Chapter 39: Whose Credit Is It?

The sweltering summer heat persisted as the main army continued its long trek toward Qingyang, still a thousand miles away. Fortunately, the arrival of the Beginning of Autumn brought some relief; while still scorching, the mornings and evenings were slightly more bearable. However, this also meant the army had to increase its pace, resulting in shorter rest periods.

"Go and prepare some salt water for the soldiers," Ma Xun instructed. "Make sure to remember this: drinking salt water after heavy sweating is beneficial to prevent dehydration."

Lan Yu made a mental note of this, convinced that the Divine Physician must be right. Mu Ying added, "Do not worry, Uncle. We have been doing this for days. The soldiers have been drinking the herbal anti-heat medicine and salt water."

If a few ungrateful souls secretly poured it away, that was their own affair, but the majority followed orders. Bitter medicine is good for the illness; even if the soldiers didn't believe they were sick, they knew it prevented heatstroke, which made it worth drinking.

Ma Xun added, "Next time, have them send more garlic. It can help prevent plagues. Don't complain about the taste; it’s effective against malaria and dysentery."

Mu Ying quickly replied, "Rest assured, Uncle. The army will keep a supply of garlic. Many already know it expels wind-evil and neutralizes toxins."

Many were already aware of garlic's benefits, though supplies were limited, and some disliked its pungent aftertaste. Ma Xun did not underestimate the wisdom and experience of the ancients. While he could introduce advanced concepts and technologies, they were not always perfectly suited for the current reality. With the food crisis yet to be fully resolved, land had to be prioritized for grain, leaving little room for crops like garlic. Ma Xun was accustomed to these minor challenges of "acclimatization" and saw no major issue.

As they followed the main army, drawing closer to Qingyang, Ma Xun felt both nervous and excited. A battle of over two hundred thousand men was not something one witnessed every day. This was no longer pure cold-steel warfare; firearms like hand cannons and bowl-mouth guns were now widely deployed. Nearly one-third of the Ming army was equipped with firearms, and Deng Yu was a master of their use.

Just as Ma Xun was feeling the rush of excitement, a messenger arrived on horseback: "The General-in-Chief orders the General Suppressing the State to lead five thousand elite cavalry to Qingyang with all haste!"

Ma Xun was stunned. Throughout the march, he had learned that cavalry often moved slower than infantry, but now, he was being ordered to charge forward at full speed.

Lan Yu immediately stepped up: "Brother-in-law, Mu Ying and I will accompany you with the cavalry. The situation must be critical!"

Ma Xun agreed. As long as he wasn't asked to command the army alone—a task he lacked the ability for—he was content.

Xu Da had not only requested reinforcements from Ma Xun but had also made arrangements for other generals, ensuring the tens of thousands of infantry continued their march in good order. Wangcai, the dog, began to trot alongside the warhorses; though the pace was swift, it was not a full-speed gallop, and Wangcai managed to keep up.

Ma Xun asked, "Brother Lan, why does the General-in-Chief need us to rush to Qingyang?"

"We lack cavalry," Lan Yu explained. "Even though the Tatars aren't all mounted, we can't underestimate them. Infantry takes the city, but we need cavalry to intercept Wang Baobao’s reinforcements."

It made perfect sense. The shortage of troops was exactly why Xu Da had summoned him.

While Ma Xun’s group sped forward, outside the walls of Qingyang, banners fluttered in the wind; the formidable Ming army was prepared for the decisive battle.

Xu Da gazed at the distant city and ordered, "Ensure all vital positions are secured. Feng Sheng is to hold Yima Pass. The main army will assemble at Yuanzhou. Send word to urge the General Suppressing the State to hurry."

The Qingyang campaign had been long, starting with the clearing of the outskirts back in the first lunar month. The siege of Qingyang itself had begun in the fifth month, during which Zhang Liangchen had surrendered and then rebelled again.

Three months had passed. Even after losing places like Jingchuan and suffering passive defense, Qingyang remained an isolated city. With no reinforcements arriving and food supplies nearly exhausted, the Ming army was ready to strike. Once Feng Sheng had seized Yima Pass and Li Wenzhong had lifted the siege of Datong, the Ming forces were free to surround Qingyang.

