Sweep Yuan

Chapter 280 Seeking a Good Opportunity: Guo Zhen Enters the Game
Shi Shan knew that when dealing with veteran generals from outside forces like Zhao Pusheng who brought their followers to join him, he needed to show sincerity, give them enough respect and trust, and also clearly define his bottom line on matters of principle. Only in this way could the relationship with the other party last.

“I know you are proficient in both land and naval warfare, and this time you have brought dozens of warships. It is only right and proper that you continue to command the navy.”

However, our army already has the Yangtze River Fleet and the East China Sea Fleet. Establishing another naval force would create system overlap and place too much pressure on logistical support, which we are currently unable to support. Therefore, we have no choice but to ask Pu Sheng to temporarily accept the land-based division. Are you willing to accept this?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pusheng felt little emotion. He had started his career in land warfare when he followed his master Peng Yingyu in raising an army in Luzhou Road, and it wasn't until the Battle of Xiaogushan, where he captured a large number of Yuan warships, that he transitioned into a naval commander.

Most of his older brothers were "latecomers" to the profession, having spent half a year honing their skills on rivers and lakes. He didn't really have a strong attachment to whether or not he should stay in the navy.

Moreover, with the Xu Song regime on the verge of collapse, he led his remaining troops to break out of the encirclement. Although the world was vast, there was almost no place for him to stand. Marshal Shi's willingness to open his arms and accept him and his men was already a great favor. How could Zhao Pusheng dare to have any further improper thoughts?
He immediately clasped his hands in a fist and said earnestly:

"Marshal, you flatter me! I am but a rough man, and I am deeply grateful that you have taken me under your command. Whether it is the navy or the land forces, as long as I can follow you to kill the Tartars, I will have no complaints!"

Shi Shan nodded slightly, quite satisfied with Zhao Pusheng's attitude.

However, the reason he didn't let Zhao Pusheng stay in the navy wasn't because he "couldn't afford to support him"—both the Yangtze River Navy and the East China Sea Navy were expanding recently, so absorbing Zhao Pusheng's small number of men was no problem at all. Rather, it was because it was difficult to arrange for him to stay.

The Yangtze River Navy has been established for a long time, and a path for the tiered training of officers has been initially formed. It is not lacking in mid- to high-level military commanders.

The East China Sea Fleet is indeed lacking mid- to high-ranking officers, but naval warfare is vastly different from river warfare. Given the speed at which the East China Sea Fleet is being built, there is no need to consider competing with Fang Guozhen for control of the sea in the short term.

If Zhao Pusheng is assigned to the East China Sea Fleet, it would be tantamount to leaving him idle, failing to maximize his value, and making it difficult to set a good example and attract more talents from other departments to join.

More importantly, it stemmed from Shishan's prediction of the course of history.

The Xu Song regime may seem to be on the verge of collapse at this moment, but in the original historical timeline, its vitality is extremely tenacious. It will soon be revived and will inevitably clash with the Red Flag Battalion, which also has its sights set on Jiangnan. Especially in the water-rich areas of Jiangxi and Huguang, a naval battle between the two sides is inevitable.

If Zhao Pusheng were to hold a key position in the Red Flag Battalion's navy at that time, regardless of whether he was sent to confront his former comrades, he would be placed in an awkward and difficult situation. This would not only be a torment for Zhao Pusheng but could also bring unnecessary risks to the Red Flag Battalion.

As for whether Xu and Song will make a comeback, there is absolutely no doubt about it.

The Red Flag Battalion has already entered Jiaxing Road, and Hangzhou is in grave danger. Once the Yuan army breaks through Qishui, it will have formally completed the task of "annihilating Xu and Song" and will immediately attack the Red Flag Battalion. It is impossible for them to stay in Jinghu to wipe out the enemy and maintain stability.

In this way, a large number of Xu Song remnants will inevitably escape this calamity, and they will rise up again as soon as the storm passes. With Shishan continuously drawing away the main force of the Yuan army, the speed of Xu Song's resurgence will be even faster than in the original historical timeline.

From this perspective, the Red Flag Battalion's capture of northern Zhejiang was indeed a case of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao," which created favorable conditions for Xu and Song to rise again.

But these are things that will happen in the future, and it is neither appropriate nor possible to tell Zhao Pusheng. Shishan only needs to exchange sincerity for sincerity.

"Good, you are very understanding and righteous, so you will temporarily join the Moon Guard."

