Chapter 143: The Best Pretext for Defection

Pan Yuanming had spoken impulsively, a lapse in judgment he regretted the moment the words left his lips. He realized that Songjiang Prefecture was a prize he should have kept for himself; allowing Yang Wanzhe a foothold would surely lead to endless trouble. Yet, pressed by Yang’s envoy, he had no choice but to offer a flimsy excuse: "Our Great Zhou Kingdom is determined to take Songjiang, and precisely because it is so vital, we must eliminate all potential risks. I will not permit anyone to wreak havoc in Songjiang!"

Yang Wanzhe’s envoy dismissed Pan’s posturing. "Rest assured, Marshal Pan. My Marshal Yang merely wishes to stroll through for a few days. The moment you give the word, he will withdraw immediately!"

Pan caught a scent of grave danger in those words. He had only agreed to grant Yang five days, yet Yang had vaguely spoken of "a few days" without committing to a timeline. While the envoy promised to leave upon a single word, such rhetoric might deceive others, but it could not fool Pan Yuanming.

For reasons unknown, Pan did not erupt on the spot. Instead, he said with feigned sincerity, "If Marshal Yang is in good spirits, a few extra days of wandering is fine. However, our two sides must cooperate in good faith; we cannot allow outsiders to ruin such a fine place as Songjiang!"

He could still smell danger lingering in the air.

Yang Wanzhe, a crude man of war, viewed the situation entirely differently. He laughed boisterously, "It seems Pan Yuanming doesn't have many troops—certainly not a hundred thousand. We might consider making a move."

Though Yang claimed to be a loyal subject of the Great Yuan, a warlord in these chaotic times had to hedge his bets. Surrounded by a group of scholars helping him analyze the situation, he heard them say, "Your brilliance is unmatched, Marshal. With Zhang Shicheng and Zhu Yuanzhang locked in a decisive struggle in Changzhou, Pan Yuanming is thinly spread. This is the perfect opportunity to take Songjiang and earn merit with the Imperial Court!"

"Unwise, unwise," another argued. "Pan Yuanming still has twenty or thirty thousand men, and pushing Zhang Shicheng into a corner is no good. I suggest we quit while we are ahead!"

"But we must answer to the provincial government. We should at least test the waters!"

"No need to rush into a fight. Let’s plunder first. Since the Court and the province won't pay our men, we must find a way to help our brothers secure their women!"

At the mention of "women," a foul, predatory air filled the great tent. Yet, to Yang Wanzhe and his subordinates, this was a matter of course. Yang considered it the highest priority: "Indeed. Seize gold, seize grain, seize women. This expedition to Songjiang is meant to let our brothers have their fill of pleasure. We cannot let Pan Yuanming lead us by the nose. We shall enter Songjiang, and we shall wander through the city for a few days. It would be an insult to the Imperial Court not to plunder such a rich territory!"

With Yang’s resolve set, his generals and scholars grinned with wicked delight. "We shall do as the Marshal commands. Let everyone have their fill!"

"We must hurry, we must beat Pan Yuanming to it!"

"But what if Pan attacks us? That would surely lead to mutual destruction. Marshal, what is your plan?"

Yang, already confident in how to handle Zhang Shicheng, replied, "What to do? We seek an amnesty. With Zhang and Zhu fighting to the death in Changzhou, he has no heart to deal with us. He has no choice but to accept our offer of amnesty. Once Zhang Shicheng accepts, I need not fear that the provincial governor will refuse to marry his precious daughter to me!"

Yang felt invincible, believing he had outmaneuvered everyone without exerting real effort. What he did not know was that Songjiang had already changed masters.

Though the city still flew the banners of the Great Yuan and was theoretically headed by Gong Shitai, the Grand Administrator of Songjiang Circuit, the armed men Gong had invited inside were now the city’s true masters.

Gong, distraught, found the situation spiraling beyond his control. "This is a catastrophe of historical proportions. I should never have listened to slanderous tongues, believing you to be men of loyalty. You fly the Emperor’s banners, but you are nothing but Red Turban bandits!"

With cold steel pressed against his throat, Gong’s voice grew faint. He wished to die for his country, but the thought of his wife and children weakened his resolve. It was easy to die for the state, but he feared the consequences for his family if the bandits were provoked. Furthermore, since they still operated under the Yuan flag, he clung to a shred of hope.

That hope was shattered when the bandit leader replied bluntly, "And what if we are Red Turbans? We have already posted proclamations: we are the righteous militia invited by Minister Gong. If any harm comes to us, it shall be your responsibility, Minister!"

The leader’s use of the title "Minister" instead of "Administrator" stirred a strange sense of vanity in Gong. He felt that while these bandits were crude, their deference suggested they might be salvaged. "I am a Minister of the Board of Rites of the Great Yuan. The Court has entrusted me with the defense of western Zhejiang. If you Red Turbans are willing to reform, you must follow my lead!"

Gong did not even believe his own words. He was merely a southerner who had passed the imperial examinations, and the Yuan Court had granted him the position of Administrator despite his lack of deep-rooted status. Yet, faced with these peasant-turned-bandits, he suddenly felt dignified, believing he needed leverage to negotiate.

The bandit leader, despite holding a blade to Gong’s neck and having his family under guard, remained respectful toward a man of such utility. "We know Minister Gong is loyal to the state. That is why Vice Councilor Manzi specially sent this personal letter."

*Vice Councilor Manzi? Manzi Haiya?*

Gong had heard that Manzi Haiya had turned traitor and was advising the rebels in Zhenjiang. He had once cursed the man’s name, but now, this letter provided the perfect excuse for Gong to surrender. "Since Vice Councilor Manzi has sent a letter, this must surely be a misunderstanding. Tell me, Generals, what is your next plan?"