Chapter Fourteen: Signs of Invaders in the Eastern Outskirts of Changping

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As Governor Lu Xiangsheng left the cabinet office with somewhat heavy steps, the fervor he had felt while rushing to Beijing to support the king had already cooled by half. Now, his only hope was to persuade Minister Yang Sichang and Military Commander Gao Qiqian at this afternoon’s meeting. Yet even Lu himself dared not harbor too great expectations—he could only do his best.

Riding through the main streets from Daming Gate to Xidan, Lu Xiangsheng saw many refugees who had fled into the city to escape the invaders. Most wore thin clothing, huddling in small groups beneath the eaves of shops along the streets, trying to shield themselves from the increasingly chilly autumn wind. Occasionally, they would extend their trembling, withered hands to passersby, begging for food from kind-hearted souls.

This sight only deepened Governor Lu’s inner turmoil. He hastened back to his residence in the capital.

As he removed his official robes, his servant Gu Xian quietly informed him, “Just now, Master Yang Tinglin from the Hanlin Academy came by. Not finding you back, he left, but he instructed me to inform you that he has important matters to discuss with you in person.”

“Ah, noted,” Lu Xiangsheng replied wearily, then added, “If any other visitors arrive, please tell them I have been sleepless these past days and feel quite exhausted. I am unfit to receive guests today; ask them to come another time.”

Although Governor Lu held a significantly higher rank than Yang Tinglin, he had always held Yang in high regard, considering him a man of insight, courage, and integrity, as well as genuine scholarship.

After a moment’s thought, Lu instructed Gu Xian, “Send someone to inform Master Yang that I will rest briefly, then go to Anding Gate to confer with Minister Yang and Commander Gao. Please ask him to wait at his residence; I shall personally visit him upon my return.”

Changing into plain clothes, Lu Xiangsheng ate a little, hoping to rest, but the weight of the discussions on defense and war against the invaders troubled his mind. Unable to sleep, he only dozed briefly before suddenly sitting up and calling for Gu Xian to help him prepare to depart for Anding Gate.

Just as Governor Lu reached the main gate of his residence, he saw an elderly man dashing through the gap by the gatehouse, ignoring the guards’ attempts to stop him. Bowing as he approached, the man said, “Old Lord, Dongzhao has come to pay respects and earnestly hopes for a conversation!”

Lu Xiangsheng stopped in surprise and delight, quickly stepping forward to grasp the old man’s sleeve. “Ah, Elder Yao! From where have you come? Truly unexpected!”

“Old Lord, I, Dongzhao, came to the capital on other matters. With the Eastern invaders breaching the capital’s vicinity, I intended to return overnight, but upon hearing that you had arrived to support the king, I stayed to await this audience,” Elder Yao replied with hands clasped in respect.

Delighted, Lu held his sleeve and invited him inside, saying, “Excellent, excellent. Please, Elder Yao, let us speak within.”

…

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On the morning of the fourth day of the tenth lunar month in the eleventh year of the Chongzhen reign, near the eastern outskirts of Changping City, at the King’s Support Army camp in Xuanfu Town, Cavalry Commander Zhang Cheng, under the command of Deputy General Zhang Yanfu, sat within his tent.

Four squad leaders were seated on either side near the front, while Captain Chen Zhong of the personal guard stood rigidly behind Zhang Cheng, hand resting on his waist sword, expression solemn.

Within the tent, a soldier clad in iron-padded armor stood at attention before Zhang Cheng, a sturdy figure.

“Cheng Dashan, report today’s reconnaissance to Commander Zhang again,” ordered Front Sentry Chief Chen Zheng, seated at the left front.

Cheng Dashan clasped his fists solemnly and reported, “Commander, today Biao led one squad of my frontline cavalry scouts to reconnoiter toward Shunyi. About forty li east of Changping, near Luge Village, we encountered enemy Mongol raiders.”

Zhang Cheng sat upright behind his makeshift wooden desk, eyes sharp as he asked, “How many raiders and mounts? Any engagement?”

“Commander, thirteen raiders on about twenty horses and mules. We exchanged volleys several times; three of our men were hit by arrows but none seriously wounded. One raider was struck and fell from his horse but was taken away by his comrades,” Cheng Dashan reported truthfully.

Zhang nodded steadily. “Very well, you may step down.”

After Cheng Dashan left, Zhang lowered his head in thought for a moment, then said, “These raiders have always been brazen—usually three or four riders deep into our territory scouting and looting. How come today there were as many as thirteen?”

Right Sentry Chief Wu Zhizhong interjected, “Could it be that they have designs on Changping itself?”

Front Sentry Chief Chen Zheng considered and said, “Based on current intelligence, most raiders gather in Tongzhou, with large groups active near Dongzhimen and Chaoyangmen. They shouldn’t be moving en masse toward Changping now.”

Zhang Cheng looked around the tent and said gravely, “The bulk of the raiders won’t come to Changping for the time being, but small guerrilla units might raid here to probe our strength.”

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Zhang Cheng finished and scanned the officers, then added, “Let’s give those bastards a taste of our might.”

Rear Sentry Chief Hu Dake, worried, asked, “Commander, should we inform the General? If we act on our own, it might…”

Zhang turned his head to Hu Dake, thought briefly, then waved his hand. “No need. The General is already conferring with Marshal Yang. We are only scouting outside the camp and need not trouble him.”

Hu Dake and Chen Zheng exchanged a glance and smiled.

“But Commander, if we attack the raiders, won’t that draw their main force toward Changping?” Left Sentry Chief Zhang Guangda asked.

Without hesitation, Zhang Cheng replied, “We are only scouting outside the camp. If we encounter raiders, we kill them all. If their main force comes to Changping, so much the better.” He then cupped his hands toward Changping City and continued, “Governor Lu is preparing to engage the raiders in battle. We can rely on the fortified city to fight them and show those vermin the strength of the Xuanfu army.”

Laughter filled the tent, the bold spirit of the border troops evident. Though experienced and aware of the raiders’ ferocity, they were not as fearful as the capital garrison.

Wu Zhizhong looked around and said to Zhang Cheng, “Commander, just tell us how to kick their asses!”

Zhang’s eyes gleamed as he surveyed his officers and declared solemnly, “Each sentry leaves one squad to guard the camp and patrol. The rest form up and follow me to scout toward Wanggezhuang.”

“Yes, Commander. Please give the order!” the officers responded in unison.