006 Besieging Wei to Rescue Zhao

The two of them arrived at the rear government offices.

Wang Lanping was impatient. “County Magistrate Kong, I’ve long suspected you have something to say. Please speak freely and without reservation.”

Kong Rusong wore an expression as if facing death and being reborn. The Ming Dynasty could do without a mere county magistrate, but it could never afford to lose a martial champion of such rare talent.

“Very well, Champion Wang. You cannot go to General Liu’s camp now. At the very least, you must wait a month before approaching. Going there now means certain death,” said Magistrate Kong with certainty.

Wang Lanping was shocked. Waiting a month was impossible. In his memory, Li Zicheng’s rebel army would breach the capital in just over a month. Although he didn’t know why he had this foresight, it all felt as if it were already unfolding. He could not wait that long.

When leaving the capital, the emperor had given him a secret imperial edict. Ostensibly, it was to manage Anqing, but in truth, the emperor wanted this carefully selected talent to accomplish a great task—relocating the court southward.

Everyone had seen Li Zicheng’s massive army march out from Xi’an, advancing northward, unstoppable as they captured city after city. The emperor now had no way to mobilize the southern Ming armies. The only nearby force was the Guan-Ning Iron Cavalry, but that army could not be moved. The emperor would rather see the land fall to Li Zicheng than to the Manchus, whose ravenous ambitions he fully understood.

At Li Zicheng’s current advance, within no more than half a year, he would encircle the capital. Once the outer defenses were swept clean, the capital would stand isolated and fall inevitably.

The best plans Emperor Chongzhen could conceive were two: either a desperate defense of the capital to preserve the dynasty at the cost of his life—which was futile—or relocating the court southward. The emperor would preside over Nanjing, rallying the million-strong southern army to oppose Li Zicheng. Compared to the first option, the second held far greater significance.

But the difficulty of relocating was not merely political; the main challenge was how to leave the capital without disgrace. The emperor would never tolerate simply fleeing the city.

The southern Ming forces could not be mobilized, and the capital’s troops were already demoralized and prone to collapse. Who would escort the emperor on a thousand-mile journey from south to north? With the emperor’s intentions so obvious, stealth was impossible. Li Zicheng’s cavalry could catch up within days.

Thus, Emperor Chongzhen had elevated Wang Lanping, the martial champion, because he had no other choice. He ordered Wang to quickly return south to take command of the Anqing cavalry, lead the army north, and escort the emperor southward. Ideally, Wang would persuade Admiral Zheng Hongkui of the southern navy to march north along the Grand Canal, but that was extremely difficult. Even the emperor’s edict could not command Zheng, so what hope did a regional general have?

Although the emperor had issued orders, Wang Lanping did not want to comply. The capital’s fall was imminent, and Wang sought an alternative: a surprise attack on Li Zicheng’s main camp at Xi’an. From Anqing, it would take only ten days on swift horses. Since leaving the capital, he had been planning this, dispatching numerous spies westward. The intelligence was absurd—Li Zicheng had nearly evacuated Xi’an with all his elite troops, leaving only about twenty thousand to guard the old capital, a sprawling city that was impossible to defend with so few men. Yet even with this small garrison, the million-strong southern army dared not attack. Li Zicheng’s forces had already penetrated Shanxi and were likely on Hebei soil by now.

Li Zicheng had dominated the northwest for over a decade, his wealth concentrated in Xi’an. At this moment, not only would he defend Xi’an to the death, but if a few thousand Ming soldiers circled the city, he would surely rush back to rescue it. This was his entire fortune—no margin for error.

Seizing the moment of Li Zicheng’s defensive return, Wang would leave the army outside Xi’an and personally return south. Using the emperor’s letter and the minister of war’s authority, he would persuade Zheng Hongkui to move the navy north. The Ming navy was said to be invincible; if they moved, the siege of the capital could be broken, whether by defense or relocation. The Ming dynasty would still have hope, and loyalist forces across the land would rally.

This bold plan was Wang Lanping’s only hope to save the dynasty. Other methods were too distant to help this immediate crisis.

Now, with Magistrate Kong saying Wang must wait a month before taking command of the Anqing cavalry, there was no chance for a surprise attack on Xi’an—the Ming dynasty would be lost.