Xu Da would never jeopardize the campaign just to wait for Ma Xun, but if Ma Xun could arrive in time, he would certainly earn his share of the military merit. Few understood the mind of Zhu Yuanzhang as well as Xu Da. By capturing Qingyang and completing the Northern Expedition, Xu Da’s achievements would be second to none—not even Chang Yuchun could surpass him. Sharing some credit was no burden, nor did he fear his status being challenged.

Though the Emperor’s letters emphasized the overall situation and the priority of the war, they also mentioned taking care of the brother-in-law. The implication was clear: if the brother-in-law arrived before the decisive battle, he could participate. Even if he didn't reach the front lines, simply arriving with reinforcements constituted military merit. Furthermore, with the troops under his command, Lan Yu and Mu Ying would earn their own glory, but the lion's share would go to Ma Xun, the commanding officer.

Xu Da and Chang Yuchun had long ceased worrying about a lack of military merit; their concern was having too much.

As orders poured in, Ma Xun and his men worried about the urgency of the war, while Xu Da grew increasingly calm. Based on the speed of his brother-in-law’s march, he would arrive just in time for the decisive moment.

Xu Da ceased all delays and decisively commanded, "Vice General Feng Sheng, attack the West Gate! Censor-in-Chief Tang He, take the North Gate! Deputy Commissioner Gu Shi, attack the East Gate! Councilor Dai De, lead the troops against the South Gate! Surround the city and attack from all sides!"

The brutal conflict resumed. Qingyang was now out of food and ammunition, its ties to the outside world severed. Wang Baobao’s plan to "besiege Wei to save Zhao" had failed. Zhang Liangchen was filled with anxiety; the Ming assault was ferocious, and his troops were in a state of panic.

Regret gnawed at Zhang Liangchen. After barely repelling another Ming attack, he climbed the wall and shouted, "General-in-Chief Xu Da, I am willing to surrender!"

Xu Da scoffed and ordered his men to relay the message: "You surrendered once only to rebel, slaughtering our reception party and capturing Commander Zhang Huan. You allowed Yuanzhou to fall and caused the death of Chen Shou! You are a mantis trying to stop a chariot; I will capture and kill you!"

Zhang Liangchen was terrified; he was at the end of his rope. As the commander, he had no food left, and his soldiers had resorted to boiling the corpses of the fallen and mixing them with mud to eat.

As the day’s fighting ended, a restless Tang He hurried over: "Tiande, let’s try another night raid!"

Xu Da refused flatly. "Brother, Zhang Liangchen is surely prepared. A night raid will only increase the casualties of our boys."

Tang He was even more agitated. He had started with a high standing, but those around him had gradually surpassed him; he was counting on capturing Qingyang to claim the primary honor. But now, that honor had been snatched by Feng Sheng for seizing Yima Pass, a move that had turned the tide. If he didn't earn merit now, what was he to do? Zhu Yuanzhang had promised that if there were no major enfeoffments at the end of the year, there would certainly be a great one at the beginning of the next.

Tang He suddenly asked, "When will Chongba’s brother-in-law arrive?"

"In two days at most," Xu Da replied with a smile. "Shall I send him to your side?"

Tang He shook his head immediately. "I don't have the skill for that; if he gets hurt, I won't be able to answer for it. Tiande, it seems you’re waiting for him to arrive before breaking the city!"

Xu Da chuckled. "It depends on how long Zhang Liangchen persists. I suspect he will try to break out. We will beat him back these next two days, and once he is surrounded by the broken remnants of his army, we will take the city!"

Tang He couldn't help but study Xu Da, sighing, "No wonder you are the General-in-Chief; you’ve even calculated the time!"

Ma Xun, racing against time, felt that something was amiss. The road had been clear, and he had already met up with the scouts sent to receive him. They were already besieging Qingyang, and he had rushed here in such a frenzy—only to watch others take all the glory?