Chapter Sixty-Four: The First to Enter Jiqing Shall Be King

These words made Zhu Yuanzhang’s face flush with embarrassment. Though Liu Yi’s speech was full of praise and the Yuan army’s main force had already withdrawn, Zhu Yuanzhang’s Left Camp had suffered a serious defeat today, with as many as two or three thousand men captured. Fortunately, both the Left Camp and the Long Spear Army were made up of men from the Jianghuai region, so when they clashed, some mercy was shown; otherwise, the death toll in the Left Camp would have been at least several hundred higher.

“Today’s defeat is entirely my fault,” Zhu Yuanzhang said. “I only wanted to strike down Xie Guoxi, but I never expected him to collude with the provincial authorities. I will remember this—Xie Guoxi will surely have no grave to rest in!”

Liu Yi knew that, after being singled out by Zhu Yuanzhang, Xie Guoxi could never hope for a peaceful life again. Zhu Yuanzhang always greeted people with a friendly, genial face, yet he was the type to remember even the smallest slight for years, waiting for the right moment to settle old scores. Let alone something as grave as today’s event—should Zhu Yuanzhang succeed in the future, Xie Guoxi’s fate was already sealed.

Yet compared to Xie Guoxi, the one Zhu Yuanzhang hated most was Liu Yi himself, Marshal Liu. Though Zhu Yuanzhang now wore an expression of gratitude, Liu Yi knew well that, in another setting, Zhu Yuanzhang would have already overturned the table in rage.

Liu Yi was not afraid of such outbursts; on the contrary, he was certain Zhu Yuanzhang dared not lose his temper today. “Brother Yuanzhang, there’s no need to be so courteous. Today’s turnaround was thanks to your efforts. Actually, I have a small favor to ask of you.”

Zhu Yuanzhang did not wish to prolong the pleasantries, knowing full well that Liu Yi’s so-called “small favor” was likely a trap—perhaps some earth-shaking matter. “If it’s a small matter, let’s speak of it later. Marshal Liu, you mentioned that Guo Tixu and Zhang Tianyou also ran into trouble?”

Liu Yi did not pick up this topic, but Lady Golden Flower interjected, “The two marshals, Guo and Zhang, were ambushed at Hu Village. It’s said their situation is much the same as ours here. Chen Zhaoxian and Xie Guoxi coordinated their attack, catching us off guard. One can only hope the two marshals are safe, or else we may be driven back across the river.”

Liu Yi nodded in earnest agreement. “The two marshals must not come to harm. If they do, all the hard fighting of these past months will be for nothing.”

Zhu Yuanzhang, who was usually composed or brimming with enthusiasm, grew anxious at these words. “No matter what becomes of the two marshals, we absolutely cannot retreat north of the river. If we return, then the two marshals would have died in vain!”

Liu Yi knew that, whatever happened, it was necessary to persist in taking Jiqing Road. But in Zhu Yuanzhang’s eyes, Liu Yi seemed already to be considering retreat—thinking of going back to the north bank.

After all, Liu Yi had stayed in the north for so long, and likely had grown soft with comforts. It was, in truth, a natural thing; with a beautiful wife and concubines in Chuzhou, enjoying riches and honor, why risk one’s life in the south?

To persuade Liu Yi to cross the river, Zhu Yuanzhang had sent Ma Xiuying, heavily pregnant, bearing lavish gifts and entreaties, and only after much effort did he succeed. Yet, scarcely had Liu Yi come south than both Guo Tixu and Zhu Yuanzhang’s forces suffered setbacks, and Guo Tixu and Zhang Tianyou’s fates remained unknown. In such circumstances, who could blame Liu Yi for wanting to retreat?

Though Liu Yi had predicted that the Red Turbans would eventually take Jiqing Road, he had also said the campaign would be protracted—not something to be resolved in ten days or half a month. Guo Tixu and Zhang Tianyou, though largely figureheads among the Chuzhou Red Turbans, were still crucial. Should anything befall them, and if Liu Yi and Lady Golden Flower then decided to withdraw, the campaign for Jiqing would likely collapse.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke with great solemnity, “Marshal Liu, Marshal Golden Flower, as long as we continue the assault on Jiqing, you may name any condition you please. Marshal Liu, you said you had a favor to ask—was there a particular beauty in my Left Camp you had your eye on?”

This was Zhu Yuanzhang’s way of giving Liu Yi an excuse; even if he fancied some beauty, this was not the occasion to admit it. So Liu Yi laughed and said, “Brother Yuanzhang, you jest. As long as Marshals Guo and Zhang are unharmed, Jiqing will surely fall to the Red Turbans of Chuzhou.”

But the more Liu Yi said such things, the more anxious Zhu Yuanzhang became.

Originally, Zhu Yuanzhang had a comprehensive plan for taking Jiqing and for the next step beyond—perhaps sweeping through the southeast to seize all of Jiangzhe Province within a year. But today’s repeated setbacks only intensified his desire to remain in the south and press on.

He understood clearly that the spoils gained in the south thus far would feed and clothe the Chuzhou Red Turbans for a year. But what then? If they retreated north, what would become of these tens of thousands of men?

Liu Yi’s naval forces on Lake Chaohu could head toward Jiangxi, the territory of the White Lotus leader Xu Shouhui, where Lady Golden Flower, Zhao Pusheng, and Li Pusheng had many old comrades. Though Lady Golden Flower and the Lake Chaohu navy had once served Xu Shouhui’s regime and now followed Han Lin’er’s Han Song government, a powerful fleet would always find a welcome somewhere.

But Zhu Yuanzhang’s Left Camp was different. If they retreated north and could not soon cross south again, they would become nothing more than a band of wandering brigands—the very outcome Zhu Yuanzhang most dreaded.

Since the conquest of Chuzhou, Zhu Yuanzhang had worked hard to establish his own base, always seeking to break free from the Han Song Red Turban system and stand alone. Yet if he retreated north, the best he could hope for was to be bought off by the Yuan court.

Thus, Zhu Yuanzhang again declared his sincerity: “I know it’s hard for Marshal Liu to make such requests openly. I’ll see to it myself. If there is anything else you need, just say the word. As long as you are willing to stay in the south, you may ask for anything!”

But the more Zhu Yuanzhang insisted, the less likely Liu Yi was to give in. He replied with frankness, “Let’s wait for news from Hu Village. As long as Marshals Du and Zhang are safe, everything can be discussed.”

Zhu Yuanzhang understood well that Liu Yi’s meaning was: “If something happens to Guo Tixu and Zhang Tianyou, nothing else matters.” He could not help but blurt out, “I have heard the tale of the Han’s rise—whoever first entered Xianyang became king. Today, let us make a pact, Marshal Liu: whoever enters Jiqing first shall be king!”