Chapter 1204: Yangzhou Prefecture

The regiments of the Zhao Battalion's First Brigade began to spread out, while the militia in the rear units started clearing the battlefield — picking up weapons and gathering the prisoners to await processing. The dust clouds that had filled the sky above the battlefield slowly settled, and the overwhelming clamor gradually faded into silence.

Suddenly, many on the battlefield saw the government army's great banner being raised. Everyone stood in awe, and then that great banner came crashing down. It was clear the household troops had captured the Shandong government army's standard. The battlefield abruptly erupted in cheers and shouts. The Zhao Battalion's household troops and militia were all frantically waving their weapons, frantically cheering at the top of their lungs. Many of them had tears streaming down their faces.

This battle — a great victory for the Zhao Battalion, a complete victory for the Zhao Battalion!

After cheering for a while, it turned into a unified roar: "Zhao Battalion, ten thousand victories! Zhao Battalion, mighty and victorious!"

Ji Xiang was draped over his horse when he reached Chen Sheng's position. Though drenched in blood, he was uninjured. The reason he was so limp was sheer exhaustion. He had originally been suppressing bandits in the south of Qingzhou Prefecture. Upon learning of the government army's movements, he went first to Yizhou, then traveled through Fei County to Sishui County — the main road between Meng Mountain and Peiwei Mountain. After reaching Qufu, he contacted Kong Zhang through internal security informants and hid in the Kong family's farm estate. Once enough horses and livestock were gathered, he sent word to Chen Sheng to coordinate while hurrying to the battlefield.

From start to finish, Ji Xiang had been constantly on the move. He and his household troops had barely rested. Charging into battle drained their physical strength even more, but it had been masked by excitement. After the great victory, once they relaxed, they were immediately so exhausted they didn't want to move.

Chen Sheng stood atop a large cart, overseeing the battlefield cleanup. Seeing Ji Xiang approach, he smiled and waved. After dismounting, Ji Xiang climbed onto the cart as well. Without any concern for dignity, he simply sat down directly on the cart, then sprawled out with arms wide open, lying flat on the cart bed. Chen Sheng looked down and said with a smile, "Rare to see you looking so slovenly, but somehow it suits you."

"Second Brother, when we get back, have someone arrange hot water for me. I want a good wash, and I want a good long sleep," Ji Xiang said, limbs splayed out, his voice utterly drained.

Chen Sheng smiled and nodded. "Shandong's forces have been thoroughly crushed by us. You can sleep for days — it won't matter. I refuse to believe the court can send more troops right away."

"Second Brother, it's a pity that Yang Guodong got away. If we could've captured Yang Guodong, Big Brother would definitely be pleased," Ji Xiang said with considerable regret.

Chen Sheng's smile faded. "We had fewer men, and even fewer mounted household troops. We couldn't encircle Yang Guodong. But catching him or not makes no difference. Even though he escaped with a thousand or so cavalry, it's useless. Our Zhao Battalion doesn't fear cavalry. Once you're well-rested, take your men and hurry back to Xuzhou. They need people there right now."

Hearing this, the languid Ji Xiang rolled over and sat up. "I'll set out early tomorrow morning. Second Brother, swap out my mounts — the ones I brought are all worn out."

"Rushing along the whole way, I've had no news from South Zhili. How are Big Brother and Bingfeng doing over there?"

"The several government army forces over there have all been swept aside. Those troops from Daming, Henan, and Fengyang — how could they be a match for our Xuzhou elites? Shi Tou's Second Brigade hasn't even been deployed yet. As for Bingfeng's side, we still have no word, but there's no need to worry. Those are all defeated commanders from before. This time it's just a question of how we win," Chen Sheng explained.

The more he heard, the more excited Ji Xiang became. When Chen Sheng finished, Ji Xiang lowered his voice and asked, "Second Brother, after this fight, will Big Brother raise the banner and take the world — become emperor?"

Chen Sheng shook his head helplessly and said with a wry smile, "You're always fixated on that. But think about Big Brother's actions and planning. After this, he probably won't be in such a rush."

