Restoring the Mountains and Rivers #1-100
Author: 新海月1
Date: 2025-09-16T07:10:57+00:00

Chapter 1: Entering the Capital

“My lord, the capital city is truly… truly…”

He struggled for a long time but couldn’t find a suitable adjective, exposing Big Wu’s bumpkin nature on the spot.

“Magnificent!”

Noticing the strange looks from those nearby, Li Mu quickly added.

The man couldn’t even read a single character, yet he insisted on pretending to be cultured.

If it weren’t for the man’s excellent skills and his record of single-handedly killing thirteen mountain bandits, Li Mu would never have brought him on this trip.

“Stop gawking and let’s get into the city!”

As he spoke, Li Mu slapped the back of Big Wu’s head and dismounted from his horse.

In the capital, there was no shortage of important figures. It was better to keep a low profile.

The sharp-witted Steward Zhou had already rushed to the city gate and presented their identification papers.

As expected, after verifying their identities, the city guard officer immediately let them pass.

The mocking gazes from all around instantly turned to envy.

Without any complications, Li Mu’s party bypassed the crowd queuing to pay the entrance fee and entered the city directly.

…

A year ago, he was just an unlucky fellow who had been “optimized” out of his job.

The job market was bad, and he couldn’t find a suitable position right away.

Without the burden of a mortgage, car loan, and consumer debt, this “nuclear-powered workhorse” decided to take a long vacation to see the beautiful landscapes of his country.

He had just taken the first step when a transmigration package dropped on his head, bringing him to the Great Yu Dynasty.

A dynasty that didn’t appear in any history books, with a political system and social background somewhat similar to the Ming Dynasty.

His predecessor was a paragon of filial piety, strictly adhering to the standards of mourning.

He had personally built a simple thatched hut near his father’s grave and lived a life of sleeping on a straw mat and eating coarse food every day.

He never wavered, no matter the scorching heat or freezing cold.

After persisting for two years, the toll on his body finally caught up to him, and he was ultimately struck down by a sudden storm.

The transmigrated Li Mu was naturally not so pedantic. He went along with his family’s persuasion and used the excuse of recuperating to move back home.

He spent a good six months recuperating at home before his body returned to normal.

Thanks to a favorable policy of the Great Yu Dynasty—the “hereditary system for Guard garrison officers”—his ancestors had left him the foundation for his livelihood: the post of Commander of the Hanzhong Guard.

When his mourning period ended a month ago, Li Mu submitted a memorial to the imperial court to assume his post and set off for the capital.

…

In front of the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s mansion.

“Young Master Mu, please, come in quickly!

The servants were ignorant to have stopped you at the gate. They truly deserve to be punished.

Ever since we received news of your arrival in the capital, the Marquis has taken it very seriously and specially ordered the Rain Bamboo Courtyard to be prepared for you.

His Lordship is at the morning court session and will only be back in the evening.

The young masters are all studying at the academy. They’re busy with their quarterly assessments recently and will only be back in a few days.

Please forgive us for any lack of courtesy!

Why don’t you follow me to the Rain Bamboo Courtyard to settle in first?”

While the old steward greeted him warmly, he also explained the absence of a master to welcome him, fully demonstrating the professionalism of a steward from a great house.

The accompanying servants, with great perceptiveness, took the reins and led the horses from the outer gate to the stables.

“Thank you for your trouble, Uncle!

I left in such a hurry that I didn’t have time to prepare anything proper. These are just some local specialties from Hanzhong. Steward Liu, please accept them on my uncle’s behalf.”

Li Mu replied, neither humble nor arrogant.

He did not refuse the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s goodwill.

In a society built on clans, two people named Li are always considered family.

Even though the Hanzhong Li clan had branched off from the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s family nearly a hundred years ago, and their blood ties were almost beyond the five degrees of mourning, as long as the two branches had not formally separated, they were still considered one family.

Because of their kinship, the two families had always been political allies.

Staying at the marquis’s mansion was both a visit to relatives and a political statement to the outside world.

“You’re too kind, Young Master Mu!

What are you all standing around for? Get some people over here to move these things.

Young Master Mu, please follow me to the Rain Bamboo Courtyard first!”

As he spoke, Steward Liu led Li Mu and his party into the marquis’s mansion.

They passed through more than a dozen gates, taking about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, before reaching their destination.

The Rain Bamboo Courtyard occupied a considerable area, with over twenty rooms. In its center were a bamboo grove, a pond, and a pavilion, all arranged with artistic elegance.

Maids and servants were already waiting at the entrance, and a table was laden with various pastries and fruits, clearly prepared in advance.

“Young Master Mu, this is the Rain Bamboo Courtyard. All the daily necessities have been prepared.

If you need anything else, please don’t hesitate to order the servants.

His Lordship said that you should make yourself at home here and not stand on ceremony!”

He perfectly highlighted the mansion’s high regard for their guest while attributing all the credit to the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

No superior would dislike such a considerate subordinate.

It was clear that this steward of the marquis’s mansion was no ordinary man.

If he weren’t limited by his birth, with his high emotional intelligence, he could have carved out a successful career for himself in the imperial court.

“Thank you, Steward Liu. I will let you know if I need anything.

I’ve had a long journey and need to freshen up. Please, feel free to go about your duties!”

Li Mu said with a smile.

Recognizing the dismissal in his tone, Steward Liu decisively took his leave.

“Steward Zhou, get everyone settled in.

There are many rules in the marquis’s mansion. When you have free time, stay within this courtyard to avoid offending anyone important.

Try your best not to get into any conflicts with the people of the mansion. If anything happens, come to me.”

Li Mu instructed, still feeling a bit uneasy.

Great and powerful houses never lacked a dark side. It would be awkward if one of them were to be set up and used as a pawn.

The unrest within the inner quarters of the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s mansion was practically an open secret among the noble circles.

Even as far away as Hanzhong, he had heard whispers of it.

The main wife was sonless, and all the young masters in the mansion were born to concubines. In theory, the eldest son born of a concubine held the right of succession.

However, great and noble families valued their reputation above all else. For the marquis’s family to have a son of a concubine directly inherit the family estate would be too great a loss of face.

Under such circumstances, the usual practice was to have one of the concubine’s sons officially adopted by the main wife, thereby making him the legitimate heir to inherit the estate.

At that point, the birth order of the concubine’s sons became irrelevant.

Whoever was granted the status of a legitimate son would become the primary heir.

On the matter of establishing an heir, the marquis’s wife remained indifferent, and the Marquis of Zhenyuan showed no clear preference.

To fight for the right of succession, the few concubines in the mansion were engaged in a lively struggle.

Li Mu had no intention of getting involved in this farce.

His uncle was not yet forty, and the marquis’s wife was even a few years younger. They also had two daughters, so no one could guarantee that they wouldn’t have a son of their own later on.

…

In the evening, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Li Yuan, returned home. Looking slightly weary, he asked:

“Liu Quan, what do you think of this nephew of mine?”

Although they were uncle and nephew, the last time they had met was five years ago, at the funeral of the previous Marquis of Zhenyuan.

“My Lord, Young Master Mu has changed a great deal in these past years.

He came on horseback this time, and aside from a steward, the men accompanying him were all fierce and valiant household retainers.

In matters of worldly wisdom, he is also much more mature than he was before. He has some of your grace from when you were young, My Lord.”

Hearing Steward Liu’s reply, the corners of Li Yuan’s mouth lifted into a slight smile, and he then ordered:

“Arrange for the evening banquet!”

…

Chapter 2: Night Banquet at the Marquis’s Mansion

“Nephew greets Uncle and Aunt…”

Li Mu said, bowing respectfully.

Feudal dynasties placed the utmost importance on etiquette. A minor lapse could lead to ridicule for being ill-bred, while a major one could cost you your life.

Any unconventional behavior that went beyond the norms of the era was irresponsible to oneself.

“We’re family, there’s no need for such formalities!

Your uncle has been talking about you a lot lately.

Five years have passed in the blink of an eye. In a flash, young Mu has grown into a man.

Your cousins are at Tonghe Academy and won’t be back until the end of the month.

These two are your younger female cousins. What are you waiting for? Come and greet your elder cousin from the main branch.”

As soon as the Marquise finished speaking, two girls, one older and one younger, came forward and greeted him in unison:

“Greetings, elder cousin!”

The older cousin was seven years old and a little shy.

The younger one was only four, her eyes darting about, her face full of curiosity.

“Greetings to you both, cousins!”

After the simple pleasantries, the banquet began.

The rules of feudal etiquette were ever-present. Despite the large spread of dishes on the table, only Li Mu and the Marquis of Zhenyuan partook of the meal.

The womenfolk dined at a separate table in the rear courtyard.

…

“Mu, what are your thoughts on the situation at court?”

The moment the Marquis of Zhenyuan spoke, Li Mu knew the test had begun.

To survive in the imperial court, one’s abilities could be lacking, but one’s political acumen could not be.

This was especially true for political allies, who needed to understand each other.

The destructiveness of an incompetent ally was worse than a thousand enemy troops.

“Chaos!

The factions at court are a tangled mess.

The Pure Stream Faction and the Eunuch Faction are locked in a fierce struggle, while the conservatives and the reformists are like fire and water.

Beneath them are regional factions like the Zhejiang, Chu, Jin, Qin, Lu, Hui, and Liaodong cliques…

Nearly every high-ranking official at court wears multiple labels. Their political stances can change at any moment, making it difficult to pin them down.

Nephew has been far away in Hanzhong and truly cannot make sense of all the court factions.

However, the main conflict is between the civil officials and the eunuchs. We military officials have been weak for a long time and rarely participate in these struggles.”

Li Mu replied frankly.

The complexity of the situation in the Great Yu Dynasty rivaled that of the late Ming Dynasty.

Which faction an official belonged to was often not a matter of personal choice, but was determined by their birth and position.

“To have this level of understanding shows you’ve truly matured.

The situation in the capital is even more complex than you see.

His Majesty wants to accomplish too much, and everyone is struggling to keep up, which has led to the current chaos.

But his intentions are good. It’s just that he is young and vigorous, and a bit too hasty in his actions.”

The Marquis of Zhenyuan’s words startled Li Mu. He seemed to be defending Emperor Tianyuan, but his tone was filled with deep resentment.

Although the Great Yu Dynasty did not punish people for their words, directly criticizing the emperor would still cause significant trouble if it got out.

To dare speak of it so openly, aside from the influence of alcohol, likely meant his dissatisfaction had reached its peak.

Recalling the series of actions Emperor Tianyuan had taken since his ascension, Li Mu instantly understood.

Upon taking the throne, the current emperor had eagerly announced reforms, enacting a series of new policies.

“Reducing Redundant Officials,” “Reform of the Imperial Clan System,” “Levying Mining Taxes,” “Reorganizing the Capital Garrisons”…

Viewed individually, each reform was of great significance to the Great Yu Dynasty.

As titled nobility deeply tied to the court, they were the last to wish for the situation to deteriorate and supported most of the reforms.

Li Yuan was once a key figure in the reformist camp, until last year when the emperor ordered the “Reorganization of the Capital Garrisons.”

At the time, Li Mu was still in Hanzhong observing a period of mourning and didn’t know the specifics. In any case, the final result was a devastating loss for the titled nobility.

By the emperor’s decree, the Capital Garrisons, centered on the Twelve Training Divisions, had their numbers cut by thirty percent. Elites were drawn from the garrisons and border armies to form the Five-Army Training Divisions.

A simple military reorganization wouldn’t have been a major issue, but the crucial point of contention was the personnel appointments.

The primary commanders of the Five-Army Training Divisions were mostly promoted from the border regions. The scions of the titled nobility were relegated to marginal posts, effectively excluded from the center of power.

Even though the emperor made placating gestures afterward, this display of distrust left the titled nobility disheartened.

With a rift forming between the emperor and the nobility, the civil official faction naturally wouldn’t miss such a golden opportunity.

Vast resources were poured into the Five-Army Training Divisions, further diminishing the influence of the already marginalized titled nobility at court.

With their core interests damaged, the stance of the nobles who had once staunchly supported the emperor began to subtly shift.

“Uncle, please rest assured.

I came to the capital this time solely to assume my duties. I will have nothing to do with any other matters.

Apart from waiting for the court’s appointment, I will spend the rest of my time within the mansion!”

Li Mu immediately declared his position.

He dared not engage in such a sensitive topic involving the emperor.

As one of the representatives of the titled nobility at court, the Marquis of Zhenyuan could get away with a few drunken complaints, but that didn’t mean a small fry like him could do the same.

“It’s good that you understand the stakes, but there’s no need to stay cooped up in the mansion all day.

You still need to visit friends and old acquaintances to maintain your relationships. Don’t let them fade.

As for hometown connections, you can visit them selectively based on the situation.

You are not yet an appointed court official, so there’s no need to be overly cautious about these normal social duties.

Commander of the Hanzhong Guard is a good starting point, but its potential for advancement is too limited, making it difficult to progress further.

In a few days, I’ll arrange for you to meet some influential figures among the titled nobility.

There are three vacant Chiliarch positions in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. His Majesty intends to hold an open selection, and I plan to recommend you to try for it. After a few years, you can be assigned to a post outside the capital.”

Li Yuan said with a cheerful laugh.

It was clear he was very satisfied with Li Mu’s performance.

“Uncle, won’t this be too much trouble for you?”

Li Mu said with a troubled expression.

In Hanzhong, his position as Guard Commander made him a prominent figure, someone everyone had to show respect to.

But things were different in the capital. In a world teeming with nobles and dignitaries, he was a nobody.

Everyone wants to climb higher, but one must also consider the reality of the situation.

In his past life, he was just a corporate drone working a 996 schedule, so his understanding of politics was very limited.

As an outside observer, he might have been able to analyze the pros and cons and see the truth, but it was a different story once he was a player in the game.

Even with the political resources of the Marquis’s Mansion supporting him, a nephew was, after all, not a son.

It was one thing to be given an opportunity, but it would be foolish to expect long-term political backing.

The Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan had been passed down for generations, spawning numerous major and minor branches. In the capital alone, there were eight family branches.

There were dozens of distant nephews like Li Mu; it was impossible to look after them all.

“I know you have your concerns, but there’s no need to worry too much. Just follow my arrangements!

The capital isn’t like the provinces. The situation here is complex, but the stage is large enough, and it’s filled with opportunities.

Twenty years of effort in the provinces can’t compare to five years of striving in the capital.

Even if you are assigned to a post outside with the same rank, the connections you make in the capital will benefit you for a lifetime.

…”

Seeing that his uncle was serious, Li Mu could only dismiss the thought of refusing.

It might seem like a demotion in rank, but a capital official was always more prestigious than a provincial official, and a post with actual authority was even harder to come by.

Out in the provinces, people would fight to the death for such an opportunity. To refuse again would be ungrateful.

Chapter 3: A Pie from the Sky

In the inner quarters.

“My Lord, your behavior today was quite different from usual.

“Of all the nephews from our clan, is he the only one who has caught your eye?”

The Marquise asked with a puzzled expression.

She had seen plenty of nephews who came to visit, many of whom were more closely related by blood.

Most of the time, the Marquis of Zhenyuan would just deal with them politely. If he was willing to offer a few words of advice in private, it was already considered a mark of familial affection.

“He’s different!

“When the other clan nephews are in front of me, they’re either timid and hesitant or too eager to show off.

“Whatever I say, they just echo in agreement. They lack independent judgment and are nothing but sycophants. Their potential for development in the official world is limited.

“Li Mu, on the other hand, was self-possessed from start to finish. Even when I deliberately brought up sensitive topics, he remained composed.

“He neither agreed nor openly disagreed, choosing instead to gloss over it.

“He has his own unique insights into the court’s situation. Based on the limited information he could have gathered from the outside, his analysis was already close to the truth.

“Someone with his mature mind, keen political instincts, and accurate self-awareness is perfectly suited for the official world.

“Even though he’s still green now, once he enters the court and is tempered for a few years, he’ll mature quickly.

“The most crucial thing is that when he runs into trouble, he knows how to gloss over it and protect himself. Pushing him forward won’t bring me any grief.

“It just so happens that the Marquis’s Mansion’s next generation still needs time to mature, and my political resources are in a transitional period. So, I might as well give him a chance!”

Li Yuan said with a smile.

Influenced by the Confucian clan culture, it was a social norm in the official circles of Great Yu to promote one’s own younger kinsmen.

However, influenced by the societal value placed on literary pursuits over martial ones, the number of young men in the new generation willing to pursue a military career was dwindling. Most chose the path of a civil official.

This included his own sons, whose first choice was also to study in the hopes of achieving something in the imperial examinations.

It wasn’t just the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan; the entire titled nobility was actively transitioning from military to civil careers.

In this regard, successive emperors had always held an encouraging attitude.

Any scion of the titled nobility who passed the highest imperial examinations would be specially cultivated, and their promotion speed was much faster than that of the average person.

The top-tier nobility received even more preferential treatment. As long as a direct descendant held the title of a scholar, they could become a study companion to a prince.

If the prince they followed became the emperor, when rewards were bestowed for merit, they would typically be granted the status of having passed the highest imperial exams as a bonus.

“My lord, Mu’er has also reached the age for betrothal.

“The boy’s parents passed away early, and he has no one to arrange these things for him. Why don’t we help him out?”

The Marquise proposed tentatively.

It wasn’t that she thought highly of Li Mu, but rather that the titled nobility had a long-standing tradition of forming marriage alliances.

She currently had only two daughters, both of whom were already engaged. According to custom, the Marquis’s Mansion also had to take in a mistress of noble birth.

For the honor of both families, no matter which young master in the mansion entered into a marriage alliance, he would have to be designated as a legitimate son under her name and recorded in the family genealogy.

Once his status was set, he would become the first-in-line heir to the marquisate. Even if she had a biological son in the future, he would have to take a place behind him.

Once he obtained the legal right of inheritance, coupled with the support of his wife’s clan, it would be nearly impossible to change the heir again.

No matter how much she usually carried herself with the air of a matriarch, on such a matter, the Marquise still felt a sense of repugnance.

Until she was completely incapable of bearing children, she would not allow such a dangerous thing to happen.

Even if she had to take this step in the end, to protect her own position, the adopted son’s wife’s clan could not be too powerful.

Compared to the heir of the Marquis’s Mansion, Li Mu’s status was much lower, but in a marriage alliance among the nobility, personal ability was also a bonus.

An inherited third-rank military position was barely an entry ticket. As long as the Marquis’s Mansion was willing to back him and he himself showed outstanding potential, the probability of success was not small.

“Mm!

“His parents passed away early. It’s only right and proper that we, as his elders, help arrange things for him.

“You can start by keeping an eye out for suitable candidates. I’ll first confirm whether he has any existing marriage agreements to avoid any blunders.”

Li Yuan said nonchalantly.

Clearly, he had not sensed the Marquise’s true intentions; otherwise, he would never have agreed so readily.

Promoting a talented junior was not the same as investing heavily in him.

A political marriage was, in itself, a consolidation of resources. Once this marriage was arranged, it would mean that the Marquis’s Mansion’s political resources for the foreseeable future would have to be spent on Li Mu.

It didn’t matter to the childless Marquise. Even if she were to become pregnant immediately, it would be twenty years later by the time her son grew up.

Over such a long period, those who were meant to rise would have already been supported, and there was no need to keep wasting resources on those who couldn’t.

But it was different for the Marquis of Zhenyuan. His illegitimate sons were still his sons, and he would certainly prefer to invest his political resources in them.

“Rest assured, my lord. I will absolutely help Mu’er find a good match!”

The Marquise said with a grin.

Achieving her goal so easily had completely exceeded her expectations.

Having managed the inner quarters of the Marquis’s Mansion for years, she was clearer than anyone about who was engaged to whom and who was still available.

A betrothal was a major event.

Not a single one of the proper ceremonial procedures could be skipped, and it had to be announced to all friends and relatives.

To finalize a marriage alliance between two great families based on a mere verbal agreement from years ago, without any of the proper procedures, was pure fantasy.

If betrothal was so solemn, then annulling it was even more difficult.

According to the Laws of Great Yu, “Those who privately agree to a marriage and then renege shall receive fifty lashes.”

If one was then promised to another, the penalty was seventy strokes of the staff if the marriage had not yet taken place, and eighty strokes if it had.

This applied to both men and women. Unless the other party was guilty of a major transgression or one of them passed away, attempting to annul a betrothal would cost you dearly.

Even if one could survive the punishment, it was tantamount to social suicide in the court of public opinion, and it would be difficult to find a good family for future marriage discussions.

Becoming an official was out of the question, as the court would not select a person lacking virtue.

Furthermore, the entire clan would be implicated. Whether it was arranging marriages or pursuing careers in the officialdom, the clan’s descendants would be affected.

Once it became a fait accompli, there was no possibility of going back.

Back in his small courtyard, Li Mu, unaware of the pie from the sky about to hit him, began to readjust his life plans.

The capital was not like his old home in Hanzhong; he simply didn’t have the luxury of lying flat and coasting through life.

Taking a register from his luggage, Li Mu cross-referenced it with the information he had recently collected and began to analyze it one name at a time.

Since he was going to make his way in the capital, he had to make use of these connections as much as possible.

Those who had left the capital for official posts elsewhere were the first to be filtered out.

Next, those involved in factional struggles and caught in the political maelstrom were also filtered out by Li Mu.

Then, he categorized the remaining people according to their official rank and the closeness of their relationship.

Knowing what level of gift to give to which person was also a skill.

It was indeed a bit pragmatic, but the official world was, in itself, a stage for fame and fortune.

Connections were a bonus when the wind was at your back, but how much use they’d be when the wind turned against you, no one could say for sure.

It wasn’t that people lacked integrity; it was just that some tempests were too great, and anyone caught in them would be struck down and shattered.

Chapter 4: Urgent Report from the Frontier

The next morning, Li Mu sent someone to deliver a formal request for a visit.

He had been cramming a great deal of etiquette knowledge these past few days.

According to the customs of the Great Yu officialdom, a guest had to send a notice to arrange a time before visiting, lest they arrive to find the host away from home.

If the host made an excuse to decline and did not suggest another time, it meant their relationship was not close enough, and there was no need to visit.

Arriving at the door with one’s identification papers and waiting in line to be received was what a subordinate did when seeking an audience with a superior.

Li Mu was there to renew an old friendship, so he naturally couldn’t make such a mistake.

He didn’t wait for a reply at the Marquis’s Mansion. After breakfast, he went out with a few household retainers and a servant from the mansion.

It was his first time in the capital, so he was definitely going to look around.

The bustling crowds and the endless stream of carriages and horses all spoke of the city’s prosperity.

“Eight hundred li emergency dispatch, clear the way!”

“Eight hundred li emergency dispatch, clear the way!”

…

As if they had rehearsed it, upon hearing the cry, everyone from high officials and nobles to common city folk moved to the sides with the greatest speed.

A road wide enough for four horses to ride abreast instantly appeared before Li Mu’s eyes.

Once the mounted messenger had passed, the street returned to its bustling state, only now with a new topic of conversation.

Here in the capital, political awareness was exceptionally high.

Even the common people had a habit of caring about the affairs of the nation, and they all began to speculate about what had happened.

“Fubao, a scene like that just now must be rare even in the capital, right?”

Li Mu asked.

The eight hundred li emergency dispatch was the Great Yu Dynasty’s highest level of communication. It would never be used unless something earth-shattering had occurred.

In any case, back in Hanzhong, the fastest he had ever seen was a three hundred li dispatch.

“Young Master Mu, you’re joking.

I’ve only ever heard of an eight hundred li dispatch in plays. This is the first time I’ve ever encountered one myself.

If you’re interested in what it’s about, you could go sit in a teahouse by the city wall. People from all walks of life gather there, and you can hear all sorts of news.

But most of it is just hearsay. No matter how well-informed they are, they couldn’t possibly be faster than an eight hundred li dispatch.

When His Lordship returns tonight, you can ask him yourself. You might get an answer then.”

Hearing Fubao’s reply, Li Mu smiled faintly.

“Lead the way. It’s a good chance to see the capital’s teahouses.”

When the sky falls, the taller ones are the first to hold it up.

It wasn’t his place to meddle in such affairs. The right thing to do was to use his free time to get to know the Capital City first.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was, in name, a military unit, but in reality, it did the work of the armed police, public security, and the comprehensive urban management and law enforcement bureau combined.

It was mainly responsible for patrolling the capital to catch thieves, clearing streets and ditches, and handling prisoners and fire prevention.

In the early years of the dynasty, the Central, East, West, South, and North Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were established. Later, due to the complexity of their duties, their staff was gradually expanded.

In later stages, to strengthen management, five Thousand-household Forts were also established.

To gain a firm foothold in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, one not only had to sort out the various relationships but also have a sufficient understanding of the capital.

“Right away!”

…

“Your Majesty, an eight hundred li emergency dispatch from the frontier!”

Hearing this news, the court officials, who had been arguing just a moment ago, fell deathly silent.

“Present it!”

Emperor Tianyuan ordered coldly.

No matter how hard he tried to appear calm, the flash of worry in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

Ever since its inception, the eight hundred li emergency dispatch had stood for disaster.

Every time it was used, it brought calamitous news, a herald of misfortune, never of joy.

“Useless!”

“A bunch of useless fools!”

As he cursed, Emperor Tianyuan couldn’t help but slam his hand on the dragon throne. The sharp pain brought him back to his senses.

“Dire news from the frontier.

Five days ago, the Divine Machine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp, along with the Liaodong Border Army, launched an attack on the northern barbarians’ main camp, but they ran into continuous heavy rain.

The rain soaked the gunpowder, rendering all the army’s firearms useless, which the enemy exploited.

In this battle, the Divine Machine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp were almost completely annihilated. The accompanying border army suffered over fifty percent casualties, and we also lost the hundreds of cannons we brought.

The Commander-in-chief of Liaodong, Duan Wenhong, died for his country. The Commander of the Divine Machine Camp, Shu Chisong, died for his country. The Commander of the Three Thousand Camp, Wu Yichu, died for his country. The Regional Commander of Liaodong, Cao Quanlong, died for his country…

My army of one hundred and fifty thousand is gone!

Everyone, discuss what should be done to salvage the collapsing situation in Liaodong.”

The disastrous news had come too suddenly, and all the key leaders had died for their country.

According to the Great Yu tradition, the dead bore no responsibility.

With no one to hold accountable, the emperor himself would struggle to bear such a heavy burden of blame.

Theoretically, the Great Yu Dynasty commanded an army of one million, so losing one hundred and fifty thousand troops could simply be replenished.

Unfortunately, the gap between different armies was greater than that between a man and a dog.

The troops lost in Liaodong were the elite of the Great Yu Dynasty, a far cry from the farmer-soldiers of the garrison posts.

Having lost this main force, the Great Yu would be at a disadvantage in the Liaodong region for a long time to come.

Knowing the style of the northern barbarians, they would certainly not let this golden opportunity slip by.

“Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to first pacify the troops in Liaodong, abandon some non-essential passes, and concentrate our forces to defend a few key strategic towns.

At the same time, we must dispatch elite soldiers and skilled generals from all over the country and strive to reinforce Liaodong in the shortest possible time!”

Duke of Cheng, Jing Guoliang, was the first to offer a plan.

Perhaps everyone was stunned by the shocking news, or perhaps no one wanted to take responsibility, but the court officials, who were usually skilled at infighting, remained uncharacteristically silent this time.

“Since no one has any other opinions, we will proceed as the Duke of Cheng has proposed.

The Grand Secretariat will send someone to pacify the troops as soon as possible. The Ministry of War will immediately draft the orders to mobilize elite soldiers and skilled generals from various regions.

The Ministry of Revenue will provide two million taels of silver, and the Imperial Treasury will provide one million taels as death benefits for the fallen soldiers.

In addition, the Ministry of Revenue is to raise another three million taels for military pay and five hundred thousand stones’ worth of grain and fodder for contingencies.

From this moment on, everything is to be prioritized for salvaging the situation in Liaodong.

Anyone who dares to undermine the greater good will be executed without mercy!”

At this critical moment, Emperor Tianyuan showed his decisive and ruthless side.

“Your Majesty, the Ministry of Revenue has no money!”

The Minister of Revenue, Wan Henian, forced himself to refuse.

The court had countless expenses. For the past century, the Great Yu’s finances had been in trouble.

Reforms had been attempted several times over the years, but they only ever had a temporary effect.

The bureaucracy of the Great Yu was like a colossal, coiled beast, capable of devouring any amount of money.

This situation had persisted until Emperor Tianyuan ascended the throne, at which point the court finally achieved a balanced budget, even posting a surplus of two hundred thousand taels last year.

However, with the completion of military reforms and the start of the campaign in Liaodong, the national treasury had once again fallen into a deficit.

Suddenly having to produce such a large sum of money was a heavy burden for the Ministry of Revenue.

“We do not want to hear excuses!

No matter how difficult it is for the Ministry of Revenue, this money must be produced.

If there is no money, find a way to raise it.

If you cannot solve the court’s problems, of what use are you to me?”

Facing Emperor Tianyuan’s stern rebuke, Wan Henian could only curse his luck silently.

The emperor had put it so bluntly, leaving him no room to refuse.

Chapter 5: Chaos in the Teahouse

The court session had ended, but the dire political repercussions were just beginning to unfold.

As he walked out of the great hall, Emperor Tianyuan’s body trembled.

A sudden, catastrophic defeat had declared the failure of the military reforms he had personally championed.

No one would care about the process; they would only see that the new army trained by the emperor had been defeated, and all its previous glorious achievements had been washed away.

There had been no immediate outcry in the court because the ministers had only just received the news and had not had time to react.

But once they began to conspire, the factions whose interests had been harmed by the reforms would undoubtedly take action.

It wasn’t just the military reforms that would come under attack; all of his previous reform measures would be called into question.

“Your Majesty, you must take care of your health!” the Grand Eunuch Zuo Guang’en, who was by his side, advised.

“Rest assured. I am perfectly capable of drawing a 240-catty bow; a small setback like this won’t break me.

“Pass down my decree: summon the cabinet elders and the titled nobility for a discussion.

“Guang’en, you need not stay with me. With something like this happening, a storm is bound to brew in the court. Go and handle it first.

“And remember, have the Factory Guards investigate the circumstances of this defeat. The whole affair is too unusual.

“I refuse to believe that Duan Wenhong would lead an army on an expedition without first having someone check the weather.

“Even if he doesn’t understand meteorology, surely someone among the many veteran commanders in the army would have reminded him that firearms need to be protected from water!” Emperor Tianyuan said, forcibly suppressing his rage.

“Your Majesty, rest assured.

“This old servant will investigate this matter thoroughly and will not let a single suspicious person escape!” Zuo Guang’en immediately declared.

This great defeat would severely damage Emperor Tianyuan’s prestige as a monarch.

The eunuchs’ existence depended on imperial power; if the emperor’s authority crumbled, they would be the first to suffer.

Those scholar-officials outside who wished they could devour them alive would certainly be the first to pounce, tearing them to shreds.

If the defeat at the front was a natural disaster, it would be one thing. But if it involved human error or sabotage, then the most intense political struggle of the Tianyuan era was about to erupt.

In the teahouse, Li Mu, who had been trying to gather information, was quite disappointed.

There was no shortage of news from the convergence of all walks of life, but unfortunately, it was all too mundane.

Gossip from this household and that.

Someone lost their property here, a widow was having an affair there.

It was fine as entertainment, but the amount of useful information was practically zero.

In the mouths of these people, the eight hundred li emergency dispatch had been twisted into something of a myth.

Tales of an “evil dragon turning over,” the “Yellow River bursting its banks,” or a “vassal king rebelling” were spun with vivid detail, their main feature being sheer fantasy.

Thinking about it, this was normal. Those involved in the discussions were ordinary people with limited information to begin with.

Anyone with even a bit of status would choose the private rooms upstairs for their meetings, rather than the mixed crowd in the main hall.

The Great Yu Dynasty did not prosecute people for their words, but that policy was aimed at commoners; it didn’t mean that court officials could spout nonsense.

“There’s a fight outside!”

It’s unknown who shouted it, but the people’s innate talent for rubbernecking was instantly activated. One by one, they craned their long necks to peer outside.

“The Jinyiwei are arresting Hu spies! All uninvolved persons, get clear!”

Upon hearing that the Jinyiwei were arresting spies, the crowd that had been eager to watch a spectacle instantly scattered, and the scene became even more chaotic.

“Young Master Mu, we should leave too!

“Whenever the Jinyiwei are involved, it’s never good news,” Fubao advised, looking slightly embarrassed.

Coming to the teahouse had been his suggestion. He hadn’t expected to run into this sort of trouble just moments after they had sat down.

In the capital, this law enforcement agency, granted special authority by the emperor, was a presence that could make children cry.

“Why panic?

“They’re arresting spies, it has nothing to do with us. Leaving now would only make us look guilty.

“Didn’t you see that the ones who tried to run were all stopped?” Li Mu said with a calm expression.

The Jinyiwei’s fearsome reputation was due in part to their own violent enforcement methods, but even more so to the slanderous propaganda spread by the scholar-officials.

It was true they sometimes acted lawlessly and harmed loyal officials, but more often than not, they were acting on orders from above.

Without a signal from their superiors, the Jinyiwei also had to play by the rules.

Those who ignored the rules of officialdom and acted with impunity usually didn’t live long.

If the children of officials on the third floor could remain composed, so could he.

In the blink of an eye, the teahouse patrons who had scattered in flight were forced back inside. With them came the “Hu spies” being pursued by the Jinyiwei.

The teahouse’s main doors, which had just been closed, now trembled on the verge of collapsing under the violent impact of their bodies.

Swish, swish, swish—a shower of arrows killed the Hu spies, but it also inevitably caused collateral damage.

Witnessing this, Li Mu silently cursed the entire families of the Jinyiwei outside.

To enforce the law so recklessly at the foot of the Imperial City, were they not afraid of accidentally injuring an imperial relative? A bunch of utter greenhorns.

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Mu immediately led his household retainers toward the third floor, only to be stopped on the staircase.

“Gentlemen, we are from the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan. This is my master’s nephew.”

As he announced their affiliation, Fubao also produced the marquis’s identification papers.

It proved that getting by in the world still depended on one’s background.

Upon hearing “Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan,” one of the men blocking their path immediately went upstairs to report to his master.

“Since he’s the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s nephew, let him come up.

“But his retainers must help with the defense,” the young man said nonchalantly.

It was clear he didn’t particularly care about the Marquis of Zhenyuan; he just didn’t want to make an enemy for no reason.

“Your Highness, your safety is paramount…”

Before the middle-aged eunuch could finish, the young man interrupted him with a wave of his hand. “The situation outside is too chaotic. We don’t have enough men, so it’s hard to guarantee we won’t be dragged into this.

“Besides, the Marquis of Zhenyuan has a special status. If we block his nephew outside and something happens to him, it would be no small trouble.”

“Your Highness is right. This old servant was being shortsighted,” the middle-aged eunuch flattered, much to the young man’s satisfaction.

At the top of the stairs, Li Mu’s brow furrowed when he was told that only he was allowed to go up.

“Use the tables as barriers and the benches as weapons! Hold the southwest corner and don’t let anyone get close!” Li Mu ordered immediately.

A wise man avoids unnecessary danger. The situation upstairs was unknown; going up alone might not be safer than staying below.

Rather than entrusting his fate to others, he preferred to keep it in his own hands.

The household retainers who had followed him to the capital were all elites handpicked from the army, and every one of them had seen blood.

If not for the lack of armor and proper weapons, a small scene like this would have been nothing to them.

The defensive barricade was barely complete when the chaotic crowd surged in, with everyone making a mad dash for the third floor.

With a flash of cold light, a head rolled down the stairs. The teahouse patron who had been at the very front paid for his rashness with his life.

This was followed by several more screams. The crowd, which had been desperately climbing the stairs, hastily turned back, terrified of becoming the next souls claimed by the blade.

Seeing people approaching their position, the household retainers raised their benches, ready to strike.

Perhaps due to the bloody lesson just moments before, everyone was now exceptionally cautious, quickly dodging away at the first sign of trouble.

In an instant, the pursuing Hu spies also entered the teahouse, and a terrifying atmosphere enveloped the entire room.

Chapter 6: Prince Fu

“Commander, we’re surrounded by the enemy on all sides. There’s no way out. However, there are armed men guarding the staircase, so it must be a noble of Great Yu upstairs. If we can capture them as a hostage, we might have a chance of survival!”

Hearing the report from his subordinate, the old man didn’t hesitate for a moment, immediately issuing orders:

“Song Maoliang, you shout to them outside and demand to negotiate. Stall for as much time as possible. Gongxi Jianyong, you take a team and set an ambush downstairs. If negotiations fail, hold off the attacking Jinyiwei. Zhuo’erke, you take your men, use these people as cannon fodder, and storm the third floor!”

As he spoke, the old man’s gaze fell upon the southwest corner.

In the chaos of the teahouse, the barricade made of tables, chairs, and benches was far too conspicuous.

“Friends inside, our meeting here is fate. Why not come out for a chat? The Jinyiwei’s way has always been to arrest in error rather than let anyone slip through. Since you’re here today, even if you have nothing to do with us, you’ll inevitably take a trip to the Imperial Prison. Instead of waiting for death, why not join us and fight our way out!”

Mistaken for men of the martial world, Li Mu was slightly taken aback.

No matter how you looked at him, he was a young noble. What about him screamed ‘martial wanderer’?

But one glance at the burly men beside him and he instantly understood.

The nobles in the capital valued appearances; even the guards in their retinue had to be handsome. He, on the other hand, was a pragmatist. He picked his household retainers for their fighting ability, and each one of them looked as fierce as a demon—hardly like good men.

“Shut your mouth, you cur! We are sons of the Great Yu! How could we be dogs for the Hu people like you!” Li Mu immediately cursed.

In any other place, he might have feigned cooperation with these people, but in this situation, he had to make his stance clear.

Any hesitation would be a political mistake.

“Boy, you’re courting death!” the old man said, seething with rage.

If not for the critical stage of the assault on the third floor and the enemy lying in wait outside, he would have ordered his men to cut Li Mu to pieces.

Deep down, he had already decided that as soon as he captured the important figure upstairs, he would kill this annoying brat.

“You old fossil! A dog for the Hu people like you will have no face to meet your ancestors in the afterlife. Stop your barking. I advise you to see the error of your ways. Just slit your own throat and go kowtow to your ancestors in apology. It might spare you some suffering!”

Since he had already offended them, Li Mu didn’t mind putting on more of a show.

By now, the situation on the third floor was looking grim. The initial show of force by killing someone hadn’t been enough to hold the staircase. With the tea patrons driven ahead of them as a vanguard, the Hu spies mingled in the crowd and charged up. The two sides were locked in a fierce battle.

Charging out to help was too risky, but he could certainly run his mouth a bit to distract the old man and, in doing so, bolster the resolve of those fighting upstairs.

“Your Highness, here are some servant’s clothes. Please change into them. If the guards can’t hold back these Tartars, you can pretend to be a waiter and hide in a cabinet.”

The eunuch’s words greatly displeased the young prince.

At thirteen or fourteen, he was at an age of peak bravado. To have him cowardly disguise himself as a servant to escape was an idea more painful than death itself.

“Say no more. I am Prince Fu of the Great Yu! How could I flee in the face of the enemy? Reveal my identity at once. Order the Jinyiwei outside to press the attack. I refuse to believe they would dare watch me fall into the hands of these traitors!”

Deep down, he had already cursed the entire family of the Jinyiwei commander outside. The Hu spies were surrounded, yet instead of launching an immediate attack, they were trying to negotiate with the villains. It was a disgrace to all officials of the Great Yu.

“Your Highness, once your identity is exposed, this band of villains will surely…”

Before the middle-aged eunuch could finish, the young boy shouted:

“I am Prince Fu of the Great Yu! I order you to swiftly kill the enemy! Death to all who dare to side with the traitors!”

The melodramatic cry stunned everyone present.

Outside the teahouse, Centurion Zhou of the Jinyiwei was so scared he nearly wet himself when he heard the news.

If he had known this particular lord would be caught up in the pursuit of Hu spies, he never would have accepted this assignment.

In fact, he had chosen to negotiate with the villains earlier because there were too many hostages inside the teahouse. The Jinyiwei were indeed permitted a certain amount of collateral damage when on a case, but this was right under the Emperor’s nose. He could handle the deaths of a few commoners, but if the number exceeded a hundred, it would be a major incident. The impeachment memorials from the civil officials would be enough to bury him alive.

“What are you standing around for? Charge in and rescue Prince Fu! Notify the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions to attack from the rear immediately. We must ensure the Prince’s safety at all costs!”

As he issued the order, Centurion Zhou drew his Embroidered Blade and charged forward himself.

It was clear he was truly terrified.

Being impeached for harming commoners would mean, at worst, losing his post. But if Prince Fu was harmed, losing his head would be a light punishment; his entire family might very well have to join him in the afterlife.

Since he was already in this mess, all he could do now was put on his best performance.

Inside the teahouse, Li Mu was also startled when he heard the shout.

He had only come to a teahouse once, and it was bad enough to run into the Jinyiwei hunting Hu spies. He never imagined the Emperor’s younger brother was also trapped on the third floor.

“Fight our way out and save Prince Fu!”

With that, Li Mu kicked aside the table in front of him, and his household retainers grabbed benches and charged.

Fortunately, he possessed the awareness of a military man. He had been strict with the training of his household guards since he transmigrated, and its benefits were showing at this critical moment.

Facing armed villains, his retainers, wielding nothing but benches, showed not a hint of fear.

Their first move was to hurl a handful of lime powder. Caught off guard, several of the gray-robed men screamed in agony.

At almost the same instant, the benches came crashing down on their heads.

In the blink of an eye, they took down three men, seized their weapons, and stunned everyone present.

“Despicable!” the old man leading them cursed in anger.

He was about to order a counterattack but found, to his chagrin, that he had no men to spare.

Thwack!

A flying bench was the best response. Though the old man did his best to dodge, it still struck him on the head.

Once a fight starts, act instead of talking nonsense. This was Li Mu’s principle.

His retainers were clearly influenced by this thinking. They didn’t say a word, just silently and grimly fought.

“Don’t get bogged down with the enemy here! Get upstairs and save Prince Fu first!” Li Mu ordered decisively.

The fate of the Hu spies was the Jinyiwei’s concern. All he had to do was ensure Prince Fu’s safety.

Although this accident wasn’t his fault, there was a type of blame in this world called “redirected anger.” If something happened to the Emperor’s only brother here, it wouldn’t matter why—Li Mu would be considered unlucky just for being present.

Right now, he wasn’t just saving Prince Fu; he was saving himself.

High risk also came with high reward.

He could have gone upstairs directly, but he deliberately shouted so loudly for Prince Fu to hear.

His professional experience had taught him that a contribution only counts if the boss sees it.

To emphasize the difficulty, he even added, “Don’t get bogged down with the enemy here,” as if getting upstairs right now was an incredibly arduous task.

Chapter 7: The Rescue

“Have the Jinyiwei broken in?” Prince Fu asked, his expression agitated.

He was a young man, after all. Though he had put on a brave front just moments ago, he couldn’t help but panic now that the enemy was at his door.

“Your Highness,” the middle-aged eunuch replied, “from the sounds of it, it seems to be the young master from the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan. He refused your invitation earlier and held the ground floor with his retainers. I didn’t expect him to last this long.”

The eunuch’s answer left Prince Fu deeply disappointed.

The Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan didn’t have many men. The sounds of fighting from downstairs were still fierce, indicating that even with their help, it would be difficult to turn the tide immediately.

Still, they were here to save his life, so he couldn’t very well say anything to dampen their spirits.

The sounds of battle grew closer. A guard fell at the doorway, his blood seeping into the room.

At this sight, Prince Fu could no longer care about his image and let the eunuch shove him under a table for cover.

Before he could calm his nerves, a severed head flew into the room and rolled right in front of him.

Meeting its wide, unblinking stare, Prince Fu couldn’t help but let out a scream.

In his panic, his head made intimate contact with the table, leaving him in a sorry state.

Whether it was intentional or not, when the middle-aged eunuch beside him moved forward to check, he also “accidentally” bumped into the table and fell flat on his face.

With the even more unfortunate eunuch as a contrast, Prince Fu, who had been in a foul mood, suddenly felt a sliver of comfort.

With the arrival of reinforcements, the gray-robed men, now attacked from both front and back, saw their morale plummet. They were quickly forced into the left corridor.

Once he confirmed Prince Fu was no longer in danger, Li Mu stopped his charge. Instead, he led his men to slowly engage the enemy.

Training household retainers was not easy. Now that he had secured the credit for saving the prince, there was no need to risk his men’s lives.

When the Jinyiwei outside finally broke in, they would handle the aftermath.

Essentially, this kind of situation was about showing loyalty; ability was a secondary concern.

If a son of the titled nobility demonstrated a certain level of competence, he could expect a steady promotion. But if he appeared too capable, it would only invite trouble.

…

“Your Highness, you can come out now,” the middle-aged eunuch said. “This old servant just peeked out the door. The enemy has been pushed to the east wing. The guards are joining forces with the men from the Marquis’s Mansion to surround them. It looks like they’ll be able to annihilate the enemy soon!”

Hearing the eunuch’s words, Prince Fu’s face lit up.

Having had a brush with death, he now knew how precious life was.

Although it had been dangerous, today’s display had been worth it.

He reckoned it wouldn’t be long before the story of how he calmly commanded his men to slay the Hu spies in the face of danger would spread throughout the Capital City.

His Imperial Brother would surely reward him handsomely.

Of course, he didn’t care for a few minor rewards, but the title of “Virtuous Prince” was very appealing.

A man had to have some ambition, after all.

…

“Prince Fu, where are you?”

A gruff voice rang out, signaling that the battle was nearing its end.

Led by Centurion Zhou, a large contingent of Jinyiwei swarmed in, just in time to see Prince Fu crawling out from under the table.

The atmosphere in the room instantly froze. The scene was incredibly awkward.

“What are you all standing there for? Hurry and capture the Hu spies!”

The middle-aged eunuch at his side broke the silence, saving the situation.

The Jinyiwei quickly withdrew from the room and joined the siege against the gray-robed men.

With yet more reinforcements, the battle soon concluded, but the outcome was tragic.

Of the twelve guards from the prince’s mansion, seven were dead, three were severely wounded, and only two could still stand.

The five household retainers Li Mu had brought were all spattered with blood.

However, the blood had been wiped from the enemies downstairs. They looked to be in a bad state, but in reality, they were mostly unharmed.

On the other hand, Fubao, who had mostly been tagging along, was unlucky enough to get slashed, becoming the only casualty on the Marquis’s Mansion’s side.

After taking stock of the casualties, Centurion Zhou, who commanded the operation, felt his heart sink.

The matter with the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan was easy to handle. Since no one had died, he could have his superiors negotiate, which would merely be a matter of exchanging favors.

The prince’s mansion, however, was a different story. The guards were all court-appointed officials registered with the government; some even outranked him.

With seven dead at once, the incident would certainly have to be reported to the imperial court.

“Your Highness, Prince Fu, about today’s incident…”

Before Centurion Zhou could finish his explanation, Prince Fu cut him off.

“Enough nonsense! Send someone to fetch an imperial physician to treat the wounded, now!”

As a vassal prince of the Great Yu Dynasty, he, Ji Zhaoshun, never bullied men or women, nor did he seize things by force or trickery. He was a model vassal prince through and through.

Yet, even coming out for tea and music to alleviate his boredom could lead to such a disaster.

The blame couldn’t possibly lie with an exemplary vassal prince like him, so it must be the Jinyiwei’s fault.

If they hadn’t chased the enemy into the teahouse, none of this would have happened, and his guards wouldn’t have died.

They had nearly gotten him killed. If they wanted to smooth things over, the Commander of the Jinyiwei himself would have to come and apologize.

He, Ji Zhaoshun, wouldn’t spare a mere Centurion a second glance.

“Li Mu, Reserve Commander of the Hanzhong Guard, pays his respects to Your Highness, Prince Fu!”

Li Mu stepped forward and bowed.

“Worthy of your noble birth. You have not brought shame upon your ancestors!”

Prince Fu said with a slight nod.

This entirely different attitude clearly showed his stance.

He didn’t offer any further goodwill because the laws of Great Yu forbade vassal princes from cultivating ties with military officials.

“Your Highness, if there is nothing else, I shall take my leave!”

After speaking, Li Mu turned and left without another word about what had just happened.

Centurion Zhou, standing nearby, wanted to stop him, but swallowed the words before they left his mouth.

Today’s events were fraught with too many coincidences and unanswered questions. According to Jinyiwei regulations, everyone present had to be interrogated.

Unfortunately, the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan was no pushover, and Li Mu had just saved Prince Fu’s life.

To take him in for questioning now would mean offending two major powers at once.

Besides, the arrest operation had been a last-minute decision from his superiors, and the fight spilling into the teahouse was an accident. There was no possibility of it being premeditated.

A reserve military official was still a military official, and it was perfectly reasonable for him to have a few capable household retainers with him.

Even if some of the bodies downstairs had died in unusual ways, more akin to the work of street thugs, those were just minor details.

…

Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

“My lady, something terrible has happened! Young Master Mu is back!”

The maidservant’s incoherent words left the Marquise utterly bewildered. She immediately scolded her.

“Xiao Cui, what nonsense are you spouting! How could Mu’er’s return be a bad thing?”

She couldn’t tolerate such talk. If word got out, people would think she was incapable of managing her own household.

“My lady, Young Master Mu and the others are covered in blood! It’s a frightening sight. Fubao had to be carried back; he seems to be badly injured.”

Xiao Cui’s explanation stunned the Marquise.

While it wasn’t a big deal for sons of the nobility to get into fights, Li Mu’s actions today were not what her husband had described.

“Have a doctor see to Fubao’s injuries, and find out what happened. Instruct the servants that no one is to spread rumors. We will wait for His Lordship to return before saying anything else!”

As someone who had seen her share of the world, the Marquise did not jump to conclusions.

…

Chapter 8: The Aftermath

Inside the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Tianyuan, who was already vexed by the defeat on the front lines, turned green with anger upon hearing Prince Fu’s account.

Things were frustrating enough, and now the Jinyiwei, whom he considered his right-hand men, had gone and stirred up trouble for him.

As both a secret service and a law enforcement agency, it was understandable for their methods to be a bit crude, but there had to be a limit.

This incident was a prime example of what not to do. Not only were a large number of commoners mistakenly injured, but seven guards from the Prince’s Mansion were lost as well.

If not for a stroke of luck, with the Commander of the Hanzhong Guard present in the teahouse to assume his new post in the capital, his own younger brother might have fallen into the hands of those villains.

“Imperial Brother, I understand what happened. You may go and rest for now.

I will certainly give you a proper account for the unwarranted disaster you suffered today!”

Emperor Tianyuan said, his face etched with exhaustion.

“Imperial Brother, you must take care of your health!

My matter is not urgent. In any case, no great harm was done, so you need not take it to heart.”

Prince Fu immediately urged.

Dealing with a few low-ranking Jinyiwei didn’t require the Emperor’s intervention at all. The censors’ memorials of impeachment would be more than enough to make them suffer the consequences.

He had come to the palace to lodge a complaint mainly because today’s incident was too significant, and as an involved party, he had to make his position clear.

“Mm, I understand,” Emperor Tianyuan said with a slight nod.

Ordinarily, he, as a good elder brother, would have surely taken the time to console his younger brother, but not today.

The great defeat in Liaodong was waiting for him to manage the aftermath. In comparison, the minor matter of the Jinyiwei’s negligence was hardly worth mentioning.

Just after leaving the imperial study, Prince Fu ran right into the Commander of the Jinyiwei, who was rushing over to beg for forgiveness.

“Gu Yuansong, Lord Gu, where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?”

Prince Fu asked with displeasure, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

When the subordinates cause trouble, the boss takes the blame.

A Jinyiwei Centurion who was doomed to be punished wasn’t worth lowering his status to target.

If he was going to have a confrontation, it had to be with the Jinyiwei Commander; that was befitting of his station.

“Your Highness, please forgive me!

Today’s incident was caused by the ignorance of my subordinates. I have already arranged for a thorough investigation.

Once the results are in, I will personally visit you to offer my sincerest apologies.

But right now, military matters are urgent, and I must see His Majesty immediately. I beg your forgiveness for any slight, Your Highness!”

Knowing the man before him was not to be trifled with, Gu Yuansong decisively softened his tone.

Seeing this, Prince Fu frowned.

After all, the man before him was his Imperial Brother’s trusted confidant. If he pushed things too far, it would be awkward for everyone.

Had Gu Yuansong chosen to be stubborn, he would have certainly retaliated.

But since the man had apologized so readily, it was difficult for him to press the matter further.

“Remember to keep your men in line. I do not wish to see something like this happen again!”

…

As evening fell, Li Yuan dragged his weary body back to the Marquis’s Mansion, his heart heavy.

As one of the core figures among the titled nobility, he had once been the most ardent opponent of military reform. Now, with the defeat on the front lines, he had become one of its greatest proponents.

While military reform undoubtedly harmed the interests of the nobility, it was of great benefit to the nation.

Li Yuan had read the history books; he knew very well what a capable army meant for a country.

Emperor Tianyuan had been able to carry out the military reforms not only because of his own formidable political skill, but also because the titled nobility’s opposition had not been resolute enough.

Their interests were too deeply intertwined; they prospered together and suffered together.

Of course, this change in attitude was also related to Emperor Tianyuan’s candid and heartfelt talk.

Influenced by Confucian culture from a young age, the principle of the sovereign’s absolute authority over his subjects was ingrained in his very bones.

Since the Emperor had privately admitted his faults, all past unpleasantness could be put to rest.

Now it was time to clean up the mess.

“My lord, today Mu’er…”

Before the Marquise could finish, Li Yuan waved his hand to interrupt her:

“I already know everything.

His Majesty mentioned his name at the palace just now, so I sent someone to look into it.

What happened today was purely an accident, but it was a blessing in disguise for Mu’er, bringing him to His Majesty’s attention ahead of time.

This matter concerns the court’s reputation, so it must be handled discreetly, making a public commendation inconvenient.

Once he enters officialdom, the imperial family will compensate him.

I will remind Mu’er later to be careful in his dealings with Prince Fu.”

Vassal princes were a special existence in the Great Yu Dynasty.

One could neither offend them nor get too close.

Emperor Tianyuan’s push for reforms of the imperial clan was largely driven by his anger at this bunch of disappointing relatives.

They either bullied the men and tyrannized the women in their fiefdoms or seized property by force and trickery; local officials didn’t dare to provoke them.

The most frustrating part was that these fools shouldered all the blame, while the lion’s share of the profits fell into the hands of powerful local clans.

The case of Prince Lu a few years ago was a classic example.

He had seized forty thousand qing of fertile land through force and deception, and had even dabbled in the private salt trade, causing local tax revenues to nearly collapse.

After the matter blew up, Emperor Tianyuan decided to make an example of Prince Lu.

He had thought he could seize a fortune and alleviate the court’s financial difficulties, but when the prince’s property was confiscated, the ledgers showed the Prince’s Mansion had an annual income of only forty thousand taels of silver.

Excluding commercial income and amortizing it all as land rent, the average annual income was merely one tael of silver per qing of fertile land.

A deeper investigation revealed that the local gentry had bribed the prince’s chief administrator to register their illegally annexed lands under the Prince’s Mansion’s name to evade accountability from the court.

Prince Lu took the blame, but others took the lion’s share of the profits. Even the chief administrator in his own mansion earned more than he did.

In an instant, the title “the Muddle-headed Prince” resounded throughout the entire Great Yu Dynasty.

Furious, Emperor Tianyuan had all the officials in the Prince’s Mansion dragged out and beheaded, and he exiled the muddle-headed Prince Lu to guard the imperial mausoleum.

And he wasn’t the only such fool among the vassal princes.

Prince Fu had been enfeoffed before he came of age, and he now seemed to have the potential to be a Virtuous Prince. But it was precisely because he might become a Virtuous Prince that one should avoid getting close to him.

When foolish vassal princes associated with court officials, the Emperor could afford to be indifferent; after all, those fellows were more likely to bungle things than to accomplish anything.

But a highly esteemed Virtuous Prince was different. Such men had sound minds and good reputations. If they stayed out of trouble, it was fine, but if they started something, it was bound to be a major affair.

“My Lord, my lady, Young Master Mu is outside asking to see you!”

The servant’s voice sounded. The two exchanged a glance, and then the Marquise spoke:

“My Lord, you should speak with Mu’er. I have matters to attend to in the rear quarters, so I will take my leave.”

After a moment of thought, Li Yuan understood his wife’s concerns.

Although the Emperor had only mentioned it in passing, the obstacles to Li Mu’s entry into officialdom had been cleared away ahead of schedule.

The conversation to follow would certainly involve court politics.

Women were not to interfere in matters of the court; this was a rule passed down from the ancestors.

Titled noble families weren’t especially strict about this, and it was fine for a husband and wife to discuss such things in private.

But to do so in front of an outsider—even a nephew from the same clan—was a sign of poor upbringing.

“My lady, please do as you wish.

Take Mu’er to the study. I will be there shortly!”

…

Chapter 9: The Eve of the Storm

“You handled today’s matter well.

“His Majesty and Prince Fu are very close as brothers, and he often looks after him. But as his subjects, we must still be mindful of propriety.

“If Prince Fu sends someone with gifts later, just accept them.

“If he invites you to his residence, find an excuse to decline.

“What happened today has brought you to His Majesty’s attention sooner than expected. It’s hard to say whether that’s a good or a bad thing.

“To have a long career in officialdom, you can’t just seek speed; you must seek stability above all.

“Originally, His Majesty intended for you to join the Five-Army Training Divisions, but I politely declined on your behalf.”

After speaking, Li Yuan stared at Li Mu with a faint smile, as if searching for something.

“I am unworthy of your kindness, Uncle!”

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Mu immediately bowed.

In a society where the clan’s interests came first, the fact that his own uncle had turned down the offer proved that the Five-Army Training Divisions was not a good place to be.

“We’re all family. No need for such formalities.

“I know you’re full of questions right now, so I might as well tell you. The matter can’t be kept secret for much longer anyway.

“The eight hundred li emergency dispatch today brought dreadful news. The Divine Machine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp have been completely annihilated, and the Liaodong government forces have suffered disastrous losses.

“The court’s most elite army of one hundred and fifty thousand men has been lost forever on the Liaodong battlefield.

“The Four Barbarians, who have been suppressed by the court, will surely seize this opportunity to stir up trouble.

“Next, not only Liaodong but the entire Nine Garrisons defensive line will face a great test.

“Things at court are no more peaceful. A ready-made pretext has fallen into their laps, and the conservatives who oppose the reforms will certainly make their move.

“Even the neutral factions might be persuaded to join this political purge.

“We, the titled nobility, have mostly remained neutral, except for our opposition to the military reforms.

“The reformists will not sit back and wait for death, of course. They were propped up by His Majesty from behind the scenes, and he is unwilling to see them fail. That’s why he acted as a lobbyist this one time.

“You are not yet qualified to know the specific details. Just wait and see!”

Hearing Li Yuan’s words, Li Mu’s heart skipped a beat.

In the game of court politics, everyone had their role. The emperor’s role was that of the arbiter.

Although he hadn’t fully entered the fray this time, his personal appearance to lobby for the reformists and win the support of the titled nobility was a statement in itself.

Judging from his uncle’s tone, the reformists must have offered significant bargaining chips to gain either the support or the neutrality of the titled nobility.

“Uncle, the front lines just suffered a disastrous defeat. With external threats about to erupt, surely they wouldn’t choose this moment to stir up internal strife, would they?”

Li Mu asked, uncertain.

After Emperor Tianyuan ascended the throne, he had forcefully suppressed the Pure Stream Faction, which was formed by the southern gentry.

The leaders of the Pure Stream Faction were successively sent home on trumped-up charges. He then used political maneuvering to divide and dismantle the faction, ending its monopolistic hold on the political landscape.

The current Chu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hunan, and Hui Cliques were all offshoots of the original Pure Stream Faction.

Later, due to the reforms, a Reformist Faction that supported the changes and a Conservative Faction that opposed them gradually emerged.

The two factions were somewhat difficult to distinguish. Supporters and opponents were not absolute; it all depended on the specific situation.

For example, when it came to reforming the imperial clan system, most civil officials and titled nobility were supportive, while the opposition mainly came from the imperial clan itself.

Or take, for instance, “On the Levying of Mining Taxes.” Its supporters were mainly the Eunuch Faction, while the main opposition came from the civil official factions. The titled nobility and the imperial clan remained neutral.

…

Generally speaking, as long as the knife didn’t fall on the interest groups they represented, everyone was a pillar of the state.

“The ones currently at court won’t, but as for those outside the court, it’s hard to say.

“If you observe closely, you’ll notice that His Majesty has been particularly keen on promoting young people since his accession.

“Because young people haven’t had their passion extinguished, and they still have a conscience and a bottom line.

“No matter which faction they belong to, their way of thinking is primarily focused on solving problems.

“The deposed leaders of the Pure Stream Faction are a different story. They are all old foxes of the political world, their minds consumed by power and profit.

“In their eyes, everything is about personal gain; they never consider right and wrong.

“If those men find an opportunity to return to court, the ferocity of the partisan struggles will be ten times what it is now.

“But as long as His Majesty is on the throne, they will never have a chance to make a comeback!

“Alright, it’s not your place to worry about these things. Overthinking it won’t help.

“The appointment document from the Ministry of War will arrive tomorrow. Get yourself ready and report to the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions in five days.

“The current situation is delicate; it’s hard to tell who is a friend and who is a foe.

“When you visit relatives and old friends, avoid giving any direct responses whenever the topic of court politics comes up.”

It was clear that his uncle had no fondness for the leaders of the Pure Stream Faction.

But one had to admit, those Pure Stream leaders were indeed skilled at putting on a show. Every one of them had a sterling reputation both in and out of the court.

If you didn’t know the truth, it would be easy to be taken in by them.

By stating this so clearly now, he was telling Li Mu in no uncertain terms that their family did not walk the same path as the Pure Stream Faction.

“Rest assured, Uncle. I know what to do!”

Li Mu immediately declared.

Following the leader’s footsteps has always been the surest path to advancement.

His greatest political asset was the Marquis of Zhenyuan, so it was only natural that he maintain political alignment with his uncle.

His other connections could only serve as secondary support. This priority must never be reversed.

“Good. That’s all for today.

“After you go back, think over what we’ve just discussed.

“To survive at the Great Yu court, you must be cautious, and then be even more cautious.

“It never hurts to be extra wary when dealing with matters!”

…

Back in his small courtyard, Li Mu’s head was still buzzing.

His conversation with the Marquis of Zhenyuan had been short, but the amount of information it contained was enormous.

A major defeat on the border had brought the thriving Tianyuan court to a crossroads.

He went over it again and again, only to discover with regret that there was nothing he could do right now.

…

Late at night, the residence of Cabinet Elder Yue was still brightly lit.

“Cabinet Elder, the great defeat in Liaodong was caused by the reckless actions of the Eunuch Faction! I cannot stand by and let this gang of wicked villains bring chaos to the court!” a young official exclaimed, his expression indignant.

The Reformist Faction had only come into being a few years ago. The emperor’s support was the main reason they had been able to cause such a stir.

This was manifested in the full support for the reforms from the Directorate of Ceremonial, which was controlled by the eunuchs. They had even used extraordinary measures to clear away the stumbling blocks on the path of reform.

To the conservatives, the Reformist Faction and the Eunuch Faction were one and the same.

Through the constant propaganda of scholars through the dynasties, the infamy of eunuchs had long been magnified to an infinite degree. To be branded with the name “Eunuch Faction” was to be synonymous with bringing ruin to the country and its people.

“Chu Heng, calm down!

“The Cabinet Elder must consider the overall situation. He cannot make decisions based on assumptions.

“Toppling the Eunuch Faction is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

“The defeat in Liaodong is an opportunity, but our strength alone is clearly not enough. We need to rally more people to our side.”

Left Censor-in-Chief Yue Shufeng immediately chided his student.

Chapter 10: Factional Strife

“Your lesson is right, Mentor. I was reckless.

But this truly is an opportunity. If we initiate a petition and have His Majesty recall…”

Before Chu Heng could finish, Yue Shufeng cut him off.

“Hold your tongue!

Forcing the Emperor’s hand is not something we, as his subjects, should do!

Toppling the Eunuch Faction is imperative, but our methods must not be so crude.

Accountability for the great defeat in Liaodong is certain, but right now, the court is preoccupied with the aftermath and can’t spare the effort.

Once things have been mostly dealt with, it will be time for a reckoning.

Pocketing salaries for non-existent soldiers and profiting from the soldiers’ blood are common practices in the army.

If we follow this line of investigation, we are guaranteed to find something!”

The younger officials were fired up, but the older ones knew this master-and-disciple pair were putting on a show.

Ostensibly, it was about toppling the Eunuchs, but in reality, they wanted to seize control of the investigation and use it as an opportunity to expand the Censorate’s authority.

As for forcing the Emperor’s hand and recalling the senior figures of the Pure Stream Faction, that was utterly ridiculous.

They had all gathered together primarily because of shared interests.

In the imperial court, every post was filled; if they actually brought those men back, how would they be placed?

This was especially true for the powerful figures now in charge. They had finally gotten their turn to run things; why would they invite a group of ancestors back to make trouble for themselves?

“Lord Yue, don’t be so hasty. There’s nothing wrong with a young man having some fire in his belly.

However, this matter requires careful long-term planning.

The deep-seated problems in the army didn’t appear overnight. Too many people are implicated; a rash move will only make things worse.”

Lü Wenjian, the Vice Minister of Revenue, objected from the side.

Investigating fraudulent payrolls was a double-edged sword; while striking at the enemy, it could also backfire.

The main generals of the Divine Machine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp had died on the battlefield, and any who were lucky enough to survive wouldn’t dare show their faces.

According to the unwritten rules of the Great Yu officialdom, as long as the crime wasn’t one of the ten unforgivable evils, the matter ended with the person’s death.

Without these people to take the blame, the fire could easily spread to their own.

Meltage fees, skimming funds—these under-the-table practices were fine as long as they weren’t scrutinized, but the moment they were brought into the open, countless officials would fall.

Whether it was the Ministry of Revenue in charge of finances, the Ministry of War overseeing the realm’s armies, or the Ministry of Works supervising weapons manufacturing, none could escape.

If one dug deep enough, even the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Justice could be implicated.

The Pure Stream Faction had a good reputation only because their methods were more sophisticated, not because they were truly incorruptible.

Few officials in the Great Yu Dynasty could withstand a thorough investigation. If a major anti-corruption case were to be launched, a large portion of the officials present might not survive.

“Lord Lü, it’s not we who want to investigate, but the Emperor.

Someone has to bear the responsibility for the great defeat in Liaodong.

Duan Wenhong bears the most, but he has already died for his country. The court cannot allow a loyal martyr to be vilified.”

Yue Shufeng’s words cast a pall over the room.

Besides the deceased Governor-General of Liaodong, the second person responsible was Emperor Tianyuan, who had initiated the war.

The Son of Heaven was no rubber stamp; pinning the blame directly on the Emperor was a sure path to death.

At the very least, the fractured civil officialdom lacked the courage for such an act.

If the Emperor couldn’t take the blame, then someone who could had to be found to give the court and the country an explanation.

Rather than watch the situation develop unpredictably, it was better to seize the initiative and take control of the case.

“The Eunuch Faction is powerful. Our numbers alone are not enough. We must unite with the Chu, Hui, Fujian, and Hunan Cliques to have any chance of victory.

Cabinet Elder, we await your decision?”

When the question was tossed to him, Pang Hengsheng’s brow furrowed.

Emperor Tianyuan had gone to great lengths to fracture the Pure Stream Faction.

The leaders of the various cliques, including himself, had managed to rise to power by making deals with the Emperor at critical moments, backstabbing the Pure Stream Faction in the process.

The current landscape, with the Zhejiang, Chu, Hui, Fujian, and Hunan Cliques all coexisting, was largely a deliberate creation of those in power.

The Pure Stream Faction had been too formidable, occupying nearly forty percent of the positions at court.

With such a behemoth, the Emperor could not sleep soundly unless it was internally divided.

The group’s interests were important, but personal interests were paramount.

Perhaps Emperor Tianyuan couldn’t dismantle the entire Pure Stream Faction, but he certainly had the power to deal with a few of its leaders.

Their predecessors, the senior figures of the Pure Stream Faction, had been overconfident, giving Emperor Tianyuan the opportunity to send them home to farm prematurely.

At that time, the Emperor had just ascended the throne and needed to maintain a balance at court, so they were able to retire unscathed.

The situation was different now. Firmly seated on his throne, Emperor Tianyuan held more cards than before, and no single faction dominated the court.

If they went too far and caught the Emperor’s eye, it would be difficult to escape unharmed.

After all, no one who reached the position of Cabinet Elder in the Great Yu court had a completely clean record.

But doing nothing was also not an option. So many subordinates were waiting for a promotion; if they didn’t clear out some positions, how could anyone advance?

There was certainly a sense of public justice in the impassioned calls to topple the Eunuchs, but personal ambition was an equally powerful motivator.

“Everyone, calm down. Toppling the Eunuchs is imperative, and now is the best opportunity.

But the more critical the moment, the more cautious we must be.

Our alliance with the Chu, Hui, Fujian, and Hunan Cliques, in particular, must be conducted in secret, so the Eunuch Faction remains unaware.

For safety’s sake, we must first create a diversion to attract the enemy’s attention.

To submit memorials based on hearsay and to police the officials is the duty of the censors. This fire must be lit from the Censorate.

The matter is of grave importance. Lord Yue, you will select an official of little consequence to submit a memorial. Once public opinion is stirred up, we will seize the opportunity to follow up.”

Pang Hengsheng’s decision, as Second Grand Secretary, clearly failed to satisfy everyone.

To the younger generation, this plan was far too conservative.

Similar maneuvers had been attempted countless times in the past, always starting with a great clamor but ending with a whimper.

Often, before the factions of the former Pure Stream Faction could even unify their stance, the storm would have already passed.

The only advantage was that they could remain hidden in the background, joining the fight if the situation developed favorably, or immediately withdrawing if they met with adversity.

“Cabinet Elder…”

Chu Heng began to speak, but was pulled back by his mentor.

The rules of political struggle dictated that the junior members charged forward while the senior leaders planned and schemed from behind the scenes. The moment a senior leader entered the fray was when the dust would finally settle.

…

“Lord Director, we’ve just received word. The members of the Pure Stream Faction are meeting in secret, plotting against us!”

Hearing the news from his subordinate, Zuo Guang’en gave a slight nod.

With something so major having occurred, it would be strange if the Pure Stream Faction didn’t make a move.

“News of the great defeat in Liaodong will spread quickly. The court and the country will be in an uproar, demanding the guilty be punished.

Those hypocrites from the Pure Stream Faction clearly intend to pin this blame on us.

I may have taken the blame for the court many times, but I do not wish to take it for this, and I imagine none of you do either.

His Majesty has ordered me to investigate the causes and consequences of the Liaodong defeat. The Factory Guards have just been dispatched, and it will be some time before we have any results.

Let’s all discuss this. How should we respond?”

Chapter 11: Each With Their Own Agenda

“Godfather, strike first to gain the advantage, or suffer the consequences! Since the Pure Stream Faction wants to move against us, we shouldn’t hold back. Drag them to the Eastern Depot and torture them relentlessly. I doubt they’ll hold out.”

The moment Zuo Tianjun finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room turned strange. Everyone looked at him as if he were a simple-minded child.

Few officials at court were truly clean, and the Eastern Depot did have the authority to arrest people, but that didn’t mean they could abuse that power. In the past, every major operation had been implicitly ordered by the emperor.

If they were to act on their own initiative and stir up a major case, they would have to consider the heads on their shoulders. As the emperor’s hawks and hounds, the most important thing was to know their place.

“Get out!

A mere whelp like you dares to speak on matters of the court? It’s utterly absurd. Everyone, please continue. Pay no mind to this little monster.”

Zuo Guang’en immediately berated him.

Deep down, for the first time, he began to doubt his decision to take on this godson. He couldn’t for the life of him understand how the boy, who had always seemed so clever, could be so foolish at such a critical moment.

“Lord Director, the great defeat in Liaodong is only the beginning. The subsequent crisis of the Nine Borders will be the real trouble.

If the Pure Stream Faction decides to attack, their best point of entry will be to criticize the military reforms.

The complete annihilation of the Divine Machine Camp and the Three Thousand Camp has become their sharpest spear.

As long as they can exaggerate the problem, they can completely negate the achievements of the military reforms.

Once they succeed, they will certainly press their advantage and attack the entire Reformist Faction.

On the matter of military reform, we have gravely offended the titled nobility, and it’s very likely they’ll kick us while we’re down.

I’m afraid the Ministry of War is in for a great deal of trouble this time!”

As soon as Shi Yuanhu, the Minister of Personnel, finished speaking, the expressions of the several officials from the Ministry of War changed drastically.

Others could find excuses to shirk responsibility, but they could not.

Although the military campaign was launched by imperial edict, they were the ones who had formulated the plan.

With such a crushing defeat at the front, if the blame didn’t fall on the emperor’s decision-making, it had to fall on the planners.

If the Pure Stream Faction managed to dig up any dirt, then they would be forced to take the fall.

“Minister Shi is right. The current situation is extremely unfavorable for us.

The Pure Stream Faction alone is troublesome enough; we absolutely cannot let the titled nobility get involved.

Lord Director, while there is still time, we must act quickly to stabilize the titled nobility.

In the wake of this major defeat at the front, their influence is bound to increase in the near future!”

Yi Chuanliang, the Minister of War, said with a solemn expression.

When one’s life and livelihood were on the line, it was difficult for anyone to remain calm.

“Rest assured, I’ve already come to an agreement with the titled nobility.

The Ministry of War will cede some authority to the Five Chief Military Commissions, allow military officers to hold positions within the Ministry, and give them one-third of the director posts in the Ministry’s various departments.”

As his words fell, the atmosphere in the room instantly shifted.

Compared to the early years of the dynasty, the terms Zuo Guang’en had just promised were not truly that significant. However, suppressing the military was the consensus among the civil officialdom.

Unlike the eunuch faction, which was inherently limited, the military faction, led by the titled nobility, could genuinely threaten the core interests of the civil officials.

“A general abroad, a minister at home” was not just an idiom; it was a reality in many past dynasties.

In certain special periods, there was even a rule that only an ennobled marquis could become prime minister.

Their predecessors had expended countless efforts to cage the power of the military, and no one wanted to let them out again.

“Lord Director, this must not happen!

Once the military men gain power, the state will cease to be a state!”

A chorus of civil officials protested in unison.

Faced with collective opposition from his underlings, Zuo Guang’en was taken aback.

Was merely ceding a few positions in the Ministry of War really so serious?

He recalled that in the early years of the dynasty, there had been cases of titled nobles directly serving as ministers of the Six Ministries, and it hadn’t caused any chaos.

Whether he understood it or not wasn’t important; what mattered was that the opinions of his subordinates had to be taken seriously.

His power stemmed from two sources: the emperor’s trust was one, and the support of his followers was the other.

Now, the two were in conflict, which complicated matters immensely.

The agreement with the titled nobility had been reached with Emperor Tianyuan’s mediation.

If he were to overturn it now, where would that leave the emperor?

“Alright, everyone, please rise!

I was shortsighted in this matter. It is thanks to the frank admonishments of you loyal officials that a great disaster has been averted.

But given the current situation, we must first stabilize the titled nobility.

Therefore, we still have to honor some of these terms.

Here’s my idea: on the pretext of cultivating talent for the court, we will first recruit some sons of the titled nobility into the Ministry of War, but without granting them any substantive posts.

We will privately promise the titled nobility that as soon as these men become familiar with the Ministry’s affairs and are capable of fulfilling their duties, they will be granted the corresponding positions.

We’ll ‘cultivate’ them for a year or two, and then we can find suitable excuses to send them back one by one.

Of course, we can’t send all of them back. We should keep one or two useful ones to save face for the titled nobility.”

Zuo Guang’en’s flexible moral compass allowed the crowd of officials who had just been opposing him to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Deceiving the titled nobility, in their eyes, was a minor issue.

Political struggles were always full of guile and deception; being tricked only proved one’s own foolishness.

Similar maneuvers had occurred countless times throughout history.

…

Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

The chaotic situation in the capital rendered the invitations Li Mu had sent out a wasted effort.

The two largest factions at court had gone to war, and countless officials were being passively drawn into the conflict.

While the specifics of the struggle at the highest levels were unclear, news of mid- and low-level officials falling from power was constantly trickling out.

Many who were high-and-mighty court officials in the morning became prisoners by nightfall.

In such a climate of fear and uncertainty, who had the time to reminisce with him?

Although the probability of a provincial official getting involved in court disputes was low, there were always exceptions.

If they happened to get dragged into the conflict at court and were implicated due to their association with him, wouldn’t that be a terrible injustice?

Of course, they were all men of tact, so no one directly refused to meet. Instead, they all coincidentally chose to postpone their meetings.

Li Mu paid this change no mind at all.

Connections were only useful when you yourself were powerful. From a position of absolute weakness, you had at most one opportunity to ask for help.

The news of his appointment in the capital was still confidential. In the eyes of the outside world, he was merely the Commander of the Hanzhong Guard, awaiting a formal decree from the court.

His rank was not low, but the position itself held little real power and had very limited potential for advancement.

Of the countless garrison post officers in the Great Yu Dynasty, not even one in ten had the chance to advance further.

Unless they happened to be officials serving in Hanzhong, or whose hometown was Hanzhong, such a connection would be useless for a lifetime.

The polite responses he did receive were largely out of respect for the Marquis’s Mansion.

The delayed meetings suited Li Mu just fine. While others worried he might bring them trouble, he was worried about them getting caught up in the factional strife.

Chapter 12: The Young Master of the Marquis’s Mansion

“Young Master Mu, the Marquise requests your presence for a chat!”

The sudden invitation made Li Mu pause for a moment.

His Aunt placed the utmost importance on propriety, especially when it came to avoiding any hint of scandal. The few times they had met were always when the Marquis of Zhenyuan was at home.

Normally, even if he went to pay his respects, he would be surrounded by a throng of maidservants and servants, let alone receive a direct invitation from her.

“Miss Xiao Cui, do you have any idea why my Aunt has summoned me?”

At his question, the maidservant blushed and hesitated for a moment before replying, “The three young masters of the mansion have returned from their academy. The Marquise wishes for you brothers to have a reunion.”

Hearing this, a faint smile touched Li Mu’s lips.

When it came to the children born of concubines, his Aunt truly carried herself with the grace of a matriarch from a great house. She provided them with all the treatment and status they were due, leaving no room for anyone to find fault.

“Oh, so my three younger cousins are back. I should certainly go see them.

Miss Xiao Cui, please lead the way!”

…

After passing through more than a dozen doorways, they arrived at the rear garden. There, three young boys and four young girls stood on either side, respectfully listening to the Marquise’s lecture.

If he wasn’t mistaken, the three boys were his younger cousins. He had already met two of the four girls on his first day, and the other two were likely the daughters of concubines.

Perhaps because she had daughters of her own, the Marquis of Zhenyuan and the Marquise didn’t seem to dote on these two younger female cousins, as they had never been formally introduced to him.

“Cousin Mu, come over here!”

The girl who called out was the Marquise’s second daughter, also the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s youngest.

At four years old, she was at her most lively and active. Spoiled by the Marquis’s affection, the mansion’s rules were like water off a duck’s back to her.

“Li Yu, mind your manners!” the Marquise couldn’t help but chide.

Among all the children in the mansion, every single one of them was perfectly well-behaved in her presence. Only her youngest daughter had become a black mark on her parenting record.

“It’s quite alright, Aunt. We’re all family here.

Cousin Yu is just a bit high-spirited. For a family of military nobility like ours, that’s not a bad thing,” Li Mu said with a chuckle.

It was no wonder his uncle doted on her; who could dislike such a lively, energetic little ball of joy?

“My apologies for this display. Yu’er has taken after her father since she was a child.

Don’t just stand there, all of you. Greet your elder cousin Mu!”

It was clear the Marquise was a master of words. She had turned ‘mischievous’ into ‘taking after her father,’ deftly shifting the blame to the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

But it was a blame his uncle would surely be willing to bear. In his ears, hearing that his daughter was just like him was probably a compliment.

“Greetings, Elder Cousin!”

After a few simple pleasantries, the Marquise led the female members of the family away, leaving the four young men to themselves.

After reminiscing about the glory of their ancestors, Li Mu quickly grew familiar with his three cousins.

The conversation shifted from their family’s history to the strange and unusual events in the Capital City, and finally, it turned to the matters of the imperial court.

“There are people in the academies stirring up students to submit petitions? Has the court struggle really reached this point?” Li Mu asked in astonishment.

The conflict between the Pure Stream Faction and the Eunuch Faction had been ongoing since the current emperor ascended the throne, so it was nothing new.

