Chapter 698: What a Good Timing!

Ninghai Prefecture is governed by Muping County, which oversees Wendeng County. It is one of the two cities closest to the sea in eastern Shandong. Due to frequent Japanese raids at the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, three-quarters of Shandong’s military forces were stationed here. To the south lies Jinghai Guard, to the east Chengshan Guard, to the north Weihai Guard, and to the southeast Ningjin Defense Battalion, along with Haiyang Defense Battalion, Jinshan Defense Battalion, and Baichiya Defense Battalion. Adding up all these troops and garrison soldiers, there are well over ten thousand people in total.

In recent years, as Japanese raids have decreased, the population of Ninghai Prefecture has naturally increased. However, when Prince Zhu Gaoxu rebelled, even such a remote place was affected.

Three days ago, more than 500 men seized control of the prefectural government office and took over the city’s defense. The honest prefect tried to resist but was beaten and imprisoned. As a result, everyone in the city had to accept the new rulers. Seeing soldiers in bright uniforms strutting around, people naturally felt fearful. Yet, with everyone having their own livelihoods, they had to keep going, though they often whispered among themselves when no one was around.

“A few days ago, they sent people to demand pears from the villagers. Does the prince really intend to stay here forever?”
“Who says he doesn’t want to leave? I heard he’s not even in the prefectural office right now—he’s led a large group to Weihai Guard!”
“Shandong has never known peace. My grandfather said that during the chaos at the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Shandong was hit hardest, with countless deaths. Later, during the Jingnan Campaign, local troops were formed to support the emperor, resulting in yet more deaths. Previously, it was at least far from Dengzhou, but now that the prince is causing trouble here, will the imperial army massacre the city?”

As the word “massacre” was spoken, complete silence fell over the small tea stall beside the south gate of Ninghai Prefecture. No one thought this was unfounded. In the past, when Zhu Di led his troops during the Jingnan Campaign, villages were reduced to ruins, and cities became dead zones. The southern troops also killed mercilessly whenever they encountered cities supporting the Prince of Yan. If history were to repeat itself, should they not leave immediately to escape and avoid this disaster?

“The spring mud returns with nowhere to rest; vast stretches of land lie barren with few inhabitants… The fire has already reached our Dengzhou—how could other places remain peaceful? In such times, it’s the same everywhere. It’s better to stay at home safely than to die outside!” The speaker was an old man with white hair, wearing a white cotton robe; he was a somewhat renowned scholar in the area. Seeing several guards at the city gate looking over, he waved his hand to signal everyone to disperse and not gather there. With a soft sigh, he murmured, “These aren’t soldiers at all—they’re clearly bandits and villains. What kind of people does the Han King gather around him…”

Before the group at the tea stall could scatter, a commotion arose at the south gate. Though several young men knew it was better to stay out of trouble, they still curiously stretched their necks to watch. When they heard cheers coming from the city gate—reporting that the Han King’s palace had sent reinforcements—they left dejectedly. Only the old man with white hair stood by the road for a while, leaning on his cane, frowning as he saw over a hundred cavalry riders speeding past.

These people looked completely different from those brought by the Han King’s heir earlier. Did the Han King’s palace really have such elite forces?

After successfully infiltrating Ninghai Prefecture, Zhang Yue naturally breathed a sigh of relief and immediately ordered them to head straight to the prefect’s office. Perhaps because the group led by the Han King’s heir, Zhu Zhanli, had been too domineering, their group moved swiftly through the streets, with no one in the roadsides. Upon arriving at the prefect’s office, he nodded and waved his hand, and immediately someone rushed forward to capture the confused people outside. Then, groups of cavalry dismounted and entered the office in an orderly manner. Only then did he smile at Fangling, who was riding beside him.

“Thankfully for your accurate intelligence; otherwise, we wouldn’t have been able to seize the chance when the heir left to sneak into the city.”

“Even if he were here, we could easily get in under the banner of the Han King. All these years of practicing my skills weren’t in vain.” Although the new emperor’s ascension hadn’t changed the status of the Jinyiwei, Fangling had always been uneasy, fearing he was seen as a lustful scoundrel in Zhu Zhanji’s eyes. Now that he was tasked with protecting Zhang Yue to Dengzhou, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. Smiling again, he said, “Besides, the Han King is rather stingy with his son—giving him such a ragtag bunch of people.”