Zhao Pusheng had previously been in contact with the Red Flag Battalion and had a general understanding of the Moon-Holding Guard, but Shishan still patiently explained to him:
"The Moon Guard is my personal army. Here, you can quickly familiarize yourself with our military discipline, orders, and combat system. Once you have completed your training, I will assign you to two garrisons. If you can achieve great merit, I will reserve the banner of the Right Guard of the Army for you."

"The Right Guard of the Army?!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Pusheng was visibly shaken.

At the end of last year, Yu Que captured Tongcheng. After Zhao Pusheng was rescued by Fenwu Guard, he recuperated in Luzhou for a period of time and gained a general understanding of the organization of the Red Flag Battalion. He knew what power and trust a guard meant!
Although this post still requires military merit to earn, he has faced many strong enemies and fought many tough battles since he raised his army. He is least afraid of fighting and making meritorious contributions.

Zhao Pusheng originally only asked for a place to settle down and make a living. He would be lucky if he could retain some of his old subordinates. He never expected such a high position.
Overwhelmed with joy, he instinctively knelt down on one knee again, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:
"This humble general is unworthy of such trust from the Marshal! I, Pusheng, will certainly do my utmost to repay the Marshal's kindness!"

Shi Shan reached out and helped him up, looking intently at Zhao Pusheng, his words full of encouragement and expectation:

"In the Battle of Xiaogushan, you captured Xingji, the Pingzhang of Jiangxi Province, and decisively defeated 20,000 Mongol and Han naval forces. Your fame has already spread throughout the land. What is even more remarkable is that since you raised your army, you have suffered repeated defeats and setbacks, yet you have never forgotten your ambition to sweep away the Yuan and restore the Han!"
For this loyalty, courage, and perseverance alone, you are worthy of the heavy responsibility entrusted to you on behalf of the Han people who yearn for restoration! I hope you will not fail this ambition, fight bravely against the enemy, and not let the blood of your master and a million Red Turban brothers be shed in vain!

These words struck Zhao Pusheng's heart like a heavy hammer.

Later generations, knowing the history, felt that the Xu-Song resurgence was only natural.

But Zhao Pusheng, who was in the midst of it all, witnessed the tragic events that had occurred repeatedly over the past fifteen years since his master Peng Yingyu and Zhou Ziwang started their uprising in Yuanzhou in the fourth year of the Zhiyuan era (1338 AD).
It is a tragic story of countless believers shouting "Maitreya descends to earth" only to fall under the swords of the Yuan army!

It is the endless regret of Master Peng Yingyu, who ultimately shed blood on the battlefield and whose grand ambitions were thwarted!

The reason why Zhao Pusheng still came to search for Shishan in dire straits was that he had already been disillusioned with the illusory "Maitreya Pure Land". However, his obsession with sweeping away the Mongol Yuan and avenging his fallen comrades had long been ingrained in his bones and blood, and he dared not forget it.

Shi Shan's mention of "the blood of a million Red Turban brothers" was a wake-up call to Zhao Pusheng, reminding him of the heavy responsibility on his shoulders. A surge of emotion, a mixture of sorrow, fervor, and a sense of mission, welled up within him, bringing tears to his eyes and choking him. He could only clasp his hands tightly once more and hoarsely say:
"The Marshal's trust and kindness are beyond compare... I can only repay him with my frail body, my blood and brains, and my death!"

Zhao Pusheng was unaware that Shishan's generous offer of a garrison was not merely due to his personal ability and achievements, but also to the long-term strategic plan.

As the first regime to raise the Red Turban banner, establish a nation, and truly practice the White Lotus sect's beliefs, the Xu Song dynasty had a strong appeal among the common people and many White Lotus sect believers, and its foundation and talent pool should not be underestimated.

Militarily, Shishan has already gained the upper hand. Once it has completely absorbed northern Zhejiang, it will be able to sweep across the south of the Yangtze River and defeat Xu and Song in a head-on confrontation will be no problem at all.

However, after defeating Xu and Song, the key to whether the Red Flag Battalion can maintain long-term stability in Jiangnan lies in how to effectively integrate their former territory, how to win over Xu and Song's former subordinates, and thus truly unite the hearts and resources of the people in Jiangnan.

