Sweep Yuan

Chapter 151 Arrival in Luzhou, Junbi Surrenders the City

The administrative center of Luzhou Road, Hefei City, the residence of General Zuo Wu of Wuyi.

Zuo Junbi, the second son of Zuo Wu, finished his patrol duties for the day and dragged his tired body back to his residence. As soon as he arrived at the gate, he saw Song Xiang, the registrar of the Luzhou Road General Administration, come out from inside. Registrar Song had a solemn expression, gave Zuo Junbi a perfunctory bow, and then hurried away.

Seeing that Song Xiang was in a hurry and seemed to have a heavy burden on his mind, Zuo Junbi frowned and asked:

"What brings Registrar Song to my house today?"

A gatekeeper had already come forward, took the reins from Zuo Junbi's hand, and replied in a low voice:

"Second Young General, the Red Flag rebels have invaded Luzhou, and Liang County is in dire need of help. The Grand Master (referring to the Luzhou Circuit Commander) has sent Registrar Song to inquire about the General's injuries..."

Upon hearing this, a layer of frost immediately appeared on Zuo Junbi's resolute face, and he cursed:

"Ask? Ask my ass! In the past two years, Father fought for the court to eliminate the rebel Peng Zu family. He was trapped in twelve battles and suffered more than twenty wounds. When he was seriously injured and unable to get out of bed, when did Tang Guanfu ever send anyone to inquire about him? Now that the Red Flag rebels have arrived, he suddenly remembers Father?"

"Too late! In my opinion, this great fortune has run its course; these officials will be slaughtered by the thieves sooner or later!"

Zuo Wu, courtesy name Jizhi, was the seventeenth son in his family. He was a hereditary commander of a thousand households. Because of his meritorious service in suppressing the rebel army of Peng Zu, the Yuan court promoted him to the rank of Wuyi General.

He had three sons. His eldest son, Junmei, made a living by fishing, while his second son, Junbi, and his third son, Junfu, served in the army under Zuo Wu.

Zuo Junmei claimed to be a fisherman, but in reality, he used the reputation of General Wuyi to expand his family's business and secretly cultivate his family's armed forces. He owned dozens of boats, directly controlled more than two hundred fishermen, and operated (monopolized) the fish trade without having to go fishing on the lake himself.

Although it was a cushy job where one could sit back and collect money, the fact that he was engaged in such a lowly profession cut off his path to inheriting a military post.

Of the three sons, Zuo Junbi was the most outstanding. He was groomed by Zuo Wu as the family heir from an early age. However, in the past two years, this "second young general" has become increasingly contemptuous of the court and often makes arrogant remarks such as "the Great Yuan is about to perish".

Da Yuan was terminally ill and would die sooner or later; anyone with eyes could see that.

But the gatekeeper was of low status and dared not take on this dangerous topic, so he hurriedly led the horse to the stable to feed it hay.

Although Zuo Junbi was a willful young master, he had a lot of personal charm and did not make things difficult for his servants. He went directly to his father Zuo Wu's bedroom.

In the bedroom, the strong scent of herbs could not suppress the faint, sweet, fishy smell of decaying flesh wafting from the sickbed. The once vigorous and powerful General Zuo Wu was now ashen-faced, buried deep in the quilt, each breath accompanied by the rattling sound of phlegm from a broken bellows.

His wife, Madam Ma, was sitting on the edge of the bed, seemingly having just finished crying, her face etched with unconcealed sorrow.

"Mother, Father today—"

Zuo Junbi tiptoed to the bedside, about to ask his father about his health today, when Zuo Wu heard his second son's voice and slowly woke up.

"Erlang is back?"

Zuo Wu opened his eyes with difficulty, his throat making a hoarse sound. He struggled to sit up, but was too weak to support his heavy body.

"Help...help me up."

"Father!"

Zuo Junbi carefully helped his father up. Before Zuo Wu could even sit up straight, he coughed violently, and a mouthful of blood splattered from his lips.

Madam Ma hurriedly stepped forward to wipe away the tears. Women find it hardest to face such pain of impending separation and death; tears immediately streamed down her face. Zuo Wu, preoccupied with his own affairs, saw his wife in this state and felt even more annoyed that she was causing him trouble. He waved his hand, panting, and said:

"You...you go out first! Cough...cough...I have something to say to Erlang!"

After Madam Ma left and closed the door, Zuo Wu closed his eyes to rest for a moment, regaining some strength, before opening them again and speaking in a low, hoarse voice:

"The Red Flag bandits... invaded Liang County... General Tang urged me to send troops... cough... cough... I have already agreed."

