Volume III: Heroes Fall in Silence as Heaven and Earth Age - Chapter 32: Gaizhou V

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Following the edge of the Qianshan mountain range, cutting across southern Liaodong, the army marched nonstop. On the sixth day, they finally reached the Boso Inspection Office. Chen Hu’s troops were all elite forces, marching far faster than Deng She’s. By the time Deng She arrived, Chen Hu had already been there two days ahead. Upon the commander’s arrival, Chen Hu rode out to meet him ten miles away, accompanied by several hundred soldiers, banners and flags blotting out the sun.

The afternoon sun was scorching. Along the roadside, over a hundred drums and horns began to sound from a distance of about a mile. Surrounded by his bodyguards, Chen Hu’s horse hooves kicked up dust like a dark cloud as he galloped forward.

Deng She regarded Chen Hu carefully. Though they had not met for just over a month, Chen Hu’s face was weathered, showing many more wrinkles, appearing much older. Chen Hu also scrutinized Deng She while holding his hand. As usual, Chen Hu was stern and unsmiling, his face like forged iron, but there was a faint smile hidden between his brows.

When Deng She first entered Liaoyang, Chen Hu had strongly opposed it, likely causing him great worry these past days. Deng She looked ashamed and said, “At first, I did not listen to uncle’s advice and acted stubbornly, causing you concern. Now, with the upheaval in Gaizhou, you have had to travel hard for days. Thank you for your efforts.”

Chen Hu nodded slightly and patted Deng She’s hand. “It’s nothing. Now that you’re here, General, please mount your horse. I have prepared a modest feast in the city to welcome you.”

Deng She was familiar with Chen Hu’s style and did not take offense. He first greeted the officers who had arrived with him, exchanging handshakes and brief conversation before mounting his horse. Surrounded by the Twin City armies and watching the fierce warriors to his left and right, it was no longer like being alone in Liaoyang. Deng She felt a deep sense of warmth and reassurance.

“Where is General Zheng?”

Chen Hu’s expression remained unchanged as he said simply, “Zheng Sanbao opposed my departure to join you at Boso Inspection Office. He fabricated orders under Guan Pingzhang’s name and incited a mutiny. I captured him and am holding him in the city, awaiting your judgment.”

Deng She was shocked. He knew Zheng Sanbao had brought a hundred or so personal guards to Twin City; these “troops” involved in the mutiny must be from them. Knowing Chen Hu’s usual iron-fisted methods, he asked, “His personal guards?”

“They participated in the mutiny, committing insubordination and violating military hierarchy. I have already executed them all according to military law.”

Fang Buzhen rode behind at a slower pace and had not caught up. Xu Ren and Li Jing, riding at Deng She’s left rear, exchanged troubled glances. Deng She was also stunned into silence. This was almost a replay of Chen Hu’s massacre at Twin City.

Fortunately, Zheng Sanbao was still alive, so there was room for redemption. Strictly speaking, Chen Hu had done nothing wrong; otherwise, how could they have reunited? Deng She turned to Xu and Li with a smile: “It must be a misunderstanding. Once inside the city, we will see General Zheng and learn the truth clearly.”

Under the roof, one must bow. Xu Ren and Li Jing’s faces flushed and paled repeatedly. After a moment, they forced a smile and agreed, “The General is right; there must be a misunderstanding.” Their ranks were lower, without Guan Duo’s secret orders, so why would Zheng Sanbao dare defy so many? The mystery was obvious to both.

They exchanged a glance as old comrades and understood each other’s thoughts. This was no fault of Chen Hu’s; when you use men to risk their lives but also keep them under suspicion, it’s like expecting a horse to run without feeding it. No one could endure that.

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Deng She smiled and said, “Let me introduce you to these two: under Guan Pingzhang’s command, these brave generals fought the Tatars just days ago with remarkable valor... Xu Ren and Li Jing.” He then introduced Chen Hu and the others.

Xu Ren and Li Jing had long admired Chen Hu’s reputation and knew he was Deng She’s trusted right hand and superior in rank, so they respectfully saluted.

Chen Hu was indifferent, giving a slight nod in acknowledgment. He then took a letter from his bosom and handed it to Deng She on horseback: “A letter from Hong Jixun.”

Deng She took it and unfolded it. Hong Jixun first reported on the situation in Twin City: “All is calm and peaceful. Yao Haogu is skilled in governance; whether Han, Li, or Jurchen peoples, all live in peace. Zhang Daier and other generals maintain strict military discipline with daily drills of cavalry and infantry troops. There is a mediator between military and civil affairs, so the General need not worry.”

Then the letter shifted tone: “I heard the General is moving Chen Hu, Pingyang Wen, and Zhao to join forces at the Boso Inspection Office, taking advantage of the unrest in Liaoyang to capture Gaizhou — a brilliant move. But there is one concern: capturing Gaizhou is easy; holding it is difficult. The key lies in the timing of the strike. Strike too early, and our efforts may fail; strike too late, and the opportunity may be lost. I suggest the best strategy is to sit back and watch the tigers fight, waiting for Mao Jujing and Gao Jianu to weaken each other and for Liaoyang to be on the verge of falling before we act.”

Deng She nodded; Hong Jixun’s advice on timing aligned with his own thoughts. Turning the page, the last few words read: “The deep palace’s silk gown fragrance is already drifting. Within a dozen days, there will be definite news.”

