Volume Three: The Hero Falls Silent, The World Grows Old - 18 - Dongmou III

Nakhacu arrived at the study, where Liu Tiemachi and the man surnamed Wen were already waiting. Seeing him enter, they hurriedly knelt, and the one surnamed Wen said, "Greetings, Chancellor."

"Rise," Nakhacu said, smiling as he helped them both up. Once everyone was seated, he asked, "What brings you here today, noble envoys?" He glanced at the two, his expression darkening. "Has there been a change in Liaoyang? Has something gone wrong? What words does Commander Guan have for me?"

"Rest assured, Chancellor, there have been no changes in Liaoyang. Commander Guan sent us merely to finalize the timing of the operation." The man surnamed Wen took an object from his robes and presented it with both hands. "This is the map of Guangning Prefecture. The specific defenses of the Red Rebel Pan Cheng are clear at a glance. As a sign of his sincerity, the Commander has specially ordered us to deliver this to you."

Nakhacu's expression softened. He took the map, glanced at it, and tossed it aside. "The Commander is quite clever. Do I not already possess a map of Guangning? Pan Cheng’s specific defenses? Haha, if you in Liaoyang can have spies in my Shenyang, do you think I have no spies in Guangning? With or without this, Pan Cheng is already in my grasp!"

Liu Tiemachi added, "Brother Wen, the Chancellor speaks the truth. To be frank, we have long known the inner and outer defenses of Guangning by heart. If we are talking about sincerity, the Commander’s efforts are truly lacking."

As they spoke in tandem, the man surnamed Wen, caught off guard, said anxiously, "What the Chancellor knows is what he knows; what the Commander presents is what he presents. Chancellor, the fifteen thousand men of Pan Mei on Dongmou Mountain, twenty miles away—is that not enough to demonstrate the Commander’s sincerity?"

Nakhacu laughed. "Hahaha, I was merely joking! If I did not trust the Commander, would I have allowed him to take Dongmou Mountain, a strategic stronghold of my Shenyang?" He bowed toward the west and continued, "I have already reported the Commander’s defection to the Emperor. His Majesty is overjoyed; his word is law. Never mind the position of Commissioner of Liaoyang Province—with the precedent of Commander Zhang Shicheng of Western Zhejiang, a rank among the Three Ducal Ministers is not difficult to obtain."

The man surnamed Wen was overjoyed and rose to bow again. "Many thanks for your kindness and kind words, Chancellor."

Nakhacu turned, leaning one hand on the desk, his chin resting on his palm. He stared at the man with a cryptic smile. "Regarding the war in Southern Liaoning, when does the Commander intend to launch?"

"According to the plan, we begin in two days."

"Is that so? Then why was Gao Jianu’s plea for help delivered to my office yesterday?"

The man's expression shifted, and he forced a smile. "The Chancellor is joking again; that is impossible. You know that this year’s harvest was poor and supplies are difficult to procure. Just before I left, the provisions for the expeditionary force were only just arranged, and the main attacking force has not yet fully assembled. How could Gaizhou have sent for help yesterday?"

Nakhacu nodded at him, scanned him from head to toe, and said, "That is for the best. Let me ask you: have the Commander’s internal agents been positioned in Guangning?"

"Chancellor, have no fear. I stake my life on the matter of the agents—it is foolproof. Once you mobilize your army, they will strike immediately. I guarantee Pan Cheng will not even have a place to be buried!"

Nakhacu stood up, paced twice, and asked, "How is the situation with Sha and Liu Er?"

"Sha and Liu Er are stubbornly determined to protect the Little Ming King. They are truly incorrigible. As previously agreed, the day the Chancellor marches on Guangning is the day the Commander turns his army back to join Commanders Zhang Jujing and Shijiabao in exterminating those wretches!"

Nakhacu spoke with ambiguous intent. "Whether the Commander turns his army back is of no consequence. You may not be aware, but a few days ago, the central government sent another reinforcement to Danning. Joined with Zhang Jujing and Shijiabao, they have no fewer than one hundred thousand men. Exterminating a mere Sha and Liu Er is as easy as lifting a hand!"

