Starting from 1618 of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 87 Distribution of Battle Merits

On the third day of the ninth month of the second year of the Tianqi reign (1623), in Yuncheng.

The autumn wind was bleak, swirling up withered leaves and dust from the ground.

Traces of the siege still remain on the city walls of Yuncheng—charred fire marks, cracked bricks, and dried, blackened bloodstains. Along the streets inside the city, many houses were burned down, and occasionally, a few uncollected corpses can be seen among the ruins.

The air was filled with a stench of decay and burning that made one want to vomit.

But none of this could dampen the festive atmosphere in the city.

Xu Hongru, the leader of the White Lotus Rebellion, has been captured alive!

This is a tremendous achievement, enough to give every general and official present a share of the credit.

Governor Zhao Yan's temporary residence was set up in the original county government hall, which was now bustling with people.

Generals and civil officials from all walks of life gathered together, ostensibly to "congratulate the governor on his great victory in suppressing the rebellion," but in reality, they were all there to vie for credit.

"Governor Zhao's strategic planning and command were impeccable; the greatest credit for suppressing this rebellion belongs to you, Governor Zhao!"

A civil official in a scarlet robe spoke first, his voice loud and clear, his face beaming with smiles.

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."

Zhao Yan sat at the head of the table, stroking his beard with a reserved smile on his face.

"This suppression of the rebellion was entirely due to the bravery of our soldiers; I merely served from the rear, contributing my meager strength."

"Your Excellency is too modest!"

Another official immediately chimed in.

"If it weren't for the governor's skillful command, how could the rebellion have been quelled so quickly?"

"Yeah yeah……"

Everyone echoed his sentiments, and for a time, flattery filled the air.

Lu Yan stood in a corner of the lobby, coldly observing this scene.

He was dressed in an ordinary blue robe, making him stand out conspicuously among the generals and civil officials in armor and official robes.

Several military officers passed by him without even glancing at him.

In their eyes, what is a mere scholar who has passed the imperial examination?

He was just a deliveryman, transporting grain.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen!"

Zhao Yan raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and the smile on his face faded slightly.

"How the credit is distributed is a matter for the court to decide. I am merely reporting the facts; there is no need for you to be overly modest."

"The governor is right."

A burly military officer stepped forward, his voice rough and rugged.

"However, I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

"Speak freely."

"The greatest credit for suppressing this rebellion belongs to General Yang!"

The adjutant's voice suddenly rose.

"General Yang personally led a large army to besiege the city, and his command was decisive. The rebel leader was beheaded. Who else could have done this but General Yang?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

All eyes turned to Yang Zhaoji, who was standing to the side.

Yang Zhaoji was the Shandong General, the commander-in-chief in this campaign to quell the rebellion. He was tall and had a resolute face. At this moment, he stood with his hands behind his back, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.

"General Yang's achievements are indeed outstanding."

Zhao Yan nodded, his tone indifferent.

"However, a siege is a siege, and a breached city is a breached city. If the night raid hadn't worked, who knows how long the siege of Yuncheng would have lasted."

"The governor is right!"

Another guerrilla general immediately chimed in.

"The night raid was a brilliant strategy by the governor! If it weren't for the governor's meticulous planning, how could the city have been breached so easily?"

"nonsense!"

The adjutant's face darkened.

"The night raid plan was adopted by General Yang, so how did it become the governor's achievement?"

"you……"

"That's enough!"

Zhao Yan's expression darkened slightly, and he raised his hand to interrupt the argument between the two.

"How the credit should be distributed is a matter for the imperial court to decide. What kind of decorum is this, with you all arguing like this?"

The crowd quieted down, but the tension in their eyes remained high.

Lu Yan watched this scene with a cold smile.

This was the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty—everyone wanted a share of the credit.

In their eyes, he was just a minor scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, and he was not worth mentioning at all.

But he couldn't just let it go like that.

The night raid on Yuncheng was his idea; the assault team was led by him; and the city gates were opened by his men.

