Chapter Twenty-Five: Zhao of the Twin Blades

“What? Yunyu is actually entangled with that boy, unclear and ambiguous?”
Zhu Yuanzhang’s temper exploded once again.
Though he was a preeminent warlord, able to remain calm no matter the crisis, the problem was that Lady Golden Flower and Liu Yi were causing trouble right under his nose. “Didn’t Guo Tianxu instruct Yunyu to stay at home and not go out these days?”
“Miss Yunyu did stay at home, but this time General Xiao Liu came to the door himself, saying he wanted to consult about the betrothal gifts, and hoped Miss Yunyu would bring a generous dowry when the time comes.”
Tang He, the Commandant sitting opposite Zhu Yuanzhang, hurriedly spoke up: “Yuanzhang, don’t fall for Lady Golden Flower’s provocation. We must keep steady; in this matter, we still have the upper hand.”
Yet Zhu Yuanzhang’s voice remained full of resentment: “Tang He, I know we have the advantage, and I know I must keep my composure, but those two scoundrels are infuriating. Do they really think that with two imperial edicts they can act with impunity? Do they really believe that with Liu Futong and Du Zundao backing them, they can dominate everything? I’ll show them what it means to have no burial place after death.”
Hua Yun, one of Zhu Yuanzhang’s famed generals, suddenly grew excited: “Marshal, leave this to me. I have a hundred ways to kill them!”
But Zhu Yuanzhang calmed himself abruptly: “Guo Tianxu is, after all, the Generalissimo. We must give him due respect. Let them enter Chao Lake first; then I’ll show them who is really in charge.”
At this point, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a tinge of regret. In his agitation, he had carelessly revealed that he had insiders within the Chao Lake navy.
But in these turbulent times, strength was the true law. Lady Golden Flower possessed only two edicts and a few hundred armored soldiers, while he commanded nearly thirty thousand, with ample rice, grain, and money. As long as the Chao Lake forces didn’t lose their senses, they would inevitably choose to side with him, Zhu Yuanzhang.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up: “Tell those at Chao Lake that the terms of cooperation can be as generous as they wish; let them decide. But I want a pledge of loyalty!”
Chao Lake was a true great lake. In another timeline, it covered eight hundred square kilometers of water, and in this world, without large-scale reclamation, its waters stretched even further.
Relying on this vast lake, the Red Turban navy under Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng, though defeated by the Southern Censor Manci Haiya, and beset by the Red Turbans of Chuzhou and the forces of Zuo Junbi in Luzhou, still maintained the era name “Zhìpíng” and held onto over a thousand warships.
Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng had established more than ten water forts along Chao Lake, laying countless traps and barricades, with hundreds of fast boats ready to maneuver at any moment. Whoever attacked would suffer dearly, but sometimes a fortress falls from within.
Upon hearing the name Lady Golden Flower, Zhao Pusheng furrowed his brow: “She really dares to come? She submitted to Han Lin’er and now dares to bring the Emperor’s edicts. Does she truly think I, Zhao Pusheng, won’t kill?”
Late Yuan Red Turban generals bearing the character “Pu” were all White Lotus followers recruited by Peng Yingyu, and Zhao Pusheng was no exception. Among the Chao Lake navy’s commanders, Zhao Pusheng was the most devout follower. It was thanks to his efforts that the “Zhìpíng” banner still flew on Chao Lake.
Thus, for Lady Golden Flower—who had betrayed Xu Shuhui—Zhao Pusheng harbored deep hatred and was determined to eliminate her. Yet Li Pusheng, his equal, disagreed: “Since Marshal Golden Flower is here, we must at least meet with her. In her letter she claims to have a way to lead us out of Chao Lake and into Jiqing Circuit.”
Li Pusheng could be called Lady Golden Flower’s greatest ally in securing the Chao Lake navy. Though he shared the same name as Zhao Pusheng, it was entirely due to Lady Golden Flower’s efforts.
He was not only her disciple, but was personally nurtured by her, and even his “Pu” religious name was granted to him because Lady Golden Flower petitioned Peng Yingyu. Given his qualifications, he would never have earned the highest grade “Pu” title in the sect.
Yet, unexpectedly, after the name change, he ended up sharing his title with Zhao Pusheng, and both retreated to Chao Lake. Lady Golden Flower’s kindness was engraved in Li Pusheng’s heart: “In any case, I must meet her. I want to know how we can break into Jiqing Circuit.”

Jiqing Circuit was essentially Jinling—where the Yuan dynasty had established the Southern Censorate, tasked with overseeing the three southern provinces formerly under the Song. It was the second political center after the capital, vital in military, political, and economic terms.
But Zhao Pusheng had no interest in Jiqing Circuit: “Why go to Jiqing Circuit? Her brother was defeated there, and everything spiraled out of control. The key is Anqing. If we take Anqing, everything will fall into place. If not, we’ll be driven back into Chao Lake!”
Anqing was now guarded by Yu Que, a Semu man of scholarly background and notable talent. He had turned Anqing into an impregnable fortress. The Red Turbans had attacked countless times over the years, always repelled by Yu Que. Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng had been forced into Chao Lake after their failed siege of Anqing and subsequent defeat by Manci Haiya of Jiqing Circuit.
To Zhao Pusheng, capturing Anqing would revitalize the war effort. After all, Jiangxi was the Red Turbans’ revolutionary stronghold—especially around Poyang Lake and Jiujiang, territories they had cultivated for years. Once Anqing fell, the upper and lower streams could be united, and the march to Jiqing Circuit would be effortless.
Yet Li Pusheng was resolute: “I admit, Double-Blade Zhao, your logic holds, but the men don’t see it that way. If they had to choose between Jiqing and Anqing, they’d all pick Jiqing. So everyone wants to meet Lady Golden Flower.”
Zhao Pusheng considered only military strategy, but the allure of Jiqing Circuit was too great. Hearing this, Zhao Pusheng fumed: “Then I might as well work with Zhu Yuanzhang. He’s already agreed that once we break out of Chao Lake, we’ll each go our own way. If nothing else, there’s always Zuo Junbi.”
No matter what Li Pusheng said, Zhao Pusheng refused to meet Lady Golden Flower. He was the most loyal White Lotus devotee, still fighting for Peng Yingyu’s ideals long after Peng’s death in battle.
But Li Pusheng had a very different perspective: “You actually believe Zhu Yuanzhang’s childish tricks? Besides, Lady Golden Flower said she dares meet you, Double-Blade Zhao, because Peng Zu not only sent her a dream from heaven but also bestowed upon her a treasure unknown in the mortal world.”