Chapter 324: The Capital Rocked
Chengcheng County suddenly burst into life.
The townspeople, having received the news, all flocked to the magistrate's office.
"What's all this commotion about today?"
"You haven't heard? The Magistrate just sent word; today's a festival!"
"The Lunar New Year is still weeks away. What kind of festival is it today?"
"The Heavenly Lord Barbecue Potato Rice Festival."
"What a strange festival!"
"That name is too long, isn't it?"
The county town residents, being somewhat provincial, hadn't yet seen the world. If it were the folks from Gao Family Village, they would have likely guessed most of it by now. But these townspeople still didn't know how much the Heavenly Lord enjoyed a bit of flair, a lesson they would gradually learn through their interactions with him.
Magistrate Liang Shixian, just as he did when distributing gruel in times of need, sat in the background, overseeing the bustling scene. In front of him, a large contingent of yamen runners, clerks, and civilian laborers were busily cutting, chopping, and mixing massive servings of rice, hefty chunks of meat, and large, curiously yellow blocks of food, which they then handed to the people at the front of the queue.
Those at the front picked up their chopsticks, took a mouthful, and their faces immediately showed expressions of absolute delight: "Ah, it's delicious..."
"So fragrant!"
"The cured meat and rice both smell wonderful! And what is this yellow thing? It's divine!"
"The Heavenly Lord just issued a divine decree, stating that this yellow food is called 'potato.' It's a brand new crop, and he commands us to plant it if we ever obtain the seeds."
"Oh, but where can we get the seeds for this thing?"
"I heard they have them in Xi'an!"
"Next time Xing Honglang comes to collect our embroideries and takes them to Xi'an, she'll bring back potato seeds."
"Hey, great! I want to plant some and try it too. This stuff is really delicious."
When it comes to promoting new crops, the best way is to let people taste them themselves. One bite resolves all doubts, doesn't it?
At this moment, another group arranged by Liang Shixian had already begun preparing food for Wang Cheng'en's troops.
Wang Cheng'en's forces numbered a full fifteen hundred men, a multitude that indeed required a substantial amount of food. Liang Shixian's staff chopped frantically, breaking down all the oversized rice grains and massive chunks into smaller pieces. These were then packed into enormous tubs and loaded onto handcarts.
Civilian laborers pushed the numerous handcarts out of the city, heading towards Wang Cheng'en's camp.
Wang Cheng'en had just heard strange cheers erupting from the county town, unable to fathom what all the commotion was about. Suddenly, the city gates opened, and numerous carts rolled out, all laden with fragrant, steaming food.
He let out a sound of surprise.
Liang Shixian approached him, a smile on his face. "General, you've journeyed far and still have the arduous task of suppressing bandits in Heyang County. The people of this county are deeply grateful for your virtuous efforts and have specially prepared this delicious food to reward your entire army."
Wang Cheng'en was stunned. Such generosity?
Wherever our government troops go, the common people usually avoid us. That's why I ordered my men not to enter the county town, lest they frighten the residents. I never expected these people would actually bring us food. This... this is truly something.
Quite touching, actually!
Liang Shixian replied, "Heaven is watching, General. You are worthy of this kindness."
Wang Cheng'en cupped his fists in salute. "Then it would be impolite to refuse."
With a single command, the fifteen hundred soldiers swarmed over, receiving large tubs of potato rice from the laborers. After just one whiff, their expressions transformed. "So fragrant!"
"This... this rice has meat mixed in..."
"Look at these hefty pieces of cured meat! It's so wonderfully smoked and fragrant."
"And these strange yellow root chunks, no idea what they are."
A close aide brought a bowl to Wang Cheng'en: "General, please try it. This rice is unbelievably fragrant."
Wang Cheng'en, unlike common soldiers, wasn't short on food. He was quite tired of cured meat, for instance. But with one bite, he too was astonished.
The flavor of this meal was incredibly rich. It was, after all, a culmination of advanced culinary techniques, infused with everything from MSG and chicken essence to various seasoned salts and countless other ingredients. It was likely that even the chef who prepared it couldn't fully explain its complex composition.
Wang Cheng'en exclaimed in astonishment: "This meal is incredibly delicious! This yellow thing must be potato. I've eaten it in Xi'an, but only plain boiled. I never imagined that mashing it and steaming it with rice would make it so fragrant. And with cured meat bits mixed in, it's absolutely perfect!"
Liang Shixian smiled: "General, when you return to your garrison in the future, you might consider having your garrison troops plant some potatoes. If cultivated properly, the yield is very high, and it can greatly help alleviate famine."
Wang Cheng'en nodded: "Since Sir Liang has said so, this general will certainly give it a try."
He turned his head to see his soldiers, each looking thoroughly satisfied as they ate. He couldn't help but sigh: "For this campaign, my soldiers were marching on empty stomachs, their morale low. This general was quite worried about our combat effectiveness. I never expected to enjoy such a fine meal here in Chengcheng County. The soldiers' morale has also greatly improved. Now, going to Heyang County, we will surely achieve victory in one battle, and bring that Fan Shan Yao back to Xi'an for judgment."
Liang Shixian said: "Then I leave it in your capable hands, General."
No sooner had they spoken these words than they heard the rapid drumming of horse hooves. A lone horseman galloped wildly from the southwest, shouting as he raced closer: "Urgent imperial dispatch! Urgent imperial dispatch! The Shaanxi Governor... has a command... General Wang, please receive the order!"
Wang Cheng'en was startled. He called out loudly: "This general is here! What is your order? Come and tell us!"
The rider galloped up to Wang Cheng'en. He didn't even have time for a proper dismount, instead tumbling off his horse and hitting the ground hard. Ignoring the pain, he scrambled to his feet, panting urgently: "On the twenty-seventh day of the tenth month, the Manchu forces divided into three columns. One attacked Daan Pass, where Brigadier-General Zhou Zhen was killed. Another struck Longjing Pass and Hongshan Pass; Brigadier-General Zhang Ande and others fled, and Zhang Wanchun surrendered. Jizhou was besieged, and by the eleventh month, the capital was placed under martial law..."
"In the eleventh month, Huang Taiji personally led his army to attack Long Pass, using the Mongol Kharchin chieftain Bultatu as a guide, capturing Hongshan Pass. Other generals seized Daan Pass and converged on Zunhua. The Commander-in-Chief of Shanhai Pass, Zhao Shuaijiao, arrived to reinforce, but he died in battle at Zunhua, his entire army annihilated. Governor Wang Yuanya, Baoding Judicial Commissioner Li Xianming, Yongping Judicial Commissioner He Tianqiu, Zunhua Magistrate Xu Ze, former Magistrate Wu Qiqian, and others fiercely defended the city, but all perished when the city finally fell."
As this news emerged, Wang Cheng'en's expression changed drastically: "The capital is in danger!"
The rider continued: "The imperial court has ordered governors and grand coordinators from all regions to rush to the capital's defense! His Excellency the Governor has commanded General Wang to immediately return to Xi'an, unite with the commanders of the other four garrisons—Wu Zimian, You Shilu, Yang Qi, and Yang Jiamo—and together proceed to defend the capital!"
Wang Cheng'en almost dropped the bowl in his hand: "If this general leaves now, what about Fan Shan Yao in Heyang County? That scoundrel is currently operating under the guise of an imperial officer, still committing atrocities in Heyang County!"
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