Chapter 48: A Vast Hoard of Silver

Liu Zeqing never dreamed that Wang Lanping’s cavalry would appear so suddenly. He was still plotting to go to Nanjing in a few days to deal with Wang Lanping.

The entire army was caught completely off guard. The soldiers lacked any fighting spirit; the commanders had no idea where their troops were, and the soldiers had no clue where to find a path to survival.

More than ten thousand soldiers of various branches mixed together within the Huaian army had just awakened from deep slumber. It was simply impossible to withstand the sudden charge of three thousand cavalrymen. The Huaian camp collapsed like a mountain of routing soldiers, fleeing frantically in the opposite direction in complete disarray. Many were barely clothed, let alone equipped with weapons; escaping with their lives intact was already a stroke of luck.

Those who failed to escape in time simply gave up running, raising their hands and kneeling on the spot.

Song Xian’s cavalry charged while shouting, "Those who surrender will be spared, those who dare to resist will be executed without mercy!"

The military camp was everywhere filled with kneeling Huaian soldiers, most of them barehanded. On the battlefield, once the cavalry broke through the defensive formations, it became an outright massacre. With the routing soldiers swarming like a tide through the camp, attempting any resistance was tantamount to suicide.

Before long, Wang Lanping had already led his personal guards charging into the blazing military camp. All around echoed the shrill screams of terror. The two hundred personal guards following Wang Lanping had no regard for minimizing casualties; anyone who dared approach within ten paces of Wang Lanping, regardless of whether they held a weapon or not, was struck down instantly.

Treading over the fallen bodies of the Huaian soldiers scattered everywhere, Wang Lanping rode up to Song Xian. Song Xian had already tightly surrounded the remaining thirty-odd desperate personal guards of Liu Zeqing who were putting up a stubborn last stand.

Inside the encirclement, the dozens of men stood back-to-back in anxious panic, desperately trying to squeeze into the center of the crowd. Surrounded by hundreds of cavalrymen, they could be considered loyal and brave souls, except that their loyalty was misplaced.

Holding his sabre, Song Xian saluted Wang Lanping and said, "Commander, these men are the central camp guards. Liu Zeqing escaped from the rear camp, and I have already dispatched men in pursuit; he cannot run far. May I ask how the Commander wishes to deal with these men?"

Wang Lanping nodded slightly and waved his hand to signal a gap to be opened in the encirclement. He rode his horse forward and swept his gaze across the crowd. He had no wish to slaughter the innocent; this long-distance raid was undertaken solely to take Liu Zeqing’s life and seize the millions of silver taels he had accumulated, and had nothing to do with the ordinary Huaian soldiers. Yet, as Wang Lanping took in the sight, he could not help but offer a bitter smile.

Although these guards looked nervous and fearful, the fierce determination of facing death to find a way out flashed constantly in their eyes. Perhaps these men were just like the Feng Regiment he had gathered in Huaining. Wang Lanping had given the Feng Regiment passion, courage, and conviction, transforming them from cowards who turned pale at the mention of battle into brave warriors who dared face thousands of iron cavalry head-on. This was not something that could be bought with money or loyalty; it was purely a conviction. Following such a leader made one feel truly alive.

Wang Lanping was unwilling to let these guards perish needlessly, so he decided to make one last effort. "I am Wang Lanping, the garrison commander of Nanjing," he proclaimed. "Liu Zeqing has conspired to rebel, and his plot has been exposed. You are all soldiers of the Ming army; you must not assist a tyrant in doing evil. Lay down your weapons, and I will pardon your past offenses."

Song Xian pointed his sabre and shouted, "Drop your weapons and spare your lives!" Hundreds of cavalrymen echoed the cry, much like a magistrate intimidating criminals in a courtroom. However, this was a battlefield, and failing to provide the desired answer meant certain death.

One of the guards shouted loudly, "Nonsense! When did General Liu ever plot a rebellion? You are making false accusations! Brothers, we are General Liu's most loyal and brave guards. We are his people in life and his ghosts in death. We swear never to surrender!"

The rest of the guards brandished their sabres and shouted in unison, "We will never surrender!"

Wang Lanping sighed helplessly. It was simply too difficult to change a man's conviction. He waved his hand and said, "Song Xian, grant them their honor."

A flurry of sabres flashed through the air with a chilling sweep, and the thirty-odd guards were all cut down, blood flowing across the ground.

