How can one be Emperor Chongzhen without money?

Chapter 162 Chongzhen's Suppression of Bandits Was Aimed at Prince Jin (Fourth Update, Requesting Monthly Tickets and Subscriptions)

January of the second year of the Chongzhen reign.

The dry cold of northern Shaanxi is like a knife, stinging one's face. In Fugu County, the loess slopes are cracked from frost, and there hasn't been a drop of rain for months.

In the twelfth lunar month, Gao Yingxiang led his troops to Fugu and joined forces with Wang Jiayin, the "leader of the rebel army" who had started an uprising in the seventh year of the Tianqi reign. The two forces combined numbered in the tens of thousands, but in reality, only three or four thousand of them were veteran soldiers capable of fighting.

But before he could even settle in, Sun Chuanting caught up with him.

Two thousand cavalrymen, plus several thousand infantrymen, were densely packed outside Fugu County. Their banners fluttered, and their military bearing was impeccable, a stark contrast to the chaotic scene of the rebel army.

The Yellow River was frozen solid with thick ice, enough for people to walk across. The opposite bank was the territory of Baode Prefecture in Shanxi Province, quiet and deserted, with no discernible number of soldiers or officers.

On a hilltop in Fugu County, there stands a dilapidated mountain stronghold. Half of the stronghold wall has collapsed, and the wind howls as it pours in.

The main hall of the village was packed with people. Smoke swirled around, mixed with the smells of sweat and blood.

Wang Jiayin sat in the tiger-skin chair in the middle, his brows furrowed. Below him were Gao Yingxiang, Zhang Xianzhong who had arrived shortly after Gao Yingxiang, and a group of leaders, some familiar and some not.

"Tell us everything," Wang Jiayin said in a hoarse voice. "Sun Chuanting's pursuers are behind us, and the Yellow River is ahead. Which way should we go?"

One of them, nicknamed "Purple Gold Beam," whose real name was Wang Ziyong, spoke first: "Leader, what's there to discuss? To the east! Cross the Yellow River and enter Shanxi! Shanxi is rich! In Qixian and Taigu, the silver in the cellars of those old rich men is practically moldy! Enough for us brothers to live a life of luxury!"

Many leaders nodded in agreement, their eyes gleaming. They were starving and desperate for a piece of meat to bite into.

Gao Yingxiang didn't say anything, but picked up a stick and brushed away the mud and ash at his feet.

Zhang Xianzhong, who had just been thrown over, leaned against a pillar with his arms crossed and suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Zijinliang, you make it sound so easy. The east? Do you even know who's waiting for us in the east?"

All eyes turned to him. Zhang Xianzhong's face, that of a wicked devil, looked even more ferocious in the firelight.

Wang Jiayin began, “This newly surrendered leader’s real name is Zhang Xianzhong. He was originally a government soldier in Yulin Town. Because of his fierce temper and ruthless methods, the brothers have already respectfully called him ‘Eighth King.’” He paused, “Eighth King, tell me, what kind of formidable government troops are waiting for us on the other side of the Yellow River?”

"Datong Town!" Zhang Xianzhong spat out three words, as if he had smashed three stones. "That brat Chongzhen has been feeding Datong Town a good amount of money! They just fought two battles with Hudun Tu Khan (Lindan Khan) and won both! They slaughtered several thousand Tartar soldiers. Now the soldiers in Datong are arrogant, their generals are fierce, and their morale is high! If we drag our families east now, we're just walking into their trap! We're going to our deaths!"

Wang Ziyong blushed and wanted to retort. Zhang Xianzhong didn't give him the chance and suddenly raised his voice.

"As for turning back... going head-to-head with Sun Chuanting's few thousand new troops would be suicide! He's got two horses, gleaming armor, and sharp muskets! What are we going to fight with? Hoes or wooden sticks?"

He surveyed the area, his gaze fierce. "In my opinion, the north! Only the north offers a way out! We'll cross the Great Wall and enter the Ordos region! I, Zhang Xianzhong, am from Yulin, and I know exactly what those passes on the Great Wall are like! The garrison there is barely better than beggars; they'll scatter at the first charge! The Ordos region is vast and sparsely populated, and the Mongols have been decimated—it's a perfect opening! We'll go there, seize horses, establish a fortified camp, catch our breath, and then the world will be our oyster!"

