012 Using "Troops" to Coordinate an Ambush
Imperial Censorate.
Ning Wanwo, Grand Secretary of the Hongwen Academy and Left Imperial Censor, stared in shock at the slightly disheveled Jiang Qingyun.
“Commander Jiang, what is the meaning of this?”
“Reporting to the Chief Censor, last night I led a patrol in the Southern City, unexpectedly encountering a group of armed bandits blocking our way.”
“When and where exactly?”
“At the hour of midnight last night, outside Xuanwu Gate, in the alley by the Panyu Guild Hall. These are the ears of the bandits cut off by my men during the skirmish.”
Ning Wanwo’s expression instantly turned serious, his gaze icy.
“Commander Jiang, what do you propose?”
“Use military force to cleanse the Southern City and execute the bandits. I suspect the smallpox outbreak was deliberately spread by these criminals.”
“Wait here. I will enter the palace to request imperial orders immediately.”
...
Ning Wanwo chose to ride a horse to the palace instead of taking a carriage. Soon, he received a clear imperial edict.
“The banditry in the Southern City has become rampant, disturbing my peace of mind. I hereby order the Five City Military Command to pacify the Southern City. Bandits captured shall be executed on the spot without trial.”
Once again, Jiang Qingyun had hit the nerve of the Shunzhi Emperor and his mother.
The Southern City was the power source of the Four Nine City; if it exploded, the consequences would be dire.
Jiang Qingyun, a veteran bureaucrat, knew that no matter which platform you operate on, you must follow rules and procedures to avoid trouble.
As for how much credit he would earn—well, that was uncertain.
The saying that without connections in court, one should not become an official, remains ever true.
...
The Imperial Censorate bustled with comings and goings.
After conveying the imperial order, Ning Wanwo returned to the rear hall, feeling somewhat weary and puzzled.
“Advisor, what do you make of this Jiang Qingyun? What kind of man is he?”
“Master Dong, he is no ordinary man.”
“I know he’s extraordinary—always managing to hit the right notes and be favored by the emperor. Honestly, every dynasty has plenty of aspiring officials; that’s nothing special. I just feel there’s something about this young man I can’t quite figure out.”
The advisor pondered for a moment, then said earnestly:
“He is likely a supporter of the emperor.”
Ning Wanwo was startled and lowered his voice:
“Could you be more explicit?”
“The late Prince Regent, the emperor’s father, was in poor health and is now deceased. Cough cough, in the future, the power struggle will be between the Empress Dowager and the emperor…”
A heavy sigh.
Ning Wanwo said nothing.
Dorgon’s health was deteriorating day by day; he had no sons, and his most dependable brother Duoduo had already died.
When that time comes, the Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Emperor Shunzhi, mother and son, will vie for power.
History is replete with such examples: Empress Lü and Emperor Hui, Empress Dou and Emperor Wu, Empress Li and Emperor Wanli.
...
Outside the Imperial Censorate’s gates,
Jiang Qingyun bowed to the other four commanders: “Tomorrow at noon, at Zhi Mei Tower on Meishi Street, I humbly invite all of you to attend.”
Jiang Qingyun bowed deeply, showing full respect.
Although a verbal agreement was reached, he could clearly sense the dissatisfaction of his four comrades.
The reason was simple: this guy always hogs the limelight, making us look incompetent. He wants us to do the work in the Southern City?
...
On the way back to the office, Jiang Qingyun was deep in thought.
“Sir?” Zhao Zesheng broke the silence.
“Zesheng, do you know the size and population of the Southern City?”
“The four walls of the Southern City span more than thirty li. The population isn’t precise—about two hundred thousand? Or three hundred thousand?”
“Too large! The entire Five City Military Command only has about a hundred soldiers at full strength.”
“Sir, why not request reinforcements from the court? Just dispatching one banner regiment would be enough.”
“Zesheng, that’s impossible.”
“Why?”
“Half of the elite banners are besieging Jiang Xiang in Shanxi. The remainder must guard against the two White Banners and defend the Forbidden City. The court has no troops to spare.”
The two rode slowly ahead, with four mounted guards trailing slightly behind.