“County Magistrate Kong, how do you know this? Who wants to kill me? I haven’t even entered officialdom yet. I have no enemies,” Wang Lanping asked, sensing danger without knowing its source. He vaguely felt that something was wrong with the Anqing troops. This was no joke; nothing could go wrong there.

Only then did Kong Rusong reveal how General Liu Zeqing had embezzled troop allowances, harmed the region, and reduced the army.

Hearing this, Wang was stunned. He had only heard of generals recruiting troops privately in chaotic times, never of a commander selling off his army. This was unheard of. If true, Liu Zeqing’s ambition was pitifully low. In this chaotic Ming era, even if a general expanded his forces by hundreds of thousands, who could stop him? Eventually, he could become a warlord or even aspire to be emperor. But Liu Zeqing? Reaching into a coffin for money in death—what use was money then? When war broke out, a handful of silver was worth less than rice. Had Wang known this earlier, he would have saved himself the trouble and simply bought the troops outright.

Wang grew anxious. “County Magistrate Kong, is it true that there is not a single warhorse left in the Anqing cavalry? This cannot be a joke.”

Kong Rusong solemnly cupped his hands. “If there is a single word of falsehood, I am unworthy to be a disciple of the sages.”

Wang was again stunned. So General Liu had tried repeatedly to approach him and delay his assumption of command to hide his embezzlement and sale of horses. How dangerous! Had Wang arrived in ignorance, Liu would surely have resorted to murder to silence him.

Kong said, “Champion Wang, if you petition the emperor directly to report these matters, His Majesty will believe you without doubt. Though I am only a county magistrate, I am willing to join you in petitioning to rid our country of traitors.”

Wang smiled bitterly. Kong was clever, but a civil official; he did not realize the emperor’s reach no longer extended to the south. Imperial edicts meant nothing to the southern army. If pushed to a corner, Wang might even raise a banner of rebellion. Besides, even if they killed him a thousand times, what use? The capital would fall in just over a month.

Wang’s confidence hit rock bottom. What was to be done?

Suddenly, Wang grabbed Kong’s official robe. “County Magistrate Kong, is there a garrison in Huaining City? Are there warhorses?”

Kong was startled, then thought for a moment. “There is a garrison. Due to ongoing bandit troubles, General Liu set up a camp west of Huaining City with around five or six hundred men. No warhorses, though; that’s infantry.”

“Then how many clerks and minor officials are in your county office? Any horses—military or civilian—count them all. How many do you have?”

Kong pondered briefly. “There are 151 clerks and minor officials in the county. As for horses, Champion, you are from Huaining yourself. You should know that years ago, civilian horses were all requisitioned. Now, the entire county has only about a dozen old horses at the county office.”

Wang was utterly hopeless. Without horses, how could he reach Xi’an within days? How could he recall Li Zicheng’s army? The Ming was doomed.

Kong was puzzled. “Champion, why do you need warhorses?”

Wang waved his hand and sighed. “To recruit soldiers and buy horses—to reorganize a cavalry.” Yes, recruitment was the fastest method now.

“County Magistrate Kong, do you know where General Liu’s horses went?”

“Of course. There is irrefutable evidence. A small portion was sold to General Liu Liangzuo of Fengyang. The vast majority were sold to local bandits within a hundred-mile radius. I have all the records.”

“What? Bandits? That man’s mad!”

“Yes. Outside Anqing Prefecture, there are over a hundred bandit groups, ranging from hundreds to thousands, all of whom bought horses from General Liu. I caught a notorious pirate before and learned this from him. Then I sent people to investigate thoroughly.”

“Good, County Magistrate Kong, well done. Though I am but a general without troops, I promise that if this mission succeeds, I will petition the emperor to appoint you Governor of Anqing.”

“For the country and the people, I am duty-bound, Champion. Please speak.”

“County Magistrate Kong, you know these bandits better than I do. I’ll give you three days. Buy back all these horses at double price. Use whatever means you must. I will guarantee you official titles and rewards from those bandits.”

“Is that even possible?”

“No, it’s not. Once this is underway, those who can be recruited will be; those who cannot will be wiped out on the spot.”

