Chapter 811
Recruiting Xu Da
The situation in Jiangnan didn't trouble Chen Jie for long, because it wasn't worth worrying about for long anyway. The gentry had been slaughtered, which freed up land, so Chen Jie immediately began to implement land reform in Jiangnan, the most difficult region to deal with, where the gentry were most deeply entrenched.
The gentry and powerful families, who were in disarray, were forced to hand over their land. Seeing the miserable state of the largest families, they dared not resist and obediently handed over their land.
Thus, Chen Jie's move directly solved the problem of the deeply entrenched gentry in Jiangnan. However, Chen Jie knew that this was only a temporary solution. The clan mentality in Jiangnan was too strong, which was very incompatible with the rule of those in power. Those in power would never allow the people to run a small government in their own homes.
As Chen Jie implemented large-scale reforms in Jiangnan, funds, grain, and policies gradually shifted towards this region.
However, what's even more troublesome is that most of the northern regions have already reacted.
When Emperor Qianshun realized that his strength was insufficient to withstand Chen Jie's invasion of the north, he sent troops to seek help from his brother states. The Golden Horde sent 200,000 troops, and the Chagatai and Ögedei Khanates each sent 100,000 troops, for a total of 400,000 troops. With the addition of Emperor Qianshun's 100,000 troops, they gathered a total of 500,000 troops and stationed them on the northern border.
They made it seem as if they were ready to march south and take over Jiangnan at any time.
Seeing this, Chen Jie didn't hold back and began recruiting soldiers in Jiangnan and other places, preparing to fight Emperor Qianshun to the death.
After the people of Jiangnan and other places accepted Chen Jie's land policies, they truly benefited and therefore highly recognized Chen Jie's status as the King of Han. As a result, the conscription of soldiers was well received, especially the campaign to fight against Bao Qian, which was a matter of national righteousness and could not be left behind.
As a result, the conscription was met with a direct response, and many soldiers who had previously served under Zhu Chongba returned home not long afterward to enlist again under the command of the Prince of Han.
Chen Jie also welcomed this.
As a result of this expansion, the number of troops in Chen Jie's five major legions also increased to 80,000 per army.
The Azure Dragon Army, White Tiger Army, Vermilion Bird Army, Beggar Army, and Buddha Army—the five armies—were all expanded to 80,000 men, totaling 400,000 troops, and set off directly north.
They took over the defense lines in Luoyang, Xuzhou, Tongchuan and other places guarded by Prince Ruyang and Wang Baobao, forming a situation of north-south confrontation with Bao Qian in the north.
Meanwhile, Chen Jie hosted a banquet at the Wu Prince's residence for many of Zhu Chongba's generals.
The leaders were Xu Da and Deng Yu, while Li Wenzhong and Zhu Wenzheng, two generals closely related to Zhu Chongba, declined Chen Jie's invitation to the banquet, and Chen Jie did not insist.
That was in May of the sixteenth year of the Zhizheng era, in Jinling, at the Fengtian Hall of the former Wu Prince's Mansion, now the Yingtian Han Prince's Mansion.
A light rain was falling outside the hall, but inside it was as warm as spring.
Thirty-six intertwined lamps burned brightly, illuminating the hall as if it were daytime.
Newly made brocade with the Chinese character "Han" was laid out on the ground, and a newly cast bronze crane incense burner emitted wisps of ambergris fragrance.
Chen Jiu Si sat upright on the golden throne with nine dragons, dressed in ochre-yellow casual clothes, without a crown, only his hair tied up with a jade hairpin. His face was thinner than during the Battle of Poyang Lake, but the ferocity in his eyes had been greatly reduced, replaced by a more solemn and dignified air.
Below the steps, civil and military officials stood in separate ranks, with civil officials to the east and military officials to the west. Most of them were Han Chinese officials, but there were also a dozen or so unfamiliar faces—all former generals under Zhu Yuanzhang (Chu Chongba). The three at the head of the group were Xu Da, Deng Yu, and Fu Youde.
Fu Youde was specially brought back from the Huangzhou Prefecture prison.
None of the three wore armor, only plain-colored everyday clothes.
Xu Da sat at the head of the guest seats, his posture as straight as a pine tree, his face calm. He held a celadon wine cup in his hand, but did not drink from it. Instead, he gently stroked the cup with his fingertips.
Deng Yu sat to his left, his face dark, his brows slightly furrowed, and his eyes occasionally glancing toward the palace gate, as if searching for a way out.
Fu Youde sat at the very end, looking the most dejected. He lowered his head and stared blankly at the patterns on the floor tiles, as if trying to etch those patterns into his heart. He was a captured general who had once stubbornly insisted that Chen Jiu Si could not defeat the King of Wu, but now the King of Wu was sitting in this old Nanjing, drinking and talking with them.
Chen Jiu Si raised the golden goblet in his hand, his voice booming and drowning out the music in the hall: "Today is the Lantern Festival, and also the day of the new dynasty's founding, a time of renewal. I am very pleased that you all are here. This first cup of wine is to Yingtian City, may the weather be favorable and the people live in peace and prosperity!"
