Chapter 77: Section Five

The first time Huang Shi observed Mao Wenlong up close, he discovered that this late-Ming formidable figure from history was nothing like the fierce general he had imagined.

Mao Wenlong received them in a second-rank bright red official robe, a black gauze cap with square wings and gold patterns on his head, his flowing long beard combed very neatly. Only his thick knuckles betrayed his true nature as a military man, the dense wrinkles on his face told of the hardships the man had endured since youth, and his bright eyes warned Huang Shi that this was no inexperienced superior easily deceived.

Mao Wenlong’s gaze lingered a long time on Huang Shi’s striking build before he withdrew it: “I have heard of your experiences coming to Lüshun. In these unfortunate times for the nation, to have loyal and righteous men like you truly gladdens me.”

Seeing the two about to show modesty again, Mao Wenlong waved his hand and fixed his gaze on Huang Shi: “Huang Mobile Corps Commander, have we met before?”

“My lord Mao is perceptive; I once went to Zhenjiang.”

“So it was you after all.” Mao Wenlong burst out laughing: “Since we parted at Zhenjiang, I have been very worried for your safety. Now I can finally set my mind at ease.”

Ignoring the astonished looks of the surrounding military officers and Kong Youde, Mao Wenlong sprang up from his chair, strode down, and took Huang Shi’s hand: “Huang Mobile Corps Commander is outstanding in talent and intellect. Mao has long wished to have a good talk with you, and today I finally have the chance.”

While dragging the profusely declining Huang Shi by one hand, Mao Wenlong turned his head and said to Kong Youde: “I appoint Kong Youde as Garrison Commander of Sanshan, to go to Sanshan Island and train troops in the coming days.”

Having been promoted two ranks in one breath, Kong Youde immediately changed his form of address, no longer calling him my lord Mao, but saluting with great respect: “Yes, my lord.”

With the annihilation of Guangning Garrison, many Guangning officers were dismissed from their posts, and those who remained were mostly punished, demoted, and kept in service pending further notice. Of course, this did not include Huang Shi, whom the court used as a banner to hold aloft. The court had already approved Fang Zhenru’s appointment, and the Ministry of War had added the title Assistant Regional Military Commissioner before his name. At this moment Huang Shi still did not know he already held a rank of the upper third grade; if Mao Wenlong were to keep him, he would at minimum have to give him a deputy third-grade Dongjiang Mobile Corps Commander posting.

But Mao Wenlong knew all this. After he finished speaking to Kong Youde, he turned to Huang Shi with a smile: “I have prepared a welcome banquet for Huang Mobile Corps Commander. Kong Youde, you come along too.” Yet he said not a single word about Huang Shi’s status.

This instantly stirred a trace of unease in Huang Shi’s heart, and he hurriedly asked: “My lord Mao, I too wish to serve you at once.”

“Heh heh, I would also very much like to have Huang Mobile Corps Commander under my command.” Mao Wenlong chuckled lightly, his expression turning somewhat somber: “But this matter is not something I can decide.”

“What does my lord Mao mean by this?” Huang Shi grew increasingly uneasy.

“It is a long story. Let us take our seats first.”

At the welcome banquet, Huang Shi’s heart was full of anxiety, so naturally he could not eat a thing. Seeing this, Mao Wenlong felt it better to speak plainly first: “Huang Shi, your righteous execution of Sun Degong and your deeds in suppressing the rebellion at Guangning have been circulated by the court via official gazette to all military garrisons. You are now an upper third-grade Assistant Regional Military Commissioner, bearing the title of Mobile Corps Commander. The Grand Coordinator of Liaodong — now His Excellency Wang Zaijin — has also ordered all Ming forces in Liaodong to report immediately upon discovering the whereabouts of Huang Mobile Corps Commander.”

Because of this order, when Huang Shi arrived at Lüshun days earlier, a patrol report was immediately dispatched to Pi Island and the office of the Grand Coordinator of Liaodong. During the time Huang Shi was delayed at Guanglu, the Grand Coordinator of Liaodong’s order had already reached Dongjiang Island, commanding that Huang Shi be transferred immediately to Shanhai Pass for assignment.

