Chapter 284

"The guard posts likely won't hold. None of the manors have any fortifications, so everyone will probably flee into the city. What Mr. Cao said earlier is right — the refugees won't be able to cross the river. They'll move along it. Even if they do cross, there's no way they can bite through a big city like Xuzhou. Inside the walls is safest," Dong Bingfeng said gravely.

Everyone nodded. Shi Manqiang, however, turned his head left and right, looked around, and said, "We've worked so hard to put down roots here. Once the refugees come and we leave, who knows how badly this place will get trampled. It's a shame to think about."

Everything that needed saying had been said. Everyone's eyes turned to Zhao Jin, but Zhao Jin remained silent, only watching the drill on the field. He raised both arms. The drumming and suona horns shifted. The square formation halted. From the front, left, and right, spears unfolded layer upon overlapping layer. The two squads following behind this formation moved to the rear and made roughly the same maneuvers. Compared to the neat precision of that first four-hundred-man square, these two two-hundred-man units were far more ragged.

"At the start, all the manors combined barely sent a hundred or so men for training. Now, if we weren't capping the numbers, they could scrape together five hundred. Not to mention the people working in and around He Manor. A few more came just earlier. Why the change? Because they've gained real benefits here. They know that while we take our share, we don't mistreat them. They've gotten tangible, solid benefits," Zhao Jin spoke up.

The villages and settlements around He Manor, plus the several farmsteads that once belonged to Cloud Mountain Temple — their attitude toward He Manor had shifted from one of deep wariness to wholehearted support. Why? Their young men came here to train at almost no cost and went back like changed people, capable of handling any task or labor. Their village laborers could come work at He Manor and earn money. Their produce could be sold to He Manor. Whatever they lacked, they could buy from He Manor. When disputes arose between them, Headman Zhao would mediate fairly.

Talk as prettily as you like, and people will still be half-doubting. But when things are done in solid, real terms and people reap the benefits, then they're loyal to the bone.

Everyone fell quiet. Zhao Jin spoke again: "If we leave and the refugees don't come, they'll think we abandoned them in a time of danger. They won't trust us again. If the refugees do come, this place will be left in ruins — that goes without saying. And word will spread far and wide that the Zhao Camp can't be relied on. How would we ever find our footing again?"

"Stay here?" Chen Sheng asked.

Zhao Jin nodded. Chen Sheng's brow furrowed. He hesitated, then said, "The reasoning is sound, but if a hundred thousand refugees really come, our Zhao Camp has far too few men."

Everyone looked at Zhao Jin. A smile surfaced on Zhao Jin's face as he said, "We don't leave. We make them leave."

The group was taken aback. Ruhui, however, laughed. Zhao Jin spoke: "I plan to summon the heads of all the joint-defense districts shortly. I'll explain the refugee situation and tell the common folk everywhere to leave their homes and take shelter for now. The Lower Court of Xiao County is only a few hours' journey from here. Its defenses are complete, and it has large stockpiles of grain. Accommodating a few thousand people for a few days will be easy enough. Once this passes, we'll compensate the Lower Court of Xiao County. Mr. Cao, you arrange this."

"Rest assured, Master. The current head of the Xiao County Lower Court is my junior sect-brother. He's very obedient," Ruhui agreed with a smile.

Zhao Jin was silent a moment, then continued: "Only able-bodied young men may remain anywhere. They are all to come to He Manor and be placed under our unified command. All carts and horses are to be commandeered now, with silver compensation paid afterward. This afternoon, go to Little Stone Village and haul away the sorghum. That grain may prove very useful. Xiaoyong, you handle this."

"Big Brother, that gives us at most around fifteen hundred men. And the Zhao Camp will still have to charge at the front," Dong Bingfeng said with some concern.

"If we can fight, we fight. If we can't, we leave. A force like the Zhao Camp, fully equipped with carts and horses — if we really need to go, those scattered-sand refugees won't be able to catch us. What matters is that we stayed and fought!" Zhao Jin said.

Dong Bingfeng nodded. The Zhao Camp drilled hard every day; their stamina was ample. They had abundant resources in riding horses, oxen, and horse-drawn carts. If things looked bad, they could withdraw directly. An enemy without cavalry simply couldn't keep up. Let alone a mob like the refugees, with zero organization — they didn't even have the physical strength. How could hungry men outrun the well-fed?

Zhao Jin beckoned Ji Xiang and Shi Manqiang over and walked with them, saying as he went: "The able-bodied men outside the Zhao Camp still lack seasoning. Those two sub-units each have fifty Zhao Camp household troopers as a backbone, yet they still look far too loose and chaotic. Do you think we should transfer some veteran household troopers to stiffen them and send the new recruits into the main unit? There, they'd at least be able to steady themselves..."

