Volume Two, Chapter Ten: Invoking Discussion and Lamenting a True Hero

The visitor was Zheng Gouzi, accompanied by two or three junior leaders and about a hundred infantry and cavalrymen.

The young man sent by Li Shandao to deliver the message to Xu Shiji was named Yang Fendui.

This Yang Fendui was also one of the original thirteen men who had followed Li Shandao to join the Wagang forces, and he returned now alongside Zheng Gouzi.

Having already learned from Yang Fendui the details of how Li Shandao had captured Puyang, Zheng Gouzi could not conceal his awe as they met. He said, "When I heard that Second Brother had conquered Puyang, First Brother was extremely surprised. He told us that Second Brother possesses both boldness and a meticulous mind, truly a rare and exceptional military commander."

Li Shandao repeated his modest reply: "The capture of Puyang was largely due to Brother Bochang's uprising within the city."

With that, he introduced Ji Bochang to Zheng Gouzi.

After exchanging formal greetings with Ji Bochang, Zheng Gouzi asked, "Where are Lord Fan and the others?"

Li Shandao replied, "I have already sent people to invite them, and they will be here shortly." He then asked Zheng Gouzi, "How is the fighting over at Lihu?"

"Just as First Brother anticipated, the defenses within Lihu City were indeed insufficient. Yesterday's assault managed to capture a corner of the city wall, but unfortunately, the follow-up troops failed to keep up in time, so we weren't able to take Lihu in one fell swoop yesterday. However, in another day or two at most, Lihu will undoubtedly fall."

Li Shandao said, "With First Brother personally directing the siege, Lihu will naturally not be difficult to conquer. I wonder, what instructions does First Brother have regarding Puyang?"

"First Brother said that the administration and pacification of Puyang can be temporarily handled by Second Brother. He sent me here mainly to act as Second Brother's assistant." Back at the Phoenix Sub-stronghold, Zheng Gouzi had already held considerable respect for Li Shandao, but compared to back then, his respect now was even deeper. As he spoke, he kept an eye on Li Shandao's expression. Noticing Li Shandao's brows knit slightly at this point, before Li Shandao could even speak, he smiled and immediately followed up with a question, "What is it? Does Second Brother have different opinions regarding First Brother's arrangement?"

"Of course I have no objection to First Brother's military orders. It's just... to be honest, virtuous brother Zheng, I am a man of impatient nature. Having First Brother leave me to pacify Puyang City makes me somewhat reluctant," Li Shandao said with an apologetic smile.

Zheng Gouzi asked, "Then what is Second Brother's intention?"

"Such a large Phoenix Stronghold was managed in perfect order by virtuous brother Zheng, which fully demonstrates your capability. Why don't I send someone back to request further instructions from First Brother, proposing that the administration and pacification of Puyang be handled by you, virtuous brother, while I lead my troops to rush to Lihu, submit to First Brother's command, and dedicate ourselves to the siege?"

Knowing Li Shandao's intent and feeling relieved, Zheng Gouzi smiled and said, "If it's just for this, there's no need to send someone back to consult First Brother."

"Oh?"

Zheng Gouzi said, "First Brother truly understands Second Brother. Before sending me off, aside from instructing Second Brother to pacify Puyang, he also mentioned that Second Brother is someone who delights in military campaigns. Therefore, if Second Brother does not wish to stay in Puyang and desires to go to Lihu to assist in the battle, he may follow his own inclination."

Li Shandao was overjoyed and said with a sigh of gratitude, "First Brother understands me so well! I truly do not know how to repay his kindness!" He then said, "Since First Brother has given this order, virtuous brother Zheng, let's settle it at that then. I will leave the pacification of Puyang to your capable hands, virtuous brother, and today I will lead my troops to rush to Lihu!"

***

The task of pacification was not only free of danger but also a lucrative assignment.

Since Li Shandao was willing to cede such a fine duty to him, Zheng Gouzi was naturally exceedingly pleased, his smile growing even more sincere. "Second Brother, why be in such a rush?" he asked. "Puyang was only taken yesterday; it would be good to rest and reorganize today."

