Chapter 191: Sorted Out

Diwu Lun was speaking the plain truth. He was glad that Geng Chun had returned unscathed, but toward the three thousand routed soldiers and remnant troops Geng Chun had brought back with him, his feelings were mixed — half joy, half worry.

Wei Cheng Commandery was not actually short on manpower. The entire commandery had a registered population of nine hundred thousand, and if you counted those in hiding and the displaced, it would likely surge toward a million — about the same as Diwu Lun's home, Liewei Commandery. If the local strongmen in each county pulled out all their retainers, they could probably scrape together ten or twenty thousand soldiers.

So what Diwu Lun lacked was not manpower, but fresh troops who would be loyal to him and could be smoothly converted into his own men.

The three thousand routed soldiers on the opposite bank were clearly not the good source of troops Diwu Lun had in mind. For one thing, among them were vicious butchers who had massacred a city — hardened, slippery veterans. For another, most of them were men from Guanzhong and Yuzhou, who would not be dead set on staying in Wei Cheng.

Feng Qin, who had always regarded outside soldiers with hostility and caution, thought the same. He had even looked askance at the Boar-Rush Braves and the refugee soldiers, let alone these disreputable "imperial troops."

Feng Qin always spoke bluntly, so he offered his counsel to Diwu Lun right in front of Geng Chun: "My Lord Governor, in this subordinate's opinion, we must not let that lot cross the river!"

"It is common knowledge that the troops under Gengshi and the Grand Preceptor have utterly broken discipline; wherever they pass, they run wild. The people of Yanzhou would rather run into the Red Eyebrows than encounter government soldiers. And I have also heard that the so-called great victory at Wuyan was actually those men slaughtering the entire city's populace — from powerful magnates to street peddlers, none were spared, all put to death as rebels."

"Now that they come seeking refuge after defeat, Wei Cheng should shut its gates and bar them from entering. Better to deny them passage across the river and let them disperse on their own — that would be best."

The local officials mostly held the same attitude. Wei Commandery was the homeland of the Wei people — just look what it had become! Ever since Diwu Lun arrived, every sort of riffraff had been let in. Three thousand men eating and drinking — in the end, the wool still came off the sheep's back. Who knew if they would demand land later, harming their interests.

During his time as Commandery Assistant, Geng Chun had rather appreciated Feng Qin. And when Feng Qin opposed Diwu Lun granting land to the Boar-Rush Braves, Geng Chun had kept his own counsel, feeling that Diwu Lun's emulation of the Qin and Han practice of granting fields and homesteads by merit was not wrong — only a bit too hasty.

But now that this blockhead Feng Qin was actually opposing him to his face, Geng Chun immediately rebuked him: "I had thought Feng Weibo was a man of wisdom and strategy in this commandery. Who would have guessed he can only fixate on one corner — how shallow and shortsighted!"

Geng Chun began recounting what he had seen and heard at Chengchang, even somewhat exaggerating the Red Eyebrows' fighting strength, and urgently advised Diwu Lun: "My Lord Governor, now Gengshi is defeated and dead, the Grand Preceptor has fled, and no government army east of the passes can stand against the Red Eyebrows. I have heard that Chi Zhaoping, who once dared to threaten Yuancheng, also took part in the great battle. If she leads the Red Eyebrows' main army to strike Hebei, can Wei Commandery's few thousand troops withstand over a hundred thousand Red Eyebrows?"

"Wei Cheng may soon face a matter of life and death. At a time like this, to not think of gathering remnant troops to strengthen our forces against the enemy, and still cling to distinctions between locals and outside soldiers — that is the height of folly!"

The implication was clear: you lot of "Wei people" spend every day despising and glaring at outsiders — without them, can you hold this commandery on your own?

Feng Qin did not back down: "Assistant Geng, it is true that we should combine forces within and without to resist the rebels. But those men have just been defeated by the Red Eyebrows at Chengchang — they are already birds startled by the mere twang of a bowstring. How can they fight again? Not causing trouble would be good enough."

Geng Chun said, "The reason for their defeat was one incompetent general bringing disaster upon three armies."

He looked toward Diwu Lun and requested orders: "My Lord Governor, just give them to me to handle. In less than two months, I will return to you a crack division!"

Diwu Lun only listened to the two men argue. Inwardly, he felt that Geng Chun, usually all grins and jokes, was today indeed a bit too eager about bringing the routed troops into Wei.

"Perhaps he is thinking of Dingtao, where his father resides. If the Red Eyebrows advance west, that place will bear the first brunt — concern clouds judgment. Or perhaps he also wants to increase the Geng clan's weight in Wei..."

Diwu Lun indicated that he had taken note of Feng Qin's opinion and would consider it carefully, but then had Geng Chun accompany him to the riverbank and asked him to recount in detail the course of the battle with the Red Eyebrows and the current situation in Yanzhou.

Although Diwu Lun had also placed spies and scouts in Yanzhou, they had only watched from afar — how could that compare to Geng Chun's firsthand experience?