Riding his horse, Wang Lanping proceeded toward Liu Zeqing’s central command tent. The interior was completely empty and in utter disarray. Although this was merely a temporary military tent and Liu Zeqing did not frequent it often, the furnishings inside could certainly be described as luxurious: fine purple sandalwood tables and chairs, flanked by two rows of weapon racks that unexpectedly displayed over a dozen paintings and calligraphy scrolls by renowned masters—truly a bizarre juxtaposition. Scattered about were various daily utensils of extreme refinement, mostly gold and silver wares, among which several appeared to be imperial palace treasures. Liu Zeqing had purchased these at a high price from Han Zanzhou, the eunuch left in charge of Nanjing, not daring to use them openly in the regional commander’s official residence, and only daring to sneak them out for use when stationed in field encampments. Now, not a single piece had been taken away.

The sounds of battle outside were gradually subsiding, indicating that the conflict was drawing to a close. Wang Lanping was not worried that Liu Zeqing could run far; given Liu Zeqing's consistent cowardice and obsession with self-preservation, he lacked the courage to abandon his main force and flee alone.

Consequently, Wang Lanping simply seated himself in the commander’s chair inside Liu Zeqing’s tent to wait for him. And indeed, cushioned by several layers of silk, the chair was remarkably comfortable to sit on; this General Liu certainly knew how to enjoy himself even in the midst of military campaigns.

Suddenly, the faint, muffled sobs of a woman drifted out from the rear tent. Five or six personal guards rushed in at the sound, immediately followed by a series of shrill female screams from the inner quarters.

"General, you... you must see this!" A personal guard lifted the curtain of the rear tent and spoke to Wang Lanping from the doorway, looking as though the situation inside was quite extraordinary.

Wang Lanping stepped inside to take a look and was met with six or seven women with their hands tied behind their backs, huddled together in a trembling, terrified knot. Unanimously gripped by fear, they shivered uncontrollably, most of them barely clothed, their pale flesh pressed close against one another. Their ages ranged roughly from sixteen or seventeen to twenty-five or twenty-six. A surge of stifled rage rose within Wang Lanping's chest—Liu Zeqing actually kept so many women in a military camp!

"What are you staring at? Haven't you ever seen a woman? Get out, get out! Can't you see they aren't wearing clothes? Do not look upon what is improper!" Wang Lanping ordered the personal guards to withdraw, and he stepped back out himself.

The personal guards cast a few more greedy glances before chuckling and retreating.

"Go find some clothes for them to put on," Wang Lanping instructed.

After a short while, the group of women emerged cautiously from the inner tent, dressed in oversized soldiers' garments, keeping their heads down and not daring to look at anyone.

Gazing at this group of women whose figures contrasted so starkly with their ill-fitting clothes, the personal guards could hardly contain their snickers. They pointed and gestured at them from the side, passing commentary on their appearances: one had quite a delicate visage, and despite the smudges of dust on her pretty face, she was bound to be a beauty; another had a slender waist and full bosom, and was undoubtedly a maiden undefiled. Even the bound feet, deformed into tiny triangular shapes, drew words of admiration from some.

Wang Lanping cast a glance at his worthless subordinates and waved his hand dismissively. "Out, out with you a pack of gluttonous cats. Wait outside."

The men burst into laughter and poured out of the tent.

"Don't be afraid, everyone," Wang Lanping said gently. "We are not bandits or robbers, and we won't harm you. Who are you all?"

Upon questioning, it turned out that these women had all been seized by Liu Zeqing from the surrounding counties—some were daughters of prominent families, others courtesans, and some even respectable wives. Liu Zeqing truly was not picky; he favored all kinds. Yet, judging by their looks, Liu Zeqing’s taste was not low; every single one of these women possessed fine features. Excluding these six, there had originally been eleven in total. Whenever Liu Zeqing took a fancy, he would drag a few out from the rear tent to amuse himself, and those who no longer interested him were casually gifted to his subordinates. Those unfortunate women had suffered a truly wretched fate, perishing without even knowing their families had been destroyed. The six women still alive were those Liu Zeqing had not yet gotten around to violating; another two days and they too might have met a tragic end.

*Bang!* Wang Lanping slammed his fist down onto the commander’s desk, startling the six women into dropping to their knees in unison.

"Liu Zeqing, you are a complete bastard! How could you bring yourself to do such a thing? Get up, all of you. I am Wang Lanping, the garrison commander of Nanjing. I will seek justice for you regarding Liu Zeqing's unlawful acts. Get up, come here—someone, help them get something to eat. And listen well, keep your hands to yourselves and don't frighten them!"

