Volume Two: When I Pull the Trigger, Heaven and Earth Respond Chapter 27: Tokugawa III

Page 1/3

Hong Jixun, Wen Huaguo, Yao Haogu, Wu Heniang, and others escorted him for twenty li. With Yao Haogu present, it was difficult to inquire directly about what had happened to Hong Jixun. After enduring Yao Haogu’s enthusiastic attention, Deng She seized a moment to glance at Hong Jixun’s expression, who remained composed.

In July, the temperature in Shuangcheng was not excessively hot. The troops had switched to lighter clothing, and as they marched, their spirits were refreshed. Yao Haogu closely followed Deng She, incessantly praising, "The general has been victorious in the campaign, with successive reports of triumphs, capturing several cities and making great gains. Truly, you bring honor to Lord Guan Ping! Although I have remained idle in the city without a single contribution in arms, I cannot help but feel joyful and elated."

His words were laced with hidden barbs; right upon meeting, he began accusing Deng She of sidelining him and withholding real power. Deng She chuckled and replied, "The main merit on the front lines goes to logistics and grain transport. Yao, as the chief manager of the rear, rest assured, I will ensure the victorious reports to Lord Guan Ping credit your contributions."

Yao Haogu chuckled dryly, casting a glance at Hong Jixun, about to say more, but Hong Jixun interrupted with a poker face. Bowing slightly to Deng She, he said, "To welcome the general’s triumphant return, I have prepared a banquet and arranged a grand drama performance to reward the soldiers. The stage can be set up inside the camp or within the city; please, general, decide."

Deng She pondered. The returning soldiers might become arrogant, causing disturbances among the civilians. He summoned Yang Wanhu and ordered, "No soldiers shall enter the city. Have them all return to the camp and celebrate with food and drink for three days."

Yang Wanhu obeyed. He led the troops around the city without entering, settling in the southern camp. The two thousand able-bodied men who came with the army, having no place to stay, were also sent to the southern camp.

Wheat fields on both sides of the road were lush green. Although repeatedly ravaged by war this spring, thanks to Wu Heniang’s capable supervision, few lands were left uncultivated. The ripe wheat swayed gently in the breeze. Groups of Korean men and women in lantern pants worked in the fields. Many timid villagers crouched low, not daring to look up as the army returned. Every three or four li, small patrols monitored the area.

Once this season’s wheat was harvested, military grain supplies would no longer be so tight. More importantly, as long as this momentum held, the army would have a stable source of provisions.

Wu Heniang observed closely, bowing slightly, "In another month or two, the wheat will be ripe. The farming habits of the Shuangcheng people are not as meticulous as those in the Central Plains, so yields are somewhat low. I measured in person: about two shi per mu. Around Shuangcheng and Ningyuan, about forty to fifty thousand mu are cultivated." He sighed, "Shuangcheng is manageable, but in Ningyuan, many natives have fled, and manpower, seeds, draft animals, and tools are all insufficient, leaving much land untended."

Fifty thousand mu equated to one hundred thousand shi. Tax collection, based on local averages, took one third—yielding over thirty thousand shi of grain. This was no small amount. Since Deng She’s rise, despite many raids, the army’s surplus grain had never exceeded several thousand shi.

Yet Deng She showed no joy. With two months to the harvest, what was not yet in hand was not his. Glancing at Yao Haogu’s beaming face, he felt a pang—hoping not to labor just to make someone else’s gains.

Entering the city, Yao Haogu stuck to Deng She like glue, refusing to leave. Several times Deng She tried to find a moment to ask Hong Jixun what had really happened, but found no chance. The banquet lasted until midnight, and only then did a drunken Yao Haogu depart.

Deng She had been poured plenty of wine by him, his head spinning. Returning to his chamber, Luo Guannu prepared a sobering soup, which he drank twice, washing his face with cold water to recover some composure.

Hong Jixun sat leisurely nearby, lightly tapping his palm with a fan. He hadn’t touched a drop of wine and was fully alert. Seeing Deng She had finished, he smiled faintly and said, "Yao Haogu’s persistence grows ever stronger. While the general was absent from the city, he truly stirred up no small amount of trouble."

