Chapter Eighteen: The Prince and the Imperial Inspector

[Thank you to the reader: Near Water Terrace for your generous support~]

Kaifeng is the capital of Henan, and with the presence of the princely lord, Prince Zhou Zhu Gongxiao, Ding Qirui could not simply ignore the situation. Moreover, at that very moment, Ding Qirui was stationed in Xuchang, which was under attack by the peasant army, causing him considerable anxiety.

Thus, Ding Qirui readily agreed and led his troops to reinforce Kaifeng. Yet, scarcely had he left when Xuchang was breached by the peasant forces. By the time Ding Qirui arrived at Kaifeng to provide aid, he found himself targeted by Li Zicheng and his men. At first, Li Zicheng allowed Ding Qirui and his reinforcements into the city, but then seized the opportunity to launch a fierce assault, nearly breaking through Kaifeng's defenses.

It was only thanks to Chen Yongfu, who rushed back from the Water Gate, that the city was saved; with a single arrow, he blinded Li Zicheng’s left eye, forcing the peasant army to retreat. Yet, Ding Qirui’s subordinates then proceeded to pillage Kaifeng, forging a rather peculiar relationship with its people.

Now, it was already the fifteenth year of Chongzhen’s reign, on the fifteenth day of the fourth month. Barely half a year after repelling Li Zicheng, the rebel leader had once again encircled the city, and Ding Qirui was fearful once more.

Although nominally commander over three provinces, Ding Qirui possessed little true ability, and his troops were hardly battle-ready. Most crucially, even his main forces refused to obey his commands!

His subordinate, Zuo Liangyu, was under Ding Qirui’s command only in name. Aside from influencing supply logistics, Ding Qirui had no hope of directing Zuo Liangyu as he wished. If Ding Qirui had been more capable, Wang Qiaonian would not have died in vain.

He felt deep guilt over Wang Qiaonian’s death, sensing that he himself was soon to follow in those same footsteps. Wang Qiaonian had been undone by his comrade’s incompetence—Ding Qirui’s inability to control his own men.

Yet Ding Qirui felt he too was a victim, unable to manage his subordinate, Zuo Liangyu. So, when Henan's governor Gao Mingheng, Prince Zhou Zhu Gongxiao, and Henan’s chief military officer Chen Yongfu arrived, Ding Qirui’s face tightened, and a headache set in.

Still, however troubled he was, he could not drive away the three most critical figures in Henan. He rose, forced a somewhat unnatural smile, and bowed respectfully to Prince Zhou: “This humble official greets Your Highness.”

Ding Qirui was a traditional scholar-official, pale-faced and long-bearded, exuding the dignified air of a high-ranking civil servant. His robe was wide-sleeved and embroidered with colorful patterns; though he smiled, there remained a sense of distance, as if he were on guard.

Prince Zhou Zhu Gongxiao was an unusual nobleman. Unlike other princes—arrogant, sensitive, and extremely self-important—Prince Zhou was approachable, his words often accompanied by a smile. He was not, like Prince Fu, so frail as to need several attendants to walk, but rather could be described as sturdy. If not for the trace of sorrow that lingered between his brows, he might seem a robust and sunny gentleman.

Of course, beyond outward appearances, Zhu Gongxiao was still a high-ranking prince, distinguished in status, and during the previous two defenses of Kaifeng, he had contributed greatly by providing provisions and boosting morale. Ding Qirui treated Zhu Gongxiao’s arrival with exceptional respect.

Upon seeing Ding Qirui’s salute, Zhu Gongxiao did not act with the usual arrogance of a prince, but smiled and helped Ding Qirui up: “No need for such ceremony, Commander. I have merely come to observe. The affairs of the state, the weaving of strategy—all depend on the wisdom of you and the civil and military officials of Henan.”

Having spoken, Zhu Gongxiao yielded the conversation to Gao Mingheng.

Gao Mingheng was a relatively young official, perhaps just thirty, at the peak of his vigor. Compared to the sturdier Zhu Gongxiao, Gao Mingheng seemed more frail, but his gaze was sharp and resolute, instantly revealing his determination and steely resolve.

Ding Qirui understood his importance well. Gao Mingheng, now governor of Henan, was a formidable figure. When Li Zicheng first attacked Kaifeng, Gao Mingheng, then acting as inspector of Henan, oversaw the city’s defense. The more distinguished and diligent Gao Mingheng became, the more he highlighted the failures of Li Xianfeng. Thus, when the former governor Li Xianfeng returned, he immediately filed a report against Gao Mingheng, attempting to preempt him. Fortunately, the Chongzhen Emperor was discerning enough to appoint Gao Mingheng as governor.

Now, as Zhu Gongxiao turned the conversation to him, Gao Mingheng did not hesitate to speak: “This humble official has come to seek a strategy for Kaifeng’s defense. Commander, the rebels have once again surrounded us, their forces swelling; with only Kaifeng to stand against them, victory is uncertain. I earnestly implore you to devise a brilliant plan—either gather troops from Huguang and Sichuan to join forces with Henan and jointly suppress the rebels, or invite the border armies from Baoding to mutually support each other and quickly strengthen our defenses. Otherwise, with the rebels allied with Luo Rucai, Yuan Shizhong, and others, tens of thousands besieging us, Kaifeng’s safety cannot be assured!”

Ding Qirui listened, pondering for a long while, his eyes gleaming as he sat upright in the grand chair, embodying the air of a commander: “All that you mention, Zhongping, I have already considered. Yet to summon generals from Huguang and Sichuan would take much time; it cannot be rushed. Moreover, in my view, the priority in the Central Plains is to fortify and hold Kaifeng. To sally forth and fight outside the city would be unpredictable. If our armies remain outside, the rebels cannot fully concentrate on attacking the city—this is a living defense. If all forces enter the city, then Kaifeng will be under a dead defense, which is of no benefit to the overall situation.”

Upon hearing this, both Gao Mingheng and Zhu Gongxiao exchanged glances, unable to hide their disappointment. Even Chen Yongfu, though silent as a background figure, sighed inwardly.

A brief silence settled over the gathering.

Eventually, Zhu Gongxiao broke the quiet, smiling: “Commander, your grasp of military tactics is indeed thorough. In fact, I have come today not only to consult, but also to boost morale and reward the troops. Thus, I have brought fifty pigs, one hundred sheep, a thousand bushels of rice, and one hundred jars of wine.”

At the mention of rewarding the army, the mood lightened considerably.

Ding Qirui stroked his long beard and smiled: “Your Highness is most generous; I shall gladly accept on behalf of the troops.”

A soft laughter rippled through the assembly. Zhu Gongxiao and Gao Mingheng exchanged a glance, and Gao Mingheng slowly nodded.

Then, after Ding Qirui accepted, Gao Mingheng chimed in: “No doubt the troops will appreciate the sentiments and expectations of Kaifeng’s officials. When officials and civilians support the army, and the army protects the people, such stories of mutual gratitude shall surely be passed down through the ages!”

Gao Mingheng spoke cheerfully, but Ding Qirui’s hand, stroking his beard, trembled ever so slightly.

For where, in these times, could one truly find officials and civilians supporting the army, and the army protecting the people?

Far more widespread was the folk saying: “Where bandits pass, it’s like combing; where soldiers pass, it’s like scraping.” The people’s hatred for the official army was strong, and even the government remained particularly wary.