Chapter 121: Different Plans

Liu Yu’s words carried no inflection, but to Ye Mengyan, they sounded like thunderclaps. His mind raced in an instant.

“Ye Mengyan only knows of the Xiliu Camp, the Black Flag Army, and their commander—never the Great Yue Kingdom.”

His face showed enthusiasm, yet a chill ran down his spine. He stood up and said, “Please instruct me, sir. I will do my utmost to carry out your orders.”

For years, he had feared that one day the Xiliu Camp and Vietnam would go to war outright. In that case, he would be worthless, no longer enjoying his current status. But now that that moment had arrived, he found it only natural.

How had the Xiliu Camp grown to such prominence? Its strength stemmed entirely from Vietnam’s suffering—plundering Haiyang, occupying Shanxi. Countless Vietnamese soldiers and civilians had died at their hands, and much of Vietnam’s wealth had been drained by the Xiliu Camp. Yet this was the only way for the camp to expand. To add one soldier, they had to dismiss ten or fifteen Vietnamese soldiers. If the Black Flag Army wanted to expand its territory, it was the Vietnamese who suffered first, not the French. Drawing nourishment from this backward kingdom was their only option.

Ye Mengyan didn’t think far ahead; he was only concerned with his own interests. Liu Yu glanced at the documents on the table, then looked up at him and said, “The king has passed away. Who in the country is fit to inherit the throne?”

Ye Mengyan also knew that some things could only be done, not spoken aloud. “The king has no heirs. He has only three nephews, none of whom are capable of ruling. The southern kingdom is in peril!”

Liu Yu sighed deeply. “At such a time of crisis, the country lacks capable ministers. Mengyan, sit down…”

His tone when calling him Mengyan was very friendly. Ye Mengyan quickly sat down and asked, “What are your thoughts, sir?”

Liu Yu said solemnly, “Though I am from the Ming dynasty, I have been in Vietnam for a long time and owe much to this country. In such a time of crisis, I must repay this kindness and work to revive the nation.”

His expression was full of integrity. “Since we sent troops in April, three months of fighting have given us control of the situation. This is a perfect opportunity to attack Huanglongfu. But now that the king is gone, if there are treacherous officials colluding with the French, using imperial edicts to bind our soldiers, what strategy do we have?”

Hearing this, Ye Mengyan was filled with excitement. He wanted to say, “Sir! If you ascend the throne, let me be your prime minister!” But as someone accustomed to being a negotiator and very calm, he quickly took over the conversation. “I believe that with the French invaders, millions of soldiers and civilians in the north hate them deeply. Even if a few forget their ancestors, they won’t be able to achieve anything. Everyone is willing to follow you.”

He had thought this through thoroughly. Liu Yu had summoned him surely because of concerns about Thanh Hóa. The Black Flag Army was still nominally a Vietnamese mercenary force. If Thanh Hóa declared a ceasefire, all their efforts would be in vain, and the French could win without fighting. Even if the Black Flag Army insisted on fighting, there were still tens of thousands of Vietnamese troops under Huang Zuo Yan in the north. These troops would only cause trouble rather than help. Though they had never won battles against the French, if ordered, they could turn their guns on the Black Flag Army, creating countless problems for them.

Not to mention that the Black Flag Army’s pay came almost entirely from the Vietnamese government. With just an imperial order, their funding would be cut off, leaving them without money or supplies. In history, Liu Yongfu of the Black Flag Army began recruiting four infantry battalions at this time, but due to a lack of pay and weapons, these four new battalions remained unready for combat until the end of the year.

He wasn’t too worried. No matter how the situation changed, Shanxi, Xuan Guang, and Xinghua were the stronghold of the Black Flag Army. Even if Thanh Hoa caused some turmoil, it could only stir up minor disturbances and couldn’t change the overall situation.

As for other regions, as long as they weren’t captured by the French, they could at least maintain a neutral or seemingly neutral stance. After all, the French were still in a passive position in the Tonkin region, occupying only Hanoi, Nam Dinh, and Haiphong. If the Vietnamese forces in other areas took a side at this time, they would be dealt with by their “friendly” allies without the Black Flag Army having to intervene.

