Chapter 146: Guarding the Ji Garrison

Early that morning, the long-abandoned Santun Camp welcomed an imperial army arriving from Shandong.

The force numbered around seven thousand men. The soldiers in the front ranks were all clad in iron armor, and in the middle of the formation were over eight hundred foot archers and arquebusiers, while at the rear followed a sizable train of supply troops pushing and pulling carts—small as a sparrow, yet complete in every organ.

Beside the leading general flew a tall banner bearing the character "Yang," lowered a notch below the Great Ming command flag held by the soldiers. Yang Yufan wore worn iron armor and a regulation iron helmet. Though he lacked Huang Degong's imposing bear-like back and tiger-like waist, he still cut a dashing and dignified figure.

Upon reaching the foot of the wall, Yang Yufan and his household retainers dismounted. Gazing at the low, shabby Santun city before him, he spoke with some emotion:

"Thirteen years have passed since my father gave his life for the country, and at last I have returned." As he spoke, Yang Yufan unconsciously clenched his fist and continued: "Seeing this city, it is as if my father's earnest teachings still echo in my ears. I, Yang Yufan, am determined to carry on my father's unfulfilled will—to guard the capital, even at the cost of my life!"

"Indeed, General. This is all thanks to the Son of Heaven's sagely wisdom, for he understands well the weight of the Ji Garrison's defense of the capital. Now with the Tiger Mountain Camp assisting, the brothers can rest much easier and throw themselves fully into the work." Assistant Regional Commander Song Yu smiled and nodded as he spoke.

Leading the soldiers into the city, Yang Yufan ascended the city wall. Gazing toward the direction of the Ji Garrison city, he said:

"Think back—Huang Degong rose from the Yongwei Camp, merely a minor Vice Regional Commander within it. Who would have imagined that now, having fought north and south and rendered great service, he would be enfeoffed as a marquis, and His Majesty would personally decree his unit the Tiger Mountain Camp? Truly, one must look at a man with new eyes after three days' separation!"

"Speaking of the Yongwei Second Camp—whether it be Sun Yingyuan who died in Shanxi or the Huang Degong of today, not a single coward has ever come from it." Song Yu paused here, looked toward the capital, and continued: "His Majesty has now reestablished the Four Guards Camp. Let us hope this Four Guards Camp is still the Four Guards Camp of old."

Yang Yufan nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

The words were reasonable. The Yongwei Camp had fought across north and south, and whether general or common soldier, none who came from it had ever been a coward. Huang Degong and his Tiger Mountain Camp were living proof.

The two were about to say more when they suddenly spotted dust rising in the distance ahead. Neither showed any sign of tension—this was clearly not an enemy attack, for judging by the dust, there were at most a dozen or so horses.

Sure enough, a column of a dozen or so riders arrived before Santun city. It turned out that Huang Degong, having heard the news, had personally led his household retainers in haste to meet them.

Yang Yufan had expected someone from the Tiger Mountain Camp, but not that Huang Degong himself would come to welcome him and wash away the dust of travel. His expression moved, and he hurried down from the wall together with Assistant Regional Commander Song Yu to receive him.

Huang Degong laughed heartily and embraced him directly. "Hancheng (Yang Yufan's courtesy name), you've finally come! With you holding down Santun, Huang here can rest easy!"

"What words are these from Marshal Huang?" Yang Yufan laughed, but as his tone shifted, his expression dimmed. He asked: "May I ask how Marshal Huang's fortification work is progressing?"

At this, Huang Degong sighed and said: "Thanks to His Majesty allocating five hundred thousand taels to the Ji Garrison, we've been spared from reaching the point of utter exhaustion."

Speaking of this, Yang Yufan walked alongside Huang Degong and said: "Has Marshal Huang heard of how His Majesty, to protect the Ji Garrison, had Hanlin Compiler Chen Mingxia's entire clan executed—three generations wiped out—in the capital?"

"I've heard of it." Though Huang Degong was a rough man, he could still discern from this affair the Chongzhen Emperor's profound regard for the Ji Garrison's defense. "Rumors concerning this matter have long been spreading through the capital without any cause. Indeed, Huang has even heard some words of the most treasonous nature."

"Oh?" Yang Yufan grew interested and said: "His Majesty is so sagely, and within the capital there are the Three Depots and One Guard along with the Capital Guard Camps—what could the scholars possibly do?"

"The situation in the capital is settled, and the scholars certainly cannot accomplish anything." Huang Degong chuckled and said: "But Huang has heard that some are already secretly plotting in Nanjing to install a new emperor."