Once the women had been escorted out, Song Xian brought Liu Zeqing back under guard. By this time, Liu Zeqing no longer looked remotely human—disheveled, unkempt, with his hair in a messy mop and several raw, gaping saber wounds on his bare skin, the flesh rolled back. Yet he had no time to cry out in pain; the moment Song Xian threw him onto the ground, he scrambled eagerly toward Wang Lanping, hoisted himself up by clutching the commander's desk, and babbled, "Brother Wang, Brother Wang, what... what is the meaning of this? A flood has washed through the Dragon King's temple! I... I am Liu Zeqing, the regional commander of Huaian!"

One of Wang Lanping’s personal guards raised a foot and kicked Liu Zeqing in the shin. "Kneel!"

Wang Lanping leaned back into his commander's chair and said with a sarcastic drawl, "Ah, Grand Commander Liu, Earl of Dongping, holding the concurrent titles of Left Military Governor and Grand Preceptor to the Heir Apparent, Commander of the Four Garrisons of Jiangbei. Just listen to that long list! Your renown is truly formidable, though it seems you missed one title."

Smarting from the pain, Liu Zeqing did not dare to stand. He cringed submissively and said, "Brother Wang jests. Those are merely empty reputations, nothing compared to your glorious self, Your Excellency—a favored courtier of the Son of Heaven, at the height of your influence. I, I... haha."

Wang Lanping suddenly bolted upright and slammed the table. "Don't 'brother' me! I have no brother as devoid of human conscience as you. Speak! What is the meaning of those women you were hiding in the rear tent? Are those empty reputations as well?"

Liu Zeqing's expression shifted. He glanced back toward the rear tent and stammered, "This... this... oh right, they're yours! Scholar Wang, they are all yours! I swear, I haven't even laid a finger on those women. Several of them are daughters of prominent families, exceptionally pretty. They all belong to you, General. I..."

"Silence!" Wang Lanping roared. Everyone loved a beautiful woman, but it had to be based on mutual affection; one could not commit such conscience-staining atrocities. They were all human beings born of parents, vanishing without even a corpse left behind—it was utterly hateful. "You still dare to offer glib justifications and show no shame? Killing you would be letting you off lightly!"

Hearing that he was to be executed, Liu Zeqing kowtowed repeatedly, completely devoid of any bearing of a military commander, perhaps even lacking basic human self-respect. Those dozens of loyal guards of his had truly died in vain for protecting such a wretch, which only proved that they had not died unjustly, completely unable to distinguish right from wrong. "Brother Wang, General, spare my life! I was merely confused for a moment, I swear I will never do such a thing again, I swear!"

At that moment, Zheng Sen had also been located and brought in, though he had been bound by Song Xian's men in his capacity as the deputy regional commander of the Huaian army.

The moment Zheng Sen entered the tent, Wang Lanping hurried forward to untie him, patting his shoulder. "Brother Zheng, you've been wronged. Come, sit down and calm your nerves. The major matter is settled."

Yet Zheng Sen looked displeased; he kept his head tilted, sat down heavily with a thud, and remained silent.

Seeing that Zheng Sen had arrived, Liu Zeqing scrambled over once more, clutching Zheng Sen's knees. "General Zheng, please put in a good word for me! After all, you and I served together, and I have not treated you poorly these past few days."

Executing Liu Zeqing was something Zheng Sen and Wang Lanping had plotted a month ago. What angered Zheng Sen was that they should not have turned weapons against their own people and stirred up such a massive commotion. Outside, at least three hundred Huaian soldiers had died in the melee; countless weapons and firearms had been damaged, and the troops were scattered to the winds. Naturally, morale had plummeted into the abyss, and the Huaian camp had suffered a devastating blow.

Zheng Sen kicked him away with a single motion, letting out a cold laugh. "A wretch like you deserves to die. The Huaian army would have been ruined by your hands sooner or later. (According to historical records, when Liu Zeqing served as the Huaian commander, and the Qing army besieged Yangzhou, Shi Kefa ordered Liu to reinforce them. To save himself, Liu surrendered to the Qing. After Yangzhou fell, the Yangzhou Massacre ensued.) To save you would be to harm the Great Ming!"

