01 – Chapter 1
It was deep winter, with heavy snow falling in the courtyard outside, carrying the momentum of breath turning to ice. Yet on the forehead of Hu Yu, the Regional Military Commissioner of Hangzhou, fine beads of sweat had already formed. He stood half-bowed with cupped hands, his face full of smiles as he gazed at Deng Nanting, the Earl of Nanxiang and Left Army Vice Commander-in-Chief of Yingtian Prefecture, who was slowly leafing through the roster before him.
After a long while, the Earl of Nanxiang closed the roster, gave a slight “hmm,” and said, “It appears that this time’s candidate sons are all upright young talents of clean family backgrounds. There won’t be another incident in Zhejiang Province where descendants of Fang Guozhen’s former subordinates are recommended to Jiangwu Hall, will there?”
Commissioner Hu hastily replied, “That’s right, that’s right.”
The Earl of Nanxiang pondered for a moment, then said, “If that’s the case, the selection can begin tomorrow.”
Commissioner Hu quickly said, “Then this subordinate will immediately make arrangements. Please enlighten this subordinate—how shall tomorrow’s competition be conducted?”
The Earl of Nanxiang fixed his gaze on him: “This official has his arrangements. Commissioner Hu needs only to follow orders.”
Commissioner Hu dared not ask further questions. He took his leave and retreated until he was beyond the second gate before daring to straighten his back. When the flying snow struck him, he felt the chill on his back and realized he had broken out in a cold sweat.
Commissioner Hu reflected that in last year’s Zhejiang Province selection, he had not dared to engage in nepotism or fraud. Though there had been oversights, he ultimately had not sent that descendant of Fang Guozhen’s subordinate to the capital’s Jiangwu Hall, thus avoiding alarming the Hongwu Emperor. But facing the Earl of Nanxiang’s face, stern as Justice Bao’s, even with a clear conscience, being stared at like a thief for so long inevitably made one’s heart race with fear. No wonder the military privately called the Earl of Nanxiang the “Southern King of Hell.”
Commissioner Hu’s subordinate officers from Hangzhou Garrison were all waiting in the main hall. Having heard of the Earl of Nanxiang’s reputation for severity, they were all trembling with fear, having worried for half the day already.
Commissioner Hu cleared his throat and said with full energy, “Lord Deng is personally overseeing Hangzhou Prefecture. For this year’s selection, all of us from top to bottom must be extremely careful. Everyone must be vigilant and not fear the harsh cold, so we can complete this important matter properly and bring honor to all the garrisons of Zhejiang.”
A Brigade General cautiously asked, “May I ask Commissioner Hu, the selection begins tomorrow—what preparations should we make?”
This stumped Commissioner Hu. He could only cough dryly and answer vaguely, “Well, Lord Deng has his instructions. We need only follow proper procedures.”
Everyone looked at each other in confusion, not knowing how the Earl of Nanxiang would conduct this year’s selection, their hearts inevitably filled with unease.
The heavy snow fell all night. The next day the snow stopped, and a bright red sun hung clearly in the azure sky, reflecting on the snow-covered houses, mountains, and forests around the drill ground on all sides—a sight that truly delighted the eye.
The snow on the drill ground had been swept clean.
The Earl of Nanxiang ascended the command platform, listening to the herald call names as the young men selected from various prefectures and garrisons of Zhejiang filed past below the platform, bowing to him.
Zhejiang Province had eleven prefectures in total. Except for Hangzhou, which as the capital prefecture had six special garrisons, each of the other prefectures had two garrison posts with two Battalion Commanders each, totaling twenty-six garrison posts with 26,000 stationed troops, plus over 130,000 military households. They normally engaged in military farming and training under the supervision of the Hangzhou Commissioner.
The twenty-six garrison posts each selected five young men, plus five additional candidates recommended by the Hangzhou Commissioner, totaling 135 people. The Earl of Nanxiang had not revealed how many positions Zhejiang Province had this year, but judging from last year’s selection, those who would be chosen would not exceed ten.
The officers and veteran soldiers from various garrison posts who had escorted the young men for selection surrounded the drill ground. Though nervous, awed by the Earl of Nanxiang’s reputation, none dared whisper among themselves.
When the roll call was complete, 135 people formed ranks below the command platform, quietly awaiting the Earl of Nanxiang to announce the day’s selection items.
