My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 465 Should I join the Soviet Party?

There was no doubt that Li Chengliang would defeat the Jianzhou Jurchens.

How could Wang He and his Jianzhou Jurchens, who had been starving all winter, compare to the well-rested and vigorous Ming army?
The Zhenbei Army under Li Chengliang was composed of elite officers who had come from military academies. After half a year of training, they had adapted to the battlefield in the north.

This war was like a one-sided massacre.

Sitting in the camp of the New Five Kingdoms City, Zhao Pengzheng was surrounded by Jurchen leaders and Ming merchants who all looked at him with awe.

Lord Zhao wasn't exaggerating! He was entrusted with an important mission by Protector-General Li: to use himself as bait to lure the Jianzhou Jurchens!

The Jurchen leaders trembled all over. They sat on the high platform and watched as Li Chengliang slaughtered the Jianzhou Jurchen king and his tribe like sheep and dogs. What would happen to their tribe if they had wavered and joined the Jianzhou Jurchen rebellion?
The Jurchen leaders, who had previously harbored some disloyal thoughts, no longer dared to have any other ideas; they only wanted to be the dogs of the Ming Dynasty wholeheartedly.

Just an hour before the battle began, the bandit leader Wang He was overtaken by a flag bearer of the Zhenbei Army and shot through the heart by a cavalryman's short gun.

With Wang He dead, his troops lost all will to resist and surrendered to the Ming army.

After winning the battle, Li Chengliang did not enter the new Wuguo City, but instead set up camp outside the city to take stock of the spoils of war.

Outside the new Five Kingdoms City, the banner bearing the character "Li" fluttered in the chilly spring air.

The Zhenbei Army's camp was solemn and orderly, forming a stark contrast with the "city" hastily constructed not far away, relying on a simple fence and caravan wagons.

The lingering stench of blood and the acrid smell of burning corpses in the air signaled the end of a brief but brutal annihilation battle.

Li Chengliang did not step into the new city, which he secretly regarded as "bait," as everyone had expected.

What was laid out on the table was information gathered by the newly established Military Intelligence Division.

The Military Intelligence Division has compiled all of Zhao Pengzheng's actions after taking office in the new Five Kingdoms City, as well as how he recently stabilized the situation by using the Empty City Stratagem to stall until his main army arrived.

"Well done, Zhao Pengzheng!" Li Chengliang slammed his fingers on the table, his eyes gleaming.

Zhao Peng came from the Ministry of Personnel, so Li Chengliang naturally regarded him as a member of Duan Hui's faction.

But later he discovered that Zhao Peng was rumored to be at odds with Duan Hui, and was actually kicked to Five Kingdoms City by Duan Hui.

Originally, Li Chengliang still had some dark thoughts.

He believed that Duan Hui's arrangement of Zhao Pengzheng, a newly appointed Jinshi, to Xinwuguo City was a deliberate act to oppose the imperial court's northeastern strategy, and that he wanted to use the failure of the construction of Xinwuguo City to strike at Li Chengliang.

The Northeast Five Cities Plan was the brainchild of Li Chengliang's son, Li Rusong.

If the construction of the new five cities fails, Li Rusong's strategic plan will go bankrupt and become a laughing stock.

Li Chengliang's prestige will also be lost.

Therefore, Li Chengliang did not return to Liaoyang for the New Year, but instead led his troops near Xinwuguo City, ready to provide support at any time.

This new Five Kingdoms City is not only related to the strategy of the Northeast, but also to the future of myself and my son.

Unexpectedly, she had wronged Duan Hui.

Zhao Pengzheng is truly a talented man!

For governing the country and ensuring the well-being of the people, this is the best choice!
Duan Hui actually dared to assign such a talented person to the New Five Kingdoms City!
Li Chengliang even felt ashamed, realizing that he had judged Duan Sima by his own petty standards, and that Duan Sima was a true gentleman!
Then I thought that since Duan Hui took office, I had never had to worry about civil affairs. Even if we had a disagreement, it was only because of differing political views. Duan Hui never delayed military matters!

Since Duan Hui arrived, the logistics and civil administration of the Andong Protectorate have been increasingly improved, and both the military and civilians regard him as virtuous.

What is vision? This is vision!

Li Chengliang then thought of Yang Sizhong, the Minister of Personnel.

From Duan Hui and Tang Jinxing to the current Zhao Pengzheng, this Minister of Personnel has sent the best and brightest of the entire Ministry of Personnel to the Northeast to support the imperial court's strategy of developing the Northeast!

Li Chengliang admitted that he did not have Yang Sizhong's vision and was reluctant to send his trusted generals to the frontier.

Li Chengliang did not enter the new Five Kingdoms City for two reasons. Firstly, there was a military order that restricted entry. New military regulations had been issued, and combat troops were not allowed to enter the city and set up camp without prior orders.

In the past, when the emperor was far away and the mountains were high, Li Chengliang would never have obeyed such a ridiculous military order.

But this military order was compiled by his own son, drafted by the Operations Department of the General Staff, and approved by the emperor after being drafted by the cabinet.