With that, Zheng Sen snatched a saber from one of Wang Lanping's guards and raised it with a shout, preparing to strike. "You bring disaster to the nation and the people, treating the common folk as fish and meat, treating soldiers like household slaves, beating and killing them at a whim! Today, I, Zheng Sen, shall rid the country of this pest!"

Terrified, Liu Zeqing scrambled backward on the ground, crawling beneath the commander’s desk.

"Hold on!" Wang Lanping hurriedly shouted to stop Zheng Sen, and the guards nearby stepped forward to wrest the saber from his grasp.

"General, why not kill him?" Zheng Sen demanded angrily.

Wang Lanping understood Zheng Sen's character—he detested evil as he detested personal enemies, remained deeply loyal to the Ming house, and was single-mindedly devoted to restoring the dynasty, eager to execute rebellious traitors on sight. Yet Liu Zeqing could not simply be killed like this; if he were executed in such a manner, Wang Lanping himself would truly become a rebel against Ming. More importantly, the primary objective of this expedition was silver; where those millions of taels of silver were hidden was something only this fellow knew.

Wang Lanping walked over to Zheng Sen's side and said in a low voice, "Brother Zheng, calm your anger for a moment. I will explain everything to you shortly. I can guarantee you that this fellow will certainly die. For now, go outside and pacify the Huaian army. Come, escort General Zheng."

Fuming with resentment, Zheng Sen walked out of the tent.

Seeing that the situation had taken a turn for the better, Liu Zeqing hurriedly crawled out from beneath the desk, grinning broadly. "Many thanks to the General for saving me. Deputy Commander Zheng certainly has a fierce temper."

Wang Lanping turned, walked back behind the commander's desk, and chuckled darkly. "Save you? Why would I save you? Give me a reason."

Liu Zeqing was a seasoned veteran of officialdom. Since Wang Lanping had gone to such great lengths, it could not possibly be just for his life. Rumors were currently circulating everywhere that Wang Lanping intended to replace the Ming dynasty, which meant rebellion. What did a rebellion require? Men and money. Everyone knew that Wang Lanping was merely a top imperial scholar who had just taken office when the realm collapsed, and he had not yet had the opportunity to amass wealth. Therefore, he must be after the fortune Liu Zeqing had accumulated.

Liu Zeqing stepped forward and whispered, "Why doesn't the General dismiss his attendants? This older brother has a generous gift to offer."

Wang Lanping inwardly rejoiced, maintaining an expressionless facade as he waved his hand to the men. "Keep watch outside."

Some people, in order to preserve their lives, would even throw away their ancestors; what reluctance could there be over such superficial wealth? As long as one kept their life, there would be plenty of opportunities to amass wealth in the future.

"If the General can spare this older brother's life, I can give you a fortune—a full fifty thousand taels! Only heaven, earth, you, and I shall know of this. Consider it a token of goodwill from this older brother," Liu Zeqing whispered, leaning close to Wang Lanping's ear.

Fifty thousand? Far too little. Wang Lanping had fifty thousand troops stationed outside, and much of their weaponry and gunpowder was obsolete; replacing their equipment even once would cost far more than fifty thousand taels.

Wang Lanping remained silent, lightly tapping his fingers on the desk. The meaning was abundantly clear: his appetite was much bigger than that.

Seeing that Wang Lanping was unmoved, Liu Zeqing realized the sum was too small, cursing inwardly: *You drive a hard bargain! I’ve fallen into your hands today, but as long as I stay alive, sooner or later I’ll take it back with interest.*

"Ah, right, right! This older brother was so nervous I forgot—a total of eighty thousand taels! This is what I’ve painstakingly saved up over all these years, and today I offer it all to my younger brother."

Wang Lanping turned his profile, gazing at him with neither anger nor joy, a look that sent chills running down Liu Zeqing's spine.

Gritting his teeth, Liu Zeqing decided to make a bleeding sacrifice. "Fine! Younger brother, you are ruthless! One million five hundred thousand taels! I won't even keep my ancestral property; I only hope the General can spare my life."

This figure was barely acceptable to Wang Lanping, but it still wasn't enough; he needed to scrape the bottom of the barrel clean. After all, silver couldn't be taken into the grave.

Wang Lanping sighed, shaking his head. "Ah, until you go to the capital, you don't know how small your official rank is; until you go to Hangzhou, you don't know how poor people are. Today, seeing Grand Commander Liu, I realize just how truly poor I am. How did I end up so poor? General Liu, remarkable! A magistrate incorruptible for a decade manages to scrape together a hundred thousand taels of silver at most, yet with a single word you offer one million five hundred thousand. You have money, truly a wealthy man."