The Earl of Nanxiang surveyed the excited yet nervous young faces below the platform and slowly said, “Today, this subordinate selects generals for the nation, maintaining absolute impartiality, determined to select fine materials and excellent qualities to shoulder great responsibilities. Heaven, earth, and all spirits bear witness!”
Though the Earl of Nanxiang was not particularly tall, his voice was as resonant as a bronze bell, causing the accumulated snow on the trees to fall with a rustling sound. Everyone on and around the drill ground was moved with awe and respect.
The Earl of Nanxiang waved his hand and said, “Today’s first examination: recite from memory the thirteen chapters of Sun Tzu’s Art of War, to be completed within one hour!”
Sun Tzu’s Art of War was required reading for military strategists. Hearing that the Earl of Nanxiang’s first examination was so simple, everyone couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.
But the Earl of Nanxiang continued, “The examination venue is not here, but outside the City God Temple!”
Everyone was in an uproar. The City God of Hangzhou Prefecture’s birthday was today. Devout men and women from hundreds of li away had come to celebrate the City God’s birthday and purchase New Year goods, so this day had become a small temple fair. Even from the drill ground, they could faintly hear the sound of drums and music from the City God Temple.
In their alarm, one candidate stepped out of formation, knelt on one knee before the Earl of Nanxiang, performed a salute, then stood up and said loudly, “My lord, with people gathered outside the City God Temple, setting up an examination venue there might inconvenience the people. Moreover, though dispersing those common folk wouldn’t be difficult, it would ultimately waste considerable time and might cause delays.”
Everyone deeply agreed in their hearts, but didn’t dare speak so boldly.
The Earl of Nanxiang looked at this young, handsome candidate with an air of heroic spirit: “Which prefecture’s candidate are you?”
The young candidate raised his head and answered, “Meng Jianchen of Taizhou Prefecture.”
An aide had already turned the roster to that page and handed it over. The Earl of Nanxiang glanced at it quickly.
Meng Jianchen, legitimate son of Meng Yuan, Battalion Commander of Ninghai Garrison under Taizhou Prefecture.
The Earl of Nanxiang noticed that before Meng Jianchen’s name, there was another candidate named Meng Jianqing, the eldest son by a concubine of Meng Yuan, Battalion Commander of Ninghai Garrison. This Battalion Commander, Meng, was quite remarkable, actually able to send both his sons to Hangzhou Prefecture for selection.
The aide put away the roster.
On the Earl of Nanxiang’s dark face, no expression could be discerned, making it impossible to guess whether he was pleased or angry at Meng Jianchen’s bold statement.
Commissioner Hu secretly broke into a cold sweat, thinking about how to mediate, when the Earl of Nanxiang had already spoken: “Young man, you probably think that by doing this, this official will have a deep impression of you and regard you favorably, right?”
Meng Jianchen was startled and blurted out, “This subordinate dares not have such thoughts.”
The Earl of Nanxiang’s expression darkened as he shouted, “Disobeying military orders is a great taboo in the army! Take him away!”
Meng Jianchen’s face changed slightly. For a moment, he didn’t know how to defend himself, when someone else stepped out from behind him and called loudly, “My lord, please wait before punishment! This subordinate has something to say!”
Meng Jianchen’s expression became even more changed, the corner of his mouth curling into a faint, mocking, cold smile.
That candidate had already knelt on one knee beside him, cupping his hands and saying, “Lord Deng, this subordinate believes that though my younger brother may be impetuous and rash, having doubts about military orders cannot be equated with disobeying military orders. This subordinate has read the ‘Imperial Edict.’ His Majesty, recalling the great and small battles during his rise to power, mentioned that it was common for generals to have questions or disagreements about the commander’s orders before battle. Only by resolving everyone’s doubts before battle can there be no misunderstanding that leads to disobedience during combat.”
The drill ground fell silent. This candidate used the ‘Imperial Edict’ personally written by the Hongwu Emperor to criticize the Earl of Nanxiang’s military order?
The Earl of Nanxiang studied Meng Jianqing.
Meng Jianqing raised his head to meet his gaze.
These two brothers, probably due to having different mothers, didn’t much resemble each other. Meng Jianqing was not as handsome as his younger brother, appearing more composed and steady, looking more mature than his age listed in the roster—eighteen years old.
The Earl of Nanxiang could see that though Meng Jianqing was nervous inside, he was trying hard to maintain his composure on the surface.
He had originally thought these two brothers were putting on a show for him, but Meng Jianchen’s attitude nearby was quite intriguing.
