Chapter Forty-Six: Communicating with the Entire Army, Revered as a Model of Excellence
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At the governor’s headquarters in Changping, the Provincial Governor Lu Xiangsheng, General Yang Guozhu of Xuan Town, and Captain Zhang Cheng knelt prostrate on the ground. Before them lay an incense table adorned with offerings, while a robust eunuch named Gao Qiqian stood solemnly before the table.
Seeing that Lu Xiangsheng and the others were already kneeling, Gao Qiqian cleared his throat and, in a sharp, piercing voice, commanded, “Lu Xiangsheng, Yang Guozhu, Zhang Cheng, receive the imperial decree!”
Led by Governor Lu Xiangsheng, they all knelt respectfully inside the headquarters, chanting loudly, “Long live His Majesty, long live forever!”
Gao Qiqian took from a small eunuch’s redwood tray a brocade box wrapped in yellow silk. Inside was a vermilion lacquered, gold-embossed dragon coiled box. He handed the dragon box to another small eunuch, who carefully extracted the imperial edict wrapped in yellow satin with a subtle dragon pattern.
In his sharp voice, Gao Qiqian intoned: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor commands: … The traitorous rebels bring disaster to the nation and suffering to the people. All loyal subjects deeply resent them. Now, hearing of Minister of War and Right Deputy Censor Lu Xiangsheng’s valiant slaying of rebels and decisive victory at Mafang, striking hard at the Eastern barbarians, the Emperor’s heart is greatly comforted! He grants a gold-inlaid rhinoceros belt, a set of gold-embroidered chest and back armor with a qilin-shaped round collar, five hundred taels of silver from the imperial treasury, and twenty silver merit plaques to reward deeds on the battlefield…”
Governor Lu Xiangsheng lay on the ground, overwhelmed by the vast imperial grace, tears flowing uncontrollably, his emotions beyond measure.
Behind General Yang Guozhu, Captain Zhang Cheng, hearing the stirring words before him, felt a quiet surge of joy for his superior.
The decree then praised General Yang Guozhu of Xuan Town, awarding him a fine horse, silver, a set of leather hats and official robes, and five bolts of silk. Zhang Cheng could distinctly feel Yang Guozhu’s body trembling in silent excitement.
Suddenly, Zhang Cheng heard his own name mentioned in the decree, and his spirit soared: “Captain Zhang Cheng of the Right Wing Battalion, Xuanfu Town, fought bravely, slain over a hundred enemy cavalry, greatly diminishing the Eastern barbarians’ morale. The Emperor is deeply pleased!
Now bestowed are a treasured sword and armor, two hundred taels of silver from the treasury, and a general proclamation to all three armies to hold him as an exemplar... When the capital is secure and the enemy repelled, further rewards and promotions will follow... Also granted is ten thousand taels of merit silver to the Right Wing Battalion of the Town Guard, wishing the unit united strength to overcome the enemy…”
Gao Qiqian recited much more from the decree, finally concluding with the solemn words: “By imperial order!”
Zhang Cheng and the others knelt where they were, loudly expressing their deep gratitude for the Emperor’s boundless grace.
Governor Lu Xiangsheng, with trembling hands, reverently accepted the decree.
One by one, they received the bestowed gifts of silver, brocade, and more. Each time, Lu Xiangsheng respectfully kowtowed in thanks. When Gao Qiqian finished handing over all the items, he forced a broad smile and said to Lu Xiangsheng, “Governor Lu, congratulations.”
Deeply moved by imperial favor, tears suddenly welled in Lu Xiangsheng’s eyes. He felt that all the hardships he had endured recently were worthwhile. Swallowing hard, he said, “Lord Gao, please rest here in the headquarters a moment. I will immediately submit a memorial of thanks, and I ask you to present it to His Majesty on my behalf.”
Gao Qiqian replied in his sharp voice, “As you wish, as you wish.”
