Chapter Five: People and Money
“Way out?” Lu Yong hesitated, speaking dazedly, “We are all guards of the Duke’s Mansion, mere ants in the eyes of the powerful. Even if a great event shakes the world, we are powerless—only spectators.”
An ostrich mentality!
Gu Zhenhua sighed inwardly. Lu Yong and the others still hadn’t grasped the dangerous situation before them. But on the other hand, if they were all so clear-headed, then where was his own place to act?
“Brother Lu, come to my room. I have a few words I want to discuss with you.”
Lu Yong nodded. Gu Zhenhua was skilled in combat and medicine, and known for his righteousness. Among these men, his status had risen swiftly. When trouble came, he wanted to hear Gu Zhenhua’s opinion.
“Brother Lu, General Zhou Yujie was one of the few fine generals of the Ming Dynasty. I heard that in the ninth year of Chongzhen, when the Manchu invaded, everyone else fled without fighting. Only Zhou Yujie won a battle, which earned him a position as Commander of the Capital Garrison. A few years later, he was promoted to General of Shanxi.”
“That’s right. Many in the capital praised General Zhou’s bravery back then. It’s hard to believe such a brave general died in battle. The Ming Dynasty must really be in danger!”
“Brother Lu, forgive my bluntness, but the Ming is already finished,” Gu Zhenhua said with a smile. “The road to the capital has been opened. Next, Li Zicheng’s army will strike directly at Beijing. The regime change is imminent—maybe not even a month away!”
Lu Yong was no fool; he sensed the situation was grim but never expected it would come so fast.
“Brother Gu, the capital’s walls are so strong. Even if there’s an attack, it would take months to take the city. By then, troops from the south might advance north, perhaps giving us a sliver of hope.”
Gu Zhenhua shook his head bitterly. “Brother Lu, don’t fool yourself. You know better than I how officials of the Ming behave. Your recent trip to Shanxi was just to manage Zhu Chuncheng’s assets, right? These nobles sensed trouble early and made preparations. If even the Duke, who’s enjoyed imperial favor for generations, acts like this, what hope is there for others? Do you expect another Zhou Yujie to appear?”
Speaking of Zhou Yujie, the Shanxi General was truly remarkable. He had terrified Li Zicheng so much that historical records say if there had been another Zhou, Li wouldn’t have been able to enter Beijing.
But such generals are rare. The Ming’s fate is counting down.
Lu Yong lowered his head, pondering long before saying, “Brother Gu, if the Ming falls, what shall we do? Obediently become subjects of the Great Shun?”
Gu Zhenhua smiled bitterly. “Brother Lu, it won’t be that easy. Throughout history, when dynasties change, civil officials may surrender, but what about the nobles? Zhu Chuncheng won’t escape, and those who serve him are also in danger.”
These words sent a chill through Lu Yong. He jumped up abruptly, his face grim. Looking outside cautiously, he lowered his voice: “Brother Gu, your words have awakened us. I’ll gather the Sixth Uncle and the others. You can analyze the situation for us.”
Gu Zhenhua nodded slightly. He had long wanted to say this but hadn’t found the opportunity. Now that Shanxi had fallen to Li Zicheng, anyone with half a brain knew the Ming was doomed. This was the perfect moment to persuade Lu Yong and his comrades to join him.
Though just a dozen men, a small force had once formed the mighty armor of thirteen boar skins. Could he really be outdone by that old tribal slave?
At that moment, the door opened. He Zhonghou, Xue Biao, and the wounded Sun Cheng entered. The oppressive atmosphere was palpable as everyone took their seats.
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“Zhenhua, we’re all suffering together; no one dares to speak out of turn. Say what you must,” He Zhonghou spoke first. “I heard General Zhou has fallen. I’m uneasy—something feels very wrong.”
“Uncle Six, the fall of the Ming is inevitable. The Duke’s family has enjoyed over two centuries of wealth and honor with the Ming. Once Li Zicheng takes Beijing, the nobles will be the first to lose their heads. If they don’t kill them, how would Li’s generals be satisfied?”
As the saying goes, a new emperor brings new ministers. Reality is cruel. Though He Zhonghou was a kind elder, he was not stupid. Being in charge of the Duke’s accounts showed his shrewdness, and he quickly grasped the core issue.
“Zhenhua, you mean the Duke is doomed?”
“Exactly,” Gu Zhenhua said firmly.
“Will this affect us?” Xue Biao asked nervously. “We’re just servants. Even if the dynasty changes, there should be a way out.”
Gu Zhenhua replied, “Li Zicheng is called a bandit. They sustain their army by robbing officials and wealthy households. The capital’s treasury is untouched, so what can they do? When they rage, innocent people will be caught in the crossfire. I think we should be cautious.”
The others pondered Gu Zhenhua’s analysis and nodded. He Zhonghou said, “Zhenhua makes sense. The Duke’s great tree is truly falling. We must find a way out and not become sacrifices.”
Lu Yong asked, “Brother Gu, can you guide us? Where is our way out?”
Gu Zhenhua was waiting for this question. He smiled, “Let’s analyze the situation first. Once we understand it clearly, we can decide.”
