Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Inner Circle

Gu Zhenhua had run businesses before, and he knew exactly how to manage his employees. The most important thing was to give them hope: the better they performed, the more they would receive. Once their desperate determination had been stirred, the results could be astonishing.

Now he was applying the same principles to these soldiers. The farmland and silver were their shares, a magnificent promise laid out before them. If they wanted to claim it, they had to risk their lives for Gu Zhenhua and tie themselves to his cause.

Prestige, loyalty, power, gratitude—each of these could fade or decay in time. Only profit was eternal.

Gu Zhenhua’s strategy was the one most beneficial to the soldiers, and naturally it won their support. But he also understood that enthusiasm alone was not enough. Rules had to be established. Only with rules could people be united and true fighting strength forged.

His men had already brought over the five deserters and thieves, forcing them into the middle of the threshing ground. The seven chests of treasure they had stolen had also been carried over and opened before everyone. Under the starlight and moonlight, the contents gleamed in a dazzling array of colors.

Several soldiers swallowed hard. Their eyes then fixed fiercely upon the five prisoners. According to Gu Zhenhua, the money was meant to be divided among them all, yet these beasts had tried to steal it away. Their teeth clenched, and they glared at the culprits with murderous fury.

“Brothers, these five men sneaked into the storehouse and stole this treasure. What do you think should be done with them?”

“Kill them!”

“That’s right. Kill them!”

“Scum like this has no right to live!”

The soldiers roared for blood. The five men were terrified as well. The one called Second Brother, who had been leading them, was utterly frantic. Using his knees in place of feet, he crawled several steps to Gu Zhenhua, weeping bitterly.

“Master Gu, greed clouded my mind. You are a magnanimous man—please spare my life!” As he spoke, he repeatedly slammed his forehead against the ground.

Ma San also cried out in remorse. “Master Gu, I heard what you said just now. You are truly benevolent and righteous, always thinking of your brothers. I agree with your arrangements as well. Give me one chance, and I will serve you like a faithful hound and horse. This hundred and some pounds of flesh are yours!”

The others wailed and sobbed, filled with unbearable regret. Gu Zhenhua ignored them and instead turned with a smile toward General Gao Hongtu.

“General Gao, all five of these men came from your ranks. If you have anything to say, you may as well say it.”

“This…” Gao Hongtu did not know how to respond. After standing there dazed for a long while, he finally said, “These scoundrels deserve to die, and I have no objection to whatever punishment you decide. However, we are in need of men at present. Might we give them a chance to live and allow them to redeem themselves through meritorious service?”

“I am willing to redeem myself! I am!” Ma San led the others in bowing repeatedly to Gu Zhenhua, pounding his head against the ground until it was bruised and purple.

Gu Zhenhua smiled faintly. “Three or five more men will not change our disadvantage against the Dashun forces. But if three or five unreliable traitors leak our plans, every one of us will be doomed. These five men must die. There will be no clemency. From now on, you will all keep watch over one another. Anyone who steals property, betrays his brothers, or disobeys orders will be executed without exception!”

With a sweep of his hand, Gu Zhenhua ordered the soldiers to drag them outside the estate.

“Sir Gao, these brothers have followed you for years! Say something for us!” Ma San shouted. The others wailed and begged Gao Hongtu to save them.

Gao Hongtu’s face was burning. Gu Zhenhua had stripped him of his dignity in full view of everyone, and it was difficult for him to bear. In terms of rank, Gao Hongtu was a guerrilla commander in the Metropolitan Camp, a proper military officer. Gu Zhenhua, by contrast, had appeared from nowhere, surrounded by nothing more than household guards and retainers. There was no comparison between them.

Yet Gu Zhenhua had led these men out of the capital, and his actions just now had completely consolidated the army’s morale. Gao Hongtu did not dare oppose him. Thus he could only lower his head and remain silent.

Gu Zhenhua observed every detail of his reaction. In truth, he had asked for Gao Hongtu’s opinion precisely to test him. Roughly half of the men came from the household guards of the Duke of Cheng’s residence; they formed Gu Zhenhua’s own foundation. A little over a hundred were soldiers from the Metropolitan Camp, Gao Hongtu’s subordinates.

In other words, Gao Hongtu was the only powerful figure beneath Gu Zhenhua. In any force, there could be only one leader. Especially now, Gu Zhenhua needed absolute authority. Everyone present had to understand that he alone possessed the final say, and that all of them—including Gao Hongtu—had to obey him.

As expected, Gao Hongtu chose to bow his head. The soldiers’ gazes toward Gu Zhenhua changed once more.

Gu Zhenhua strode outside the estate and glanced at the five men awaiting execution.

“You five stole property and attempted to flee without permission. Your crimes are unforgivable. However, in consideration of the fact that we fought our way out of the capital together, I will give each of your families five hundred taels of silver. How they fare afterward will depend on their own fortune.”

