Chapter 113: Seventy Percent

For Zhu Yuanzhang, these terms already represented a significant gesture of sincerity. Since he could not disentangle himself from the Chaohu Naval Force, he had to accept the reality and acknowledge their absolute dominance on the river. However, upon hearing this, Liu Yi laughed. "It is a fine thing to have me preside over the military affairs of the Great River, but is that all—just a few naval outposts? What happens if we take Jiangyin? To whom does it belong?"

The territory of the Chaohu Naval Force effectively encompassed the entire Zhenjiang Circuit. Yet, apart from Dantu County, the majority of the Danyang and Jintan counties within the Zhenjiang Circuit remained under Zhu Yuanzhang’s control. In practice, Liu Yi’s direct authority was limited to only one-plus counties and several naval outposts.

Liu Yi’s stance received unanimous support from the Chaohu naval commanders. Lady Jinhua spoke bluntly, "Master Li, our Commissioner has already shown enough goodwill. If we capture the city of Jiangyin, there must be a clear understanding! If we take Jiangyin, we must be the ones to oversee it; if your forces in Jiqing take it, it should go to you! If we are not given a satisfactory arrangement regarding Jiangyin, do not blame us if the Chaohu fleet only exerts half its strength."

Zhao Pusheng was even more direct: "Fifty percent is already giving your Jiqing side face. We are the ones risking life and limb to take Jiangyin; are you suggesting that after all that, we should simply hand it over to Jiqing to govern?"

Li Shanchang found himself unable to answer the challenges posed by Lady Jinhua and Zhao Pusheng. Before leaving Jiqing, Zhu Yuanzhang had explicitly instructed him, "Anything can be negotiated, except for Jiangyin."

As things stood, Liu Yi’s control over little more than a single county was already enough to make Zhu Yuanzhang feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy. If the Chaohu forces were to seize the entire Jiangyin Prefecture, he and Zhu Yuanzhang would likely never sleep soundly in Jiqing again. Even if Chaohu were to take the city, they would eventually have to be coaxed out.

Yet, Li Shanchang had to admit that forcing Liu Yi and the Chaohu fleet to surrender territory they had already claimed would be an arduous task. Thus, he pinned all his hopes on Liu Yi. "Commissioner Liu, please feel free to state any conditions you may have. I will provide you with a respectable answer!"

Liu Yi laughed. "Respectable? Your Vice Commander Zhu is hardly a respectable man! Where are the beauties of the Left Camp he promised me? However, even if the Vice Commander lacks decorum, you, Master Li, are a man of honor. I will show you that respect."

Hearing this, Li Shanchang breathed a sigh of relief. He did not fear Liu Yi’s exorbitant demands; he only feared that Liu Yi would refuse to negotiate at all. "Commissioner, please, state your terms!"

Liu Yi smiled. "Zhenjiang and Jiqing are one family. So, regardless of who captures Jiangyin, why don't we govern it jointly?"

Li Shanchang knew that Liu Yi was granting him a great favor, allowing him to advance or retreat as needed. Although Liu Yi spoke of "joint governance," the probability of Zhenjiang capturing Jiangyin was far higher. If Zhu Yuanzhang were to take the city, "joint governance" would at least serve as a convenient pretext. He excitedly agreed, "Commissioner Liu is indeed a man of honor. We shall establish a Marshal’s Office in Jiangyin, and the candidates for leadership shall be decided by you and the Vice Commander. What other conditions do you have? State them all. Anything I can agree to, I shall."

He knew that Liu Yi would not make such a concession without further demands. Liu Yi did not stand on ceremony with Li Shanchang: "If you can agree to anything, then what about the Songjiang Prefecture?"

Li Shanchang thought Liu Yi was joking. Currently, the limit of the Jiangnan Branch of the Privy Council’s influence was the Zhenjiang territory held by Liu Yi and Chaohu; everything to the east was Zhang Shicheng’s domain. Even if Jiangyin were taken, it remained hundreds of miles from Songjiang Prefecture. Unless the Chaohu fleet had grown wings, seizing Songjiang was impossible.

However, Li Shanchang knew he was the plenipotentiary representative of Zhu Yuanzhang, and his words carried immense weight. "Commissioner Liu, are you not making things difficult? Songjiang Prefecture is far more important than Jiangyin. If you want Songjiang, you must relinquish the position of Chief Marshal of Jiangyin!"

Although Li Shanchang had promised to establish a Marshal’s Office in Jiangyin, he had only said that the Chief Marshal—the top position—would be decided by "you and the Vice Commander." Upon hearing this, Liu Yi burst into laughter. "Master Li, you are quite the opportunist, wanting me to cede the Chief Marshal position to Vice Commander Zhu! However, I am determined to have Songjiang, so I accept your terms!"

Though cunning, Li Shanchang now found himself half-doubting. "Commissioner Liu, are you truly prepared to take Songjiang Prefecture? You must consider this carefully!"

Liu Yi’s smile turned enigmatic. "That is simple. As long as Master Shanchang is willing to yield the Chief Marshal position of Jiangyin, I am willing to cede Songjiang, Hangzhou, and Jiaxing to Jiqing!"

Li Shanchang had yet to fathom Liu Yi’s true intentions, but he suddenly realized: "As long as Commissioner Liu leads the campaign to Jiangyin in person, Songjiang Prefecture can be ceded to the Zhenjiang Branch!"

He finally understood that Liu Yi had been leading him in circles. The initial request for Liu Yi to lead the military affairs of the Great River had been cleverly diverted by Liu Yi into the question of Songjiang.

Liu Yi had not expected Li Shanchang to see through his ploy. "Is Vice Commander Zhu still holding court in Yingtian?"

Li Shanchang stated clearly, "I repeat: as long as Commissioner Liu leads the campaign to Jiangyin in person, Songjiang Prefecture shall be yours!"

Never mind one Songjiang; if Liu Yi were to lead the campaign, even ceding Hangzhou and Jiaxing to the Zhenjiang Branch would be acceptable. Liu Yi understood the weight of this. "I would like to lead the campaign personally, but Master Li’s own authority is still a bit lacking. This matter must be discussed in person when Vice Commander Zhu arrives with the beauties he promised me!"

Although he had not achieved the absolute best result, for Li Shanchang, this was already highly satisfactory. He had never counted on the Chaohu Naval Force committing their full strength anyway. "It is settled then, but for now, Chaohu must commit at least seventy percent of its strength!"

Liu Yi complied graciously. "Since Master Li says so, Zhenjiang shall commit seventy percent of its troops!"

However, both Li Shanchang and Liu Yi knew full well that "seventy percent" was a discounted figure. If one claimed seventy percent, they would send at most fifty; if they claimed fifty, they would send thirty. Yet, Li Shanchang was satisfied. "I shall report this to Vice Commander Zhu!"