Under the joint village defense pact, the able-bodied men from the other districts had all been sent here for training. The square formation had taken shape. The Zhao Camp formed one square. The remaining Zhao Camp household troopers were then distributed among the able-bodied men of the other districts, forming two slightly smaller squares. They trained together. In battle, these two smaller squares would follow behind the Zhao Camp's main unit, forming a triangular wedge formation. The Zhao Camp main unit would thrust forward, while the other two units covered the flanks. This was the best arrangement that could be made at present.

Liu Yong and Dong Bingfeng each went off to their tasks. Chen Sheng and Ruhui, however, remained standing where they were. Once the others were some distance away, Ruhui said quietly to Chen Sheng, "Second Master, if the city needed the Master to assist in its defense and the officials were the ones making the request, the local folk here wouldn't have anything to say about it, would they?"

Chen Sheng narrowed his eyes and studied Ruhui. After a silence, he said, "If the officials speak, then it's not us being cold-hearted. We'd have no choice but to leave. Who could say anything?"

Ruhui nodded with a beaming smile. Before he could turn away, Chen Sheng stared straight ahead and said flatly, "How you address me — you need to ask Zhao Jin about that. Don't just assume on your own. And one more thing: I'll cover for you this time, but don't think I don't understand."

Hearing this, the smile on Ruhui's face stiffened. He looked at Chen Sheng with considerable surprise. Chen Sheng paid him no mind and strode off toward Zhao Jin. Ruhui stood there, staring at Chen Sheng's retreating back. The frozen smile on his face grew broader and broader. He murmured quietly, "A hero among men, indeed!"

Although He Manor at Three Immortals Terrace lay in the Xuzhou countryside, it had quietly become a small commercial hub, and news traveled fast there. Before Zhao Jin made his announcement, some people already knew.

Commandeering carts, hauling sorghum, everyone on high alert — actions like these only threw the various districts into greater panic. By now, they had grown accustomed to looking to Zhao Jin as their pillar. They all waited for his arrangements.

After hearing Zhao Jin's plan, everyone breathed a little easier. The Xiao County Lower Court could indeed accommodate quite a few people, and it wasn't far from the Xiao County seat either. Zhao Jin hadn't imposed mandatory levies of manpower or supplies on any district. He only said that able-bodied young men could stay to assist in the defense — which was practically voluntary. This took the pressure off them as well.

What left Zhao Jin somewhat torn between laughter and tears was that, precisely because there were no mandatory levies and because the Zhao Camp itself was staying at He Manor, the other districts actually felt the refugee threat was less urgent. Staying a few more days to see which way the wind blew seemed a good idea.

"Everyone, go take shelter there first. The refugees' movements will be confirmed within the next few days. If nothing happens, coming back is easy. But if something does happen, by then we might not be able to squeeze in. I intend to fight here, but if we can't win, I won't fight to the death. That's why He Manor is keeping only able-bodied young men, and they must follow the Zhao Camp's orders. Time is pressing. I won't keep you. If you have any difficulties, come find me..." Zhao Jin spoke very plainly.

But what Zhao Jin hadn't expected was that his plain, honest words failed to produce the intended effect. The crowd had been panicked, but after hearing him, they grew less anxious instead. They figured that a man with as much to lose as Zhao Jin wasn't worried, so why should they be? Besides, this lord was shrewd and decisive — he'd surely judged that nothing major would happen. And this time, he was speaking so urgently — could he have some ulterior motive? What if they left and couldn't come back? It's hard to leave one's native soil. Their family holdings might be modest, but they were still their own. What if something happened?

One person harbored such misgivings. They talked it over, and soon everyone felt the same. Still, no one dared openly defy Zhao Jin to his face. They made a show of agreeing, then went back and each made their own calculations.

Only the tenant households of He Manor reacted the fastest. The moment word came down, every one of them gathered their families and valuables and set out. They had their doubts too, but they were even less inclined to disobey Zhao Jin's orders.

"Reply to the city: if we cannot win, we will leave. Tell them to rest assured." To the messengers sent by the elder generation in the city and by the Wang family, Zhao Jin gave the same answer.

"Zhaojing was right to halt the distillery's production. Putting him in charge of city affairs means letting him make the decisions. The He Manor distillery will also stop. The sorghum will be held back as war reserves." Zhao Jin fully endorsed all of Wang Zhaojing's measures.

Uncle He and Xiaowu both departed after receiving Zhao Jin's reply. Two men from He Manor followed on horseback. Riders traveled between the manor and the city every day; Zhao Jin paid this no mind.

