Stealing the Ming Dynasty [Complete] - 2

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Unaware of One's Own Inner World, Chapter 11

: The Ming Dynasty's Theoretical Organization: A thousand-household garrison should have 1,012 military households. This was sufficient to provide 300 to 500 soldiers for a thousand-man battalion, along with adequate weapons and equipment, and to cover their rations. The

hereditary military households of the thousand-household and hundred-household ranks were detached from production; their sons' task was to hone combat skills and study military strategy. In this way, in times of national crisis, hereditary military families could provide outstanding sons to serve as thousand-man commanders, battalion commanders, and so on.

However, as time went on, the hereditary military households of the thousand-household and hundred-household ranks increasingly resembled landlords. They became obese and bloated, proficient in accounting, rent collection, running restaurants, and doing business, but completely incapable of leading troops in battle.

Ordinary military households could not escape military service, could not participate in the imperial examinations, their land was not their private property, and their income belonged to the garrison. The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were a group of slaves completely bound to the land, their status roughly equivalent to Russian serfs.

By the late Ming Dynasty, aside from intermarriage among military households, even prostitutes were unwilling to marry into military families. At least the descendants of peasants still had hope—diligence and thrift might lead to becoming wealthy peasants and landlords, while clever peasant sons could become minor officials or even pass the imperial examinations to avoid taxes.

For centuries, the cruelty and utter lack of hope drove military households' sons to constantly flee, with young men resorting to all sorts of methods to change their surnames and sell themselves into slavery to generals in order to escape military service. Although the state continuously filled military households with convicts, the number of military households in the garrisons had dwindled to the point that they could no longer provide soldiers and equipment decades earlier.

Therefore, starting with the famous general Qi Jiguang, recruited soldiers became the foundation of the Ming army's fighting power. Unfortunately, over the decades, the recruitment system also began to deteriorate, with local officials and generals recruiting soldiers from military households, thus doubly embezzling state recruitment funds and garrison production. As far as Huang Shi knew, the Guangning Field Army, which employed a conscription system, had about one hundred soldiers in a single platoon, carrying a small number of weapons. The local Guangning forces, however, used a garrison system, with an average of only fifty soldiers in a platoon.

"I'll give you one thousand taels of silver as a settlement allowance for your soldiers. Afterwards, you'll receive three hundred taels of silver per month. But don't make a big fuss about it, because a typical platoon only receives one hundred and fifty to two hundred taels per month." At this juncture, Sun Degong clearly had little interest in petty gains, especially since he was Wang Huazhen's direct subordinate and didn't have many people to bribe.

"Yes. My Guangning army's pay is one tael and eight mace per soldier per month. I will recruit two hundred soldiers in full." Huang Shi, of course, had no intention of exploiting the soldiers at this time.

"You can easily recruit three hundred. If you give each soldier one tael a month, they'll be extremely grateful. There's no need to give them the full amount," Sun Degong said discontentedly.

"Your Excellency's insight is profound. My concern is that the soldiers might harbor resentment, especially in emergencies when they'll be needed."

"Hmm, if you're not worried about it being too conspicuous, taking some of them in as personal servants would be a safer approach." Sun Degong thought for a moment and agreed with Huang Shi's suggestion.

"Personal servants? Your Excellency, I'm ignorant."

"Yes, just have them change their surname to Huang. That way, the court will give half of their military pay, and you'll give them the rest. Generally speaking, personal servants will definitely earn more than ordinary soldiers, and from then on, no matter where you're transferred or what position you hold, your personal servants will follow you. They'll be loyal to you wholeheartedly."

Huang Shi was dumbfounded by this. "Your Excellency, is this really possible? Turning the court's soldiers into personal slaves?"

"Why not?" Faced with Huang Shi's ignorance of military matters, Sun Degong could only patiently explain: "Let me explain it to you in detail."

To save expenses and increase manpower, the court encouraged generals to contribute their personal slaves, paying them half of their military pay based on the number of slaves they provided. By Huang Shi's time, the types of Ming soldiers had long since changed from the original two categories of cavalry and infantry to three categories: cavalry, infantry, and personal guards. This classification method had been in official court documents for decades. Soon

after this policy was implemented, high-ranking generals began embezzling military pay and then coercing and enticing large numbers of ordinary soldiers to become their personal guards. Many ordinary soldiers chose to become slaves to receive their full pay, becoming the private forces of the generals. Using national wealth to turn the national army into slavery was such a cheap deal that high-ranking generals flocked to it, and equipment from the armory was often prioritized for equipping their personal guards.

"But you can't do it. You're just a lowly centurion; a few years ago you were begging. How could you possibly afford to buy personal guards? Forget it, you should just recruit two hundred soldiers." Sun Degong, as a member of a powerful family that had been in Liaodong for generations, already owned considerable land, but Huang Shi's initial move to buy personal guards was too ostentatious. Moreover, his current rank was still too low; officers below the guerrilla rank were not entitled to enjoy these privileges.

"Yes, Your subordinate understands."

Huang Shi could be considered a half-baked soldier at the moment. Since he had no subordinates, drills and training were basically none of his concern, and naturally, he didn't need to worry about the rations and pay that a centurion-level officer had to consider. After spending a few days getting to know his personal guards, he led them to begin the enthusiastic selection of soldiers.

Several arrogant guards accompanied Huang Shi on a tour of several garrison camps, but Huang Shi was disappointed to find that the soldiers' physical condition was worse than most of the beggars he had ever seen. The soldiers were forced to do morning drills by their officers and struggle for survival in the afternoons; the hardships of life had bent the backs of most of them.

Many of the so-called able-bodied soldiers on the roster turned out to be emaciated, wrinkled old men when Huang Shi called them over. After two days of searching, Huang Shi had only found fewer than twenty satisfactory soldiers.

"Post notices to recruit soldiers, regardless of their military status. The standard is being able to draw a strong bow twenty times consecutively and march five li (approximately 2.5 kilometers) with a heavy load in half an hour." Losing patience, Huang Shi ordered his personal guards, "Ten taels for a resettlement allowance, one tael and eight mace of monthly wages

. Go immediately." The guards exchanged glances. One of the bolder guards, Yang Luhuo, said to Huang Shi, "Sir, I thought these soldiers would be satisfied with seven or eight mace a month. A resettlement allowance is unnecessary, but a few taels would be better. However, those recruited are probably only after the ten taels for the resettlement allowance. Even a small monthly wage is acceptable, and the wages of those already recruited will likely increase. Please investigate, sir."

Huang Shi listened with a smile. His personal guards always stood by their side. "That's good. If you have any objections, raise them immediately."

"Sir, your words truly frighten me."

"However, I don't intend to withhold military pay. I need a group of truly capable warriors, which is also the task assigned by Lord Sun."

"Yes, sir, I will do it immediately." Yang Luhuo didn't say much more, bowed, and strode away.

"Yang Luhuo." Huang Shi felt that this personal guard must have had his fortune told; he was severely lacking in the element of fire in his five elements, hence the name.

"What else do you need, sir?"

"I need a personal guard captain, and the soldiers I've recruited also need an acting captain. What are you willing to do?" "I'll do whatever you say,

sir. "

"Then I'll be the personal guard captain."

"Thank you for your promotion, sir. I'd gladly give my life for you!"

Just as Huang Shi began building his own elite troops, news of the Zhenjiang campaign had reached Guangning. Mao Wenlong had recovered hundreds of miles of territory and pacified tens of thousands of Liaodong people, shaking the entire Liaodong region. Wang Huazhen ordered Huang Shi to take the opportunity to go to Liaoyang, ostensibly to deliver a letter to Nurhaci, but secretly to send a secret message to Li Yongfang, and also to investigate the morale and public sentiment in the Later Jin territory to see if there was any opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

(End of Section 11)

(End of Chapter)

Side Story: From the

*Records of the National History of Emperor Taizu*

, in the first year of the Tianqi reign, the Ming army defended Guangning against the Jianzhou Jurchens, and Wang Huazhen was appointed governor of Liaodong. The Ming army suffered repeated defeats, and the officers and soldiers were terrified, viewing Liaodong as a death trap. Huazhen offered a large sum of money to recruit brave men, intending to investigate the strength and weaknesses of the Jurchens in Liaoyang, but none dared to respond.

Emperor Taizu readily accepted the order. Some said that going to Liaoyang would be futile and lead to certain death, but he ignored them.

Upon entering enemy territory, Taizu displayed remarkable wisdom, venturing into perilous situations before returning, and fully understanding the enemy's strengths and weaknesses.

The historian Shi Jing commented: "The brave act according to righteousness, fearless even in danger. The wise speak with precision, their strategic calculations flawless. Recalling Taizu in his prime, a humble man wielding a sword, laughing and discussing the affairs of state, there have been many wise and brave men throughout history, but none surpassed Emperor Taizu of our dynasty. In

warfare, knowing oneself and one's enemy ensures victory in every battle. The Ming court, having understood the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, should have had little to lose. Unexpectedly, the rebel Sun Quan instigated chaos, creating unforeseen complications, preventing a complete victory—a pity." (

Volume 2: Why Does

a Man Need a Million Soldiers? Chapter 1)

After receiving the order, Huang Shi instructed his personal guards on the tasks of recruiting and training soldiers, then, dressed in his new uniform, rushed back to Liuhe. He was riding a spirited horse, ready to return home in glory; to a large extent, Huang Shi considered Liuhe his second hometown.

When Huang Shi arrived at Liuhe in the afternoon, his attire immediately stunned the townspeople. Over the years, they'd seen countless soldiers in tattered uniforms, looking like beggars; his gleaming armor and uniform made many even mistake him for a general.

At Old Zhang's house, Huang Shi learned that Zhang Zaidi had been learning hunting from Zhao Manxiong, and the other three men in the family had gone to the military farm to collect rice and hadn't returned yet.

Riding to the woods where they used to gather firewood, before Huang Shi could spot the two hunters, he heard a loud shout and saw Zhang Zaidi rush out of the woods. Huang Shi dismounted, extending his arms to embrace the boy as he always did, but saw him stop a few steps in front of him with awe, scrutinizing his armor and uniform.

A little embarrassed, Huang Shi withdrew his arms, walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and then gave Zhang Zaidi a tight hug.

At this moment, Zhao Manxiong also came over. "Brother Huang, have you become a general?"

"A commander, the commander of Guangning."

Zhang Zaidi became excited: "How many soldiers do you have?"

"Two hundred." Huang Shi's words stirred up a chorus of envy and admiration.

"Recruit me as your personal guard. I'm skilled in archery and setting traps. I can definitely help Brother Shi." Zhao Manxiong immediately chimed in.

This made Huang Shi's heart flutter. He valued not only Zhao Manxiong because of their long-standing acquaintance, but also because of the man's meticulous mind.

"Brother Huang, please call me too." Zhang Zaidi also eagerly volunteered.

"Let's talk about it when I get back." Huang Shi didn't want to involve the Zhang family in trouble, so he had to decline Zhao Manxiong as well.

After speaking, Huang Shi couldn't bear to see the disappointment on Zhao Manxiong's face. He took two bags off his horse and handed them to the two men: "Brother Zhao, take this back some silver to improve your life. Little brother, you take this bag. I'm busy with military affairs and don't have time to wait for your father to return. Inside are copper coins for your second brother. Tell him to get married quickly and have a grand wedding!"

Zhang Zaidi took the heavy bag, the silver and coins inside making him stumble: "Brother Huang, that's a lot! But everyone is in a state of panic right now, worried that the Jurchens will attack, and they don't want to marry their daughters to us military households."

"So I'm giving you more money, and also to reassure everyone that the Jurchens won't attack Guangning before they quell the unrest in the rear."

"Okay. I understand," Zhang Zaidi happily agreed.

Huang Shi patted his head, mounted his horse, and was about to leave when Zhao Manxiong, who had been deep in thought, suddenly asked, "What if the Jurchens spoil the rear?"

No one answered the question. Huang Shi simply smiled at Zhao Manxiong, spurred his horse, and galloped away.

This time, after crossing the Liao River, Huang Shi didn't disguise himself. Instead, he walked confidently along the road in full Ming army armor. When stopped by Later Jin soldiers, he first stated that he was an envoy from Guangning. After being brought before the Later Jin general, he secretly showed him the official seal given to him by Nurhaci.

The border general, surprised, immediately wanted to send a troop of soldiers to escort him to Liaoyang. Huang Shi stopped him, saying that giving him too much attention would arouse suspicion from Guangning. According to envoy etiquette, three Later Jin guards would suffice. As he

walked along the main road leading to Liaoyang, the Han people on both sides stopped to look at this unusual military officer; they hadn't seen such a sight in a long time. For months, the heads of Ming soldiers, still wearing their helmets, had been impaled on spears and used by the Jurchen cavalry as they swept past to flaunt their martial prowess.