Though the man surnamed Wen said nothing, he did not believe it. Guan Duo and Nakhacu were bedfellows with different dreams, their harmony only superficial. They had exchanged envoys many times, and not only was Nakhacu prone to deception, but Guan Duo was also full of exaggerations. He smiled and said, "Under the heavenly might of our Great Yuan, the likes of Sha and Liu Er are but mantises trying to stop a chariot; they will surely be ground to dust."

Nakhacu laughed heartily, walked up to him, and patted his shoulder heavily. Looking down at him, he said, "Haha, 'mantises trying to stop a chariot, ground to dust'—well said! Go back and tell the Commander to set his mind at ease. In two days, we strike Gaizhou. Once Gaizhou is secured, I will march on Guangning. In a month at most... haha, the Commander will no longer be the Commander."

Liu Tiemachi chimed in, "And what will he be?"

"Commander-in-Chief Guan!"

The four men in the room laughed together. Nakhacu and Liu Tiemachi exchanged glances and quickly looked away. The man surnamed Wen and his companion remained composed, trading silent signals. The hearty laughter echoed in the ears of the four, each with different thoughts but similar tastes—truly "meaningful" in every sense of the word.

Once business was concluded, the two men were escorted away.

Nakhacu kept Liu Tiemachi behind and dispatched guards to urgently summon the city’s generals. Not only did Nairu and others arrive, but the Prince of Liao and others also came in succession.

The Prince of Liao, named Azashili, was a descendant of King Ochigin, who was the youngest brother of Genghis Khan. During the reign of Kublai Khan, the rebellion of Nayan—also a descendant of Ochigin—broke out. Nayan was defeated and killed, but he had a brother named Tode who did not participate. Kublai Khan granted most of Nayan’s former followers and fiefs to Tode, allowing him to succeed as the master of Ochigin’s territory and bestowing upon him the title of Prince of Liao, a lineage that had continued to the present day.

According to Mongol tradition, the youngest son inherits the family estate. As the youngest brother of Genghis Khan, Ochigin, despite having no right to inherit Genghis Khan’s personal estate, was highly favored by him. When Genghis Khan partitioned his lands among his kinsmen, Ochigin received a disproportionately large share of subjects, totaling ten thousand households when combined with his mother’s share.

Although many followers involved in the Nayan rebellion were relocated elsewhere, a significant number remained. After decades of development, the current Prince of Liao, Azashili, could be considered the second most powerful figure in Shenyang.

Over thirty or forty officers of the rank of chiliarch and above, as well as various nobles and tribal chiefs, filled the room. In accordance with Mongol noble tradition, they were dressed in robes with colored sashes tied at the waist, their hair braided and hanging by their ears, all wearing earrings.

They consumed mostly mutton and milk, and a heavy, gamey odor filled the room. The Mongols were fond of alcohol; every gathering was a celebration of drink. There was quite a commotion for a long while. Many of those present had lived in Eastern Liaoning for a long time and were unversed in etiquette. One person shouted loudly, "Chancellor, everyone is here; where is the wine?"

The room erupted in laughter. A veteran among them said, "Stop the nonsense! The Chancellor has summoned us for a reason. Everyone, be quiet and listen to what the Chancellor has to say." The Prince of Liao, Azashili, tapped the table and added, "Quiet down and listen to the Chancellor."

He held significant prestige, and the crowd gradually quieted. Dozens of eyes turned to Nakhacu. One man asked, "I heard Old Guan’s envoy came again today? Is that what this summons is about?"

The speaker was a burly man with his head full of small braids and two large gold earrings dangling from his earlobes. He looked rough, but his voice was thin and shrill; this was Nairu, another of Nakhacu’s favorite generals. He had heard about the Liaoyang envoy from Liu Tiemachi.

Nakhacu said, "Indeed. That rustic rogue, Old Guan, sent that fellow named Wen again, claiming they wanted to finalize the date for the operation. Bah! He spoke with hesitation, his eyes darting around..." He suddenly stood up and slammed the table. "Prince of Liao, you guessed right. There is definitely a trap in this. His surrender is, without a doubt, a fake!"