"True!" Ji Xiang responded, then lay back down on the cart bed, watching as mounted household troops in the distance brought back captured government army supplies. Things like grain, fodder, carts, and horses couldn't run away — the government army had been routed too quickly and hadn't even had time to set them ablaze.

After giving a few orders, Chen Sheng paused in thought for a moment, then added, "But from now on, we won't hold back like before either. This time we've torn off all pretense. Who would still believe we're lying low?"

"Come to think of it, Bingfeng's side should be having an easier time than us," Chen Sheng said, changing the subject. After he spoke, there was no response. He looked down — Ji Xiang was already snoring, fast asleep.

After the Zhao Battalion and the government army clashed fiercely south of Qingjiangpu, the news spread rapidly. The entire Yangzhou Prefecture fell into terror and unease. For the gentry and commoners along the canal, no matter which side won, a large army passing through — or choosing their area as a battlefield — was a disaster.

The canal corridor of Yangzhou Prefecture was its most prosperous and wealthy region. Not to mention those families who had grown rich on canal transport and the salt trade, the best farmland was all along the canal banks. If fighting broke out, all of this would be reduced to ashes. Yet the people of Yangzhou could do nothing. Neither the government army nor the Xuzhou Zhao Battalion would care about their concerns.

In the early first month of the fourth year of the Tianqi reign, Dong Bingfeng, Brigade Commander of the Zhao Battalion's Third Brigade, led the brigade's four regiments along with attached units and three thousand militia, commandeering canal boats at Qingjiangpu on the spot, and advanced south along the canal. After entering the territory of Yangzhou Prefecture, the defending troops at Baoying County fled first. It was said that the Baoying County Magistrate had already hung a rope from the roof beam — the moment the Xuzhou men entered the city, he would immediately hang himself and die for his country. Meanwhile, the Baoying gentry and commoners, trembling with fear, prepared provisions and gifts, going outside the city to pay their respects to Dong Bingfeng.

To everyone's relief, Dong Bingfeng merely paid to purchase a batch of supplies and did not enter the city, continuing directly south. These Xuzhou troops were far more disciplined than government soldiers. Not only did they commit no offenses against the people, they were even willing to trade fairly. No wonder they had achieved such a grand situation. After this one encounter, the gentry and people of Baoying County had a very favorable impression of the Zhao Battalion.

The Zhao Battalion's southward march was very swift, because supplies and provisions were all entrusted to the canal boats for transport. The soldiers could even board the boats to rest at any time. With ample provisions and traveling light, their speed was naturally fast. At the same time, news of the government army's movements quickly arrived. Fengyang Governor Guo Shangyou personally commanded his own troops and the Langshan forces, advancing north. They had already set up camp and formed battle lines twenty li south of Gaoyou, seemingly preparing for a decisive battle with Dong Bingfeng's forces.

The two large armies rapidly closed in on each other. The common people along the banks all fled — no one wanted to personally experience the calamity of war. The entire Gaoyou region was in despair; the battlefield would most likely open right at their doorstep, and there was no telling how badly they would be ravaged and trampled.

But unexpectedly, the Zhao Battalion forces under Dong Bingfeng set up camp twenty li north of Gaoyou city and advanced no further. The tense, saber-rattling atmosphere came to a standstill. Even so, Gaoyou kept its city gates tightly shut, not daring to relax or slacken in the slightest.

On the seventh day of the first month, Dong Bingfeng, Brigade Commander of the Third Brigade, escorted by three hundred mounted household troops, rode all the way south and stopped at a wealthy family's country estate outside Gaoyou city. Not long after they arrived, several hundred government cavalry arrived from the south. Anyone familiar with the official circles of South Zhili north of the Yangtze would have recognized the faces of the Governor and the Langshan Vice General.

Each side brought ten guards. The cavalry units that had escorted them halted two hundred paces from the estate, keeping a close watch on each other, not daring to relax.

