Chapter 20: Blocking the Road for Silver

On the official road within Shan County, Shandong, a party of riders and carriages was slowly making its way forward.

In the carriage at the center, Imperial Son-in-law Wang Bing and Taikang Earl Zhang Guoji were chatting idly. Taikang Earl Zhang Guoji was the father of Zhang Yan, the Empress of the Tianqi Emperor, around fifty years of age, with a round face perpetually wearing a genial smile, very much like a wealthy old gentleman. His rise came through his daughter—when she became the Empress who presided over the realm, he was granted the title of Taikang Earl. After Chongzhen ascended the throne, out of gratitude toward Empress Zhang, he treated the Zhang family with exceptional favor, and their standing rose rather than fell. Combined with Zhang Guoji's tactful and adept management of affairs, he had amassed a considerable family fortune over the years.

Imperial Son-in-law Wang Bing was already sixty years of age. He and former Grand Secretary Sun Chengzong were fellow townsmen from Gaoyang. In the fifteenth year of Wanli, he had married the sixth daughter of the Longqing Emperor, Princess Yanqing, becoming an Imperial Son-in-law. His seniority was exalted, and he now presided over the affairs of the Clan Court.

Wang Bing was exceptionally talented, skilled in poetry, lyrics, and painting. In his day he had been on close terms with renowned painters such as Dong Qichang. Although his status was lofty and his position transcendent, he bore none of the arrogance and haughtiness typical of the nobility. He was witty and humorous by nature, and enjoyed excellent relations with both nobles and civil officials alike.

The two had received the imperial command to travel to Fengyang to pay homage at the imperial ancestral tombs. They had left the capital over a month ago, and because there was no urgency to rush, they had only now reached Shan County in Shandong. Escorting them were five hundred soldiers of the Capital Camps along with several eunuchs. The dozen or so carriages behind carried the incense, silk, and ritual implements for the sacrifices.

Wang Bing had wide connections and an outgoing personality, while Zhang Guoji excelled at flattery. Traveling along the way, the two chatted about everything under the sun, and the journey passed without boredom.

Just as the two were in the midst of laughter and conversation, the carriage suddenly came to a halt. Before long, Battalion Commander Hu Chuanhai, leading the Capital Camps contingent, hurried over to report: "Imperial Son-in-law, Taikang Earl, there are government troops blocking the road ahead, saying they want transit silver to pass!"

The two exchanged startled glances, then alighted from the carriage. There before them, at the front of the column, two groups of men were arguing and shouting at each other.

Wang Bing said to Hu Chuanhai: "Battalion Commander Hu, which troops are blocking the road? Did you not tell them this is an imperial commissioner on a mission to pay homage at the tombs by imperial command?"

Hu Chuanhai gave a bitter laugh and replied: "Imperial Son-in-law, Taikang Earl, the ones blocking the road are a detachment under Mobile Corps Commander Wu Shangwen, subordinate to Vice Regional Commander Mou Wenshou of Shandong. This humble officer already made clear this is an imperial commissioner's party. But those Shandong soldiers said that even if the Emperor himself came in person, not a single coin less would be accepted. Imperial Son-in-law, what is to be done?"

Hearing Hu Chuanhai's words, even the good-tempered Wang Bing flew into a rage and said: "Are these still soldiers of the Great Ming? Do they intend to rebel?! Come, let's go up and see! I refuse to believe there exists anyone under heaven who would dare block an imperial commissioner and demand money!"

With that, he strode ahead toward the front of the column, with Zhang Guoji and Hu Chuanhai hastily following.

Reaching the front, they saw a crowd of government soldiers holding swords and spears blocking the way, exchanging curses with the Capital Camps troops. Not far off, a group of cavalry surrounded a man in armor who looked like a commander, watching the scene. The dozen or so cavalrymen were laughing and talking loudly, pointing and gesturing toward the others as if no one else were present. That commander had triangular eyes, slanting brows, and a sword scar several inches long on one side of his face. His expression was gloomy, and he said nothing, merely watching the two sides hurl abuse at each other.