Azashili said, "Then how did you respond, Chancellor?" Unlike the others, he had a fondness for Han literature and spoke with a refined, scholarly air.

Nakhacu replied, "How else? I just fobbed him off. Gentlemen, the military report from Gaizhou that should have arrived yesterday still hasn't appeared. I have been pondering this for a long time—that rustic rogue, Old Guan, may have already started the attack! Sending that fellow named Wen was, in all likelihood, an attempt to spy on our movements in Shenyang."

The hall erupted in chaos. Some shouted to march immediately and teach Guan Duo a lesson; others insisted on caution, lest it be a ruse; others believed that regardless of whether Guan Duo had attacked, the date was approaching and the thorn at Dongmou Mountain had to be removed as soon as possible.

Nakhacu asked Azashili, "Prince of Liao, what is your take?"

Azashili said, "Military reports from Gaizhou have always arrived daily, without a single delay. It is suspicious that the report was delayed just as the man named Wen arrived. I believe Guan Duo has certainly launched his offensive. Chancellor, we must prepare immediately. If we are too late and Old Gao cannot hold out, the consequences of losing Gaizhou will be unthinkable."

Nakhacu clapped his hands in agreement. "Your thoughts, Prince of Liao, are exactly my own! I have decided: once we confirm the situation in Gaizhou, we will strike a blow at the back of that rustic rogue, Old Guan! The messenger sent to notify Zhang Jujing and Shijiabao in Western Liaoning left the city just before you all arrived."

In times of war, hesitation is the greatest taboo for a commander; opportunities often vanish in an instant. Nakhacu’s ability to reach the position of Right Chancellor of Liaoyang Province was due to his own extraordinary qualities. Once he and the Prince of Liao reached a consensus, the mobilization of Shenyang was a certainty.

The veteran mentioned earlier spoke up, "It is best that you are marching, Chancellor. But I wonder, how are the preparations in all aspects? We cannot afford a hasty battle."

Nakhacu said, "The army of the Myriarchate in the city has been assembled for three days. The various Green Armies and the Qian-Tolu Army are also in position."

Prince of Liao Azashili added, "I have also selected ten thousand elite troops from my tribes. Once you give the order, they can march into Shenyang within half a day."

Shenyang originally had sixty or seventy thousand official troops and Green Armies, but they were of uneven quality and insufficient to take Liaoyang. Nakhacu had persuaded the Prince of Liao and others to contribute their own forces. Combined, they had over one hundred thousand men. After leaving a portion to guard the city, the rest would be poured into Liaoyang.

"Liaoyang is a well-fortified city, and Guan Duo has managed it for a long time. Even if his main force is away, there will surely be at least twenty or thirty thousand men left to defend it. Our hundred-thousand-strong army might be enough to take the city, but, Chancellor, can you guarantee that Old Gao can entangle Mao Jujing? Mao is also a fierce general. If Old Gao’s twenty or thirty thousand men in Gaizhou cannot hold him off—what if he fails?"

Nakhacu replied, "There are no 'what-ifs'! Old Guan’s core force is only fifty or sixty thousand. With Sha, Liu Er, and Pan Cheng’s main forces tied up on the front lines, they cannot spare many men for the Gaizhou campaign. At most, counting the Red Turban irregulars, Old Guan can only send fifty or sixty thousand men to attack Gaizhou. We have over twenty thousand under Old Gao in Gaizhou, plus seven or eight thousand from Jin and Fu Prefectures. With the advantage of fortified walls, how could they not hold him off?"

He looked around at the crowd and said, "And even if they couldn't, hahaha, have you all forgotten that one person?"

"Who do you mean, Chancellor?"

"The internal agent!"

This was Nakhacu’s trump card in his determination to wipe out Liaoyang. Guan Duo had calculated everything, but he had failed to account for the fact that while his surrender was fake, someone else’s was real. When Mao Jujing’s army reached the walls of Gaizhou, there would be a revolt from within, while facing the main forces of Jin, Fu, and Gao Jianu from without. Once Nakhacu’s army reached Liaoyang, chaos would erupt, and the fate of Guan Duo’s army would be sealed.

