Chapter 104: More Than Just Pacification

Songjiang Prefecture?

The moment the words “Songjiang Prefecture” were spoken, the eyes of everyone present lit up. Kang Maocai was the first to volunteer eagerly, “My lord, rest assured! Whether it’s Zhenjiang Prefecture or Songjiang Prefecture, I am willing to serve as your vanguard!”

Lady Jinhua, being closest to Liu Yi, spoke without hesitation, “To the east lie Zhang Shicheng’s forces. I’ve heard that after crossing the river, the southern magnates have pledged allegiance one after another. Capturing Songjiang Prefecture won’t be an easy task!”

Changshu, Jiangyin, Changzhou, Pingjiang (Suzhou), and Songjiang—these affluent regions of Jiangnan were precisely Zhang Shicheng’s targets in his southern campaign. Having already taken Changshu and Jiangyin, Zhang Shicheng was now pressing hard on Pingjiang Road (Suzhou). The next logical move would be Songjiang Prefecture. For the Chaohu Navy to seize Songjiang, it meant a fierce battle against Zhang Shicheng.

Moreover, the waterway from Zhenjiang to Songjiang spanned hundreds of miles. Even if the Chaohu Navy controlled the Yangtze, all these lands in between were newly conquered by Zhang Shicheng. Crossing such a long stretch of river to wrest Songjiang Prefecture would not be a simple feat. Liu Yi spoke frankly, “This concerns Inspector Zhongcheng’s fate. I’ve already prepared a petition for his approval. It now depends on whether he’s willing to cooperate. If he refuses, then we must settle for capturing territory one county at a time, without dreaming of Songjiang Prefecture.”

Yet who could ignore Songjiang Prefecture? It was far too prosperous—the very jewel directly under the jurisdiction of the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Provincial Administration, the richest place under heaven, with an uncountable wealth of funds and grain. In another timeline, Zhang Shicheng’s long resistance against Zhu Yuanzhang’s Yingtian regime hinged precisely on his control of Songjiang Prefecture and Pingjiang Road.

If Zhenjiang Prefecture was the first stronghold truly controlled by the Chaohu Navy, then taking Songjiang Prefecture would mean they could fight under their own banner.

Though Zhu Yuanzhang’s exact deployments were unknown, it was certain that elite troops guarded the vicinity of Zhenjiang Prefecture, leaving no room for the Chaohu Navy’s maneuvers. But Songjiang Prefecture lay completely beyond Zhu Yuanzhang’s grasp, allowing the Chaohu Navy to develop freely. Their naval superiority could be fully leveraged there.

Of course, Songjiang Prefecture posed complex challenges: it faced siege from Zhang Shicheng and had to contend with the remnants of the Yuan dynasty’s forces. Yet at the thought of the formidable Inspector Zhongcheng, Manzi Haiya, everyone felt reassured. Kang Maocai even grinned with a hint of ferocity, “My lord, leave Inspector Zhongcheng to me. Even if he doesn’t wish to cooperate, he won’t have a choice!”

As the highest-ranking official in Jiangnan on land, once Manzi Haiya committed fully, the Yuan officials in Songjiang Prefecture would surely align with the Chaohu Navy. The biggest issue now was their shortage of soldiers and officers.

Though the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Provincial Administration had raised troops in Songjiang Prefecture when Fang Guozhen rebelled, regardless of the strength of the newly formed thousand-household and hundred-household units, the harsh circumstances had forced these troops to be scattered across various battlefronts. Presently, Songjiang Prefecture had only a few thousand soldiers left—far too few to withstand Zhang Shicheng’s siege.

Liu Yi voiced his own hope, “Right now, Songjiang Prefecture is squeezed between Zhang Shicheng to the north and the Miao forces under Yang Wanzhe to the south. Neither side is to be trusted. But if Inspector Zhongcheng cooperates with us, we will be the divine reinforcements that preserve Songjiang Prefecture.”

Zhang Shicheng was indeed a bandit feared by the Jiangnan people, but the Miao forces under Yang Wanzhe were even more brutal and ruthless. Their discipline was shattered, leaving destruction wherever they went. Under such circumstances, if Manzi Haiya, the Inspector Zhongcheng, pledged wholehearted cooperation, the Chaohu Navy could firmly establish a foothold in Songjiang Prefecture, even using it as a base for continual expansion.

Thus, Lady Jinhua and the others quickly reached consensus: “Inspector Manzi must fully cooperate with us!”

Yet now, Manzi Haiya was filled with bitter regret.

Though the Chaohu bandits had welcomed him with the highest honors, kept every promise, and allowed him to continue wearing his Yuan official robes, using his official seal, and flying the Great Yuan banner—his personal guard and old acquaintances all remained unchanged—Haiya’s mind was a chaotic mess. Though the Records of the Grand Historian and the Book of Han still lay beside him, he could not bring himself to read a single page. He felt utterly bewitched, foolishly clutching at life.

He was a pillar of the Great Yuan dynasty, a recipient of imperial grace, yet instead of sacrificing himself for his country, he had selfishly clung to life and played this self-deceptive game. If the Yuan dynasty’s reign was destined to last forever, his fate would be tragic beyond measure. Future historians would surely brand him among the traitors.

How could a dignified Inspector Zhongcheng, one of the empire’s highest officials, make such a grave mistake? It was all Kang Maocai’s deceitful words that had led him astray!

Though Haiya harbored thoughts of dying for his country, the problem was that once aboard the pirate ship, it was nearly impossible to get off. At the time, he had intended to deceive himself and others, but now, dying for his country seemed an insurmountable challenge. “I wonder how the bandit chief Liu Yi will deal with me?”

Though Liu Yi, the legendary bandit leader of Chaohu, was known for merciless killings, as Inspector Zhongcheng Haiya he had access to more accurate information. He knew that although Marshal Liu came from the old troops of Peng Yingyu and Xu Shouhui, he was a man of reason and his word was law. Falling into Liu Yi’s hands might not be so bad after all.

Had it been Zhu Yuanzhang or some other bandit chief, he would have been forced to serve the Longfeng regime by now. Yet his treatment remained the same as before, or even better. As long as he negotiated well with Marshal Liu, life wouldn’t be so hard.

But he was still a high-ranking Inspector of the Great Yuan—how could he so foolishly turn traitor? Just as Manzi Haiya wrestled with his turmoil, Kang Maocai burst in with joyous news, “Inspector Zhongcheng, Inspector Zhongcheng! I bring tremendous good news!”

Haiya, who had been mired in despair, nearly jumped with excitement, “General Kang, what did Marshal Liu say?”

Kang Maocai’s face was alight with joy, “Marshal Liu said everything will follow your arrangements. Whatever plans you make for the pacification, there’s no problem at all.”

Yet Manzi Haiya was not fully satisfied, “Marshal Liu only spoke of pacification?”