Chapter 48: The Convergence of Three Towns

Three days later.

The military council of Fengqiu County convened on schedule.

There were quite a few attendees: Henan civil and military officials, Hou Xun’s staff, and military officers from the capital garrison were all present. However, in terms of true weight, aside from Zhu Cilang and Liu Zeqing of the Shandong Garrison, the only notable figures were Hu Zichen, a nephew of the Baoding general Hu Dawei, and Jin Shenghuan, under the command of the Huguang general Zuo Liangyu.

Upon seeing these men, Zhu Cilang immediately began to observe them quietly.

Upon learning of Zhu Cilang's victories at Liuyuan Kou and Dongming, both Baoding Viceroy Yang Wenyue and Hu Dawei had become quite proactive.

Two envoys from the Baoding troops in Runing had arrived, representing Baoding Viceroy Yang Wenyue and Regional Commander Hu Dawei respectively.

The former was Yang Dechang, a vice-general under Yang Wenyue. However, following Yang Wenyue's defeat, both his reputation and influence had diminished considerably, making his weight slightly lighter.

What amused Zhu Cilang somewhat was that Yang Dechang's attitude toward him was actually quite favorable. This was presumably because Yang Wenyue and Zhu Cilang both belonged to the civil official faction.

As for Zuo Liangyu, the military inspector attached to his forces had never possessed much ability to restrain the Huguang troops, and after dying in the defeat at Zhuxian Town, he had become entirely nonexistent. Consequently, Zuo Liangyu had not even dispatched a civil official representative.

Yang Dechang, sent by Yang Wenyue, was the vice-general of his own governor’s vanguard camp—an absolute confidant. Hu Dawei had likewise sent a central vanguard vice-general, Hu Zichen. Moreover, Hu Zichen was Hu Dawei’s nephew. Since Hu Dawei’s own son had died at the hands of Zhang Xianzhong, Hu Zichen’s status had become even more crucial.

By comparison, the respect shown by Zuo Liangyu was quite ordinary.

Although Jin Shenghuan was a major general under Zuo Liangyu, and his style name, Huchen, seemed to bear some connection to Hu Dawei, it was merely an uninteresting coincidence. By the same token, only by sending Zuo Menggeng could Zuo Liangyu have done justice to his relationship with Hou Xun.

It must be known that the entire court had consistently pinned high hopes on Hou Xun, expecting him to persuade Zuo Liangyu to fight to the death. Who could have imagined that Zuo Liangyu would send nothing more than a single Jin Shenghuan?

In truth, strictly speaking, not a single one of them had shown genuine deference. As the viceroy commanding three provinces, according to official protocol, Yang Wenyue, Hu Dawei, and Zuo Liangyu should have attended in person to be considered properly respectful.

As it was, the mere fact that only envoys had been sent was already an anomaly.

Even so, Zhu Cilang could perceive that these men maintained relaxed postures, clearly not taking this military council very seriously.

While Zhu Cilang observed the others, the rest naturally observed each other as well. Indeed, a few gazes drifted secretly toward Zhu Cilang's direction. Yet, far more eyes were searching for the empty seat beside him.

That was Liu Zeqing’s seat.

Liu Zeqing had not yet arrived, but everyone soon learned of his whereabouts.

They heard Liu Zeqing’s booming voice echoing from behind the screen, and could even clearly hear the resounding thuds of him patting his chest: "How could this subordinate dare to deceive the Viceroy? In the battle of Dongming, we routed Li Yan and the Red-Skirts. In the battle of Liuyuan Kou, we defeated Dang Shou素 (Dang Shousu). In these two engagements, securing one or two thousand enemy heads is an absolute certainty!"

The moment Liu Zeqing uttered these words, Zhu Cilang saw that Jin Shenghuan, who had previously appeared indifferent, noticeably flicked his gaze.

"A fine performance..." Zhu Cilang sighed inwardly.

With that internal sigh, the assembly watched as Liu Zeqing and Hou Xun walked in, chatting and laughing together.

Zhu Cilang and Liu Zeqing had parted ways after heading north across the Yellow River and entering Fengqiu. He had not expected that Liu Zeqing would receive such profound personal hospitality from Hou Xun. Under normal circumstances—had the real Zhu Cilang not been present—this would have been entirely logical and proper.