In contrast to the eerie atmosphere outside, the mood inside the estate's reception hall was far more cordial. Upon seeing Dong Bingfeng's appearance, the Fengyang Governor couldn't help but praise him as "a young hero." Langshan Vice General Lu Quanyou also smiled and nodded at Zhou Xuezhi beside Dong Bingfeng, as if old friends meeting.

After both sides were seated, Fengyang Governor Guo Shangyou came straight to the point: "The Huai-Yang region has been at peace for so long. If swords are drawn, countless lives will surely be lost, and this excellent, wealth-generating treasure land will be destroyed in an instant. That would be a terrible shame. This official's meaning is clear: it would be best if we could avoid fighting. Your side may state whatever conditions you have."

The Langshan Vice General beside him gave a couple of dry laughs. Everyone understood the implication: if the government army could defeat the Xuzhou troops, no one would be talking about avoiding battle if possible. But now, all initiative had been lost. The cavalry had been completely annihilated at Qingjiangpu, and the Zhao Battalion had mobilized a large force southward. According to reports sent back by spies placed everywhere, the other several armies on the extermination campaign had mostly met with disaster. Were they supposed to count on those three thousand soldiers in Nanjing? It was better for everyone to sit down politely and talk.

Dong Bingfeng and Zhou Xuezhi exchanged a glance, then Dong Bingfeng spoke: "The Langshan forces are to leave behind five thousand men. The Governor's Standard Battalion is to leave behind eighty percent. The families in Yangzhou city who participated in the assassination at the tournament ground are to be handed over in their entirety. From now on, the Zhao Battalion is to be stationed in Yangzhou Prefecture according to the Huai'an Prefecture model. Officials, commoners, and gentry are not to obstruct this."

After these terms were laid out, the expressions of the Fengyang Governor and the Langshan Vice General turned very grim. The Langshan forces would lose over sixty percent in one stroke. The Governor's Standard Battalion was the elite force under the Governor's command — taking eighty percent would leave practically nothing. The several great families within Yangzhou city were not so easy to touch. As for the last condition, it was effectively ceding Yangzhou Prefecture away.

"This..."

"I don't care what difficulties you have. The terms are here. If you don't agree, I'll take them myself," Dong Bingfeng said coldly.

The atmosphere immediately froze. When he had first entered this room, Zhou Xuezhi's expression had been calm, but inside he was deeply stirred. He had once been a down-and-out scholar, working as a private secretary for a local strongman. Yet now he could sit as an equal opposite a Governor of the Great Ming's South Zhili and negotiate terms — and even hold the superior position. The contrast between past and present filled him with profound emotion.

At this impasse, Zhou Xuezhi spoke up with a smile: "Gentlemen, don't think this is too difficult. We are only asking for men and rules. We've still left you room to fudge things when reporting upward. This Yangzhou Prefecture and the troops under its command are hardly your private property — why be so stubborn and unyielding?"

The faces of the Fengyang Governor and the Langshan Vice General grew even more unsightly, but Zhou Xuezhi could see they were wavering. He continued leisurely, "Right now, what matters most to you gentlemen is how to answer to your superiors. We haven't demanded all your troops, nor have we demanded to attack Yangzhou, nor have we said that Yangzhou Prefecture will no longer be Ming territory. This is already lenient enough. If you gentlemen refuse, do you think we can't take it ourselves? And when that happens, there will be no sense of restraint left to speak of!"

When brothers are united in purpose, their combined strength can break metal. It is precisely because the brothers have twisted into a single force that they defeated the powerful government army. It is precisely because of the united support of Qidian and Chuangshi's brothers and sisters that Old Bai's Great Ming Wufu has achieved such results and standing!

There are less than five days until the end of the month. We can't slack off — throw your monthly tickets! Throw all your support!

PS: I really can't hold on in front of the computer anymore. Gritting my teeth and persevering. Everyone, cheer me on!...

Thanks to "Zilai Juan'er, Bagto, Yonghu Huakaihualuo db, lv2, Fengzhong Longwang, Huaji" — several new and old friends — for the tips. Thank you all for your subscriptions and support. Thank you, everyone.