Chapter 56

On the official road, a group of people was galloping, the thousand-strong contingent stretching for over ten miles, with the elderly and weak soldiers far behind.

"Sir Wang, Dacheng Fort is well defended, and Sir Xu is in command. The Tartars won't be able to break through!"

Wang Huazhen sat on his horse, neither confirming nor denying, and after a while, he said, "General Zhou, you don't know how complicated the situation at Dacheng Fort is!"

General Zhou Xiong, the deputy commander of Jin Yi, asked in surprise, "Sir, your subordinate really doesn't know. Please enlighten me, Sir!"

"Alas, it's about the Han people captured by the Chaohua tribe. They escaped back to the Ming Dynasty, but the political winds have changed. If this matter isn't handled well, it will damage the court's reputation and jeopardize our alliance with Mongolia. I can't bear the responsibility."

On Wang Huazhen's right was a valiant general, Sun Degong, the deputy commander of Guangning's Left Camp. Seeing the worry on Wang Huazhen's face, he hurriedly said, "Sir, don't worry. With this sword in my hand, I will ensure the Tartars are repelled."

"Hmm, I've long known of General Sun's bravery. With you and General Zhou here, I can rest easy!"

Wang Huazhen said this, but his heart was still on edge. Logically, if something major had happened at Dacheng Fort, Zhang Ke wouldn't have failed to send a message. Yet, not even a note had arrived, which was truly puzzling.

Perhaps everything is fine!

However, Wang Huazhen's eyelids kept twitching, and he whipped his horse fiercely. The generals behind him didn't dare to slack off. By noon, they could finally see Dacheng Fort.

The city walls still bore the Ming flag, and there were many soldiers moving around outside, seemingly cleaning up the battlefield. Wang Huazhen immediately felt much more at ease.

Sun Degong hurriedly said, "Sir, please wait a moment. I'll go check!"

He spurred his horse and rushed over. This man was extremely respectful to Wang Huazhen but looked down on the people of Dacheng Fort.

"Call your officers out. Deputy Commissioner Wang Huazhen of Guangning has arrived. Why aren't you coming to greet me?"

Last night was probably the busiest night in Dacheng Fort's history. First, Zhang Ke swiftly executed Wan Baichuan and took control of the city. Then, the Tartars and the Xiaoshanhu tribe fought outside the city. Zhang Ke directed the cannons to attack the Tartars, who mistakenly thought Xu Bangyan had set a trap for them and turned to attack Xu Bangyan. The three parties fought in chaos, but Dacheng Fort, at the center of the storm, remained unscathed. Everyone on the city walls watched the drama unfold with tension and excitement.

After exhausting themselves, the three parties retreated, and Dacheng Fort returned to peace.

Zhang Ke didn't want to claim all the credit, so he left the cleanup to Sun Youguang. The old man, with his plump body, was busy inside and out, very happy!

Hearing Sun Degong's words, he hurried over.

"Your subordinate, Sun Youguang of Dacheng Fort, greets Sir!"

"Follow me, don't keep Sir Wang waiting."

Sun Youguang obediently followed and came to Wang Huazhen.

"Your subordinate greets Sir."

"Rise!" Wang Huazhen frowned and said, "What exactly happened at Dacheng Fort? Where is Xu Bangyan?"

Sun Youguang looked troubled and said, "Sir, the situation is complicated and can't be explained in a few words."

"Hmph!" Sun Degong said rudely, "How do you serve as an officer in Dacheng Fort?"

"Sir, please calm down. The situation is indeed complex. To explain it clearly, we need to find someone."

Wang Huazhen, impatient, said, "Don't be mysterious. Who is it? Speak quickly!"

"Zhang Ke!"

"It's Yongzhen!"

Wang Huazhen's face lit up at these two words.

"Really Yongzhen? What did he do?"

Sun Youguang glanced at Wang Huazhen's expression, which was clearly delighted, indicating a close relationship with Zhang Ke!

"Sir, many things have happened these days. To put it simply, without Zhang Ke, the thousand or so people in Dacheng Fort and the civilians who escaped from the Tartars would all be dead!"

Wang Huazhen smiled even more.

"Good, I haven't misjudged him. Where is this boy? Have him come to see me quickly!"

"Sir, Zhang Ke is still sleeping after all the hard work."

Sun Degong and Zhou Xiong frowned. Who is this Zhang Ke, to be so arrogant!

"Sir, let me go call him?"

"No need, I'll go see the great hero myself."

Although they had only met briefly, Wang Huazhen was quite impressed by Zhang Ke's intelligence. Moreover, Zhang Ke wasn't a traditional warrior, which made the official value him even more. However, Wang Huazhen hadn't expected Zhang Ke to achieve so much in less than half a month, which was truly surprising.

He smiled all the way to the city, where Zhang Ke was sleeping in his old home. Wang Huazhen came directly.

"Yongzhen, I've come to see you. Come out quickly!"

Zhang Ke had been busy all night, and the situation was resolved more perfectly than expected. Wan Baichuan was dead, and although Xu Bangyan had escaped, he couldn't get far. With the main enemy eliminated, Zhang Ke felt particularly relaxed, snoring sweetly.

"Sir, wake up, wake up!"

Zhang Ke turned over, muttering angrily, "Didn't I say not to disturb me unless it's important? Disturbing someone's sleep will bring thunder and lightning upon you, shattering you!"

Ma Biao looked pitiful, about to speak, but Wang Huazhen coughed behind him.

"Yongzhen, are you going to shatter me?"

