Fine Wine and Floating Wealth

Xu Dingguo entered Yangzhou City. Fearing that Wang Lanping harbored malicious intentions, he dared only walk in the middle of the formation, surrounded and closely escorted by soldiers as they advanced slowly. Once the entire army entered the barbican, they reorganized briefly before marching in single file into the inner city.

Under the pretext that the local populace might harbor resentment toward Gao Jie's army and commit acts detrimental to the morale of the imperial forces—such as throwing rotten eggs or vegetable leaves—Wang Lanping ordered Song Xian to divide his three thousand cavalry into two parallel lines. They flanked Xu Dingguo's army to escort them into the city toward their designated quarters. Though called an escort, it was in truth surveillance. Even had the common folk harbored boundless grievances against Xu Dingguo, they lacked the courage to make gestures or point fingers directly at these troops, let alone subject them to insults.

Xu Dingguo understood Wang Lanping's intentions well, yet he could find no excuse for refusal and was forced to follow the throng into the city. Wang Lanping and Shi Kefa personally led the way, threading through streets and alleys. Xu Dingguo observed vigilantly as they marched; the bustling prosperity of Yangzhou City indeed lived up to its legendary reputation. Hawkers' cries echoed through the marketplace, and shops lining the streets kept their doors wide open for flourishing business, as if the entire citizenry felt none of the panic supposedly triggered by the entry of a massive army.

Observing the garrison troops inside Yangzhou, apart from the grim readiness displayed atop the city walls, there was not the slightest trace of hidden danger or murderous intent within the city. Xu Dingguo could not help but feel puzzled. A Yangzhou City operating entirely as usual meant either that Wang Lanping and Shi Kefa had concealed their schemes far too deeply, or that all was genuinely peaceful, and the city merely feared the army's presence might harm the populace rather than harboring any harmful designs. Comparing the two possibilities, Xu Dingguo preferred to believe the former—that these were all illusions, and one must never lower one's guard against others.

Normally, the arrival of a notorious army in a prosperous city would inevitably panic the inhabitants. However, human ingenuity shapes events; since Wang Lanping had permitted Xu Dingguo to enter the city, the entire route had been meticulously planned beforehand. Merchants along the way had been instructed not to panic, but to eat, drink, and carry on as usual. Thus, what Xu Dingguo witnessed was an atmosphere of absolute peace, devoid of even a shred of martial tension. Yet, in places beyond Xu Dingguo's sight, running parallel to him on both flanks along his route, four thousand fully armed Yangzhou garrison troops were advancing in unison, secretly escorting Xu Dingguo's main force.

Should Xu Dingguo dare harbor even the slightest thought of taking advantage of the situation for plunder, Song Xian's three thousand cavalry and the four thousand hidden Yangzhou garrison troops would surge forward simultaneously to annihilate them entirely.

Wang Lanping and Shi Kefa rode majestic steeds with relaxed composure, chatting and laughing as they led the van. Relying on the strength of his surrounding soldiers and officers, Xu Dingguo figured that should any unexpected crisis arise, he would simply capture the leader first to subdue the rest by seizing Shi Kefa, and see who in Yangzhou would dare make a move.

With this thought, Xu Dingguo took several bodyguards and spurred his mount forward to catch up behind the two men, wishing to probe their true intentions. He cupped his hands from the saddle and smiled, "Governor Shi, the prosperity within Yangzhou City truly opens this general's eyes. Many thanks, Governor Shi and Scholar Wang. Following General Gao Jie to garrison the frontiers year round, braving wind and rain, my officers and men are utterly exhausted. To be able to enter Yangzhou City today for rest and reorganization—on behalf of all my soldiers, this general expresses his gratitude to you both."

Wang Lanping and Shi Kefa turned their heads simultaneously. Shi Kefa feigned an appreciative expression, looked Xu Dingguo up and down, and said, "Xu Dingguo, famed as 'Xu the Thousand-Catty,' you are truly a tiger among generals of the Great Ming. This general has long heard of your heroic exploits, like thunder ringing in my ears. Yangzhou City welcoming you to garrison here not only relieves my plight of lacking troops but also gives the citizens of Yangzhou a sense of complete security. From now on, Yangzhou City will boast strong troops, mighty horses, solid ramparts, and fine weapons, making light of neither Li Zicheng nor the Manchu Tartars. Speaking of thanks, it is I who should thank General Xu all the more."