The lobby fell silent, save for the crackling sound of burning firewood.

Gao Yingxiang, who had been silent all along, threw down his firewood stick and stood up. He walked over to Zhang Xianzhong and patted him on the shoulder.

"Eighth Prince is right." Gao Yingxiang's voice wasn't loud, but it was resolute. "Going east means death, turning back means certain death. Only going north is a path carved out of the blade—dangerous, but it offers the chance to live! I, Gao Yingxiang, will follow Eighth Prince on the northern route!"

Despite receiving Gao Yingxiang's support, Zhang Xianzhong's "northward" strategy still met with widespread opposition.

Going north might make it easier to survive, but you won't get rich!

Only the nouveau riche who went east to fight the Shanxi merchants could get rich!
Wang Jiayin's face was grim. He glanced at the excited crowd, eager to make their fortune in Shanxi, and then at Gao and Zhang, determined to head north. He knew he couldn't control this group.

"Enough!" Wang Jiayin slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair. "Everyone has their own ambitions! Those who are willing to follow me, Wang Jiayin, to Shanxi to live a life of luxury, step forward! Those who are willing to follow the rebel king or the Eighth Prince to the north to make a living, it's up to you!"

The team quickly split into two groups.

Wang Jiayin led a large force to remain at the mountain stronghold, preparing to cross the Yellow River to the east.

Meanwhile, Gao Yingxiang and Zhang Xianzhong's more than a thousand desperados gathered together, moved their camp elsewhere, and prepared to sneak into the mountains and head north.

Beijing, the Forbidden City, the West Warm Pavilion of the Qianqing Palace.

It was warm and cozy. Emperor Chongzhen, dressed only in a blue casual robe, stood before a huge map. The newly appointed Vice Minister of War, Yang Sichang, stood respectfully to his side.

"It has been reported that the bandit Gao Yingxiang's forces have joined forces with Wang Jiayin in Fugu." Yang Sichang pointed to the location on the map. "The bandits' strength has rekindled. I believe that we should immediately order the troops of Datong Town to cross the Yellow River to the west and join forces with Sun Baigu (Sun Chuanting's courtesy name) to launch a pincer attack from the east and west. This way, we can annihilate the bandits on both banks of the Yellow River!"

Emperor Chongzhen looked at the map but did not reply immediately. He moved his finger from Fugu to Baode Prefecture in Shanxi on the opposite bank, and then slowly slid it towards Taiyuan.

"Minister Yang," Chongzhen suddenly asked a seemingly unrelated question, "Where is the Prince of Qin?"

Yang Sichang was taken aback, then hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Qin's carriage has already passed Pingyang Prefecture and will arrive in the capital soon."

"Hmm." Chongzhen nodded, tapping his finger lightly on the location of Taiyuan. "Since the Prince of Qin is almost here, shouldn't my brother, the Prince of Jin, who has lived in Taiyuan for so many years... also make a move?"

Yang Sichang's heart skipped a beat. He looked up at the emperor's youthful profile and instantly understood. The emperor didn't just want to suppress the bandits; he wanted to... use this as a weapon to give the Jin vassal state another good thrashing!

"Your Majesty's wisdom is profound! Your subject... is foolish." Yang Sichang bowed his head deeply. Chongzhen turned around, his face expressionless: "Tell Sun Chuanting that if the bandits flee east into Shanxi, there is no need to stop them forcefully, just follow them. Send them... towards Taiyuan."

"Sir, obey the order!"

……

Sun Chuanting's main camp was set up in a sheltered mountain valley. The camp was neatly arranged, and the watchtowers were heavily fortified.

Niu Jinxing led two men into the central command tent. One was Li Hongji, and the other was Li Guo.

Sun Chuanting, dressed in military uniform, was looking at a map. He raised his eyes when he saw them enter.

"General, the men have been brought." Niu Jinxing bowed and said, "This is Li Hongji from Mizhi, and his nephew Li Guo. They are both good men with extraordinary skills."

Sun Chuanting sized up Li Hongji. Young, capable, with a fierce, defiant air about him, but now he was bowing his head, appearing very submissive.

"I heard from Mr. Niu that you are quite good at riding and swordsmanship?" Sun Chuanting asked.

