Chapter 57: Such a Giant Dumpling!

As he spoke, Dorgon, with his unsightly wild boar’s head, pressed forward.

“No! We cannot betray the late emperor!”

Dayu’er pushed away the charging Dorgon, panic flickering across her face. She deftly slipped past him, her refusal gentle but firm.

“He betrayed us!” Dorgon, embarrassed and angry, saw her crestfallen look and hurried to soothe her. “All right, I won’t say another word.”

Dayu’er lifted her gaze to him, her voice soft as silk. “When the imperial heir is safe and secure, and the throne firmly his, I will... elope with you. Would that be well?”

“What?” Dorgon was so stunned by this unexpected delight that he froze, unable to respond.

Dayu’er, pitiful and fragile, said, “I am willing to give up all glory and riches, just to be with you. Do you not rejoice? Or do you not wish it?”

Give up glory and riches?

The empire I conquered—just abandoned?

Dorgon returned to his senses, momentarily breaking free from his infatuated state. His face showed struggle, but finally, he gritted his teeth and declared:

“I am willing!”

Dayu’er paused, seemingly surprised at his resolve. She lowered her head and sighed softly. “Yet I see your struggle. I do not wish to make things hard for you.”

“Yes.” Dayu’er’s eyes shimmered with tears as she looked at him, her expression full of melancholy. “How can you willingly give the empire you conquered to the imperial heir…”

“I am willing!” Dorgon was instantly filled with shame and self-reproach, hastily promising, “Fulin respects me as a father, and I love him as a son. There is no question of willingness or reluctance!”

“Dayu’er, do not think too much. When I conquer the Ming empire and personally place the imperial heir on the throne, whether my feelings are true or false will be clear!”

Dayu’er rose, cupped his face, gazed at him intently, then stood on tiptoe to plant a large, wet kiss on Dorgon’s forehead, murmuring tenderly, “For the sake of us two, you have suffered much.”

Dorgon’s blood rushed, cheeks flushed, and he cried out, “Dayu’er, wait a little longer—I’ll go and cut down the Ming emperor!”

He would show these Ming people what it meant: ‘Eight Banners, less than ten thousand, but ten thousand cannot be defeated!’

The original phrase was actually, ‘Ming soldiers, if unpaid, cannot be defeated when paid,’ but the problem was, all the paid Ming soldiers were now among the Qing.

Leaving Dayu’er’s bedchamber, Dorgon shed his lovesick demeanor and became once again the Manchu regent, his eyes bright with wisdom and ambition.

Dorgon returned to the Hall of Governance and ordered, “Summon Hong Chengchou to see me.”

Not long after, Hong Chengchou entered the hall, face humble, kneeling and calling out, “Your servant greets the master! May the master enjoy peace and prosperity!”

He wore a melon-seed cap and a short leather jacket, living comfortably in Manchu Shengjing. After the death of Hong Taiji, he grew ever more deferential in front of Dorgon.

After surrendering to Qing, Hong Taiji assigned him to the Bordered Yellow Banner’s household troops. He held no official position, consulted occasionally, but the absence of rank left him feeling inferior.

“I’ve just received news—the rumor of one hundred thousand Hongwu soldiers in the capital is false. Ming merchants have staged a fake revolt, bluffing to intimidate us; in truth, the Ming dynasty is at its end and unable to resist!”

“Thus, I wish to seize this opportunity, lead the Eight Banner sons through the pass, and conquer the Ming empire in one stroke. What is your opinion?”

Dorgon tapped the chair, inwardly looking down on such scholars, but this one was adept at schemes and thus useful to him.

What he truly admired were the likes of Cao Cao—the heroes of old!

The legacy of Wei’s martial spirit, the bone of Jian’an!

Hong Chengchou knelt in thought for a moment, then spoke earnestly:

“Wu Sangui abandoned Ningyuan to enter the capital in defense of the throne, only to be sent by the Ming tyrant to suppress bandits, losing his title and command. Many hearts have cooled. Not to mention, the tyrant has slaughtered the court; the people and the Ming dynasty are estranged. Birds choose the best tree to perch in—wherever the Eight Banners go, they will win many loyal followers! That is the harmony of men!”

“You are wise and heroic, master, with far-sighted vision. If the current commander at Shanhai Pass is not a fool, he will surely submit at once! Shanhai Pass is a trifling matter—this is geographical advantage!”

“In my view, the Ming tyrant is suspicious and cruel. Once Shi Kefa is driven away or killed, at any time before the autumn harvest, during disasters in Shaanxi and elsewhere, these will all be favorable times!”

“With the right time, place, and harmony of men, if you lead the Eight Banner cavalry swiftly from Jizhou and Miyun near the capital, break through the pass, you will surely seize the Ming empire in one stroke!”

Dorgon looked at him with approval, praising, “Not bad, you think as I do.”

I, versed in history and wisdom, cannot be outdone by you, who only read ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’!

Hong Chengchou was secretly delighted, but outwardly he made a show of humility. “I have overstepped, guessing at your thoughts, master. Please punish me!”

“Spare it.” Dorgon, in high spirits, found these scholars adept at flattery, pleasing him greatly. He nodded and commanded:

“Not only will I not punish you, I will grant you an official position. You will follow the Prince of Yu, Dodo, command the Eight Banner sons, and act according to your strategy. When the empire is secured, I will appoint you as the Grand Governor for southern campaigns!”

“Thank you for your great favor, master! Your servant accepts!”

Hong Chengchou was moved, bowing his head to the ground.

Ever since Zu Dashou ruined the reputation of surrendered generals among the Manchus, Hong Chengchou had been kept under suspicion for two or three years, unable to be used, suffering humiliation.

Who was Hong Chengchou? A man of his word!

Surrender meant surrender; he would serve with utmost loyalty until death. He could never do as Zu Dashou did, surrendering and then rebelling.

He was determined to prove himself this time, to astonish these ignorant wild boar heads!

…

With Dorgon’s command, all of Shengjing sprang into action.

The Prince of Yu, Dodo, was appointed as General Who Secures the Nation, leading sixty thousand Eight Banner sons, soon to march for Ningyuan.

Hong Chengchou was to enter Ningyuan in advance, gathering supplies to support the Eight Banner cavalry.

Hong Chengchou, full of ambition, led a squad of cavalry at a gallop toward Ningyuan, eager to show his talents!

When he reached a hill outside the city, he paused.

Ningyuan was square and solid, with a bell and drum tower at its center. Outside the gates stood a semicircular barbican. Cannons were mounted at the four corners, the layout much as it was when he served there.

Now it was an abandoned city, with only a detachment of several thousand Qing troops stationed.

Hong Chengchou’s eyes grew moist, and he sighed, “I truly miss home—why does Ningyuan look so much like a giant dumpling?”

“Yes, we all feel it, Master Hong. Let us enter the city. When the Prince of Yu arrives with the royal army, you will need to strategize and command the troops.”

A surrendered Ming official hurried forward, eager to please, smiling, “Once we’re inside, I’ll find a great chef and have them make dumplings for you, to ease your homesickness!”

Hong Chengchou was taken aback, deeply moved. “You are thoughtful.”

…