The Qing court had abundant warhorses—even the small Southern City Military Command possessed over a hundred steeds.
“I’ve got it! Borrow troops!”
“What?”
“Come on, to the Xikou Escort Agency.” Jiang Qingyun urged his horse forward, galloping ahead.
...
The Xikou Escort Agency was the largest in the Southern City and the entire capital, located outside Chongwen Gate in the Upper Third Alley. It employed 72 escort masters and 134 apprentices.
The escort flags fluttered in the wind.
A couplet hung at the entrance: “Escort service spanning the four seas; trust reaching the three rivers.”
Above, a plaque read: “Xikou Escort Agency.”
Two men wearing simple cloth jackets hurried forward to assist the distinguished guest with his horse.
Jiang Qingyun motioned them aside, reined in his horse, and entered the courtyard.
“Sir, sir~”
His arrival instantly drew the attention of everyone inside.
Soon, a middle-aged man parted the crowd and knelt on one knee.
“Escort Master Jiang Deshun of the Xikou Escort Agency pays respects, Sir.”
The attendant quickly introduced, “This is Commander Jiang of the Southern City Military Command.”
“Commander Jiang, welcome. I was unaware of your arrival; please forgive my lack of preparation.”
...
Jiang Qingyun dismounted and surveyed his surroundings.
The courtyard was filled exclusively with robust young men, each with solid, muscular builds.
Various stone lock weights lay scattered on the ground; weapon racks around the courtyard held swords, spears, axes, clubs, halberds, and cudgels. Further away was a row of bull’s-eye archery targets.
A tall youth bent his bow, arrow flying like a meteor, all striking the bull’s-eye.
Jiang Deshun said nothing, stepping back two paces.
He was a man with experience, calm and composed.
Until Jiang Qingyun spoke first:
“Escort Master Jiang, I have an important assignment for you.”
“Please, Sir, do tell.”
“Tomorrow, the Xikou Escort Agency will assist the Military Command in capturing fugitives. Don’t ask questions—it won’t benefit you. Now, gather all the escort masters you know in the capital.”
...
After the other seven escort masters hurriedly arrived, Jiang Qingyun addressed them in an authoritative tone:
“The Southern City Military Command intends to hire you all. No one is permitted to leave tonight. Tomorrow morning, Military Command personnel will accompany you back to the agency. Once there, all escorts must arm themselves within half an hour and set out immediately on foot to the Military Command office to receive orders. Each escort will receive one tael of silver.”
“Do not ask too many questions or entertain other thoughts. Cooperate honestly, and you will naturally benefit in time.”
The escort masters exchanged uneasy glances. What could they say?
They could only wait anxiously.
When the word is ‘official,’ whatever is said is law. The Southern City Military Command was the absolute authority in the Southern City.
...
Afternoon.
At the Southern City Military Command office, people came and went busily.
Everyone had received orders—rest, prepare armor and weapons, feed the warhorses, assign patrol areas, and prepare to mobilize tomorrow.
The advantage of having recruited the young men from the Han banners was clear: each had inherited ancestral armor.
Armor was a state treasure; hoarding it casually could arouse the court’s suspicion. But these youths wearing armor was legitimate and lawful.
Having armor over being unarmored was like a hundred against one—effortless victory.
Five or six local informants were brought to the Military Command.
Deputy Commander Zhao Zesheng glared fiercely at them, saying the court aimed to eradicate the entire underworld of the Southern City. They could either cooperate and provide intelligence or prepare to face execution at the marketplace.
The informants were terrified and quickly disclosed all they knew, revealing the hideouts of their bosses one by one.
...
The Southern City, a densely populated slum, was a breeding ground for underworld gangs—much like Hong Kong in the twentieth century, where shallow waters breed many turtles.
The gangs were countless, and various bosses ruled the streets.
Divided by trade, there were excrement bosses, water suppliers, rice dealers, vegetable suppliers, firewood merchants—each controlling a specific resource.
Divided by area, there were the Xuan South Gang, Tianqiao Gang, Chong East Gang, and others, each controlling certain alleys.
Divided by profession, there were thief gangs, prostitution rings, kidnappers, beggar gangs, and more—essentially trade associations.