Wang Bing clasped his hands behind his back and called out in a loud voice: "Who blocks the road ahead? Imperial Son-in-law Wang Bing and Taikang Earl Zhang Guoji are here! Let the one in charge come forward at once to answer!"

That commander spurred his horse forward, but did not dismount. He merely gave a slight, arrogant bow with clasped hands and replied: "So it is Imperial Son-in-law Wang. I am Wu Shangwen, Mobile Corps Commander of Shandong. What instruction might Imperial Son-in-law Wang have?"

Wang Bing's status was exalted. In his daily life, from the Emperor and Grand Secretaries down to low-ranking civil officials, all treated him with the utmost respect. Those he associated with were all refined scholars and gentlemen—when had he ever encountered such a crude and rude person, and a Ming dynasty general at that?

Wang Bing was so angry his beard and hair stood on end. Zhang Guoji and Hu Chuanhai beside him were likewise furious.

Although the Capital Camps troops had long since decayed and even routine drills had been abandoned, the officers in the Capital Camps were basically sons of nobles or retainers of noble houses—every one of them with their noses in the air, looking down on local government troops.

Hu Chuanhai's uncle was Hu Zhixin, Left Commissioner-in-Chief of the Five Chief Military Commissions, already at the very pinnacle of military rank. Though without real power, his grade was one that most military officers could never hope to reach in a lifetime. Those Hu Chuanhai normally associated with were sons of marquis and earl families, every one of distinguished lineage. Ordinary generals had to kneel in salute when they saw this crowd.

For this mission escorting the imperial commissioner to Fengyang to pay homage at the imperial tombs, Hu Chuanhai had expended considerable personal favors to obtain the assignment. He had thought this would be a lucrative post—when an imperial commissioner traveled, local officials along the way always offered tribute, and he could bask in reflected glory and skim off plenty for himself. But all along the journey, local officials had only given perfunctory receptions, at most offering Wang Bing and Zhang Guoji some ceremonial gifts as a matter of courtesy. He himself had gained nothing at all.

Hu Chuanhai had long been nursing a bellyful of resentment. Now, suddenly encountering government troops blocking the road demanding money, he was nearly mad with fury.

He strode up before Wu Shangwen's horse, pointed his finger like a halberd, and bellowed: "What do you think you are! A paltry Mobile Corps Commander, daring to block even an imperial commissioner and demand money! Even the Regional Commander of Shandong would not dare such a thing—are you trying to rebel?!"

Seeing their Battalion Commander step forward, the Capital Camps soldiers also burst into torrents of abuse. The Shandong government troops across from them showed no weakness, and all manner of filthy language came flying back.

Wu Shangwen sneered coldly: "We have fought for the Zhu family's Emperor for many years—campaigning east and west, risking life and limb—yet we eat one day and starve the next, and our pay has been in arrears for a long time now. You people in the capital live in silks and feast on delicacies, enjoying every luxury and honor. There is no such principle under heaven. I care nothing for imperial commissioner or not—anyone passing through my territory must pay transit silver! Imperial Son-in-law Wang, a thousand taels of silver should be a drop in the bucket for you. If you won't pay, then I'm sorry, but don't think of getting past me!"

Zhang Guoji normally associated with all sorts of people—men of every trade and calling, civil officials and military officers alike—so his information was always well-informed.

He stepped forward and said: "This general, it is true that the Great Ming's government troops risk life and limb for the Emperor, but that does not include you Shandong troops. As far as I know, your Shandong troops are only for defending Shandong; the court has never dispatched you Shandong troops outside the province to suppress bandits. Since the roving bandits rose in rebellion, no bandits have ever entered Shandong's borders. Where does your talk of risking life and limb come from? I am Taikang Earl Zhang Guoji, and I meet His Majesty frequently along with Imperial Son-in-law Wang. If I were to memorialize today's deeds to His Majesty, you could not bear the consequences! This general, I suggest you withdraw your troops, and we shall simply pretend none of this ever happened. What say you?"

