Chapter Eighteen: Zhang Tianyou

Marshal Zhang Tianyou, the Right Deputy Commander, was the second most powerful figure in the Chuzhou Grand Marshal’s Office, and the key link in the alliance between the Guo family’s army and Du Zundao. Yet, no one knew that Zhang Tianyou had once again come to Haozhou.

A visit such as this could only mean trouble, and the Lady of Golden Flowers’ expression instantly grew stern. “Prime Minister Du, surely Marshal Zhang has come to Haozhou with an agenda.”

Though her status was worlds apart from Du Zundao’s, the Lady of Golden Flowers was brimming with fighting spirit. Du Zundao, too, supplied an unexpected piece of information: “Marshal Zhang Tianyou has arrived together with an envoy from Lu Prefecture’s Zuo Junbi.”

At the mention of Zuo Junbi’s name, the Lady of Golden Flowers’ willow brows arched sharply, murderous intent flashing in her eyes—she wished she could stab Zuo Junbi to death on the spot. “So it’s the thief from the House of Treasures. Prime Minister, if Chaohu Lake were to fall into their hands, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Around Chaohu Lake, there were two bands of Red Turbans, both descended from the lineages of Xu Shouhui and Peng Yingyu. The naval forces under Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng had once dominated the Yangtze, but were later defeated by the Southern Censor-in-Chief, the Mongol Haiya, and forced to take refuge in Chaohu. As they were former subordinates of Peng Yingyu and many of their troops were White Lotus followers, they were known as the “House of Ancestor Peng.”

The other Red Turban force was that of Lu Prefecture’s Zuo Junbi. Though also developed by Peng Yingyu, their members included fewer White Lotus adherents, and their religious fervor was far weaker. Instead, they were fixated on amassing wealth, earning them the moniker “House of Treasures.”

Both Red Turban groups shared the same origins and had cooperated amicably in the past. But ever since Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng retreated into Chaohu, Zuo Junbi had pressed them relentlessly, seeking to absorb his former allies. With the Chuzhou Grand Marshal’s Office dispatching forty thousand armored troops south, Xu Shouhui had no choice but to call upon the Lady of Golden Flowers to take charge at Chaohu.

For the Lady of Golden Flowers, both Zhang Tianyou and Zuo Junbi were formidable adversaries. Du Zundao smiled as he said, “Marshal Golden Flowers, Zuo Junbi of Lu Prefecture is making exorbitant demands, showing no sincerity whatsoever. I can only rest easy with Chaohu’s navy in your hands—do not let down my hopes.”

Zuo Junbi of Lu Prefecture, as well as Chuzhou’s Guo Tianshu, Zhang Tianyou, and Zhu Yuanzhang, were all powerful warlords commanding tens of thousands of armored troops. If Chaohu’s navy fell into their hands, it would be like adding wings to a tiger; they could even use its strength to soar to unprecedented heights.

But the Lady of Golden Flowers was a different case entirely. When she joined the Dragon-Phoenix regime, she had only a handful of followers and a few weapons. Even now, she had merely scraped together a hundred or so men and two commanders absolutely loyal to the regime. Even if she seized Chaohu, she would have to rely on the power of the imperial court to preserve her foothold.

Du Zundao naturally pinned his hopes on the Lady of Golden Flowers, and she in turn denounced Zuo Junbi’s many misdeeds, with Du Zundao nodding in agreement throughout.

Yet as soon as she left Du’s residence, her expression still severe, the Lady of Golden Flowers asked, “Guo Tianshu of Chuzhou is Prime Minister Du’s ally, while Zuo Junbi of Lu Prefecture shares our Peng ancestry. Of these two heroes, which should we draw closer to?”

Liu Yi answered without hesitation, “Since Zhu Yuanzhang is in Chuzhou, we should cultivate a good relationship with Marshal Zhang.”

Liu Yi had mentioned Zhu Yuanzhang’s name countless times in recent days, piquing the Lady of Golden Flowers’ curiosity. “It seems this Marshal Zhu is no ordinary man, and the Chuzhou army is not to be underestimated. Let’s go pay our respects to Marshal Zhang together.”

Since Du Zundao had already instructed them to head south with Zhang Tianyou, it was only natural for the Lady of Golden Flowers to seek an audience with him.

Du Zundao had arranged for Zhang Tianyou to stay at a military camp outside the city. The Lady of Golden Flowers did not see the envoy from Zuo Junbi, but Zhang Tianyou provided a perfectly reasonable explanation: “General Shen, upon hearing of your arrival, left in haste to avoid any awkwardness. Marshal Golden Flowers, I hear many of your former subordinates are among Chaohu’s navy?”

Zhang Tianyou was a slightly portly middle-aged man, his demeanor more that of a merchant than a general, always speaking with a genial smile.

With dignity and confidence, the Lady of Golden Flowers replied, “Xu Shouhui sent me to Chaohu precisely because Li Pusheng and the others were once my men. I now hold two imperial edicts—one issued by Xu Shouhui, and another granting me full discretionary authority from the court.”

Zhang Tianyou nodded repeatedly. “That’s excellent. We’ve negotiated with Chaohu several times, but talks always broke down and many soldiers died. As long as Marshal Golden Flowers helps Chuzhou take Chaohu, I thank you on behalf of the Grand Marshal.”

Though Zhang Tianyou only said “negotiations failed,” the mention of “many soldiers died” said enough about the enmity between the two sides. The Lady of Golden Flowers declared with uprightness, “Marshal Zhang, the fate of the Chaohu navy is vital to the great cause. I am here in the south to fulfill my duty to the court!”

Before Zhang Tianyou could respond, Liu Chongkun—emboldened by being the adopted son of Liu Futong—interjected loudly, “The Marshal speaks the truth! The Chaohu navy is the state’s force, not the private army of the Guo or Zhang families. Zhang Tianyou, you must distinguish what is truly important.”

Du Yishan agreed, “Indeed, the Chaohu navy is of critical importance and must be directed by the court.”

But Zhang Tianyou, still smiling amiably, replied, “Precisely because the Chaohu navy is so important, we must hasten south without further delay. If we keep bickering, it will fall into the hands of those with sinister intentions.”

At present, the Chaohu navy was caught in a dire predicament, beset on three sides. The Mongol Haiya of the Censorate had driven them into the lake but could not destroy them; Zuo Junbi of Lu Prefecture pressed in relentlessly but could not annex them; and Guo Tianshu and Zhu Yuanzhang’s forces were triumphant in battle, exerting even greater military pressure.

Though the Chaohu navy continued to uphold Xu Shouhui and the “Zhiping” era name, hoping he would send a great army to their rescue, their siege and encirclement seemed unending. Many commanders were desperately seeking a way out.

Liu Yi wholeheartedly endorsed Zhang Tianyou’s view. “Marshal Zhang is absolutely right—speed is of the essence in warfare. The sooner we head south, the better; everything else can be discussed along the way. We must not let the Chaohu navy fall into the hands of traitors.”

Though Liu Yi did not specify who these “traitors” were, the Lady of Golden Flowers had already made up her mind. “Then let us talk as we march. The Chaohu navy must not fall into the hands of traitors. By the way, Marshal Zhang, is it true that Deputy Marshal Zhu now holds real power in Chuzhou?”

Though Zhang Tianyou’s face was all smiles, Liu Yi could tell his cheer was somewhat forced. “Those are but rumors spread by the Yuan barbarians. Guo Tianshu is our Grand Marshal in Chuzhou, and Deputy Marshal Zhu and I are merely in charge of leading charges on the battlefield. Do not fall for the Yuan’s attempts to sow discord!”