Preparing for the Prefectural Examination

Father, Uncle, the military order only directs us to assemble our troops and rendezvous with the Nanjing garrison at Zhenjiang, not to head straight for the northern frontier.

After finishing the text on the sheet of paper, Wei Guangde spoke up.

I am well aware of that, but once we reach Zhenjiang, things will no longer be in our hands.

Wei Meng said, shaking his head.

Although there was a saying that a general away from the capital could disobey imperial orders when necessary, plans often failed to keep up with changes. Who could possibly know what situation awaited them at Zhenjiang?

Did they really expect a group of military officers to lock horns with the civil officials? It would inevitably be a matter of obeying whatever the scholars commanded.

The Tatars raiding the borders has become a routine matter over the past decade or so. I heard that the massive upheaval the year before last was entirely due to the border trade markets. If His Majesty had issued an edict for open trade earlier, perhaps things would not have come to this.

Wu Zhankui remarked leisurely. Then, catching sight of his two daughters standing behind the others, he decided it was inappropriate to discuss such matters in their presence and waved a hand to send them back to the inner courtyard to rest.

Once his two elder female cousins had departed, Wei Guangde spoke up. Not necessarily. Both last year and this year, the Tatars used the pretense of border trade to repeatedly unleash their troops for raids. It seems to me they have no genuine intention of conducting honest commerce.

Brooding over such matters is of no use.

Wu Zhankui gently shook his head, then turned his gaze to Wu Dong and asked, How is the training of those two centuries progressing? Are they combat-ready?

This was the pivotal issue for the upcoming campaign. They had not wasted the past year and had continuously worked to hone the combat effectiveness of these troops. If the forces failed to perform now, it would be difficult for him to face his father-in-law, and this was their ultimate means of self-preservation.

Training has never been neglected; we are ready to set out at any moment.

Wu Dong's response was extremely concise.

This time, Wei-zi and I will go. Both of you brothers will remain at home.

Without seeking Wei Meng's opinion, Wu Zhankui made the decision.

Just like the time the year before last, the younger members of the family would not be taken along.

Once on campaign, who could predict what dangers might be encountered?

Although the old saying went, "To fight tigers, rely on brothers; to go into battle, rely on father and son," one still had to preserve a bloodline for the household. It was out of the question to bring one's son onto the battlefield where swords and spears showed no mercy, especially since Wu Dong was the sole heir of the Wu family.

As Old Father Wei nodded in agreement, Wu Zhankui asked again, Are you familiar with the commanders of those troops?

Familiar. Whenever they trained, I frequently went to observe and even directed their drills. I am well acquainted with several of their tactical battle formations.

Hearing his brother-in-law's inquiry, Old Father Wei replied.

Since the two younger ones are not going, whom do you plan to appoint to take over?

Wu Zhankui nodded with satisfaction, but continued to ask how Wei Meng intended to arrange matters now that the two century-guards lacked direct leadership.

I will personally command the Bengshan century-guard unit, assisted by Zhang Dayong, so there will be no problem. As for the Central Army century-guard, Wu Dong can make the arrangements; he is familiar with the men over there.

Upon hearing Wei Meng's words, Wu Zhankui nodded, turned to his son, and instructed, Once you go over there tomorrow morning, make the necessary arrangements.

Understood.

Wu Dong replied.

You and Wencai should go and rest now. We have to travel early tomorrow morning, and I will have the servants wake you in due time.

Mindful of their early departure the next morning, Wu Zhankui sent Wu Dong and Wei Wencai off to rest. The room was left with only him, his wife, and the sole remaining member of the younger generation, Wei Guangde.

Master.

At that moment, the maternal aunt seemed on the verge of saying something to her husband, but he waved a hand to interrupt her.

Wu Zhankui turned to Wei Guangde, who was seated below, and asked, Guangde, earlier I saw you staring blankly at the military orders. Did something cross your mind?

Wei Guangde was still pondering whether this expedition would bring fortune or misfortune, and had completely failed to notice that two more people had left the room. Hearing his uncle call his name, however, he instinctively looked up.

No.

