027 The Ming Navy

Wang Lanping knew exactly why the Shun army in Huaining was retreating.

To understand what happened in Huaining, one must go back to the beginning. When Wang Lanping and Li Laixiang reached an agreement for a peaceful resolution in Huaining, Wang Lanping told Li Laixiang something, claiming he had divined it through celestial omens.

Wang Lanping stated that the Ningyuan commander-in-chief, Wu Sangui, had already surrendered to the Qing. He claimed that the combined forces of Wu and the Qing had shattered Li Zicheng’s five-hundred-thousand-strong army outside Shanhai Pass. As he retreated, Li Zicheng had set the Forbidden City ablaze before fleeing toward Shanxi, abandoning the entirety of Shandong and Hebei—territories the Great Shun army had fought so hard to conquer—and retreating all the way to Tongguan.

Li Laixiang initially dismissed this as nonsense. He believed that with hundreds of thousands of Shun troops surrounding Beijing, even if Wu Sangui had the audacity to defect, he lacked the strength to defeat the newly established and formidable Great Shun army. The Guanning cavalry numbered at most sixty or seventy thousand; the idea that Wu Sangui would surrender to the Manchus seemed impossible. Who would dare bear such eternal infamy and risk being drowned by the collective scorn of the Han people? Li Laixiang laughed it off, convinced that Wang Lanping was merely spreading rumors to shake the morale of the Shun army.

However, early this morning, news arrived from Yuan Zongdi’s camp that matched Wang Lanping’s words from ten days ago exactly. Considering the date the Emperor Li had retreated from Beijing was indeed ten days prior, how could this be? Beijing was thousands of miles from Huaining. How could Wang Lanping have known on that very day? Was he a prophet? Was he man or god?

Li Laixiang had no time to ponder how Wang Lanping achieved this, for Li Zicheng had ordered the southern expeditionary force to return immediately to reinforce Tongguan and engage the pursuing Wu-Qing forces in a decisive battle.

Li Laixiang scrambled to make arrangements. Huaining City had been taken, but with his army departing, what would become of it? So many had died or fled, and the Ming officials were gone. The Shun court’s officials could not arrive in time, and once the army left, the city would become a lawless void, vulnerable to the mountain bandits and marauders lurking nearby.

Finding someone to manage the civil affairs of Huaining was a major problem. As a newcomer, Li Laixiang did not trust the former Ming populace, let alone the former Ming county magistrate—he feared that once the army left, the city would immediately revert to Ming rule. His own soldiers were good at fighting, but governance was entirely beyond them.

After much thought, Li Laixiang recalled a wealthy merchant who had delivered a large sum of silver that morning, ostensibly to reward the troops but in reality to buy safety. Among those who offered silver was a man named Du, the wealthiest in the city. Li Laixiang remembered him as the very man Wang Lanping had warned him to treat with care. This Du was a *yuanwai*, a wealthy man who had purchased an honorary title from the imperial court—a position without real power, roughly equivalent to a local "outstanding entrepreneur" of today, possessing some influence and reputation.

Li Laixiang decided to leverage this man. If he could voluntarily offer fifty thousand taels of silver to reward the Great Shun army during this time of regime change, he was clearly committed to the Shun cause. Using him to govern Huaining would prevent the city from reverting to Ming rule, and his local prestige would ensure compliance. Furthermore, as a *yuanwai*, promoting him to a formal magistrate would be a straightforward matter.

With his mind made up, Li Laixiang ordered the army to break camp and assemble with Yuan Zongdi’s forces to march back to Xi’an. He then sought a meeting with the man named Du to confirm he had chosen the right person.

Hearing that Li Laixiang, a relative of the Great Shun imperial family, was coming, Du Ming was overwhelmed. In the future, the world would belong to the Shun; under normal circumstances, he wouldn't even be able to find the temple door to meet such a person. Now, the grandson of the Emperor Li Zicheng—a great hero of the founding—had come to him. He was determined to curry favor and secure this relationship, terrified that any slight could lead to the annihilation of his entire family.

Li Laixiang placed the newly carved seal of the Huaining County Magistrate on the table in the Du family's reception hall. "Master Du, please rise. This is your home; sit and speak."

Du Ming kowtowed frantically. "I dare not! With the General's tiger-like authority here, how could this lowly one presume to sit? It is a great honor for my humble home to receive you."

Li Laixiang laughed and gestured around. "Humble home? Can the Du residence truly be called humble? Rise, don't be afraid. The Great Shun destroys the former Ming only to remove the tyrannical and bring peace; it has nothing to do with good merchants like you. I have specially ordered that the Shun troops entering the city must not disturb the Du household. You have nothing to fear."

Hearing this, Du Ming felt relieved. He straightened his back and put on a smile. "Thank you, General. The Du family can never repay such kindness."