However, the main battleground had always been the imperial court. Now that they were trying to drag academy students into it, it was clear that someone wanted to escalate the fight.

“Cousin Mu, you’ve been in Hanzhong for a long time and might not know, but it’s not unusual for the academies to submit petitions.

Ever since the struggle for the crown prince position a century ago, academy students have participated in several major upheavals that followed.

But it’s mostly the students from humble backgrounds who like to cause a stir. They hope to make a name for themselves and catch the eye of high-ranking court officials.

Students from influential official families don’t need this kind of opportunity, so they usually don’t get involved in the commotion,” Li Sen explained calmly.

His words carried a hint of arrogance, as he clearly looked down upon such opportunistic behavior.

“Elder Brother, stop trying to make them sound so noble.

Every single time, isn’t it the sons of those civil officials who stir up all this trouble?

They incite their classmates to charge into the fray as cannon fodder while they hide in the back and reap the benefits. They’re nothing but a bunch of despicable cowards!”

The second brother, Li Lai, cut straight to the truth.

“Second Brother, it’s fine to say these things at home, but you can’t go around saying them outside!” Li Sen quickly advised.

Everyone knew the truth, including the commoner students being instigated.

Not a single one of them who had gotten into the academy on their own merit, without any connections, was a fool.

They knew the risks but jumped in anyway, all for the sake of potential gain.

The path of the imperial examinations was far too narrow. It was held only once every three years, and the number of successful candidates was no more than one or two hundred.

Even for those who made it this far, securing a good position without connections or a powerful background was incredibly difficult.

Beyond the power passed down through bloodlines, there were also networks formed by hometown connections and patron examiners.

To succeed in the imperial court, one had to possess at least one of these three types of connections.

For students from humble backgrounds, the best option was to become a disciple of a high-ranking official, ensuring a smooth journey through the examinations and into officialdom.

Once he pieced it all together, Li Mu instantly understood why the Capital City, despite its vast political resources, had never produced a top-tier academy.

Political speculation came at a price.

A successful gamble might win you a ticket to an official career, but if you lost, you would be lucky to escape with your life.

In truth, rising through opportunism was looked down upon in the official world. No matter how noble the justification, such individuals were always regarded with apprehension.

“Hmph!

I’m not an idiot. Why would I go around offending people for no reason?” Li Lai said with a look of disdain.

If one of his good friends hadn’t also been drawn into it, he wouldn’t be this angry.

But anger was useless. It was a matter of mutual consent, so what right did an outsider have to interfere?

Unless you could offer someone a better path, the best choice was to let go of the desire to help and calmly accept reality.

The Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan certainly had political resources, but they were concentrated mainly in the military.

The connections they had among the civil official bloc might not even be enough for the three brothers to share in the future, let alone an outsider.

“Alright, Elder Brother, Second Brother.

Can you two stop arguing all the time? Can’t you give me a moment’s peace!”

“Shut up!”

The moment the third brother, Li Long, spoke, the other two retorted in unison. Li Mu almost burst out laughing.

The relationship between these three brothers was truly complicated.

The eldest was arrogant, the second was forthright, and the third was skilled at provoking others.

For such a combination to not have come to blows already was a testament to the success of the Marquis’s Mansion’s upbringing.

“My three cousins, Uncle will be back soon.

He’ll likely want to test you on your schoolwork. You should take this time to prepare. Why don’t we call it a day?”

As soon as he delivered this final blow, the three bickering cousins instantly deflated like wilted flowers.

From the pained expressions on their faces, it was clear that their academic performance was not very good.

But this was typical for the children of the titled nobility. The transition from a military career to a civil service career had been ongoing for many years, yet very few had become Palace Graduates; even Provincial Graduates were rare.

Hiring famous tutors was useless. Talent was something that could not be forced.

It had reached a point where no Great Confucian Scholar was willing to accept a student from the titled nobility. They simply couldn’t afford the embarrassment.

Chapter 13: Assuming Office at the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions

The academy got caught up in party strife, so his three younger cousins were kept at home to study on their own, making the mansion suddenly much livelier.

Friends came to visit every few days, and they even held a gathering a while back, seeming completely unaffected by the political strife.

Through his three cousins’ circle of friends, Li Mu successfully expanded his network to include the sons of the titled nobility.

Unfortunately, the social circles he entered were generally not of a high level.

Perhaps because his cousins were sons of a concubine, most of their friends were as well.

The few legitimate sons among them were marginal figures within the titled nobility.

It was precisely because of their lower status that they weren’t so arrogant, allowing Li Mu to integrate into their group quickly.

Had they been the direct heirs of ducal or marquis mansions, with his current status, the most he could have hoped for was to become a familiar face.

Gaining their recognition without demonstrating extraordinary talent would have been impossible.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day he was to assume his post.

As the first rays of morning sun touched the earth, Li Mu, who had risen early, took his appointment letter from the Ministry of War and headed straight for the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

Although his uncle had already put in a good word for him, it was still best to arrive early on his first day and wait for his superior.

Under the surprised gazes of the soldiers, Li Mu stepped into the main hall.

After glancing at the letter, the official on night duty immediately shed his lazy demeanor.

“Chai Delong, Administrator of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, pays his respects to Lord Chiliarch!”

The appointment from the Ministry of War had been issued long ago. When the official document first arrived, it had caused quite a stir in the government office.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was a typical case of low rank but significant power. Though the officials’ ranks were generally not high, the authority they wielded was considerable.

Normally, a position at the level of a Chiliarch was held by the direct sons of dukes or marquises.

It wasn’t purely Gaining their recognition without demonstrating extraordinary talent would have been impossible; the main reason was that the Capital City was teeming with imperial relatives, nobles, and students from influential official families. These profligate scions were the biggest threat to public order.

When faced with these individuals, few ordinary officials without powerful backgrounds dared to intervene.

After a series of trials, everyone eventually discovered that fighting fire with fire was the most effective method, and so it became standard practice.

For the Marquis of Zhenyuan to suddenly recommend a distant nephew truly took many by surprise.

It wasn’t until the details of the teahouse incident were revealed and people learned that Li Mu had saved Prince Fu that they found a reason to convince themselves.

“We are colleagues, there’s no need for such ceremony! The Chai surname is not common in the Capital City. Is Lord Chai from the Mansion of the Count of Xiangcheng?”

Li Mu asked, feigning ignorance.

Having been long established in the Capital City, the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s intelligence-gathering capabilities were naturally strong. Half a month ago, the files on all ranked officials within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had been delivered to him.

Who came from which family, who required caution, and who could be befriended—Li Mu already had a clear account of it all in his mind.

He was deliberately making conversation now because the man before him was someone worth befriending.

It wasn’t because Chai Delong was exceptionally capable or had limitless potential, but simply because the Mansion of the Count of Xiangcheng and the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan had friendly relations.

“Reporting to Lord Chiliarch, the current Count of Xiangcheng is my eldest brother. I am the seventh-ranked son in my family.”

Hearing Chai Delong’s reply, Li Mu instantly understood why this man had been stuck in the position of a sixth-rank administrator for ten years.

His family had too many members, and the political resources were spread too thin.

Coupled with Chai Delong’s unremarkable resume, he showed no potential for advancement, making it unnecessary to waste resources on him.

In this respect, he was fortunate.

Most of the previous generation in the Marquis’s Mansion were mediocre and not worth cultivating further, while the next generation had yet to mature.

This brief vacuum had become his best opportunity.

More subtly, his timing in coming to the Capital City was perfect.

Had he arrived a few months earlier, the Emperor’s favor would not have been offered. Even if his uncle had intended to promote him, any position he could have secured in the Capital City would not have been a good one.

Had he come a few months later, with so many clansmen loitering around in the Capital City, the opportunity might have gone to someone else.

“So it’s Brother Chai. I’ve heard my uncle mention that the Marquis’s Mansion and your esteemed mansion have a century-old friendship. We are all on the same side. From now on, when we’re alone, there’s no need to be so formal.”

Li Mu said with a chuckle.

He wasn’t yet adept at winning people over, but he knew how to build rapport.

In a government office composed of sons from the titled nobility, if you went far enough back in their family trees, you could almost always find some connection.

“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Chiliarch, but propriety cannot be abandoned. Otherwise, if word got out, people would mock me for not knowing the rules. Since you have just assumed your post, you must have many matters to familiarize yourself with. I will host a dinner tonight and invite some colleagues to welcome you!”

Chai Delong responded enthusiastically.

However, Li Mu knew that his own initiative accounted for thirty percent of this enthusiasm at most; the rest was for the sake of the Marquis’s Mansion.

To establish a firm foothold in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, building connections wasn’t enough. He also needed to display the necessary skill, and it would be best if he could lead everyone to rack up achievements.

For now, he shouldn’t think about achievements. With the two parties in the imperial court endlessly fighting, causing any kind of stir at this time could easily get him caught up in the turmoil.

As time passed, officials arrived one after another to report for duty. Through Chai Delong’s introductions, Li Mu met his colleagues.

Just like the first day at a new job, everyone seemed to be a nice person.

However, beneath their insincere smiles, Li Mu could still sense a faint hint of distance from some of them.

It was obvious that many of them were not as friendly towards him, a Chiliarch who had been parachuted in, as they appeared on the surface.

“The Commander has arrived!”

Hearing that their superior had come, the people in the office reacted differently.

Some stood up to greet him, some pretended to be busy, and some remained seated, calmly sipping their tea.

“Greetings, Commander!”

Unsurprisingly, Li Mu was among those who welcomed the Marquis of Wuyang, Zheng Ruitao.

Others could afford to be arrogant and dismissive because they had the backing to do so.

A new official who goes against his direct superior on the very first day is purely asking to be kicked out of officialdom.

“My fellow colleagues, there is no need for such ceremony! The affairs of the state are difficult. We must ensure the safety of the Capital City and not cause any trouble for His Majesty at a time like this. I won’t waste any more words. Everyone, get to your work!”

Except for the opening pleasantries, the Marquis of Wuyang, Zheng Ruitao, spoke with a heavy tone for the rest of his speech.

Unfortunately, this warning was only effective on some of them.

The group sipping tea remained as calm as ever, seemingly completely unaffected.

Wherever there are people, there is conflict. The same was true within the titled nobility, where a chain of contempt existed.

The founding nobility looked down on the military merit nobility who joined later, considering them newly rich.

Both groups looked down on the nobility related to the imperial family by marriage, believing that those who rose purely through nepotism were not qualified to be ranked alongside meritorious subjects like themselves.

In turn, the imperial-consort kin looked down on the founding nobility, thinking they were just coasting on their ancestors’ achievements and weren’t as close to the Emperor as they were.

The Marquis of Wuyang, Zheng Ruitao, happened to be a representative of this imperial-consort kin. It wasn’t that he was incapable, but his achievements were definitely more a matter of hard work than of actual merit.

The main reason he was able to serve as the Commander of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was that he was the current Empress Dowager’s younger brother and the Emperor’s maternal uncle.

Chapter 14: The Dengwen Drum

“Li Mu, the new Chiliarch of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, pays his respects to the Commander!”

Once everyone had left, Li Mu presented his appointment document from the Ministry of War as was proper.

“Yes, I know of you. The Marquis of Zhenyuan mentioned to me that his distant nephew would be coming to serve as a Chiliarch. And when I paid my respects to the Empress Dowager yesterday, His Highness, Prince Fu, also brought you up, implying I should look after you. So you can’t say I’m unreasonable. North City, South City, and Central City Thousand-household Forts—pick one for yourself.”

As Zheng Ruitao, the Marquis of Wuyang, finished speaking, Li Mu fell into deep thought.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions nominally supervised the entire capital, but in reality, they had no business meddling in the central Imperial City. Even the outer patrol duties had been snatched away by the Jinyiwei.

The Thousand-household Fort of Central City, theoretically the highest in status, couldn’t manage the inner city and was only responsible for the nearby suburbs. Its jurisdiction was greatly expanded, and while it seemed like an increase in power, it was actually a grueling and thankless task.

The remaining four city forts seemed equal in status, but the capital had always been stratified: the south was lowly, the north was poor, the east was rich, and the west was noble.

The West City Thousand-household Fort was naturally the easiest place to achieve merits. Over ninety percent of the capital’s powerful and noble families were concentrated in its district. Being neighbors with these figures day in and day out naturally presented more opportunities than in other areas.

Next was East City, where wealthy merchants gathered, their connections to the powerful officials at court like an intricate web. It was uncertain whether one could get promoted there, but every Chiliarch who served there left with their pockets overflowing.

Naturally, many eyes were on such desirable positions. Even if a vacancy appeared, it would be filled immediately.

That left South City and North City—one a complex hub for people from all walks of life, the other a slum.

“I ask for the Commander’s guidance!”

Li Mu bowed respectfully, tossing the problem back to him.

The three Thousand-household Forts left for him to choose from were all mediocre; it made little difference which one he went to.

“What are you dawdling for? They’re all about the same. The truly good positions were snapped up by others long ago. If you’re not satisfied, go and fight them for one.”

As he spoke, the Marquis of Wuyang even pointed a finger deliberately.

Such blatant instigation. Li Mu cursed inwardly.

The struggles in officialdom were meant to be fought without shattering the peace. No matter how vicious the life-and-death contests were in private, officials rarely tore off the public façade of civility.

The infighting within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, however, was practically out in the open. The conflict between the two sides had reached an irreconcilable point.

The chain of contempt within the nobility was merely a trigger; the root cause was profit.

The most lucrative positions were all occupied by the subordinates of his deputies. Any man in charge would feel resentful about that.

Unwilling to see his power slip away, the Marquis of Wuyang had naturally taken action. Unfortunately, he had miscalculated. Not only did his power grab fail, but it also stirred up considerable trouble.

The current vacancies in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were a direct result of that last struggle. All sides involved had suffered significant losses and were forced to compromise, leading to the unique situation at present.

“Commander, I choose the South City Thousand-household Fort.”

Li Mu made his decision decisively.

He wouldn’t even think about East City and West City. If the Empress Dowager’s own brother couldn’t handle the situation, he didn’t believe he could snatch food from a tiger’s mouth.

It was clear the Marquis of Wuyang didn’t think much of him. The nobility related to the imperial family by marriage and the founding nobility were never on the same path. Allowing him to choose was likely a concession to save face for Prince Fu.

But that was the extent of it. If he wanted more favorable treatment, he would have to pick a side and join the Marquis’s faction.

That was, without a doubt, impossible.

The founding nobility faction had a much brighter future than the faction of nobility related to the imperial family by marriage. No matter how glorious the latter were, their influence would only last for one or two reigns before they rapidly declined.

The founding emperor had long ago established an ancestral rule: empresses and imperial consorts had to be chosen from virtuous women of commoner families.

This measure resulted in the relatives of imperial consorts generally having low social status.

Even the titles they obtained through nepotism were not hereditary in perpetuity. To inherit a title, one had to obtain special approval from the emperor.

As a result, in the Great Yu Dynasty, the more outrageously the consort kin acted during their rise, the faster they fell from grace.

“Since you’ve chosen, go and take up your post. I have important matters to attend to and cannot accompany you. See which of the officials in the yamen is free and have him go with you.”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s casualness left Li Mu at a loss for words.

A single glance confirmed it—the man was simply being lazy. Knowing he couldn’t win Li Mu over, he decided not to waste any effort.

…

In the Imperial Palace, Emperor Tianyuan fretted as he stared at the mountain of impeachment memorials.

If their contents were true, half the officials at court would need to lose their heads, while the other half would be rewarded with exile.

It was impossible to climb up from the bottom ranks without committing some irregularities.

If he took it all seriously, there would be no one left at court.

Although the Great Yu Dynasty had no shortage of people who wanted to be officials, wanting to be an official and being a good official were two completely different things.

Replacing them with a new batch of people unfamiliar with their duties would most likely only make matters worse.

“Set them all aside and take no action!”

If you can’t deal with it, just pretend you don’t see it.

Having seen similar situations many times, Emperor Tianyuan had long since steeled himself.

Impeaching is your prerogative, but whether or not I act on it depends entirely on My mood.

Dong… dong… dong…

The Dengwen Drum outside the palace gates suddenly rang out, shaking the entire Forbidden City. Emperor Tianyuan’s expression instantly darkened.

The original purpose of the Dengwen Drum was to allow commoners with major grievances and nowhere to appeal to strike the drum and ask the emperor to personally hear their case.

After putting it into practice, the founding emperor quickly discovered it was completely unfeasible. The world was full of injustices; if there were no restrictions, the Dengwen Drum would probably ring nonstop every day. The emperor would be too busy judging cases to do anything else.

To prevent such an embarrassing scene, the Great Yu Dynasty placed strict restrictions on striking the Dengwen Drum. Not only would the striker face severe punishment, but the types of cases were also regulated.

Only in a major case of fabricated injustice, after multiple appeals to various levels of government had failed, was one permitted to strike the drum and cry out for justice.

To overturn the verdict of a lower court was considered a case of a commoner suing an official, and according to the law, the petitioner was to be caned thirty times first.

Appealing up through the ranks meant being beaten every step of the way. It was a plea for justice made with one’s very life.

The people capable of fabricating such injustices were by no means ordinary, and they would certainly not allow their victims to appeal. Ninety-nine percent of petitioners fell on their journey to seek justice.

But once the Dengwen Drum was struck, the emperor would personally intervene, and everything would change. Not only would the unjust verdict be overturned, but all the officials involved in the case would also suffer misfortune.

Since the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty, every time the Dengwen Drum rang, it sent shockwaves through the court and the country.

“Go and see who is striking the drum! Arrange for men to watch over the petitioner; no harm must come to them. Immediately summon the Cabinet Elders for an audience!”

No matter how displeased he was, Emperor Tianyuan issued his decree decisively.

This was the kind of event that would be recorded in the annals of history. If he mishandled it, his reputation, both in life and after death, would be affected.

…

At the foot of the Son of Heaven, news always traveled fast.

The Dengwen Drum, something inherently newsworthy, had been struck, and the entire capital was in an uproar.

All sorts of rumors and speculation filled the air.

Li Mu, on his very first day in office, hadn’t managed to do a single thing before getting an earful of all the juicy gossip.

Chapter 15: A Hot Potato

Gossip was always the best way to build relationships.

Brew a pot of tea, gather with a few colleagues to shoot the breeze and enjoy the drama, and the workday would be over.

Compared to the life of a beast of burden he’d lived before穿越, this was true living.

It wasn’t that Li Mu was derelict in his duties; it was simply the nature of a department like the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. The less he had to do, the better.

Daily patrols and handling civil disputes were jobs for his underlings.

In this part of the South City, as long as nothing major happened, it was equivalent to nothing happening at all.

For a Chiliarch like him to be called out personally, it meant either a major crime had occurred or the sons of aristocrats were fighting.

The powerful and wealthy mostly lived in the West City. They moved in completely different circles, so it was rare for dandies to come to the South City to stir up trouble.

All he lacked now was an advisor to draft official documents and handle trivial matters for him.

These were minor issues. The Great Yu Dynasty lacked many things, but it never lacked people.

The imperial civil service examinations were like a thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses crossing a single-plank bridge. Aside from a few lucky ones who could fight their way through, ninety-nine percent of scholars fell by the wayside.

Knowing the difficulty of the exams, those with quick minds would choose a shortcut, offering their services to officials as aides.

If they followed their patron for ten or twenty years and he managed to climb the ranks, they could ride on his coattails to a position of their own.

Even if their patron didn’t make it big, they could use the platform to expand their network and earn a handsome commission.

In fact, Li Mu had already arranged for an advisor back in Hanzhong.

It was just that the scholar had been unlucky. Right before their departure, his mother passed away, and he had to stay in his hometown to observe a three-year period of mourning.

The new advisor was recommended by his uncle’s own aide—a Provincial Graduate from Shaoxing who had repeatedly failed the higher examinations. He was currently on his way from his hometown.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, once a man passed the provincial exam, he was considered a member of the ruling class and was qualified to be appointed as an official.

Under normal circumstances, given Li Mu’s current position, it would be difficult to recruit a Provincial Graduate.

The man was willing to accept the offer not only because of the Marquis’s Mansion’s reputation but mainly for the convenience it offered for the imperial examinations.

For students from humble backgrounds who lacked connections, being associated with the Marquis’s Mansion was in itself a considerable political asset.

The Dengwen Drum incident, apart from providing fodder for gossip, had also put an end to his welcome dinner.

Serving as an official at the foot of the Son of Heaven, it was never wrong to be low-key.

To host a grand banquet when the Emperor was at his most troubled—if the omnipresent Jinyiwei reported it, his future would be undeniably grim.

…

“Go over and see what’s happening,” Li Mu ordered with a frown.

If he had encountered something like this yesterday, he would have simply taken a detour.

But he couldn’t do that now. Having joined the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, he had to fulfill his responsibilities.

“Sir, someone has posted a notice on the wall. Its contents are related to the Dengwen Drum incident this morning.”

Hearing the news his subordinate brought back, Li Mu’s expression immediately turned grim.

Only a few hours had passed since the Dengwen Drum incident, and even people in well-informed government offices like theirs didn’t know the truth.

Yet now, someone not only knew the inside story but had also publicized it in such an extreme manner. There had to be someone pulling strings from behind.

“Disperse the crowd!” Li Mu ordered decisively.

No matter who was behind it, since it appeared in his jurisdiction, he had to take emergency measures.

Even if the news had already spread, the remedial measures were still necessary. It was a matter of showing the right attitude.

“The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions are on official business! All idlers, make way!”

Walking through the path cleared by the soldiers, Li Mu’s face grew even darker when he saw the contents of the notice.

He had known the factional struggle was intense, but he never expected these people to play so dirty.

According to the rules of the game, political struggles were played behind closed doors. Who just flips the table like this?

The notice accused the Mining Tax Supervisors of being insatiably greedy, levying exorbitant taxes, and seizing property by force. Li Mu believed it.

To collect taxes in the stronghold of the Pure Stream Faction, they would have had to make a show of force to get the revenue they needed.

It was just that these fellows couldn’t control their greed. They had lost their sense of proportion and botched the task the Emperor had given them.

To deal with them, the normal procedure would be to gather evidence and impeach them in the imperial court, which would be enough to bring them down.

Emperor Tianyuan used eunuchs to counterbalance the civil officials for the sake of the dynasty.

Once the eunuchs became pests that endangered the dynasty, he would not be soft in dealing with them either.

For the Emperor, executing a eunuch was far easier than executing a civil official.

But the Pure Stream Faction had refused to play by the rules, using the Dengwen Drum to make the matter known to everyone.

The rules of the game were meant to protect all participants. When one group no longer abided by them, the ensuing struggle would become a race to the bottom.

For the Eunuch Faction, this was undoubtedly a political disaster. But while the Pure Stream Faction had gained an advantage, they had also angered Emperor Tianyuan.

Attacking eunuchs and criticizing the Reformist Faction were all part of conventional political struggle.

The Dengwen Drum was different. This was an event that would be recorded in the annals of history.

For the Emperor, if he handled it even slightly poorly, it would become a definite political stain.

Unless Emperor Tianyuan made concessions and satisfied the demands of the Pure Stream Faction, this incident would surely be magnified by the court historians.

From the Emperor’s perspective, this was a naked threat.

If Emperor Tianyuan were someone who compromised easily, he wouldn’t be pushing for reforms against so much pressure.

Faintly, Li Mu sensed that something was not right.

Escalating the conflict with such an explosive method did give them the moral high ground, but it offered no substantial benefit to the fragmented Pure Stream Faction.

Especially for the senior members of the Pure Stream Faction who held power in the imperial court, blowing the matter up had instead put them in a dangerous position.

From this point on, the factional struggle would enter a white-hot stage. There was no longer any possibility of reconciliation between the Eunuch Faction and the Pure Stream Faction.

One side had to fall for this struggle to end.

“What are you standing around for? Tear it down, quickly!”

“Pass my orders! The entire Thousand-household Fort is to mobilize and confiscate these illegal materials. Tell the common folk that if they don’t want a trip to the Imperial Prison, they are to immediately tear down any illegal materials that appear on their walls and not spread false rumors.”

Li Mu had no time to investigate the truth for now. He was the unlucky fish in the moat suffering from the fire at the city gate.

The responsibilities of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were extensive, and they included cracking down on rumors and maintaining social stability.

If it was determined that the news had spread from the South City, his tenure as a Chiliarch, which had begun only a day ago, would be over.

Fortunately, this was the South City, inhabited mostly by people from the lower echelons of society. They held an extremely low political status in the Great Yu and feared nothing more than getting into trouble. The authority of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions here was absolute.

It might be difficult to control what people said, but getting them to help clear the notices from their own walls was still achievable.

As long as the materials were cleared away in time, Li Mu could pretend that nothing had happened.

As for investigating the mastermind, he would wait until the imperial court issued an order.

Historical experience told him that when it came to factional struggles, it was best not to get involved if at all possible.

Chapter 16: The Lid That Won’t Stay On

The news spread much faster than Li Mu had anticipated.

The moment the South City Thousand-household Fort took action, the two major intelligence agencies, the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot, also sprang into motion. The soldiers of the Shuntian Prefecture were slightly slower to react, but only by about half an hour.

When their official positions were on the line, everyone became highly efficient. Even after working hours, their enthusiasm remained undiminished.

…

“My lord, I’ve been wronged! The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions ordered the destruction of the illegal materials on the walls. I wasn’t the one who posted them…”

Slap!

After striking him across the face, the leading Eastern Depot eunuch roared, “You can say your piece in the Imperial Prison. What’s the use of spouting nonsense now!”

The accusations on the posters were all aimed at them, the eunuchs. If they didn’t act quickly and their superiors found out, they would surely be in for a world of trouble.

Adhering to the principle of “better to arrest the wrong person than let one go free,” the young eunuch clearly had no intention of wasting time verifying the man’s story.

In any case, making an arrest was an accomplishment.

Once inside the Imperial Prison, there were plenty of ways to make someone confess.

The chances of coming out of that hellhole alive were less than one in three.

“Stop!”

Li Mu couldn’t help but shout.

He had long heard tales of the Eastern Depot’s brutal enforcement, but he had never imagined they could be this cruel.

They knew the man was innocent, yet they were still going to throw him into the Imperial Prison.

“Who are you to dare meddle in the affairs of my Eastern Depot?”

An agent stepped forward and bellowed.

If not for Li Mu’s official uniform and the soldiers behind him, they likely wouldn’t have bothered with questions and would have just seized him directly.

Miscarriages of justice never happened in isolation. Once a line was crossed, it would be crossed countless times more.

“Li Mu, Chiliarch of the South City Thousand-household Fort of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. Have your man in charge come out and speak!”

One must not lose one’s presence, even if outmatched. Having chosen to step forward, he could not show any fear.

The Eastern Depot’s foul reputation was known far and wide, and the public feared them like tigers, but that didn’t mean they were invincible.

Power required checks and balances; the Emperor would never allow a single department to become all-powerful.

In the capital, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, filled with the sons of the titled nobility, was one of the few departments that did not have to defer to them.

However, this defiance was limited to simply ignoring them. Direct confrontation was still rare.

“Mai Qinghu, Chief of the Eastern Depot’s South City branch. Does Chiliarch Li have some instruction for me?”

Though his words were polite, his eyes had already drifted elsewhere. His actions made it clear he cared little for a Chiliarch like Li Mu.

“I wouldn’t dare presume to instruct you! I just want to ask you this, Eunuch: are you trying to suppress this matter, or are you preparing to make it known to all, to let everyone know the rumors started spreading from your jurisdiction?”

Li Mu deliberately stressed the word “rumors.”

Competition was fierce within the eunuch ranks. Anyone able to stand out from the crowd was certainly no political novice.

After Li Mu laid it bare, Mai Qinghu immediately realized he had done something foolish.

The rumors were already flying everywhere; arresting people with such fanfare would only make them impossible to hide.

To survive in officialdom, you didn’t necessarily have to be outstanding, but you absolutely could not perform worse than your colleagues.

Once the matter blew up, the Emperor couldn’t possibly hold everyone responsible.

Whoever’s jurisdiction was the most chaotic would most likely be made an example of, becoming the scapegoat for the entire incident.

“What are you suggesting, Chiliarch Li?”

Mai Qinghu asked tentatively.

“Eunuch, why ask what you already know? The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, the Shuntian Prefecture, the Eastern Depot, and the Jinyiwei… we’re all in the same boat now.”

“If this blows up, someone will definitely have to take responsibility.”

“If South City remains peaceful, then the blame won’t fall on you or me.”

Li Mu said, getting straight to the point.

Covering things up was a traditional skill in officialdom. As long as a lid could be kept on something, no one was willing to report it up the chain of command.

The situation in the capital was unique, with the authority of multiple departments overlapping. To suppress the matter, they all had to cooperate.

“Chiliarch Li, I’m afraid that will be difficult. As the Emperor’s hawks and hounds, we would never dare to deceive His Majesty!”

A secret service agency like the Eastern Depot was different from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. It was common for agents to report on their superiors behind their backs.

Besides, their rival, the Jinyiwei, was always watching. If he worked hard to cover this up only to be sold out by the other side, he would be in serious trouble.

“You jest, Eunuch. We are all loyal servants of the Emperor; how could we possibly deceive him?”

“What happened today must, of course, be reported truthfully.”

“The fact that we took timely measures to contain the impact must also be included.”

“I imagine our colleagues in the Shuntian Prefecture and the Jinyiwei feel the same as we do and would not deceive His Majesty on this issue!”

Herein lay the beauty of subtle phrasing. It was the same incident, but by recording it differently, the expressed meaning could be completely different.

This approach was foolproof against any investigation. South City truly hadn’t suffered any serious political fallout. Its residents were from the bottom rungs of society and had no regular contact with high-ranking court officials.

With several departments working together to downplay the impact, they could easily create the illusion that all was peaceful under heaven.

There was no need to keep it a secret forever. As long as the incident in their district developed one step behind the others, the blame could be successfully shifted elsewhere.

“A mistake. Let him go!”

With that, Mai Qinghu and his men departed, his actions a clear statement of his position.

“Thank you… my lord… for saving me…”

Before the still-shaken middle-aged man could finish his thanks, Li Mu cut him off. “That’s enough. Go home, get some sleep, and forget what happened today.”

“Be smarter in the future. If you see agents from the Eastern Depot, stay far away.”

To fall into the hands of the Eastern Depot and escape unscathed was something he could brag about for half his life.

But it was an experience no sane person would ever want.

It was a classic unwarranted disaster, and yet there was nowhere to appeal for justice.

Perhaps the Censorate enjoyed taking on such cases these days, but only on the condition that the person involved died—preferably in a massacre of their entire family.

The crime of wrongfully arresting and then releasing someone was too minor to even bring up.

A family massacre, however, was far more serious. During a factional struggle, it could be used to brand the Eunuch Faction with the crime of “treating human life as grass.”

“Thank you for the warning, my lord! I’ll go home and rest now!”

The middle-aged man hastily gave his assurance. It was clear he was terrified. His body trembled continuously as he spoke.

…

At almost the same time, identical posters appeared in other districts of the capital.

West City Thousand-household Fort.

“What? The ones who put up the posters were a group of illiterate children, and they were instructed by a beggar?”

“Yes, Chiliarch. By the time we found the beggar, he had already been dead for four hours.”

“Judging by the time of death, he was silenced immediately after paying the children to post the notices.”

“The killer clearly planned this in advance and has likely already fled the capital.”

Staring at the beggar’s corpse on the ground, Zhao Yawei’s mind was in turmoil.

The trail went cold just like that. Trying to follow this lead to unearth the mastermind behind it all had just become more than ten times harder.

“Send someone to report to the Marquis of Wuyang at once!”

In a place like this, teeming with the powerful and noble, no one could guarantee that some influential figure hadn’t passed by and happened to see the contents of the posters.

It was bound to come out. Reporting it proactively was far better than waiting for their superiors to notice something was amiss and come looking to assign blame.

Chapter 17: The Chief Eunuch

The storm swept through the entire city, and the high-ranking officials who received the news were all completely stunned.

“Which bastard did this!”

The matter was far too serious. Even Yue Shufeng, the Left Censor-in-Chief who had always prized decorum, couldn’t help but curse.

As the vanguard leading the Pure Stream Faction’s assault on the Eunuch Faction, the Censorate had taken a rare position at the forefront.

According to their plan, they had already gained the upper hand at court by using the great defeat in Liaodong as their weapon.

While it might be difficult to completely crush the Eunuch Faction, tearing off a piece of their flesh wouldn’t be difficult at all.

Politics, after all, was the result of compromise.

Though they clamored to overthrow the Eunuch Faction, deep down, none of these senior officials truly believed it would happen.

Without the Eunuch Faction, some other political group would simply rise to oppose them.

The court would not allow a single faction to dominate—that was the Emperor’s bottom line.

Rather than face a new opponent, it was better to continue sparring with the familiar Eunuch Faction.

At the very least, the Eunuch Faction’s reputation was foul enough that no matter what happened, the excuse “The Eunuch Faction framed us” could always be used.

Given the climate of public opinion in the Great Yu, as long as one stood against the Eunuch Faction, their reputation would soar.

If it were a case of infighting within the civil official bloc, everyone knew each other too well, and the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.

When the Dengwen Drum incident first broke out, Yue Shufeng hadn’t thought much of it.

Eunuchs going to the Pure Stream Faction’s own turf to collect taxes—the real problem would have been if nothing had happened.

By quietly providing some assistance to the victim, allowing him the means to bring the matter before the Emperor, they could also deal a heavy blow to the Eunuch Faction’s morale.

At one point, Yue Shufeng had even formulated a plan to fan the flames and muddy the waters, looking for an opportunity to severely wound the Eunuch Faction and pave the way for his own entry into the Grand Secretariat.

But plans could never keep up with reality. The case of the Mining Tax Supervisors had suddenly become the talk of the town, causing the situation to spiral out of control.

Anyone with discerning eyes knew that someone had to be pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

It was one thing to make trouble for the Eunuch Faction, but to do so behind the back of a Pure Stream Faction leader like him—that was asking for death.

On the surface, it seemed the Pure Stream Faction now held the advantage. Court officials and commoners alike were calling for the Eunuch Faction’s downfall, and victory seemed just around the corner.

In reality, the opposite was true. This kind of reckless, rule-breaking turmoil was what a monarch detested most.

Even if the Emperor had intended to reprimand the Eunuch Faction, an incident like this would make him change his mind.

Influenced by this storm, the neutral factions at court might also shift their political stance toward the Eunuch Faction.

“My lord, there’s no news yet, but the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot have arrested many people. If any traces were left behind, they should be dug up soon.”

Advisor Du’s reply made Yue Shufeng even more anxious.

Whoever was behind this dared to scheme against both them and the Eunuch Faction simultaneously; they must have made thorough preparations.

“You overestimate the abilities of the Factory Guards! If they were truly that capable, every official at court would be under their thumb. In fact, you don’t need evidence for something like this; you can roughly guess who it is. There are only a few powers in the capital with the strength to stir up such a commotion. The Eunuch Faction, us, His Majesty, the titled nobility, and the imperial relatives. The Eunuch Faction wouldn’t sabotage itself—the risk is too great. His Majesty has no motive to act; the conflict between us and the Eunuchs needs no further instigation. While the titled nobility and imperial relatives have the power, they lack a motive. If I’m not mistaken, the mastermind is most likely from within the Pure Stream Faction. Perhaps the eunuchs’ meddling has become too much for the gentry of the southeast to bear, or maybe someone couldn’t resist the urge to…”

Figuring out the truth was useless. He was now the one pushed into the eye of the storm.

The anti-eunuch banner was indeed a useful tool. By raising it, one could gain the support of countless people.

But while the banner was easy to raise, it was difficult to put down.

The countless members of the Pure Stream Faction behind him were watching, and they would never allow him to retreat.

“My lord, perhaps things aren’t so serious. You didn’t orchestrate this matter. At worst, we can leak the information privately and let the Eunuch Faction seek revenge on the person behind it!”

Advisor Du offered, steeling himself.

He knew all too well how much danger his master was in now. He had opposed this anti-eunuch campaign from the very beginning.

But an advisor was, in the end, just an advisor. No matter how trusted he was, he had no right to make decisions for his master.

“Let’s hope so! Take some men and search the residence. Pack up everything that’s incriminating. As for the servants, any who have been causing trouble or breaking the law are to be dealt with. Draft a letter to my family back home in my name, telling my clansmen to be more cautious for the time being. And help me keep an eye out for any other weaknesses. We need to plug the leaks immediately.”

Yue Shufeng said calmly.

Having calmed down, he was no longer panicking.

The Censorate held a special position; impeaching wrongdoing was their duty.

No matter how displeased the Eunuch Faction was, they couldn’t punish him, the Left Censor-in-Chief, simply for submitting a memorial of impeachment.

To bring him down, they would need solid evidence.

…

Just as Yue Shufeng was taking action, a host of other court officials who realized the gravity of the situation also moved to clean up their own messes.

In the imperial palace, Emperor Tianyuan let out a cold laugh as he looked at the report in his hand.

When the Dengwen Drum incident first broke out, he had indeed hesitated, but now, someone had made the decision for him.

“You may all rise.”

“Nan Zhili is far away, and someone deliberately concealed the matter. It’s understandable that you did not receive the news in time. However, a thing like this will only be allowed to happen once. Ever since Liu Dabo passed away, the position of Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial has been vacant. Guang’en, that position is now yours.”

As Emperor Tianyuan finished speaking, the panicked eunuchs’ eyes instantly lit up with fervent passion.

The Directorate of Ceremonial had another name outside the palace—the Inner Court. In terms of power, it could rival the Grand Secretariat, which was dominated by civil officials.

The Chief Eunuch was equivalent to the Grand Secretary, a position of immense power and prestige in the Great Yu Dynasty.

Most crucially, besides being the Chief Eunuch, Zuo Guang’en was also in charge of the Eastern Depot.

The combined authority of these two positions was something no eunuch in the entire history of the Great Yu had ever attained.

“This slave thanks Your Majesty for your immense grace!”

Zuo Guang’en kowtowed, his expression one of pure excitement.

The degree of support Emperor Tianyuan was showing him far exceeded his wildest imagination.

“Alright, if there’s nothing else, get lost. Doing the job beautifully for Us is more important than anything else!”

As he spoke, Emperor Tianyuan gave Zuo Guang’en an annoyed kick.

“This slave will get rolling right now!”

With those words, Zuo Guang’en began to literally roll on the floor, creating a comical scene.

Witnessing this, the other eunuchs felt no sense of humiliation. Instead, their faces filled with envy.

To be personally kicked by the Emperor was a privilege only one of his own people could enjoy.

…

Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

Upon returning home, Li Mu immediately reported to his uncle, including his actions in colluding with other officials to cover up the incident.

“You handled it well. Aside from your dealings with the Eastern Depot being a bit crude, there were no major faults. To have thought things through to this extent, you can be considered among the top of the younger generation. It’s a pity you don’t come from a civil service background. Otherwise, in thirty years, you would surely have a place in one of the Six Ministries.”

Li Mu paid no mind to his uncle’s lament.

He wanted to become an official through the imperial examinations too, but the problem was, he couldn’t do it!

He found it difficult just to read the classical texts that filled the exam papers, let alone…

Chapter 18: The Vicious Tiger

“Uncle, there’s nothing to regret.

“In recent decades, the struggles at court have grown increasingly intense. In these fights, everyone’s bottom line has been crossed again and again. If this continues, it will surely lead to great chaos.

“The Pure Stream Faction’s current actions have not only infuriated the eunuchs but have also offended His Majesty.

“I fear those high-ranking officials of the Pure Stream Faction at court will not meet a good end!” Li Mu said calmly.

Changing a country was exceedingly difficult; changing an empire on the path to decline was even harder.

The Great Yu Dynasty had been passed down for over two hundred years. Of the three-hundred-year dynastic cycle that most feudal dynasties followed, only a few decades remained.

As the civil official conglomerate grew stronger, it not only eroded the power of the titled nobility but also constantly chipped away at imperial authority.

This trend was interrupted after Emperor Tianyuan ascended the throne, but it was an undeniable fact that the Emperor’s power had been drastically curtailed.

In appointing and dismissing members of the Grand Secretariat, the Emperor could no longer act with sole authority. His decisions had to go through the process of court nominations to be accepted by the officials.

Edicts issued directly by the Emperor were now referred to by outsiders as “direct edicts,” and the Six Offices of Scrutiny could refuse to acknowledge them and reject them outright.

Only after being affixed with the seal of the Grand Secretariat did an edict gain full legal force.

To protect the monarch’s authority, emperors in recent decades had stopped issuing direct edicts altogether.

If this continued, Great Yu’s own version of a constitutional monarchy might just step onto the stage of history.

Of course, the probability of this happening was minuscule.

The emergence of constitutional monarchies stemmed from the rise of capitalist economies. The current Great Yu Dynasty did not have the conditions to develop capitalism.

The merchants, who appeared incredibly wealthy, were in fact dependent on the powerful and influential for their existence. They were deeply tied to the bureaucratic conglomerate politically, achieving their political aims through the exchange of benefits.

Even if the monarch’s power were caged, given the civil official conglomerate’s penchant for infighting, letting them govern would mean the empire would accomplish nothing.

For the common people, a central government of a feudal dynasty that did nothing was a good thing. As long as the court didn’t stir up trouble, everyone was happy.

But in the transition to a capitalist era, if the central government remained inactive, it would lead to great chaos.

Watching his imperial authority steadily decline, Emperor Tianyuan, an ambitious emperor, could not stand idly by.

First, he used political means to sow discord, dividing and dismantling the civil official conglomerate. Then, he propped up the eunuchs to contend with the Pure Stream Faction and supported the Reformist Faction’s rise to the political stage.

This series of political maneuvers couldn’t be called entirely correct, but the general strategy was sound; it was only in the specific execution that deviations occurred.

The fact that Emperor Tianyuan was forcefully pushing for reform did not mean he truly wanted to reform, but that he was being forced to by the empire’s collapsing finances.

In the middle and late stages of every dynasty, the costs of governance would skyrocket.

Great Yu’s situation was even worse. Besides the normal increase in costs, there was also the trouble brought by inflation.

As overseas smuggling flourished, a large amount of silver flowed into Great Yu.

With the increase in the money supply, the prices of goods denominated in silver inevitably rose.

The troops of the garrison posts were no longer reliable, so hired soldiers became the main pillar of national defense.

Coupled with rising prices, this led to a sharp increase in defense spending.

Great Yu, which once maintained an army of a million without spending a single copper coin, now spent half of its revenue on military expenses.

The central government’s revenue saw no growth, yet the cost of maintaining the empire’s rule continued to climb. If reforms were not carried out, the empire would be dragged down by its finances.

This was the core reason why Li Mu had not chosen to join the Reformist Faction to save this great empire.

The Emperor supported the Reformist Faction merely to maintain his rule; he lacked the courage to burn his bridges and completely change the political ecosystem.

The hastily assembled Reformist Faction was internally a mixed bag. Many people had joined, but few genuinely supported reform; most were political opportunists.

With vested interest groups obstructing reform from the outside and a group of incompetent allies dragging them down from the inside, the eunuchs ended up becoming the main force of reform.

“They brought it all on themselves!

“It looks like they’re attacking the eunuchs, but in reality, they’re eroding imperial authority. It would be a wonder if His Majesty let them off.

“Just wait and see. His Majesty’s counterattack will begin soon.

“The dogs he’s been raising for so long… if he doesn’t let them out to hunt, they’ll become useless.

“Keep your men under tight control. If something unexpected happens later, those soldiers will be the foundation of our survival!”

The latter part of his speech bordered on treason.

But the current situation was complex, and if he didn’t broach the topic now, Li Yuan worried that his nephew would be swayed by others.

In conventional political struggles, the civil official conglomerate controlled the narrative.

But if the situation escalated into a physical conflict, the civil officials’ advantage would be gone.

Among the many armed forces in the capital, the combat effectiveness of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was not top-tier, but their greatest advantage was being stationed within the city walls.

The other main capital garrisons were all stationed outside the city.

To move troops into the city, both an imperial edict and a tiger tally were indispensable.

“Rest easy, Uncle. I understand the stakes.

“But the capital is still stable. Will it really come to that?” Li Mu asked, feeling apprehensive.

From the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s demeanor, it was as if he had already foreseen that the situation would spin out of control.

The main players in the current struggle were the Eunuch Faction and the Pure Stream Faction. It was completely illogical for the titled nobility, a neutral party, to know where the situation was headed.

“You, you’re still too young.

“If the Pure Stream Faction can flip the table, so can the Eunuch Faction.

“A few days ago, the Emperor sought our opinion. He wished to appoint Zuo Guang’en as the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

“He just hasn’t decided who to hand the Eastern Depot to, which is why the appointment has been delayed.

“After such a major incident, I reckon His Majesty has already made up his mind.

“Once the leashes on the eunuchs are released, these mad dogs will surely go out and bite people.

“In the days to come, I fear the Imperial Prison will be filled to the brim.

“If it were only against the civil officials, that would be one thing. But what if those fellows’ ambitions run wild and they get other ideas? We must be on our guard!” Li Yuan said with a sneer.

With this definite piece of information, Li Mu instantly understood why his uncle had concluded that the capital was on the verge of chaos.

The Eastern Depot had the power to arrest and interrogate officials, and the Inner Court had the power to dismiss and convict them.

When combined, these two powers were enough to dominate the court.

In the factional struggle to come, the eunuchs would be both player and referee.

No one could be completely at ease with such a vicious tiger being let loose. Emperor Tianyuan’s act of informing the titled nobility beforehand was a contingency he had prepared in advance.

One link connected to another; everyone was a pawn on the Emperor’s board, just in different positions.

Some pawns were now the main force, some were still lurking in the shadows, and some had unfortunately been sacrificed.

At this moment, Li Mu finally understood what it meant to “accompany a ruler is like accompanying a tiger.”

Apart from himself, the Emperor would never fully trust anyone.

No matter how close the relationship usually was, the moment he detected a potential threat, it was only a matter of time before he turned on them.

…

“What are you doing?”

“Do you have any idea what this place is?”

The steward had just finished his rebuke when one of his ears went flying.

“The Eastern Depot is on official business. Those who obstruct will be killed!”

Chapter 19: The Ferocity of the Factory Guards

“You scoundrel!

I am an official appointed by the imperial court, how dare you…”

Smack!

Before he could finish, a heavy slap landed across his face.

The men from the Eastern Depot proved with their actions that the title of “imperial official” held no sway with them.

“How audacious! I am a Censor of this dynasty. Do you not fear punishment from the court for acting so recklessly?” the middle-aged official demanded, enduring the sharp pain.

The days when the Factory Guards ran rampant through the land were decades in the past. Ever since the civil official group had grown in power, imperial authority had been curtailed, and even the Factory Guards had begun to act with more restraint. Consequently, their power to intimidate had also been on the decline.

“Haha…”

“An imperial official, you say? Not for much longer. Our investigation has found that Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief Xie Wenyu has accepted bribes, perverted justice, monopolized lawsuits, and persecuted the loyal… Lord Xie, please come with us!”

The Eastern Depot Chief’s mocking words instantly sobered the furious Xie Wenyu.

The Eunuch Faction had begun its counterattack! And worst of all, they had targeted him.

“This is all baseless slander! I am an upright and incorruptible official. How could I possibly engage in illegal activities?” Xie Wenyu immediately retorted.

He could not admit to these crimes. If he did, not even a Cabinet Elder could save him.

As long as he refused to confess, the members of the Pure Stream Faction outside would work tirelessly on his behalf. If he could withstand the pressure and walk out of the Imperial Prison, he would become a hero in the eyes of the literati. With a bit of luck, he might even become one of the spiritual leaders of the Pure Stream Faction, securing a meteoric rise in his career.

“Heh heh, it seems Lord Xie won’t give up until all hope is lost! There are so many officials in the court, civil and military alike. Do you think we would come for you without sufficient evidence? If your memory is failing you, allow me to help you recall.

Lord Xie became a Third-Rank Palace Graduate in the Special Grace Examination during the first year of the Tianyuan era. In just six short years, you have ascended to the high position of Right Assistant Censor-in-Chief. Such immense imperial favor, yet you show no thought of repaying His Majesty’s grace. It is truly infuriating.

Let’s not dwell on distant matters. How do you explain the additional fifteen thousand mu of fertile land your family has acquired?”

The moment the specific number was mentioned, Xie Wenyu realized he was in grave trouble.

Although he came from a gentry family, they were not particularly wealthy. To fund his studies, his family had even sold off many of their paddy fields. At court, he had always been a representative of students from humble backgrounds. Moreover, the salaries for officials in the Great Yu Dynasty were notoriously low. It was simply impossible for him to have amassed such a vast fortune in just a few years.

While some of the land was from fellow countrymen registering their property under his name to evade taxes, the rest had been acquired through illicit means. In the Great Yu Dynasty, sheltering land to evade taxes was also illegal.

“What nonsense are you spouting? My family doesn’t own that much land. Someone must be framing me!” Xie Wenyu denied flatly.

Reason told him that at a time like this, he had to hold firm.

“You feel wronged? Then you can explain yourself in the Imperial Prison. The people there love to entertain stubborn men like you. I hope Lord Xie can remain tough to the very end!”

…

Xie Wenyu was not the only one arrested. The Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei moved out simultaneously, and the most vocal members of the Pure Stream Faction were all thrown into prison.

At the South City Thousand-household Fort.

“Lord Chiliarch, the Eastern Depot has sent over a group of convicted officials’ family members, requesting that we hold them in custody!”

Li Mu was not surprised by the news. The Factory Guards had been arresting people for the past few days, and the Imperial Prison was already overflowing. Aside from the officials’ direct relatives, ordinary maidservants and servants were not qualified to be imprisoned there.

Shuntian Prefecture and the Grand Court of Revision were both territories of the Pure Stream Faction, so the Eunuch Faction certainly couldn’t send the prisoners back to them. The West City Thousand-household Fort had already received a batch of family members yesterday; now it was the South City’s turn.

“Tell their men that we only provide the cells. Nothing else is our concern!” Li Mu said calmly.

The Eunuch Faction’s actions had plunged everyone back into an era dominated by the Factory Guards. Countless officials were trembling with fear; it was said that some even wrote their last wills before attending the imperial court session.

The Pure Stream Faction had not been without a counterattack. Unfortunately, the Emperor had not held court for the last few days, and their impeachment memorials were being held back by the Directorate of Ceremonial. The memorials were submitted in the morning, and the officials were imprisoned in the afternoon. Once they entered the Imperial Prison, their status changed to that of a convicted official, rendering their earlier impeachment memorials worthless.

“My lord, the Eastern Depot is powerful right now. Isn’t it unwise to refuse them so bluntly?” a clerk advised tactfully.

The Eunuch Faction’s sharp counterattack had not only stunned the Pure Stream Faction but also terrified countless neutral parties.

“If we don’t make our position clear, are you going to help them guard and interrogate the prisoners? Don’t forget that among the family members being sent over are many elderly, women, and children. Can you guarantee that no accidents will happen once they’re inside our prison?” Li Mu retorted irritably.

This Clerk Yan before him had clearly failed to understand his own position. The Eastern Depot was certainly fearsome, but he was a clerk of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. His first loyalty should be to the Five Wards. Once you got your hands dirty with certain matters, you could never wash them clean.

With the Eunuch Faction and the Pure Stream Faction fighting so fiercely, the titled nobility was clearly staying neutral. As a force within the nobility’s camp, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions naturally had to remain neutral as well. Getting close to the Eastern Depot at this time would be seen as a personal stance. If nothing happened, it would be fine, but if things took a bad turn, he might be classified as part of the Eunuch Faction.

The Eunuch Faction was currently in power, and being labeled as one of them would likely lead to a swift career advancement in the short term. But in the game of politics, there were no perpetual winners.

“You jest, my lord. How could a subordinate like myself bear such a great responsibility? The Eastern Depot is notoriously vengeful. I was merely worried that offending them would bring trouble upon you, my lord!”

Hearing Clerk Yan’s explanation, Li Mu’s expression softened slightly.

Besides recruiting the sons of the titled nobility, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions also hired provincial graduates to serve as clerks and handle miscellaneous tasks. These men came from humble origins, lacked a deep understanding of the court’s situation, and usually had low political sensitivity.

Had it been a son of the nobility, he would never have been so timid in front of the Eastern Depot.

As long as the high-ranking members of the Eunuch Faction were in their right minds, they wouldn’t provoke the titled nobility while they were at war with the civil official group. They dared to strike hard against the Pure Stream Faction because those men were scholars with abysmally low martial capabilities. If they were to push the militarily powerful titled nobility into the Pure Stream Faction’s camp, the situation would be completely reversed.

The civil officials would provide the righteous justification, the military commanders would do the killing, and together, they could even pull an emperor from his throne. History had seen more than one or two coups to exterminate eunuchs.

It was precisely because of these historical lessons that Emperor Tianyuan had specifically sought the opinion of the titled nobility before unleashing the fierce tiger that was the eunuchs. The current situation was, in essence, the result of the Emperor and the titled nobility working together to suppress the civil official group.

“Rest assured, I know what I’m doing. Remember to relay my words verbatim. If the men from the Eastern Depot have any objections, tell them to take it up with the Marquis of Wuyang. We are merely following orders!”

Unaware that Li Mu was shifting the blame upwards, the initially apprehensive Clerk Yan was instantly revitalized. The Marquis of Wuyang was a powerful patron. With this imperial in-law taking the heat, the Eastern Depot wouldn’t dare act rashly, no matter how arrogant they were.

Chapter 20: The Unwritten Rules

Residence of the Left Censor-in-Chief.

Having just finished comforting the families of his protégés who had come seeking aid, an utterly exhausted Yue Shufeng felt for the first time how difficult it was to be a leader of the Pure Stream Faction.

As a vanguard against the Eunuch Faction, the Censorate he led had become the hardest-hit area for arrests.

“My lord, the Eunuch Faction grows more rampant by the day, and the officials they are arresting are of increasingly higher rank. They even dare to touch your own students now. We cannot simply sit by and wait for our doom!”

Advisor Du’s words were undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

Originally, Yue Shufeng had only used opposing the eunuchs as a political slogan to accumulate political capital, but the escalating situation had forced him to fight the Eunuch Faction to the bitter end.

So many of his underlings had been arrested. If he did nothing, no one would follow him anymore.

“Prepare the sedan chair. I am going to Cabinet Elder Pang’s residence!” Yue Shufeng said coldly.

The Eunuch Faction’s methods had broken the traditional model of political struggle.

The old political struggles, where the censors led the charge and the court officials followed, were no longer effective.

“My lord, have you forgotten? In the throne room yesterday, Cabinet Elder Pang was arguing vehemently with that traitor Zuo Guang’en when he was overcome with anger and fainted. He still has not woken up,” Advisor Du stepped forward to remind him.

It was precisely because the Zhejiang Clique’s pillar in the imperial court had fallen ill that the families of the accused officials who had evaded capture came running to him for protection.

“Old fox! What convenient timing for him to fall ill!” Yue Shufeng couldn’t help but curse.

Whether Cabinet Elder Pang’s fainting was real or feigned, he had now escaped the eye of the storm.

“My lord, this is not the time for such talk. The urgent task now is to contact more allies who oppose the Eunuch Faction. The Eastern Depot has arrested so many people. Besides us, the Chu, Fujian, Hunan, and Hui Cliques are also victims. We must fan the flames, ignite everyone’s anger, and organize a court strike by all officials…”

Advisor Du’s idea was the civil official bloc’s ultimate move.

Historically, every court strike by the officials has had far-reaching consequences.

“The time is not yet right. The Eunuch Faction has only arrested people; they have not yet convicted them. There is still room to maneuver. If we jump out and organize a court strike, it will only further intensify the conflict between the sovereign and his subjects. Don’t forget, there is still a mastermind behind the scenes, who orchestrated the deterioration of the situation to this point, that we have yet to expose.”

“Send people to spread rumors, guide the opinion of the literati, and wait for an opportunity to incite the students of the Imperial Academy to enter the palace and petition. I remember you have a former classmate teaching at Tonghe Academy. This matter will be left to him. Upon its success, the court will recruit him as an official. If he is not in a hurry to enter officialdom, then as long as our Pure Stream Faction oversees the next imperial examinations, he is guaranteed a spot as a Palace Graduate.”

Yue Shufeng’s promised terms gave Advisor Du a shock.

Being recruited as an official wasn’t a huge deal. A Provincial Graduate was already qualified to be an official; it was just that there were not enough positions in the court, so the probability of being recruited was very low.

But locking in a Palace Graduate spot in advance—that was examination fraud.

Since the establishment of the imperial examination system, every case of fraud had resulted in heads rolling.

“My lord, isn’t this too risky?” Advisor Du gently tried to persuade him.

The chance to enter officialdom with the status of a Palace Graduate was something no one could refuse, himself included. His fear was that this was merely an empty promise.

If Yue Shufeng, the Left Censor-in-Chief, reneged on his word, he, the middleman, would be in an awkward position.

Being stood up in a matter like this could be fatal.

If the promise were actually fulfilled, the consequences would be even more severe. Such a deadly secret was something no one wanted others to know. It was possible that he, the advisor, along with this person from his hometown, would be silenced.

“You’re overthinking it. Things are not nearly that complicated. To be able to pass the provincial examinations and teach at Tonghe Academy, his essay-writing skills are certainly not poor. The only reason he hasn’t become a Palace Graduate is that his writing is too mechanical and doesn’t suit the examiners’ tastes. We just need to find an opportunity to arrange for him to take his essays and seek some pointers from a few examiners. Once he’s on the right track, what’s to fear about not passing the palace examinations!”

Yue Shufeng roared with laughter.

This kind of maneuver was practically an open secret among the high-ranking officials.

Everyone was in the same circle, and everyone had juniors who needed looking after. To give others convenience was to give oneself convenience.

Before every imperial examination, a large number of Provincial Graduates would travel to the capital, searching everywhere for connections to pay visits to high-ranking court officials.

These powerful figures, normally difficult to meet, would collectively make time to receive these Provincial Graduates from all corners of the land. No matter how distant the connection, as long as one had a reason to visit, there was a chance to meet them.

It was not that they were so fond of promoting the younger generation, but simply that they needed cover. Otherwise, if everyone they met with became a Palace Graduate, anyone could see the problem at a glance.

To avoid suspicion, those who truly needed to use their connections had already established them several years in advance.

If one’s power was insufficient and they couldn’t get others to open the back door for them, they would settle for the next best thing and join one of the four great academies.

Each academy had its own distinctive style. The education the students received was the same, but their interpretation of the classics and their examination techniques would be somewhat similar.

Examiners who had emerged from these academies would see familiar styles and subconsciously give them some consideration when grading.

If they happened to be examined by a senior alumnus from their own academy, their chances of becoming a Palace Graduate would be that much higher.

Once or twice it might be unnoticeable, but after countless examinations, massive interest groups had formed with the academies as their nexus.

…

“Left Prime Minister, we can’t keep arresting people. Many of the officials in the capital come from prominent local clans. Dealing with so many at once could easily lead to great turmoil,” Minister of Personnel Shi Yuanhu advised tactfully.

The Eastern Depot was too effective. They had arrested over a hundred officials in one fell swoop, and even the senior figures in their own faction couldn’t stomach it.

Even if the goal was to make room for their own people, it had to be done with more finesse.

“Minister Shi, you can rest assured. We know how to act with discretion. Although it seems like many officials have been arrested, they are all third-rank and below. Not a single truly high-ranking court official has been touched. I also know that these people are not easy to handle, which is why we have only detained them for now, without directly convicting them. However, since Minister Shi has spoken, we will temporarily stop the arrests and focus on closing the previous cases!”

The Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial had long been known as the “Inner Prime Minister,” but this was a nickname given by outsiders. Throughout the history of the Great Yu, few eunuchs had ever dared to call themselves by that title.

Fortunately, everyone here was from the Eunuch Faction. If the members of the Pure Stream Faction knew of this, they would certainly have him charged with grave disrespect.

“Left Prime Minister, the eyes of the world are upon us now. We must be mindful of our image. To convict these arrested officials, we must find evidence, preferably something airtight. Otherwise, if someone tries to overturn these verdicts in the future, it will be another troublesome affair!” Minister of War Yi Chuanliang added, striking while the iron was hot.

Ever since receiving news of the major defeat in Liaodong, the Ministry of War had become the target of the Pure Stream Faction’s attacks, with a ceaseless stream of impeachment memorials.

If the Factory Guards had not suddenly turned the tables, he, the Minister of War, would have been forced to resign.

Now that the situation was reversed, he was determined to strike back. Otherwise, the world would see him as a pushover.

Chapter 21: Trouble Comes Knocking

“Chiliarch, someone is outside with your identification papers. He claims to be from your hometown.”

Hearing this, Li Mu, who was in the middle of a discussion with his colleagues about the two factions’ struggle, frowned slightly.

After arriving in the capital, he had indeed sent out many identification papers to people from his hometown.

A normal meeting should have been arranged by sending a formal request to the Marquis’s Mansion to schedule a time, not by coming to the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions to find him with his papers.

“Show the man to the rear office. I’ll be there shortly.”

In a society where connections were everything, some things were unavoidable, even if you knew they spelled trouble.

He just hoped it wasn’t too much of a hassle. With his limited power, he couldn’t afford to take on much.

…

“Chen Jichuan, when did you arrive in the capital?”

Li Mu asked, a hint of pleasant surprise in his voice upon recognizing the visitor.

Even families of military officials were expected to be educated, and Chen Jichuan had been his classmate at a private school.

After his mourning period had ended, Chen Jichuan had paid him a visit at his estate.

In the blink of an eye, more than three months had passed. He never expected their next meeting would be in the capital.

“It’s a long story.

“Not long after you left for the capital, Brother Li, I received a letter from Teacher Xiang, inviting me to come here to study.

“But I had only just arrived when I heard the terrible news that Teacher Xiang had been arrested and imprisoned.

“To find out more, I tried to visit many of our fellow townsmen, but they all turned me away.

“I had no other choice, Brother Li. I could only come to you for help!” Chen Jichuan said, a touch of embarrassment on his face.

Although they had once studied together at the Guanzhong Academy, he was one of Xiang Shihai’s inner disciples, whereas Li Mu had merely attended his lectures for a time.

There was a connection, but it wasn’t a strong one.

After arriving in the capital, Li Mu hadn’t even considered visiting Xiang Shihai. It wasn’t that he lacked worldly wisdom; their relationship simply wasn’t close enough. They hadn’t socialized at the academy, and if he sent his identification papers, the man might not even have known who he was.

“Teacher Xiang is in prison?

“When did this happen?

“Do you know what he’s accused of?”

Li Mu asked, feigning surprise.

Xiang Shihai hailed from a major Guanzhong clan and should normally have been closer to the Qin Clique.

The Pure Stream Faction, currently clashing with the Eunuch Faction, consisted of members mainly from the southeastern coast and the Two Lakes region.

The civil officials from the north, including the Qin Clique, were politically closer to the Eunuch Faction due to their own interests and were not targets of the crackdown.

There was only one way he could have been implicated: the man had failed to read the political situation and had mistakenly thrown in his lot with the Pure Stream Faction.

Choosing a political side came at a cost. By joining the Pure Stream Faction, Xiang Shihai had essentially betrayed the Qin Clique.

The fact that they hadn’t kicked him while he was down was a testament to their old camaraderie. To hope they would extend a hand to help him was asking for too much.

“Teacher Xiang was serving in the Censorate. It was probably the recent impeachments that brought this disaster upon him,” Chen Jichuan said nervously.

He didn’t dare mention overthrowing the eunuchs now, not with the Factory Guards arresting people all over the city. Hundreds of court officials had been arrested; his own status as a Provincial Graduate was meaningless in the capital.

“Don’t worry, Brother Chen. The good are blessed by heaven.

“The Eastern Depot has arrested so many people; they can’t possibly execute them all. They might just be trying to scare everyone, and they’ll release them later.

“With things escalating like this, the Cabinet Elders won’t just sit by and watch. We should wait patiently for now.

“I’ll ask someone to look into it and see where Teacher Xiang is being held. As long as he’s not in the Imperial Prison, I can arrange for someone to look after him.”

Seeing that Li Mu was only offering pleasantries and carefully avoiding any talk of a rescue, Chen Jichuan felt helpless.

The world of officialdom was a pragmatic one. Their past connection was good enough to ask for information, but he couldn’t hope for more.

The Eunuch Faction was at the height of its power. Who would dare offend them without a significant incentive?

Deep down, for the first time, Chen Jichuan began to think his mentor’s strategy for accepting disciples was flawed. While passing on one’s learning was paramount, personal connections were just as important.

“Then I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Li!”

Just as he finished speaking, Clerk Yan burst into the room.

“Chiliarch, bad news! The Eastern Depot Agents are here. They claim a remnant of a guilty official’s faction just entered the Thousand-household Fort, and they’re demanding we hand him over!”

At these words, Chen Jichuan was scared half to death.

He had been here for no more than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, and the Eastern Depot was already at the door.

It was obvious that his recent activities—sending out requests for visits and trying to rescue Xiang Shihai—had been exposed.

His body couldn’t help but tremble at the thought of the terrifying legends about the Imperial Prison.

“Looking for remnants of a guilty official? Tell them to go to the main prison; it’s full of them. How could my Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions harbor such a person!

“Never mind. Have them wait in the main hall. I’ll be there shortly.”

As a good leader, Li Mu wasn’t going to make things difficult for his subordinate. Expecting a mere clerk to stand up to the pressure of the Eastern Depot was asking far too much.

“Brother Li, this…”

Chen Jichuan was deeply unsettled. He was worried about implicating Li Mu, yet he was also afraid that Li Mu wouldn’t be able to withstand the pressure and would hand him over.

“Don’t worry. Even the Eastern Depot has to follow reason. They can’t just arrest people indiscriminately!”

Li Mu’s words of reassurance, far from calming Chen Jichuan, only made him more anxious.

The Eastern Depot’s reputation among the literati was so foul that Chen Jichuan simply didn’t believe they would be reasonable.

…

“Eunuch Mai, what wind blew you here today? What are you standing around for? Hurry and serve Eunuch Mai some tea. The men below are ignorant, Your Grace, please forgive them,” Li Mu said with a broad smile.

Since he was dealing with an acquaintance, things would be much easier. If they could cooperate once, they could do it a second time. Eunuchs also understood worldly wisdom.

“Lord Li, let’s dispense with the pleasantries. There’s always time for tea; let’s get down to business first! I’m sure you know why I’m here. You’re not Xiang Shihai’s student, so there’s no need for you to stick your neck out for him. Hand over Chen Jichuan for me to take away, and this matter will be over.”

After Mai Qinghu spoke, the atmosphere in the main hall instantly grew heavy.

“The Eastern Depot’s intelligence is truly formidable. To have figured out the connections in such a short time is impressive. It’s not that I don’t want to give you face, Your Grace, but my classmate had only just stepped inside when your men came barging in. The timing is a bit too coincidental.

“One has to wonder if this is truly about apprehending the remnant of a criminal, or if it’s directed at my Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

“As I recall, your men clashed with the Eastern City’s Thousand-household Fort last night and injured two of our brothers. The Marquis of Wuyang is very displeased about this!

“He gave us a strict order: any matter involving the Eastern Depot must have his direct command. We’re all just doing our jobs, Your Grace. Please don’t make things difficult for your little brother.”

Li Mu skillfully employed the tactic of shifting the blame upwards.

The Marquis of Wuyang had indeed given an order, though its content had undergone a tiny bit of alteration in Li Mu’s retelling.

“Chiliarch Li, are you trying to use the Imperial Brother-in-law to pressure me?!” Mai Qinghu said resentfully.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, an imperial in-law couldn’t frighten civil officials or intimidate military commanders, but they were uniquely positioned to cause trouble for eunuchs.

“Your Grace, you go too far. We are all serving His Majesty, so how can there be talk of pressure? If word of this gets out, being laughed at is a small matter, but if our superiors start to question your competence, that would be a major problem. Some things aren’t worth getting so worked up over. To make things convenient for others is to make them convenient for yourself.”

Chapter 22: The Art of Shifting Blame

“I have business to discuss with Chiliarch Li. No one is to come within fifty paces!”

At Mai Qinghu’s command, the Eastern Depot Agents all withdrew from the main hall.

The soldiers of the Thousand-household Fort glanced at Li Mu. Seeing that their own leader had no intention of stopping them, they also took the hint and withdrew.

As everyone departed, the tense atmosphere of confrontation instantly dissipated into thin air.

“Now that there’s no one in the way, you can finally speak, can’t you!” Mai Qinghu said irritably.

Although their previous collaboration had successfully shifted the blame, the experience had been far from pleasant.

A foolish scholar like Chen Jichuan, brazenly asking about his mentor’s arrest, could never escape the notice of the Eastern Depot’s informants.

They hadn’t arrested him earlier because they were using him as bait, hoping to use people like him to drag more members of the Pure Stream Faction down with them.

The Eunuch Faction didn’t just arrest whoever they pleased, as the outside world imagined. To do so would throw the realm into chaos.

Even when eliminating their rivals, they had to find a suitable pretext before making a move.

Chen Jichuan was undoubtedly a failed piece of bait. Instead of dragging down other members of the Pure Stream Faction as they’d anticipated, he had run off to seek help from his regional compatriots.

Since these people weren’t targets of the Eastern Depot, there was no need to forcibly involve them.

Demanding that the South City Thousand-household Fort hand over the man was entirely on a whim, mainly to take the opportunity to put Li Mu in his place.

Unfortunately, Li Mu didn’t take the bait. He immediately brought up the Marquis of Wuyang, leaving Mai Qinghu completely flustered.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s pride was famous throughout the capital.

To verify the truth, he would have to get his own Lord Director involved; otherwise, he wouldn’t even be able to get through the Marquis’s Mansion gate.

Causing trouble for his Lord Director over such an insignificant person would be career suicide.

Seizing the man by force was even more out of the question.

The young scions of the titled nobility had little experience with the world’s harsh realities and would genuinely dare to draw their blades when provoked.

The conflict in the East City yesterday was a prime example: a headstrong Chief had run into a hot-tempered, brutish Centurion.

Crossbows and hand cannons had been brought out. If not for the swift intervention of their superiors, it would have turned into a large-scale bloody brawl.

Now, the two offices were still squabbling over it.

Regardless of the final outcome, the Eastern Depot Chief who had led the team was guaranteed to have a dim future.

“Eunuch Mai, what’s the rush? Good things come to those who wait. The case is about to be closed. I imagine you’ve reaped quite a harvest from all the recent home confiscations!”

Hearing Li Mu’s words, Mai Qinghu’s expression changed dramatically.

“How do you know we’re about to close the case?”

The moment the words left his mouth, he regretted them. Li Mu’s statement was clearly a probe, and by answering, he had essentially confirmed it.

“Don’t worry, Eunuch Mai. I don’t have the ability to plant spies in your Eastern Depot. I came to this conclusion purely by analyzing the situation. You’ve been busy for so many days and arrested the people you wanted to arrest. If this continues, it will affect the normal functioning of the imperial court, and I’m afraid that will be difficult to explain to His Majesty. Now is the best time to quit while you’re ahead and share the fruits of victory.

“Alright, none of that is really important. The Eastern Depot has arrested so many people, but you can’t possibly kill them all. We won’t talk about the big fish; those higher up have their own plans, and we have no right to interfere. But it’s a different story for the small fry who could be either arrested or released. Handled properly, they’re all worth money.

“When commoners are thrown in the main prison, their families outside can bribe the officials. But your Eastern Depot is too good at its job—you round them all up in one fell swoop. Even if they have friends or relatives on the outside, no one dares to even ask after them. It’s so inhumane!” Li Mu quipped with a faint smile.

It wasn’t that he was audacious enough to try and profit from anything and everything. It was simply the political reality of the Great Yu.

In a government office like the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, only the officially appointed officials received salaries from the court. The Clerks, soldiers, and laborers below them received only a small subsidy, and even that was paid in paper currency.

The cost of living in the capital was high, and the men below also needed to make a living. If they relied solely on the court’s funding, they would have starved to death long ago.

As loyal subjects of the court, they couldn’t shift the blame to the court when faced with difficulties; they had to find their own ways to overcome them.

Like government offices everywhere, the severely underfunded Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions also had its own system for self-funding.

Besides collecting fees directly from merchants and residents, the business of ransoming people was another significant source of income.

In the past, when dandies got into fights, as long as it wasn’t a major incident, they could be bailed out with money.

Inmates’ fees for food, lodging, and sanitation were also a means for the office to generate revenue.

In official circles, this was an open secret.

It wasn’t that no one had tried to change it, but the funding gap was simply too large for the court to bear.

Taking the South City Thousand-household Fort as an example, the annual funds allocated by the court only covered thirty percent of its operating expenses. They had to figure out how to cover the remaining seventy percent themselves.

The Eastern Depot had sent the prisoners over without giving a single copper coin; the Thousand-household Fort was fronting the costs of their confinement.

The fort’s money was the hard-earned cash of their men. They certainly couldn’t just give it away for free; they had to find a way to recoup their losses.

“Chiliarch Li, this matter requires careful consideration!” Mai Qinghu said with some hesitation.

Eunuchs were free from worldly desires, so their interests were relatively simple. But without an order from above, he wouldn’t dare to make such a decision on his own.

“The business of ransoming people can wait. There’s still some time before a final judgment is passed. But the situation in the prison can’t be delayed any longer. The Thousand-household Fort has limited funds. Either your Eastern Depot pays for the prisoners’ confinement, or we’ll have to find our own way. I will report this to the Commander. Your Eastern Depot gets to eat the meat; surely you can’t deny us even a sip of the broth!”

Seeing he had successfully diverted the topic, Li Mu decided to press his advantage. He had deftly transformed his refusal to hand over a person into a matter of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions being jealous of the Eastern Depot’s feast and wanting a piece of the pie.

“Fine. I will report this matter. As for how those above handle it, that is not for me to decide. However, before a decision is made, I do not wish for any trouble to arise, and I trust that Chiliarch Li does not want to stir up any trouble either!”

With that, Mai Qinghu flicked his sleeves and stormed away.

It was simply too infuriating.

The Eastern Depot was at the peak of its power, and as long as they flew their banner, they were unstoppable in the capital. Yet here he was, being repeatedly humiliated before a minor Chiliarch.

Fortunately, he had sent everyone else away. Otherwise, the authority he had built up these past days would have been severely diminished.

Remembering his unlucky colleague in the East City, Mai Qinghu decided not to bicker with a mere boy for the time being.

With the departure of the Eastern Depot Agents, the Thousand-household Fort returned to its-usual calm. Unconsciously, an added measure of awe had appeared in the soldiers’ eyes.

“Brother Li, I have no words to thank you for this great kindness. In the future, if you ever need anything, you have only to ask!” Chen Jichuan said, his expression full of emotion.

His recent experience was no different from having walked through the gates of hell. If he had been taken to the Eastern Depot’s Imperial Prison, his own misfortune would have been a small matter, but he could have implicated his entire family.

“Brother Chen, there’s no need for such words between us. This matter has only come to a temporary close. I’ll have to trouble you to stay here at the Thousand-household Fort until the storm has passed. Please wait a moment, Brother Chen. I need to make a trip to the Marquis of Wuyang’s Mansion. We can catch up properly when I return!”

The man had been sent away, but the cleanup still had to be done.

The bluff he had just made now had to be turned into reality. Otherwise, if his lie was exposed, it wouldn’t be so easy to use a powerful name to intimidate people in the future.

Chapter 23: The Experienced Marquis of Wuyang

Directorate of Ceremonial.

Opening the roster, Zuo Guang’en began to mark it up. The busier he was, the more invigorated he felt. Even after working for several hours straight, he didn’t feel the slightest bit of fatigue.

The feeling of holding the lives and deaths of others in his hands was simply too wonderful.

The people on the list were all his opponents. A few of the more prominent ones had even pointed at his nose and cursed him.

Now, with a simple stroke of his pen, he could make their heads roll. If that wasn’t enough to vent his anger, he could even implicate their entire clans.

“I have marked the names. Go and carry it out immediately!”

After speaking, Zuo Guang’en put down his brush, a victor’s smile playing on his lips.

“Godfather, isn’t this letting them off too easily?” the young eunuch who took the roster asked indignantly.

A few days ago, when the struggle between the two factions was at its fiercest, the members of the Pure Stream Faction had wished for nothing more than to slaughter every single one of them.

That grand spectacle had terrified many of the eunuchs, who feared the Emperor might listen to the Pure Stream Faction and have them physically annihilated.

Now that the tables had turned, the victorious eunuchs were naturally bent on revenge.

The execution list Zuo Guang’en had drawn up contained only six civil officials in total, all of them marginal figures in the Pure Stream Faction. This was a far cry from the retaliation they had anticipated.

“As you know, I am a most kind-hearted man. I cannot bear to see so many people die, so I have chosen to be lenient.

“It’s just that the crimes they’ve committed are too great. If they are not punished, it will not be enough to quell the people’s anger.

“So be it. I will simply bear a little more of the burden.

“In fact, I shall grant them another kindness and spare them the pain of having their families torn apart.

“Go and pick a good place for them to be relocated with their entire clans.”

Hearing Zuo Guang’en’s reply, the eunuchs, who had been feeling unsatisfied, instantly beamed with delight.

Killing an enemy only brought a moment’s satisfaction.

How could that compare to watching one’s enemies live every day in vexation and regret?

Their families had nurtured them to become officials, hoping they would bring glory and prosperity to the clan, not lead them all into exile.

Human nature cannot withstand such a test. If their entire clans were truly implicated and exiled, the elders who had watched them grow and the close siblings they had played with would all turn into enemies overnight.

To live daily amidst the curses of their own clansmen—it would be a miracle if one’s mind didn’t break.

This kind of mental blow was far more terrifying than simply killing a man.

With these living examples, anyone else who thought of opposing them would have to seriously consider whether they could bear the consequences of failure.

“Godfather, you are indeed worthy of being a chancellor!

“This magnanimity alone could hold several large ships, far beyond what that group of pedantic scholars in the imperial court can compare to!”

This round of flattery made the atmosphere within the Directorate of Ceremonial exceptionally warm.

Marquis of Wuyang’s Mansion.

After explaining his grand fundraising plan, Li Mu quietly awaited the Marquis of Wuyang’s response.

He had not had many dealings with this Commander, his superior, but he had heard plenty of rumors about the man.

Arrogant, domineering, tyrannical, incompetent, greedy—none of them were flattering words.

Li Mu had no way of knowing the Marquis’s true character, but the fact that he could hold his position as Commander proved he was by no means as useless as the rumors suggested.

For one thing, the several deputy commanders within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were constantly trying to pull him down.

In a place teeming with the children of the powerful, a strong background alone was no longer enough; one also had to display sufficient cunning.

Take Li Mu himself, for example. After he became Chiliarch of South City, everyone was polite to his face, but in their hearts, they were not truly convinced.

The reason no trouble had erupted was entirely due to his tact. He had not made any waves since taking office and had not harmed anyone’s interests.

His firm stance against the Eastern Depot Agents, aside from wanting to protect his classmate, was also a deliberate display of his capabilities for his subordinates.

“You brat, you really can’t stay out of trouble!”

“However, since the Eastern Depot has borrowed the territory of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, it’s only right that we take a slice of the pie.

“I’ll agree to this matter.

“I won’t ask about the specifics of the operation. As long as you don’t cause any trouble, you have a free hand. Just turn over five hundred thousand taels of silver to me afterward.

“Don’t even try to bargain. The other Thousand-household Forts have to submit their funds as well.

“This money isn’t just for me. After setting aside the operating funds for the yamen, I also have to leave a portion for His Majesty.”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s reply made Li Mu understand why this man could suppress a host of titled nobility’s sons and sit firmly in the Commander’s seat.

When it came to making money, he knew to set aside a share for the Emperor first. With that, wouldn’t his favorability just shoot up?

Even if he caused trouble, for the sake of the money, the Emperor would have to help shoulder some of the burden for his good maternal uncle.

“My Lord, it’s not that this subordinate is trying to shirk his duties.

“The imprisoned officials have all had their homes raided by the Factory Guards. The money that has gone into the pockets of the Eunuch Faction will certainly not come back out.

“Given the Factory Guards’ methods, there will have been no shortage of brutal torture.

“Few of the Pure Stream Faction members are made of stern stuff. Faced with the harsh punishments in the Imperial Prison, very few can withstand it. Any hidden money would have already been surrendered.

“It would be generous enough for their old friends and relatives to be willing to pay a ransom. If the price is too high, the deal will fall through.

“Besides, after we get the money, we still have to give a share to those Eastern Depot Agents. In the end, who knows how much we’ll be left with!” Li Mu couldn’t help but complain.

The asking price was simply too high. No wonder his colleagues had such a poor impression of this man. The income was limited; if those at the top took more, those at the bottom would naturally get less.

If the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had been the ones to arrest the men, he would be confident of squeezing out not just a mere five hundred thousand taels, but even five million.

But things were different now. Someone else had already eaten the fattest part of the meat. By getting involved, they could at most have a sip of the soup.

“You, you’re still too green.