"What!?" Yang Yufan was greatly alarmed and instinctively looked around him. Only upon seeing that everyone at Santun was his own subordinate did he collect himself. Turning back, he said:

"Such treasonous deeds—could those scholars truly bring themselves to do them? Surely it is merely rumor. Marshal Huang need not take it to heart."

"Heh heh." Huang Degong was a straightforward man who feared no rumor or slander. He spoke his mind directly to Yang Yufan: "Huang cares not whether this rumor is true or false—I only believe that there are no waves without wind!"

"If anyone harbors thoughts of usurpation and dares to plot against His Majesty the Emperor, then Huang will surely lead the Tiger Mountain Camp straight to Nanjing and take that dog's head from his neck—only thus can we repay His Majesty's great kindness and grace toward us!"

Yang Yufan's thoughts were the same as Huang Degong's, only he was more calculating and understood the pros and cons between the two matters. Looking at Huang Degong's inquiring gaze, he said:

"What Marshal Huang says is correct. His Majesty is sagely and enlightened. If the rumor should prove true, we must swear to serve His Majesty's grace unto death!"

Only then did Huang Degong feel at ease. Pointing toward the direction of Xifengkou, he said:

"But for now this remains mere rumor. You and I must place His Majesty's decrees first—the sooner the Ji Garrison is built up, the better. This place, Xifengkou—what does Hancheng think of it?"

Yang Yufan nodded, thought for a moment, and said: "Marshal Qi once said: 'Santun Camp lies two stages from Xifeng. It is the garrison land of the three hundred households of the Loyalty Guard. To the left is Shanhai, to the right Juyong, and it holds the reins between them, showing its importance by commanding the tribute route.'"

"Marshal Qi's words still hold true today. Only, the Loyalty Guard is no more. I wonder if Marshal Huang has noticed that in recent years, whenever the Jianzhou barbarians have invaded, they have always entered through Xifengkou. In my view, aside from Santun Camp and the Ji Garrison city, Xifengkou must be rebuilt without delay. For the defense of the capital, this place is indispensable."

Huang Degong grunted in acknowledgment and nodded, saying:

"The day before yesterday, Huang went to inspect Xifengkou and discovered that its Garrison Commander had fled with his troops many years ago, and his whereabouts remain unknown to this day."

"But there is also good news—the foundation of the Xifengkou fortress still stands. In my view, with only minor repairs it would become a solid stronghold. However, that said, Xifengkou is a critical pass, and defending it would require dividing our forces. Our troops are not exactly plentiful—what is to be done?"

The two walked to the town hall that had just been cleaned out. In truth, Yang Yufan had spent the idle journey thinking about what he should do upon arriving at the Ji Garrison to most quickly restore its defense of the capital.

Hearing Huang Degong's words, Yang Yufan quickly produced the map of capital-region fortifications he carried with him and ordered it spread upon the wall. Pointing at Xifengkou, he said:

"Marshal Huang, please look—my Santun Camp is but a dozen or so li from the Ji Garrison city where the Tiger Mountain Camp is stationed, and the garrison city is barely over twenty li from Xifengkou. With swift cavalry and fast horses, one can arrive within half a day."

As he spoke, Yang Yufan walked over and sat down beside Huang Degong, then continued:

"Therefore, in my view, between the Ji Garrison city and Xifengkou there were formerly five beacon towers. I expect these towers have long since fallen into disuse. Let each of us dispatch two of our subordinates to be responsible for their defense. This matter will still require drafting a memorial for His Majesty's approval."

"If time permits, once the defenses of Santun Camp and the garrison city are fully completed, Marshal Huang may draft another memorial suggesting that the families of the beacon tower soldiers be relocated to live within the towers. Marshal Qi once said: 'Since ancient times, defending the border is nothing more than extending sentry posts far out and keeping the beacon fires vigilant.'"

"At present, the Ji Garrison's military preparedness has fallen into disrepair. For the beacon towers, merely using them for lookout and signal fires is sufficient. Should an enemy situation arise, the towers can spot the fire alarm at Xifengkou Pass, and within the time it takes a stick of incense to burn, the news of the enemy can reach Santun Camp and the garrison city!"

Huang Degong truly had not thought so far ahead. After hearing Yang Yufan's well-reasoned discourse, he rose and clapped his hands together with a laugh:

"Hancheng is truly worthy of being a famed general's descendant. His Majesty sending you here to assist in the defense was an act of far-sighted vision. Let it be done exactly as you say!"