"Chancellor, I heard that the Koryo man, Deng She, is also in Liaoyang now. His army has reached the Yalu River. Could this be a variable?"

"The Red Turbans of Shuangcheng? There are only ten thousand of them at the Yalu River. Once our army takes Dongmou Mountain, leaving a few thousand men to guard it will be enough to cut off the route for Shuangcheng to support Liaoyang."

"A few thousand men? Shuangcheng has tens of thousands of Red Turbans."

To take Liaoyang, one had to account for Western Liaoning, Guangning, Southern Liaoning, and Shuangcheng. Nakhacu had long had a plan. He sneered, "What if they have tens of thousands? I only need two men to keep them occupied."

"Who?"

"Zhao Xiaosheng and Zhuo Duqing."

Prince of Liao Azashili recognized the names and said, "Zhao Xiaosheng? Is he the former manager of the Shuangcheng General Office?"

"The very same."

Years ago, Koryo attacked Shuangcheng, and the Mongol managers Zhao Xiaosheng and chiliarch Zhuo Duqing were defeated and fled to the Haiyang area, plotting a counterattack. Months ago, when Deng She took Shuangcheng from the Koryo people, the Koryo forces launched a counter-offensive. Hong Jixun had rushed back to save them, passing through Haiyang. Zhao Xiaosheng and Zhuo Duqing, feeling the danger and seeing Deng She’s rising power, realized they had no chance. They simply sent envoys to contact Nakhacu, offering to act as guides and deliver Shuangcheng to him.

"I have ordered those two to contact the Jurchens in the Halan Prefecture and elsewhere. We have set the date: in ten days, they will rise in rebellion. When that happens, little Deng will have a fire in his backyard; will he still be able to care about Liaoyang?"

Everyone laughed at this. Prince of Liao Azashili said, "A brilliant plan, Chancellor." He sighed, "It is a pity that Deng She guards so strictly that our envoys cannot reach the King of Koryo. Otherwise, with a Koryo counter-attack, we could have pacified northern Koryo in one fell swoop."

Nakhacu hummed, "Even if we could contact the King of Koryo, we must not! Shuangcheng is our Chinese land; what does it have to do with Koryo? Their previous attack on Shuangcheng was only possible because I was busy. Once I finish off that rustic rogue, Old Guan, I will deal with Koryo!"

Thus, Nakhacu’s plan was laid bare. While Guan Duo was fully committed to attacking Gaizhou, he would use internal agents to collapse the main Red Turban force in Gaizhou. Then, he would use Zhang Jujing, Shijiabao, Shuo Sijian, and the Jurchens of Halan Prefecture to entangle Sha and Liu Er, Pan Cheng, and Deng She respectively. Finally, he would assemble all his armies and tribes to descend with thunderous force and capture Liaoyang.

Liaoyang’s Azashili clapped in praise. "Once Liaoyang is captured and Guan Duo is seized, Sha, Liu Er, and Pan Cheng, each with their own agendas, will surely descend into internal strife without Guan Duo as their head. With our combined armies from Western Liaoning, Southern Liaoning, Shuo Sijian, and Shenyang moving like a net trapping insects, Liu and Pan can be either exterminated or pacified. Within a month, Eastern Liaoning will be settled.

"Once Eastern Liaoning is secured, the army will turn south, cross the Yalu River, with Zhao Xiaosheng as our guide, and with the Jurchen rebellion, the little Shuangcheng will fall with a mere proclamation."

The crowd rose and knelt, saying, "Chancellor, your divine strategy and command of the situation ensure victory from a thousand miles away."

Under a red sun, the great stage of Eastern Liaoning saw one troupe leave and another enter. Amidst the schemes and deceptions, the vast landscape was like a painting. As the legendary figures and countless heroes showed their prowess, Nakhacu stood tall in the great hall, laughing aloud as he thought of his impending triumph.