Chapter Five: The Imperial Commissioner Summons the Generals

Zhang Yan’s deputy general’s tent was divided into two chambers: the outer one was used for discussing matters with subordinates and also served as a dining area, while the inner chamber was his personal resting space.

Seeing Zhang Cheng had returned, Zhang Yan smiled and said, “You rascal, are you a starving ghost reborn?”

Hearing the voice, Zhang Cheng looked up, chewing on a piece of salted dried meat, and smiled somewhat muffledly. “After days of marching, I’m starving. This salted meat is really good.”

Zhang Yan came over and sat down but didn’t rush to eat. Instead, he carefully observed Zhang Cheng with a kindly gaze. After a moment, he said gently, “Eat slowly. I’ll make sure you’re well fed.”

Zhang Cheng swallowed the flatbread he was chewing hard, then took a sip of rice soup before speaking to Zhang Yan: “Uncle, do you think our Xuan army’s entry into the capital will go smoothly? I’ve heard that the Emperor intends to negotiate peace with the Tatars, and Minister Yang of the Ministry of War is already planning this…”

As Zhang Cheng spoke, his voice grew quieter, and his eyes carefully watched Zhang Yan’s expression.

Just as Zhang Yan picked up a piece of flatbread, he heard Zhang Cheng mention the Emperor and the ministers. He immediately interrupted, “Stop talking. Is the Emperor someone you can mention casually?”

With that, he took a big bite of the flatbread. In truth, on the way to Changping, Zhang Yan had already caught wind of these rumors. The generals of Xuan were privately worried that the current court situation might not favor Governor Lu Xiangsheng.

Everyone knew that Governor Lu was a staunch advocate for war. When they set out, he was fully prepared to fight the Tatars fiercely. Yet along the way, rumors kept spreading that the court intended to negotiate peace with the Tatars, and Minister Yang Sichang was orchestrating this. It seemed the Emperor himself supported the negotiations, which caused unease among the troops who worried both for Governor Lu and the future of the Xuan army.

Coughing slightly, Zhang Yan ate the flatbread somewhat hurriedly, then hurried to drink some rice soup. Raising his head, he saw Zhang Cheng standing there, and with a voice full of paternal affection, he said softly, “Such matters should not be spoken lightly. From now on, never mention this within the army.”

Seeing the protective look in his uncle’s eyes, Zhang Cheng was deeply moved. With sincere expression, he said, “Yes. Uncle, don’t worry. I won’t mention it again.”

Zhang Yan’s voice grew solemn as he said, “This time entering the capital, we only need to follow the military orders of Governor Lu and Minister Yang.” His eyes filled with affection as he looked at Zhang Cheng, then continued, “As for court affairs, those civil officials will handle them. Don’t trouble yourself with such concerns.”

“Yes, Uncle,” Zhang Cheng replied, deeply touched. “I’ve taken note.”

After finishing a piece of flatbread, Zhang Yan looked at Zhang Cheng with satisfaction, feeling somewhat comforted. Having no sons of his own—only a daughter—he regarded Zhang Cheng as his own son. Now was the opportunity to observe and test him. He also hoped that this campaign to defend the capital would help Zhang Cheng earn some military merit. Little did he know that he would follow Governor Lu to his death at the Battle of Julu, sacrificing himself for the country. Then, with tender concern, he asked, “Cheng’er, your health has just recovered. After this long march, are you still alright?”

Zhang Cheng was still eating the flatbread with salted meat and rice soup. Hearing Zhang Yan’s concern, he was moved. His own father had died young, and he had come to regard this uncle as a father figure. Softly, he replied, “Uncle, rest assured. I’m well.” Then he put down half a flatbread and the soup bowl, stood up, and performed a few martial arts moves, smiling as he said, “See, I’m completely fine.”

“Good, as long as you’re well,” Zhang Yan said, feeling genuinely happy to see his nephew strong and not suffering from any lingering injury from the last time he gave him a thorough military beating. He couldn’t help but laugh heartily.

Zhang Cheng saw this and felt warmth in his heart once again.

Zhang Yan’s care for Zhang Cheng was evident in his words and actions, filling Zhang Cheng with emotion. This warmth stirred a strong desire to save his uncle’s life during the Battle of Julu.

“By the way, your right flank escort came with me to Changping. You should take command of it,” Zhang Yan said, offering Zhang Cheng the right flank escort of a thousand cavalry that had accompanied him.

