Chapter Seventy-Eight: Three Thousand Retainers

Zhang Zi’an looked with some surprise at Zhen Youcai, who had just emerged from behind the screen, and asked Wang Pu, “Your Lordship, who is this gentleman?”

Wang Pu smiled without answering.

Zhen Youcai, however, cupped his fists and made a formal bow to Zhang Zi’an. “I am Zhen Youcai, humbly serving as Lord Wang’s chief advisor.”

Zhang Zi’an could only feign courtesy and return the gesture, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “So it is Master Zhen.”

Zhen Youcai began counting on his fingers, calculating carefully. “At present, Datong Garrison has more than twelve thousand stationed troops. The court has already delayed half a year’s worth of military pay, which amounts to over four hundred thousand taels. The death gratuities for fallen soldiers at the Songshan front add up to more than two hundred thousand taels as well. In total, over six hundred thousand taels in silver are needed. I trust my calculations are correct?”

Unable to restrain himself, Zhang Zi’an pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his brow. “It really doesn’t have to be that much. If we can somehow scrape together three hundred thousand taels, that would just about suffice.”

Wang Pu said, “Eunuch, three hundred thousand is no small sum. Even if we turned out every last coin from the Wang family vaults, at most we could raise fifty or sixty thousand taels.”

Zhang Zi’an turned his gaze to Zhen Youcai and asked, “Just now, Master Zhen said there’s a way, and there is silver to be had. Might I ask what method that is?”

“There is indeed a way, and as for silver—there is plenty of it,” Zhen Youcai replied with a smile. “But I wonder, Eunuch, do you have the courage to take it?”

Zhang Zi’an said, “Please, show me the way forward, sir.”

Zhen Youcai pointed northward and lowered his voice. “The silver is in Guihua, in the treasury tents of the Tumed Khan!”

Zhang Zi’an’s expression changed abruptly. “Surely, sir, you jest.”

Zhen Youcai replied, “I assure you, I am not. Think about it—Datong’s soldiers have already mutinied. The arrow is nocked and cannot be held back. The deed is done. Even if the situation calms, a few ringleaders will not escape the executioner’s blade, will they?”

“That’s right,” Zhang Zi’an said darkly. “Those who stir up trouble face the death penalty, by law.”

“Exactly,” said Zhen Youcai. “Those who lead the trouble are doomed. But do you think the mutineers will simply stand down before their back pay is made up? If this mutiny continues, within two days it will surely turn into open rebellion on a grand scale. By then, Zhao Santai, the deputy commander, will be unable to shirk responsibility, but as for you…”

A cold shiver ran through Zhang Zi’an. A trace of fear involuntarily appeared on his face. If things reached that point, his own life as the supervising eunuch would surely be forfeit as well. After all, if the court began to investigate, there was no way he could conceal his collusion with Zhao Santai in embezzling the imperial funds.

Zhen Youcai continued, “Master Zhang, you may not care to hear this, but I must say it. News of the Datong mutiny has spread. Even if you manage to raise the full six hundred thousand taels and pay off all back wages and death gratuities, you and Zhao will not escape blame.”

Zhang Zi’an’s face turned deathly pale. Zhen Youcai had not been trying to frighten him—the situation truly was dire. Even if things calmed down, both he and Zhao Santai would be hard pressed to clear themselves.

A glint of sly cunning flashed briefly in Zhen Youcai’s eyes as he continued, “If you wish to survive this crisis, there are two things you must do at once.”

Zhang Zi’an pleaded anxiously, “Please, Master Zhen, guide me.”

Zhen Youcai said, “First, raise one hundred thousand taels as soon as possible and pay out half the death gratuities for the Songshan fallen. This silver can only be used for the dead—the living soldiers have no reason to fight the dead for it. By withholding it from the living, you force them to seize it themselves.”

Zhang Zi’an quavered, “Force them to seize it?”

“Indeed. Force them to seize it,” Zhen Youcai said with a cold smile. “But let them seize it from the Mongols. That is the second thing you must do—launch a campaign against the Tumed Mongols at once. Redirect the mutineers’ attention to war with the Mongols, rather than having them threaten rebellion for back pay.”

Cold sweat stood on Zhang Zi’an’s brow. His voice trembled. “But the Datong garrison only numbers eighteen thousand—barely enough for defense, let alone an offensive. And the Ming army hasn’t dared cross the Great Wall for decades. Such a thing has never even been considered.”

“That is exactly why I suggest you take the initiative and attack the Tumed Mongols,” Zhen Youcai replied. “Think—our Datong garrison barely suffices for defense, so who would imagine you’d dare take the offensive? The Ming army hasn’t crossed the Wall in decades, so the Mongols would never expect it! Most importantly, although it’s cold this year, the snow has yet to fall. This is Heaven’s gift—a golden opportunity for our army!”

Though Zhang Zi’an knew little of military matters, even he could sense the logic in Zhen Youcai’s analysis.

Zhen Youcai continued, “We have the advantage of timing and popular support, if not terrain. Yet surprise and striking where the enemy is unprepared are the very essence of warfare. Dispatch a capable general with elite troops and victory is virtually assured. After a triumph, the herds and spoils seized from the Tumed will suffice to pay the soldiers’ arrears, perhaps with plenty to spare.”

Zhen Youcai’s final words tempted Zhang Zi’an greatly. If events unfolded as described, it would be perfect: he could easily pay the troops, win glory for striking the Mongols on behalf of the court, and rake in benefits for himself. It seemed an all-around happy ending—could anything be better?

Yet Zhang Zi’an knew such good fortune would not fall into his lap unbidden.