Shishan had previously promoted Li Xixi, Mao Gui, and others from the Sesame Li faction, and now he has promoted Zhao Pusheng from the Xu Shouhui faction. This is undoubtedly a declaration to all potential defectors:
Marshal Shi has a heart that embraces all corners of the world. As long as you have talent and virtue and sincerely submit to him, no matter where you come from or what your past experiences are, you can be treated "equally" in the Red Flag Battalion and have a stage to realize your ambitions!
Of course, Shi Shan still needed to personally oversee the Right Guard of the Army. He wanted Zhao Pusheng to feel a sense of belonging, but also to break up his old troops and place his own people in key positions to firmly control the army's command and prevent him from spreading the Maitreya belief in the army—never test people's hearts in chaotic times.

The day after Shi Shan began arranging Zhao Pusheng's affairs, another unexpected situation distracted him. Chang Yuchun, who was on the front line in Jiaxing, urgently reported that Qing Tong, the Pingzhang Zhengshi of Jiangzhe Province, had sent an envoy to request an audience with Marshal Shi!

Recalling the previous incidents of Zhao Lian, the Vice Minister of Huainan Province, being detained when he was sent to Hefei, and the Yuan Dynasty envoy to Fang Guozhen being ambushed and killed on the way, Qing Tong had clearly learned his lesson this time and dared not send a high-ranking provincial official to take the risk again. He only sent a fifth-rank Left Assistant Minister.

Their intentions were self-evident; they were nothing more than seeking "amnesty."

The Red Flag Battalion is at the height of its power, Jiaxing Road is within reach, and the army is about to advance on Hangzhou. How could Shishan possibly accept the offer of amnesty at this time?
It's likely that Qing Tong has already received news that the Yuan army in Jinghu is about to capture the "capital" of Xu Song. Sending an envoy now is simply an attempt to buy time, hoping to hold out until the main force of the Yuan army in Jinghu returns, and then plan to encircle the Red Flag Camp. Shi Shan is not like Xiang Pulue, Peng Yingyu, and others who hastily attacked Hangzhou last year. His current political prestige and military strength already make him the undisputed number one "rebel king," and he has no need to rush to capture Hangzhou, the provincial capital, to prove himself.

Moreover, in his strategic plan, he did not want to enter Hangzhou Road too early to engage in a decisive battle with the main force of the Yuan army in the Jiangzhe Province, which was waiting in full battle array, before completely taking over Huzhou, Jiaxing, and Songjiang and consolidating his flanks and rear.

As for the main force of the Yuan army in Jiangnan, which is far away in Jinghu, Shishan is not afraid—even if they have now wiped out Xu Song, it is impossible for them to return to Jiangzhe Province within a few days.

Qing Tong's sudden dispatch of an envoy to beg for mercy was exactly what Shi Shan wanted. He also wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to feign compliance with the other side and buy more time for his side to conquer cities and consolidate newly occupied territories.

Last year, in order to stabilize the Yuan army in Huainan and buy time to digest the fruits of victory, Shishan pretended to accept the offer of amnesty. At that time, in order to prevent internal chaos, he also specially convened a meeting of core civil and military officials to unify their thinking.

However, neither side showed any sincerity in negotiating, and the war would not stop even while negotiations were taking place. Therefore, Shishan did not convene any more civil and military officials for discussions, but instead sent Chen Ji, a doctor from the Marshal's Office, to contact the envoy, find out the truth, and deal with him.

What Shishan didn't know was that Qingtong's desire for peace talks was indeed stronger and more urgent than ever before.

This was not only because the Red Flag Battalion had reached the gates of Hangzhou Road, but the expected Yuan reinforcements from Jinghu were nowhere to be found; it was also because the backyard of Hangzhou Road was already on fire.

— Fang Guozhen, this fickle and shameless pirate, has once again raised an army against the Yuan Dynasty and has already captured Linhai County, the seat of Taizhou Road!
In Qing Tong's view, Fang Guozhen's decision to launch another uprising at this moment was simply incomprehensible and a death wish.

However, from Fang Guozhen's perspective, there is a clear logic to it:

First, the Yuan envoy was ambushed and killed by a Red Flag Battalion soldier near Huangyan, his territory, and he could not clear his name no matter how hard he tried.

More importantly, there was no mutual trust between him and the Yuan court to begin with. The cooperation was only possible to deal with the common enemy, Shishan. After the incident of the envoy being killed, the relationship between the two sides had actually broken down again.

Secondly, the Red Flag Battalion expanded too quickly. Before the Yuan court could repair its relationship with Fang Guozhen, Shishan had already captured Zhenjiang and Changzhou, swept through Suzhou Prefecture, and controlled Kunshan, the key hub of the sea transport route. The Yuan court lost its biggest bargaining chip to win over Fang Guozhen—the position of the Director of the Sea Transport Route.

