Beginning with the Ubume Bird

Chapter 63: Chapter 17 Song’s Strategies

Raging flames rose, and the blackened dead bodies crackled in the fire, emitting a foul stench that was unbearable, causing people to cover their noses and walk away.

“My lord.”

Shen Heyan’s armor was corroded and in disarray, his expression uglier than ever.

The elder with the purple beard wiped his sword’s blade with his sleeve, his face showing a hint of distress.

“Heyan, what’s happened here?”

“It’s my negligence.”

Shen Heyan’s body was deeply bowed.

The elder didn’t say much after hearing Shen Heyan’s account, pondering for a moment before speaking.

“From today on, spread lime in the barracks twice daily, morning and evening. If similar incidents occur, burn the bodies on the spot.”

“Yes.”

The several soldiers from the Vanguard Right Camp looked at each other, puzzled. The elder was clad in straw clothing, his trouser legs caked with mud. His thick eyebrows stood tall, his face square, and his purple beard prominent—hardly resembling a court-appointed official.

They did not recognize him, but Shen Heyan did. The elder was named Song Yingchang, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, a third-rank court-appointed official, and also the Minister of War in charge of preparations against the Japanese during this Renchen War, overseeing all matters relating to the campaign. In effect, he was even the superior of his own uncle.

The elder grunted affirmatively. He glanced at Li Yan, who remained silent and head bowed, suddenly asking,

“Young man, what’s your surname and given name?”

“I am a Chief Banner under General Zu Chengxun, and I just returned to the camp yesterday.”

Li Yan’s attitude was very humble, although Deng Tianxiong was clamoring that Li Yan could become a Centurion, Li Yan himself was not so optimistic.

In the Ming Dynasty’s regulations, a Centurion was of the sixth rank, with two Chief Banners under his command. On the surface, the Chief Banner was just below the Centurion, but in reality, Chief Banners held no official rank. If Li Yan wanted official recognition, he would likely have to start as a ninth-rank Patrol Inspector and then climb up to Centurion step by step.

The war continued, and Li Yan was not worried about lacking military achievements. What he feared was the lack of connections within the court.

“I see.”

Song Yingchang hummed, then said no more.

Shen Heyan’s eyes shifted, and he suddenly coughed dryly, “My lord, the Governor and others are currently discussing matters in the camp. How come you…?”

Song Yingchang looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile.

“General Li is a renowned commander of our time, who does not need a bookworm like myself to direct battles. His Majesty gave me the task of Minister of War, but then appointed that Yi Daoist as Military Supervisor to act as a check upon me. Your uncle is also unhappy in his heart. I might as well keep out of sight; considering that old Daoist’s sense of propriety, he likely won’t be meddling.”

A strange laugh suddenly came from the street corner.

“Lord Song’s words are suffused with a sour tone, much like a jealous concubine who’s fallen out of favor. It truly diminishes the breadth of mind one would expect.”

As the drizzle ceased, a group of young men and women dressed in silk Daoist robes approached, surrounding the authoritative and majestically robed Mage Yi Yu.

Song Yingchang rolled his eyes.

“Yi Gaogong is not in the camp but has come to the city gate to keep this old man company and eat the dust?”

Yi Yu glanced at the mostly dried-out corpse on the ground.

“If I had not come, Suzhou City would suffer an outbreak of disease by tomorrow.”

Upon hearing this, Song Yingchang was also startled.

Yi Yu took the Shangxiao Tongbao Purple Gold Nine Divine Flame Talisman from the hands of his junior brother, Fei, formed a seal with his right hand, and directed it at the corpse. A pale white ball of fire surged from the talisman paper.

Li Yan was at least four and a half meters away from that flame, yet he felt a scorching blast of heat assault him. Even more alarming to Li Yan was the faint sensation of a tremor within his soul, as if something inside him was wailing.

The corpse that seemed charred to a crisp suddenly shattered into thousands of black spheres which scattered in all directions.

Yi Yu sneered, and the pale white fire morphed into myriad sparks that followed like shadows. Like maggots on bones, they bore into the black spheres, turning them into a pile of white ash without leaving a trace.

Li Yan saw clearly that this purple talisman, known as the Nine Gods Flame Talisman, showcased only two types of flames, one purple and the other white. The purple flame saved lives, and the white flame killed enemies, and even this was immensely powerful. Let alone the seven other flames he had not yet seen.