Li Laixiang had little time, but he needed to test where this man’s heart truly lay. "I heard upon entering the city that rumors were being spread claiming the Shun army is cruel and kills the innocent. Do you share these thoughts?"

Who would dare answer "yes" to such a question? But if Du Ming did not denounce the Ming court, he would remain a liability. There were over a dozen people present, including servants and government clerks; if Du dared to curse the Ming Emperor, Li Laixiang would dare to make him a Shun official.

Du Ming was a shrewd man and knew he had to be firm. He bowed low. "The Great Shun punishes the tyrannical Ming out of benevolence; it is a move that wins the hearts of the people. Such marketplace rumors are merely the ramblings of those who wish to see the world in chaos. Your presence here today proves those rumors false."

Li Laixiang nodded. "Well said. Tell me, from what you know, how does the Great Shun Emperor compare to the former Ming’s Chongzhen?"

Du Ming hesitated, then lowered his head. "How can a fallen monarch be mentioned in the same breath as a founding saint? There is no comparison." He had skillfully avoided the direct question while subtly praising the new ruler without explicitly slandering the old one. Truly a clever man.

Li Laixiang smiled slightly. "Good answer. I hear you were quite close with the former Ming defender of Huaining, Wang Lanping. Is this true?"

Du Ming broke into a cold sweat and fell to his knees. "That is a malicious rumor! That Wang Lanping was merely a bodyguard in my home years ago. I had many bodyguards then and paid him no mind. Who knew he would later become a top scholar? He is a cunning man. Recently, he used his status as a scholar to coerce me into marrying my daughter to him. I refused, so he threatened to seize my property. I had to agree, but the moment I heard the Heavenly Army was arriving, I immediately broke the engagement. My daughter is not much, but she would never wed such a remnant of the Ming. He dared to resist the Heavenly Army; he deserves death!"

Li Laixiang tilted his head. "Is that all?"

Du Ming nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at grain. "Yes, yes, that is all!"

As if by fate, just as Du Ming finished speaking, a voice filled with disdain drifted from behind the reception hall. "That’s not true! My father is lying. Brother Lanping is not that kind of person!"

Li Laixiang turned and his eyes lit up. He stood up involuntarily. It was said that the Jiangnan region produced beauties, and today he saw it was no lie. The young girl was fresh and vibrant, with a slender waist, fair skin, and a sharp, icy, and noble air—like a beautiful rose with thorns, delightful to behold yet untouchable.

Du Ming saw his daughter and broke into a cold sweat. He regretted everything; he had thought she had moved on from Wang Lanping.

"Audacious! Get back inside! This is no place for you!" Du Ming glared at Du Ningning from the floor, signaling her with his eyes to stop talking before she got the whole family killed.

Du Ningning ignored him. She strode up to Li Laixiang, head held high, looking at the battle-hardened general with complete indifference. She pointed at him and said, "You! You’re the leader of those Shun rebels?"

*Thump!* Du Ming fainted on the spot, trembling as he collapsed to the floor. The nearby Shun guards drew their swords with a collective *shing*.

Du Ningning glanced back, unbothered. She acted as if the soldiers weren't there. She had never known fear, not even the fear of death.

Li Laixiang waved his guards down and laughed, standing up. "Ha! Truly the daughter of a wealthy house; you have spirit. 'Shun rebels'? Such guts. For these words alone, I could leave not a single soul in the Du house, including you, young lady."

Du Ming scrambled up, kowtowing frantically. "General, forgive her! My daughter is ignorant and offended your might. Someone, take her away! Lock her up for three months!"

Li Laixiang held up a hand. "Wait. No rush. Miss Du, tell me, what did your father say that was wrong?"

Du Ningning had been pampered her whole life; she didn't care about this "Great Shun" general. She crossed her arms and glared. "I am the betrothed of Scholar Wang! If you people hadn't come to Huaining to fight and kill, we would have been married by now. Tell me, was this intentional? How much money does Brother Lanping owe you? I—I will pay it back for him!"

Li Laixiang’s eyes widened, and then he burst into uproarious laughter. In the eyes of this young lady, thousands of dead bodies outside were merely a matter of an unpaid debt. How interesting!

Du Ming was truly terrified now, but seeing Li Laixiang laugh, he realized the Du family might survive after all.

"What—what are you laughing at?" Du Ningning demanded, chin held high.

Li Laixiang suppressed his amusement. He had been anxious about the Wu-Qing forces attacking Tongguan, but this girl had cheered him up. "I laugh because that Scholar Wang is quite a hero, yet I cannot imagine what he would be like with such a headstrong and willful soulmate."

Du Ming quickly interjected, "No! The Du family would never let her marry him! The engagement is broken; the whole city knows it!"