Zhao Jin also summoned the three Qi brothers, Tao Gui, Qian Yong, and the others, and sent them all out: "I know you have many connections and many friends. Go now to the banks of the Yellow River and keep watch. Report back at once the moment there's any news. Spend whatever silver needs spending — I'll reimburse you. Do it well, and there will be a heavy reward."

As soon as these men of the rivers and lakes departed, the able-bodied men from every village and manor were dispatched over. Seeing over two hundred new young men arrive, Zhao Jin was quite taken aback. With refugees crossing the region, weren't they going to keep anyone back for their own defense? He had no idea, of course, that none of the districts could bear to leave, yet feared angering Zhao Jin. So they simply sent extra able-bodied young men — partly to help with labor and training as a gesture of goodwill, and partly so that if anything really did happen, they'd get timely word.

By now, quite a few men in the Zhao Camp could ride, but those with real skill in the saddle were still the same core group. Luan Song took the old cavalrymen at He Manor, plus those who already knew how to ride. Zhao Jin also went to the mule and horse market and borrowed the Tatar hands from the livestock merchants. He scattered all these men out as well, sending them to roam within a radius of several dozen li, constantly returning to report. He Manor had already begun tightening its security.

On every official road leading to the city of Xuzhou, the flow of people had begun to swell. Many faces were stricken with panic. Some rode in carts or on horses, others walked, carrying bundles and valuables on their backs, leading the old, the weak, women, and children — all heading toward the city.

"... It's been so many years since our Xuzhou last suffered the scourge of war..."

"... I heard the old-timers say that back in the day, Liu the Sixth and Liu the Seventh led the White-Clad Rebels here to Xuzhou too. They couldn't take our Xuzhou then, either..."

"... That was back in the time of the Jiajing Emperor. So many years ago now..."

People on the road were murmuring among themselves, but they were soon cut off by the loud shouts of a group of men. Looking back, they saw a squad of bailiffs escorting a four-man sedan chair, hurrying toward the city. Everyone recognized it as coming from the yamen, and everyone could see that the bailiffs' faces were grim.

What on earth had happened? Was the refugee incursion even more troublesome than everyone thought? Speculation ran rampant, and the buzz of conversation immediately swelled.

The Xuzhou Regional Commander's defensive jurisdiction was vast. Beyond Xuzhou itself, it stretched west to Shangqiu in Henan, east to Haizhou, south to Suzhou in Fengyang Prefecture, and north to Caozhou in Shandong — territories across three provinces all fell under his command. With such a vast area, the garrison troops were dispersed everywhere. Ten li east of Xuzhou city stood a military encampment housing twelve hundred soldiers. Because it was under the Regional Commander's direct command, it was considered the main force.

Regional Commander Zhou led his personal guard out of the city and into the encampment. He intended to muster his troops here, arrange provisions and logistics, and then march to Pi Prefecture to suppress the rebellion. The Department Magistrate, Tong Huaizu, had pursued him all the way here.

A Regional Commander defending a territory typically held an elevated rank of Grade Two or Grade Three. By Ming dynasty convention, he often also carried a hereditary military rank or even a noble title. Even under the system where civil officials were esteemed and military officers despised, his status far exceeded that of the Xuzhou Department Magistrate. What's more, this was a situation of begging for aid and protection. So from the very start, Department Magistrate Tong Huaizu adopted an extremely humble posture. Upon entering the camp and meeting the commander, he immediately prostrated himself in a grand salute and, weeping with the utmost earnestness, implored: "I beseech Lord Zhou to save Xuzhou."

"I am garrisoned at Xuzhou; my own family resides here as well. How could I disregard Xuzhou's safety? But Magistrate Tong, you understand — without military orders, how would I dare move troops on my own? Military orders are as immovable as a mountain. I must ask for Magistrate Tong's understanding," Regional Commander Zhou Baolu said with great sincerity. Though civil and military paths diverged, his family and children in Xuzhou still needed looking after by the local authorities. Moreover, Magistrate Tong had always been reasonably attentive to the garrison's needs. He couldn't simply refuse to give him face.

Hearing this, Magistrate Tong had no recourse. He could only prostrate himself once more in a grand salute and say through tears, "General Zhou, though there is unrest in Pi Prefecture, I have heard no reports of harm to its officials or people. But if these hundred thousand refugees cross through, Xuzhou will be laid waste in an instant. I fear there will be nothing but bleached bones everywhere — not a blade of grass will remain!"