Wang Lanping also smiled and chimed in, "Quite right, quite right. Elder General Xu's valor spans the three armies. During your garrisoning of the Huai River alongside General Gao Jie, you caused the Manchu Tartars not to dare cross the boundary by even a single step, rendering monumental service to the Hongguang court. All Ming armies under heaven are one family, serving the imperial court together. Yangzhou City belongs to the Great Ming, and it is only right that there is a place here for the General. Governor Shi, would you not agree?"

Shi Kefa echoed with a smile, "Naturally, naturally. General Xu need not stand on ceremony."

No sooner had Xu Dingguo entered the city than he was praised to the skies with such lofty flattery. As a veteran of many battlefields, he was naturally not swayed in his judgment by this superficial cordiality. He always felt that Wang Lanping and Shi Kefa were hiding daggers behind their smiles, especially regarding this talk of 'joint defense.' Joint defense my foot! He was Gao Jie's man, and entering Yangzhou was merely a matter of necessity to forage for provisions and supplies; who intended to guard Yangzhou for them?

Xu Dingguo replied with feigned humility, "Your Excellencies overestimate me. This general dares not impose for long. After a few days of rest and reorganization, I shall follow General Gao back to garrison Fengyang."

Wang Lanping and Shi Kefa exchanged glances, sharing a tacit understanding. Shi Kefa said, "What is General Xu saying? How can you speak of imposing? Rest assured, as the governor of the four towns, I cannot rest easy when my soldiers suffer. General, settle down within the city; stay for as long as you wish. All weaponry and provisions shall be supplied entirely by Yangzhou City."

Gao Jie had abandoned Fengyang and entered the territory of Yangzhou; Shi Kefa had already gathered clear intelligence on this. When Gao Jie departed, he had already destroyed his camp and withdrawn all logistical supplies, making any return to garrison Fengyang utterly impossible. Wang Lanping believed Gao Jie had two reasons for doing so: first, to cooperate with Liu Zeqing's Huai Army in dealing with him; and second, for Gao Jie to use this as an excuse to escape Fengyang, a place fraught with trouble. That was the front line confronting the Manchu Tartars, and the moment the Manchus advanced, Gao Jie would bear the brunt. Anyone in that position would sit on pins and needles, fleeing as far away as possible—preferably across the river.

Xu Dingguo had nothing more to say. With one towering compliment after another heaped upon him, elevating him to the heavens, he could find no pretext to pick a fight and was forced to maintain a smiling face as he accompanied them.

The three rode abreast. Before they had gone far, Shi Kefa pointed ahead to rows of neat, uniform dwellings and said to Xu Dingguo, "General Xu, we have arrived. From this day forward, these quarters will house your officers and men. I have already ordered wine, food, and clean lodgings prepared there to welcome and refresh your army. General Xu, please."

With that, Shi Kefa and Wang Lanping spurred their horses onward. Xu Dingguo felt somewhat dazed, uncertain of what awaited him. He feared Wang Lanping's disregard for conventional rules—executing Li Zhi, restructuring the Scholar Army, launching a surprise attack on the Huai Army to execute Liu Zeqing. Xu Dingguo had long since heard of these deeds. Now that Shi Kefa and Wang Lanping had joined forces, welcoming his large army into the city with such apparent kindness—what on earth were they plotting?

Xu Dingguo looked at the rows of houses ahead, hesitating. But his young subordinate officers could not resist such temptations and urged him forward in unison: regardless of whether it was a mountain of blades or a sea of flames, they would eat and drink their fill first. With an army of five thousand at their sides, what was there to fear? At worst, they could raise a ruckus in Yangzhou City, take up arms to establish their own independence, and sell their loyalty to the highest bidder. Whichever side eventually won the realm and paid the most would command their allegiance.

Though doubts lingered in his heart, Xu Dingguo could not withstand the repeated pleas of his commanders and ultimately cast caution to the winds, following Shi Kefa and Wang Lanping.