“Do the Japanese have such troublesome things at their disposal?”

Shen Heyan gnashed his teeth.

Yi Yu shook his head. “Just a little trick. I heard that within the land of the Japanese, there is a sect called Shinto with numerous followers. I estimate this person must be one of them.” His eyes flickered as he pondered to himself, “In recent centuries, the fortunes of countries have drastically declined, giving rise to rampant evil spirits. The Japanese have come out in full force, displaying a do-or-die attitude. Could it be that…”

He shook his head again. If Toyotomi Hideyoshi was going all in, wasn’t the Great Ming equally determined to win? The Emperor’s words of crushing the rebellion still echoed in his ears. This time, in the campaign to crush the Japanese in Joseon, victory was assured with no room for defeat.

“On the battlefield, if there are many such evil spirits, we must be more vigilant.”

Song Yingchang cautioned Shen Heyan.

“On the contrary.”

Yi Yu interjected.

“Our Celestial Empire of the Great Ming has the protection of the Dragon Tiger Qi and the Hua Gai canopy. Spirits dare not intrude, and external evils retreat. Even though we’ve suffered some decline over the past century, there is still a formidable heavenly authority. Wherever our army goes, secondary mystical practices can hardly unleash even a fifth or third of their power. How often do we hear of monstrous beasts and evil spirits attacking our soldiers in Joseon, yet which of those incidents became significant? Haven’t they all been vanquished by the army? Thus, Lord Minister need not worry. On the battlefield, these things are inconsequential.”

Yi Yu’s words were heartfelt, but unbeknownst to him, they touched a nerve in Song Yingchang. Wiping the corner of his eye, he replied as if offhandedly.

“Dragon Tiger Qi and the talk of a century’s decline, you Taoists have been preaching this for more than a decade. I fear that even falsehoods would become truths.”

His expression was stern. “How can the fate of the nation rest on the words of Taoists? Throughout history, a nation’s fall was due to five failings: domestic troubles, external threats, false peace, starvation among the people, failure to carry out rewards and punishments…” He glanced at Yi Yu, “And petty men rising to power.”

Yi Yu chuckled. “Lord Minister Song, as I recall, when you were the Patrol Inspector in Shandong and reached a desolate village, there was a man-eating tiger that had been terrorizing the locals. Upon your arrival, this tiger fled to the mountains and never returned. At that time, it was touted as an admirable anecdote. You don’t believe in the Dragon Tiger Qi, so how would you explain that?”

Song Yingchang remained unflustered. “A person should live without shame under heaven and over earth, harboring righteous qi within one’s heart; what is there to fear from beasts?”

Yi Yu waved his hand. “I won’t argue with someone who’s shamelessly old.”

Li Yan watched and listened silently, standing with a group of mounted scouts from the vanguard right camp, not showing any intention to speak.

Governor General Li Rusong, Minister of War Song Yingchang, and Military Supervisor Yi Yu were the three leaders of the Ming Army this time; two of whom Li Yan had encountered at the gates of Suzhou City.

But Li Yan knew that as a Chief Banner, he had no reason or standing to strike up a conversation. The more one said, the more mistakes could be made.

Besides, from the current situation, these three individuals held different positions, and it seemed that the Taoist from Heavenly Master Tao was somewhat ostracized.

Li Rusong had only summoned the Joseon translator he had brought and showed no intention of acknowledging Li Yan. Li Yan was not disappointed, but a person from Heavenly Master Tao had brought him reward money and a jade pendant. It looked like if not for the limits of his authority, he would have even taken care of promoting Li Yan himself, which indicated certain implications.

Shen Heyan, wanting to smooth things over, cleared his throat before saying:

“Come to think of it, Yi Gaogong would certainly not leave the meeting halfway. How are the matters within the camp proceeding? Has a time been decided for deploying troops to Pyongyang?”

Song Yingchang also voiced his concern, asking, “The Emperor is eager to exterminate the Japanese pirates, and the army cannot afford to delay long. Rusong, when do you plan to dispatch troops to Pyongyang? Have you discussed a specific time?”

“Of course.”

Yi Yu was halfway through his response when the long sound of a horn suddenly filled Suzhou City, indicating full military readiness. Shen Heyan’s expression changed; it was the signal for the entire army to prepare.

Yi Yu’s face turned solemn. “Today at the hour of shen, we prepare the troops. Tonight, we surround Pyongyang.”