Liang County is the northeastern gateway to Hefei and the closest city to Hefei. It cannot be lost. However, Zuo Wu's physical condition is extremely bad. He is lying on his bed, barely clinging to life. It is unknown whether he can live to see next month. Forcing the troops out is clearly a desperate attempt to risk his life.

Hefei is currently beset by internal and external troubles. If it loses Zuo Wu, its pillar of stability, turmoil is bound to ensue.

With the Yuan Dynasty on the verge of collapse, Zuo Junbi didn't really care whether Hefei would descend into chaos. His only concern was what would become of the Zuo family, who had enjoyed wealth and power for so many years, once his father passed away. He urgently wanted Zuo Wu to retract his decision and advised him:

"Father's injuries were serious, but he has shown some improvement recently and needs to rest. How could he—"

After Zuo Wu finished speaking, he started snoring again, but his withered right hand gently patted the back of his second son's hand, signaling Zuo Junbi to be quiet and listen to him explain in detail.

After a while, Zuo Wu felt a little better and said again:

"Erlang... the Mongol Tartars... have lost all the hearts of the people... their reign of a hundred years is only due to the legacy of Emperor Shizu... cough cough... Hefei is now under attack from the north and south by the Pengzu family and the Red Flag bandits, and external support has been cut off... it will fall sooner or later... the Red Flag bandits are powerful... cough... whether we save them or not... we can't hold Liang County either..."

This military expedition, however, is not for... the imperial court, but for... cough cough cough... the Zuo clan!

Seeing his father hanging by a thread, yet still racking his brains over the rise and fall of the family, Zuo Junbi felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He couldn't bear to interrupt Zuo Wu any longer, so he could only pat his father's back and nod silently, indicating that he was listening attentively to his father's teachings.

"The Zuo family's current wealth and status are entirely due to our ancestor's leadership of the army to revolt when the Song Dynasty fell... Erlang, you must remember this..."

Zuo Wu's cloudy eyes were fixed on his second son, as if afraid that Zuo Junbi might miss a word, and he said solemnly:
"In chaotic times... only the troops under one's command and the territory beneath one's feet... are the foundation for a true man's survival! Everything else... is vain! Cough cough cough!"

Zuo Wu's words were almost like his dying instructions. Zuo Junbi, recalling his father's former robust figure, unconsciously had tears welling in his eyes. He nodded heavily and said:
"Father, rest assured, your son... will keep it in mind!"

"There are many unruly and unruly men in the army... If I were to leave... even if you inherited my position... and joined forces with Sanlang... it would be difficult to control these people in a short time... cough! cough! My expedition this time is for Erlang... to eliminate these troubles!"

Zuo Wu poured his heart and soul into every word he wrote.

Remembering that his father had risked his life for the court, and in the past two years had he fought bravely against the enemy without regard for his own safety, and had never shown any disloyalty to his three brothers, yet on his deathbed, he was willing to tarnish his reputation for the sake of the family's survival, Zuo Junbi was overcome with grief and wept:
"Your son does not wish to inherit your father's official position. He only begs for Heaven's mercy, that I may exchange my lifespan for your health and well-being!"

Zuo Wu struggled to raise his hand and wipe away the tears on Zuo Junbi's face, forcing a bitter smile:
“Foolish child, life and death are predestined. If I die… then I die… but I can’t bear to leave you all… In this chaotic world… if you don’t advance, you die! Even if you want to hide… once the bandits Peng and the Red Flag Bandits break through the city… how can they spare you?… Of your three brothers… only you have had your own opinions since childhood… I know you… and you can understand…”

His breathing suddenly quickened, and he forced himself to speak, saying:
"Today... I'll only give you two instructions..."

Seeing that his father seemed to be experiencing a final burst of energy before death, Zuo Junbi felt a pang of anxiety and quickly leaned closer to listen intently.

"Father, please speak; I am ready to listen!"

"The Peng family... wreaked havoc in Huaixi... countless bandits died by my blade... if you are truly... powerless to fight them... you must not surrender to them... I have heard that the Red Flag bandit Shi Shan... has an extraordinary bearing... you can... secretly investigate... but no matter where you surrender..."

Zuo Wu used all his strength to grab his second son's wrist and said:

"You must... firmly grasp military power! Never... allow yourselves to be controlled by others! Remember! Remember!!!"

Having said that, Zuo Wu wearily closed his eyes. "Father—"

Zuo Junbi was about to shout when he felt his father's hand still moving. After a while, Zuo Wu regained some strength and murmured with his eyes closed:
“Eldest brother…though he is not very capable…I sent him to fish on the lake…and he has many sons of soldiers under his command…who can be of use…You three brothers…must work together with one heart…you and third brother…in the city…he is in the water…only then can you support each other…If Chaohu is lost—”

"Father!"