“My lord, if traitors cause trouble in Thanh Hoa, following the example of the twelve imperial edicts, I believe you could issue a call to rally troops to restore order, and surely many would respond.”

He was well aware of Thanh Hoa’s control over Tonkin—it was essentially a relationship between an occupying power and its troops. The Nguyen dynasty had failed to govern Tonkin well, and people longed for change. That’s why some people repeatedly rose in arms in the name of the Le royal family. Li Yangcai entered Vietnam partly because of this trend.

At that time, Liu Yu could raise an army under the title of “Supreme Commander of All Troops” to quell the chaos. In the northern provinces of Vietnam, aside from the French-occupied areas, the rest would likely remain cautious. Ye Mengyan mentioned another point: “My lord, I think the provinces upstream of the Red River could serve as our rear base and should be taken.”

From Lao Cai Province to Taiyuan Province, there were six or seven provinces along the upper Red River, roughly equivalent to six or seven large counties in China. These provinces had troops of the Black Flag Army and their allied forces stationed there. The Black Flag Army had a profound influence in these provinces, with places like Baosheng and Heyang being their old strongholds.

However, their control over these regions was far from absolute; it was based on friendly relations and negotiations. In other words, as long as the Black Flag Army maintained an advantage over the French, these regions would remain friendly to them. If the French won or Thanh Hoa changed its stance against them, they would immediately turn against them.

In history, Xuan Guang Province was lost in this way. So Liu Yu was straightforward: “What kind of help do you need?”

Ye Mengyan had to think carefully before saying, “If my lord raises an army to restore order, I originally wanted to serve as the chief secretary in your household. But after careful consideration, leading troops into battle is the best way to relieve your concerns. I would like to become a battalion commander.”

He also realized that within the Black Flag Army, the status of soldiers was always paramount. Only a few people like Liu Qing held positions above battalion commanders. Although battalion commander seemed a minor role, it was actually one of the most important positions in the army.

In times of chaos, controlling the troops meant controlling the foundation of power. But Liu Yu understood this better than him: “In times of crisis, with few troops, we still must take the provinces upstream of the Red River. Fortunately, there are scattered troops of our Black Flag Army in those provinces, along with our allies.”

The Viet Cong forces in these provinces were equally vulnerable, while the Black Flag Army in these areas numbered around several hundred. Previously, Ye Chenglin had suggested that since he had connections in Ten Provinces and Mengde, it wouldn’t be a problem to assemble another battalion of infantry. These troops were the weakest in combat strength among the Black Flag Army, but dealing with Viet Cong forces of similar size wasn’t a big issue. The only concern was that the Viet Cong forces in these provinces numbered from over a thousand to three thousand—too many to handle easily.

“This time, when we go to pacify them, we should ask them to cooperate wholeheartedly with our Black Flag Army, following the example of Shanxi and Xuan Guang,” Liu Yu said. “I’ll assign you a platoon of elite troops, and I’ll also send the newly formed Tiger Battalion over.”

The Tiger Battalion already had a new battalion commander, but Zhang Biao, a bandit, was given that position instead of Lian Jincheng. This infantry battalion consisted of three companies, with a total of just under four hundred men, yet it was still a quite combat-effective force.

But Ye Mengyan’s desire to seize control of the military forces didn’t stop: “Commander! How can a battalion and a platoon control such a vast area? I heard Liu Suiyun’s detachment has no combat tasks—could we transfer this battalion there?”

Liu Suiyun’s detachment was made up of elite troops from the Xiliu Battalion. At the thought of this force, Ye Mengyan couldn’t resist his ambitions: “To control the provinces upstream of the Red River, we need a sizable force—if we want to avoid trouble.”

Liu Yu immediately replied, “We already have a sizable force. Our Black Flag Army is stationed in various places, with each having about a battalion. Mengde and the volunteers from Ten Provinces also have a battalion each. Adding the Tiger Battalion brings us to about three battalions. But I still need the Tiger Battalion, as it must return after the pacification is complete.”