As the two spoke, sounds of fighting and faint screams came from inside. Before those noises could subside, many guards scattered throughout the city gradually arrived. Yet Zhang Yue and Fang Ling still had over twenty elite soldiers with them. After a brief but intense fight, many people lay dead on the ground. Soon, an officer rushed out of the prefecture office and knelt down in salute as per protocol.

“Reporting to the two lords, the prefecture office has been cleared. It is said the prefect is currently imprisoned. Shall we release him?”

“Of course!” Zhang Yue replied without hesitation. When the officer stood to leave, he called him back and said, “Send more men to the north and south city gates and capture all the guards there. Make sure to bring them back intact—only then, if Zhu Zhanli returns, will nothing seem amiss. From now on, only entry is allowed at the city gates; no one may leave. Also, send people to inform the entire city of the current situation and dispatch the prefecture officials to patrol and maintain order. Post proclamations for peace in my name!”

Fang Ling admired Zhang Yue’s meticulous planning and gave him a thumbs up. However, since his own entourage included spies placed there by the Jinyiwei in advance, he spoke to Zhang Yue briefly before leaving in a hurry with two of his subordinates. Zhang Yue dismounted and entered the office, where he saw two strong soldiers carrying out a severely injured middle-aged man on a stretcher—undoubtedly the prefect. He stepped forward to comfort him.

“It’s all my fault… I failed to stop these rebels! The innocent people of the city are suffering. Please show them kindness!”

Seeing that the prefect was entrusting the people to him in tears, Zhang Yue promptly agreed and ordered someone to fetch a doctor. He then went to the courtroom to draft a proclamation for peace, having the literate soldiers in his entourage copy it several times. By noon, each prefecture official had a copy to distribute throughout the city. The confused citizens, shaken by the upheaval, came to read it, bringing along the elderly and children.

“To the people of Ninghai Prefecture: The Han King has rebelled against the emperor, an act unforgivable by heaven’s laws. The Han prince, along with his traitorous followers, has taken control of Ninghai Prefecture, assaulting the prefect and oppressing the people. I am here by the emperor’s orders to suppress the rebellion and restore peace. Now, our emperor has declared he will personally lead the campaign to defeat the rebels and bring peace to the land—so all citizens may rest assured…”

The white-haired elder at the front read aloud, word by word. Since the words were simple and easy to understand, even the uneducated commoners behind him could follow, and gradually their faces showed joy. When he reached the end, however, he paused and stared at the signature and the official seal for a long time.

“Master Huang…”

“Zhang Yue, the Left Censor-in-Chief, what a timely arrival…” He murmured the signature to himself, then suddenly turned around, leaning on his cane, and shouted to everyone, “It’s Lord Zhang from Qingzhou Prefecture ahead—he’s the one leading the troops!”

Though old, his voice was sincere, and everyone around could hear him clearly. With a cheer, people began shouting as well, and soon the area under the big locust tree was filled with joyful cries. Not only there, but almost everywhere the announcement was posted, similar scenes unfolded. People who had been anxious for days now felt relieved—not only because the court had finally sent someone, but more importantly, it was Zhang Yue!

Although Lord Zhang had once beheaded hundreds in Qingzhou, now a policy of mutual assistance existed throughout Shandong, along with exemptions from taxes for those who reclaimed land, and the people of Dengzhou Prefecture also benefited from this. Besides, whenever Lord Zhang took action, he almost always succeeded—so the Prince of Han would surely be no exception!

By the time the announcement to calm the people had settled the city, Zhang Yue had already counted his men and was ready to set off. Liu Zhong had already led 180 men to Weihaiwei, and it was likely they had already encountered the Prince of Han. Though he trusted Liu Zhong’s abilities, he wasn’t sure about the old general’s tactics, so he decided to go there to join him.

“Brother Fang, I’ll leave this place to you. The troops guarding the city are already gathered, and with the second gate closed, unless a large army attacks, there shouldn’t be any trouble for now.”

“Are you really sure you don’t need me to go with you?”

“Don’t worry. They’re either your subordinates or elite troops drawn from the capital army. They can handle a few ragtag groups without issue.”

Fang Ling really couldn’t understand where Zhang Yue’s confidence came from, but since the emperor dared to send him, he surely wouldn’t send someone reckless. So he gave up and personally saw the men off at the north gate. Watching the dozen or so riders disappear in a cloud of dust, he immediately focused on restoring order in the city he had just “reclaimed.” According to his informants, there were still many troublemakers here.

