Volume Two: My Arrival Shakes Heaven and Earth Chapter 19: Ninety Thousand Households I

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The sudden appearance of Wen Huaguo’s troops inflicted a severe psychological blow on the Goryeo forces. However, their numerical advantage remained. Li Yan contracted his formation, dividing his army into two groups: a small contingent continued to blockade the city gates, while the main force redeployed to intercept Wen Huaguo.

They had ready-made fortifications and complete equipment, making them difficult to break in a hurry. To coordinate with Wen Huaguo, Chen Hu took the initiative to launch attacks. Li Heshang, Zhang Daier, and Yang Wanhuhu took turns leading teams to harass the enemy day and night. The Goryeo army found itself caught in the dilemma of fighting on two fronts.

Hong Jixun believed that a swift victory was imperative, not giving the Goryeo royal court time to organize or dispatch reinforcements. Once the battle dragged on, the Red Turbans, as foreign troops, would not be a match for the Goryeo fighting on their home turf.

Deng She agreed. The earlier idea of deploying surprise troops resurfaced. He immediately drew five hundred soldiers from the city, giving them to Zuo Che’er to lead to the coast, search for fishing boats, and construct rafts to sail across the sea, planting multiple banners deep behind Goryeo lines.

The surprise attack worked, throwing the Goryeo army into disarray. Wen and Chen seized the moment to launch a full-scale assault. On the fourth day, good news arrived: the siege of Dingzhou was lifted, over two thousand enemies killed, and three to four thousand captured. Li Yan and the remnants of the Goryeo army fled south in panic, with Wen and Chen pursuing them to the banks of the Nihe River. Deng She then ordered the pursuit to halt.

The Nihe River flowed swiftly, with mountains to the northwest and the sea to the southeast. South of the river, there were many major Goryeo cities with significant garrisons. The Red Turban soldiers were weary from days of battle and could not afford to be reckless. Wen and Chen stationed a camp by the river, building it against the mountains as a defensive post.

While Wen and Chen fought on the front lines, Deng She and Hong Jixun were engaged in constant military discussions at the rear. The Shanxi regional forces had suffered heavy losses in the battle at the mountain pass. Wen Huaguo reported that they had not been seen on the battlefield; likely they were too depleted to continue and had returned to their cities. Based on this, Hong Jixun advised that after driving the Goryeo army across the Nihe River, the main force need not return to the city but should advance north and west along the mountains, taking advantage of the weakened city defenses to seize territory.

Deng She considered this carefully, inquiring in detail about the situation in the various Shanxi cities from Hong Jixun, Luo Lilang, and others. The cities in Shanxi and the north were generally sparsely populated. Most of these places were formerly Bohai or Jurchen lands, with various ethnic groups living together. The terrain was hilly and not very fertile, but rich in minerals due to proximity to the mountains—iron, copper, lead, and also products like sable pelts.

Economically, these lands were of limited value—but strategically, they were enormously significant.

“If the Twin Cities are the heart, then Dingzhou and the Nihe River are the shield. Once we break out of Shanxi and the north, General, your spear will threaten Xijing. With Sansan and other regions as bases, it will be like a warrior wrestling a tiger. When our power grows, Goryeo’s will shrink. Then, General, you can feint at taking territory to wear down the enemy, while also securing the Three Passes, organizing the northern regions, and training the troops. Once provisions and horses are ready, our force will be unstoppable.”

Hong Jixun’s eloquence was undeniable, especially when analyzing the overall situation—his words flowed like a torrent. Deng She applauded, “Just as you say, sir!”

Orders were immediately issued: Wen and Chen were to lead their forces north along the mountains, advancing steadily without rushing. The first target was Sanshui Prefecture, just north of Dingzhou, with Mount Qianfo in between. The Goryeo presence here was weak; most residents were Han, Bohai, and Jurchen.

Consequently, the local garrison offered only feeble resistance. As soon as the Red Turbans feigned an attack, the Goryeo commander opened the rear gate and abandoned the city. Only about thirty prisoners were captured, and upon questioning, it was learned that most had already fallen at the mountain pass.

Celebrations erupted in the Twin Cities at the news. Deng She had expected a smooth operation, but not one this easy. After urgent discussions with Hong Jixun, they boldly revised their original plan for sequential conquest. Wen and Chen were to split their forces: one branch east to Jia Mountain, the other west to attack Changjin and then further over the mountains to target Ningyuan.

Sanshui and Changjin were only incidental conquests; Deng She’s true intentions lay with Jia Mountain and Ningyuan.

Ningyuan lay on the southern bank of the Datong River, from where one could sail south directly to Xijing Pyongyang. It was only a hundred li from Dingzhou. Capturing this city would be like driving a wedge into Shanxi, giving Deng She the initiative on the battlefield.