Ye Mengyan backed down: “What about the provincial officials and the Southern Army?”

Liu Yu tapped his fingers on the table: “Following the example of Xuan Guang, we’ll first conduct inspections. If there are any vacancies, we’ll dismiss them all. Provincial officials won’t be touched; only a few advisors will be stationed. The rest depends on your skills.”

He knew that such a small force wasn’t enough to control six or seven counties, but it was the best option available. He had about 70-80% confidence in it.

“As for those who dare to cause chaos, execute them without hesitation!”

…

Under the same scorching heat, Liu Yongfu was chatting leisurely with Tang Jingsong. Although he was no longer the supreme commander of the Black Flag Army, his status there had actually risen, as the strength of his six infantry battalions was undeniable.

He picked up his teacup, took a big gulp, and then introduced him to Tang Jingsong, “This is Lian Mei, the commander of the Wu Wei Battalion.”

Tang Jingsong smiled. “Is he the battalion commander who defeated the French at the Four Pillars Temple?”

Lian Mei was relatively young among the Black Flag Army’s battalion commanders, in his early thirties, sharp and capable. He said to Tang Jingsong, “It’s me.”

A few days earlier, he had built secret artillery positions at the Four Pillars Temple under Liu Yongfu’s orders. As soon as they were completed, two French warships arrived. He immediately opened fire, severely damaging one of the ships, achieving a remarkable feat that he was very proud of.

Liu Yongfu continued, “Battalion Commander Lian has followed me for many years. He’s loyal and reliable, and highly capable. I hope Lord Tang will take good care of him in the future.”

“Of course!” Tang Jingsong smiled naturally. “I heard Battalion Commander Lian is going through some trials this time?”

Lian Mei’s Wu Wei Battalion, originally two squads of Liu Yongfu’s personal guards, has now recruited more guards to form a three-company infantry battalion with around 350 men. Their weapons are quite good—almost all are rapid-fire guns, along with two small mortars. This is also a battalion carefully managed by Liu Yongfu; Lian Mei was originally his personal guard commander and one of his most trusted men. “I’ve already told Commander Liu that it will be Wu Wei Battalion that guards Sizhu Temple.” Sizhu Temple is one of the most crucial points in Huaide. Using a new battalion commander to guard it is precisely Liu Yongfu’s first strategic move. He has great confidence in Lian Mei—this battalion commander possesses both virtue and ability and is a truly rare talent. With such an infantry battalion guarding Sizhu Temple, it will surely impress everyone. In the Black Flag Army, although various factions compete in terms of strength and resources, what truly matters is combat capability. Liu Yongfu is determined to help Wu Wei Battalion turn things around. “Once Sizhu Temple is in Wu Wei Battalion’s hands, I’ll be at ease!” Liu Yongfu smiled and took another sip of tea. “Even if ten thousand men attack, Sizhu Temple will remain unshaken.” Tang Jingsong sipped his tea in an elegant manner. Years as a court official had smoothed out even his most fierce temper. He listened quietly as Liu Yongfu praised Lian Mei, but inwardly he felt agitated. To his surprise, he hadn’t been included in the Black Flag Army’s highest council. He became extremely angry over this later on, but after his anger subsided, he had to admit this harsh reality. He, Tang Jingsong, a probationary official in the Ministry of Personnel, still didn’t hold supreme command over the Black Flag Army. Yet he firmly believed that with hard work, this army could help him achieve great things. Now was a very good opportunity. Tang Jingsong glanced at the shrewd and capable Lian Mei. “I heard General Liu plans to establish three more battalions?” Liu Yongfu replied with a smile, “Yes, three large battalions. Commander Liu has promised to provide 100 rapid-fire guns. As for troops, Hu Kunshan has agreed to bring 300 men.” Hu Kunshan was from Guangdong and was also a mercenary for the Vietnamese government. His 300 men were all from Guangdong and Guangxi; their combat strength wasn’t high, but they were far better than the Vietnamese troops, so they had often taken on defensive tasks for the Vietnamese in history. But as mercenaries, Hu Kunshan’s men always demanded that the Vietnamese pay them on time without delays—something the Vietnamese simply couldn’t do. That’s why Liu Yongfu and he got along so well. “I’ve told Commander Liu that these three battalions don’t need to go to battle right away. They should go to the provinces along the Red River to pacify the area and strengthen their combat skills.” Some crucial details weren’t revealed to Ye Mengyan by Liu Yu. After all, taking control of the entire upper Red River region was a decision made by the highest council, and Ye Mengyan was merely a pawn in dealing with the Vietnamese. This matter would be entirely handled by Liu Yu, with Tang Jingsong, as an envoy from the superior nation, assisting as well. But Tang Jingsong sensed something else: “Three battalions and 100 rapid-fire guns— isn’t that enough?” Liu Yongfu smiled calmly, “To deal with the people from the south, 100 rapid-fire guns are more than enough.”