Du Ningning countered, "You don't get to decide! My marriage is my own affair. And you! Tell me, why did you come to ruin our wedding?"

Li Laixiang had initially felt a spark of interest in such a beautiful woman, but upon hearing she was Wang Lanping’s fiancée, he immediately dismissed the thought. He realized now why Wang Lanping had asked him to protect the Du family—he had intended for Li Laixiang to encounter this young lady. Wang Lanping had seen right through him. Fighting on the battlefield was one thing, but stealing another man's beloved was dishonorable. By entrusting her to him, Wang Lanping had essentially cut off any path of betrayal. *Look, I have entrusted my beloved to you. As a great general and a relative of the Shun Emperor, could you really take her for yourself? Would you not fear the world's scorn?*

He no longer needed to test Du Ming, either. Having broken ties with a Ming military scholar so publicly, there was no turning back for him.

Li Laixiang said, "Miss Du, very well. It is my fault. I should not have ruined your destined union. My apologies. Rest assured, when the Great Shun unifies the world, you will be reunited. I shall bring a grand gift to celebrate, to make amends for today. How is that?"

Du Ming realized that no man could resist such beauty. With his daughter’s looks, the Du family might even produce an imperial in-law. "General Li, my daughter is spoiled and speaks without measure. Do not take it to heart. The Du and Wang families have nothing to do with each other now. Wang is gone, and in the chaos of war, it is unlikely he will return. Even if he does, the Du family will never acknowledge that marriage!"

Du Ningning grumbled, "No!"

Du Ming pulled her back. "A girl should not be so outspoken! Go, return to your room! Someone, take her away!"

Li Laixiang did not intervene this time as the servants dragged her away.

Li Laixiang turned to Du Ming. "Master Du, you are a merchant with a sharp mind. I want to give you an official position. Are you willing?"

Du Ming was ecstatic. "This lowly one is unlearned and fears he cannot handle such a heavy burden."

Li Laixiang, having no one else to rely on, continued, "The Huaining magistrate is dead. Civil affairs are in ruins, and bandits are everywhere. If this continues, chaos will ensue. For the sake of the people, the county office cannot be without a leader."

Du Ming understood. "With you commanding the garrison, General, I am sure there will be no chaos."

Li Laixiang waved his hand. "I am a soldier; I can fight, but I am not fit to handle legal cases or county administration. Besides, I am leaving today."

"The General is setting out on a campaign?"

"That is none of your concern. Just tell me if you can serve as the acting magistrate. Do well, and I will recommend you to the court for a permanent appointment."

Du Ming did not hesitate. For generations, the Du family had been merchants; not one had been scholar material. He had bought the *yuanwai* title, but it was just for show. Now, the ancestors were smiling—he was finally an official, and a magistrate at that! Most scholars couldn't achieve this in a lifetime.

"If the General trusts me, I will do my absolute best."

Li Laixiang nodded. "Good. That is enough. The seal is yours. From today on, you are the Magistrate of Huaining County. Rule your people well. I have brought back the remaining Ming clerks; if you need more, find them yourself. I can only leave five hundred men to garrison the city, but you have no authority to command them." This final remark was a clear warning: *Do not try anything foolish; five hundred eyes are watching you.*

Du Ming kowtowed again. "I—no, this subordinate will not fail your trust!"

Li Laixiang rose to leave. "Good. Go take up your post. I am leaving Huaining now."

"May the General have a smooth journey. Please, let me see you out of the city."

On the north bank of the Yangtze River, Wang Lanping gazed at the rolling waves. How were they to cross? The boats along the bank had been seized by Liu Zeqin, leaving not even a small skiff. The current was fierce, and the river was at least three or four miles wide. They couldn't just build rafts on the spot—there were thousands of troops, gear, grain, and horses. What were they to do?

Nearby villagers, hearing that the scholar who had defeated the Shun rebels at Huaining needed to cross, came running. Many pulled down their own doors and roof beams, offering them to help the Scholar-General cross. Wang Lanping was deeply moved; his reputation had spread far and wide.

Still, that wasn't enough. If all else failed, they would have to cut timber to build boats. Fortunately, pine trees were abundant here.

Wang Lanping mobilized his men, turning the entire army into carpenters. They lashed two dozen large pine logs together in two layers with iron nails and laid wooden planks on top. A single raft could carry a few people, but the winds on the river these past few days were too strong, making the rafts unsafe. They would have to wait for the wind to die down.

A few days later, the building continued. The southeast wind had not ceased, but a fleet of ships appeared on the river, drifting in from the horizon like a small island, so dense they obscured the water.

Zheng Sen pointed toward the approaching ships with great joy. "General Wang, look! The Great Ming Navy!"