Consequently, Yang Dechang, Hu Zichen, and Jin Shenghuan all showed considerable understanding, their expressions turning noticeably more solemn. They knew that Hou Xun was a member of the Donglin Faction, and Zhou Yanru was the representative of the Donglin Faction within the imperial court. Liu Zeqing’s rehabilitation had been brought about precisely through Zhou Yanru’s influence.

Come to think of it, today’s military council could be said to have broken a major precedent in the Great Ming Dynasty.

Although civil officials such as Wang Qianzhi, the Grain-Intendant Circuit Surveillance Vice-Commissioner of Henan, and the Magistrate of Fengqiu participated in the council, the core positions were in reality occupied by military generals. As for Zhu Cilang... everyone naturally assumed that the Shandong Garrison was speaking through Liu Zeqing today.

Hou Xun led Liu Zeqing into the meeting hall, swept his gaze across the gathering, and nodded, noting that everyone had arrived.

With Liu Zeqing’s earlier preamble, the company attached much greater importance to Hou Xun’s military council this time. Accompanied by a soft cough from Hou Xun, everyone sat up straight and looked toward him, the atmosphere finally turning serious.

Seeing this, Hou Xun was quite satisfied. He glanced around the room once more and said in a deep voice, "I presume you are all already aware of the imperial decree issued from above. His Majesty has ordered me to oversee the military affairs of Henan, Sichuan, Huguang, and the regions north and south of the Yangtze River. The purpose is none other than the siege of Kaifeng by Li Zichen, Luo Ruchao, and Yuan Shizhong. I have summoned you military officers here precisely to discuss how to pacify these rebels. Setting aside all else, I swear an oath before you today: until the rebels of Henan are pacified, I shall not withdraw my forces!"

Hou Xun’s words were spoken with resounding force.

In a later era, this would have been the moment for thunderous applause that lingered endlessly.

Yet now, the only ones offering encouragement were Wang Qianzhi, the Henan Grain-Intendant Circuit Commissioner, and You Huawen, the Magistrate of Fengqiu.

"Rest assured, Viceroy. This subordinate will surely make proper arrangements for the rations and provisions needed for the great campaign."

"Rest assured, Viceroy. The military and civilians across Henan will do their utmost to manage the logistical supplies."

"This battle will surely be won!"

Following that came a period of silence. Naturally, Zhu Cilang did not speak. Beside him, Yang Dechang, Hu Zichen, and Jin Shenghuan all remained silent and motionless.

Just as Zhu Cilang twirled the warm teacup in his hands, Liu Zeqing spoke up.

Liu Zeqing declared, "Rest easy, Viceroy as well. My Shandong Garrison first crushed the forces of Li Yan and the Red-Skirts at Dongming, and then repelled the rebels Liu Tuotian and Dang Shousu at Liuyuan Kou. As for pacifying the rebels in Henan, my Shandong Garrison will certainly not fail His Majesty’s sacred mandate!"

As soon as Liu Zeqing spoke, Hou Xun’s face immediately beamed with smiles. He thought to himself that playing host to this grand lord for the past few days had finally yielded results.

Striving to maintain his official dignity, Hou Xun smiled faintly and said, "General Liu’s two great victories have both been reported by this official in a memorial to His Majesty. Since General Liu has achieved such great merit without failing the Emperor’s trust, this official shall likewise not fail the loyal ministers and brave generals who shed their blood upon the battlefield!"

Hearing such emotionally charged and deferential words from Hou Xun, even Zhu Cilang felt an urge to applaud. This Hou Xun truly possessed quite a bit of eloquence.

"It is a minister’s bounden duty, a minister’s bounden duty..." Upon hearing this, Liu Zeqing naturally wore a look of profound agitation and joyous delight.

Upon witnessing this, Yang Dechang, Hu Zichen, and Jin Shenghuan remained completely wooden, like figures carved of stone. Generals of a defeated army—what right had they to speak of valor? That was the genuine sentiment churning within their hearts at this moment.

Seeing this, Hou Xun’s confidence solidified, and he continued, "Now, I must ask General Liu to speak of the results of the two battles and outline the strategy for pacifying the rebels. Since you are the hero of the first victory, even I must listen closely to your opinions."

Zhu Cilang gently stroked his teacup once more.

Thus, Liu Zeqing let out another slight cough, as if deliberating and recalling past events, before finally baring his teeth in a grin toward the assembly, signaling that he was about to speak. (To be continued.)