Chapter 8

Since Hong Xiuquan believed that the character “帝” (emperor) could not be used, in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, there were only “王” (princes) and no emperor. The four princes of the East, West, South, and North, as well as the Prince of the Wing, were all princes, and even Hong Xiuquan himself was only the “Heavenly King.” The Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan was referred to as “Ten Thousand Years,” while the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing was “Nine Thousand Years.” This alone reveals Yang Xiuqing’s position in the Taiping Army.

Nan Wang Feng Yunshan brought Wei Ze into the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing’s residence. Inside the Eastern King’s palace, besides the guards, there were also female officials and maids. When Nan Wang Feng Yunshan entered, the female officials came forward to greet him. Feng Yunshan asked Wei Ze to wait outside while he went directly into the hall where Yang Xiuqing was. Wei Ze stood simply in the courtyard, his gaze slightly lowered, completely ignoring the women. This was not because Wei Ze was being pretentious; the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom implemented the “Yong’an System” in 1851, which included a series of institutional measures. Most of these measures were understandable to Wei Ze. For example, the Holy Treasury system, the military merit system, and the separate camps for men and women. These were all important measures during wartime.

However, the nature of the peasant uprising was also evident in these systems. For instance, while Hong Xiuquan ordered the separation of men and women in the camps, he proclaimed in the Yong’an System, “The women in the harem are called ‘Lady,’ and the concubines are called ‘Wang Niang.’” This meant that the concubines of the Heavenly King were collectively called “Lady,” and the concubines of the Eastern, Western, Southern, Northern, and Wing Kings were called “Wang Niang.” At this time, Hong Xiuquan and the five kings all had wives and concubines, and they lived with them.

In a small peasant system, the presence or absence of privileges represented one’s status. If those in higher positions did not have privileges, it would only make people below them laugh. Wei Ze understood this, but it did not mean he could accept it. Moreover, Wei Ze had grown up in a city with a large shipbuilding enterprise in the north, where the local beauties were tall, with almond-shaped eyes, straight noses, and fair skin. This was the type Wei Ze preferred, and he truly could not bear to look at the women in the princes’ households.

What Wei Ze did not know was that his calm demeanor in the courtyard caught the attention of the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing and Nan Wang Feng Yunshan inside the house. After Feng Yunshan and Yang Xiuqing finished discussing Wei Ze’s grain raid, they were about to go out to call Wei Ze in. However, when they looked out the window, they saw Wei Ze standing simply, completely relaxed, and ignoring the women in the courtyard. This surprised Feng Yunshan.

A 19-year-old youth, even if shy, would only deliberately avoid women. Wei Ze’s attitude of complete disregard showed an unusual maturity. Feng Yunshan, who had been responsible for missionary work and had seen thousands of people, had rarely seen such a composed and calm young man.

Noticing Feng Yunshan’s surprise, Yang Xiuqing also looked out. After a brief moment, Yang Xiuqing smiled lightly and said to the guard, “Call Wei Ze in.”

Wei Ze followed the guard into the hall and saw three princes in yellow robes inside. One of them was naturally Feng Yunshan, and the one in the center with bright eyes was the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing. Sitting on the other side of Yang Xiuqing was the Prince of the Wing, Shi Dakai. Yang Xiuqing was 28 years old, and Shi Dakai was even younger at 21. Compared to the mature and strong Yang Xiuqing, Shi Dakai was slightly more youthful, and he looked like a sharp sword just out of its sheath.

After Wei Ze bowed, Yang Xiuqing immediately asked about the situation on the northern road.

“Reporting to the Eastern King, the Qing army has sealed off all the roads. I avoided the roads and crossed the mountains and valleys,” Wei Ze said straightforwardly. He then recounted the details of the raid.

After listening to Wei Ze’s account of how they had to travel through uninhabited areas to get behind the Qing army, Yang Xiuqing and Shi Dakai were somewhat disappointed. The Qing army’s siege of Yong’an was supported by the northern and southern camps. If a large force could be sent along the route Wei Ze took to get behind the Qing army, they could attack the Qing camp from behind when the northern camp moved out, potentially breaking the northern camp. Once the northern camp was broken, the Qing army’s encirclement would be completely shattered. However, Wei Ze clearly stated that he had avoided the Qing army’s outposts and chosen uninhabited areas. Even if a large force were sent along the route Wei Ze had taken, they would still need to break through the Qing army’s outer outposts to ambush the Qing camp.