"Yesterday's battle was not a bitter one, and my troops suffered few casualties. I will leave those with severe injuries behind in Puyang; as for the rest, they are nearly rested and can set out with me today."

"What about Zhang Xutuo?"

Zheng Gouzi said, "Ah, that's right, Second Brother, you wouldn't yet know. Just yesterday, First Brother received the latest military intelligence reporting that upon learning of our entire Wagang force moving out to partition and seize Dongjun and Xingyang Commandery, Zhang Xutuo has already issued orders summoning his main forces scattered across Qi Commandery, Beihai Commandery, and other places. He has set a deadline for them to assemble at Licheng, and may march south within days to do battle with us."

"When roughly will he march south?"

Zheng Gouzi replied, "That's hard to say. First Brother noted that mobilizing and gathering troops takes time, and procuring provisions and baggage also takes time. Therefore, the exact time when Old Dog Zhang will be ready to march south to fight us cannot be determined at present. According to First Brother's estimation, it might take a month or so at the longest, or perhaps ten days to half a month at the shortest."

"Ten days to half a month... If it's ten days to half a month, virtuous brother, how is the military situation over in Xingyang right now?"

Zheng Gouzi said, "When I left Lihu yesterday, First Brother received a military dispatch from Lord Zhai. Ever since entering Xingyang, the progress of the main forces of our stronghold led by Lord Zhai and the Duke of Pushan has been quite smooth. The counties along the way did not dare send out troops to obstruct them, and they have already marched their forces to Jiti Pass."

Li Shandao calculated mentally. According to Xu Shiji's estimated earliest time for Zhang Xutuo's troop movement—that is, within "ten days to half a month" Zhang Xutuo could lead his main force south—would Zhai Rang and Li Mi be able to capture Jiti Pass within "ten days to half a month" and accomplish the strategic objectives conceived by Li Mi for this campaign? Not being physically present in Xingyang, it was difficult for him to judge.

"Zhang Xutuo was ultimately defeated by Li Mi and Zhai Rang, so judging by that, they should be able to do it, right?" he thought to himself.

The war in Xingyang was too far away from him, while Zhang Xutuo was far too close.

Li Shandao then thought further: "The war in Xingyang is beyond my reach; thinking about it is useless, so I needn't pay too much attention to it for now. The crucial point right now is that Dongjun is the mandatory route through which Zhang Xutuo must pass to march south! According to First Brother Xu's estimation, within a month at most, and ten days to half a month at the shortest, Zhang Xutuo may lead his main force to invade Dongjun. Zhang Xutuo has a resounding reputation, and the likes of Qin Shubao and Luo Shixin under his command are the Guan Yu and Zhang Fei of the present age. Even if Zhang Xutuo eventually loses to Li Mi and Zhai Rang, if Brother Xu and I were to encounter him now, we would undoubtedly suffer total defeat. When that time comes, I must keep my wits about me and make sure I don't become a wandering soul under Qin Shubao's blade! Furthermore, before Zhang Xutuo's troops march south, I must do my utmost to forge these nearly one thousand newly recruited soldiers into my true personal troops."

Why was Li Shandao unwilling to stay in Puyang? One of the most important reasons lay right here.

It could be safely predicted that even with city walls to rely upon, if Zhang Xutuo came to attack, he would certainly be no match for him. That being the case, what was the necessity of remaining in Puyang City? It would be far better to take advantage of the time before Zhang Xutuo's arrival to fight a few more battles in order to train his troops.

At the same time, because he was not staying in Puyang, when Zhang Xutuo's forces arrived—should Xu Shiji wish to rely on city defense—Li Shandao would not be trapped inside Puyang City like a cornered beast.

These considerations were not fit to be spoken of to outsiders. Leaving aside Zheng Gouzi, even Gao Chounu and Qin Jingsi could not be confided in.

