Chapter Eight: The Left Deputy Marshal of Chuzhou

Xu Shouhui and Zou Pusheng’s decree only granted Lady Jin Hua the nominal title of "Marshal of Chaohu." Lady Jin Hua, however, added the words "Supreme Commander" herself, thus styling herself as "Supreme Commander and Marshal of Chaohu."

Liu Yi, bold beyond measure, went so far as to draft her a decree himself. Yet Lady Jin Hua considered it unlikely that the Haozhou authorities would approve such a title as "Acting Administrative Vice Commissioner of the Huainan Province and Co-Adjunct of the Two Huai Privy Council." She was certain that, at best, the title would be granted in a diminished capacity.

But to everyone’s surprise, not only did Haozhou accept it in full, their great general Sheng Wenyu even personally came to her with a proposal: “Lady Jin Hua, could the title of Acting Administrative Vice Commissioner of the Two Huai Province be elevated to Chief Administrative Commissioner of the Two Huai Province?”

Not only did they want to upgrade the Vice Commissioner to Chief Commissioner, but also to raise her title in the Privy Council from Co-Adjunct to the even higher rank of Commissioner.

Given Haozhou’s generosity, Lady Jin Hua’s journey was transformed from merely “passing through Haozhou en route to Chaohu” into one of reverent allegiance to the Divine Sovereignty of the Dragon-Phoenix Emperor Han Lin’er, as the so-called “Chief Administrative Commissioner of the False Chu’s Two Huai Province and Commissioner of its Privy Council.”

For every major ceremony, including the enthronement, Lady Jin Hua was expected to display the utmost admiration for the Dragon-Phoenix regime, while fiercely denouncing the criminal misrule of the False Chu, proclaiming that the world would inevitably return to the holy dynasty of the Dragon-Phoenix.

Not only was Lady Jin Hua quickly promoted, but her forces expanded greatly as well.

As the “Chief Administrative Commissioner of the False Chu’s Two Huai Province and Commissioner of its Privy Council,” she could hardly command only a ragged band of ten or so defeated soldiers. Liu Futong promptly dispatched over a hundred troops to her command, many of whom were former Red Turban soldiers from Xiangyang.

According to Liu Futong and Sheng Wenyu, this was only an appetizer—Lady Jin Hua would soon be able to command even more troops, and the entire Chaohu navy would be placed under her supreme authority.

Lady Jin Hua truly felt that Liu Yi, who had seemingly fallen from the heavens into her life, was a destined blessing. Though her face remained stern, her mood was bright: “I’ve made all arrangements with Liu Futong. As long as we put on a good show for him, he’ll fully support us in seizing Chaohu!”

She had already devised how to play her part well. Emperor Xu Shouhui was known for his magnanimity and had always treated her kindly. Since she needed to move south and take over the Chaohu navy from the Xu-Song Red Turbans, there was still a measure of goodwill between them that should not be carelessly cast aside; she would therefore speak of Xu Shouhui only with mild criticism.

But since Ni Wenjun and Chen Youliang were bent on destroying her, there would be no need for restraint—she would unleash her full fury, denouncing them as the vilest of scoundrels.

Hearing this, Liu Yi’s demeanor turned serious. “Since Liu Futong supports us in taking Chaohu, our chances are now thirty percent. Lady Jin Hua, I believe the title of Chief Administrative Commissioner of the Two Huai Province should end here. When you see Liu Futong, you must ask for the title of Supreme Commander of Chuzhou.”

During this time, Liu Yi and Lady Jin Hua had gotten along very well. Liu Yi now clearly understood that the Xu-Song regime’s era name was "Zhiping," not "Zhiping" as he had previously thought, and Lady Jin Hua knew that Liu Yi’s real name was "Liu Yi," not the "Liu Yi" she had misunderstood.

But whether he was Liu Yi or Liu Yi, Lady Jin Hua found it best to follow his advice in all things. Although she regretted dropping so many ranks, she agreed without hesitation, “These two titles are simply too weighty. We must not make things difficult for Haozhou. The title of Supreme Commander of Chuzhou is more than enough. If we cannot secure Supreme Commander of Chuzhou, we can at least get Supreme Commander of Chaohu.”

Both the Yuan army and the anti-Yuan forces had Marshal’s Offices, and the Supreme Commander was generally the most prominent among the marshals, ranking above the ordinary marshals. That was why Lady Jin Hua had insisted on adding "Supreme Commander" to her Chaohu marshal’s title.

Liu Yi glanced around, then signaled Wen Qing to clear the room before he spoke, “Lady Jin Hua, as I’ve said, we have a ninety percent chance with this Chaohu venture, but you must follow my plan exactly!”

He lowered his voice: “If we cannot secure Supreme Commander of Chuzhou, then we must at least get Marshal of Chuzhou. And if even that cannot be obtained, then at the very least, we need the position of Additional Marshal of Chuzhou. Remember this well! No matter what terms Liu Futong offers, we must at least secure the post of Additional Marshal of Chuzhou.”

Lady Jin Hua felt a deep sense of loss. Moments ago, she had been “Acting Administrative Vice Commissioner of the Huainan Province and Co-Adjunct of the Two Huai Privy Council,” one of the most influential figures in the realm; now she was plotting for the position of Additional Marshal of Chuzhou.

"Additional" implied a post outside the official establishment. Whether in the Yuan army or among the anti-Yuan forces, "Marshal" was a highly prestigious rank, commanding tens of thousands, or at least three to five thousand men. But an "Additional Marshal" was something altogether different—often a sinecure for retired officers.

If anyone else had suggested this, Lady Jin Hua would have run them through with her spear. But coming from Liu Yi, she remained calm and discussed the details, “Is the Guo family’s army really that formidable? It’s said that they have forty thousand men in Chuzhou. If we go there, our first priority should be to eliminate Guo Tianshu!”

Perhaps because of her White Lotus background, Lady Jin Hua’s first instinct in any situation was to settle matters by force. Liu Yi could only advise her earnestly, “Eliminating Guo Tianshu won’t help us seize Chaohu—it would only bring endless trouble.”

Lady Jin Hua always listened to Liu Yi’s advice. “That’s true. There are forty thousand Red Turbans in Chuzhou. If we are to strike, it must be without fail. I’ve also heard that, though Guo Tianshu is the Chief Marshal, he doesn’t have the final say in Chuzhou. The two deputy marshals are both formidable. If we are to strike, all three must be dealt with together.”

Liu Yi shifted his angle of persuasion, “Which is why, whatever happens, we must secure the post of Marshal in Chuzhou. Without it, even with all our abilities, our few hundred men could never overcome forty thousand Red Turbans.”

A rare smile appeared at the corner of Lady Jin Hua’s mouth. “Perhaps no one else could pull off such a feat, but our little Yi certainly can. Those forty thousand armored troops in Chuzhou are as good as ours!”

Liu Yi replied with solemnity, “Lady Jin Hua, disaster springs from careless words. We must be doubly cautious. Never speak like this again. In Chuzhou, above all, you must beware of one man!”

Lady Jin Hua asked, “Who is so important that you must warn me so gravely?”

Liu Yi’s voice was tinged with both fear and a hint of killing intent, yet also an irrepressible respect: “The Left Deputy Marshal of Chuzhou... Zhu Yuanzhang.”