Chapter Sixty-Nine: The True Culprit?

Eunuch Guo departed with a smile, yet his distant silhouette carried an indescribable sense of world-weariness.

Once young Tian Yin was settled, Lu Qing gathered his composure in the night breeze before seeking out Song Bonde.

The tally of those willing to head south and those who wished to stay had already been completed. The outcome was much as Lu Qing had anticipated—only eighty-four chose to remain, while the rest opted to continue their journey southwards.

Those who stayed accounted for merely a tenth of the total Ming soldiers.

Each has his own aspirations, or perhaps intelligence; Lu Qing’s foolish resolve did not mean the others would imitate it. Few are willing to risk their lives for a group of women to whom they are neither kin nor acquaintance. Most cherish their own survival more; after all, heading south offers the prospect of a bright future as an imperial guard, whereas staying behind brings little but death. Weighing the benefits and drawbacks, the choice could not be clearer.

Those eighty-four who chose to stay—what could be their reasoning for insisting on remaining with Lu Qing, awaiting death?

Heroes? Fools?

Who could say.

...

Song Bonde still tried to persuade Lu Qing, for with only eighty-four men, it would be impossible to hold Jin Family Stronghold—a thousand-man fortress—against the Wala. Should the enemy attack, the fall of the fortress and the slaughter of its defenders would be inevitable.

Lin Xiaoqi and Ji Xiaoqi also chimed in, urging Lu Qing to reconsider—there were two hours left before dawn, and he could still change his mind.

Lu Qing declined their goodwill, asking only to see the list of those who would remain. Song Bonde, seeing Lu Qing's resolve, gave in and signaled Lin Xiaoqi to hand over the roster.

Lin Xiaoqi had compiled the list; the names were written in traditional script, which Lu Qing found somewhat difficult but could still manage. To help him become familiar with those staying, Lin Xiaoqi had noted each man's origin beside his name.

More than half of the eighty-four came from the Left Guard of Wanquan, most of the rest from Kaiping Guard. The Right Guard of Wanquan had sent only a detachment of Night Patrols to reinforce Dushi Fortress, so their numbers were few, and only twelve chose to stay—one-third of their contingent.

Among the twelve, Lu Qing found the names of Jiang Tong, Fan Ruo, and Zheng Xiu, but did not see Zhou Yunyi or Zhang Qing.

Their absence from the list meant they had chosen not to stay. Lu Qing had nothing to say about this, though he felt a pang of regret, for he had believed Zhou Yunyi, a Night Patrol ensign known for his loyalty, would stay with him. But in the end, Zhou Yunyi chose to go south.

Feeling regret, Lu Qing comforted himself with the thought that each has his own ambition.

After conferring, Song Bonde and Lin Xiaoqi left Lu Qing thirty horses, and eighty-four captured Wala sabers. All valuables too cumbersome to carry were left for Lu Qing, a gesture of utmost consideration.

...

At last, dawn broke. Both those heading south and those staying knew this might be their final meeting; the mood was somber.

Groups of Ming soldiers converged from all directions to the fortress gate. There were farewells, embraces, and also muttered curses at those who remained.

The women noticed the soldiers leaving the fortress and grew frantic, fearing Lu Qing had deceived them and that they would be abandoned after all. But seeing Lu Qing remain steadfast, they gradually calmed, though their eyes never left him, afraid he might suddenly depart.

...

As more Ming soldiers left, heading south, the women became increasingly unsettled, yet none rushed to throw themselves into the river, for Lu Qing still stood there.

...

“Brother Lu, until we meet again!”

“Safe travels, everyone!”

After these simple courtesies, Song Bonde and his companions mounted their horses, saluted Lu Qing, and rode out of the fortress.

With the creak of wheels, Eunuch Guo’s carriage halted before Lu Qing. Inside, young Tian Yin poked his head out and softly asked, “Uncle Lu, Lord Guo wants me to ask if you have anything you wish to say to him. If so, speak quickly, or he’ll soon be gone.”

Lu Qing glanced at the carriage; Eunuch Guo sat with his eyes closed, his face betraying no emotion.

“Your Excellency,”

Lu Qing stepped forward and called softly. Eunuch Guo opened his eyes slightly, making a sound to show he was listening.

Lu Qing tried to speak, but something seemed to block his throat, making it difficult to utter a word.

Inside, Eunuch Guo sensed Lu Qing’s turmoil. With a sigh, he feigned impatience and waved his hand. “Young man, if you have something to say to me, hurry up. I’m eager to be on my way.”

“Yes, Your Excellency,”

Lu Qing drew a breath and spoke solemnly, “I have nothing else to ask, but if you meet Lord Wang Zhen, I beg you to warn him that the Aral tribe may cut off the army’s route back to the capital. Please urge him, whatever happens, to persuade His Majesty not to return via Juyong Pass.”

Eunuch Guo was surprised that Lu Qing’s final request concerned this matter. “Young man, are you so certain the Aral’s eastward movement aims at the main army? If your guess is wrong, and I advise Lord Wang Zhen carelessly, wouldn’t that cause a catastrophe?”