Jia Mountain, once Koguryo territory, had been made a prefecture by the Bohai Kingdom, and since the Jin and Yuan, had seen much warfare. Only a few years ago did Goryeo establish the Jia Mountain Ten-Thousand Households Prefecture. The main force that had defended the mountain pass was from here. To the north lay the Changbai Mountains and the Yalu River—a place of strategic importance, with mountains running south and waters converging north. Hong Jixun described it as “mountains and rivers intertwined, forming a distinct region”—a place naturally set apart.

Securing this area brought two advantages: first, it provided a retreat, so they would not be cornered as before; second, its favorable terrain made it a stronghold for the north, and with many Jurchens nearby, it could be used to win them over or keep them in check.

Changjin’s garrison, like Sanshui’s, fled without a fight; Jia Mountain, being more important, resisted for half a day before falling—half or more of its defenders had already died at the pass. Both cities fell in quick succession. The Wen Huaguo force advancing on distant Ningyuan encountered trouble.

In the battle at the pass, Ningyuan had sent the fewest troops, but received strong support from Dechuan in the north and Mengshan in the south, putting up fierce resistance. Deng She dispatched Zhang Daier and Yang Wanhuhu, who had taken Jia Mountain, to reinforce them swiftly.

They were not to join the siege, but to feign an attack on Mengshan. As expected, Mengshan panicked and withdrew support from Ningyuan to protect itself. Then a detachment was sent to patrol the river and sever the link between Dechuan and Ningyuan. Two days later, Ningyuan fell.

And Pyongyang, hundreds of li away, remained utterly silent during all this. Clearly, the complete destruction of Qingqian Xingnan’s camp had dealt it a crippling blow.

With Ningyuan taken, the first important task was to appoint a commander to defend it. According to Hong Jixun’s metaphor, Ningyuan was the tip of the spear—who among the generals was fit for this post? Deng She already had someone in mind.

In terms of status, Wen Huaguo was most suitable, but he was too rough-hewn to be fully trusted. Chen Hu was meticulous and steadfast, but Dingzhou could not do without him. Zhao Guo was honest and solid, ideal for Jia Mountain. Li Heshang, Luo Guoqi, and Guan Shirong lacked the necessary talent.

The best choice was Zhang Daier: fierce in battle, yet possessing a calm intellect in peace; brave and resourceful, steady and strong. Deng She had been deeply impressed by his performance. Of course, Zhang Daier was lacking in seniority, so an assistant was needed. Li Heshang was too blunt, Luo Guoqi too slippery—Guan Shirong was just right. Both valued loyalty and righteousness and would get along.

Orders went out immediately: Guan Shirong and Zhang Daier were to remain in Ningyuan with their troops, while Yang Wanhuhu of Zhang’s unit was to return to the city. Changjin and Sanshui were each left with five hundred men, with two veteran comrades appointed as acting commanders to garrison and guard these places.

Having acquired five cities at once, Deng She felt the weight of responsibility. He had never managed so many cities before. Even with just the Twin Cities, success had largely depended on Hong Jixun’s strategies and Wu Henian’s practical administration.

But he couldn’t rely on others for everything. Deng She understood the importance of civil administration. If the army is the spearhead, then the local administration is the shaft—if the tip dulls, it can be sharpened; if the shaft breaks, the sharpest spear is useless.

He slept poorly, tossing and turning, pondering the problem. Deng She resolved that, if he did not understand, he would learn. As the army’s leader, he need not do everything himself or master every detail, but he must understand the basics.

Census reports from each city arrived in turn. Ningyuan had the largest population, over thirty thousand; Dingzhou had just under ten thousand; Changjin, Sanshui, and Jia Mountain were remote and sparsely populated, totaling less than twenty thousand together. The population ratios were: Han about one-tenth, Jurchen and Bohai people about one-fifth to one-quarter, mostly in Changjin and the other two. Over eighty percent of Ningyuan and Dingzhou were Goryeo people.

The first problem arose: “Those who are not of our race have different hearts”—how to govern the local natives as outsiders?

Wu Henian, in his position, offered his counsel. He was well-versed in the Yuan administration methods, and suggested adapting them to local conditions: “First, re-register the households, organize them into wards and the baojia system. This will both confirm the population for easier management and ensure mutual surveillance, where one household’s crime implicates the whole group, and the heads are held responsible. If someone reports a crime early, they are pardoned. In this way, we’ll have ears and eyes everywhere.”

Deng She nodded his agreement, adding, “The local heads and baojia leaders should, as much as possible, be selected from the Han; any gaps can be filled by Bohai or Jurchen.” Necessary divisions were needed. Suddenly, Deng She recalled the many wounded and disabled soldiers from past battles. He had long wondered how to settle them, and now saw a great opportunity: “There are about a hundred disabled in the army; those willing to leave the ranks and become civilians will be settled in Ningyuan and Dingzhou, and can serve as ward or baojia leaders. Each will be given ten taels of silver and fifty mu of land.” He worried that offering only rights, money, and land might not be enough to make soldiers envious.

