011 The Du Family's Rebellion

Wang Lanping had long made preparations; though his forces were few, he had strategies suited to their number. "The city walls at the West and South gates remain largely intact. I suspect the enemy’s main assault will focus on the weakened East and North gates. They have six thousand troops. If they surround the city, we’ll be trapped inside with nowhere to go but death."

Even County Magistrate Kong, unfamiliar with military matters, was surprised. "General, do you mean to meet the enemy outside the city walls?"

Wang Lanping nodded firmly. "Yes. I plan to confront them just outside the city, to break the morale of the rebel army. If they dare not split their forces to besiege the city, they will all gather in one place. That way, we can concentrate our limited troops effectively."

Kong nodded, half understanding. "Your strategy is thoughtful, General. But why not ask Anqing Prefecture for reinforcements? If Huaining falls, the next target will surely be Anqing."

Wang Lanping chuckled lightly. "Relying on others is less certain than relying on ourselves. If Prefect Zhou truly cared about Huaining, he wouldn’t have left today. Even if we sent a letter to Commander Liu’s camp, he wouldn’t come. His Feng Camp was hard-won by me halfway here. Liu Zeqing surely knows about the upheaval in the capital and the rebel movements, which is why he is retreating to defend Anqing. But I suspect even that retreat is mere pretense."

Kong was puzzled. "Impossible. Even if Commander Liu is negligent, Anqing is his base. If he loses it, he would be guilty of dereliction of duty and should be punished by law."

Wang Lanping laughed. "Times have changed. The Ming Dynasty’s realm is in such a state that there is no true ruler. Holding a large force is the only power. The law is powerless against men like him. He knows that might makes right. Besides, he’s no Xiang Yu; he wouldn’t dare make a desperate last stand in Anqing. Don’t count on him to send troops."

Kong sighed deeply. "The great anti-Jin general Yue Fei once said, ‘When civil officials do not covet wealth and military officers are willing to die, the world will be at peace.’ If only our Ming had more heroes like you, General, we wouldn’t be in such dire straits today."

Wang Lanping laughed heartily, full of confidence and without a hint of modesty. "Good, I like to hear that. Come, let’s go check on the newly assembled deserters. Tomorrow, I entrust the defense of the city to you and these two hundred and eighteen men. I will lead the Feng Camp out to meet the enemy."

At that moment, Kong also faced death with resolve. Though nearly twenty years younger, the two men felt a bond, as if they had met too late in life. They laughed heartily and walked out of the flower hall, one after the other.

Just outside the flower hall, in a shadowed corner, a figure stood. Wang Lanping recognized the silhouette and called softly, "Yun Niang, what are you doing here?"

Timidly, Yun Niang stepped out from the shadows, wearing the fine clothes Wang had brought her from the capital. She carried a bowl of steaming soup. "Aunt said you haven’t eaten all day. Have some soup."

Kong sensed the mood and tactfully said, "General, I’ll wait in the front office. Take your time."

Wang approached Yun Niang and took the bowl. Bringing it close, he inhaled the rich aroma — chicken soup garnished with scallions. A small sip left a lingering fragrance. He smiled, "Mmm, delicious. I can tell it’s your cooking. This is from your family’s only feathered chicken."

Yun Niang’s face brightened with a sweet smile. She was easily contented. Though she had heard that Lanping was to marry Miss Du Ningning and felt heartache, she found joy in still being able to cook a bowl of his favorite chicken soup. "You’ve brought my whole family here. Eating one chicken is nothing. My parents say they never dreamed they’d spend a night in such a house. Thank you."

Wang looked at her innocence and thought of his impending marriage to Du Ningning. He wasn’t sure how Yun Niang felt, but hoped she saw him as a childhood friend, a confidante. If he ever carved out his own destiny, he vowed to give Yun Niang a future beyond compare.

Adopting their familiar bantering tone, Wang nudged her shoulder. "No need to thank me. What’s between us? Tell your parents that as long as I’m here, good days lie ahead. But I do have one favor to ask."

War is ruthless; life on the battlefield is uncertain. Wang’s only real worry was his mother. Though from another time, the debt of her nurturing was as vast as the heavens and deep as the sea.

Yun Niang asked, "What is it?"

Wang drained the soup and placed a hand on her shoulder. "If I die in battle, please take good care of my mother."

Yun Niang’s eyes filled with tears, anxiously protesting, "No, no, no! Don’t say such unlucky things. When I was bullied as a child, you stood up for me. No one in this world can hurt you." Her tears revealed how much she cared—she could accept Lanping marrying another, but not seeing him harmed. A woman’s heart is delicate.

Wang laughed, raising a fist before her. "See? You’re scared. I’m the world’s greatest martial champion. Only I get to bully others, and if they’re not worthy, we don’t even bother. No one can hurt me. Trust me, your Lanping is lucky."

Yun Niang’s fear lingered. "Still, be careful. Aunt said many refugees arrived today. They said many died fighting to the north. You have to take care of yourself—or else... Du Miss will be heartbroken."

