Chapter 834: Going to War

When this matter was reported, Wang Zhaojing was not present. Zhao Jin pondered for a moment, then spoke: "If the capital is truly taking action, I fear they've sent more than just this one squad of agents. Some will likely have gone to Qingjiangpu. We can't guard against them there. The men we've sent to the capital are probably being watched as well — we must be careful about that too. Though no one here fears death, it's still better not to throw lives away if it can be avoided."

As he spoke these words, Zhao Jin was fully armed. Inside and outside Hejiazhuang, the clamor of men and horses filled the air — a scene of frantic activity. On this very day, the First and Second Regiments of the Zhao Battalion, along with the personal guard, began crossing the river and heading north. Hejiazhuang was left under the garrison of Li Wu's large unit, while Pizhou was held by Li He's large unit.

Ma Chonghao's face showed deference, but inwardly he kept thinking: after dealing with Zhao Jin for so long, he always felt this young master looked down on the big shots in the capital. At first he'd instinctively dismissed it as Zhao Jin's arrogance, but on reflection, those people in the capital really did seem to be exactly that sort — not the kind anyone could respect.

Take Ma Liu and the others in the capital, for example. They passed messages to the central authorities through that bookshop, and then such a huge incident erupted in Qingjiangpu. With a matter this big, the Eastern Depot, the Brocade Guard, and all the various factions in the capital would certainly be keeping an eye on Ma Liu and his men. Yet Ma Chonghao also knew that, given how the offices and yamens in the capital habitually operated, nine times out of ten they would simply ignore it and let the matter slide. The reason was simple: since no big shot had inquired and there was no court decree or official dispatch, it wasn't a problem. If you acted on your own, you'd only make more mistakes.

But at this point, Ma Chonghao paused and said hesitantly, "Master Jin is right. In the past, Ma Liu and the others would most likely have had no one watching them. But Wei Zhongxian now holds power, and by the rules of this Great Ming, whenever a powerful eunuch or a top official takes charge, life for those below becomes unbearable. The pressure from above is relentless — they have no choice but to act, no room to be vague. Though doing more means making more mistakes, not doing anything at all would be a capital offense."

Having said this, Ma Chonghao glanced at Zhao Jin and saw that the other man showed no irritation but was listening patiently. Ma Chonghao continued, "Master Jin, whether this time or in the future, things can no longer go as smoothly as they did before. Wei Zhongxian will be watching, and he will mobilize every side to watch and to act. Master Jin, we must be cautious and prudent."

Zhao Jin nodded and said, "Having grown to this scale, it was never going to stay as smooth as before. We were bound to clash with all sides. As for this time — if Wei Zhongxian were the type to be vague and do nothing, then all our planning would be for nothing. Not only would we fail to rescue the people, but I fear we'd already be tearing off all pretense and fighting openly by now."

"Master Jin truly does not seem like someone just past twenty. He seems more like a man who has spent decades navigating the capital." Ma Chonghao savored Zhao Jin's words, then said with a rueful laugh, his tone full of admiration.

Zhao Jin stepped forward and patted Ma Chonghao on the shoulder. "Do your work well. With me, your prospects are far greater than with that damn Brocade Guard."

Ma Chonghao solemnly saluted. Zhao Jin had already strode out of the room. Ma Chonghao straightened up and watched Zhao Jin's retreating figure, pondered for a moment, then shook his head again.

Zhao Jin attached particular importance to this column of troops led by Baoding Regional Commander Lu Qin. This time he brought his personal guard and two regiments. After crossing north of the river, they would also link up with Lu Da's First Large Unit. The militia would garrison the local areas and coordinate with the household troops' operations.

Wang Zhaojing and Ru Hui remained behind to hold Xuzhou and Hejiazhuang. Li Wu's First Large Unit, together with the assembled Xuzhou militia, stayed as the garrison. Liu Yong had already entered Shandong ahead of time to set up informants and inside agents there. The head of the internal security squad accompanying Zhao Jin was Nie Hei.

Even before Zhao Jin set out, cart after cart had already been shipped ahead by boat to the northern bank of the Yellow River. The Yunshan Trading House and the Xu family at Jingshan were both operating at full speed, mobilizing and stockpiling vast quantities of supplies.

Unlike the time when Ma Chonghao had led two thousand cavalry north, this time the martial men of Xuzhou, though they knew the court had dispatched two great armies from north and south to strike them in a pincer, still eagerly followed. Every family attached to Zhao Jin contributed men and resources, holding nothing back. Beyond Xuzhou, from Huai'an Prefecture, Fengyang Prefecture, and even Guide Prefecture, reckless, blade-wielding desperadoes came to offer their services. Even the Xuzhou Three Guards, who had always been scheming for their own advantage — this time their guard-house sons were all remarkably enthusiastic. There were even men who had originally been personal guards and household troops of the Xuzhou Assistant Regional Commander, coming to help.

For the heartland of the Zhao Battalion, places like Xuzhou and Pizhou, making such a choice was only natural. Everyone knew that at this stage, they could only follow Zhao Jin to the end. Otherwise, if they defied the Zhao Battalion and harbored other intentions, they would be wiped out right now. And if they followed the Zhao Battalion and the court's official army won — judging by the enormity of what Zhao Jin had done — any future investigation would surely find the people of Xuzhou and Pizhou guilty as accomplices of the rebels, and they would not escape the fate of having their homes confiscated and their clans exterminated. Better, then, to stake everything and fight. Over all these years, one conclusion had become universally shared: what Zhao Jin and his men had done was far, far better than what the court had ever done. As for those from outside these areas, they were simply bold men willing to trade their lives for wealth and status.

