Chapter Fifty-Two: The Long Spear Army

Although Liu Yi's true adversary was Zhu Yuanzhang, far away in Jiangnan, he felt greater respect for Ma Xiuying. After all, in the founding of the Zhu Ming dynasty, Ma Xiuying's kindness and magnanimity were far more admirable than Zhu Yuanzhang's harshness.

Ma Xiuying stole a glance at the several chests of gold, silver, and jewels on the ground. To her, these were not only astonishing riches, but also treasures that women loved most. Yet, she knew that she had come with a mission and must persuade Liu Yi. “If Marshal Liu stands from the perspective of the Chaohu Navy, it would certainly be best for you to remain north of the river as long as possible. After all, any Long Spear Army, Azure Army, or Red Turban Army members who come seeking shelter would inevitably join Marshal Liu’s ranks upon reaching Chuzhou…”

A smile crept across Liu Yi’s face, and Ma Xiuying continued, “Moreover, crossing the river would surely bring danger. Leaving aside the risks of fighting the Yuan invaders on the battlefield, the various rebel armies across the land often clash and slaughter one another; you never know when disaster might strike!”

Liu Yi was a good listener, quietly absorbing Ma Xiuying’s words. Her voice was soft but compelling. “But that is only considering the Chaohu Navy’s viewpoint. If we look at the Chuzhou Marshal’s Office and the grand endeavor to restore the sun and moon and remake the world, Marshal Liu, you truly ought to cross the river!”

Liu Yi laughed at once. “In fact, I’ve long wanted to cross the river. Alas, the warmth of the lotus bed and the entanglements of love have kept me here—I am, after all, beset by the affairs of the heart!”

A flush rose on Guo Yunyu’s cheeks; she had not expected Liu Yi to openly admit that lingering in the north was because of her. Yet, the fact that Liu Yi had stayed so long for her and Sun Yue Rong made her happy; even though Liu Yi had married Sun Yue Rong as well, she still felt a measure of joy.

Ma Xiuying went on, “Now, beneath the walls of Jiqing City, three marshals are laying siege. Though only Marshal Liu is absent, Guo Tianxu, Zhang Tianyou, and my husband cannot break Jiqing City and can only pin their hopes on Chen Yexian, Chen Zhaoxian and the Long Spear Army’s Commander Xie. Marshal Liu, do you think the Chuzhou troops should rely on you, or on Chen Zhaoxian, Chen Yexian, and Xie Guoxi?”

Liu Yi shuddered involuntarily at the mention of “Xie Guoxi.” Smiling, he said, “If Zhu Yuanzhang invites me to cross the river, I certainly won’t go. But if Lady Zhu herself asks me, it’s different. You’re absolutely right—it’s time to cross the river. Rather than relying on Chen Yexian, Chen Zhaoxian, or Xie Guoxi, let me lead the troops across!”

He turned to Guo Yunyu. “Yunyu, you’ll have to bear with this for a while. Rest assured, once Jiqing City falls, I’ll bring you across the river with all the honor you deserve!”

Ma Xiuying had not expected things to go so smoothly; she had barely exerted any effort and had easily persuaded Liu Yi.

Yet, she suddenly felt a pang of worry. Was there some hidden scheme behind Liu Yi’s decision to cross the river? What effects would his passage bring?

Could her husband truly contend with this Chaohu Marshal Liu?

For Xie Guoxi and his men, however, their concerns were far less profound. “Let’s drink and be merry today! We’ll enjoy ourselves while we can!”

The origins of Xie Guoxi’s Long Spear Army were much like those of the Changshan and Ma Shixiong’s Azure Army: at first, they had fought to defend their property, clans, and villages from the Red Turban Army. Yet, in the turmoil of the times, this force quickly began to mutate.

In recent years, they had battled with Han Song’s Red Turbans and Xu Song’s Red Turbans, but more often, they fought weaker militia, clans, and village communities. They had even attacked many towns bearing the Yuan banner but lacking the troops to defend them, plundering everything—wealth, people, homes—and often setting fire to what remained. Frequently, their discipline was even worse than the Red Turbans’.

Nevertheless, Xie Guoxi’s Long Spear Army had survived and even grown stronger amid chaos, thanks to their fundamental principle: “Fight!”

Indeed, though they were bandits, they were among the most formidable brigands in the realm. Countless desperadoes and fierce warriors filled their ranks, and whether Yuan troops, Red Turbans, or militia, all had suffered heavy losses at their hands.

Xie Guoxi’s most renowned tough fighter, Zhu Liangzu, having downed two bowls of watered wine and holding a beautiful woman he’d seized, shouted boisterously, “Marshal, this wine is too weak—not enough! Tell us, where are we going tomorrow for a good raid?”

This was precisely the most sensitive issue facing Xie Guoxi’s Long Spear Army now.

In the area near Jiqing Road, aside from the forces of Chen Yexian and Chen Zhaoxian, Xie Guoxi’s Long Spear Army also wavered in their allegiance. Compared to Chen Yexian, whose father had been captured by the Chuzhou troops, Xie Guoxi enjoyed far greater freedom of action.

Thus, during this period, Xie Guoxi had fought under Han Song’s “Dragon and Phoenix” banner and switched to the Yuan dynasty’s “Zhizheng” banner—more than once. Yet everyone knew that such vacillation would not resolve their predicament. Once the Yuan and Chuzhou armies settled their contest, their first priority would be to eliminate Xie Guoxi’s forces.

All present were fierce warriors and desperadoes of the Long Spear Army, so Xie Guoxi spoke freely. “Chen Zhaoxian has written to me, inviting me to act together with him!”

Zhu Liangzu perked up at once. If only Xie Guoxi’s Long Spear Army moved, it would lack weight; but if two forces joined, they would become decisive players on the Jiangdong battlefield. “Which side does Chen Zhaoxian pick? His father is still in Guo Tianxu’s hands!”

Xie Guoxi did not answer directly, instead shifting the topic. “Though Chen Zhaoxian invites us to act together, we must plan carefully. We need to seize this opportunity, but also ensure foolproof success.”

His words were hazy and cryptic, hard for most to decipher. But Zhu Liangzu, after years at Xie Guoxi’s side, immediately grasped the true meaning. “Marshal, just tell us straight—whose side will we join?”

Zhu Liangzu had long heard that aside from Chen Yexian and Chen Zhaoxian, Xie Guoxi had agreements for coordinated action with several forces near Jiqing Road, ready with contingency plans. But Xie Guoxi shook his head. “Don’t just think about making a name for yourself. If we act, we must gain twice over: honors, wealth, women, and territory alike.”

Though Xie Guoxi spoke obliquely, Zhu Liangzu understood. “Thank you for your wisdom, Marshal. We must seize this chance to claim territory. Once we have our own land, no matter who wins or loses, we will stand undefeated!”

Since crossing the river, Xie Guoxi’s Long Spear Army had vacillated and avoided major battles, so many had overlooked this decisive force. Now, however, Xie Guoxi’s Long Spear Army was about to unleash its deadly might!