No one had ever seen Ming knights so vividly portrayed. These days, people dressed in Guangning military uniforms were being led in procession, bound hand and foot, past the common people along the dirt roads, while the Jurchens deliberately mocked the Han people's weakness and incompetence.

The people on the roadside stared blankly, including a few dressed as scholars. Huang Shi saw another scholar-looking man appear before his horse. This man stood close to the curb, his eyes greedily scanning Huang Shi's clothes, his face contorted with emotion. He even shed tears in front of the three Jurchen guards. Huang Shi kicked his horse hard, galloping past him. The Jurchen soldiers glared at the scholar and hurriedly chased after Huang Shi.

“To shed tears in front of the enemy is foolish,” Huang Shi thought to himself, lamenting the scholar’s recklessness. “The people’s hearts are worth fighting for. Once I’ve dealt with Sun Degong, I’ll have an army at my disposal.”

The vigilance around Liaoyang was noticeably more intense than before. On the road, Huang Shi saw several squads of Later Jin cavalry silently galloping along. He knew that Nurhaci had issued orders to his three hundred Niru, instructing each to quickly assemble with fifteen or twenty iron cavalrymen to prepare for an attack on Zhenjiang to quell the rebellion. There, Han Chinese, incited by Mao Wenlong, were killing Later Jin officials, and even large numbers of Han soldiers had defected. The Guangning Army, which had invaded the heart of Liaodong , was growing stronger every day.

Before leaving the Liaoyang post station the next day, Huang Shi carefully cleaned every scale on his armor, tucked his neatly tied braid deep into the back of his collar, put on his helmet, mounted his horse, and rode slowly under the dazzling sunlight, facing the gazes of the people and soldiers of Liaoyang, heading straight for the Liaoyang Khan’s Palace.

Upon arriving at the Khan's residence, Huang Shi presented Wang Huazhen's letter and was then led to the central courtyard by Later Jin soldiers. Soon after, someone informed him he could leave, and he was ordered to await further instructions at the Prince Consort's residence.

Less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea after arriving, Li Yongfang and a scholar in blue robes entered. Li Yongfang swaggered to the head of the table and sat down, while the scholar, his sleeves tucked in, walked behind the table and stood there.

After Huang Shi had performed the full curtsy, Li Yongfang said, "Bring the letter here."

Huang Shi hesitated, glancing at the scholar behind him, only to immediately hear Li Yongfang impatiently shout, "He is my chief advisor, surnamed Zhao, Mr. Zhao."

Hearing this, Huang Shi no longer hesitated, presenting the confidential letter to the table with both hands. Li Yongfang tore open the letter, coldly asking, "Huang Shi, do you want to know what Wang Huazhen said to the Khan?"

Huang Shi naturally dared not answer such a question; he knew it was mostly a scathing critique of Nurhaci, and perhaps even a plea for surrender. Li Yongfang ignored him, looking down at the letter while sneering, "Wang Huazhen's letter is all nonsense, but it made the Khan very happy. He said that when he catches this fellow, he will make him read it to the Khan again."

After reading the secret letter, Li Yongfang handed it to the scholar behind him. The scholar took the letter from Li Yongfang, glanced at it, and immediately congratulated loudly, "Congratulations, Prince Consort! Heaven favors our Great Jin, and the Khan is blessed with great fortune. Even the bamboo of Qingnan Mountain cannot fully express it; Prince Consort, you have accomplished great merit..."

He rambled on for a long time before noticing that Li Yongfang and Huang Shi were looking at him strangely. He couldn't help but smile awkwardly, "This student congratulates the Prince Consort. Sun Degong has indeed surrendered, the Khan's great cause can be accomplished, and the Prince Consort has also made great contributions. The Khan will be very happy."

Li Yongfang chuckled, "Huang Shi, go and collect your reward. Stay at the post station for today. Don't summon those two singing girls; it's best to keep it a secret."

The mission was completed without incident! Feigning gratitude and humility, Huang Shi left happily. He had only taken a few steps out of the study when he suddenly heard a shout behind him:

"General Huang, please wait!" (

End of Chapter 1) He turned around and saw that it was the advisor approaching with a beaming smile. "The Prince Consort said that General Huang and I will be colleagues from now on, and he wants me to get closer to the General, so he would like to invite General Huang for a drink." Another one testing him; Huang Shi was prepared for this kind of encounter and immediately nodded with a smile. The two walked side by side. Along the way, he easily thwarted the traps the scholar had set, dealing with them flawlessly. Soon the scholar was completely at ease, and their conversation became completely uninhibited. The two exchanged meaningless compliments and quickly became as close as brothers. "I am no general, sir, you flatter me." "General Huang is too modest. Now that the Great Jin has been established, your future is limitless." "Sir, you are too kind." ... Huang Shi quickly realized that this was another Han Chinese scholar who had failed the imperial examinations for over a decade, harboring deep resentment towards the Ming Dynasty. He seized the opportunity presented by the Jin's initial arrival in Liaodong to curry favor. His words constantly praised the Jin's military prowess and lauded the Khan's diligence and benevolence. The scholar himself acted as if he were more than a Jin person than a Jin person, a type Huang Shi was very familiar with. The scholar's words, expressions, and actions were perfectly coordinated, displaying an intoxicated demeanor that almost made Huang Shi vomit. Sending such an idiot to test him—Li Yongfang was truly foolish. Suppressing his deep disgust for this man, Huang Shi feigned compliance. Since it was a matter of mutual flattery, he used a fraction of his flattery skills, instantly making the scholar feel like he was floating on air. Huang Shi flattered the shameless man, but secretly hoped he would suffer a terrible fate. The scholar, whose sleeves were always tucked in, swayed from side to side as he walked, a posture that Huang Shi found awkward, even less graceful than a woman with bound feet. Fortunately, they soon reached a side room. Inside, the scholar continued to address Huang Shi as "General," and after serving fine wine and hot dishes, only the two of them remained in the room. Huang Shi maliciously poured cup after cup of wine into the scholar's drink, which the scholar accepted without hesitation. Soon, the scholar was quite drunk, but even then, he could still hold his long sleeves in place, and when he picked up a wine cup, only his little finger protruded. Drinking with hands tucked in—it was incredibly elegant! Huang Shi, filled with admiration, secretly tried to learn this etiquette while wearing a fawning smile on his face, listening to the scholar boast about how much Li Yongfang valued him. Li Yongfang was not only the son-in-law of Nurhaci, but also a member of the Plain Blue Banner, possessing a large number of military units and responsible for training most of the Han Chinese military units. He was undoubtedly a man of high rank and great power. "Green are your robes, long is my yearning." That's what the son-in-law said to me. Li Yongfang was a military man, and Huang Shi had already assessed his cultural literacy after several encounters. Let him boast; boasting doesn't cost anything. Even if Huang Shi were beaten to death, he wouldn't believe that a warrior like Li Yongfang would know Cao Cao's poem: "Sir, with the son-in-law's favor, it's only a matter of time before you can fully display your talents." The scholar, who had been laughing heartily, then let out a hiccup, his eyes becoming increasingly unfocused. Based on Huang Shi's experience, this man was nearing his end. As expected, the man, drunk, no longer concealed his contempt for warriors. He said sarcastically, "General Huang, you understand poetry? Haha, these two lines I recited have quite a history." * How could I not know the *Short Song Ballad*?* Huang Shi cursed inwardly. However, the scholar, of course, wasn't a mind reader. He looked at the silent Huang Shi and burst into laughter: "I was right, General Huang indeed doesn't know. Your words are inaccurate; you deserve three cups as punishment." He then forced Huang Shi to pour him wine, his eyes full of mockery. This infuriated Huang Shi, who gave him a sharp retort: "I've heard that Cao Cao already harbored rebellious intentions when he wrote this poem. Is that true?" This not only mocked the scholar but also subtly implicated Li Yongfang, causing him to pause, awkwardly beginning to drink to cover his embarrassment. Huang Shi watched his embarrassed expression with satisfaction, even happier that his boasting had finally come to an end. However, the pause was brief. Soon, the scholar resumed his ramblings, which became increasingly outrageous: "Zhuge Liang was selected by the First Emperor to serve in his thatched cottage, and I, too, was invited by the Prince Consort to become his chief advisor from humble beginnings. This is exactly what is meant by 'Heaven will entrust great responsibilities to those who are first tested with hardship'..." After listening to his nonsense for a while, Huang Shi finally seized an opportunity to flatter him: "Sir, you are learned and erudite. I, Huang, am but a mere warrior, and I admire you greatly." This flattery made the scholar even more arrogant, revealing his true nature: "I intend to advise the Prince Consort that Mao Wenlong of Zhenjiang is nothing but a clown. The Ming army in Liaodong is fundamentally in Guangning. As long as the Khan destroys their foundation, the remnants will naturally dissipate. Therefore, it is best to send troops to the Liao River as soon as possible! What does General Huang think?" Ignoring the active enemy in the rear, he went to provoke the sitting army on the front, and didn't even know that he should take advantage of the enemy's weakness to eliminate them. With such idiotic knowledge, he dared to offer advice. Huang Shi sneered inwardly, increasingly eager to witness this foolish traitor get a good beating. So, Huang Shi impatiently added fuel to the fire: "The situation in Liaodong is indeed as described, sir. You see it all clearly, this is what it means to strategize within the command tent and win battles a thousand miles away. You should immediately offer your advice!" "I recently found a poem by Yuan Taizu: 'Ten thousand miles of carriages and books are unified, how can there be separate territories south of the Yangtze? Leading a million troops to West Lake, I will stand atop the first peak of Wu Mountain.'" The scholar, shaking his head, finished reading Wanyan Liang's masterpiece, a disgusting smug smile spreading across his face: "When I offer my advice to the Khan to march on the Liao River and trample Guangning, I will definitely present this poem to the Khan!" After writing it, Wanyan Liang was utterly defeated by the Song army and died in the chaos. Presenting such an ominous poem to Nurhaci would likely result in him being paraded through the streets on a wooden donkey. Huang Shi now understood the level of this man before him; no wonder he hadn't passed the imperial examinations for decades. "Sir, you are truly a man of great talent," Huang Shi exclaimed sincerely, grinning as he offered a cup of wine with both hands. "The Khan will surely be overjoyed. When you rise to prominence, please do not forget me." The scholar, surprisingly, had no wine cup, nor did he respond. His drunken expression vanished, his eyes clear and bright, devoid of any arrogance. Those bright eyes gradually narrowed into a needle-like point—a sharp blade that seemed to carve into Huang Shi's face. After a moment, the scholar smiled faintly at Huang Shi, turned away, flicked his sleeve, and poured himself a cup of wine. The murderous aura emanating from him made Huang Shi jump to his feet, the wine cup falling to the ground with a piercing shattering sound. He retreated to the foot of the room, drawing his waist knife in a flash, instantly filling the room with a chilling light. As if oblivious to the tense atmosphere, the scholar calmly drank his wine before speaking to Huang Shi: "If Emperor Hailing were a great man like Liu Yu, seventeen men could have destroyed a dynasty, seized a kingdom, and established a new era. Why would he need a million-strong army? If he is not a true man, even with elite troops and fierce generals, he will only die and his country will perish, becoming a laughingstock to the world. Mr. Huang, don't you agree?" (Chapter 2) Why a Great Man Needs a Million Soldiers (Chapter 3) "Are you a subordinate of the Zhenfu Division or an Inner Court spy?" The scholar picked up his chopsticks and picked up some food. His hands, crisscrossed with veins, spoke of his master's many battles. He glanced at Huang Shi: "No, Inner Court spies always use people of unremarkable stature and appearance. You seem to be a subordinate of the Zhenfu Division."

After taking a bite of food, the scholar's murderous aura intensified, but a hint of regret appeared in his eyes: "Young man, you're still too frivolous. You wanted to keep a low profile, didn't you? Unfortunately, once you see someone betray their country, you can't control yourself, and you're determined to see that person destroyed. This shows that in your heart, you still consider my Great Jin as temporary and the Ming Dynasty as long-lasting!"

Huang Shi's hand, gripping the sword, trembled slightly from the force. Several times he almost swung the sword, but the scholar didn't even glance at the blade; his calm expression was enough to make Huang Shi... All the veteran generals who had fought on the battlefield paled in comparison. He finally recovered somewhat from his shock and managed to utter, "I am not a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

The scholar chuckled, his tone full of sarcasm: "I've long heard of the outstanding people and beautiful scenery of the Ming Dynasty. I never imagined that even a lowly soldier from the Guangning Army could write. How rare! Moreover, he's proficient in poetry and his speech rivals that of a scholar. Even more remarkable!"