Then Li Chengliang had no choice but to take the lead and carry it out!
Li Chengliang did not enter the city, but Zhao Pengzheng still organized a large amount of supplies to be sent to the military camp to support the troops.

Having witnessed the fighting prowess of the Ming army, these wild Jurchens had no further reservations. In addition, Wang He was the largest Jianzhou Jurchen force on the banks of the Songhua River. With Wang He's death and the annihilation of his troops, the wild Jurchens completely submitted to the Ming Dynasty, and various tribes rushed supplies to Xinwuguo City.

Zhao Peng was so "smart" that Li Chengliang developed a fondness for his talent.

"What Liaodong lacks is precisely this kind of person who is both literate and martial, who dares to think and act, and who can make something of himself even in the most difficult circumstances?" Li Chengliang's eyes gleamed.

Unfortunately, the other party was one of Duan Hui's men.

He was a man well-known to Duan Hui and even Yang Sizhong, the Minister of Personnel. What qualifications did I, the Deputy Protector-General of Andong, have to recruit him?
This is also why Li Chengliang has been slow to meet Zhao Pengzheng. He is worried that he might not be able to resist his love for talent and try to recruit Zhao Pengzheng in person. If Zhao Pengzheng rejects him, he will not have another chance to recruit him in the future.

Wait, if I'm not qualified, then isn't someone else qualified?

Didn't Zhao Pengzheng say he had "connections"? Well, he does have connections!

If he wasn't qualified to recruit Zhao Pengzheng, wasn't his "superior" qualified enough?

Li Chengliang looked out the window. If Zhao Pengzheng accepted his offer, he could immediately write to "that person" and recommend Zhao Pengzheng to him!
Just then, a guard entered the tent and reported: "General, Zhao Pengzheng, also known as Zhao Lang, is outside requesting an audience. He says he has come to report on the aftermath of the border market incident and the preparations for the construction of the city."

Li Chengliang grinned, and Zhao Pengzheng couldn't resist coming to see him first.

In this way, the initiative will fall into your own hands.

"Let him in!" Li Chengliang perked up and sat up straight.

The tent flap was lifted, and Zhao Peng walked in. He had changed into a clean blue official robe. Although his brows and eyes still showed the fatigue from the series of dangers, his back was straight and his eyes were exceptionally bright, showing none of the frivolity he had displayed on the city wall yesterday.

He bowed respectfully, his demeanor composed: "Your humble servant Zhao Pengzheng greets Your Excellency, Deputy Protector. Thanks to Your Excellency's might, the rebel chieftain has been beheaded, and the new Five Kingdoms City remains safe and sound. This is a list of post-war disposal strategies and the materials and manpower needed for city reconstruction that I have compiled. Please take a look, Your Excellency."

They really are very patient.

I had been camping outside the city for several days, and Zhao Peng only came to pay his respects today. He truly deserves the favor of Yang Sizhong and Duan Hui.

Li Chengliang was scheming about how to recruit Zhao Pengzheng to his side, unaware of Zhao Pengzheng's thoughts.

Zhao Pengzheng dared not come to see Li Chengliang simply because he felt guilty.

He used to boast to the merchants and Jurchen leaders in the New Five Kingdoms City, but now that Li Chengliang had actually come, he was at a loss as to how to deal with him.

Ultimately, he was just a newly appointed scholar with no power or influence. He had offended Yang Sizhong, the Minister of Personnel, and Duan Hui, the military commander of the Protectorate General. If he were to offend Li Chengliang by accident, he would probably be sent to a life of hardship.

Moreover, Zhao Pengzheng had always boasted that he was Duan Hui's confidant, and he naturally knew about the discord between Li Chengliang and Duan Hui. He was even more afraid that Li Chengliang would take advantage of him as Duan Hui's confidant.

But Li Chengliang is right outside the city. A few days ago, we could use the situation of stabilizing the new five kingdoms city as an excuse to avoid paying a visit. If we don't come to pay our respects now, it would be a sign of disrespect towards Li Chengliang.

Zhao Pengzheng's final solution was to deal with Li Chengliang in a businesslike manner.

“Zhao Lang,” Li Chengliang finally spoke, his voice loud but deliberately slowed, “You handled the affairs of Xinwuguo City extremely well! You remained calm in the face of danger, wisely repelled the powerful enemy, and managed this market with great success, winning the hearts of the barbarians. With such courage and talent, it is truly… unfair that you are relegated to a minor official position in city construction.”

He paused deliberately, observing Zhao Pengzheng's reaction.

Zhao Peng's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a respectful expression: "Protector Li is too kind. This is all thanks to the power and virtue of the imperial court and the skillful command of Commander Duan. I have only done my duty."

He specifically mentioned Duan Hui, which is a common humble expression used by civil officials.

But the military general Li Chengliang sounds different!

Li Chengliang thought to himself:
"Indeed, not a single detail is overlooked! As expected of someone trained by Yang Sizhong and Duan Hui, even their words are so thorough, leaving no trace of their true intentions."

Li Chengliang believed that Zhao Pengzheng's mention of Duan Hui was a reminder to him that he was Duan Hui's man and would not switch allegiance to him, the deputy protector.