If he were to be ostracized by these people, all the life-and-death struggles he had endured over the past month would have been for nothing.

"Your Excellency the Governor."

Lu Yan stepped forward and bowed.

"I have something to say, but I'm not sure if I should."

All eyes turned to him.

"oh?"

Zhao Yan glanced at him and nodded slightly.

"Lu Yan. I remember you—it was you who suggested the night raid plan. Speak, what is it?"

Lu Yan took out a stack of documents from his sleeve and presented them with both hands.

"These are the records of the students transporting grain. From Jinan to Yanzhou, a total of 3,000 shi (a unit of dry measure) of military grain were transported, and not a single grain was lost along the way. Each entry is evidenced by the seals of the local government offices along the route."

He handed the first document to Zhao Yan's staff and continued:

"This is a document submitted by the students. The plan for a night raid was proposed to Governor Zhao by the students. It bears Governor Zhao's handwritten reply: 'This plan is feasible and approved for implementation.'"

He then handed over a second document.

"This is the casualty list of the assault team. Of the eighty men, eight were killed and nineteen wounded. The students themselves led the team, charging ahead, infiltrating the city from the northeast water gate and working together to blow open the city gate."

He handed over the third document, his voice calm yet firm.

"The students dare not claim credit for what is rightfully theirs, but they humbly request Your Excellency to recognize the extent of their efforts."

The lobby was completely silent.

Everyone looked at Lu Yan with complicated expressions.

How could this young scholar be so well prepared?

Grain transport records, policy proposals, casualty lists... every document is verifiable, and every document has been signed and sealed.

This isn't about "stating the facts."

They clearly came prepared!

Zhao Yan took the document, carefully read it, and his brows gradually furrowed.

These documents are well-organized and contain solid evidence.

The grain transport records bear the seals of government offices along the route, the policy proposals bear Yang Zhaoji's approval, and the casualty lists bear the signatures of Zhao Changying and other officers.

For a scholar who passed the imperial examination to achieve this level is truly remarkable.

"Scholar Lu, your merits have been recorded in this official's record."

Zhao Yan put down the document and nodded.

"However, the specific details of the rewards and honors will be decided by the imperial court."

"The student understands."

Lu Yan bowed respectfully.

"This student only asks that Your Excellency report the truth; I dare not ask for anything else."

"Very well, I will report this truthfully."

Zhao Yan waved his hand.

"You may leave now."

"yes."

Lu Yan bowed and withdrew, returning to his corner.

The adjutant was about to say something when he was pulled back by the person next to him.

"Forget it, what credit can a mere scholar possibly get? Let him go."

"snort!"

The adjutant snorted coldly and said nothing more.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yan's lips curled up slightly.

What they didn't know was that he had one more card up his sleeve.

……

After the meeting, Lu Yan returned to his tent.

Zhao Changying came forward, her face showing worry.

"Boss, how is it?"

"It didn't go very smoothly."

Lu Yan sat down, picked up his teacup, and took a sip.

The tea had gone cold and had a bitter taste.

"Those generals all want to claim the credit for themselves. What are we, mere scholars, worth in their eyes?"

"Those bastards!"

Zhao Changying was indignant and slammed his fist on the table.

"We opened the city gates! Seven of our brothers died and twelve were wounded! And they, of all people, don't want to share any credit with us!"

"What's the rush?"

Lu Yan put down his teacup, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"We still have a backup plan."

"A backup plan?"

Zhao Changying was taken aback.

"What backup plan?"

"Eunuch Liu."

Lu Yan said calmly.

"I sent someone to inform Eunuch Liu yesterday. He's the garrison eunuch of Shandong; he won't miss an occasion like this."

Zhao Changying's eyes lit up.

"That's right! Eunuch Liu is one of our men. With him on our side, would those generals dare to disrespect us?"

"So, there's no rush."

Lu Yan leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

"Just wait."

Outside the tent, the autumn wind howled, stirring up clouds of dust.

Lu Yan's heart, however, remained calm.

This battle for credit has only just begun.