Hundreds of thoughts raced through Huang Shi's mind. The man's Chinese was so fluent, his knowledge of Chinese classics so profound, and the aura of a king wielding life and death emanating from him—he was now 100% certain of the man's identity. Huang Shi smiled bitterly and sheathed his sword. There was no hope left. After sheathing his sword, Huang Shi flexed and extended the five fingers of his right hand, which were beginning to spasm, and stared at them. His fingers

were slightly deformed from over a decade of practicing calligraphy. The other man had noticed this detail the moment he handed over the letter—truly astonishing eyesight. The two were clearly not on the same level. Despite his careful concealment, he had still been exposed so easily. Thinking of historical records about this person, Huang Shi could only hope that the accounts of his love for talent were true, and not just fabrications by the Manchu emperors to whitewash their ancestors.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness," he said, mimicking the gesture of a traditional Manchu opera bow.

This time, it was the scholar's turn to pause for a moment, then he no longer concealed his intentions: "How did you know my identity, Your Highness?"

Since he dared to expose this, Huang Shi had already prepared an answer. Li Yongfang's demeanor and actions had provided many clues, and now everything made sense. Coupled with some rumors circulating in Liaodong, Huang Shi's explanation seemed plausible. Seeing that Huang Shi had figured everything out in such a short time, the scholar's murderous intent faded. After Huang Shi finished speaking, he nodded in praise: "Insightful observation, sir, you are truly a genius. Please sit down and talk."

Huang Shi untied his sword and tossed it aside, then sat back down at the table. The scholar patiently waited until Huang Shi was seated before asking, "What is your name, sir? What are your plans in Liaoyang?"

Since being sent to the Later Jin as a spy, Huang Shi had realized that an unclear identity could lead to serious trouble, so he had meticulously fabricated his background. Upon hearing this question, Huang Shi secretly breathed a sigh of relief and spilled his entire story. He knew that without prior preparation, he could not possibly have fooled this powerful ruler.

"Huang Shi is from Beizhili, from a merchant family…

He began his education in his youth, diligently practicing calligraphy…

My father was unfortunate…

a corrupt and incompetent official…

executed, and his wife exiled three thousand li…"

The scholar had initially assumed Huang Shi was a Ming spy sent to Guangning, and therefore, he would have killed him without hesitation. Now things were different. After sharing Huang Shi's touching story, he asked with some pity, "Huang Shi, your background is so tragic, how can you still have any attachment to the Ming Dynasty?"

Seeing Huang Shi lower his head and remain silent, the scholar sighed, "The Ming Dynasty is ultimately the land of my parents, it's only natural. Then how did you join the Guangning Army and become Sun Degong's subordinate?"

Huang Shi gave another bitter laugh, "I was a fugitive who had lost my family, barely surviving in this chaotic world, only hoping to protect my leader and get a bite to eat."

"Not bad, not bad, this must be what you truly feel, Huang Shi. But a fine talent cannot be wasted."

The scholar nodded repeatedly and began to talk about civil and military affairs. Without desperately proving himself, there was no way to survive. Huang Shi roused himself and combined later theories with current realities, delivering a lengthy and eloquent discourse. After chatting for over an hour, the scholar finally smiled at Huang Shi:

"This is, after all, the Prince Consort's residence, so it's not convenient to talk here. Today's events are a secret between us; no third person will know. Tomorrow, slip away to your bestowed residence and don't make a sound."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

After leaving the Prince Consort's residence, Huang Shi didn't know how he got back to the inn. The other man's astonishing aura still shocked him; the suffocating feeling was indescribable. Only one thought remained in his mind: "Hero, hero, hero..."

At dawn, Huang Shi changed into the uniform of a Later Jin Han soldier and slipped into the property left behind by the merchant's spy—now his bestowed residence. There were few living people in the large house, only the two singing girls and a few old women and servants. Huang Shi didn't say much, immediately ordering them to clean the living room and study, and prepare tea. He noticed a Later Jin soldier at the street corner; the soldier had been watching him and turned away as soon as he entered.

Huang Taiji, dressed rather plainly, arrived quickly as expected. Huang Shi, without much formality, accompanied him on a tour of the residence. Afterward, the two went into the study and continued their conversation from the previous day. This is where the advantages of modern people became apparent—a broader perspective. Although Huang Taiji secretly labeled Huang Shi as eclectic and lacking in depth, he also admired his wide range of knowledge.

With ample time today, and after a thorough discussion, Huang Taiji judged the man before him to be a talent worth cultivating. In an era where literacy rates were less than five percent, any intellectual was worth recruiting, let alone someone as well-versed in various fields as Huang Shi. Huang Taiji subtly praised him, making Huang Shi somewhat arrogant. After all, being consulted by such a powerful figure was something to be proud of.

After their discussion of the people's livelihood concluded, a servant brought tea. Huang Taiji took a sip and uttered a seemingly sincere exclamation: "Huang Shi, your house is far too small; this tea is unworthy of the brilliance in your heart."

Was this an implication that he deserved a higher position? Huang Shi feigned barely suppressed emotion, saying, "Your Highness has misjudged me."

"I have never misjudged anyone," Huang Taiji asserted confidently, then commanded in an uncompromising tone, "Father Khan has ordered me and Grand Prince Amin to lead the army to Zhenjiang. Huang Shi, you will come with me."

"Yes."

"Since you will be staying by my side for a while, how do you think we should explain this to Wang Huazhen?" Huang Taiji also intended to test Huang Shi's shrewdness.

(End of Chapter 3)

Why Need a Million Soldiers? Chapter 4

Huang Shi thought for a moment and replied, "I can have General Sun secretly inform Wang Huazhen that I have gained his trust, and my risky infiltration of the army to Zhenjiang is to gather intelligence."

"That suits me perfectly. I have already had the Prince Consort of Fushun write a letter to Sun Degong, using this explanation." The actual handling wouldn't be as simple as Huang Shi made it sound, but Huang Taiji was satisfied with his resourcefulness; this man seemed to simply lack experience.

"Your Highness is wise."

A hearty laugh from Huang Taiji echoed in the room. "Huang Shi, your plan is exactly the same as mine. Saying I'm wise is just praising yourself, isn't it?"

"You're being arrogant."

"So you're saying I'm not wise? You've got some nerve." Huang Taiji teased him again, and an unspoken intimacy immediately rose between them. "We'll be setting off in a couple of days. Prepare well. You've never fought a war before, have you?"

"Yes."

"Oh, then you must be interested in military campaigns, right?" Huang Taiji pulled out a map and showed it to Huang Shi, asking someone how to make that person feel valued and trusted. Whether Huang Shi was right or wrong, Huang Taiji didn't care; it wouldn't matter if he was wrong anyway. Huang Taiji asked with an encouraging smile:

"Now, Amin and I will lead 3,000 troops, and Li Yongfang will command 5,000 Han soldiers. Huang Shi, tell me, how should we attack Mao Wenlong?"

Huang Shi pretended to think for a moment, then began to recite the Later Jin's strategies from history:

"First, lead 3,000 iron cavalry straight to Zhenjiang, forcing Mao Wenlong to retreat into his stronghold. Then, have Li Yongfang clear out the surrounding rebellions, and once Zhenjiang becomes an isolated city, gather the main army to attack. By clearing the branches first and then the root, there will be no risk of escape, and we can eliminate Mao Wenlong in the shortest possible time."

After Huang Shi fluently recited what he remembered, Huang Taiji remained silent for a long time. When he spoke again, his tone was low and serious as he asked, "But this gives him time to hold out for reinforcements. If a large number of Ming troops arrive, Zhenjiang will become a protracted war. Shouldn't we quickly take Zhenjiang to prepare for the arrival of reinforcements?"

Huang Shi answered almost without hesitation, "Your Highness's concern is simply that Ming reinforcements will enter the city, bringing with them a large number of bows, crossbows, and firearms. But I believe that the Ming court is embroiled in factional strife, with each side attacking and shirking responsibility. It's uncertain how long it will take to reach a consensus. Therefore, I dare to guarantee with my life that not a single soldier will come to our aid in the short term!"

Before Huang Shi finished speaking, Huang Taiji slammed his hand on the table, raised his head, and shouted, "Huang Shi!"

Huang Shi was startled and quickly took two steps back, bowing his head respectfully. "Your humble servant is here."

Huang Taiji asked in a low voice, "Have you never commanded a battle before?"

Huang Shi wondered to himself if he had misremembered. He cautiously replied, "This is indeed my first time participating in military affairs."

For a long moment, Huang Taiji remained silent. Finally, he took out a package, which, when opened, revealed a set of silk turbans and feather fans. "Huang Shi," he said, "I had my wives rush to prepare this last night. I hope you will accept it."

Huang Shi naturally understood the meaning behind the gift. He never expected to be valued so highly by Huang Taiji. After years of living a miserable life like a dog, had someone finally recognized his ability to transcend eras? At this moment, Huang Shi could barely contain his excitement and didn't know what to say: "Your Highness, this humble one..."

Huang Taiji gently placed the items on the table, picked up the fan, and flicked the edge with his finger: "These feathers were personally selected by me, all the same length and uniform in thickness. What do you think, Huang Shi?" He

then handed the fan to Huang Shi, who respectfully accepted it. Several conflicting emotions began to gnaw at Huang Shi's mind. He couldn't help but remind himself: Be vigilant, be vigilant! If you relax even slightly, Huang Shi will be condemned for eternity! But another voice within him also rang out: There's no need for further struggle or risk; wealth and glory are right before my eyes, within easy reach.

Because of this intense internal struggle, Huang Shi momentarily forgot to reply or offer any thanks. Huang Taiji was slightly surprised. Hadn't this clearly excessive courtesy and appreciation moved the man before him to tears? Huang Shi's face kept changing as he struggled with his inner turmoil, a fact observed by his opponent. Huang Taiji, watching coldly, felt he had grasped the man's thought process and softly asked, "You don't like it?"

Suddenly realizing his lapse in composure, Huang Shi quickly knelt, trying to cover it up, saying, "Your Highness's kindness is too much for me to bear. My heart was in turmoil, and I was rude. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Huang Shi, facing the ground, immediately felt a pair of hands supporting his shoulders and lifting him up. "Huang Shi, sit down."

After settling him into a chair, Huang Taiji... He smiled and sat down, patting the fan in his hand: "Yesterday, Huang Shi, you spoke for a long time, mainly about domestic affairs and people's livelihood. Many of your ideas were things that no one had thought of before. After returning, I pondered them all night and was greatly moved. Although you are still quite bookish and many of your plans are based on wishful thinking, that's just a lack of experience. With a little more training, you will be of great use. Therefore, I believe I have found my Mr. Fan, so I have my wives rush to make this feather fan and turban."

After saying this, Huang Taiji put down the fan and gestured for Huang Shi to drink tea and not be too reserved. After Huang Shi nervously put down his teacup, he continued,

"I originally intended to take you to Zhenjiang so you could witness the hardships of governing a country. However, I didn't expect you to be so insightful about military matters, sharing the same views as Father Khan and Prince Ben. What's remarkable is that these are military strategies we've discussed for many days, analyzing the personalities of the Ming emperor and his ministers. Yet, Huang Shi, you know nothing about intelligence, yet you've managed to grasp the key points. Truly remarkable."

Upon hearing these praises, Huang Shi inwardly felt ashamed. It's too easy to plagiarize the correct decisions of historical figures; of course, you don't need to know any detailed intelligence.

Before the words of praise had even faded from his ears, Huang Taiji began to shake his head: "Huang Shi, you've concealed your talents, probably to avoid the eyes and ears of my Great Jin. Judging from your attitude yesterday, you certainly look down on people like Mr. Fan who assist their father and oppose their own country. That's only natural, and I don't blame you. But judging from your expression just now, I understand that you will never willingly serve me."

These words sent chills down Huang Shi's spine. He knew he had said too much, and Huang Taiji was already taking him very seriously. He remembered that historically, rulers always treated talented people with the same principle: if they couldn't be used, they would be killed without hesitation.

Just as he was lost in thought, the man opposite him spoke again: "Huang Shi, if you truly wish to bury your talents, I will pretend I never met you and allow you to return to Sun Degong's service, how about that?"

How should he answer? Huang Shi was in turmoil.