Geng Chun therefore went over the key points once more, heavily emphasizing the Red Eyebrows' ferocity, and finally urged Diwu Lun again: "My Lord Governor..."

Diwu Lun smiled. "When no one else is around, still use my courtesy name."

"Understood, My Lord Governor."

Geng Chun knew that the longer they delayed, the more uneasy the routed soldiers on the opposite bank would grow, so he spoke rapidly: "At the end of Qin, Xiang Yu fought the Qin army south of this very Zhang River and crushed them. Zhang Han and the other Qin generals led two hundred thousand men in surrender. Afterward, Xiang Yu slaughtered all the Qin captives south of Xin'an City, and from that point on he lost the people's hearts. Thus Xiang Yu's defeat began with his refusal to accept surrendering troops."

He lowered his voice: "I know Boyu has great ambitions. Now is an excellent opportunity to expand your strength. I will not hide it from you — had I lingered a few more days along the way, I could have gathered four or five thousand men. But in the end, I brought only three thousand, because I considered that this is the number Wei Cheng can currently absorb. You need not worry that they are too many and their hearts too divided. Just hand them over to me..."

Indeed, aside from Geng Chun, whom the routed and remnant troops trusted, there was no suitable candidate for the moment to command them.

And Geng Chun, who had always avoided discussing the future with Diwu Lun, had spoken very plainly today. It seemed he now had the self-awareness of a shareholder.

But Diwu Lun felt that three thousand men was actually a bit too many — not convenient for reorganization. If they failed to be won over and mutinied, they would instead become a bomb that could go off at any moment.

And looking at it the other way, if the reorganization was too successful, then who would be the number-two figure in Wei Cheng Commandery — Ma Yuan, or Geng Chun, whose home was in Hebei and who had the backing of his clan? This balance had to be carefully managed.

"Xiang Yu is not worth emulating. These three thousand men must of course be taken in across the river."

Diwu Lun said, "But Boshan should know that I have always detested those who massacre cities and brutalize the people. We absolutely cannot let wolves slip in among the dogs — that would leave endless trouble behind. They must be screened and weeded out!"

"That goes without saying." Geng Chun was overjoyed and expressed his willingness to handle the task personally — spending a few days to purge two or three hundred men would be no problem.

"Boshan has been rushing about the whole journey. Rest here on the north bank." Diwu Lun smiled and had him sit, keeping him company while he finished his meal. Pointing to the south bank, he said, "I already have a plan, much faster, that will definitely get them..."

"Sorted out, clear and proper!"

Geng Chun had been gone for half a shichen. The three thousand remnant soldiers shivered in the early tenth-month cold wind, all somewhat worried. After all, Geng Chun was only a Commandery Assistant — what if Lord Diwu refused to let them cross the river?

Some stood on tiptoe, trying to see the situation on the opposite bank. Others kept glancing back, as if fearing the Red Eyebrows might pursue them here.

And unlike when they had fled, discarding armor and weapons, at this moment every man clutched his weapon tightly, not daring to let it leave his hand for an instant.

After a while, over a dozen ferry boats came from the north bank. At their head was a short little man — none other than the Retainer Huang Chang.

His courtly speech was quite good. He bowed to the remnant soldiers and announced, "The Grand Governor has graciously granted Assistant Geng's request and agreed to let you all cross the river!"

At these words, the men erupted in mountain-shaking cheers and scrambled to rush toward the riverbank, only to be blocked by Wei Commandery soldiers. Some of the more hot-tempered ones even bared their blades — it nearly came to bloodshed.

Huang Chang raised his voice and had men repeat his words: "I know you gentlemen are weary and toil-worn, and this wind is cold, but the ferry boats at the crossing are limited..."

Nonsense. Over the past year, Diwu Lun had ordered over thirty more boats built at Liyang Crossing. If all were deployed, ferrying a thousand men in one trip would be absolutely no problem. Yet now he was only willing to send out a few.

"So armor and weapons and the like — best to leave them on the south bank for now. They are too heavy. Let the men cross first. Shed your armor and weapons, and one boat can carry ten more people! Once you reach the north bank, clean changes of clothes and armor and weapons will be issued to you gentlemen. Surely better than broken halberds and blunted swords?"

"If anyone insists on bringing armor and weapons across, then you will have to wait until the very end." Huang Chang described it vividly: "On the north bank, stoves have been set up and cauldrons mounted. Hot broth is bubbling in the pots. Those who cross first will get to eat steaming hot millet rice!"

After this speech, the remnant soldiers looked at one another. Most felt it did make sense, so they shed their armor and weapons, piling them at Baima Crossing. But what about the order of crossing? Everyone wanted to set foot on Wei soil quickly. Those who crossed early would at least eat their fill sooner than the last ones, and get an extra night of sound sleep.

Huang Chang smiled. "Since we can only ferry three hundred at a time, how about this: those with outstanding merit cross first. Men who participated in the great victory at Wuyan under the General of Renewal — step forward!"

At this, some soldiers in the ranks grew smug and pushed through the crowd to the front.