“Even if these officials’ properties have been confiscated and they have no money in their pockets now, are you saying their relatives, friends, classmates, and patrons are also poor?

“They nearly lost their lives working for the Pure Stream Faction. If their allies aren’t even willing to put up the money to save them, it would be too disheartening.

“If they really refuse to pay the ransom, then just have the prisoners implicate a few of them. Having worked together for so long, it’s impossible that they don’t have some dirt on each other.

“As far as I know, besides their official assets, these people also hold numerous secret stakes in various businesses.

“Investigate the merchants they are close to. You can just go to their doors and issue a fine. If they’re unwilling to pay up, send them to the Imperial Prison!”

The money-making methods the Marquis of Wuyang imparted were a real eye-opener for Li Mu.

No wonder so many people risked offending the Eunuch Faction to pull strings from behind the scenes after these officials got into trouble.

Old friendships played, at most, a ten-percent role. The greater fear was that the imprisoned men would give up all hope and act recklessly, spilling everything and implicating them as well.

The tactic was indeed a bit underhanded, but it was the Eunuch Faction who would be at the forefront, taking the blame and the curses. As the middlemen pulling the strings, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were simply taking their money to get things done for them.

“Thank you for your teachings, Your Lordship. This subordinate understands what must be done!”

Chapter 24: The Scholars’ Protest

Leaving the Marquis’s Mansion, Li Mu wasn’t in a hurry to return to the Thousand-household Fort. Instead, he decided to knock off early for the day.

Just because the Marquis of Wuyang had agreed didn’t mean the business could start immediately. It still required the cooperation of the Eastern Depot.

In fact, if the Eastern Depot’s reputation were even slightly better, this deal would never have fallen into Li Mu’s hands to begin with.

The main reason the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were needed as intermediaries was that the Eastern Depot’s credibility was in the gutter.

People were afraid that the moment they paid the money, they would become the next target.

For this ransom business, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions seemed to be earning an intermediary fee, but in reality, they were cashing in on their reputation.

A rushed deal is never a good one.

He would not take any action until the Eastern Depot gave a positive response.

If he appeared too eager, those greedy bastards would quote a sky-high ransom, and the business would be impossible.

“Down with the Eunuch Faction!”

“Down with the Eunuch Faction!”

“Down with the Eunuch Faction!”

…

Looking in the direction of the voices, he saw a group of scholars holding high the spirit tablet of the Sage Confucius, shouting slogans as they marched toward the imperial palace.

“Turn around, take a detour!” Li Mu ordered his household guard without hesitation.

His instincts screamed that things were about to get ugly.

This group of scholars had clearly been incited by someone.

Openly clamoring to overthrow the Eunuch Faction was a direct challenge to the eunuch cabal’s bottom line.

If they let this go, the authority the Eunuch Faction had just established would instantly evaporate.

Once the fear was gone, the members of the Pure Stream Faction, who had fallen silent, would surely become active again.

As one side waned and the other waxed, the Eunuch Faction’s advantage in the imperial court would soon turn into a disadvantage.

No matter what, the eunuchs would not let this matter reach the Emperor.

Li Mu didn’t believe for a second that the Eunuch Faction would sit back and do nothing just because they were worried about the terrible repercussions of moving against scholars.

He reckoned the Factory Guards were already assembled. Before long, the streets would run with rivers of blood.

Deep down, he felt a flicker of sympathy for these deceived students before his reason took over again.

Adults had to be responsible for their own choices.

The last time scholars had held up the sage’s spirit tablet to petition the Emperor was a century ago.

Afterward, the Emperor had flown into a rage. The court was purged, and heads rolled among all the participating factions.

This scene before him was a clear example of failing to learn from history.

With things escalating to this point, the factional struggle, which had been winding down, would most likely be put on hold.

The ensuing storm of public opinion would undoubtedly put the Eunuch Faction in the crosshairs.

If the Pure Stream Faction gave it a push, the anti-eunuch sentiment could very well spread from the capital to the provinces.

They may have lost the upper hand in the court struggles, but it was a different story in the provinces.

The Pure Stream Faction, with its broad support from the gentry, had no reason to fear the Eunuch Faction in their own strongholds.

As he sorted through his thoughts, Li Mu felt a deep sense of revulsion for whoever had orchestrated all this.

To sacrifice a group of ignorant students for a power struggle.

If such a person without any moral compass ever rose to the pinnacle of power, it would be an absolute catastrophe for the Great Yu Dynasty.

…

“What are you standing around for? Start arresting them!”

Zuo Tianjun, who had led the squad here, bellowed at his men.

Lately, the Eastern Depot had been in the limelight.

Even their old masters, the Jinyiwei, could only follow behind and take orders from them now.

They arrested high officials of the court whenever they pleased.

Having arrested over a hundred officials, why would they fear a group of frail scholars who couldn’t even truss a chicken?

“Eunuch, they are holding the sage’s spirit tablet from the Temple of Confucius,” a Jinyiwei Centurion beside him reminded him.

The Great Yu Dynasty governed the world with Confucianism. The Sage Confucius held an exceptionally revered status, both in the court and among the common people.

“How audacious!

You see the sage’s spirit tablet, and you still do not kneel!” the leading scholar shouted, seizing the opportunity.

The spirit tablet was their greatest shield. They had barely managed to intimidate these soldiers and couldn’t let them regain their composure.

“Heh heh!

What sage’s spirit tablet? Why haven’t This one seen it?

Did any of you see it? Come with This one to the Imperial Prison for a chat.

Was it you?

Or you?

Or perhaps, you?”

“No!”

“I didn’t see it!”

“I didn’t see anything either!”

…

The unlucky men he pointed to hurriedly denied seeing anything, terrified of being dragged into the Imperial Prison.

“Scram!”

At the sound of his voice, the crowd of onlookers scattered in all directions.

“What are you standing around for!

None of us saw a sage’s spirit tablet. It must be the work of some evildoers. Hurry up and capture these fiends!”

A group of perfectly fine scholars was twisted into “evildoers” by Zuo Tianjun’s shameless rhetoric.

With such a blatant display of twisting the truth, the initially fearful soldiers instantly regained their courage.

Seeing this, the faces of the scholars who had come to petition turned deathly pale.

The Eunuch Faction’s shamelessness had rendered their plan completely useless.

“Run!”

Someone shouted, and the will of the students broke. In an instant, they scattered in all directions.

“Come back!”

“Get back here!”

“Don’t run!”

…

When disaster strikes, everyone fends for themselves.

No matter how much the leading scholar yelled, he couldn’t change the situation.

The grand petition had devolved into a farce, and the scholars who were caught were in for a miserable fate.

Crack!

A whip lashed out, and the leading scholar let out a blood-curdling scream.

“Ah!”

The pain was excruciating, a far cry from the scene he had envisioned.

“Take them all back for strict interrogation!” Zuo Tianjun ordered smugly.

He had resolved such a major incident with ease. He would surely be rewarded handsomely when he returned.

…

The Censorate.

“My lord, it’s time!”

Hearing his colleague’s reminder, Left Censor-in-Chief Yue Shufeng, who was lost in thought, subconsciously glanced up at the sun.

It was already this late. By all rights, the news should have arrived by now.

“Oh, you all go ahead!

I still have some official business to attend to. I need to stay a little longer.”

As he spoke, Yue Shufeng pretentiously picked up a document and began to read it on the spot.

The others exchanged a look and tacitly chose to withdraw.

In recent days, the Censorate had become a disaster zone for arrests, and Yue Shufeng’s own confidants had been thrown into prison one after another.

The officials who remained unscathed were either not on good terms with him, the Left Censor-in-Chief, or were seasoned old hands just coasting by.

When the Censorate had previously launched its grand wave of impeachments against the Eunuch Faction, these men had just been making up the numbers, bringing up only the most trivial of matters.

For example: impeaching someone for being a quarter of an hour late one day.

Or perhaps: impeaching someone for unkempt attire, with a few wrinkles on their official robes.

Or they would nitpick, impeaching someone for an improper gait and so on.

Even if these technical impeachments were aimed at Zuo Guang’en himself, the Directorate of Ceremonial would not block them. Instead, they would be sent directly to the Emperor.

They were all harmless little mistakes. Even if the Emperor decided to punish them, it would be nothing more than a painless salary deduction.

For the eunuchs, these impeachments were more beneficial than harmful.

Not only could they display their magnanimity, but they could also let the Emperor know that they were not stifling dissent.

Chapter 25: Imperial Statecraft

The sky gradually darkened, and still, no news arrived.

Yue Shufeng, realizing the situation had taken a turn for the worse, had just risen to leave when Agents from the Eastern Depot burst in, blocking his path.

This scene was all too familiar. Just a few days ago, his own confidant had been taken away in the very same manner.

“Lord Yue, we’ll have to trouble you to come with us!”

The leading eunuch said in a mocking tone.

It mattered not how illustrious one’s status was; once in the hands of the Eastern Depot, they were nothing more than a prisoner.

“Insolent!

This official is the current Left Censor-in-Chief. How dare lowly scoundrels like you presume to lay hands on me!

Even if I am to be charged with a crime, it requires the approval of the Grand Secretariat and His Majesty.”

Yue Shufeng rebuked them with disdainful anger.

As a high-ranking official of the second rank, wielding the Censorate—the most formidable verbal combatants of the Great Yu Dynasty—his authority was comparable to that of a Minister from one of the lesser Six Ministries.

The factional struggle had been so intense before, yet the flames had never reached him. This was due to Great Yu’s unwritten rule that high officials were exempt from punishment.

Looking back through the history books, the ancient title for Left Censor-in-Chief was Censor-in-Chief, which placed them squarely among the privileged.

“Lord Yue, please calm your anger. We are not here to charge you with a crime, but to ask for your cooperation in an investigation.

And it happens to be a major case of treason!”

The young eunuch said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Once a line is crossed, it can be crossed again.

Ordinary charges were indeed not enough to take down the powerful Left Censor-in-Chief, but treason was the exception.

Throughout the history of the Great Yu Dynasty, nearly every high official of the second rank or above who had been executed was connected to a case of treason.

Whether anyone had actually committed treason was unimportant. What mattered was that the Eunuch Faction now needed a treason case to deal a heavy blow to the Pure Stream Faction.

“You… You are framing a loyal official!”

Yue Shufeng’s face turned ashen with rage, his words no longer as articulate as before.

Treason—anyone tainted by such a charge was doomed.

He admitted to himself that he had done many unsavory things, many of which had harmed the interests of the state, but he had never once considered rebellion.

“Lord Yue, you shouldn’t speak so carelessly.

We are merely asking for your cooperation in an investigation. We never said you participated in treason. How can you speak of being framed?”

The young eunuch’s words made Yue Shufeng so angry he stomped his foot.

Verbal sparring had always been his strong suit; he never imagined that one day, he would be so easily provoked by a few simple words from someone else.

The Imperial Prison—he knew better than anyone what that hellish place was like.

No matter how innocent you were, once you were inside, the charges against you were entirely at their discretion.

Now, the only ones who could save him were the few Cabinet Elders and the Emperor.

If they were to speak up, the Eastern Depot would not dare to torture him severely, and there would still be room for maneuver.

The thought circled in his mind for a moment before his fantasy was shattered.

Of the five Cabinet Elders in the Grand Secretariat, the Pure Stream Faction and the Eunuch Faction each held two seats, with the fifth being a neutral party.

The Cabinet Elders from the Eunuch Faction and the neutral party would certainly not step in to save him.

Cabinet Elder Pang, from his own faction, was currently unconscious.

Whether he was truly unconscious or merely feigning illness, now that he had escaped the eye of the storm, he would not get involved again.

The other Cabinet Elder from the Pure Stream Faction had a conflict with him due to the struggle for a seat in the Grand Secretariat two years prior.

At a time like this, not kicking him while he was down would already be considered prioritizing the greater good.

To expect that man to risk his political future to lend him a hand was clearly impossible.

The Cabinet Elders would not act, and he had even less hope for the Emperor.

Thinking of how many memorials he had submitted criticizing the Emperor during his tenure as Left Censor-in-Chief, he knew exactly what kind of impression Emperor Tianyuan had of him.

…

In the Imperial Palace, Zuo Guang’en was on his knees before Emperor Tianyuan, pleading for forgiveness.

During the day, the Eastern Depot had seemed to handle matters capably, but in truth, many hidden dangers remained.

The “pointing at a deer and calling it a horse” tactic had suppressed the scholars’ petition, preventing a major disturbance.

This should have been a great accomplishment, but unfortunately, the act itself was taboo.

The subsequent arrest of Yue Shufeng was even more heavy-handed.

He had purged two-thirds of the officials in the Censorate, even taking down the Left Censor-in-Chief.

The remaining staff’s workload tripled, and they also had to clean up the mess left by their colleagues.

For a long time to come, the Censorate would be unable to function normally.

This level of attack had long surpassed the bounds of mere factional struggle.

“Hmph!”

“You have some nerve! You’ve crippled Zhen’s Censorate.

Now you even dare to arrest the Left Censor-in-Chief. In a few more days, will you be inviting Ministers and Cabinet Elders into the Imperial Prison as well?”

Emperor Tianyuan appeared to be furious, but he wasn’t truly angry.

Disrupting other government offices could endanger the state. Crippling the Censorate, however, would give his ears a few days of peace.

If he had wanted to stop it, he would have intervened long ago. He wouldn’t have waited until after the Eastern Depot had thrown the Left Censor-in-Chief into the Imperial Prison to summon Zuo Guang’en for a reprimand.

“Your Majesty, this slave has been wronged!”

“Those censors not only take the court’s stipend for nothing, but they also spend their days causing trouble.

This slave cannot say that all those arrested deserve death ten thousand times over.

But if they were dealt with according to The Laws of Great Yu, executing every last one of them would be no injustice.

On the surface, these men present themselves as virtuous gentlemen, but in secret, they form cliques for personal gain. They are truly the greatest cancer in our dynasty.

The illicit funds this slave has uncovered in silver alone amount to over four million taels.

There are also over two hundred thousand taels of gold, more than two million eight hundred thousand mu of farmland, tens of thousands of shops and properties, and countless ancient scrolls, paintings, and rare treasures.

The Directorate of Ceremonial has made a preliminary estimate: if all the illicit wealth they confessed to is confiscated, the total value would be no less than the imperial court’s annual revenue.

With their meager stipends, even if they worked for three thousand years, they could never accumulate so much wealth!”

Hearing the amount of embezzled wealth, Emperor Tianyuan’s anger completely vanished.

Had he known these men were so corrupt, he would have unleashed the eunuchs on them sooner and not suffered from financial hardship for so long.

“Rise!”

“This has been hard on you, Guang’en!”

Emperor Tianyuan said, his tone softening.

With this money, the court’s troubles with external threats would be easily solved.

Despite the severe defeat in Liaodong, as long as he had money, he could raise another army.

The combat effectiveness of the Great Yu army had always been tied to its funding and supplies. As long as they were well-funded, their fighting strength would soar.

The figure for the illicit wealth was so enormous mainly because the Eastern Depot, when handling cases, was not in the habit of distinguishing between legal and illegal assets.

Whether it was an official’s ancestral property or land sheltered under his name by villagers, it was all counted as embezzled funds.

This enormous sum of illicit wealth became the irrefutable evidence that would seal these officials’ fates. In the future, even if someone wanted to overturn their cases, this massive sum would be an unavoidable obstacle.

Emperor Tianyuan was no fool; he naturally understood the inside story, but the allure of such wealth was irresistible.

So be it an ironclad case.

Sacrificing a group of corrupt officials who only knew how to engage in factional struggle to save the empire’s nearly bankrupt finances was, by any measure, a worthy trade.

An emperor, after all, must know when to feign ignorance.

In any case, the eunuchs had done the deed, and the illicit funds had gone into the national treasury. What did it have to do with him, the Emperor?

“Your Majesty, this is all just this slave’s duty.”

Knowing he had passed this test, Zuo Guang’en breathed a sigh of relief.

Chapter 26: Broken

To arrest someone directly from the Censorate… the yamen’s soldiers and servants were all witnesses, so secrecy was naturally out of the question.

The news of the Left Censor-in-Chief’s arrest and imprisonment spread among the officials at lightning speed.

Anyone with a modicum of political acumen knew that the Eunuch Faction had once again broken with convention—a sign that something major was about to happen.

Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

Just after he finished telling his uncle about the day’s events, Li Mu received news of Yue Shufeng’s imprisonment.

“The Left Censor-in-Chief has been arrested. Things in the imperial court are certainly heating up. What do you make of it?”

Li Yuan asked with a chuckle.

Initially, when Li Mu joined the mansion, he had simply felt his nephew had potential and wanted to give him a push. Later, as Li Mu continued to display his abilities, Li Yuan realized this nephew was no small pond fish and subsequently increased his investment. To cultivate Li Mu’s political skills, he would often test him with court affairs and, from time to time, impart some of the finer points of officialdom.

For great and noble families, besides connections and background, this unseen experience in the bureaucratic world was also a core strength.

Without ten or eight years of being tempered in the fires of official life, it was difficult to grasp its inner workings by simply fumbling through on one’s own.

“Uncle, Lord Yue’s sudden arrest is likely related to the case of the sage’s spirit tablet.

“During the day, the Eastern Depot used forceful measures to suppress the matter. Their act of pointing at a deer and calling it a horse terrified a group of scholars, but it can hardly stop the wagging tongues.

“Arresting the Left Censor-in-Chief now leaves the Censorate leaderless.

“Even if the Pure Stream Faction retaliates later, without the Censorate as their cannon, their offensive power will be diminished by a third.”

Li Mu analyzed calmly.

He really didn’t know what to make of the eunuchs’ actions during the day.

Quickly quelling the scholars’ petition was certainly not a mistake, but that outrageous stunt of pointing at a deer and calling it a horse left one speechless.

The creator of that idiom, after all, had brought down a great empire.

To imitate it in the middle of the street—what would the Emperor think?

Even if he didn’t act on it now, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

When the Emperor suspected civil and military officials in the court, he still needed to carefully lay out a plan to bring them down. A slight misstep, and the history books would curse him to high heaven.

Eunuchs were different. All their power came from the Emperor’s trust.

Once that trust was lost, no matter how prominent their position, it would vanish in an instant.

“A good analysis, but that’s all on the surface.

“Among all the civil and military officials in the court, Yue Shufeng’s abilities are definitely in the top ten. Back when he reorganized the grain transport on the canals, his performance amazed many people.

“It’s a pity that after he came to the capital, he was quickly blinded by power. He became like a madman, especially after he failed to enter the Grand Secretariat last time.

“To gain an advantage in the court nominations, he stopped at nothing.

“Not only did he order the censors to frantically impeach and slander his rivals, but even His Majesty became an object for him to boost his own reputation.

“He lacked no political achievements, and he had the prestige as well.

“Logically, with the way things were developing, it was only a matter of time before Yue Shufeng entered the Grand Secretariat. Not even His Majesty could stop it.

“It was precisely because his advantage was so obvious that it became the path to his own demise.

“His Majesty does not want to see someone who uses him for sport enter the Grand Secretariat.

“Once a precedent is set, everyone will follow suit, and life will become impossible.

“The Senior Grand Secretary is getting on in years; his health and energy are not what they used to be.

“He submitted his resignation three months ago, but His Majesty, worried about upsetting the balance of the court, did his utmost to keep him on.

“No matter how His Majesty tries to retain him, the Senior Grand Secretary is, after all, a man in his eighties. A change is bound to happen in the next year or two.

“The four Cabinet members are all actively preparing. None of them want a colleague with exceptionally high prestige to appear in the Grand Secretariat, adding more variables to the mix.

“During his tenure as Left Censor-in-Chief, Yue Shufeng was always at the vanguard against the eunuchs. The Eunuch Faction wished for nothing more than to get rid of him.

“Even without the case of the sage’s spirit tablet, the Eunuch Faction would have used other charges to bring him down.”

Li Yuan said, shaking his head.

In the imperial court, the Left Censor-in-Chief was originally a very detached position.

Wielding the power of the Censorate, he could supervise all officials of the court and was answerable only to the Emperor.

Logically, in such a key position, Yue Shufeng should have been someone every faction competed to win over.

But in his haste to become a player, he had unknowingly sent himself down a dead-end path.

“Uncle, Lord Yue is, after all, a high-ranking official of the second rank. Would the Eunuch Faction really dare to frame him with the charge of treason?”

Li Mu asked with some hesitation.

High-level political struggles were too far removed from his life. Even with the experience of two lifetimes, this was the first time he had directly faced a high-stakes game among the top echelons.

“If it’s not him plotting treason, it’s one of the Cabinet Elders from the Pure Stream Faction plotting treason.

“The factional struggle has reached a point where a minister of significant weight must be sacrificed to bring it to a close.

“Yue Shufeng was too conspicuous; he brought this on himself, pure and simple. If only he had learned a thing or two from Cabinet Elder Pang, he could have escaped unscathed.

“Just wait patiently. In three days at most, a verdict will be passed on this case.

“The Eunuch Faction won’t leave the Pure Stream Faction any time for a rescue. This time, Yue Shufeng must die!”

Li Yuan said mockingly.

From his tone, one could tell he had no fondness for Yue Shufeng. Perhaps they had even had friction in private. After all, it was routine for censors to impeach the titled nobility.

…

At midnight, Cabinet Elder Pang, who had been publicly declared to be in a coma, was now melancholically sipping wine under the moon.

As a fellow leader of the Zhejiang Clique in the court, his feelings for Yue Shufeng were the most complex.

He had originally planned to groom Yue Shufeng as his political successor, but due to various reasons, he now had to abandon this member of the Zhejiang Clique’s next generation.

“Cabinet Elder, you mustn’t wear yourself out.

“The situation at court is volatile, and Lord Yue has now been wrongfully imprisoned. Everyone is waiting for you to take charge!”

The white-robed scholar beside him persuaded.

Faking an illness was one thing; being truly ill was another.

Perhaps in the eyes of many, Cabinet Elder Pang’s act of feigning illness to avoid disaster at a critical moment was very cowardly. But he, who was skilled at playing the coward, had once again successfully evaded danger.

“Mr. Yan, do you think I should intervene to save Shufeng?

“If I speak up now, the Eunuch Faction won’t dare to torture a confession out of him, and there would still be room for maneuver.”

Cabinet Elder Pang asked self-mockingly.

“Cabinet Elder, you have your own considerations.

“Lord Yue was wronged mainly because the people of the Eunuch Faction are too despicable. They even dare to point at a deer and call it a horse. It’s a crime deserving ten thousand deaths!”

Mr. Yan explained hastily.

Some things could be thought, but absolutely not spoken.

Even the Left Censor-in-Chief, a high official of the proper second rank and the number two figure in the Zhejiang Clique, could be cast aside as a pawn. What then of a mere advisor like himself?

“Mr. Yan, you’ve miscalculated this time.

“It’s not just the Eunuch Faction that wants Shufeng dead. It’s also the Emperor and the other Cabinet Elders. That group of titled nobility with no real presence are also pushing from behind the scenes.

“With so many people wanting him dead, do you think I can protect him?”

Cabinet Elder Pang’s words made Mr. Yan break out in a cold sweat.

These were not words to be spoken lightly, nor were they words he should be hearing.

Before one’s status and position were high enough, knowing too much could get one killed.

“Look how I’ve frightened you!

“It’s not as serious as you imagine. It’s simply that the court needs balance.

“If two Cabinet members from the Zhejiang Clique were to emerge, and then they integrated the Pure Stream Faction… heh…”

Chapter 27: The Efficient Eastern Depot

The Imperial Prison.

When Yue Shufeng was escorted in, the members of the Pure Stream Faction who had been desperately holding on were overcome with despair.

The imprisonment of their faction’s leader marked the complete failure of the Pure Stream Faction in this round of the court’s factional struggle.

Even though the Pure Stream Faction still had two Cabinet Elders in the court and the support of countless gentry and officials in the provinces, it could not change the outcome of their defeat.

This was especially true for the group of scholars who had been duped; they had jumped into the fray themselves at the last moment.

They had thought they could overthrow the Eunuch Faction, bring order out of chaos, and secure their careers for the next twenty years, only to be wiped out from the very start.

Losing their own lives was a small matter; the terrifying part was implicating their entire families in their punishment.

The mental torment was far more terrifying than any physical pain.

If their bodies weren’t bound, it would likely have been another night of suicides in the Imperial Prison.

As a high official of the proper second rank, Yue Shufeng’s treatment was clearly much better.

He was given a spacious private cell with clean bedding, and there was even a square table inside.

He was also spared the indignity of torture instruments and shackles.

This was a thousand-year-old tradition passed down from their ancestors—that high ministers and generals should not be humiliated.

Despite enjoying this privilege, Yue Shufeng’s heart was filled with bitterness.

He recalled passing the palace examinations just after his twentieth year, how full of spirit and ambition he had been.

After entering officialdom, he had once worried for the country and its people, taking it as his duty to save all under heaven.

He had not hesitated to make enemies of the powerful, tearing away the shadow that loomed over the Grand Canal—the Canal Gang—and pioneering a new era for the grain transport system.

Trusted by two successive emperors, he had reached the position of Left Censor-in-Chief in the prime of his life.

It was as if fate had played a cruel joke on him.

After tasting the sweetness of power, the high-spirited youth who dared to bring peace to the world had died.

Only Yue Shufeng, a slave to power, remained.

He spent his days scheming for power and profit, his moral bottom line repeatedly crossed, and his path straying further and further from its original course.

One careless move, and he had fallen on his charge toward the peak of power.

“Lord Yue, are your accommodations comfortable?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Yue Shufeng forced himself to remain calm, struggling to maintain his last shred of dignity.

“Thanks to your good graces, Eunuch Zuo, I haven’t died just yet!”

As he spoke, Yue Shufeng dragged his weary body to his feet and met Zuo Guang’en’s gaze.

“It’s good that you’re not dead!

We are all respectable people, so I won’t waste words.

This is the evidence of your crimes collected by the Eastern Depot. Take a look and see if there are any areas that need to be amended or supplemented.”

Hearing Zuo Guang’en’s words, Yue Shufeng sneered, as if he had expected this all along.

According to the law, convicting a high official of the proper second rank required a joint trial by the Three Judicial Offices.

The factional struggle had caused such a storm throughout the capital; the Eunuch Faction needed to close this case as quickly as possible. They couldn’t possibly follow the standard procedures step-by-step.

The heavy task of interrogation could only be carried out by Zuo Guang’en himself; no one else was qualified.

“Did the Emperor… send you?” Yue Shufeng asked bitterly.

Though he knew the answer would be disappointing, he still clung to a sliver of hope.

“I have come here today not only representing His Majesty, but also the Grand Secretariat.

The imperial edict is here, bearing the seal of the Grand Secretariat. Lord Yue may choose to inspect it himself.

His Majesty is mindful of old affections.

According to His Majesty’s wishes, if Lord Yue is willing to confess honestly, then there will be no need to present this edict.”

Yue Shufeng ignored Zuo Guang’en’s words.

After straightening his robes, he respectfully took the imperial edict and carefully unrolled it.

After a long moment, he bitterly closed the edict, as if all the life force had been drained from him.

“I understand His Majesty’s intentions.

I must trouble Eunuch Zuo to beg for forgiveness from His Majesty on my behalf. It is I, your servant Yue Shufeng, who has failed him!

As for the rest… Eunuch, you may handle it as you see fit!”

It wasn’t that Yue Shufeng was a coward; it was a matter of having to bow to circumstances beyond his control.

The Grand Secretariat and the Emperor had reached a consensus on how to handle him; there was absolutely no possibility of turning the tables.

If he cooperated, he would be convicted based on the crimes they had found. If he continued to struggle, he would be branded a traitor.

The former meant misfortune for himself and potentially implicating his family.

The latter meant playing ‘Exterminate the Nine Clans.’ The choice was an easy one to make.

“Lord Yue, your action is one of boundless merit. Many people in this Imperial Prison will live because of your decision. Everyone will be grateful to you!

Rest assured, I will convey your plea for forgiveness to His Majesty, word for word.”

Zuo Guang’en said with a cheerful laugh.

It was true that countless lives would be saved, but as for gratitude, he could forget about it.

Once the final sentences were handed down, he reckoned those people would wish they could eat him alive.

The reason it wasn’t escalated into a case of treason was that Emperor Tianyuan worried the political fallout would be too severe and hoped to handle it with discretion.

Zuo Guang’en, who was adept at fathoming the Emperor’s will, would certainly not go against His Majesty.

He could use this matter to let all the officials at court know that he, Zuo, also played by the rules.

As for flipping the table before, that was because someone else had broken the rules first.

…

The next morning, just as Li Mu arrived at the Thousand-household Fort’s headquarters, he received a price list for buying lives.

That efficiency alone proved that the Eastern Depot was no ordinary government office.

The list gave different prices based on an official’s rank, background, and length of service.

However, the money was only to spare their lives; they would still be punished for their crimes. After receiving payment, the Eastern Depot would guarantee that the person would reach their place of exile alive.

Except for a few officials whose places of exile were designated by the higher-ups, other convicts could choose their own destinations, as long as they were willing to pay.

“Eunuch Mai, your efficiency is truly remarkable. You didn’t have this prepared in advance, did you?” Li Mu chuckled teasingly.

The Eastern Depot’s proactiveness and the relatively low prices were completely beyond his expectations.

Theoretically, as long as enough money was paid, any of the arrested officials could be sentenced to exile.

This wasn’t logical at all. It was completely unlike the factional struggles he was familiar with.

“Lord Li, don’t be so curious.

I’ve handed you a chance to get rich. How much you can make is all up to you.

The Left Prime Minister has a kind heart and couldn’t bear to carry out a massacre, which is why he’s given everyone this opportunity.

By the way, the verdicts will be announced in three days.

Those who want to make arrangements should hurry. If you wait until after the results are made public to look for connections, it’ll be too late!”

Mai Qinghu said impatiently.

The sudden decision from above to spare everyone from execution and sentence them to exile instead had startled everyone within the Eastern Depot.

At first, they had wanted to persuade the Left Prime Minister otherwise, but when they learned it was the Emperor’s will, everyone instantly abandoned the idea of making an example of them through executions.

Since no one was being killed, this ‘life-saving’ money was essentially free for the taking. It would be foolish not to take it.

To avoid any complications that might arise from delays, the Eastern Depot worked through the night to produce the price list.

“Eunuch, since the place of exile can be chosen, I imagine arranging for a few family members to ‘die of accidental illness’ wouldn’t be too difficult, would it?”

Li Mu asked probingly.

His intuition told him that there was definitely something strange about the Eastern Depot’s behavior.

“That’s a different price. If you want new identities, you’ll have to add more money.

And if we’re talking about distant relatives who were implicated, removing them from the list directly is not out of the question!”

Seeming to realize he had misspoken, Mai Qinghu shot Li Mu a fierce glare, as if warning him not to stir up trouble.

“Thank you for the guidance, Eunuch. I don’t know anything!”

Chapter 28: Dragging Others In

After seeing off the men from the Eastern Depot, Li Mu immediately instructed his subordinates to release the news.

This was a major undertaking, not something one person could accomplish alone. He needed to leverage the connections of his colleagues.

As for the inside information he had pried out, it was best to keep it to himself. There was no need to spread it.

Who knew if this was a scheme by the Eunuch Faction or a plan laid by the one in the Imperial Palace.

The Great Yu court was poor; its regular fiscal revenue was simply insufficient to maintain the empire’s operations. The resistance to reform was also too great, so they could only resort to scrounging up some side funds to deal with the emergency.

Compared to imposing additional taxes on the common people, taking down a few clueless corrupt officials was far less destructive.

…

“Brother Li, are you saying that as long as we pay the bribe, Mentor can be released?”

Chen Jichuan asked uncertainly.

Having not yet entered officialdom through the imperial civil service examinations, his understanding of the bureaucracy was very limited, and his mind was relatively simple.

“Of course not!

Teacher Xiang is a thorn in the Eunuch Faction’s side. Now that they’ve finally got him, how could they possibly release him so easily?

However, that bunch from the Eunuch Faction is exceedingly greedy. As long as enough money is paid, it shouldn’t be difficult to save his life.

Alas, the main problem is that Teacher Xiang was too considerate of his fellow townspeople.

He had tens of thousands of mu of farmland registered under his name, far exceeding the tax-exempt amount stipulated by the court, which the Eunuch Faction has defined as illicit funds.

If we try to overturn the case, the common people who were sheltering land under his name will all be implicated, and the crime of concealing land is no less serious than corruption.”

Li Mu reminded him tactfully.

They were classmates, after all. He didn’t want to see Chen Jichuan run headfirst into a dead end, stubbornly persisting with the case.

Few officials in the Great Yu Dynasty could withstand a thorough investigation.

Xiang Shihai was naturally no exception. After entering the Imperial Prison, he had quickly confessed to a long list of crimes.

To not directly call him a major corrupt official was a way of saving his classmate’s face.

“Brother Li, you know the situation.

Teacher Xiang’s entire family has been arrested, and their assets have been seized by the Eastern Depot.

If we were back home in Guanzhong, we could still ask people to chip in.

But this is the capital! The travel money I brought wasn’t much to begin with, I can’t possibly scrape together that sum!”

Chen Jichuan said with a troubled expression.

He was a young man, after all, and too thin-skinned to ask for a loan directly.

“Brother Chen, you haven’t entered official life yet, so you don’t know the rules of the bureaucracy.

Teacher Xiang’s imprisonment isn’t just about him; it was for the great cause of the Pure Stream Faction’s opposition to the eunuchs.

He shouldered all the crimes the Eunuch Faction accused him of without implicating anyone else. Such spirit is truly admirable.

Everyone is powerless to rescue him, but these people must at least contribute to dealing with the aftermath.

How about this: tonight, I’ll arrange for you to pose as a prison laborer and secretly visit Teacher Xiang in the Imperial Prison.

When the time comes, he will tell you who can help come up with this money!”

In truth, Li Mu hadn’t wanted to be so blunt, but his classmate was a complete novice in officialdom.

Xiang Shihai had indeed fallen from grace, but it was precisely because of his fall that his words now carried more weight.

He might not be able to help anyone get promoted or rich, but he could definitely drag others down with him.

There was no need for false accusations; simply revealing the information he knew would be enough to bring down a whole crowd of people.

Oftentimes, officials shielded one another not because they valued the honor of their class, but because they held compromising information on each other.

Lending a hand to others was also saving oneself.

“Thank you for your guidance, Brother Li!”

Chen Jichuan said, his face full of gratitude.

It truly hadn’t been easy.

He had run around for so many days without finding a single clue, and had almost gotten himself implicated.

Now, with Li Mu’s help, there was finally a solution.

Although they couldn’t spring his Mentor from jail, being able to get him out of the Imperial Prison alive was already a stroke of luck.

Especially that day when the men from the Eastern Depot came looking for him, Li Mu had even confronted them to protect him.

He had personally witnessed how ugly the faces of those Agents were when they left.

He didn’t know how Li Mu smoothed things over afterward, but in Chen Jichuan’s eyes, he had certainly paid a price.

Then, he went about arranging things, working hard to rescue their Mentor, Xiang Shihai. A truly good classmate through and through.

“Alright, Brother Chen, there’s no need for such formalities between us.

It’s inconvenient for me to be seen at the Imperial Prison, so please give my regards to Teacher Xiang when you see him.

And tell him that the Eunuch Faction will close the case within three days.

If he has any powerful connections, he should use them quickly. He might even be able to get exonerated!”

Exoneration was impossible.

If Xiang Shihai truly had connections powerful enough to suppress the Eunuch Faction, he wouldn’t have had to suffer in the Imperial Prison in the first place.

The truth is often the most hurtful; pretty words are what everyone likes to hear.

One Xiang Shihai wasn’t worth this much of his effort. The key was that if he wanted to get this business off the ground, he had to start with a successful case.

The civil officials who had been “entertained” by the Factory Guards were like drowning men, desperately clutching at any straw that floated by.

Where there is life, there is hope.

Many famous ministers in history had experienced demotion and exile.

Their situation was just a bit more tragic, having been directly reduced to commoners.

Theoretically, as long as they could survive until the Eunuch Faction fell and the Pure Stream Faction returned to power, they could be pardoned.

If their relationship with the new power holders was good, and they insisted that they were framed by the Eunuch Faction, it wasn’t impossible for their cases to be overturned.

What Li Mu had to do now was to bring hope to these despairing people.

The main issue was the immense pressure to raise money.

The ransom for the Eastern Depot couldn’t be small; many people on the inside had to get a cut, and a low amount could lead to complications.

The Marquis of Wuyang, their boss, could handle things, but he also knew how to ask for money. He was demanding five hundred thousand taels of silver right off the bat.

The Thousand-household Fort also needed to set aside some funds for the department’s budget for the second half of the year, and the officials involved in the execution also needed a cut.

If he didn’t drag more people into this, he really wouldn’t be able to meet his quota.

Relying purely on friends and family, even the best relationships had a price.

Those willing to part with dozens of taels were old acquaintances. Those who could spend several hundred taels on bribes were close friends and relatives. Those willing to spend over a thousand taels to pull strings were sworn brothers.

As for those willing to spend tens of thousands, or even over a hundred thousand taels to spring someone from jail—if it wasn’t their own father, then they must have been forced into it.

A few officials alone couldn’t produce that much money, but if the cost was spread across the entire Pure Stream Faction, it was a much smaller problem.

Colleagues and teammates should share weal and woe. How could they let others charge into the breach alone?

…

At midnight, when Chen Jichuan emerged from the Imperial Prison, he was in a complete daze.

It was simply too cruel.

The Imperial Prison was just like the eighteen levels of hell.

Tongue-ripping, shears, iron trees, bronze pillars… all the instruments of torture from the legends of hell, they had them all.

One by one, the dignified and imposing officials became nothing more than meat on a chopping block after entering the Imperial Prison.

When he saw Xiang Shihai again, he didn’t even recognize him.

“Young Master Chen, the Lord Chiliarch has given orders. No matter where you need to go tonight, my brothers and I will see you there.

However, it’s curfew now. Besides us from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, the Jinyiwei are also on patrol.

A carriage makes too much noise and could attract trouble, so we’ll have to ask you to walk a little with us.”

Hearing the soldier’s words, Chen Jichuan cried out inwardly in distress.

He had just been terrified inside the prison, and he was not in a good state right now.

“Please lead the way. I’ll first go to…”

Chapter 29: Extortion

Once he found the right person and stated his purpose under Xiang Shihai’s name, the reception Chen Jichuan received was a world of difference from before.

Facing his overly enthusiastic host, he truly experienced the capricious nature of the world.

“Worthy Nephew, you have come from the Imperial Prison. Did the men from the Eastern Depot give you any trouble?”

Wang Shaofeng asked with concern.

The Eastern Depot’s fearsome reputation had recently resounded throughout the capital. Among the civil and military officials of the court, few did not fear them.

When he learned that Chen Jichuan had just walked out of the Imperial Prison bearing a message from Xiang Shihai, his first reaction was that it was impossible.

“Thanks to Your Excellency’s good fortune, my journey went relatively smoothly. The Eastern Depot Agents are a greedy bunch. As long as the bribes are sufficient, getting inside isn’t so difficult!”

Chen Jichuan’s reply made Wang Shaofeng very awkward.

As Palace Graduates from the same year, his relationship with Xiang Shihai had always been good; he had even been the one to introduce Xiang Shihai to the Pure Stream Faction.

As a political ally, upon learning of Xiang Shihai’s arrest and imprisonment, not only had he failed to lift a finger to help, but he had immediately cut all ties.

Unfortunately, this severance was limited to drawing political lines. The shady dealings they had been involved in together could not be so easily brushed aside.

What had once been mutual leverage had now become a one-sided restraint. Xiang Shihai, locked away in the Imperial Prison, could afford a few more charges against him, but Wang Shaofeng, who was still free, could not.

His official rank of the Senior Fifth Grade was unremarkable in the capital, but he served as the Director of the Zhejiang Bureau in the Ministry of Revenue. To the outside world, he also had a well-known nickname: “the Great Comptroller.”

He was responsible for Zhejiang’s tax collection and expenditure audits—a core position with real power. Whenever officials of any rank from the province came to the capital, a “gift” for him was indispensable.

His prospects, both financial and political, were boundless; he could not afford to get dragged into this.

“How is Brother Xiang faring?”

Wang Shaofeng inquired.

He didn’t actually care if Xiang Shihai lived or died. The court was the most pragmatic of places; even if they had once been sworn brothers, that was all in the past.

If circumstances permitted, he wouldn’t have minded lending a hand. But with the struggle between the two factions now at a fever pitch, it was clearly not something a mere Director like him could meddle in.

Unable to save him, Xiang Shihai had now become a volatile element.

He knew too many secrets. If he revealed even a fraction of them, he could drag Wang Shaofeng down to the grave with him. That was what he feared most.

“My Mentor is in a terrible state. Those animals from the Eunuch Faction are actually torturing him for a confession!”

Chen Jichuan said indignantly.

Position determines one’s stance. In the Great Yu Dynasty, the master-student relationship was second only to that of father and son or brothers. Confucian culture advocated for concealing the faults of one’s kin.

Regardless of whether Xiang Shihai was guilty, as his disciple, Chen Jichuan had to take the proper stance.

Saving Xiang Shihai was saving his own political capital.

Even if this political capital was about to expire, it still held considerable value.

“Damn that Eunuch Faction! How dare they treat Brother Xiang this way!

“Rest assured, Worthy Nephew, I cannot stand idly by. I will definitely find a way to get justice for Brother Xiang.

“Once Cabinet Elder Pang recovers, I will report this to him immediately. We will make the Eunuch Faction pay the price then.”

Hearing Wang Shaofeng’s righteous indignation, Chen Jichuan was moved at first, but then he quickly realized something was wrong.

The promises were grand, but completely intangible.

No one knew when Cabinet Elder Pang would recover from his illness.

His mentor’s case, however, was set to be finalized in just three days.

Once the verdict was announced, trying to spring him from jail would become more than ten times harder.

“Lord Wang, my Mentor’s body can’t hold out for much longer. That bunch from the Eunuch Faction keeps pressuring him to confess, trying to implicate more people.

“As his student, I am powerless to overturn the case for my teacher. I can only try to bribe the Eunuch Faction to save his life first.

“Unfortunately, my purse is empty. The travel money I brought has been spent, and it’s not enough to feed those hungry wolves!”

After speaking, Chen Jichuan looked at Wang Shaofeng expectantly.

While in prison, Xiang Shihai had personally told him that if he needed money for bribes, this was the right man to see.

“Worthy Nephew, the men of the Eunuch Faction are treacherous. Are you certain that offering a gift will be enough to save Brother Xiang?”

Wang Shaofeng asked with some hesitation.

Reason told him that he had to spend money to avert disaster. But his gut instinct was to resist.

To spring someone from the Eunuch Faction’s grasp would cost a fortune. The worst part was that those bastards could take your money one moment and turn on you the next.

The Eastern Depot had pulled such sting operations many times before.

“Rest assured, Lord Wang. This time I found a reliable middleman and a powerful figure to mediate. Even the Eunuch Faction has to show them some face.

“Even if something goes wrong, it won’t be traced back to you. If you’re still worried, then just pretend I never came to your residence tonight!”

Hearing Chen Jichuan’s words, Wang Shaofeng broke out in a cold sweat.

If he sent him away now, he might well find himself in the Imperial Prison tomorrow, keeping Xiang Shihai company.

“Worthy Nephew, don’t be hasty. If it’s money you need, I can still try to find a way.

“But you have to at least tell me who the middleman is, who the powerful figure mediating is, and how much money is needed for all the bribes, high and low.”

Wang Shaofeng said, fighting the sharp pang of parting with his money.

To build his family’s fortune, he had served in the position of Director at the Ministry of Revenue for five full years.

He had actively turned down several opportunities for promotion during that time.

He had raked in a lot of money, but he had never dared to spend a single tael of it himself.

Except for a few who knew the truth, to the outside world, he was a model of integrity and incorruptibility, a true exemplar among officials.

“Lord Wang, their identities are sensitive, so it is inconvenient for them to be directly involved. I promised to keep their identities a secret.

“However, I was able to come here safely tonight because I was escorted by men from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

“The men from the Eunuch Faction have a huge appetite. They’re asking for one hundred thousand taels. It’s said that the villain Zuo Guang’en set the price himself, and not a single tael less will do.

“If we can’t gather the silver in two days, they will torture my Mentor severely and won’t stop until they’ve made up the full amount from other sources!”

These threatening words were what Xiang Shihai had taught him to say.

One hundred thousand taels of pure silver was no small sum.

Without applying some pressure, it would be difficult to get someone to part with their money to save him based on their past relationship alone.

“What? One hundred thousand taels?

“That Eunuch Faction really has some nerve! Who keeps that much silver on hand?”

The fact that someone dared to meddle in the struggle between the Pure Stream and Eunuch Factions was already surprising enough. The asking price of one hundred thousand taels had broken through his defenses.

“Three years as a clean prefect, one hundred thousand taels of pure silver.”

It was just a saying. Provincial officials had high incomes, but their expenses were also enormous.

Apart from a few major prefectures, the annual revenue that other prefectures submitted to the central government didn’t even amount to one hundred thousand taels.

As a Director with real power, his annual income was several tens of thousands of taels. Among officials of his level, it was already considered a rare and lucrative post.

“Lord Wang, I have understated the amount.

“The one hundred thousand taels is just what the Eunuch Faction wants. The fees for the middleman and that powerful figure haven’t even been factored in yet!

“You are a man of the world. How much do you think we should give them? Please help me decide.”

Chen Jichuan said with a look of unease.

He didn’t know that the price Li Mu had quoted already included all the fees; he assumed it was just the Eunuch Faction’s demand.

Out of thin air, another expense had been added.

The pressure was now entirely on Wang Shaofeng, and in the end, he didn’t dare to refuse.

“Ten thousand taels for the middleman, and thirty thousand taels for the powerful figure.

“That is what they are worth. We cannot break the rules!”

Wang Shaofeng said, gritting his teeth.

To part with one hundred and forty thousand taels at once—it was like they were carving flesh from his bones.

Chapter 30: In Full Swing

South City Thousand-household Fort.

Watching the boxes being carried in one after another, Li Mu suddenly felt he had been too hasty with his price.

The wealth of the civil officials was far greater than he had imagined.

They were both of the senior fifth rank, yet for him, a Chiliarch of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, accumulating such a massive sum would be extremely difficult.

After all, relationships with his superiors had to be greased, his colleagues needed their cut, and there were so many soldiers under him to support.

Unless he came across a moneymaking opportunity like this one, in a normal year, after deducting all expenses, he would only have a surplus of three to five thousand taels.

To get any more, he would have to take risks.

Within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, only the East City and West City Thousand-household Forts were better off, with incomes roughly three to five times higher than his.

The worst off was the North City Thousand-household Fort, whose jurisdiction was essentially a large slum, yielding the least amount of profit to be squeezed out.

If he were the Chiliarch of North City, managing to save one or two thousand taels a year would be considered skillfully running the post.

In truth, this was already considered good.

With income trickling in every year, after ten or twenty years, it would still amount to a considerable fortune.

But if one ended up in some minor, overlooked department with no avenues for making money, they could only rely on their official salary to get by!

The monthly salary for the senior fifth rank was sixteen dan of grain, paid as sixty percent rice and forty percent paper currency.

In the early years of the dynasty, when the paper currency had not yet devalued, this salary was quite good.

With inflation as it is now, it was barely enough to afford pork regularly. In a large household, one would have to pinch pennies just to have a few more meals of beef and mutton.

The wealth gap among officials had always been immense.

He certainly wasn’t going to return the extra money.

Beautiful misunderstandings, of course, were the more the merrier.

Judging by how readily they paid, he knew that this Lord Wang who had forked over the money was certainly well-versed in the rules of officialdom.

Li Mu made a decision. For all future quotes, he would use a more ambiguous approach. Who knew, there might be more pleasant surprises.

Opportunities to get rich were rare.

Since the civil officials had money, it would be a waste not to squeeze them for all they’re worth. In any case, the Eunuch Faction would be the scapegoat.

“Brother Chen, please go to the rear quarters and rest for a while.

Once I’m done here, I’ll arrange for someone to go with you to the Imperial Prison and bring Teacher Xiang out!”

Li Mu said with a smile.

You get what you pay for.

With his reputation on the line, he couldn’t just let them spend the extra money for nothing.

After some thought, the most he could do now was to get Xiang Shihai released from the Imperial Prison early to be reunited with his family.

For the sake of the money, he figured the Eastern Depot would grant him this favor.

“I am indebted to you, Brother Li!”

Chen Jichuan said, pleasantly surprised.

This was the best news he had received since coming to the capital.

Despite the exhaustion from a full night of rushing about, he no longer felt tired.

It was all worth it!

By rescuing his mentor from the Imperial Prison, this experience alone was enough to make his name known throughout the community of scholars.

With the label of “respecting one’s teacher and valuing their teachings,” when he became a Palace Graduate in the future, his patrons would think more highly of him.

…

The news of Xiang Shihai walking out of the Imperial Prison, deliberately spread by the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, quickly traveled throughout the capital.

Anyone with a hint of political acumen knew what role the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had played in this.

For once, the censors were uncharacteristically silent.

It was clear that those who could steer clear of factional struggles were all clever people.

To speed things up, under Li Mu’s management, the families of the arrested officials were granted permission to visit them in the Imperial Prison.

Immediately after, escorted by soldiers from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, these families, having completed their visits, secretly called upon numerous serving officials.

Amid countless curses and grumbles, carriage after carriage rolled into the South City Thousand-household Fort.

The sums ranged from tens of thousands of taels to as much as two or three hundred thousand. Not a single one of them was poor.

Clearly, the suckers the arrested officials had found to foot the bill were all wealthy individuals.

Even if they didn’t have enough silver on hand, they used gold, jewelry, land deeds, antiques, and paintings to make up the difference.

Similar scenes were playing out at the other Thousand-household Forts.

Whichever fort held an official’s family was the one to handle the business, and the scene was very harmonious.

…

The Pang Residence in West City.

“Yue Shufeng has some nerve, daring to extort me, a Cabinet Elder!”

Pang Hengsheng cursed, furious.

He had originally sympathized with Yue Shufeng’s plight, but now he was filled with nothing but rage.

As the Second Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, Pang Hengsheng was a true titan of the imperial court.

Ever since he had risen to power, he had been the object of fawning and flattery. Who would dare show up at his door to blackmail and extort him?

“Calm your anger, Cabinet Elder. This is most likely a scheme by the Eunuch Faction.

Once inside the Imperial Prison, life and death are out of one’s hands.

Lord Yue is probably at their mercy right now.

There’s no point in getting angry.

It’s the Eunuch Faction’s actions that are somewhat strange.

To kick up such a fuss, only to make a bit of money, seems far too petty!”

After Mr. Yan’s reminder, Pang Hengsheng quickly calmed down.

The insult to his dignity was a small matter; the Eunuch Faction’s plot was the real threat.

They had taken down Yue Shufeng this time. In the next clash between the two factions, the targets might well be Grand Secretariat ministers like himself.

“Those eunuchs are the most greedy. It’s not surprising for them to do something bizarre to get money.

But to make such a big scene this time, it’s as if they’re certain we’ll pay up.

Something isn’t right!

This is the Eunuch Faction’s way of testing us!

It seems I must ‘wake up’ from my sickbed. If this continues, something major is bound to happen.”

Pang Hengsheng said warily.

Caught in the eye of the storm, any unusual move would inevitably be linked to the factional struggle.

After all, in his lofty position as Second Grand Secretary, he had never been short of money.

The line of people wanting to give him money could stretch from the capital to Lingnan; it was just that he cherished his reputation and didn’t accept just any money.

“Cabinet Elder, you have a point.

We truly cannot allow the Eunuch Faction to continue their rampage, or the situation will spiral out of control.

But in the reception hall, Lord Yue’s son is still waiting for a reply. What do you think we should tell him?”

Mr. Yan smoothly continued the conversation.

He understood the temperament of his lord.

He loved power, but he also cared deeply about his reputation both in life and after death.

This inevitably made him cautious and prone to overthinking when making decisions.

These flaws were weaknesses, but also strengths.

Although he often missed the optimal time for a decision, it had also allowed Pang Hengsheng to avoid countless dangers, helping him to stand firm in the political arena.

“Fine. Notify the Zhejiang Merchant Guild and have them pay this sum.

And while you’re at it, put those people in their place. No matter what, Lord Yue is one of us, and he has rendered great service to the country and its people.

Even if he has fallen on hard times, everyone should look out for him.

If something similar happens in the future, tell them to be more mindful and not wait for me to remind them of everything!”

Pang Hengsheng said irritably.

At his level of status, there were more than enough people willing to pay on his behalf.

If it weren’t for the fact that they were from the same hometown, the Zhejiang Merchant Guild would have had to get in line for the chance to foot this bill.

The social hierarchy of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants was a matter of principle; the proper order absolutely could not be confused.

Only by putting them in their place from time to time could he ensure those below him would remain obedient.

“Rest assured, Cabinet Elder. I will handle this matter properly!”

Chapter 31: Lodging a Complaint

As more officials were implicated, the commotion grew. Watching the vast fortune roll in, Li Mu felt things were about to spiral out of control.

In the past, factional struggles were all about getting your rivals killed. From now on, they would have a new objective—making money!

It was simply too easy to make a profit. Every imprisoned official had found a sucker to foot the bill for them. And these guys had obediently paid up.

Li Mu had initially planned to achieve about seventy percent of the goal set by the Marquis of Wuyang.

Leaders, after all, always draw a bigger pie. To achieve seventy percent of it in practice was already a remarkable feat.

Now, it seemed he had been far too conservative.

The officials of Great Yu were poor, and yet they were also rich.

The key was finding the right ones.

This time, by striking from within, they had precisely targeted their marks. The officials they went after were all wealthy and had vulnerabilities that could be exploited, forcing them to spend money to avert disaster.

…

“Notify the men from the Eastern Depot. Tell them to send someone to collect the money immediately!”

Li Mu ordered, his expression grave.

Wealth stirs the human heart. The large sum of silver left at the Thousand-household Fort had become a hot potato.

If anything went wrong, he couldn’t bear the responsibility. To guard this treasure, not only had five hundred soldiers been brought in to stand watch day and night, but Li Mu, the Chiliarch himself, hadn’t returned to the Marquis’s Mansion for two consecutive days, eating and sleeping in his office.

“As you command!”

As the personal guard finished speaking and was about to turn and leave the room, Li Mu quickly added.

“Wait!

First, send someone to invite the Marquis of Wuyang over. We’ll need him as a witness during the handover.”

When a transaction involving over a million taels of silver was at stake, he didn’t dare place his hopes on the integrity of the Eastern Depot.

If that band of eunuchs were to be overcome by greed and try to round them up in one fell swoop, Li Mu wasn’t sure he could withstand the pressure.

Avoiding risk is always the first rule of being an official.

With his direct superior on site, if the men from the Eastern Depot got greedy, the first person they would have to confront would be the Marquis of Wuyang.

The eunuchs from the palace might turn on titled nobles like them for profit, but they would never dare to get rough with the Marquis of Wuyang.

If he couldn’t handle his nephew the Emperor, could he not handle his sister the Empress Dowager? The rule that the inner palace must not interfere in state affairs was limited to court politics; caning a few eunuchs to death was nothing at all.

The only eunuchs who truly held any weight in Emperor Tianyuan’s heart were the few at the very top. The junior eunuchs below them rarely even saw the Emperor; their lives were worthless.

…

Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Tianyuan, who had been feigning illness to enjoy some peace and quiet, was cornered by the ministers of the Grand Secretariat after all. For a time, spittle flew as they all came to lodge their complaints.

Using money to smooth things over was an unwritten rule in officialdom. Who ever did it so brazenly, all but conducting the transaction out in the open?

If word got out, the court losing face would be a small matter. The crucial point was that once the Emperor got a taste for it, similar operations would likely be repeated every so often.

By then, the officials would be in a miserable position. The family fortunes they had amassed at the risk of ruin and disgrace would all be held in reserve for someone else.

From the standpoint of the civil official bloc, the Cabinet Elders had to resolutely resist and completely extinguish the Emperor’s idea.

Even the two Cabinet Elders labeled as part of the Eunuch Faction now stood up to voice their strong opposition.

This was proof enough of just how unpopular this new game was.

In truth, neither the Pure Stream faction nor the Eunuch Faction had strong internal cohesion.

They had only come together for mutual benefit. When the group’s interests conflicted with personal interests, it wasn’t strange for them to stand on opposing sides.

Essentially, their relationship was one of cooperation, not subordination.

This was especially true for these Cabinet members, each of whom had their own power base. Even if they left their original faction, they could still form their own clique.

Nearly all the messy factions in the Great Yu court had originated this way.

Viewed together, there seemed to be only three forces: the Eunuch Faction, the Pure Stream, and the neutral parties. But dispersed, they formed a dozen or so political cliques based on regional ties.

And if one were to break it down further, innumerable small groups had formed within these political cliques based on personal affinity.

Sometimes cooperating, sometimes opposing.

Their political stances depended entirely on the matter at hand.

To push for something, they usually had to communicate privately first. Only after gaining the support of the majority of their faction’s members would they raise it in court.

The scene of a faction leader giving an order and his subordinates mindlessly supporting him was almost impossible to see.

If such a thing really did appear in court, it meant a new power struggle for the throne was about to be triggered.

A temporary disagreement on policy was no big deal. As long as their general direction was the same, they would still be one of us later.

“You all must be tired. Why don’t you sit down, have some tea, and then continue. Zuo Guang’en, what are you standing there for? Hurry and have someone serve tea to the Cabinet Elders!”

Emperor Tianyuan’s words nearly choked them.

So after all they had said, the Emperor hadn’t taken a single word to heart. It had all been a complete waste of effort.

“Your Majesty, the very foundation of the state is at risk! This must be taken seriously!”

Cabinet Elder Pang couldn’t help but say with a heavier tone.

Compared to the other four, he was already a victim. Even though someone had helped pay the money for him, being forcibly implicated like this was still unacceptable to him.

“Zuo Guang’en, you heard him. Look at you, why can’t you be more careful when handling your duties! All the Cabinet Elders have come to Zhen’s door to protest. If word of this gets out, won’t the world call Zhen a fatuous ruler? Never mind, this matter isn’t entirely your fault. Zhen won’t bring up the past. As for the future… you figure it out yourself!”

Emperor Tianyuan’s reply nearly made Cabinet Elder Pang faint from anger.

That’s it?

Even if it were just for show, he should have at least reprimanded Zuo Guang’en and fined him a few months’ salary to give everyone an explanation.

The current outcome was clearly Emperor Tianyuan’s way of fobbing them off. The signal he sent was just short of publicly telling Zuo Guang’en: “Well done, you deserve praise!”

“Your Majesty, the court is in a state of panic! The hearts of the officials must be put at ease!” the Senior Grand Secretary, Song Haidong, couldn’t help but remonstrate.

The Emperor was always displeased with his officials. What kind of situation was this?

If not for Emperor Tianyuan’s shrewd methods of pushing the eunuchs forward to take the blame, the conflict between them would have intensified long ago.

Life experience told him that if this situation continued, a major disaster was bound to happen in the future.

“The Senior Grand Secretary’s words are reasonable. Then this will be the last time!”

“Secretary Zuo, when you have free time, you should consult with the Cabinet Elders more often. Don’t just make decisions on your own for everything. Like this time, if the Cabinet Elders hadn’t helped stabilize the situation, who knows what chaos would have erupted!”

Emperor Tianyuan’s lukewarm scolding left Song Haidong at a loss.

The Emperor was too clever, which gave him, the Senior Grand Secretary, a major headache.

The usual spiel of benevolence, righteousness, and morality used to fool monarchs was completely ineffective here.

Fortunately, he was close to retirement. As long as no problems arose during the remainder of his term, the next man could worry about what came after.

“Your Majesty, this old servant will certainly learn his lesson and serve the court with all his heart and strength!”

Zuo Guang’en said, his face flush with excitement.

Just now, Emperor Tianyuan had actually addressed him as “Secretary.” The speaker may have been careless, but the listener took it to heart.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, “Secretary” was a title exclusive to civil officials. For it to now be used for a eunuch like him was a clear sign of the Emperor’s approval.

Chapter 32: The Art of Dividing Money

At the South City Thousand-household Fort.

With the Marquis of Wuyang making a personal appearance, the eunuch from the Eastern Depot who came to handle the transfer was exceedingly enthusiastic, and the entire process went off without a hitch.

Once the men from the Eastern Depot were seen off, the business transaction was considered complete. All that remained was to divide the money internally.

“Lord Commander, here are five thousand taels of gold and two hundred fifty thousand taels of silver coin. The rest has been paid with physical assets. It was mainly because the Eastern Depot was rushing us, and everyone lacked the time to liquidate their holdings. The markets for jewelry, antiques, and paintings are too deep and full of pitfalls, and this subordinate’s knowledge is limited, so I didn’t dare accept them. I only took some properties in the capital and surrounding farmlands. With the current panic in the capital, it would be difficult to get a good price for these real estate assets even if we put them up for sale. The fort needs operating funds and can’t be short on silver. How about you take the loss, Your Excellency, and accept these physical assets?”

As he spoke, Li Mu handed over a thick stack of property deeds and land titles.

After a cursory glance, a smile appeared on the Marquis of Wuyang’s stern face.

There was an art to giving gifts in official circles. Everyone loved silver, but land and property in the capital were even better than hard currency. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, people would not normally sell their estates. The fact that those civil officials were willing to part with these properties, aside from a genuine lack of funds, was also a way to reduce their own risk. Presenting too much silver coin at once was simply too conspicuous. Although there was an intermediary, no one could guarantee that the middleman was completely reliable. Mixing in some of their core assets was undoubtedly a good way to prove that their family coffers had been emptied.

Since these were assets used for payment, some depreciation was inevitable.

The massive sum of five hundred thousand taels was more than the Marquis of Wuyang could swallow on his own. After deducting a portion for operational expenses and sharing some with the officials within his administration, the largest share still had to be sent to the Emperor or the Empress Dowager. Only when everyone, from top to bottom, had taken their cut would nobody make an issue of this money in the future. In this respect, both the Marquis of Wuyang and Li Mu were only earning a cut for their troubles. The opportunity to handle the assets was just an extra benefit.

“You’re right. The fort cannot lack funds for its operations. Times are tough for everyone, and we can’t mistreat the men below. Very well, I’ll take the loss and accept these properties. But I can’t be the only one to solve these problems. You don’t have a residence in the capital, so you might as well buy a mansion at its original price. Buy a few storefronts and a village estate as well. Consider it a way to establish yourself in the capital!”

As he spoke, the Marquis of Wuyang pulled several deeds from the stack and placed them in Li Mu’s hands.

“Thank you for your consideration, Your Excellency!” Li Mu said, feigning delight.

Everything was proceeding as he had anticipated. It proved that his gamble had been the right one.

Everyone wants prime assets, but these things were too conspicuous. To hold them openly in one’s own name was to announce to the world, “Here lies a corrupt official.” Experienced officials would rather hoard large amounts of silver in a warehouse than touch such overt assets. If they were to make such a purchase, it would be through legitimate channels, leaving no room for criticism.

The prudent Li Mu had naturally learned from the excellent examples set by others. By handing the properties to the Marquis of Wuyang, he had both transferred the trouble and curried favor with his superior. The reward was immediate. Buying the assets at a low price was nothing; the key was the phrase “establish yourself in the capital.” It was a clear signal that he had been accepted as one of the Marquis’s own men.

Although some descendants of the titled nobility in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions didn’t defer to the Marquis of Wuyang, those who dared to act that way were the direct descendants of dukes and marquises, who had no need to please their superiors. Distant relatives like Li Mu, who merely bore the title of a noble’s scion, did not have such a strong backing. Perhaps the Marquis of Wuyang couldn’t get them promoted, but he could absolutely ensure they weren’t promoted.

The triennial Capital Evaluation was only a few months away. Although it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Personnel and the Censorate, the Marquis of Wuyang, as the Commander, held significant sway in the matter. The results of the Capital Evaluation would directly affect an official’s future prospects for promotion.

“Alright, remember to deliver the money to the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions within three days, at the discounted price. I have business at my own headquarters, so I won’t linger!”

It was clear that the Marquis of Wuyang was genuinely busy. Besides the South City Thousand-household Fort, there were four other forts waiting for him to collect their money.

…

With the largest shares paid out, all that remained was the internal distribution of profits. If he handled this step well, Li Mu would truly solidify his position in the fort. No one could refuse a superior who brought everyone money and was willing to share it generously.

Looking at the expectant faces of the crowd, Li Mu smiled faintly. “This bountiful harvest would not have been possible without everyone’s hard work. We are all brothers here today, so I’ll dispense with the pleasantries. The Eastern Depot’s share has been paid, and those above who needed to be taken care of have been handled. As for the referral fees for brokering the deals, how much you earned was a matter of your own ability, and no one should be envious. For safety’s sake, I did not record this portion in the accounts. The money has already been settled with each of you. How you launder it is your own business. No matter who asks in the future, I will deny its existence. I hope you will also forget this matter, as if this money never existed. Here are the public accounts of the Thousand-household Fort. The gold and silver total approximately three hundred thousand taels. Of this, one hundred thousand taels must be set aside for the fort’s daily expenses and emergencies. As for how to divide the remaining two hundred thousand taels, let’s hear everyone’s opinion!”

As soon as he finished speaking, the eyes of everyone present grew fervent. Even though they were all descendants of the titled nobility and had seen their share of the world, two hundred thousand taels was still an astronomical sum to them. If not for this sudden windfall, the accounts of the South City Thousand-household Fort would never have held such a massive amount of money.

“Lord Chiliarch, this much money is too conspicuous. If we distribute it directly as we usually do, we will surely attract unwanted attention. Although it’s been cleared with those above, if some reckless official in the court brings this matter to the imperial court, it will be a huge problem. I think it would be better to first give everyone an extra month’s salary, and then gradually absorb the money by fabricating some night duty allowances and daily expenditures.”

The moment Vice-Chiliarch Yuan Yangming’s proposal was made, Centurion Sun at his side became agitated.

“Lord Yuan, by your reasoning, everyone in the fort administration gets a share? Does that mean our work was for nothing?”

As a government office responsible for the security of a large district, the South City Thousand-household Fort was naturally severely overstaffed. In addition to the official officers and soldiers on its roster, there were also a large number of temporary workers performing corvée labor. Two hundred thousand taels was indeed a lot of money, but if it had to be shared among more than a thousand people, the amount each person received would be negligible.

Centurion Sun had just established his own household separate from his family and had spent a great deal on setting it up; he was in dire need of money. Since he wasn’t familiar with the civil officials, he hadn’t earned much from the earlier intermediary business. If he came away with nothing this time as well, the days ahead would be difficult.

“Lord Sun, calm yourself. That was not my intention. It’s just that at a time like this, my Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions is truly under a spotlight. Those civil officials whose interests were harmed will certainly not be content with their losses. Although the Eastern Depot is taking the heat for us, brazenly dividing the money will still make them resent us. One’s career must always come first!”

After Yuan Yangming finished, the crowd immediately split into two factions and began arguing on the spot.

“Silence!

Lord Yuan is right. At a time like this, it’s always correct to be cautious. We can decide now how much each person should receive. Later, based on the actual situation, we can find suitable reasons to slowly distribute it to you all. If anyone needs money urgently, they can take an advance from the fort’s treasury. The amount must be less than your allotted share, and a symbolic interest must be paid to avoid causing trouble if the accounts are audited in the future. Don’t forget, this is a Capital Evaluation year!” Li Mu warned immediately.

Throwing the problem of distribution to the crowd might have seemed like soliciting opinions, but it was actually a screening process. An official who could restrain his greed might not necessarily be worthy of great responsibility, but an official who could not was definitely unusable.

Chapter 33: The Eunuch Faction’s Vicious Ploy

The affair at the Thousand-household Fort was settled, and the sentences for the convicted officials were publicly announced.

With the exception of a few unlucky individuals who were specifically targeted with remote locations for their exile, the outcomes for most were considered lenient. The closest place of exile was a mere fifty kilometers from the capital.

For some convicted officials, their place of exile was practically on their own doorstep.

In any case, measured from the capital, they were indeed exiled hundreds or even a thousand kilometers away.

It should have been a result that pleased everyone, but the Eunuch Faction, being up to no good, implicated a large number of the convicted officials’ family members.

Exiling the entire immediate family was standard procedure. Direct blood relatives within three generations were also mostly on the list, and there were even cases of entire clans being exiled.

After all was said and done, the number of people exiled reached the tens of thousands.

The sheer scope of the implication was a rarity in the history of the Great Yu Dynasty.

If not for the lack of a major massacre, this event could have been ranked among the Ten Great Cases of Great Yu.

Naturally, the convicted officials could not bear such an outcome.

This was especially true for those whose entire clans were exiled. The scornful words of their kinsmen alone were enough to drown them, a fate more agonizing than death itself.

The Civil Official Bloc was also in an uproar. To play this game so ruthlessly was simply too much.

In the world of officialdom, everyone has their share of bad luck.

In the past, exile was reserved for the convicted official alone. Who had ever targeted families like this? It was clearly a deliberate attempt to torment them.

If they didn’t step in to help now, what would happen if they themselves fell on hard times in the future? Wouldn’t they be subjected to the same treatment?

The imperial court was in a deadlock of arguments. Facing pressure from the assembled officials, the Eunuch Bloc produced a mountain of evidence, brandishing The Laws of Great Yu as their weapon.

The legal basis was all too sufficient; every sentence had been a lenient one.

Had this been the early years of the dynasty, these people wouldn’t even have qualified for exile; they would have been dragged out and beheaded on the spot.

The civil officials, always known for their eloquent tirades, never expected that one day they too would be verbally thrashed so soundly they couldn’t even raise their heads.

Some matters could not be brought out into the open. While everyone usually treated the law with a degree of nonchalance, it didn’t mean The Laws of Great Yu were without effect.

To deny The Laws of Great Yu was to deny the legitimacy of the imperial court.

When it came to political correctness, no one dared to openly attack the law.

If they wanted to change the verdicts, there was only one other way—amend the law.

The Reformist Faction was in favor of this, as amending the law was part of their reform agenda.

Once the law was amended, the ancestral system would be broken.

“The laws of the ancestors cannot be broken” would become a fallacy, and the Conservative Faction would no longer be able to use ancestral laws as an argument, effectively clearing the legal hurdles for reform.

With their core interests at stake, the officials of the Conservative Faction would naturally not let the Reformist Faction have its way.

And so, an interesting scene unfolded in the imperial court. First, the Civil Official Bloc collectively assailed the eunuchs, and then the Reformist and Conservative Factions began to tear into each other.

Standing toward the back of the crowd and watching everyone trade barbs, Li Mu became a happy spectator.

The entire exchange was dominated by the high-ranking civil officials.

According to the laws of Great Yu, only officials of the fourth rank and above were qualified to speak. All others had to listen quietly unless the Emperor granted them permission.

Without even the right to speak, the image of a low-ranking sixth or seventh-rank censor berating the Emperor was, of course, an impossibility.

Basically, every court session was a battle of words among the civil officials.

Unless the matter concerned their own duties, the military commanders generally did not speak.

The eunuchs were also at a disadvantage in this regard. Zuo Guang’en was often seen being forced into a verbal battle with the crowd of scholars, only to be lectured into submission.

No wonder the Eunuch Faction was so enthusiastic about taking down civil officials. Given the grievances they suffered in the imperial court, anyone in their position would seek retaliation.

…

“Court is dismissed!”

The eunuch’s voice rang out, and Li Mu knew it was another day without a resolution.

While the court was still debating, the convicted officials had already begun their journey into exile.

Their dissatisfaction was useless. Escorted personally by the Jinyiwei, they, who had just been released from the Imperial Prison, dared not cause any trouble.

The most tragic of all were the scholars. In a moment of righteous fervor, they had shouted a few slogans, only to be stripped of their academic honors and added to the ranks of the exiled.

As the large number of convicted officials’ families departed, the once-crowded prison cells became quiet again.

With the Thousand-household Fort well-funded, Li Mu directly ordered the construction of a new row of cells. His intuition told him they would certainly be useful in the future.

“Lord, a Provincial Graduate is outside. He claims to be the advisor you hired,” Clerk Yan reported in a low voice, a hint of envy in his eyes.

Though they both served in the yamen, a clerk held an official post conferred by the court, but his actual status was far beneath that of an advisor.

When Li Mu’s advisor position was vacant, Clerk Yan had taken on some of the duties, and his status in the yamen had risen sharply.

Even officials who had earned a rank were polite to him.

Now that the genuine article had arrived, he feared those good days were coming to an end.

“Show him in,” Li Mu said calmly.

His initial anticipation for this long-overdue advisor had faded.

Shaoxing was over a thousand kilometers from the Capital City. The journey would indeed take a long time by land, but the Grand Canal ran between them.

He had specifically asked his uncle to make arrangements. As long as the man reached a pier, he would be given passage on either an official vessel or a private merchant ship.

If he had been eager, he should have arrived in the capital a month ago.

Back then, the factional struggle was at its peak, and officials were frequently being arrested and imprisoned.

To wait until the dust had settled before showing up most likely meant he had been observing the situation.

To be driven by personal gain and loss was only human nature.

If Li Mu had been in his shoes, completely in the dark, he too would have chosen to observe first.

He would still employ the man, but a test was necessary.

It had nothing to do with loyalty. An employer-employee relationship was a transaction, and one couldn’t expect too much.

The test was mainly focused on his political acumen.

To navigate the official circles of Great Yu, political insight was more important than personal ability.

A political misjudgment due to a lack of information was understandable.

But if his political insight itself was lacking, then no matter how capable he was, he could only be an advisor, not a chief strategist.

In a moment, Clerk Yan returned, leading a middle-aged scholar dressed in a green round-collared robe.

“This student, Lan Linjie, pays his respects to Lord Chiliarch!”

Before Lan Linjie could complete his bow, Li Mu quickly reached out to stop him, responding with a warm smile, “Mister Lan, you have kept me waiting. Before Mister Ouyang left the capital, he recommended you to me repeatedly, saying you were a man of immense talent with lofty aspirations!”

The Mister Ouyang Li Mu spoke of was his uncle’s advisor.

He too was a Provincial Graduate from Shaoxing, but he was a full twelve years older than Lan Linjie. After failing the imperial civil service examinations multiple times, he had lost his former ambition.

Recently, with the reshuffling of court officials, many vacancies had appeared.

Thus, he accepted the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s recommendation and directly entered officialdom with his Provincial Graduate status, assigned to serve as a county magistrate somewhere under the jurisdiction of Tongzhou.

Being a county magistrate in the Great Yu Dynasty was not easy. It wasn’t strange for a Provincial Graduate to be appointed as one, but such appointments were usually in remote prefectures.

The more desirable locations were prioritized for Palace Graduates.

To be able to serve as a county magistrate under Tongzhou was a clear sign that the Marquis’s Mansion had pulled some strings.

“Mister Ouyang… has entered officialdom!”

After a moment of surprise, Lan Linjie quickly regained his composure.

It was not uncommon for scholars who repeatedly failed the examinations, unable to bear the hardship, to choose to enter officialdom.

In theory, there was no age limit for taking the Palace Graduate examination, but the age at which one passed directly affected one’s future career prospects.

An elderly Palace Graduate in his sixties or seventies might even be older than his patrons, making for awkward encounters.

Even if the court was willing to groom them, there was the concern of whether their bodies could handle the strain.

If one was sent out on an assignment and suddenly died on the road, the Ministry of Personnel would also be held responsible.

Chapter 34: Living in the Capital is No Easy Feat

After an exchange of pleasantries, Li Mu arranged for someone to take Lan Linjie to get settled.

Fortunately, he had bought a three-courtyard residence in the west of the city; otherwise, it would have been difficult to accommodate him.

The Marquis’s Mansion was fine, but it was ultimately somewhat inconvenient. To hold a long-term post in the capital, one couldn’t live under someone else’s roof forever.

Though the idea of moving out had occurred to him, Li Mu didn’t act on it immediately. The Marquis of Zhenyuan and his wife had been good to him, so such a matter required a suitable opportunity.

Putting aside his assets back home, he was a man of some means here in the capital as well.

In the west of the city, where every inch of land was precious, he owned a three-courtyard residence.

He also owned two three-story shop buildings, though their location was a bit remote, at the intersection of the southeast gates.

In Baoding Prefecture, he had three estates, totaling about twelve hundred mu.

However, he was short on ready cash. Of the three thousand taels of silver he had brought to the capital, only fifteen hundred remained.

The profits he had made as a middleman had all been spent on these properties.

There were still about four thousand taels due from the yamen’s routine profit-sharing, but that money wouldn’t be available for some time.

This was mainly because Li Mu was cautious and only took money that was within the accepted rules of the game.

Out in the open market, people would have been fighting over these properties. If it weren’t for the steep internal discounts, he wouldn’t have been able to afford them at all.

He had to admit, the fastest way to accumulate wealth in a feudal dynasty was to be an official.

After just two months of entering officialdom, he had already amassed so many assets. It was no wonder everyone wanted to be an official.

Not counting his salary and the income from the yamen, these properties alone could generate an annual income of about three thousand taels in a normal year.

Of course, the reason the returns were so high was primarily related to his status.

Besides the capital itself, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions also held considerable influence over the surrounding prefectures and counties.

It was common for them to pursue and arrest criminals who crossed jurisdictions, and to requisition the cooperation of local yamen runners.

The officials in Baoding Prefecture might not necessarily grant him, a Chiliarch, much face, but he held enough sway to intimidate the junior clerks in the local government offices.

Apart from the standard official taxes, he was exempt from the various levies and surcharges imposed by the local yamen.

Even when conscripting tenant households for corvée labor, the junior clerks had to carefully calculate the farming seasons so as not to affect the cultivation of his fields.

The shops in the city received even more preferential treatment.

Within the districts managed by his own people, not only were all miscellaneous fees waived, but if any trouble arose, the soldiers of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions would be the first on the scene to handle it.

With such hassle-free properties, it was only natural that they could command a premium on rent.

The income was substantial, but so were the expenses.

He had hired a new advisor, and they had agreed on a monthly salary of twenty taels.

Providing room and board, writing supplies like ink, brushes, and paper, as well as assigning a maidservant, an old female servant, and a male servant to his retinue, and preparing a carriage for his travel, the actual monthly expenses would be no less than thirty-five taels.

This was the treatment befitting a Provincial Graduate.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, there were only sour Scholars, but no poor Provincial Graduates.

The land donated for sheltering alone was enough to allow a Provincial Graduate to live a comfortable life.

The thirty household retainers he had brought from Hanzhong cost no less than one hundred and fifty taels a month, sixty of which were for salaries, with the rest covering food and clothing.

This was an expense that could not be cut.

While serving in the capital, the value of these retainers was not yet apparent. But once he was assigned to a local post, these men would be the foundation of his security.

On the surface, he was maintaining household retainers, but in reality, they were being trained as his personal soldiers. If needed, these men could also become junior military officers at a moment’s notice.

As a proper fifth-rank official, his household couldn’t be filled with a bunch of coarse men. Servants, maidservants, and old female servants were necessary, as were a cook, a groom, and a gardener.

A rough estimate suggested that once these positions were filled, there would be no fewer than fifteen people.

Adding in the cost of maintaining the residence, Li Mu’s own living expenses, and the tea and snacks required for receiving guests, the monthly expenses for the rear quarters would be no less than one hundred taels.

Fortunately, the expenses for his warhorses were covered by the yamen; otherwise, the costs would be even higher.

Including the social obligations of official circles, an ambitious military officer like him had annual expenditures of no less than four thousand taels.

The daily expenses of civil officials were slightly lower, but if they wanted to live comfortably, their spending would still be no less than two thousand taels.

If one held a post in an impoverished yamen with only their salary to live on, they would generally not hire an advisor and would have to reduce the number of household servants to save money.

He hadn’t realized until he did the math, and the numbers were staggering.

Now Li Mu truly understood what it meant that living in the capital was no easy feat.

If this was the case for a fifth-rank official, then the expenses of the ducal or marquis mansions above him could only be greater.

It was fine as long as someone in the family held an important post. But once they fell from the center of power, their income would plummet.

Those with deep family coffers could still rely on their properties for support.

However, as influence wanes after one leaves power, the subtle privileges gradually disappear, and the income from the family’s properties would also slowly decline.

If they failed to make timely adjustments and cut unnecessary expenses, it would be easy to fall into the trap of living beyond their means.

…

“Lord Chiliarch, the Directorate of Ceremonial has issued an announcement. They’re going to sell the property of convicted officials.

There’s two million eight hundred thousand mu of land alone! The whole capital is in an uproar.

If you’re interested, you could go take a look. They say there’s even land from Hanzhong in the lot!”

Looking at the excited Clerk Yan, Li Mu couldn’t understand what he was so worked up about.

No matter how many properties the Eunuch Faction put up for sale, it wasn’t something a mere clerk could aspire to.