Zuo Junbi's heart sank. He hurriedly reached out to check Zuo Wu's breathing and learned that although his father was exhausted and had no strength left, he was still clinging to life because of his deep attachment to the future of the family.

In chaotic times, one either advances or dies! Zuo Junbi finally understood the weighty meaning of these words. He stood up abruptly, his eyes no longer filled with fear, but instead with the determination to shoulder the heavy responsibility of his family.

The following day, the Yuan army in Luzhou Road swore an oath before setting out on their campaign.

Despite his severe injuries, Zuo Wu forced himself to sit upright in Kongming's chariot and inspected the demoralized army. He didn't say much, but simply ordered his second son, Zuo Junbi, to distribute the funds for the expedition. He then personally led three thousand soldiers towards Liang County.

Due to low morale and a lack of cohesion, the Yuan army only marched fifteen li that day and hastily set up camp before the Shenshi hour (3-5 PM).

Before long, General Zuo Wusheng gathered his generals in his tent.

The flickering firelight in the brazier inside the tent illuminated Zuo Wu's face, making it appear as if it were gold paper. His gaze swept over the generals like that of a hawk, and suddenly, citing "fear of the enemy and failure to advance, which undermines morale," he sternly ordered the immediate execution of six arrogant generals, including Huang Heng, the commander of a thousand troops.

The subordinates of these men were quickly divided up by Zuo Wu and incorporated into the ranks of Zuo Junbi, Zuo Junfu, and their confidants Zhang Huan and Yin Congdao.

Huang Heng's personal guards, numbering over three hundred, were dissatisfied and attempted to cause a disturbance to demand an explanation from General Wuyi, but they were ruthlessly killed by Zuo Junbi and others who were prepared in advance.

More than a tenth of the three thousand troops were lost before they even faced the enemy.

Zuo Wu was kind to his soldiers, especially to the lower-ranking officers. Today, after the massacre, the soldiers realized the iron-fisted nature of the Zuo family. The entire army was terrified and fell silent, no longer daring to question the actions of the Zuo family.

After this series of swift and decisive actions, in just one day and one night, the troops of Luzhou Road were quietly transformed from the imperial army into Zuo's private army—if Zuo Wu could hold out for a few more months.

Unfortunately, human effort is ultimately no match for fate. Zuo Wu coughed up three liters of blood that very night and passed away suddenly.

Zuo Junbi suppressed his grief and kept the news of the death a secret. He pretended that the Red Flag rebels were in great trouble and the enemy's morale was wavering. He "complied" with the generals' request and falsely issued Zuo Wu's order, claiming that Liang County had been captured and the Red Flag rebels would arrive soon. He then ordered his troops to retreat to Hefei immediately.

Unaware of what was happening, the soldiers guarding the city hastily opened the city gates.

As the chaotic army surged in, Zuo Junfu immediately led his personal guards to kill the gatekeepers and seize the city gate. Zuo Junbi then personally led his elite troops, like tigers released from their cages, straight towards the governor's mansion.

Amidst the flashing swords and blood staining the courtyard, nine high-ranking civil and military officials, including the Chief Administrator of Luzhou Road, were beheaded in an instant.

Zuo Junbi immediately ordered the entire army to change their flags, wrap themselves in red turbans, declare their uprising, and join the Red Turban Army's Red Flag Battalion.

Hefei, a major city in western Anhui, has changed hands!
The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the land—the world was shaken!
……

"General Zuo Junbi of Hefei bows deeply and respectfully submits this letter to Marshal Shi:"

Marshal's illustrious name resounds like thunder! Since raising his righteous army in Xuzhou and Sishui, he has held high the banner of rebellion, punished tyranny and cruelty, and rescued the people from their dire straits. Although Junbi is in a remote corner of Huaixi, he yearns to join him and regrets that he could not join his banner sooner...

The marshal's benevolence extends to all living beings. He breaches cities without looting, committing no offenses whatsoever… Wherever he goes, elders offer him food and drink, not out of fear of war, but out of gratitude for his benevolence. Such a kingly army, such acts of benevolence and righteousness, are rarely seen throughout history…

Hefei, a vital town in Huaixi, should have been protecting the region. However, the Tartar officials were greedy and tyrannical, treating the people like enemies. They even wanted to use exhausted soldiers to defy the Marshal's authority, in order to preserve the loyalty of their lackeys... Junbi, whose family had lived in this area for generations, could not bear to see his hometown suffer further calamity, so he rose up in rebellion...