Ultimately, in times of chaos and strife, strength is what matters most.

Fang Guozhen could not stand idly by and watch Shishan annex the entire northern Zhejiang region, and with its army approaching Taizhou Road, he was forced to return to the sea.

He must seize this golden opportunity, with the Yuan army in Jiangsu and Zhejiang firmly tied down by Shishan and unable to attend to other matters, to take the initiative and capture more cities and territories in order to accumulate enough capital to gain a more advantageous position in the future struggle with Shishan.

Qing Tong made a fatal mistake and was immediately caught in a pincer attack from Shi Shan and Fang Guozhen, his situation becoming extremely precarious.

Even the sea and land routes for urgent reports to the capital were cut off by Shi Shan and Fang Guozhen, and there was no time to wait for further instructions from the court. In desperation, he had no choice but to risk the serious offense of abusing his power and violating regulations by contacting Shi Shan himself, trying to find a way to catch his breath.

After a series of perfunctory exchanges with the Left Assistant Secretary of the Jiangzhe Province, Chen Ji hurriedly returned to the Marshal's headquarters and reported to Shi Shan:
"Marshal, the envoy spoke humbly, mentioning that Qing Tong was willing to recommend the Marshal for the position of Left Vice Minister of the Jiangzhe Province, hoping that the Marshal could cease hostilities."

"Oh? The Left Vice Minister of the Jiangzhe Province?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Shan's lips curled into a slightly mocking smile, and he said:

"This Kangli Pingzhang (Qingtong is from the Kangli tribe of Mongolia) is really willing to spend money and has great courage! It's a pity, a pity, I have no interest in the official hat of the Yuan court. I'll keep this official robe for myself."

"marshal,"

Chen Ji had only recently joined the Marshal's staff and had not known Shi Shan for very long. He was unaware of the Marshal's true intentions, but since he had already met the envoy and seen that the other party had offered such a high price, he was eager to take advantage of this opportunity to make further contributions. He tentatively offered his advice.

"The envoy looked anxious and kept pressing me for the Marshal's instructions. I could tell that Qing Tong seemed to be completely flustered. I would appreciate your guidance on how to respond."

Shi Shan walked to the window, gazing at the gradually returning lights in Suzhou, and said calmly:
"No rush. Since he's the one who asked us, let's leave him hanging for now. We'll talk about it in three days."

The more anxious Qing Tong was, the more composed Shi Shan had to be.

This was not only a psychological game, but also a strategic necessity. He needed time for Chang Yuchun to expand his gains in Jiaxing Road, time for Xu Da and Shao Rong to advance towards Huzhou and Songjiang, and even more time to stabilize Suzhou Prefecture and other newly occupied areas.

The following day, more good news came from the front: Chang Yuchun's army had captured Haiyan Prefecture and surrounded Chongde Prefecture, and the fall of the city was imminent.

Upon receiving the good news, Shishan felt even more at ease and became even more composed in replying to Qingtong's envoy.

Two more days passed, and just as Shishan was preparing to send Chen Ji to give the anxiously waiting Yuan envoy a vague reply, another group of people were escorted to Suzhou by fast horses. One of them was wearing the purple robe of a high-ranking Mongol official and was taken directly to the marshal's headquarters.

Shishan looked at the elderly official before him, whose face was haggard but who still tried his best to maintain the demeanor of a Mongolian nobleman, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Left Chancellor Zuo Danashiri, how have you been? Have you been settling in well these past few months with me?"

The visitor was none other than Zuo Danashili, the Left Vice Minister of the Jiangzhe Province, who had been captured several months earlier in the Yangtze River naval battle. Months of imprisonment had clearly worn down his spirit, and his brow bore an inescapable weariness and dejection.

But upon seeing the rocky mountain, Zodanashiri instinctively straightened his back and replied stiffly:
“A prisoner is merely clinging to life; why should Marshal Shi bother to ask whether it is ‘good’ or ‘bad’?”

Seeing that the old official's spirits had already waned, Shishan knew that summoning him was the right thing to do. He took two steps closer, looked calmly at Zuo Danashili, and slowly said:

Would you like to return to Hangzhou?

Zuo Danashiri suddenly raised his head, his cloudy eyes flashing with disbelief as he stared intently at Shishan, as if trying to find a trace of mockery on the other's face. But Shishan clearly wasn't teasing him.

Returning to Hangzhou? He hadn't even dared to dream about it for the past few months!
"what?!"

(End of this chapter)