After a brief pause, Li Mu realized something was amiss. The Eunuch Faction wasn’t just selling properties; they were uprooting the convicted officials’ chances of making a comeback.

The assets of the convicted officials, aside from a small portion in the capital, were mostly scattered across the country.

Given the reputation of the eunuchs, for them to go and enclose land in the strongholds of the Pure Stream faction would be a suicide mission.

If the properties were left in the national treasury, and one of the officials was lucky enough to have their case overturned, the assets would have to be returned.

So, they seized the opportunity of the court’s shortage of funds to sell off the properties first. Those who could afford to buy up these assets would be none other than royalty, nobility, or the local gentry.

In the face of profit, even the closest of friendships had to be set aside. As long as the court was willing to sell at a discount, there would be no shortage of buyers.

Once the transactions were complete, the Pure Stream Faction would be internally divided.

The members of the Pure Stream Faction who had originally sympathized with the convicted officials would inevitably change their stance after gaining tangible benefits.

For their own interests, they too would obstruct any attempts to overturn the verdicts.

This was only the first layer of the eunuchs’ scheme; there was an even bigger trap laid behind it.

A bargain was never as simple as it seemed.

The land registered under the names of the convicted officials was not all their own. A large portion of it was land that their neighbors had placed under their name for sheltering.

After buying this land at a low price, how were the new owners supposed to treat the original owners?

If they honored the original sheltering agreements, the neighbors would certainly have no complaints, but the buyers would suffer a huge loss.

Land was a core asset in a feudal dynasty. No matter how discounted, a normal sale wouldn’t be excessively cheap.

Compared to the practically free cost of sheltering, the costs were on completely different levels.

If they refused to acknowledge the previous agreements, the original landowners, whose interests were now harmed, would surely not take it lying down.

Chapter 35: Investigating the Military Lands

The moment the news spread through the government office, people began asking for leave.

It was clear the Eunuch Faction’s plan had succeeded.

Human greed is universal. If it could attract the sons of the titled nobility, it could also attract civil officials and the local gentry.

As long as the price was tempting enough, there would be no shortage of buyers.

If not for the fact that land couldn’t be moved and was inconvenient to manage from a distance, the bureaucrats in the capital alone could have bought up all these properties.

It didn’t matter if everything didn’t sell at once; the local gentry from various regions would rush over as soon as they received the news.

Besides, next year was an imperial examination year, so the Provincial Graduates from all over could certainly make their way to the capital in advance.

Unless the lands were in regions so remote that the capital’s powerful and noble figures looked down on them, Li Mu didn’t think there would be any scraps left for others.

Two million, eight hundred thousand mu sounded like a huge number, but for the imperial clan, dukes, marquises, imperial in-laws, and all the civil and military officials of the court, it was nowhere near enough to go around.

Throughout history, whenever a dynasty entered its middle or late stages, the population of the ruling class would grow dramatically, and with it, their demand for wealth.

The eldest son inherited the family estate, but the other sons also needed to be provided for.

If they all relied on their ancestral inheritance, it wouldn’t take many generations of division before they fell into financial distress.

Besides increasing their plunder of the common people, the internal struggles within the ruling class would also become unprecedentedly fierce.

Li Mu shook his head, realizing he was worrying for nothing.

If the sky were to fall, the Emperor would be the first to hold it up.

Below him, the members of the Grand Secretariat, the dukes, and the nobles would take their turns, so a small fry like him had no need to be concerned.

From what he understood, both Emperor Tianyuan and the officials at court were as shrewd as they came.

Whether they could learn from history was uncertain, but they were surely well-read in the historical texts.

Judging by the series of actions Emperor Tianyuan had taken since his ascension, he had clearly sensed the danger facing the empire and had pushed for reforms as a result.

So far, the most direct result of these reforms was reflected in the state’s finances.

Compared to the first year of the Tianyuan era, the court’s revenue had increased by nearly a quarter in seven years.

For an old, established empire, this was an incredible achievement.

Of course, Emperor Tianyuan had more failed reforms than successful ones, but he was a behind-the-scenes player.

Not only had he sown division among the officials, but he had also pushed the Eunuch Faction forward as the number one scapegoat to draw all the hatred.

Everyone targeted the Eunuch Faction, and no one paid any attention to what the Emperor was doing.

Or rather, the Emperor himself did nothing; he spent all his time hinting for others to act.

If it succeeded, it was due to the Emperor’s brilliance.

If it failed, it was because his subordinates had misinterpreted his sacred will.

As long as the Emperor didn’t personally enter the fray, he could not make a mistake.

Aside from making the final autocratic decision at critical moments, everything else was done by the officials.

To play the game this way in a feudal dynasty was simply invincible.

Assisting the monarch in handling court affairs was the duty of the officials.

If they made a mistake, they naturally had to bear the corresponding responsibility.

Shifting the blame to a superior was a technical skill not everyone could master.

Shifting it to the Emperor, in particular, was fraught with risk.

The decimated Censorate was the best cautionary tale.

The Emperor, who had always been outwardly receptive to counsel, had quietly used the eunuchs’ hands to get rid of them.

Li Mu guessed that many of those exiled from the capital had no idea they had offended the Emperor. They probably thought they had angered the Eunuch Faction during the factional struggle, bringing disaster upon themselves.

After this round of speculation, Li Mu’s confidence in the Emperor and the court was restored.

He had just returned to the Marquis’s Mansion and hadn’t even had time to change out of his official robes when a messenger from the Marquis of Zhenyuan summoned him.

“Uncle, you sent for me. Has something happened?”

Li Mu asked, puzzled.

He knew the Marquis of Zhenyuan to some extent.

In all the time he had been in the capital, his uncle had always appeared calm and composed at every meeting, as if everything was under his control. This was the first time Li Mu had ever seen him lose his composure.

“Something big is about to happen!

“The Jinyiwei found survivors from the great battle in Liaodong. They learned from them that the army had run out of grain the day before the decisive battle with the enemy.

“Further investigation revealed that, according to the deployment of Liaodong’s Commander-in-chief, Duan Wenhong, the army was to requisition grain and fodder from the nearest garrison posts.

“But the closest post, Shenyang Wei, has suffered from northern barbarian raids for years, and its military lands are severely abandoned.

“The military households had long since fled, and there were hardly any left. The warehouses were completely empty of sufficient grain reserves.

“Such critical information should have been reported before the battle.

“But the message was suppressed by someone during its transmission.

“It wasn’t until the battle began that Governor-General Duan sent someone to press for the grain and discovered something was wrong.

“Unfortunately, the messenger’s attitude was too insolent. He enraged the Shenyang Wei Commander, who killed him in a fit of rage.

“To escape the court’s accountability, he set out with a transport of fake grain and fodder, faked a northern barbarian ambush that wiped out his whole contingent, and has since disappeared.”

Li Yuan said, his voice laced with lingering fear.

Whether it was concealing military matters or the deficits at the garrison posts, both were earth-shattering disasters.

And to make matters worse, these two incidents had directly led to the great defeat in Liaodong.

At this point, the court had to investigate the matter to the very end, no matter what.

“Uncle, are you saying the court is going to investigate the garrison posts?”

Concealing military matters was a grave crime, and heads would certainly roll. If things went badly, it might even trigger the extermination of his nine relations.

Whoever was implicated would be finished.

No amount of backing would help. No matter how much the two factions at court fought amongst themselves, no one would be foolish enough to collude with the northern barbarians.

From the Emperor down to the civil and military officials, no one would let these bastards off.

There was nothing more to say about a foregone conclusion. The “big thing” that was about to happen, then, could only be the investigation of all the garrison posts across the land.

Emperor Tianyuan had long been dissatisfied with the rotten combat effectiveness of the garrison post armies.

It was just that this was a chronic historical problem with too many people implicated. It couldn’t be touched just because one wanted to.

The disastrous defeat in Liaodong had created the perfect opportunity to investigate all the garrison posts in the empire.

There was no doubt that every single garrison post in the country had major problems.

The decline in the combat effectiveness of garrison soldiers was due to a lack of training, but more importantly, the motivation that supported their fighting—the land—had been seized by others.

Of the nearly one hundred million mu of military lands in the empire, less than a tenth remained in the hands of the military households.

These households were supposed to enjoy tax-exempt status and have a higher standard of living, but they were now living worse than tenant farmers.

When they couldn’t even fill their own stomachs, it was natural not to expect any fighting capability from them.

“Exactly!

“His Majesty has long intended to reorganize the garrison posts. He certainly won’t let such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip by.

“At a small court meeting, the Ministry of War proposed investigating the military lands of all garrison posts. Even though we nobles strongly opposed it, the proposal was passed!”

Li Yuan’s face was grim as he spoke.

On the issue of investigating the garrison posts, the Emperor and the Grand Secretariat had actually reached a consensus. This immediately put the titled nobility, who had little say at court, on the back foot.

When it came to verbal sparring, all the great lords of the nobility combined were no match for a single Cabinet member.

Moreover, this time, they had ample justification.

The reasons for opposition put forth by the titled nobility simply could not hold water.

Chapter 36: The Deep-Rooted Problems of the Garrison Posts

“Don’t worry, Uncle. The investigation into the garrison posts’ military lands will get nowhere.

His Majesty may have initiated the investigation out of public interest, but the Cabinet Elders have all stood up to support it for no other reason than the deep divide between the civil and military paths.

When it comes to suppressing military generals, they will seize any opportunity they can get.

If we can’t stop it, then we might as well not try.

If they want to investigate, then let them. I’m just afraid they won’t dare to truly lift this lid.

I can’t speak for other places, but I am familiar with the situation in the Hanzhong Guard.

It’s a fact that military commanders have turned the garrison’s military lands into private fields, forcing military households to work as hired laborers.

But these are not the main reasons for the loss of military lands. The real culprit is the imperial civil service examinations.

Every examination cycle, several Palace Graduates and a number of Provincial Graduates emerge from among the sons of the garrison posts.

In the Great Yu, there’s the societal attitude of valuing civil/literary pursuits over martial ones. After changing their family’s standing, these men all renounce their status as military households.

It’s not just the men who leave, but also the military lands registered under their names.

Those who obtain an official post even take the military households who farm their lands with them as hired laborers.

I recall that because of this issue, the military fought a legal battle with the civil officials a hundred years ago.

It even reached the Emperor’s ear, but in the end, nothing came of it.

The court failed to address it back then, and in the years that followed, a steady stream of sons from the garrison posts left through the imperial examinations, continuously devouring the military lands and population of the garrisons.

If the court is truly determined to investigate, then they should start by making these civil officials who left return the land they took.

As for the garrison commanders, most of us profit from the yield of the land, not the land itself.

Except for a few idiots, very few would go through the trouble of converting military lands into civilian lands and transferring the deeds to their own names, which would only give others leverage against them.”

Li Mu said calmly.

He didn’t know about other families, but that was how his own operated.

The land remained on the garrison’s books, but the income went into their own pockets and was then used to support their household retainers.

Embezzling public funds to raise a private army—this kind of warlord-like behavior might have gotten one’s head chopped off in other dynasties, but in the Great Yu, it was the norm.

It was an open secret in the court and among the public. It wouldn’t matter even if it were discovered.

The number of household retainers his family supported was nothing compared to the military clans of the Nine Borders; it was a far cry from commanding troops for self-aggrandizement.

Since the legal status of the land had not changed, the accusation of seizing military lands was baseless.

Besides, he, the hereditary Commander, had never once assumed his post.

Even if someone got serious and brought everything out into the open, the blame would not fall on him.

“You might be fine, but others are in trouble!

From the founding of the dynasty until now, the military clans have been passed down for so many generations. Do you think there has been a shortage of idiots in that time?

It’s true that not many have directly annexed military lands, but some bastards have colluded with local officials to swap the garrisons’ prime fields for inferior ones.

Some went so far as to exchange them for barren mountains, completely unsuitable for cultivation.

Incidents of privately selling off military lands from the garrison posts have also been rampant.

Even the military lands taken by the Provincial and Palace Graduates could not have been successfully transferred without the full cooperation of the garrison commanders.

If they really investigate this, the primary responsibility will always fall on the commanders of the various garrison posts, followed by the Regional Military Commissions that supervise them. Only then will it be anyone else’s turn!”

Li Yuan said irritably.

He had thought his nephew would come up with a brilliant idea, but he hadn’t expected Li Mu to offer a plan of just letting it all rot.

Indeed, given the current state of the garrison posts, the web of complicity was so vast it reached nearly every corner of the empire.

The once-vast military lands, stretching for millions of mu, were now a joke.

The garrison posts and local governments, which were supposed to supervise each other, ended up colluding from within and without to turn military lands into private estates.

Everyone knew there were problems, but the civil officials weren’t afraid.

The embezzlement of military lands didn’t happen on their watch.

If one were to trace it back, the graves of the original culprits would be covered in weeds by now.

Besides, everyone who did these things took measures to conceal their actions, often transferring the embezzled military lands multiple times.

The old land registers of the garrison posts, through the machinations of interested parties, have almost all been lost.

It’s now difficult to distinguish which lands are civilian and which are military.

You can use such baseless accusations to vex the living, but they are useless against the dead.

The garrison commanders are a different story. They are the ones directly responsible. Even if they didn’t commit the deeds themselves, their ancestors did.

The court has a record of how much military land each garrison is supposed to have.

Any deficit is the responsibility of the garrison commander.

And if there are problems with the garrison posts, the titled nobility who control the Regional Military Commissions certainly cannot escape the blame.

Without their indulgence, the people below would never have been able to embezzle the military lands.

“Uncle, since it has already happened, we cannot afford to fall into disarray.

With so many people involved, it won’t be easy for the court to assign blame.

If necessary, we can leak some news to divert the fire towards those civil officials who came from garrison backgrounds.

If we’re truly backed into a corner, we can bring up the old case from a hundred years ago. Frame this as a historical issue to downplay everyone’s responsibility as much as possible.”

Li Mu said, deliberately glossing over the more serious implications.

One’s position determines one’s stance!

Since his own family was not deeply implicated, he had nothing to fear from an investigation.

From his perspective, the court’s investigation into military lands was undoubtedly a good thing.

Purging a portion of the parasites would be beneficial to the empire’s rule. With a stable country, his official career would be much more comfortable.

Moreover, the officialdom of the Great Yu was currently rife with nepotism, a classic case of too many wolves and not enough meat.

Every post is filled, and if he didn’t get rid of the people blocking his path, how could he advance?

The struggle between the civil and military factions was a game for those at the top. It wouldn’t be too late for him to consider it when he reached that position someday.

But as a key figure in the titled nobility, the Marquis of Zhenyuan could not simply watch from the sidelines. No matter how far the court’s investigation went, it would be a blow that weakened the titled nobility as a whole.

For one thing, the promise the Eunuch Faction had made to arrange for the sons of titled nobility to serve in the Ministry of War was now surely hopeless after this mess.

Some garrison posts that existed in name only would most likely be disbanded.

Nobles who were too deeply involved would not only lose their official posts but might also be stripped of the titles their ancestors had passed down.

“Forget it!

If those bastards dared to do it, they must face the consequences. Whoever gets caught is just unlucky.

I just hope this doesn’t cause a major upheaval!”

Li Yuan said with a sigh.

If it were possible to save it, he too would want to bring the garrison post system back on the right track.

The core reason the titled nobility had lost its voice in the imperial court was that the garrison armies had become utterly useless.

The current military pillar of the Great Yu was its recruited soldiers.

After the decay of the garrison posts, the court was forced to adopt a recruitment system to maintain its rule.

Under the recruitment system, provisions and pay had to be allocated by the Ministry of Revenue, and the appointment and dismissal of generals required the approval of the Ministry of War.

Having lost their financial and personnel authority, the Chief Military Commission, led by the titled nobility, could no longer hold its head high.

It had developed to the point where the Chief Military Commission, which nominally commanded all the nation’s armies, was left with only a negligible supervisory role, while the Ministry of War was responsible for the day-to-day deployment of troops.

The newly emerged military clans of the Nine Borders had risen to prominence precisely because the court had implemented this recruitment system.

Chapter 37: The Rascal Emperor

Imperial Garden.

“How far has the investigation progressed?”

Emperor Tianyuan asked casually as he strolled.

After the inside story of the Liaodong defeat was unearthed, the civil officials could no longer harp on the strategic blunders. Even the number of those criticizing the military system reforms had dwindled significantly. With the constant buzzing gone, Emperor Tianyuan, finding some peace and quiet, had been in a good mood recently.

“Your Majesty, after interrogating the relevant personnel, we discovered that the one who suppressed the urgent military report was the advisor to the Commander-in-chief of Liaodong, Duan Wenhong. This man has been missing ever since the great battle in Liaodong. Even his family and relatives, over a hundred of them, suddenly vanished from Suzhou two months ago. Besides this man, Shenyang Wei also reported the matter to the Liaodong Military Intendant and the Liaodong Grand Coordinator’s Office, but it failed to attract their attention.”

Gu Yuansong’s words made the hearts of the few Cabinet members following behind pound with fear.

Great Yu exercised strict control over its populace. Only those with a rank of Scholar or higher could travel freely; commoners needed a travel permit to leave their county.

Even if the northern barbarians could bribe an advisor, they wouldn’t have the reach to extend their tentacles into the heart of the empire and silently move over a hundred of the man’s family members. For something like this to happen, there must have been internal cooperation.

What was worse, the timing of the family’s transfer almost perfectly synchronized with the decisive battle in Liaodong.

Someone must have leaked intelligence in advance, allowing the northern barbarians to prepare. Only then could they have activated their covert agents within the empire to orchestrate the subsequent series of actions.

The individuals responsible for formulating and implementing the battle plan were all under suspicion.

The implicated Liaodong Grand Coordinator’s Office and the Liaodong Military Intendant were guilty of severe dereliction of duty. The possibility that some among them colluded with the northern barbarians could not be ruled out.

Cabinet Elder Pang and Cabinet Elder Xu were the most embarrassed. Just moments before, they had been vehemently criticizing the Liaodong defeat, only to find the boomerang had come back to hit them.

The Liaodong Grand Coordinator and the Liaodong Military Intendant were both key figures in the Pure Stream Faction and were now considered the primary culprits for the defeat.

Not only were these two men finished, but the local officials who allowed the traitor’s entire clan of over a hundred people to escape also could not escape the blame.

If the investigation continued, there was no telling how many more members of the Pure Stream Faction would be implicated.

To say they betrayed Great Yu would likely be an unfair accusation. However, some of their actions were undeniably connected to the Liaodong defeat.

Vaguely, Pang Hengsheng sensed that something was amiss.

Why did all the clues point toward his Pure Stream Faction?

It was true that the Pure Stream Faction was a mixed bag, but their primary sphere of activity was in the south and the capital; not many of its officials served in the north.

With the incident happening in Liaodong, the ones who should have been most deeply involved were the Liaodong Clique and the Jin Clique.

For a major case like this, with the entire court watching, the Jinyiwei would not dare to frame someone.

“Your Majesty, this old subject suggests a thorough investigation of the Liaodong Grand Coordinator’s Office and the Liaodong Military Intendant. No matter who is involved, we must get to the bottom of it.

Anyone who dares to collude with the enemy and betray the country is guilty of a crime punishable by death!”

Pang Hengsheng was the first to speak.

The more unfavorable the situation, the more one had to take the initiative.

In any case, he refused to believe that the Liaodong Grand Coordinator and the Liaodong Military Intendant would collude with the northern barbarians. As long as it wasn’t treason, there was still room for maneuver.

For the Pure Stream Faction, an official’s personal competence could be flawed, but their political stance absolutely could not be wrong.

This was the foundation of their standing.

If someone had colluded with the northern barbarians, then they were no longer a member of the Pure Stream Faction.

“Then let the investigation begin!”

After a brief pause, Emperor Tianyuan immediately asked.

“Regarding the issue of the loss of military lands from the garrison posts, have you all devised a strategy?”

The real main event had arrived, and the atmosphere instantly tensed.

Supporting the investigation of military lands was one thing; proposing a concrete plan was another entirely.

The former was mere lip service, with no responsibility for the outcome.

But once it came to a specific plan, it meant personal involvement, where every word and action carried weight.

“Your Majesty, the situation with the garrison posts is complex and involves too many historical issues.

During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong, to show preferential treatment to scholars, the court tacitly allowed those who passed the provincial examinations to leave the garrison posts with the military lands they cultivated.

If we are to investigate, I’m afraid this portion will be difficult to classify!”

As Duke of Cheng, Jing Guoliang, spoke, he immediately brought the matter to a climax.

Back then, when Emperor Xuanzong allowed scholars to take military lands with them, the fundamental reason was to suppress the military officials.

The Chief Military Commission, which held financial, personnel, and command authority, was powerful enough to rival the Grand Secretariat.

To a civilian-minded emperor like Xuanzong, the balance maintained by pitting civil against military was still too dangerous.

No one could have imagined that this single opening would lead to the decline of the garrison post system.

Seeing that scholars could turn military lands into private land, the military officials, not to be outdone, eagerly joined the feast of carving up the military lands.

With everyone from top to bottom taking part, no matter how vast the state’s assets were, they couldn’t withstand such squandering.

After the military lands were carved up, the combat effectiveness of the garrison posts completely rotted away, and household retainers began to take the stage of history.

During periods of imperial stability, minor bandits, brigands, and civil unrest were dealt with by the military officials’ household retainers.

With peace across the land, no one wanted to stir up trouble, and so life went on.

It wasn’t until the border troubles flared up again that everyone realized the gravity of the situation and once more turned their attention to the garrison post system.

The late Emperor’s court had attempted a thorough investigation of the garrison posts, but the resistance was too great, and it ultimately ended in failure.

“Duke of Cheng, what’s so difficult to classify about that.

Since it was permitted by His Majesty Emperor Xuanzong, we can let that portion go and simply trace the whereabouts of the other military lands!”

Cabinet Elder Xu said with a chuckle.

Setting aside this portion of the land would cut the resistance to the investigation in half.

Apart from the garrison posts on the Nine Borders, which still had some combat capability, the garrison posts in other regions were little more than groups of farmers.

Many Chiliarchs and Centurions now lived lives no different from local village heads.

If the court was truly determined to investigate, these people would have a hard time stopping it.

“Cabinet Elder Xu’s proposal is not bad, but have you ever considered that more than half of the garrison posts’ military lands were lost in this very manner?”

The question from Duke of Xing, Qin Shibiao, instantly made everyone lose their composure.

More than half the military lands—this figure was enough to cause a huge disaster.

“Duke of Xing, isn’t that a gross exaggeration!

Since the founding of our dynasty, how many Provincial Graduates and Palace Graduates have the garrison posts produced? How could they possibly have taken away so much military land?”

Zuo Guang’en said disdainfully.

Tricking the civil officials might be one thing, but trying to intimidate him was picking the wrong person.

If all the military lands had truly fallen into the hands of scholars, then what were the military officials, who were sitting on a mountain of treasure, doing?

They might not care about other matters, but when their own interests were at stake, who would yield so easily.

“Eunuch, this has nothing to do with the number of people.

Ordinary military households don’t have the means to support a scholar.

Those from the garrison posts who can pass the provincial and palace examinations are mostly from prominent backgrounds.

When these military families choose the path of transitioning from a military career to a civil service career, they naturally take everything they can with them.”

Qin Shibiao explained calmly.

Shifting the blame to the Civil Official Bloc—this was the strategy decided upon by the titled nobility.

Exactly how much land was taken during these career transitions was, in itself, a muddled account.

…

“Zhen has begun to understand. The focus of your argument is simply who took the military lands.

Arguing here will certainly not resolve anything.

Great Yu has a total of 493 garrisons, 2,593 forts, and 315 independent chiliarch forts.

So, you all shall discuss and divide the tasks, each taking responsibility for investigating a portion of the garrison posts.

As for the historical issues involved, Zhen does not intend to pursue them deeply. As long as the military lands are returned, all past misdeeds will be pardoned.

But if anyone puts up a desperate resistance, they will be dealt with directly according to The Laws of Great Yu.

All of you Secretaries are pillars of the state. The matter of the garrison posts’ military lands concerns the very survival of Great Yu. Zhen hereby entrusts this matter to you!”

Having spoken, Emperor Tianyuan directly gave everyone a formal bow, leaving them absolutely no chance to refuse.

Chapter 38: Almost Made it into the History Books

Emperor Tianyuan’s sudden blitz left everyone stunned. One could not accept the Emperor’s courtesy for nothing; once accepted, the task had to be done.

Originally, everyone had intended to foist the thorny task of investigating the garrison post military lands onto their rivals, but now they had to shoulder it together.

Forced to accept the mission, everyone was in low spirits.

The moment the Emperor left, the atmosphere became awkward. No one was willing to speak first.

They all stood there, waiting each other out. The titled nobility didn’t mind. Although they had lost most of their ancestral skills, they still frequently visited military camps, which was physically demanding work, so they were in reasonably good shape.

“Since none of you will speak, this old man will go first.”

“His Majesty has entrusted us with the great responsibility of investigating the military lands because he trusts us. It is our duty as his subjects to share our sovereign’s burdens.”

“I propose that the Grand Secretariat, the Ministry of War, the Censorate, the Chief Military Commission, the Jinyiwei, and the Eastern Depot all send representatives to form a joint investigation team to investigate the military land case together.”

Though it was still an investigation, his plan was almost the complete opposite of Emperor Tianyuan’s intentions.

As a Senior Grand Secretary on the verge of retirement, Song Haidong would not have wanted to offend the Emperor if he had a choice.

But now he had no choice. If he didn’t offend the Emperor, he would have to offend all the other officials.

At his advanced age, his body was not as robust as it once was; he simply couldn’t outlast the others in a standoff.

If he were to follow the Emperor’s wishes and investigate the military land case, uncovering the mines hidden beneath the empire’s surface and bringing them into the open, no one knew what might happen.

Rather than fail to uphold his integrity in his later years and have his reputation ruined, it was better to do everyone a favor.

As for Emperor Tianyuan, he was a man who had already submitted his resignation twice. At worst, he would just go home early.

His very presence was meant to balance the major factions in the imperial court.

“The Senior Grand Secretary’s words are those of a steady and experienced statesman.”

“The military land case has far-reaching implications, and the investigation will certainly face great resistance.”

“Should any unforeseen incidents occur, a single ministry might not be able to resolve them in time.”

“If we all send people to investigate jointly, we will surely get to the bottom of it!”

The words of Jing Guoliang, the Duke of Cheng, nearly made everyone laugh out loud.

A joint effort was simple to say, but completely unfeasible in practice.

Putting the Eunuch Faction and the Pure Stream faction together meant they would be so busy with infighting every day that no one would have the time to actually investigate the case!

However, this was in the interest of the titled nobility. An investigation that made no progress was far better than tearing away the last fig leaf covering the garrison posts and exposing the problem.

Though they disagreed in their hearts, no one voiced any opposition.

The military land case was too thorny. It was one thing to shout slogans about it, but actually lifting the lid was another matter entirely.

The Directorate of Ceremonial selling off two point eight million mu of land was enough to cause a stir in the court and country; how much more so for the nearly one hundred million mu of military lands?

Any rational person knew that a cake this large could not possibly be devoured by just a few individuals.

The garrison post commanders were the most culpable, but the local gentry were the greatest beneficiaries.

If they were to investigate with true rigor, the fire might just burn them at any time.

A hundred years was enough to change many things.

Of the garrison post scions who had transitioned from military to civil service careers in the early years, some had developed into great aristocratic families, while others had been reduced to commoners.

In this process, the former military lands had changed hands an unknown number of times.

To hold the final person who took over the land responsible for the case of embezzled military lands was clearly unreasonable.

But military lands were forbidden from being traded. Once this was brought into the open, it would prove that all previous transactions were illegal.

The issue of the gentry concealing land would be exposed to the light of day, and that was an even bigger problem than the military land case itself.

“This one does not oppose a joint investigation.”

“But this is, after all, a task assigned by His Majesty. We must produce some results, otherwise we will have nothing to show for it!”

The court officials could use the excuse that the law does not punish the masses to placate the Emperor, but he, the chief eunuch, could not.

If he dared to entertain such a thought, he wouldn’t be far from death.

But forcing him to bear the pressure and investigate the military lands was too much to ask; it simply wasn’t a task any single person could accomplish.

Hearing Zuo Guang’en’s reply, the officials hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.

The Emperor had to be given some face.

They didn’t have the nerve to investigate the military lands of all the garrison posts in the country, but they still needed to pick a few unlucky targets to deal with, produce some results, and report back.

With the uproar over the military land case, not only was the Directorate of Ceremonial’s land sale suppressed, but even the attention on the great defeat in Liaodong had diminished.

Within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, Li Mu could clearly feel his colleagues’ enthusiasm for the drama.

The situations of the various garrison posts were being dug up and discussed.

The truth was only off by a margin of eighty or ninety percent.

Everyone knew they were spouting nonsense with their eyes wide open, but they managed to make it sound incredibly vivid and detailed.

“Declining soil fertility,” “earthquakes destroyed the military lands,” “floods washed away the military lands”…

There was only one purpose for spreading these rumors: to link the reduction of military lands to natural disasters.

Regardless of whether anyone else believed it, the scions of the titled nobility certainly did.

Anyone who dared to express a different opinion would be immediately suppressed by the group.

It was clear that the titled nobility in the capital had profited handsomely from the military lands, and they were desperate to keep the lid on.

It wasn’t just the titled nobility taking action. In places frequented by scholars, similar rumors were also circulating.

Just a few days ago, these same people were furiously denouncing military officials for embezzling military lands, but in the blink of an eye, their stance had changed.

Obviously, those spreading this news were all vested interests.

Even if they hadn’t embezzled military lands themselves, their families were concealing land.

Even the most upright official had relatives and neighbors, and it was inevitable that they had accepted land placed under their protection.

After the stakes were made clear to them, the civil officials who had wanted to take action against the garrison posts had no choice but to join in the cover-up.

“Chiliarch Li, the various ministries of the court are forming a joint investigation team to look into the loss of military lands.”

“My Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions must also send someone. Are you willing to go?”

Hearing this news, Li Mu was so angry he wanted to start cursing on the spot.

When the entire ruling class wanted to cover something up, even the biggest problem was no problem at all.

One could imagine how bizarre the final conclusions of a joint investigation team born under pressure from all sides would be.

A major case like this would be recorded by the court historians. Hundreds or thousands of years later, when future generations studied the history of the Great Yu, they would take out this episode to analyze it.

“Corrupt official,” “muddle-headed official”—all sorts of unsightly labels would be pinned on him.

Perhaps someday, a theory would emerge that the Great Yu fell because of the military land investigation, and he would be reviled for eternity.

“Commander, Your Excellency, I am a garrison post commander myself. According to the law, I must recuse myself to avoid suspicion!”

Li Mu hastily refused.

Looking at the Marquis of Wuyang again, he suddenly found him displeasing to the eye.

I treat you as my boss, and you want to hang me up in the history books? You can’t screw over your underlings like that.

“What a pity!”

“I was thinking that if you joined the investigation team and earned some merit, you could even get a promotion.”

“Since you must recuse yourself, I can only give the opportunity to someone else now,” the Marquis of Wuyang said with a look of regret.

In his eyes, the joint investigation team was a very lucrative post.

To avoid having problems discovered, the commanders of the various garrison posts would have to bleed themselves dry, and perhaps the gentry would have to chip in as well.

A position with such a gushing source of revenue had to be kept in the hands of one of us.

The reason he had thought of Li Mu first was purely because he felt Li Mu was skilled at raking in money and respected him as his direct superior.

In the last case, the other Chiliarchs had just barely completed their tasks, but only Li Mu had sent him an extra sum.

Chapter 39: A Feint in the East, an Attack in the West

Yangzhou City, Changchun Garden.

Listening to a soft tune while reviewing his account books, Zhang Fangyong felt he could take another eight concubines.

Profits for the first half of the year had increased by another fifty thousand taels. Selling salt in the Great Yu Dynasty truly was easy money.

Building gardens, hosting banquets, raising courtesans… He couldn’t spend it all, he simply couldn’t spend it all.

“My lord, you’re daydreaming!”

The concubine who had been singing pressed against him, throwing herself into his arms and pulling Zhang Fangyong back to reality.

Forget it, he thought, no more concubines for now. Health is more important.

The twenty-some stunningly beautiful concubines in his household were already enough to keep him busy, not to mention his numerous lovers outside. If he added any more, his body really wouldn’t be able to take it.

Just as he was about to comfort the beauty in his arms, a group of uninvited guests burst in, knocking over the household retainers on duty and frightening the maidservants into a chorus of shrieks.

“Who are you people? Don’t you know where this is?” Zhang Fangyong demanded in a rage.

As a renowned salt merchant in Yangzhou, even the prefect had to be polite to him. The yamen runners and soldiers below were practically at his beck and call.

Such was the allure of money.

Though he couldn’t directly control power, it didn’t stop him from enjoying the benefits power brought.

From the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Provincial Governor down to the lowly peddlers and clerks in the yamen, they had all taken his money.

The number of examination candidates he had sponsored was countless, and many of them had since embarked on official careers.

He was seemingly just a salt merchant, but in reality, his network of connections had long since penetrated the centers of power.

In Yangzhou, the number of people who dared to cross him could be counted on one hand.

“Of course we know. When we, the Jinyiwei, handle a case, we never go to the wrong place!”

As he spoke, several soldiers had already rushed forward and pinned Zhang Fangyong to the ground.

“Stop! Lord Liu of your Southern Administrative Division is a good friend of mine! You must have made a mistake…”

No matter how Zhang Fangyong tried to explain, the soldiers restraining him paid no heed, swiftly tying him up.

In the blink of an eye, the entire Changchun Garden was seized, and everyone within was made a prisoner.

At almost the same moment, every salt merchant of any note in Yangzhou City was arrested.

The Jinyiwei’s major operation quickly caught the attention of the Prefect’s Yamen.

Hao Xingfeng, the Prefect of Yangzhou, was stunned speechless when he received the news.

The court was cracking down on the salt merchants, and he hadn’t received any word at all!

The last time the court had tried to clean up the Lianghuai Salt Transport was three years ago. At that time, facing opposition from all sides, they had merely dismissed a Salt Censor for serious dereliction of duty without making any major moves.

This time was clearly different. Without the slightest rumor, the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot had already started making arrests.

Reason told him he had to do something to stop them, or things would get serious.

But to confront the Factory Guards head-on… he was a civil official, not that reckless. Besides, the clerks in his Prefect’s Yamen were the type whose legs turned to jelly at the mere sight of the Jinyiwei. How could they possibly have the courage to obstruct an official investigation?

“Advisor Zhu, send someone to notify the Salt Administration Yamen immediately. I hope there’s still time!” Hao Xingfeng said with a grave expression.

The Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot had fearsome reputations. Hao Xingfeng had no confidence that the Salt Administration Yamen could stop their actions.

But he had no choice. Who could he blame for succumbing to temptation and taking the salt merchants’ money?

“Your Excellency, for the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot to act together means the court’s patience with the Lianghuai salt administration has reached its limit. The Salt Administration Yamen itself is probably in no position to save itself. At a time like this, we must consider our own escape route. The Factory Guards have caught the salt merchants off guard, but those merchants have secretly gathered plenty of desperate men. Now with a knife to their necks, it’s very likely they’ll take a risky gamble. What’s more, these merchants are just the ones pushed to the forefront; there are numerous great clans and powerful families who live off the salt industry. If the court wants to cut off their profits, I doubt they’ll accept it willingly. Once trouble starts, Yangzhou Prefecture will be the first to bear the brunt. We’ll be in deep trouble!”

Advisor Zhu’s analysis made Hao Xingfeng feel even more uncertain.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, there was still room for maneuver when it came to corruption. But if a large-scale rebellion broke out, a local official like him would be truly finished.

“Go and inform them first! And send someone to get word to the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Provincial Governor. If I’m going down, they won’t get away either.”

“Return to the Thousand-household Fort at once, pick some trustworthy men from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, and prepare to head for Jiangnan!”

Having just returned to the Marquis’s Mansion, Li Mu was completely baffled by his uncle’s words.

With the court investigating military lands, the Northern Frontier should be the focus of attention. Why were they suddenly going to Jiangnan?

“Uncle, has something happened in Jiangnan?” Li Mu asked, puzzled.

Under normal circumstances, even if there was trouble in Jiangnan, it wouldn’t be the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions’ turn to be dispatched when the court sent an imperial commissioner south.

“It’s not Jiangnan; it’s the Lianghuai salt administration. His Majesty has agreed to drop the investigation into the titled nobility’s responsibility in the military land loss case, but in return, he wants our support in reforming the Lianghuai salt administration. The Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot have already made their move. His Majesty is worried it might provoke unrest and has decided to dispatch troops from the capital to stabilize the situation. The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions have extensive experience in investigations and maintaining local order, so we are among those being dispatched.”

Hearing Li Yuan’s explanation, Li Mu understood instantly.

The so-called investigation of military lands was purely a smokescreen. Emperor Tianyuan’s real target was the Lianghuai salt administration.

Using the major defeat in Liaodong to bring up the military land issue was a completely opportunistic move.

In order to extricate themselves, the titled nobility chose to make a political deal with the Emperor, and thus the previous matter would be written off.

Better you than me.

Even if the nobility had business dealings with the salt merchants, at such a sensitive time, everyone would be willing to make a painful sacrifice.

It was even possible that Emperor Tianyuan had privately hinted to the leaders of the nobility, promising them a piece of the pie after the salt reforms.

After all, in an era that adopted the societal attitude of valuing civil pursuits over martial ones, even when the nobility’s bloc made money from the salt merchants, they were only picking up scraps.

Faced with this combination of carrot and stick, the nobility clearly couldn’t hold out.

Judging by his uncle’s demeanor, it was obvious he had been persuaded by the Emperor and was preparing to join this major undertaking.

The capital garrisons were even being mobilized. This was no longer a simple political struggle; it was preparation for armed suppression of a rebellion.

“Rest assured, Uncle. I will see to it at once!” Li Mu immediately pledged.

As the wealthiest group in the Great Yu Dynasty, the Lianghuai salt merchants’ influence had long seeped into every corner of the region.

To move against them, the local government offices were certainly unreliable.

Sending a few civil officials to replace them and administer the area would be utterly ineffective. They would likely be sent to meet King Yama before they even reported for duty.

For this kind of local cleanup work, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, having no vested interests, was undoubtedly the best choice.

Especially when facing powerful local clans. The moment they heard who came from which family, the morale of a civil official would drop a notch.

The scions of the titled nobility had no such concerns. Even if a string of names were thrown at them, they might not even know who they were.

It didn’t matter if they offended people either. They were just passing through and wouldn’t be staying for long-term appointments.

Chapter 40: A Motley Crew

At the South City Thousand-household Fort, Li Mu, who had been mulling over how to pick his men, realized he had been overthinking it.

The sons of the titled nobility with connections had all been notified, and they appeared on the training grounds with their well-trained household retainers.

One look at their bearing was enough to tell that this troop of armored household retainers was definitely a better fighting force than the temporary soldiers from the government office.

Going to the salt merchants’ den, there would be no shortage of brawls.

These men, the muscle of the operation, absolutely had to be brought along.

After picking a few more officers experienced in investigations, the four-hundred-man team was complete.

“Lord Chiliarch, a safe journey!” Vice-Chiliarch Yuan Yangming said with a look of reluctance.

The peace and order of the capital could not be disrupted, so someone had to stay behind to stand guard.

Since Li Mu, the man in charge, was leaving with the troops, he, the deputy, had to remain.

The wealth of the salt merchants was known to all. Even the smallest trickle would be enough for everyone to live well.

Moreover, reforming the salt administration was a major plan of the imperial court. The higher-ups were all watching, making it the easiest way to earn political merit.

“I do not know when I will return from this journey to the southeast. I’ll have to entrust the fort’s affairs to you, Brother Yuan!” Li Mu replied politely.

His intuition told him that after this trip south, he would not be returning to the South City Thousand-household Fort.

Although he had only held the post for a few short months, he had grown genuinely fond of the fort.

Good pay, little work, and low stress—it would be hard to find such a post in another government office.

After bidding farewell to his colleagues, Li Mu led his contingent to the headquarters of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions to assemble. Feeling quite good about himself, he was suddenly struck by the vast disparity.

The gap between the five great Thousand-household Forts was on full display.

The East City’s Thousand-household Fort had brought eight hundred men, while the West City’s had brought seven hundred, both composed mainly of household retainers.

The numbers alone showed that the noble scions serving in these two forts came from wealthier backgrounds.

The North City Thousand-household Fort was in the worst shape; among its two-hundred-man team, many were clearly just there to make up the numbers.

The Central City fort’s situation was slightly better, having managed to scrape together three hundred men.

Besides these, there was another chaotic, disorganized contingent, the largest of them all.

These were men who were merely on the payroll of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. They never showed up for work on a normal day, but now they had come to join in on the action.

“A man’s virtue lies in knowing his own limits. This journey to Lianghuai to sort out the salt administration will not be as peaceful as the capital.

“Those vicious and desperate salt smugglers will dare to do anything. You might even run into Japanese pirates.

“If you don’t have any real skill, it’s no shame to go back now.

“You should all be well aware of how important the salt administration is.

“If you botch this task for the court, losing your own life is one thing, but it’s not worth dragging your family down with you!”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s words were incredibly pointed.

The working sons of the titled nobility had all commanded troops before and were of normal intelligence. The household retainers they brought were, at the very least, able-bodied men who had undergone some training.

Those who were merely on the payroll were a different story. They were a motley bunch whose only common trait was their incompetence.

If not for his reservations about their identities, he would have loved to send them all packing immediately.

“Lord Commander, rest assured! We have all made our preparations and we definitely will not…”

Before he could finish, the Marquis of Wuyang’s whip lashed out.

“Uncle, why did you whip me?” the young man asked, aggrieved.

He had been so supportive, and if he wasn’t going to be promoted or given an important role, that was one thing, but to be whipped for it? This was his own uncle, this was simply…

“Get lost!

“Scram, right now!

“If I see you again, I’ll break your damn legs!”

Facing the enraged Marquis of Wuyang, the young man knew that reasoning was useless. He dejectedly led his men away from the training grounds.

Witnessing this scene, the other young men who were related to the Marquis promptly left with their men as well. They had only come to join the excitement on a whim; they had no desire to be whipped.

A wave of persuasion began to sweep the training grounds. The various commanders all began to convince their relatives to leave. Even Li Mu persuaded a few of his own friends and family to depart.

In the end, no one bothered with the stubborn few who remained.

If the titled nobility wanted to go and reap benefits, they had to pay a price.

Without a few deaths, how could the Emperor see their sacrifice?

Having people volunteer to be cannon fodder was for the best.

If they weren’t worried about the repercussions, packing up all those idiots and sending them to offer up their heads would have been the optimal choice.

Not only would the people of the capital applaud, but it would also lighten the court’s burden.

“No one else is leaving? Then begin the headcount and register them in the records.

“A word of warning: once your name is on the roster, leaving midway makes you a deserter.

“I now issue a military order: any unit that encounters a deserter from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions is to execute them without mercy!” the Marquis of Wuyang said, mentally exhausted.

He truly did not want this southern assignment.

As an imperial in-law, his position was already at its peak. No amount of meritorious service could advance him further.

Rather than running back and forth, he would prefer to lounge in the capital and enjoy his life.

Unfortunately, he had no choice. Emperor Tianyuan was resolute in his reform of the salt administration and had wagered heavily on it.

His emperor nephew was determined to drag the imperial in-laws onto the battlefield, and the Marquis of Wuyang could not refuse.

He might not be much among the court’s civil and military officials, but among the imperial in-laws, he was the cream of the crop.

He had to shoulder this heavy responsibility.

He was already vexed, and now with people adding to his troubles, his temper only flared hotter.

…

Such a large-scale mobilization of troops in the capital naturally could not escape the eyes and ears of the Grand Secretariat’s members.

“A secret report has arrived from the Jinyiwei in the southeast. The salt merchants are plotting a rebellion, and the situation there is about to deteriorate.

“His Majesty, without going through the Ministry of War, has issued a direct edict mobilizing the two main army corps and the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions to go south and quell the rebellion,” Song Haidong said with a helpless expression.

Emperor Tianyuan was becoming more and more assertive, making his job as Senior Grand Secretary extremely difficult.

The Emperor felt he couldn’t control the men below him, while the court officials felt he was a sycophant who didn’t dare to argue with the Emperor on principle.

Heaven be my witness, he really had tried.

In theory, the Six Offices of Scrutiny could indeed exercise its power to reject edicts, but that didn’t mean the Emperor’s direct edicts were invalid.

There was no law in the Great Yu stating that an imperial edict had to be stamped by the Grand Secretariat.

The first few founding emperors had all issued edicts directly. The practice of the Grand Secretariat affixing its seal only came about after imperial power began to wane.

In the past, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War could cooperate to impose restrictions on provisions and pay, making it impossible for military actions to bypass them.

This time was different. The previously confiscated illicit funds were now ready-made military pay.

The titled nobility had struck a political deal with the Emperor. With the imperial edict in hand, they set to work, completely ignoring the Ministry of War.

“Since ancient times, it is unheard of for a merchant rebellion to ever amount to anything. For the salt merchants, as wealthy as the four seas, to actually rebel is truly a marvel!”

As soon as Wang Anfu’s sarcastic comment was out, everyone immediately sensed that something was amiss.

The phrase “wealthy as the four seas” was reserved exclusively for the Emperor and the imperial court. To use it to describe merchants was a crime punishable by death.

This man was also targeting the salt merchants!

Realizing this, the others were not surprised.

No matter how rich the salt merchants were, they were still merchants, and their political status remained in the lower echelons of society.

The Great Yu’s treasury was bare, and there were only a few channels to raise money.

They couldn’t touch the gentry’s money, nor that of the titled nobility and imperial relatives. The only ones left were the common people and the merchants.

In recent years, the court had already increased taxes on the common people several times.

Those with foresight had long realized that if they continued to raise taxes, it would inevitably lead to civil unrest.

“Cabinet Elder Wang, you can’t just say things like that!” Pang Hengsheng said with displeasure.

It was one thing not to stop the Emperor from acting recklessly, but how could one cheer him on?

In the Great Yu of today, were there any truly simple merchants?

The Lianghuai salt merchants had always been major financial backers of the Pure Stream Faction.

Chapter 41: Conflict on the Ship

“Cabinet Elder Pang, don’t be so quick to anger.

His Majesty is dead set on reforming the salt administration. The capital garrisons have already been dispatched; there’s nothing we can do to stop it.

The salt merchants are indeed a troublesome lot, but it all depends on who you compare them to.

Do you really think those merchants have the backbone to stand up to the imperial army?”

Wang Anfu spoke with disdain.

The pretext for dispatching troops was to suppress a rebellion. Anyone who stood in their way would be branded a rebel.

The Lianghuai salt merchants were certainly wealthy and had bribed many local officials, but that didn’t mean those people would be willing to join them in a revolt.

Besides, the salt merchants were not a united front; conflicts over their own interests had long been rife among them.

As long as the court acted swiftly enough to arrest the ringleaders, the rest would be a disorganized mob.

“Cabinet Elder Wang, the salt merchants are not just salt merchants. The real trouble is the great aristocratic families behind them.

You’ve never lived in the Lianghuai region, so you don’t know how much influence these people wield there.

The slightest misstep could lead to massive turmoil!”

Pang Hengsheng said with grave significance.

He swore on his honor that these words stemmed from a concern for the public good, not from partisan interests.

“Cabinet Elder Pang, the problem is not as serious as you think.

There are indeed many people behind the salt merchants, but that doesn’t mean they will rebel.

How the situation develops will primarily depend on how the Emperor intends to reform the salt policy.”

As soon as Cabinet Elder Xu, also a member of the Pure Stream Faction, spoke, the tense atmosphere instantly eased.

The great aristocratic families were powerful, but they also had many concerns of their own.

Salt was an important source of their income, but it was far from their only one.

Even if someone were to entertain dangerous ideas, their kinsmen serving as officials in the court would do everything in their power to stop them.

After twenty years of arduous study, they had finally passed the examinations and entered the imperial court. To suddenly switch paths at this stage—the sunk costs were simply too high.

Although the Great Yu Dynasty had its various problems, the realm was, on the whole, stable.

“Be that as it may, the risks in the Lianghuai salt administration reform are still considerable.

For the sake of the empire, the Grand Secretariat must send a high-ranking official to preside over the situation. We cannot allow… the Eunuch Faction to act so recklessly!”

Fortunately, Pang Hengsheng was quick-witted enough to change “the Emperor” to “the Eunuch Faction” in the nick of time, averting another political incident.

Emperor Tianyuan had done quite a few questionable things since taking the throne, but the Eunuch Faction had shouldered all the blame.

To this day, in the eyes of the people, Emperor Tianyuan remained a good emperor.

“The situation with the Lianghuai salt administration is unique; an ordinary official won’t be able to control it.

Cabinet Elder Pang, you hail from Nan Zhili and are most familiar with the circumstances there. Why don’t you make the trip yourself?”

Song Haidong proposed with a smile.

With the salt reform imminent, and the Eastern Depot, the Jinyiwei, and the capital garrisons all on their way, the Civil Official Bloc also needed a heavyweight to oversee the situation.

Historically, salt administration reforms had never been bloodless.

An ordinary civil official sent there would easily become cannon fodder in the struggle between the two sides.

The salt merchants were closely tied to the Lianghuai gentry, and that region happened to be the main base of the Pure Stream Faction. No one would believe there wasn’t a connection between the two.

Others would struggle to gain a foothold, but a high-ranking official from the Pure Stream Faction could.

“Senior Grand Secretary, please choose someone more capable!

The Lianghuai salt administration is entangled in too many affairs. It requires an official in the prime of his life to handle it. My old bones can’t withstand such turmoil.”

Pang Hengsheng instinctively refused.

The Senior Grand Secretary and Second Grand Secretary of the Great Yu Dynasty had never been on good terms. He wouldn’t dare accept a post recommended by his rival.

It was true that the southeast was the Pure Stream Faction’s stronghold, but there were also several other highly respected “Pure Stream leaders” there.

The Pure Stream Faction was not a monolith. While these high-ranking Pure Stream officials were friends on the surface, they were rivals behind the scenes.

In politics, anything could happen.

If they were to collude against him, both from within and without, and deliver a harsh blow, he could very well meet a sticky end.

“Since Cabinet Elder Pang is unwilling, then we shall have to trouble Cabinet Elder Xu to make the trip!”

As Song Haidong finished speaking, the man he named, Xu Wenyue, frowned slightly.

Pang Hengsheng found it a thorny issue, and so did he.

Besides, the authority to reform the Lianghuai salt administration was not in his hands.

Going there now was, to put it nicely, overseeing the situation. To put it bluntly, it was cleaning up a mess.

The corruption in the salt administration was inextricably linked to the corruption of officials.

In the Pure Stream’s main base, most of the officials in office were members of the Pure Stream Faction. This administrative cleanup would mean punishing his own people.

With the Eunuch Faction watching from the sidelines, he couldn’t answer to the court if he didn’t act ruthlessly.

But if he did act ruthlessly, he would be seen as unfeeling by his own faction.

He wanted to refuse, but Song Haidong’s unyielding gaze made him swallow his words.

The power gap between Cabinet members was vast. Song Haidong might seem like an amiable old man, but if you took him for a pushover, you wouldn’t even know how you died.

Anyone who could fight their way out from the sea of officials to sit on the seat of Senior Grand Secretary had a decisive and ruthless side.

A candidate nominated by the Senior Grand Secretary could be refused once, but never twice.

…

Li Mu, who was already on his journey, no longer had the energy to pay attention to the struggles in the court.

Shortly after boarding the canal boat, trouble arose among the men from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

The landlubbers from the capital were not accustomed to life on a ship, and they began to suffer from motion sickness in twos and threes.

The soldiers fared better. Having endured hardships, their bodies were more resilient, and only a minority fell ill.

The pampered sons of the titled nobility, however, were in a miserable state. Many were vomiting and suffering from diarrhea, so much so that the army physician was overwhelmed.

It was a hardship of their own making, and they had to swallow it, even with tears.

But willpower often yields to reality. By the third day, trouble finally erupted.

“Stop the boat!”

“Quick, stop the boat!”

“Stop the boat, I want to get off!”

“I’m the Duke of Cheng’s nephew, stop the boat at once!”

“I’m Consort Rong’s elder brother, how dare you…”

…

Faced with the uproar from a crowd of profligate sons of imperial in-laws and titled nobility, the boatmen didn’t have the nerve to refuse.

Stumbling upon this scene, Li Mu cursed his luck inwardly.

He must have had the worst luck in eight lifetimes to be stuck on the same boat as these brats.

“By order of the Marquis of Wuyang, anyone who stops the boats without authorization will be executed!”

“All vessels, continue forward! Anyone who dares to disrupt the army’s advance will be charged with treason!”

Li Mu immediately intervened.

If the boats stopped, these brats would scatter and run. Who then would serve as the sacrificial offerings?

He hadn’t heard a whisper about this military operation beforehand; then suddenly everyone received the news. It was clearly not normal.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s behavior was also suspect. He had indeed tried to dissuade them, but he hadn’t put much effort into it.

Otherwise, he could have just reported the matter and had the Emperor issue an edict to leave these troublemakers behind.

After piecing together the events, Li Mu came to a stunning conclusion: the higher-ups were deliberately sending this group to their deaths.

With the salt merchants arrested and the imperial army amassed, any rational person would lie low for the time being.

The capital garrisons wouldn’t be stationed in Lianghuai forever. It wouldn’t be too late to stir up trouble after the army left.

The massive drop in salt tax revenue was mainly due to the rampant salt smuggling.

The salt merchants who dealt in official salt were also the biggest salt smugglers, which was why the taxes couldn’t be collected.

For the masterminds behind the scenes, if their puppets on the front lines were arrested, they could just prop up a few new ones, and the profits would continue to flow.

Previous salt reform failures were because they had never touched the core of the problem.

These masterminds all had prominent identities on the surface. Without concrete evidence, the court couldn’t move against them.

To lure the snake out of its hole, you needed not only clever people but also fools.

If someone deliberately provoked trouble, a conflict would ensue.

If a few imperial in-laws or nobles were to die, the scholar-officials would have nothing to say when the court moved to arrest people.

If they just charged in recklessly, a moment’s carelessness could lead to a Great Yu version of The Story of the Five Men’s Tomb.

Chapter 42: The Undercurrents of Yangzhou

“Chiliarch Li, give us brothers some face.

Let the few of us leave, and we’ll handle the Marquis of Wuyang ourselves. We won’t make things difficult for you!”

Seeing Li Mu leading his men to block their way, the group of profligates remained as arrogant as ever.

Their brows were filled with disdain, as if they had him completely in their grasp.

“Count Duan, it’s not that I refuse to give you face, but military orders are absolute!

Besides, we’re in the middle of nowhere here. Who knows how far it is to the next market town.

If some accident were to happen, wouldn’t that be a terrible injustice!”

Li Mu retorted without the slightest courtesy.

From his experience in the official world, the fact that his superior had assigned him to watch over these men proved they weren’t important.

An illustrious identity could only intimidate country bumpkins. The sons of the titled nobility all knew that a respectable identity and high status were not one and the same.

If they were truly so well-connected, they would never have been cast aside like this.

Even if they were just along for the ride to gain some merit, they would have been assigned more competent household guards.

The fact that their men were a disorderly mob proved that these fellows were all newly rich, possessing nothing more than a hollow, resounding title.

As far as Li Mu knew, several of their families were facing financial trouble and were in desperate need of a windfall to cover their deficits.

“Heh heh!”

“You, surnamed Li, we brothers call you Lord Chiliarch out of respect. Without that respect, you’re just little Li.

How dare you speak to us like this? You must be itching for a beating…”

Before the young man could finish his sentence, a loud smack echoed, and his head began to spin as he saw stars.

Li Mu’s sudden move had stunned everyone.

Back in the Capital City, whenever they got into disputes with others, Li Mu had always been very agreeable.

They had only been out of the capital for a few days, yet he had become so audacious.

The one who had been struck, Chu Shide, was the biological younger brother of Imperial Consort Chu, and he also held the post of Vice-Commander of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

To strike one’s direct superior, who was also the brother of a favored imperial consort—this was tantamount to causing a huge disaster.

“Escort their lordships back to their cabins. If anyone else dares to cause trouble, kill them directly!”

Before the crowd could react, Li Mu’s cold command came again.

“How dare you! I am…”

“This is simply out—”

…

Their protests were useless; the soldiers paid them no heed at all.

One of the servants rushed forward to protect his master, only to have his left arm severed on the spot by Big Wu.

If he hadn’t dodged quickly enough, the blade would have landed on his head.

The bloody scene made the already pale faces of the crowd turn even more ghastly.

“Military orders are absolute.” To them, this phrase had only ever existed in operas.

In their eyes, it was just like “When the Emperor breaks the law, he is guilty of the same crime as a commoner”—purely something people said but never meant.

But now, it was actually being enforced for real!

Upon witnessing this scene, the courage they had painstakingly mustered evaporated on the spot.

Their identities were noble; it wasn’t worth bickering with a group of boorish men. If they lost their lives, it would be a tragedy.

From their resentful glares, it was clear they had already marked this down as a score to settle with Li Mu.

Having played the villain, Li Mu shook his head helplessly.

As expected, some people truly wouldn’t be wronged if they ended up dead.

Even at this point, this group of fools still hadn’t realized the severity of the situation.

Similar scenes were continuously playing out on the canal boats heading south.

No matter how much they wished to avoid offending people, when faced with the Marquis of Wuyang’s military order, all the commanding officers chose to enforce it strictly.

Offending a group of profligates might only lead to trouble later.

These men held no real power, so even if they sought revenge afterward, they could only do so by pulling strings.

Everyone was part of the same circle; more than ninety percent of their connections would be useless in this matter.

But violating a military order was a crime punishable by beheading.

…

Yangzhou City.

After a large number of salt merchants were arrested and imprisoned, the once-bustling city had suddenly become desolate.

“Eldest Brother, I’ve made inquiries.

Master Zhang is being held in the Prefect’s Yamen main prison.

Among the jailers on duty, two of them have received favors from Master Zhang in the past and are willing to be our inside men.

We also have one of us among the soldiers guarding the city gates.

If we give them a heads-up, they’ll tamper with the gates.

After we break him out of prison, we can leave the city overnight!”

The weaselly-eyed young man reported excitedly.

They were all thugs raised by Zhang Fangyong, usually responsible for escorting salt shipments and occasionally handling dirty work.

Although the pay was good, it was still a long way from a meteoric rise.

There were several other groups of people doing the same job.

To stand out from the many competitors, catch Master Zhang’s eye, and reach the pinnacle of their lives was no small feat.

Finally, their opportunity had arrived.

Since ancient times, there has been no greater merit than saving one’s master!

As long as they rescued Master Zhang from prison, their status would surely rise dramatically.

“Sixth Brother, we need to consider the rescue of Master Zhang more carefully.

The difficulty isn’t in rescuing him, but in what happens after.

The court has not yet convicted Master Zhang, so there is still room for maneuver.

According to a message from the Prefect’s Yamen, the Prefect and the Provincial Administration Commissioner are trying to find a way to exonerate Master Zhang.

Once we break him out, the Jinyiwei will be free to fabricate whatever charges they wish!”

The middle-aged man in black shook his head and said.

On the surface, he was one of Master Zhang’s subordinates, but in reality, he had other masters behind the scenes.

The Zhang family had only risen to prominence over two generations, yet Zhang Fangyong had become a renowned salt merchant in Lianghuai. Naturally, things were not as simple as they appeared on the surface.

If there weren’t people pulling strings behind the scenes, a late-coming salt merchant like him would have had a hard time just smoothing over official relationships.

The situation was now complicated. No one had yet figured out what the imperial court intended to do, so the figures in the shadows were still hesitating.

If they didn’t stage a jailbreak, all the officials in Yangzhou were on their side, and there would be plenty of people to provide them with shelter.

But once they made a move, the situation would change.

If a prisoner was broken out under their jurisdiction, it would not only affect the officials’ performance reviews, but the officials themselves would be investigated by the court.

If someone couldn’t withstand the pressure and revealed what they knew, it would be a huge problem.

For the people behind the scenes, it was more straightforward to silence the arrested salt merchants than to risk rescuing them.

They hadn’t taken action yet only because things hadn’t reached that point.

“Eldest Brother, it was the Jinyiwei who arrested Master Zhang.

Many other salt merchants in Yangzhou were arrested along with him. These people clearly have hostile intentions. How could they release them so easily!” the young man said, unwilling to give up.

If they didn’t break him out, all the information he had gathered would be for naught.

As for the problems with the officials, he couldn’t care less.

Nominally, Zhang Fangyong was an official salt merchant, but in reality, he was a salt smuggler, and their main business was smuggling salt.

If the supply channels weren’t in Zhang Fangyong’s hands, they would have gone into business for themselves long ago. Who would still be thinking about rescuing him!

“Rest assured, Master Zhang has sponsored many Provincial Graduates and Scholars over the years. Now is the time for them to repay his kindness.

When the imperial commissioner from the court arrives, these men will gather to seek justice for Master Zhang.

Those officials in the capital value their reputations above all else; they wouldn’t dare to offend these scholars!”

Chapter 43: An Unpleasant Meeting

The ship docked, and the group of young nobles was ecstatic.

Heedless of their weakened bodies, they scrambled to disembark, each trying to be the first.

Their disheveled appearance left the welcoming Yangzhou officials completely stunned.

Everyone knew the imperial commissioner was coming, but the people before them bore no resemblance to high-ranking envoys.

After both sides revealed their identities, the officials of the Yangzhou Prefecture realized the situation was grim.

These weren’t imperial commissioners; they were clearly a pack of pampered, trouble-making lords.

Anyone who had reported for duty in the capital would know of this gang of profligates.

The capital was full of high officials and nobles who kept them in check, so these profligates mostly just squabbled over trivial matters and got into fights.

But out in the provinces, who would dare to control these pampered young masters.

Their arrival in the south, just as the salt merchants were being arrested, clearly indicated they wanted a piece of the pie.

“Hao Xingfeng, Prefect of Yangzhou, greets the Marquis of Wuyang!”

Hao Xingfeng gave the Marquis of Wuyang a cupped-fist salute, his demeanor neither humble nor arrogant.

His attitude was exceedingly cold, completely lacking the enthusiasm one would expect when welcoming an imperial envoy.

Seeing this, the Marquis of Wuyang wasn’t angered.

He had brought so many troublemakers with him; the fact that the other party hadn’t lost their temper on the spot was a testament to their good nature.

No matter what chaos ensued, as the ‘father-and-mother official’ of the people, the Prefect of Yangzhou would be the one held primarily responsible.

One could say that from the moment the men of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions set foot on shore, Hao Xingfeng’s official career was already weathering a violent storm.

“Lord Hao, there’s no need for pleasantries. We are all serving the imperial court. The dock is no place to talk. Why don’t you arrange lodging for us first?”

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a cheerful smile.

Glancing at the procession, the subordinate officials of the Yangzhou prefectural office all looked grim.

If they were ordinary soldiers, they could simply be given a plot of land outside the city to set up camp.

The prefecture would only need to provide some firewood and grain, minor expenses that the prosperous Yangzhou could easily afford.

But this contingent had too many important figures. The status of any random officer here would make them a major personage in the provinces.

Normally, if there was a chance to build connections, the local officials wouldn’t mind expanding their network.

But now, these people were clearly here to snatch the meat from their bowls.

“Advisor Zhu, arrange for people to clean up the confiscated mansions of the salt merchants and prepare them for our distinguished guests to move into.”

After a slight hesitation, Hao Xingfeng said tentatively.

The Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot had only arrested the men; they had not yet been convicted.

Theoretically, their mansions still belonged to the salt merchants.

Moving into their private residences prematurely was clearly against regulations.

A civil official familiar with the law would never accept such an arrangement, as it would give others a handle against them.

“Excellent, let’s do that! I’ve heard the salt merchants are wealthier than nations. We can see it for ourselves.”

The Marquis of Wuyang hadn’t even spoken when someone in the crowd began to clamor in agreement.

To retaliate for their earlier ordeal on the ship, openly disrespecting their commanding officer was just the sort of thing these profligates would do.

They probably truly saw themselves as Vice-Commanders.

The Commander and Vice-Commander were only half a rank apart. On such minor matters, the Marquis of Wuyang couldn’t do much to them.

“Let’s do that,” the Marquis of Wuyang said, his expression unchanged.

It wasn’t worth getting angry with fools. Deep down, he was already scheming how to sell out these burdensome teammates.

Following the crowd into Yangzhou City, Li Mu and his men from the South City Thousand-household Fort were housed in the residence of a salt merchant surnamed Tu.

It was a typical Jiangnan waterside garden estate. Even with some damage, the luxury of its decor was evident at a glance.

What was most striking was the main hall, which consisted of eight rooms lined up in a row—a configuration reserved for the mansions of dukes, marquises, and princes in the Great Yu Dynasty.

The violations of sumptuary laws weren’t limited to the layout of the main hall. The yellow glazed tiles on the roof and the rare, mythical beasts used in the decorations were all things a merchant was forbidden to use.

No wonder the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot dared to arrest them without sufficient evidence.

This violation of sumptuary laws alone was enough to have the salt merchant surnamed Tu beheaded.

Since such a violation had occurred, it was unlikely to be an isolated case.

The residence was just the tip of the iceberg. Their daily food, clothing, and travel were likely full of similar violations.

Li Mu now had a firsthand understanding of the salt merchants’ audaciousness.

They were riddled with vulnerabilities from head to toe. The imperial court truly didn’t need to gather evidence to take them down.

…

“Lord Chiliarch, the Yangzhou Prefecture has sent an invitation, requesting your presence at a welcome banquet on the Qinhuai River.”

Upon receiving this news, a faint smile touched Li Mu’s lips.

He had thought that after the unpleasant meeting at the docks today, the Yangzhou Prefecture would not arrange a welcome banquet.

He hadn’t expected these officials to be even more thick-skinned than he had imagined.

“Advisor Lan, what do you think the Yangzhou Prefecture is up to?”

Every place has its own rules.

Li Mu wanted to experience the charms of the Qinhuai River, but in the end, reason prevailed.

The capital garrisons were still dawdling on the road, yet the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had come south first. No matter how he looked at it, something felt wrong.

“Your Excellency, they should at least show the intent to welcome you. It’s a custom in officialdom. Although there was a small incident during the day, that was public business. Tonight’s meeting is a private affair. Officials in the Jiangnan region have always drawn a clear line between public and private matters. However, our arrival this time has been too grand and has touched a raw nerve with the local officials. Perhaps at the banquet later, they will look for an opportunity to probe us.”

Lan Linjie said after a moment of thought.

Although he was from Jiangnan, his understanding of its official circles was still limited to discussions with his former classmates.

He didn’t know the specifics of why the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had come south in such force, but one thing was certain: the imperial court did not trust the local government of Yangzhou.

“Forget it, I have no interest in playing games with them. Tell the messenger that I am feeling unwell and it is inconvenient for me to attend tonight’s banquet!”

Li Mu nodded and said.

As far as he knew, it wasn’t just the capital garrisons and the Five Wards traveling south this time; high-ranking members of the Eastern Depot and Jinyiwei were also secretly making their way down.

Whether they were still on the way or had already arrived in Yangzhou City ahead of them was currently unknown.

If they were planning to stir up trouble, tonight’s banquet would be the perfect opportunity.

Others might not know who the true masters behind the Lianghuai salt industry were, but the two major secret service agencies definitely did.

These great families not only controlled the salt industry, but the entertainment businesses on the Qinhuai River were also inextricably linked to them.

“Lord Chiliarch, has the imperial court truly decided to reform the salt administration?”

Lan Linjie asked with some hesitation.

As an advisor, he shouldn’t pry into matters his master hadn’t brought up.

But some questions had been bottled up inside him for too long, and he truly couldn’t hold them back any longer.

“Why? Do you also have ties to these salt merchants?”

Li Mu asked half-jokingly.

He had inquired about his advisor’s background.

His family owned a few hundred mu of land, making them minor landowners in the Jiangnan region. It was only in Lan Linjie’s generation that they made the leap in social status to join the ranks of the gentry.

A small fry like him, if he wanted to get involved in the salt business, could at best work as an accountant for a salt merchant.

“Your Excellency jests. How could this student have any connection to the salt merchants. It’s just that during my studies, I heard my classmates mention some of the salt merchants’ deeds. Their networks are extremely complex, and they hold great influence locally, making them very difficult to deal with. The slightest misstep could trigger civil unrest!”

Chapter 44: Ambushed

“Mr. Lan, I am a military official. It is inconvenient for me to get involved in many things.

“There’s a rule in officialdom: Don’t meddle in affairs that aren’t your concern.

“Appeasing the public is something the Yangzhou Prefecture needs to consider. Besides, the Provincial Administration Commissioner’s Office is overseeing them. It’s not my place as a Chiliarch to interfere.

“Since you have classmates in Yangzhou, you should take this opportunity to pay them a visit. You can catch up on old times and also conveniently inquire about the situation in Yangzhou.”

Li Mu couldn’t help but offer this advice.

As it turned out, a competent advisor needs to be tempered by time.

This was a result of his background. Coming from the middle and lower strata of society, his understanding of the rules of officialdom was severely lacking.

No matter how talented he was, until his perspective and way of thinking changed, he could only help with miscellaneous tasks.

As for those experienced advisors, Li Mu didn’t dare to use them.

Their political affiliations were a secondary concern; the key issue was that the experience they had accumulated was mostly unscrupulous.

Their abilities aside, they certainly had little moral integrity left.

“Thank you for your guidance, my lord!” Lan Linjie said, his face flush with shame.

It should have been the advisor reminding his benefactor, but because of his lack of experience in officialdom, it was Li Mu, the benefactor, who had to guide him, the advisor.

He had originally felt it was beneath him to follow a Chiliarch, but now he saw that his own shortcomings were many.

He didn’t even understand the rules of the game in officialdom. Forget about realizing his ambitions; if he were to truly become an official, he probably wouldn’t even know what killed him.

…

At dusk, pleasure boats gathered on the Qinhuai River, their lights reflecting on the water’s surface, shimmering brilliantly.

Melodious zither music, ethereal singing, and captivating dances filled the air.

Even for those accustomed to grand sights, the unique charm of Jiangnan captivated the crowd of young nobles.

Seeing this, Hao Xingfeng nodded in satisfaction. This was precisely the effect he wanted.

If there was one thing Yangzhou City had in abundance, it was beautiful women.

With the salt merchant case having escalated to this point, he no longer knew how to resolve it.

If the problem could be solved over drinks, that would be for the best. After all, the one thing the Yangzhou salt merchants didn’t lack was money.

Deep down, he had already resolved to get a transfer out of Yangzhou as soon as he survived this ordeal.

He had already skimmed more than enough in recent years.

If one walks by the river too often, one’s shoes are bound to get wet.

After a few cups of wine, the atmosphere grew even more lively.

Some of the profligate sons who couldn’t control themselves were already starting to show their true colors.

They left the private room in twos and threes to find their own a-musement.

As the official of highest standing, the Marquis of Wuyang calmly drank and ate with the other Yangzhou officials, as if he hadn’t seen a thing happening around him.

“My lord, something’s not right! The yamen runners at the door report that many strangers have appeared outside, and they seem to be carrying weapons.”

The news from Advisor Zhu gave Hao Xingfeng a fright.

The guests at today’s banquet were all dignitaries from the capital.

If any accidents were to happen, he could forget about keeping his position as prefect.

Thinking of the salt smugglers’ men under the arrested salt merchants—a group that could spiral out of control at any moment—he instantly realized the situation was dire.

Having thought of this, Prefect Hao immediately ordered, “Advisor Zhu, send men to disperse them at once.”

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…

In the end, he was a step too late. The sound of a volley of arrows shattered the peace and revelry of the pleasure boat.

How could the yamen runners, who could only swagger before common folk, be a match for a mob of ferocious salt smugglers’ thugs?

After a brief clash, the fighting spread inside the boat.

The sounds of people fleeing for their lives and screaming in agony pierced the night sky, spreading in all directions.

“Go easy on them! This mission was ordered by the Seven Great Lords themselves. These high officials from the capital are only useful if you capture them alive!”

The scar-faced leader barked at his underlings who were slashing about indiscriminately.

The charge was too fast, and the prefecture’s soldiers offered no resistance at all, which was completely different from what they had planned.

In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, there were over a hundred casualties inside the pleasure boat. The rest scattered in all directions, completely failing to mount any organized resistance.

…

After escaping the pleasure boat through a dog hole under the cover of his household guards, the Marquis of Wuyang couldn’t help but fly into a rage.

“Prefect Hao, you really know how to pick a place!”

Although he knew his purpose in coming here was to throw his allies under the bus, this was just too pathetic.

The hidden inside story couldn’t be made public, so Hao Xingfeng would just have to take the fall.

He had arranged the venue, so naturally, he was responsible for security. Now that the nobles from the capital and the officials of the Yangzhou Prefecture had suffered heavy casualties, he, the prefect, was the one primarily responsible.

“My Lord, I’ve been wronged! If I had known there were rebels hiding in Yangzhou City, I would have sent men to arrest them immediately. It must have been a dereliction of duty from my subordinates that allowed these traitors to slip in!”

Hao Xingfeng explained in a panic.

Deep down, he already hated those salt merchants to the bone.

He’d been an official for over a decade and had seen his share of self-destructive fools, but he’d never seen any court death quite like this.

Attacking the imperial commissioner’s entourage and clamoring about taking them alive—this was a blatant challenge to the authority of the Great Yu.

Once they were labeled as rebels, the original salt smuggling case was instantly upgraded to a case of treason.

This matter wouldn’t end without a river of blood.

“That had better be the case. As we were leaving just now, I faintly heard the rebels mention the ‘Seven Great Lords’. May I ask, which seven are they?”

The moment the Marquis of Wuyang spoke, Hao Xingfeng was scared stiff.

The masterminds behind the Lianghuai salt industry just so happened to be a coalition of seven great families.

For the ‘Seven Great Lords’ to pop up here, he couldn’t believe it was a coincidence.

Could it be that these people truly wanted to rebel?

The thought had just arisen when he immediately quashed it.

Although the Great Yu had suffered constant natural and man-made disasters in recent years, the imperial court’s response had been competent enough, and no major chaos had erupted.

To raise the banner of rebellion at a time like this would be a sure sign of a death wish.

Besides, the seven great families were competitors themselves, with no end to their private conflicts. How could they unite just because they said so?

“My Lord, perhaps this is an alias used by the rebels to deliberately mislead us,” Hao Xingfeng offered as a forced explanation.

In any case, he didn’t believe the seven great families of Lianghuai could be idiotic enough to plan such a reckless attack and deliberately leak their identity.

“Oh, perhaps I was overthinking it then. However, your Yangzhou Prefecture’s soldiers are truly useless. For the safety of Yangzhou, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions will be taking over the city’s defenses. You have no objections, do you?”

The dagger was revealed at the map’s end. If Hao Xingfeng still hadn’t realized something was wrong, he had no business being in officialdom.

“My Lord, this is against regulations!”

Once Yangzhou’s defenses were handed over, the Marquis of Wuyang would hold all the power.

The subsequent development of the situation would be entirely dictated by the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, making it difficult for him to even interfere.

“These are exceptional circumstances, Prefect Hao. Don’t bring trouble upon yourself!” the Marquis of Wuyang warned with a cold smile.

If he was willing to cooperate, it would be a peaceful transfer of power.

If they couldn’t reach an agreement, it would be a forcible takeover.

He already had his reason ready: someone in the Yangzhou Prefecture yamen had colluded with the rebels to attack the imperial commissioner’s entourage.

This person could be some unlucky yamen runner, some subordinate official in the yamen, or it could even be the Prefect of Yangzhou himself.

Chapter 45: Sweeping Up

“My Lord, it’s a great relief that you are unharmed!”

Upon receiving news of the attack on the banquet, Li Mu had forsaken sleep and rushed over with his men at the earliest opportunity.

“Enough with the pleasantries. Quickly arrange for your men to take control of Yangzhou’s defenses. We can’t let the rebels escape!”

Receiving the Marquis of Wuyang’s order, Li Mu knew that in tonight’s banquet-turned-trap, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had come out the victor.

“My Lord, the city is in utter chaos right now, and I didn’t bring many soldiers with me. It would be better to escort you and the other lords back first. Once we’ve gathered our forces, we can go and arrest the rebels,” Li Mu advised tactfully.

A band of rebels had popped up at just the right time, targeting the imperial envoy’s retinue, no less. The timing, place, and occasion were all so perfectly orchestrated that it was too much of a coincidence. Who knew if they were real rebels or fake ones? If they cornered these people and uncovered some information they weren’t supposed to, it would be a catastrophe.

“Hmm, that’s reasonable. Escort us back first. The safety of our colleagues from the Yangzhou Prefecture will be in your hands. There must not be any mishaps!” the Marquis of Wuyang said with a knowing smile.

Protecting them was just a pretense; the real goal was to place the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture under house arrest. The court was about to perform major surgery on the Lianghuai salt administration, which would inevitably harm the interests of these local powers. With everyone gathered here, it was the perfect time to strike first and detain them.

“My Lord, we have the prefecture’s soldiers to protect us. It would be better to have your men go after the rebels first! Many of our colleagues are still trapped in Changchun Tower. If you go quickly enough, you should be able to save many of them,” Hao Xingfeng refused decisively.

This was an outrageous insult. He had arranged a reception for the imperial envoy out of goodwill, and not only had it come to nothing, but he was now to be placed under house arrest. If he tolerated this, he might as well change his title from Prefect of Yangzhou to Prefect Tortoise.

“Someone within the Yangzhou Prefecture is colluding with the rebels. Chiliarch Li, I want you to investigate this thoroughly for me. Make sure you root out this traitor!”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s threat quickly sobered the indignant crowd of Yangzhou officials.

A wise man knew not to fight a losing battle. They were surrounded by soldiers of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. The few yamen runners they had with them were no match at all. If they fell out now, these brutes from the capital would show no regard for their status. A beating would be a minor issue; their greatest fear was that the Marquis of Wuyang would actually frame them, pinning the crime of colluding with rebels on them.

“Rest assured, My Lord. I will not fail you. I will root out the traitors!” Li Mu immediately chimed in.

Receiving the Marquis’s order to hunt down the Traitorous Faction meant he now had greater initiative in the subsequent operations in Yangzhou. Investigating a case required evidence, but to arrest rebels, suspicion was enough.

…

Across the Qinhuai River, a middle-aged man was holding a telescope imported from the West, enjoying the spectacle of the slaughter inside Changchun Tower.

“The fighting is over, yet the city’s government troops still haven’t arrived. It seems the hostages won’t be of any use for now. Never mind. Since the mission is complete, there’s no need to waste any more time. Ding Yang, give them the signal. Take the surviving hostages and retreat from Yangzhou City immediately!”

More than two hours had passed since the fighting had broken out. Under normal circumstances, the officials who had escaped Changchun Tower would have already returned with the city’s troops. The original plan was to use the hostages in their hands to force the troops to clear a path for them to retreat from Yangzhou City.

Unfortunately, plans could not keep up with changes. They had their plan of action, and the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had theirs. From the Marquis of Wuyang’s perspective, legally seizing control of Yangzhou City was the top priority; rescuing cannon fodder was a secondary objective.

Any officials of note from the Yangzhou Prefecture had been placed under house arrest by Li Mu and his men, and the various government offices were being taken over by the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions one after another. The soldiers who had received the news and assembled had been conveniently absorbed by the Five Wards’ men and were currently busy being reorganized. For the time being, they simply couldn’t be bothered with the situation over here.

“I… Master Zhou, rest assured. We brothers are professionals at this sort of work. On the Lianghuai salt routes, everyone knows our methods are the most ruthless. Forget capturing a few titled nobles—even if you wanted the head of that damn imperial envoy, we could deliver it to you!”

Realizing his slip of the tongue, Ding Yang hastily raised his voice and changed his tone.

“Big-Eyed Dragon, I admire your style. Don’t you worry. After this job is done, you’ll be one of us in the Lianghuai Seven Families Alliance. In the future, you’ll definitely get a piece of the Great Yu’s private salt trade. If the plan goes smoothly, you might even become a king or a marquis yourself!” the middle-aged man responded with a hearty laugh.

He spoke these treasonous words without any intention of hiding them from outsiders, allowing the guests in the adjacent private rooms to hear every word clearly.

Their grandstanding complete, the two leaped from a second-floor window and vanished from the scene.

…

Time ticked by, and the first rays of sunlight pierced the darkness.

Li Mu, who had been busy all night, appeared at Changchun Tower with his soldiers, moving at a leisurely pace. He was speechless as he looked at the thick crowd of onlookers gathered around the scene. The Chinese passion for spectating was truly something else, not even sparing a murder scene.

“Official business! All idle personnel, stand back!”

At the soldiers’ shout, the crowd quickly parted to form a path, though they continued to watch from a distance.

“Inspect the scene and search for survivors. Pay close attention to the evidence. Do not miss a single clue!” Li Mu commanded, deliberately emphasizing his words.