"He’s certainly no match for Mr. Hong. What exactly did he do?" Deng She tossed the towel into a basin, waved Luo Guannu and others away.

Hong Jixun didn’t answer immediately but changed the subject to pressing Deng She’s return, "I sent three messages requesting your return because a major matter has arisen." He raised his fan and pointed vaguely to the air, voice modulating, "Half joyous, half worried."

Half worried suggested a false alarm. Deng She sipped tea and half-joked, half-serious said, "A gentleman asks about worries, not joys. Please speak of the worries first."

"The soldiers sent to purchase gunpowder and other supplies returned a few days ago, bringing intelligence from the Liaoyang area. Guan Duo’s reckless actions have backfired, bringing trouble upon himself."

Deng She was startled, puzzled, "How so?"

"Just as I suspected, early last month, after capturing Jinfu Prefectures, he indeed prepared to attack Liaoxi. Unfortunately, his show of force scared the Khitan emperor. About five or six days ago, Suojijian was appointed Left Chancellor of Liaoyang Province, commanding the Red Cavalry with King Nanggadai and Fojianu leading the troops, advancing near Liaoyang."

Suojijian was a high-ranking official of the Mongol Yuan court; Nanggadai descended from Mukhaliri; Fojianu was an old acquaintance. These three, all eminent and powerful, as commanders indicated Liaoyang faced serious pressure.

But that was not all. Hong Jixun continued, "Naha Chu and Gao Jianu were also ordered to mobilize. From Shenyang to Liaonan, there seems to be a concerted effort to besiege Liaoyang."

A three-pronged assault—Liaoyang was in grave danger. Deng She inhaled sharply, understanding Hong Jixun’s meaning: half joy, half worry. If Guan Duo could hold, fine; if not, Liaoyang would fall, putting Shuangcheng in peril. He could hardly believe it, "Liaonan? Hadn’t Jin and Fu Prefectures in Liaonan already been captured by Lord Guan Ping?"

"Guan Ping’s focus was elsewhere. Though captured, few troops were stationed there. Two months ago, these prefectures were taken by Japanese pirates."

Deng She was stunned. Over ten years, he had heard of pirate activity along the coast but never imagined they could seize cities. Hong Jixun, born in Korea which suffered from pirate raids, knew much about them and was unsurprised. He looked at Deng She keenly, "General, the siege of Liaoyang is a godsend!"

Deng She frowned, "A godsend it may be, but if Liaoyang falls..."

"There are two possibilities. Either Guan Duo’s entire force is annihilated, or he loses a foothold and retreats early into Korea. Either way, great pressure will fall upon Shuangcheng." Hong Jixun had pondered this thoroughly and spoke confidently, "This is the ‘worry’ I mentioned."

"However, there is another possibility: Liaoyang does not fall." With a sharp slap, Hong Jixun struck his left palm with his fan-holding fist, "If so, both Guan Duo and the Khitan will suffer heavy losses, and Shuangcheng can take advantage of the resulting chaos."

"What do you think is more likely?"

Leaning back, Hong Jixun replied, "Eighty percent joy, twenty percent worry." Leaning forward, he analyzed, "Though the Khitan’s advance seems formidable—Red Cavalry, Naha Chu, Gao Jianu, all united and strong—it is not so. The Red Cavalry is official troops; Naha Chu commands Mongol tribes; Gao Jianu leads local warlords. Each has their own agenda, united in name but divided in purpose."

"Guan Duo is an experienced general. Even Yao Haogu shows he has shrewd advisers. He will perceive the advantages. If he responds properly and acts wisely, this calamity can be quietly defused."

Despite this, Deng She remained uneasy, placing hope in others was risky: "I fear we wishful think. What if Lord Guan Ping cannot endure the pressure and simply abandons Liaoyang, retreating fully into Korea?"

"No need to worry," Hong Jixun smiled, having thought it through thoroughly, "Without Liaoyang, even if Korea is gained, it is merely retreating to East Sea’s shore, passively defenseless. With Liaoyang, it is like having a stake deep in Liaodong, both offensive and defensive. Guan Duo will not give it up."

