Chapter Sixty-Three: All Thanks to Marshal Zhu

Since Xie Guoxi and the Provincial Administration were willing to cooperate, Ma Shuding and Zuo Dana Shili naturally regarded him as one of their own. Their foremost concern now was how to win Xie Guoxi over and prevent him from being lured away by the Provincial Inspectorate, as had happened with Commander Zhang.

At this moment, Zuo Camp was already in a jubilant uproar: "Marshal Liu has really arrived!"

"Marshal Liu has brought reinforcements to support us! Xie Guoxi will meet his end here today!"

"The Chaohu Navy has come to our aid—now is the moment to turn the tide!"

The assault by the Spear Army and the Provincial Army still lasted for another quarter of an hour or so. Xie Guoxi strove desperately to resume the offensive, but with the main force of the Red Turban Army now pouring in with massive reinforcements, the Spear Army’s assault naturally slackened. Soon, they began to withdraw steadily under the pretense of ‘reorganizing their attack.’ Though Xie Guoxi wished to press the fight, the commanders beneath him—those in charge of thousands or ten-thousands—were unwilling to risk their entire fortunes here, preferring to leave while they still held some advantage.

Meanwhile, the two thousand-strong units under Liu Yi, though not officially engaged, played a decisive role thanks to Hua Yun’s assistance. Hua Yun was not only a fierce warrior but also a man of both courage and wit. Though Liu Yi had brought only a thousand elite soldiers in two units, with Hua Yun’s help it seemed as if two entire divisions were bearing down upon the field. Warhorses thundered, banners billowed in the wind, and the Red Turban Army’s cheers rang out everywhere as they shifted from defense to attack.

Although the two Red Turban commanders together could muster barely five thousand men, such a sudden influx of five thousand soldiers often determined the outcome of battle. Hua Yun shouted, “Marshal Liu is here with the entire Chaohu Navy!”

“Marshal Jin Hua, Marshal Ma Shixiong, Marshal Zhao Pusheng, Marshal Li Pusheng have all arrived!”

“Marshal Jin Hua is here!”

“Marshal Ma Shixiong is here!”

“Marshal Zhao Pusheng is here!”

“Marshal Li Pusheng is here!”

“Marshal Liu Yi has arrived!”

For the Red Turban Army, which had so long been on the defensive, this was the news they most longed to hear. As the momentum shifted, their respect for Liu Yi and the Chaohu Navy—who came like a timely rescue—grew immensely.

During the past period, Zhu Yuanzhang had spoken ill of the Chaohu Navy and Liu Yi more than once. Thanks to the deliberate attacks by certain parties, Liu Yi’s reputation in Zuo Camp had become entirely negative. Although everyone said, “The Red Turbans do not fight one another,” Liu Yi, who came from the White Lotus sect, and the Chaohu Navy, were seen as outsiders by Zuo Camp—enemies even more fearsome than the Yuan Army.

Many attributed their grievances, injustices, and setbacks to Liu Yi, believing that had he not descended from the heavens and seized the Chaohu Navy and the Green Army of Jiangbei, they themselves, if not commanders of ten thousand, would at least be in charge of a thousand.

Yet now, the “Liu” banner fluttering proudly in the wind made the soldiers of Zuo Camp feel an unexpected kinship. They suddenly realized that Liu Yi was not only a member of the Red Turban Army, but the most righteous among them, and that past grievances should be set aside for sincere cooperation going forward.

It was true that if Zhu Yuanzhang led his personal guard and vanguard into battle himself, the situation would no doubt improve. But since Liu Yi had personally come to the rescue of Zuo Camp, many lives would be spared, and everyone felt a new warmth toward him.

They all ate from the same pot; Zuo Camp and the Chaohu Navy were, after all, a single family. Moreover, with Hua Yun smoothing the way for Liu Yi, he called out, “Brother Chang, Marshal Liu asks you to come over for a talk. He told me himself, among everyone in Zuo Camp, he admires Brother Chang Yuchun the most. You must honor him with your presence!”

Though Chang Yuchun doubted these words came directly from Liu Yi, who could resist being called “the greatest hero of Zuo Camp”? Since Liu Yi had named him specifically, he would of course oblige.

“This is General Xu Da!”

“This is General Chang Yuchun!”

“This is General Hu Dahai!”

“This is General Guo Ying!”

“This is General Guo Xing!”

“General Hua Yunlong, I have long heard of your great name!”

Though they had crossed paths a few times before, now their greetings were warm and hearty. In this fervent atmosphere, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a chill in his hands and feet—Liu Yi was openly wooing his followers right in front of him.

He suddenly realized that Liu Yi’s earlier actions were not so hateful after all. Taking Guo Yunyu and Sun Yuerong as beauties, seizing the Chaohu Navy and Ma Shixiong’s troops from Yangzhou—these annoyances were petty and could not shake Zhu Yuanzhang’s foundation. His real strength lay in the martial group of Zuo Camp, formed of men from Huaiwest. As long as Zuo Camp remained united under his command, he would remain unassailable. Now, however, Liu Yi was standing before him, poaching his most trusted Huaiwest veterans.

This was the very foundation of Zhu Yuanzhang’s rise!

Yet he could not show anger, and instead had to go personally to express his thanks. “Marshal Liu, I am deeply grateful for you leading your troops here in our hour of need. Had you and Marshal Jin Hua not come to our aid, I dare not imagine what might have happened.”

Liu Yi replied frankly, “Commander Zhu, you are too kind. I brought only two units of a thousand here—barely a thousand men in total—hardly enough to affect the greater situation. The fact that the tide has turned today is all due to your steady command.”

Zhu Yuanzhang knew this was true. Liu Yi had, in effect, achieved much with little, yet knowing Liu Yi had only two units, he still had to show due respect. “Marshal Liu, your coming to support Zuo Camp—even if you had brought only a hundred men—is a favor I will remember for a lifetime.”

Though Liu Yi had brought only two units, all of Zuo Camp was watching this meeting between him and Zhu Yuanzhang. Today’s defeat had already dealt a blow to Zhu’s authority within the army; therefore, not only could he not move against Liu Yi, but he had to ensure his absolute safety. Otherwise, his control over Zuo Camp, and all of Xingzhou, would be in jeopardy.

Liu Yi spoke with candor, “The situation changed so abruptly. The three marshals all fell victim to the Yuan Inspectorate’s scheme. The situation was even more urgent for Commander Dou and Marshal Zhang, so I sent Ma Shixiong and Zhao Pusheng to Hucun while I could only bring two units here. Fortunately, thanks to your steady leadership, no disaster befell us.”