Chapter 85: Zhang Shixin

The Huainan Provincial Administration was established in Yangzhou after the Red Turban Army's great uprising, set up specifically to suppress the various rebel forces. It governed Yangzhou, Gaoyou, Huai'an, Chuzhou, Hezhou, Luzhou, Anfeng, Anqing, Qizhou, Huangzhou, and other regions. This domain, even if not the strongest base of the northern and southern Red Turban armies, was at least Zhang Shicheng's old stronghold. There was not a single area that was free from rebel sieges; this administration existed purely for the needs of war.

Yet, despite the Yuan court’s high hopes for the Huainan Provincial Administration and the presence of the Prince of the South as its overseer, it had long failed to play any significant role.

However, if that particular figure were to arrive in Yangzhou, things would change entirely. With such a person—one whose character and ability were beyond reproach—presiding over Yangzhou, he would surely be able to unite all the resources of Huainan to deal with the Chuzhou Red Turbans.

Even Lady Golden Flower felt that Liu Yi was being too hasty. “That man is no ordinary figure. General, you mustn’t underestimate a hero from the north!”

Liu Yi knew that, in another timeline, Zhang Shicheng had not chosen to return north of the Yangtze. But on reflection, in that alternate reality, this great figure had not taken command and marched south. The fog of history grew dense and uncertain before his eyes.

Yet, precisely because he could not see through the layers of mist, Liu Yi regained his composure. “The arrow is already on the string; how can we turn back now? Whether or not that official comes south to command in Yangzhou, our most urgent task now is to take Jinling. If we capture Jiqing, no matter how many troops he brings, we will remain invincible. But should we fail, and he arrives in Yangzhou, we will be beset on all sides with no way forward or back…”

Liu Yi had just finished speaking when a commotion broke out outside. Though the noise within the city was swiftly suppressed, the Yuan troops outside Taiping erupted again and again in cheers and roars, the clamor nearly toppling the house, as if they would storm the city in the very next moment—a city that had resisted them for months.

What was happening? The naval officers present all turned pale, their thoughts united in alarm.

Liu Yi faintly caught the words “Yangzhou… Yangzhou” amidst the din. Though he could not make them out clearly, he knew the Yuan army's jubilation must mean that figure had already reached Yangzhou. “He comes swiftly indeed. It seems I must have a serious talk with Zhu Yuanzhang. Rest assured, everyone—I will handle it!”

Liu Yi was unaware that Zhang Shicheng’s envoy had already arrived at Zhu Yuanzhang’s camp.

Zhu Yuanzhang, though seasoned in countless grand affairs, had never before faced a situation so complex.

Liu Yi had predicted that as soon as the Chuzhou Red Turbans crossed the river and assaulted Jiqing, the forces in Gaoyou, Taizhou, and Poyang would rise in response. Events unfolded much as he foresaw, with one exception: the Chuzhou Red Turbans, after half a year of bitter struggle in Jiangdong—losing even marshals Guo Tianshu and Zhang Tianyou—were only then answered by Gaoyou, Taizhou, and Poyang, three months later than Zhu Yuanzhang had hoped.

At last, with all three armies responding in unison and victory at Jiqing within reach, a thunderbolt struck: that eminent figure had arrived with astonishing speed, traveling from Jining to Yangzhou to take command. The situation in the southeast was poised for a fundamental shift.

Though Zhang Shicheng’s strongholds in Gaoyou and Taizhou would be the first to feel the impact, it was the Chuzhou Red Turbans, poised before Jiqing, who now bore the greatest pressure. Tens of thousands of troops could cross from Yangzhou at any time, attack Chuzhou, or even cut off the river. Yet, the more tangled the situation, the calmer Zhu Yuanzhang appeared. “General Shixin, to have you travel here to Taiping in person is truly an honor!”

Previous envoys to Chuzhou and Taiping had all been Zhang Shicheng’s confidants, yet none carried the weight of the man before him—Zhang Shixin. The name alone revealed his bond with Zhang Shicheng: he was Zhang’s own brother and a core figure within the group. Now, Zhang Shixin dispensed with formalities. “General Zhu, you must have heard the celebrations from Jiqing and Yangzhou. The situation is perilous, which is why I have come myself. Originally, my brother Shide was to come, but I insisted he was indispensable at the front, so I made this journey instead.”

Among Zhang Shicheng’s brothers, Zhang Shide was the most capable and highly ranked, the group’s chief marshal—an irreplaceable cornerstone. For Zhang Shixin to come himself represented the utmost sincerity from Zhang Shicheng. Zhu Yuanzhang was deeply satisfied. “General Shixin, since you have come in person, there is nothing more to say. Tell me, is Prince Zhou willing to help me deal with Lake Chao?”

Zhang Shixin had not expected Zhu Yuanzhang to be so direct, but he was prepared. “The problem is, attacking Lake Chao before taking Jiqing would be crippling ourselves, but if General Zhu captures Jiqing, why bother acting against Marshal Liu at Lake Chao?”

This was the consensus within Zhang Shicheng’s group. Though Zhu Yuanzhang had proposed that as soon as the Chuzhou Red Turbans began their assault on Jiqing, Zhang Shicheng’s faction would help eliminate the Lake Chao navy, the strategists around Zhang Shicheng believed Zhu Yuanzhang was being reckless. If Jiqing were not captured, the Chuzhou Red Turbans might destroy themselves in infighting—a formidable enemy lost to the Yuan not by battle but by internal strife.

If Zhu Yuanzhang succeeded in taking Jiqing, the next step would be a methodical conquest of all Jiangdong, for which the Lake Chao navy’s mobility would be vital. There was no need to eliminate them.

As Zhang Shixin finished, Zhu Yuanzhang’s tone grew fierce. “Do you know how much I despise that scoundrel Liu Yi? Do you realize that his woman, his troops, even his very position today—all were stolen from me? He took my woman and my army, and I am supposed to swallow my pride and work with him in perfect harmony? How can I not strike at him?”

Though Zhu Yuanzhang was deeply agitated, Zhang Shixin believed him only halfway. “But General Zhu, you have always put the greater good first—Guo Zixing praised you for it countless times. Why can you not do so now?”

This question, though voiced by Zhang Shixin, echoed the doubts within Zhang Shicheng’s group. Records after the founding of the Ming dynasty describe Zhu Yuanzhang’s relationship with Guo Zixing as harmonious as family. Zhu Yuanzhang had long been trusted by Guo not only for his ability but also for his nearly unprincipled willingness to prioritize the larger cause—handing over ten thousand troops at Guo’s word and remaining a mere soldier.

Yet now, Zhu Yuanzhang seemed reckless, abandoning the greater good. But he had a reason. “If I and that Liu fellow take Jiqing together as equals, he will become uncontrollable and tread all over me. In the future, I will be powerless against him and subject to his whim!”