Deng She stood and paced, asking, "Any news from Zhang Jujing and Shijia Bao in Liaoxi?"

"No signs; Liaoxi is defending but inactive." The Mongol strategy was evidently three-pronged attack and one defensive line. At least two hundred thousand troops were involved—a serious commitment.

Deng She agreed with Hong Jixun’s assessment that Guan Duo would not abandon Liaoyang, "Then there will be a bitter battle."

Hong Jixun shook his head, "Whether or not to fight is uncertain."

"What do you mean?"

"Alliances will shift and break apart. If Naha Chu and Gao Jianu lack resolve, then with only Suojijian’s Red Cavalry left—its combat power, General, you have experienced firsthand, is far weaker than Bolo or Chahan. It is no match for Guan Duo. With a few small victories at Liaoyang, the Khitan may retreat without a fight."

After much analysis, the siege of Liaoyang may be a false alarm. Deng She was skeptical but did not argue, lacking firsthand intelligence. He asked, "What do you think Shuangcheng should do?"

Hong Jixun proposed boldly but cautiously: "Two plans. One if Guan Duo holds Liaoyang; one if he loses it. Either way, twelve words sum it up: no rash advances, seize the opportunity to develop, solidify the foundation. Once the foundation is firm, strength follows. No matter how the situation changes, we need not fear."

He drank tea, waiting for Deng She’s thoughts. Deng She had no better idea; Hong Jixun’s words echoed his own. Since arriving in Korea, he had faced pressure from the Li army and Guan Duo, fighting nearly daily. The foundation was indeed unstable.

Page 2/3

Now, tens of thousands of troops from both sides faced off beneath Liaoyang’s walls. Liaoyang was a large city, well-fortified and well-stocked with grain, defended by over a hundred thousand soldiers. If battle broke out, it would last months. Even if the Mongols withdrew without fighting, the court would not allow such a large force to leave casually. If this chance could be used to develop, all the better.

Reflecting on the past two months, most energy had been devoted to military matters: reforming the army, building fortifications, drilling troops, forging weapons. Civil affairs had barely advanced—just a few efforts encouraging farming and sericulture, land redistribution, and the baojia system. These were far from sufficient.

Deng She settled his mind and asked, "Does Yao Haogu know about this?"

"Yao Haogu? He has been secretly sending messages to Liaoyang frequently. Just a few days ago, a Liaoyang messenger arrived. I suppose he must know." Hong Jixun sneered, "There was fierce power struggle recently, but now things have calmed down. He’s a shrewd man, full of schemes—not to be underestimated."

Deng She detected genuine feeling in his words. He admired Yao Haogu’s cunning and means but was also wary. "Has Yao been idle these days?"

"Idle? Hardly! But whenever problems arose, I resolved them one by one." Hong Jixun summarized, "A few days after the general left the city, Yao went down to the Jurchen gathering areas to curry favor. He posted elaborate proclamations in the city, spreading rhetoric about ‘equal land for rich and poor,’ claiming to uphold justice."

"Though seemingly praising the general, he actually framed the general’s land redistribution as ordered by Guan Duo. Moreover, the proclamations gave locals and garrison troops the impression that the general was a loyal servant, utterly devoted to Guan Duo."

His blunt words stung; he implied Deng She was not loyal but a great traitor. Deng She felt uncomfortable but laughed it off, self-mocking, "Call me loyal? That’s just flattery to fool me, trying to force me to submit to Lord Guan Ping." He asked, "How did you handle it?"

"The Jurchens are easy; Yao has no real power, and practical affairs fall to Vice Administrator Wu. Let Yao cause a fuss. He can post proclamations as chief manager, beyond my control. I imitated his style, posting a statement praising Guan Duo’s merits and loyalty to Emperor Song, and mentioning that the general served before Guan Duo’s northern campaign, also a loyal servant. So neither has monopoly on loyalty; both serve the emperor wholeheartedly."

A brilliant tactic. If Guan Duo rebelled, he’d be the traitor; if Deng She disobeyed orders, he’d become loyal. If Guan Duo didn’t rebel, they were both old ministers of the young emperor, subtly elevating their status as rivals.

