Chapter Forty-Five: The Expedition Begins

After returning from Sakura Isle, Yang Lian felt a little downcast, but soon recovered his spirits. As New Year's Eve approached, lanterns hung everywhere in the streets and alleys of Jinling, creating a lively atmosphere. Yang Lian was alone, and Wang Hu, Zhao Peng, and Xiao Erhei were also solitary men, so they stayed together at the Yang Family Inn to celebrate the New Year.

Lin Renzhao and Chen Tie had no family in Jinling either, and the soldiers from the old Min Kingdom had long been scattered; since they were on good terms with Yang Lian, they all gathered at the inn, the five of them enjoying a bustling New Year's feast. At the table, as the owner of the inn, Yang Lian gave out red envelopes to Wang Hu, Zhao Peng, and Xiao Erhei. After all, these three had managed things for months, and this was a reward for their efforts.

The three received the thick red envelopes, their faces blossoming with joy. Though Yang Lian could be stern, he treated them well. Weighing the envelopes in their hands, they estimated there was at least five taels inside, which, even if it were only silver, would be worth more than five strings of cash—a considerable sum. Suddenly, life seemed full of hope.

Yang Lian himself was unconcerned. Borrowing the fame of Prince Qi and Zeng Yiling, the Yang Family Restaurant's reputation soared and gained considerable influence in Jinling. Especially after Zeng Yiling performed a piece there, many scholars and poets became regular patrons. Yang Lian took the opportunity to raise the price of the private room Zeng Yiling had used by twenty percent—a classic case of profiteering—but business was unexpectedly good. People queued up to book that room, and demand far exceeded supply, nearly leading to a price war.

The three donned new clothes and wore newly purchased hairpins, appearing more spirited than Chen Tie. Although Chen Tie received a court salary, he loved to drink and often frequented the Xiao Xiang Pavilion to listen to music, where Zeng Yiling's performances commanded a high fee. As a result, his expenses exceeded his income, and he wore a threadbare old coat, looking quite shabby.

Lin Renzhao was in a slightly better situation, but not by much. As a deputy commander, he at least had to maintain his armor, weapons, and longbow, which was no small expense.

After several rounds of wine and dishes, Yang Lian produced two pieces of paper and said, "The three of us have known each other for half a year now. What is mine is yours. This restaurant and inn—both of you shall have a share." With that, he handed the papers over.

Lin Renzhao saw that Yang Lian meant to give them each a ten percent share of the inn and the restaurant, a total of twenty percent between them. He estimated that the establishment brought Yang Lian at least a hundred strings of cash in revenue each month. After deducting various expenses, the net profit was seventy or eighty strings. If they accepted, they would receive seven or eight strings, or even more, each month for nothing.

Lin Renzhao hurriedly declined. "Brother Yang, this is your hard-earned money; how could we possibly accept it?"

Yang Lian's face darkened. "Renzhao, we've known each other for nearly half a year, haven't we?"

"Just over five months," Lin Renzhao replied. Yang Lian had arrived in Jinling in mid-August, soon joined the Divine Martial Army, and time had flown—half a year had already passed.

"What do you think of me, Renzhao?" Yang Lian asked again.

"Naturally, you are my friend," Lin Renzhao answered.

"Since we are friends, there's no need to stand on ceremony. If you truly feel uneasy, then help me find someone," Yang Lian said. Zhang Qili had supposedly come to Jinling, but despite a long search, Yang Lian had found no trace of her.

"Find someone?" Chen Tie asked curiously.

"A poor girl," Yang Lian replied, taking a long box from beside him, opening it, and handing the scroll inside to Lin Renzhao. "I drew this—take a look."

Lin Renzhao unrolled the painting to reveal a young girl, lively and energetic. Chen Tie leaned in for a look and said, "She looks familiar."

Yang Lian's eyes widened. "Chen Tie, where did you see her?!"

Chen Tie scratched his head, thinking for a moment. "I can't remember. I'm not sure."

Lin Renzhao considered and said, "Where else could it be? Either a brothel or a tavern."

Chen Tie grinned sheepishly and lowered his head, saying no more.

Yang Lian thought for a moment. "Besides Xiao Xiang Pavilion, where else have you been?"

Chen Tie glanced at Lin Renzhao. "I've lost count. I've probably visited every brothel in Jinling by now."

Yang Lian was speechless. Indeed, Chen Tie had remarkable energy, having frequented every brothel in the city. Yang Lian made a mental note: Chen Tie was useful, but not to be overly relied upon, or he would one day stumble over women. Perhaps he should arrange a wife for him.

"Try to think again," Yang Lian said. He wondered how Zhang Qili was faring.

With Yang Lian's support, Chen Tie searched every notable brothel in Jinling, but no matter how hard he looked, he found no trace of Zhang Qili.

Winter passed and spring arrived. Chen Tie never found her, nor did Yang Lian, despite his careful efforts. In the end, he had to set the matter aside, for news arrived that Wuyue was once again sending reinforcements to Fuzhou. This time, the commander was Yu An. Thanks to Yang Lian’s warning, the land routes had been blocked by the Tang army, so Yu An took to the waterways.

Large and small warships, including supply vessels, numbered over a hundred, covering the sky and advancing south in grand formation as spring began. The Southern Tang court was thrown into another round of heated debate. Han Xizai submitted another memorial, warning that Wuyue had gone mad and would drag the Tang into the mire of war. Surrounded by enemies—Jin, Wuyue, Chu, Nanping, and Southern Han—if the war in Min could not be concluded, Southern Tang would be in grave danger if its foes attacked.