Those from outside Xuzhou and Pizhou were all refused. Those from Xuzhou and Pizhou were carefully selected. Regardless of age, only those with reliable backgrounds, outstanding martial skill, mastery of bow and horse, and rich experience could be chosen. Although the Xuzhou-Pizhou region valued martial prowess, such men were not too numerous. In all, just over one hundred and fifty were selected — all core sons of various families.

Those selected were fine with it. Though Zhao Jin had made no promises for now, everyone knew that the Zhao Battalion would certainly not treat them poorly afterward. But those not selected were somewhat resentful, especially many sons of the Xuzhou Three Guards, who were more familiar with the Zhao Battalion than outsiders were.

"So-and-so's martial skill and mounted archery are worse than mine, yet he can serve as a household trooper in the cavalry. Now I come to help — why can't I be chosen? Didn't you say age didn't matter?"

In the past, when the Zhao Battalion recruited household troops and militia, the age limit had been very strict. After all, Zhao Jin and his companions were all young. If the household troops and militia were all relatively older, there would be problems with command and future growth. But this time the situation was urgent, and people were only temporarily coming to risk their lives and fight to the death — yet they were still deemed unqualified. That they could not understand.

To this, the Zhao Battalion's answer was simple: one household trooper against you alone — perhaps the trooper would not be your match. But if ten household troopers formed ranks and fought you, they could take on a dozen or even twenty of you. The best have already been selected in sufficient numbers. Those not chosen, please go to Hejiazhuang to await assignment and be organized into the militia to maintain local order.

The one hundred and fifty-seven riders selected were kept by Zhao Jin at his side, moving together with Ji Xiang's personal guard. After all, these men had no discipline or training; only by keeping them close at hand could he feel at ease.

By the time Zhao Jin finished talking with Ma Chonghao and walked to the parade ground, Ji Xiang was already there waiting, holding a horse. Zhao Jin walked over and took the reins. Before mounting, he turned to look — the direction of his gaze was his own family residence.

When the main force mobilized, it was naturally inconvenient for the women of the household to be present. Both Madam Xu Zhenzhen and Madam Mu Shulan had their own channels of information, and Zhao Jin had no intention of hiding anything from them. He had recounted everything that had happened in detail. They naturally knew that the court's great armies were advancing south and north, that Dong Bingfeng had raided and scattered the forces in South Zhili, and that their husband was going to war this time to fight the Baoding troops from North Zhili.

When Zhao Jin left the house that morning, Xu Zhenzhen and Mu Shulan had both struggled to maintain their composure, but Zhao Jin could tell at a glance that both women had wept during the night and had not slept well. Little Zhao Feng, innocent and carefree, thought her father in armor was very amusing and kept touching it ceaselessly. As for Zhao Long, he was still sound asleep and snoring.

"You don't need to worry. I'm not saying this to comfort you — I will return victorious. Just wait for me at home," Zhao Jin said simply.

"Husband... you... you must be careful..." Mu Shulan could not hold back and spoke first. In Xu Zhenzhen's presence, she did not call him "Brother Jin," but the moment she opened her mouth, she choked up. After a few words, she hurriedly covered her mouth and stopped; one more word and she would have burst into tears.

Xu Zhenzhen's state was no better. She wanted to speak, but the moment she opened her mouth, tears streamed down uncontrollably. She kept dabbing at them with a handkerchief but could not stop them.

It was only then that Zhao Feng sensed something was wrong. She bit her finger and looked around anxiously. Zhao Jin scooped up his daughter and teased her a couple of times, then said, with a touch of exasperation, "In other matters, you two are clever. In this matter, you're just women. When I say I can win, I can win. When have I ever boasted to you? Look after the household and wait for me to return."

This parting left Zhao Jin somewhat uncomfortable, yet he also felt the tug of attachment. Wife, children, flesh and blood connected — this was unavoidable.

"Big Brother, shall we set out?" Ji Xiang asked cautiously. Since the approach of battle, Ji Xiang had been very excited, but he felt that Zhao Jin's mood was somewhat off.

Zhao Jin nodded, swung himself into the saddle, and flicked the reins to move forward. The moment he moved, the entire surrounding force moved with him. The First Company of the personal guard rode on horseback in the inner circle as escort. Beyond them were the cavalry of the Zhao Battalion personal guard. Further out still were the volunteer braves who had come from Xuzhou and Pizhou to offer their services — among them were sons of the Jiang and Cheng families. As for the infantry and the baggage train, they had already set out earlier.

News that the court was sending troops to encircle and suppress them had arrived long ago. No outside merchants could be seen anymore at Hejiazhuang. As for the locals, they had long grown accustomed to the Zhao Battalion's movements. The elderly, fearing they might be tainted by disaster, hid in their homes. The young and the children, however, were wildly excited. In their eyes, the Zhao Battalion simply could not lose.

As the great column of cavalry traveled along the road, they could hear cheers from the common folk by the roadside. From time to time, local gentry would burn incense and set out wine, praying for the Zhao Battalion to win victory the moment their banners were unfurled. From the Zhao Battalion's rise to the present day, wave after wave of purges had washed over the land. Now, in the territory of Xuzhou, whether scholar, farmer, artisan, or merchant, rich or poor, noble or humble — aside from the rotating officials in the yamens — every heart was with the Zhao Battalion.

Zhao Jin's expression was calm, but he noticed that among the household troopers, almost no one shared his calm and composure. Every face was alight with excitement. Only Niu Jinbao's face showed no expression. And the most excited of all was undoubtedly Ji Xiang.

"Daxiang, we are not rebelling this time. That is the line we must not cross in this campaign," Zhao Jin called out a word of warning. Ji Xiang, riding right beside him, hastily acknowledged.

Thanks to "Sweet Sugarcane, Wu"