Deng She laughed, "Only you could handle this so easily. Anyone else would fail."

Hong Jixun was about to speak when a guard knocked softly and reported, "General, Lady Wang requests an urgent audience."

Looking out the window, night was late. A warm breeze carried the sound of the second watch’s drum. The watchmen, all war-wounded soldiers with hoarse voices, called out twice, once in Chinese, once in Korean: "Dry weather, beware of fire."

Hong Jixun, just warmed to his topic, unusually patient, refrained from irritation at the interruption. Hesitating, he drew a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Deng She. "I’ve made some plans for future development. Please review at your leisure."

Deng She accepted the thick document—far from a mere sketch, it was well-organized and detailed. He solemnly said, "Thank you for your hard work. I will study it tonight and we will discuss it thoroughly tomorrow morning."

Hong Jixun bowed and took his leave. At the door, he met Lady Wang, whose fragrance was captivating. His eyes lingered involuntarily, and he bowed, "Greetings, madam."

Lady Wang returned the bow with hands folded before her skirt, "Many blessings, sir." She stepped aside to let him pass. Hong Jixun descended and returned home.

Deng She stood at the door to see him off and gestured to Lady Wang to enter.

They had not met for over half a month; she looked much thinner. Gone was her usual high coiffure with cloud-like hair piled up; now her hair was simply gathered low at the nape, no gold ornaments or dangling hairpins, losing some of her former grandeur but gaining a refined, mature feminine charm.

Still dressed in Korean women's attire—a white robe resembling men’s style with wide trousers and loose sleeves—her slender, graceful figure was accentuated. Seeing Deng She’s gaze, Lady Wang smiled warmly, "General, congratulations on your victorious return." She lifted her skirt to reveal neatly worn bow shoes and made a formal greeting, "Seeing you return fills my heart with joy."

Her eyes carried unspoken burdens. Deng She sighed, pitying her—those who inspire pity often have faults, and those faults may evoke pity again.

With the deaths of Wang Shicheng and Xu Jizu, her two great supporters gone, as a woman, her future was uncertain. His initial resentment for her intrusive visit gradually faded.

Deng She was not one to burn bridges. Despite the loss of Wang and Xu, he would not suddenly turn cold. He had treated Lady Wang with due respect. Inviting her to sit, he pondered whether to tell her about the deaths of Wang and Xu and how to arrange her future.

He asked gently, "The heat must have affected your appetite; you’ve lost weight. Tell me what you wish to eat; though Shuangcheng is remote and cannot compare with the Central Plains, I will order the servants to prepare it."

Lady Wang’s eyes reddened, "Thank you for your concern." Deng She was distracted, not noticing her expression. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, "Does your family home still have anyone? You’ve been with the army, but without your husband or father, it’s uncertain what’s best. Perhaps returning to your family is better."

"My father died early, and my mother is no longer alive. When my brothers followed my husband to raise an army, our family home was left deserted," Lady Wang answered after a pause.

This was difficult. Deng She, inexperienced in such matters, chose his words carefully, "A month ago, Chief Manager Yao came from Liaoyang..."

Lady Wang nodded, "I know. When the general was away, he came to see me repeatedly, very troublesome." Her delicate eyes fixed nervously on Deng She, gauging his reaction.

Deng She gasped, "He met you?" Then he recalled: though Wang and Xu had died, over 800 veteran soldiers remained loyal to them, and Lady Wang, as the legitimate former mistress, was a natural target for Yao’s influence and alliances. He did not take it seriously. Loyalty forged in battle could not be undone by a woman.

Noticing Lady Wang’s gaze, he looked up and saw her reddened eyes. He sighed, "I suppose you already know. Marshals Wang and Xu were great heroes; their deaths were not in vain. The past is past; please accept my condolences."

Since the matter was out, he spoke frankly about his difficulty: "I actually knew the news the day Yao came, but did not tell you, fearing the shock. Without your support, I would not be here today. Rest assured, since your family is gone, I will take full responsibility for your safety."

