Chapter 109: Coveting More Than One Gains

During the Yuan dynasty, the regions known as East Zhejiang Circuit and West Zhejiang Circuit roughly corresponded to the entire modern province of Zhejiang, the city of Shanghai, and southern Jiangsu—undeniably the most prosperous and affluent areas of the Yangtze River Delta in an alternate timeline.

The entire Chuzhou Red Turban Army cast envious eyes on this territory, willing to risk open defiance against Zhu Yuanzhang just to seize control of these circuits.

Zhu Yuanzhang sensed a palpable danger. Though he harbored a deep hatred for Liu Yihen, the situation seemed on the verge of slipping beyond control. Everyone appeared to regard Zhang Shicheng as the true adversary, dismissing Liu Yihen as insignificant. Even Tang He, usually Zhu’s closest confidant, had now turned against him.

Despite being the supreme commander overseeing the entire Chuzhou Red Turban Army, Zhu Yuanzhang dared not oppose the collective will of his forces. Swiftly, he changed course: “Since everyone views him as a hidden threat, I shall send a letter to Marshal Liu immediately, ordering him to lead the navy eastward with full force. We cannot afford to give any advantage to Zhang Shicheng!”

Yet the civil and military officials beneath him were dissatisfied with this reply, feeling Zhu was merely placating them. Zhu refused to make a firm decision. They believed neither Liu Yihen nor the forces at Chaohu could be mere cannon fodder for Chuzhou. After all, Marshal Liu was a cunning man who would not act without clear benefits.

Chang Yuchun spoke bluntly: “He Taiping is nothing but a mediocre official. The only reason we haven’t eliminated the Left Prime Minister is our fear that the Yuan court might send a more capable provincial prime minister in his place.”

Though an exaggeration, He Taiping was still the Left Prime Minister of the Huainan Provincial Government, and the Chuzhou Red Turban Army, despite its prowess, could not hastily dispose of such a high-ranking figure.

Nonetheless, the gathered officials found Chang Yuchun’s reasoning persuasive. Had He Taiping not been stationed in Yangzhou, and instead a more capable official taken his place, the Chuzhou forces would have faced far greater obstacles in capturing Jiqing Circuit. Many felt that Zhu Yuanzhang had overestimated He Taiping’s abilities.

Zhu Yuanzhang knew that everyone underestimated He Weiyi, the Huainan Provincial Prime Minister. Should the Chuzhou army launch a large-scale eastern offensive, He Taiping could mobilize his troops from the north at any time. Yet, recognizing the consensus forming around him, Zhu decided it would be unwise to oppose the collective will.

His turnaround was swift: “If everyone believes He Taiping is but a mediocre official, I shall personally travel to Zhenjiang to have a thorough discussion with Marshal Liu.”

As the officials prepared to continue persuading Zhu, a sudden announcement arrived: “An imperial edict has come—the court has decided to establish a Military Secretariat in Jiqing!”

Though a cause for celebration, most officials, including Zhu Yuanzhang, felt some dissatisfaction: “Only a Military Secretariat? No Provincial Secretariat?”

Within the Yuan administrative system, the Military Secretariat often functioned as a unified military and civil authority, yet it remained a provisional institution, subject to dissolution at any time. The Provincial Secretariat, by contrast, was a legitimate autonomous government. After months of grueling battles in Jiangnan securing Jiqing Circuit, the Longfeng Court had granted only the nominal status of a Military Secretariat, igniting heated debate.

Zhu Yuanzhang grew anxious: “I understand everyone’s concerns. The court likely underestimates Chuzhou because of the strained relations between Marshal Liu and myself. Rest assured, I will sit down with Marshal Liu personally and resolve all issues.”

He had realized that bypassing Liu Yihen and Chaohu was impossible.

“The Jiangnan Military Secretariat? Liu Futong is too generous, granting only the name of a Military Secretariat? Then we shall prepare the plaque for the Secretariat Branch!”

Though somewhat disappointed, the officials in Zhenjiang accepted the outcome candidly. Even the former Deputy Censor-in-Chief, the barbarian Haiya, chuckled: “After capturing Taicheng, to receive only the title of Military Secretariat—does this foreshadow a future abolition, or a replacement? Han and Song will never amount to much!”

Jiqing Circuit was the seat of the Jiangnan Provincial Censorate. After the Chuzhou Red Turban forces had fought fiercely for months, suffering heavy casualties to capture this administrative center, the Longfeng Court’s meager grant of a Military Secretariat rank seemed stingy, even to Haiya.

Laughter broke out among the officials. Lady Jinhua was blunt: “We still have to fight under the banner of the Longfeng Court and manage affairs in Jiqing well, but we place all our hopes on the Deputy Censor!”

Haiya knew Lady Jinhua’s words were mere politeness. Such a fierce rebel could hardly pin her hopes on him. She likely had countless backup plans. The real issue was that while they did not rely on him, he placed all his hopes on the Chaohu rebels. Should they fail, his fate would be a nameless grave.

Still, Haiya needed to deceive himself: “I see all the marshals’ loyalty to the court. The process of pacification is underway, but when will Chuzhou and Gaoyou engage in battle?”

No one could say for sure. Though everyone knew a clash between Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhang Shicheng was inevitable, the timing remained uncertain. It was even possible they might unite to deal with the Chaohu navy first.

Liu Yihen replied immediately: “Once Prime Minister He in Yangzhou returns north, battle between Chuzhou and Gaoyou will commence!”

Though furious at the inactivity of He Weiyi, the Left Prime Minister who seemed to do nothing in Yangzhou, Haiya believed He could not withdraw: “He Weiyi is the Yuan’s foremost stalwart. Others may leave, but he cannot. And whether he stays or goes has limited impact.”

Haiya did not expect He Taiping’s movements to matter much. Though a Han with a Mongol name and a stalwart among Mongol officials who often sought his company, He was no miracle worker. Stationed in Yangzhou, he accomplished nothing.

But Liu Yihen’s words suddenly made Haiya understand: “General Liu, after receiving patronage in Songjiang, you intend to visit Hangzhou as well, don’t you?”