“Very well, but this will cost a fortune.”

“How much silver is in your county treasury?”

“I have failed in governance. The county treasury is almost empty.”

“Then wait here. I will immediately raise funds for you. And don’t return any gifts from local officials and gentry sent to my home—sell them all.”

Without time to think further or doubt, Wang had no choice but to try this desperate plan.

He hurriedly left the county office. His only hope now was the so-called dowry of eighty thousand taels from the Du family. Spending eighty thousand taels to save the Ming dynasty was a gamble worth taking.

Wang Lanping had served five years as a guard at the Du estate. He dashed to the gates of the Du family’s mansion. The servants at the gate barely had time to greet him before he was gone from sight.

He went straight to the back hall, where all the house servants knew him and dared not stop him. Inside, Du Mingzheng and Du Ningning were chatting, seemingly discussing the marriage between Ningning and Wang.

“Master Du,” Wang burst in, startling Du Ming. Ningning excitedly ran over. “Brother Lanping, what are you doing here?”

Du Ming was shrewd. Seeing Wang’s urgency, he quickly dismissed the servants and stood, smiling politely. “Champion Wang, why the sudden alarm?”

Wang wasted no words. “Master Du, you said that if Ningning and I married, you would provide eighty thousand taels as dowry, correct?”

Du Ming nodded. Merchants valued their word. “Of course.”

“Good. I agree to marry Ningning.”

Du Ming was momentarily speechless. Stammering, “Th-that’s wonderful. A perfect match of talent and beauty. The Du family is honored.”

Wang’s face was expressionless as he extended his hand. “Give it now.”

“Give what?” Du Ming was confused.

“The eighty thousand taels of silver dowry you promised.”

“Now?” Du Ming was utterly bewildered.

“Yes. I want it now.” Wang’s tone left no room for negotiation.

Du Ming’s head swam. He rubbed his temples. “Son-in-law, what does this mean? We haven’t even formally betrothed or had a matchmaker. Marriage is a serious affair; we should set a date first.” Du Ming was sincere. The Du family was wealthy. Marrying their daughter to a high official was a matter of utmost importance.

Wang knew this was improper but had no choice. Time was short. He turned to Ningning.

“Ningning?”

No matter how stubborn, Ningning blushed deeply when someone suddenly said they wanted to marry her. “What?”

Wang looked at her, smiled faintly, and swiftly pulled her into his arms. He lowered his head, and their lips met.

At that moment, Ningning’s breath stopped, and even Du Ming stared wide-eyed, stunned.

Everything had happened too fast; Wang himself didn’t know how it came to this, but he had no other option.

After a long moment, Wang straightened up, holding the now weak Ningning in his arms. He said to Du Ming, “I, Wang Lanping, keep my word and will marry Ningning. But I want the eighty thousand taels now.”

Turning to Ningning, he solemnly said, “Ningning, forgive me. From today, you are a member of the Wang family.”

Du Ming took a long moment to recover. How could this youth act so flippantly? If this spread, Ningning’s reputation would be sealed. But marriage was no game; traditions must be respected step by step.

Du Ming was at a loss for words.

“Father, stop dawdling. Get the silver!” Ningning’s voice came from Wang’s arms, though she hesitated to pull away.

“This is improper!” Du Ming fretted sincerely.

“Father, hurry!” Ningning began to coax.

“Ah, what is this all about? Fine, fine, I’ll go. I’ll have the silver here before nightfall. But Champion Wang, when will the wedding be? Should we invite your mother to discuss?”

“No need. The wedding will be in thirty days. I will come to take Ningning then.”

Du Ming was a merchant through and through. Merchants only acted for profit. Buying a champion as a son-in-law with eighty thousand taels was a solid investment. From now on, no one would dare challenge the Du family’s interests.

As he walked away, Du Ming thought that although this was reckless, it was exactly what he wanted. With Wang’s status, nothing would go wrong. Besides, gambling was a merchant’s game. Winning could bring great fortune; losing eighty thousand taels would not cripple the family.

His excitement grew. He hurriedly summoned the accountants of the various commercial houses to gather the eighty thousand taels in cash before nightfall.