He sought to reassure her but hesitated, "Ideally, you would stay in Shuangcheng so I can look after you. But with war and instability, and enemies at the gates, I fear if defeat comes, it would not be good for you."

Lady Wang said nothing, listening silently. Deng She, caught between options, half-truthfully said, "I have thought about sending you somewhere safe, but I have no clue where. I grew up a soldier, with no acquaintances in the Central Plains. Do you have plans?"

Her eyes sparkled with tears, but she did not answer. Instead, she asked, "Are you worried about my safety?"

"Of course." Deng She sensed something amiss but did not dwell on it. Following her lead, he said, "You have helped me greatly. My neck injury was cared for by you. Do you think I would be ungrateful?" This was true; his dislike for her was one thing, his duty another.

"Is there only gratitude?"

Deng She was startled. That sounded wrong. A widow seeking the next? He was honest, avoiding petty disputes, and evaded the question with a vague answer: "Besides gratitude, I have respect for Marshal Wang."

Lady Wang wiped her tears and smiled, "You’re sly, avoiding that sentence." She looked him over quickly, suspecting a guilty conscience, then said with hidden meaning, "What is there to respect? A crude, reckless man who only knows fighting. He can’t compare to you."

"He was courteous at first meeting outside the village. After Deng San died, his true nature and loyalty showed. At the fork, in battle against Fojianu, he charged thrice, single-handedly routing over a thousand cavalry, brave beyond compare. When the Yuan forces pursued relentlessly, to protect me, he divided his troops and gave the most dangerous path to Wen Huaguo—deep affection."

"At night’s raid on Yongping City, he showed courage and intelligence. During the chaos in Shandong, he cared for me. After every capture, the best provisions and clothing were prepared first for me. Just now, he showed true concern for my safety."

Lady Wang recalled the past bittersweetly, thinking of the night she entered Shuangcheng and her involuntary emotions, blushing deeply, finding Deng She’s anger filled with masculine vigor. She did not know her fondness was due to his usual coldness, which only highlighted his kindness by contrast.

Her thoughts twisted and turned, lamenting her late awakening, wishing to return and start over. Never before had she felt such pain—was it regret or joy? She gazed at Deng She silently, comparing him to Wang Shicheng as if they belonged to different worlds.

Holding back tears, unwilling to see Deng She troubled, she said, "You have guessed wrong."

Page 3/3

"How so?" Deng She, uneasy under her gaze, asked hurriedly.

"My husband is not dead." The words came with deep anguish; tears fell despite her efforts to hide them. Wiping them away, she forced a smile, "Chief Manager Yao came to see me regarding my husband."

Deng She was dumbfounded, unable to respond immediately.

Seeing his expression, Lady Wang interpreted it differently and wept bitterly, overwhelmed: "Why must you be so? It pains me to hear this." The most helpless thing in the world was misunderstanding. A couplet came to mind, softly recited, "Returning your bright pearls with tears falling, regretting not meeting before marriage."

Deng She paid no heed to her subtle feelings and focused. Reconsidering, he pieced together a likely scenario: Yao Haogu only mentioned Zhao Jun for Shandong, not Wang or Xu, because their conflict remained unresolved. He asked cautiously, "Did Marshal Wang want you to go to Shandong?"

Seeing her cry, he handed her a towel and patiently comforted her.

After some sobbing, she nodded: "In April, my husband went to Shandong. Rumors of northern Khitan cavalry caused a delay, and Guan Ping summoned him back. Upon learning the rumors were false, he crossed the sea again."

"Prince Yongyi?"

"Yao Haogu said my husband was captured and killed. The ruler in Bianliang appointed Mao Pingzhang’s son as the new governor of Shandong. You know, the situation in Shandong is much better than Liaoyang. My husband helped support young Mao Pingzhang, so a message was sent to Liaoyang, asking me to go to Shandong."

What a twist of fate. Deng She was both overjoyed and secretly relieved. Had he lost control in anger, he might have severed a potential ally.

Having cried and shared so much, Lady Wang calmed. Recalling something, she said, "Chief Manager Yao is no good. General, you must be wary of him."