"Homage to the King of Han!" the ministers responded in unison, except for Xu Da and two others who remained silent.
Xu Da merely raised his wine cup to his brow, paused for a moment, and then put it down, his movements as precise as a military salute practiced a thousand times. Deng Yu hesitated slightly, then tilted his head back and drank deeply. Fu Youde, on the other hand, didn't even raise his cup; he simply slammed it down on the table with a dull thud.
Chen Jiu Si took in everything, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips. He waved for the musicians to stop playing, and the hall fell silent instantly, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“Xu Tiande.” Chen Jiu Si turned his gaze to Xu Da, his tone softening, “You are the number one general in Huai Xi, with strict military discipline and brilliant military strategy. In the past, you led your army to fight me so badly on the shores of Poyang Lake. If it weren’t for Zhang Ding Bian stabilizing the army, the outcome would have been uncertain.”
These words were both a compliment and a warning. Xu Da put down his wine cup, got up from his seat, walked to the center of the hall, and bowed: "Your Majesty is too kind. The past is past, why bring it up again?"
"Why not mention it?" Chen Jiu Si put down the golden goblet and leaned forward slightly. "I not only want to mention it, but I also want to ask, General Xu, with all your skills, are you willing to grow old and die in the fields of Huai Xi? Should the tens of thousands of brothers who have followed you through thick and thin be laid down and returned to their fields to become nameless commoners?"
Xu Da's body stiffened, but he did not look up.
Chen Jiu Si continued, "I know that you still cherish the memory of Zhu Chongba, who died at Luoxingdun. I won't hide it from you, if Zhu Chongba were still alive, I would never be drinking with you today, I would only lead my troops to raze him to the ground!"
He abruptly changed the subject, his voice becoming impassioned: "But Zhu Chongba is dead! What he left behind is a Jiangnan region riddled with holes, a group of homeless soldiers, and an orphan and widow! If you are loyal subjects, you should think about how to protect these brothers who followed you, and how to prevent further bloodshed in Jiangnan!"
Upon hearing this, Deng Yu couldn't help but speak up: "King of Han..."
Chen Jiu Si raised his hand to stop him, his gaze fixed intently on Xu Da: "I invited you all here today not for humiliation, nor for reckoning. I only want to ask one question—can you bear to see Jiangnan plunged into war once again?"
Xu Da finally raised his head. His eyes were strange; there was no anger, no sadness, only a bottomless weariness.
"King of Han, we have already surrendered. What war is there to fight? Does the King of Han intend to massacre the people of Jiangnan?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie looked at Xu Da and said, "Heh, what do you take me for? Xiang Yu or Cao Mengde? Jiangnan is my people, and I cherish them enough, so how can you talk about slaughtering them?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Da looked at Chen Jie and asked, "What does the King of Han mean by the war in Jiangnan?"
Chen Jie looked at Xu Da and said, "As you know, after I unify the south and stabilize the rear, I will launch a northern expedition. The Yuan dynasty will not surrender easily. It has already gathered foreign aid. The Golden Horde, the Ögedei Khanate, and the Chagatai Khanate have all sent troops to help. A great battle is imminent, and we, as Han people, should all do our part."
"Instead of standing idly by because of some petty scheming in the past, that's the spirit of a Han man, isn't it, Xu Da?"
As Chen Jie spoke, his gaze fixed directly on Xu Da. "King of Han," Xu Da's voice was hoarse under Chen Jie's intense stare, "if we do not respond, what will the King of Han do?"
Chen Jie laughed three times, the laughter echoing in the empty hall: "Good! Xu Tiande is indeed straightforward! I will give you two paths."
"Firstly, if you are willing to submit, I will immediately make important military arrangements to ensure that your talents will not be buried. In the future, when the world is at peace, you will be promoted and given higher ranks. Although you are former officials of the King of Wu, you can still be the backbone of the new dynasty."
"Secondly, if you disagree, you, Xu Da, are not Tang He. He can become a monk, but I will not be at ease wherever you are. If you surrender to Bao Qian, I am not sure if I can defeat you again. So you understand, I will not let you live."
These words, though not harsh, were more chilling than any threat. Fu Youde looked up sharply, about to say something, but Deng Yu pressed him down, watching to see how Xu Da would respond.
Upon hearing this, Xu Da chuckled and said, "I am not afraid of death, so why should I threaten it with death?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie asked, "What about the King of Wu's entrustment of his son to you? Are you abandoning Ma Xiuying and Zhu Biao?"
Chen Jie looked at Xu Da, who was startled. Xu Da then looked at Chen Jie and said, "The King of Han is not a cruel person, so why utter such cruel words? How much threat can an orphan and a widow pose?"
Chen Jie looked at Xu Da and said, "I am not cruel, but I can't guarantee that I won't become muddleheaded in the future. If there are treacherous officials who speak ill of me, I can still resist for a year or two, but if it is ten or eight years, I can't guarantee that I won't be swayed by their words. Especially as Zhu Biao grows up day by day, the threat he poses to the Han Dynasty is also increasing day by day."
