Chapter Two: Seizing the Credit

Once the first instance occurred, others were bound to follow. These chieftains had long been accustomed to committing heinous crimes, and now that the oppressed serfs had risen to power, they quickly slaughtered the leaders to a man. Even if some among them had not personally committed grave wrongs, their fathers or brothers certainly had, and they were all swept up in the final reckoning.

Zhou Yuji summoned the tall, sturdy man who had come forward first and asked, "What is your name?"

The man knelt and replied, "My name is Long San. I thank the General for allowing me to take my revenge."

Zhou Yuji bade him rise, then stepped onto the high platform and addressed the captive soldiers below: "You are all people who have suffered. The Emperor is merciful and knows you were coerced by the chieftains into rebellion. Therefore, His Majesty offers you a chance to atone for your crimes through service. I hereby appoint Long San as your leader. You shall assist us in transporting grain and equipment. Once we defeat An Bangyan, you shall be granted the lands and wealth of these chieftains, and you will never again have to live as subjects to others."

This was the strategy Zhu Youjiao had imparted to him. The Ming Dynasty’s traditional method of "using barbarians to control barbarians" relied on chieftains to govern the lower-level tribespeople. Now, they were reversing the approach: inciting the commoners to rise against their masters, using wealth and freedom as bait to integrate them into the Ming military. This was intended to uproot the chieftain system that had governed the Southwest for centuries, paving the way for the eventual transition to direct imperial administration.

Zhu Youjiao had modeled this on the tactics of the Red Army: for the common people, the promise of land was more effective than any other method. By eradicating the class of chieftains, the new, weaker leaders would be far easier to control, making the future deployment of imperial officials a simpler task.

Upon hearing that they would not be killed, but instead awarded the chieftains' lands and wealth, the captives were eager to comply. Under Long San’s leadership, the Imperial Guard’s indigenous baggage train was quickly established. These local soldiers were familiar with the terrain and adept at navigating mountain paths, making them excellent guides. Furthermore, their role as a logistics corps significantly lightened the burden on the Imperial Guard’s own supply lines.

By this time, Wang Sanshan had entered the city of Guiyang and sent word for Qin Liangyu and the others to join him. After making the necessary arrangements, Qin Liangyu prepared to enter the city with Lu Qin. Recalling the previous incident in Chengdu, Lu Qin refused to go. Since the Imperial Guard was nominally under Qin Liangyu's command, she did not force him and entered the city alone.

Wang Sanshan treated Qin Liangyu with great courtesy, offering her the seat of honor. After a brief show of modesty, she accepted. The other generals looked on with obvious resentment, but Qin Liangyu ignored them.

Wang Sanshan began to outline his strategic plan: He recommended Liu Chao as the Regional Commander and Liu Shishang as the Inspector, tasking them with leading thirty thousand Han and indigenous troops across the Luguang River to attack Dafang and strike directly at An Wei’s lair. Regional Commander Zhang Yanfang, with He Tianlin as Inspector, was to lead another thirty thousand troops across the Yachi River to strike at the heart of An Bangyan’s base. A separate force of twenty thousand under the command of Commander Xian Bugun was to advance from Huangsha Crossing.

Qin Liangyu asked, "Governor, how are my White Pole Troops to be deployed?"

Wang Sanshan laughed, "The White Pole Troops were instrumental in lifting the siege of Guiyang and defeating the main rebel force, and for this, you deserve the greatest credit. However, the soldiers are in need of rest. You shall remain in Guiyang to recuperate and serve as the reserve force."

Having defeated an enemy force of one hundred thousand with only twenty thousand men, Wang Sanshan had become convinced that the rebels were paper tigers. Furthermore, Liu Chao, Zhang Yanfang, and others had complained to him that the White Pole Troops and the Imperial Guard had taken too much of the glory, and that the Guizhou local forces deserved a share. He believed that since the main enemy strength was already broken, the remaining rebels would be easily captured, and the glory would then rightfully belong to the Guizhou army.

Qin Liangyu understood they were merely trying to seize credit, but she feared their overconfidence. She urged, "Governor, although the main rebel force has been defeated, their numbers remain vast. In these mountains, they can easily conscript more soldiers. I implore you to allow the White Pole Troops to participate in the campaign."

Zhang Yanfang sneered, "We have long known of your loyalty, Lady Qin, but surely you can spare a few scraps from your table for us to enjoy as well?" In another timeline, this same General Zhang, trapped in a starving Guiyang, had openly butchered people for meat, selling it for a silver tael per four catties to line his own pockets. In this timeline, because the siege was lifted early, he had not resorted to cannibalism. Now, he only wished to reach An Bangyan’s lair as quickly as possible to seize the gold and silver within. Given the imperial court’s treatment of the rebels in Yongning, he knew An Bangyan would never be pardoned; he intended to share some of the spoils with his superiors to ensure the accounts remained murky.

Liu Chao added with a mocking tone, "Everyone wants a share of the glory; it isn't right for one person to eat alone."

Wang Sanshan rebuked him, then turned to Qin Liangyu, "My Lady, the men below are eager for battle. I ask for your understanding."

With the matter settled in this manner, Qin Liangyu could say no more. After the meeting, she politely declined Wang Sanshan’s invitation to dine and returned to the camp outside the city.

When she relayed the outcome to her officers, Qin Yiming was the first to jump up. "With their capabilities, if they can defeat An Bangyan in these mountains, then I’ve seen a ghost!" Qin Liangyu glared at him, and he immediately lowered his head and fell silent.

Lu Qin remarked, "They want to steal the glory, but they lack the strength to do so. Let them try. I only hope we are not required to come to their rescue." Zhou Yuji nodded in agreement; although dissatisfied with their greed, he hoped they would succeed, as the Imperial Guard did not wish to linger here. The Emperor had stated that the Jianzhou Jurchens were their true enemies.

Qin Liangyu concluded, "We must not lower our guard. First, we must settle the indigenous supply corps, and then we must maintain our training. We must be ready to move at a moment's notice."

The Ming army began its offensive against An Bangyan, and Qin Yiming’s prediction proved wrong. Liu Chao’s advance toward Luguang was marked by successive reports of victory, having broken five major enemy strongholds. The Ming generals grew even more arrogant and overconfident. Consequently, when Liu Chao attempted to cross the Luguang River, his forces were routed. He escaped alone, Assistant Regional Commander Yang Mingkai was captured alive, and twenty-six officers were killed. Subsequently, An Bangyan joined forces with She Chongming’s army to break the Yachi defense. Zhang Yanfang lost his men and retreated to Weiqing. Only Xian Bugun’s force suffered no losses, though he too was forced to retreat.

By the time Liu Chao’s defeat occurred, Qin Liangyu had already received word. She immediately ordered her army to prepare, and a day later, they began their march toward Yachi. By the time they arrived, Zhang Yanfang had already fallen back to Weiqing. Qin Liangyu took Lu Qin into the city to see him.

Zhang Yanfang was in a makeshift camp in Weiqing, furiously berating his subordinates. He did not offer a pleasant look upon seeing Qin Liangyu. When she asked about the situation at the front, he pointed impatiently at one of his officers and said, "Go talk to him."