weaving

On the 17th day of the eighth month of the 15th year of the reign of Emperor Chongzhen of the Ming Dynasty, Xuzhou City in Kaifeng Prefecture, Henan Province, was already in a state of complete order.

The streets were bustling with people, and all the shops had their doors wide open to welcome guests from all directions, creating a peaceful and harmonious scene. Although groups of brave soldiers could still be seen patrolling back and forth from time to time, there was no sense of incongruity.

The original Censorate and Military Commandery offices in Xuzhou have been abandoned, and now many craftsmen are directing the repairs. Although they are dressed in rags, they look to be in good spirits.

Many soldiers appeared around the prefectural government office, some standing guard and others patrolling back and forth...

The bustling scene in front of the prefectural government office has vanished, replaced by a powerful and grim atmosphere. Armored soldiers stand like walls, and swords and spears are everywhere. Not a single ordinary person can be seen in the vicinity.

…………

Xuzhou had been captured by the rebel army several times before. Not long ago, the notorious bandit "One Tiger" Li Guo had stayed there for more than a month. And just over half a month ago, the rebel himself had also stayed in Xuzhou.

Now, Xuzhou City has been recaptured by the government army and returned to the embrace of the imperial court—no, it should be said that it has returned to the embrace of the Yongyi Army.

Xuzhou was not only the capital of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, but also a political and military center in the Central Plains. However, during the Ming Dynasty, Xuchang became Xuzhou, which was under the jurisdiction of Kaifeng Prefecture in Henan Province.

At this time, Xuzhou was a "dispersed prefecture" in the Ming Dynasty. However, according to the local administrative system of the Ming Dynasty, a "dispersed prefecture" could govern counties. Therefore, Xuzhou at this time also governed four counties: Linying, Yancheng, Xiangcheng, and Changge.

This shows that Xuzhou held a significant position in Kaifeng Prefecture and even in Henan Province.

Moreover, Xiangcheng, under the jurisdiction of Xuzhou, is adjacent to Ruzhou and Nanyang Prefecture, which is the gateway to guard the rebel army. It can advance into Ruzhou to threaten the rebel's stronghold in Funiu Mountain, and can also remotely control Nanyang Prefecture; while retreating, it can defend Xuzhou to prevent the rebel army from entering Kaifeng.

Due to years of war, the prefect of Xuzhou had already died under the swords of the rebel army, which left the Earl of Yongning with a great deal of room to maneuver.

…………

The Xuzhou Prefectural Government Office has now become the headquarters of the Yongning Earl's Central Plains Bandit Suppression Command.

The front hall of the prefectural government office was where the various departments of the garrison sat and worked. The office of the Earl of Yongning was mainly in the central hall. As for the back hall, it was reserved as the residence of the Earl of Yongning, Zhang Cheng. The staff members who accompanied him lived in the side courtyards on both sides.

In a side hall of the main hall, the Earl of Yongning was looking at military reports from all sides, with Liu Chengzhu standing beside him, ready to give orders at any time. A small desk was placed in front of him.

Below them were several desks, where the old staff officer Sun Shixiang and Hu Yiwen were sitting, writing furiously...

A moment later, Hu Yiwen, holding a manuscript, came to the Yongning Earl's desk and said softly, "Commander, I have drafted the military intelligence report to be submitted to the Emperor. Please take a look at it personally."

Zhang Cheng raised his head, looked at Hu Yiwen, and smiled, "Gongqiao, do you think my actions are somewhat attention-seeking?"

Hu Yiwen smiled but did not speak.

“If you don’t speak, I’ll take that as a yes,” the Earl of Yongning said casually.

Hu Yiwen remained silent and was about to return to his seat when he saw Sun Shixiang put down his brush and walk towards him, saying, "Commander, there is something I really can't understand."

Zhang Cheng looked at him, and although he didn't say anything, his meaning was very clear.

"Commander, are you not afraid of the gossip and slander from the officials and censors in the court by promoting military settlements in Kaifeng with such a grand gesture?"

"What is there to fear?" The Earl of Yongning seemed unconcerned. He said with a smile, "If any censor has any objections, just send them to the front lines, put on armor, and take up arms to kill the traitors."

Sun Shixiang was speechless for a moment, and could only give an awkward smile.

In fact, what the Earl of Yongning said was not entirely unreasonable. After all, morality and the laws of the court alone cannot deal with bandits. And among the Ming generals in the world who can kill bandits, the first one is the Earl of Yongning, Zhang Cheng'er.

As the Earl of Yongning just said, if any censor or official dares to spout nonsense again, then send him to the front line in Henan. The Earl of Yongning will provide him with armor and weapons, so that he can personally reason with the bandits, explain morality, and discuss the laws of the court!
"The chaos caused by bandits in the Central Plains is even worse than elsewhere. If we do not take swift and decisive measures, how can we deal with the rebel Li Zicheng?"

The Earl of Yongning stood up from his chair and walked straight out of the side hall. Sun Shixiang and the other two followed closely behind and also left the side hall.

It was already late afternoon, and the sunlight was strong, shining through the sparse branches and leaves of the large tree, illuminating everyone and creating shimmering, star-like spots of light.

"Without establishing military farms, how can we sustain ourselves by relying entirely on the imperial court for grain and provisions?"

The Earl of Yongning said softly, "Moreover, there are hundreds of thousands, even millions, of starving people scattered everywhere. If we do not make a concerted effort to win them over, it is hard to guarantee that they will not resolutely join the rebels. Although swords and spears are sharp, how can we kill all the hundreds of millions of people who have lost their land throughout the world?"

Sun Shixiang and the others nodded repeatedly.

"A true man acts with a clear conscience and without shame before heaven and earth. What is there to fear from a mere censor or imperial official?"

He turned around abruptly, his face serious, and said, "I stand between heaven and earth, and only act according to my conscience. As for how I will be evaluated after my death, I believe that a hundred years from now, there will be a fair judgment."

“We admire your noble character, Commander-in-Chief!” Sun Shixiang said.

He suddenly lowered his voice and said, "Commander, the enemy has retreated back to Funiu Mountain. Should we continue our attack or temporarily cease hostilities so that my soldiers can rest and recuperate?"

"My intention is to lead the army back to Xuanfu to rest and reorganize once the situation in Henan has stabilized. However..." The Earl of Yongning's face darkened, and he continued, "The situation in Henan has not been easy to achieve, so we must leave two battalions of troops to guard it, lest those incompetent bastards ruin it again."

"Commander-in-Chief...which two battalions of troops do you wish to leave to guard Henan?" Sun Shixiang asked.

Before the Earl of Yongning could speak, a series of rapid footsteps of military boots were heard, followed by Zhang Mingyuan's voice: "Commander, the Emperor's envoy has arrived!"

"Have they entered the city?" The Earl of Yongning seemed unsurprised, asking casually.

"We are less than ten miles from Xuzhou."

"Old Master Sun, Gongqiao, please go out of the city to greet him on my behalf."

"Commander-in-Chief, aren't you going to personally welcome him?" Sun Shixiang asked.

“No, that won’t do.” Zhang Cheng waved his hand and said, “Just say, ‘I’ve been working hard day and night and I’m exhausted. I’ve also caught a cold and it’s really inconvenient for me to go out of the city to greet you.’”

"Yes."

"Liu Chengzhu, arrange the incense table and burner in preparation for receiving the imperial decree."

"Yes, Commander." (End of Chapter)