Chapter Twenty: Capture Liu Zeqing Alive

Although the proactive withdrawal dealt a heavy blow to Zhu Cilang and nearly caused his total annihilation, it was a self-destructive move that also severely crippled the Shandong Garrison. To say nothing else, the Shandong Garrison had arrived with five thousand combat-ready troops, but the retreat left over a thousand men trapped on the battlefield and another thousand scattered and missing. Now, only a little over two thousand remained gathered here.

And even this was the result of Liu Zeqing’s arduous efforts to rally them.

These remaining two thousand soldiers were shaken by the sudden retreat. The Shandong Garrison was now a force without fighting spirit or morale. Such an army could hardly be blamed for being suppressed by a mere thousand rebels, nearly having their formations shattered, and falling into a full-scale rout. In the end, it was only after Liu Zeqing broke his bank, offering a reward of ten taels of silver per head, that he managed to goad his remaining three hundred personal guards into a final charge, which stabilized the lines.

Even so, when Liu Sheng arrived, the entire Shandong Garrison—including Liu Zeqing’s three hundred guards—was utterly exhausted, both physically and mentally.

Under such circumstances...

Two thousand remnants of the Shandong Garrison stared blankly at four hundred dark, gaping musket barrels.

Just then, a group of rebel soldiers fleeing in a panic ran toward them. One of them, acting as if he had lost his mind, shouted, "Our commander is dead! The rebel army is defeated! Our commander is dead... the rebel army is finished!"

Thud.

Liu Kecheng’s knees suddenly went weak, and he fell to the ground. "I surrender! I won't fight! I’m an imperial soldier!"

Beside him, Ruan Yingzhao felt the world spinning. "It’s over... I’m a dead man..."

Liu Kui, clutching his long saber, stumbled backward repeatedly until he tripped and sat hard on the ground. When Liu Zeqing looked at him, Liu Kui scrambled across the ground on his hands and feet until he touched the leg of a warhorse.

Seeing this, Liu Zeqing’s eyes widened. "That is my mount!"

Liu Kui seemed to realize something; he scrambled up, swung onto the horse, and dug in his spurs. The horse whinnied in pain and bolted away at a wild gallop.

Seeing this, the remaining three hundred guards scattered in chaos. Only a dozen or so, either out of loyalty or having nowhere else to go, asked Liu Zeqing, "Commander... what shall we do?"

"What shall we do?" Liu Zeqing sat slumped on the ground, looking at the four hundred musketeers slowly surrounding them. He sighed, "You followed me through thick and thin, but the riches I promised you can no longer be delivered. Now, bind me. Let me give you one last bit of wealth."

After Liu Zeqing spoke, everyone fell into a heavy silence.

Finally, someone took the lead and lunged forward, reaching for a blade.

Bang!

A musket shot rang out, causing the dozen guards to drop to their knees.

Liu Sheng roared, "Everyone kneel and raise your hands! I don't kill those who surrender! As for Liu Zeqing, no one touch him—I want him alive!"

Just as Liu Zeqing was finally captured by Liu Sheng, Zhu Cilang had finished securing the battlefield with the thousand or so new recruits still able to move.

Through this battle fought by Xu Yanqi, Zhu Cilang could see that all the new recruits and Shandong Garrison soldiers involved had undergone a transformation. Though, this transformation had been bought at the cost of hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

As Zhu Cilang was observing these new recruits, Chang Zhilang suddenly came running over in a rush.

Seeing Chang Zhilang’s panicked expression, as if the end of the world had arrived, Zhu Cilang frowned slightly. "Stay calm, Zihao. What has happened?"

Chang Zhilang gasped for air and said urgently, "My lord! The soldiers guarding the fleet discovered a group of deserters. They are imperial troops, and... and... they are not from our army!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Cilang’s pupils constricted. "Are they from the battlefield at Zhuxian Town?"

Chang Zhilang nodded vigorously!

Zhu Cilang grew anxious. "Take me to them at once!"

Five days ago.

The Battle of Zhuxian Town had commenced.

When Zuo Liangyu bowed down and accepted Ding Qirui’s military orders, everyone was overjoyed, and the entire army rested, preparing for the great battle scheduled for the next day.

But...

That night, something no one expected occurred.

"That day... countless torches were suddenly lit in Zuo’s camp. Then... we saw Zuo Menggeng and his men storm into the stables of our Baoding army. They smashed and fought, and in the end, they snatched away all two thousand three hundred warhorses belonging to our two thousand cavalrymen..."

Zuo Liangyu...

Together with his generals, he had seized every mule and horse in the entire imperial camp that could be taken.

Then, the entire army marched south, without a hint of hesitation.

"When our General Meng Ruhu learned of this, he also withdrew his troops and fled, fighting for the road.

"In the end, only Governor Ding’s troops remained. They received the news last and were the last to retreat. But because they were few in number, Governor Ding fled even faster... I heard that Governor Ding has already taken his personal guard battalion north and re-entered Kaifeng City.

"As for the other generals like Fang Guoan and Yang Dezheng, I haven’t heard much, but they were all fighting for the road to escape. Not a single man in the entire army remained to fight...

"As for the rest, I do not know... I was lucky. I found a boat and saved a few brothers who knew about the situation in other units. As for what the scene in Zhuxian Town became later... I have no idea..."

After listening, Zhu Cilang’s body trembled slightly.

"I understand..." Zhu Cilang stopped his trembling and nodded. "Lao Shiqi, give him ten taels of silver. Ask him if he wants to join our army. If he is still willing to serve as a soldier for the Great Ming, let him stay. If he is not, give him some travel money and let him go."

After Zhu Cilang finished, Lao Shiqi bowed in acknowledgment.

Upon hearing this, the deserter kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you, my lord. I am willing to enlist and serve!"

Under normal circumstances, Zhu Cilang might have had the interest to conduct some ideological work, telling these men that his soldiers were not just serving for rations, but were brave men protecting their homes and country.

But now, having suddenly learned of the catastrophic defeat at Zhuxian Town in Henan, Zhu Cilang had no such mood. He simply waved for them to withdraw.

At this moment, countless pieces of information swirled in Zhu Cilang’s mind.

Closing his eyes, names and locations appeared in his thoughts one after another.

He simulated and deduced various scenarios in his mind, leaving him feeling utterly exhausted.

After a long while, Lao Shiqi spoke to him. Zhu Cilang opened his eyes and saw Zhang Zhen.

Seeing him, Zhu Cilang nodded. "Report. What is the state of the battle in Henan?"

"Yes!" Zhang Zhen hesitated for a moment before beginning to report the information he had gathered.

However, the more he listened, the gloomier Zhu Cilang’s expression became.

This defeat was even worse than he had imagined.