Chapter Twenty: Chuzhou

Although Zhang Tianyou knew that Lady Jin Hua and Liu Yi had their own ulterior motives, he was currently hoping to win Lady Jin Hua over. “You can’t say that. The Guo family’s army owes much to Deputy Marshal Zhu for its current situation. Of course, the Guo family’s army will always be the Guo family’s army—oh dear...”

Zhang Tianyou had been speaking casually, but suddenly remembered something, blurting out “oh dear” before quickly correcting himself. “In any case, both Marshal Jin Hua and Young General Liu are sincere. I’ll make sure to explain things properly so everyone can work together in unity.”

Liu Yi chimed in with a smile, “Yes, let’s cooperate sincerely, and soon we’ll cross the river and take Jiqing Road.”

Yet, whether it was Lady Jin Hua, Liu Yi, Liu Zhongkun, or Du Yishan, all of them were curious as to why Zhang Tianyou had suddenly said “oh dear.” Although he tried to brush it off, Du Yishan soon got the truth from a drinking companion.

At the Grand Marshal’s residence in Chuzhou, although Zhu Yuanzhang was only the third-ranked Left Deputy Marshal, he often held sway in military councils because of his large army. But behind closed doors, his lack of direct blood ties to Guo Zixing became a serious disadvantage.

The origins of the forty thousand armored troops under Guo Tianshu, Zhang Tianyou, and Zhu Yuanzhang all traced back to Guo Zixing’s uprising in Haozhou. It was Guo Zixing who built the Red Turban Army; after his death, his eldest son Guo Tianshu and brother-in-law Zhang Tianyou inherited the force.

Among the three marshals, Guo Tianshu was Guo Zixing’s eldest son, Zhang Tianyou his brother-in-law, but Zhu Yuanzhang had no blood relation at all, and could only go about telling people, “I am Guo Zixing’s son-in-law.”

But being “son-in-law” in name only carried little weight. Zhu Yuanzhang’s wife was Guo Zixing’s adopted daughter, and Guo Zixing had many adopted sons and daughters. Whether it was Guo Tianshu, Zhang Tianyou, their clans, or the old Red Turban veterans, all recognized only the status of “adopted son-in-law.”

There is but a single word of difference between “son-in-law” and “adopted son-in-law,” yet the distinction in recognition is like night and day. When Guo Tianshu convened private councils, Zhu Yuanzhang was always the outsider. Zhu Yuanzhang was keenly aware of this and sought to remedy it. Du Yishan related with glee, “The old Marshal Guo Zixing still has a daughter unwed, so before Zhang Tianyou set out, Zhu Yuanzhang expressed his desire to become even closer kin.”

If he married the Guo family’s daughter, Zhu Yuanzhang would naturally become family in truth, which was quite different from having an adopted daughter as a wife. Lady Jin Hua immediately grasped the complications. “It’s a fine thing to strengthen family ties, but how could Guo Zixing’s own daughter become a concubine? If Miss Guo is to be the principal wife, then what of Madam Ma?”

Du Yishan laughed as well. “The Marshal is absolutely right. One can’t let the true daughter be made a concubine while the adopted daughter remains the principal wife. But if Miss Guo is the primary wife, then what becomes of Madam Ma? After all, she was the principal wife when she married!”

Although the Red Turban Army retained many bandit customs, and many generals had three or four wives, Miss Guo was Guo Zixing’s own daughter, while Madam Ma, though only adopted, was already Zhu Yuanzhang’s principal wife. If Zhu Yuanzhang failed to resolve this, it would surely lead to trouble.

Liu Zhongkun, with a schadenfreude smile, said, “I doubt Zhu Yuanzhang can handle this. My godfather was a hero among men, but even he was at his wit’s end with this matter for years.”

Liu Yi, however, said with some gravity, “I believe Zhu Yuanzhang can manage it—he has grand ambitions.”

Though it sounded like a joke, the fact that Zhu Yuanzhang was willing to make himself the butt of it meant he had long been plotting. Lady Jin Hua came to the same realization. “It’s good that Deputy Marshal Zhu has plans. We must maintain good relations with Zhang Tianyou, but also be prepared on Zhu Yuanzhang’s side—we can’t put all our hopes in one basket.”

They were getting along well with Zhang Tianyou now, but holding out for the best offer was wiser. After all, Zhu Yuanzhang was the stronger force. Yet, regardless of whom they allied with, their own interests had to be preserved.

Du Yishan agreed. “I’ve heard from my uncle about Zhu Yuanzhang—he’s one of the fiercest commanders in our Red Turban Army, both wise and decisive, a formidable person. Even if we choose to work with the Guo family, it’s best not to make an enemy of him—he’s not one to trifle with.”

Liu Yi, however, was worried. “I’m afraid we might end up pleasing neither side. Both factions covet the Chaohu Navy, but we must have it at all costs!”

A rare smile appeared on Lady Jin Hua’s face. “With the imperial edict in our hands, what is there to fear? Leave everything to me and I promise no one will come out the loser!”

According to Du Zundao and Liu Futong’s plan, Lady Jin Hua’s mission to the south also required her to visit Zhao Junyong and the remaining marshals of the Haozhou army.

After all, the Chuzhou Grand Marshal’s residence not only rose from Haozhou but had always been subordinate to Zhao Junyong. Yet after conferring with Zhang Tianyou, she decided to press on day and night. “As long as we seize the Chaohu Navy, there’s no need to worry about such formalities with Zhao Junyong and Sun Deya!”

The straight-line distance from Haozhou to Chuzhou was nearly eight hundred li, and this force of a thousand had traveled much farther in search of supplies—well over a thousand li before finally reaching the Red Turban-controlled Chuzhou.

Upon entering Chuzhou, both Lady Jin Hua and Liu Yi were struck by the contrast.

Though Chuzhou had suffered from the war, with camps, fortifications, banners, and Red Turban patrols everywhere—even the sound of weeping at times—unlike the wastelands and scattered bones of other war zones, Chuzhou still bustled with life. One could see hardworking farmers in the fields.

Chuzhou had not yet regained its prewar prosperity, and there were still abandoned hillsides, but Liu Yi estimated that at least half of normal agricultural activity had resumed. Though trade had not yet recovered, such a scene was rare in these troubled times.

After a little inquiry, Lady Jin Hua concluded, “That Deputy Marshal Zhu is indeed a capable man!”

In chaotic times, fierce generals are not hard to find, but those both wise and decisive are rare; rarer still are those who can govern and restore territory. Liu Yi felt a mix of emotions. Though history’s judgment awaits the end, he could not yet form a final opinion. “Zhu Yuanzhang... he is truly remarkable.”

No sooner had he spoken than a shout rang out ahead. “Where is Marshal Jin Hua? Marshal Zhu and the young lady have come in person to welcome her!”