Lu Yong frowned, “Brother Gu, you said Li Zicheng will enter Beijing. Is there any uncertainty?”
“Of course,” Gu Zhenhua said. “Since the second year of Chongzhen, the Manchus have invaded the Central Plains four times, plundering endlessly. Recently, Hong Chengchou surrendered to the Qing. Everyone knows the Manchus are greedy, and with guides inside, do you think they won’t take advantage of the chaos?”
“Of course they will,” Sun Cheng said. “Those Manchus beyond the pass don’t work; they live off plunder. When there’s money to grab, they won’t miss it.”
He Zhonghou frowned, looking troubled. “Zhenhua, if the Manchus invade alongside the Great Shun, and the Ming falls, won’t the world plunge into chaos?”
“Exactly. The capital is already a place of turmoil. No matter who wins, if you’re caught in the middle, it’s a dead end. Even if Li Zicheng doesn’t kill everyone, there’s the Qing. So the best plan now is to head south—ideally to Southern Zhili. I say we don’t return to the capital this time. We go south together. We’re all skilled with bow and horse. Why serve as mere guards? In the south, whoever recruits soldiers, once we enlist, with our skills, can’t we become leaders?”
Hearing Gu Zhenhua’s analysis, everyone nodded in agreement. They knew this was the safest path.
But Lu Yong smiled bitterly in the end. “Brother Gu, there’s something you might not know. We’re not free men; our families are in the Duke’s Mansion. In these chaotic years, some servants who went out on errands took the chance to escape. Zhu Chuncheng, to prevent desertion, imposed collective punishment. Our families are under guard. If we disobey, our loved ones suffer. We’re trapped.”
Xue Biao added, “Brother Gu, it’s not only that we’re forced, but after so many years in the mansion, there are bonds and feelings. It’s hard to just walk away.”
Gu Zhenhua’s brows furrowed. He realized he had been assuming too much and asked, “What do you all think of the Duke’s Mansion?”
“What else? It’s just a place to eat rations and do chores,” Sun Cheng said dismissively. “I’m from the border army, originally to fight enemies and serve the country. Now I’m a house slave. If I could at least eat well, I’d accept it. But now, if a man doesn’t look out for himself, no one will. I want to live a few more years.”
Lu Yong said, “A few years ago, Brother He Fang died tragically. The mansion only gave ten taels of silver as reward. To them, we’re nothing!”
He Zhonghou sighed deeply, full of regret. “I’m useless. My son died mysteriously. We should have left long ago, but we stayed. Now we’re the architects of our own misfortune.”
These men harbored many grievances against Duke Zhu Chuncheng. Gu Zhenhua felt somewhat relieved. If there were diehard loyalists, it would be troublesome. This situation was perfect for action. A plan began to form in his mind.
“I have an idea to safely bring all your families out of the capital and also secure funds for your future. But I wonder if you’re willing?”
“Of course! Brother Gu, just say it!” Old Sun said anxiously.
“First, we complete our current duties in the capital. Then we report what we saw on the road to Zhu Chuncheng and persuade him to move the families out. This way, your loved ones can escape safely. We stay behind. Even if Li Zicheng’s army attacks, with our skills and no burdens, we can escape and maybe profit from the chaos.”
“Zhenhua!” He Zhonghou shouted angrily. “I don’t oppose moving the families, but if you mean to profit from the disaster and harm the people, that’s heartless. I advise you to abandon that thought or I won’t agree!”
Seeing the elder’s anger, Gu Zhenhua hurriedly said, “Uncle Six, you misunderstand. I don’t want to harm the common folk. But those officials are corrupt and have ruined the country. Isn’t it fair for us to gain a little from them?”
“Brother Gu, well said!” Xue Biao joined in, “We’ve risked our lives. What little we get isn’t even worth a day’s feast for the Duke. If the day comes, I say we seize Zhu Chuncheng. The old man is mean-spirited anyway; he deserves it.”
“Enough!” He Zhonghou roared. “I support finding a way out, even using some tactics, but harming our lord is absolutely forbidden.”
Lu Yong knew the elder’s temper and quickly said, “Uncle Six, Brother Gu is an honorable man. He would never do such a heartless thing.”
Gu Zhenhua said, “I promise, as long as Zhu Chuncheng lives, I won’t touch him.”
He Zhonghou’s expression softened. Gu Zhenhua thought to himself: staying idle while alive is one thing, but after death, all bets are off. For the first great fortune since crossing over, he would not hold back!
After some more discussion, Sun Cheng and Xue Biao went to gather other opinions. Lu Yong pulled Gu Zhenhua aside.
“Brother Gu, Uncle Six is too sentimental. Don’t take it to heart.”
“I know,” Gu Zhenhua replied. “I’m not ill-intentioned. But in these times, without money or connections, you can’t survive. This is just necessary.”
Suddenly, Lu Yong’s eyes lit up. “Brother Gu, speaking of people, there are hundreds of guards and servants in the Duke’s Mansion. Few are truly loyal. What if we could bring a few more over to us?”