Chapter Twenty-Seven: Bringing Out the Treasure

Although the map was not yet prepared, Liu Yi grew more and more animated as he spoke. "Why did Xiang Pulue fail to take Jiqing Circuit and ultimately meet his downfall? Because he advanced into Jiangsu and Zhejiang with a solitary army. It seemed as if he was sweeping through the land like a whirlwind, but in truth, he commanded only a single force. The only ally he could claim, Fang Guozhen, was preoccupied with seeking imperial pardon. So both the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Province and the Jiangnan Administration concentrated all their strength against him."

Liao Yong'an, Liao Yongzhong, and those like them were men of humble origins. They were adept at leading troops into battle, but when it came to matters of strategy, they were as blind men feeling an elephant. Thus, Liu Yi's words left them deeply shaken.

Liao Yong'an stubbornly retorted, "But if we cross the river, we too will be advancing alone. I hear Fang Guozhen has been pardoned again!"

Liu Yi chuckled in response. "Who says we're advancing alone? Look at the map. Fang Guozhen has betrayed and returned time and again. Even if he has been pardoned once more, can the Yuan trust him?"

Though Liu Yi appeared earnest in his strategic analysis, his remarks about Fang Guozhen were pure fabrication. In truth, after his latest pardon, Fang Guozhen flourished within the Yuan bureaucracy. But since only Liu Yi had glimpsed history from another timeline, he felt free to spin his tale as he pleased.

Turning from Fang Guozhen, Liu Yi spoke of another powerful ally. "In Jiangxi, we have our old comrades Zhu Zong, Wu Hong, and Yu Guang. As soon as we march on Jiqing Circuit—regardless of whose banner we raise—they will surely respond with all their might!"

Mention of the Poyang Red Turbans, who belonged to the Xu Shouhui faction, stirred a sense of camaraderie among the commanders present. Not only were they allies of the same system, but history had seen several successful collaborations between them.

Moreover, Zhu Zong, Wu Hong, and Yu Guang were comrades of unquestionable loyalty. In the thirteenth year of Zhizheng, when Xu Shouhui's southern Red Turbans nearly collapsed and the capital fell—forcing Xu Shouhui to retreat to the forests and lakes—it was Wu Hong and Yu Guang who reversed the tide in Jiangxi, inflicting heavy losses on the main forces of the Yuan's Jiangsu-Zhejiang Province.

These comrades, once they had secured their positions, focused entirely on expanding into the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Province. It was said that Huizhou Circuit had changed hands seven times, and if the Chaohu navy crossed the river with full force, these old allies would surely press eastward. Then, the greatest concern for the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Province would be how to hold onto Hangzhou Circuit.

Liu Yi continued, "Aside from Jiangxi, there's Zhang Shicheng to the north. Everyone knows he has been negotiating for pardon, but forty thousand Yuan soldiers perished at his hands, and he once claimed the imperial throne himself—can he truly be pacified? If not, what will Zhang Shicheng do?"

This portion of Liu Yi's speech was also half fabrication. When calamity descends, not only Zhang Shicheng, but even Xu Shouhui, Chen Youliang, and Han Lin'er could accept pardon. Yet the commanders present were more interested in Liu Yi's strategic insights, and someone immediately exclaimed, "Head for Jiangnan!"

"To Jiangnan, cross the river!"

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"Zhang Shicheng will surely cross the river to compete with us for territory!"

"We can't let Zhang Shicheng get ahead of us."

"No, no, we should let Zhang Shicheng make the first move; then we can strike later and seize the advantage!"

"As long as we cross the river, both Jiangxi and Jiangbei will coordinate their movements with ours."

Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng had not expected that the young General Liu, brought by Lady Jinhua, would be so remarkable—one map and a few words were enough to ignite the passion of everyone present.

Liu Yi continued his analysis. "The Jiangsu-Zhejiang Province comprises thirty circuits, one prefecture, and twenty-three counties, and Jiqing Circuit is merely one of them. General Yong'an, do you believe the province would abandon the entire region for the sake of one circuit?"

Though Liao Yong'an had long been acquainted with Zhu Yuanzhang, he had no place to speak now. The assembled generals responded in unison, "No!"

"Absolutely not!"

"To Jiqing! We must go to Jiqing!"

"Who cares for Anqing Circuit? I just want to cross the river to Jiqing!"

Although the navy was still trapped within Chaohu, their hearts were set on enjoying the days in Jiqing City. Zhao Pusheng, who had been watching Liu Yi intently, finally spoke. "Young General Liu is indeed a rare talent—no wonder Lady Jinhua says that Peng Zu himself passed down an invaluable treasure!"

Lady Jinhua realized that Zhao Pusheng had completely misunderstood her. The treasure she spoke of was the Everlasting Lamp in Liu Yi's possession, but now Liu Yi had become the supreme treasure in Zhao Pusheng's eyes.

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Zhao Pusheng merely stood up, without drawing his famous twin blades, yet the entire hall fell silent. This was the most renowned naval commander of the Red Turbans!

He continued, "Having heard Young General Liu's words, I feel as if I've gained a priceless treasure. But just now, you said it didn't matter whose banner we fought under. Then I must say, since you've made the advantages and disadvantages clear, anyone can be chosen to direct our campaign, can't they?"

What weighed most heavily in Zhao Pusheng's heart was the "Restoration" era name set by Peng Yingyu years ago. Lady Jinhua instantly realized the turning point had come. "This matter can be handled by anyone, except Young General Liu—he alone is indispensable, for he is the son-in-law of the Guo family!"

Liao Yong'an and several commanders wanted to speak, but seeing the stern look on Zhao Pusheng's face, they dared not. Zhao Pusheng snorted coldly, "Then I too can be the Guo family's son-in-law. I can offer the Chaohu navy as a bridal gift!"

Liu Yi laughed aloud. "Marshal Zhao, only I can be the Guo family's son-in-law. No one else can, and Marshal Zhao is especially unsuitable. Marshal, let me explain why I am the true son-in-law of the Guo family."

Though Liu Yi spoke in riddles, Zhao Pusheng and Li Pusheng understood that Lady Jinhua and Liu Yi must have matters unsuited for public discussion. Li Pusheng quickly said, "Lady Jinhua, Young General Liu, please come inside. Everyone, wait here for a moment!"

Though Liu Yi was invited into their quarters, Zhao Pusheng still could not understand why only Liu Yi could be the Guo family's son-in-law.

He knew that crossing the river would require an alliance with the Guo army. Yet the Chaohu navy commanded a thousand ships and ten thousand troops, capable of securing the greatest possible advantage in a partnership. Guo Tianxu, Zhang Tianyou, and Zhu Yuanzhang had already offered exceptionally generous terms—Zhu Yuanzhang even permitted him to continue flying the Xu Shouhui Red Turban banner.

Moreover, besides the Guo army, the Chaohu navy could choose to cooperate with Zuo Junbi. Though the two sides were currently at odds, if Zhao Pusheng humbled himself, a foundation for collaboration could be established.

Lady Jinhua knew that now was the best moment to strike while the iron was hot. "Xiao Yi, quickly present the treasure passed down from Peng Zu!"

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