After what seemed like a full two hours, the Earl of Nanxiang finally said slowly, “So you have no doubts about this military order?”
Meng Jianqing answered, “This subordinate believes that my lord must have already given deep thought to the selection matter. Moving the examination venue to the City God Temple must have a purpose.”
The Earl of Nanxiang stared at him intently and asked, “What do you think this official’s purpose is?”
If he couldn’t answer, he would undoubtedly be seen as an indecisive person.
Meng Jianqing steadied himself and answered, “This subordinate believes that my lord wants to test our concentration in that bustling place of the City God Temple.”
After a long silence, the harsh lines at the corners of the Earl of Nanxiang’s mouth softened slightly—a smile of approval. He waved his hand, and Meng Jianqing understood, standing up and turning to look at Meng Jianchen. Meng Jianchen glared at him fiercely, then was the first to return to formation. Meng Jianqing followed behind him without changing expression, rejoining the group.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
The Earl of Nanxiang said, “Outside the City God Temple, the examination venue has been prepared. When a cannon fires from the command platform, the timing begins at the City God Temple examination venue. Those who cannot reach the examination venue on foot within one incense stick’s time will be considered to have forfeited!”
On the main road from the drill ground to the City God Temple, the crowd surged aside like a tide, immediately clearing a path.
A cannon fired, and the first examination officially began.
The smooth official road was instantly covered with accumulated snow and yellow mud. Candidates falling behind were splattered with muddy snow all over their bodies and faces, but dared not stop to clean themselves.
The crowd running wildly ahead suddenly slowed down.
Before the large stone bridge spanning the West Water River outside the City God Temple, twenty-eight soldiers stood with staffs. Anyone who charged forward was met with several long staffs striking simultaneously. Over ten people had already been beaten into the West Water River. Though it was winter and the river wasn’t very deep, the bone-chilling water and thick mud at the bottom made it impossible to climb out quickly, leaving them all in wretched states.
The candidates from Hangzhou Garrison, familiar with the terrain, seeing this formation and estimating they couldn’t break through the staff formation of these twenty-eight soldiers quickly, and also reluctant to fight seriously with these soldiers sent by the Earl of Nanxiang to test them, consulted briefly and turned direction, running wildly upstream toward Rainbow Bridge three li away.
Even if that place was also guarded, the river was much narrower there—perhaps they could find another way to cross.
Meng Jianqing stopped and studied the twenty-eight soldiers and the chaotic crowd.
Another Taizhou candidate, Gongsun Yi, second son of a Taizhou Battalion Commander, said breathlessly, “Jianqing, what do we do?”
The other two Taizhou candidates who had reached the bridge head wiped mud spots from their faces with their sleeves while waiting for Meng Jianqing to speak.
By age, Meng Jianqing wasn’t older than them, but during the three months of training together in Taizhou, the three had unconsciously come to regard Meng Jianqing as the decision-maker.
Meng Jianchen looked at them coldly and said, “You take your time discussing.”
He was already planning to force his way through.
Meng Jianqing shouted, “Wait! With just the five of us, we can’t break through!”
He turned toward the crowd that was beginning to surge upstream in confusion and called loudly, “If we flee without fighting, we’ll definitely be looked down upon by Lord Deng!”
He shouted this sentence with full force, hitting exactly what everyone was most concerned about. The thought of changing routes immediately faded.
Meng Jianchen had already torn off his outer robe and charged silently toward the staff formation. Three long staffs immediately swept toward him from the upper, middle, and lower positions.
Meng Jianchen used his outer robe to wrap around the staff attacking the upper position, his left hand reaching down to grab the middle staff, using the momentum of the staff’s swift sweep to leap up, dodging the staff sweeping toward his knees, then pouncing into the staff formation.
Meng Jianqing and the other three Taizhou candidates followed closely behind him into the formation.
With them taking the lead, the surging crowd quickly changed direction.
Candidates continuously caught in the staff formation were pulled out and thrown into the West Water River, but the chaotic battle had formed. The twenty-eight soldiers ultimately couldn’t hold back this large crowd.
Meng Jianqing had just settled into his seat and hadn’t yet caught his breath when he heard a gong sound. The examination venue doors had already closed, and late-arriving candidates were splashed in the face with ink—even if they wanted to sneak in, it was impossible.
He turned to look beside him.
All five Taizhou candidates had made it through.
Meng Jianqing let out a breath, rubbed his hands and face, and settled down to prepare for the examination.