Feng Yansi also submitted a memorial, stating that the Fuzhou campaign was already progressing. Li Renda was besieged in Fuzhou's inner city, and just days ago, the Tang forces had seized the East Martial Gate, nearly breaching the stronghold. With a bit more time, Li Renda could be captured and the campaign concluded. Feng Yansi suggested transferring troops from Xuan and Run Prefectures to threaten Suzhou. If a decisive victory could be won, all the better. If not, at least Wuyue's forces would be tied up and unable to fully support Li Renda in the south.

Feng Yansi's proposal won the support of Song Qiqiu, Li Zhenggu, and others, while Han Xizai’s view was backed by Xu Xuan, Sun Sheng, and Chang Mengxi. The court remained in chaos, rife with factional strife. Yang Lian had no interest in these disputes. In his heart, though, he hoped an expedition would be launched, especially one involving the Divine Martial Army—only such a campaign would give him a chance for merit and advancement.

One day, just after Yang Lian entered the barracks, he found his colleagues whispering among themselves. Yao Feng, Li Ping, and Lu Mengjun were discussing something. When Yang Lian and Lin Renzhao entered, Yao Feng said, "Deputy Commander Yang, what are you still doing here? Go home and pack your things."

Yang Lian was taken aback. "Why is that?"

"His Majesty has ordered the Deputy Director of the Secretariat to lead the troops south to Suzhou," Yao Feng replied.

Yang Lian narrowed his eyes. So the Emperor had finally ordered an expedition to Suzhou. Clearly, Feng Yansi held extraordinary sway with Li Jing. Yang Lian had been in Jinling for more than half a year and no longer felt like an outsider. Li Zhenggu, though Deputy Director of the Secretariat, was a scholar, hardly fit to lead troops. What could Li Jing be thinking?

While Yang Lian was pondering this, Zhou Hongzuo arrived, his tiger eyes sweeping over the assembled men. "I trust you’ve all heard. The court has named Deputy Director Li as commander-in-chief, to lead the Divine Martial and Tianxiong Armies south to Suzhou."

Yao Feng asked, "Commander Zhou, is this campaign meant to take Suzhou?" In all previous attempts by Yang Wu and its Southern Tang successors, every campaign against Suzhou had ended in failure. Yao Feng voiced what everyone felt—in light of history, this battle seemed doomed from the start.

Zhou Hongzuo shook his head. "How should I know at this point? It depends on Deputy Director Li’s decisions."

Li Ping could not help but protest, "Commander Zhou, Deputy Director Li may hold high office, but he has no experience leading troops. How could His Majesty entrust him with command?"

Li Zhenggu had passed the imperial examination in the third year of Shengyuan, shortly after Li Bian ascended the throne. To suppress the old Yang Wu faction, an exam was held, and Li Zhenggu was among those who passed. Learned and well-versed in literature, he had the late Emperor’s trust and was appointed as tutor to the Crown Prince. After Li Bian’s death and the crown prince’s ascension as Li Jing, Li Zhenggu’s fortunes rose; he was made Deputy Director of the Secretariat and Minister of Personnel, highly favored by Li Jing.

Zhou Hongzuo’s brow furrowed at this and he snapped, "It is the Emperor’s will. It is our duty to obey, not question."

Li Ping, thus reprimanded, withdrew in embarrassment and fell silent.

Yang Lian asked, "Commander Zhou, when do we depart?"

"The day after tomorrow, gather at the parade ground for the departure ceremony," Zhou Hongzuo replied.

"Understood." Yang Lian saluted and withdrew.

After further instructions from Zhou Hongzuo, everyone dispersed. Yang Lian returned to the inn and instructed Xiao Erhei, Wang Hu, and Zhao Peng to keep a low profile during his absence and not to get involved in disputes. Any matters should wait for his return.

With the expedition imminent, Yang Lian took out the newly forged long saber and began to polish it in silence. Of all weapons, the saber was his favorite, so he had invested heavily to commission this blade. Southern Tang, following Tang custom, issued sabers as standard military equipment—either horizontal sabers or mo sabers. Eighty percent were horizontal sabers, the rest mo sabers.

But Yang Lian had made some modifications to this long saber. The blade was wide, with a reinforced spine for greater strength, thus combining the advantages of both straight and curved blades. Yet he was still not satisfied and resolved to acquire a smithy to forge an even finer weapon, for this saber was still too heavy. On the battlefield, the less energy spent, the greater one’s chance of survival.

In addition to the saber, Southern Tang soldiers were issued bows, spears, and other arms. Yang Lian carefully polished his blade, then tested the two-stone bow for elasticity. As the winter cold lingered, the bowstring lacked spring; when the sun appeared, Yang Lian took the bow and arrows to the rooftop to dry.

Having checked his weapons, he turned to his armor—a suit of fine scale mail weighing nearly a hundred pounds, a heavy burden for any soldier, yet Yang Lian had no choice but to wear it. Clearly, progress on acquiring a blacksmith must be accelerated.

In truth, Yang Lian had not expected the Emperor to place such importance on Li Zhenggu, even sending the imperial guard on campaign. Once he had oiled the scale armor and was about to hang it up, Xiao Erhei arrived. "Master, Prince Qi summons you."

Yang Lian was taken aback. Prince Qi was summoning him again—could this be about the upcoming expedition?