"If someone in the court were to say a word or two in defense of Zhu Biao at this moment, I might just come to my senses. Don't you agree, Tiande?"
Xu Da gritted his teeth after hearing Chen Jie's words and said, "Will the King of Han listen to me when I persuade him?"
Chen Jie said, "At least there is a chance to set things right. If you don't go to court, you won't even have a chance to defend yourself. Whatever others say will be the truth."
"You know, some people would even sell their own mothers to climb the social ladder, let alone an orphan and widow. If it's a chance to gain favor, I think many people would be eager to kill this orphan and widow and claim credit for it!"
"At this time, they need a loyal minister to speak up for them. Xu Tiande, are you willing to be that loyal minister?"
Xu Da remained silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "King of Han, if we submit, what will we serve? How can we possibly rise to the position of a high-ranking official in the Han court? If we are only promoted to minor official positions, we may never have the chance to meet the King of Han and argue for my sister-in-law and nephew."
Chen Jiu Si's lips curled slightly upon hearing this, knowing that the fish had taken the bait. He stood up, walked to the huge map hanging on the palace wall, and pointed heavily to the north: "I intend to use you as the vanguard of the Northern Expedition to attack their main force!"
"Vanguard?" Deng Yu couldn't help but exclaim, "The King of Han wants to use us as the vanguard?"
“Not bad.” Chen Jiu Si turned around, his eyes sharp. “The Golden Horde’s top general, Tolbuqa, has 200,000 troops stationed in Xuzhou, eyeing the city covetously. The Chagatai Khanate’s Prince Dali is holding Datong, forming a pincer movement between them.”
"The iron cavalry of the Khanate of Ögedei in the north could march south at any time. I have just acquired Jiangnan and my foundation is not yet stable. If I do not strike first, should I wait for them to come to my door and stage another Battle of Poyang Lake?"
He walked up to Xu Da and lowered his voice: "Xu Da, you are a smart man. Zhu Chongba raised an army under the banner of 'expelling the barbarians.' Now that his body is barely cold, do you want to let his life's work go to waste? Or would you rather watch the people of Jiangnan become fish on the chopping block of the Yuan army once again?"
Xu Da closed his eyes. Images of corpses floating on Poyang Lake, Zhu Chongba's weary eyes before his death, and the young faces of the Huaixi youths flashed through his mind.
"Expel the barbarians..." he murmured to himself.
“That’s right, drive out the barbarians.” Chen Jiu Si pressed on while the iron was hot. “I know you don’t respect me, Chen Jiu Si, but you should at least respect the will of that dead man, right? If he were alive, would he want to see you die for so-called ‘loyalty and righteousness,’ or would he want to see you take up arms and continue his unfinished work?”
Xu Da opened his eyes, a resolute look in them. He looked at Deng Yu and Fu Youde, and both of them slowly nodded.
"King of Han," Xu Da bowed again, "allow us to discuss this."
Chen Jiu Si waved his hand: "Go. I will be waiting for you in front of the palace in three days."
The three of them left the main hall and went to the side hall corridor.
The snow fell even heavier, with goose-feather-like snowflakes fluttering down and quickly accumulating into a thick layer. Fu Youde leaned against a pillar, gazing at the heavy snowfall, and suddenly burst into tears.
"Shangwei..." His voice choked with emotion, "I've let Shangwei down! If I hadn't been captured during the Battle of Hongdu, perhaps Shangwei wouldn't have lost. I've let Shangwei down!"
Upon hearing this, Deng Yu patted him on the shoulder: "It's not your fault, it's fate."
Xu Da stood on the steps, gazing at the myriad lights of Jinling City in the distance. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "Fu Youde, don't cry. If the Emperor were still alive, he certainly wouldn't want you to cry."
"Then... what should we do?" Fu Youde wiped away his tears. "Do we really have to work for Chen Jiu Si?"
Xu Da turned around, his eyes resolute: "I'm not working for Chen Jiu Si."
"Who is that for?" Deng Yu asked.
"To my elder brother's last wishes," Xu Da said, pointing to the northern sky, "to this world, to these people."
He paused, his voice becoming deep: "My brother's lifelong ambition was not for Chen Jiu Si to die, but for 'driving out the barbarians and restoring China.' Since Chen Jiu Si is willing to continue fighting, then we... will help him finish this battle."
Fu Youde was stunned, and Deng Yu was also stunned.
"Think about it, if our elder brother were alive, would he want to see us die for so-called 'loyalty and righteousness,' or would he want to see us take up arms and continue his unfinished work?" Xu Da asked rhetorically.
Deng Yu was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily: "I understand."
Fu Youde wiped away his tears and gritted his teeth, saying, "Fine! Let's fight another one! For the sake of taking the top spot!"
The three exchanged a glance, as if they had returned to the time when they raised an army in Haozhou.
This time, however, they were no longer fighting for their lord, but for a shared belief.
Expel the barbarians and restore China! (End of Chapter)