Liu Zeqing offered an awkward smile. "Hehe, this... serving as an official a thousand miles away is purely for wealth, after all. Scholar Wang, you studied hard and passed as the top scholar—wasn't that also for the sake of wealth and glory? What do you say? One million five hundred thousand taels to buy my life—that's quite a bargain."

Wang Lanping suddenly stood up, kicked Liu Zeqing sprawling to the ground, and shouted, "Nonsense! You are a military commander, yet you are also greedy for wealth? Do you remember Magistrate Kong of Huaining? A mere minor seventh-rank official, yet he constantly kept the words of the sages upon his lips: 'Military commanders do not fear death, civil officials do not love money'—that is the path of a peaceful and prosperous era! Yet you, a military officer, have amassed this much silver over a dozen years? Guards, drag him out and execute him!" Wang Lanping guessed that the fellow had already bled heavily; by stoking the fire a little more, perhaps he could squeeze out a bit more. Money was, after all, better the more one had; there would be countless places needing funds in the future.

Song Xian and a dozen personal guards swarmed in like wolves and tigers, some grabbing arms, others slipping ropes around him, scaring Liu Zeqing so badly that he pissed himself on the spot.

"General, wait, wait! I remembered—it's not one million five hundred thousand taels, it's two million four hundred thousand! There are also fifty thousand taels of gold, all hidden beneath the study and the latrine in my ancestral home. The General can verify this by sending men to dig; truly, that is all there is! Furthermore, beneath the commander's desk here, there is a secret compartment containing some loose silver." Liu Zeqing rolled on the ground, his demeanor completely casting away the dignity of a military commander.

Wang Lanping looked down at his feet, casually tapping with his sword hilt. It was indeed hollow, so he looked up and asked, "How much is there?"

Liu Zeqing finally let out a breath of relief, panting irregularly. "A little over ten thousand taels, used for routine rewards—just some loose pocket change."

Believing him this time—as any further scraping was likely nonexistent—Wang Lanping chuckled. "Commander Liu is truly extravagant and wealthy; over ten thousand taels is merely 'loose pocket change' in your eyes. Very well, since you show such sincerity, I shall temporarily accept this silver on behalf of His Majesty and turn it over to the national treasury another day."

"Whatever the General decides. Then... when will the General release me?" Liu Zeqing asked cautiously.

"Release you? Who said anything about releasing you? You offered the silver to me of your own accord; when did I say I was letting you go?" Wang Lanping retorted.

"You?" Liu Zeqing wished he could tear him apart with his teeth, but verbally he did not dare show the slightest defiance. "If the General spares my life, all three hundred thousand soldiers of the Huaian army shall be at the General's disposal! I, Liu Zeqing, am willing to serve as a vanguard under the General's banner, fighting across the battlefields for you with absolute loyalty!"

Wang Lanping cast a disdainful look at him. Employing such a man was simply lifting a rock to crush one's own toes.

"Come, Commander Liu's attire is truly unbefitting; find a suit of clothes for him to wear," Wang Lanping waved his hand.

A personal guard carrying a bundle walked into the rear tent to find some clothing.

Believing he had escaped death by a hair's breadth, Liu Zeqing hurriedly knelt on the ground and kowtowed. "Many thanks, General! From this day forward, at a single word from the General, I, Liu Zeqing, shall be the first to charge into Nanjing and tear Zhu Yousong apart to offer him to the General!"

Wang Lanping smiled inwardly and feigned shock. "Oh dear! I took you merely for a corrupt official, but it turns out you also harbor designs to harm the Emperor of Ming! Such treasonous audacity! Everyone heard it, didn't they?"

Liu Zeqing froze. What was this? Wasn't Wang Lanping rebelling?

At that moment, the personal guard who had gone to fetch the clothes emerged from the rear tent, holding a tray covered with a piece of brocade. "General, I've found a garment."

"Good, dress General Liu in it," Wang Lanping said with an inner smile.

Liu Zeqing took the garment, looking around nervously as he shook out the contents of the tray.

"Ah! A... a dragon robe!" What Liu Zeqing held in his hands was unexpectedly a bright yellow imperial dragon robe belonging to the Emperor of Great Ming. Terrified out of his wits, his hands shook violently, and he collapsed onto the ground in a heap.

Wang Lanping rose in anger. "Audacious Liu Zeqing! You dared to privately manufacture a dragon robe, and yet you still spouted words against His Majesty, plotting usurpation! Guards, bind him!"