If last night’s operation had been orchestrated by the Factory Guards, then the scene would surely be filled with evidence pointing in a very specific direction. When rebels were involved, the investigation had to be thorough. With suspicion, they could bring people in for questioning. Once the parties involved were in prison, the initiative in this game would naturally fall into the court’s hands.

Work like this had to be done quickly. Once these people realized the court intended to strike a fatal blow, they would not just sit back and wait for death.

“Lord Chiliarch, Vice-Commander Chu is still alive!”

Hearing the report from one of his soldiers, Li Mu’s brow furrowed.

To have survived a scene like last night’s…真是应了那句祸害遗千年! It was a true testament to the saying that a scourge lasts for a thousand years.

This brother of Consort Chu was a notorious profligate in the capital who had committed every imaginable foul deed. The reason he had always remained at liberty was not just because of the Consort’s face, but also because the man knew to bully the weak and fear the strong, only ever picking on the helpless.

What was most infuriating was that, banking on his title as Vice-Commander, he dared to call Li Mu “little Li,” an act of sheer audacity.

“Lead the way!” Li Mu said, his expression unchanged.

No matter how unwilling he was on the inside, he had to keep up appearances.

“What are you standing around for? Hurry up and carry Vice-Commander Chu out of here! Take him back to the prefecture office for treatment! Wait, Vice-Commander Chu’s wounds haven’t fully healed. Moving his body now will surely cause him to bleed. You, bandage him up first.”

Li Mu casually pointed at the soldier leading the way and gave his order.

“My Lord, I… I don’t know how to bandage wounds!” the young soldier who was singled out replied with a miserable look on his face.

“Just do as I say! Is anyone born knowing how? There are so many corpses on the ground. Can’t you even tear a piece of cloth from one of them and wrap it around Vice-Commander Chu’s wound a couple of times?” Li Mu immediately chided.

In front of so many eyes, this was the most he could do. If Vice-Commander Chu still managed to survive this ordeal, then he truly had a tenacious hold on life.

Chapter 46: Surfacing

“Lord Chiliarch, we’ve found some marked waist tokens, suspected to have been left by the culprits!”

Hearing this, Li Mu could no longer be bothered with Vice-Commander Chu’s life or death and went forward to inspect them directly.

“Collect them carefully. Later, have the Jinyiwei send someone to inspect them and confirm which faction these tokens belong to.”

After examining them for a long while, he couldn’t make any sense of them. Li Mu couldn’t be bothered to dwell on it and chose to dump the problem on the Jinyiwei.

The powers of the two great intelligence agencies of the Great Yu seemed to overlap, but their operational focuses were different.

The Eastern Depot’s main area of activity was centered in the capital, radiating outwards.

The Jinyiwei, on the other hand, was a nationwide organization with strongholds in all major prefectures, and its reach even extended to neighboring countries.

When it came to tracking down the powers behind the scenes, they were the right people for the job.

After this brief interlude, the cleanup continued, but the focus had shifted to tallying the casualties.

Many colleagues from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had attended the banquet last night. Aside from those who were with the Marquis of Wuyang and escaped safely, the rest were still unaccounted for.

It was imperative to quickly determine who had been captured and who had unfortunately perished.

Looking at the mutilated corpses, Li Mu suppressed his internal discomfort and insisted on working on the front line.

“Lord Chiliarch, we’ve found an eyewitness from last night!”

Centurion Yun said, his face flush with excitement.

The appearance of an eyewitness signified a major turning point in the case.

The nature of last night’s incident was so heinous that it was hard to find a parallel in the history of the Great Yu.

Solving such a major case would be a great merit.

While nothing was guaranteed, everyone present could expect at least a one-rank promotion; with luck, it could even be two or three.

“Bring him over. This official will question him personally.”

Li Mu ordered with a straight face.

The slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, however, betrayed his good mood.

With a new clue, they were one step closer to the “true culprit” behind the scenes surfacing.

Regardless of whether someone had deliberately arranged it, as long as the investigation yielded a result, it would be a great achievement.

It didn’t even matter if all the evidence was flawed.

In essence, what they needed now was a list of names, not evidence.

Finding evidence was a mere formality, a show put on for the world to see.

“Your Excellency, last night, my brothers and I were drinking at the Yihong Brothel, across the river from Changchun Tower.

“Suddenly, we heard shouts of battle from across the way. Looking in the direction of the sound, we saw a group of men in black storming Changchun Tower.

“Our view was obstructed by the buildings, so we couldn’t see what was happening inside, but we know the fighting lasted for over an hour.

“Oh, right! In the private room next to ours, an accomplice of the criminals sent them a signal to retreat.

“The leader was muttering about a Lianghuai Seven Prefectures Alliance and their plan to control the world’s private salt trade.

“Finally, he madly spouted a bunch of treasonous words. The specific content was too vile to repeat; this humble student cannot bring himself to say it!”

“Your Excellency, everything Brother Wang said is true! The song girls at the Yihong Brothel can also testify.

“The people in the other private rooms should have heard it too. We can all be questioned together.

“Just please don’t let the Jinyi—”

Realizing his slip of the tongue, the young scholar immediately slapped himself hard across the face.

Normally, when encountering such a matter, most people would avoid it at all costs. Few would willingly step forward.

They chose to present themselves because they heard the Jinyiwei were investigating the case and planned to interrogate all the guests on the opposite bank from last night.

Compared to the notorious reputation of the Jinyiwei, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, which dealt with profligate sons’ brawls daily, seemed far more benevolent in the public eye.

“Alright, there’s no need to be so agitated.

“This case is being handled by my Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. The Jinyiwei cannot interfere without authorization.

“You only need to tell what you know. This official will shield you from the Jinyiwei!”

Li Mu promised, taking full responsibility.

So many “important people” had died last night, and many more had been captured by the enemy. This was no ordinary case.

It involved the reputations of numerous powerful figures in the capital. The slightest misstep could bring trouble upon oneself, and a smart person would steer clear.

The sons of the titled nobility couldn’t be allowed to die in vain. The credit for investigating the case had to fall to someone within the nobility—this was the tacit understanding among all parties.

“Your Excellency, that’s all we know!” the young scholar said with a mournful face.

If they had known they would run into something like this, they wouldn’t have gone out last night.

Their night of carousing was ruined, and they had even landed themselves in a perilous situation.

“Alright, this official understands!

“If there are follow-up questions, this official will send someone to summon you.

“You are not to leave Yangzhou Prefecture until the case is solved.

“If you recall anything else, you can also come and report it.

“If you provide information that helps solve the case, this official will naturally request a commendation from the imperial court on your behalf.

“By the way, have you ever heard of this ‘Lianghuai Seven Prefectures Alliance’?”

Li Mu asked, changing the subject.

First it was the “Seven Great Lords,” now a “Seven Prefectures Alliance.” It was clearly meant to direct the investigation toward the seven prefectures.

If all went as expected, the waist tokens left by the culprits would also point to the same target.

The addition of the word “alliance” confirmed that the seven prefectures were not a single entity, but an alliance of multiple powers, or perhaps, someone wanted them to be defined as an “alliance.”

Ever since the scourge of the powerful clans, rulers of feudal dynasties had intensified their crackdown on local lineages.

After the founding of the Great Yu, restrictive laws were repeatedly enacted to curb the infinite expansion of these local clans.

An alliance between local clans was an absolute taboo for the imperial court.

If the great clans of the Lianghuai region had secretly formed an alliance, the imperial court would have to purge them, even without the matter of the salt administration.

“Your Excellency, we’ve never heard of a Seven Prefectures Alliance, only the Seven Great… of Lianghuai…”

Halfway through his sentence, the scholar in white realized the gravity of the situation.

To them, the Seven Great Families of the Lianghuai region were practically gods.

Although on the surface they were all scholarly families, no different from ordinary gentry clans, in secret, anyone who offended them would meet a miserable end.

Even high-ranking court officials assigned to the Lianghuai region had to pay their respects to these local tyrants if they wanted a comfortable term.

“The Seven Great Families of Lianghuai. That sounds quite arrogant.

“Today, this official would like to broaden his horizons. May I ask which families they are?”

Li Mu asked with a smile.

It was exactly seven families; the numbers matched perfectly. This Seven Prefectures Alliance was most likely them.

“Your Excellency, we were just spouting nonsense! Please don’t take it to heart!”

The scholar in green robes beside him said in a panic.

Although they were also sons of the gentry, their families were on a completely different level from the Seven Great Families.

If the Seven Great Families found out that they were the ones who led the officials to them, their lives would be forfeit.

“Hmph!”

“I told you to speak, so answer quickly.

“The sky of the Great Yu belongs to the Emperor! No matter how fearsome the Seven Great Families are, do you think they can blot out the sky with a single hand?!”

Li Mu reprimanded them sharply.

The merit was being served to him on a platter; how could he give up halfway?

No matter how powerful the Seven Great Families were, they couldn’t withstand the imperial court’s deliberate targeting this time.

Chapter 47: An Invented Crime

“Your Excellency, we really can’t say!

It’s best you don’t ask, either. Anyone who has crossed the Seven Great Families has had their family ruined.

Even the last Salt Censor…”

The trembling words of the scholar in green robes further piqued Li Mu’s curiosity.

The previous Salt Censor had died of smallpox, which had caused quite a stir at the time. The imperial court had even issued a special decree reiterating the ban on officials frequenting brothels.

Now, it seemed there was a hidden story behind the last Salt Censor’s death as well.

“Never mind. I will take you to see the Marquis of Wuyang.

As an imperial commissioner, and the Emperor’s own maternal uncle, I think he should be qualified to handle this matter!”

Though the merit was tempting, the risk was equally great.

A pawn should do a pawn’s job. Now that the investigation had led to the Seven Great Families, his task was complete.

As for how to convict these families, it was best to leave that to his superiors.

The Zhou Residence.

An old, white-haired man was casting grains of wheat into a pond.

“My lord, this is terrible!”

“Something has happened in Yangzhou City!”

The steward’s abrupt words shattered the old man’s good mood. Instinct told him trouble was coming.

In fact, he had sensed danger ever since the salt merchants were arrested.

But he hadn’t taken it to heart. Those salt merchants had indeed been a bit too arrogant in recent years; it was only normal for the court to take notice.

Similar things had happened in the past.

The court would arrest people, and they would simply replace them with a new batch of more obedient agents.

If they let these salt merchants operate indefinitely, constantly expanding their network of connections, that would be the real disaster.

“What’s happened in Yangzhou City now?

Don’t tell me the court has convicted those salt merchants!” the old, white-haired man said with a cold smile.

He had not been idle these past few days.

He had utilized the clan’s entire network to gather information on all matters, large and small, that had recently occurred at court.

Factional struggle in the court was severe, and the Emperor was also set on investigating military lands. All the factions were busy, so who had time for anything else?

“My lord, Yangzhou City’s gates were suddenly sealed. People can enter, but no one can leave.

An informant risked his life to send a message. The court dispatched the Marquis of Wuyang as an imperial commissioner, and he arrived in Yangzhou City yesterday.

He didn’t come alone this time; he brought a large number of soldiers with him.

Last night, during a banquet held in his honor by the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture, they were suddenly attacked by rebels.

The specific details are unknown, but afterward, the Marquis of Wuyang’s men took control of the city’s defenses, and all the Yangzhou Prefecture officials have been detained in the government office!”

As the steward finished speaking, the old man’s brow furrowed instantly.

Private salt was rampant in the land, and the court’s salt tax revenue was falling. It was perfectly normal to send an imperial envoy to deal with it.

They were all reasonable people and wouldn’t take things too far.

When an imperial commissioner came to inspect, they would present a generous gift, and the salt tax revenue would rebound just a little.

Once the storm passed, everything would gradually return to normal.

But an imperial envoy arriving with an army—this was the first time such a thing had happened since the founding of the Great Yu Dynasty.

“This is bad!

Zhou Qi, send someone immediately to summon the clan stewards. We’ll hold a meeting tonight.”

The old man gave the order at once.

For some reason, his heart suddenly became unsettled.

His family’s involvement in the private salt trade had always been managed from behind the scenes, manipulating puppets with several layers of risk mitigation in between.

Under normal circumstances, no matter how the court investigated, they would never be able to trace it back to them.

On the surface, the Zhou family of Huainan were all law-abiding, respectable gentry.

They were always active in donating to disaster relief, building bridges, and repairing roads. They had an excellent reputation among the common people.

From the founding of the dynasty to the present day, the Zhou family had never lacked for Provincial Graduates and Palace Graduates. The highest-ranking member had even served as a Minister of one of the Six Ministries.

Across the entire Great Yu Dynasty, they were a renowned aristocratic family.

Their web of connections spread throughout Jiangnan, making them a pillar of the Pure Stream faction.

For them to have received no advance warning of such an important event as an imperial commissioner marching south with troops was clearly not normal.

A similar scene was unfolding in the manors of all the great families in Lianghuai.

Sensing the whiff of danger, each family hastily convened its high-ranking members to discuss countermeasures.

Yangzhou Prefecture Office.

After a round of interrogations, the identities of the Seven Great Families were finally obtained from the eyewitnesses.

Soon after, a creatively embellished deposition appeared before everyone, leaving Li Mu utterly dumbfounded.

As expected of an imperial in-law. He was a natural at this sort of thing.

The witnesses had clearly only identified the Seven Great families of Lianghuai, but on the written record, it had become a list of members of the seven-mansion rebel alliance.

Watching the scholars sign and press their thumbprints with trembling hands, Li Mu felt like a villain himself.

“Excellent, the rebels have finally been rooted out.

Chiliarch Li, you deserve the highest credit for the timely resolution of this case.

When we return to the capital, this marquis will personally report it to His Majesty!” the Marquis of Wuyang said, in high spirits.

A case of treason that occurred last night had its culprit identified the very next day. Such astonishing efficiency was enough to make all the officials of the court blush with shame.

As for the flaws in the evidence, those were minor issues.

Once the people were arrested, the evidence would be perfected soon enough.

At worst, there were still plenty of witnesses.

Last night’s eyewitnesses and survivors could all testify that the Seven Great Families had plotted the assassination of the imperial envoy, resulting in the deaths of several sons of the titled nobility.

“My Lord is too kind. This is merely what I ought to do.

As for the credit, Your Lordship certainly deserves the highest honor.

Without Your Lordship’s meticulous planning, I would not have been able to find the clues and identify the masterminds so quickly,” Li Mu immediately demurred.

Whether it was the highest credit or the second-highest wasn’t important. The key was that with a case like this, he really didn’t want to stand out too much.

The members of the Seven Great Families hadn’t even been caught yet.

No one could guarantee that these deeply entrenched families would be wiped out in one fell swoop.

If any survivors escaped, they would surely seek revenge later.

These people might not have the power to retaliate against the court, but carrying out a few assassinations against an individual was still a possibility.

“Enough. Are you afraid this marquis will steal your credit?

By my calculations, the men from the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei should be arriving soon. Hand over what we’ve found to them.

The capital garrisons will assist them in raiding the Seven Great Families and confiscating their assets.

For the time being, we just need to guard Yangzhou City!” the Marquis of Wuyang said curtly.

Raiding the Seven Great Families was a rare lucrative post. To be able to do nothing but watch from the sidelines was truly frustrating.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to fight for the job. It was just that this kind of work was genuinely unsuited for the men of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

With a whole yamen of rats, no matter how great a mountain of gold and silver passed through their hands, it would shrink dramatically.

And yet, these men were all connected, either relatives of the Emperor or descendants of meritorious officials.

These people were the foundation of imperial power, the cornerstone of the empire.

If a scandal erupted because of corruption, it would be difficult for the Emperor to handle.

After all, imperial power had its limits.

Towards those close to him, he had to show sufficient leniency to win their hearts.

The best way to handle it was to not test human nature with profit, to not give them the opportunity to make a grave mistake.

Chapter 48: Storm Over Yangzhou City

Huai’an Prefecture.

“Left Prime Minister, you’ve come in person!”

Gu Yuansong couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.

He had thought that his own presence in the south as the Commander of the Jinyiwei, responsible for handling the confiscation of the Seven Great Families’ assets, was already a great enough honor.

He never imagined that Zuo Guang’en, the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, would also come personally.

“The Lianghuai salt administration concerns the very foundation of the empire. His Majesty was not at ease, so he dispatched this Prime Minister to oversee things in person. You may all proceed with the operation as planned; this Prime Minister will merely observe from the sidelines. By the way, besides myself, Cabinet Elder Xu of the Grand Secretariat has also come south. You must be swift. Make sure the case is sealed and settled before Cabinet Elder Xu arrives!”

Zuo Guang’en said with a chuckle.

The Seven Great Families of Lianghuai had secretly manipulated the empire’s salt industry for nearly a century, accumulating a truly astronomical fortune.

The Emperor wouldn’t feel at ease entrusting such immense wealth to any single person.

Titled nobility, imperial in-laws, the Jinyiwei, the Eastern Depot, and the Pure Stream faction had all been brought in, essentially to supervise one another.

With political rivals watching, no one would dare to overstep their bounds, even if they were tempted to reach out a hand.

Although Zuo Guang’en claimed he wouldn’t interfere, he was, in fact, the highest authority in charge of the Lianghuai salt affair.

That this great responsibility had been entrusted to him was proof enough that Emperor Tianyuan’s trust in him far exceeded that of anyone else.

“Rest assured, Left Prime Minister. According to our plan, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions have already traced the matter to the Seven Great Families. The Marquis of Wuyang has sent an official dispatch ordering us to confiscate their assets as soon as possible. Considering their local influence, we will take action immediately, as soon as the men from the capital garrisons arrive!”

Gu Yuansong immediately assured him.

The Directorate of Ceremonial did not want the Pure Stream Faction interfering, and neither did the Jinyiwei.

No matter how meticulously they planned, flaws would eventually emerge.

The court’s overall agenda was not the same as the Pure Stream faction’s.

If the Pure Stream faction discovered a flaw, no one could guarantee that those fellows wouldn’t stab them in the back at a critical moment.

In essence, this operation was a redistribution of the salt industry’s profits.

There was only so much profit to go around. The court was currently short on funds and needed to take a larger share.

The titled nobility, imperial in-laws, and the Factory Guards had also gotten involved, each wanting a piece of the pie.

Taking down just the Seven Great Families wasn’t enough; it would also cut into the interests of the Pure Stream Faction.

If nothing else, the donations received by the major academies within the Pure Stream faction’s sphere of influence would shrink dramatically this year.

The year-end tributes of charcoal and ice that capital officials received would also be greatly reduced.

“The capital garrisons switched from land to water routes midway through their journey and will arrive at Huai’an Prefecture in two days. With the power of the Seven Great families, they will receive news the moment our army enters the Lianghuai region, no matter how hard we try to blockade information. Keep a close watch on their every move. If the situation changes, act at once. You can force them into rebellion, but you absolutely must not let them launch an organized uprising!”

Zuo Guang’en’s words made the expressions of everyone present turn grim.

They had laid out such an elaborate plan precisely to strike a fatal blow, giving the enemy no chance to resist.

But the meaning the Left Prime Minister now conveyed was clearly for them to deliberately force the Seven Great Families into rebellion.

The benefit of doing so was obvious: as soon as these people raised the banner of rebellion, any flaws in the case against them would cease to exist.

The Pure Stream faction would never try to overturn a verdict against rebels—that was a matter of principle.

It would also provide an opportunity to use the rebel army to implicate more members of the Pure Stream Faction and weaken their political opponents.

The drawback was equally obvious. The slightest misstep could cause the situation in Lianghuai to spiral out of control, and it might even spread to all of Jiangnan.

If the Emperor held them accountable, the ones carrying out the orders would very likely end up as the scapegoats.

…

Strolling through the streets of Yangzhou, Li Mu felt a sense of listlessness.

Affected by the city’s lockdown, merchants had shuttered their doors and windows, and the common people no longer walked the streets, fearing they would be caught up in trouble.

The once-bustling Yangzhou City had suddenly become desolate.

“Send down the order: notify all merchants in the city to open for business. Tell them that the case of the rebels assassinating the imperial commissioner has been solved, and the court has already dispatched troops to capture the culprits. They have no need to be alarmed,” Li Mu ordered decisively.

The common folk had limited supplies stored at home. Order in the city had to be restored as quickly as possible, or else great chaos would erupt.

It was a pathetic situation, when he thought about it.

All of his colleagues had their eyes on the salt merchants locked away in prison, everyone busy making a fortune, while he was the unlucky one saddled with the heavy responsibility of managing Yangzhou City.

The political world valued balance; one person couldn’t monopolize all the benefits.

The credit for solving the case was greatly inflated. Li Mu had merely discerned the will of his superiors and moved to advance their ideas one step ahead of everyone else.

Had it been someone else, there might have been a few more twists and turns, but the task would have been completed all the same.

The Marquis of Wuyang had still given him the primary credit, so when it came time to make money, Li Mu naturally knew to step aside tactfully.

Having personally participated in convicting the salt merchant cartel and witnessed the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai become meat on the chopping block, Li Mu had become quite detached about wealth.

Greed was the original sin.

The salt merchant cartel was the best cautionary tale.

Salt was a necessity of life. In an era of peace with a steadily growing population, salt tax revenues should have steadily increased.

At its peak, the Great Yu’s annual salt tax revenue was 3.3 million taels. By the sixth year of Emperor Tianyuan’s reign, it had fallen to just 1.3 million taels, with the sharpest decline seen in the Lianghuai salt industry.

To address the problem of the continuously falling salt tax, the court had repeatedly sent officials to inspect the salt routes, but to little effect.

The bizarre death of the last Salt Censor had thoroughly disgusted the Emperor.

Since gentle persuasion failed to make them part with their money willingly, he would simply send his own people to take it.

“Your Excellency, this is bad!

A group of scholars has gathered in the west of the city. It seems they intend to cause trouble at the government office,” Centurion Deng said in a panic.

The status of scholars and the literati had reached its zenith in the Great Yu Dynasty.

Every time scholars caused a disturbance, it created a sensation.

Handling such matters was the most difficult of tasks.

The slightest misstep, and a scholar’s brush could also kill.

“Do I have to teach you how to handle something so simple?

Immediately dispatch men to seal off the nearby streets in the name of apprehending traitors, and trap this bunch of troublemakers inside.

Whoever dares to lead the trouble is an accomplice of the rebels.

Find an opportunity to drag out the organizers and investigate their social backgrounds.

They know full well we are handling a case of treason, yet someone still dares to emerge at a time like this. I refuse to believe there isn’t someone behind this pulling the strings!”

Li Mu ordered coldly.

He was clearly the court, representing the side of justice, yet now he felt more and more like the villain.

He didn’t like the feeling, but the job had to be done.

The salt administration was tied to the finances of the Great Yu, and its finances were tied to the very survival of the empire.

On this issue, anyone who dared to jump out and make trouble was an enemy of the empire.

As a member of the titled nobility’s camp, Li Mu was very clear about where he stood.

“I will obey!”

Centurion Deng replied, bracing himself.

He had come to report to Li Mu precisely because he didn’t want this miserable task.

Unfortunately, it was a hot potato he just couldn’t get rid of.

But not doing it was even worse. If his inaction led to the scholars causing a major incident, he estimated another name would be added to the list of those sacrificed in the south.

Watching Centurion Deng depart, Lan Linjie slowly began to speak:

“Your Excellency, I fear this matter is related to the salt merchants.

When I was catching up with some old classmates, I heard them say that some scholars are working to rescue the arrested salt merchants.

Many scholars in the Jiangnan region have received financial support from the salt merchants, and the salt merchants hold leverage over others…”

Chapter 49: The Fall of the Yin Family

“It matters not. The Imperial Court’s determination to reform the salt administration this time exceeds that of any previous era.

The greatest obstacle has already been eliminated.

No matter how deep the salt merchants’ roots run, they will now be torn out.

If the scholars of the Lianghuai region cannot distinguish who they should be loyal to, then there is no need for them to exist.

If my calculations are correct, the reckoning should be starting about now!”

Li Mu’s words startled Lan Linjie.

Even though he was new to the darkness of the official world, he knew that this kind of classified information was not something he should be privy to.

“Thank you for the reminder, Your Excellency!”

Lan Linjie replied, his face filled with gratitude.

Many scholars in the Lianghuai region had connections to the salt merchants, including some of his own classmates and friends.

If the court wanted to eradicate the influence of the salt merchants, any scholar who spoke on their behalf or served them would naturally not have an easy time.

If they couldn’t switch sides in time and were implicated in a case of treason, death and the extermination of their clan would be upon them.

…

“Are you blind, you dogs?! This is the Yin—”

Before the gatekeeper could finish his shouting, he collapsed into a pool of his own blood.

“The Jinyiwei are on official business! Obstructors will be killed without mercy!”

Hearing this, the gatekeeper in the pool of blood twitched his fingers in indignation.

It was truly an unjust death. If these Jinyiwei had been wearing their official uniforms or had announced their identity beforehand, he absolutely wouldn’t have been so bold.

In the next moment, countless soldiers stepped over the gatekeeper’s corpse and charged into the Yin Mansion.

Every household retainer and male servant they encountered along the way paid with their life, as if the soldiers had come for the sole purpose of killing.

“My lord, this is bad!

The Jinyiwei have stormed in! They are a pack of demons, killing everyone they see!”

This news completely dumbfounded the upper echelons of the Yin family, who were in the middle of a discussion in the inner courtyard.

Everyone knew of the Jinyiwei’s notorious reputation, but they were all part of the system. Even the Jinyiwei had to follow procedures when handling a case.

“Killing everyone on sight” was not handling a case; it was a massacre of an entire family.

“Steward, have the household retainers hold the rear! Everyone else, split up and run!” the elderly Yin family patriarch commanded with split-second decisiveness.

Although he didn’t know what had happened to make the Jinyiwei unleash such slaughter upon them, fleeing for their lives was undoubtedly the right first step.

In the blink of an eye, the inner courtyard was empty.

“Father, we should hurry and leave too!

The enemy is coming in strong. The household retainers in the mansion won’t be able to hold them off for long,” a middle-aged man urged anxiously.

The senior members of the household had all fled, leaving only the four members of their main branch.

“You two, move that boulder covering the dry well. After we enter the secret passage, move it back into place.

Once that’s done, find a place to kill yourselves. Leave no trace!”

Hearing the old man’s words, two men in black walked emotionlessly to the dry well and began to move the giant stone.

Soon, the dry well came into view. Without the slightest hesitation, the old man stepped into the bamboo basket first and had the deathsworn retainers slowly lower him down.

In an instant, all four of them had entered the secret passage, and the sound of the great stone being moved echoed once more.

“Father, since there was a secret passage right here in the inner courtyard, why did you take the long way around and have the clansmen risk escaping from the east and west courtyards?” the middle-aged man asked with a frown.

Great and powerful families were never short on escape routes. The Yin Mansion alone had multiple secret passages.

“Third Son, you are still too naive!

The Jinyiwei monitors the entire realm, and their intelligence-gathering ability is second to none. Who can guarantee that there isn’t one of their informants in our mansion?

Since they chose to move against us, this entire area must be under their surveillance.

Without anyone to draw their attention, how could we possibly escape?

The fact that the enemy timed their attack so perfectly could mean that there are Jinyiwei spies even among our own family and clansmen.”

The old man’s cold words sent a chill down the spines of the other three.

To sacrifice so many family members and clansmen for a mere possibility ran completely contrary to the education they had received since childhood.

“Grandfather, this…”

Before his eldest grandson could finish, the old man cut him off.

“I know you harbor resentment in your hearts, but some sacrifices must be made.

Unlike in the past, our enemy this time is the Imperial Court.

The resources the court can mobilize are far beyond what a single family like ours can match.

If I’m not mistaken, the officials from our clan who serve in the court have likely already met with misfortune.

Since we are now pitted against the court, our friends, relatives, old acquaintances, protégés, and former subordinates from the past are all unreliable now.

Do you believe me when I say that the moment we show our faces, someone will sell us out in exchange for a reward from the court?”

No matter how powerful the Yin family was, it was still a family that existed under the system of the Great Yu dynasty.

When they came into conflict with that system, the network of connections they were once so proud of became a death warrant.

The issues with intelligence from the capital were the biggest warning sign, but they hadn’t been vigilant at the time.

They had relied too much on the rules of the political game. They had acted as local tyrants in the Lianghuai region for so long that they had forgotten there were people in the world who could operate outside those rules.

“Grandfather, why would the court move against us?” the youngest grandson asked, puzzled.

In his memory, the Yin family of Lianghuai were model gentry.

They had friends throughout the court and the country, and they enjoyed a sterling reputation among their neighbors.

“For money!” the old man said bitterly.

In this moment of crisis, he suddenly realized how laughable the pursuit of money and profit, which he had strived for his entire life, truly was.

The salt trade was inherently a business of exorbitant profit. Even if they had paid their taxes honestly, they still would have made a fortune.

Unfortunately, in the face of shimmering silver, it was all too easy for a person’s desires to lead them astray.

To maximize their profits, the seven great families had secretly manipulated salt merchants to sell smuggled salt, constantly eroding the court’s salt tax revenue.

They had thought that as long as they had the right connections, there would be no problems.

They had never imagined that disaster would strike so suddenly.

In the past, whenever the court had wanted to reform the salt administration, word would leak out in advance.

Relying on their meticulously cultivated network of connections, they could fill the imperial court with voices of opposition, vetoing any and all reform proposals.

The officials sent by the Emperor to investigate the salt tax couldn’t withstand their offensive of bribes and would fall one after another.

On the rare occasion they met an incorruptible one, he could always be physically eliminated.

One political victory after another had gradually lulled them into a false sense of security, making them forget that the only reason they could play the game was because the other side was willing to abide by the rules.

The Jinyiwei’s slaughter had shattered his illusions.

When the Emperor decided to flip the table, the network of connections he was so proud of was utterly useless.

“Father, now is not the time for grief.

Since the Jinyiwei have made their move, it means all our overt operations have been destroyed.

Without support on the official side, our covert forces could lose control at any moment.

Those vicious and desperate criminals are like starving wolves that can never be satiated.

Now that we have fallen on hard times, they might just kick us while we’re down!”

The middle-aged man, having regained his senses, immediately pointed out the key issue.

When wealth loses the power that protects it, it becomes meat on the chopping block for anyone to take a bite.

“Since the court has acted, they won’t just be targeting our family. The other families have most likely not escaped this calamity either.

There is enough food stored in the secret passage ahead, and I have deathsworn guards standing watch.

We will stay in the secret chamber for a few days. Once the Jinyiwei’s attention has moved on from us, we will leave.

When the time comes, you all will take a ship out to sea and never come back.

I will stay behind to demand justice for our dead clansmen and let Emperor Tianyuan know that the Yin family is not to be trifled with!”

Chapter 50: Cleansing the Court

The Jinyiwei’s major move could not be kept secret. News of the Yin family’s home confiscation quickly spread throughout the Lianghuai region.

“How preposterous!

These grunts are simply lawless!

…”

Xu Xintian cursed in a panicked rage.

The court had cracked down on the salt administration, yet as the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner, he hadn’t received a single piece of intelligence beforehand.

When the salt merchants were arrested earlier, he had sent people to inquire about the situation.

Letters from his colleagues in the capital had all told him to rest easy, that the court was only arresting salt merchants to crack down on smuggled salt.

The matter would be limited to merchants and would not be investigated any further.

Indeed, the smuggled salt case was not pursued. The crime the Yin family was charged with was treason.

“Lord Xu, please calm yourself. The Jinyiwei have been acting wantonly for a long time.

While the Yin family may be prominent in the Lianghuai region, they are but a second-rate family in the context of the entire Great Yu. Naturally, the Jinyiwei would not hold them in high regard.”

Salt Censor Xia Shigao, who stood beside him, offered this calm advice.

Unlike Xu Xintian, who served as the Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner, he, the Salt Censor, had only been in office for a few months.

Although he had accepted many gifts from the salt merchants, his ties to them were not deep.

Their transactional relationship was not enough to make him stand against the court for the survival of the salt industry’s interest group.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, corruption was the norm. As long as one did not go too far, there was always room for maneuver.

To have secured the lucrative post of Salt Censor, he naturally had no shortage of connections and backing.

Cabinet Elder Xu, who was currently on his way from the capital, was his patron.

He had to show deference, if not for his own sake, then for his patron’s.

As long as he did not foolishly pick sides now, he would not face any major problems.

“Lord Xia, it’s easy for you to say.

Although the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai have their disputes, they have always been united as one when facing external threats.

With the Yin family’s home confiscated, the other six families are bound to take action. The entire Lianghuai region could be thrown into chaos.

There’s no time to explain! Lord Xia, we must quickly mobilize soldiers to stop the Jinyiwei’s atrocities!”

Xu Xintian said, his face a mask of anxiety.

He did not care if Lianghuai descended into chaos, but he feared that the Jinyiwei would force the other six families into rebellion.

If it involved rebellion, the court would surely investigate the matter to the very end.

For an official like him, with close ties to the salt industry, it was already too late to cut ties.

Branded as an accomplice to rebels, at best, he would lose his head; at worst, his entire clan would perish.

To reverse the situation, the only way was to restrain the Jinyiwei’s actions and first stabilize the other six families.

If they could survive the first wave, a sliver of a chance would appear. They could all activate their network of connections at court and find a way to change the court’s decision.

“Lord Xu, you mustn’t speak so recklessly.

The great families of Lianghuai are secretly forming factions and plotting a rebellion? We must report this to the court immediately!”

Xia Shigao said, feigning confusion.

Xu Xintian’s problems were too great; he had become a sacrificial pawn for the Pure Stream Faction. But Xia Shigao was not.

In this situation, what he needed to do was stabilize the Salt Administration office and await the arrival of his mentor, Cabinet Elder Xu.

He was not foolish enough to risk offending the Emperor, the titled nobility, and the Eunuch Faction by jumping out to confront the Jinyiwei for the sake of the salt merchants’ survival.

A rebellion by the six great families would be a disaster for the entire Pure Stream Faction, but for individuals or small cliques within the faction, it could be an opportunity.

First, the moral pressure of abandoning one’s allies would no longer exist. No one wanted to be associated with rebels; ties had to be cut, no matter how close the relationship.

With the cleansing of the Lianghuai gentry, many positions at court would surely be freed up, increasing everyone’s chances of advancement.

Lianghuai was economically developed and culturally prosperous, a veritable cradle for Provincial and Palace Graduates.

Affected by the case of treason, the number of participants in next year’s imperial civil service examinations would be greatly reduced. With fewer candidates who had powerful connections to pull strings, the chances of their own children succeeding would soar.

It was true that some officials’ incomes would decrease, but those who lost income and those who benefited were not necessarily the same people.

No matter how profitable the salt industry was, it could not bribe all the officials of Great Yu; the majority were not qualified to take their money.

…

“Patriarch, the Yin family wasn’t just subjected to home confiscation. The Jinyiwei are aiming to slaughter the whole clan.

According to eyewitnesses, the Jinyiwei only captured three survivors. The rest, men and women, old and young, were all executed.

The court is coming for us! If we don’t fight back now, we’re all finished!”

The young man’s voice was filled with agitation.

His younger sister had just married into the Yin family a few months ago, and now this sudden disaster had struck.

A calamity unfolding before one’s eyes was the easiest way to feel the pain.

The crime the Yin family had been charged with was treason. According to The Laws of Great Yu, he was on the list of those to be executed.

“So be it. It is not that we are disloyal to the court, but that treacherous villains run rampant within it, seeking to take the lives of us loyal subjects.

If they won’t give us a way to live, then none of us shall live.

I will gather troops to cleanse the court, exterminate the Eunuch Faction, and restore peace to the realm.

Ziping and Ziejie, you stay. The rest of you, go and prepare!”

The old man said with a solemn expression.

Rebelling was a great challenge for a traditional scholar like him.

The sage’s books had never taught him how to stage a rebellion.

The Seven Great Families had become six, and the court’s blade was now at their necks. They had no choice but to rebel.

The others departed with trepidation, leaving only the grandfather and his two grandsons.

“You two, pack your things immediately. Take the family’s fleet and go out to sea. From now on, live in anonymity and continue the family bloodline.

Unless our rebellion shakes the very rule of Great Yu, you are never to return!”

The old man’s words startled Zhou Ziping and Zhou Ziejie.

They hadn’t even raised the banner of rebellion, and he was already arranging for them to flee. This was a terrible blow to morale.

“Grandfather, you need not be so modest.

This dilapidated house that is Great Yu is infested with parasites. A slightly stronger storm could cause it to collapse.

Our taking up arms now is in accordance with the will of heaven. Perhaps we can charge into the capital, change the dynasty, and establish a new one belonging to our Zhou family!”

Zhou Ziping said defiantly.

“You young fool, what do you know!

Since ancient times, those who are first to raise the banner of rebellion are merely forerunners for the true king. How could we be any exception?

The government troops in the Lianghuai region may be useless, but that doesn’t mean all the government troops in the realm are.

Don’t be fooled by how fierce those salt smugglers’ thugs we’ve raised seem. That’s for brawls between gangs. When faced with the court’s main army, they are nothing!”

The old man could not help but scold him furiously.

If rebellion were so easy, Great Yu would have changed dynasties countless times already. It would not be their turn to make a move.

“Grandfather, since the chances of a successful rebellion are so slim, why don’t we just have the entire clan leave?

The lands overseas are not some barren wilderness. Our family has been involved in overseas trade for some years now; we are more than capable of getting everyone out!”

Zhou Ziejie, who was standing to the side, interjected.

Compared to rebelling and confronting the court head-on, he felt that fleeing was a far more practical option.

They could live in seclusion overseas for a few decades and return when things had blown over.

“If we all leave together, we’re as good as dead.

The overseas lands are not some peaceful paradise, either. How could the wealth our Zhou family has accumulated over generations not attract covetous eyes!

Enough. You two, go and pack. You will leave separately at midnight.

I have arranged for body doubles for you. From this day forward, you are dead men. Never use your current names again.”

…

Chapter 51: Widespread Implications

After the Zhou family hastily raised the flag of rebellion, the other families quickly followed suit, mustering a rebel army of tens of thousands in a short time.

Leveraging their long-established influence in the region, many prefectures and counties surrendered without a fight. They conquered five county seats in a short period, and the Lianghuai region seemed to descend into chaos overnight.

Yangzhou City.

Ever since the news of the seven great families’ rebellion broke, the scholars detained by the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were utterly devastated.

They had been completely screwed over!

So those people were actually preparing a rebellion all along, and to think they had been crying out against the injustice done to the salt merchants.

It was too late for regrets; they had already been roped in. To have advocated for rebels, crying injustice on their behalf… the very thought was terrifying.

In the face of such a brutal reality, any explanation was feeble and pointless.

The weapons and armor appearing on the battlefield, the five county seats so swiftly conquered—all of it proved these people had been deliberately plotting a rebellion.

Everyone’s impression of the gentry was that of respected local leaders with high moral standing. They would never commit such treasonous acts as raising a private army and secretly stockpiling weapons and armor.

Worst off were the gentry who had marriage alliances with the seven great families. Despite having done nothing, they had been passively turned into members of the rebel faction.

It just went to show how crucial it was to be cautious with marriage alliances. If your in-laws committed a crime worthy of exterminating the nine relations, your own family couldn’t escape the consequences.

When it came to dealing with traitors, successive dynasties had always followed the principle: better to kill the innocent than to let the guilty escape.

Those who were close to the rebel army cursed their luck as they joined the ranks. Those who were far away were the truly miserable ones.

They were genuine gentry who, at most, kept a few household retainers to guard their estates, with combat prowess hardly better than that of yamen runners.

They didn’t even have the strength to raise troops and rebel. Their only choice was to activate their connections and maneuver within the government to avoid being implicated, while also arranging for their children to flee and escape the disaster.

“Your Excellency, the gifts on the left are from the Wang Mansion in the west of the city, the ones in the middle are from the Liu Mansion in the east, the ones on the right are from the Wei Mansion, and behind them are gifts from the Hu Mansion, also from the west of the city…

This student has inspected them. The gift from each family is of considerable value.

The Wang family’s gift is the most generous; besides some antiques and paintings, there is a chest of fine silver, bringing the total value to about twenty thousand taels of silver.

The total value of the gifts from all the gentry of Yangzhou City is no less than one hundred fifty thousand taels.”

Lan Linjie’s voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

The sum was staggering. On his salary, he could serve as Li Mu’s advisor for a lifetime and still not earn that much money.

“I’ve long heard that Yangzhou is the wealthiest city under heaven. Seeing the generosity of its gentry, the rumors are indeed true!

But I cannot accept rewards for no reason. What is it they are asking for?”

Li Mu asked with a chuckle.

He had thought this would be a thankless assignment, but he never expected money to come knocking on his door.

However, such extravagant gifts were also a tricky matter.

If each family had offered a few hundred taels, he could have accepted it without a second thought. There was an old saying that an army passing through was like a fine-toothed comb, leaving nothing behind. Since Li Mu had enforced strict discipline among his soldiers, it was within the unwritten rules for the gentry to pay for their safety.

But since every family had sent such generous gifts, they certainly had a favor to ask.

If their request was manageable, there was no harm in accepting.

After all, everyone had come south this time to make a fortune. His colleagues interrogating the salt merchants would each be earning a hefty sum; one more person profiting wouldn’t be conspicuous.

But if the matter was too thorny, he wouldn’t touch this hot potato, no matter how much money was offered.

“Your Excellency, the seven great families are deeply rooted in the Lianghuai region and have numerous connections with the Yangzhou gentry.

Now that the rebellion has broken out, all these families are in a panic.

They are desperate to extricate themselves, so they hope to go through you to establish a connection with the Marquis of Wuyang,”

Lan Linjie replied.

Connections exist within circles. The Yangzhou gentry had their ties within the Civil Official Bloc.

Normally, they wouldn’t deign to associate with an imperial in-law like the Marquis of Wuyang.

But this time, the situation was unique: the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had taken control of Yangzhou City.

Now, the ones who could decide their fates were the titled nobility and imperial in-laws.

No matter how extensive their connections were at the imperial court, they were too far away to help now.

Forget the Marquis of Wuyang; even Li Mu, a chiliarch responsible for order in the city, could easily destroy a family.

Once they were labeled as colluders with the traitors, they would face home confiscation and the slaughter of their entire clan.

Even the Senior Grand Secretary himself, should he wish to overturn their case, could not move faster than the blades of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

With a sharp sword hanging over their heads, the families of Yangzhou couldn’t sleep, desperate to find a way to connect with the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

Although the officialdom of the Great Yu was corrupt, they didn’t just accept any and all money. Without a middleman to pull the strings, you couldn’t even get your gifts through the door.

The reason these gifts had appeared before Li Mu was because a classmate of Lan Linjie had pulled some strings.

“Tell them that since this involves the rebel army, the matter is very difficult to handle.

If their involvement isn’t deep, this official can do them a favor.

However, the Marquis of Wuyang’s threshold is high, especially when it comes to a case of treason. I cannot guarantee he will intervene.”

Li Mu said, deliberately feigning difficulty.

It was a common tradition not to speak in absolutes. Even for something as simple as passing along a message, one had to make it seem difficult, so the financial backer would feel their money was well spent.

Inwardly, he was ecstatic.

When good fortune arrived, there was no stopping it. He had played the middleman once before in the capital, and now, he had stumbled upon the same opportunity in Yangzhou.

The imperial court needed stability; exterminating the seven great families was a means to reform the salt administration.

With the salt merchant interest group in rebellion, the number of gentry being swept up in the affair was rapidly increasing.

If the court wanted to quell the rebellion quickly, it couldn’t afford to push all the gentry of Lianghuai into the rebel camp.

When handling cases of treason, it was inevitable that they would deal leniently with the gentry who were only superficially involved, so as to win the hearts of the local scholarly class.

Against this backdrop, acting as a middleman was completely risk-free.

“Your Excellency, to be honest with you…

A good classmate of mine is from the Wang family of the west city. They had a marriage alliance with the Zhou family two years ago, but they had no knowledge of the Zhou family’s rebellious plans.

Out of my friendship with my classmate, I…”

Lan Linjie said, forcing himself to speak.

If the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions hadn’t taken over Yangzhou City and needed time to sort out each family’s connection to the traitors, the Wang family would have already had their home confiscated.

“Master Lan, this official understands that you value friendship.

However, rebellion is a grave crime punished by the extermination of nine relations. As in-laws of the traitors, their name will certainly appear on the list of conspirators.

To be absolved of this crime, it’s not enough for the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions to let it go; we would also need to coordinate with the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei.

We might even have to take this all the way up to Eunuch Zuo of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

This is truly a difficult matter!”

Hearing the words “difficult matter,” Lan Linjie breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he hadn’t followed Li Mu for long, he knew that while his master’s official rank wasn’t high, his network of connections was exceptionally resourceful.

He had managed to pull the right strings in the previous case of factional struggle.

Since he had left an opening this time, Lan Linjie figured he must have some confidence in handling it.

“Your Excellency, please rest assured. The Wang family has a heritage of over two hundred years; they have some wealth to their name and will certainly not make things difficult for you!”

Lan Linjie immediately guaranteed.

It wasn’t his money, after all. If he could help smooth the way, he would have done right by his classmate.

This was a life-and-death matter. If you were to offer money for help with this out in the open, no one would dare to accept the task.

Chapter 52: The Rebel Army Attacks

In August, the scorching sun baked the lands of Jiangnan.

The sustained high temperatures, compounded by the effects of the plum rain season, turned the Lianghuai region into a great steamer.

The harsh climate brought many troubles for the rebel-suppressing army.

“Make camp!”

Seeing his soldiers drenched in sweat, Jing Guoliang gave the order with a sigh of resignation.

Marching only ten kilometers a day—a snail’s pace—would be a laughingstock if word got out.

But there was no other choice; too many soldiers had suffered heatstroke along the way.

If they forced a high-intensity march, non-combat casualties would reach a terrifying number.

In planning this military operation, the imperial court had considered everything except for the fact that the northern soldiers were not accustomed to the Jianghuai climate.

“Brother Jing, the situation is looking a bit grim. Zuo Guang’en has sent another messenger to hurry us along. The rebels are besieging Huai’an Prefecture, and our dear Inner Prime Minister is getting restless!”

The Marquis of Zhenyuan, Li Yuan, teased with a chuckle.

Though his words spoke of a grim situation, his face showed not a hint of panic.

In this world where everyone was just competing to be less terrible, you didn’t have to be strong—as long as your opponent was sufficiently rotten.

The rebel army appeared formidable, but in reality, its forces fought their own separate battles.

The gentry families of Jianghuai had only lit the spark of rebellion; their control over the forces below was not firm.

The salt smugglers’ leaders who now commanded the troops were no longer as obedient as they once were.

“Worthy Brother, your tongue is as sharp as ever. When did this Inner Prime Minister ever offend you? I don’t seem to recall.”

Duke of Cheng Jing Guoliang replied with a half-smile.

It was never a secret that the Titled Nobility looked down on the Eunuch Faction.

Over the years, they had seen far too many favored eunuchs, yet few had met a peaceful end.

“Inner Prime Minister” was not a title to be used lightly. The last Prime Minister of the Great Yu Dynasty had ended up with his entire clan executed.

In the eyes of the old, established nobility, the renowned Zuo Guang’en was already a dead man with one foot in the grave.

But for all their disdain, there was no shortage of envy and jealousy.

They were the original shareholders, yet their political voice was somehow weaker than that of a group of eunuchs.

“Brother Jing, why pretend you don’t know? This Inner Prime Minister hasn’t offended me personally, but he still hasn’t delivered on the conditions he promised us! He clearly holds all the power, yet he keeps stalling, claiming the conditions aren’t right. Such blatant nonsense—I refuse to believe you haven’t had some thoughts about it, Brother Jing!”

As Li Yuan brought the topic into the open, Duke of Cheng Jing Guoliang’s expression darkened.

It was impossible not to feel resentful. The Eunuch Faction had played the nobility for fools, which was a vicious slap to his face.

To ensure his son’s smooth career advancement after entering the Ministry of War, he had even arranged for specialized skills training for him not long ago.

Just as everything was in place, the position in the Ministry of War suddenly vanished.

His decision to lead the army south this time was, to some extent, because he had lost face before his family and couldn’t bear the embarrassment.

“What good would having thoughts do? The Civil Official Bloc strongly opposes our involvement in the Six Ministries. Besides the Eunuch Faction, we can’t find any other collaborators on this issue. Now that the Eunuch Faction is dragging its feet, we can’t exactly force their hand. Surely you’re not thinking of using this rebellion to pressure Zuo Guang’en?”

Jing Guoliang asked, a hint of alarm in his voice.

Political games still had to account for the bigger picture.

If the Titled Nobility dragged their feet in suppressing the rebellion, they might indeed bring ruin to the Eunuch Faction, but their own side would also suffer devastating losses.

They had already paid a considerable price for the Lianghuai salt industry.

Even if those they sacrificed were eyesores, they were still one of them.

“What are you saying, Brother Jing? How could we do something like that! It’s understandable that the Eunuch Faction is stalling on the Ministry of War affair. The Civil Official Bloc is vehemently opposed, so Zuo Guang’en has to consider the opinions of his subordinates. What I mean is, we should use this opportunity to suppress the rebellion to expand our political influence. Lianghuai is a good place. After this turmoil, many positions will surely open up. We won’t covet the civil official posts, but we must find a way to secure the military vacancies.”

Li Yuan said calmly.

Influenced by the hereditary system for military officials, actual vacancies were quite limited, and most were on the front lines of the Nine Borders.

The nobility of today was not like that of the dynasty’s founding years. After so many years of living in comfort and luxury, it was too much to ask them to go to the Nine Borders to eat dirt.

The Lianghuai region was different. Though the climate might be hard to adapt to, the area was rich.

“Worthy Brother is right. We cannot back down this time!”

Jing Guoliang said with a grave expression.

The Titled Nobility had come for the profits of the salt industry. If they didn’t have their own people watching over things, the men below would certainly not be honest.

If even the court’s salt tax could be slowly eroded, the share in their hands would naturally be coveted as well.

…

Yangzhou City.

“The rebels have split their forces and are heading south, coming for Yangzhou?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked, his voice tinged with panic.

In recent days, he had reaped considerable benefits from the salt merchants and was preparing to press his advantage when this dreadful news arrived.

“Lord Commander, the news comes from the Jinyiwei, so it should be true. The court’s army is advancing on Huai’an, so the rebels’ plan to cut off the canal transport there is now impossible to achieve. If they don’t want to be surrounded and annihilated, they must find a way to break the stalemate. Yangzhou sits on the river, overlooks Jingkou, is bordered by the great sea to the south and presses against the long Huai River to the north. It has always been a strategic point contested by armies. Judging from the rebels’ intentions, they likely plan to march south to attack Yangzhou and conquer Nanjing, thereby shaking the entire southeastern half of the country!”

Li Mu analyzed with a serious expression.

Whether the rebels actually had such a grand strategic plan was not yet clear, but he needed everyone to believe they did.

Being a middleman was not easy. Merely relying on money to grease the wheels did not demonstrate his importance.

“The rebels are attacking! What countermeasures do you all have?”

The Marquis of Wuyang anxiously asked the assembly.

He was just an imperial in-law. Scheming for money and framing people—he might be a professional at that.

But leading troops in battle? This was his first time.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was nominally an army, but its actual duties were mainly maintaining public order and fighting crime.

He had no confidence at all in their actual combat capabilities.

“The rebels are bearing down on us with great force. We should immediately conscript able-bodied men to defend the city and send for reinforcements from the capital garrisons,”

Zhao Yawei, the Chiliarch of the East City, was the first to speak.

His proposal was conventional—nothing brilliant, but nothing to find fault with either.

Compared to the Lianghuai rebels, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were complete outsiders.

It was difficult enough to just gain a foothold; marching out of the city to quell the rebellion was clearly inadvisable.

“Chiliarch Zhao is right. The security of the nation is at stake; we must act with caution!”

The Chiliarch of the West City immediately chimed in.

The army sent south was nominally five thousand strong, but the only true fighting force was the household retainers brought by the sons of the nobility.

They accounted for less than half of the total force, and two-thirds of them were under the command of these two men.

Strength determined one’s right to speak, and their opinion represented the mainstream view within the army.

“Lord Commander, the two Chiliarchs have spoken wisely. However, in addition to requesting reinforcements and holding our position, we also need to pacify the populace. The rebels were able to sweep through Lianghuai so quickly largely because they coerced the local gentry. In the past, these traitors built connections with many gentry through marriage alliances, teacher-student relationships, and by sponsoring scholars. Now that they have rebelled, the gentry everywhere have fallen into a panic, afraid of a reckoning. To hold Yangzhou City, we cannot let the rebels win the gentry over. I propose that you, Lord Commander, in your capacity as Imperial Commissioner, issue a public proclamation to calm the people. Promise that as long as they draw a clear line with the rebels and assist the army in defending Yangzhou City, their past crimes will be pardoned!”

Li Mu suggested, seizing the opportunity.

Chapter 53: The Art of Spending Money

“Does anyone have a different opinion?” the Marquis of Wuyang asked as a matter of course.

Pardoning the relatives of rebels was a major affair.

For such a heavy responsibility, he certainly wanted to find more people to share the burden.

The life or death of the Yangzhou gentry was something they could all disregard, but the safety of Yangzhou City concerned their own lives.

The political risk of making a unilateral decision was never an issue for a group of men who had gotten their positions through connections.

“Since no one objects, let’s draft a notice and post it as soon as possible. Recruiting able-bodied men to defend the city must also be implemented swiftly. Chiliarch Li, you’ve been in charge of Yangzhou’s affairs recently and are most familiar with the situation here. I’ll leave this matter to you. You have three days to recruit fifty thousand able-bodied men to defend the city!”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s decision did not surprise Li Mu.

The capable do more work; it was the same in any world. The more competent one appeared, the heavier the tasks they had to bear.

“Your Excellency the Commander, three days is too short. It’s impossible to conscript fifty thousand able-bodied men. Although Yangzhou is a large prefecture, its population is widely dispersed. The remote prefectures and counties already border the rebel army, and every region is conscripting men to defend its cities. We can only recruit from the prefectural capital and its immediate outskirts. Besides, the armory has limited weapons and armor; we don’t have enough for them to use. The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions have five thousand troops. Including the Yangzhou Prefecture’s garrison, the yamen runners, and the conscripted men, the number is already over ten thousand. I suggest we just conscript another ten thousand able-bodied men to assist in the city’s defense!” Li Mu explained helplessly.

Having a superior who didn’t understand military affairs was also a hassle. Did he really think this was some kind of opera, where a single order could rustle up an army of fifty thousand? Even disregarding logistics, just managing so many soldiers was a problem. Even if they only conscripted ten thousand men, the forces under their command would still triple. The actual number of soldiers assigned to each general would only increase by more. Who would dare to entrust troops to those other officials who were just there to make up the numbers?

“No! Recruiting only ten thousand able-bodied men is too few. We must recruit at least twenty thousand. With only thirty thousand men to guard the vast Yangzhou Prefecture, our forces will already be stretched incredibly thin. During the founding years of the dynasty, the Duke of Xing had a fifty-thousand-strong army to defend Yangzhou Prefecture, and the battle was still extremely brutal. They even lost three counties!” the Marquis of Wuyang decisively refused, taking the opportunity to show off his half-baked historical knowledge.

“I obey!” Li Mu agreed, steeling himself.

Deep down, he was out of words to complain. Comparing the struggle for supremacy during the dynasty’s founding with the current local rebellion was giving the rebels far too much credit. Besides, back then they were defending the entire Yangzhou Prefecture, not just Yangzhou City.

…

The Wang Mansion in the West City.

Staring at the writ of pardon in his hand, Wang Wenju was speechless for a long moment.

The efficiency was simply staggering. The gift had barely been delivered, and the matter was already settled. Aside from being unable to meet the Marquis of Wuyang, everything was perfect.

“Yichen, you have performed a great service this time! For the Wang family to escape this calamity, it is truly…”

Before Wang Wenju could finish, Wang Yichen interrupted, “Uncle, it’s not over yet. The gift we sent before was only for the middlemen. We still need to make up for the Marquis of Wuyang’s share. Besides the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei also need to be taken care of. Their asking price is very high. This writ of pardon alone costs fifty thousand taels, and the Marquis of Wuyang’s share is also fifty thousand. The Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei are a package deal for one hundred thousand taels. If we want an imperial decree of pardon from the Emperor, it will require an additional one hundred thousand.”

The moment the specific numbers were mentioned, the joyous faces of the group immediately turned grim.

“Haha… Isn’t it just three hundred thousand taels? If it can buy the lives of the more than one hundred members of our Wang family, this money is well spent! The different branches of the family will pool it together. Even if we have to smash our pots and sell our iron, we must gather the money as soon as possible. Yichen, prepare a generous gift for your classmate. Tell him we’ll pay the price they named, but we hope he can arrange an introduction to Chiliarch Li.”

Wang Wenju laughed heartily. A large appetite didn’t matter; the more they demanded, the more capable they were. If they had only asked for a few tens of thousands of taels to settle a case of treason, he would have been worried. He had also heard of Li Mu. Although he didn’t know where this man got his connections, the fact that he could have a word with the Marquis of Wuyang and smooth things over with the Factory Guards could not be faked.

“Eldest brother, you must think this through. This is two hundred thousand, possibly even three hundred thousand taels. After paying this sum, our Wang family will be severely weakened. It will take years to recover. Why don’t we try using our connections in the capital again? It definitely wouldn’t cost this much. Yichen, why don’t you talk to your classmate again and see if the price can be reduced? He’s just a Chiliarch, after all. It won’t hurt him to take a little less,” a middle-aged man with the air of a merchant said with a frown.

In name, all branches of the family would contribute, but in reality, his branch would certainly be paying the largest share. There was no other reason than the fact that his branch handled the clan’s businesses and had the most liquid cash on hand. As long as they had a choice, large families seldom sold their fields or land, even if the income from these properties was far less than that from their businesses.

“Fifth Brother, shut your mouth! Remember, distant water can’t quench a nearby thirst, and the world of officialdom is not a marketplace. Can those connections in the capital handle the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, or can they handle the Jinyiwei and the Eastern Depot? Or perhaps they can get us an imperial decree of pardon from the Emperor before the others come for their reckoning? To do something knowing it’s impossible is to court death. In the future, when you deal with officials, remember that you can haggle over some money, but you absolutely cannot skimp on the money that buys your life. Right now, our lives are in their hands. If they are even slightly careless in their efforts and leave some hidden trouble, we will all die without a burial ground. Chiliarch Li has been decent enough, giving us the Imperial Commissioner’s writ of pardon first. Anyone else would have taken the money first!” Wang Wenju couldn’t help but roar in anger.

He had been an official before and was very clear about the unwritten rules of officialdom. Oftentimes, the scariest thing wasn’t spending money, but having money that you couldn’t spend. The previous marriage alliance with the Yin family had been their attempt to expand their network, but they were just unlucky enough to get caught in a dead end.

“Eldest brother is right to scold me. I was muddled!”

Seeing the family head lose his temper, the middle-aged man quickly stood up to apologize. He was so busy worrying about the money that he forgot that there were differences between military officials. A Chiliarch who held the power of life and death was clearly not on the same level as those Chiliarchs in the garrisons outside the city who had been reduced to the level of village chiefs.

“Hmph! I don’t want to see you make this mistake a second time. The Seven Great Families of Lianghuai are the best cautionary tale. If it weren’t for their insatiable greed, how could they have brought the calamity of their clans’ annihilation upon themselves today!” Wang Wenju said with deep meaning.

He was truly afraid. If he were away serving as an official and his clansmen caused some trouble, things would become dire.

Chapter 54: Expanding the Army

After the writs of pardon were issued, Li Mu’s residence suddenly became a lively place. The stream of visiting guests was endless.

In the past, everyone had only heard through various channels that a remarkably resourceful Chiliarch had arrived in Yangzhou City, but they didn’t know the specifics.

After witnessing his influence firsthand, everyone warmed up to him at once.

Even for those not implicated in the Case of treason, an extra friend meant an extra path in life. No one could guarantee they wouldn’t need a favor someday in the future.

The gentry not only organized the able-bodied men and raised funds and provisions but also gratefully sent him a handsome gift, which he couldn’t possibly refuse.

It made Li Mu feel a little embarrassed, and he even began to wonder if his previous demands had been too harsh.

He himself knew best what others saw as his incredible resourcefulness. The matter had proceeded so smoothly purely because he had guided the situation to his advantage.

As the Imperial Commissioner, the Marquis of Wuyang needed to maintain a detached status and couldn’t directly interact with the gentry, which gave Li Mu the opportunity to shine.

It was a beautiful misunderstanding, one he couldn’t explain to outsiders.

Judging solely from the public information, his relationship with the Marquis of Wuyang was indeed quite good, he had connections with the Factory Guards, and he was a member of the titled nobility.

Aside from a slight weakness in his connections within the Civil Official Bloc, he had virtually no shortcomings.

This final weakness couldn’t be rectified; the court did not allow for perfect officials.

To hold a high position, one had to find their proper place. Straddling multiple political factions simultaneously made it very difficult to gain support.

…

“Your Excellency, with the cooperation of the gentry, the recruitment of able-bodied men has exceeded its target.

A total of twenty-one thousand three hundred and twenty-six able-bodied men have been recruited this time, and a resettlement fee of forty-two thousand six hundred and fifty-two taels has been disbursed.

Fifteen thousand of them have already entered the main camp. The rest, being farther away, will arrive tomorrow.

The biggest problem now is that the Yangzhou armory is empty. There is a severe shortage of weapons and equipment, particularly siege equipment.

Among the newly recruited men, only a few brought their own bows and arrows. Seven or eight out of ten lack any equipment.

As you instructed, we have organized blacksmiths to forge weapons. However, there are a limited number of blacksmiths in the city, and the government’s iron stockpiles are low, so production is very limited.”

Li Mu nodded slightly after hearing his advisor’s report.

Conscription in a feudal dynasty was not as precise as in later eras.

To ensure a full contingent of twenty thousand able-bodied men, they had to recruit a surplus.

This was so that if any unexpected incidents occurred, or if there were losses during training, the vacancies could be filled immediately.

For the common people, being conscripted to defend the city was like having half the sky fall on them.

Usually, such labor was unpaid, and the more ruthless officials would even demand they bring their own rations.

The fact that they received a two-tael resettlement fee was not only due to Li Mu’s efforts but mainly because everyone was feeling uneasy.

When the rebels captured the county seat, there had been a case where the conscripted civilian defenders, unable to bear the burden, staged a dramatic mutiny on the battlefield.

Having profited handsomely from this trip to Yangzhou, everyone cherished their lives.

With this precedent in mind, when it came to dealing with the conscripted men, everyone unanimously decided to show their more generous side.

In any case, they were spending the court’s money, so there was no need to be so stingy.

A shortage of weapons was to be expected. If the armory had been fully stocked, that would have been the biggest problem.

In times of peace, storing enough arms and armor in a local armory to equip an army of twenty thousand would be purely encouraging regional warlordism.

Not to mention among the populace, where most weapons were forbidden for private ownership. Even if a family had a collection, they wouldn’t dare bring it out.

“Well done. Send someone to inform the Marquis of Wuyang that the conscription is complete, and let him decide on the allocation of troops.

On second thought, I will go and tell him myself.

Big Wu, take some men and select soldiers at once. First, fill my personal guard to its full three hundred!”

Li Mu ordered immediately.

Workplace experience taught him that to get closer to a superior, one should consult and report more often.

By visiting frequently, he would become a familiar face, making it easier to get a share of any benefits.

Besides, he wasn’t going empty-handed. The gifts from the Yangzhou gentry included a share for the Marquis of Wuyang.

Li Mu wouldn’t dare embezzle from his direct superior. If he were to skim anything, it would be from the share meant for the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei.

The two sides couldn’t sit down and check the accounts together anyway. The exact amount to be given would depend entirely on how the situation developed.

If the titled nobility and imperial in-laws were powerful enough to have the final say on the Yangzhou matter, he could just urge the Marquis of Wuyang to put in a good word.

As for the Emperor’s writ of pardon, that was purely a pie in the sky to deceive people. At Li Mu’s current level, he was in no position to speak with Emperor Tianyuan.

At most, he could add a few more words of praise in his memorial to the throne.

This kind of thing didn’t even require Li Mu’s special attention. The generous gifts prepared by the Yangzhou gentry were enough to make the Marquis of Wuyang treat him with special consideration.

Compared to relying on connections, Li Mu was more focused on expanding his own core forces.

As a military official with only thirty household guards during a time of war, he felt far too insecure.

In the capital, the situation was unique, and it had been inconvenient to expand his retinue. But now, with the defense of Yangzhou, things were different.

He chose to expand his core force to three hundred because when he left Hanzhong, he had only brought thirty household guards.

Even though these men were being trained as junior officers, they had no experience leading troops. Bringing in too many new people would make them impossible to manage.

Deep down, Li Mu had already resolved to expand his team of household guards to one hundred after the war was over.

If he was promoted and assigned to a local post afterward, he could expand his retinue even further.

Li Mu was genuinely envious of the generals on the Nine Borders who commanded thousands of household retainers.

With that kind of foundation, why would he be defending Yangzhou City? He could just lead his troops out to crush the rebels with ease.

“As you command!”

Big Wu answered first.

After speaking, he rushed out in a frantic hurry, as if he would miss out on the best recruits if he were a moment late.

This was Li Mu’s doing. When training his household guards, he had made too many grand promises to get them to study diligently.

It had led to a point where even his lowest-ranking soldiers had a general’s dream.

“Your Excellency, Captain Wu is certainly an impatient one!”

Lan Linjie chuckled and remarked teasingly.

After following Li Mu for a few months, he had become familiar with this group of household guards and had a basic understanding of them.

Every one of them was straightforward and completely incapable of sycophancy.

They seemed like a different species compared to the other household retainers he had seen.

“Haha!

That simpleton has always been hot-headed.

If you have the time, Master Lan, perhaps you could help me drill some sense into them.

They’re all a bunch of semi-literates. If I didn’t force them, I doubt they’d even know how to write their own names.”

Upon hearing Li Mu’s words, Lan Linjie instantly regretted his comment.

He had witnessed one of their study sessions, and the scene had been too awful to watch.

But just a few days ago, he had incurred a huge debt of gratitude for the matter concerning his classmate, so it was truly inconvenient to refuse.

“Rest assured, Your Excellency. After this great battle is over, I will introduce a teacher to them!”

Lan Linjie decisively chose the path of “Better you than me.”

There was no shortage of destitute scholars; there would always be someone willing to compromise for a pittance.

If he picked one with a strong constitution, he probably wouldn’t be angered to death.

Chapter 55: Quantifying Combat Power

“Rumble…”

Following a tremendous roar, a breach appeared in the walls of Taizhou City, and countless rebel soldiers swarmed in.

The war cries soared to the sky.

“The city has fallen!”

Panic began to spread. The conscripted able-bodied men, unable to withstand the pressure, started to flee in disarray.

“Hold the line!”

“Get back and block the breach!”

No matter how desperately the defending general shouted, he could not change the reality that the city had fallen.

“It’s over!”

“It’s all over!”

Gazing at the smoke of war that filled the city, Mi Zhixiang, the Prefect of Taizhou, collapsed to the ground.

“My lord, flee for your life! The rebels will be here any moment. If we delay any longer, it’ll be too late!” the old steward urged anxiously.

To reduce the resistance within the city, the rebels had adopted the tactic of “besieging three sides and leaving one open,” intentionally leaving an escape route for the defenders.

But now that the enemy had breached the city, the defenders’ morale was shattered, and they were completely unable to mount a second wave of resistance. If they did not leave immediately, the only escape route would be cut off.

“Flee? Where can I possibly flee? Enough. The fall of Taizhou is my responsibility; there is no need to implicate the innocent. Furui, take the household retainers at once and escort the mistress and young master away. The Right Vice Minister in Nanjing is my mentor. For the sake of this official dying for the court, he will petition the throne to grant you a commendation. With that commendation, no one will dare to prey on a widow and her orphan when you return to your hometown. It is about time. This official must be on his way.”

After speaking, Mi Zhixiang picked up the prepared poison wine and drank it in one gulp.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, local officials were responsible for defending their territory. With the city’s fall, he, the Prefect, could not escape the blame. If he fled now, he would still be held accountable by the court later.

Rather than be condemned by the court and implicate his family, it was better to die for his country on his own terms and have a more dignified death.

“My lord, may you have a safe journey!”

With that, Steward Furui kowtowed three times to Mi Zhixiang, then took the household retainers to escort the weeping mistress and young master away.

…

Yangzhou City.

When the news of Taizhou’s fall arrived, the already tense atmosphere in the city grew even more solemn. The smell of gunpowder seemed to hang in the air.

Everyone knew that the Taizhou rebels’ next target would undoubtedly be Yangzhou City.

With the crisis at hand, many children of the titled nobility began to panic. Those with military training were better off; they understood basic military common sense and knew Yangzhou City would not fall so easily, so they could barely maintain their composure. But the profligate sons who were just there to make up the numbers were now completely at a loss.

As the Imperial Commissioner, the Marquis of Wuyang was also panicking.

He could lead troops, but he truly did not know how to fight a war.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, military knowledge was passed down from father to son. Even the simplest troop formations were a great mystery to outsiders.

Before becoming an imperial in-law, he was just an ordinary scholar. After becoming the Commander of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, he had only read a few widely circulated books on military strategy. He was the type of “genius” commander who understood things at a glance but was useless in practice.

What made him recognize his own limitations was that, after so many days since learning of the rebel attack, he still had not managed to come up with a plan to defeat the enemy.

“Do any of you have a plan to defeat the enemy?” the Marquis of Wuyang asked expectantly.

To improve efficiency, he had only summoned the five Chiliarchs to this high-level meeting. That group of Vice-Commanders, who held the title in name only, had all been excluded from the decision-making process.

“Your Excellency, Yangzhou City has twelve gates. Any one of them could become the main focus of the rebel attack, so we can only divide our forces to defend them. The local government troops may have been infiltrated by the rebels; they can only serve as support and cannot be relied upon as the backbone. The heavy responsibility of defending the city can only be entrusted to the commanders from the capital. The most urgent task is to divide the defense sectors and allocate our respective forces,” Zhao Yawei said, being the first to speak.

It was a speechless situation, really. After the conscription of able-bodied men was complete, the Marquis of Wuyang had somehow failed to mention personnel allocation. Now, those men were still under Li Mu’s temporary command. If he had not seen how well Li Mu had handled the war preparations—keeping the able-bodied men in line and gathering a large amount of defensive supplies—he would have started complaining long ago.

“Twelve gates divided among five Thousand-household Forts. How about this: leave one fort to maintain order within the city, and the other four will each be responsible for three gates. We’ll divide the city’s forces equally among them!”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s words fully displayed his sense of fairness, but they also exposed his nature as a military novice.

Distributing forces equally was based on the assumption that the soldiers’ combat effectiveness was comparable.

In theory, Yangzhou City’s total force was close to thirty thousand, but twenty thousand of them were armed with wooden sticks.

The most combat-effective among them were the household retainers brought by the sons of the titled nobility, numbering about two thousand five hundred. They could be considered elites.

Next were the local government soldiers and yamen runners. Their specific combat strength was unknown, but they had at least trained occasionally. There were over four thousand of them.

After them were the household retainers brought by those commanders-in-name-only, numbering nearly two thousand five hundred. They looked physically strong and were probably better fighters than ordinary people, but they had not received military training and were only suitable for street brawls.

Finally, there were the more than twenty thousand temporarily conscripted able-bodied men. In normal times, they struggled just to fill their stomachs, so their physical condition was worrisome.

“Commander, I have no objection to this distribution, but I’m afraid my colleagues here won’t be able to bear it!” said Tang Jincheng, the Chiliarch of West City, with a faint, unreadable smile.

Of the two thousand five hundred elite troops, sixty percent came from the East and West Thousand-household Forts. The other three forts combined only accounted for forty percent. If the tasks were divided equally, the other three would surely be cursing up a storm.

Fortunately, they were all in the same boat now. If the enemy broke through from any direction, they would all be finished. This was not the time to sabotage one’s teammates.

“Commander, leaving one Thousand-household Fort as a reserve and having the remaining four each responsible for three gates is fine, but the troop allocation needs to be balanced for combat effectiveness. We can simply quantify the combat power of the troops in the city.

The most elite household retainers under your command are mostly veterans from the battlefield. They are all well-armored and well-equipped. We can assume their combat power is 10.

In that case, the local Yangzhou government troops would have a corresponding combat power of about 2.

The combat power of the household retainers brought by the various Vice-Commanders is questionable, and they lack formal military training, so let’s tentatively set it at 1.2.

The conscripted able-bodied men lack weapons, so their combat power is only 0.5.

Of course, this data is only for reference. Defending a city is not the same as fighting in the open field. Even those with lower combat power can still be useful.”

After hearing Li Mu’s quantified analysis and seeing that no one objected, the Marquis of Wuyang was completely stunned.

The disparity in combat power was simply too great.

So it turned out, the combat power of the household retainers under these sons of the nobility was greater than all the other troops in Yangzhou City combined.

“You lot figure it out amongst yourselves. This Marquis is tired!” the Marquis of Wuyang said irritably.

The city defense plan he had painstakingly devised was torn to shreds in an instant, nearly driving the commander-in-chief to depression.

Beyond his hurt feelings, he could not help but feel a little relieved.

His own military ability was worrying, but at least a few of the Chiliarchs under him had some military sense.

Losing face in a closed-door meeting of six was far better than losing his head in defeat. As long as what happened today did not get out, he could pretend it never happened.

Chapter 56: The Taizhou Rebels

The military council ended, and Li Mu walked out of the prefecture office with a complex mix of feelings.

They all knew of military matters, but only in theory. This was the first time any of them had led troops into battle.

The North City Thousand-household Fort, the weakest of the units, was assigned to maintain order within the city and serve as a reserve force.

The other four Thousand-household Forts were each responsible for one direction. Although care was taken in the allocation of troops, war was about more than just having soldiers.

Take Li Mu’s South City Thousand-household Fort, for example. It was assigned fifteen hundred local government soldiers and six thousand able-bodied men.

With a total force of nearly eight thousand men, the numbers seemed more than sufficient.

The difficulty lay in management.

Among the government soldiers of Yangzhou City, there might be men loyal to the salt merchant groups, making it impossible to entrust them with important responsibilities.

For safety’s sake, the commanders had to use their own men.

The original Centurions were all now doing the work of Chiliarchs, yet Li Mu still felt he was short on officers.

“Everyone, the opportunity to win glory and establish a legacy has arrived!

We must all push ourselves. While the rebels have yet to attack, we must first train our soldiers.

Your household retainers should have some who have participated in city defenses. Have them pass on their experience to the new recruits.

The rebels are nothing but a disorderly mob. As long as we prevent the enemy from coordinating an attack from both inside and out, they are no great threat.

Choosing to defend the city is a cautious measure. Once the capital garrisons arrive, we will take the offensive and wipe out the traitors in one fell swoop!”

Whether anyone else believed it or not, Li Mu’s face was filled with confidence.

As the conscription officer, he had already claimed the highest quality recruits for himself.

“Lord Chiliarch, other matters are manageable, but the soldiers lack weapons!

Of the six thousand able-bodied men, more than five thousand are armed with bamboo stalks. They will be at a great disadvantage on the battlefield.”

Centurion Yun said with a troubled expression.

Sharpening bamboo into spears sounded poetic, but on a battlefield, it would lead to disastrous losses.

“We’ll make do for now. The rebels’ situation is even worse than ours.

The imperial court controls ironware. Even if the Lianghuai gentry families have been hoarding armor and weapons, they can’t have hidden very much.

Besides, we are the defenders, with sturdy city walls to rely on. The enemy won’t be able to breach them at all.

Are we to be afraid of being besieged by rebels, as if we have no reinforcements coming?”

Li Mu decisively employed the tactic of changing the subject.

The lack of weapons was a real problem. Even with the measures they had taken earlier, it was but a drop in the bucket.

What was needed now was to stabilize morale. Only if the commanders had the will to win would the soldiers below them have confidence.

The worst-case scenario was simply being besieged by the rebels.

Yangzhou’s geographical position was unique. It was one of the Great Yu’s most important commercial hubs, lacking for nothing in grain, cloth, or salt.

Holding out for a year or even half a year was no problem at all.

Time was on the side of the defenders. The longer things dragged on, the larger the court’s rebel-suppressing army would become.

“Cabinet Elder, we are about twenty li from Taian City. Should we enter the city tonight, or wait until tomorrow?”

A middle-aged man stepped forward to ask.

“Xiancai, how many times have I told you?

The situation in Lianghuai is urgent, we must pick up the pace. Why won’t you listen to reason!”

Cabinet Elder Xu chided his subordinate in annoyance.

Though he had departed after the main army, they had been in Lianghuai for over ten days, while he, the imperial commissioner, was still dawdling in Shandong territory.

He paid lip service to speeding up, yet he traveled every day in an eight-carrier sedan chair, making it impossible to move any faster.

This whole performance was not because Xu Wenyue was being difficult; it was purely a matter of political necessity.

The rebellion of the Lianghuai gentry families had shattered all of the Grand Secretariat’s plans.

Now branded as traitors, the salt merchant interest group was destined for a reckoning.

If he arrived too early, what would he do if his colleagues from the Pure Stream Faction, who were implicated in the case of treason, came to him for help?

To simply watch them die would seem far too heartless and would severely damage his reputation within the Pure Stream faction.

But to reach out and spring them from jail would be breaking a major taboo.

If the Eunuch Faction were to seize upon such an act, he, the Cabinet Elder, might very well get dragged down with them.

“The Cabinet Elder’s lesson is well-received. This subordinate was reckless!”

He Xiancai immediately admitted his mistake.

The words had barely left his lips when a nearby cavalryman spurred his horse, breaking away from the procession and racing toward Taian.

With the Cabinet Elder heading south, the local officials along the route would certainly want to take the opportunity to make a good impression. Their hospitality was hard to refuse, and Xu Wenyue was not a man who disregarded social niceties.

Sending a man ahead to inform them was his gesture of goodwill.

Only one of their own was entitled to such treatment.

If someone was not on his side, no matter how grand the arrangements, Cabinet Elder Xu would stay at the official post station to demonstrate his integrity.

Taizhou City.

“General Huang, please give the order to restore order in the city!

If this chaos continues, the city will be ruined!”

Zong Guangtai urged.

It had been two days since the army breached Taizhou, and the looting had continued for two days. The once-prosperous Taizhou City had been reduced to a living hell.

The commander, Huang Renlong, a man who had risen from the ranks of salt smugglers, paid no heed to the events in the city, allowing his soldiers to vent their frustrations as they pleased.

“Mr. Zong, our soldiers have no military pay. Their income depends entirely on what they can plunder.

If I were to order them to stop, I’d be cutting off their source of wealth.

It won’t be so easy to get them to risk their lives for me after that!”

Huang Renlong said with disdain.

This was the life. Back when he was smuggling salt for the Zong family, he earned a pittance for his hard work and was constantly disrespected.

He only hated that he had been so blind back then, thinking the Zong family was the sky itself.

Now, he saw them as nothing more than a group of pedantic scholars, not even resolute enough to rebel properly.

In the current Taizhou Righteous Army, the Zong family was the leader in name only.

The most effective fighting forces were all his, Huang’s, troops.

If not for the imperial court being their common enemy, he would have fallen out with the Zongs long ago.

To think that things were still the same, that a group of scholars could still order him to lay down his life for them—it was pure fantasy.

“General Huang, according to the agreement from our alliance meeting, the Taizhou Righteous Army was to march on Yangzhou Prefecture immediately after capturing Taizhou City.

We have already occupied Taizhou for two days. Shouldn’t we be considering mobilizing our troops?”

Zong Guangtai said, suppressing his anger.

It was now proven: these salt smugglers below them were truly unreliable.

Every one of them was a short-sighted fool. The moment they had a bit of power in their hands, they became reckless and arrogant, no longer showing any respect for their masters.

It was all the fault of the Great Yu Dynasty’s flourishing literary culture. Influenced by the general environment, the scions of their gentry families all pursued literary studies.

A whole nest of scholars. When the time came to raise the banner of rebellion, the shortcomings became apparent.

They had no problem with planning and strategy, but the dirty work of fighting and killing could only be entrusted to outsiders.

The salt smugglers were an unruly bunch to begin with. In the past, the gentry families had their official status, which gave them a natural advantage and kept these men in line.

But after the rebellion began, their original reverence gradually faded, and one by one, they began to have ideas of their own.

Too few of them had aspirations of conquering the realm. Most just wanted to make a quick fortune so they could live out the rest of their days in comfort.

Since the rebellion began, more than a few salt smugglers had simply taken their money and run.

Someone like Huang Renlong, who was ambitious, was already among the best of the rebels.

“Rest assured, Mr. Zong. This general is not someone who disregards the bigger picture.

First, take Yangzhou. Then, seize Nanjing, and establish our dominion over the southeast.

This general has kept it firmly in mind!”