Even though Wei Ze explained clearly, Shi Dakai could not help but ask, “Is it impossible to send a large force to ambush the Qing army from behind?”

Wei Ze answered seriously, “I have tried most of the easier routes. The north is indeed impassable for a large force. After this raid, the Qing army will likely strengthen their defenses. If we go again, we will likely encounter the Qing army on those roads.”

Shi Dakai did not seem convinced, but with Wei Ze’s explanation, he temporarily fell silent.

Yang Xiuqing did not rush to comment. He subconsciously pursed his lips and thought for a moment before asking about the terrain of the Dayao Mountains. Fortunately, having traveled through the mountains several times, Wei Ze was able to answer Yang Xiuqing’s questions in a relatively organized manner. From Yang Xiuqing’s questions, Wei Ze could tell that Yang Xiuqing was exceptionally sensitive to the terrain. Although he did not know who was better at navigation, Yang Xiuqing or his subordinate Zhang Yingchen, Wei Ze was certain that in terms of utilizing the terrain for military strategy and command, Yang Xiuqing was far superior to Zhang Yingchen.

The Q&A session lasted about ten minutes, and Wei Ze had used all his knowledge. Since he had not commanded a large force before, several of Yang Xiuqing’s questions were quite challenging for him. After barely managing to answer Yang Xiuqing’s questions, Wei Ze felt more exhausted than after a small battle.

After Yang Xiuqing finished asking, he did not make any comments. He said to Wei Ze, “Is there anything else you want to say, Wei Sima?”

This was clearly a signal for Wei Ze to leave. Wei Ze quickly said, “I carried out the mission as ordered by the Eastern King and now report back to you.”

“I understand. You have worked hard, Wei Sima,” Yang Xiuqing replied solemnly.

Wei Ze continued, “I have observed the hard work of my brothers, so I request that the Eastern King promote the brothers who are not Wuzhang to Wuzhang.”

“Hmm?” Yang Xiuqing was quite surprised by this request and could not help but frown slightly. Nan Wang Feng Yunshan also found Wei Ze’s strange request puzzling. Only the Prince of the Wing, Shi Dakai, remained calm, but he stared intently at Wei Ze.

Yang Xiuqing said, “Wei Sima, if we consider military merit, these brothers may not all be eligible for promotion to Wuzhang.”

Wei Ze answered seriously, “Reporting to the Eastern King. I request to continue leading my troops to harass the Qing army’s supply lines. Promoting the brothers will, first, reassure them, and second, allow them to receive more provisions when they go on missions.”

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom implemented a system of public ownership and sharing. The Holy Treasury, or public treasury, was where all property was considered a gift from God. Initially, only God could be called “Holy,” so the public treasury was called the Holy Treasury. The needs of the officers and soldiers were supplied by the public treasury. The types and standards of supplies, such as grain, oil, and salt, were generally equal for all, regardless of age. Meat supplies varied by rank, with the Heavenly King receiving the most. When Wei Ze’s troops went on missions, Wuzhang could receive more provisions than ordinary soldiers.

Yang Xiuqing did not answer immediately. He stared at Wei Ze for a while before asking, “Wei Sima, you only request to promote the brothers to Wuzhang but do not mention who should be promoted to Sima. Do you think any of your Wuzhang have outstanding merit?”

Hearing this somewhat stern question, the 37-year-old Feng Yunshan did not say anything, but the 21-year-old Prince of the Wing, Shi Dakai, could not help but laugh lightly. Yang Xiuqing’s meaning was clear: he was subtly accusing Wei Ze of wanting a promotion for himself. Wei Ze’s eagerness to seek a position upon meeting the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing was clearly amusing to Shi Dakai.

