Chapter 39: Reunion with Joy (Part 2)

Liu Yongfu pushed Liu Yu’s hand away. “We’re all one family now—there’s no need for such formality.”
Liu Yu smiled. “After restoring Heyang, I plan to have the Left Camp return to defend Shanxi. As for provisions, as long as my Xiliu Camp has meat to eat, I won’t let the men in the Left Camp go without anything.”
“But you must grant me one condition: I want full freedom to handle matters in the villages within this province. Please cover for me.”
Liu Yongfu had also heard of the prestige of Xiliu Camp in Shanxi—so great that even foreign missionaries would turn and run at the sight of its banners. “Don’t worry. If Governor Huang blames you, I’ll take the blame for you.”
Liu Yu immediately turned to Wu Fengdian and said, “From now on, our two camps must work together to defend Shanxi. As for provisions, leave that to my brother. If we manage the villages well, it will be enough to support Xiliu Camp.”
He was telling the truth. Since driving away the French missionaries, Xiliu Camp had firmly established itself in Shanxi. Whether the villages were Catholic or not, they all obediently fulfilled their obligations.
Over these three months, Jiang Linyang had calculated for Liu Yu, and Xiliu Camp not only hadn’t suffered any losses but also had a small surplus.
Yet Liu Yu’s plans displeased Father Ruan Youming greatly.
In the newly built chapel, he stared gloomily at the complaints sent from Shanxi, his brows furrowed even more.
The room was dim, lit only by faint light. Shelves were piled with newly printed religious books. He muttered, “Detestable!”
The cathedral in Haiyang had been burned to the ground. The believers didn’t even want to rebuild it at its original site. They simply donated a lot of money to build a smaller chapel, and the scale of each service was greatly reduced.
In short, Catholicism’s prestige in this city had suffered a fatal blow. Thus, Ruan Youming could understand and even share the anger of his colleagues.
Those were the most hateful barbarians. Ruan Youming relived that terrifying scene. He almost roared, “Qiao, do you really have a solution?”
In the dark secret room, there was another person—a Chinese man.
He also wore a cross around his neck and held a pocket-sized Bible. He smiled sycophantically at Ruan Youming and said, “Don’t worry. I’m one of Lord Du Buyi’s trusted men. I was by his side when Lord An Ye died.”
This Catholic was named Qiao Erchi. He had joined the Yellow Flag Army in his early years and later followed Du Buyi to explore the Red River, rendering great services to the French. When An Ye colluded with the Yellow Flag Army, he was promised the position of their commander. He remained utterly loyal to the French.
But before his dreams could come true, the Black Flag Army beheaded An Ye at Zhiqiao. Soon after, the Yellow Flag Army was defeated. Though he hated the Black Flag Army deeply, he had no choice but to work as a guide for the French in Haifang Port. Yet he never stopped longing for his former life of glory and wealth.

He had many troops at his disposal. In the past, when the Yellow Flag Army occupied Heyang, it was extremely powerful, numbering tens of thousands. After Huang Chongying’s defeat, although some of his remaining troops joined the Black Flag Army, most scattered. He repeatedly told FatherYuming Yuming, “The Yellow Flag Army has always been loyal to France’s cause. As long as France provides sufficient pay and weapons, I can immediately arm a thousand Yellow Flag soldiers for them.”

A thousand Yellow Flag soldiers could provide adequate protection for France’s interests, just like the three French marine companies stationed in Dongjing.

However,Yuming Yuming’s proposal was rejected by the French consul in Haiphong. Even arming five hundred Yellow Flag soldiers would impose a heavy financial burden on France each year, equivalent to maintaining one or two more French marine companies in what the French called Dongjing.

It was one of the most unusual decisions in French history. Now,Yuming Yuming could only resort to less effective measures. “Qiao, your faith is the strongest I’ve seen among Chinese people. I’ve already secured enough funds and supplies for you from the Archdiocese of Hanoi.”

“Two hundred piastres, a seven-shot rifle used by barbarians, two Remington rifles, two hundred bullets—along with your influence—should be enough to persuade those former Yellow Flag soldiers you mentioned.”

Qiao Erchi flatteredYuming Yuming repeatedly, “Rest assured, I’ll ensure every penny from the archdiocese is used where it’s most needed.”

Rebuilding the Yellow Flag Army had been Qiao Erchi’s dream for years. He couldn’t forget the glory of following the French under Du Bu Yi back then. He assuredYuming Yuming, “Don’t worry! In Xuan Guang, there are many of our former Yellow Flag soldiers, as well as many enemies of the Black Flag Army. More importantly, we have the support of the Archdiocese of Hanoi.”

“Even better news is that, according to my intelligence, a group of our old friends has recaptured our Yellow Flag Army’s stronghold. Unfortunately, they lack French support, but they will surely draw the Black Flag Army’s main forces away.”

He carefully planned for France: “Once the Black Flag Army’s main forces attack Heyang, Xuan Guang and Shanxi will be left undefended. I can gather a thousand or two thousand Yellow Flag soldiers and their allies against the Black Flag Army, along with several cannons. We can march down the Red River from Xuan Guang to attack those barbarians you mentioned, inflicting heavy losses and forcing the Black Flag Army to withdraw troops from the Heyang front.”

Yuming Yuming hesitated. “The Liu Camp has about three hundred soldiers and three hundred rapid-fire rifles. Can you deal with them?”

Qiao Erchi replied with firmness, “Remember, the Yellow Flag Army has always been loyal to France’s interests and its promises. Even during the years when Huang Chongying was fighting, we upheld our oaths. For France, we’re willing to make great sacrifices!”

“But France has never provided us with the support we deserve. A breechloader costs only ten dollars in the Hong Kong market. For just ten thousand dollars, France could acquire a thousand loyal, reliable, and combat-effective Yellow Flag soldiers. Yet the support you’ve given us today… is the only bit of support the Yellow Flag Army has received in five years!”

Ruan Youming’s passion had been ignited. He hated those domestic bureaucrats—conquering a colony of tens of millions of people only required 1,500 to 2,000 soldiers and a few warships, yet the governor of Indochina never received the necessary resources or authority.
“I understand, I’m angry, but I want to know how we can deal a heavy blow to the Liu faction.”
“Don’t worry! The Liu forces, with just 300 men, control an entire province of Shanxi. Their troops will be scattered across many strongholds. With 2,000 soldiers, we’ll surely target their weakest points. Dozens of bandits armed with rapid-fire rifles are doomed to be defeated by 2,000 elite soldiers of the Yellow Flag Army.”
Ruan Youming held the Bible and blessed Qiao Erchi: “Good luck to you! I won’t forget my promise—when the Yellow Flag Army is reestablished, you will be its number one leader.”