"Reporting to the General, I... I served horses at the post station and even did some horsemanship," Li Hongji replied cautiously.

Sun Chuanting gestured to his personal guards: "Take him to the training ground outside and test him."

A short while later, the guard returned and reported: "Reporting to the commander, what a promising young man! He's quite skilled at riding a horse and shooting arrows, and he's also very strong!"

Sun Chuanting finally smiled. He looked at Niu Jinxing and said, "Mr. Niu, you have done a good job recommending people." He then said to Li Hongji and his nephew, "Now that you're here, do your job well. The Emperor will not fail those who work hard."

He immediately ordered: "Li Hongji and Li Guo, be incorporated into the cavalry. Li Hongji will temporarily hold the rank of centurion and enjoy the imperial military pay!"

Li Hongji and Li Guo knelt down with a thud.

"Thank you for your guidance, Commander! I will repay you ten thousand times over!" His voice trembled. The Imperial Guard's pay! It was an amount they had never dared to dream of before.

After leaving the main tent, someone led them to collect their armor and weapons. They received brand-new mandarin duck battle robes, heavy waist swords, and a magnificent Hequ horse.

Li Hongji stroked the smooth saddle, his heart filled with mixed emotions. These government troops seemed different from what he'd heard before. Sun Chuanting was also a formidable figure. His earlier thoughts were temporarily suppressed by the tangible benefits he was about to face.

……

A few days later, Sun Chuanting was discussing military matters with Cao Wenzhao and Zhou Yuji.

A scout reports: "General! The bandits have split their forces in Fugu! Wang Jiayin is leading the main force eastward, seemingly intending to cross the river into Shanxi. Gao Yingxiang and Zhang Xianzhong are leading an elite force northward!"

Cao Wenzhao immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute: "General! This is an opportunity not to be missed! Please give me elite cavalry, and I will surely capture Wang Jiayin on the banks of the Yellow River!"

Zhou Yuji also said, "The fleeing bandits to the north should not be allowed to escape; we should divide our forces to pursue them!"

Sun Chuanting pondered for a moment, but before he could speak, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the tent.

A weary knight was led in by his personal guards, knelt on one knee, and held a wooden box wrapped in yellow cloth aloft with both hands.

"His Majesty's secret decree from the capital! Delivered with utmost urgency!"

Sun Chuanting's expression hardened. He took the letter, examined the sealing wax, and then opened it. He quickly scanned it, his gaze gradually shifting from solemn to profound, finally revealing a hint of admiration.

He passed the letter to Cao Wenzhao and Zhou Yuji for them to read.

After reading it, Cao Wenzhao's eyes widened, and he said with some concern, "General, this... forcing them into Shanxi is like letting a tiger return to the mountain. If the bandits wreak havoc in Shanxi and poison the people, it might damage His Majesty's reputation."

Zhou Yuji also frowned, clearly sharing the same concerns.

Sun Chuanting gently stroked his beard and slowly said, "It's not about letting the tiger return to the mountain, but rather... using a wolf to devour a tiger, and using someone else to kill someone."

He walked to the map and pointed to the location of Shanxi.

"When Wang Jiayin entered Shanxi, it was like a hungry wolf breaking into a sheepfold. How could the Prince of Jin's mansion and those gentry who usually acted arrogantly have a good life? They would definitely ask the court for help."

He paused, his voice turning cold: "Then, we can enter Jin in the name of the royal army, and under the pretext of suppressing the bandits, turn Jin into a second Qin vassal state. Wouldn't that be a piece of cake?"

Cao Wenzhao and Zhou Yuji gasped, finally realizing what was happening. The Emperor's plan was truly far-sighted, but it would only bring suffering to the people of Shanxi. However, the Emperor's decree was difficult to disobey, and if this move could reform the Jin vassal state, it might only be a short-term pain for the long-term benefit of the nation.

"As for that band of bandits in the north..." Sun Chuanting pointed to the Hetao region beyond the Great Wall, "The land beyond the Great Wall is bitterly cold, and the Mongols are no pushovers either. Let them fight amongst themselves and wear each other down. Our primary task is to securely devour this piece of fat meat, the Jin region, for the Emperor!"

He turned abruptly and ordered, "Send word! The entire army marches east! Let's give Alliance Leader Wang a proper 'send'!"

"Order!"

(End of this chapter)