The five thousand troops were distributed in groups of ten to twenty across hundreds of large and small houses. In every single room, just as Shi Kefa had promised, the aroma of wine and meat drifted in the air, with food and drink provided in abundance. Having gone without such rich fare for many days, the soldiers surged forward and gorged themselves heartily.

Meanwhile, Xu Dingguo was personally accompanied by Shi Kefa and Wang Lanping. Exchanging cup after cup, he drank and ate until the world seemed to spin, until the setting sun dipped low and they were escorted back, thoroughly intoxicated.

Not only Xu Dingguo; following Wang Lanping's strategy, Shi Kefa sent large quantities of wine and meat outside the city to the camp of Gao Jie's forces to reward the troops. A peaceful atmosphere pervaded both inside and outside the city, completely dispelling the hair-trigger tension of impending civil war that had prevailed in recent days.

By the next day, when Xu Dingguo sobered up and sent scouts to gather intelligence from all directions, panic gripped his heart. It turned out that the quarters assigned to his five thousand troops were the original barracks of the Yangzhou city garrison. Stationed on his left were four thousand Yangzhou garrison troops, while Wang Lanping's three thousand cavalry occupied his right. It was clear he had been placed under surveillance. Upon receiving this intelligence, Xu Dingguo immediately dispatched secret messengers out of the city to brief Gao Jie on the situation within, urging him to remain highly vigilant and not be deceived by the superficial illusions before them.

For several consecutive days, Shi Kefa and Wang Lanping devised various ways to send food and wine to Xu Dingguo and Gao Jie, focusing solely on eating and drinking while avoiding military affairs. Human nature shared a common flaw: once accustomed to fine food and drink, a notion would gradually take root in one's mind—why resort to bloody combat and risk one's life to seize things when one could live in peace, comfort, and luxury for free? With everyone fed and watered, collecting Governor Shi's military pay, they went in groups of three or five to brothels and pleasure quarters, living a carefree and leisurely life.

After five or six days of lavish hospitality, the soldiers were so happy they forgot to return home.

Yet Xu Dingguo, a ginger growing spicier with age, understood the consequences that would follow such illusions, though he lacked the power to restrain them. He who considers danger in times of safety is wise, but the vast majority of soldiers cared only for immediate pleasures. Even though Xu Dingguo repeatedly issued strict orders forbidding anyone from leaving the barracks, the prohibitions were repeatedly violated. The prosperity of Yangzhou City was simply too alluring, and coupled with Wang Lanping's dispatch of agents to instigate, entice, and poach his men, no one regarded Xu Dingguo's military commands as anything significant.

Finally, on the seventh day after Xu Dingguo's entry into the city, an event occurred that greatly startled him.

That day, as the morning sun rose, Xu Dingguo, still dreaming amidst the fragrance of wine, was shaken awake by a subordinate who announced that great joy had arrived.

Xu Dingguo changed his clothes, still hazy with lingering drunkenness, and entered the main hall. He was dumbfounded: the hall was festively decorated with lanterns, colorful banners, and red silks, while his commanders stood smilingly bowing and cupping their hands toward him. Xu Dingguo was utterly baffled; apparently, they were finding him a wife.

At that moment, one of Shi Kefa's close officers stepped forward from the side, cupped his hands with a smile, and said, "General Xu, acting under Governor Shi's orders, I invite the General to take charge of the Yangzhou city defense affairs, and confer upon you the authority to command the Yangzhou garrison forces. My coming here also brings one hundred thousand taels in military pay. Governor Shi says the officers and men have suffered bitterly these past months, and this modest sum of silver is but a token of the Yangzhou citizens' appreciation to reward the army. Furthermore, Governor Shi has already memorialized the court in Nanjing, petitioning to confer upon you the title of Regional Commander of Yangzhou. Believing the imperial edict will arrive shortly, I congratulate the General on his promotion. Additionally, Governor Shi invites the General to the Governor's Mansion, where he has prepared a banquet and invited all the officials of the city to jointly celebrate the General's elevation."