Wei Ze was unfazed and answered solemnly, “Reporting to the Eastern King, whether a Wuzhang should be promoted to Sima is your decision. As a Sima, I cannot comment on this. My subordinates are all old brothers from Guangxi. Without them, I cannot fight well, so I do not want them to leave. With the New Year approaching, the Qing army’s leaders will likely transport a lot of provisions to reward their troops. If we ambush them now, we might have a chance to succeed. During this mission, the provisions I received from the Holy Treasury were used up along the way. If my subordinates are promoted to Wuzhang, they can receive more provisions. Moreover, they have worked hard and endured the hardships of the journey, so I believe they deserve to be promoted to Wuzhang.”

After hearing Wei Ze’s defense, Shi Dakai did not laugh again. He just looked at Wei Ze and then at Yang Xiuqing.

Wei Ze was actually a bit nervous, but he was speaking the truth. This was a good opportunity for an ambush, and missing it would be a great loss.

Yang Xiuqing did not answer immediately. He was thinking quietly. Just when Wei Ze thought Yang Xiuqing would refuse, he heard Yang Xiuqing say, “Wei Sima, since I have established the military merit system, you, as a Sima, should report the meritorious brothers. However, promoting all of them to Wuzhang is not possible. Since you have already taken the route, I will promote you to Zuzhang and give you additional troops tomorrow. For the next few days, focus on exploring the northern route. If you can find a path for a large force, that would be best. If not, at least disrupt the Qing army’s supply lines and make them restless. If you can capture more supplies on this mission, I will promote all the brothers you mentioned to Wuzhang.”

Before meeting Yang Xiuqing, Wei Ze had hoped to be assigned the task of disrupting the Qing army’s supply lines. Regardless, he wanted as much freedom of action as possible. Although his efforts to promote his subordinates were not immediately successful, he was promoted to Zuzhang. As a Zuzhang, Wei Ze could arrange the positions of his subordinates. Of course, this was Yang Xiuqing’s final decision, and Wei Ze did not argue. He bowed and said, “I will follow the Eastern King’s orders!”

Just as Wei Ze was about to leave, Feng Yunshan asked, “Brother Wei, since you have achieved such great merit, I remember you were promoted to Sima after capturing eight artillery positions. As a hero of our Taiping Army, what do you think about defeating the Qing army?”

Wei Ze’s heart skipped a beat. Feng Yunshan had not commented on Wei Ze’s military suggestions on the way, but this did not mean he had not taken them seriously. This was clearly a request for Wei Ze to repeat his earlier words to Yang Xiuqing.

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had about 10,000 capable soldiers. According to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s military system, five men formed a Wu, led by a Wuzhang; five Wus formed a Liang, led by a Liang Sima; four Liangs formed a Zu, led by a Zuzhang. A Zuzhang commanded 104 men. Wei Ze, who had just been appointed Zuzhang for less than ten minutes, was not a high-ranking officer. Participating in the decision-making of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom’s grand strategy would be asking for trouble.

However, pretending to be ignorant was not an option. So Wei Ze steeled himself and said, “Seeing the Qing army so close to Yong’an, I am also anxious. I could not help but speak my mind to Nan Wang. However, my words were spontaneous and not well thought out. If there is anything wrong, I hope the Eastern King, Nan Wang, and the Prince of the Wing will correct me.”

Clearly, this attitude was accepted by the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing and the Prince of the Wing, Shi Dakai, and even Nan Wang Feng Yunshan did not find it inappropriate. Yang Xiuqing said, “If you have any strategies, just speak them.”

Seeing that the princes were not displeased, Wei Ze repeated what he had said to Feng Yunshan.

After listening to Wei Ze, Yang Xiuqing and Shi Dakai’s expressions did not change. Yang Xiuqing nodded and said, “Zuzhang Wei, you may rest now. After receiving your troops tomorrow, set out as soon as possible. If you can capture more supplies from the Qing army, it will greatly help the defense of the city. You must do this well!”

“I will follow the Eastern King’s orders!” Wei Ze replied.

“If you can capture more supplies, make sure to bring back gunpowder and lead bullets first. Remember this, Brother Wei!” Yang Xiuqing added.

All the instructions were about Wei Ze’s mission to attack the supply lines. Yang Xiuqing did not comment on Wei Ze’s strategic idea of luring the Qing army out to fight.

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