“But in the end, they still have to go to battle.” Tang Jingsong didn’t like the idea of the Black Flag Army being completely under one person’s control. “They’re meant to fight the French—three battalions!”
Liu Yongfu still smiled. “Then it depends on the kindness of the lord and Governor Xu.”
“Xu Yanxu?” Tang Jingsong understood.
This man who looked like a farmer had extraordinary ambitions, and he hadn’t given up yet.
That’s right! It was Xu Yanxu! Tang Jingsong’s eyes lit up. After entering Vietnam, he had forgotten that he had the powerful Empire of China behind him!
After the Tongzhi Restoration, any Chinese official might overestimate themselves, and Tang Jingsong was no exception. “Governor Xu has always been in favor of aiding the Black Flag Army. But even though I’m not part of the decision-making group, he still can’t help but worry.”
Liu Yongfu set down his teacup and spoke confidently, “We’re all in agreement on this, but there are still some procedural issues.”
He continued, “Right now, we’re short of both pay and weapons and urgently need support. I hope Governor Xu can provide us with more firearms and funds. With that, everything will be under control.”
He also mentioned Lian Mei, “It would be even better if troops could be sent to assist Captain Lian.”
Tang Jingsong clearly understood Liu Yongfu’s ambitions.
Why had Liu Yu risen to power? It was because of his larger number of guns and soldiers. Liu Yongfu couldn’t change that, but the support of the Qing Dynasty could.
A few hundred rifles and a few thousand taels of funds might not mean much to the Qing Dynasty, but within the Black Flag Army, they could change the balance of power. He was hoping for Xu Yanxu’s support.
It seemed Tang Jingsong didn’t take his eagerness seriously. He kept muttering, “Though I have some old acquaintance with Governor Xu, we’re not close. This is difficult.”
Liu Yongfu thought for a while before finally saying what he had prepared: “If the great Empire of China would lend a hand, I am willing to lead the Black Flag Army to submit…”
……
Under the same scorching sun, Huang Zuo Yan felt helpless.
“Yunping, summer is ending, and autumn is coming!” As the most important man in Northern Vietnam, he felt utterly helpless. “The country is facing another period of turmoil.”
Yunping, who was by his side, spoke calmly, “Since the country is in trouble, it’s precisely the time for a great man to turn the situation around.”
Huang Zuo Yan shook his head. “I’m ready to leave.”
Yunping’s composure was broken at that moment. “Lord? Is that rumor true?”
Huang Zuo Yan sighed deeply. “The emperor has passed away. Once the situation in Northern Vietnam stabilizes a bit, I’ll go to Shunhua.”
“Millions of soldiers and civilians in the capital can’t do without you!” Yunping became anxious. “Lord, you can’t abandon them.”
He knew very well the stakes involved. True, Huang Zuo Yan wasn’t a great general—neither skilled in literature nor military affairs—but as the commander in charge of Northern Vietnam’s military affairs, he had painstakingly maintained stability there for decades. Even if he hadn’t achieved any great feats, his efforts were undeniable.
Worse still, if he left, the situation in Northern Vietnam would be beyond control.

