Chapter Seven: Double Blessings

Sheng Wenyu was taken aback. “His Majesty and the Empress Dowager have already set out? If we are to double our celebrations, then Lady Golden Flower should be the first to benefit!”

In this era, aside from the ever-fickle Fang Guozhen of Taizhou, who repeatedly rebelled and surrendered, there were three great anti-Yuan rebel armies across the land. Sweeping through Hubei and Jiangxi was the Red Turban Army led by Xu Shouhui, Ni Wenjun, and Chen Youliang, who proclaimed the state as the “Great Song” with the era name “Zhiping.” Zhang Shicheng, who dominated the Yangtze and Huai regions, declared his state as the “Great Zhou” with the era name “Tianyou.” Only the Red Turban Army of Ruying, who rose earliest and grew the strongest, had always carried the banner of “Restoring Song,” yet had neither a state name nor a sovereign, earning them the ridicule of other anti-Yuan forces as a mere makeshift troupe.

This embarrassing predicament arose because, just as the Ruying Red Turbans launched their uprising, their supreme leader Han Shantong—who had proclaimed himself “the Ming King reborn”—was captured and killed by Yuan forces. The young master Han Lin’er and Empress Dowager Yang were lost amid the chaos and only reestablished contact over a year later.

The foundation of Haozhou was entirely won by Liu Futong, Sheng Wenyu, Du Zundao, and their peers. Along the way, vested interests emerged, with some aiming to maintain the status quo. The result was increasing factionalism and deepening rivalries among the leading figures—so much so that blades were drawn during council sessions, and the regional commanders in the field paid little heed to directives from Haozhou.

Since the Red Turban Army aspired to seize the empire, this untenable state of illegitimacy could not last. Eventually, someone would have to step forward as emperor to grant ranks and titles. For decades, the Han family’s secret teaching had cultivated loyal disciples and kin who now filled key positions within the Red Turbans. They had always rallied under the banner of the “Ming King reborn,” and everyone recognized Han Lin’er as the heaven-mandated sovereign, while Empress Dowager Yang excelled at winning hearts with appointments and promises.

The leading figures within Haozhou knew one another all too well, and none would submit to the others. Liu Futong was especially known for his sincerity and strong emotions. After much maneuvering, they had to admit that, aside from the young master Han Lin’er, there was truly no more suitable candidate. Thus, the proposal to enthrone Han Lin’er was placed on the agenda.

Now, all was ready but for the crucial wind. Like Xu Shouhui and Ni Wenjun, the nation would be called “Great Song,” and even the era name had been chosen: this year would be the first year of “Dragon and Phoenix.” As soon as Han Lin’er and Empress Dowager Yang reached Haozhou, the Great Song would see the sun and moon shine anew and the world remade.

The enthronement of the founding Dragon and Phoenix Emperor of Song, a once-in-a-century moment, demanded auspicious omens. Liu Futong and Du Zundao had prepared a pile of memorials and reports of miraculous birds and beasts, but for the unprecedented task of remaking heaven and earth, mere self-praise would not suffice. True legitimacy required the submission and tribute of all lands and realms.

Previously, Liu Futong made preparations, but as Haozhou was seen as a makeshift regime and had suffered heavy defeats to Cha Han and Li Siqi in recent years, the defectors and surrendering figures who came over were all of little significance. Their positions as centurions, millenarii, minor officials, or inspectors hardly merited mention. Even if they were promoted, they remained nobodies—a fact that inspired no pride.

Lady Golden Flower, however, was entirely different. She was indisputably a major figure. At her height, she had led her forces to capture Xiangyang, and under heavy Yuan siege, held the city for months, commanding no fewer than a hundred thousand troops. At the time, people said: “Afterwards, there were uprisings everywhere. In Shaanxi, there was Lady Golden Flower; in Jiangxi, Master Ou; in Yuezhou, Mad Zhang; in Anqing, Twin Blades Zhao,” even listing her as the foremost among the realm’s bandit leaders.

Though she had never recaptured her former glory after the fall of Xiangyang, Lady Golden Flower remained a celebrated name among all anti-Yuan armies; otherwise, Xu Shouhui would not have entrusted her with Chao Lake.

The title “Deputy Administrator of Huainan Province and Co-Chancellor of the Two-Huai Privy Council” was a weighty one, but given Lady Golden Flower’s illustrious past, it was entirely plausible that Xu Shouhui and Ni Wenjun would assign her such heavy responsibilities.

For the Han-Song regime, eager to project an image of sovereign legitimacy, Lady Golden Flower’s defection was like a long-awaited rain after drought.

The moment the Dragon and Phoenix Emperor Han Lin’er ascended the throne, the Deputy Administrator of the Huainan Province and Co-Chancellor of the Two-Huai Privy Council of the traitorous Xu regime would be drawn by imperial favor to join them—there could be no greater cause for celebration.

Liu Futong spoke frankly: “Had Lady Golden Flower arrived at another time, not to mention Deputy Administrator, she would not even have been made Left Chancellor or Adjudicator. But now, with the Emperor’s enthronement at hand, we need a prominent figure to rally the banners!”

Sheng Wenyu said indignantly, “It’s all because our brothers have not achieved enough. If we had captured Cha Han and Li Siqi, why would we need to borrow a woman’s name?”

Liu Futong only laughed: “We’re merely borrowing Lady Golden Flower’s prestige. Not only do we lose nothing, we gain much!”

Sheng Wenyu, seeing an opportunity, said, “If that’s the case, why not give Lady Golden Flower more responsibility? I’ll have her prepare an imperial edict at once.”

Liu Futong replied, “Let Lady Golden Flower handle the edict herself. Tell her that if she wishes to be Marshal of Chuzhou, it will depend on the Guo family’s approval. The three Guo Marshals are not to be trifled with—Zhao Junyong says in every letter how lawless they are!”

Sheng Wenyu understood. “Old Liu, you mean that if Lady Golden Flower wants to be Marshal of Chuzhou, she must align herself with the court. I’ve thought the same. Although the Chuzhou side is deferential to the court, it’s only because Zhao Junyong and Sun Deya keep tight rein. Once they cross the river and are farther from Haozhou, there may well be a second Zhao Junyong!”

Liu Futong’s thoughts matched Sheng Wenyu’s exactly. “We cannot allow another Zhao Junyong! Have Lady Golden Flower come see me!”

“Three thousand Tiger Guards, riding straight to Youyan; the Dragon rises supreme, reopening the heavens for Great Song!”

Everywhere, banners like these fluttered. Cheers echoed along the roads—shouts of “Ming King! Ming King!” rose and fell. Tens of thousands of Red Turban soldiers surged forward, gathering in waves of cavalry, armor, song, and feast.

Though the countryside lay in ruins, the cities held by the Red Turbans seemed to throb with a twisted prosperity—bustling traffic, surging crowds, greater even than before the wars, as if an even brighter future beckoned.

Liu Futong had already welcomed Emperor Han Lin’er and Empress Dowager Yang from Jiahe to Hao, and from this moment the Ruying Red Turbans were no longer a makeshift troupe but the resurgent Great Song.

Because the Dragon and Phoenix Emperor Han Lin’er was the ninth-generation descendant of Emperor Huizong of Song, the state was named “Song.” The Yuan had a Secretariat, Privy Council, and Censorate; Great Song would establish the same. The great personages now had the chance to become Grand Chancellors, Co-Chancellors, or Deputy Administrators, while ordinary soldiers, too, would rise with the new emperor’s accession.

Yet none were promoted as swiftly as Lady Golden Flower.