Wei Guangde hastily shook his head. I was just wondering, since the Tatars managed to drive all the way to the capital the year before last, there is simply no way they will be allowed to easily breach the passes and besiege the capital again this time. Didn't they dispatch Qiu Luan last year to strengthen the defenses along the northern Great Wall?

The combat effectiveness of the southern troops cannot compare to that of the northern frontier armies; the imperial court must be well aware of this. They would certainly not deploy southern troops to engage in the war against the Tatars. At most, they would be kept in the capital and surrounding major cities to reinforce defensive forces.

Earlier, the messenger said the high officials were still deliberating on vital matters and had only issued a few preliminary military orders. I expect detailed news will arrive from Lord Zhang tomorrow.

Hearing his younger son's words, Wei Meng also felt it made sense.

Wei Meng was well aware of the consequences of engaging the Tatars in open field combat with the soldiers under his command.

However, if it was merely a matter of participating in city defense, he had to admit he possessed a certain degree of confidence.

While the northern Tatars were indeed formidable in open field combat thanks to their superior horses, when it came to besieging cities, those bow-legged horsemen were truly out of their element.

Do not be fooled by their ability at times to capture small frontier outposts and forts; that was only because those places had meager garrisons and low walls.

In the imperial domain, the surrounding major cities surely possessed walls no lower than those of Jiujiang Prefecture.

Leaving the room and returning to his own bedchamber, Wei Guangde lay awake in bed, still feeling puzzled.

He recalled articles he had read in his past life, which suggested that the Ming Dynasty was an era where everyone competed in being inept—the Mongols were the most incompetent in combat, the Ming army was actually slightly superior to the Tatars, and the Jurchens of Jianzhou were somewhat stronger than the Ming army, which ultimately allowed the Manchus to conquer China.

Yet, after transmigrating here, what he saw, heard, and experienced directly contradicted everything he had previously read. It appeared that the Ming army was actually inferior to the Mongol Tatars.

Lost in these thoughts, Wei Guangde gradually drifted off to sleep, waking the next morning to bright daylight.

After washing up, Wei Guangde went to the front room. At the dining table sat only his parents, uncle, and aunt. His elder brother and cousin had already left the city of Pengze County to return to Bengshan Fortress to muster the troops. If they moved quickly, by his reckoning, they should arrive by evening.

Father, Uncle, I do not wish to take the second test tomorrow.

Upon waking that morning, Wei Guangde had made up his mind. This current crisis provided the perfect excuse to avoid participating in the subsequent rounds of examinations.

Initial review, secondary review, successive reviews—he wanted no part of any of them. In any case, he had never intended to vie for the top spot in the county examination, and even if he went, he certainly wouldn't place.

Fortunately, having passed the main examination, he had secured the qualification to participate in the prefectural examination.

Wei Meng and Wu Zhankui exchanged a glance, looking at Wei Guangde, before Wei Meng finally spoke: If you don't want to take it, then don't. At any rate, the county examination is already passed.

The prefectural examination is in April. Although your father and I might not be in Jiujiang by then, you must still go and take it seriously. Your cousin will remain at home and accompany you to the prefectural examination when the time comes.

Wu Zhankui added.

Understood.

Receiving such a response, Wei Guangde was quite content. At worst, when the results were posted, he would simply hang at the very bottom of the list, which was of little consequence.

Uncle, do you think the thousand-household post should have the various century-guards bring all of their bowl-mouth cannons along?

Hearing Wei Guangde say this, Wu Zhankui frowned slightly. Those things are meant for boats; why bring them? They weigh a hundred-odd catties and are cumbersome to transport.

If I weren't afraid of superiors coming around to inspect and tally the equipment, I'd even want to sell those things off for cash.

Old Father Wei chuckled from the side.

Guangde, stop overthinking our affairs and focus your energy on preparing for the prefectural examination instead.

Wu Zhankui certainly did not want Wei Guangde to become distracted and overly concerned with their military expedition. It would be a great injustice if he failed the prefectural examination on that account, hence his reminder.

At that moment, a servant entered from outside to report the arrival of a messenger.

Guangde, continue with your meal; we'll go out and take a look.

Wu Zhankui stood up, spoke to Wei Guangde who was still eating, and led Wei Meng out.