Wu Henian laughed, “There’s a saying: three mu of land, two oxen, a warm bed, a wife and children. Why not also grant them Goryeo women?”

“Seizing women by force? Wu, do you want to incite popular resentment?” Hong Jixun, who had been silent, sneered and objected. He suggested, “Rather than being passive, be proactive: quietly instruct each city that any Goryeo woman who marries a disabled soldier will see her family well-treated and favored. Subtle persuasion and gentle inducement are best.”

This too was a form of divide-and-rule, though it would only work in the long term. Deng She nodded, “Let’s do it that way.”

With the baojia structure set, the question of appointing local officials arose. With six cities under their control and seventy to eighty thousand people, could generals like Chen Hu, Zhao Guo, and Zhang Daier, all excellent on campaign, handle civil affairs?

When it came to the generals, Wu Henian held his tongue. Hong Jixun spoke confidently, “Dingzhou and the others are all on the front lines. In extraordinary times, we must take extraordinary measures. Besides, you have no one else. Let military and civil affairs be unified for now under Chen, Zhao, Zhang, and others. Your main concern should not be local development but gathering provisions and strengthening the army.

“Military readiness requires your personal attention. The cities’ main responsibility is collecting supplies.”

The north was harsh and cold, with only one harvest a year, and the land was mostly poor. Relying on local resources for provisions was unlikely. Deng She asked, “What do you suggest?”

Hong Jixun opened his folding fan and smiled, “South of the Nihe, west of Ningyuan, the land is fertile. The government is poor, but powerful families own vast fields, crossing counties and prefectures, and are extremely wealthy. The troops in Dingzhou and Ningyuan are idle; why not send them to requisition grain? This will keep the soldiers sharp and harm the enemy while benefiting us.”

Wu Henian coughed, frowning, “Won’t that alienate the people?”

Hong Jixun scoffed, “Those who belong to us are our people; those who do not are our enemies. Besides, it’s the great families who are to blame for the people’s suffering. If the General takes from the rich to feed the poor, the people will naturally support us.”

Deng She had no qualms about seizing wealth. “You are absolutely right,” he said. He had long considered this problem, and added, “The coastal cities have many fisheries. Wu, organize the able-bodied to fish at sea.” This applied not only to the Twin Cities but also to Jia Mountain and Ningyuan, all near rivers.

“Provisions aren’t enough; you need elite troops to seize territory. What is an elite force? Quality over quantity—well-trained and well-equipped. You have thirteen thousand men, with over a thousand casualties in two battles: two thousand in Ningyuan, one thousand in Jia Mountain, five hundred each in Sanshui and Changjin, two thousand in Dingzhou, six thousand in the Twin Cities. The units are a mix, with various banners and lax discipline.

“Now, with a lull, you must reorganize at once.”

Deng She had already considered this during the disciplinary campaign. “That’s exactly what I had in mind.” He laid out his plan: twelve thousand soldiers, not too many or too few, to be split into three battalions. Wen and Chen would each command one; he would take the third.

Given Ningyuan’s proximity to Dingzhou, Zhang Daier and Guan Shirong would join Chen’s battalion; Li Heshang and Luo Guoqi, both in the Twin Cities, would join Wen’s; Zhao Guo and the Lu brothers would serve under Deng She. He Guangxiu, being a high-ranking officer, would command a separate Goryeo battalion.

Tong Doulan’s Jurchens had no formal subordination to Deng She. He kept his distance, neither joining nor leaving—a partnership of sorts, but not included for now.

Additionally, two hundred craftsmen captured from various cities were all sent to the Twin Cities and formed into an artisans’ battalion. The major Han, Bohai, and Goryeo families, following the old rules, were executed if they resisted, and their land was divided for military or for the poor. Those who surrendered were unharmed, but required to send their eldest sons to the Twin Cities as hostages in the Hostage Battalion, under Zuo Che’er’s management.

With three Han battalions and one Goryeo, the command structure was much clearer. In future battles, each would have its own responsibilities. In large engagements, with units mixed together, how to distinguish them? “Let the flags and insignia differ,” Deng She said, combining ancient customs with modern needs.

Han soldiers would wear red insignia; Goryeo, black, under a black flag. Wen’s battalion would be left wing under a blue flag, insignia on the left shoulder; Chen’s right wing under a white flag, insignia on the right shoulder; Deng She’s own central battalion under a yellow flag, insignia on the chest. Each insignia would bear the soldier’s name and his immediate commanders.

Hong Jixun and the others had no objections. Orders went out to all cities to assign units and distribute insignias accordingly.

