Chapter Four: Fearless of What May Come

Datong and Xuanfu together were referred to as Xuanda, though Xuanfu was stronger in terms of power. Still, the officials of Datong—whether civil or military, or even court eunuchs like Eunuch Guo, who guarded the city—never accepted being subordinate to Xuanfu.

But now, Eunuch Guo, who used to contest everything with Xuanfu, could not summon the will to do so. The defeat at Yanghe had struck him hard, and when he spoke of Yang Hong, his tone became deeply respectful. In his subconscious, he had already admitted that Datong was inferior to Xuanfu, believing firmly that as long as Yang Hong was there, Esen would never dare to invade with only his own forces—no matter how reckless.

It should be known that most sections of the Great Wall built by Ming were single walls, but within the Xuanda region, there were double walls. The northern edge of Xuanda had a wall solely to defend against the Mongols, and the southern edge, facing the capital, had another wall. If the Mongols wanted to reach the capital, they would first have to break through the northern wall, then the southern wall, before they could threaten the gates of Beijing. The difficulty of this was immense; a misstep could turn the tables against them. Thus, this Xuanda defense line was a double safeguard for the Ming capital.

Now, Esen had torn open the Great Wall at Yanghe near Datong, but he had not breached the defenses in Xuanfu, nor the wall facing the capital. Though Datong had lost men and officers, the stronghold remained. Even if Datong’s forces could not meet the enemy in open battle, they could still contain the Oirat army, cut off their retreat, and raid their supply lines with ease. With both Xuanfu’s and the southern defenses intact, should Esen dare to advance, Xuanfu and Datong could simply close off the northern breach. Encircled between two lines of the Great Wall and with the emperor’s army bearing down, Esen would have no hope of escape.

Even Eunuch Guo could see the peril in Esen’s reckless incursion—how could others fail to see it? Esen himself must surely understand. Thus, Eunuch Guo did not believe Esen would risk ignoring Yang Hong in Xuanfu, or the fact that Datong remained in Ming hands, to launch a surprise attack on the emperor’s army—unless he cared nothing for his own life or his position as Grand Preceptor of the Oirat.

Lu Qing admitted that Eunuch Guo spoke truly. At present, though Yanghe had fallen, it barely affected the Ming overall; the defeat was inconsequential. Even after defeating Datong’s border troops, Esen neither had the strength nor the courage to gamble everything on a sudden attack against the imperial entourage, for such a move could lead to his own destruction at any moment. Yet the unbelievable happened—no one believed it, but it occurred nonetheless, catching all unprepared and leaving them in grief and fury.

The pain of the traveler lay in knowing exactly how events would unfold, while no one else shared his insights or would accept his seemingly absurd warnings. If Eunuch Guo insisted on returning to Datong, Lu Qing’s butterfly wings would never stir a storm. He had to persuade Eunuch Guo to abandon the idea of returning, to go immediately to see the emperor and Wang Zhen, to inform them of what had happened in Datong, to make them realize that Esen’s Oirat army was not a rabble, to warn them of the dangers of advancing further toward Datong, and thus to strangle the Tumubao disaster in its cradle.

Simple persuasion would never sway Eunuch Guo, for he was Datong’s guardian eunuch and could not leave without imperial orders. He was bound to live and die with Datong, and Lu Qing could not find a reason compelling enough to convince Eunuch Guo that would not be dismissed as foolishness. The only way was to make Eunuch Guo himself feel that he must see the emperor.

Lu Qing did not know how to persuade him, so he spoke cautiously: “Your Excellency is right, but I believe that in all things, we must consider not just the obvious, but the unlikely. What if no one in Datong sends word, what if Xuanfu remains ignorant, and what if, emboldened beyond measure, the barbarians actually attempt to attack the imperial entourage?”

“This…?”

Eunuch Guo hesitated. Yes, what if Datong, in chaos after Yanghe’s defeat, failed to send a warning, and Esen, reckless as he was, really tried to surprise the emperor? The consequences would be unimaginable!

Noticing his uncertainty, Lu Qing pressed the advantage: “Today’s defeat is not your fault, Your Excellency, but if the barbarians frighten the imperial entourage, who else will the emperor blame but you? I believe that if you, having just escaped danger, go to report in person, your loyalty will surely move the emperor. If not merit, at least your hardship will be recognized, and who then could speak ill of you?” He spoke only for Eunuch Guo’s sake.