(End of Chapter 4)

Why Does a Man Need a Million Soldiers? Chapter 5

Last night, Huang Shi racked his brains for a way to escape, feeling that Huang Taiji's appreciation for talent was his only lifeline. Therefore, he desperately tried to perform today, but failing to grasp the right measure resulted in shooting himself in the foot. Although Huang Shi regretted his actions, he still had to overcome the current predicament. After much deliberation, he realized that lying to such a person was ultimately useless, and his current cunning was far from sufficient. Finally, he gritted his teeth and, meeting Huang Taiji's earnest gaze, said, "This humble man only seeks to preserve his life in this chaotic world, not to gain fame among the princes."

Huang Taiji's smile remained unchanged, as if this answer was exactly what he had expected, and indeed it was. "This prince's word is law, but you still have to come with me to Zhenjiang. What I said today involved the military intelligence of my Great Jin. It's not that I don't trust you, but I just want to avoid any misunderstandings between us."

This was truly unbelievable; there was no benefit in doing this. Huang Shi's mind raced. He had originally intended to first decline to show his "true nature," and then, when Huang Taiji further persuaded him, to be "moved" into serving him to the death. This seemed to dispel his opponent's suspicions and erase the bad impression he had just made.

Now, Huang Taiji's reaction made him feel like he had punched thin air. Did Huang Taiji intend to kill him? Distracted, Huang Shi mechanically uttered, "Yes."

Huang Taiji seemed to see through his heart and laughed loudly: "With the heart of a king and the blade of a hegemon, even a precious sword can only be wielded by a king. This world is full of heroes and valiant men, and Great Jin is not lacking in Huang Shi. I was not testing you, Huang Shi, you can rest assured. Doing a good job for Sun Degong is also contributing to Great Jin."

Huang Taiji stood up to leave. Huang Shi's reaction confirmed his judgment. This man still had some attachment to the Ming Dynasty, but it wasn't strong; he was a minor problem that could be easily solved. Before leaving, Huang Taiji let out a sigh, seemingly just talking to himself:

"The great distinction between Chinese and barbarians has come to this!"

Huang Shi pondered this sentiment: the regret of not being able to find a worthy man, and the mutual respect between Cao Cao and Guan Yu. Huang Taiji's behavior today truly resembled that of an upright and honorable man, an image that even made Huang Shi feel a little guilty.

Huang Taiji devised a multi-layered counter-espionage scheme: the court saw the envoy detained and then released; Wang Huazhen saw the spy successfully infiltrate the enemy army and also gather intelligence within the Later Jin ranks. Each step was intricately linked. Huang Shi's initial thought was that Huang Taiji was concerned for his safety, but upon deeper reflection, even if he betrayed them, there was no proof. Not only the court, but even Wang Huazhen might not disbelieve Sun Degong, his trusted confidant.

Although his position as the liaison was crucial, Huang Shi had repeatedly considered that the Later Jin certainly had other spies; such a grand scheme couldn't be sustained by only one person. He also suspected he had already been framed, and betraying them would certainly be disastrous. Huang Shi didn't overestimate Wang Huazhen's intelligence or judgment.

"I hope Huang Taiji can believe that I just want to live a peaceful life, after all, I pose no threat to him. And he wants me to return the letter of Jian Wang Huazhen; he can't kill me for some unfounded danger, can he?"

Huang Shi himself didn't believe this explanation, but it was at least a form of self-comfort. Huang Shi picked up the things Huang Taiji had left behind and began to admire them. They were indeed hastily made, the workmanship appearing rushed, but each feather was carefully selected, showing that Huang Taiji had put a lot of effort into them.

Huang Shi stroked the fan, lost in thought for a long time, before finally snapping out of his daze. He immediately dispelled the overwhelming emotion in his heart: "Does a scholar die for his confidant? Unfortunately, I come from a very different era, where there are no scholar-officials. In that era, although people didn't do everything perfectly, everyone realized that there shouldn't be an emperor as their master anymore. In this era, I've knelt and kowtowed enough times, but I don't have the instinct to be a slave."

In August of the first year of the Tianqi reign, Huang Shi donned a set of Later Jin Han army uniform and followed Huang Taiji's army straight to Xianshan Fortress.

On the way, he learned that Nurhaci had dispatched all four of his great princes to Liaonan and Liaodong, with Amin, Huang Taiji, and Li Yongfang forming the central army of 8,000 to deal with the Guangning army in Zhenjiang. The remaining forces were to contain

any disturbances around Zhenjiang. The Later Jin, using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, clearly intended to wipe out all rebellions in the rear in one fell swoop. It seemed that Mao Wenlong wasn't worth the full force of the four princes; they hadn't even spared a single gatekeeper in other directions. Huang Shi privately speculated for a long time, concluding that this only meant the Later Jin had sufficient influence within the Guangning army's leadership, and were absolutely certain that Wang Huazhen, commanding 130,000 troops, would not cross the Liao River to attack Liaoyang. Under the influence of these high-ranking spies, the fate of the entire city of Zhenjiang, and Mao Wenlong's Guangning army, was thus sealed.

Along the way, Huang Shi seized every opportunity to learn archery and horsemanship from the Later Jin soldiers, finding it a rare learning opportunity. Huang Taiji's guards looked down on Han Chinese, and they didn't miss any chance to mock this clumsy Han man. As a result, they were reprimanded by Huang Taiji, who reluctantly offered some guidance. Huang Shi silently endured the humiliation; now was not the time to act arrogantly. After the army crossed the treacherous mountains and fortresses and joined forces with Amin's army, he felt that his horsemanship and archery had improved significantly.

The Guangning army in Zhenjiang had retreated entirely into the city, and the city walls were densely covered with traps and obstacles. Huang Taiji ordered the rapid construction of siege equipment while simultaneously urging Li Yongfang to expedite the suppression of the rebellion near Zhenjiang. Most of the Han Chinese militia around the city were unarmed civilians; without Zhenjiang's support, they certainly wouldn't last long.

Huang Taiji always trusted Huang Shi enough to take him along to observe Zhenjiang's defenses, and Huang Shi always carefully followed behind on horseback. A few days later, Huang Taiji finally made a small mistake. While those in front were intently observing the city's defensive arrangements, Huang Shi was secretly observing the distance between himself and the Later Jin soldiers behind him, comparing it to the distance to the Zhenjiang city gate. For the first time, he felt that he held the key to changing history.

Sweat beaded on his palms. The chance to change history was less than a meter away from his blade. Huang Shi remembered some brutal history: Nurhaci's hatred of the Han people, the cruel slave policy, and the ruthless ethnic oppression. The population of Liaodong, once several million, dwindled to hundreds of thousands within a few years. People flocked to Mao Wenlong's side, providing Dongjiang with abundant intelligence and manpower, suffocating the Manchu Later Jin regime in its ever-shrinking cage.

Huang Taiji, the patriarch of the Qing dynasty, a pivotal figure in the transition from Han to Manchu rule—if he were killed, whoever inherited the Khanate of the Later Jin would be nothing more than a minority group that only knew how to oppress, at best an amplified version of the She'an Rebellion. Huang Shi stared intently at the figure before him. His master would change Nurhaci's ethnic policies, adopt a policy of appeasement towards Liaodong, intermarry with the Mongols, and order the selection of Han scholars for official positions.

With a single stroke of his sword, Huang Shi knew he could drastically alter history. The Later Jin would never be able to control Liaoxi, let alone enter the Central Plains. Huang Taiji created the Mongol Eight Banners and the Han Eight Banners, increasing the Later Jin's standing army from 30,000 during Nurhaci's time to 80,000, and raising the mobilization limit from 50,000 in the seventh year of the Tianqi reign to 200,000 in the fifteenth year of the Chongzhen reign.

One stroke, and history would be completely different.

(Chapter 5)

Why Does a Man Need a Million Soldiers? (Chapter 6 )

But who would know? A cold voice echoed deep within Huang Shi's heart: Who would know that I alone defeated the great enemy of China? Even if he succeeded, the court would only know that Huang Shi killed one of Nurhaci's sons. After all, the Jurchens were currently just a small ethnic group of 200,000 people. The Ming Dynasty, from top to bottom, had never realized that this large tribe armed with cold weapons would one day grow into its mortal enemy.

Failing to kill Huang Taiji would certainly mean certain death, and even killing him might not guarantee escape. In the end, Huang Shi did not take the risk. He consoled himself, telling himself that such a hero shouldn't die at the hands of someone he trusted; defeating him honorably was the mark of a true man. Having found a reason to convince himself, Huang Shi abandoned the idea and waited quietly to the side.

"Alright, Huang Shi, let's go back." With that, Huang Taiji turned his horse and galloped towards the camp.

Huang Shi, following closely behind, quickly whipped his horse: "Yes, Your Highness."

Back at the camp, Huang Taiji easily dismounted, casually handing the whip to a bondservant, and strode back to his tent. The other Later Jin soldiers watched Huang Shi enter with hostility.

"Huang Shi, what do you think of Mao Wenlong?"

"A hero! He penetrated three thousand miles behind enemy lines and attacked Zhenjiang with only two hundred men. His courage and strategy are rare among the Ming army."

"I originally thought he was a hero, which is why I asked the Khan to send someone to Zhenjiang to deal with him. But he's so disappointing. He's actually staying in this dead end. Haha, does he think some miracle will happen?"

Huang Shi felt this assessment was a bit harsh. Mao Wenlong's recapture of Zhenjiang made the entire Ming Dynasty ecstatic. If he retreated to Longchuan without a fight, it would undoubtedly be a huge blow to the Emperor and the entire court. It would also have extremely negative consequences for the morale and fighting spirit of the Guangning army.

Thinking of this, Huang Shi defended Mao Wenlong: "Your Highness, I believe that war is a continuation of politics. Mao Wenlong's decision to stay and defend Zhenjiang was out of necessity."

"Politics? What is politics?" Putting aside the topic of Mao Wenlong, Huang Taiji discussed the concept of politics with Huang Shi with great interest. Huang Shi managed to avoid being tricked into revealing too much. He finally affirmed Huang Shi's statement and opinion: "War is a continuation of politics? Haha, a very interesting statement. But it's quite correct."

Then Huang Taiji changed the subject and continued with the previous topic: "However, if I were Mao Wenlong, I would definitely abandon Zhenjiang. As long as the army survives, we can come back at any time. Wouldn't the complete annihilation of the army be more damaging to the morale of the Guangning army and a greater blow to the morale of the Ming people?"

Of course, Huang Shi wasn't so arrogant as to believe that he now had the ability to compete with Huang Taiji militarily. However, he hoped to glean some information from the rebuttal, so Huang Shi retorted without hesitation, "I disagree with what you say, Your Highness."

"Oh, Huang Shi, please speak your mind."

It's easy for someone standing still to talk like that, Huang Shi immediately launched into a passionate speech: "To flee without a fight is the act of a coward! What will the Ming court think of a cowardly general? What will your soldiers think of their commander? Therefore, it's better to suffer defeat than to show the courage to fight."

Huang Taiji listened with a smile: "I won't argue with you about these fallacies, and I don't believe you actually believe in this stuff. Mao Wenlong is just hoping for a lucky break, clinging to the credit, even fantasizing about taking a risk to save Zhenjiang. A general who can't assess the situation and has many distracting thoughts is already doomed." "That's a disgrace... General, leading troops in the field, you don't consider how to win battles, but only political factors. These are all crooked ways. Mao Wenlong is nothing but a coward, and he will surely be captured by me this time."

This long speech made Huang Shi nod inwardly, and he quickly flattered, "Who is Mao Wenlong? How can he be compared to Your Highness?"

Huang Taiji asked with his smile undiminished, "Huang Shi, have you gained any insights from my words?"

Realizing that his thoughts had been seen through, Huang Shi felt a little embarrassed and could only bow his head and say, "This humble one thanks Your Highness for your guidance."

"Although Huang Shi claims that he doesn't care about becoming famous, I don't believe that a talented person would be content to remain unknown. If you have any doubts, feel free to ask, and I will teach you everything I know."

Was Huang Taiji's kindness easy to accept? He was not a philanthropist, but a complete usurer, and sooner or later he would have to return the principal and interest. Huang Shi was taken aback by Huang Taiji's words and immediately knelt down. He knew that if he didn't repay Huang Taiji's kindness tenfold, it would be a pipe dream: "What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such a word from Your Highness?"

Huang Taiji didn't help him up, but went to the side to drink water, then returned to his seat to read. Kneeling on the ground, Huang Shi dared not raise his head, cold sweat pouring from his forehead and dripping from his chin. The harmonious atmosphere in the tent instantly turned icy and tense. Huang Shi waited there in terror, not knowing what he had said wrong.