“Let the right flank escort stay by your side, Uncle. The Tatars are formidable, not like mere bandits. Having the right flank by your side will better protect you,” Zhang Cheng replied with a smile. Seeing no displeasure on Zhang Yan’s face, he added earnestly, “You only have a little over two hundred cavalry in the central guard. That’s too weak!”

“Haha, you’re thoughtful. But do you think I’ve been protected all these years? Besides, Liu Zhankui’s infantry battalion will arrive at Changping in three days. Your uncle’s safety should be assured,” Zhang Yan said cheerfully.

“Still, I’m not at ease, Uncle. The right flank escort should stay with you,” Zhang Cheng said again, grabbing another piece of salted meat and chewing heartily.

Zhang Yan looked at Zhang Cheng with a commanding voice and said, “Hmph, I have fought in countless battles over the years and am not so weak as to need protection.”

“Ha ha…” This stirred a surge of fighting spirit in Zhang Yan, and he laughed heartily. Zhang Cheng, sitting nearby, laughed along with him.

Seeing Zhang Cheng momentarily lost in thought, Zhang Yan spoke kindly, “You take the right flank escort back. We’re uncle and nephew in the same camp. If anything happens, we’ll be there in an instant. What is there to worry about?”

Seeing his uncle so insistent, Zhang Cheng no longer pressed the matter. He knew Zhang Yan’s danger lay only at Julu. Before that battle, his life was not in peril. So he replied, “Cheng’er obeys the order!”

Zhang Yan had no sons, only a daughter, so he cherished his nephew Zhang Cheng as if he were his own son. Seeing Zhang Cheng composed and concerned for his safety, he felt greatly comforted and in high spirits.

After they finished lunch, a bodyguard entered with a report.

He said that Yang Guozhu, the overall commander of Xuanfu, had dispatched his men to announce: “At the hour of Shen, all officers ranked thousand generals and above from the Xuan garrison coming to aid the capital are to assemble at Yang’s tent and proceed with him to the Changping command post.”

After the bodyguard left, Zhang Cheng asked his uncle, “Uncle, why has the governor summoned all the generals?”

“That’s hard to say,” Zhang Yan pondered, then added, “There are no signs of the Tatars near Changping yet. There shouldn’t be any urgent military matters.”

He paused, then looked intently at Zhang Cheng and suddenly asked, “Cheng’er, what is your opinion on the Tatars raiding our borders this time?”

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng was momentarily unsure how best to answer. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Since the second year of Chongzhen, the Tatars have repeatedly broken through our borders, each time worse than the last. If we do not fight them and make them fear us, I see no other solution.”

Zhang Yan nodded approvingly and said, “Governor Lu wants to fight them, and we will just follow orders.”

Zhang Cheng looked at his uncle and continued, “The Tatars have already subdued the Mongol tribes and, I hear, now have Korea under control. They have no worries behind them and can focus entirely on us. Meanwhile, our court faces internal bandit uprisings, the Tatars invade our borders, and the treasury is exhausted, with endless court strife.”

Zhang Yan stared at his nephew in surprise, a trace of amazement in his eyes, and asked, “In your opinion, what should we do?”

Zhang Cheng closed his eyes and pondered deeply. After a long while, he opened them and said, “Relying on the Emperor’s authority in the capital, we should gather loyal troops from across the land and fight the Tatars to instill fear. Then, after that, negotiate peace so the eastern front is secure. Once the external threat is stabilized, we can focus on suppressing bandits and pacifying the people. In three to five years, once the nation is stable and the people’s strength restored, what is there to fear from the Tatars? By then, our army, tempered through victory over bandits, will be a hundred times stronger—more than capable of eradicating the enemy!”

Having heard Zhang Cheng’s words, Zhang Yan fell into thought and slowly took a seat.

He felt Zhang Cheng’s reasoning was not without merit. The reality facing the Ming was stark: a drained treasury fighting on two fronts, with no clear strategy—always putting out fires wherever the crisis was greatest, being worn down by multiple forces until the nation was in ruin.

If they followed Zhang Cheng’s plan—mobilizing loyal troops, relying on fortified cities, fiercely battling the Tatars, then negotiating peace and using the saved funds to suppress bandits and pacify the populace—how could internal unrest persist?

Saved funds?

Indeed, saved funds!

Zhang Yan had long sensed something amiss in Zhang Cheng’s thoughts, and now he suddenly realized the problem lay with those funds.

The annual tribute to Liaodong—three to four million taels—was the source of wealth for many high officials and generals in the capital. Who could dare touch it? Anyone who did would become an enemy of the Liaodong military aristocracy and the officials profiting from it.

At this realization, Zhang Yan shuddered involuntarily…