Chapter 136: The Third Great Event

Commander Shen has defected?

Upon hearing this news, everyone's first reaction was one of disbelief. "With his meager forces, Commander Shen dares to defect?"

"Has Shen lost his mind? He’s barely a captain!"

"Exactly! Old Shen is usually such a shrewd man; how could he act so foolishly at such a critical moment?"

Although everyone had anticipated that the "siege" would inevitably lead to complications, no one expected Commander Shen to be the first to turn. It must be noted that while he held the nominal title of "Commander," he actually commanded only seventy or eighty men—hardly enough to constitute a full company.

While it is true that when the tiger is away, the monkey plays king, and Zhu Ding and the Jiangyin Army had been retreating in such disarray that they could barely mount any organized resistance, the Jiangyin Army was still a formidable force. It was not for a handful of eighty men under Shen to dictate the situation.

Yet, the situation unfolded with bizarre efficiency. Despite the general consensus that Shen’s defection would surely end in failure, everyone was too preoccupied with how to "hold their ground" and how to smuggle their gold, silver, jewels, wives, and children out of Jiangyin City. No one bothered to consider crushing Shen and his eighty men with a swift, thunderous strike.

Defection is a fire that must be extinguished at once. The hesitation of the Jiangyin Army leadership led to a catastrophe. "The Zhenjiang rebels have broken through! They are about to link up with Commander Shen!"

"It’s over! The wealthy Zhao has also defected! Marshal, we must find a way out!"

"We can't hold them back! The West Gate has defected too! Marshal, if we don't think of something, we'll all be trapped in Jiangyin!"

"Alas, old Shen is truly dishonorable. We’ve been friends for so many years, yet he didn't even send word before doing such a thing!"

"Indeed, though Shen is dishonorable, we must still be loyal and help him out!"

"Brothers, raise the Dragon and Phoenix banners!"

"Right, if we don't have the banners, find a way! If you fail, I’ll have your head!"

Though Commander Shen’s defection was merely a spark, the Jiangyin Army, already a frightened flock, collapsed completely. Without even needing Zhao Pusheng to oversee the battle, several courageous captains and lieutenants seized control of Jiangyin City and began hunting down the rogue soldiers who were looting and causing chaos. "Quick, report to the Chief Justice! We have taken Jiangyin City!"

Liu Yi, however, was concerned with a different matter: "Jiangyin City is taken? Has Zhu Ding escaped?"

No one expected Liu Yi to care so much about a minor figure like Zhu Ding. "Chief Justice, although Zhu Ding’s whereabouts are currently unknown, we have captured the city and decimated at least seventy or eighty percent of his forces. Does it really matter if he escaped?"

Liu Yi replied coldly, "I want to see him alive or his corpse if he is dead. Anyone else can escape, but not Zhu Ding. Spread the word: I have no other demands; I simply wish to invite Zhu Ding for a meeting. As long as he comes, all past grievances will be wiped clean."

Others might not grasp the extent of Zhu Ding’s potential for disruption, but Liu Yi knew it all too well. Had Zhu Ding not instigated Zhang Shicheng to cross the river, the six or seven-year stalemate between Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng would never have occurred. A man like that must either be utilized or physically eliminated.

Lady Jinhua understood Liu Yi’s reasoning. "Since the Chief Justice has said he wants to see him alive or dead, we shall proceed accordingly. There is no place for Zhu in Jiangyin Prefecture! By the way, how shall we reward Commander Shen for his timely defection?"

Liu Yi made an immediate decision. "Since Commander Shen helped me take the city, I am willing to cede half of Jiangyin to him. Grant him the title of 'Ten-Thousand-Man Commander' in name, and assign three hundred armored soldiers to assist him in garrisoning the city. Tell Commander Shen to fill out his ranks quickly; Zhu Yuanzhang is not as easy to deal with as I am!"

Lady Jinhua was startled. "We are advancing like a hot knife through butter, yet the Left Camp still dares to contest Jiangyin with us? Are they not afraid we might turn against them?"

Liu Yi smiled. "We cannot do without the Left Camp, and they cannot do without our naval forces. While Zhu Yuanzhang may not dare to break with us openly, he will certainly send someone to intervene. We might as well let Commander Shen handle him! These are but trifles. There are three major tasks to attend to now!"

The eyes of the assembled civil and military officials lit up. Yu Tonghai was the first to ask, "What are the three major tasks?"

Liu Yi spoke immediately. "The first is, naturally, to find Marshal Zhu Ding. I repeat: I want to see him alive or dead. I don't care about the others, but Zhu Ding cannot escape. If he refuses to come see me alive, then I’m afraid I have no choice!"

It was clear Liu Yi intended to eradicate Zhu Ding completely. The group’s perception of Zhu Ding’s importance rose significantly. Lady Jinhua asked, "And the second task?"

Liu Yi smiled. "The second is to sit down and have a proper talk with Zhang Shicheng. I know Zhang Shicheng is insincere, and he knows I am equally so, but the mere fact that he agrees to sit down and talk is the greatest victory!"

Capturing Zhu Ding and negotiating with Zhang Shicheng were two sides of the same coin—both aimed at gaining full control over Jiangyin Prefecture. Although the Zhenjiang Army had seized the city, the majority of the prefecture remained in a state of chaos. The army had to transition from occupation to total control as quickly as possible to establish Jiangyin as their own stronghold. The atmosphere in the room grew solemn. Yu Tonghai asked the question on everyone’s mind: "And the third task?"

Liu Yi laughed. "That would be taking a concubine. Since Deputy Administrator Zhu has sent so many beauties my way, I cannot let his kindness go to waste."

Taking a concubine? Li Pusheng was the first to grasp the implication. "Exactly! Taking a concubine is the most urgent matter. If the Chief Justice does not marry or take a concubine, how could Zhang Shicheng possibly dare to sit down and talk to us? This must be handled with great fanfare!"