“Yes, yes, you see clearly, young man. I nearly let disaster slip by!”

Prompted by Lu Qing, Eunuch Guo awakened to the truth. No matter what, he would be implicated by the defeat, and though his crime was not fatal, he could hardly hope to remain as Datong’s guardian. More importantly, his position depended on imperial favor; if that vanished, his fate would be worse than that of dismissed officials. Wang Zhen was sentimental and loyal, but without imperial favor, what use would he have for Guo? Would he really let Guo retire in disgrace, perhaps as a humble sweeper, or spend his days shoveling manure in the garden?

Guo had served in the palace since the days of Emperor Taizong, fifty years in all. Through the reigns of Yongle, Hongxi, Xuande, and Zhengtong, he had labored for the imperial house—if not with merit, then with toil. Yet he knew well, no matter how much hardship he endured, he was but a servant in the royal eyes. If he did his duty, it was expected; if he failed, the imperial family would turn against him without pity. To be spared execution after so many years was a great favor—no hope for more. Would he, in old age, be reduced below even a sweeper, unable to support his descendants, subject to the scorn of the cunning?

No, never! He had to see the emperor, he had to see Wang Zhen! If his fate was to end in disgrace, it would be better to have died swiftly before.

Driven by a sudden impulse, Eunuch Guo leapt up from the ground, found unexpected strength, and grabbed Lu Qing, urging, “Come, quickly, let us go report to the emperor!”

Guo’s swift action startled Lu Qing, who was secretly pleased but did not move. Instead, he counseled, “Your Excellency must not be hasty. It is late, and who can travel safely in the dark? You are elderly; it is difficult for you to make the journey. Better to rest tonight, and at dawn I will escort you to report.” Thus he bound himself and Guo together.

“Good, good, good.”

Eunuch Guo repeated the word thrice, knowing he had been too rash. Never mind whether he had the strength for the journey; even the night itself posed dangers. He frowned and stood in thought for a while, then relaxed and sat down, the urgency fading from his face.

Lu Qing did not know what he was thinking, but judging by the change from tension to calm, he guessed it was related to the defeat at Yanghe—probably Guo had thought of a way to explain himself, and so felt at ease.

Once seated, Guo no longer mentioned reporting, overcome by fatigue. He wished only for rest, but the ground was muddy and wet, offering no place to sleep.

Lu Qing, observing this, took a dagger from his person, and under the moonlight wove through the reeds, quickly gathering a large bundle. He found a spot with less water, spread the reeds, pressed them down, and invited Guo to rest there.

This was no place for comfort, but Lu Qing’s thoughtfulness was rare, and Guo did not refuse. He praised Lu Qing, then groped his way onto the reeds. Lu Qing cut another bundle for himself, and the two lay down upon the reeds. Birdcalls and the cries of unknown beasts echoed through the marsh, but for these two, exhausted as they were, none of it mattered. Though their stomachs were empty, there was nowhere to find food, and after so much ordeal, their worries weighed heavier than hunger. Soon, both closed their eyes, and snoring soon filled the marsh, coming from Eunuch Guo.

The night breeze carried little disturbance, save for the occasional frightened bird taking wing—otherwise, nothing happened.

Before dawn the next day, Lu Qing and Eunuch Guo were startled awake by the sound of distant hoofbeats, which soon faded away. It was likely a small group of Oirat cavalry searching for survivors.

Frightened, Eunuch Guo dared not linger in the marsh. Lu Qing, fearing mishap, immediately led him out. After about half an hour’s wandering, their surroundings opened up; the tall reeds disappeared, replaced by barren ground. Judging by the environment, they had left the battlefield far behind, and the lingering scent of blood had vanished.

To the northwest, the Great Wall stretched endlessly. Thinking of yesterday’s crushing defeat and the breach now torn in the wall, both were filled with emotion and sat in silence.

The sun was not fierce, but the air was damp and stifling; both were soaked through, sweating profusely. Lu Qing removed his shirt, wrung it out, shook it, and put it back on, then asked Guo, “Your Excellency, where do we go now?” Reporting to the imperial camp was decided, but Lu Qing did not know its current location, so he had to ask Guo, who alone could make the decision. Otherwise, Lu Qing would be blind. He had neither a map of Xuanda nor any source of news, and who could tell where the emperor’s entourage was now?

“To Tianzhen.”