Chapter 57: The Master of Making Grand Promises

Yangzhou City.

Ever since the tasks had been assigned, Li Mu’s life had become a flurry of activity.

He was training troops, strengthening city defenses, and also had to spare the energy to placate the local gentry.

Occasionally, he even had to punish an unruly profligate who refused to follow the rules.

As a result, his reputation in the city quickly became polarized, and he was given the nickname “Iron-Faced Yama.”

Heavens know his actions had nothing to do with King Yama.

At most, he would string up criminals for a beating before tossing them into the main prison.

After a brief period of frustration, Li Mu quickly accepted reality. A fearsome reputation had its benefits. Even the profligates from the capital gave him a wide berth.

This was especially true during the allocation of troops, when these men strongly requested not to be placed under Li Mu’s command, much to the exasperation of the other Chiliarchs.

Had they known that beating up these good-for-nothings would have allowed them to be rid of such incompetent allies, they would not have been so courteous.

“Lord Chiliarch, you are truly a prodigy at training soldiers!

In less than half a month, these three hundred men are already taking shape.

They only need to be baptized by fire to become an elite force.”

Lan Linjie praised.

He didn’t understand how to lead troops into battle, but he could sense whether or not soldiers possessed fighting spirit.

The unit before him was not only more robust in stature, but they also carried a menacing air.

Normally, such an aura would only be found on veteran soldiers.

“Master Lan, you’re mistaken this time.

They are still a far cry from being elite. They look imposing because every man was hand-picked.

Of these three hundred men, two-thirds are hunters from the mountains, and a portion of them are former butchers.

While killing beasts can’t compare to killing men, they have, at the very least, seen blood.

Right now, they have only familiarized themselves with basic discipline and formations. They may look the part, but there is still a long way to go before they become a true fighting force,” Li Mu said, shaking his head.

However, the smile playing on his lips betrayed his inner joy. Clearly, his personal guard had exceeded his expectations.

These men had been selected from a pool of more than twenty-one thousand, making them one in a hundred. They possessed the qualities to become an elite force.

“My lord, you’ve arrived!”

Hearing this form of address, Li Mu shot the person a harsh glare and reprimanded him irritably, “Wang the Second, you listen to me! In a military camp, you are to address me by my title!”

Although it was an open secret that military officials kept household retainers, on the surface, this was still the army of the imperial court.

To be called “Master” in the camp would have a negative impact if word got out.

Unless, of course, this entire unit was composed of his household retainers. Then, they could call him whatever they pleased.

Every general wished for more soldiers under their command, and Li Mu was no exception. But his rank was merely that of a Chiliarch; maintaining three hundred household retainers would be far too conspicuous.

“Yes, Lord Chiliarch!”

Wang the Second answered solemnly.

Though he preferred calling him “Master” to show their close relationship, he would abide by Li Mu’s command.

Weaving his way through the crowd, Li Mu spoke slowly, “I know many of you were unwilling to be conscripted to defend the city, but since you are here, you must face reality.

On the battlefield, it’s the soldiers who muddle through their days aimlessly who are always the first to die.

If you want to survive the battlefield, you must train harder and become the best soldier you can be.

When two meet on a narrow path, the brave one wins!

Either you kill all the enemies, or they kill all of you.

The fact that you were selected for the personal guard proves that you are the best. Compared to the others, you have the greatest chance to earn merits and build a career.

The Imperial Commissioner has decreed that for every rebel soldier killed, a reward of two taels of silver will be given.

I personally guarantee that this reward will be paid in full, with no deductions, and it will certainly not be paid out in paper currency.

If any of you can slay five or more enemy soldiers, you will have the option of becoming one of this official’s household retainers.

As for the treatment of a household retainer, you can ask around. It is absolutely better than scrounging for a living back home.

When you go out, you will be a respectable person.

The village chiefs and bailiffs in the countryside will not dare to bully you.

When your family pays taxes in the future, no one will dare use an oversized measure.

When the government levies corvée labor, you will also receive preferential treatment.

If you are wronged, I will be there to see that you get justice.

…”

It was a bit ridiculous, now that he thought about it. The grand promise he was making to his soldiers was the chance to become a household retainer, not a promotion or wealth.

This was a byproduct of a deformed military system.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, it wasn’t just the common soldiers who had a difficult time; the lives of low-ranking military officers were also miserable.

Officers of squad-leader and platoon-leader rank in the garrison posts also had to farm their own land and worried about daily necessities.

The court did not issue military pay, and in years of major disasters, they could not make ends meet.

The lives of recruited soldiers were slightly better. With their salary and various subsidies, their annual income was about fifteen to eighteen taels.

The recruited soldiers on the Liaodong front earned even more, averaging nearly two taels a month, for an annual income of about twenty-four taels.

Unfortunately, these were all theoretical figures. The soldiers of Great Yu had never received their full pay; reduced pay was the norm.

As soon as the military pay was allocated from the Ministry of Revenue’s accounts, thirty percent would be skimmed off. If the soldiers actually received fifty percent, it was only because their commanders were incorruptible.

The only troops who received over sixty percent of their pay were the capital garrisons and border armies, which the court valued most.

Many units also deducted money for food and uniforms, meaning that soldiers often worked all year for nothing.

Hoping to earn a promotion through merit and escape this miserable fate was just as illusory.

In times of peace, battles were only fought on the frontiers, and those were the domains of the established military families. No matter how outstanding a commoner performed, it was nearly impossible to rise past the rank of Centurion.

Against this backdrop, it was impossible to expect people to enlist voluntarily.

Unless they had no other way out, no one with a choice would join the army.

The situation for household retainers was better. Because they were insiders, their silver pay was usually guaranteed.

Upon entering a military camp, they typically served as the commander’s personal soldiers. Those who performed exceptionally well could also hold official positions within the army.

However, when their commander was transferred, the household retainers would leave with him. Their careers were entirely bound to their master.

From the excited expressions on the men’s faces, it was clear that many were moved.

Even if they had never heard of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions before, after entering the camp, everyone knew that it was a good government office.

There was no other reason than the fact that they were given three square meals of solid food a day and could even have meat occasionally. This was entirely different from any army they had ever known.

Although they came from backgrounds as hunters and butchers, dealing with meat every day and seemingly living decent lives, their reality was just as harsh.

By this point in the Great Yu Dynasty’s development, it was not that other things were scarce, but that the population was vast.

A single market needed only one or two butchers; it was impossible for all sons to inherit their father’s trade.

The situation for hunters was even worse. The forests and mountains had all been seized by aristocratic families. One needed their permission just to go hunting.

Even if they made a catch, the largest share would be taken by others, and they still had to bear the burden of the court’s taxes.

Even without such exploitation, the forests could only support a very limited population.

According to The Laws of Great Yu, only sons were exempt from conscription.

To have been sent here for service meant their status at home was certainly not high, and they had absolutely no chance of inheriting the family’s trade.

Chapter 58: The Army at the Gates

After coaxing his personal soldiers’ battalion, Li Mu repeated the same process with the other battalions.

It was the first time since he’d become an official that he had made such a small promise.

Li Mu felt almost embarrassed by the enthusiastic response he received from the soldiers.

Claiming five heads on the battlefield was no easy task.

It was especially difficult to obtain enemy heads during a siege defense.

The most crucial part was that after beheading five enemy soldiers, one had to survive the battle unscathed.

The stricter the conditions and the smaller the promise, the more authentic it seemed.

The wisdom of the common folk was just that simple and unadorned.

“Lord Chiliarch, we just received news that the enemy army is less than fifteen kilometers from Yangzhou City. They are expected to be at our gates by tomorrow.

His Lordship requests your immediate presence to discuss matters!”

The messenger’s words brought his morale-boosting tour to a close.

“Understood. I will change my clothes and go at once,” Li Mu replied calmly.

What was to come would come. The rebels’ dawdling had already exceeded his expectations.

From a military perspective, the rebels should have attacked Yangzhou immediately after taking Taizhou.

Every day they delayed gave the defending army another day to prepare.

A major city like Yangzhou had to be taken in one fell swoop.

Once it devolved into a war of attrition and the imperial court had time to react, the roles of attacker and defender would be reversed.

…

“How are your preparations? Can you hold off the rebel attack?” the Marquis of Wuyang asked with concern.

Delegating authority to his subordinates didn’t mean that he, as the commander-in-chief, would remain uninvolved.

He had been paying close attention to how his subordinate generals were preparing for battle.

Everyone’s military knowledge was passed down orally from their ancestors, so they didn’t all follow the same school of thought. In practical application, the differences were night and day.

Some chose to enforce strict discipline, others chose to mingle with their soldiers, and still others chose to constantly make grand promises to them.

The only thing they had in common was that they were all intensifying their troops’ training.

It was impossible to tell who was superior and who was inferior just yet, but at a glance, they all looked the part.

“Rest assured, Lord Commander, we have made ample preparations. We will certainly be able to keep the enemy outside the city walls!” Tang Jincheng was the first to speak.

The military deployments had been decided long ago, and there was no time to make adjustments now.

“Lord Commander, Chiliarch Tang is right. A mere rebel army is nothing to fear. As long as we guard against an attack from both inside and out, we can ensure Yangzhou’s safety!” Zhao Yawei said, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

In recent days, the various Chiliarchs had been secretly competing with one another.

The rivalry was most intense between the Eastern City’s Thousand-household Fort and the Western City’s Thousand-household Fort over the ranking of the top fort within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

The two even frequently vied to be the first to speak at headquarters.

A rumor had been circulating in private that the imperial court intended to reorganize the military affairs of the southeast.

They would be selecting elite soldiers and skilled generals to be permanently stationed in the southeast to strengthen control over the southern provinces.

Usually, such rumors from within the titled nobility circles were only released after a decision had already been made.

While other regions were uncertain, the Lianghuai region would certainly have many positions opening up.

Having witnessed the immense wealth of the salt merchants, none of them were opposed to being stationed in the south anymore.

For the Chiliarchs present, obtaining a government post wasn’t difficult. But if they wanted a good position, they still had to fight for it themselves.

The internal ranking within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was not just a nominal title; it represented tangible benefits.

According to the unwritten rules of officialdom, the Chiliarch of the top-ranked fort was also first in line for promotion.

“Lord Commander, to boost morale, I suggest we prepare some silver for rewards in advance. If any soldier beheads an enemy, the reward should be distributed on the same day!” Li Mu proposed, seizing the opportunity.

Compared to the Eastern and Western City forts, the South City’s Thousand-household Fort was far weaker. To directly compete for the top spot would only invite ridicule.

Just because he couldn’t compete in terms of military strength didn’t mean he couldn’t find another way.

Being high on the promotion list was only one consideration.

Individual military merit was also an important factor.

In a defensive siege, it was very difficult to achieve extraordinary battle records.

Li Mu didn’t expect to stand out in that regard, but it was still necessary for him to make a few small suggestions to make his presence felt.

He was truly fed up with the days of being constrained by others at every turn in the capital.

Life as a regional general was much more comfortable, where one could be one’s own master in one’s own territory.

The prerequisite was to be assigned to a good place!

If sent to some poor, remote region, just feeding the soldiers would be a life-threatening problem.

The practice of pocketing salaries for non-existent soldiers was widespread in the Great Yu army. Not all generals were insatiably greedy; many were forced into it by circumstance.

The military pay issued by the court was insufficient, so they had to find their own ways to make up the difference.

The combat effectiveness of the border armies was high not only because they were on the front lines, but also in large part because their pay was more secure.

Besides the court’s allocations, the participation of border commanders in foreign trade and smuggling was also a major source of revenue.

Compared to the north, which was crowded with established military families, the competition in the south was significantly less intense.

One could live comfortably just by dabbling in a few local industries.

“Very well! I will first allocate ten thousand taels of reward silver to each of you. If you want more, then bring me heads to trade for it.”

The Marquis of Wuyang made the decision without batting an eye.

After arriving in Yangzhou City, his perspective had broadened.

A mere few tens of thousands of taels of silver could no longer faze him.

…

At dusk, the vanguard of the rebel army finally arrived before the walls of Yangzhou City.

“Mr. Zong, is this what you call a surprise night attack?”

Watching his exhausted soldiers collapsing to the ground everywhere, Huang Renlong asked irascibly.

It turned out that scholars were indeed unreliable.

They could talk a good game, but when it came to practical application, it was a completely different matter.

According to the pre-established plan, he should be ordering a surprise assault on Yangzhou City right now.

But the soldiers before him clearly lacked the strength to attack.

Thirty thousand handpicked soldiers had abandoned all their baggage and supplies, carrying only dry rations, and had accomplished the feat of marching twenty-five kilometers in a day.

The price was that over ten percent of them had fallen behind, and the soldiers who did keep up were utterly exhausted.

“General Huang, it’s mainly because these soldiers are too weak,” Zong Guangtai couldn’t help but argue.

“When you were smuggling salt, you led your men to march fifty kilometers a day without any trouble. To evade government troops, night marches were a common occurrence. These soldiers are exhausted after marching only twenty-five kilometers. It’s clearly a lack of physical stamina.”

He considered himself well-read in the art of war, and his command of the army in Taizhou had been smooth sailing.

He never would have imagined that his very first plan after leaving Taizhou would meet with such a major setback.

“Forget it. I can’t blame you for this, Mr. Zong. Pass down the order: make camp on the spot. We will attack the city tomorrow!”

Having suffered a setback, Huang Renlong instantly realized that the army under his command was far from an elite force.

As reason regained the upper hand, the arrogance he had built up dissipated on the spot, and his attitude toward Zong Guangtai became more courteous.

Chapter 59: The Assault

“Lord Commander, what brings you here?”

Seeing the sudden appearance of the Marquis of Wuyang, Li Mu asked in surprise.

Even if he were making an inspection, he should have chosen a different time.

The rebel army had just appeared; even the most negligent commander would be on the city walls observing the enemy.

“I was a little uneasy, so I came out for a walk. Have those Yangzhou soldiers been behaving themselves lately?”

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a light laugh.

But the trace of worry between his brows betrayed his inner anxiety. It was clear he did not like war.

“We’ve singled out a few suspicious soldiers. We haven’t had time to interrogate them yet, but I suspect they’re connected to the officers under house arrest.”

Li Mu didn’t hesitate to put in a bad word for them.

Official posts had always been a matter of one man, one job.

Everyone wanted to remain in a post in the prosperous Jiangnan region, and these local officers were the biggest obstacle.

Blocking someone’s path in officialdom was the greatest sin.

The group of ambitious sons of the titled nobility had already reached a tacit agreement to kick aside the stumbling blocks in front of them.

Placing the local Yangzhou officers under house arrest was something they had all strongly demanded.

The imperial in-law faction, led by the Marquis of Wuyang, hadn’t initially planned to move against them, but they couldn’t withstand the pressure from the nobles’ sons, who all claimed these men were colluding with the rebels and couldn’t be trusted.

Evidence was hard to find on short notice, but it was certain that some of these officers had been bought by the salt merchant cartel.

Every year, a massive amount of smuggled salt flowed out of the Lianghuai region. It would be impossible to accomplish without cover from the local military commanders.

“These bastards, their reach is really too long!”

The Marquis of Wuyang couldn’t help but curse angrily.

Smuggling and rebellion were not the same concept. An officer who had participated in the smuggled salt trade wouldn’t necessarily join the rebels.

But as long as there was suspicion, they had to be on guard.

It didn’t matter if they were wrong. The men were only under house arrest. After the matter was investigated and their names were cleared, all would be well.

But if they let a fish slip through the net, giving the enemy an opening and causing Yangzhou to fall, that would be a grave crime.

Not even the imperial in-laws could bear such a heavy responsibility.

“Lord Commander, calm your anger! It’s not worth ruining your health over a few traitors. While observing the enemy just now, I suddenly thought of a plan to defeat them. The enemy has yet to secure their footing, so tonight is the perfect time for a surprise attack. We just need to mobilize our elite troops and charge out from all the gates at once. It will surely throw the enemy into chaos!”

Li Mu urged with great enthusiasm.

The rebels outside the city looked like easy prey, the perfect target for some practice.

If the commanders led their household retainers on a charge before dawn, they could definitely cause the enemy a great deal of trouble.

If they were lucky enough to trigger a camp-wide panic, it would be a huge gain.

“It’s a good plan, but unfortunately, we lack cavalry. If we had ten thousand cavalrymen, this general would certainly give you the chance.”

Hearing the Marquis of Wuyang’s words, Li Mu forced himself to swallow what he was about to say.

It was utter nonsense. If he had ten thousand cavalry, he would have led them out to wreak havoc long ago. Why would he be stuck here defending a city?

He didn’t need ten thousand. Even with a thousand cavalry, he would have ridden out to quell the rebellion.

But the commander-in-chief didn’t want to take the risk, so nothing he said would matter.

Li Mu wasn’t brave enough to lead a raid on their camp by himself.

No matter how poor a state the rebels were in, they still had tens of thousands of troops, with at least some elite soldiers among them.

Charging into their formation with a few hundred infantrymen, if they were to get bogged down by the enemy, they could very well be wiped out.

The small interlude ended, and the top of the city wall returned to its previous calm.

After confirming the rebels wouldn’t attack that night, Li Mu decisively chose to go back and rest.

His intuition told him that getting a good night’s sleep would be difficult in the days to come.

…

At dawn, the first rays of sunlight fell upon the earth.

The rebel camp, where men were setting up pots to cook, suddenly burst into a clamor.

“General Huang, the walls of Yangzhou City are strong; we can’t scale them directly. While the other rebel armies are on their way, we should first arrange for men to build siege equipment!”

Zong Guangtai, his eyes ringed with dark circles, stepped forward and urged eagerly.

He hadn’t slept at all the previous night, pondering a path forward for the rebel army.

After racking his brains, he finally came to a conclusion: the rebel army’s combat effectiveness was too poor. He was unable to fully utilize his own intelligence and ingenuity.

Even the best-laid plans would be executed in a complete mess when left in their hands.

Regardless, since he had embarked on this path of no return, he had to see it through.

The greater the chaos they caused and the longer they dragged it out, the safer his own family would be.

Taking advantage of the widespread rebellion, the Zong family had already secretly moved most of its younger generation.

Some had chosen to flee overseas to escape the disaster.

Some had forged new identities and gone to other provinces to live in anonymity.

And some have gone into the mountains to become bandits.

The main strategy was not to put all their eggs in one basket.

As long as one person survived, the clan’s bloodline would continue.

Those who chose to stay with the rebel army were the ones who were unwilling to accept defeat, hoping to make one last desperate gamble.

“Mr. Zong’s words are reasonable. I’ll leave this matter in your hands.”

Hearing Huang Renlong’s words, Zong Guangtai froze on the spot.

Building siege equipment—how could a scholar like him possibly know such strange crafts and contraptions?

However, it was his own suggestion, so he was too embarrassed to say he couldn’t do it.

With so many men in the army, surely a few of them knew the craft.

“Rest assured, General. This student will see it done!”

Zong Guangtai said with a sense of resignation.

From the moment he accepted the order, the dynamic between them had been reversed.

Originally, Huang Renlong had been one who relied on the Zong family. Now, he, a direct descendant of the Zong family, had become Huang’s subordinate.

Similar scenes were constantly playing out among the various rebel armies.

As the scope of the uprising expanded, the Seven Great Families’ control over the rebel factions plummeted.

Aside from a few factions that remained under the direct control of the Seven Great Families, most of the rebel armies had now entered into a cooperative relationship with them.

Fights for leadership had led to more than a few instances of internal conflict.

For a time, the Lianghuai region was plunged into chaos. An endless stream of rebel factions began to spread out in all directions without order.

Pleas for help from the prefectures and commanderies along their path flew like snowflakes toward the Two Capitals.

…

Standing atop the gatehouse tower and seeing the enemy make no move, Li Mu grew restless.

Waiting in the face of the unknown was the most nerve-wracking thing of all.

The enemy’s delay in attacking felt like they were brewing some grand scheme, which put immense pressure on the new recruits.

“Adjust the cannons, aim for the enemy’s banner, and send them a couple of shells to start!”

As he gave the order, Li Mu decisively moved away from the cannon emplacement.

The age of these behemoths was probably greater than that of his own grandfather, who was already in his grave.

They could attack the enemy, but they could just as easily injure their own.

In the army of Great Yu, barrel explosions due to the poor quality of the cannons were nothing new.

BOOM…

After the deafening roar, the banner in the rebel camp still stood tall and straight.

The cannonball had landed a hundred meters in front of the commander’s tent, and a piece of shrapnel whizzed right past Huang Renlong.

“Pass down the order! Attack immediately! Tell the soldiers that the first man to scale the city walls will be promoted five ranks and rewarded with three thousand taels of silver. After we breach Yangzhou, there will be three days of plunder!”

That was an outrageous provocation. He had been just a hair’s breadth away from sharing the tragic fate of the wailing guards on the ground.

Chapter 60: Establishing Credibility

“How long has it been since these gunners practiced?”

Atop the gatehouse, having witnessed the cannon’s “precision accuracy,” Li Mu asked with doubt.

A range of only five or six hundred meters, yet it could miss by eighty or a hundred meters.

No matter how large the margin of error for a cannon, it shouldn’t be this exaggerated.

If it wasn’t the cannon’s problem, then it was the men’s.

“Lord, to be honest with you.”

“This is our first time actually firing. In the past, we only ever practiced loading.”

The young soldier’s excited reply left Li Mu speechless.

He had seen armies let their guard down, but never to this extent.

Never having fired a live round before, it was a miracle they could even fire the cannonball safely. Accuracy was certainly too much to hope for.

“Good work. Keep it up, and strive to become qualified artillerymen soon.”

“Be careful when you load the ammunition. Don’t hurt yourselves.”

“Later, you all will each receive a reward of one tael of silver!”

Li Mu encouraged them, forcing back his frustration.

The neglect of military equipment wasn’t the fault of common soldiers.

They risked their lives operating cannons that were over a century old. Even if they achieved no merit, they deserved credit for their hard work.

The brief interlude over, Li Mu’s attention was drawn to the Rebel Army’s movements.

The enemy was truly petty. He had only lobbed a few cannonballs their way, not even managing to knock over their command banner, yet these guys were already retaliating.

Watching the rebel troops hastily launch their charge, Li Mu rubbed his eyes.

Their formation was a complete mess. The densely packed soldiers swarmed forward like a hive of bees.

“Pass the order! Artillery, fire at will!”

Li Mu commanded on the spot.

The enemy was coming to offer up their heads; he had no reason to refuse.

The roar of cannon fire announced the beginning of the battle for Yangzhou.

Charging through the cannon fire and paying a heavy price, the Rebel Army finally reached the edge of the moat.

Countless soldiers threw sacks filled with dirt into the moat, attempting to fill the channel.

Seeing this scene, Li Mu couldn’t help but reveal a scornful smile.

Filling a moat was a massive undertaking.

Transporting earth and stone without carts, relying entirely on manual labor—how long would that take?

Besides, the defenders would intercept them. The assault had been underway for just a quarter of an hour, and the enemy had already suffered over a hundred casualties.

At this rate, they were simply trading lives for gunpowder.

…

“General Huang, the siege engines haven’t been built yet. We should sound the gongs for retreat immediately!”

Zong Guangtai said, his heart weary.

He had been busy gathering craftsmen to build siege equipment, only for the commander-in-chief to launch an attack.

If the enemy had been unprepared, a surprise attack at night might have had a chance of success.

But it was broad daylight, and the enemy was already on high alert.

Without siege equipment, even if they crossed the moat, they could only sigh at the sight of the city walls.

“Hmph!”

“Those government dogs dared to bombard this general’s camp! If we don’t retaliate, won’t it be a huge blow to morale!”

Huang Renlong said with a face full of fury.

This was utterly humiliating! Weren’t they just relying on the advantage of their cannons? Once his own cannons arrived, he would definitely teach the enemy a lesson.

“General, please be patient.”

“The various rebel forces are still gathering. If we suffer heavy losses here at Yangzhou City, I fear it will affect your standing within the Rebel Army!”

Zong Guangtai advised helplessly.

Anyone with a modicum of military sense knew that a large city like Yangzhou was difficult to breach without inside help.

The ones defending Yangzhou now were the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, and their informants inside the city had all been pushed out of the centers of power.

The possibility of opening the gates from within was virtually nil.

To choose a frontal assault on the city, they had to be fully prepared.

The moat alone was a formidable obstacle.

Whether filling it in or building bridges, both required a great number of auxiliary tools.

“Fine!”

“For your sake, Mr. Zong, I’ll let the government troops in the city live a few more days.”

“Once all the rebel forces have gathered, this commander will tear them to shreds to vent my hatred!”

Huang Renlong said viciously.

Though he blustered fiercely, deep down, his heart was pounding with unease.

If just one Yangzhou City was this hard to take, seizing the lands of the Great Yu would not be easy.

“Mr. Zong, is there a way to rapidly expand our army’s numbers and increase our combat effectiveness?”

Hearing Huang Renlong’s question, Zong Guangtai nearly coughed up blood in exasperation.

If such a wonderful method truly existed, the Zong family would have used it themselves long ago.

Just to raise their current force, they had already paid the price of losing their leadership role.

However, refusing outright would make him seem too incompetent.

After a moment’s hesitation, Zong Guangtai slowly said:

“Expanding the troops is simple. The general need only send out soldiers to conscript men.”

“However, Yangzhou Prefecture was long prepared. The villages we passed along the way were nearly all deserted.”

“The people have either fled into the city or hidden in the mountains.”

“If we want to conscript now, we can only send men to more distant places.”

“As for increasing combat effectiveness, it is nothing more than enforcing strict military discipline, intensifying training, and then throwing them into a few battles.”

“Elite soldiers are forged in battle. Once you’ve conquered a few more places, the general’s troops will naturally become an elite force.”

This kind of perfunctory answer was clearly not enough to satisfy Huang Renlong.

“Thank you for your guidance, Mr. Zong!”

Though his words were polite, deep down he had already realized that this Mr. Zong was no Crouching Dragon who could help him conquer the realm.

If he wanted to achieve the legacy of kings and hegemons, he would have to seek out a more talented advisor.

…

After the first wave of the assault ended, the defending soldiers, who had been apprehensive, now carried themselves with a newfound confidence.

As expected, confidence is a gift from your opponent.

The Rebel Army’s imposing assault didn’t even touch the city walls before they left behind several hundred corpses.

Their actions showed everyone the very definition of a disorderly mob.

“Pass down the order! Every soldier who participated in the previous battle will be rewarded with thirty copper coins!”

“Tell everyone that for every enemy wave we repel from now on, the soldiers who fight will receive a reward.”

It wasn’t that Li Mu was being stingy; it was simply that all the enemies had died outside the city. The defenders had not taken a single head, making it impossible to report the kills to his superiors for accounting.

Furthermore, these conscripted able-bodied men all came from the lowest rungs of society. Talk of glory and achievement would just make them fall asleep.

To motivate them, the best method was to hand out money.

The amount was secondary. The key was to distribute the full amount to establish a persona in everyone’s minds that he was a man of his word.

Only with sufficient credibility would people be willing to risk their lives when he started making grand promises later on.

…

“Lord Chiliarch, His Lordship sent me to inspect the battlefield situation.”

“The enemy attacked from this side just now. I wonder what their casualties were?”

The man was one of the Marquis of Wuyang’s personal soldiers. He and Li Mu had met a few times and were on familiar terms.

“Guard Liu, please trouble yourself to inform His Lordship that all is well here.”

“Through the valiant and bloody struggle of all our officers and men, we have slain several hundred enemy soldiers and successfully repelled the first wave of the rebel attack!”

To highlight his own merits, Li Mu deliberately dodged the question.

He knew how to file a report. Unfortunately, the achievements from the recent battle were difficult to verify, so he could only blur the details and focus on the fact that they had repelled the enemy.

Chapter 61: The Frustrated Commander

After a brief clash, the two sides entered a standoff.

For three consecutive days, the rebel army made no move. Li Mu knew the enemy had run into trouble.

Yangzhou was situated on the Jianghuai Plain, a wide expanse of flat land crisscrossed by a network of waterways, but lacking in mountains and high ridges.

After so many years of development, the trees on the plain were few and far between.

To build siege equipment, they had to send men to gather materials from farther away.

This back-and-forth journey caused a delay.

The number of rebels, however, continued to increase daily.

It was unclear if they were conscripted peasants or rebels from other areas converging on their position.

Certain that the enemy would not launch an immediate attack, Li Mu’s tense heart gradually relaxed.

As the defender of the city, time was the one thing he did not lack.

With the enemy not attacking, it was the perfect opportunity to train the new recruits in batches.

…

In the Prefecture office.

“Lord Commander, for what purpose have you summoned us?”

Li Mu asked, puzzled.

After the rebels had besieged the city, the officers had all been stationed in their respective defense sectors for ease of command.

Even if matters arose, they communicated through messengers.

This was the first time a meeting of all the city’s officers had been convened since the flames of war were lit.

“We’ve just received news that South Tongzhou has fallen.

The naval force sent by the court as reinforcements was betrayed by a traitor, resulting in heavy losses. Nearly one hundred warships have fallen into enemy hands.

Having captured a large number of ships, the rebels can sail upstream at any moment and attack our rear.

For the safety of Nanjing, the reinforcements assigned to us from the various southeastern provinces will be redirected to garrison Zhenjiang.”

As the Marquis of Wuyang finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room instantly grew heavy.

This terrible news had come too suddenly. The navy suffering a disastrous defeat and losing so many warships to the enemy sounded like a fantastical tale.

Li Mu seriously suspected that the navy officials were deliberately exaggerating their losses to balance their fraudulent books.

The navy was different from the army. Even if it were infiltrated by rebels, they would at most lose control of one or two ships.

The entire Jiangnan naval force had just over one hundred ships on its official roster.

If the enemy could turn a hundred of their ships, the Great Yu dynasty would have changed hands long ago.

The situation in the realm was still stable; how could so many traitors emerge?

As for the reinforcements from the southeastern provinces, they were an army that existed only on paper.

Having come from the garrison posts himself, he knew better than anyone how rotten the local garrisons were.

Running off to reinforce Zhenjiang was a pretense; the truth was they were afraid of exposing their own weakness to the Imperial Commissioner.

The various provinces had hundreds of thousands of registered troops. If they were truly capable, they could easily split their forces.

They could even be more aggressive and march directly to quell the rebellion without much difficulty.

He knew this, but it was all just personal speculation.

In the world of officialdom, one could never speak of such things without evidence.

Perhaps sensing an inside story, no one was the first to speak.

“Why is everyone silent? Have you been scared stiff by the rebels?”

The Marquis of Wuyang demanded, dissatisfied.

Deep down, his confidence was wavering.

His own military skills were limited; to defend the city, he had to rely on the generals under his command.

If even his subordinates had no solutions, they were in big trouble.

Abandoning the city and fleeing would be too humiliating. He was a man who cared about his face.

“Lord Commander, things might not be so bad.

It’s true that South Tongzhou has fallen, but the story of the navy’s defeat and loss of numerous ships is most likely a fabrication.

The Jiangnan navy is notorious for pocketing salaries for non-existent soldiers. I doubt they even have a hundred ships in total.

Let’s just wait and see. I estimate it won’t be long before we hear good news of the navy’s ‘heroic’ battle to hold back the rebels!”

Tang Jincheng said with a look of disdain.

Losing a battle meant being held accountable by the imperial court.

Using a defeat to cover their financial tracks was one thing, but they had to arrange a way to atone for their crimes with a meritorious service.

Afterward, with a bit of lobbying at court, they could get their merits and demerits to cancel each other out.

In one fell swoop, all their past corrupt accounts could be wiped clean.

And when the court allocated funds to rebuild the navy, they could make another fortune.

“Lord Commander, Chiliarch Tang has only told half the story.

The Jiangnan navy isn’t the only one playing tricks; so are the reinforcements from the southeastern provinces.

If the rebels don’t attack, they will actively seek an opportunity to engage them in battle.

Then they’ll cook up a battle report with both high achievements and high losses to cover up their own long-standing problems.

We are outsiders. Naturally, they want to keep us away from such shady business!”

After Zhao Yawei finished speaking, Li Mu felt an immense pressure weighing down on him.

He had to admit, these two were truly bold.

Plenty of people knew about the army’s corrupt practices, but few dared to expose them so directly.

With the first two having spoken so bluntly, it would be wrong for him to try and cover things up.

But adding more explosive revelations didn’t fit his position.

Others could lift the lid, but as a scion of the garrison post system, he couldn’t very well bite the hand that fed him.

“Lord Commander, the reinforcements from the southeastern provinces were never part of our considerations anyway. Whether they come or not is of little consequence.

The rebel army has a complex internal structure, making it difficult for them to achieve strategic unity. We cannot judge their next move by conventional logic.

Perhaps the rebels in South Tongzhou will come to join the siege against us, or they might march directly south.

They might even be audacious enough to make a run for Nanjing.

Previously, a foolhardy faction of rebels from Huai’an Prefecture raised the slogan of a northern expedition to the Central Plains and headed straight for Xuzhou.

They ended up running into the capital garrisons halfway and were completely annihilated!”

Li Mu decisively shifted the topic back to military matters.

There were certainly smart people among the rebels, but the majority were shortsighted, a consequence of the nature of such a movement.

An opponent like this was capable of making any kind of decision.

After Li Mu laid out the various possibilities, the Marquis of Wuyang was utterly bewildered.

One moment they were heading north, the next south, and then west.

Forcing a commander like him, who knew nothing of military affairs, to make a judgment was truly putting him on the spot.

“You all figure it out yourselves!

I don’t care how you fight, but Yangzhou City must not fall!

If you defend Yangzhou, This Marquis will personally request commendations for you from His Majesty.

Those who stay in the capital will be promoted at least one rank, and those posted outside will be promoted three ranks directly.

But if Yangzhou is lost, then you can just slit your own throats!”

The Marquis of Wuyang started making grand promises on the spot, though perhaps his technique was not very skilled, as he failed to state the unpleasantries first.

As a result, the officers’ spirits were not lifted.

Of course, the more likely reason was that everyone had powerful backers. As long as they achieved military merit, they had no doubt they would be promoted.

He felt quite frustrated, too. As the commander-in-chief, he clearly held the highest decision-making power, yet he was unable to make timely decisions.

The main reason he usually avoided holding military meetings was that they always ended with him feeling like an idiot.

This was especially true when the Chiliarchs disagreed with one another, which was a form of torture for the Marquis of Wuyang.

He felt that everyone’s arguments made sense and had no idea whose plan to adopt, so he could only wait for them to argue their way to a conclusion.

Deep in his heart, he had already made a decision. Once this assignment was complete, he would never lead troops again.

This kind of work was simply not fit for a human being.

Chapter 62: Ten to One, Surround Them

Huai’an City.

“The capital garrisons are still dragging their feet. What in the world are those titled nobles trying to do?”

Zuo Guang’en’s furious question made a group of his junior Eunuch Faction members tremble in fear.

Everyone knew the truth. The last time, during the personnel appointments for the Ministry of War, they had outmaneuvered the titled nobility. Now, the nobles were certainly looking for an opportunity to get even.

After arriving on the battlefield, the capital garrisons chose to go through the motions without putting in any real effort. This was the titled nobility’s way of demanding an explanation.

If the two sides could negotiate terms, the capital garrisons would get to work immediately. If, unfortunately, the talks broke down, it wouldn’t be too late for them to step in and quell the rebellion after Huai’an had fallen.

As long as the Emperor’s grand plan to reform the salt administration wasn’t affected, the loss of a city here or there was of little importance to the titled nobility.

But the Eunuch Faction couldn’t afford that. They were the ones who had forced the Jianghuai gentry families into rebellion. If they couldn’t bring the situation under control quickly, the Pure Stream Faction would undoubtedly seize upon the matter afterward.

More importantly, the top leaders of the Eunuch Faction were still in Huai’an City. They were all men who cherished their lives, with a great deal of glory and wealth yet to enjoy. They were not willing to die for their country so soon.

Yet, abandoning Huai’an City would have an abominable political impact. Even if they survived, they would be severely punished.

“Left Prime Minister, for the titled nobility to pressure us at a time like this is simply about benefits.

If their terms aren’t too outrageous, it would be best to agree to them for now. The bigger picture must take precedence!” Gu Yuansong advised tactfully.

The Eastern Depot was powerful now, and even the Jinyiwei had to rely on them. But in essence, the two sides were still in a cooperative relationship, not a subordinate one.

As the Commander of the Jinyiwei, he was only answerable to the Emperor.

Gu Yuansong could say what others dared not.

“Hmph!”

“To hell with the bigger picture!”

“One day, my will shall be the bigger picture!”

“Those damned titled nobles only know how to bully the honest.

The reason the last matter wasn’t fulfilled was entirely due to the fierce opposition from the Civil Official Bloc. This Prime Minister didn’t have the power to force all the officials to agree.

If they have the guts, they should go bother the civil officials! Why are they putting the blame on my head!” Zuo Guang’en cursed nonstop.

After venting his frustrations, Zuo Guang’en’s reason reasserted itself, and he had to seriously consider the conditions proposed by the titled nobility.

In the early days of the dynasty, the Chief Military Commission, controlled by the titled nobility, had the authority to appoint and dismiss military officials below the third rank and held significant influence over appointments for those of third rank and above.

Over time, these powers were gradually eroded by the Ministry of War.

Now, any appointments of generals below the third rank by the Chief Military Commission had to first be approved by the Ministry of War, then sent to the Grand Secretariat to be stamped, and finally to the Directorate of Ceremonial for the Emperor’s vermillion approval before they could take effect.

More often than not, the Ministry of War would usurp the Chief Military Commission’s role, drafting its own list of generals to be reassigned and submitting it directly to the Grand Secretariat.

As for the appointment of generals of the third rank and above, it had now become a matter of court nomination, with the Emperor making the final decision.

If the titled nobility wanted to insert a large number of their own scions into the southeastern army, they certainly couldn’t go through the current procedures. Otherwise, the Ministry of War would surely interfere.

“So be it. It’s just a batch of blank military appointment commissions. Tell them this Prime Minister agrees!” Zuo Guang’en said, steeling himself.

Issuing blank appointment documents in advance, without going through the Ministry of War or the Grand Secretariat and with the candidates completely unknown, was definitely against the rules.

Once the matter was exposed, it would inevitably cause a major uproar at court.

The Pure Stream Faction hated him to the bone. With such a perfect handle handed to them, they would surely use it to launch an attack.

Unfortunately, because he had broken his promise last time, the trust between the two factions had diminished.

No matter how many benefits he promised, it was useless. They wouldn’t act without seeing a tangible reward first.

If afterward, the Eunuch Faction honored the agreement and finalized the appointments proposed by the nobility, then everyone would cooperate to complete the procedures retroactively.

But if the procedures couldn’t be completed, the nobles would just fill in the names on the blank commissions they already had and send their sons directly to their new posts.

Zuo Guang’en had thought it through. His reputation was already ruined anyway; it wouldn’t matter if it got a little worse.

The worst-case scenario was that he would go on the offensive upon returning to the capital. Under the pretext of hunting down remnants of the rebels, he would launch a preemptive political reckoning against the members of the Pure Stream Faction.

If you can’t solve the problem, get rid of the people causing it.

Once he eliminated his opponents, no one would be left to question his procedural violations.

…

Yangzhou City.

“Lord Chiliarch, the enemy below is taunting us. Their curses are vile!” Big Wu said indignantly.

“I hear them. They’re just calling us cowards and cursing the commander’s entire family. What’s there to be angry about? If the enemy wants to curse, let them.

Pass down the order: ignore the enemy’s taunts.

If anyone feels upset, they can stand on the wall and trade curses with the enemy.”

Li Mu said nonchalantly.

It was just a few insults; his strong heart could easily take it.

Besides, they were cursing the commander’s family. What did that have to do with him?

Yangzhou was a large city. No matter how much of a commotion was raised outside, the Marquis of Wuyang, residing in the inner city, wouldn’t be able to hear it.

And if he couldn’t hear it, it was as good as non-existent.

As a proper subordinate, Li Mu certainly couldn’t trouble his commander with such trifling annoyances.

He figured the rebels outside had watched too many operas, still fantasizing that the defending army would come out for a duel of generals.

Little did they know that after the widespread adoption of firearms, the outdated combat style of dueling generals had been rendered obsolete.

After scorning the rebels in his mind, Li Mu began to admire the scenery from the gate tower.

The grim, murderous air of the battlefield added a different kind of charm to the misty, rainy Yangzhou.

…

Rebel Camp.

“Generals, the enemy commander is a stubborn turtle. The taunts are having no effect. It’s time to prepare for an assault!” Zong Guangtai urged.

The siege of Yangzhou City had already lasted nearly half a month. Aside from Huang Renlong’s initial campaign launched in a fit of rage, the rest of the time had been a standoff.

As time went on, the number of rebels gathered an army before the city had grown dramatically.

No one knew the exact number of troops, but judging by the scale of the camp, there were no fewer than three hundred thousand men. To the outside world, they claimed to have one million.

In theory, they had achieved the classic “ten to one, surround them” ratio, but in practice, an encirclement and annihilation were impossible. Even breaking through the city walls would be fraught with difficulty.

The army consisted of men and women, old and young. The proportion of able-bodied men was not high, and many had brought their entire families with them.

This was the greatest drawback of raising troops with local clans at the core.

Without a stable rear, everyone had to bring their families along.

The commander couldn’t refuse, or the soldiers below might mutiny at any moment.

“Mr. Zong, Yangzhou’s walls are sturdy. Our few siege engines are likely not enough.

As it happens, the Rebel Army to the south has taken South Tongzhou. Why don’t we build more siege equipment while we wait for them to arrive as reinforcements?” a middle-aged man who looked like an accountant suggested.

“Boss Cui, time waits for no man!

The capital garrisons have begun to move. The Rebel Army in Huai’an will surely not be able to hold them off; their defeat is only a matter of time.

Imperial reinforcements are coming from all directions.

If we cannot breach Yangzhou quickly and seize Nanjing before the imperial relief forces arrive, the battles ahead will be much harder to fight!” Zong Guangtai explained helplessly.

The thought of discussing strategy with a bandit chief made him feel aggrieved.

But the leaders of the Rebel Army were mostly uneducated men. As frustrated as he was, he could only teach them slowly.

“Everyone, I believe Mr. Zong’s proposal is sound. It’s best we take Yangzhou as soon as possible.

The supplies consumed by our army of several hundred thousand men each day are a tremendous figure. Our logistics can support us for twenty days at most.”

Huang Renlong spoke slowly.

He had obtained the position of Alliance Leader by providing grain and fodder for the army.

At first, he found it quite prestigious.

But that feeling didn’t last more than a few days.

The consumption of provisions was simply too great. Even though he controlled Taizhou City, he was under immense pressure to supply so much food.

“Fine. For Alliance Leader Huang’s sake, we’ll attack the city!” Boss Cui said, annoyed.

You can’t be tough on someone you take things from, and you can’t criticize someone who feeds you.

For those who lived by the code of the underworld, loyalty was paramount.

…

Chapter 63: The Accident

“Boom, boom, boom…”

The roar of cannon fire marked the beginning of a great battle.

It was a duel between two greenhorn artillery crews. It hardly mattered if one became the other’s target; the areas near the targets were far more dangerous.

Standing at an observation post on the city gate tower, Li Mu saw everything clearly. A large area around the enemy’s artillery position had been cleared, but that row of cannons was still standing.

“Send the order: cease the suppressive fire. The First Artillery Platoon is to commence free fire. The Second Artillery Platoon will relieve them in one hour. Send a man to inform the Lord Commander that our firepower on the southern side is severely lacking. Tell him to urge the Ministry of War in Nanjing to get the cannons over here at once. Hongyi cannons, three-eyed hand cannons, arquebuses, Five Thunder God-Machines, Crouching Tiger Cannons, Divine Fire Flying Crows, Fierce Fire Oil Cabinets, Rumi muskets, Frankish cannons… Whatever firearms they have, I’m not picky!”

The excellent tactic of a suppressive barrage had failed, thanks to the abysmal performance of his own artillerymen.

But Li Mu hadn’t given up. What he lacked in accuracy, he would make up for in numbers. With the Great Yu Dynasty backing him, he could easily afford a war of attrition with the rebels. Reinforcements of weapons and equipment from the Nanjing Ministry of War had already reached Zhenjiang, a large portion of which were firearms.

Now, only the river separated them. If he didn’t press them for the equipment now, when would he? Should the rebels attack Zhenjiang, the defenders there might just confiscate the firearms meant for him, which would be a catastrophic loss.

It took three years to train a competent archer. It took only three hours to train a hand cannon soldier.

Accuracy wasn’t important; as long as they learned to load the ammunition and fire the weapon properly, it was enough. Just like his current artillerymen—they had never hit their mark, but they had killed their fair share of enemies all the same. When defending a city, one couldn’t afford to be too selective.

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

The personal soldier turned and departed at once.

…

In the Rebel Army camp.

“Begin filling the moat and building the bridges simultaneously. Each of our forces will be responsible for one side. We must strive to breach Yangzhou City as quickly as possible. As agreed upon beforehand, whoever’s troops are the first to enter Yangzhou City will be hailed as the new Alliance Leader of the Lianghuai Alliance. I, Huang Renlong, am a man of my word. If your troops break into Yangzhou first, I will step down and yield the position!”

Huang Renlong spoke, high-spirited and full of vigor, showing no sign of disappointment at the prospect of losing his title as Alliance Leader.

As the first rebel force to arrive before Yangzhou City, not only did he command the most troops, but he had also made the most thorough preparations for the siege. He dangled the position of Alliance Leader as bait, mainly because he was worried the other groups wouldn’t put their full effort into the assault.

“Rest assured, General Huang. We who live by the code of the martial world value righteousness above all else. If anyone here wavers or deliberately holds back their forces during the siege, I, Cui, will be the first to object!”

As soon as Boss Cui spoke, the other rebel commanders echoed their agreement.

Regardless of their true intentions, they were all now on this rebellious path of no return. They would either carve a destiny fit for kings and nobles out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, or their enterprise would fail, and they would perish along the way.

The imperial court was powerful. If the various rebel armies didn’t want to be defeated one by one, they had to unite. As for whether to exert themselves in the coming siege, that would depend on the situation.

But there was one principle they all had to follow: they could slack off themselves, but they would never allow their allies to do the same. The best option would have been to attack together so they could all keep an eye on each other, preventing anyone from showing up without putting in the effort.

However, the drawback of that approach was obvious: no one trusted anyone else enough to hand over command of their own troops. And if they tried to command jointly, they would face the problem of conflicting orders and a lack of coordination between allied forces.

As a result, dividing the siege into separate sectors and launching dispersed attacks became the only viable, if reluctant, choice.

“Very well! I hope that the next time we meet, it will be inside Yangzhou City!” Huang Renlong declared gallantly.

As the rebel commanders returned to their posts, the battle for Yangzhou erupted in full force.

In an instant, rows of bridge-laying vehicles were pushed to the edge of the moat and began to be assembled. Not far away, carts laden with earth continuously dumped their contents into the river. The once-clear water quickly turned murky.

…

“General Huang, the plan to draw the enemy’s fire has failed. Let’s order a halt to the cannonade! We are too far from the city walls at this moment; it’s difficult for the artillerymen to hit their targets accurately. Our ammunition is limited and we cannot afford to waste it like this. Once the main army has crossed the moat, we can mass the cannons, trebuchets, and battering rams to launch an all-out assault on the enemy!”

Seeing that the city’s defenders had changed their tactics, Zong Guangtai advised.

In truth, he had been against launching the attack from the southeast even before the battle began. The failure of the previous siege attempt had made him realize that the defenders they were facing were no pushovers. Unfortunately, Huang Renlong couldn’t swallow his pride. He was determined to pick himself up right where he had fallen.

“Mr. Zong, halting the cannon fire now would be a terrible blow to morale. Our ammunition reserves can last a few days, at least. I’m sure…”

Before Huang Renlong could finish, a heaven-shaking explosion thundered across the field, making the very ground tremble.

A cloud of dust billowed into the air, and some of the tents closer to the front lines were blown sky-high.

“Go and see what happened up front!”

Coughing on a mouthful of dust, Huang Renlong demanded in a rage. The sound had come from the artillery position, and a commotion that loud was clearly not a good sign.

…

“General, one of the cannons suffered a barrel explosion just now, which detonated the nearby ammunition. Perhaps because the cannons were packed too densely and there was too much ammunition stored nearby, the entire artillery position was blown apart. Not only have our artillerymen suffered heavy losses, but nearby troops were also caught in the blast. At least…”

Before the guard could finish his report, Huang Renlong was already storming toward the artillery position.

By now, the dust had begun to settle, revealing a field littered with mangled corpses and the echoing wails of the wounded. The scene was so gruesome that even he, a man accustomed to slaughter, felt a wave of nausea.

Zong Guangtai, who had followed him, fared even worse. He began to vomit on the spot. It was truly asking too much of a scholar like him to face the gore of the battlefield so directly.

“Which son of a bitch was in charge of this arrangement? Why were the cannons placed so close together with so much ammunition piled up?” Huang Renlong questioned furiously.

This was a classic technical disaster.

It was nothing new for a cannon’s barrel to explode from overuse. Anyone with a bit of knowledge about artillery knew that the barrels had to be cooled after a period of use. If the temperature got too high, they had to be taken out of action.

It was basic common sense that a safe distance had to be maintained between adjacent cannons when setting up an artillery position. Piling all the ammunition directly at the gun emplacement was a grave mistake, one of the worst imaginable.

A series of technical errors had directly led to this catastrophe.

“General, Captain Zhou was in charge of the artillery. After he assigned the tasks, he took some men out to conscript more soldiers. He is no longer in the camp!”

Upon hearing this answer, Huang Renlong felt so angry he could have coughed up blood.

“That damned Skinflint Zhou! I never should have believed his bullshit!”

Chapter 64: Throwing Corpses into the River

A single mistake could be a coincidence.

A series of mistakes, however, was another matter entirely.

The suspicion was amplified by the fact that the main culprit behind the disaster had left the camp a step ahead of time.

“General Huang, this Captain Zhou claims to be a salt smuggler from Shandong, yet he has no Shandong accent. His joining us was suspicious from the very beginning.

But he presented the County Magistrate’s head as a pledge of fealty, which temporarily blinded everyone, so no one looked too closely into his identity.

Now it seems this man is most likely a Jinyiwei agent in disguise. His purpose was to infiltrate our camp and deliberately sabotage us!”

Zong Guangtai analyzed, forcing himself to endure his physical discomfort.

But when these words reached Huang Renlong’s ears, they took on a different meaning.

If you thought he was suspicious, you should have said so earlier!

He presented the County Magistrate’s head as a pledge of fealty. Who wouldn’t be taken in by that?

Besides, they had known each other before and had even conducted a few smuggled salt deals on the sly. They were old acquaintances.

He was even the one who had given him the nickname “Skinflint Zhou.”

If he had known there was something wrong with the man, he would have offed him long ago. Why would he have played this gambit of paying a king’s ransom to attract talent?

Now look. He hadn’t attracted any talent, just bought a pile of actual bones.

Soon, Huang Renlong realized that whether or not Captain Zhou was a Jinyiwei spy, he had to be one now.

Being outmaneuvered by the imperial court was far better than admitting his own poor judgment in appointing someone.

“Wang Pockface, put the word out on the street: a bounty of ten thousand taels for Skinflint Zhou’s head!”

Huang Renlong’s words left Zong Guangtai speechless.

As a leader of the Rebel Army, commanding tens of thousands of troops, he was still so steeped in the ways of the criminal underworld.

But these were minor details. Having lost their artillery, the Rebel Army’s siege firepower was drastically reduced.

In a duel between their trebuchets and the defenders’ cannons, the Rebel Army would clearly be at a great disadvantage.

If they lacked firepower on the battlefield, they would just have to fill the gap with human lives.

“General, attacking the city like this will cause our army immense losses.

Pull back the elite troops. First, use the captured rabble to expend the defenders’ ammunition.

Once the moat is filled, we will launch our main assault.”

Zong Guangtai said, speaking his mind.

He paid no mind to how ugly Huang Renlong’s expression became when he said the word “rabble.”

Aside from a few gentry, ninety-nine percent of the Rebel Army were the very “rabble” he spoke of.

In the past, he was a lofty scion of an aristocratic family, and of course, no one would have dared to challenge him for saying such things.

But now the tables had turned. They were all rebels; no one was nobler than anyone else.

To act this way now was a provocation.

“We will do as you say, Mr. Zong!”

Huang Renlong said, suppressing his displeasure.

This was not the time to fall out. Although the Zong family had gradually lost its leadership role in the uprising, their influence remained.

The ability to gather so many rebels was primarily due to the Zong family taking the lead.

Without the Zong family’s support, who would he, a salt smuggler who had lived his whole life in the shadows, even be?

If he wanted to emerge from his chrysalis, he had to make a name for himself.

His influence in Taizhou was not enough. He had to capture a major city like Yangzhou to establish sufficient prestige within the Rebel Army.

The more this was the case, the more he needed the Zong family’s support.

This Mr. Zong before him was no top-tier strategist, but he was the best one he had access to.

Along the way, he had also gathered many scholars, but regrettably, they were all useless pedants who could only spout classical nonsense.

Their mouths were full of the sages’ teachings, but when the time came to act, they were all struck dumb.

It wasn’t that these men lacked talent; it was simply that none of them had ever been exposed to a high-level art like rebellion.

Not just anyone was qualified to learn the “art of overthrowing a dynasty.”

Aristocratic families had their collections of such knowledge, but in times of peace, who would dare let their children study it?

Even someone like Zong Guangtai, with his partial understanding, had only crammed on the relevant knowledge after the rebellion had already begun.

One only had to look at their siege tactics to know that the Rebel Army was still in a phase of trial and error.

…

“Lord Chiliarch, there was an explosion in the rebel camp! All their cannons have gone silent!”

Upon receiving this excellent news, Li Mu immediately put down his bowl and chopsticks and rushed to the gatehouse tower.

The good news had come far too suddenly.

The rebel cannons hadn’t posed a threat to the defenders because the enemy hadn’t been using them correctly.

The rebel soldiers had no armor, so from the defenders’ perspective, using explosive shells would inflict maximum casualties.

But sieging was different. One had to use solid shot for precision strikes against targets to pose a threat to the city.

Presumably, they had been provoked. The rebels outside the city weren’t using their cannons as siege weapons, but instead had engaged in an artillery duel.

They couldn’t keep falling into that trap forever.

After a few more days of dueling, once the enemy came to their senses, the pressure on the defenders would increase immensely.

Yangzhou’s city walls were sturdy, it was true, but they had been built two hundred years ago, with only maintenance done since.

After so many years of peace, the local officials hadn’t paid much attention to the upkeep of the walls.

They looked unchanged on the outside, but their true defensive capability remained to be seen.

Looking through his telescope at the tragic state of the enemy’s artillery position, Li Mu was taken aback.

The scene could no longer be described as a heavy loss. The enemy’s artillery position had been completely wiped out in one fell swoop.

This was definitely not something his own artillerymen could have accomplished!

Even if every single one of their cannonballs had hit its mark, they couldn’t have caused so much damage.

“Master Lan, send a man to report the victory to the Lord Commander.

Just say that our soldiers fought valiantly, slew over a thousand enemy troops, and destroyed their artillery position!”

Li Mu said with a straight face.

There was no need to investigate what had happened in the enemy camp. The result was good, and that was all that mattered.

The Great Yu dynasty placed far less importance on artillery than later generations, so destroying an enemy artillery position wouldn’t be considered a great merit.

But for the city’s defense, the magnitude of the merit was not important. What was crucial was to have a victory report to calm the people’s hearts.

“My lord, perhaps we should embellish the victory report a little.

That way, if the Lord Commander asks, the men below will have an easier time answering.”

Lan Linjie suggested with some hesitation.

Exaggerating military achievements was nothing new.

Especially in a defensive battle like this, the number of enemies killed was whatever the frontline commander said it was.

As long as the city was held and the reported achievements weren’t too outrageous, the imperial court would turn a blind eye.

“No embellishments. Report it exactly as I said. Not a single word is to be added!”

Li Mu shook his head and said.

With so many witnesses on the scene, the truth couldn’t be hidden.

If he took all the credit, the other officers would surely feel resentful, and someone might go and snitch on him.

On the contrary, leaving it vague was the most unassailable approach.

If it was unclear who was responsible, when the court assessed the merits, the credit would still fall to him, the defending commander.

As the two conversed, the rebels herded captured civilians forward to serve as cannon fodder, resorting to human wave tactics.

Cart after cart of soil was relentlessly pushed into the moat, and the water’s surface continuously narrowed.

“Don’t waste time collecting the dead! Just throw the corpses into the river! We need to fill that riverbed as quickly as possible!”

Even this speed of filling the moat was not enough to satisfy the rebel commanders, who issued the ruthless order to dump the bodies into the river.

The most tragic were the wounded. They were still alive, but because they could no longer move, they too were thrown into the river.

The captured villagers could only watch in silent fury.

Chapter 65: A Brutal Battle

With the moat filled, the siege immediately grew fierce.

The Rebel Army’s attack was indeed disorganized, but their sheer numbers were overwhelming.

One wave of soldiers would fall, only to be instantly replaced by another, a seemingly endless tide.

Boom! An aging cannon reached the end of its life.

Two nearby gunners were sent flying into the air by the explosion.

Even using the cannons in rotation couldn’t prevent such accidents.

“Cease fire! Inspect the remaining cannons for safety!” Li Mu ordered at once.

After several consecutive days of live fire, the artillerymen’s accuracy had improved significantly.

Within effective range, the margin of error was generally within thirty meters.

A few exceptional cannoneers could even achieve an accuracy of within fifteen meters.

Such precision would be considered unimpressive in later ages, but for the Great Yu Dynasty, it was quite remarkable.

Training a skilled artilleryman was not easy, and Li Mu had always valued such technical personnel. He certainly couldn’t afford to lose them needlessly.

…

“The enemy is out of ammunition! Seize the opportunity and launch an all-out assault!”

From a watchtower, Huang Renlong, who had been observing the battle, gave the order with an excited expression.

Through days of probing, the Rebel Army soldiers had also gained a great deal of experience in dodging cannonballs.

The cannons’ lethality had noticeably decreased compared to a few days prior.

But the thundering roar of the artillery still had a powerful suppressive effect on the Rebel Army’s morale.

Their massive siege engines, in particular, would be instantly destroyed if struck by the enemy’s solid shot.

Now, with the threat of the cannons gone, the morale of the Rebel Army soldiers soared.

No longer holding back to conserve his strength, Huang Renlong deployed all his siege equipment.

Over a hundred massive trebuchets unleashed their full might against the city walls.

Soldiers, using wooden planks as shields, pushed battering rams toward the city gates.

The already-prepared dare-to-die squad shouldered scaling ladders and rushed to place them against the walls, only to be met by a rain of stones from above.

Many were crushed to a pulp before they could even set foot on a ladder.

The lucky few who made it to the top were riddled with arrows before they had a chance to rejoice.

Cauldrons of scalding filth were then poured down from above.

Incessant screams mixed with a pungent stench, filling the battlefield with a foul miasma.

Casualties among the defending soldiers on the city walls also began to mount.

No one knew when a flying boulder might smash them into a bloody paste.

The battle had entered its most intense phase, a contest of endurance between the two sides.

“Second battalion, move up and relieve them!”

Li Mu commanded coldly.

Having witnessed the brutality of war firsthand, his desire to achieve fame and glory had faded somewhat.

Now, he only wanted to defeat the rebels as quickly as possible and restore peace to Yangzhou City.

Time ticked by, and the sky gradually darkened, yet the two armies continued their fierce slaughter.

At a critical moment, rebel soldiers managed to surge onto the top of the wall, but they were quickly dealt with by the defenders.

…

“Eldest brother, give the order to retreat!

It’s getting late, and the enemy’s defenses are still solid. It’s impossible to take the city today.

The dare-to-die battalion has been completely wiped out, and the three battalions we sent in rotation have all suffered devastating losses. If this continues, the fourth battalion will be gone too!”

Huang Renliang urged anxiously.

Unlike the cannon fodder units from before, the battalions that had participated in today’s assault were among the first troops they had ever raised.

They might not be much by the standards of the world, but within this Rebel Army, they were undoubtedly the elite.

“Sound the gongs for retreat!”

Huang Renlong said, suppressing his fury.

In his heart, he too was bleeding.

He didn’t care how many of the cannon fodder died.

But his veteran battalions were different. Most of the soldiers were men he had brought from his hometown—his neighbors and his kinsmen.

Since they embarked on the path of rebellion, these were the men who had fought the hardest battles.

“General, the army’s combat effectiveness has dropped significantly since we expanded.

If it were the old veteran battalions, we might have just taken the city gate!”

Huang Renlong pretended not to hear Zong Guangtai’s words.

If he hadn’t expanded the army, he would never have been willing to send his veteran battalions into the fray.

Given the intensity of the battle they had just fought, even the most elite troops would have been ground down on those city walls.

If he lost the core of his rebellion in a single battle, then even if he took Yangzhou City, he would only be paving the way for someone else to reap the rewards.

“Mr. Zong, the combat strength displayed by the defenders is far greater than that of any government forces we’ve encountered before.

These men are from the capital; threats and bribes are both useless against them.

If we continue to storm the city by force, I fear the Rebel Army will suffer catastrophic losses.

Do you have a clever strategy to breach the city?” Huang Renlong asked expectantly.

All their previous victories in sieges had been accomplished through attacks from both inside and out.

Most of the time, an offensive of bribes was all that was needed; heavily bribing the defending officers and soldiers was enough to take a city with ease.

If the defenders refused to cooperate, capturing their families would always make someone yield.

This was the first time they had to crack a truly tough nut.

The core officers of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were still the sons of the titled nobility. These men would never abandon their current lives of privilege to throw in their lot with a rebel leader like him.

“In the art of war, attacking the heart is paramount; attacking the city is secondary.

General, to breach Yangzhou City, you must first break the spirit of its army.

They have been besieged by us for over twenty days. The lives of the soldiers and citizens inside must be greatly affected.

The imperial court is corrupt beyond measure, and its commanders are notorious for skimming provisions and pay. The soldiers often suffer from cold and hunger.

Why not set up iron cauldrons outside our camp, slaughter a hundred fat pigs, and let the aroma drift into the city on the wind?” Zong Guangtai said with a smile.

The look of smug satisfaction in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts.

In recent days, Huang Renlong had been constantly trying to recruit other advisors, and there was a noticeable distance growing between them.

Unfortunately, his admiration was unrequited. The scholars looked down on him, a mere salt smuggler.

Even a Great Confucian Scholar renowned for his virtue became clumsy and useless after being invited into the Rebel Army.

When asked for strategies, he would only spout platitudes from the Confucian classics, never offering any concrete plans.

Occasionally, a bold one would even launch into a tirade against Huang Renlong.

In short, joining the rebels was out of the question for them.

Unless someone genuinely pledged their allegiance, asking them for strategies was fraught with hidden dangers.

If one of them bore a grudge and deliberately set a trap, it could prove fatal.

After running in circles, he had finally come back to him for help.

“Mr. Zong, you make it sound so easy.

Our army has been here for so many days. There isn’t a soul for fifty kilometers in any direction. Where are we supposed to get a hundred fat pigs?”

Huang Renliang, standing to the side, said with a sneer.

The Rebel Army had no concept of sustainable development. Any pigs, cattle, or sheep they plundered had long since been slaughtered and eaten.

“Renliang, do not be rude to Mr. Zong!

His intention is to let the aroma of meat drift into the city to undermine the morale of the enemy soldiers.

It’s pitch black, and they’re so far away. How would the enemy know what kind of meat we’re stewing?

If you can’t find pork, with so many dead on the battlefield, can’t you find a substitute?” Huang Renlong immediately chided.

“Eldest brother, brilliant!

Mr. Zong, I misspoke just now. Please forgive me!”

Huang Renliang’s abrupt change in demeanor made Zong Guangtai deeply uncomfortable.

The idea of stewing human flesh was a tremendous shock to a scion of an aristocratic family like him, who had been steeped in the classics.

…

Chapter 66: Night Raid on the Camp

After a patrol of the defensive line, the second watch of the night had arrived. Just as Li Mu was preparing for bed, he suddenly caught the scent of roasting meat.

For the city’s defense, all the houses near the wall had been requisitioned and turned into temporary military barracks.

At this hour, the army kitchens would have long since extinguished their fires. Where could the smell of meat be coming from?

Realizing something was wrong, Li Mu forwent his rest and quickly appeared on the city wall.

Just as he suspected, the aroma was indeed wafting over from the rebel camp.

The temptation of meat was one of the most common tactics in ancient siege warfare.

When a city was short on food, this method was most effective at breaking the defenders’ morale.

Seeing through the enemy’s plot, Li Mu let out a scornful laugh.

The rebels outside the city must have read their military manuals to come up with this, but their execution was sorely lacking.

The armies of the Great Yu were poor, and its soldiers often went hungry, but that didn’t mean all its armies were paupers.

The self-funded Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were the wealthy ones in the army.

The illicit funds confiscated earlier were currently piled up in the Yangzhou Prefecture’s treasury, not yet having been transported to the capital.

All expenses were paid from the prefecture’s treasury. There was no need to save money for the imperial court at the expense of their own men.

The Marquis of Wuyang had issued the defenders’ provisions and pay in full.

The soldiers’ rations, moreover, were distributed according to the highest standards.

Even though soldiers died in battle every day, the supplies requisitioned by each unit were not reduced due to the decrease in numbers.

The Rebel Army had no navy, and the land across the river was still imperial territory. Besieging Yangzhou City was a joke.

The commanders with real power in the army were all outstanding scions of the titled nobility. They weren’t so short-sighted as to skimp on the rations of their fighting men.

Since the soldiers could fill their bellies, this round of psychological warfare had lost most of its effect.

However, from the way the soldiers were swallowing their saliva, it was clear that they were craving meat.

In a feudal dynasty, guaranteeing a meat supply for an army of thirty thousand was simply too difficult.

Even with ample funds, the only meat the defenders could get was fish.

After pacing a few steps on the wall, Li Mu once again sensed that something was amiss.

The number of rebels outside the city far exceeded that of the defenders.

Supplying meat for an army of several hundred thousand was something the Rebel Army was simply incapable of.

“You there, take a sniff. Doesn’t this aroma seem a bit… off?”

Prompted by Li Mu, the few officers on duty instantly noticed something was wrong.

“Your Excellency, this isn’t the smell of beef, mutton, or pork. And it can’t possibly be fish!”

By process of elimination, the answer was immediately obvious.

“Immediately expose the rebels’ atrocities to the soldiers!”

Li Mu ordered decisively.

He never would have dreamed that the rebels could be so brutal.

To commit an act like cannibalism, which challenged the very bottom line of morality…

He really couldn’t understand it. When aristocratic clans rebelled, their insight should have been greater than that of common rebels. How could they keep doing such foolish things?

The expressions of shared hatred on the defending soldiers’ faces showed that everyone was thoroughly enraged by the rebels’ atrocity, an act that defied all moral principles.

Causing such a commotion made it impossible to keep secret.

Those who had been coerced into joining the Rebel Army would surely be alienated from them.

It was a pity Li Mu wasn’t the commander-in-chief, otherwise tonight would be the perfect opportunity to crush the enemy.

The rebel camp right now was like firewood doused in oil. All it needed was a single spark to set it ablaze.

“Lord Chiliarch, there’s a disturbance in the rebel camp! It looks like something’s happened!”

Centurion Deng said, his expression excited.

Looking toward the enemy camp, Li Mu could faintly hear the sounds of arguing mixed with fighting.

Unfortunately, the light was too dim to see clearly what was happening.

“Select five hundred men for a dare-to-die squad, and prepare for a night raid on the enemy camp! Tell them that all participants will be rewarded with ten taels of silver. If the raid is successful, each man will receive twenty taels. For those who fall in battle, fifty taels in death benefits will be distributed to each, and the court will provide for their families. For those who perform great deeds, this official will recommend them for a bright future!”

Li Mu said, steeling his heart.

Fortune favors the bold.

A golden opportunity had presented itself; there was no reason to let it pass.

…

“What’s going on outside? Why is it so noisy?”

Huang Renlong asked, displeased.

After the setback in the assault on the city, nothing had gone right for him.

Many problems within the army, previously concealed by victory, were now coming to light one after another.

Trying to solve these issues had left him mentally and physically exhausted.

“General, it seems to be an argument over meat.”

The personal soldier’s answer made Huang Renlong’s brows furrow.

For a moment, he felt as though Zong Guangtai had been possessed by a jinx lately. Every piece of advice from this Mr. Zong had resulted in some mishap during its execution.

Passing off human flesh as pork had to be kept strictly confidential.

Once the news leaked, panic would surely spread through the army.

This was especially true for the cannon fodder units, which lacked any sense of belonging and could mutiny at a moment’s notice.

This kind of task could only be entrusted to a few confidants.

But so much meat had been stewed, and none of it was shared with everyone.

This had aroused the dissatisfaction of the common soldiers, leading to the current fiasco.

“Send out the order! All troops are to return to their respective camps immediately. Anyone leaving their camp without authorization…”

Before he could finish giving the order, the situation outside changed again.

In addition to his own men wanting meat, soldiers from their allies had also been drawn over.

The confidants he had stationed there couldn’t stop them, and the men forced their way in.

These men didn’t stand on ceremony. They grabbed their bowls and started eating, only realizing something was wrong once the meat was in their mouths.

The truth was revealed. Aside from a few deviants who ate with even greater relish, most couldn’t help but vomit.

In an instant, the camp was filled with furious curses, with countless men cursing Huang Renlong and his entire family.

If he went out now, he would get a beating at the very least; at worst, he could lose his life.

The Rebel Army was not a monolith. There was more than one or two allies who wanted him dead.

“What are you standing around for? Go find Mr. Zong immediately! It was his idea; he has to be responsible for dealing with the aftermath!”

Huang Renlong roared at his personal soldier.

At a time of crisis, his mind was remarkably clear.

With the Rebel Army in an uproar, the most urgent task was to pacify them.

Better you than me.

Someone had to take the fall for this. It couldn’t be him, so he would just have to let Mr. Zong, the one who proposed the idea, take the blame.

…

Just as the rebel camp descended into chaos, Li Mu was personally seeing off the dare-to-die squad.

They drank a bowl of parting wine, but this time, he didn’t say a single one of his usual sentimental words.

“Platoon Commander Zhou, the men are in your hands now. Do everything you can to bring them back alive!”

Li Mu said with a heavy heart.

Infantry were not cavalry. Regardless of whether tonight’s raid was successful, it would be difficult for these soldiers to return alive.

“Rest assured, Lord Chiliarch. On this mission, I, Zhou Chuanfa, will give it my all!”

Zhou Chuanfa said heroically.

With no connections or background, he had fought his way to the position of platoon commander through his work on various cases.

In the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, this rank was the ceiling for a commoner.

Under normal circumstances, he would serve as a platoon commander until retirement, or perhaps be pushed out midway by someone with connections and forced into an early retirement.

But Zhou Chuanfa was not content with such a mediocre life. Wanting to fight for a better future for his descendants, he had signed up for the dare-to-die squad.

“Good! I hope that when you return, you will be Centurion Zhou!”

Li Mu promised on the spot.

The value of a good reputation was demonstrated at times like this.

He had no say whatsoever in the appointment of centurions in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, yet Zhou Chuanfa still believed he could fulfill his promise.

Rows of hanging baskets appeared on the city wall. The soldiers boarded them in an orderly fashion and were slowly lowered down the side of the wall.

Chapter 67: The Grand Melee

The Rebel Army camp.

As the news fermented, the chaos in the camp continued to grow.

Unlike past rebellions born of utter desperation, this one was instigated by the great families of Lianghuai. The common folk could still make a living.

They had not experienced the misery of eating grass roots and chewing tree bark, nor the human tragedy of trading children to eat. Thus, their moral bottom line remained intact.

To escalate directly to cannibalism when there was still grain in the camp was something none of them could accept.

Explanations were useless; they only believed what they could see with their own eyes.

Faced with the wrath of the soldiers, Huang Renlong, the commander-in-chief, didn’t dare show his face.

Seeing the camp descend into turmoil, Zong Guangtai, the strategist, felt a splitting headache.

He didn’t know which god he had offended, but ever since entering Yangzhou Prefecture, he’d had a terrible run of bad luck.

His plans were明明 brilliant and unassailable, perfectly aligned with the art of war, yet they were always hit with some kind of trouble when put into practice.

“Mr. Zong, the general asks for your presence!”

Hearing this familiar voice, Zong Guangtai instantly realized the situation was dire.

He was a dilettante when it came to leading troops in battle, but at intrigue and power plays, his skills were far from lacking.

When something like this happened, the most urgent task was to quell the internal conflict as quickly as possible.

The longer it dragged on, the greater the damage.

For Huang Renlong to not resolve the problem himself but instead send for his advisor… it felt like he was about to be made a scapegoat, just like when the ancient warlord Cao Cao “borrowed a head.”

Once the thought surfaced, he couldn’t shake it.

“Go back and report that I’ll be there after I change my clothes!”

Though he paid lip service, deep down, Zong Guangtai was already planning his escape.

It was true that the idea was his, but he had suggested stewing pork.

It was only during the execution phase that it became human flesh, leading to the subsequent string of troubles. On what grounds should he be held responsible?

Besides, the man surnamed Huang was clearly incompetent and destined for failure. Leaving early was the right course of action.

In a moment of crisis, Zong Guangtai was a decisive man.

Once he decided to flee, he couldn’t be bothered with packing.

Carrying some silver taels and a forged travel permit, he slipped out of his tent with two of his family’s deathsworn guards.

When a man’s luck runs out, even drinking cool water can make you choke.

He had just stepped out of the camp when he heard two screams. His two deathsworn guards had already fallen into pools of their own blood.

“Who’s there? How dare you kill my Zong—”

Before he could finish, a blade pressed against his neck forced him to swallow his anger.

“Spare me, General! I was captured by the rebels; I never wanted to join them.

Tonight, seeing the chaos in their camp, I took the opportunity to escape this demon’s den!”

In that short time, he had fabricated a reasonable excuse. Zong Guangtai even admired his own quick-wittedness.

“Cut the crap. If you want to live, prove you’re useful. Now, I ask, you answer.

Get it right, and I’ll take you back to claim credit for your help.

Get it wrong, and I’ll chop off your head right now, scholar!”

As he spoke, Zhou Chuanfa made a throat-slitting gesture that sent a cold sweat down Zong Guangtai’s back.

When a scholar meets a soldier, reason is useless—and he was in the wrong to begin with.

With his identity as a scion of the Zong family, if he fell into the hands of the imperial court, he would face death by a thousand cuts if he was lucky; if not, it would be execution by being cut in half at the waist, his body discarded in the public market.

“General, please, ask whatever you wish to know.

I’m familiar with the rebel camp. I will surely give you a satisfactory answer!” Zong Guangtai said, his heart pounding.

How he would die later was a problem for the future. The urgent matter at hand was to survive now.

The man before him had an accent from the capital, so he was likely from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

Falling into their hands was better than being captured by the local authorities.

His name was well-known in Jiangnan, but few in the capital would recognize him.

In this time of war and chaos, it would be impossible to verify a fabricated identity in the short term.

With that time lag, he could plan his next move.

“First, tell me what happened in the rebel camp,” Zhou Chuanfa asked with concern.

He had managed to sneak all the way here without encountering a single patrolling soldier.

The situation was so strange he suspected it was a trap.

“To answer the general’s question,
that damned rebel chief stewed over a hundred pots of human flesh today.

The aroma was too strong, and the soldiers below found out. They’re rioting now,” Zong Guangtai said indignantly.

A perfectly good plan had been completely ruined by an incompetent ally.

If Huang Renlong hadn’t tried to be clever and caused this massive mess, he wouldn’t have had to flee in the middle of the night, much less fall into the hands of government troops.

The speaker was careless, but the listener was deeply shaken.

He had originally thought it was a crime their Chiliarch had pinned on the rebels to placate their own troops’ minds. He never imagined these traitors would actually dare to do it.

So depraved that they wouldn’t even spare the bodies of their own comrades-in-arms. No wonder the soldiers couldn’t stomach it.

“Take me to the rebel granary!” Zhou Chuanfa said coldly.

Deep in his heart, Zong Guangtai wanted to refuse.

He had been forced to abandon the Rebel Army, but that didn’t mean he wanted to see it destroyed.

Once the granary was burned, the Rebel Army wouldn’t last long.

And without the Rebel Army stirring up chaos in the realm, how could the rule of the Great Yu be overthrown?

“General, the granary is a vital area, heavily guarded by the rebels…”

“Don’t worry, General, I’ll take you there right now!”

The words of refusal never left his mouth. His body’s instinct made a decision that went against his conscience.

The cold glint of the great blade was simply too intimidating.

The rebels came from complex backgrounds, with people from all walks of life, including not a few former government soldiers who had been incorporated into their ranks.

The chaos in the camp created the perfect cover for the dare-to-die squad to infiltrate.

There were too many people coming and going to tell which unit anyone belonged to.

Coincidentally, the dare-to-die squad was also a hastily assembled unit.

The team included both official soldiers and conscripted civilians, and their clothing was just as varied.

Aside from a more imposing air, there was no substantial difference in their appearance.

Whenever they were challenged for a password, Zong Guangtai would answer, and they somehow managed to bluff their way through.

“General, this is the granary!”

Zong Guangtai pointed a finger at the stockade ahead.

“Very good. If this operation succeeds, I will see to it that you receive the highest merit.

You two, watch over this gentleman. Don’t let him be harmed by the rebels!”

Zhou Chuanfa’s words extinguished any thought Zong Guangtai had of escaping in the chaos.

The members of the squad spontaneously fanned out, approaching the granary from all sides.

“The granary is a restricted area! No unauthorized personnel are to approach—”

The shout was cut short by the slash of a blade.

At almost the same instant, the government soldiers participating in the raid launched their attack on the rebel soldiers guarding the granary.

“Enemy attack!”

By the time the realization dawned, the battle had already engulfed the granary area.

The surrounding bonfires became the perfect tools for burning the granary, and soon, a fierce fire was raging in the camp.

The sneak attack on the granary threw the already chaotic rebel camp into even greater disarray.

In the pitch-black darkness, the minds of the common soldiers were a complete muddle; they had no idea what was happening.

This was especially true for friendly troops from nearby units who had come over to visit. Before they could figure out the situation, they were treated as enemies.

Some who held grudges also took the opportunity to settle old scores, making the situation even more unmanageable.

Chapter 68: A Single General’s Success is Built on the Bones of Ten Thousand

“Stop!”

“All of you, stop this instant!”

Huang Renlong’s furious roars not only had no effect, but they also attracted a swarm of blood-crazed soldiers.

If his personal guards hadn’t been fighting desperately to cover his retreat, he might very well have been trapped amidst the mutinous army.

The Rebel Army was a hastily assembled force, and the soldiers didn’t even recognize him as their commander-in-chief.

Of course, if they had all recognized him, he probably would have had a hard time escaping with his life.

Aside from a small number of soldiers who genuinely wanted to rebel, most of them had been forcibly conscripted.

To cut off the soldiers’ path of retreat, not only had their grain been taken away, but their houses had also been set on fire.

In the eyes of many soldiers, Huang Renlong was not just the commander of the army, but also the enemy who had destroyed their homes.

The human flesh was merely the spark; the chaos erupting in the camp was, in essence, a concentrated outbreak of the Rebel Army’s internal conflicts.

“Eldest brother, the army is in complete chaos. The situation is beyond saving.

“Besides, the granary has been burned. Even if we could quell the chaos, we can’t magic up more grain.

“Without grain, those allies of ours will tear us to pieces.

“If we leave now while they haven’t reacted yet, we can still make it!”

Huang Renliang urged him earnestly.

They themselves were just a band of salt smugglers. When they first joined the rebellion, they had only wanted to take advantage of the chaos to make a profit.

All their lofty ambitions had been instilled in them by Zong Guangtai during the course of the rebellion.

Faced with a predicament, their method for solving the problem was still that of a salt smuggler.

“Leave? And go where?

“Leading a group of defeated stragglers, we’ll either be absorbed by another rebel force or annihilated by the imperial court.

“Either way, we brothers will not escape death!”

Huang Renlong said with a bitter smile.

He had done it to others, so he knew others could do it to him.

Previously, when he had absorbed other rebel forces, he had been fond of eliminating their leaders to ensure the stability of his own troops.

Judging others by his own standards, he didn’t dare seek refuge with any other rebel army.

“Let’s go back to Taizhou first. There’s still an army of ten thousand stationed there.

“We can gather some of the scattered soldiers, and we’ll still be a rebel force.

“From now on, we’ll avoid big cities like Yangzhou and focus on attacking smaller places to slowly regain our strength.

“It’s all that bastard Zong’s fault! If he hadn’t come up with his stupid ideas, we wouldn’t be in this sorry mess!”

Huang Renliang said resentfully, shifting the blame.

With such a major disaster, someone within the Rebel Army had to be held accountable.