Wu Shangwen turned shame into anger and roared: "We have served in the army for years—if not merit, then at least toil! Say no more! Today this silver will be paid whether you want to or not, or else you'll see what's what!"

The moment the words fell, the Shandong government troops raised a clamor. Wu Shangwen waved his hand, and the mass of soldiers advanced, leveling spears and brandishing blades.

Hu Chuanhai feared that if anything happened, the two imperial relatives might be harmed. If anything truly befell the two of them, he might as well just slit his own throat.

He stepped forward to shield Wang and Zhang, and shouted sternly: "Wu Shangwen, you have astonishing nerve! Daring to threaten imperial relatives—do you want your nine clans exterminated?!"

After speaking, he shot a signal with his eyes. Several of his soldiers hurried out and escorted the two imperial relatives to the rear of the column.

Hu Chuanhai had developed an arrogant and willful temperament over the years, and would never lose face before local troops. He waved his hand, and a row of arquebusiers surged forward a few steps, raising their firearms and aiming at the advancing Shandong government troops.

Seeing this display, Wu Shangwen's men did not dare advance rashly. They halted and turned back to look at their commander.

Wu Shangwen's face turned ashen. He knew that if he withdrew now, it would be a huge joke, and he would never be able to hold his head up in the army again. He gave a few low-voiced instructions to the personal guard beside him, and that guard wheeled his horse and galloped back.

Seeing that the Shandong troops no longer dared advance, Hu Chuanhai thought the enemy was afraid. Smug and triumphant, he burst into abuse: "A bunch of hick soldiers! And calling yourselves Mobile Corps Commander—I say you're nothing but cowards and weaklings! Open your eyes and look! You dare block even an imperial commissioner—when I report this to His Majesty, your heads will roll!"

Wang Bing and Zhang Guoji returned to the carriage to discuss their options.

The soldiers on both sides remained deadlocked. Just then, several hundred government troops armed with bows and arrows surged in from behind. It turned out Wu Shangwen's camp was not far away. The troops blocking the road numbered about five hundred, and the personal guard who had galloped back had summoned another three hundred archers. In the front rank were infantry holding swords and spears, while the three hundred archers behind drew their bows and aimed at the Capital Camps troops directly ahead. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Hu Chuanhai was not especially afraid, but the Capital Camps soldiers under his command were used to just muddling through their days—they were all showpieces. When had they ever seen such a formation? The moment they saw the dense ranks of arrows aimed at them, their legs went weak. Though the arquebusiers in the front rank still held their firearms, many had already begun to tremble.

Although the Shandong government troops had never slaughtered large bands of roving bandits, they had wiped out no small number of small-time bandit gangs. Seeing the enemy's fear, the infantry in the front rank shouted in unison: "Ho!" and with swords and spears raised, took one synchronized step forward.

One Capital Camps arquebusier could no longer bear the pressure. With a strange cry, he threw down his firearm and ran to the rear. Seeing someone flee, the other arquebusiers and soldiers, regardless of military discipline, cast down their weapons and turned to run. In the blink of an eye they had all scattered, leaving only Hu Chuanhai and a few trusted men standing at the front.

Hu Chuanhai shouted curses in fury, but who would listen? The men only stopped in a chaotic jumble when they reached the carriages of the two imperial commissioners.

Hu Chuanhai was simply mad with rage. In his fury, his reckless nature took over. He drew his blade and hurled abuse at Wu Shangwen without cease.

Wu Shangwen's face darkened. He waved his hand, and the personal guards beside him drew their bows and loosed arrows at Hu Chuanhai. With several whooshing sounds, Hu Chuanhai took an arrow in the thigh and collapsed with a scream. His few trusted men nearby were not so fortunate—all struck in vital spots, they died on the spot.

Wu Shangwen, having gone this far, resolved to see it through. He gave the order in a loud voice: "Smash the things on the carriages! Just don't hurt the people from the palace—cut down anyone who resists!"

The Shandong government troops surged forward in a mass. Seeing the enemy charging, the Capital Camps soldiers scattered at once.