The voice was familiar... Zhang Ke suddenly sat up, rubbed his eyes, and saw Wang Huazhen standing at the door, looking at him with a mix of anger and amusement.

"Ah? Sir, did you fall from the sky?"

"Do you want to kill me?"

"No, no, it's just too sudden!" Zhang Ke scratched his head.

Wang Huazhen deliberately scowled, "Give me a moment to explain everything that happened these days!"

He turned and went to the outer room, found a chair, and sat down, looking around. Zhang's house was dim and cramped, clearly an old house, but it was very clean and tidy.

Sun Youguang bowed and said, "Sir, this place is a bit small. Why not come to my house?"

"No need, go about your business. I need to talk to Zhang Ke alone!"

The cold tone made Sun Youguang and the others sigh inwardly and obediently leave.

Zhang Ke changed into a long robe, washed his face, and came out.

"Sir, your subordinate greets you."

Wang Huazhen smiled slightly, "Sit down. It's just the two of us, no need for formalities. Tell me everything quickly."

Zhang Ke smiled and sat down, "Sir, do you want to hear the truth?"

"Of course!"

"Then you'd better brace yourself!"

Zhang Ke spoke seriously, not joking. Wang Huazhen gritted his teeth, "Speak! I'm not a coward, and with you, Zhang Yongzhen, I'm not afraid!"

"Sir, let me start from when I returned to Dacheng Fort..."

Zhang Ke then recounted how he settled the returning civilians, how Xu Bangyan and Wan Baichuan planned to kill them and claim credit, how they hired the Xiaoshanhu tribe, and how the Tartars invaded. He explained how Xu Bangyan tried to betray the civilians and how he saved them, detailing the entire process for over an hour.

As Zhang Ke spoke, he glanced at Wang Huazhen, who became paler, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. By the end, his hands were trembling, scaring Zhang Ke into stopping, fearing Wang Huazhen would faint!

Wang Huazhen closed his eyes, silent for a while, then said, "Yongzhen, is there any worse news? I can handle it."

"No, Sir, but I find it suspicious."

"What's suspicious?"

"A series of events stemmed from the civilians returning from Mongolia. Logically, this should be a great honor for the court, so why weren't they properly settled? Instead, Xu Bangyan was allowed to act recklessly, even killing civilians for credit. Doesn't the court fear the people's hearts turning cold?"

Wang Huazhen smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Yongzhen, you don't know the full story! The plan to bring the civilians back was prepared for one or two years. Ask Zhuo Shisan for the details. However, things changed a few months ago. The old slave captured Tieling, and the Mongol leader Zaisai led troops to rescue him but was ambushed and captured. Zaisai and the Chaohua tribe belong to the Inner Khalkha, closely connected."

Zhang Ke immediately understood. The Ming Dynasty had planned to encourage the civilians to return to weaken the Chaohua tribe, but the situation changed too quickly. The old slave's rise threatened Mongol interests, and the Ming and Mongols found a common enemy, leading to cooperation. Enemies became friends, and encouraging the civilians to escape became difficult.

"Sir, if so, why did these people still return to the Ming?"

"Alas, it's because Zaisai was captured. The old slave demanded cattle and sheep from the Tieling and Chaohua tribes, and the Mongols squeezed the Han slaves under their control. The people couldn't survive, and with the previous activities, they desperately wanted to return to the Ming. The court couldn't refuse and didn't want to break ties with the Mongols. Therefore, they tacitly allowed the return, planning to settle them temporarily in Dacheng Fort until the situation calmed down."

Zhang Ke had heard similar accounts from Yue Zixuan and others, but he still found it unreasonable.

"Sir, since they are citizens of the Ming Dynasty and the court has agreed, they should be well protected. When they escaped, there were nearly two thousand people, but half died on the way. To be frank, if I hadn't been there, more might have died!"

Wang Huazhen sighed heavily, "The court wasn't unprepared. Xu Bangyan led troops to escort them, ostensibly to patrol and suppress bandits. Who would have thought this beast would harm the people instead of serving the country? He deserves death!"

Wang Huazhen slammed the table, making the teapot and cups rattle.

"Yongzhen, didn't you set a trap for Xu Bangyan yesterday, making him fight the Tartars? Why didn't you capture him and let him escape?"

Zhang Ke smiled carelessly, "Sir, Xu Bangyan is a fish at the bottom of the pot. I've arranged for people to secretly track him. I thought protecting Dacheng Fort was more important, so I didn't pursue him. If Sir wishes, we can chase and capture Xu Bangyan now!"

"Good, order Sun Degong to take three hundred cavalry and capture Xu Bangyan immediately!"

The subordinates went to relay the order, and Wang Huazhen closed his eyes, organizing his thoughts. The more he thought, the more uneasy he became. He was deeply involved in all these events!

"Yongzhen, thinking about it now, I'm still terrified. If Xu Bangyan had killed the people who escaped with great difficulty, the court's reputation would be ruined, and I would be ashamed. Fortunately, you stepped forward to protect them, preserving the court's dignity. I can't help much, but I hope you will serve the court well in the future."

Wang Huazhen sat weakly in the chair, his energy and spirit rapidly fading, looking utterly dejected!

"Sir, what's wrong?" Zhang Ke asked in surprise.

Wang Huazhen smiled bitterly, "Yongzhen, at this point, do I have any face to stay in Liaodong? I must submit a petition to the court, asking for my dismissal. I must thank you; otherwise, I would have lost my head!"

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