Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 551 Searching for someone
Xiong Tingbi's eyes squinted, and after a moment's thought, he quickly determined that he had no recollection of the name "Ding Baiying." "Is the man Captain Lu mentioned currently serving in the army?"

"She should be," Lu Wenzhao said with a slight nod. "Before, she told me that she wanted to join the army in Liaodong to serve her country. I originally wanted to introduce her to someone, but I suddenly received an errand and had to leave the capital immediately, so things got delayed. By the time I returned to the capital to report, she had already left the capital. To be honest, I don't know where she went, but I'm sure she has always been ambitious and always kept her word. So I think she should have arrived in Liaodong and joined the army by now."

"Haha," Xiong Tingbi smiled, "So, fellow disciple Ding is also a young talent. Does Captain Lu know which general he intends to join?"

Lu Wenzhao said, "I think she will most likely join the army of General Qin Liangyu, or she may join the army of General Qi Jin."

"General Qin, General Qi," Xiong Tingbi asked with a smile. "Is this fellow Ding from the south?"

"Yes. She is from the south." Lu Wenzhao nodded.

Xiong Tingbi agreed. "Okay! I'll send a note to General Qin today, asking her to help look for him. As for General Qi, he and General Chen are currently in Liaoyang. He'll also come to the banquet later to welcome you two. Captain Lu can ask him at the banquet. If fellow Ding is really in General Qi's army, perhaps Captain Lu can reunite with him today. But if he is in General Qin's army, I'm afraid Captain Lu will have to wait a little longer."

"I would like to thank General Xiong in advance!" Lu Wenzhao bowed deeply to Xiong Tingbi.

"Captain Lu, there's no need to be so polite. It's just a small favor." Xiong Tingbi waved his hand while holding his pocket watch.

"Let's go!" Xiong Tingbi was about to turn around and continue walking out of the courtyard when Yuan Yingtai, who was standing beside him, suddenly thought of something and interrupted. "Captain Lu!"

"What advice does Governor Yuan have?" Lu Wenzhao immediately turned to look at Yuan Yingtai. Xiong Tingbi and Yuan Keli also looked over.

"I'd like to ask you," Yuan Keli said. "Are the three characters 'Ding Baiying' written as 'Ding' in 'Ren Ding', 'Bai' in 'Chan Bai', and 'Ying' in 'Hong Ying'?"

"Have you seen her?" Lu Wenzhao was stunned.

"I've never met him," Yuan Keli shook his head. "But not long ago, I saw the three characters 'Ding Baiying' on an official document."

"Official documents, what official documents?" Lu Wenzhao was stunned, and his heart suddenly tightened. There were not many official documents that could be read by the governor and still leave an impression. "It can't be, it can't be..."

"No, no," Yuan Yingtai keenly realized the source of Lu Wenzhao's nervousness and quickly explained, "It's not what you said, Captain Lu. I saw the words 'Ding Baiying' on the report of merit."

"Oh! So it's an official document reporting merit." Lu Wenzhao breathed a sigh of relief. He then asked, "Then, Governor Yuan, is this document sent from General Qin's army?"

On his way to Liaoyang, Lu Wenzhao had heard that the Zhejiang Zhinan troops under the command of Chen Ce and Qi Jin, though included in the reinforcements personally led by Xiong Tingbi, had remained hunkered down on the south bank of the Hun River, defending the waterway and taking no direct part in the battle. Therefore, it was impossible for them to report their achievements to their subordinates. At most, they would be reported as a whole for their contribution to supporting Shenyang, seeking a reward.

On the contrary, the southwestern chieftain soldiers commanded by Shiqu chieftain Qin Liangyu and Youyang chieftain Ran Jianlong had continuously sent small troops to launch raids on the occupied areas and even the hinterland controlled by Nurhaci during the past two months while the main force was pulling them apart, and they had gained a lot.

Yuan Yingtai shook his head and said, "That official document reporting the achievement was not sent from General Qin. It was sent from General Weining's Marquis Zhenshuai."

"Marquis of Weining Camp?" Lu Wenzhao thought carefully and remembered the corresponding name of "Marquis of Weining Camp." "Is it the hereditary title of Marquis General?"

"It was him." Yuan Yingtai had a good memory and even recalled the details of the report. "If I remember correctly, Marshal Hou reported to 'Ding Baiying' that they had destroyed a stronghold and killed a general. They provided a complete set of tokens: the head of the bandit general, his armor, the flags of the bandit stronghold, and even muskets that had been recovered from the bandit camp and previously confiscated by the bandits. In addition, they rescued two living Han people. The witnesses and evidence are complete, and the Governor's Office has already verified it. We just need to send it to Guangning, and after the inspection by the Inspector's Office, this military achievement can be reported to the Ministry of War."