Li Chengliang became increasingly convinced that Zhao Peng was an important pawn planted by the Ministry of Personnel in the Northeast, and could not be easily moved. His desire to recruit him intensified, but he also became more cautious.

"Do your duty?" Li Chengliang laughed heartily.

"With his silver tongue, he can gather merchants and pacify barbarians; when a powerful enemy is pressing in, he can perform a ruse without firing a shot, thus creating an opportunity for the Protector-General to annihilate the rebels! How many people in the entire Protectorate General of Andong can do such a thing?"

He patted Zhao Pengzheng on the shoulder, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy, "Zhao Lang, you are a man of great talent! The land of Liaodong is vast enough for you to fully display your abilities. If Commander Duan truly valued you, would he have sent you to Xinwuguo City?"

Li Chengliang's words were pointed, as he wanted to sow discord between Zhao Pengzheng and Duan Hui. However, Li Chengliang did not know that Zhao Pengzheng had no connection with Duan Hui at all!
Zhao Pengzheng was terrified: Was Li Chengliang testing me?

Could it be that Protector Li knows about the boasting he's been doing?
However, he could only force himself to say, "Vice Protector-General, you flatter me. Wherever I am, I serve the court and His Majesty. Commander Duan has shown me great favor, and wherever he is assigned, it is for the greater good of the court. How dare I presume to offer my opinion?"

Li Chengliang was slightly annoyed after being rebuffed, but he also appreciated Zhao Pengzheng's "loyalty" to Yang Sizhong and Duan Hui even more.

Does he look down on his military background?

They're about to unleash their ultimate move!

Li Chengliang said:
"Zhao Lang, there's no need to be nervous. What I just said was all out of a love for talent. Since you appreciate Commander Duan's patronage... so be it!"

He changed the subject, leaning forward slightly, as if sharing a huge secret:

"I cherish your talent. When it comes to recognizing and employing people, no one in the world can compare to Minister Yang of the Ministry of Personnel. However, there is another official who is also good at recommending talent. It was with his help that my son was able to enter the General Staff."

Zhao Pengzheng immediately realized that Li Chengliang was referring to Su Ze!

This Protector-General Li is indeed a "backbone" of the "Su Party"!
Zhao Pengzheng already knew about the "Su Party" when he was in the capital.

Zhang Yuanbian, the top scholar in the same examination as him, was a member of the Su faction and entered officialdom at the same time. Although he was the top scholar, he had already been appointed as the military commissioner of Yiling.

It is said that this position was specially created for Zhang Yuanbian by Su Ze. It is related to the commercial taxes of Huguang and Sichuan provinces. Once it is handled well, he will be on the road to success!

Li Duhu is trying to recommend himself to join the Su Party!?

Zhao Peng was deeply shocked!
Su Ze, this is the Dean of the Martial Arts Academy, the Inspector of the Fifth Secretariat, and the Shadow Grand Secretary!
How could Zhao Pengzheng not know his name?
Zhao Pengzheng suddenly remembered that he had also boasted using the name of "Soviet Party". Could it be that Li Chengliang had discovered it?

He was even more terrified that he, a fake Soviet party member, had encountered a real Soviet party member!
Is it here to demand an explanation?
However, in Li Chengliang's view, Zhao Pengzheng was not as excited as other officials when they heard Su Ze's name. He was convinced that Zhao was a man destined for great things and was also loyal enough to Yang Sizhong and Duan Hui.

We absolutely must recruit this kind of talent! We should at least establish a connection with them!
Li Chengliang said:
“Prosecutor Su has a global vision and is determined to innovate. He advocates ‘pragmatism,’ ‘flexibility,’ and ‘guiding with benefits.’”

He deliberately dragged out his words, leaving Zhao Pengzheng with endless room for imagination: "Some time ago, my son Rusong mentioned in a letter that Prosecutor Su is quite interested in the newly developed areas in Liaodong, especially in talents who can adapt to local conditions and open up new prospects... He is very attentive to them."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengliang said:

"I will report your merits to the court, and I will also write a separate letter to Inspector Su to explain them."

"Minister Yang and Chief Prosecutor Su have cooperated several times. I'll give you some more time to consider it."

After saying this, Li Chengliang saw the guest out. He had given Zhao Pengzheng enough hints; whether or not to join the Soviet Party was up to Zhao Pengzheng himself.

When Zhao Peng came out of the camp, his head was buzzing.

Did Li Chengliang mean to recommend me to join the "Soviet Party"?
Zhao Peng was so angry he wanted to slap himself a few times. Why didn't he agree right away?

With such a great opportunity, if I could really establish a connection with Su Ze, wouldn't I be able to rise through the ranks and be transferred back to the capital sooner?

But would rushing back now be too deliberate? Wouldn't it make Protector Li look down on me?
Amidst his anxieties, Zhao Peng returned to the New Five Kingdoms City. He decided to focus on finishing up the tasks at hand first.

That Prosecutor Su valued capable people the most; if one didn't have the ability, joining the Soviet Party would be useless!
(End of this chapter)