Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 143 Liaodong Liaison

Dengzhou Port.

A merchant ship flying a blue flag slowly entered the harbor. Its hull was quite deep, indicating that it was carrying a lot of cargo. This was a ship returning from Dongjiang Town. On Pi Island, it had made its first deal with Mao Wenlong's men: 300 shi of grain and 200 bolts of coarse cloth, in exchange for 6,000 taels of silver and something far more valuable: firsthand intelligence on the Liaodong war situation.

Lu Yan stood on the dock, the sea breeze making his official robes flutter.

Shen Qing disembarked from the boat, quickly walked to his side, and lowered his voice: "Master, the news has been brought back. The situation in Liaodong is worse than we thought."

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"We'll talk about it when we get back to the yamen."

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The magistrate's office, the study.

The doors and windows were tightly shut, and even the servants were sent outside into the courtyard.

Shen Qing spread a stack of documents on the table and reported them one by one.

"The Later Jin had already occupied Liaoyang and Shenyang, and their forces were advancing directly towards Guangning. The Eight Banners army had expanded to more than 60,000, and there were also a large number of Han Banner troops and Mongol vassals. More importantly, they had captured a lot of cannons from the Ming army in Liaodong and were imitating the Hongyi cannons."

Lu Yan tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice without saying a word.

"In Dongjiang Town, Mao Wenlong has established a foothold on Pi Island, but supplies are extremely difficult to obtain. The imperial court's pay is intermittent, and the soldiers are full of complaints. Mao Wenlong has repeatedly petitioned for increased rations and pay, but the imperial court has ignored him."

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"Is he willing to cooperate with us long-term?"

"I'm willing," Shen Qing said. "Not only willing, I'd love to accept it. The people my subordinates sent said that Mao Wenlong said it himself: 'The court can't be relied on; I can only rely on myself. Whoever gives me grain will be my benefactor. The price is negotiable, cash settlement, and there will be no delays.'"

Lu Yan nodded. The connection to Dongjiang Town was now established.

He picked up the last document, his gaze sharpening slightly.

"What is this?"

"I inquired about it casually," Shen Qing said in a low voice, "about Kong Youde's past."

Lu Yan raised his head.

"The old folks in Dongjiang Town say that Kong Youde was a troublemaker when he was on the island. He was fearless in battle, but he also had a terrible temper. Arguing with his superiors was commonplace, and once he almost got into a fight with a centurion. Mao Wenlong both loved and hated him, and finally sent him to Dengzhou so he wouldn't have to see him anymore."

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Shen Qing paused, then said, "There's one more thing. My men on Pi Island heard that Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming are sworn brothers. Geng Zhongming is currently in Dengzhou, serving as a military officer, and the two are very close."

Lu Yan closed the document and placed it in the corner of the desk.

"Geng Zhongming—" He murmured the name, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Master," Shen Qing asked tentatively, "should I go and find out what Kong Youde is capable of?"

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"No rush." ​​Lu Yan stood up and walked to the window. "I'll go see this person myself."

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April 1st, noon.

North of Dengzhou City, Kong Youde's military camp.

It was called a military camp, but it was more like a small military stronghold. An earthen wall surrounded the area, inside which tents and shacks were scattered haphazardly, and washed uniforms and leggings hung to dry in the open space. Several veterans squatted against the wall, eating dry rations. When they saw Lu Yan and his group enter, they merely raised their eyelids lazily, without rising to salute.

Zhao Changying's face darkened, and his hand unconsciously went to the hilt of the knife at his waist.

"Don't move," Lu Yan said in a low voice.

-

A series of rough laughs and curses came from deep within the camp, mixed with the crisp sound of clinking wine bowls.

A guard ran over to report, and soon a man as dark as an iron tower emerged from the tent.

Kong Youde.

A year and a half later, this man from Liaodong had grown even thicker than when he was in Yuncheng. His beard had grown longer, half-covering a hideous old scar on his neck. He wore only a sweat-stained thong, revealing two scarred arms, and clutched a half-eaten steamed bun in his hand.

Upon seeing Lu Yan, he was taken aback at first, then grinned.

"Oh, isn't this Lord Lu?"

He stuffed the steamed bun into his belt, patted the flour crumbs off his hands, and strode over to meet him.

"It's been a long time since I last saw you, Lord Lu. You've certainly made a name for yourself! The presence of the Prefectural Magistrate in person makes this humble camp incredibly honored!"

.

The words were polite, but there was an indescribable undertone in the tone—three parts teasing, three parts playful, and three parts meaningful scrutiny.

"Guerrilla Commander Kong, how have you been?" Lu Yan cupped his hands in greeting and smiled. "It's been over a year since we last met, hasn't it?"

"Indeed." Kong Youde slapped his thigh. "That incident in Yuncheng seems like it was just yesterday. Lord Lu has now been promoted to Vice Prefect and is in charge of warship construction. He's really rising through the ranks."

He turned around and shouted into the tent, "Someone, bring Lord Lu a chair! Don't let our distinguished guest stand!"

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An old soldier brought over a worn-out chair and hastily wiped the dust off with his sleeve.

Lu Yan didn't mind and sat down.

"Lord Lu has come to visit today," Kong Youde said, sitting down opposite him with his legs spread apart and his arms on his knees. "Does he have any instructions?"

'

"It's not an order, it's just a reunion," Lu Yan said. "And there's a business deal I'd like to discuss with Commander Kong."