Lu Qing replied firmly, “Your Excellency, I don’t know how to explain, but I am sure the Aral are heading east to intercept the main army!” He continued, “I know you don’t trust my speculation, but in matters like this, it’s better to err on the side of caution. If my prediction is correct, you know better than I what the consequences will be. You yourself have said that the human heart is the hardest to fathom. To avoid alarming His Majesty, it would be best for the army to choose another route back to the capital.”

Eunuch Guo listened silently, then sighed, “Well, since you insist, I’ll trust you this time. When I see Lord Wang Zhen, I’ll tell him. But let me say this: I am now a disgraced man and cannot guarantee Lord Wang Zhen will heed me. If that happens, don’t blame me for not trying.”

He smiled wryly, “You make such a solemn request of me, but I may not survive to see His Majesty. If I meet misfortune on the road, your words will never reach Lord Wang Zhen... Why don’t you go yourself?” Eunuch Guo suddenly shifted to persuading Lu Qing.

Lu Qing forced a smile and did not reply. Seeing this, Eunuch Guo shook his head helplessly, then said, “The army must be at Datong by now. If they withdraw, His Majesty probably won’t pursue beyond the border, and will most likely return to the capital. With the army in the field, supplies are running low, and the court can’t sustain them for long. If they retreat, they’ll either return via Juyong Pass or via Zijing Pass. In fact, returning via Zijing Pass is closer than via Juyong Pass. But what reason could I give to persuade Lord Wang Zhen to lead the army via Zijing Pass instead of Juyong Pass?”

He added, “Let me be honest with you: your speculation won’t hold up as an official reason, much less alter the army’s route. If I want to change the route, I’ll need another excuse; otherwise, nothing will come of it. Military affairs aren’t child’s play... What excuse should I use?” Eunuch Guo looked troubled.

He was right; merely suggesting the Aral might cut off the route was not enough to alter the army’s retreat. Lu Qing could not think of a suitable reason, racking his brains but finding nothing.

Suddenly, Eunuch Guo exclaimed, “Ah! I remember now. If the army returns via Zijing Pass, it must pass through Lord Wang Zhen’s hometown, Weizhou. When I was still in the palace, Lord Wang often spoke of wanting to visit his hometown, but His Majesty always needed him, so he never could. If I see him, I’ll say, now’s the chance—let the army return via Zijing Pass and stop by his hometown, let him return in glory... Yes, that should work. Lord Wang will surely agree. In this way, the army returns via Zijing Pass, and Lord Wang fulfills his longstanding wish. Two birds with one stone.”

“Excellent!”

As long as the army avoids Juyong Pass and that damned Tumu Fortress, Lu Qing did not care what reason Eunuch Guo used to persuade Wang Zhen.

Ever since coming to this era, Lu Qing had dreamed of changing the “Tumu Crisis”—the great tragedy of the Han dynasty. As long as the calamity could be avoided, it mattered not who changed it; what mattered was that it would not happen. Though this meant he would not receive credit or a path to advancement, it was still worthwhile. There were always Eunuch Guo and his friend Cao; as long as Lu Qing survived, there would be chances to climb higher in the future.

He was about to remind Eunuch Guo again when Lin Xiaoqi rode over.

“Your Excellency, it’s late; everyone is waiting for you.”

After Song Bonde and the others had left the fortress, seeing Eunuch Guo’s carriage still inside, they sent Lin Xiaoqi to fetch him.

“Very well, let’s depart,”

Eunuch Guo glanced helplessly at Lu Qing, whose Adam’s apple moved as he said with genuine feeling, “Your Excellency, take care on your journey!”

“You take care as well...” Eunuch Guo’s voice was heavy with emotion. “If things come to a critical point, don’t be soft-hearted—if you must leave, then leave. If I survive, I’ll come find you; if not, go to the capital.”

“I understand, Your Excellency,” Lu Qing nodded.

“Go on, then.”

Eunuch Guo waved weakly at Zhang Qing, who drove the carriage. Zhang Qing gave Lu Qing a reluctant glance, then cracked the whip, and the carriage rolled forward.

As the wheels turned, Tian Yin suddenly called out, “Uncle Lu, you must come find me—you promised to lead me to fight the Tartars and avenge my family!”

His voice faded with the distance, and the carriage disappeared from Lu Qing’s blurred sight.

Jiang Tong came to Lu Qing’s side and asked, “Eunuch Guo and the others have gone. Brother Lu, what should we do now?”

Lu Qing snapped back to reality, “Let’s go inside and talk.” As he turned, he suddenly froze, as if he had seen a ghost.

Weizhou, Zijing Pass, Wang Zhen’s hometown...

Disaster! Disaster! Disaster!

Lu Qing’s face drained of blood. He remembered that later histories had recorded a reason for the Ming army’s catastrophic defeat at Tumu Fortress: the army was diverted to Wang Zhen’s hometown, Weizhou, trampling crops and breaking discipline, leading Wang Zhen to reroute the army to Xuanfu, adding dozens of miles to the march. Exhausted, the army was surrounded by the Wala at Tumu Fortress and annihilated.

If the Tumu Crisis played out this way, then Lu Qing’s urging Eunuch Guo to persuade Wang Zhen to lead the emperor and army to Weizhou and Zijing Pass had made him the architect of the dynasty’s tragedy.

The chief culprit?