It felt like a long time had passed. Huang Shi, lost in thought, was extremely tense, his nerves feeling like a taut string about to snap. Finally, he heard the question: "If I were Han Chinese, Huang Shi, would you be willing to serve me?"

The voice tore through the suffocating silence, and Huang Shi, who had been holding his breath, suddenly exhaled: "Yes."

"In my heart, there is no distinction between Manchu and Han."

These words sounded familiar. Having lived in this era for so long, Huang Shi could no longer recall the historical dramas he had watched before. In those dramas, emperors like Kangxi and Qianlong, who slaughtered Han Chinese like mowing grass and instigated literary inquisitions, uttered similar lines. But Huang Shi's memory now consisted only of the late Ming Dynasty Liaodong history he had repeatedly studied in recent years:

Nurhaci established various systems, the Han army was merely small units monitored by the Jurchens, Han Chinese were forbidden from carrying weapons, and could not hold official positions… Within a few years, the Jin dynasty carried out repeated massacres, and five years later, when the massacres reached their peak, even Han Chinese like Li Yongfang, who had made great contributions, were imprisoned and nearly perished. Of the millions of Han Chinese in Liaodong, fewer than half a million remained by the time of Nurhaci's death.

He also remembered the various measures Huang Taiji had taken after assuming power. By the fifteenth year of the Chongzhen Emperor's reign, there were more Han Chinese than Manchus in the Later Jin army, and Han Chinese were appointed to many local positions. Han Chinese in Liaodong were also entitled to land…

“Huang Shi, raise your head.”

The magnetic voice drew Huang Shi's gaze, which was immediately captivated by Huang Taiji's clear eyes.

“If I were to hold power for even a day, I would certainly treat Manchus

and Han Chinese equally.” Hearing this resounding promise, Huang Shi was momentarily stunned. At that moment, he completely failed to realize that the principles a person proclaims are often precisely what that person lacks. If Huang Taiji truly had no distinction between Manchus and Han Chinese, why would he incessantly proclaim to everyone that he would treat them equally?

"Huang Shi, your intuition is quite good, but you lack experience. For example, regarding the plan to send troops to Zhenjiang, you said you were willing to guarantee with your own head that the Ming Dynasty wouldn't send reinforcements. That's utterly childish! If they really did come, what use would your head be to me? Most of your other strategies are based on this kind of judgment that disregards intelligence and relies solely on intuition. Although your intuition is correct and excellent, there's no room for you to apply it anywhere else. Only I can give you the opportunity to showcase your abilities and make a name for yourself. Isn't that what life is all about?"

Seeing that Huang Shi remained silent, Huang Taiji wasn't in a hurry. He stood up and exclaimed, "Worrying about one's reputation after death? I think that's the cowardice of a pedantic scholar. A true man doesn't play the victim. Seeing injustice in the world, one should stand up, draw one's sword, and seek revenge. Haha, that's the conduct of a true man!"

As he spoke, Huang Taiji had already walked up to Huang Shi. He gazed into Huang Shi's eyes and asked softly:

"If you disapprove of some of the practices of my Great Jin, don't you want to change them? You can help your compatriots yourself. Don't you want to help the Han people? Don't you want to speak up for the Han people in my Great Jin court? Don't you want to help them personally? A true man only needs to have a clear conscience; a true man only needs to be worthy of the heavens and the earth. Huang Shi, don't you agree?"

A certain religion has a saying that when the devil extends its tempting hand, its pure image makes even angels feel ashamed. However, how can ordinary people see through the devil's charm and distinguish it from angels?

At this moment, Huang Shi, kneeling on the ground, was asking himself: Was Huang Taiji right or wrong?

(End of Chapter 6)

Why Does a True Man Need a Million Soldiers? Chapter 7

No matter how Huang Taiji displayed his kingly demeanor, a sliver of reason always flickered in Huang Shi's heart. That is, one must never take advantage of this person; if you eat his bait, he will devour you whole, skin and bones. This sliver of reason, like the Daoist fire of spiritual fire, sustained Huang Shi's last line of psychological defense.

"Your Excellency is absolutely right, it's like a sudden awakening," Huang Shi said without hesitation. "But I have a question I'd like to ask Your Excellency."

"Speak," Huang Taiji replied.

"I've heard that the Khan hasn't designated Your Excellency as his successor. Is that true?"

Instead of answering, Huang Taiji asked, "If I were to succeed to the throne of the Great Jin, would you be willing to serve me?"

"Yes, I would serve you with utmost loyalty."

"Very good." Huang Taiji immediately helped Huang Shi up and patted the dust off him. "Until then, Huang Shi, you must help me achieve great deeds so that my father will value me more! Only then can I ascend to the throne."

"Yes, I will serve Your Excellency to the death."

The two immediately staged a touching drama of mutual understanding and harmony between ruler and subject. Huang Taiji had initially devised a strategy of feigned indifference, deliberately creating an atmosphere of tension and relaxation. Seeing that he had added another talented person to his fold, he felt a sense of relief: "I've got him."

Huang Shi, who was overjoyed and appeared extremely grateful, hadn't slept soundly for a single day since meeting Huang Taiji at Li Yongfang's place. Now, he secretly rejoiced: "I'm alive! I've escaped death!"

Both were happy. Huang Taiji, who had been busy deploying military affairs these past few days, had also conveniently subdued Huang Shi, and was naturally pleased with himself. In his experience, he had never seen a modern person, nor had he ever seen a madman like Huang Shi, a mere soldier, plotting to usurp the throne. Huang Shi was equally pleased; of course, an ordinary person would be proud to have fought to a draw with a national Sanda champion.

After exchanging the formalities of ruler and subject, they sat down separately. While Huang Shi was filled with excitement, he also began to remind himself that his opponent only saw him as a talented but unappreciated soldier; in Huang Taiji's eyes, he was probably nothing more than an ant. It's best to keep a low profile in front of such a brilliant and ambitious ruler, and not let him use his full strength, otherwise you'll definitely be in trouble.

"After eliminating Mao Wenlong, you still need to return to Guangning, otherwise Wang Huazhen will become suspicious."

"Yes."

"When you return, Wang Huazhen will definitely ask you about the Jin army's situation. You must answer truthfully, so that Wang Huazhen will rely more on Li Yongfang as an inside agent."

"Yes." Doesn't he fear that I might change my mind and leak the Jin's secrets? Huang Shi exclaimed, "Your Highness's magnanimity in employing people without suspicion is truly unparalleled!"

Huang Taiji answered without hesitation, "I trust you."

Huang Taiji didn't believe Huang Shi was the kind of person who would sacrifice his life for honor. Furthermore, he sensed Huang Shi's desire for wealth and power. He was always very confident in his ability to judge people. Huang Taiji knew that Huang Shi also knew what he could offer Huang Shi—something the Ming Dynasty couldn't provide. Besides, Huang Taiji wasn't afraid if Huang Shi went back and lied; Wang Huazhen wouldn't believe him anyway, and Huang Shi wasn't a trusted confidant, otherwise he wouldn't have been sent to do such a dangerous job as a spy.

Finally, and most importantly, Huang Shi wouldn't benefit from telling Wang Huazhen anything. As a liaison and Sun Degong's personal guard, he was lucky to escape being beheaded along with Wang Huazhen. Since Huang Taiji was certain that Huang Shi wasn't a righteous man willing to sacrifice himself for the cause, why would Huang Shi betray the Later Jin?

Huang Shi had indeed considered this matter—it was better to deal with a clever enemy than to confide in a foolish superior, because the fool's behavior was unpredictable; one day, Wang Huazhen might have a sudden change of heart and send him to his death. However, Huang Taiji's words still moved him: "Your Highness's kindness is beyond my ability to repay."

"Trust is something you earn yourself," Huang Taiji smiled kindly at Huang Shi, a slight reprimand was necessary: "This morning you have already earned my trust."

Huang Taiji's last words kept Huang Shi awake all night. Every time he recalled the thought of killing him and defecting to Zhenjiang that morning, Huang Shi cursed himself for his stupidity. How could such a person easily trust others, let alone "accidentally" put himself in danger?

Two days later, numerous reports of victories arrived from Li Yongfang's side. The resistance forces within hundreds of miles of Zhenjiang were easily defeated, and it was estimated that the rebel army would soon be wiped out and they could join forces with Huang Taiji in Zhenjiang.

Meanwhile, intelligence also arrived from Liaoyang that Mao Wenlong's Guangning army had attacked Lushun, Jinzhou, Gaizhou, Fuzhou, and Haizhou. This news made Huang Taiji laugh uncontrollably, repeatedly calling Mao Wenlong a "coward." This action not only exposed Mao Wenlong's latent strength but also confirmed to the Later Jin that Zhenjiang was isolated and without support. Mao Wenlong's attempt to bluff and distract the Later Jin army only strengthened the Later Jin's resolve to quickly resolve the threat.

Huang Shi was now quite free. He was allowed to observe how siege equipment was manufactured, how camps were deployed, and how reconnaissance cavalry were arranged. Since he had nothing else to do, Huang Taiji was happy to answer some of his questions, but there were still many things Huang Shi understood superficially. Huang Taiji calmly told him that understanding these things required experience in commanding large armies, which he couldn't explain to Huang Shi in a short time, nor did he need to understand them.

Li Yongfang's 5,000 Han soldiers arrived quickly. Once they arrived, the Later Jin army began clearing obstacles outside Zhenjiang. The arrows fired from the city walls were sparse, causing Huang Shi to shake his head repeatedly. Even he, with no war experience, could see that the Zhenjiang Guangning army was poorly equipped and utterly incapable of resistance.

The day after destroying the low walls and moats outside the west gate, the Later Jin army pushed up the watchtowers they had built. There were no catapults to counterattack from within the city, not even primitive forms of resistance like oil-spraying or fire-throwing. They could only buy time with wave after wave of lives. Later Jin soldiers took turns climbing the towers to fire arrows, while thousands more dug and bagged earth, carrying it down to the city walls.

"This isn't a battle, it's a massacre. What was Yuan Chonghuan's tactic called again? 'Relying on strong cities and cannons.' Indeed, if they had cannons, even just one, the watchtowers wouldn't have been able to be pushed up; if they had several, this earthen mound wouldn't have been built at all." Huang Shi watched as the Later Jin army leisurely fired arrows all morning while slowly raising the earthen ramparts.

After lunch, the five hundred Later Jin armored soldiers began to hastily organize themselves into ranks. Most were Han Chinese, with a Jurchen warrior leading every ten men. They first donned cotton undergarments, then fine-scaled soft armor, and finally iron shoulder armor and breastplates. Their weapons were long iron swords suitable for close combat, and each soldier carried a round shield.

The moat had been filled in, and at the command of a Later Jin officer, a large number of armored infantry surged to the base of the wall. Flags on the watchtowers directed them to avoid boulders and logs, and to push the ladder towers against the wall. Soldiers filed in one by one from the gates behind the ladder towers, quickly appearing on the city wall.

The obstacles around the city had not been completely cleared, so only a few ladder towers had been pushed up. The Ming army launched short, sharp counterattacks, repelling the Later Jin soldiers who attempted to scale the walls several times. Although the losses were not significant, the Ming army successfully confined the Later Jin army to the top of the wall, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the Later Jin archers' cover and preventing them from exploiting their numerical advantage.

However, the defenders' attention was now completely drawn to the soldiers scaling the walls. Below, three thousand Later Jin soldiers continued methodically filling the trenches and dismantling the siege towers. Thousands of Jurchen cavalry, meanwhile, arrayed themselves neatly at the city gates, preparing to defend against the Guangning army's attack to sabotage the siege equipment, and also waiting to storm in when the city fell.

The fierce battle continued until evening. The trenches were filled in for several dozen more feet, and Huang Shi noticed that the cavalry at the city gates were showing signs of fatigue; their horses were panting and even trying to find some grass. Finally, the Later Jin central army sounded the gong, and the watchtowers rapidly sprayed arrows, covering the retreat of the soldiers scaling the walls, and then pushed back the various watchtowers. Huang Shi breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the siege was over for the day. On the walls of Zhenjiang's west gate, blood spilled from the battlements, flowing down the walls like tears, making the fiery red gate bloom like a flower.

Huang Shi was puzzled by the Later Jin army's performance during the day; they had clearly not exerted their full strength. "I remember the Zhenjiang garrison held out for three days in history," Huang Shi thought to himself, puzzled, feeling that the Zhenjiang garrison wasn't as combat-effective as he had imagined. "But Mao Wenlong fled two days before Zhenjiang fell, so it must be tonight. I should see him off and do him a favor."

