Chapter 20: Li Yangcai (Part 1)

Despite having received such a promise, Liu Yu still hesitated: “If we open the warehouse, how much silver will you give us?”
Fan Fushu was willing to risk everything he had: “Not just silver—even gold, I’ll get it for you.”
“Just the warehouse?”
Fan Fushu was bold enough to commit right away: “In Haiyang, whatever you want, just take it. Whether it’s the warehouse or someone’s private belongings, I’ll ensure the Liu Army is satisfied.”
Perfect! This was exactly what he had been waiting for.
Among all the experts in plundering throughout history, Napoleon could be considered a highly efficient robber—each time he sent troops, he would wreak havoc. But he didn’t have such convenient conditions. With the local government’s help to destroy everything in their path, if he couldn’t turn Haiyang upside down, Liu Yu would feel ashamed before his comrades in the Liu Army.
Guangxi. Liuzhou.
This was the residence of the Guangxi governor. Today, the city was filled with soldiers in uniform, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.
“Thirty years of brotherhood, sharing life and death—yet in old age, all I get is trouble…”
The man speaking was none other than Feng Zicai, the Guangxi governor. His courtesy name was Nangan, and his pen name was Cuiting. He was regarded as a pillar of the southwestern defense line, akin to the Great Wall.
In his hands was a letter written by Li Yangcai. Thinking back on his decades-long military career, he shook his head again.
Over sixty years old, he even found it difficult to walk. Every morning, he would see more white hair by his bed. Though he had achieved fame and success, he never expected to face such a huge trouble in his old age.
The letter was from his old comrade Li Yangcai: “Vietnam was once the ancestral land of our ancestors. Unfortunately, it was successively seized by the Le and Nguyen kings. Now, the Vietnamese king is weak and incompetent, the people are rebellious, and foreign bandits invade the borders. I intend to restore our former domain by leading hundreds of thousands of righteous troops, along with displaced and hungry people, straight to Annam…”
Dozens of relatives and old friends gathered around him, seeing how this blow had aged him instantly. They quickly tried to comfort him: “My lord, why get upset over him? Officer Zhao Wo has already led troops out of the pass to chase after Li Yangcai.”
Feng Zicai shook his head. He knew that both the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi despised him as a defector. Moreover, his relationship with Li Yangcai was far more than just ordinary.
“You don’t understand. I and Li Zhen have been friends for thirty years. The memories of defending Zhenjiang together are still vivid in my mind.”
Feng Zicai had reached the position of Guangxi governor. Within the Qing dynasty’s system, this was the pinnacle for a professional soldier—no further promotion possible. Yet, unexpectedly, he too had been a defector in the past.
The rise of rebel groups like the Heaven and Earth Society had allowed some outlaws at the bottom of society to find quick ways to rise to power and wealth—famous figures like Li Zhongyi, Ding Ruchang, Luo Guozhong, and Liu Mingchuan all started as rebels before being pardoned and eventually enjoying glory and wealth.
Feng Zicai was no exception. He said slowly to his relatives: “Though I am already in my sixties, my mind is still clear. In the past, I joined the Heaven and Earth Society in rebellion—a stain on my life. It’s better not to mention it. But Li Zhen was someone I met back then.”

These nephews and cousins naturally dared not offend Feng Zicai in normal times, but when they asked about his past as a bandit, he continued to explain, “I have known Li Zhen for nearly thirty years; he is one of my most reliable old subordinates. We share weal and woe together.” “This time, his reckless decision to lead troops into Vietnam has only brought suffering to me alone. I don’t know how to resolve this situation.” Among his nephews and cousins, one who was close to Feng Zicai’s heart said, “The military affairs in the Western Province can only be handled by the military commander.” Although Feng Zicai was old, his mind was sharp and astute. “The governor disdains us old soldiers. This time, it’s possible our whole family will have to return to our hometowns to farm.” “As you know, the Western Province consists of just a few battalions, but now they have forcibly created two defensive forces, pulling away twenty strong battalions. To be honest, since Yang Cai entered Vietnam, the governor has ordered me to stay in Liuzhou, allowing only Zhao Dao to lead nine battalions across the border. Can’t you see his intentions? If Zhao Dao wins…” Feng Zicai’s hair and beard were completely white, and he was sickly, but when it came to military matters, he was never careless. “Without our Feng family’s troops, if we lose, it’s still manageable.” Hearing this, several of his nephews and cousins immediately asked, “Then… should we send someone to contact Li Yangcai?” Feng Zicai narrowed his eyes and said, “I can’t figure him out. He fought in Jiangnan, campaigned in Guangdong and Guangxi, and went to Vietnam to suppress rebels. He finally managed to become the commander-in-chief and was even granted the title of governor. Compared to those difficult days, his life has improved greatly. But now, in his old age, he stabs me in the back and insists on going to Vietnam to become some kind of king of Vietnam…” He sighed deeply, clearly recalling his past hardships when he had nothing to eat or wear. After a while, he said, “It now depends on Zhao Wo’s abilities. Despite his current popularity, his skills are rather weak…” “Li Yangcai has been in the military for thirty years, fighting across the north and south, and must have been involved in countless battles.” At this point, the old man Feng Zicai paused again, remembering those defeats in the Jiangnan camp where his entire army was wiped out by the Taiping rebels. “I was rescued from the piles of corpses by him. Zhao Wo thinks he can take it easily with just nine battalions.” Truly, his mind was sharp and astute. He said to his nephews and old friends, “Wait for news from Zhao Dao. Even if he can win for a while, it won’t be easy for him to defeat Li Zhen. Get ready. When the time comes, I’ll take you across the border and recommend you as well.” “Thank you, uncle!” “Thank you, military commander!” Only then did Feng Zicai return to the previous topic: “As for the southern region, I’ve already sent people to contact Li Zhen, urging him to return to the country, surrender, and accept punishment. They are all my old friends who once defended Zhenjiang. I believe Yang Cai won’t trouble them…” But Feng Zicai didn’t realize that things were not developing as he had imagined.