My heart and my will are as clear as heaven and earth. This is not for personal gain through military power, but for protecting the borders and ensuring the safety of the people, in accordance with the will of heaven and the will of the people. I am willing to offer my humble service in Hefei, to serve you as a loyal servant, to follow in your footsteps, Marshal, and together we will slay the Tartars and restore China. I humbly beseech you, Marshal, not to despise my lowly status and to accept my humble sincerity…”

Riding on the momentum of his great victory at Chuzhou, Shishan marched into Liang County, intending to take advantage of the weakened military strength of Luzhou Road to carry out a strategy of besieging the city and attacking reinforcements. He planned to first severely damage the Hefei garrison under the walls of Liang County, so that the Red Flag Battalion could drive a firm foothold there.

As for taking advantage of the situation to seize Hefei?

Shishan is not arrogant enough to do that. Hefei is an important town in Huaixi, with strong city walls, deep moats, well-trained soldiers and sufficient food. It is not something that can be obtained easily.

But things are unpredictable. Zuo Junbi turned the tables on him and, taking advantage of the Red Flag Army's advance, launched a coup, killed Yuan officials, and established his own power base. In the blink of an eye, he became the "general" with the most troops under the Red Flag Army and who occupied a fortified city!
Liang County, Shishan Xingyuan.

Shi Shan put down the letter of surrender sent by Zuo Junbi, his gaze sweeping over the row of blood-stained heads of civil and military officials from Luzhou Road in wooden boxes on the ground. A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips as he said:
"Hehe, so we've... become the masters of Luzhou Road?"

Standing to the side, Pu Daoren sighed inwardly. Zuo Junbi's move had turned what was originally a promising situation of the Northern and Southern Red Turbans joining forces to take Luzhou Road into a dangerous game of confrontation between the North and South, with Zuo Junbi reaping the benefits.

Fearing that Shi Shan might be overwhelmed by this unexpected windfall, the man warned him in a deep voice:

"Marshal, you are wise! Zuo Junbi's plan is a classic case of using one enemy to devour another. His intention is clearly to lure our Red Flag Battalion into a trap and use them to fend off the advance of Peng Zu's army. It is a brilliant scheme!"

Shishan had already anticipated this and had adjusted his mindset, saying loudly:
"It's alright! Although my Red Flag Battalion and Xu Song have different principles, some friction is inevitable. However, the overall situation of jointly resisting the Yuan Dynasty remains unchanged, and there is still a basis for us to cooperate. As for Hefei..."

His gaze swept over the severed head on the ground again, and he chuckled:

"This was never meant to be mine, but today I've gained 'reputation' without firing a single shot. It's not a bad thing after all. Cao Zhen!"

"The general is here!"

Cao Zhen stepped forward upon hearing the sound.

The Red Flag Battalion expanded its ranks repeatedly, and the generals rose in rank accordingly. Cao Zhen had long since been promoted to squad leader, but because he had failed to gain merit in numerous battles, he had not been able to advance further. Shi Shan, intending to promote him, gave him a lucrative position, pointing to the wooden box on the ground, and said:

"Do you dare to take these heads to the walls of Liang County and persuade the garrison to surrender?"

Cao Zhen was slightly less talented, but he was loyal and diligent. He knew that this was a promotion bestowed upon him by the marshal, so he immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute and spoke in a booming voice:

"This humble general thanks the Marshal for his grace and would never dare to fail to repay his kindness even unto death!"

Although Liang County had over a thousand garrison troops, they could not withstand the battle-hardened Red Flag Battalion. After seeing the heads of high-ranking officials such as the Governor of Luzhou Road, and confirming that the soldiers and civilians of the county had surrendered the city to the Red Flag Battalion, the remaining fighting spirit of the Liang County garrison collapsed instantly.

After a brief commotion, the city gates were finally opened, and Liang County changed hands.

The army entered the city, and the dust settled.

Shi Shan turned around, his gaze sweeping across the group of guards behind him like lightning, and said:
"Since Zuo Junbi has pledged allegiance, we must clarify the hierarchy and determine who is in charge. A few heads cannot buy the protection of my Red Flag Battalion! Does any of you dare to enter the tiger's den in Hefei and send Zuo Junbi to Liang County in person to pay homage?"

Before the words were finished, a lean and burly man stepped forward from the crowd, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light, and clasped his hands in a fist salute that shook the roof tiles:

"I, Xu Da, am willing to go to Hefei and persuade General Zuo to move there!"

(End of this chapter)