She meant herself but couldn’t say it aloud. The engagement between the Du family and the champion’s family was known throughout the city. How could a poor girl like her hope to marry into such a family?

Wang forced a small smile and gently shook her fragile shoulder. "Don’t worry, I won’t disappoint those who care for me."

At that moment, voices came from the front office.

Wang turned to see Du Ming, head of the Du household, rushing over, followed closely by Magistrate Kong. Kong seemed to be trying to restrain Du Ming but knew better than to block him outright, given the betrothal.

"General, he says it’s urgent. I...," Kong hesitated.

"You wait here. I’ll be right back." Wang gestured for Du Ming to enter the room. "Please, come in."

Du Ming was about to speak when hurried footsteps approached. Du Ningning appeared beside him, grabbing his arm. "Father, you can’t go back on your word."

Du Ming yanked her away. "Nonsense. Marriage is a serious matter. I decide. Wang, I won’t consent to your marriage with Ningning. It’s off."

Yun Niang, who had been about to leave, turned abruptly, eyes wide with shock.

But Wang was not surprised. The Du family had been merchants for generations, their veins running with greed. They sought the prestige of the champion’s title. Now that the Great Shun dynasty had risen, the Ming champion’s title was worthless. Du Ming would surely change his mind again.

Du Ningning’s temper flared. She ran to Wang, tugging his arm. "No! I’ll decide my own marriage. You can’t stop me!"

Du Ming hurried forward, not wanting others to see his unmarried daughter so close to a man. He grabbed her roughly, face stern. "You don’t get to decide. You’re just a child. Go home."

For the first time since Ningning had grown up, Du Ming lost his temper in front of strangers.

Ningning broke free and hid behind Wang, peeking out from both sides, defiantly saying, "I will marry him, I will, hmph, I will."

Du Ming’s face darkened.

Wang quickly intervened, "Mr. Du, please don’t be angry. Ningning, don’t make trouble. Since your father is so resolute, I guess the fault lies with me for lacking fortune."

In truth, Wang did not dislike Du Ningning. But with battle imminent and life uncertain, it was better to avoid entanglements.

Ningning lifted her chin defiantly. "Hmph, I won’t listen to him. He’s unreliable."

Du Ming saw Wang’s stance and stopped trying to control his daughter’s tantrum. He pulled out a receipt. "Champion Wang, don’t blame the Du family for breaking its word. This is your receipt for eighty thousand taels of silver. Keep it. This money is a gift from us for defending Huaining."

Wang did not accept it. Instead, he bowed. "The Du family’s generosity is appreciated. On behalf of Huaining’s people, thank you. But please keep it. I will repay it fully one day. Protecting Huaining is my duty. This money is a personal loan."

"Very well. I wish you success, Champion Wang. Ningning, come home." Du Ming grasped his daughter and started away.

"I won’t go! Father, let go of me! Lanping, don’t abandon me! Lanping!" Ningning cried, struggling and looking back with silent longing.

As a merchant, Du Ming had heard of the Great Shun army’s rise. Most of the land had fallen to them. The dynasty change was inevitable. The Shun army bore a deep grudge against wealthy families. Standing with a Ming loyalist would hasten his death. Huaining’s fall was only a matter of time. Even if the Ming army held the city temporarily, they couldn’t stop Yuan Zongdi’s overwhelming force of one hundred thousand. He had to prepare early and align with the Shun to preserve the Du family’s fortune.

Wang looked at Ningning with some regret but knew this might be best for her. He could only shrug helplessly. "Life is unpredictable. Maybe I’ll regret this someday, but I have done no wrong. Ningning, take care."

The Du pair left, while Yun Niang remained, dazed by how quickly events had shifted.

"Wan Niang," Wang waved his hand in front of her eyes, which gleamed strangely.

"Ah, hehe, Lanping, do you want more soup? I can get another bowl." Yun Niang’s face blossomed with a radiant smile, her dimples adding to her charm. At this moment, she seemed once again the carefree girl who had gathered wild fruit with Wang in the mountains.

Wang let out a sharp laugh. "No more. I have things to do. You should go rest."

"Okay, got it, Lanping," Yun Niang smiled and turned away, stifling a giggle as she lightly trotted into the rear office.

Fifty li outside the city, a scout reported intelligence to Li Laixiang of the Great Shun army.

"Haha, the Ming is truly hopeless, placing a new champion to defend such a crucial city. Ridiculous, laughable, pathetic. A greenhorn who doesn’t know the meaning of battle." Li Laixiang laughed loudly upon hearing that Wang Lanping guarded Huaining, dismissing any caution.

His laughter sparked wild, unrestrained jeers among his generals, as if Huaining were already theirs.

"Relay my orders: Tonight, the army rests and conserves strength. At dawn, we attack Huaining with full force in one decisive strike. Capture the so-called ‘World’s Greatest Martial Champion’ alive."

The night was set for war.