Five hundred taels!

A draft ox cost no more than ten or twenty taels. Five hundred taels would be enough to buy dozens of acres of land and another ox, allowing an entire family to live in comfort.

Upon hearing Gu Zhenhua’s words, the youngest of the five, Kui, dropped to his knees.

“Master Gu, I thank you on behalf of my mother. I won’t die unjustly. If there is a next life, I—I will follow you faithfully, serve as a soldier, and live as a proper man!”

After speaking, Kui struck his head against the ground again and again until dark-red blood ran down his brow. Gu Zhenhua’s steps faltered slightly, but he left without looking back.

Tang Zhanxiong raised his execution blade high. It fell in a flash, and a head rolled across the ground.

In an instant, five bloody heads had completely cowed the soldiers present. As the saying went, mercy could not command an army. After witnessing such a bloody example, the soldiers regarded Gu Zhenhua with both respect and fear.

Only after everything on the soldiers’ side had been settled did Gu Zhenhua approach the Crown Prince and Kou Gui. He cupped his hands toward the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, these brothers are all loyal and courageous men. Your safety rests upon them. As the saying goes, without a proper name, nothing can be properly done. I humbly ask Your Highness to bestow titles and rewards upon the officers and soldiers who have rendered meritorious service, thereby strengthening the army’s morale.”

Zhu Cilang had not expected Gu Zhenhua to make such a request. He froze, then said hesitantly, “Lord Gu, my father’s fate remains unknown. How could I casually bestow titles and rewards? Besides, we have neither edicts nor seals. How can I appoint officials?”

“Your Highness, desperate times call for extraordinary measures. Bestowing offices will make administration easier, while also inspiring the soldiers and lifting their spirits. As for seals and the like, they are merely formalities. Once we escape danger, they can be prepared then.”

Even after Gu Zhenhua finished speaking, Zhu Cilang remained hesitant. This pampered Crown Prince had suddenly seen his kingdom shattered, his family scattered, and his relatives separated. The fact that he had not collapsed already showed considerable strength. He simply lacked the ability to make decisions under such circumstances.

The old eunuch Kou Gui suddenly spoke from the side. “Your Highness, this old servant believes you should follow Lord Gu’s advice and first bestow offices upon these officers and soldiers. Lord Gu in particular has risked life and limb for Your Highness. A meritorious servant such as he cannot go unrewarded.”

“Senior Attendant, then… what office should I grant him?”

“Your Highness, this old servant believes the reward should be generous indeed. Anything less would not adequately recognize his achievements.”

Zhu Cilang had no idea what to do either. After discussing the matter with Kou Gui, he finally walked to the threshing ground in a state of trepidation.

By then, Gu Zhenhua and the soldiers had already formed orderly ranks. They had just received silver and farmland, and now they were being given official positions as well. The soldiers were overjoyed.

Zhu Cilang stood in the center and cleared his throat with difficulty.

“Gu, my loyal subject, has rescued me from peril and rendered service to the realm worthy of the highest commendation. He is hereby elevated to the rank of Loyal and Valiant Earl, appointed Chief Grand Master for Glorious Happiness of the First Rank, Left Pillar of State, Grand Guardian of the Crown Prince, General of the Dragon and Tiger, Left Commander of the Central Military Commission, and Commander-in-Chief of the Ji Garrison.”

Zhu Cilang recited a long string of titles, revealing the complexity of the Ming system of offices. The Loyal and Valiant Earl was a hereditary title; the Chief Grand Master for Glorious Happiness was an honorary rank; the Left Pillar of State was a merit title; and only Commander-in-Chief of the Ji Garrison was an actual military appointment—though Gu Zhenhua had no real authority over it.

Even so, the list made clear the stature Gu Zhenhua now possessed. At that time, Wu Sangui had only recently been granted the title of Pacifying-the-West Earl, which meant that, strictly speaking, he ranked half a step below Gu Zhenhua.

After Gu Zhenhua’s elevation, everyone else received offices appropriate to their status. Gao Hongtu was promoted to commander-in-chief. Sun Cheng and the others were given the titles of deputy generals. Xie Bin became Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Even the common soldiers received promises of ranks such as hundred-household commander and chief banner officer.

Overnight, everyone had been promoted. Taking advantage of these appointments, Gu Zhenhua completely erased the divisions among his subordinates. There were no longer household guards, Metropolitan Camp soldiers, or palace guards. There were only the men under his command as General of the Dragon and Tiger.

The night was not long, yet Gu Zhenhua had completed a magnificent transformation. Through profit and the legitimacy of a righteous cause, he had gained complete control over these soldiers. Though they numbered only a little over three hundred, the foundation of his power had now been established.

The next day arrived in a blink. Gu Zhenhua was making plans for his next move when Gao Hongtu suddenly came over with a scout.

“My lord, disaster! Li Yan is attacking with his men!”