Among the four forces in present-day Tonkin, France and the Black Flag Army are locked in a fierce struggle. Their military strength far surpasses that of Vietnam. The Qing Dynasty, with over ten thousand troops and continuous support from Yunnan and Guangxi, can easily oppress this already decayed and weak Vietnam. Huang Zuoyan abandoned the troops and civilians in Tonkin and returned directly to the capital, allowing these forces to wage war in the region without restraint: “Your Excellency, you can’t leave!” Huang Zuoyan didn’t want to leave either, but he was powerless. He always favored using political tactics, yet they were utterly useless against overwhelming force. Both the French and the Black Flag Army preferred violence to resolve issues. Hanoi and Nam Dinh, guarded by thousands of soldiers and equipped with dozens of cannons, were easily taken by just a few hundred French troops. The Black Flag Army’s tendency toward violence was no less severe than that of the French. He always liked to have control over everything, but in the face of such violence, despite trying every means, he found himself unable to do anything. Even the provinces of Tonkin ignored him as their governor. His failure in Tonkin directly threatened his position. If he didn’t go to Hue, the royal family could simply send an imperial envoy with an edict to bring him to his knees. Only by going to Hue and participating in this power struggle could he preserve his position. “Yunping, we are both members of the royal family. It’s fine to speak openly. Staying in Tonkin only invites exploitation; only in Hue can we gain the upper hand.” “Besides, Tonkin today has no troops, no food, no pay, and its military operations are ineffective. We’re completely helpless!” Huang Zuoyan had drunk a bit too much at noon. “I’m going to Hue this time to see if the new emperor is capable. I heard the former emperor had a million in state funds hidden away, unused. Now that the country is in ruins, those funds should be used to save the situation!” Yunping shook his head. “This is exactly what His Majesty fears the most. The new emperor may not agree, and even if he did, those funds are just empty words.” “We’re both of the royal family—don’t we understand this clearly?” Huang Zuoyan said loudly. “If I had military funds, I wouldn’t be in such trouble. With just a hundred thousand silver coins, I could train a strong army. But do I have them?” Yunping knew Huang Zuoyan had accumulated wealth over decades of political career, but no one wanted to spend their own money on training soldiers, so he didn’t say anything directly. He merely replied, “Even if there were funds now, what could we do? We can only hold on by sheer force.” With the war having reached this stage, it was clear that Tonkin would eventually fall under the control of these three forces. All Huang Zuoyan could do was struggle a little longer. “Pity our southern country—no great generals or loyal officials are sent by heaven!” Huang Zuoyan could only sigh. “If this continues, the country will fall soon.” Yunping also sighed deeply. “Our Nguyen dynasty has been in power for decades. Even during times of crisis, things have never been as bad as they are now. In the past, when the emperor was in exile, traveling among wealthy countries and islands like Kunlun, people’s morale wasn’t as broken as it is today. There’s only one solution now.” “Speak!” Huang Zuoyan hung his head in despair. “Other than serving our country loyally, we have no other choice.”

Zunshi Yunping lowered his voice and said, “It is better to perish at the hands of the Qing than to fall to the French.”
His tone carried sorrow: “If we perish at the hands of the French, we Southerners might restore our nation within a hundred years; but if we fall to the Qing, it may take a thousand years before we see hope again.”
Huang Zuo Yan thought carefully about Zunshi Yunping’s words, first nodding, then shaking his head, before saying, “No, you’re wrong!”
“There is only one path for our country—that is…”
“It is better to perish at the hands of the Qing than to fall to the Black Flag Army!”
As he spoke, tears streamed down Huang Zuo Yan’s face: “Yunping, in times of great hardship for the nation and shifting hearts of the people, you and I are members of the imperial family. Other than serving our Nguyen dynasty loyally, any other path will bring shame to future generations.”
“I am willing to bear that shame,” Huang Zuo Yan said emotionally. “Are you willing?”
Zunshi Yunping took Huang Zuo Yan’s hand: “How could I dare not obey? I don’t know how the governor plans to deal with the Black Flag Army, but I will do my utmost to help.”
Huang Zuo Yan sighed deeply: “It is better to perish at the hands of the Qing than to fall to the Black Flag!”