"A transaction?" Kong Youde raised an eyebrow. "What kind of transaction?"

"I am reorganizing the Dengzhou navy, but I lack capable soldiers," Lu Yan said bluntly. "The more than one thousand Liaodong veterans under Commander Kong are the most capable soldiers in Dengzhou. I would like to cooperate with you: I will provide the funds, provisions, and weapons, and you will provide the manpower. We will share the benefits."

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Kong Youde's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes had changed.

He stared at Lu Yan for a long time, his gaze as if he were weighing a piece of meat.

"Lord Lu," he said slowly, lowering his voice, "your words are quite different from what you said outside Yuncheng back then."

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"Oh? How is it different?"

"Back in Yuncheng, you told me, 'We'll fight side by side and share the good times.' I believed you and followed you into that stinking ditch, almost losing my life in it." Kong Youde's tone was still casual, but every word carried weight. "Later, you earned merit for me, and I am grateful for your kindness. But that was back then."

He took the half-eaten bun out of his belt, took another bite, and chewed it slowly.

"Now you are a prefectural judge, in charge of the navy and warships, a proper official appointed by the imperial court. And me? Although I hold the title of guerrilla commander, to put it bluntly, I'm still just a common soldier. You want to 'cooperate' with me—"

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He chuckled twice, but there wasn't much warmth in his laughter.

"Lord Lu, I am a rough man and speak my mind. I have seen many instances of civil officials and military generals cooperating. Nine times out of ten, it is always the military general who suffers in the end."

Lu Yan did not refute, but listened quietly.

"When I was in Dongjiang Town, some civil officials also came to offer 'cooperation'," Kong Youde's voice gradually deepened, and his eyes darkened. "And what was the result? We won battles, but their names were on the list of heroes. When supplies were insufficient, our brothers starved to death. When accidents occurred, we were the ones who took the blame."

He stuffed the steamed bun into his mouth and mumbled, "It's not that I don't appreciate Lord Lu's kindness. You were very kind to me back then in the city, and I didn't remember it. But remembering kindness is one thing, and risking one's life for others is another."

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The camp was quiet for a moment, with only the faint sound of a few veterans talking and laughing in the distance.

Lu Yan nodded, his expression calm.

"Kong Youji is right." He stood up, straightened his robe, and said, "I don't force anyone. I just came to visit an old friend and mentioned it casually. If you're not happy about it, just pretend I didn't say anything."

He took a small cloth bag from his sleeve and placed it on the table in front of Kong Youde.

"What is this?" Kong Youde frowned.

"Twenty catties of the finest gunpowder and five newly made short knives," Lu Yan said. "This isn't official business, it's a personal matter. The brothers from Yuncheng followed me through thick and thin, and I haven't forgotten that bond. It's not much, just some supplies for the brothers."

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Kong Youde stared at the cloth bag, his eyes flickering.

After a while, he reached out and picked up the cloth bag, weighing it in his hand.

"Lord Lu," he raised his head, his gaze complex, "you are different from the civil officials I have met."

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"What's different?"

"Those people who give you things, they all want you to do something. You give them things—" Kong Youde grinned, but there was a hint of sincerity in his smile, "It seems like you really don't want anything in return."

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"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you what I'm after today." Lu Yan turned and walked out, his steps unhurried. "I'll tell you when you believe me later."

"etc."

Kong Youde stood up and called out to him.

Lu Yan turned around.

"Lord Lu, I also have a word for you." Kong Youde's expression suddenly turned serious, and his voice was extremely low. "Dengzhou is a place with very deep waters. Not only the waters in the sea, but also the waters on the shore. You've just arrived, your foundation is not yet stable, and some people—"

not to be trifled."

He didn't say who "some people" were, but his eyes glanced towards the city.

"Thanks for the reminder, Kong Guerrilla."

"It's hardly a reminder." Kong Youde dusted himself off and chuckled. "Consider it repaying the favor from that drink in Yuncheng. This humble general will see Lord Lu out of the camp."

"No need." Lu Yan waved his hand. "Guerrilla Commander Kong, please stay."

He led Zhao Changying and turned to leave the camp, behind them came the rough voice of Kong Youde ordering the veterans to pack up their tools.

After leaving the camp and walking more than half a mile, Zhao Changying finally couldn't help but speak.

"Boss, this guy is too arrogant."

"It's not madness." Lu Yan's steps didn't stop, his voice as calm as if he were talking about someone else's business, "It's hatred."

Zhao Changying was taken aback.

"He doesn't hate me, he hates this court." Lu Yan slightly turned his head, his gaze fixed on the distant, hazy sea.

A man who hated the imperial court to the core, and who commanded over a thousand veteran soldiers who were skilled in combat and killing.

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He didn't continue.

Zhao Changying felt a chill run down her spine.

"Master, then let's—"

'

"Go back and have Shen Qing come to see me." Lu Yan quickened his pace, the hem of his official robe billowing in the sea breeze.

"From this day forward, I will know everything that Kong Youde and Geng Zhongming do."

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He stopped and glanced back in the direction of Kong Youde's camp. Smoke was rising from above the crooked shacks, slowly dissipating under the leaden sky.

"Also, add another three hundred shi (a unit of dry measure) to the grain reserves on Changshan Island."

Zhao Changying opened his mouth, but in the end only said two words: "Understood."

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