While Li Shandao was distracted with these thoughts, he continued to converse verbally with Zheng Gouzi.

***

Footsteps sounded, and the two turned their heads to see the man surnamed Fan and the other two arriving.

Zheng Gouzi was a trusted household servant of Xu Shiji, and the man surnamed Fan and the others all knew him, so Li Shandao did not need to introduce them again.

After Zheng Gouzi exchanged formal greetings with the three men surnamed Fan and began talking and laughing familiarly with them, Li Shandao pulled Ji Bochang aside and said, "Brother Bochang, please spare a moment for a word." Apologizing to Zheng Gouzi and the others, he walked off to the side with Ji Bochang.

Once they stood still, Li Shandao glanced at Zheng Gouzi and the three men surnamed Fan, and smiled at Ji Bochang. "Brother Bochang, you heard what I just said. I will lead my troops to Lihu this afternoon. I wonder what your plans are, brother? Do you wish to stay in Puyang, or come with me to Lihu? If you wish to stay, given your merit in acting as an inside agent to capture the city, virtuous brother Zheng will surely lean on you as his right arm; if you wish to come with me to Lihu, First Brother will also make great use of you."

Ji Bochang answered without hesitation, "I am willing to follow Second Brother to Lihu."

Li Shandao was overjoyed, grasped Ji Bochang's hand, and said, "Good, very good!" He smiled and continued, "Brother Bochang, although you and I were unacquainted before, yesterday upon meeting, we felt like old friends at first sight! To tell you the truth, if you had wished to stay in Puyang, I would have been quite disappointed. Now that you are willing to come with me to Lihu, it is simply wonderful! When we meet First Brother Xu, I will certainly strongly recommend you to him!" Pausing for a moment, he added, "Brother Bochang, we have recruited a total of over eight hundred new soldiers in your esteemed county, who can be organized into eight battalions. If you do not mind, I venture to ask you to select two battalions to command."

Ji Bochang did not decline and readily accepted the order on the spot.

Having agreed to travel together to Lihu, the two temporarily separated so that Ji Bochang could speak to his men about the matter, while Li Shandao also had to inform Qin Jingsi, Wang Xuda, and the others of his decision.

These junior leaders were either his relatives or friends, and there was nothing to hide from them, so they all replied, "Understood."

Ji Bochang then asked his several companions, "Do you wish to enjoy a momentary joy, or a long-lasting joy?"

His younger cousin replied, "Is there even any need to ask? Older brother, naturally long-lasting joy."

"If you wish to enjoy long-lasting joy, then follow me, and let us all follow Li Erlang to Lihu. You didn't know this Li Erlang before, and neither did I. However, just from the two facts that he dared to lead three or four hundred men to launch an outside assault on the city taking advantage of our uprising, and that last night, despite being an outsider, he was able to recruit over a thousand brave men in our county—from these we can see that he is truly no ordinary person. He possesses both courage and strategy, and furthermore treats wealth like dirt... The piles of money and cloth in the county office treasury were all distributed by him without even a blink of an eye. What grand heroism is this! In my life I have seen quite a few heroes, but someone like Li Erlang is the only one I have ever laid eyes upon! Lord Fan and the others in our city all enjoy a long-standing heroic reputation, yet compared to Erlang, they fall short by a margin! If you trust me, follow me in following Erlang; I guarantee you will enjoy long-lasting joy. If you do not trust me, I will not force you; those of you who wish to stay may simply stay."

His younger cousin and the others could not help but exchange glances once again.

Hesitating for a moment, his younger cousin said, "Since older brother has already made up your mind, how could we have any reason to stay? Of course we will follow older brother."

With the great banner of "Acting on Behalf of Heaven" fluttering in the front, and the banner of "Erlang Li of the Phoenix Guard" planted in the middle, around two or three o'clock in the afternoon of that later era—having set out with three or four hundred men and departing with over a thousand—Li Shandao led his rapidly expanding troops out of Puyang City, heading towards Lihu County town a hundred or so li to the southeast.