Chapter 52: Is It Just a Matter of a Mere Ration?

At this moment, Yang Chuan cleared his throat lightly and said, “The Art of War by Sun Tzu holds true military wisdom. However, with sufficient preparation, such matters of warfare can certainly be mastered. There is no need for the prefect to worry so much.”

“Oh? May I ask what preparations have been made, and to what extent?” Sheng Zhongquan asked solemnly.

Liu Zeqing finally put on a stern face and said gravely, “I am but a simple soldier, straightforward and clear-eyed. Under my command are four battalion leaders, totaling twelve thousand combat troops, supported by eight thousand auxiliaries. Combat troop rations cost one tael and five qian of silver per month; auxiliaries cost eight qian per month. Additionally, each man receives one shi of rice and wheat monthly. Currently, we lack sufficient weapons and armor. We need to procure twenty thousand suits of armor, fifty thousand blades and spears, nine thousand matchlocks, sixteen flintlocks, and four grand cannons. Since the army is to mobilize, the transport of laborers must also be arranged. Attempting to mobilize all troops of Shandong Town with only eight thousand auxiliaries is impossible. Therefore, at least twenty thousand laborers are required. Once these are prepared, the entire Shandong Town will naturally be motivated to fight bravely without cease.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Chuan slowly nodded and said, “The military’s considerations are sound. I believe this battle can certainly be won. In that case, there is no need for the prefect to worry.”

Sheng Zhongquan nodded uncertainly. Hearing the repeated mention of tens of thousands and thousands from Liu Zeqing, his brow twitched repeatedly, frowning for a while before looking at the three men and asking, “If so, how well have all the military supplies and preparations been arranged?”

At this, both Liu Zeqing and Yang Chuan fell into silence. Zhu Cilang continued sipping his tea, ignoring the gazes fixed upon him.

The subtext between these exchanges was now unmistakably clear, and each party’s attitude was plainly revealed.

The three men’s meaning was obvious: Sheng Zhongquan, as the representative of Shandong, did not wish for Liu Zeqing to lead troops into the Central Plains to fight. After all, Shandong was far from peaceful and was the frontline against the Jian Manchus. Should Liu Zeqing be defeated, chaos would erupt in Shandong, and it would be impossible to restore order.

Yang Chuan, meanwhile, urged Sheng Zhongquan not to worry and not to hinder Liu Zeqing’s advance with Zhu Cilang’s forces. Though seemingly speaking on Zhu Cilang’s behalf, Yang Chuan’s words subtly exposed the logistical difficulties, indirectly targeting Zhu Cilang.

Liu Zeqing’s stance was clear as well: the logistical issues were laid out one by one. If these matters were not properly addressed, he would refuse to obey orders and fight.

Under normal regulations, the troops in Shandong Town belonged to the Ming dynasty. If the commanding general volunteered to enter the Central Plains to relieve Henan, the court would bear the responsibility for supplies and wages.

However, the court had not anticipated Shandong Town volunteering for battle, so no advance arrangements for provisions had been made. It would likely be a matter of whoever suggests it must bear the responsibility. Thus, the logistics and provisions would mostly fall back on the local authorities. In other words, the provincial and local governments in Shandong would have to provide manpower and resources to support Liu Zeqing’s troops moving into Henan.

But judging by Sheng Zhongquan’s attitude, no one in Shandong was willing to contribute.

After this round of back-and-forth, all the blame concentrated on Zhu Cilang.

Clearly, since Zhu Cilang had taken the lead in proposing the expedition, he must bear the burden of supporting Liu Zeqing’s logistics and provisions for the campaign into Henan.

“Finally, the real meat of the matter arrives!” Zhu Cilang sighed softly, hiding his words in his heart, though his face remained grave, as if caught off guard.

The others, witnessing his sigh, naturally thought he had gained the upper hand.

At this thought, Liu Zeqing glanced at Yang Chuan.

Several thoughts raced through Yang Chuan’s mind. Seeing Zhu Cilang remain silent, he snorted inwardly. Did he think staying silent would help him escape responsibility?

Did he believe that simply wielding righteousness would make everyone obey him?

With this in mind, everyone heard Yang Chuan loudly address Sheng Zhongquan, “General Liu’s troops are stationed in Linqing. Naturally, the initial arrangements for rations and supplies should be entrusted to the prefect.”

At Yang Chuan’s words, Zhu Cilang’s face immediately brightened.

Liu Zeqing and Sheng Zhongquan’s faces, however, both darkened.

Sheng Zhongquan then angrily shouted, “Mr. Dongshan! The allocation of rations and supplies is the prerogative of the central court. How can the local government arbitrarily move funds? How can state affairs be treated so lightly? If you want me to take charge of provisioning, then it must be a battle across the sea at Dengzhou, as per court regulations. If so, let General Liu cross the sea eastward! Now that the Jian Manchus ravage beyond the borders, that is where Liu General’s duty lies! If that is the case, I will immediately arrange the necessary supplies!”

Upon hearing this, Liu Zeqing’s face darkened in anger. “I petitioned to quell the chaos in Kaifeng and relieve the people of Henan. How did it become a matter of going beyond the frontier? Should I first enter Kaifeng to arrange supplies? If that is the case, then there is no need to go to Kaifeng at all!”

“General!” Yang Chuan exclaimed, standing up. Yet seeing the furious expressions on both Sheng Zhongquan and Liu Zeqing, he opened his mouth but remained silent after a long pause.

With Yang Chuan’s silence, Sheng Zhongquan firmly rejected any possibility of local provisioning, while Liu Zeqing tore off all pretenses and directly issued his threat.

For a moment, the room fell into a dreadful silence.

Everyone’s peripheral vision darted among each other, while Zhu Cilang bore the brunt of their scrutiny.

At this moment, Zhu Cilang’s face was grave, his expression concealing a complex mix of emotions: anger, helplessness, panic, and profound sorrow.

Suddenly, he recalled Yang Chuan’s mention of Lu Xiangsheng. When the barbarians breached the passes, the court insisted on “pacify internally before expelling externally,” seeking peace with the Jian Manchus. The entire court bowed to power and influence, leaving only Lu Xiangsheng to fight alone. When he fell in battle, Gao Qiqian’s Ming forces lingered for days some miles away.

How similar this was to the present!

When Henan was ravaged by invaders and the very existence of the state was at stake, those so-called elites who had enjoyed centuries of tax exemption in Ming lands thought only of personal gain. Officials of the Ming dynasty, paid by the emperor, obsessed over self-preservation. The court’s military forces imposed countless conditions before approving any campaign.

With this thought, how could Zhu Cilang not be overwhelmed with mixed emotions?

Is this truly the privileged class of Ming—the so-called elite?

Zhu Cilang’s shifting expressions were fully visible to the other three, every nuance laid bare.

Seeing this, the three men inwardly rejoiced, their sharpness from before completely vanished.

After a long pause, Zhu Cilang’s expression returned to normal. Then, with a calmness concealing the weight of a thousand thunderclaps, he spoke in a steady voice.

“There is a hierarchy of urgency. The Jian Manchus ravaging beyond the passes are a scourge upon the people, and we must fight and annihilate them. However!” He paused, exhaling slowly as if releasing all the pent-up bitterness within him. “Relieving Kaifeng is the immediate and most urgent priority concerning the fate of the Ming dynasty. I will not tolerate a moment’s delay!”

“Is it merely the matter of rations, weapons, and transport?” His voice was soft at first, but by the end it thundered with overwhelming authority. “I will accept all of it!”