Lu Xiangsheng hurried into the inner tent. Gao Qiqian sat back down, eyes fixed on Zhang Cheng, speaking with a somewhat reserved sharpness: “You are Zhang Cheng?”
Zhang Cheng had just risen and stood at attention beside General Yang Guozhu. Hearing the question, he bowed and replied, “Your humble servant Zhang Cheng pays respects to Lord Gao.”
Gao Qiqian remained still, picking up a teacup to toy with in his hand. He lifted his eyelids slightly to appraise Zhang Cheng. After a long moment, he said, “Zhang Cheng, very good. Heroes arise in youth; your future is boundless!”
Zhang Cheng continued standing at attention and bowed again, saying, “Zhang Cheng knows only loyalty to the sovereign and devotion to the nation. I dare not presume to deserve such high praise from the supervising general.”
“Captain Zhang, you are humble despite your merits—a true general’s bearing,” Gao Qiqian said in a tone tinged with sarcasm, making Zhang Cheng inwardly wince.
Nonetheless, Zhang Cheng responded politely, “I am deeply grateful for the supervising general’s praise and the Emperor’s boundless grace. I shall bravely fight on the front lines, regardless of life or death, to repay the nation’s kindness.”
Gao Qiqian said nothing but stared at Zhang Cheng, chuckling softly.
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Just then, Governor Lu Xiangsheng emerged, having finished writing the memorial of thanks. Zhang Cheng hurriedly, along with General Yang Guozhu, bid farewell to Lu Xiangsheng and Supervising General Gao Qiqian before leaving the governor’s headquarters. Chen An and the other small eunuchs also withdrew together.
Lu Xiangsheng handed the completed memorial to Gao Qiqian with both hands.
They both resumed their seats. Lu Xiangsheng felt reluctant but returned to the earlier topic.
He asked Gao Qiqian, “Lord Gao, what are your thoughts on my earlier proposal?”
“Field battle is not our army’s strength,” Gao Qiqian replied casually.
Lu Xiangsheng grew somewhat impatient but, for the greater good, patiently said, “The loyal armies from Xuanfu, Shanxi, and Guanning are accustomed to field battles. Now, with our troops’ morale high, we should seize the initiative to seek battle with the enemy and relieve the capital’s peril.”
“No. Though our troops are brave, they are newly assembled and need time to train together. We must not rashly seek battle with the enemy now,” Gao Qiqian said calmly.
Lu Xiangsheng’s heart surged with emotion. He swept off his sleeve, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly, and shouted, “Supervisor Gao, if you fear the enemy like a tiger, then I shall face the barbarian cavalry alone to the end!”
Gao Qiqian remained unmoved, leisurely crossing his legs and arrogantly saying, “Governor Lu, if you wish to fight the barbarians alone, so be it. But as for these loyal armies, I’ll be taking a share of them as well…”
Lu Xiangsheng’s anger was palpable. Resolutely cutting off Gao Qiqian’s words, he said, “Very well, I understand your meaning now, no need for further talk.
The loyal armies from Xuanfu and Shanxi were brought by me and shall remain under my command; those from Guanning, I will not take a single soldier. Let the supervising general command them.”
“Governor Lu, is such a division of forces truly wise?” Gao Qiqian asked, though inwardly pleased with the outcome.
Lu Xiangsheng was somewhat calm but knew he had no other choice. He said angrily, “I understand dividing forces weakens strength and harms the campaign. But today, there is no other way.”
“Then it must be so. Governor Lu, when shall the forces divide?” Gao Qiqian pressed.
Lu Xiangsheng fixed him with a fierce gaze and said solemnly, “Today I will submit a memorial to His Majesty. Once the imperial decree arrives, we shall immediately divide the forces.”
“Very good. I shall return to the palace at once to await the edict. I will trouble you no further,” Gao Qiqian said, rising.
He took two steps, then turned back to speak formally: “We both serve His Majesty. I hope Governor Lu will bear with me.”