There were three immediate problems: first, where to find the one hundred thousand taels; second, how to convince the mutinous soldiers to accept Zhen Youcai’s plan; third, who would lead the attack on the Mongols? Zhao Santai, that worthless coward, would sooner die than lead troops against the Mongols.

Seeing Zhang Zi’an at a loss, Wang Pu and Zhen Youcai sat patiently sipping tea. They had said all that needed saying, laid all the groundwork. Whether Zhang Zi’an would see the light was not for them to decide. Fishing requires patience—the fish must bite of its own accord.

At length, when Zhang Zi’an’s gaze finally fell upon Wang Pu, his eyes suddenly lit up. Clearly, all three problems landed on the Prince Consort’s shoulders!

The Wang family was the richest in Shanxi—the hundred thousand taels could only be borrowed from them. Second, after three years as Datong’s chief commander, only Wang Pu could possibly persuade the mutinous troops. Third, who else in all Ming could claim greater martial leadership than Wang Pu for such an expedition?

Seeing the look on Zhang Zi’an’s face, Zhen Youcai couldn’t help glancing sideways at Wang Pu; a knowing smile flickered across both their faces. The fish had finally bitten.

“Your Lordship!” Zhang Zi’an suddenly dropped to his knees before Wang Pu, pleading, “Save me, I beg you!”

Wang Pu hurried forward to help him up. “Master Zhang, please, this will not do! Get up, I beg you.”

Zhang Zi’an even managed to squeeze out a couple of tears. Choking up, he cried, “If Your Lordship refuses, I will not rise.”

Wang Pu said anxiously, “Please, Master Zhang, speak your mind. I will do as you ask.”

“Your Lordship, you agree?” Zhang Zi’an rose and continued, “Your family is wealthy in Shanxi—this hundred thousand taels I must, thick-skinned as I am, borrow from you. Please, I beg you to plead my case with your family, or my life is finished.”

Wang Pu sighed, helpless. “Master Zhang, you truly put me in a difficult spot.”

“Your Lordship, I beg you to save me!” Zhang Zi’an implored.

“Very well,” Wang Pu said with resignation. “Tomorrow, I’ll speak with my elder brother. If we urgently liquidate our businesses in Datong, we should be able to scrape together the hundred thousand taels. But let us be clear—this is a loan, not a gift. It must be repaid.”

“It will be repaid, I swear it,” Zhang Zi’an said, breathing easier. “And Master Zhen’s plan is indeed sound—possibly the only way to resolve the crisis. But after much thought, I realize only you could calm the mutinous troops and persuade them to accept the plan. As for leading the campaign, no one but you, Your Lordship, could do it—no one else would dare.”

“Master Zhang, you put me in a difficult place,” Wang Pu protested, shaking his head. “To speak and persuade the troops is my duty, but to lead them in battle is impossible. I am in deep mourning, and by custom I cannot take the field. Moreover, I am no longer Datong’s chief commander. As commander of the capital garrison, if I take Datong’s troops into battle, and word reaches the court, the consequences would be dire.”

Zhang Zi’an was at a loss for words. Wang Pu’s concerns were well-founded—mourning might be excused by petition, but commanding Datong’s border army as an outsider was a serious breach. If the censors in court learned of it, Wang Pu would be charged with overstepping his authority, and Zhang Zi’an himself would not escape implication.

After a long pause, Zhang Zi’an said cautiously, “Your Lordship, what if, in name, I command the army, but in truth, you lead the campaign? I know it is a great imposition, but I can think of no better way.”

Wang Pu replied, “It’s not that I mind the imposition, but with so many mouths in the army, secrets will out. If word spreads, neither of us will escape blame.”

“Is there no way to satisfy both sides?” pleaded Zhang Zi’an.

After a long silence, Zhen Youcai suddenly spoke. “There is a way to satisfy both, but I doubt Master Zhang would agree.”

Zhang Zi’an immediately asked, “What is it?”

Zhen Youcai said, “For my lord to command Datong’s border troops would indeed be overstepping, but if he leads only the Wang family’s retainers, it would be perfectly reasonable. Even if word reaches the capital, the censors could say nothing. Would you not agree, Master Zhang?”

Zhang Zi’an hesitated. Zhen Youcai’s idea was good, but then all the credit would belong to Wang Pu, and he, the supervising eunuch, would get nothing. How could he be satisfied?

Zhen Youcai, seeing through Zhang’s thoughts, continued, “There’s another thing I haven’t mentioned. For a surprise attack on the Mongols, we can’t use too many men. Three thousand seasoned veterans will suffice. More would risk leaks, and if the Mongols are forewarned, the battle is lost before it starts.”

Zhang Zi’an said, “So you mean…”

Zhen Youcai replied, “I mean, select three thousand from the border troops and enroll them as Wang family retainers. My lord will lead these three thousand in a swift raid on Guihua. Eunuch, you will command the main force to advance to Tucheng as support, and seize cattle and sheep from the steppe as opportunity allows. If no one inquires afterward, the glory is all yours; if the court sends investigators, you can say my lord merely led three thousand retainers in support.”

Zhang Zi’an asked, “And the three thousand border troops enrolled as retainers…?”

Zhen Youcai smiled, “You can report to the court that those three thousand perished beyond the frontier.”

Zhang Zi’an nodded, starting to understand. Zhen Youcai’s meaning was plain: Wang Pu was willing to help, but not for nothing. He could forgo credit and the spoils of the raid, but in return, the three thousand elite troops would henceforth belong to Wang Pu as his personal retainers.