Because the emperor asked Yang Lian to take on the post of Guangning Dao Fuyi Training Assistant, the Liaodong Circuit Inspectorate was also transferred to Guangning or Yizhou. As a result, all procedures requiring the Liaodong Circuit Inspectorate's signature before proceeding had to be sent to Yizhou.

Furthermore, the Weining Battalion was also within the jurisdiction of the Liaohai Dongning Road, so Hou Shilu's military achievements had to be reviewed by General Xiong Tingbi and Military Supervisor Gao Bangzuo before they could be reported to the Ministry of War. However, Xiong Tingbi had long ago stopped interfering with the verification of achievements.

Xiong Tingbi trusted Yuan Yingtai immensely in this matter. This was because Yuan Yingtai himself detested indiscriminate killing and didn't want Xiong Tingbi's "extermination plan" to affect the Han people who had been abducted and forcibly shaved. Any head sent up that showed even the slightest trace of Han Chineseness would be rejected by Yuan Yingtai. So, once the governor's office had reviewed it, Xiong Tingbi would hastily sign his name, following a well-established procedure. This saved both time and effort.

The provincial governor's inspection process, which should have been the first step, was omitted because Gao Bangzuo was dispatched to Zhenjiang. On the official document sent to the capital, where Gao Bangzuo's signature should have been, there was instead a statement stating that the provincial governor could not inspect the head.

Although the signature of a provincial official was no more important than that of an official in the examination of the first merit, this simplified process could still be subject to criticism. The Ministry of War, the Military Department, and the censors in charge of the examination within the Censorate could all submit memorials to raise objections. Whether or not to proceed with the final decision, and how to proceed, was entirely up to the emperor.

The Emperor could simply reply "I understand" and let the matter go. He could also issue an imperial edict reprimanding the civil officials responsible for verifying the merits for not following procedures and dispatching special commissioners to re-verify the local authorities. He could also write a red-lettered reprimand against those who raised objections and seek to stir up trouble. Because of this last possibility, as long as the materials submitted to the capital were sound and the generals did not subsequently file petitions to protest, the Ministry of War, the Military Affairs Department, and the Censorate were unlikely to make a fuss. Unless factional strife entered the picture,

"Thank you, Governor Yuan, for telling me," Lu Wenzhao said with a puzzled look on his face, "but why did she go to Weining Camp?" Lu Wenzhao had no idea how Ding Baiying could be related to this general from Liangzhou.

Yuan Yingtai seemed to understand Lu Wenzhao's confusion and speculated, "It could be someone else with the same name and surname. There are several Dingjiatun in Liaodong, and there are also many generals with the surname Ding. For example, Ding Xiu, who reported his merits in the same document as this 'Ding Baiying', was an officer under the general of the Weining Camp, and he was the one who was first credited with the victory."

"The report clearly states the route to the bandit's lair, the reconnaissance before the attack, the tactical planning during the attack, and the retreat route after the stronghold was breached—all done by this man named Ding Xiu. This 'Ding Baiying' only killed the general. So, I think this man named 'Ding Baiying' could be a fellow townsman of Ding Xiu, or even his nephew. This situation is very common." "I see." Lu Wenzhao nodded, feeling that Yuan Yingtai's words made sense. A few years ago, he had captured a bandit with the same name and surname as himself.

"Regardless of whether or not there's a duplicate name, just to be on the safe side," Xiong Tingbi assigned the task to Yuan Yingtai without hesitation, "the Governor's Office should send a note to the Weining Camp. Just in case it's true."

"Haha, I'll obey your orders." Yuan Yingtai knew that Xiong Tingbi was being lazy again and ordered him around, but he just chuckled and teased him and did not refuse.

"Then I'll have to trouble you two gentlemen." Lu Wenzhao bowed to Xiong and Yuan one by one to express his gratitude.

"It's okay, don't be so distant. Dalai and I, Old Xiong, get along very well." Xiong Tingbi subconsciously wanted to pat the young man on the shoulder, but as soon as he swung his big hand, he immediately realized that he was still holding the precious pocket watch in his hand.

"Let's go, let's go," Xiong Tingbi said to the three of them after looking at his pocket watch again. "It's getting late. Let's go eat first and don't keep everyone waiting."

"From what Brother Feibai said, it seems that more than just Eunuch Ma was invited here?" Yuan Keli followed and asked.