Flags and insignias were just formalities for distinction. The real key was drill. With Chen Hu and the others stationed outside, unified training was impossible, but strict orders were given: a minor drill every day, a major one every third day, no slacking. Wen Huaguo and others immediately began building a large training field, organizing the troops by company, with eight hundred veterans as instructors to teach combat skills and formations.

Unfortunately, most of the gunpowder acquired from Yongping had been used at the mountain pass, so firearms training had to pause. The Goryeo people knew little of gunpowder manufacture; capturing or buying more was unlikely, and local production was hampered by a lack of sulfur and saltpeter, though iron and copper were plentiful. This was an urgent issue.

In fact, this was a problem for all the Red Turbans in Liaodong. Hong Jixun said, “Ningyuan and Dingzhou are wealthy, with much silver. The Twin Cities have gold mines and large salt ponds. Trade can bridge the gaps. We can send clever, eloquent men north in disguise. Liaodong still has saltpeter, especially in Daan and other Yuan-held areas. Jinfugai and other coastal prefectures often see ships from Shandong and even Zhejiang. With high enough profits, we will succeed.

“This is opening the source. We must also curb expenditure. Lacking gunpowder, we should make more arrows. The Goryeo’s firearms are crude, and they use more arrows than we do. We have iron and copper; assign specialists to mine and smelt without stop. As for other firearms, though we can’t make cannons, Lu Qianhu, who was formerly with the Armory Supervisors, is no amateur. The artisans’ battalion has all kinds of craftsmen; with clever soldiers assisting, output may be small, but enough to cover losses.”

This was a stopgap, but it would do. Deng She agreed and appointed Lu Qianhu to oversee smelting and weapon manufacture. Hong Jixun’s mention of Shandong gave him pause—what of Wang Shicheng, Xu Jizu, and their fight with Zhao Junyong? He decided to send scouts to Jinfugai and other prefectures to gather intelligence.

With civil and military affairs roughly sorted, all knew their tasks. Hong Jixun said, “Well-trained troops can easily take the border; ten thousand is more than enough. But to threaten the south, it’s a bit thin. I have three suggestions.”

Deng She, always planning ahead, said, “Please explain, sir.”

“First, recruit Han and Bohai men from each city; second, treat Tong Doulan well to bring in the Jurchen tribes; third, allow the low-status Goryeo soldiers to become civilians, which has been well received.

“With repeated victories, our prestige is high. I’ve heard that many local serfs and poor peasants want to enlist. We can expand the Goryeo contingent as auxiliaries to help garrison cities and maintain order. Some may prove elite and could be used in battle.”

Recruiting Han and Bohai men was no problem; winning over the Jurchens was already policy; but too many Goryeo auxiliaries were unwise. Unfortunately, Han numbers were too small. Deng She thought for a moment, “We only have enough provisions for ten thousand for two or three months. We can’t recruit too many. Let’s cap it at three thousand Han and four thousand Goryeo.” He sighed—when you lack troops and territory, you yearn for them; when you have them, you worry about provisions. He laughed at himself—what a vicious circle.

With that, he made a mental note: two major issues to solve—provisions and gunpowder, and sources of soldiers.

Hong Jixun snapped his fan shut, tapping it on his palm to regain Deng She’s attention. After talking for hours, he showed no fatigue but now, vibrant as ever, asked one last question, “Governing five cities is not like ruling the Twin Cities. Do you have a plan, General?”

As soon as Hong asked, Deng She knew he must already have one. Sure enough, before Deng She could answer, Hong Jixun drew a scroll from his sleeve and, without opening it, handed it to Wu Henian. “Wu, as administrator, please review this document for any flaws.”

Wu Henian, annoyed at being treated as an errand boy, forced a smile and flattered, “Sir, your talent is unmatched; I wouldn’t dare critique you.” He opened the scroll, glanced through it, and exclaimed, “What fine writing! And such beautiful calligraphy.” Clearing his throat, he stood respectfully to one side and read aloud:

“Notice to the People of Goryeo:

The Yin and Shang—your ancestors—are also the ancestors of China; we are one family. Peace is the norm, and all are part of China. The Yuan have fallen, like tigers cloaked in human skin, acting against Heaven and reason, oppressing all within and without. The South is destitute, the Central Plains devastated. Twice they sent armies to Japan, leaving the East Sea empty. Inspired by our Lin clan, noble people of Kija, our Great Song’s call from Yingshang has echoed far and wide.

In these turbulent times, only heroes reveal their true colors; in saving the people, who but the worthy will answer the call? With good horses and wise advice, distant lands can be reached; with virtuous men united, the great way is clear. In this land of three thousand li of rivers and mountains, I await the noble sons of righteous families with hope.”

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[End of the main text; the following are footnotes and historical explanations, omitted as per your instructions.]