That night, Huang Shi used the excuse of observation patrol to leave the Later Jin camp alone on horseback. He quietly ran to the edge of the woods east of Zhenjiang. He tied up his horse, secured its muzzle, and climbed a tree, peering intently at the city wall. He waited until midnight, and just as Huang Shi was wondering if he had missed it, he finally saw a section of the torches on the city wall suddenly go out, and in that dark section, nothing could be seen.

That's it! Huang Shi tiptoed down the tree and jogged along.

(End of Chapter 7)

Why Need a Million Soldiers? Chapter 8

Huang Shi had already scouted several of Zhenjiang's city gates beforehand; each was guarded by Later Jin scouts, so it was obviously impossible to open the gates openly. To escape Zhenjiang, the only option was to lower a basket down the city wall and then walk to Longchuan. Considering the need for cover

under the cover of night, Mao Wenlong's options were limited. Huang Shi had even analyzed possible escape routes using a map. The section of the city wall where the torches had been extinguished quickly lit up again. Huang Shi sneered; it seemed the man had fallen. In the darkness, the Later Jin scouts didn't notice this brief anomaly; they continued their mechanical patrols. Time passed slowly, and a dark figure emerged from the night, groping its way towards the woods. Huang Shi, who had been hiding nearby, was already impatient. Seeing only one figure brought him a sigh of relief; fortunately, the moon was bright. Finally, his efforts paid off. Huang Shi constantly adjusted his position in the woods, ensuring he blocked the approaching figure's path.

"Who goes there?" a low voice echoed from the dark forest. The dark figure darting into the woods stopped abruptly, and Huang Shi slowly emerged from the shadows.

The shadowy figure swayed slightly, seemingly trying to make out the person opposite, but then gave up. A calm, confident voice rang out: "Han Army Colonel Ma Bo, and who are you?"

"Zhang Youdi of the Han Army," Huang Shi replied softly. The newcomer appeared to be dressed in Han Army attire. He walked straight over unhurriedly, slightly shifting his body as he passed Huang Shi to prevent the shadowy figure from getting too close. The shadowy figure, whose face was obscured, made no move, striding past and scoffing, "I need to relieve myself. You wait here, soldier."

Huang Shi coldly asked, "Doesn't the lord ride a horse?"

"No." The man roared impatiently, about to walk into the woods. He remained calm under pressure, answering fluently.

"On your journey to Longchuan, sir, please be careful." Upon hearing Huang Shi's words, the man paused, turning to see Huang Shi bowing deeply. He then recited the password for the night:

"Sir, please remember this password. This humble servant takes his leave." With that, Huang Shi straightened up and walked towards where he had hidden his horses.

"Young man, please wait a moment."

Hearing the voice, Huang Shi stopped and turned around, saying, "My lord, please forgive me, but I cannot give you my horse, or I will have no way to explain it back to camp."

"Young man, you misunderstand." Although the man's features were completely obscured in the darkness, the voice was deep, powerful, and composed: "Young man, were you here specifically to wait for me? It seems you have identified me?"

"We understand each other perfectly, why bother saying it out loud?"

"Who is your identity, young man? How did you determine that I would come here tonight?"

Huang Shi did not intend to elaborate on this question, nor could he say that he knew it from history books. Besides, he intended to maintain an air of mystery: "I came here on military orders, with another important mission, but my lord's safety rests on your shoulders, and I have been waiting here every night. Now that I see you have left safely, I can finally sleep peacefully."

"Aren't you afraid of mistaking me for someone else?"

"I am confident I have not mistaken you, General Mao, please rest assured." As he spoke, Huang Shi kept a close eye on the newcomer. If the other party reacted inappropriately, he would have no choice but to kill him to silence him. However, this person's furtive behavior suggested he was not a Later Jin spy. Later Jin spies rarely left the city, let alone head straight for the woods after leaving the city. Therefore, Huang Shi judged that this person was Mao Wenlong, or perhaps a Ming army reconnaissance officer.

In the darkness, he heard the newcomer chuckle softly: "Brother Zhang, you have indeed not mistaken me. I am indeed Mao Wenlong. May I ask what you have to say?"

Now that he had exposed himself, Huang Shi maintained a safe distance, remaining vigilant. He did not want to be killed by Mao Wenlong to silence him. The other person was also sensible and did not press closer.

"The Jurchens will only be satisfied if they have you, sir. Therefore, even if you are in Korea, you should not be underestimated. Being homeless is the best strategy." A month later, there would be a disastrous defeat at Longchuan. Huang Shi estimated that Mao Wenlong would admire him even more afterward when he recalled these words.

“Secondly, although Korea is a small country with few soldiers, it has pig iron, grain, and cloth. Lord Mao, if you wish to train a powerful army, you should consider this carefully.” Historically, Mao Wenlong had ruthlessly extorted the Korean king, and Huang Shi felt this resonated with him.

“Finally, the Jurchens excel at archery and horsemanship but are weak in naval warfare. The Liaodong Peninsula has many islands; I believe it would be safer and more appropriate to relocate the refugees to the islands.” Mao Wenlong hadn't yet been intimidated by the Later Jin, but the Korean defeat a month later would completely change his attitude. Huang Shi was determined to fully utilize his historical knowledge to leave him with an impression akin to Zhuge Liang.

The two faced each other in the darkness for a long time. Suddenly, Mao Wenlong bowed deeply to Huang Shi: “Wenlong has learned much.”

Huang Shi quickly returned the bow, and at the same time heard Mao Wenlong ask him hesitantly, “Young man, won’t you come with me?”

Huang Shi had his own plans in Guangning, and moreover, this idea had a major hidden danger: Mao Wenlong might suspect him of being a Later Jin spy, a long-term bait to wipe out the Korean army in Guangning. So Huang Shi immediately replied, "I have other missions and cannot accompany you to Korea, sir. Please forgive me."

Mao Wenlong didn't insist. "Then I'll take my leave. I just don't know when we'll meet again."

"When Liaodong is pacified. If I'm still alive then, I will definitely pay you a visit."

"Alright, until we meet again." Mao Wenlong said no more and disappeared into the forest. Huang Shi silently returned to Cangmadi, rode back to the Later Jin camp, and reported to the patrolling scouts that everything was safe.

"This way, I've left myself a way out. After all, the plan in Guangning is very risky." Huang Shi went to great lengths and took great risks to see Mao Wenlong, precisely to establish a relationship with the Dongjiang Army in the future. His plan to seize power in Guangning was already roughly outlined. If the risk succeeded, Huang Shi desperately needed Mao Wenlong to keep the Later Jin in check.

"If I fail, I'll die without a burial place. But if I can't deal with Huang Taiji, surely I can handle Sun Degong?" Huang Shi was confident he could handle this military man, Sun Degong, and quickly fell asleep.

Upon waking, feeling full of energy, Huang Shi first went to pay his respects to Huang Taiji. Seeing him arrive, Huang Taiji, who was eating, immediately tried to pull him to sit down and eat with him. Huang Shi declined a few times but eventually sat down, eating only a couple of symbolic bites, intending to call it a day. Huang Taiji immediately became relentless, forcing him to eat his fill.

After Huang Shi indicated he could no longer stuff anything in, Huang Taiji had his soldiers bring him milk wine: "Huang Shi, do you have any doubts about yesterday's siege?"

"It seems our army didn't use its full strength."

"How so?"

"Zhenjiang has few soldiers, why not attack from all sides? Wouldn't that put more pressure on the defenders?"

This naive question made Huang Taiji smile: "Focusing on one side would result in fewer casualties. Our soldiers are precious. But you're not wrong, our army didn't attack with full force. This was to give Mao Wenlong a false sense of security."

Huang Shi pondered for a moment before understanding the deeper meaning. Huang Taiji, seeing Mao Wenlong's unwillingness to break out, wanted to further lull him into a false sense of security, waiting for the defenders' strength to gradually deplete before launching a full-scale attack, taking the city in one fell swoop, leaving Mao Wenlong no time to escape. Unfortunately, Huang Taiji didn't know that Mao Wenlong was a fortune teller from humble beginnings. He had been dabbling in this art for many years, and the number of people he had deceived through his readings was more than the stars in the sky. The seasoned Mao Wenlong's ability to read people was extraordinary; on the day of the siege, he saw that the situation was hopeless. Mao Wenlong made a decisive move and fled overnight, already back in Longchuan. Huang Taiji's arrangement was like casting a blind eye to a blind man.

Why was Zhenjiang still resisting? When Huang Shi followed Huang Taiji to the front lines, he wondered what the defending general was thinking. Wouldn't their morale collapse?

(End of Chapter 8)

Why Need a Million Soldiers? Chapter 9

The resistance of the Guangning army in Zhenjiang remained stubborn. The bright red military flag fluttering on the city gate tower still prominently displayed the words "Deputy General Mao of Guangning," inspiring the soldiers and civilians on the city walls to repeatedly repel the Later Jin warriors who climbed the city walls, throwing down piles of stones and heavy timbers. This sight filled Huang Shi with emotion. If the Manchus had gained control of the country, who would dare to praise these Guangning soldiers who fought to the death within three hundred years?

Two thousand Later Jin soldiers were divided into several teams, taking turns fiercely attacking the city gate. Hundreds of Jurchen cavalry were blocking the city gates. Huang Shi knew that there were still two thousand soldiers resting in the camp. In the afternoon, these well-rested soldiers would take turns to replace the tired front-line troops.

A Jurchen commander ran up and said a few words to Huang Taiji, but Huang Shi didn't understand a word. After the man left, Huang Taiji didn't turn around, but smiled and said to Huang Shi behind him, "From the lookout tower, we can see that the Zhenjiang army has already brought up women to carry timber and stones. It seems that the city has no spare strength."

The earthen mound was already very high, getting closer and closer to the city wall, but still outside the range of the defenders. Huang Shi glanced at the progress: "Does Your Highness intend to launch a full-scale attack on the city?"

"No, a full-scale attack this afternoon might break through the city, but the losses will inevitably be huge. Street fighting at night is also not beneficial. This afternoon and night, we will launch harassing attacks. Tomorrow morning, we will send in fresh troops. If we break through the city during the day, we can end the battle in the afternoon." "

Then should we control the intensity this afternoon and night, so that the defenders are exhausted but relaxed, thinking that they can hold out for several more days?"

"Huang Shi, you learn very quickly, exactly!" Huang Taiji laughed heartily, stopped watching the battle, turned his horse around, and returned to camp.

All night, Huang Shi could hear shouts and war drums outside the camp. He was so disturbed he could barely sleep, constantly worried that the city had already fallen and he wouldn't be able to observe the Later Jin's street fighting techniques. He finally succumbed to sleep as dawn approached.

When he was woken, his head was still heavy, and as he followed the Later Jin soldiers out of the tent, his legs felt weak and his body trembled. The sun was still a soft pink. Staring at the dawn in the east, Huang Shi splashed cold water on his face; the icy chill instantly washed away the groggy dizziness.

There was no sound from Zhenjiang city walls now. The two thousand soldiers who had fought the night battle had just returned to their camp to sleep. Large numbers of soldiers who had just emerged from their tents gathered together, full of energy, and were led away by Later Jin officers. Seeing that everyone seemed to have slept better than him, Huang Shi felt a pang of shame. He stood there dumbfounded in the camp, watching the ranks of soldiers pass by, leaving the camp gates in a grand procession.

"Huang Shi, didn't you sleep well?"

Seeing Huang Taiji riding up energetically, Huang Shi bowed and said, "I'm ashamed, I barely managed to fall asleep this morning."

"That's perfectly normal." As he spoke, Huang Taiji jumped down and patted Huang Shi's shoulder. "At least you slept. When Father Khan led this Beile on his first campaign, I didn't sleep a wink all night, haha."

Perhaps it was arranged, but now few Han soldiers spoke to Huang Shi, and he couldn't understand the Jurchen soldiers' language, so Huang Shi felt restless whenever Huang Taiji didn't speak to him. After a month of military life, he found himself eagerly anticipating spending time with Huang Taiji every day, and had developed a psychological dependence on him. Moreover, the other party always kindly pointed out Huang Shi's shortcomings, and his words were mostly encouraging, which made Huang Shi feel grateful. The thought of betraying Huang Taiji's plan, of betraying this heartfelt trust, also saddened him.

As the drums beat rhythmically, each Later Jin soldier carried a mound of earth and charged up the earthen hill, propelling it visibly towards the city wall. Startled by this momentum, the Guangning army appeared behind the battlements, unleashing a much denser barrage of arrows at the hill than in the past two days. However, these arrows were mostly blocked by the large shields along the earthen ramparts, and the Later Jin watchtowers quickly suppressed the defenders.