Mao Wenlong then explained to Huang Shi the origin of this order: “After the defeat at Shaling, the Guangning army either fled or surrendered. Only Huang Mobile Corps Commander resolutely turned his troops back and beheaded the traitor Sun Degong, for which the court deeply commended him. Moreover, when the court investigated responsibility for the Guangning campaign, both the former Provincial Governor of Liaodong, His Excellency Wang, and Grand Coordinator Xiong were deeply impressed by you.”

On the other hand, Fang Zhenru had successfully led over ten thousand Guangning troops in a safe retreat to Shanhai Pass, and after Wang Huazhen fled, he had also burned the vast stores of military supplies accumulated at Guangning before his own escape. Thus, Fang Zhenru earned the appraisal of composed, and the court also greatly valued his opinion on the Guangning army.

“Both Provincial Surveillance Commissioner Fang and Prefect Gao also praised Huang Mobile Corps Commander highly in their memorials, so the Grand Coordinator of Liaodong wants you to go to Shanhai Pass immediately.” Mao Wenlong recounted the whole matter to Huang Shi from beginning to end, then said with a smile: “Therefore, Huang Mobile Corps Commander no longer belongs to the Guangning army, and the Dongjiang army cannot keep Huang Mobile Corps Commander either.”

Huang Shi had never imagined that after enduring countless hardships to get here, he would still end up being sent to Liaoxi. And he knew very clearly that in the next three-plus years, there would be almost no chance to earn merit in Liaoxi, while the established Liaoxi military families firmly held all posts in the Guanning army, leaving him no opportunity to rise.

Burning with impatience, Huang Shi could not help but argue: “Shanhai is twelve hundred li from Liaoyang, and my lord Mao is positioned behind the Later Jin. Though Huang Shi is of little talent, I am unwilling to go to Shanhai to enjoy comfort; I wish to stay here to kill the enemy and earn merit.”

“Mao fully understands Huang Mobile Corps Commander’s feelings,” Mao Wenlong spread his hands, his expression appearing very regretful: “But this is the Grand Coordinator’s order. Mao is merely carrying it out. Huang Mobile Corps Commander is moreover both loyal and brave, and should be transferred to Shanhai for assignment.”

Although Mao Wenlong had no actual authority to keep Huang Shi, on the other hand, he also had certain reservations about him. First, he felt this man was far too unfathomable; the impression Huang Shi had left on him at Zhenjiang was simply too deep.

Furthermore, there was the matter of Huang Shi killing Sun Degong. No matter how one looked at it, Sun Degong had shown Huang Shi great kindness. Yet Huang Shi could turn on his benefactor without a trace of sentiment, even personally killing every male in Sun Degong’s entire household and letting his soldiers divide up Sun’s concubines, maidservants, daughters, and daughters-in-law. Although Mao Wenlong greatly admired Huang Shi’s loyalty and righteousness, this ruthlessness truly sent a chill down one’s spine.

In any case, no matter what Huang Shi said, Mao Wenlong expressed that he was truly unable to help. Huang Shi also understood that in the eyes of the court and the Grand Coordinator of Liaodong, crack troops and fierce generals were naturally meant to guard Shanhai Pass. If Mao Wenlong would not help, there was nothing he could say to stay in Liaodong. In his frustration and bitterness, Huang Shi began to drink in gloomy silence — which startled Kong Youde, who had always believed he did not drink.

“Mao has yet to thank Huang Mobile Corps Commander for the matter at Zhenjiang.” Seeing the atmosphere suddenly grow heavy, Mao Wenlong began to change the subject.

“My lord Mao is too kind; it was merely serving the country with all my loyalty.” Huang Shi answered without thinking.

This reply deepened Mao Wenlong’s admiration for Huang Shi by another layer, but also added another layer to his unease. In any case, while a person will certainly admire a hero of noble character and sterling integrity, it is also very difficult to feel a sense of closeness. Unfamiliarity and incomprehension bring a sense of distance and a vague fear.

Besides, I never had the authority to keep him in the first place, Mao Wenlong said to himself in his heart, but aloud he offered congratulations: “Shanhai Pass is also a critical and important place. Huang Mobile Corps Commander will surely be given heavy responsibilities upon going there. Mao here wishes Huang Mobile Corps Commander instant success.”

“Indeed,” Kong Youde also toasted Huang Shi with a cup of wine: “Brother, do not be disheartened. Wherever you are, is it not all in service to His Majesty and the imperial court?”

Could Mao Wenlong possibly intervene after all? If so, how could he move Mao Wenlong? Huang Shi pondered bitterly.