Since the brothers didn’t want to take responsibility, they could only pin the blame on their strategist, Zong Guangtai.

Besides, it wasn’t entirely unfair. If Zong Guangtai’s plan had been more meticulous, or if he had spoken up to dissuade them, tonight’s tragedy might have been averted.

“Hmph!”

“That bastard Zong Guangtai is just a useless fraud, famous for nothing. If the Zong family weren’t the main culprits behind this treason, I’d suspect he was one of the court’s men.

“If that little brat hadn’t run so fast, I’d have flayed him alive!”

Cursing and swearing, the Huang brothers, along with a group of their trusted followers, embarked on the road of escape.

Without their commander’s intervention, the chaos in the camp began to spread in all directions, affecting several nearby rebel units.

For a time, the sounds of fighting and miserable screams pierced the heavens, clearly audible even from within Yangzhou City.

Atop the city gate tower.

Watching the firelight rise from the rebel camp and listening to the commotion from the opposing side, Li Mu’s tense nerves slowly began to relax.

Tonight’s raid was most likely a success.

Now, it was just a matter of whether the squad could withdraw safely.

A single general’s success is built on the bones of ten thousand.

It was easy to say, but when it came to actually doing it, it was still difficult to remain as calm as still water.

“Lord Chiliarch, Platoon Commander Zhou has returned with his men.”

Hearing this good news, the weight on Li Mu’s heart finally lifted.

“Inform the kitchen to prepare a victory feast at once.”

After speaking, he rose to his feet to welcome these meritorious officials.

Watching the returning soldiers one by one, Li Mu began to count in his head. Of the five hundred men who had set out, fewer than two hundred had returned.

The rest had either died in the night raid or had been separated during the retreat, lost amidst the chaotic army.

Whether they could find their way back would depend entirely on luck.

“Lord Chiliarch, I have not failed my mission. We successfully burned the rebel granary!”

Zhou Chuanfa said with excitement.

Although “raiding supply lines” and “burning granaries” were common tropes in plays and stories, successful real-life examples were few and far between.

Anyone with a modicum of common sense knew the importance of grain and fodder.

To ensure the safety of supplies, in addition to being heavily guarded, fake depots were often set up to deliberately mislead the enemy.

Li Mu had dispatched the dare-to-die squad for the night raid mainly to create even greater chaos among the enemy and make the rebels turn on each other.

“Burning the granary” was the highest expected outcome, not a mandatory objective.

In the pitch-black of night, it would have been difficult to even find the enemy’s granary within their sprawling camp.

“Quick, tell me, how did you do it?”

Li Mu asked, pleasantly surprised.

Creating chaos among the rebels would only reduce the pressure on the city’s defenses. But if their granary was destroyed, the siege of Yangzhou would be lifted directly.

“Lord Chiliarch, when we arrived, the rebel army was in chaos and the camp’s defenses were very lax.

“We happened to capture a scholar who was trying to escape. This scholar was very familiar with the layout of the rebel camp.

“Under his guidance, we managed to sneak in and get right up to the enemy granary, and then… hehe…”

After hearing Zhou Chuanfa’s explanation, all the commanders present were stunned.

To get right up to the granary was the stuff of legends.

No wonder the raid was a success. The enemy soldiers guarding the granary would never have dreamed of being attacked from within their own camp.

It was a prepared attack against an unprepared enemy. By the time they were discovered, the fire was already ablaze.

If nearby troops had come to the rescue, the granary might still have been saved.

But the Rebel Army was plagued by internal problems. Someone was deliberately causing trouble from within, causing them to miss the optimal window for a rescue.

As the commander, Li Mu thought of even more.

There had been an “accident” in the rebel artillery camp earlier, and now another “accident” in the main camp. Two accidents combined were no longer an accident.

The Rebel Army was a mixed bag of good and bad elements, its internal organization was chaotic, and it had no way of verifying the identity of every soldier.

It was perfectly normal for a few of the court’s men to have infiltrated their ranks.

Gentry loyal to the imperial court, imperial soldiers who had been swept up in the rebellion, or even spies planted by the Jinyiwei could all have been the ones who helped them.

It would take time to investigate who exactly had lent them a hand, but in any case, the credit was theirs for the taking.

“Yes, very good!

“Lord Zhou, you have rendered great service this time. Prepare yourself for a promotion!

“All officers and soldiers who participated in the battle will be handsomely rewarded.

“In addition to the silver reward I promised, this official will also fight for more for you. Just wait for the good news!

“The victory feast is ready. Centurion Deng, please host our meritorious men for me first.

“The Lord Commander is very concerned about the outcome of the night raid. I must go and report to him at once!”

Knowing what everyone wanted, Li Mu didn’t beat around the bush and directly put their hearts at ease.

Since the night raid had been a resounding success, it was now time to deal with the problem of acting first and reporting later.

To dispatch troops on one’s own authority, concealing it from a superior, was a major taboo in officialdom.

Such a thing could be done, but it could never be admitted.

He had to get to the Marquis of Wuyang before the news spread and secure this legendary military achievement for himself.

Chapter 69: Breaking the Siege of Yangzhou

“You’re in such a hurry to see me. Has something major happened?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked irritably.

Being disturbed in the dead of night was truly vexing.

If the situation weren’t so special, he would have thrown the man out long ago.

“Congratulations, Your Lordship!”

“Under your brilliant command, our army launched a surprise attack on the rebel camp tonight, burning countless enemy grain and fodder supplies, slaying fifteen thousand rebel soldiers and eight hundred of their leaders…

The enemy has fallen into chaos and is expected to retreat tomorrow.

The siege of Yangzhou has been lifted!”

As Li Mu finished speaking, the Marquis of Wuyang was completely stunned.

He had seen his share of braggarts, but he had never seen one who could boast like this.

What night raid on the enemy camp? How could he not know about it?

For a moment, the Marquis of Wuyang suspected he was hallucinating.

“Chiliarch Li, you’d better think carefully. Falsifying a military report is a capital offense!”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked sternly.

“My Lord, everything I said is true!

If you don’t believe me, please come with me to the city walls and see for yourself. Right now, the rebel camp is ablaze, filled with the sounds of battle cries and screams.

As for how many enemy troops were killed, it’s hard to count in the dead of night, but the number is certainly not small.

Once the enemy retreats, we can send men out to collect the bodies, and then we will know the exact tally of our achievements!”

Seeing Li Mu describe it so vividly, the Marquis of Wuyang was already eighty to ninety percent convinced that the night raid had been a success.

The only remaining issue was the number of heads taken, which might be slightly flawed.

But those were minor details. As long as the siege of Yangzhou was lifted, any issues with the battle report could be easily smoothed over.

“How many men did you send to raid the enemy camp?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked with concern.

If they were to divide the credit, their stories had to match.

“Five hundred men!”

Li Mu told the honest truth.

Upon hearing this answer, the Marquis of Wuyang rolled his eyes.

Who is he trying to fool?

Five hundred soldiers raid an enemy camp, burn their granaries, and kill over ten thousand enemy troops.

If such a fantastical battle report were submitted and the Emperor were to demand an explanation, even he, the Imperial Brother-in-law, wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences.

Young people were just too audacious, willing to do anything to achieve merit.

“Very well, let’s go to the top of the wall and see for ourselves.”

The Marquis of Wuyang said, waving his hand impatiently.

Although he suspected the report was inflated, he still believed the night raid had been successful.

From what he knew of Li Mu, the man might exaggerate his achievements, but he wasn’t foolish enough to fabricate a military accomplishment out of thin air.

After quickly changing into his official robes, the group headed straight for the top of the city wall.

Gazing at the roaring flames in the distance and listening to the screams from the enemy camp, a smile appeared on the Marquis of Wuyang’s grim face.

“It seems the enemy army suffered a camp-wide panic. Your night raid couldn’t have…?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked pointedly.

Encountering a camp-wide panic during a war was a rare event, but whenever it happened, it was a stroke of incredible luck.

Waiting for the enemy to finish slaughtering each other and then going in to collect severed heads was an easy way to earn military honors.

“Rest assured, Lord Commander, the enemy’s camp-wide panic was caused by our surprise attack.

A victory banquet is being held for the meritorious men in the temporary camp. The soldiers are waiting for you to go and distribute the silver reward!

I took the liberty of making them a promise: as long as they succeeded in burning the enemy’s granaries, each person would be rewarded with fifty taels of fine silver.

For those who died in battle, besides the silver reward, an additional fifty taels would be provided as death benefits.

For the survivors, serving officers will each be promoted three ranks.

The rest will be offered a government job with a monthly salary of no less than one and a half taels, which they can choose to accept or not.”

Hearing Li Mu’s bold promises, the Marquis of Wuyang was taken aback.

The matter of the silver reward was easy to handle. With only five hundred soldiers, the treasury could afford a few tens of thousands of taels of silver.

The jobs were even simpler. The court recruited soldiers every year, and those who dared to raid the enemy camp were all valiant men.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions could directly take in anyone willing to stay.

But promoting all serving officers by three ranks—that was a real headache. Where was he supposed to find so many positions?

“You didn’t send out all the Centurions under your command, did you?”

Hearing the Marquis’s question, Li Mu knew he had been misunderstood.

It turned out His Lordship still doubted the authenticity of the night raid.

“Lord Commander, how would I dare to deceive you!

The highest-ranking commander in the raid was merely a Platoon Commander.

Of the five hundred men, fewer than ten were serving officers, and only three made it back alive.”

Li Mu explained with an aggrieved expression.

Only a fool would send a group of young nobles on such a suicidal mission.

Even if he wanted to win their hearts and share the glory with his men, he could have just waited for the rebels to leave and collected heads then. There was no need to create such a potential problem.

“If the highest-ranking commander was a Platoon Commander, then a three-rank promotion is not out of the question.

There are plenty of officers in name only in my Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions; adding one more Vice-Chiliarch won’t be a problem.

However, there are no vacancies in the government offices, so the position can only be nominal. To get an actual vacancy, one must take up a post in the provinces.

The same goes for the others. If they want an actual vacancy, they can only be assigned to posts in the provinces.

You’re the one who started this, so you’ll be responsible for explaining it to them clearly.”

The Marquis of Wuyang said, his expression softening.

Knowing that the ones who had earned the merit were low-ranking soldiers, he no longer doubted the authenticity of the night raid.

The sons of the titled nobility might fabricate a pile of accomplishments for their own advancement, but they would never take such a risk for a group of unrelated, low-ranking soldiers.

Since the night raid was real, he had no fear of a subsequent investigation from the court, and he was more than happy to add another achievement to his own name.

“Rest assured, Lord Commander. They will be too busy thanking you to feel any dissatisfaction!”

Li Mu immediately declared.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, encountering a superior who didn’t steal credit and was willing to fulfill his promises was a blessing one might find once in eight lifetimes.

If it had been someone more shameless, the credit for these men’s deeds would have long been sold off as favors.

That the Marquis of Wuyang was willing to fulfill his requests without any haggling was, to Li Mu, a miracle.

“Don’t get too happy just yet. For now, we can only distribute the silver rewards.

Once the enemy outside the city has retreated and we have confirmed the siege of Yangzhou is broken, only then can I, the Imperial Commissioner, make good on these appointments.

And you, you should prepare yourself as well.

Having achieved such great merit, you’re bound to be moved to a new position. Have your uncle start making arrangements soon.

If you want to stay in the capital, that’s one thing. But if you’re looking for an assignment outside the capital, Jiangnan is a fine place.”

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a smile.

In officialdom, no gathering lasts forever.

They were all people who got positions through connections. With the achievement of defending Yangzhou under their belts, they were all basically set to move up.

“Thank you for the advice, Your Excellency!”

As the Imperial Commissioner overseeing the salt transport inspection, the Marquis of Wuyang had a say in the appointments to official posts that would open up in the Lianghuai region.

By bringing it up now and telling him to make arrangements in advance, he was clearly preparing to return the favor.

After all, they moved in the same circles, and one couldn’t just take credit for nothing.

Understanding the unspoken meaning, Li Mu felt a headache coming on.

According to convention, a capital official assigned to a post outside the capital was usually promoted one rank.

With this meritorious service, a two-rank promotion was certain, and even three ranks seemed possible.

The promotion was a sure thing; the key was the position.

Among military officials of the same rank, the difference in authority could be as vast as heaven and earth.

Only by choosing the right position could he take the next step.

With these thoughts on his mind, he attended the victory banquet. By the time it was over, the sky had begun to lighten.

Neither Li Mu nor the Marquis of Wuyang felt sleepy. They stood quietly on the city wall, awaiting the final outcome.

The fire in the rebel camp was still burning. The screams had long since faded, and no activity could be seen from a distance.

“Lord Chiliarch, the enemy has fled!”

Hearing the news from the scout, Li Mu’s face broke into a delighted smile.

He had bet correctly this time!

“Lord Commander, please give the order to open the city gates and pursue the remnants of the enemy!”

Li Mu said at once.

It was time to claim the heads.

If they didn’t act quickly, their other colleagues would beat them to it.

“Order all units to open the gates and pursue the remnants of the enemy.

Remember not to pursue too far, in case the enemy turns back for a surprise attack!”

The Marquis of Wuyang commanded, high-spirited and full of vigor.

The curse that had plagued him for days was finally lifted from his head.

After this battle, if anyone dared to say again that he had risen through his connections, he would slap them across the face.

As an imperial in-law with military accomplishments, he had now qualitatively distinguished himself from those other imperial in-laws who just idled their lives away waiting to die.

Chapter 70: Disbelief

As the city gates opened, the soldiers burst forth with the greatest enthusiasm, each one rushing towards the enemy camp at top speed.

The order had been given simultaneously, but relaying it took time.

The colleagues who received the news a step too late all wore expressions of frustration.

They had woken up to find they had not only missed out on the top honors, but were also late to claim the easy kills.

Knowing that something had happened in the enemy camp last night, they hadn’t thought to send men out to join the fun. Many were kicking themselves with regret.

The worst off were the men from the North City Thousand-household Fort. They had thought that guarding the inner city with the commander-in-chief was a cushy assignment.

They never would have imagined that the seemingly formidable rebel army was all bark and no bite, their actual combat strength utter trash.

The other units had all fought the enemy and would surely receive credit for defending the city.

They hadn’t even touched an enemy soldier, and when it came time to scramble for kills, they didn’t even get the fresh ones.

The other troops were stationed along the city walls and charged out as soon as they received the order. Those stationed in the inner city were out of luck.

By the time they assembled their troops, the others had already finished the job. They arrived just in time to deal with the corpses.

“Lord Commander, we’ve been patrolling the streets day and night. If not for merit, then at least for our toil! In the battle report, could you perhaps spare some severed heads for…”

Before Chiliarch Su could finish his plea for credit, he was met with a barrage of scornful looks.

What a joke. They had all earned these rebel heads through their own abilities. How could they just be given away?

Connections and background were useless here; everyone present had connections.

The North City Thousand-household Fort ranked last in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, which also meant that its commanding officer’s connections were at the bottom among his peers in the government office.

“Don’t say This Marquis doesn’t look out for you. There are plenty of enemy corpses buried in the moat.

“Since you missed the pursuit of the remnants, you’ll be in charge of clearing the riverbed. That way, you’ll get a share of the credit.

“Be quick about it. The weather is hot, and the bodies will rot easily.

“Those fellows at the Ministry of War are the most fastidious. They won’t recognize rotten rebel heads.”

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a troubled expression.

Being the commander-in-chief was not easy; trying to treat everyone fairly was simply too difficult.

But military merits were something to be fought for, never yielded.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, mere toil was worthless.

“I obey!”

Just as Su Xiaofei agreed, the group of profligate scions assigned to his command instantly refused to accept it.

It was simply too humiliating. First, they were excluded from the profitable interrogation of the salt merchants.

Now, when it came time to distribute military merits, they were only offered leftovers, as if they were completely beneath notice.

Although they hadn’t fought on the front lines, their ranks were high! Not only were there many nominal Vice-Commanders among them, but there was even a nominal Commander.

“My Lord, this is improper!

“We maintained order in the city and arrested the conspirators’ accomplices. That is also a great merit.

“If not for us stabilizing the city, Yangzhou City would have fallen long ago. How could we have achieved this great victory?

“At least half of the military merits of the frontline generals should be ours!”

As soon as Commander Rong spoke, the atmosphere in the room instantly grew heavy, and countless murderous glares locked onto him.

Li Mu, who had previously thought the Emperor ruthless for being willing to sacrifice his own relatives for the sake of salt policy reform, suddenly felt that Emperor Tianyuan hadn’t been thorough enough.

He had seen fools, but never one this foolish.

No matter how glorious military merits were, one had to be alive to enjoy them.

If they truly wanted a piece of the pie, they could have discreetly paid for some severed heads. That way, everyone would be happy, and no one would expose them.

To demand half of everyone’s credit out of thin air was to offend every powerful figure present. It would be difficult for him to return to the capital alive.

“Commander Rong’s contributions are indeed great. However, the court has strict regulations that military merits belong to whoever claimed the heads.

“The war to quell the rebellion has just begun, and there will be no shortage of major battles to come.

“How about this? In future operations, we can rotate the assignments.

“Let the colleagues who have not yet been on the battlefield have priority in going to the front to earn merits!”

Li Mu said with a smile, digging a huge pit.

As the one with the top honors in this battle, he couldn’t just stand by when someone was being so presumptuous, or he would lose all standing in the army.

“Chiliarch Li’s proposal is excellent. We are all colleagues, and we must naturally give everyone a chance to make a name for themselves.

“Commander Rong’s martial prowess is well-known in the capital.

“I imagine that taking care of a few rebel remnants would be no trouble at all for him!”

Zhao Yawei, the Chiliarch of East City, finished speaking, and the room erupted in laughter.

Commander Rong was indeed martially skilled, though not on the battlefield, but on a woman’s belly.

He held the record for bedding seven women in one night. The details of that battle were unknown, but he had to be carried out afterward.

The incident caused a huge stir in the capital, and when Emperor Tianyuan found out, he was furious. If a noble consort in the palace had not pleaded for him, the man would have long since been sent to the underworld.

The cannon fodder sent here to die mostly had similar glorious achievements.

They had either embarrassed the imperial family or brought shame upon their own clans.

Each one of them was despised by men and ghosts alike, yet they were protected by elders in their families, putting the heads of their respective clans in a very difficult position.

“You two have a point. I propose that Chiliarch Rong be appointed vanguard of the quelling force, leading the Provisional Battalion to wipe out the rebels entrenched in Taizhou and South Tongzhou in one fell swoop!”

Tang Jincheng, Chiliarch of West City, added, twisting the knife.

With the three chiliarchs leading the way, the other generals all chimed in to pile on.

Perhaps caught up in the atmosphere, the other profligate scions also foolishly chimed in, cutting off any path for Commander Rong to refuse.

“Good. Since Commander Rong is the clear choice of the people, then if any further battles occur, he shall lead the Provisional Battalion as the vanguard.”

The Marquis of Wuyang said, feeling weary.

It was obvious that the scions of the military nobility were setting a trap, and yet these fools actually believed them.

No matter how easy the rebels were to deal with, they were not a foe that a group of profligates could handle.

Perhaps in their eyes, everyone was the same.

After all, before these chiliarchs and centurions had entered service, they too had frequented brothels and taverns just like them.

Forget it, he thought. If these people want to court death, let them. Better not to let them drag me down with them.

When the troops had been assigned earlier, everyone had fought over the able-bodied men, but none of the five chiliarchs had wanted the Provisional Battalion, pushing it back and forth.

It was just as well if these incompetent allies went to their own doom. Before departing, his imperial nephew, the Emperor, had repeatedly urged him to find a way to perform a painful but necessary cure for the empire.

The Lianghuai families who controlled the salt industry were a cancer, and so were these profligates who plagued the empire.

The small interlude ended, and a battle report from Yangzhou spread in all directions.

Ministry of War, Nanjing.

“Impossible!”

“Those wastes from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions managed to defeat several hundred thousand rebels and take tens of thousands of heads?

“This is the biggest joke in the world!”

Tian Zhisheng, the Minister of War, immediately concluded that this was a false military report.

Although they were nominally an army, the actual duties of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were more akin to those of yamen runners and patrol inspectors.

The organization was also filled with the largest number of people who got their positions through connections in the entire empire. It was hardly a place where a formidable army could be forged.

“Your Excellency, this battle report was delivered by a messenger from the Marquis of Wuyang.

“We have confirmed with our sources in Zhenjiang that when the supply convoy passed through, the rebel army besieging Yangzhou City was gone.

“Since the Marquis of Wuyang has dared to ask us to send men to verify the severed heads, the contents of the report are most likely true,” Yin Dengjia, a Secretary of the Ministry of War, hastily explained.

The Ministry of War in Nanjing was not as unyielding as its northern counterpart.

If they failed to send someone to verify the heads in a timely manner, and were impeached for dereliction of duty by that band of imperial in-laws and titled nobility, they would be in hot water.

“This is not normal!

“The rebellion of the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai is not something that can be compared to ordinary rebels.

“Those salt smugglers’ thugs are quite fierce; the average government troops are no match for them.

“And the Marquis of Wuyang is not known for his ability to lead troops.

“Could it be that those scions of the nobility have truly inherited their ancestors’ martial prowess?”

No one could answer Tian Zhisheng’s questions.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s battle report contained only the results. The description of the battle was limited to a night raid to burn the enemy’s granaries, followed by a full-scale assault that defeated the rebels in one fell swoop.

The detailed battle results, and what specifically transpired, were all written with standard subtle phrasing.

From the numbers alone, it looked like the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had fought a very beautiful battle.

Chapter 71: Aftermath

Whether there were suspicions was unimportant. The key was that the siege of Yangzhou had been lifted, and the military pressure on Nanjing was greatly reduced.

There was no longer any need to worry about the Lianghuai rebels joining forces at Yangzhou and marching straight for Nanjing.

While this was good for the overall situation, it was a completely different story for individual officials.

The various ministries that had prepared to balance the books suddenly found that their plans could no longer proceed.

“Lord Minister, now that the siege of Yangzhou is lifted, should we still send the strategic supplies that were allocated earlier?” Yin Dengjia asked apprehensively.

If the strategic supplies had actually been dispatched, it would be justifiable to either recall them now or continue sending them.

The problem, however, was that the strategic supplies the Ministry of War had promised were only allocated on paper.

The distance between the two places was so short; if so many strategic supplies had truly been available, they would have been transferred to the defending army long ago.

It wasn’t just the muddled account of strategic supplies; the reinforcement troops sent were also merely paper troops.

But compared to the reinforcements, the strategic supplies were a much thornier issue, involving not just the Ministry of War but also the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Works, the Navy, and several other government offices.

On the books, the supplies had left the warehouses. They hadn’t been dispatched in full to begin with, and they had since passed through many hands.

It would not be so easy to balance the books again.

They could delay for a while, but not forever.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were unlike other government offices. Nanjing’s Ministry of War had no influence over their promotions, and since they were operating away from their home base, they couldn’t be controlled.

The Marquis of Wuyang had already pressed them several times. If they kept failing to produce the goods, the dispute could be brought before the Emperor at any moment.

“Quickly, inform the people below to send a portion of the promised strategic supplies. For the shortfall, just say that since the siege of Yangzhou is lifted, the Ministry of War must prioritize reinforcing other areas.

“Send a few eloquent men over there. Don’t offend them.

“Those fellows are heroes now, at their most arrogant. Don’t stir up any trouble.

“Also, send someone to inform Cabinet Elder Xu that the situation has changed. Tell him to come and take charge of the overall situation at once.”

Tian Zhisheng stressed his instructions repeatedly.

The Ministry of War was in the wrong this time; the promised weapons and equipment hadn’t even been delivered by the time the battle was over.

Coupled with the messy accounts left by previous officials, the ministry could not withstand an imperial investigation. Keeping a low profile was the best option.

The remaining issues would have to be settled by balancing the books from other areas.

Deep down, Tian Zhisheng couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret.

If he had known the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were so capable, he would have falsified the records to “support” Taizhou or South Tongzhou instead.

But that was just wishful thinking.

Before the rebellion had escalated, the strategic importance of those two locations was not comparable to Yangzhou’s. Even if they had sent reinforcements, the amount of supplies they could have allocated would have been limited.

With the situation as it was, in this multi-sided game between the Pure Stream, the Eunuch Faction, and the titled nobility and imperial in-laws, the Pure Stream Faction had fallen completely behind.

If the high-ranking members of the Pure Stream Faction didn’t come to take charge soon, they would lose their voice in the subsequent handling of the Lianghuai region.

Huaian City.

“Outrageous!”

“Don’t think this Prime Minister is so easily fooled!

“If that useless rabble from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions can defeat the rebels, then what does that make us?” Zuo Guang’en roared.

It wasn’t that he looked down on the titled nobility; it was that he dealt with them so often that he knew their sons all too well.

They had some ability, to be sure, but to think they could rout hundreds of thousands of rebels with just a few thousand troops was simply too fantastic to be believed.

In terms of combat strength, the men of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions couldn’t even beat the Jinyiwei or the Eastern Depot.

As for the temporarily conscripted able-bodied men, Zuo Guang’en dismissed them entirely.

A group of farmers who had just put down their hoes, with no training whatsoever, might not even be as effective as the rebels.

They might pass for defending a city, but launching a surprise attack on a rebel encampment was pure fantasy.

“Left Prime Minister, please calm down.

“The men below didn’t mean to deceive you. The siege of Yangzhou has indeed been lifted.

“The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions do have a large number of severed heads from rebel soldiers.

“The battle report forwarded by the Marquis of Wuyang is largely true; they just omitted some key details about how it happened.

“We can actually claim some of the credit for this.

“During the rebellion, many of the Jinyiwei’s covert agents hidden in the Lianghuai region took the opportunity to infiltrate the rebel ranks.

“When the Marquis of Wuyang sent his men to launch a night raid, our agents also took advantage of the chaos to incite brawls within the rebel camp, which ultimately triggered a camp-wide panic.

“As it happened, their luck was quite good. The raiding party they sent charged straight in and ran right into the rebels’ granary.”

Gu Yuansong’s casual explanation only made Zuo Guang’en more frustrated.

The process of the war didn’t matter; the court only cared about the final result.

Regardless of whether the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions won through skill or sheer luck, it wouldn’t stop them from receiving this military merit.

The Marquis of Wuyang, an imperial in-law, leading a group of young nobles and his own few thousand troops, was able to defeat hundreds of thousands of rebels.

Meanwhile, he, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, had more troops at his command yet was besieged by rebels for days, ultimately needing the Capital Garrisons to break the siege.

The comparison made him look utterly incompetent.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, both imperial in-laws and eunuchs relied on the Emperor’s favor to wield power.

Both were tools used by the Emperor to balance the imperial court, and a competitive relationship existed between them.

Because of the Marquis of Wuyang’s special status, the usual methods for striking at competitors were now all unusable.

With the backing of military merit and the Emperor’s support, it was very likely that after this battle, the long-silent imperial in-law faction would once again make its voice heard at court.

And the titled nobility faction would surely seize this opportunity to secure positions for their own sons, strengthening their power base at court.

After taking enormous risks to orchestrate the Lianghuai Salt Case, the Eunuch Faction had yet to reap the benefits, while their partners—the titled nobility and imperial in-laws—had feasted well.

“Your Jinyiwei is truly capable. How is it that when Huaian was under siege, I didn’t see your men spring into action!”

After venting, Zuo Guang’en’s anger had mostly subsided. He knew he couldn’t really blame the Jinyiwei for this.

It was their duty to cooperate with the court’s army to strike down the rebels.

The power struggles at the highest levels were complete secrets to those below.

On the surface, the Eunuch Bloc and the titled nobility and imperial in-laws were currently political allies.

At least on the issue of handling Lianghuai’s salt administration, they stood together.

“I misspoke just now, Worthy Brother. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“Those titled nobles and imperial in-laws were just born lucky, unlike us toilers who have to fight and claw for everything we have.

“It’s only natural that their luck would hold on the battlefield.

“Since they’ve defeated the rebels, let them press their advantage. Have them dispatch their troops as soon as possible to join the Capital Garrisons and quell this rebellion!”

Zuo Guang’en’s metaphysical explanation was instantly accepted by everyone present.

There was truly nothing to be done about luck.

To be born into the right family was to win ninety percent of life’s battle.

Of the rest, three parts were effort, and seven parts were destined by heaven.

The Capital Garrisons.

Ever since lifting the siege of Huaian, the Capital Garrisons hadn’t fought a single decent battle. Every day was spent chasing after the rebels’ heels.

Having suffered a major defeat, the rebels were now like frightened birds, refusing to engage them in battle at all.

Faced with such an opponent, the entire Capital Garrisons, from top to bottom, were at their wits’ end.

The rebels were fighting on home turf and knew the terrain far better than they did.

Those who couldn’t run fast enough had already died on the road. The survivors, under the threat of death, had all become masters of long-distance running.

“Brother Jing, the enemy’s morale is broken, and they’re now scattered and fleeing.

“They’re all in small groups. Even if we catch up, it will be hard to achieve any significant results.

“There are rebels in other regions waiting for us to suppress them. Why don’t we just leave these remnants for the local authorities to handle?”

The suggestion from Li Yuan, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, startled Jing Guoliang, the Duke of Cheng. Just yesterday, Li Yuan had been talking about eliminating the evil to the last root. How quickly his stance had changed.

But then he remembered the battle report from Yangzhou, and he understood instantly.

After defeating the rebels outside the city, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions would surely be pressured to go on the offensive.

Even if they didn’t want to move, various parties would force them to dispatch troops.

As elders, they knew best what their own sons were made of.

Defending a major city like Yangzhou might not be a problem, but they would surely suffer losses fighting the enemy in a field battle.

Many ants can bite an elephant to death. Once surrounded by a large enemy force, their household retainers alone would be of little use.

There was a world of difference between those who had been tempered by the flames of war and those who had never seen blood.

Nevertheless, these young nobles who had managed to defeat the rebels on their own were now worthy of greater investment.

It might be too much to hope to cultivate a famous general of the age, but there was great hope of raising a group of talents who could surpass the average standard of the Great Yu’s military officials.

Chapter 72: Taking the Blame

Yangzhou City.

Since the defeat of the rebel army, this ancient city had once again become bustling with activity.

Apart from the absence of the salt merchants’ lavish spending, nothing else had changed.

The Yangzhou gentry who had chosen the winning side all privately celebrated their own shrewdness.

With the panic dissipated, the flow of people on the streets suddenly returned to normal.

The arrival of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had neither improved this ancient city nor worsened the situation within its walls.

Compared to the nearly intact city, the surrounding areas had suffered a much greater impact.

Several county towns under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou Prefecture were still in rebel hands.

The impact on the common people was even greater; countless villages had been turned to rubble, and a large number of refugees had gathered outside the city.

“The number of refugees outside the city continues to increase. Do any of you have a solution?”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s question clearly hit upon everyone’s weak point.

The Great Yu Dynasty very strictly enforced the separation of civil and military administration. With the exception of a few border regions, there had never been a case of a military official holding a key local administrative post.

The titled nobility naturally would not provoke a taboo forbidden by the Emperor.

Their families had educated them on how to lead troops into battle and taught them the arts of political maneuvering, but they had never been taught how to govern a locality.

“Lord Commander, governing localities is the business of civil officials.

As military officials, we defeated the rebel army. The subsequent matters can simply be handed over to the civil officials.

We can send someone to inform the Ministry of Personnel in Nanjing and have them immediately dispatch people to begin handling the refugee problem.”

It was a conventional suggestion, with no particular merit, but it also bore no risks.

Military officials recusing themselves from political affairs—no one could find fault with that.

“Chiliarch Zhao, you think too simply.

This Marquis has long sent missives to the Ministry of Personnel in Nanjing, but that bunch of wily old bureaucrats, who are just muddling along waiting for death, agree readily enough with their words but show no actual action.

Their efficiency, I imagine everyone has experienced.

Of the weapons and equipment they promised earlier, less than a tenth has arrived so far.

Following the standard official selection procedures, dragging things out for three to five months is standard practice for them.

What’s most despicable is that those idiots actually want This Marquis to release the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture and give them a chance to atone for a crime by performing a meritorious service!”

As soon as the Marquis of Wuyang finished his explanation, everyone was instantly united in their indignation.

Investigating and dealing with the officials of Yangzhou Prefecture was one of their party’s great accomplishments.

To give these people a chance to atone for their crimes would be to overturn the previous case files.

In the world of officialdom, publicly discrediting yourself could severely affect your career.

“Lord Commander, this matter must absolutely not be agreed to.

Those who plot rebellion have committed unforgivable crimes.

The officials of Yangzhou Prefecture colluded with the traitors. Releasing them would be to endanger the state.

The person who proposed this must be harboring malicious intentions.

I recommend a thorough investigation of this person!”

Tang Jincheng’s fiercely-worded proposal represented the heartfelt feelings of all the generals present.

They had been let down by the Ministry of War in Nanjing before, and now the Ministry of Personnel in Nanjing was coming to make trouble again. No one could stand for it.

As an Imperial Commissioner, the Marquis of Wuyang’s power could be interpreted without limit.

If he could find evidence, he could bring down officials from the Six Ministries in Nanjing just the same.

“This Imperial Commissioner will not let this matter rest, but that is for later. The pressing issue right now is the refugee problem.

Yangzhou Prefecture can still handle the refugees just outside the city.

What’s tricky is that the number of refugees is constantly increasing. Relying solely on the prefectural treasury for relief will inevitably lead to huge expenses.

Next, we must retake the lost lands, which will create even more refugees.

Without a proper way to handle them, it’s easy for trouble to arise,” the Marquis of Wuyang said with a frown.

He considered his handling of the refugee problem to be very thorough.

He had ordered the granaries opened to distribute food long ago and had even sent people to build temporary settlements.

But he couldn’t cope with the refugees gathering in ever-increasing numbers. They soon exceeded the camp’s capacity, and chaos of all sorts emerged endlessly.

“Lord Commander, opening the granaries to distribute food can only solve the immediate crisis.

With large numbers of refugees gathering, problems will inevitably arise.

The only plan now is to adopt a work-for-relief program. First, we must ensure everyone has a livelihood; only then can their hearts be stabilized.

As it happens, the moat needs to be dredged, which can accommodate a large amount of labor.

But this way, the expenses will inevitably increase.

According to The Laws of Great Yu, large-scale work-for-relief must be reported to the imperial court for approval, and then jointly executed and mutually supervised by multiple government offices.

The Six Ministries in Nanjing are all a bunch of cowards; they will certainly not take responsibility for this issue.

The capital is too far away; distant water can’t quench a nearby thirst.

However, Eunuch Zuo, the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Cabinet Elder Xu of the Grand Secretariat are both in the Lianghuai region.

If we ask them to send people to jointly supervise the implementation of the work-for-relief program, we can also answer to the imperial court,” Li Mu proposed cautiously.

Behind every bizarre decree, there is a bizarre story.

The Great Yu Dynasty was strict about work-for-relief purely because they were forced to by the bureaucrats below.

A perfectly good policy, once it reached the local level, would become a means to line pockets.

That alone would be one thing, but the key was that several decades ago, a case occurred where a work-for-relief program led to someone being proclaimed emperor by his followers.

To nip such things in the bud, the court directly patched the law.

The officials’ attitude towards work-for-relief also took a major turn.

This included opening granaries for relief; everyone’s management of refugees became very lax.

They would rather have chaotic public order than be impeached by the censors for plotting rebellion.

“Work-for-relief… this is very tricky!” the Marquis of Wuyang said, frowning.

If you can organize refugees for construction, you can organize them to rebel.

In the eyes of those censors, if anything similar happened, it was considered plotting a rebellion.

Most of the time, the Emperor didn’t believe the contents of the censors’ impeachments.

But there were exceptions.

If by some chance the Emperor gave it a second thought, it would be a disaster for the officials carrying out the orders.

Having multiple government offices jointly supervise the execution seemed like a restrictive system, but it was also a way to avoid liability.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s status was unique, but when encountering such a taboo matter, he still needed to think thrice before acting.

Even Li Mu, who proposed the idea, advocated for pulling in more people to share the potential blame.

Only when the Pure Stream faction, the Eunuch Faction, the imperial in-laws, and the titled nobility were all involved would the censors not dare to make baseless accusations.

“Lord Commander, we can actually do it another way.

Didn’t Nanjing send people over? We can just detain them.

Implement the work-for-relief in the name of the Six Ministries, and then pick a few deputies from the government office to assist from the sidelines.”

Hearing Chiliarch Su’s proposal, Li Mu suddenly realized his own cunning was still lacking.

He had only thought of solving the problem through proper channels and never considered finding a scapegoat to insulate himself from the risk.

Even if problems arose later, everyone would have plenty of excuses to shirk responsibility.

“Well said. Governing localities should be the responsibility of the civil officials. We will just assist from the sidelines.

It’s settled then. That bunch of officials without portfolio in the government office can’t just collect their stipends and do nothing. Let’s just put their names on it!”

The Marquis of Wuyang made the decision on the spot.

With someone in front to take the blame, he was more than willing to exert himself for the nation.

Chapter 73: The Growing Private Army

Dealing with so many refugees, the slightest misstep could lead to chaos.

The blame could be shifted to others, but the work itself had to be entrusted to one’s own people to be done with peace of mind.

Li Mu, with his rich experience in maintaining stability, was once again appointed by the Marquis of Wuyang to take charge of this work-for-relief project.

It was euphemistically called “the capable do more work”—the price of being valued by one’s leader.

Since he couldn’t refuse, he would treat it as a trial.

The more one experienced, the faster one’s personal abilities grew.

In books, “work-for-relief” was just a simple phrase, but in practice, it involved a heap of messy and complicated matters.

Lacking enough grassroots administrators, the only option was the simplest and most brutal one: military control.

Whether it was reasonable or not didn’t matter; what was most needed was to establish order in the shortest time possible and resolve the refugee crisis.

Looking at the forcibly organized refugee camp, Li Mu instantly understood why military officials who handled work-for-relief projects were impeached by censors.

If one ignored the quality of the personnel inside, this was a watered-down version of a military camp.

It was clearly about directing refugees to work, but in the hands of the men below, it had been forcibly turned into something that felt like training new recruits.

Fixed schedules, regular work routes—they even learned to line up for meals.

If it weren’t for the large number of old and young mixed in, it would be a new recruit training camp, plain and simple.

The order that had been established so quickly was all thanks to the lash of the whip.

On the fence outside the camp, the heads of a few troublemakers were hung, serving as a constant warning to everyone.

Walking into the camp, all he could see were fearful gazes, which made Li Mu very uncomfortable.

Deep down, however, he breathed a sigh of relief. If all he saw were looks of gratitude from the people, his own head would be in danger.

Being an official in the Great Yu Dynasty was not easy.

If a civil official’s reputation was good, he could be promoted.

If a military official’s reputation was good, he could ascend to the heavens.

…

“Lord Chiliarch, these are the expenditures for the refugee camp over the last few days.

A total of two thousand eight hundred bushels of miscellaneous grains have been consumed, with an expenditure of one thousand two hundred taels of silver.”

Taking the ledger Lan Linjie handed over, Li Mu flipped through it casually and lost interest.

Regarding work-for-relief, The Laws of Great Yu had clear regulations.

The court provided specific standards for how much money and grain each person should be given daily.

Giving too much or too little would lead to being held accountable, leaving little room for the executor to act freely.

One solid meal and two thin ones each day was enough to be about seventy or eighty percent full.

However, when it came to the actual implementation, a portion of the grain was usually replaced with chaff and husks to skim some benefits off the top.

Uninterested in such petty money, Li Mu didn’t want to dirty his own hands, so he simply followed the court’s regulations to the letter.

This was most in line with his status. It was perfectly reasonable for a newcomer to officialdom, just starting out, to be unfamiliar with the unwritten rules of local officials.

“Yes, just continue as before.

There’s no need to rush the construction period, but the quality of the work must be guaranteed.

Have the soldiers from the night raid on the enemy camp made their decisions?”

Li Mu asked with concern.

The promises he had made had to be fulfilled as soon as possible.

While the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were in control of Yangzhou, it was also convenient to place some of his people in the lower levels of the government offices.

If he waited until new local officials took office, meddling in local personnel matters would be much harder.

“Lord, there has been a slight change in the situation.

Several officers, including Platoon Commander Zhou, have chosen to forgo their promotions and have been taken in by the Marquis of Wuyang as his retainers.

One hundred soldiers left with them. The Marquis of Wuyang’s steward came to collect them personally, and it was said that you agreed to it.

The remaining soldiers don’t want to go home, nor do they want to enter the government offices. They hope you will accept them as household retainers.”

Hearing Advisor Lan’s words, Li Mu nearly spat out the tea in his mouth.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s move was truly dishonorable.

Everyone knew the soldiers who returned alive from the night raid were top-quality troops; with a little more training, they would become an elite unit.

Li Mu had also had his eye on these men. Many of his colleagues in the camp had asked him for them, but he had refused them all.

Giving these men time to choose freely was just a ploy to win their hearts.

Those who came of their own volition were easier to cultivate loyalty in than those directly recruited into his ranks.

He had been busy with the refugee problem recently, and in a moment of carelessness, someone had raided his nest.

Fortunately, the Marquis of Wuyang hadn’t been too ruthless and had left him half the soldiers. Otherwise, he would have suffered a huge loss this time.

What surprised him most was Zhou Chuanfa. The man had actually given up the Vice-Chiliarch position that was within his grasp to go and serve as a guard for the Marquis of Wuyang.

From their previous interactions, Li Mu was certain that this man was very keen on fame and fortune.

There was definitely a story behind it, but since it was a matter of mutual consent, there was no need for him to step in and play the villain.

“If they want to stay, then just accept them!

Next, arrange for them to enter the personal soldiers’ camp to receive military training.

Their basic treatment will be the same as the original household retainers. Their salary will be fifteen taels for the first year after joining the household, increasing by one tael each year thereafter, all to be paid in full.”

Li Mu said, feigning composure.

He couldn’t blame his subordinates for this. When a superior like the Marquis of Wuyang came asking for men, even he couldn’t stop him.

For his men to even dare to question the Imperial Commissioner’s people was a testament to their loyalty.

After a brief sting of regret, he recovered.

With so many men under his command now, he could always find good potential recruits if he screened them carefully.

With the addition of these men, his camp of personal soldiers would have over four hundred people in total.

Looking across all the Chiliarchs of the Great Yu Dynasty, who would dare to support so many household retainers?

Even if the court paid the military salaries in full, one would still have to supplement it with their own money. It would be difficult to even break even.

Even Li Mu himself felt uncertain.

If he could land a lucrative post after his promotion, he could naturally keep the entire camp of personal soldiers.

If he was unlucky and ended up in a government office with great career prospects but no financial prospects…

He might even end up worrying about the expense of maintaining his household retainers.

Downsizing was out of the question.

Having witnessed the brutality of the battlefield firsthand, his regard for strength had long surpassed his regard for money.

“Your Excellency, this student will arrange it properly.

Aside from this, a scholar by the surname of Zhou was brought back from the night raid on the enemy camp.

This student has interacted with him. His speech and knowledge are quite extraordinary; he’s likely not an ordinary village scholar.

This man has probably concealed his true identity. Considering he guided us and helped successfully burn the enemy’s grain and fodder…

It wasn’t convenient for the men below to interrogate him harshly. What are your instructions on how to handle him?”

Advisor Lan asked with concern.

It was clear he had a good impression of this Scholar Zhou.

Otherwise, a person of unknown origin who refused to honestly state their identity upon arriving at a military camp would have been severely tortured long ago.

Helping to lead the way was indeed a great service.

However, he hadn’t led the way voluntarily. He only acquiesced and guided the dare-to-die squad after a blade was put to his neck.

“Bring him here. I’ll see him myself!

This official is one who cherishes talent.

If he truly has talent, as long as he isn’t a rebel chief, he can be dealt with leniently.”

Li Mu said after some thought.

Chapter 74: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn Festival is here again. I wish all my dear readers good health, a happy family, abundant wealth, and a soaring career.

The book has been out for so long, and this is my first time posting a standalone non-story chapter. I was severely criticized before, so I didn’t dare to pop up so easily.

Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. On such a joyous occasion, I, Hai Yue, know that all of you generous, tolerant, and handsome readers won’t scold me, so I’m taking this opportunity to send my blessings and come out to say hello.

The date for the book to go on sale is set for this Friday. When the time comes, I hope all you dear readers can come and show your support.

This is a slow-burn novel with a lot of setup in the beginning, so the exciting parts of the plot haven’t had a chance to unfold yet. The stats are very mediocre, so I’m hoping for five thousand first-day subscriptions!

If we surpass that number, I will release ten thousand words a day for one month after it goes on sale (though I can’t guarantee it will be consecutive). After that, I will strive to maintain an average daily update of over six thousand words.

Chapter 75: Putting Everyone to Use

“Cabinet Elder, it is getting late.”

“Our colleagues in Fengyang have prepared a banquet. Why don’t we enter the city to rest first and continue our journey tomorrow?” the advisor asked as was his custom.

Throughout their slow and leisurely journey, Cabinet Elder Xu had entered every city they passed, lining his pockets thoroughly. As his advisor, he too had made a small fortune.

At this rate, he would achieve financial freedom by the time this assignment was over.

“The Huaian rebels have been soundly defeated, and the siege of Yangzhou has been lifted. The initiative in the Lianghuai situation is back in the court’s hands.”

“The Lianghuai Salt Transport Commissioner Xu Xintian and Salt Censor Xia Shigao have both been captured by the Eunuch Faction.”

“Numerous officials from the Salt Administration Office and the Nan Zhili Provincial Administration Commission have been implicated in the case of treason and are now in prison.”

“If this official doesn’t get there soon, they will be convicted.”

“Historically, in cases of treason, it is rare for a verdict to be successfully overturned.”

“The Six Ministries in Nanjing have sent repeated, urgent messages. It seems they can no longer withstand the pressure from the Eunuch Faction.”

“There is no more time to dawdle on the road.”

“We’ll travel another twenty li. I recall there’s a post station over there. We’ll rest there for the night,” Xu Wenyue said, shaking his head.

Money could be made at any time. Given his status, he was destined never to be short of it.

But the rebels had not been strong enough, and the situation in Lianghuai had not deteriorated as he had anticipated, leaving him with no opportunity to clean up a mess.

If they continued to dawdle, the Pure Stream faction’s foundations in the Lianghuai region would be completely uprooted.

…

“Left Prime Minister, the situation in Huaian is settled. We should move on to Yangzhou,” Gu Yuansong said with a smile.

On this trip to Lianghuai, the Jinyiwei had truly stolen the show.

From forcing the Seven Great Families into rebellion to suppressing the subsequent insurrection, they had rendered distinguished service.

Their rivals, the Eastern Depot, were basically just spectators, as their main area of activity was around the capital.

Strength determined one’s right to speak.

The Jinyiwei’s outstanding performance had caused the influence of Gu Yuansong, their Commander, to skyrocket within the Eunuch Faction’s political alliance.

“There’s no rush. Now is not the best time to enter Yangzhou.”

“The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions performed unexpectedly well this time. Who knows how smug the Marquis of Wuyang will be. This Prime Minister has no desire to see his face.”

“Cabinet Elder Xu has always been upright and incorruptible. Let’s have him go squabble with the titled nobility and imperial in-laws!” Zuo Guang’en said with a cold smile.

Emperor Tianyuan enjoyed playing the game of checks and balances; naturally, he would not entrust the Lianghuai salt industry to a single person.

The four Imperial Commissioners he appointed encompassed the four major powers: the Pure Stream faction, the Eunuch Faction, the titled nobility, and the imperial in-laws.

They were all Imperial Commissioners, so there was no definite conclusion as to whose status was higher or lower.

If the Marquis of Wuyang cooperated, all would be well. But if he refused to play along, he, the Chief Eunuch, would be in an awkward position.

“A brilliant insight, Left Prime Minister!”

“The current situation in Yangzhou City is indeed not one we can easily take over.”

“However, those salt merchants are still locked up in Yangzhou. For the case to be wrapped up perfectly, we need to make sure those people are silenced forever.”

Gu Yuansong took the opportunity to flatter him.

Being able to incite conflict between the imperial in-laws, the titled nobility, and the Pure Stream Faction was undoubtedly a great thing for the Eunuch Faction.

The only trouble was that the salt merchant interest group’s rebellion this time had been executed far too crudely.

The arrested salt merchants knew nothing from beginning to end, yet they were branded with the crime of being part of a traitorous faction.

As long as they weren’t complete fools, they wouldn’t confess so easily.

Once the authority to adjudicate the case fell into the hands of the Pure Stream Faction, the Eunuch Faction, which had masterminded the entire affair, would be put on the defensive.

“Rest assured, the Marquis of Wuyang knows what’s important.”

“He is well aware of His Majesty’s intentions.”

“Even if it means offending the Pure Stream Faction, he will carry out His Majesty’s will.”

“I reckon he’s probably worrying right now about how to deal with the salt merchants in his custody!” Zuo Guang’en said, shaking his head.

It was not entirely impossible to kill all the captured salt merchants under the heavy guard of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

But doing so would expose the moles they had planted within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was the private domain of the imperial in-laws and the titled nobility. If they overextended their reach, those two camps would certainly not let the matter rest.

Political struggle had always been about finding ways to eliminate enemies while trying to gain friends.

Escalating conflicts was always a major taboo in officialdom.

…

The Yangzhou military camp.

“Mr. Zhou, to have delayed meeting you for so long is truly this official’s fault!”

“I have long heard of the fame of the Zhou family of Lianghuai. May I ask which branch of the family Mr. Zhou belongs to?”

Li Mu’s amiable opening remarks made Zong Guangtai restless.

Like his Zong family, the Zhou family of Lianghuai was one of the Seven Great Families and a major player in this rebellion.

For his fabricated name to be linked to the Zhou family was terrifying.

If he had known this would happen, he should have used a different surname when he forged the travel permit earlier.

“Your Excellency, this student is merely a scholar from the countryside and has no connection to the Zhou family of Lianghuai.”

“The rebels caused chaos and occupied this student’s hometown, which is how I was captured and taken into the enemy camp.”

“I have no connection whatsoever with the conspirators. I hope Your Excellency will investigate this clearly!” Zong Guangtai said apprehensively.

One lie often required more lies to cover it up.

Although his- cover was good, the tension in his body betrayed him.

“And what of Mr. Zhou’s family? Could they have all been killed by the rebels?” Li Mu asked nonchalantly.

At this point in the interrogation, he was basically certain that this “Mr. Zhou” before him was suspicious.

That travel permit should not have been on his person.

Normally, if one’s hometown was occupied by rebels, there would be no time to obtain a travel permit.

This was especially true for scholars, for whom an official title was far more useful than a travel permit.

Even without a title, if one’s teacher was sufficiently influential, carrying the teacher’s identification papers would grant passage anywhere.

“Your Excellency, this student has had a tragic life. I lost both my parents at a young age.”

“I was raised entirely by my grandfather. After he passed away five years ago, I have had no other relatives.”

As he spoke, tears welled up in Zong Guangtai’s eyes and streamed down his face.

To save his own skin, he was throwing all caution to the wind today, even speaking of his elders as if they were dead.

But whether he observed such taboos no longer mattered.

Given the current situation, even if the members of the Zong family were not yet dead, they were not far from descending into hell.

The rebellion had failed to shake the rule of the Great Yu dynasty. As conspirators, they could only live as fugitives.

Their former networks and connections were now all warrants for their death.

There were many who would want to take their heads to claim credit and rewards from the court.

Those who were particularly close to the Zong family would be even more eager to use their heads to prove their loyalty to the court.

“My apologies, I have touched upon a sore spot for Mr. Zhou. It was improper of this official.”

“However, suppressing the rebels is an affair of the state, and this official dare not be negligent.”

“Since Mr. Zhou has spent time in the rebel camp, you must know them quite well. I must ask that you enlighten me without reservation.”

“His Majesty has always been magnanimous. As long as you can render meritorious service in the process of putting down the rebellion, I am sure he will not hold the matter of your collaboration with the rebels against you!”

Hearing Li Mu’s words, Zong Guangtai’s head buzzed.

Asking him, a rebel leader, to help suppress the rebellion—was this some kind of joke?

Yet, he could not find the words to refuse.

Regardless of whether it was voluntary, “collaborating with the rebels” was a serious crime.

Faced with an opportunity to atone for a crime by performing a meritorious service, any normal person should be deeply grateful.

The problem was that the Zong family was one of the masterminds of the conspiracy, and he himself had made outstanding contributions to the rebellion’s development.

Even if he performed meritorious service, it could not erase his previous crimes.

Unless the Emperor himself granted a special pardon, not even an Imperial Commissioner could absolve him of his guilt, let alone a minor Chiliarch like Li Mu.

“Rest assured, Your Excellency, this student will tell you everything he knows without holding anything back!” Zong Guangtai answered, bracing himself.

Better you than me.

If he wanted to live, he had to ensure his identity was not exposed, and divulging some rebel intelligence was unavoidable.

He had been forced into this position. After leading the dare-to-die squad, he had been brought straight to the military camp.

At first, no one paid him much mind, and there were many opportunities to escape. Zong Guangtai had formulated several escape plans.

Unfortunately, he was just a frail scholar. While his planning skills were more than adequate, his ability to execute those plans was severely lacking.

He had barely taken a few steps before he ran into a patrol of soldiers.

If he hadn’t reacted quickly enough and bluffed his way through it, he might not even have had the chance to be standing here.

Chapter 76: Sabotaging Teammates in Progress

Inside the Prefecture office.

“The Ministry of War has sent an urgent order, urging us to dispatch troops and crush the rebel army in Taizhou. What are your thoughts, gentlemen?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked, holding the military order.

The Great Yu Dynasty has a tradition of civilian authority over the military. Theoretically, the Ministry of War can command all the armies in the nation.

However, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was a special case. It had a military structure while also performing some functions of a local government office, and has long been directly responsible to the Emperor.

The Marquis of Wuyang had come south this time as an Imperial Commissioner. Whether or not to accept the orders of the Nanjing Ministry of War had thus become a muddled account.

“Lord Commander, the Nanjing side is deliberately trying to stir up trouble. The situation in Yangzhou has just stabilized; how can we rashly send troops to war? In my opinion, we should just ignore them. We have a ready-made excuse—they haven’t even provided one-tenth of the weapons and equipment they promised!”

Zhao Yawei said with disdain.

The Great Yu Dynasty employed a system of two capitals. While the northern and southern capitals appeared to have equal status, it was the Six Ministries in the northern capital that truly wielded power.

The existence of the Six Ministries in Nanjing was more of a backup system. They had a say in various matters, but when it came to making final decisions, the Nanjing Six Ministries fell short.

Compared to the northern capital, Nanjing was mostly a place for officials who had lost power struggles to retire. If it weren’t for the Lianghuai rebellion, they would never even have the chance to issue commands.

A government body like this could hardly intimidate the sons of the titled nobility.

“Chiliarch Zhao, you are mistaken! The Ministry of War has issued a military order. How can a general not obey? As for Nanjing stirring up trouble, that is just your wishful thinking. In my view, we should dispatch troops at once, eliminate the rebels in the Taizhou region, and restore peace to the realm!”

Commander Rong, who was standing to the side, jumped in to retort.

In previous military councils, the Marquis of Wuyang and the five chiliarchs always made decisions directly after conferring privately. This had caused a host of nominal officers, including Commander Rong, to accumulate deep-seated resentment.

After repeatedly petitioning, they had finally gained the opportunity to attend the meetings. Under these circumstances, they were bound to put on a show to display their capabilities.

In their eyes, if five hundred soldiers could defeat an army of several hundred thousand, the rebels must be a disorderly mob. They couldn’t even be considered an army, but were purely a crowd of rioters.

Once the grand army charged, the enemy would surrender at the mere sight of them.

“Since Commander Rong is so capable, why don’t you lead the troops yourself? We won’t expect you to eliminate all the Taizhou rebels. As long as you can recapture a few county towns, we can consider our duty to Nanjing fulfilled!”

Zhao Yawei said mockingly.

It’s true the rebels are a rabble, but the defending forces of Yangzhou City are no better—they’re a rabble too.

While defending the city, these problems weren’t so obvious. But once they leave the city for a field battle against the enemy, all sorts of latent issues will surface.

“Chiliarch Zhao’s proposal isn’t bad. If Commander Rong were to lead the troops, he would surely crush the traitors in one fell swoop. If you were to earn this military merit, Consort Rong would be honored as well. I’m sure Commander Rong wouldn’t refuse this chance to shine, would he?”

Chiliarch Tang, from the right, chimed in with a jeer.

Before taking up his post at the government office, he and Commander Rong had never gotten along, and they had fought in private more than a few times.

Unfortunately, every time he won a fight outside, he would get a sound beating after returning.

After suffering this several times, he figured out the truth: someone had been snitching on him.

Back and forth it went, and thus a grudge was formed between the two.

After joining the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, they set aside their past grievances for the sake of their careers. However, that didn’t stop him from enjoying his old rival’s predicament.

A Commander officially appointed by the imperial court was a major figure in the capital. A nominal Commander, however, was purely for show.

The actual power they held was less than that of a Centurion with real authority in the government office.

When people wanted to give him face, they’d address him as Commander Rong. When they didn’t, they could even bar him from entering the government office.

“I’ll go! It’s not like This general is afraid! Prepare fifty thousand troops. This Commander will march out tomorrow to crush the traitors and restore peace to the realm.”

As soon as Commander Rong spoke, countless mocking gazes fell upon him.

“Commander Rong, Yangzhou doesn’t have an army of fifty thousand. Though we claim to have a hundred-thousand-strong army, in reality, if we count every last man, including the yamen runners, the entire city only has ten thousand foot soldiers. Those conscripted able-bodied men don’t even have a decent weapon in their hands. You can’t possibly expect them to follow you onto the battlefield with fire pokers, can you? Why don’t we make a deal? You lead an army of seven thousand on the expedition, and we’ll claim it’s an army of fifty thousand.”

Li Mu added, seizing the opportunity.

This was an unspoken agreement within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions: every time the Marquis of Wuyang spoke, the chiliarchs would take turns speaking.

Although there was competition among the chiliarchs in private, they would maintain a tacit unity when dealing with outsiders.

Before the meeting, the Marquis of Wuyang had already hinted that they should find a way to oust these nuisances.

“Seven thousand it is! This Commander will lead the troops out tomorrow and show you all what real warfare is!”

Commander Rong said, forcing himself to appear calm.

Having been put on the spot in front of everyone, he absolutely could not lose face. Regardless of whether he could annihilate the rebels, he couldn’t lose his momentum.

“The Lord Commander is mighty!”

“The Lord Commander is formidable!”

…

Watching the profligate sons jeering in small groups, the Marquis of Wuyang’s face turned green with rage.

In the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, there was and could only be one Commander: him. For a nominal figurehead to think he could be on equal footing with him was simply suicidal.

Even among imperial in-laws, there were different ranks and classes.

A favored consort has an expiration date. With so many beauties in the imperial harem, she might fall out of favor and into obscurity any day. But his status as an Imperial Brother-in-law was for life. The Emperor could keep changing his favorite consorts, but he couldn’t change his mother.

“Very well, then it’s settled. Tomorrow, Commander Rong will serve as the supreme commander, leading the Provisional Battalion and the government forces of the Yangzhou region on the expedition. This Marquis will not ask how the battle is fought. In any case, you must recapture three county towns and clear the road to Taizhou within half a month!”

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a chuckle.

With the strength of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, recapturing three county towns and clearing the road to Taizhou naturally wouldn’t be difficult.

Dispatching seven thousand of the ten thousand troops in the city was more than enough to prove how seriously he was taking this.

The problem was that the elites of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were precisely the three-thousand-odd troops who were not being sent out.

During the previous defense of Yangzhou, the chiliarchs below him had already sifted through the soldiers of Yangzhou.

All the truly battle-worthy soldiers had been snapped up by them, so the troops being sent out now were all trash.

A trash army paired with a trash commander—if they could still manage to annihilate the rebels, then there truly was no justice in the world.

On the path of sabotaging their teammates, they were venturing further and further.

“My Lord, we have to go on the expedition too?”

A pot-bellied, middle-aged man asked, slow on the uptake.

Commander Rong was leading troops on an expedition—he could help cheer him on from the sidelines, but going into battle himself was out of the question.

They all moved in the same circles. He had a pretty good idea of his buddy’s skill level.

“We are all colleagues. When it comes to earning merit, everyone naturally gets a share. What’s this, Vice-Commander Zha? Do you sympathize with the rebels and are unwilling to serve the court?”

Once the Marquis of Wuyang’s damning words were spoken, the profligate sons who had wanted to back out at the last minute all shut their mouths.

Sympathizing with the rebels and being unwilling to serve the court—it was an accusation they could not answer.

Chapter 77: Taking a Political Stance

The military conference ended, but the five chiliarchs remained.

There is no love or hate in this world without reason. Simple dislike wasn’t enough for them to choose to sabotage their comrades.

Those profligate sons were incompetent, but their backing was not insignificant.

Even if they were sent by their superiors to offer up their heads, selling them out like this still carried considerable risks.

Especially for a commander-in-chief like the Marquis of Wuyang, if the generals under him suffered a defeat, he too would be implicated.

“The bait has been set. The rest is up to you all to handle properly!”

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a grave expression.

Luring the enemy has always been done with a small contingent of troops.

This tactic of using a bait force larger than the main force was something he couldn’t find even after scouring all the military texts.

But the chiliarchs under his command had all sworn with certainty that this was exactly how it should be done.

War is not just about military matters; it is also about politics.

If the Provisional Battalion were sent out alone and completely wiped out, it would be difficult for anyone to explain themselves when an investigation was launched.

But by including the soldiers from Yangzhou, the situation becomes different.

An army of a full seven thousand men still suffering a major defeat? That would be a case of ‘an incompetent general brings ruin to his entire army’.

With a negative example to point to, when everyone sends troops to help seek revenge afterward, it will better highlight their own capabilities.

“Lord Commander, rest assured. After our efforts during this period, the Eastern City’s Thousand-household Fort has expanded to one thousand five hundred men, all of them handpicked, valiant warriors.

The other Thousand-household Forts have also grown in strength rapidly.

These soldiers have all seen blood. Compared to two months ago, our strength has undergone an earth-shattering transformation!”

As Zhao Yawei finished speaking, smiles appeared on the faces of four of the five chiliarchs.

The defense of Yangzhou was not fought for nothing.

The soldiers who performed outstandingly were all taken under their wings, and each unit developed substantially in both quality and quantity.

Everyone held a deep resentment toward the Nanjing Ministry of War, largely because the insufficient number of armor sets they sent had hindered everyone’s expansion.

Chiliarch Su, on the other hand, was in an awkward position. Because he hadn’t been on the front lines, the men assigned to him were nothing but a disorderly mob.

For his expansion, he had to rely on his connections, practically begging from the other four forts just to gather a thousand men.

Fortunately, the North City Thousand-household Fort had always been the weakest among the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, so being at the bottom again didn’t matter much.

“As long as you are confident, that’s enough. This Marquis is not an overly critical person.

We can choose not to fight the upcoming battles. But once we do…

Then victory is the only option; defeat is not permitted!”

The Marquis of Wuyang said sternly.

Perhaps from spending so much time in the military camp, his aura was clearly much stronger than before.

However, everyone present interacted with him regularly, so they didn’t notice such a subtle change.

“Lord Commander, rest assured. The rebel army has suffered a great defeat, and their morale is now collapsing.

Of their full combat strength, they can at best exert forty to fifty percent.

In contrast, our army has just crushed the main force of the rebels. Our morale and fighting spirit are at their peak.

Seven thousand combat soldiers plus numerous auxiliary troops, facing a dispirited mob—how could we not be victorious!”

Tang Jincheng said with great arrogance.

Morale and fighting spirit are forged in battle. The defense of Yangzhou resulted in heavy casualties, but those casualties were almost entirely on the rebel side.

Their preparations were inadequate, and their hastily made siege equipment was barely serviceable, inflicting very limited casualties on the defending forces.

The government forces suffered fewer than a thousand casualties, and once these were distributed among the various units, the losses were completely negligible.

The most devastating losses were suffered by the dare-to-die squad that launched the night raid.

However, since they died outside the city and no one witnessed it firsthand, the impact was not as profound.

In everyone’s eyes, there was only the silver reward issued from above.

“The auxiliary troops shouldn’t be counted. Yangzhou City cannot be left undefended.

It’s not difficult for seven thousand combat soldiers to defeat a disorderly mob in a field battle. The biggest challenge is how to lure them out.

Therefore…”

Li Mu left his sentence half-finished, simply smiling without saying more.

Selling out comrades was something that could be done, but it could never be openly discussed.

To make the enemy army leave the city for a decisive battle, you must let them see a chance of victory.

That’s a job elite troops can’t do.

“My Lord, Cabinet Elder Xu’s convoy has appeared outside the city.”

The news brought by the guard interrupted the military conference.

There’s an old saying, ‘kings do not meet kings.’ Having two imperial commissioners gathered in the same city was not a good thing.

One was the Commander of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, holding significant military power; the other was an influential minister of the Grand Secretariat.

If a conflict were to erupt between the two, it would be absolutely disastrous for the officials under them.

The officials of Yangzhou Prefecture, however, did not have this worry. They were all in prison, awaiting the verdict of fate.

“Hmph!”

“He could have come any time, but he chose now.

This Marquis just solved the problem, and he runs over to reap the credit. The nerve of that Xu Wenyue!”

Seeing their leader fly into a rage, everyone lowered their heads.

The clashes between major figures were not something that small fry like them were qualified to get involved in.

In terms of actual power, even the Marquis of Wuyang could not compare to a Cabinet member.

“Pass down the order: everyone is to act as if they know nothing.

Anyone who dares to leave the city to welcome him will be making an enemy of This Marquis.

You lot, keep a close watch. If you find anyone privately associating with that man surnamed Xu, they are to be dealt with immediately under the charge of being conspirators!”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s command startled Li Mu. This was clearly a preparation to go head-to-head to the very end.

What prompted him to make this decision was undoubtedly the confidence born from his military achievements.

“My Lord, Cabinet Elder Xu’s arrival at this time is definitely not just about vying for control over Yangzhou.

The salt merchants and imprisoned officials in the main prison must be dealt with as quickly as possible!”

After hesitating repeatedly, Li Mu chose to take a side.

No matter how overwhelmingly powerful Cabinet Elder Xu was, the Marquis of Wuyang was his direct superior.

To resist the pressure from the Civil Official Bloc, the titled nobility and the imperial in-laws had been banding together for some years. He could not betray the interest group to which he belonged.

“My Lord, Chiliarch Li’s words are reasonable.

Cabinet Elder Xu left the capital in an eight-carrier sedan chair, dawdling all the way. His sudden switch to a horse-drawn carriage to speed up clearly means he comes with ill intent.

We must clean up all the loose ends and not leave him any leverage against us!”

Zhao Yawei agreed, sounding slightly flustered.

They were all sons of the titled nobility, so Li Mu’s reason for taking a side applied to him as well.

In the depths of his heart, he cursed Li Mu’s entire family.

It was simply too despicable. During normal meetings, everyone spoke in turn.

He had just hesitated for a moment, and Li Mu had beaten him to it.

It was useless to be annoyed. In matters of political alignment, the significance of being first and second was completely different.

With the two of them leading the way, the remaining three chiliarchs followed suit and declared their stances.

“You are all correct. We certainly cannot leave any hidden dangers.

As a subject, one should alleviate His Majesty’s worries.

However, all the people are in prison. If they all die at once, it will be impossible to explain to the imperial court.

After Cabinet Elder Xu takes over Yangzhou, This Marquis will lead the troops out to quell the rebellion.

Civil officials are not well-versed in military affairs. If some rebels were to sneak into the city and rescue their imprisoned accomplices, I imagine that would be quite a reasonable explanation.”

Understanding the Marquis of Wuyang’s implication, troubled expressions appeared on everyone’s faces.

This pledge of fealty was not an easy one to make.

Yet, the Marquis of Wuyang had to bring Emperor Tianyuan into it. Now, even if they didn’t want to do it, they had no choice but to comply.

Chapter 78: A Contest of Power

“Are you blind? You see Cabinet Elder Xu’s procession and you still don’t come out to welcome him!”

Advisor Hou Huaichang stepped forward and let loose a tirade.

They had been away from the capital for so long, and the local officials along the way had all shown the utmost enthusiasm. It was not uncommon for them to ride out ten li to offer a welcome.

Only upon arriving in Yangzhou City did they hit a snag.

Forget coming out to greet them in advance; even the city guards stood rooted to the spot, as if they hadn’t seen the prominently displayed placard.

“What are you screaming about? Have you no manners at all!

“I’ve guarded the gates in the capital for many years and have seen plenty of Cabinet Elders, princes, and nobles. I’ve never heard of city guards having to go out to greet them.

“In this world, the only one worthy of us kneeling to in welcome is His Majesty, the current Emperor!”

Zhou Chuanfa’s voice was loud, and everyone heard him with perfect clarity. The atmosphere instantly turned awkward.

It was a classic case of twisting the concept.

Under the Emperor’s nose in the capital, everyone had to be on their best behavior. The city guards represented imperial authority; even if they were willing to come out and offer a welcome, no official would dare accept it.

But things were different in the provinces.

Here, Cabinet Elder Xu, as the Imperial Commissioner, was the one who represented imperial authority. A high-profile welcome from local officials, while potentially sycophantic, was largely appropriate.

At this moment, Zhou Chuanfa was playing the part of a brutish soldier, deliberately feigning ignorance of protocol. With his first words, he drew a comparison between Cabinet Elder Xu and the Emperor.

To an ordinary person, such a damning accusation was mere sarcasm, but to Xu Wenyue’s ears, it was entirely different. To desire the same treatment as the Emperor was an act of great disrespect.

When it came to being skilled in debate and pinning malicious labels on others, he was the expert. How could he not see through his opponent’s aim?

Arguing with a common soldier guarding the gate would only lower his own status. To ignore it was to dismiss it as the ramblings of a ruffian.

The strong have no need to squabble with ants.

“Enter the city!” Xu Wenyue said, his expression unchanged.

He knew before he came that this trip would not be a smooth one.

The tree had been planted and carefully watered by others. Now that it was time for the harvest, he was showing up to reap the rewards of their labor. It would be strange if they weren’t resentful.

But to survive in officialdom, one had to fight, to snatch, to seize.

If he didn’t play the villain, the Pure Stream Faction officials in the Lianghuai region would surely be swept away completely. The officials subsequently appointed by the court would also have no members of the Pure Stream Faction among them. The local gentry, too, would sever their political ties with them for the sake of their own interests.

“Cabinet Elder, they are too insolent, simply…”

Before Hou Huaichang could finish, Xu Wenyue shot him a glare.

“Silence! Did you not hear this official? Enter the city!”

It was already getting late. If they delayed any longer, it would be time to close the city gates. If the garrison guards simply shut them, they would have to spend the night outside.

Under normal circumstances, no one would dare lock a Cabinet Elder like him outside the city. But when dealing with this audaciously bold bunch from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, it was hard to say.

The procession moved slowly forward. Gazing at the Prefect’s Yamen in the distance, Cabinet Elder Xu’s face gradually darkened.

When they were outside the city, it was possible that news had been suppressed and no one inside knew of their arrival. But they had been in the city for so long now; no matter how slow the response, the city officials and local gentry should have received word.

That no one had come to greet them yet could only mean one thing: someone had given prior instructions, telling them not to come out.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s control over Yangzhou had exceeded his expectations.

An official’s power came not only from above but also from below. No matter how high-ranking and powerful he was as an Imperial Commissioner, he still needed the people below him to listen. If his subordinates refused to act, he was nothing more than a figurehead.

The idea of having someone dragged out and beheaded at the slightest disagreement was merely a scene from a play. In the Great Yu Dynasty, the procedures for removing an official from his post were numerous.

If a superior was displeased with a subordinate, he could only make things difficult for him, assigning him more dirty or tiresome work, which the subordinate could counter by simply letting things rot. As long as one didn’t commit a fundamental error, it was impossible to be dismissed.

This was the balance of power.

Even an Imperial Commissioner had to abide by the rules.

When the case of treason had come up earlier, the Marquis of Wuyang had only placed people under house arrest, not directly ordered their execution. The greatest reason the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei were so hated in official circles was that they could bypass the rules to apprehend people.

…

“Forgive me, Cabinet Elder. The men below are ignorant and actually barred you from entry. Please be magnanimous. His Lordship is currently in a military conference. Please proceed to the rear office to rest for a while!”

Hearing the steward’s words, Xu Wenyue felt no surprise.

In a power struggle, a single step back was a plunge into the abyss. Since they were destined to clash, he naturally couldn’t be afraid of causing offense. If everyone else had been forbidden from welcoming him, it was even more impossible for the Marquis of Wuyang, their leader, to come out.

“Lead the way!”

Deep inside, Xu Wenyue kept reminding himself: Don’t get angry, don’t get angry!

No matter how impressive a military official was, he was still just that. In the Great Yu Dynasty, governing a region was the job of a civil official. The previous situation had been special, allowing the Marquis of Wuyang to temporarily manage Yangzhou’s affairs. Now that he, an Imperial Commissioner from the civil service, had arrived, the Marquis had to transfer administrative authority over the region.

This included the criminals held in the city; all of them had to be handed over.

Once the transfer of power was complete, his current awkward predicament would vanish.

…

“Cabinet Elder has traveled a great distance. It is truly This Marquis’s fault for not coming out to greet you. However, the military situation at the front is urgent, and This Marquis did not dare to be delayed for even a moment. I beg for Cabinet Elder Xu’s forgiveness!”

Looking at the Marquis of Wuyang, who spoke words of apology yet showed not a trace of shame on his face, Xu Wenyue was rendered speechless. The man’s skin was simply too thick; he was on par with those old foxes in the capital.

Indeed, everyone was improving. The once-nondescript young imperial in-law had matured after seven years in the political arena.

“Military affairs are of the utmost importance. I am but a decrepit old man; Your Lordship need not pay me any mind!”

The seemingly placid response was, in fact, filled with insinuations. Among the handful of Cabinet Elders, Xu Wenyue was relatively young, so he was certainly not “decrepit.” And “need not pay me any mind” was a joke. To dare disregard a Cabinet member, one would have to be arrogant to an extreme degree.

He might as well have said it plainly: “Cut the nonsense. It’s time to hand over power. I know you’re unhappy, and I can let the previous matters slide, but authority must be transferred. If you continue to make a scene and cause trouble, it won’t look good for either of us!”

This look of having a firm grasp on the situation greatly displeased the Marquis of Wuyang. Unfortunately, the rules of the court were what they were. Even though he was the Imperial Brother-in-law, breaking those rules would lead to considerable trouble.

“Cabinet Elder, you are in the prime of your life. You shouldn’t speak such disheartening words. His Majesty still needs you to serve the nation; you mustn’t shirk your duties. Commander Rong will depart with the vanguard tomorrow, and This Marquis will also lead the troops on an expedition the day after. The affairs of Yangzhou will have to trouble you, Cabinet Elder!” the Marquis of Wuyang said in a huff.

One mountain cannot contain two tigers, and Yangzhou City could not accommodate two Imperial Commissioners. He lacked the ability to overwhelm Cabinet Elder Xu, nor did he wish to be subordinate to him. Leaving was the best option.

His decisive statement completely stunned Xu Wenyue. His intuition told him that when things are out of the ordinary, there must be something strange afoot.

To have made such a big fuss earlier just to slight him seemed far too petty. He knew something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure out what it was, which left him deeply troubled.

Chapter 79: The Cannon Fodder Departs

When two people cannot find common ground, every word is one too many. Their meeting was over in less than fifteen minutes.

With a bellyful of doubts, Xu Wenyue left the prefecture office and was安排 to a luxurious salt merchant’s mansion.

Upon seeing the decorations inside, he was so angry he wanted to curse.

There were far too many violations of sumptuary laws. Even he, a minister of the Grand Secretariat, would not dare to be so brazen.

He had just thought to sit down and calm himself when he noticed the golden dragon carving on a chair.

If he hadn’t looked closely and noticed the dragon was missing a claw, he would have thought someone was privately crafting a dragon throne.

Even so, Xu Wenyue dared not sit.

In that instant, he suddenly understood why Emperor Tianyuan was so dead set on eliminating these salt merchants.

They were truly too audacious, so utterly unaware of their place in the world.

An awkward scene soon unfolded.

He dared not sit on the chairs his host had left.

He dared not sleep in the bedroom his host had left.

He dared not use the bedding his host had left.

…

The only things he could use belonged to the servants.

The main reason this mansion was available was because it had so many violations of prescribed status that no one dared to live in it.

Even those audaciously bold profligates wouldn’t touch it, so Xu Wenyue certainly wouldn’t dare.

If a common person violated the sumptuary laws, it could be excused as fearless ignorance, something the Emperor would generally overlook.

But for a Cabinet Elder of the court to do so would be a grave political matter.

“Don’t waste time tidying up. We’ll move directly into the servants’ quarters. It’s only for a few days. Once the Marquis of Wuyang leaves, we will move to the prefecture office!”

Xu Wenyue said, suppressing his anger.

He had just entered Yangzhou City and had already been led into a huge trap.

Fortunately, he was careful enough. If he hadn’t observed things closely and had foolishly moved in, he would have been in deep trouble.

“Cabinet Elder, why don’t we find an inn! This mansion has too many violations. If a censor were to impeach you, it would be very difficult to explain later,” Hou Huaichang advised as he stepped forward.

To become the advisor to a reigning Cabinet Elder, one would naturally be no ordinary person.

His unseemly performance at the city gates during the day was a blunder caused by relying on past experience; it did not mean he was incompetent.

The Censorate might seem to be controlled by the Pure Stream faction, but that didn’t make it Xu Wenyue’s private domain.

Political rivals came not only from the hostile Eunuch Faction but also from challengers within the Pure Stream faction itself.

When interests were at stake, insiders were often more ruthless than outsiders.

“Mm, then go find an inn. An ordinary one will do; remember, nothing extravagant. Also, send someone to investigate what the Marquis of Wuyang has been up to recently. And the Yangzhou gentry’s stance is very strange. We must get to the bottom of it!” Xu Wenyue ordered cautiously.

Once bitten, twice shy.

With someone watching from the sidelines, he didn’t dare to be as high-profile as he had been on the road.

There were too many confusing things. He wouldn’t be able to sleep without getting a clear picture of the situation.

Normally, the local gentry should have been eager to get close to a civil official and Cabinet Elder like him, rather than getting mixed up with an imperial in-law.

Forging a connection with him would be of great significance to their family’s scions serving as officials in the capital.

The Marquis of Wuyang was just an imperial in-law; no matter how good their relationship, he couldn’t bring them any substantial benefits.

“My lord, rest assured, I will arrange for someone to handle it immediately!”

Advisor Hou had just finished speaking when the accompanying steward came over with a formal request for a visit.

“My lord, Commander Rong has sent an invitation, asking you to attend a banquet this evening.”

Hearing this, Xu Wenyue was speechless for a long moment.

Who was this Commander Rong? He had never heard of him.

There were countless commanders in the Great Yu Dynasty; there were over three hundred garrison commanders alone. For some random commander to send him an invitation showed a startling lack of respect for him as a Cabinet Elder.

According to normal procedure, a formal invitation to a banquet should be sent three days in advance, with the time and place agreed upon. A last-minute invitation was something a senior extended to a junior, a superior to a subordinate, or between very close acquaintances.

If the parties were not well-acquainted, it meant you were just being asked to fill a seat, not as a guest of honor.

For a minor commander to be so disrespectful of etiquette, Xu Wenyue wondered if he had been too affable lately, causing everyone to forget his bite.

“My lord, this Commander Rong is from Imperial Concubine Rong’s family.”

Upon hearing the steward’s reminder, Xu Wenyue’s anger instantly dissipated. One shouldn’t argue with a fool.

An imperial in-law trying to curry favor with a Grand Secretariat minister—anyone with half a brain wouldn’t do something so stupid.

This was especially true for the family of a favored concubine like the Rongs, as it could easily lead to talk of the inner palace colluding with the imperial court.

The slightest rumor would be fatal.

The Marquis of Wuyang had made things difficult for him from the start, not only due to their power struggle but also because of their respective identities.

“Tell the messenger that this official is feeling unwell and cannot attend the banquet. On second thought, just tell him this official has no time for him!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Xu Wenyue chose to be direct.

If the man failed to take the hint and came to visit him with gifts, it would just be another hassle.

The Marquis of Wuyang had mentioned a Commander Rong earlier, but he hadn’t thought much of it; after all, there was more than one commander with the surname Rong in the Great Yu Dynasty.

It was different now. With no other troops in Yangzhou City, he could be almost certain that the vanguard commander the Marquis had spoken of was this very Commander Rong.

To have this idiot serve as the vanguard… for a moment, Xu Wenyue felt his mind couldn’t quite process it.

He had read the victory report. The overall performance of the titled scions in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was, on average, up to the standard of Great Yu’s military officials.