In less than an hour, the earthen hill, already higher than the city wall, became even more imposing, and the Later Jin soldiers retreated from it like a tide. Just as Huang Shi was wondering what was happening, he saw Huang Taiji's banner wave a few times. The Later Jin soldiers on both sides of the hill immediately began pulling on countless thick ropes. Although Huang Shi couldn't see the specifics of what was happening ahead, he could see several large logs falling from the side of the hill, their supporting timbers collapsing as well.

With a loud rumble, a cloud of dust rose from the city wall, and Huang Shi knew that hundreds of logs in front of the hill had been pulled down. The mountaintop shook, then pressed down on the city walls of Zhenjiang, just a few meters away. With a deafening roar, all Huang Shi could see was a hazy yellow mist. Simultaneously, thunderous drumbeats resounded, and thousands of Later Jin soldiers shouted in unison, charging into the smoke before Huang Shi's eyes and disappearing one by one.

When the dust reached Huang Taiji, Huang Shi saw him brush it away. Huang Taiji, who had been listening intently to the sounds, finally straightened up and said calmly, "Zhenjiang has fallen!" He

then spoke something to the soldiers beside him in Manchu. The long-awaited Later Jin banner was waved, and a large number of Jurchen cavalry immediately marched towards the city gate, disappearing into the dust along with their horses.

When the dust settled, two Later Jin soldiers dragged over a bloodied man. His limbs were clearly broken, and only half a hand remained. The man's head was bowed, his long, disheveled hair sweeping the ground. As Huang Shi approached Huang Taiji's horse, a Later Jin soldier on his right grabbed his hair and pulled up his head. Huang Shi immediately recognized him as his former superior—Zhang Yuanzhi, a centurion of the Guangning Army.

Zhang Yuanzhi, his face covered in blood, had his eyes tightly closed. Red liquid dripped from his hair, down his eyelids, and into his mouth. The hand on his hair loosened, and his head slumped limply back to the ground. When the Later Jin stormed the city gates, he fought desperately, wielding two swords, killing several men and wounding a Later Jin troop. He had been captured under Mao Wenlong's banner, so the Later Jin soldiers who captured him dragged him here to report their victory.

After verifying his identity, Huang Taiji looked at the blood-soaked man with disgust, and immediately Han soldiers went to question him. Zhang Yuanzhi, his eyes barely open, let out a sickening laugh: "Tartars, General Mao has left safely."

Huang Shi saw the Han soldiers whisper something, causing Zhang Qianzong to burst into wild laughter: "I am not serving General Mao. As a military officer of the Ming Dynasty, I naturally defend this town for the Emperor of Ming..."

Huang Shi didn't hear the rest of the sentence, because it reminded him of when the Jurchen ancestors attacked Jinning, and the Song officials, before their deaths, righteously refused to surrender—"I defend this land for the Emperor of Jianyan." Huang Shi knew, and Huang Taiji naturally knew as well. With a livid face, Huang Taiji cracked his whip, and the soldiers dragged the half-dead Guangning Qianzong to a pillar and tied him up. The Niru he had wounded, his wound bandaged, immediately began cutting pieces of flesh from his body. This action jolted Zhang Yuanzhi awake from his semi-conscious state. With each cut, he screamed, "Kill the slave!"

Aside from the others, who were intently dissecting the flesh, Huang Shi was the only one who kept glancing at Zhang Yuanzhi; the others ignored the scene of this brutal dismemberment. The blade slowly and deliberately cut into the skin, twisting to inflict greater pain on the victim, before tearing away pieces of flesh.

"Kill—slave!" "

When the Japanese invaders attacked Nanjing, didn't the Chinese soldiers also shout 'We defend the Republic of China'? When the Eighth Route Army soldiers sacrificed their lives, weren't they equally heroic and tragic? There is a spirit in the world that can be called 'righteousness,' and there are people who deserve the praise of 'great men.'"

Huang Shi tried his best not to let tears well up in his burning eyes. In his heart, he made a promise to the Ming army officer, and also to himself: "Lord Zhang, one day, I will make sure that everyone remembers everything I saw today."

(End of Chapter 09)

(End of this chapter)

Side Story

"The Chronicle of Heroes of Liaodong: Biography of Zhang Yuanzhi"

Ming general Zhang Yuanzhi, whose origins are unknown...

In the first year of the Tianqi reign, Yuanzhi followed Ming general Mao Wenlong to sea to attack the Jurchens in Liaodong...

Yuanzhi was the first to scale the city wall, and Zhenjiang was captured. He was ranked first in merit... When

the Jurchens broke through Zhenjiang, Yuanzhi fought bravely and unyieldingly until he was captured. The Jurchens were very angry with Yuanzhi and even executed him by slow slicing. Yuan Zhi, though stabbed a thousand times, still cried out, "Kill the slave!" Emperor Taizu secretly collected his body and buried him on the outskirts of Zhenjiang…

When the Ming Dynasty recovered all of Liaodong, the remains of loyal and virtuous men were collected and buried, and a shrine to martyrs was erected in their honor. Incense burned day and night, never forgetting them for a moment…

Zhang Gong was also in the shrine…

Emperor Taizu inscribed a poem for the shrine: "Alas, the heroes of our Chinese nation

, how many loyal and righteous men! Sorrow for the loyal bones of Liaodong, which could not be recovered for twenty years." Emperor Taizu said: "I was originally a commoner, illiterate in literature and etiquette. This poem is my sorrow, a tribute to the true feelings of the martyrs. Therefore, I would rather be laughed at by the world than have someone else write it for me. My own writing should be placed outside the main gate, engraved on the stone steps, to show my respect. I would rather be trampled upon for ten thousand generations than let it overshadow the main body. This is my earnest sentiment."

A eulogy:

When the Ming Dynasty lost Liaodong, the soldiers perished with them. Yuan Zhi was among them, his misfortune. Yet,

he encountered a true dragon, leaving his name in history, a beautiful tale for posterity—his great fortune.

Zhang Gong goes without saying, and countless others followed suit, resolutely facing danger and selflessly serving their country.

The spirits of these martyrs have faded into the distance, and the names of loyal and virtuous men have vanished. Who will remember them in the future?

Historians, with their meager pens, cannot know all the names of those involved, nor can they fully record their deeds—how tragic!

Volume Three: The Land of Gentle

Breeze is the Tomb of Heroes, Chapter 01

After breaching the west gate, the Later Jin army did not immediately attack the government offices. Instead, they advanced along the city wall, capturing all the city gates one after another, and then switched to defense, with most of the attacking troops resting on the spot. Huang Shi feigned joy and congratulated Huang Taiji. In the era of cold weapons, once a city gate fell, the battle was essentially over; no matter how they dealt with it, they were doomed, it was just a matter of time.

The Later Jin didn't even give the Guangning army much time. After all the city gates were under their control, seeing that the Guangning army had no intention of breaking out, the reserve units entered the city and attacked the Zhenjiang government offices along the main road. The Guangning army set fire to the firewood piled up on the main road and the houses on both sides, causing some trouble for the Later Jin archers, but also making it increasingly difficult for the defenders to maneuver, and preventing them from using the houses to snipe the invaders. This indicated that the defenders had few arrows left and had lost the ability to use the terrain to snipe the enemy; otherwise, it should have been the attackers who set the fires.

The people of Zhenjiang finally lost their will to resist. Their rudimentary weapons lay scattered on the ground, and they knelt, begging for the mercy of the Later Jin. The Later Jin soldiers did not mistreat them. The Han soldiers demanded the location of the Guangning soldiers hiding in the houses, and confiscated all their kitchen knives and other tools that could be used for resistance.

By noon, the Later Jin army had completed the siege of the government office, and the city-wide search was nearing its end. The resisting Guangning soldiers had been largely wiped out, and all the fires in the city had been extinguished. Only a lone Ming army banner still fluttered above the Zhenjiang government office. Huang Shi, mounted on horseback, dared not approach, only watching the activity from afar. The Guangning army clearly had no intention of giving up. The Later Jin soldiers unhesitatingly drove the people to fill in the moats and forced them to carry firewood to pile in front of the government office gate.

One by one, the people of Zhenjiang were mercilessly shot down, but the fuel in front of the government office gate continued to accumulate. When the first torch was thrown, Huang Shi sighed inwardly. Seeing the blood of Han Chinese flowing everywhere and the Ming soldiers resisting to the death, Huang Shi's soul was being tormented. For the first time, he felt as if he had done something wrong. "No, I have no power. I can only survive first..."

About two hours later, the Later Jin soldiers brought in a Guangning officer. When he saw Huang Taiji, the man still held his head high and refused to yield. The soldier on his left kicked his left leg hard in the back of his knee. Because his leg was tightly clenched, he only staggered forward a step, still refusing to kneel. The Later Jin soldiers grabbed him, swung the spear in a wide arc, and with a piercing sound of bones breaking, the Guangning officer was finally forced to the ground.

Looking at the man's face contorted in pain, Huang Shi's knees trembled slightly. When that blow came down, he almost turned his face away. Huang Shi secretly adjusted his breathing, not letting himself show any unusual expression. Huang Taiji asked, "What's your name?"

The Guangning officer, hearing Huang Taiji's fluent Mandarin, hesitated for a moment before shouting, "My grandfather's name is Chen Zhong!"

"Where is Mao Wenlong?"

"Your grandfather's name is Chen Zhong!"

"When did Mao Wenlong leave?"

"Your grandfather's name is Chen Zhong!"

"Answering the question will give you a quick death!"

"My grandfather's name is Chen Zhong, f*** your grandmother!"

Chen Zhong continued cursing as he was dragged away. Later, the Later Jin soldiers dragged up several other Guangning officers and soldiers, all with similar reactions. Much later, someone finally succumbed to torture and confessed that Mao Wenlong had escaped alone two days earlier, leaving three veteran captains—Su Qimei, Zhang Yuanzhi, and Chen Zhong—in the city to defend it. Su Qimei was riddled with arrows from the city wall, Zhang Yuanzhi and Chen Zhong were both executed by slow slicing, and the remaining Guangning officers and soldiers were subsequently executed as well.

After hearing the report, Huang Taiji immediately issued a long list of orders to several generals. When only Huang Shi remained by his side, he sneered, "I underestimated Mao Wenlong. I thought he was just a reckless fool."

Seeing that Huang Shi didn't reply, Huang Taiji put on a kind face: "Tonight, during the massacre of the city, will you participate, Huang Shi?"

Huang Shi knew this was a custom of the Later Jin, but his face still showed reluctance. Huang Taiji immediately noticed this subtle change. He suppressed his displeasure and praised, "I knew I wasn't wrong. You are a true man. If you weren't, I wouldn't value you. But this isn't targeting you Han people; it's just to intimidate the nearby people. This way, they won't cooperate with the Ming army, and they can live in peace. So, massacring Zhenjiang can save more Han lives. Do you understand, Huang Shi?"

"This humble one understands."

The Later Jin's massacres were still done with finesse: to avoid the breakdown of military discipline, Huang Taiji forbade private killings. After breaching the city and overcoming resistance, the troops were assigned areas based on their contributions. Some units that hadn't contributed or had hesitated were tasked with guarding the city, preventing enemy attacks, and stopping residents from escaping.

Three days later, the Later Jin army completed their cleanup, leaving no man alive in the city. Meanwhile, Joseon explicitly rejected the Later Jin's demands, refusing to hand over Mao Wenlong and Chen Liangce. Huang Shi knew that this made an invasion of Joseon inevitable. Joseon history clearly records the state of the Joseon army in Guangning at this time: several thousand unarmed able-bodied men, lacking both morale and training, carrying the heavy burden of tens of thousands of refugees.

Before the Battle of Zhenjiang, Huang Shi had only intended to use both sides; he had no intention of becoming a traitor or saving the Ming Dynasty. However, he now found his mindset subtly changing, and the thought of the impending tragedy in Joseon made him uneasy. Therefore, he found an excuse to request permission from Huang Taiji to return to Guangning to continue his mission.

"Alright, Huang Shi, when do you plan to return to Guangning?" Huang Taiji didn't even ask for a reason, agreeing without hesitation.

"I plan to set off tomorrow, because I think if I don't return for a long time, Wang Huazhen will inevitably become suspicious." Huang Shi gave his prepared reason.

"Huang Shi, your considerations are always reasonable. I completely agree. What excuse have you prepared for Wang Huazhen? Do you need my assistance?"