"Lord Peng, we went to Wuyan to dig pits and burn corpses — does that count as participating in the great victory at Wuyan?" A few of the able-bodied men under Peng Chong, feeling the cold and wanting to cross early, were eager to step forward, but Peng Chong held them back.

Peng Chong watched the smiling Huang Chang. He remembered that along the journey, Geng Chun had shown no leniency toward those who had brutalized the people. Why the reversal now? Could it be that Lord Diwu had a fondness for butchers?

"Something's off. Let's wait a bit longer." Although Peng Chong had shed his armor and thrown aside his sword, the small knife in his bosom remained tucked there the whole time.

In the end, those who claimed to have taken part in the Wuyan massacre numbered over a thousand — no telling how many were true.

Then they heard Huang Chang say that they should report their headcount of kills at Wuyan — those with more would have priority. And so the men began a bragging contest.

"I killed fifty!"

"I killed thirty!"

They boasted without the slightest shame, and without any physical discomfort. Even if they exaggerated tenfold, they were still drenched in blood debts.

"Lord Diwu's method is truly brilliant — they've all confessed on their own."

Huang Chang nodded and let them board first. After three round trips, this group of "heroes" was ferried across first.

Next, Geng Chun also crossed the river, which somewhat reassured Peng Chong, who had been ready to flee at any moment. Geng Chun's expression was as usual as he organized the remaining men to cross north in a steady stream. Only after Peng Chong and his men finally set foot on Wei Cheng soil and looked back at the broad, rolling river did their hearts settle.

But Peng Chong soon realized something was wrong, because he did not see any sign of the thousand men who had crossed ahead of them.

"Eat and drink your fill, then on to Yecheng." Geng Chun's words were heavy with meaning, and inwardly he marveled at Diwu Lun's cunning and ruthlessness.

Those thousand men who claimed to have taken part in the Wuyan city massacre got exactly what they asked for. They had already been split into batches, escorted by soldiers, and sent off to the Wuan mines to dig ore. Still kept completely in the dark, they thought they were heading there for an easy life — no whips were needed to make them march; their legs moved briskly enough on their own.

It couldn't be helped — the work in the mines was brutal, miners were lost and died at a rapid rate, and a steady stream of replacements was needed to ensure the blazing iron flow from the Wuan Ironworks' blast furnaces never ceased.

Among them, the most unruly and hard-to-tame old army hands, the blood-soaked butchers, could even enjoy the special treatment of having their big toes chopped off to prevent escape.

After all, Diwu Lun had never promised to treat them well — he had only agreed to let them cross the river ahead of the others.

And so, in Diwu Lun's own words, of the remaining two thousand men, only three kinds of people were left.

"The innocent, the honest, and the clever."

Diwu Lun watched the routed remnant soldiers on the north bank eating hot rations, still wolfing down their food even as it scalded their mouths, and said with a smile: "Boshang, this way, these two thousand men are all fine soldier material. You must reorganize and win them over properly."

These soldiers would still undergo one more round of sifting. The Company Commanders, Centurions, and junior officers among them would be singled out and "entrusted with important duties" — which really meant sending them packing back to their hometowns. Only the common soldiers would remain, their units thoroughly broken up and reorganized, with veterans from the Boar-Rush Braves selected as their new officers, stationed at Neihuang for training.

Geng Chun was thoroughly convinced. Diwu Lun's arrangements were beyond reproach. He made only one request: that Peng Chong not be sent away. "Peng Botong has assisted me repeatedly along the way. Better to keep him here to serve."

Diwu Lun agreed. After Geng Chun took his leave, Diwu Lun studied the map of both banks of the Great River. He flicked down and removed the banners representing the General of Renewal and the Grand Preceptor, then added more red banners representing the Red Eyebrows. They were now massed in the two commanderies of Dongping and Shouliang, and just as Geng Chun had said, they could cross the Great River at any moment and invade Hebei.

Even if they only came over by accident, they would still pose a massive threat to the region.

"It seems the time has come to adopt Wenyuan's strategy."

Diwu Lun picked up the yellow banner representing Wei Commandery, moved it eastward, and placed it upon Shouliang Commandery, which was split in two by the Yellow River.

"Attack — that is the best defense!"

An order and a tally were immediately dispatched eastward by courier.

He was certainly not foolish enough to march straight into the Red Eyebrows' main base and provoke them. Diwu Lun was simply ordering Ma Yuan to take his two thousand refugee soldiers, leave Yin'an County — which they had only recently garrisoned — and continue east, crossing the commandery border into the six counties of Shouliang Commandery west of the Great River's new course, including Liaocheng and Dongwuyang. Many of the refugee soldiers had originally fled from those very places; this would be a homecoming in glory. In the future, their farmland could even be allocated there.

What, was this a flagrant seizure of a neighboring commandery's territory? No — in Diwu Lun's rhetoric, this was called…

"Assisting a fellow commandery, and strengthening the river defenses!"

…

PS: Bonus chapter tomorrow.