Upon hearing this, Xu Dingguo broke out in a cold sweat, his drunkenness vanishing entirely. He was a subordinate of Fengyang Regional Commander Gao Jie; Shi Kefa's action was an obvious stratagem of alienation, designed to turn him and Gao Jie against each other. Moreover, by hosting a banquet for all the city's officials, Shi Kefa made it clear that this news was already common knowledge. Yet he, the principal party involved, had become the last to know, which further proved that Shi Kefa and Wang Lanping had been plotting this for a long time.

Xu Dingguo's subordinate commanders had not considered matters so deeply. A superior's promotion naturally meant that when the master attained the Way, his dogs and chickens ascended to heaven as well; everyone would rise in status along with him. The officers surged forward, crowding around Xu Dingguo with profuse flattery.

Unable to vent his anger in front of Shi Kefa's emissary and now caught in a dilemma where he could neither advance nor retreat, Xu Dingguo had no choice but to attend the banquet. He washed up, dressed properly, and proceeded along with the messenger to the Yangzhou Governor's Mansion. At the same time, he dispatched men to inform Gao Jie stationed outside the city, his primary intent being to clarify his stance to Gao Jie: he would never be moved by this and would forever take orders solely from Gao Jie alone.

As the fragrance of wine wafted through the Yangzhou Governor's Mansion, the spies Gao Jie had planted inside the city also reported this development back to him. Upon hearing the news, Gao Jie was struck with dismay. He could not discern whether this was Shi Kefa's alienation tactic or if Xu Dingguo had truly gotten into bed with Shi and Wang. Throughout these past days, the intelligence he received concerned almost exclusively how Shi and Wang entertained Xu Dingguo, showered him with praise, gifted him wine, meat, and silver, and now even promoted him to the highest military commander of Yangzhou, with plans to confer the title of Yangzhou Regional Commander. These unfathomable reports left Gao Jie sleepless with anxiety.

Gao Jie bitterly regretted his past actions, feeling his mind had been clouded by paste. Whatever possessed him to send Xu Dingguo into the city? By now, forcing his way into Yangzhou City was out of the question. If Xu Dingguo had truly been co-opted by Shi and Wang, knowing the inside and out of his troop strength, this war could no longer be fought.

Just as Gao Jie hesitated, the secret messenger sent by Xu Dingguo from the city arrived at Gao Jie's camp. He explained how Xu Dingguo had unwittingly been promoted and enriched without prior knowledge, and assured Gao Jie that General Xu would never betray him. Now that the army's grain and equipment were nearly replenished, why not coordinate from within and without to seize Yangzhou City, capture Shi Kefa, and create an irreversible fait accompli? This would compel the Hongguang Emperor in Nanjing to confer upon Gao Jie the title of Governor of the Four Towns North of the River. If General Gao deemed this plan feasible, they should set the time for three days hence, at midnight, to rise in arms simultaneously. Xu Dingguo would seize one of the city gates from within, open it to welcome the large army in, and the great enterprise could be settled in a single night.

Overjoyed upon hearing this, Gao Jie hurriedly summoned his commanders for consultation. Yet the result of their deliberation sent another cold sweat running down Gao Jie's back. Those desperate gamblers willing to drag the emperor from his throne argued that Xu Dingguo's plan was viable and that glory and great enterprise hung in the balance. Conversely, the cautious faction advised further observation, noting that which side Xu Dingguo ultimately stood on remained unknown. If this inside-and-outside coordination scheme was a falsehood, and luring the main army into the city was the true objective, the consequences would be unimaginable. Recalling how Liu Zeqing had met his death—from the moment Wang Lanping entered Nanjing, he had coveted the military authority of every commanding general. His sudden appearance in Yangzhou could hardly be guaranteed not to target Gao Jie.

Amidst this heated debate, even after the banquet honoring Xu Dingguo in Yangzhou City had broken up, Gao Jie and his men still failed to reach any definitive conclusion.

Having been completely befuddled by the honeyed words of flattery at the banquet and filled to the brim with wine, Xu Dingguo returned to his quarters and collapsed into a deep, senseless sleep.

By this time, deep in the night, Wang Lanping personally selected over a dozen trusted subordinates, ordered them to strip away their military uniforms, disguised them through various means, and quietly slipped out of the city.