Chapter Sixty-Seven: Only Shao Liu Matters

In truth, if Liu Yi could secure even half of the troops under Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou, he could already host a victory banquet.

Though the current navy at Lake Chao had absorbed Ma Shixiong and Changshan’s Qing Army, and recruited many new soldiers greatly increasing its strength, it still numbered only fifteen or sixteen thousand men. In contrast, the forces left behind by Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou totaled at least twenty-five thousand. If Liu Yi managed to integrate half of them, his army would double in size.

Liu Yi understood well that more troops weren’t always better; the larger the group, the more tangled the interests. Yet in chaotic times, strength was fundamental—many problems could only be left to resolve later.

But claiming the legacy of Guo Zixing was no easy feat. After all, it meant absorbing an entire faction, with myriad commanders at every level—myriad commanders, deputy myriad commanders, thousand commanders, deputy thousand commanders, hundred commanders, and leaders of ten—all harboring their own agendas and thoughts.

Some myriad commanders were willing to cooperate with Liu Yi, yet their subordinate thousand and hundred commanders, reluctant to join a weaker force, leaned toward Zhu Yuanzhang. Sometimes, the opposite was true: thousand and hundred commanders, loyal veterans brought up by Guo Zixing, felt closer to Liu Yi, Guo’s son-in-law, while the myriad commander believed Zhu Yuanzhang, with his greatest achievements and strength, was the right ally.

Most thousand and hundred commanders, however, wavered, seeing merits in both Liu Yi and Zhu Yuanzhang, preferring to observe before committing.

Faced with such complexity, Sun Yue Rong for the first time revealed her true worth.

While Liu Yi and Lady Jin Hua led troops to support Zhu Yuanzhang, Sun Yue Rong remained in Taiping—not waiting for news from the front, but instead rallying several myriad commanders from the Lake Chao navy.

In the past, Guo Tianxu and Zhu Yuanzhang had tried to sway the navy by establishing channels within it. Though the navy now belonged to Liu Yi, many of these channels still maintained sporadic contact, and now even dormant channels were being revived. Many zealous individuals immediately acted on Liu Yi’s behalf.

Beyond this, Sun Yue Rong sent envoys back to Taiping, urging Guo Yunyu to cross the river quickly. With Guo Tianxu fading and Guo Tianjue too young to command, Sun Yue Rong’s crossing would become a pillar of stability at this crucial juncture.

Though it was her first time setting foot in Jiangnan, and most of Guo Tianxu and Zhang Tianyou’s myriad and thousand commanders had never met her, Sun Yue Rong swiftly drafted an outline, detailing which commanders were worth courting, who were loyal to Zhu Yuanzhang, and who remained undecided.

Even before Liu Yi returned to camp, Sun Yue Rong had met with many people: thousand commanders, hundred commanders, personal guards, vanguards, strategists, and clerks.

If Sun Yue Rong weren’t Liu Yi’s beloved concubine, few would have agreed to meet her. Yet with just a few words, she won over most, and though many were unwilling to state their positions outright, under her persuasion they responded with notable friendliness.

This was the stage most suited for Sun Yue Rong.

She knew she had no right to be proud. Without her identity as the cherished companion of Marshal Liu, she would have achieved nothing. The smooth progress was only because, after the defeat, the Lake Chao navy had grown increasingly crucial.

Whether advancing to Jiqing or retreating to the north, the navy was indispensable. Everyone felt the need to keep a path open for themselves.

“Husband, you must speak with these few—at least thirty percent could be won over!”

Thirty percent was only theoretical; in reality, it was impossible to sway that many without causing a rift. After all, an army was a single entity—if thirty percent broke away, it would lead to an all-out conflict. Liu Yi’s expression grew solemn: “Thirty percent isn’t enough. This game is winner-takes-all; we must claim all of them. When will Sister Yunyu be able to cross the river?”

Sun Yue Rong’s look turned grave. “I’ve already notified Sister Yunyu immediately, but with a great river in between, her arrival remains uncertain. The real concern is if Zhu Yuanzhang catches on.”

Zhu Yuanzhang was a peerless figure. Liu Yi’s excuse of “adding another marshal” could only deceive him momentarily and catch him off guard, but once he realized the truth, he would surely launch a fierce chain of actions.

As long as Guo Yunyu had not crossed the river, Liu Yi felt himself at a disadvantage, needing to win by surprise: “Since Sister Yunyu hasn’t crossed yet, we must create an opportunity for her. Have Shao Six come see me.”

Sun Yue Rong hadn’t expected such words from Liu Yi—“creating an opportunity for Sister Yunyu.” His careful plotting was less about gaining more troops for himself than about ensuring lasting happiness for their family, placing himself in a supporting role.

For this reason, Sun Yue Rong felt especially warm listening to these words. Since Liu Yi treated Guo Yunyu thus, he would surely do the same for her. She could even understand why Liu Yi would sigh so long and deeply aboard the boat. “Rest assured, Husband, Shao Four and Shao Six won’t escape!”

At that time, Shao Rong in the Red Turban Army at Chuzhou was but a thousand commander, inconspicuous. Yet such men, given the right opportunity, would soar. Upon meeting, he asked directly, “Marshal Liu, is your promise still valid? You said you’d offer me a marshal’s future!”

Liu Yi replied candidly, “Yes, I promised—and I always keep my word. Now there’s an opening: after the incidents with Marshals Guo and Zhang, two seats in the Marshal’s Mansion are vacant. Shao Four, if you wish, I’ll recommend you for the position, and Shao Six, rest assured, I will fully support your entry, so no one will dare mock you!”

Shao Rong’s elder brother was the famous Shao Four, a notable figure in the Red Turban Army. In another timeline, after Zhang Tianyou’s death, Shao Four inherited most of Zhang’s forces, and after Zhu Yuanzhang took Jiqing, Shao Four was promoted to marshal. When Shao Four died in battle, Shao Rong—Shao Six—succeeded him.

Though official Ming histories repeatedly erased Shao Rong’s existence, before his purge, Shao Rong had been the leading general or marshal in every major battle for Zhu Yuanzhang’s group, with the famous Xu Da, Tang He, and Chang Yuchun all serving under him.

Because of this illustrious record, Liu Yi was confident in his promise to support Shao Rong—and Shao Rong did not disappoint. “I’ve spoken to my brother. If I enter the Marshal’s Mansion, he’ll follow. Now he’s asked me to bring a myriad commander over immediately to throw our full support behind Marshal Liu!”

He quickly added, “Though this myriad commander is only nominal for now, at least he has three thousand commanders. Since I am the first to come over, Marshal Liu surely won’t let me down!”

Liu Yi responded at once, “I don’t need three thousand commanders, nor a myriad commander—I need only you, Shao Six, to stand with me and oppose Zhu Yuanzhang!”