"I don't need to trouble you, Your Highness. It's just that I need Your Highness's approval for my plan." Huang Shi took out a plan and was about to present it to Huang Taiji for review.

"No need. Just do as you think. I trust your abilities, Huang Shi, especially since it concerns your safety. It must be flawless." Huang Taiji refused outright and casually told him, "If you need money, just ask." "

I need some." "

How much?"

"Three hundred taels."

"Alright, I'll give you the approval slip." Huang Taiji didn't ask what it was for and casually handed the approval slip to Huang Shi.

"I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's trust,"

Huang Taiji said calmly. "I have heard that to expect someone to repay you as a national hero, you must first treat them as one. How you repay me, Huang Shi, is your problem, not mine to control, but how I treat you is my problem."

Huang Shi took a deep breath, about to swear a solemn oath, when Huang Taiji continued, "Recently, I've often thought that if you had joined my Great Golden Army a few years ago, Li Yongfang might not have become the Prince Consort of Fushun."

Li Yongfang was no match for Huang Shi; he was Li Chengliang's adopted son, commanded a large army, and enjoyed considerable prestige among the military men of Liaoxi. If this got out, Huang Taiji would be fine, but Huang Shi would be in trouble. As he pondered how to respond, Huang Taiji stepped in to help him out: "This is just something I was thinking about myself. It has nothing to do with you, and I won't tell anyone else. It won't cause you any trouble."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"It's good. You should know I have more than one sister."

Huang Shi gathered his thoughts and replied loudly, "Yes, Your Highness is too kind, but please rest assured, I will definitely achieve great merit and leave no room for criticism."

This answer pleased Huang Taiji greatly: "Good. This agreement will remain a secret between us for now, but I believe it will soon become a reality."

On the way back to Guangning, Huang Shi felt a wave of relief wash over him, the heavy gloom that had weighed on him for days vanished: "Finally, I've gotten rid of Huang Taiji. Guangning, I'm back. Sun Degong, I'm back."

(End of Chapter 01)

The Land of Gentleness is a Hero's Tomb Chapter 02

Huang Shi Gets Promoted Again

In October of the first year of the Tianqi reign, Huang Shi rushed back to Guangning to discuss matters with Sun Degong. Because he had been constantly following Huang Taiji, Sun Degong had replaced his contact with an old confidant, Fei Liguo, Sun Degong's former personal guard captain, with a trusted old man. Now that Huang Shi was back, Sun Degong intended for Fei Liguo to continue in this role, with Huang Shi responsible for protecting him. Sun Degong said Fei Liguo was experienced, given his extensive experience.

Huang Shi understood that he wasn't Sun Degong's trusted confidant for many years. Seeing that this potentially lucrative matter was about to be accomplished, and that Sun Degong didn't want to control everything himself, he still wanted to replace him with an older man, hoping his old confidants would also gain something.

“Sun Degong is unrighteous, so naturally he can’t blame me, Huang Shi, for being unjust,” Huang Shi thought. Although calling Sun Degong’s pettiness unrighteous was a stretch, and even someone as benevolent as Huang Taiji would still be unjust to Huang Shi, he had at least found a psychological excuse for himself.

Next, he was to meet with Wang Huazhen, the governor of Liaodong. Huang Shi vividly reported to him on his observations of the Later Jin army, including their military system, weaponry

, and so on. Wang Huazhen stroked his beard and laughed: “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Commander Huang, your infiltration into the enemy's lair to gather intelligence is truly a remarkable achievement! How about this, I will report your merit to the court!”

Was Wang Huazhen an idiot? Reporting merit? Despite his inner scorn, Huang Shi forced a smile and said, "However, let's wait until Your Excellency has wiped out the Jurchens in one fell swoop before I report my achievements. Right now, I might have to go back to the Jurchens, and I'd like to keep my head for drinking."

"Of course, of course," Wang Huazhen thought about it and realized it was true. He was even happier that Huang Shi was reliable. "Then I'll promote you to garrison commander for now. Besides, you have convenient access to Jurchen territory, so I think you should be in charge of contacting Li Yongfang in the future."

"My lord, you mustn't!" Huang Shi hurriedly stopped him, eager to clear himself of suspicion and shift the blame back to Sun Degong: "I've shown my face to the Jurchens too many times, probably drawing too much attention. And recently, the matter of contacting Lord Li hasn't been my responsibility. The Jurchens are cunning; I wouldn't mind dying, but I'm afraid it would ruin your plans and implicate Lord Li."

Hearing Huang Shi's words, Wang Huazhen hesitated: "But when you're with the Jurchens, aren't you always with Li Yongfang? Is there something inconvenient about that?"

Huang Shi had no choice but to painstakingly explain to this bookish man. He couldn't be completely trusted now, and the Later Jin knew how to secretly monitor him, so continuous action wasn't a foolproof plan. Finally, he successfully persuaded Wang Huazhen to hand the matter over to Sun Degong, thus extricating himself from the situation. He thought bitterly that he could no longer rely on Sun Degong to take the blame. However, Wang Huazhen accomplished what Huang Taiji hadn't—the Zhenjiang massacre completely extinguished any feelings of closeness Huang Shi had developed towards the Ming Dynasty. Now he felt it was best to remain loyal to himself; following such an officer was

like courting death. A captain was a sixth-rank official, a garrison commander a fifth-rank official, and Huang Shi felt he hadn't done anything wrong, yet his rank had skyrocketed. He sent his personal guard to Liuhe to recruit Zhao Manxiong into his personal guard. This way, he would have a trustworthy person by his side—he certainly couldn't use those old guards to deal with Sun Degong. Soon, bad news arrived from Korea: Mao Wenlong, after his disastrous defeat at Zhenjiang, had suffered another crushing defeat at the hands of the Later Jin army, with nearly half of the 50,000 Liaodong civilians who had followed the Ming army to Korea lost. Mao Wenlong himself disguised himself as a soldier again and escaped the Later Jin soldiers' search.

While organizing the remnants of the Guangning army to resist step by step, Mao Wenlong continued his southward escape. Tens of thousands of Guangning soldiers and Liaodong civilians struggled southward through the snow and ice, with the Later Jin army hot on their heels. To support the Guangning army in Korea, Wang Yining, the prefect of Dengzhou, led 3,000 soldiers to Korea. Upon receiving this reinforcement, Mao Wenlong immediately used these soldiers to control large islands such as Pi Island and Kuandian, allowing tens of thousands of refugees to escape to sea and avoid annihilation.

News from Korea brought relief to Wang Huazhen and most of the Guangning officers. As long as Mao Wenlong was still alive and the tens of thousands of refugees had not been wiped out by the Later Jin army, Wang Huazhen's strategic offensive could not be considered a complete failure. Huang Shi was also pleased that history had not changed significantly; his ability to predict the general course of history was his greatest asset.

Nurhaci had eliminated the threat from his rear, and his next step would inevitably be to attack Guangning. Huang Shi awaited this historical moment, as did Sun Degong. Huang Shi was certain that Sun Degong was withholding much intelligence from him. However, he didn't consider this a major problem; Huang Shi believed his historical foresight was enough to offset Sun Degong's position and intelligence advantage.

Even so, Huang Shi was still somewhat self-aware; his life was still largely in Sun Degong's hands. Therefore, Huang Shi was always careful to avoid arousing Sun Degong's suspicion of his loyalty. Since the personal guards were all chosen by Sun Degong, their every move was naturally under Sun Degong's watchful eye. Huang Shi dared not make any underhanded moves; what was unknown to others was the most frightening. He estimated that if he deliberately avoided the personal guards to do something, Sun Degong would be more likely to become suspicious.

"Huang Shi, you have no relatives, right?"

"Yes, sir."

"Poor thing, all alone." Sun Degong raised his eyebrows, his face full of sympathy: "Come to my house for a simple meal tonight. My cook is quite skilled."

"Thank you, sir."

After returning home, Huang Shi called over a few of his personal guards and mentioned the invitation. Yang Luhuo thought it was just a common attempt to win people over, but another guard disagreed: "This is clearly an excuse to get a gift from you, sir. You'd better prepare a gift befitting your status."

"How could Lord Sun be greedy for a small gift from our master? It's not a festive occasion." Yang Luhuo remained unconvinced.

"Unsolicited kindness is always suspicious," the guard said coldly.

"Jin Qiude, shut up!" Huang Shi roared, slamming his fist on the table and standing up. "How dare you spout nonsense and insult Lord Sun! Everything I have today is thanks to Lord Sun!"

The guards, seeing the usually mild-mannered Huang Shi suddenly enraged, all paled. But Jin Qiude still protested, "My lord, everything I have is thanks to you. Since you've asked for my opinion, I naturally dare not remain silent."

"Drag this fellow out and find out who sent him to sow discord between me and Lord Sun," Huang Shi ordered. Several guards were about to drag Jin Qiude away. Just then, Huang Shi saw Zhao Manxiong hiding behind the group, winking at him repeatedly.

"Yang Luhuo, go and lock him up first. Zhao Manxiong, help me change my clothes. I'll deal with him when I get back tonight."

After Huang Shi and Zhao Manxiong were left alone in the room, Huang Shi couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Is something amiss?"

"Sir," Zhao Manxiong's form of address to Huang Shi had changed, "May I ask if you are constantly on guard against Sun Degong?"

Huang Shi was secretly surprised. He was indeed very wary of Sun Degong, but he had never told anyone. He didn't know how Zhao Manxiong had seen through him so quickly. He nodded slightly.

This answer clearly did not surprise Zhao Manxiong. He continued calmly, "Then your handling of the situation today was far too unwise. Anyone with a discerning eye could see through your precautions at a glance."

Huang Shi vaguely sensed the problem, but hadn't quite grasped the situation yet. He quickly pressed for

an answer, "Why?" Zhao Manxiong, not answering immediately, countered, "Does Your Excellency suspect that there are Sun Degong's spies among the personal guards?"

Huang Shi felt as if several mice were scratching at his heart. He forced himself to suppress his anxiety and nodded again with the calmest expression possible, "That's right."

Zhao Manxiong shook his head and said slowly, "First, it's making a mountain out of a molehill: for such a small matter today, the lord didn't consult with me alone, but summoned all his personal guards. This is clearly a show of selflessness. I suspected at the time that the lord was wary of Sun Degong."

"Second, Jin Qiude's words weren't that excessive, yet the lord jumped up as if he'd been pricked by a needle. His reaction was too much and too sensitive. Third, Jin Qiude is the lord's subordinate, and it's only natural for him to think of the lord's best interests. But the lord immediately accused him of sowing discord, which clearly shows he's worried that Jin Qiude's behavior tonight might be seen as detrimental by Sun Degong."

At this point, Huang Shi was already sweating profusely. Zhao Manxiong gave Huang Shi a meaningful look: "So, my lord, you're determined to appear extremely loyal. I wonder if I'm right?"

Huang Shi gestured for Zhao Manxiong to sit down, then asked with a wry smile, "Was my performance today very bad?"

"Very bad. If you had no ulterior motives, your normal reaction would be to prepare gifts—better safe than sorry. At most, you'd make a few sarcastic remarks, but you'd still praise Jin Qiude highly. After all, every general likes subordinates who are absolutely loyal. Your reaction today only shows that you're constantly on guard against Sun Degong, treating all normal discussions as conspiracies."

Huang Shi chuckled dryly, his voice full of bitterness: "That's what they call a guilty conscience."

"Yes." Zhao Manxiong's expression was very serious: "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. Your performance today was terrible. If Sun Degong isn't an idiot, he'll quickly figure out what these unusual actions mean." Good

heavens, how could Sun Degong be an idiot? Huang Shi lamented inwardly, his right hand unconsciously fiddling with the tea set on the table: "Is there any way to remedy this?"

"Let me think about it." As always, Zhao Manxiong would ponder things deeply before answering.

After a long while, Zhao Manxiong raised his head, and the impatient Huang Shi quickly asked, "Have you thought it through?"

"I don't ask too many questions about your affairs, so I don't have a specific plan, but striking first is always a good idea."

Huang Shi asked curiously, "Strike first?"

"That's right, it's just..." Zhao Manxiong explained, and as Huang Shi listened, he became more confident.

That evening, upon arriving at the Sun residence, Huang Shi found Sun Degong personally waiting for him at the central gate. Huang Shi quickly bowed, "How dare I trouble you, sir, to greet me?"

"It's alright." Sun Degong was very friendly, then smiled and instructed his personal guards, "Take Huang's men to the back and treat them well. Don't neglect them."

Hearing this instruction, Huang Shi secretly thought to himself, "The opportunity has arrived."

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