Lu Xiangsheng suppressed his displeasure and cupped his hands: “Much obliged.”
He escorted Gao Qiqian out the gate, watching him mount his horse and bow farewell.
Gazing at Gao Qiqian’s receding figure, Lu Xiangsheng shook his head and murmured, “Today I truly understand the power of the eunuch faction!”
...
The next afternoon, the sun was half below the horizon, casting dim light across the land. A slant of sunset glowed softly, no longer harsh.
Lu Xiangsheng had just received the imperial decree approving the division of forces with Supervising General Gao Qiqian.
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He knew the Emperor had surely been swayed by Gao Qiqian and Yang Sichang, no longer accepting his proposal for a decisive battle with the barbarian cavalry. The last flicker of hope he had placed in Emperor Chongzhen instantly vanished.
He felt utterly isolated in court, powerless—like a single timber unable to support a collapsing mansion—plunged deeply into despair and anger.
At that moment, a messenger arrived, reporting that Lord Yang of the Hanlin Academy awaited audience outside the headquarters gate. Hearing this, Lu Xiangsheng hurriedly ordered, “Quickly, invite him in!”
He immediately rose to greet him outside the main hall.
A few days prior, the Emperor’s conversation with Lu Xiangsheng on the platform and the proceedings of the Andingmen meeting had already spread among many court officials. Some knew that Lu Xiangsheng had dared to oppose peace and firmly advocated war before the Emperor.
Yang Tinglin felt both admiration and sympathy but understood Lu Xiangsheng’s precarious situation: Yang Sichang and Gao Qiqian would conspire against him, and his ambitions might be crushed.
Lu Xiangsheng led Yang Tinglin into the inner chamber, dismissing attendants, then looked at him gloomily and said, “I marched a thousand miles to aid the throne, intending to fight the Eastern barbarians to the death, to relieve the capital’s peril and crush the enemy’s fierce spirit. Yet, who would have thought…”
He sighed deeply and shook his head.
“Governor, I am somewhat informed of your audience with the Emperor and the Andingmen meeting. Could it be that court factions have restrained you, preventing your wish to fight, thus causing your frustration?” Yang Tinglin asked with concern.
Lu Xiangsheng said urgently, “Indeed. The Emperor listened to the weak-willed Yang and the powerful eunuch Gao, unwilling to let me engage the barbarian cavalry in battle. What can be done!”
“Today I come to pay respects and to lend my support on your behalf,” Yang Tinglin said with bright eyes.
“Please, tell me in detail! As long as it benefits the realm, I am willing to sacrifice my life,” Lu Xiangsheng said, moved as he stared at Yang Tinglin.
“The situation is this,” Yang Tinglin leaned forward, fixing his sharp eyes on Lu Xiangsheng’s pale, fatigued face. Lowering his voice, he said, “Though the Emperor, Yang Wenruo, and Gao Qiqian favor peace with the barbarians, they are still restrained by the court’s public opinion. They dare not openly force a shameful treaty upon the Eastern barbarians.”
Lu Xiangsheng could not help but interject, “Which among the ministers does not think how to drive out the barbarians, yet some only seek secret negotiations with them—truly shameful!”
Yang Tinglin continued, “You speak rightly. If peace is achieved, it will be a loss of sovereignty and national humiliation, emboldening the barbarians to push further, perhaps worse.
The Emperor remains a capable sovereign and fears public criticism too much to openly follow the doomed path of the Southern Song emperors.
If you could seize the moment of the barbarians’ repeated victories and arrogance, leading tens of thousands of loyal troops with high morale to strike a surprise attack—even without a full victory, merely inflicting heavy losses and dampening their spirit—
That would silence the peace advocates and convince the Emperor that the barbarian cavalry must be faced in battle; that war is the only wise strategy.
What do you think?”
Lu Xiangsheng pondered briefly: “That was my plan as well, alas, it is now too late!”
“Too late? Why too late?” Yang Tinglin gently stroked his flowing beard, puzzled.