"No, no! This... this is not mine!" Liu Zeqing's face was paler than a woman's powdered cheeks; he waved his hands frantically on the floor, frantically scuttling backward.

To say Liu Zeqing intended to rebel—even Wang Lanping didn't believe it. At best, he was a buffoon who only knew how to bully common folk.

"Song Xian, what are you waiting for? Serve Emperor Liu as he ascends the throne!" Wang Lanping smiled leisurely. The grand matter was entirely settled.

Song Xian waved his hand, and the men surged forward, forcefully shoving the dragon robe onto Liu Zeqing's body.

"Liu Zeqing has committed unpardonable crimes. For the sake of the Great Ming, for the sake of the people of the realm, I, Wang Lanping, rid the nation of this traitor. Drag him out, execute him by decapitation, and hang his corpse outside the camp gates for three days as a public warning!"

***

*(Historical records below, unrelated to the main text)*

Liu Zeqing (?—1649), courtesy name Hezhou, native of Cao County, Shandong. Coming from a military background, he rose to become the regional commander of Shandong in the late Chongzhen era. When the Dashun army approached Beijing, the Chongzhen Emperor ordered him to lead his troops in a forced march to defend the capital; he falsely claimed to have fallen from a horse and injured himself, refusing the imperial decree. Soon after, when the Dashun army entered Shandong, he led his main force fleeing south to Huaian.

Following the fall of the Ming dynasty, he supported the Prince of Fu, Zhu Yousong, as he ascended the throne in Jiangnan, and was enfeoffed as the Earl of Dongping, collectively referred to alongside Liu Liangzuo, Gao Jie, and Huang Degong as the Four Garrisons of Jiangbei.

In the second year of Shunzhi (1645), when the Qing army pushed south, Liu Zeqing surrendered. Disliking his fickle and untrustworthy nature, the Qing court had him strangled to death.

Liu Zeqing established his headquarters in Huaian, constructing a sprawling princely mansion that rivaled an imperial residence. The grand courtyards, magnificent gates, resplendent gold and jade decorations, luxurious halls, winding garden canals, deep walls, and forests of armed guards were thoroughly ostentatious. Furthermore, he possessed a lifelong penchant for performing arts and music, having once kept over forty beautiful courtesans and concubines. He lived a life of drunken stupor and hedonism in Huaian: "Daily he surrounded himself with seized respectable women from various places, reveling without restraint. When someone asked him about his strategy for defense, he replied: 'I came here to support the Prince of Fu; he ought to let me enjoy myself. Should anything untoward happen, I shall simply choose a commandery in Jiangnan and proclaim myself king of the mountains.'"

In April of the second year of Shunzhi (1645), as the Qing army moved south and Yangzhou fell into crisis, the Southern Ming court ordered Zeqing and others to reinforce the city, but he had already secretly plotted surrender to the Qing.

After surrendering to the Qing, Liu Zeqing was stripped of his military command and pensioned off in Beijing, bringing his military career to an end. Dorgon bestowed upon him two female attendants.

Historical commentaries:

Dai Mingshi: "Among the four garrisons, only Huang Degong remained loyal and obeyed imperial commands; the rest were arrogant and unruly, beyond the constraints of law and discipline."

Hao Jin: "The various garrisons divided into detachments to forage in the villages, with Liu Zeqing being particularly ruthless, practically sweeping the common folk clean."

Gu Cheng: "Among the four garrisons, Gao Jie and Huang Degong possessed relatively strong military power. Gao Jie and Liu Zeqing were routing generals who fled at the mere sight of the enemy, and ought to have been punished by the court; Huang Degong and Liu Liangzuo had no 'merit' to speak of during the year of Jiashhen either. They only became king-making meritocrats because they used their military backing to enable Zhu Yousong to successfully ascend the throne... Precisely because the formation of the four garrisons was not built upon any contributions toward recovering 'lost territories' for the Ming house, but rather on personal merit in establishing Zhu Yousong. As far as Hongguang and Ma Shiying were concerned, they needed to rely on their military power to cow the Jiangnan gentry; the four garrisons likewise prided themselves on their merit, declaring 'the Son of Heaven is one whom we set upon the throne.' From then on, they grew arrogant and tyrannical, blindly clustering in the Jiangbei region of the Southern Zhili to contend for 'prime lands' to enrich themselves, thereby coercing the court."