Deng She’s spirits lifted. Only he and Hong Jixun knew about this “deep palace silk gown” matter; Chen Hu, Wen Huaguo, and others were unaware. He did not share more with Chen Hu but closed the letter with a smile: “Mr. Hong is far away in Twin City but his heart is in Gaizhou. He has given us excellent advice. Let us quickly return to the city.”

Chen Hu nodded and spurred his horse, speaking in a deep voice: “Cease the drums and horns. Where is Chen San? ... Open the way ahead, General, enter the city.”

Chen San was his personal guard captain. Hearing this, he galloped forward like a fierce storm, leading dozens of men to clear the path. Soon, red banners led the way, followed by a vast army stretching nearly ten thousand strong.

At the city gate, officers of rank thousand households and above entered the city. Deng She ordered that except for the wounded, all soldiers were to camp outside the city to avoid overcrowding and disturbance. The city was small, with fewer than ten thousand residents despite Deng She’s efforts to resettle people.

This city was the administrative seat of the Boso Inspection Office, built during the Jin dynasty. Deng She had never been here before. Chen Hu rode alongside, pointing out features: “When I came a few days ago, the locals told me there are nine ancient cities surrounding this area, connected in various sizes, historically a key region of southern Liaodong. On your way here, you must have seen it. This city lies east by the Yalu River and north by Zhendong Mountain, a strategic and perilous location, the necessary passage for Goryeo to enter Liaodong. Your choice of this city for our Pingyang outpost was truly wise.”

Originally there were two city gates and walls seven or eight meters high, now repaired to over ten meters, forming a roughly square shape over a thousand meters long on each side. Newly built watchtowers and horse-faced walls stand in many places. Outside, six barracks surround three sides of the city, housing the various distant armies.

After Chen Hu finished the introduction, Deng She’s knowledge of the city was no longer secondhand but clear. Chen Hu intended to lead the men to the headquarters and order a banquet, but Deng She stopped him: “The banquet can wait. Let us first discuss serious matters.” He asked, “Where is General Zheng being held?”

This was crucial, as appearances mattered. Chen Hu replied, “In the city jail.”

“Lead the way.”

The prison was on the city’s east side, some distance away. As they walked, Deng She contemplated how to explain the situation to Zheng Sanbao, while also thinking over the coming battle. Unable to contain his concern, he asked: “When can Zhao Guo from Pingyang arrive?”

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Deng She’s main force had a few thousand remaining soldiers; Chen Hu’s ten thousand troops amounted to only eight thousand here. Many Han civilians had been captured and sent to Twin City under guard, requiring escorts. Together, the two armies numbered only about fourteen or fifteen thousand, clearly insufficient to attack Gaizhou. The main force would have to be Zhao Guo’s.

“Yesterday a military report arrived. By the General’s orders, twenty thousand troops have been gathered and should arrive within three to five days.”

Not bad. Deng She was satisfied and asked the second critical question: “How is the supply and logistics preparation?”

“Since receiving your orders, Pingyang has been sending provisions here. This year’s harvest was good; supplies are sufficient and reliable.”

Good. With troops ready and supplies secured, the battle had at least a fifty percent chance of success.

As they neared the prison, urgent hoofbeats sounded behind. Deng She turned to see Fang Buzhen chasing after them in a fury. Having heard from others of Zheng Sanbao’s capture, he was recklessly charging through the streets on horseback. If not for Qian Niu and others blocking him with drawn swords, he might not have stopped.

Amid the pounding hooves and neighing horse, Fang Buzhen pulled his reins, circled around, and glared fiercely at Chen Hu, his anger barely contained. He shouted at Deng She, “What is this? What is this?!”

He lifted his robe, leapt down, and ran a few steps to Deng She’s horse, grabbing the reins and demanding loudly, “Who is Zheng Sanbao? A famed marshal under Lord Pingzhang, with outstanding battle achievements and unwavering loyalty! You, Deng She… you...”

Although furious, Fang Buzhen did not lose his composure. Suddenly, his finger swept across the faces of the group, settling on Chen Hu. “And you, Chen Hu—what do you think you are? A mere Wanhu, yet you dare such insubordination? The real insubordination is on you! Watch out, or I’ll vent my anger on you right here!”

Fang Buzhen had accompanied Yao Haogu to Twin City and was soon sent to Jiashan to assist Zhao Guo, while Chen Hu had remained in Dingzhou. They had barely interacted. Fang Buzhen recognized Chen Hu, but Chen Hu had long forgotten who he was. Chen Hu frowned, judging by Fang Buzhen’s uniform that he was an official assigned by Guan Duo to Deng She’s army. Chen Hu’s bodyguards could not tolerate their commander being insulted. Chen San drew his sword with a clang: “Who dares be so rude!”

Fang Buzhen did not even glance at him. Enraged and spitting, he pointed at Chen Hu’s nose: “A mere Wanhu, yet so arrogant! Do you think you’re the King of Twin City? Do you still have any respect for our Great Song? For Liaoyang? For Guan Pingzhang?”

Xu Ren and Li Jing looked awkward and glanced at Deng She, thinking: “He’s speaking indirectly.” Chen Hu’s face darkened as he coldly said, “Who I respect is not important. You, a lowly fifth-rank official, shouting at your commander, have you no respect for military discipline?”

“You!” Fang Buzhen was rendered speechless.