"Why?" Deng She was distracted.

"He came several times, subtly slandering you. Saying your courtesy toward me was not sincere, but to leverage my husband’s influence. Worse, he said... he dared say all sorts of disrespectful things." Lady Wang blushed and glanced at Deng She.

Yao Haogu was partly right, making Deng She embarrassed. "What else did he say?"

"He said you lust after me." The first accusation came with anger; this one was shy and coquettish. Deng She, embarrassed to speechlessness, admitted Yao Haogu was relentless in sowing discord. Justified or not, he smiled, "I seek not others’ understanding, only my own. Madam, don’t take it to heart. Yao has a loose tongue."

Lady Wang responded softly, "You care for my safety so sincerely. I will never forget your promise to protect me."

With Liaoyang besieged but pressure light, and Shandong hopeful, Deng She was in good spirits. He smiled, "Your words flatter me greatly." Since Lady Wang’s path was clear, he asked, "When do you plan to leave?"

Knowing her long separation from Wang Shicheng must weigh heavily, fearing a sudden departure, and seeing the scroll from Hong Jixun, he guessed busy days ahead. "Would it be alright to delay a few days?"

Lady Wang’s eyes brightened, nearly saying, "If you don’t want me to go, I won’t." She held back, saying, "I should have left the day I received the message. But without seeing you, I delayed. Now that you’re back, I have no reason to postpone."

Deng She frowned, "Good. It’s late; no time to prepare tonight. Tomorrow is too soon. The road is long, Liaoyang is unstable; we must carefully plan a safe route. How about three days from now?"

Fate played cruel tricks. Meeting and parting in one breath, Lady Wang’s heart ached. Tears fell again, "I leave it all to you."

Having met and about to part, she was overwhelmed, wanting to cry freely. Suddenly rising, she took a few steps toward the door, then turned to look at Deng She. Fate made their meeting bittersweet. Casting aside propriety, she dashed back into his arms.

Deng She had just stood when he heard the tinkling of her hairpin as her warm body pressed against him. Flustered, he froze as her soft lips brushed his face and lips. She whispered, heartfelt, "General, don’t forget me." He was at a loss. Turning away, she clutched the towel and fled the room.

Inside, the red candles flickered; outside, the bright moon shone. Deng She stood stunned for a long time before suddenly thinking, "Damn it, who told Yao Haogu that Lady Wang was with me?"

—

1. Japanese Pirates.

"The Japanese pirates attacked Jinzhou and Fuzhou, killing the Red Army occupying those prefectures..." The Yuan Liaodong officials "immediately reported sending people to reward and pacify."

2. Yuan Dynasty Japanese Pirates.

Initially concentrated around Qingyuan, they were semi-traders, semi-pirates; the Yuan established the Commander-in-Chief headquarters to enforce maritime defense and set up sea route command posts to guard against pirate ships. In the first year of Emperor Wuzong’s Zhida Yuan (1308), pirates burned and plundered Qingyuan, and Yuan officials could not resist.

Later, during Emperor Shundi’s reign, they shifted focus to Shandong, "continuously raiding coastal counties."

3. Second Watch.

Nine o’clock at night.

4. Baiyi.

A male greeting gesture of clasped hands accompanied by the words "baiyi," "zhiyi," or "zuoyi." Example: "Baiyi, brother, where are you going?" The terms are similar, with "baiyi" being slightly more courteous.

Also called "changnuo," the sound made when bowing. The clasping involves crossing hands, left hand holding the right thumb, fingers straight, and bowing with arms moving up and down.

This is the most common etiquette, suitable for all social ranks and acquaintances. When greeting elders, the clasped hands should extend below the knees.

Contemporary Dong Wenwei, from an aristocratic family, was noted for his respectful greetings, bowing deeply to nearly touch the ground—a rare courtesy at the time.

5. Many Blessings.

A woman’s greeting gesture, with hands folded before the chest and saying "many blessings," popular among Han society by the Song dynasty.

From the drama "Romance of the Western Chamber": Zhang Sheng and Hongniang’s first meeting involved greetings of "baiyi" and "many blessings."

Page 3/3