The Shandong soldiers ignored Hu Chuanhai on the ground. They went around the imperial commissioner's carriage and, with a flurry of hands, smashed the carriages carrying the incense, silk, and ritual implements to pieces. Even the carriage drivers were beaten until their faces were swollen and bruised.

Wang and Zhang inside the carriage were stunned. Before they had even thought of a countermeasure, things had come to this. Wang Bing's face went white with rage, while Zhang Guoji clenched his fists tightly, grinding his teeth and glaring.

Watching the carriages being smashed to pieces, Wu Shangwen burst into laughter and waved his hand: "My lads, let's go!" He wheeled his horse and rode off, his men following back to camp in high spirits. Today they had truly shown their faces—they had dared to smash even the items for the Emperor's ancestral sacrifices. Back at camp, they would have quite a tale to tell.

The Capital Camps soldiers who had fled into the distance only shuffled back once the Shandong troops were far away. A few of the bolder ones hurried forward to check on Hu Chuanhai and the others. Seeing that the companions struck by arrows were already dead, leaving only Hu Chuanhai clutching his thigh and groaning, several men hastily hoisted him up and carried him back to the imperial commissioner's carriage.

Wang Bing and Zhang Guoji had long since alighted, their faces gloomy as they surveyed the scene of chaos around them. They ordered Hu Chuanhai carried into the carriage. After conferring briefly, the two arranged for the fallen Capital Camps soldiers to be buried in a secluded spot with markers, so that upon returning to the capital they could account for them to their families. They also gathered up the discarded firearms and other weapons scattered across the ground, then led the party toward the county seat of Shan County.

As they neared the county seat, the watchmen on the city walls spotted from afar a column of government troops flying the imperial commissioner's banner approaching in a long line. They hurried to the county office to report to the County Magistrate. Shan County Magistrate Ren Minyu was working in the main hall of the county office. Upon hearing the report, he led the Assistant County Magistrate, the Registrar, the Patrol Inspector, and other principal officials to the city gate to await them. Wang Bing and Zhang Guoji alighted from the carriage, and Ren Minyu and the others came forward to pay their respects. Wang and Zhang were in no mood for pleasantries, merely instructing that they be led to the county office, as they had urgent matters to discuss with the County Magistrate.

Ren Minyu and the others noticed the Capital Camps troops at the rear looking listless, their armor in disarray like a defeated army. Though inwardly puzzled, they sensed that something had happened to the imperial commissioner's party, but did not dwell on it. Ren Minyu instructed the Patrol Inspector to lead the Capital Camps troops to the patrol station to set up camp and arrange meals, then guided the imperial commissioners and their attendants to the county office.

After the party entered the inner hall of the county office and took their seats, Ren Minyu had tea served. Wang Bing took a sip, then slowly recounted the entire affair. Ren Minyu and the others listened, utterly shocked.

Leading troops to block an imperial commissioner and demand transit silver—how was that any different from banditry? And in the end, wounding and killing several government soldiers—that was no different from rebellion! As civil officials, Ren Minyu and the others harbored a natural antipathy toward military officers. Especially now, with the realm in chaos and the roving bandits growing stronger the more they were suppressed, military officers, confident that the court had to use them to suppress the bandits, had grown ever more arrogant and overbearing, their disrespect toward the court increasingly evident. Now it had even escalated to intercepting imperial commissioners—this was a naked challenge to imperial authority.

Ren Minyu clasped his hands and said: "What do the elder imperial relatives intend to do? Whatever instructions you have, please give them, and this humble official and the others will do our utmost to cooperate!"

Wang Bing said: "At present, the two of us have no other recourse but to memorialize His Majesty and the court. We must trouble your county to arrange relay horses to deliver the routine memorial to the capital overnight. We shall wait here in your county!"

Ren Minyu hastily agreed. Wang Bing then wrote up the full account of the matter, and Ren Minyu immediately arranged for relay horses to carry the document swiftly to the capital. Wang and Zhang temporarily settled down in Shan County to await the response.