Seeing Magistrate Tong's demeanor, his personal attendant and trusted bailiffs who had accompanied him inside all knelt as well, kowtowing and weeping in supplication. At this sight, Regional Commander Zhou Baolu sighed. Showing no sign of impatience, he stepped forward and helped Magistrate Tong to his feet. With equal sincerity, he said, "Magistrate Tong, once the Jia Canal opened, Xuzhou lost its value. Pi Prefecture, on the other hand, became the Ming dynasty's lifeline. If the grain transport route is severed, even the capital will be shaken. Right now, the grain barges there have been burned. It's been cut off for three days already. Urgent orders have come from Fengyang, from Nanjing. If I delay even slightly and the capital reacts, I'm afraid my head won't stay on my shoulders!"

How could Magistrate Tong not understand Commander Zhou's words? For a moment, he stood there stunned. Regional Commander Zhou Baolu spoke again: "To put it bluntly, even if Xuzhou were stripped bare, the grain transport must flow without obstruction. However, Magistrate Tong, you needn't worry too much. The refugees are but clay chickens and tile dogs. First, they won't cross the Yellow River. At worst, even if they do cross, they can't do anything to a great city like Xuzhou. Shut the gates and hold fast, and they'll scatter in a few days. I've already left two Squad Commanders and four hundred troops in the city. Add the bailiffs and local militia, and that's more than enough to hold the walls. If those refugees don't know what's good for them, once I've pacified the bandit revolt in Pi Prefecture, I'll return with the army to the city and sweep them away in one stroke."

In the end, Magistrate Tong could only watch helplessly as Commander Zhou led his troops out of the encampment. His several hundred cavalry and two thousand infantry would rendezvous with two more detachments at Pi Prefecture. Pi Prefecture had ample provisions, so logistics and baggage wouldn't be a hindrance.

Knowing that the Regional Commander's family and children were still in the city, and that Commander Zhou's analysis was quite sound, Magistrate Tong felt somewhat reassured. But in the end, Commander Zhou and the main force had still left. The defense of Xuzhou city now essentially fell to the Magistrate's yamen to organize on its own. This put everyone in a foul mood.

He returned to Xuzhou city with a grim face the whole way. Upon reaching the yamen, Magistrate Tong didn't bother to rest. He immediately dispatched bailiffs to invite the city's gentry to come. Since they would need civilian militia, pooling ideas and efforts was essential.

Tong Huaizu sat in his chair, his forehead covered in sweat. The personal attendant beside him fanned furiously, but it was utterly useless. Just then, a gatekeeper announced from outside: "Master, Senior Licentiate Yang requests an audience."

The so-called gentry broadly referred to the city's wealthy and prominent figures, particularly those who held examination degrees and had connections with officialdom. This Senior Licentiate Yang was naturally among them.

Last year, this Senior Licentiate Yang had still been throwing his weight around Xuzhou. But after being stepped on by Zhao Jin a few times, and with his biggest backer, Cloud Mountain Temple, changing hands, his bluster had diminished considerably. Still, after so many years, he had amassed a fair bit of wealth. He could still manage by lying low.

Having suffered plenty of grief from this Senior Licentiate Yang in the past, Magistrate Tong had no liking for him. Especially at a moment like this, hearing the announcement, he immediately said impatiently, "Tell him to wait in the front hall. Doesn't he even understand basic protocol? Have the gate fees addled his brain?"

The gatekeeper outside said hurriedly, "This Senior Licentiate Yang arrived half a shichen ago. He says he has an urgent matter to see you about, Master. Says it's critically urgent. Also says he must see you alone."

"How much did you take..." Hearing the gatekeeper prattle on, Magistrate Tong flew into a rage. Just as he was about to roar, he restrained himself. Senior Licentiate Yang at least held the rank of Provincial Graduate; he had his examination patrons and peers from the same cohort. Moreover, he was a Xuzhou native — conscripting militia to defend the city would require a contribution from him as well.

"Next time you break the rules and take money indiscriminately, I'll break your legs. Let him in!" Magistrate Tong called out.

Everyone knew that Prefect Tong detested this Provincial Graduate Yang, Yang Zhongping. As one of the most important servants, the gatekeeper certainly knew this, and would never have broken the rule had he not received a generous gift.

Outside, the gatekeeper answered in fearful trepidation and scurried off. Not long after, Provincial Graduate Yang, dressed in a silk robe, strode swiftly into the room. Upon entering, he first bowed deeply with clasped hands. A provincial graduate greeting a prefect need not kneel; a deep bow with clasped hands was already considered a grand courtesy.

"What is it?" Prefect Tong nodded and asked curtly.

"Please dismiss your attendants, my lord — I have a matter of grave importance!" Yang Zhongping said with solemn formality.

What "attendants" were there in the room? Tong Huaizu waved a hand at his personal servant, who shot Provincial Graduate Yang a glare, went out, and shut the door behind him.