughing heartily as he said: "Everyone, let's give a cheer for Brother He, whose arrows never miss their mark."

"Fine archery!" The entire room erupted in commotion, the solemn atmosphere in the tent instantly swept away by the roar of laughter.

After the laughter died down, Huang Shi said with a smile, "Brother He, go back and keep your wife company. If anything urgent comes up, I'll send someone to find you." He then turned to Yang Zhiyuan and said, "Go ahead and register Brother He for it — starting tomorrow he can draw that extra ration."

"I haven't confirmed it yet." He Dingyuan's face was brimming with joy and happiness as he stood up and gathered his things to head home. "My lord, let the female physicians in the aid camp take a look first, then we'll register."

"No matter — if your wife really is with child, eating a bit more can't hurt." Huang Shi knew that pregnant women needed a great deal of nourishment. A lack of minerals and protein during pregnancy could cause tremendous harm to both mother and child, so Changsheng Island's extra ration for pregnant women was very generous, including poultry and eggs — the value of this supplement nearly matched a combat soldier's full ration. Huang Shi had initially worried this would encourage births and create a heavy burden, but on second thought he figured that even without the extra ration, on this dull little island the outcome wouldn't be much different.

This policy was extremely well received, and the soldiers and their wives were all grateful to Huang Shi for it... apparently it never occurred to them that "the wool comes off the sheep's own back." Truly, the hearts of parents everywhere are pitiable.

Yang Zhiyuan, tasked with this backdoor favor, casually altered He Dingyuan's allowance. Huang Shi also told He Dingyuan he could skip his desk duty for the next two days. "If I find out you've been filing a false report," Huang Shi wagged his finger threateningly, "I'll deduct double from your fish ration."

Though He Dingyuan had left, the tense working atmosphere could not be restored. The remaining few sat around the table, their minds beginning to wander. Huang Shi felt an inexplicable restlessness rising in his heart. The work that had always made him feel fulfilled suddenly turned utterly bland. His eyes looked at the petitions and regulations in his hands, but several times he flipped ahead only to realize he hadn't absorbed a single word of the earlier section and had to start over.

This absent-minded state was shattered by Li Yunrui, who came rushing in. Utterly exasperated, Li Yunrui didn't even salute before shouting, "My lord, the Jianzhou slave-soldiers' main thrust is aimed at our Changsheng Island! More Plain Red Banner niru banners from Fuzhou have appeared at Nanxinkou, and the Plain White and Plain Blue Banner colors have been spotted all along the road from Gaizhou to Fuzhou."

Huang Shi stared at Li Yunrui in disbelief — had the Jianzhou slaves gone mad? If they all came to Changsheng, who would watch over Lushun?