The city wall of Weihaiwei had a stone foundation, covered with blue bricks on the outside and packed earth on the inside. The city was one zhang and five chi wide, eight chi deep, covering an area of over six li in circumference. It was a strong fortress on the eastern coast. There were about two thousand soldiers stationed there, and due to its repeated resistance against Japanese pirates, its combat strength far surpassed that of garrisons in Qingzhou and Yanzhou.

At that moment, the tense atmosphere in the gate hall of the military command had lasted for a long time. Zhu Zhanli, the crown prince of the Han kingdom, along with his subordinates, occupied the right side, while Liu Zhong and others took the left side. Commander Wei Qing paid no attention to the two of them, focusing instead on the middle-aged officer standing beside Zhu Zhanli. Finally, unable to contain his anger any longer, he shouted harshly, “Li Cheng, as a deputy commander, how dare you side with rebels?”

“Rebels? Commander Wei had better know when to quit. Remember, the victor takes all—when my father seizes the throne someday, you will be among the greatest heroes!” Zhu Zhanli snapped his fan shut and said with a smirk, “Commander Wei has been guarding Weihaiwei for days and weeks, earning high praise from the local people. You’re also very skilled in commanding troops. But with just the same name as the famous general Wei Qing, do you really have a chance to prove yourself? You served under Liu Zhong for years—has he ever recommended you or shown you any favor? Never!”

Zhu Zhanli had always been submissive in front of his father Zhu Gaoxu and remained unremarkable in the capital. But now that he was given independent command, he wanted to gather his own followers. He then uttered the same manipulative words he had used countless times before: “Kill Liu Zhong and submit to my father, and you’ll become a hero. If you persist in your folly, you’ll die with him! You promoted Mr. Li yourself—you must know well what influence he has in the army…”

“Not everyone in the army is a fool. They won’t fall for your tricks!”

Seeing that Zhu Zhanli treated him as mere prey, Liu Zhong became furious. He too was a man who had fought his way through bloodshed. He suddenly stood up, ripped open the front of his clothes to reveal his bare chest, and slammed his right chest hard. “My life is right here. If you have the guts, come and take it! But don’t forget—my life doesn’t matter, but those who raise their hands against me will become rebels of the court from this day forward, with no chance of turning back. Remember, this is an imperial expedition!”

Although Zhu Zhanli arrived first and took control of the situation, Liu Zhong was a step behind, but the balance of power was already evenly matched. After all, loyalty to the emperor was deeply ingrained in most people’s hearts, and no one wanted to be labeled a rebel. Seeing everyone around him retreating in fear, Zhu Zhanli realized his mistake. Even his own father, King Han Zhu Gaoxu, had only raised the banner of the Jingnan Campaign and dared not openly claim to seize the throne. What he had said earlier might have been acceptable in private, but saying it outright was extremely inappropriate!

But words spoken cannot be taken back, so he had no choice but to steel himself and say fiercely, “My father is the most valiant warrior in the world; even Emperor Taizong praised him as brave. Even if he led an army personally, he would surely be defeated! Commander Wei, I’ll give you just ten breaths more. If you remain stubborn after that, don’t blame me for being ruthless! One!”

As he began counting, the situation that Liu Zhong had barely managed to turn in his favor changed again. The men behind Zhu Zhanli drew their weapons, while the smaller group on the other side, though also drawing their swords, all looked grim. Just as Zhu Zhanli slowly counted to ten, a loud uproar suddenly arose outside. Moments later, a voice came through the courtyard.

“There are dozens of ships approaching from the sea!”

Hearing this, Wei Qing, who had remained motionless until then, suddenly drew his dagger and shouted harshly, “Licheng! If it’s because of you that the Japanese pirates invade and cause chaos, not only will the entire military unit punish you, but the people of Shandong will never forgive you!”

Amidst the shock and confusion in the hall, Licheng’s face turned pale as clay. At that moment, a soldier who had been sent by Licheng to guard the outer courtyard rushed into the hall in a panic, “Sir, it’s bad! There are… it seems to be Ming treasure ships at sea! And outside the city, there are over a hundred cavalry approaching, carrying flags with the character… Zhang!”

“Hahaha, Perfect! This is just what we needed!”

At this moment, Liu Zhong, who had anticipated this move, burst into laughter. Amidst his laughter, countless steel knives clattered to the ground, their sharp sounds eerily loud.