"Of course, Eunuch Ma won't be the only one coming. While he may not hold a high position, he's still a newly appointed third-rank military advisor. We should at least meet and get to know him." Xiong Tingbi had begun to like Yuan Keli, and his words became more casual. "If we only invite Eunuch Ma, wouldn't that be neglecting both the other generals and you, Yuan Bingxian?"

"How can you say that? Brother Feibai is so thoughtful." Yuan Keli bowed and thanked him, his eyes drifting to the pocket watch again.

"I've been here for almost two years now, so I'm considered a half-landlord. I should definitely show some courtesy." Xiong Tingbi noticed Yuan Keli looking at his palms, and his eyebrows arched involuntarily. His eyes were filled with anticipation.

"Brother Feibai," Yuan Keli pointed at the pocket watch in Xiong Tingbi's hand and asked, "This pocket watch in your hand should be a gift from the emperor, right?"

Xiong Tingbi was immediately overjoyed and said, "Oh! I am so honored by the emperor! I received it suddenly in early March. I was racking my brains to figure out what that old wild boar was doing running around. I didn't expect this reward at all. I knelt down to express my gratitude. It was like dry grass suddenly receiving dew from the sky, and winter trees suddenly welcoming spring rain." Xiong Tingbi humbly praised literature as soon as he opened his mouth, but his complacency was beyond words.

Seeing Xiong Tingbi's expression, Yuan Yingtai couldn't help but raise his brows to the sky. He was filled with resentment and even wanted to roll his eyes at Xiong Tingbi. Since Xiong Tingbi received this prize until now, Yuan Yingtai had witnessed him showing it off no less than four times. Whenever Xiong Tingbi asked questions, either instinctively or out of curiosity, Xiong Tingbi would always describe it in detail.

By now, there was hardly a single official in Liaoyang who didn't know that General Xiong had received such a special reward. Yuan Yingtai even speculated with envy that it wouldn't be long before the entire Liaodong region, and even the slave bandits, would know about General Xiong's special reward.

"I heard from the angel who presented the prize that this item was made by the Imperial Household Department based on tributes from Western monks. It's a recent replica." Xiong Tingbi opened the watch cover and showed Yuan Keli the gem-studded dial. "Ah, Li Qing, you're familiar with Grand Master Xu, so you've probably heard of similar items, right?"

"Of course," Yuan Keli also smiled happily. "And Brother Feibai, I've heard more than just about it. The Emperor also gave me one to take to Korea."

Xiong Tingbi was visibly stunned. "Li Qing also received a reward?"

"Yes, it was when His Majesty was taking his leave. It was placed on the tray brought by Wang Zhangyin together with the Shangfang sword." Yuan Keli described it in detail.

"Can you please come out and let me see you?" Lao Xiong was already over fifty years old, but at this moment he actually had a little competitive spirit.

"Brother Feibai, I'm truly sorry I didn't bring this pocket watch with me," Yuan Keli apologized, bowing. "I heard this treasure's interior is exquisitely crafted, like a carved peach pit, incredibly delicate. I was afraid it might break while riding, and I'd be failing your majesty, so I've kept it in a box wrapped in cotton. I plan to take it out once we reach the capital, and display it in a prominent place so I can admire it whenever I want."

"Heh." Yuan Yingtai suddenly laughed, but he didn't know who he was laughing at.

"Da Lai, what are you laughing at?" Xiong Tingbi turned around with a smile, but his expression seemed a little gloomier.

"I'm not laughing. I just had phlegm stuck in my throat, so I coughed." As if to confirm his statement, Yuan Yingtai coughed again. If the corners of his mouth hadn't turned up, it would still look like he was coughing. But because the corners of his mouth did turn up, it was obvious that he was trying to hold back a laugh but couldn't.

"You have phlegm stuck in your throat, right? I'll call a doctor for you later." Xiong Tingbi gave Yuan Yingtai a blank look.

"No need, I just have some phlegm stuck in my throat. It's not to the point where I need to see a doctor." Yuan Yingtai was really about to lose control.

"We just said, don't treat an illness that's already there, treat it before it's too late. Don't treat a disorder that's already there, treat it before it's too late." Xiong Tingbi said unyieldingly, but he also put away his pocket watch. "Governor Yuan, your health is important. Don't be shy about seeing a doctor."

"Hahaha" Yuan Yingtai suddenly laughed out loud. He had indeed been envious because he had not received any special rewards from the emperor, but at least at this moment, seeing Xiong Tingbi suffer a setback, Yuan Yingtai was still very happy.

(End of this chapter)