Picking any chiliarch or centurion from below would be ten times more reliable than this fellow.

He was about to speak up and have someone deliver a warning, but the words died on his lips.

The internal problems of the imperial in-laws were none of his business as a civil official.

Their relationship wasn’t strong enough; if he offered unsolicited advice, they would only think he was trying to stop him from earning merits.

…

The next day, at dawn.

The Marquis of Wuyang arrived early with his men for the farewell ceremony for the departing army.

Although he hadn’t been invited, Xu Wenyue, as the Imperial Commissioner, had also arrived early at the training grounds.

The well-wishers had arrived, but the man of the hour was conspicuously absent.

“My Lord Marquis, you truly run a disciplined army!” Xu Wenyue mocked with a faint smile.

One could only imagine how hard it was to lead troops with such an idiotic connection hire under one’s command.

What was worse was that there wasn’t just one such person in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, but a whole group of them.

“Haha!

Thank you for the praise, Lord Xu. This Marquis has always been magnanimous in leading his troops.

As long as we can win the battle, This Marquis doesn’t sweat the small stuff!”

He spoke lightly, but deep down, the Marquis of Wuyang was brimming with rage.

The reputation he had painstakingly built during the defense of Yangzhou was being ruined by this bunch of fools.

If he didn’t need these guys to bait the enemy, he would have loved to serve them a full course of military justice right now.

They waited until the sun was high in the sky before Commander Rong and his pack of cronies sauntered in.

“Cut the nonsense and get over to the roll call. You are the commander of this force now. You need to shoulder your responsibility!”

Commander Rong was quite surprised not to be punished.

The Marquis of Wuyang was not known for his good temper. Even for connection hires like them, falling into his hands usually meant a sound thrashing.

“I obey!”

…

Chapter 80: A Starkly Different Departure

Once a farce begins, it doesn’t end easily.

The inexperienced Commander Rong, facing so many officers and soldiers, appeared particularly agitated.

Perhaps he was too nervous and momentarily forgot what he was supposed to say.

Or perhaps his slacker-student instincts kicked in, and he hadn’t properly memorized the speech he had prepared beforehand.

After taking the stage, he muddled the procedure at one moment and misused idioms and historical allusions the next.

To make matters worse, the loud-voiced soldiers responsible for relaying his words were his own household retainers—equally muddle-headed, they simply parroted whatever their master said.

For a time, the grand camp was filled with laughter and cheers, entirely lacking the solemnity an army ought to possess.

As a spectator to the drama, Li Mu’s mouth hung open the entire time.

It was a pity that Commander Rong himself was too obscure, and the enemy he faced was also insignificant.

Otherwise, with his performance today, he could have contributed another historical anecdote to serve as a cautionary tale for future generations.

Such a joyous departure ceremony was a great rarity in all of human history.

As the commander-in-chief, the Marquis of Wuyang’s face was dark from start to finish.

When his subordinate embarrassed himself, he, the commander, lost face as well.

From the murderous look in his eyes, Li Mu could read Commander Rong’s future.

Even if he was lucky enough to survive the battlefield, he wouldn’t be returning to the capital alive.

The constant blunders directly affected the ceremony’s progress.

What should have been a brief departure ceremony was dragged out until noon, stumbling through its entirety.

At the last moment, a profligate son, whom Li Mu did not recognize, foolishly clamored that they should eat lunch before leaving, enraging the Marquis of Wuyang so much that he drew his sword on the spot.

If the young man hadn’t backed down quickly enough, and if the Marquis hadn’t been in the mood to bicker with a dead man, he likely would have been cut down then and there as a sacrifice for the banners.

With things having developed to this point, anyone with half a brain realized that the prospects for this expedition were anything but bright.

But it was too late for regrets. The departure ceremony was complete.

To speak of quitting now… military law was not to be trifled with.

No matter how powerful one’s backing was, there was no turning back at this stage.

After watching the army depart, the surrounding colleagues all showed expressions of relief.

It was clear that everyone genuinely detested these incompetent allies.

Having witnessed the internal strife among the military officials firsthand, Xu Wenyue suddenly felt that the Civil Official Bloc was much better.

Though their internal politics were brutal, conflicts usually ended with someone’s retirement from office; rarely did they annihilate their opponents completely.

But when military officials plotted against their own, people could actually die.

It was an unknown whether even half of the army before him would return alive.

After inwardly scorning the crudeness of the military men, he wisely kept his mouth shut, not daring to provoke the Marquis of Wuyang any further with his words.

His intuition told him that if this man was pushed too far, he really would draw his sword and start cutting people down.

Xixi Man.

This most famous pleasure boat in Yangzhou City had lost its usual poetic and picturesque atmosphere ever since it was booked for the day.

“Cabinet Elder Xu came all the way from the capital, yet the gentry of Yangzhou have been so cold and indifferent. This has made the Cabinet Elder very angry.

“It was only through my persistent persuasion that I managed to secure this opportunity for you now.

“Whatever you have to say, say it quickly.

“If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, then from now on, we will all go our separate ways and have no need for further contact!”

Hou Huaichang questioned them harshly.

Those who came today had either sought Cabinet Elder Xu’s patronage in the past or were old acquaintances.

They might not have had a deep friendship, but they could at least claim a connection.

Xu Wenyue, a man of esteemed rank as an Imperial Commissioner, had arrived in Yangzhou, yet these people had made no arrangements to welcome him. In Hou Huaichang’s eyes, this was simply unforgivable.

If they were not punished, others would follow their example, and Cabinet Elder Xu’s influence in the imperial court would surely plummet.

And if his benefactor’s status was threatened, his own position as an advisor would only decline further.

“Advisor Hou, it is not that we wish to disrespect the Cabinet Elder, but we are truly forced into this.

“The Yangzhou City of today is not the Yangzhou City of the past.

“Anyone who opposes the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions is now in prison, charged with colluding with rebels!” Wang Wenju said with a troubled expression.

He had wanted to refuse today’s invitation more than anything.

Unfortunately, he and Hou Huaichang were former classmates. When the invitation was delivered to his door, declining it would have been a direct slap to Cabinet Elder Xu’s face.

“So you can’t afford to offend the Marquis of Wuyang, but Cabinet Elder Xu is an easy target?

“The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions have you this frightened? Where is the integrity of the literati?”

At Hou Huaichang’s mockery, the men all lowered their heads.

The situation was similar for all their families; they all had some connection, to a greater or lesser extent, with the Seven Great Families.

They were all members of the Pure Stream Faction, and as the faction’s leader, Xu Wenyue had to consider the group’s interests and couldn’t take things too far.

Offending Cabinet Elder Xu would, at worst, affect the official careers of their scions.

But the Marquis of Wuyang was different. When he targeted someone, he would accuse them of treason and rebellion.

Regardless of whether they admitted it or not, he would first carry out home confiscation and clan extermination, then slowly search for evidence.

In Yangzhou City, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions held the most power. The Yangzhou officials who had voiced dissent had all been placed under house arrest.

If their records were clean, perhaps someone might have risked a confrontation for the sake of fame.

Unfortunately, the gentry of Lianghuai had intermarried for years; there were always connections, near or distant.

Even without any evidence, they were still members of the rebels’ extended clans.

Once thrown into prison, they could forget about ever getting out.

They had already spent a great fortune pulling strings just to buy back the lives of their entire clans.

The writ of pardon had been issued by the Marquis himself; if he could sign it, he could naturally revoke it. No one dared to gamble.

“Hmph!”

“A bunch of cowards!”

“What’s there to be afraid of? The Marquis of Wuyang is leading his troops out on an expedition tomorrow. By then, Yangzhou City will be…”

Hou Huaichang’s performance was destined to be a futile effort.

When the lives of their entire families were at stake, no one dared to take that risk.

Even if the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions withdrew from Yangzhou City, they could just as easily return.

It was true that Cabinet Elder Xu was powerful and highly placed, but he had no soldiers at his command.

If the Marquis of Wuyang ordered arrests, he couldn’t possibly step in to stop it himself. Their relationship wasn’t that close.

“Advisor Hou, please don’t make things difficult for us.

“So many officials in the Yangzhou Prefecture have all been confined.

“Why don’t you think of a way first? Ask Cabinet Elder Xu to get them released?” the head of the Lei family, who was standing to the side, proposed.

The arrested Vice Prefect of Yangzhou was a member of his Lei clan.

If Cabinet Elder Xu could really get him out, it would be a huge gain.

Unfortunately, it was all destined to be in vain. A major case involving treason was always easy for arrests but difficult for releases.

To order the release of a suspect without a trial by the three judicial departments was a sword handed directly to one’s political enemies.

Knowing the potential risks, Hou Huaichang naturally did not dare to agree on behalf of Cabinet Elder Xu.

The gathering ended on a sour note.

The next morning.

The same training grounds, the same departure ceremony, yet the scene was starkly different.

Compared to yesterday’s disorderly mob, today, the moment Xu Wenyue stepped into the grand camp, he could feel a menacing aura from afar.

“It seems the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions’ ability to repel the rebel army wasn’t purely a matter of good luck!”

After this lament, Xu Wenyue’s gaze fell upon the Marquis of Wuyang.

He heard no long-winded speech. Only two words reached his ears: “March out.” Immediately following, he saw the army step out of the camp in an orderly fashion.

“Cabinet Elder, wasn’t the Marquis of Wuyang a bit too perfunctory?”

Sensing that his master had something to say, Hou Huaichang obligingly prompted him.

“It only proves that the Marquis of Wuyang is a smart man.

“A pre-battle proclamation is never meant for the soldiers to hear, and they wouldn’t understand it anyway.

“There is no audience here worth performing for, so naturally, everything can be kept simple.

“Besides, his own official rank was obtained under dubious circumstances; how much scholarly knowledge could he possibly have?

“Rather than trying to show off his literary talents and making a fool of himself like that Commander Rong, it is better to be simple.

“By leaving earlier, they can cover a few more li on the road.”

…

Chapter 81: Prison Break

“Lord Commander, we must change our route.

“At our current marching speed, we might catch up to Commander Rong’s main force by this evening.

“Based on the intelligence we’ve gathered, the rebels have abandoned many areas and are concentrating their forces in Taizhou City.

“I propose we first recapture Gaoyou Prefecture, then turn towards Taizhou for the decisive battle with the rebels!”

Li Mu stepped forward and suggested.

Perhaps because he had performed so well earlier, or perhaps because he had decisively chosen a side at a critical moment, the Marquis of Wuyang held him in extremely high regard.

The position of vanguard commander, coveted by all the chiliarchs, landed right in his lap.

According to the original plan, they only needed to follow behind Commander Rong.

Once the main rebel force was lured out by the cannon fodder troops ahead, their army would swoop in and crush the enemy in one fell swoop.

On the battlefield, plans can never keep up with changes.

The crushing defeat outside Yangzhou City had a far greater impact on the rebels than they had anticipated.

The enemy had lost its nerve and had no thought of a decisive battle.

Rebel units along the route fled at the mere sight of the imperial army’s banners.

If they continued to hang back, the main rebel force might never dare to emerge for a decisive battle.

With the plan to lure the enemy having failed, the war had turned into a direct assault.

Leading a bunch of incompetent allies to assault a fortified enemy city… one can only imagine how horrifying that would be.

A bit of chaos in the rebel camp could trigger a camp-wide panic, and the same could happen to the imperial army.

Those incompetent allies may lack the ability to succeed, but they were more than capable of causing failure.

“If we change our route, what if the rebels attack Yangzhou again?”

The Marquis of Wuyang asked with concern.

He was no good at leading troops, but he could at least read a map.

The three prefectures and seven counties under Yangzhou Prefecture were all currently in rebel hands.

They had always treated the Taizhou rebels as their primary target, not just because of their strength, but also because of their proximity.

To lose Yangzhou City while trying to recapture Gaoyou Prefecture to the north would be a terrible loss.

“Lord Commander, we only need to make a gesture of moving north to confuse the rebels.

“Whether we actually fight or not can depend entirely on the situation.

“The capital garrisons are heading south as we speak, and the rebels in Gaoyou Prefecture are already like birds startled by the twang of a bow.

“If we move north to support the capital garrisons and create the appearance of a pincer attack from both north and south, the scoundrels might just abandon the city and flee.

“Intercepting them on the road would be a great merit in itself.

“As for the rebels in Taizhou, Commander Rong’s army is there to hold them off. They can surely last a few days.

“Even if they are defeated, Cabinet Elder Xu is still in Yangzhou City to hold the fort.

“The walls of Yangzhou are strong. By gathering the city’s able-bodied men, they can hold out until we return to relieve them.

“As long as the main rebel force comes out, it makes no difference whether the battlefield is at the gates of Yangzhou or outside Taizhou.”

Li Mu explained calmly, spinning his tale.

When Commander Rong’s troops would collapse depended entirely on just how inept the rebels were.

When two disorderly mobs fight, any outcome is possible.

Unlike before, the capital garrisons were now on their way. Another siege of Yangzhou City had lost all strategic meaning for the rebels.

Even if they luckily managed to capture Yangzhou, the rebels wouldn’t have time to consolidate their control.

From the perspective of the officers of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, rendezvousing with the capital garrisons as soon as possible was the best option.

Annihilating the rebels was just a political slogan they all shouted.

The various rebel groups throughout Yangzhou Prefecture numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

None of them were arrogant enough to believe their army of seven thousand could devour such a large enemy force.

They might lack confidence in their hearts, but they absolutely could not show it in front of their superior.

Without their constant persuasion, given the Marquis of Wuyang’s style, he would rather stay put in Yangzhou City.

As an imperial in-law, the Marquis of Wuyang could afford to pass up the credit for suppressing the rebellion, but Li Mu and the others could not.

They were all young, in the prime of their careers, with bright futures ahead. They had to fight for it.

The high command of the capital garrisons was filled with their elders, friends, relatives, and old acquaintances. It was a web of connections everywhere you looked.

By joining them, they could leech off some military merits, gain combat experience, and enrich their personal records.

It was an opportunity with multiple benefits that no one could refuse.

“Very well, we will head to Gaoyou Prefecture first.

“Inform all units to slow their pace to thirty li per day.

“If anything happens in Yangzhou, we can return in time to provide aid.”

After weighing the pros and cons, the Marquis of Wuyang made his decision.

In his heart, he knew perfectly well that the risks of changing their route were not as simple as Li Mu had made them out to be.

However, he would not have to bear the catastrophic consequences that might arise from this risk.

The worst-case scenario was losing Yangzhou City, which could be recaptured later.

There was still an Imperial Commissioner in Yangzhou City. With Cabinet Elder Xu’s status, he was more than capable of taking all the blame.

Of course, the Marquis would not betray his ally like this unless absolutely necessary.

Yangzhou was a major city. If it fell into rebel hands, the entire empire would be shaken.

The severe political fallout would rattle the very foundations of the imperial court’s rule.

…

Yangzhou Prefecture Office.

After seeing off the Marquis of Wuyang, Xu Wenyue moved into his new quarters without a moment’s rest.

Like all government offices, the Yangzhou Prefecture office was not lavishly decorated; in fact, it was rather plain.

Looking at the simple furnishings, Xu Wenyue felt exceptionally at ease.

Simple was good. At least it helped avoid being set up.

Moreover, the prefecture office represented power. Moving in here signified that he had taken control of Yangzhou.

“Cabinet Elder, the Yangzhou gentry have prepared a banquet to welcome you.

“When would be a suitable time? So that everyone can make the arrangements.”

Hou Huaichang asked tentatively.

Their meeting yesterday had ended on a sour note, but the Marquis of Wuyang was still in the city then.

Now that the main man was gone, the gentry’s attitude toward Cabinet Elder Xu changed instantly.

Of course, the most crucial point was that Hou Huaichang had not dared to report the unpleasantness from yesterday.

To be a qualified advisor, one had to not only offer counsel but also know how to assess a situation.

Xu Wenyue, who had come south with only a group of family retainers and guards, appeared imposing but was practically alone in his new post.

The Pure Stream Faction officials in Yangzhou Prefecture had either been forced to join the rebels, been killed by them, or were locked up in the main prison.

None of them were of any use to Xu Wenyue right now.

With no one under his command, he had to rely on the local gentry to control Yangzhou.

For the sake of his political career, Xu Wenyue could not afford to fall out with the local gentry.

Since the outcome was inevitable, bringing up the unpleasantness of the process to the Cabinet Elder would only make him look incompetent.

As long as the truth remained unspoken, the only one losing face was him, the advisor.

“Let’s have it three days from now. The army has just departed, and holding a grand banquet at this time would reflect poorly.

“Have the identities of the officials in prison all been sorted out?”

It was clear that Xu Wenyue was not enthusiastic about the gentry’s banquet.

Many things, once the moment is missed, can never be reclaimed.

Their cooperation would continue, but it would be limited to mutual interests, not a deep alliance.

Compared to these fence-sitters, he was more concerned about the Pure Stream Faction members in prison, some of whom were his subordinates within the faction.

The accusation of conspiracy to rebel was pure slander. They had all spent twenty years in arduous study to succeed in the imperial examinations.

With bright futures ahead of them, they would have to be out of their minds to rebel against the court.

These men were imprisoned simply because they had dealings with the Salt Merchant Cartel and were implicated in the treason case.

According to the rules of the political game in the Great Yu, the fate of these men depended largely on the whims of the powerful.

If one wanted to be strict, beheading all of them would not be an injustice.

But if one were to be lenient, a demotion or a reprimand could also be arranged.

Xu Wenyue was still hesitating on whether to help these men.

It was, after all, a major case of treason. A number of Yangzhou’s ‘father-and-mother officials’ had to die to answer for it.

“It has all been investigated. Here is the information on the convicted officials—their identities, personal records, and the case files left by the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

“When the Marquis of Wuyang made the arrests, he did so without any screening, simply taking down all officials in Yangzhou City, big and small.

“There are certain flaws in the arrest procedure.

“However, given that it’s a case of treason, these minor issues will hardly affect him, even if a censor were to impeach him.”

As he spoke, Hou Huaichang pulled a stack of name lists from his sleeve and handed it to Xu Wenyue.

After casually flipping through it, Xu Wenyue’s expression quickly turned grim.

The arrested officials had not been tortured, but the salt merchants were not so lucky.

Under interrogation by the soldiers, the salt merchants had confessed to a mountain of evidence incriminating the Yangzhou officials.

What was more troublesome was that the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had collected a great deal of physical evidence from the officials’ homes.

Whether they had participated in the rebellion was yet to be determined, but many of their actions had indeed provided substantial assistance to the rebels.

This kind of reasoning, which mistook effect for cause, was clearly an over-interpretation, riddled with flaws.

But since it was a treason case, you couldn’t say they were wrong for being overly cautious and considering all possibilities.

To spring them from jail, he would first have to discredit all this evidence.

“You’ve had contact with them. How many can prove their own innocence?”

Xu Wenyue asked with concern.

The problem of having no one under his command had to be resolved quickly.

Bringing people in from outside would be ineffective in the short term, as they would lack a local foundation.

As for promoting from within, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had done a thorough job. Everyone from the prefect down to the clerks had been thrown into prison.

No matter how powerful he was, Xu Wenyue would not dare to appoint a group of commoners.

Beset by troubles both internal and external, the best solution was to find a way to rescue some of the less-implicated officials to get the government office running again.

Compared to Huai’an Prefecture, which was controlled by the Eunuch Faction, Yangzhou, where he had authority, was undoubtedly the easiest place to make a breakthrough.

If he couldn’t even get people out here, he couldn’t hope to do so in Huai’an Prefecture.

“Cabinet Elder, I’m afraid proving their innocence will be very difficult.

“Originally, these officials could have testified for each other to clear their names.

“But now that they are all in prison, their testimonies would easily be dismissed as collusion between accomplices.

“The imperial edicts, tiger tallies, official seals, dragon robes, and armor that the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions found are all damning physical evidence.”

Hearing Hou Huaichang’s explanation, Xu Wenyue’s head began to buzz.

Such bizarre evidence… even if they were truly planning a rebellion, they wouldn’t keep it in their own homes. The signs of a frame-up were far too obvious.

Yet, given his status, he could not challenge this evidence.

The items had been discovered in the officials’ homes in full public view.

No one could say for sure who put them there.

Perhaps the men from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions knew, but they certainly wouldn’t come forward to recount what happened at the scene.

“Come, we’ll go to the prison. I’d like to see who is so audaciously bold as to frame a loyal official like this!”

Just as the words left his lips, a wave of battle cries was heard from the direction of the main prison.

“My lord, it’s terrible!

“Rebels have infiltrated the city and are attacking the main prison!

“The defending soldiers can’t hold them off and have sent someone to ask for your help!”

The steward’s breathless words scared Xu Wenyue half to death.

Thank goodness he hadn’t rushed to the prison. If he had been just a little bit faster, he, a Cabinet Elder of the court, might have met his end.

The rebels didn’t care about his high status. From the moment they raised their banner of rebellion, they had set themselves on a path of no return.

“Quickly, send someone to recall the Marquis of Wuyang!”

Xu Wenyue ordered decisively.

With his own life on the line, he could no longer afford to be at odds with the Marquis of Wuyang.

Once the rebels captured Yangzhou, others might have a chance to live, but he, a Cabinet Elder of the court, could only die for his country.

“Yes, my lord, I’ll arrange for a message to be sent right away!”

With that, the steward turned and hurried off to carry out the order.

Cabinet Elder Xu and Advisor Hou, left behind, were pale with fright.

Rebels had actually snuck into the city. It was such a bizarre and grand spectacle that neither of them had ever encountered in their entire lives.

“Cabinet Elder, the soldiers of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions only left this morning. They are at most forty to fifty li from Yangzhou City.

“If all goes well, they can be back by tomorrow.

“We should summon the gentry and organize the able-bodied men to delay for as long as possible!”

Hou Huaichang suggested nervously.

He had never been so panicked in his life.

Even when facing the Eunuch Faction, he could analyze the situation rationally and calmly devise strategies.

But this was different. The rebels didn’t play by any rules.

No matter how brilliant his strategies, they couldn’t stop an enemy’s blade.

“The appearance of these rebels is too strange. They might not be here to take the city.

“The Marquis of Wuyang led his army away in the morning, and the rebels infiltrated the city in the afternoon.

“They launched their attack on the prison at six o’clock. If they are fast enough, they can withdraw just before dark.

“If they wanted to capture Yangzhou, they should be attacking the prefecture office right now, not the main prison, which has little strategic value!”

Xu Wenyue shook his head and said.

These speculations were a complete gamble.

But he had no choice. The Marquis of Wuyang had taken all the elite troops, leaving him with only a few yamen runners.

These soldiers were great at bullying common folk.

But if asked to fight on the battlefield, the best he could hope for was that they would flee at the sight of the enemy, and even that would be out of respect for him, the Cabinet Elder.

With no troops, even maintaining order in the city was difficult, let alone organizing an effective resistance.

The gentry were experts at seeking advantages and avoiding harm.

They were professionals at adding flowers to a brocade, but it was impossible to expect them to gamble the lives of their entire families.

…

“Time’s about up. Knock these guys out, tie them up in the carts. We need to get out of Yangzhou City, fast!”

Upon receiving the order, the prison guards all brandished their wooden clubs and went to work on the convicted officials in their cells.

This blatant game of prison break was playing out in the open, yet no one came forward to stop it.

The prison guards were carrying out the prison break, while the government office soldiers stood guard on the perimeter, conveniently shooing away passersby.

Only the soldiers Xu Wenyue had brought with him suffered the worst fate. If any dared to take a single step out of the prefecture office, they were instantly cut down.

In a short time, five heads had been thrown into the prefecture office. All the brave men sent with messages had died before their mission could be accomplished.

The Yangzhou gentry, who had inadvertently uncovered the truth, were trembling with fear.

They sealed their doors and windows, terrified of seeing something they shouldn’t and bringing disaster upon themselves.

The methods were simply too ruthless.

Imperial soldiers disguising themselves as rebels to stage a prison break—it was such an extreme scheme that a normal person would never encounter it in their lifetime.

If the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions could impersonate rebels to abduct the convicted officials from prison, they could just as easily impersonate rebels and slaughter their entire families while they were at it.

In the blink of an eye, the convoy of bundled-up officials began to withdraw from Yangzhou City in an orderly fashion.

A raging fire soon rose from the main prison where the serious offenders had been held.

The flames burned until midnight. Only after confirming that all traces at the scene had been destroyed did the soldiers leisurely begin to beat gongs and drums to organize people to extinguish the fire.

…

“Cabinet Elder, good news!”

“The rebels in the city have been repelled by our soldiers!”

Looking at the steward who ran over excitedly to report, Xu Wenyue’s face showed not a trace of joy.

“Lead the way. We’re going to inspect the main prison!”

Xu Wenyue commanded, his face ashen.

“My lord, perhaps we should wait.

“It’s chaotic over there right now, and the soldiers are busy putting out the fire.

“What if there are remaining rebels who haven’t withdrawn…”

Before the steward could finish, Xu Wenyue had already started walking, his actions showing his resolve.

When they arrived at the scene, the group was stunned by what they saw.

They were fighting the fire, but not to save the prison cells. Instead, they were clearing the surrounding buildings.

Anyone with discerning eyes could see that this was a deliberate act of destroying evidence.

“What are you standing around for? Quickly organize men to fetch water and put out the fire! Try to preserve the scene!”

Xu Wenyue immediately ordered.

In his heart, he had already decided that as long as he found evidence, he would teach the mastermind behind this a lesson.

“Cabinet Elder, there’s no need!”

Hou Huaichang reminded him tactfully.

The plan was to start with the convicted officials to regain control of the situation quickly, but now these men had all been “rescued” by the “rebels.”

The crimes they were accused of, whether fabricated or not, were now considered fact.

Unless they could follow the clues to the military camp and arrest people, preserving the scene was meaningless.

Political struggles are about gains and losses, not right and wrong.

…

Chapter 82: The Detachment

“My Lord, news from Yangzhou. The traitors and rebels you captured were broken out of prison by the Rebel Army yesterday. It is said that when Cabinet Elder Xu arrived at the scene, he was so angry he could barely speak!”

Looking at the steward who was spouting barefaced lies, the Marquis of Wuyang nodded in satisfaction.

These few generals under his command were truly reliable. They could even handle a task like a prison break so flawlessly. They could definitely be recommended to his nephew for important positions.

“These traitors and rebels have committed crimes deserving ten thousand deaths. Pass down the order: if any trace of these criminals is found, kill them without mercy.”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s order directly sealed the fate of all the convicted officials and salt merchants. The dirty work was done by the “Rebel Army,” the trouble belonged to Cabinet Elder Xu, and he had nothing to do with it.

As long as everyone involved was dead, this trip to Yangzhou would be a complete success.

Gaoyou City.

“Gentlemen, since we took up arms, our greatest crisis has arrived.

The Rebel Army in Huaian has been annihilated by the court, and the capital garrisons are advancing south in force, their blades pointed directly at Baoying County.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, fresh from their great victory in Yangzhou, are now closing in on Xinghua County.

From the looks of it, the court intends to pincer us from the north and south.

And that’s not the only bad news. It’s said the court plans to deploy the Shandong Navy into the Grand Canal. The waterways will soon be unsafe as well!”

Wen Feiyang said with a grave expression.

Being a rebel leader was not easy; not only did he have to deal with a messy pile of problems, but he also had to face external military pressure.

Though he was only in his thirties, his face looked older than that of many men in their fifties.

“Uncle, our Gaoyou Prefecture is situated between the Yangtze and Huai Rivers.

Throughout history, feudal lords have established their territories with the Yangtze or Huai Rivers as borders. Never has anyone taken the world by occupying Gaoyou alone.

The court’s army is advancing menacingly. To be trapped and defend Gaoyou is to seek our own demise.

Whether we go south or north, we must seize a larger territory. Only then will we have the foundation of our standing.”

A young scholar was the first to speak.

Something as thrilling as rebellion was best suited for the young.

The older generation’s thinking was rigid, and they were filled with fear of the court, often hesitating and looking over their shoulders when it was time to act.

Among the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai, the Wen family was not prominent. Yet, they were the first to delegate power to the younger generation. After taking up arms, their development had been unexpectedly strong; they were the only ones who could truly control the troops under their command.

Compared to the rebel armies in other regions, the Gaoyou Prefecture rebels did not have the most troops, but their internal organizational structure was the most complete.

“Wen Jianping, shut your mouth!”

“The court’s grand army is attacking. If we abandon our foundation to embark on a distant expedition now, we will become roving bandits.

Never has it been heard that roving bandits could achieve great things!

Gaoyou may be inherently flawed, but it is still a foundation.

As long as our foundation exists, so does the army’s morale.

If we lose it, our very roots will be gone. We’ll be no different from those peasant rebels.

The foundation of the Great Yu Dynasty has not been shaken. Now is not the right time to contend for the world.

The most important thing right now is to find a way to defeat the rebel-suppressing army, then find someone at court to pull some strings and seek amnesty!”

Wen Feiyun berated him from the side.

Wherever there are people, there is conflict. On the matter of rebellion, the Wen family was also internally divided.

Some wanted to follow the path to the bitter end, overthrow the Great Yu Dynasty’s rule, and establish a dynasty of their own.

Others believed the time was not right, that fighting the court to the death now was just being forerunners for the true king. Seeking amnesty was the proper path.

Neither side could persuade the other, and every time a decision had to be made, a dispute over their course of action would erupt.

When things went smoothly, the war faction would often gain the upper hand. Once they suffered a setback, the amnesty faction would gain a greater say.

“Silence!”

Seeing that others intended to join the argument, Wen Feiyang quickly intervened.

Both sides had ample reasons, and once they started arguing, nothing would get done.

“From the intelligence we’ve gathered, the capital garrisons have about thirty thousand combat troops, including three thousand cavalry.

As for their combat effectiveness, the Rebel Army in Huaian has already tested it.

In a direct confrontation, they didn’t stand a chance.

You all know the state of our army.

We claim to have two hundred thousand troops, but that’s counting every man, woman, and child. Able-bodied men make up less than a quarter of that number.

In a real fight, we are certainly no match for the capital garrisons.

As for defending a fortified city, the Rebel Army in Huaian tried that too. It only bought them a few more days.

The forces of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions are not to be underestimated either.

Calling them an army of profligate nobles is just a label outsiders have slapped on them.

Huang Renlong organized over three hundred thousand rebels to besiege Yangzhou, yet they still found an opportunity to crush the enemy in one fell swoop. This proves that this army is not useless.

They may seem to have only seven thousand combat troops, but in a field battle, we’ll have little chance of victory without several times their numbers.

To escape this predicament, we must break the enemy’s pincer attack. Only then will we have a glimmer of hope for survival!”

After Wen Feiyang finished speaking, the room fell silent.

No matter which strategy they chose, this battle had to be fought first.

Only by winning would they earn the right to talk about the future.

“Uncle, in truth, compared to a decisive battle with the enemy, we have another option: march west to Fengyang Prefecture.

Compared to these troops from the capital, the local garrison post armies are much easier to bully.

Take Fengyang, seize Xuzhou, and storm into the Central Plains.

Sweeping through along the way, as long as we are fast enough, we can raise an army of a million before the court’s forces converge.

If we can win, we fight. If we can’t, we’ll breach the Yellow River dikes and leave the Great Yu too busy to deal with us!”

Wen Jianping’s plan startled everyone present.

One had to admit, the young really dared to think big.

If they actually pulled it off, whether they could conquer the world was unknown, but the court would certainly be in deep trouble.

“Jianping, I think compared to taking Fengyang, heading south to destroy the army of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions is more reliable.

Siege warfare is no child’s play. We were able to take Gaoyou quickly because we have operated here for many years.

In a different place, we would have to storm the walls. If the defenders hold out for just a few days, the capital garrisons will catch up.

Don’t forget, they have cavalry.

It’s possible that before we even reach the walls of Fengyang, the court’s army will arrive first.”

Wen Feiyang decisively refused.

“Take Fengyang, fight for Xuzhou, enter the Central Plains” was no less difficult than “attack Yangzhou, conquer Zhenjiang, seize Nanjing.”

If it were really that easy, the world would have seen a new dynasty long ago.

Since ancient times, the hardest part has never been devising a strategy, but implementing the plan.

The army dawdled along, so much so that Li Mu couldn’t even be bothered to ride his horse.

Marching a mere fifteen kilometers a day across the vast plains, it felt more like an outing.

As far as the eye could see, there wasn’t a single piece of cover for several kilometers around, so there was no need to worry about an enemy ambush along the way.

“Lord Chiliarch, enemy tracks have been spotted fifteen kilometers ahead!

Their formation is somewhat chaotic, and there are too many of them for the scouts to count.”

Li Mu was slightly taken aback by this news.

There was more than one route to advance on Gaoyou. He had chosen to march toward Xinghua County because it was a more remote area.

Although it was flat terrain, the territory was filled with vast marshes and dense lakes, making it unsuitable for a decisive battle between large armies.

According to the original plan, after the capital garrisons defeated the rebels in Gaoyou Prefecture, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions would conveniently recapture Xinghua County.

This way, they could take a share of the credit without risking a decisive battle with the rebels.

“Send out more mounted scouts! Find out the rebels’ direction of advance as quickly as possible!

Pass down the order: make camp on the spot and wait for the troops behind us to arrive.”

Li Mu ordered immediately.

His intuition told him the rebels were coming for him.

After the strategic plan was changed, the various chiliarchs each had their own assignments.

The East City Chiliarch and the Central Thousand-household Fort were responsible for keeping an eye on Yangzhou City, ready to return and provide relief at a moment’s notice.

The West City and North City Thousand-household Forts were responsible for monitoring the enemy in the direction of Taizhou, ready to turn back and attack.

The South City Thousand-household Fort and the command headquarters were responsible for the feint attack on Xinghua.

The five Thousand-household Forts were divided into three parts, positioned no more than two and a half kilometers from each other in a triangular formation.

If any one front encountered the enemy, the other two could quickly reinforce them.

Theoretically, the Xinghua direction, which lacked strategic value, was the least likely place to encounter the enemy’s main force. However, their opponents were rebels, and it was entirely plausible for a rebel general to, in a fit of passion, do something beyond common sense.

Unsure of the situation, Li Mu decided to play it safe for now.

Capital Garrison.

“Brother Jing, the enemy’s movements in the Gaoyou area are a bit strange.

Baoying County is located at the junction of Yangzhou and Huaian, connecting central and northern Jiangsu. Its military value is far greater than Xinghua’s.

The enemy isn’t reinforcing Baoying but is instead moving toward Xinghua. This is clearly illogical.”

If the intelligence hadn’t come from the Jinyiwei, Li Yuan would have suspected someone was playing a prank.

If he were the rebel commander, he would have abandoned Gaoyou and fled long ago.

Even rebellion requires choosing the right place. The poorer and more remote the region, the higher the chance of success.

Even if the rebellion failed, one could still retreat into the deep mountains to evade the court’s encirclement.

Xinghua was relatively remote, but the area lacked large mountains and was too small, offering little room for strategic maneuvering.

“Brother Li, have the rebels done any shortage of bizarre things on this campaign?

When we first arrived, that bunch of rebels from Huaian even imitated the ancients and set up a Bagua formation for a decisive battle with us.”

Jing Guoliang said with a nonchalant expression.

He couldn’t help but want to laugh whenever he thought about the rebels’ Bagua formation.

The battle formations passed down by the ancestors were indeed effective, but the more complex the formation, the higher the demands on the soldiers and commanders.

Setting up a formation is easy, but changing it is difficult. All it took was a few idiots running around randomly inside, and the formation would quickly descend into chaos.

After the founding of the Great Yu, firearms became widespread, and complex battle formations gradually became obsolete.

Now, even titled noble families like them couldn’t be bothered to have their sons learn those ancient formations.

Even if they were to set up a formation, it would be a simple square or circular one, which was easy to learn and simple to command.

“Brother Jing is right. The rebels aren’t the Hu people from beyond the passes; they aren’t that cunning.

Even if they have a scheme, they lack the strength to execute it.

The court’s real major worry is still the Northern Hu beyond the passes.

Since the last victory in the Liaodong war, those fellows have grown in strength rapidly, already having annexed several steppe tribes.

Knowing His Majesty’s style, he will certainly not let them continue to grow stronger.

Once the court’s finances are plentiful, a great war will surely be launched again.

Besides the armies of the Nine Borders, I’m afraid the capital garrisons will also have to go to the battlefield again.”

Li Yuan said, filled with worry.

Having experienced it firsthand, he now knew just how incredibly profitable the salt industry was.

With proper management, it wouldn’t be a problem at all for the court to collect ten million taels in tax revenue from the salt administration in a year.

Compared to the previous one million three hundred thousand taels in tax silver, it was a world-changing difference.

The extra money, if not spent on military expenses, would just be squandered by the bureaucrats under other pretexts.

From the Emperor’s perspective, using it to solve external threats would certainly be the most cost-effective.

“Then let them fight. As long as the court has money, why worry about not being able to pacify Liaodong.

The Northern Hu have only so many people. Even if they unite the entire steppe, they’ll have at most two or three million people.

If we fight a battle with them every year, it won’t take many years to bleed them dry.

Risk and opportunity coexist.

During long periods of peace, our titled nobility’s influence at court has declined severely.

If this continues, I’m afraid it won’t be many years before we see a situation like that of the early Song dynasty.

War breaking out on the borders is also an opportunity for us.”

Jing Guoliang said calmly.

As the representative of the titled nobility at court, he had long harbored countless grievances about their current situation.

Before, there was no way to change things, so he could only endure. Now that he saw a chance, he naturally wouldn’t let it slip by.

War means risk, but it also represents power and wealth.

The current situation was the best example.

Normally, the titled nobility has no authority to interfere in local affairs.

But the moment the Lianghuai rebellion broke out, the situation completely changed.

The war caused a reshuffling of interests, and the titled nobility’s influence suddenly extended here.

As for the military officials eliminated during the turmoil, they could only be considered unlucky.

The vacant military official positions all became the spoils of war for the titled nobility.

After being baptized by the flames of war like this, even the most insignificant garrison post army had a chance to become the most valuable garrison post in the Great Yu.

For no other reason than that the military lands had been recovered.

With tangible benefits right before their eyes, their enthusiasm could naturally be mobilized.

“Jianping, this is your first time leading troops; you must be cautious.

Fengyang Prefecture won’t be so easy to take. Your objective is only to attract the attention of the capital garrisons. Do not, under any circumstances, actually attack the city.

Once we’ve dealt with the enemy from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions and joined forces with the Rebel Army from the Taixing and South Tongzhou regions, we will turn back for a decisive battle with the capital garrisons!”

Wen Feiyang said earnestly.

With the two major factions in the clan arguing endlessly, as the commander-in-chief, he had to adopt a compromise strategy when making decisions.

“South first, then north; easy first, then difficult”—this was his core strategy.

But the enemy from the capital garrisons could not be completely ignored, which led to the creation of a detachment to feint an attack on Fengyang.

Choosing his nephew to lead the troops was also a decision born of necessity.

It wasn’t just Wen Jianping who lacked experience; even he, the commander-in-chief, had never faced the enemy in a direct battle.

Everyone lacked experience in leading troops. At the very least, Wen Jianping had led the salt smugglers’ men to break into the prefecture yamen and had personally cut down two yamen runners.

“Uncle, you can rest assured.

A mere detachment of eight thousand, half of whom are old and weak.

They’re good enough to cause a stir in the countryside, but trying to attack a prefectural city is simply impossible!”

Wen Jianping immediately guaranteed.

He didn’t want to lose this hard-won opportunity because of a single sentence.

Whether he would listen later was a matter for later.

The military classics all say, ‘A general in the field is not bound by his sovereign’s orders.’

Once he reached Fengyang Prefecture, how to fight would be his decision.

If it really came down to it, bypassing Fengyang to strike directly at Xuzhou, or taking a detour to enter Luzhou, were all options to consider.

In his view, becoming a roving band anywhere was better than staying in Gaoyou to wait for death.

Chapter 83: Volley Fire Tactics

Forward Camp.

“Chiliarch Li, since you’ve discovered the rebel army approaching, why not assemble the main force?” the Marquis of Wuyang questioned, his dissatisfaction clear.

The South City Thousand-household Fort, combined with his personal soldiers, amounted to a total force of only two thousand men.

To set up camp with such a small number of troops and wait for the rebels to attack was, in his view, an unquestionably enormous risk.

Even if they wanted to fight, they should have assembled all the troops of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

“Lord Commander, we’ve captured several prisoners and interrogated them about the origins of the rebel force ahead. They are mostly Xinghua locals who were coerced by the villains into joining the rebellion. They appear to number in the tens of thousands, but very few are actual fighters.

“According to the prisoners, they are merely the vanguard; the main army is still behind them. If we assemble our entire force, we might just scare them off. Since we’re already here, we ought to fight a battle. Besides, our three units are very close to one another. Once the fighting starts, they can reach the battlefield within the hour. You can set your mind at ease!

“When the enemy draws near, our army will launch a surprise attack. We are certain to gain something from it!” Li Mu said, feeling mentally weary.

Although they were called a rebel army, they were barely more than a mob of rioters.

Rebellion was a skill. Simply raising a banner of revolt couldn’t turn farmers into soldiers. A pure peasant uprising would at least have the experience of attacking landlord estates. But in an uprising started by local gentry families, most officials would surrender directly, with only a few offering resistance. The casualties from capturing a county seat might not even reach three digits.

They had not experienced slaughter, nor had they received any training.

Such an enemy was perfect for giving his troops some practice.

“You dare to lead the charge?” the Marquis of Wuyang asked in astonishment.

In his mind, Li Mu was good at making money and knew how to read a situation. He certainly had some courage, but not much. He always left risky jobs to others.

“I do!” Li Mu answered, bracing himself.

Frankly, he had no intention of personally leading the charge. But the atmosphere had been built up to this point, and he couldn’t back down now. As long as the enemy was weak enough, the risk was manageable. At worst, he would wear armor and bring more of his personal soldiers for protection.

“Then there’s no problem! This Commander will go with you. It’s a perfect chance to see the battlefield for myself!” the Marquis of Wuyang declared, slapping his thigh.

From his excitement, one could tell this was a man’s obsession, one he hadn’t pursued for fear of dying. It was a rare opportunity to find a subordinate who was also afraid of death yet well-versed in military affairs. Now that his safety was assured, he had to fulfill his dream of being a general, just this once.

“Lord Commander, you can come with us, but you must not interfere with the command. There might be stray arrows on the battlefield, so for your safety, you must wear a full suit of armor. The armor is quite heavy and rather stuffy; it will be quite an ordeal,” Li Mu tactfully advised.

The Marquis of Wuyang was his major political backer right now. A superior with a strong background, who could take the fall for him and got things done as long as he was paid, was hard to find. Even if Li Mu intended to take a provincial post, he would still need someone to speak for him at the imperial court. If the Marquis were to die in an accident on the battlefield, it would be a catastrophic loss.

“Rest assured, This Marquis will just watch from the rear. I won’t join the charge! If possible, lure the enemy into fighting near the stockade. This Marquis will spectate from within the camp. Even if something unexpected happens, reinforcements will be able to arrive in time,” the Marquis of Wuyang said after a moment of contemplation.

Reason had won out over his dream, and reality had triumphed. He was, after all, a man who cherished his life.

Li Mu, who had been suppressing a bellyful of curses, ultimately chose to swallow them back down. Although his earnest persuasion had been for naught, the outcome was good.

Rebel Camp.

“Reporting to the Fifth General, we’ve found a government army camp two and a half kilometers ahead, with approximately one to two thousand men!”

Hearing the soldier’s report, Wen Jianshao’s brow furrowed tightly. It was most likely the dispatched soldiers slacking off again. On this flat, open plain, to only spot the enemy when they were two and a half kilometers apart… at that distance, you didn’t need scouts; the soldiers at the front of the army could see the enemy camp with the naked eye.

“Who arranged the scouts? Why was there no report earlier?” Wen Jianshao asked angrily.

Thankfully, the government army was small. If they had run into the main force, they would have been finished.

“Reporting to the Fifth General, I was the one who arranged the scouts. A total of five groups were sent out today, and not a single one has returned. According to military regulations, I am only required to report to you if the scouts have not returned by evening.”

A portly, middle-aged man explained nervously.

The Jiangnan region did not produce horses, and the imperial court controlled them very strictly; any horses imported from other regions were gelded. After the Wen family rebelled, they had only managed to acquire a small number of warhorses from various post stations. To form a cavalry unit, all the warhorses and packhorses in the area had been gathered at Gaoyou. The Xinghua front was not considered a priority. Aside from Wen Jianshao, the commander-in-chief, who was allocated a single packhorse, the other generals could only ride mules.

Because the numbers were so miserably low, the common soldiers had it the worst. Nominally, they were scouts on horseback, but in reality, they had no horses and had to do the job on foot. They gathered intelligence entirely by running on their own two legs. In the beginning, when the required scouting distance was ten or fifteen kilometers, everyone could complete the task with ease. Later, it was gradually extended to twenty-five, then fifty kilometers. The ever-increasing workload left the soldiers responsible for reconnaissance exhausted every day.

Once they realized that performing better would only lead to heavier assignments from above, the soldiers began to learn how to slack off. With their generals not around to watch them, they all chose to leave early and return late. They certainly wouldn’t come back before the stipulated time, lest their superiors think the scouting missions were too easy and increase the workload again.

When nothing went wrong, no one saw any problem with this.

“Hmph!”

“Idiot!”

“The scouts you sent out were all intercepted by the enemy. For all we know, our intelligence has been leaked to them as well!” Wen Jianshao couldn’t help but roar.

If looks could kill, the portly man before him would have already been torn to shreds.

“Fifth General, please calm your anger! I truly had no idea!” the middle-aged man said, his face a mask of misery.

Before taking up arms in the rebellion, he had been a butcher. He was only selected to be an officer because he was burlier than the average man. When it came to leading troops and fighting, he had always just done whatever his superiors ordered.

Despite his tirade, Wen Jianshao managed to restrain his urge to kill the man. His army was a makeshift troupe to begin with, filled with officers like the portly man, all forced into roles they were ill-suited for. If he were too strict, the men below might mutiny. Since the uprising began, there had been deserters from the Rebel Army almost every day. Sometimes, an entire village of men would desert together.

For Wen Jianshao, stabilizing the army’s morale was the top priority, far more important than assigning blame.

“Go receive twenty military beatings. If you make this mistake again, watch your head. Pass the order to all units: surround the enemy camp for me!”

Reaching out, he felt for the military treatise in his sleeve, and his anxious heart calmed somewhat. According to the book, there were many ways to stabilize morale, and one of them was to win a battle. The number of enemies killed was secondary; the key was to have his soldiers spill the blood of government troops, cutting off their own path of retreat.

In his view, the men dared to desert only because they felt they had nothing to do with the rebellion. They believed that as long as they left the Rebel Army, they could go back to farming in peace once the court suppressed the rebellion. Since the soldiers had such ideas, he had to crush them.

On the watchtower, the Marquis of Wuyang lowered his telescope as he watched the rebel army swarm in from all directions.

“Chiliarch Li, are you sure those are rebels out there, and not just an armed civilian brawl?”

Extended hoes served as the rebel soldiers’ “halberds.” Woodcutting knives tied to wooden poles served as their long spears.

And those were the better-equipped ones; at least they carried blades. The weapon for most soldiers was simply a wooden stick. You could tell they were freshly cut, wobbling in their hands, liable to injure one of their own with a moment’s carelessness.

“My Lord, when we were defending the city, we couldn’t even fully arm our own soldiers, let alone a group of rebels. Strategically, Baoying holds far more military value than Xinghua. The capital garrisons are also much stronger than we are. It makes perfect sense for the rebels to station their elite troops there. If you look towards the enemy’s central formation, you’ll see a contingent of soldiers with actual long spears. Some even have arquebuses,” Li Mu explained calmly.

The power of the great families of the Great Yu dynasty lay primarily at court; what they retained in the provinces was mainly influence. A clan head who could raise tens of thousands of soldiers with a single order belonged to the era of the great aristocratic clans of the Jin Dynasties. In this day and age, a local gentleman caught secretly possessing even a few suits of armor would lose his head.

Within the established rules, the scholar-official families were nearly invincible. Outside those rules, these men were nothing. The Seven Great Families of Lianghuai, with their salt smugglers’ thugs, were already considered top-tier in terms of martial strength among the scholar-official families.

In the two hundred-plus years since the founding of the Great Yu dynasty, one only ever heard of Vassal Princes rebelling or military officials carving out their own territories. For scholar-official families to raise an army and rebel, this was the first wave. If they truly possessed formidable military power, why would the Civil Official Bloc fear the butcher’s knives of the Factory Guards?

“This Marquis understands. You take command of the battle!” the Marquis of Wuyang said with a nod.

Seeing the rebels up close, his original fear began to slowly dissipate. It wasn’t just his fear of the rebels, but also his perception of the civil officials at court. Reality had shown him that those seemingly formidable men were, in fact, all a bunch of paper tigers, strong on the outside but weak on the inside.

In essence, the civil officials were no different from an imperial in-law like himself; all their power originated from the throne. It was only in recent years that the Civil Official Bloc had rapidly grown in strength, becoming discontent with merely depending on imperial authority and beginning to desire to limit it.

To a certain extent, the civil officials had succeeded. Compared to the first few monarchs of the dynasty, later emperors held far less power. Even a strong ruler like Emperor Tianyuan was only cautiously probing the civil officials’ limits, strengthening imperial authority step by step.

Should I tell the Emperor what I’ve seen?

After a moment’s hesitation, the Marquis of Wuyang decided against it. He knew better than anyone how much trouble his own nephew could stir up. Even with constraints, the Emperor dared to push through a series of reforms against immense pressure. If he were to grasp the fundamental weakness of the civil officials, who knew what he might do next?

“I obey!” Li Mu replied immediately.

It was inevitable that the Marquis would be so affected. If Li Mu hadn’t studied history in his previous life and known how docile the scholar-gentry families became under the Manchu’s blades, he too would have been profoundly shaken. The largest interest group wielding power over the empire had no armed force to protect its own power—the very thought was incredible.

Time ticked by, second by second. The camp was gradually surrounded by the rebels, so tightly that not even water could pass through.

Having experienced the defense of Yangzhou, the soldiers’ spirits were much more stable than they had been back then.

“Pass the order! Have the hand cannon soldiers prepare for battle. Once the enemy enters firing range, initiate volley fire tactics!” Li Mu commanded, his face devoid of expression.

It was rare to have such a cooperative enemy. This was the perfect opportunity to test out his new tactic. He wasn’t sure just how effective volley fire with hand cannons would be. The main problem was the excessively short range, and the inconsistency of that range. The approximate lethal distance was between fifty and one hundred meters, but the actual range depended on the individual soldier’s performance.

Although Li Mu had strictly ordered his men to standardize their ammunition, it was wishful thinking. A slight tremble as a soldier loaded the powder could affect the firearm’s range.

“Bang! Bang! Bang…”

“Argh!”

…

A dense volley of shots rang out, immediately followed by waves of agonized cries. Looking toward the sound, one could see over a hundred bodies already lying on the ground. The rebels’ chaotic charge had successfully turned them into living targets.

Those who died instantly were lucky; they could just lie there like corpses. The most miserable were the soldiers who were hit by the hand cannons but hadn’t died, now wailing and writhing on the ground.

No matter how pitiful their screams, it was useless. This was a battlefield. Countless more rebel soldiers from the rear were pushing forward, forcing the men in front to advance and take the shots. It was nothing short of a massive, live-action suicide scene.

Standing on the watchtower observing the battlefield, Li Mu found the brutal scene difficult to stomach.

“My Lord, let’s get down! The battle has begun. The enemy is sure to prepare weapons to target the watchtower. It’s no longer safe up here,” Li Mu urged.

War films were thrilling to watch on a screen. To experience one firsthand was a catastrophe.

Chapter 84: The Decisive Battle

The appearance of volley fire completely stunned the rebel army.

In less than a quarter of an hour of fighting, the rebels had already suffered over a thousand casualties.

Such a grievous price was clearly more than a disorderly mob could bear.

The ceaseless, miserable screams caused the army, whose morale was already low, to fall into even greater disarray.

Countless soldiers threw down their weapons and turned to flee.

For a moment, even the enforcement squads were overwhelmed.

“Fifth Great-Uncle, the enemy’s defenses are too tight! We really can’t break through!”

The young general in charge of the attack reported to Wen Jianshao with a mournful face, begging for punishment.

“I saw it with my own eyes, you brat. I don’t need you to state the obvious. The men are already starting to break. Sound the gongs for retreat, now!”

As he spoke, Wen Jianshao shot a kick out at him.

This was the drawback of a family-run army: the main generals were all his own kin. He couldn’t bring himself to mete out severe punishments.

He had originally hoped to win a victorious battle to boost the army’s morale and confidence. He never expected that they would gift the enemy a wave of casualties right as the battle began.

Based on the way things had just gone, he didn’t know if they could ever breach the enemy camp, but he knew for certain that the army he led would collapse first.

The assault halted, but the wails of the wounded continued unabated.

“Send the children up to carry the wounded back. The government army shouldn’t attack children!”

After a moment’s hesitation, Wen Jianshao braced himself and gave the order.

Wounds from firearms were not so easily treated. At any other time, he would have ordered his men to put the wounded out of their misery. But he couldn’t do that now, not when morale was at its lowest. To give the order to kill their own wounded would incite too much animosity and could easily lead to a mutiny. Even knowing they couldn’t be saved, he had to make a show of doing everything possible to treat them in order to placate the turbulent sentiments in the army.

Time ticked by. As the wounded were carried back from the battlefield one by one, Wen Jianshao’s face showed not a hint of joy. Deep down, he desperately wished the government army would ruthlessly strike down the children carrying the wounded; that would have roused a shared hatred for the common enemy throughout his entire force.

Regrettably, the enemy soldiers merely shouted that no weapons were to be carried, showing no intention of stopping them. At one point, he even wanted to send these child soldiers into the fray just to see if the government army would attack them. However, considering the terrifying glares his own soldiers were giving him, Wen Jianshao ultimately abandoned that dreadful thought.

His ability to compel these able-bodied men to fight relied on holding their families. If they didn’t have that vulnerability to worry about, no one could guarantee these men wouldn’t turn on him.

Night fell.

The government army camp, fresh off a minor victory, was filled with joyous celebration. Soldiers gathered in twos and threes, discussing how much reward money they would receive after the battle. Though they felt a sliver of sympathy for the rebel soldiers’ plight, thoughts of lining their own pockets quickly pushed that extraneous emotion to the back of their minds.

“Chiliarch Li, are you planning a night raid?” the Marquis of Wuyang asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Having witnessed the battlefield up close, he was more thrilled than he was aware of the cruelty of war. After the success of the last one, he was particularly interested in night raids.

“My Lord, the enemy has suffered a major setback. Tonight, they will be at their most vigilant, so it is not suitable for a night raid. The rebel general has just committed a great battlefield taboo. By carrying so many wounded back, the rebel camp is sure to be filled with endless wailing tonight, and I fear the enemy soldiers will have trouble sleeping. Let our men rest well for a night. Once the enemy soldiers are exhausted, that will be our time to crush them!”

Upon hearing Li Mu’s explanation, the Marquis of Wuyang’s eyes lit up.

These details of warfare were simply not recorded in any military treatise. Without the guidance of elders, trying to figure it all out on one’s own was no simple task.

In truth, even for those who had studied such knowledge, very few could apply it flexibly on the battlefield. With several thousand years of civilization, their ancestors had already stepped in every possible pitfall. All the stratagems of warfare were nothing new. If one could absorb and master this knowledge simply by reading military treatises, then war would have long since become a battle between gods. It was more likely that because everyone understood military strategy, all schemes would be obvious and prepared for in advance. Generals could only choose to return to simplicity, reverting to the straightforward tactics of building strong camps and fighting stubborn, attritional battles.

In the Rebel Army camp.

The wails of the wounded grated on Wen Jianshao’s nerves. The move had been intended to win over the hearts of his men, but he never imagined that after all the trouble, morale had instead sunk even lower.

“The government army’s firearms are formidable. Do any of you generals have a plan to defeat them?” Wen Jianshao asked with a frown.

“Fifth General, this enemy force is unlike any government army we’ve encountered before. Besides their powerful firearms, their coordination on the battlefield is impeccable. After one squad of government soldiers fires, another immediately takes its place, providing a nearly continuous stream of firepower. They have also put great effort into the layout of their camp. There are absolutely no troops like this in the Jiangnan region; it’s highly likely they are elites from the capital garrisons. If we want to defeat them, we can’t use our old methods. Fortunately, the enemy is few in number. We can fully employ siege tactics. Once their food runs out, we will surely be able to defeat them in one fell swoop!”

The brilliant plan proposed by the scholar in green robes was met with a chorus of approval. For the assembled generals, it was best to avoid another humiliating battle like the one they’d fought during the day if they could.

“A siege is indeed one method, but the enemy has reinforcements. According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, the government troops opposite us are from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. This force is only a fraction of their total strength. There are two other government forces less than ten li away from us. Judging by the distance, if we don’t send troops to intercept, the enemy will be able to converge by tomorrow. If all their troops are this elite, this war will be hard to fight once we’ve divided our forces!” Wen Jianshao said with a helpless look.

When he received this news, he had been completely dumbfounded. The government army was far too deceitful. Even though they could have advanced together, they had split into three columns. Now that they were so close to each other, he didn’t dare order a retreat. Given the quality of the Rebel Army, if they ran with the government army chasing behind, they would collapse in an instant.

The main force had only just departed from Gaoyou and would take at least three days to arrive. No matter what, they had to find a way to hold on for three days. If they were defeated beforehand, with the imperial court’s influence, there would be no shortage of collaborators. With collusion from within and without, Xinghua County would surely fall. If the enemy held the city and defended it, even the main army would be helpless for a time once it arrived. If they couldn’t defeat the rebel-suppressing army piece by piece, their chances of forcing the court to grant them amnesty were almost nonexistent. To fight the entire empire from a single corner of the land was to have no chance of victory at all. If it came to that, their only option would be to follow the advice of the fight-to-the-death faction: abandon their homes and property, burn their bridges, and march west to attack Fengyang.

“Fifth General, when did this news arrive? Why didn’t we know about it?” the scholar in green robes asked, his face ashen.

They were all in the same boat. Why wasn’t such crucial intelligence shared with them beforehand? Had he known the enemy had reinforcements nearby, he certainly would have opposed provoking a major battle.

“This general only received the news after the battle ended. We still need to scout further for details on the enemy reinforcements. It’s pitch black out there, making it difficult to get a clear picture. We’ll know more tomorrow,” Wen Jianshao explained patiently.

The scouts were just unlucky men who had been picked for the job and had never received any professional training. This hadn’t been an issue when they hadn’t encountered the enemy, but now the drawback was glaringly obvious. If not for the threat of holding their families hostage, he guessed these men would have vanished the moment they left camp, let alone send back intelligence. Since they were forced into it, he couldn’t expect them to be very diligent. He had tried to assign his trusted followers to the task, but they started complaining endlessly before they even left the camp. The household retainers who followed him were all used to a comfortable life; they were not people who could handle hard work.

The best fighters in the Wen family army were still that band of salt smugglers. Unfortunately, those elites were all with the main force. Even if the clan sent them over, he wouldn’t be able to control those men. The other families who had joined them in rebellion served as an example; unable to intimidate the salt smugglers under their command, they had all lost control of their forces after rebelling. The family that suffered the most was even wiped out by their own men. To nip that crisis in the bud, the Wen family had never let those men expand their own power base.

“Fifth General, if that is the case, then we must strengthen our guard! I heard that during the great battle at Yangzhou, Huang Renlong was defeated because the government army launched a night raid on his camp. And the force that defeated him was from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. The enemy is skilled at night raids. We must keep men on watch day and night and give them no opportunities!” the scholar in green robes said helplessly.

Reason told him that the Wen family’s situation was dire. The Great Yu Dynasty’s true elites were the border armies. The capital garrisons were merely well-equipped and had rarely seen actual combat. The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was just a government office for maintaining public order; it couldn’t be considered an elite force at all. Yet, shamefully, even this unremarkable army could push the Rebel Army to the brink.

During the day, the main problem had been the enemy’s insufficient numbers. If they’d had a few thousand more men, they probably would have charged out of their stockade as the rebels sounded the retreat and wiped them out in one fell swoop.

Judging by the current situation, it was as if the imperial court had only lifted a single finger, and the Rebel Army was already pushed to the edge of a cliff. Wanting to shake the foundations of the Great Yu’s empire was purely a dream.

Deep in his heart, he was already filled with regret. He had fancied himself an inheritor of the ‘dragon-slaying art’, yet he couldn’t even clearly see the state of the world. All this talk of the court’s declining authority and the imminent collapse of the dynasty was just an illusion. The suffering of the common people was real, but the people had suffered in every dynasty! The idea that one call to arms would be met with a response from heroes everywhere was all a damn lie. A hard life did not equate to rebellion. When the seven great families took up arms, aside from the outlaws in the Lianghuai region who were passively drawn in, the other regions remained stable. Few of the common folk who joined the Rebel Army did so willingly. If they weren’t holding the families of these men hostage, it would have been difficult to even get them on the battlefield.

He realized this too late. It was easy to board a pirate ship, but difficult to get off.

In contrast to the rebels’ anxiety, Li Mu slept especially soundly.

At dawn, just as the first glimmer of light appeared on the horizon, the aroma of meat began to fill the camp. Frankly, Li Mu couldn’t stomach meat in the morning, but he couldn’t argue with his soldiers’ preferences. They wouldn’t have a single complaint if they were woken up in the middle of the night for meat, let alone in the morning.

It was a military tradition to improve the meals before a major battle. For the common soldiers, the improved meal before each battle could very well be their last. When conditions allowed, a commander would try to get his soldiers a good meal before giving the order to fight. The officers and men of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were undoubtedly fortunate to have a commander who had seen it all and wasn’t overly sensitive about numbers. When it came to allocating funds, he was extremely generous. Moreover, the strategic supplies were procured by the generals themselves, without passing through the hands of civil officials. An ambitious general like Li Mu would never skim from military pay; the standard of food would only be higher, never lower.

While his soldiers were busy eating, he had already climbed the watchtower to observe the movements in the rebel camp. Seeing the lazy patrol soldiers on the other side, a smile crept onto Li Mu’s lips. The opportunity for battle had appeared.

“Relay my orders! Have all units prepare for battle. The entire army will attack at a quarter past the hour of the Dragon! Tell the signalmen to be ready. Once the battle begins, light the beacon smoke immediately.”

It didn’t take much skill to bully a weary and complacent army.

Dong, dong, dong, dong…

At a quarter past the hour of the Dragon, a thunderous roll of drums echoed. The barricades blocking the camp gate were swiftly moved aside, and the soldiers marched out of the camp in neat formations.

Though there were only just over a thousand men, their imposing presence completely suppressed the tens of thousands of enemy soldiers, as if a mighty army of thousands had descended upon them.

“Fifth General, this is bad! The enemy is attacking!”

Wen Jianshao, who hadn’t slept all night, nearly collapsed when he received the news.

“What are you standing there for? Organize the defense! Get the archers out to suppress the enemy!”

His panicked orders were clearly a step too late. By the time the Rebel Army reacted, the battle had already begun.

Shields were held at the front, protecting the soldiers’ vital areas, leaving only narrow slits for their long spears to protrude. The hand cannon troops began firing through these gaps, instantly turning any approaching rebel soldiers into sieves. The impenetrable square formation advanced relentlessly. The poorly protected rebel camp was completely unable to stop the government army’s push.

Realizing the situation was dire, Wen Jianshao mustered his courage and prepared to lead his personal soldiers to block the enemy. But before he could even get close, a stray bullet hit him in the ear. Perhaps because it was beyond its effective range, the bullet only penetrated halfway, and the pain made him shriek.

With the commander-in-chief wounded, the already chaotic Rebel Army camp fell into even greater disarray.

With a crash, the tall commander’s banner suddenly toppled over.

“Run!”

Someone shouted—no one knew who—and the panicked soldiers began to flee for their lives.

“Come back!”

“Don’t run!”

“You can’t run!”

Wen Jianshao shouted through the pain. But it was all in vain. The morale of the Rebel Army had collapsed, and they no longer had any will to fight. The soldiers who had been conscripted into the army now only wanted to escape with their families; they were completely unwilling to die for him.

“Fifth General, the situation is beyond saving! Order a retreat, quickly! Even if we block the enemy in front of us, it’s useless. Large numbers of enemy troops are closing in on our flanks. Any later and the entire army will be annihilated!”

Chapter 85: Courting Death in Progress

The battle had gone far too smoothly. The enemy hadn’t even put up a decent resistance, which made Li Mu feel rather awkward.

Judging from the actual situation on the battlefield, all of his prior preparations had been for nothing.

This was hardly an army before him; it was a mob of farmers, and farmers who had been forced to fight at that.

It was purely a mess caused by a lack of experience. If he’d been through a few more battles, he would have seen the enemy’s weaknesses at a glance. Then, when they encountered the enemy yesterday, he could have just crushed them with his army and ended the fight then and there.

His annoyance didn’t last long, and a smile soon appeared on Li Mu’s face.

For a victor, minor flaws in the process were no big deal.

Wielding troops with caution was not a fault.

“Pass down the order: those who surrender will not be killed!”

Seeing his soldiers continuously reaping heads, Li Mu immediately issued the order to stop them.

Most of these rebel soldiers were pitiful souls who had been swept up in the conflict; there was no need for a massacre. After the defense of Yangzhou, he was no longer short of merit from heads.

Although military merit allowed military officials to be promoted quickly, there were limits.

The kind of promotion that let one ascend to the heavens in a single step only existed during the founding years of a dynasty, when the empire was being conquered.

As the system became more established, promotions for officials were a step-by-step process. Unconventional promotions were extremely rare.

If there were no restrictions, then all the positions in the army would belong to the Nine Borders military clans.

Stationed at the frontiers, they fought the enemy every so often. Even if the gains from each battle were small, they added up to a staggering number over the years.

Obviously, this was impossible.

If merit always led to promotion, it would soon lead to the awkward situation of having no more ranks to promote to and no more fiefs to grant.

For Li Mu personally, the military merits before him were mainly to enrich his own resume.

In the future, when there was a vacancy and personnel appointments were being discussed, his recommenders could use this resume as justification.

“Chiliarch Li, these men must be the weakest fighting force in the rebel army, right?”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s words left Li Mu at a loss.

The combat effectiveness of the Rebel Army… that was too broad a topic.

“I suppose they might be!”

Li Mu replied with some hesitation.

Reason told him that in this world, there was no “worst,” only “worse.”

The same was true for the government army. The powerful were truly powerful, and the useless were truly useless.

Strength and weakness were relative concepts, not absolute ones.

Compared to the enemy before them, the soldiers under his command were undoubtedly elites.

But if they were sent to the front lines in Liaodong, they would instantly become mediocre, perhaps even on the weaker side.

There was still a long way to go before they could be considered a truly strong army, but Li Mu wasn’t worried in the slightest.

Elite soldiers were forged in battle. After a few more training sessions with the Rebel Army, his troops would begin to take proper shape.

“Since the rebels have been defeated, let’s seize the opportunity and retake Xinghua City. We’ve earned enough merit. Gaoyou Prefecture must be left for the capital garrisons to recover. For the subsequent southern campaign, just taking Taizhou will be enough. We’ll leave the main battlefield to the capital garrisons. His Majesty is still brooding over the great defeat in Liaodong and will certainly restart the campaign to conquer it. This Marquis is old and has no interest in fame or fortune. I don’t want to get involved in that mess. The future belongs to young men like you. If you have any intention of ennobling your wife and securing your sons’ futures, This Marquis can recommend you!”

Looking at the Marquis of Wuyang, who was not yet forty, Li Mu really didn’t know how he associated himself with the word “old.”

But it was right to feign incompetence. That godforsaken place, Liaodong, would be far from easy to reclaim.

Given the Marquis of Wuyang’s abilities, for him to go and serve as Governor-General of Liaodong would be purely to offer up his head to the enemy.

No matter how good he was at delegating, it would be useless. The military clans in Liaodong were a bunch of saboteurs themselves; anyone who went there would be dragged down to their doom.

The simplest way to retake Liaodong was to throw money at the problem!

Emperor Tianyuan had done quite well before, spending a fortune to assemble an elite army and sending it to Liaodong for a decisive battle with the Hu people.

Although it ended in defeat, the price the Hu people paid was not small either. One could tell from the enemy’s reaction after the war.

Normally, after a great victory, one should press the advantage and expand one’s gains as much as possible.

However, not only did the Northern Hu not provoke a full-scale war, they went off to annex the steppe tribes instead.

This clearly indicated that their troop losses had been significant, and they were in urgent need of reinforcements.

If it was effective, it could be continued. As long as they could inflict heavy casualties on the enemy, even a defeat had strategic value.

Winning first doesn’t mean you’ve won; the final winner is the true victor.

When the Central Plains dynasties fought the steppe peoples, the best strategy was a war of attrition.

Fight in the spring, fight in the summer. After fighting in the autumn, fight in the winter. By remaining in a state of war all year round, it would only take a few years to wear the enemy down to their death.

The history books were full of ready-made case studies of this theory. Unfortunately, few dynasties could afford to continuously throw money at the problem.

“Thank you for your advice, My Lord. I am still young and have much to learn. The front lines of the Nine Borders need veteran commanders. I shall not go there and cause trouble!” Li Mu refused decisively.

He was a single man without even a wife or children. What talk was there of ennobling a wife and securing his sons’ futures?

It wasn’t just the front lines in Liaodong he didn’t want to go to; he had no interest in the entire Nine Borders.

The border army was dominated by established military families. If he went there, he’d be an outsider.

He would be lucky not to be ostracized to death.

Earning merit would be a complete pipe dream.

The very issue of military pay for the soldiers under his command would be enough to worry a man to death.

Instead of going there to eat dirt, he might as well stay in the interior and enjoy life.

The grand strategy of the Imperial Court was something for the Emperor and the great ministers to consider.

For a military official, unless he climbed to the very top, he had no say in strategy.

…

The Wen family’s main camp.

“Grand General, an urgent report from Xinghua!”

“Yesterday, the Fifth General led his troops into battle against the enemy and unfortunately suffered a crushing defeat. His fate is currently unknown. The enemy’s vanguard is pointing directly at Xinghua County City, and the city’s defenders are all old and weak. I fear they will be unable to hold…”

Bang!

Before the young officer could finish reading the letter, Wen Feiyang slammed his palm on the table.

“Who told that idiot to march out and engage the enemy? I gave him strict orders, three times over, to defend Xinghua County City to the last! Is this how he defends it for me?!”

Faced with their furious commander, the assembled generals all bowed their heads, not daring to meet his murderous gaze.

In all the time since they had rebelled, this was the first time Wen Feiyang had felt the urge to kill one of his own family.

From a military perspective, Xinghua County was a tasteless morsel, but it was a morsel that had been lost at the worst possible time.

With Xinghua falling prematurely, the dream of annihilating the troops of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions within its borders was now just that—a dream.

The operational plan to first go south, then north, and destroy the rebel-suppressing armies one by one had collapsed. The Wen Family Army’s situation had suddenly become perilous.

“Grand General, what’s done is done. Raging about it won’t help. We can discuss Jianshao’s problem later. The urgent priority now is to adjust our battle strategy. The Xinghua Rebel Army was defeated yesterday. Based on the timing, the enemy has probably already occupied Xinghua County City by now. Even if we rushed over immediately, with the enemy defending the city, it would be difficult to break through in a short time. We are now caught in a pincer attack from the north and south by the government army. This has become a reality, so we must prepare for the worst.”

Wen Feiyang, who was at his side, spoke up to persuade him.

He was just as furious about Wen Jianshao’s blunder of a battle.

Unfortunately, the man’s fate was currently unknown, so there was no opportunity to punish him even if he wanted to.

“Pass down the order! The army will turn around and head back for a decisive battle with the capital garrisons! As for the enemy from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, the mess in Xinghua County should be able to tie them down for two days. We’ll ignore them for now. If we’re fast enough, we can defeat the capital garrisons before they can extricate themselves and still achieve our strategic objective!”

Whether anyone else believed it or not, as the commander-in-chief, Wen Feiyang had to believe it first.

Failure… that consequence was too terrifying to contemplate.

He couldn’t afford it, the Wen family couldn’t afford it, and the entire Rebel Army couldn’t afford it.

…

Taizhou City.

“Eldest Brother, stop drinking!” Huang Renliang said, frowning in admonishment.

Ever since the great defeat at Yangzhou, Huang Renlong, unable to bear the blow, had lost his former fighting spirit and spent his days in the city living a life of debauchery.

With the commander-in-chief having fallen into depravity, the generals below followed his example, living for the moment with wine and song.

“Second Brother, come, have a drink with me.”

“It’s only today that brother I have learned what life is! In the old days, serving the Zong family loyally, what kind of wretched life was that? After we rebelled, I did right by the Zong family, but in the end, I was still screwed over by that bastard with the surname Zong. This is Zong Guangtai’s wife, and that’s his concubine. See? Aren’t they beautiful? Whichever one you like, she’s yours. We’re brothers. What’s mine is yours, don’t be a stranger with your eldest brother!” Huang Renlong said with a chuckle.

As a powerful salt smuggler, he was no stranger to ruthlessness. The first thing he did upon returning to Taizhou was to slaughter the entire Zong clan, leaving only a group of wives and daughters for his wicked pleasure.

“Eldest Brother, the government army is almost here. If we continue down this path, our good days will be over!” Huang Renliang said helplessly.

He himself was a ravenous lecher and naturally wouldn’t be polite with his brother on this matter. He had sampled all of these women in private, and more than once. But once the novelty wore off, he began to cherish his life all the more.

Only by staying alive would he have the chance to play with more beautiful women. If he lost his life, this wonderful life he was now living would belong to someone else.

“Nonsense, how could the government army be so fast! The walls of Taizhou City are strong. The few government soldiers in Yangzhou City are not nearly enough. The main army from the capital garrisons is still tied up with the Wen family’s men in Gaoyou Prefecture; they won’t be here anytime soon. The government army from the south got to Zhenjiang and then couldn’t move another step. They’re just a disorderly mob. You just relax and enjoy yourself. When the big battles start later, we’ll have to go back to living as fugitives. These good days are numbered. It will probably be impossible to live like this again!”

It was clear that Huang Renlong already had thoughts of retreating.

He had just been a salt smuggler. His old goal was just to earn a bit more money, go home, and buy a few hundred mu of land. Then he would marry, have children, and arrange for his son to study for an official rank, becoming a member of the gentry.

An unexpected turn of events had pushed him into the spotlight, turning him into a rebel leader in one leap.

But an ambition that had been force-fed was fragile, after all. After a single defeat, his nascent grand ambitions had been completely snuffed out.

“I’m not lying to you, the enemy is really closing in. I sent men to verify it. The garrisons in Yangzhou have split in two. One part has gone north, seemingly to retake Xinghua and execute a pincer attack on the Wen family with the capital garrisons. The other part is heading south and is less than twenty li away from us. At the earliest, tonight, at the latest, tomorrow morning, the enemy will be at the gates of Taizhou City. If we don’t start preparing, it’ll be too late once the enemy attacks. We’ve wreaked havoc in Taizhou these past few days, and the people in the city are restless. Whether we stay or go, you need to make a decision quickly!” Huang Renliang urged.

In truth, even if the government army didn’t come, they couldn’t stay in Taizhou for long. It was hard to squander a fortune without earning. No matter how wealthy Taizhou was, it couldn’t sustain the consumption of several hundred thousand people. Burning villages and forcibly conscripting people had certainly swelled their ranks, but it had also increased consumption.

When they were attacking Yangzhou before, they had relied on the money and grain provided by the Zong family. But even the greatest family fortune couldn’t withstand that level of expenditure. The Zong family was exterminated not only out of revenge, but also because they couldn’t produce any more grain. Their stockpiles were depleted, and the court had been cracking down recently, so they could only purchase from merchants by sea. The price was exorbitant, not to mention the quantity was very limited.

To solve the food problem, the gentry and wealthy merchants of Taizhou had, without exception, all suffered. Even so, the grain they forcibly levied wouldn’t last long. After all, when people were farming, they could get by on half-full stomachs, and during the lean season before the harvest, they could supplement their diet with wild vegetables and tree roots. Now that they’d all joined the rebellion and were living day to day, it would be a huge loss not to eat their fill.

Having suffered a soldier mutiny once before, the Huang brothers feared nothing more than another one among their men and didn’t dare to skimp on rations.

“Pass down the order! Tell the generals and soldiers to prepare for battle. I want to meet this enemy!” Huang Renlong declared, his voice filled with killing intent.

He felt his last loss was far too unjust; deep down, he refused to accept it. But the walls of Yangzhou were strong, and his own losses had been heavy, leaving him powerless to retaliate.

The situation was different now. The enemy force was split in two, and he would be fighting on his home turf. Even if he had to withdraw, he had to have a fight before leaving. He had rebelled, but he didn’t have a single decent victory to his name. In the future, out in the world, he would be too embarrassed to even state his name.

…

On the plains, amidst a disorderly column of government troops, flew a war banner embroidered with the character “Rong.”

Leading troops on a campaign for the first time, aside from the initial apprehension and curiosity, all that remained for Commander Rong was boredom. The rebels along the way fled at the mere sight of the government army, and the villages and markets they passed were all in ruins. There was no fun to be had at all.

“Lord Commander, we’re about to reach Taizhou. Shall we continue to advance?”

Alerted by his companion, Commander Rong, who had been dozing in his carriage, woke with a start.

They had dawdled all the way, yet somehow they had still arrived at the enemy’s lair so quickly. The rebels in front of them had retreated, but that didn’t mean they would give up their main base. He wanted to say no, but when he remembered the brave face he had put on, the words of refusal wouldn’t come out.

He knew nothing about warfare, but he had seen operas. On the battlefield, military orders were like a mountain. To receive an order and not complete it was a beheading offense. Although he had Imperial Consort Rong protecting him, the Marquis of Wuyang was the Emperor’s own maternal uncle, of a much higher status than him. If the Marquis turned out to be merciless and had him executed with a single stroke, he could probably get away with it.

“Of course we continue to advance! The Marquis of Wuyang’s orders are to retake three county cities. Do you wish to disobey a military command?”

Chapter 86: Fleeing

Taizhou City.

Overlooking the government army steadily approaching from outside the city, Huang Renlong’s expression was terrifyingly grim.

It wasn’t because the enemy was too strong; quite the opposite, they were far too weak.

If the enemy had appeared formidable, clearly an elite force, then his last defeat wouldn’t have felt so unjust.

The government troops before him lacked both uniform formations and imposing physiques.

They marched in a disorganized, slovenly manner, appearing dusty and defeated. A sense of languor permeated the entire army.

Looking at the spectacle before him, it was difficult to believe this disorderly mob was part of the same elite army that had previously defeated them.

If this was the band that had defeated them last time, then the Rebel Army’s fighting prowess was truly pathetic.

“Have you confirmed it? Is this enemy force really from Yangzhou City?”

Huang Renlong asked, uncertain.

He could completely accept it if government troops from other regions were at this level.

In his past four salt smuggling ventures, he had dealt with the garrison posts in various places.

Due to a lack of training, the garrison soldiers were generally undisciplined.

Their combat awareness was practically zero; tossing a few taels of silver on the road was enough to halt these unworldly fellows.

But the last attack on Yangzhou was different. The quality displayed by the defending army was far beyond what this group of soldiers could compare to.

“Eldest brother, there’s no need to doubt it. These men are indeed from Yangzhou City.

There are even some old acquaintances among them. I had someone pay for information.

It’s said there was a conflict within the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. The commanders with real power looked down on those who were just there in name, coasting along, and the two factions had a fierce argument.

Perhaps it also had something to do with Cabinet Elder Xu, who is stationed in Yangzhou. One city cannot accommodate two imperial commissioners.

When he first arrived, no one in Yangzhou, high or low, went to greet him.

Government officials are masters of infighting. To contend for power, Cabinet Elder Xu must have clashed with the Marquis of Wuyang.

Later, something unknown happened, and the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions suddenly split their forces in two, marching north and south simultaneously.

The ones we encountered before were the regulars. Most of the soldiers were the household retainers of those commanders, so their combat strength was naturally formidable.

The commander leading this force is named Rong.

It’s said he’s from Imperial Concubine Rong’s family, a pure profligate.

Those marching with him are all famous profligates from the capital.

Apart from these fellows’ thugs, the rest are all local Yangzhou soldiers with little to no combat prowess,” Huang Renliang explained.

Adversity forces one to grow.

In the past, he had always been accustomed to listening to his eldest brother and rarely needed to think for himself.

But recently, Huang Renlong had suddenly started to let things rot, spending his days in debauchery, and many military affairs had fallen to him.

After forcing himself to handle them, his entire demeanor had changed.

He now paid closer attention to problems he never would have considered before.

“If that’s the case, then this battle will be easy.

Send someone out to verify whether the other contingent of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions has entered Xinghua yet.

The Marquis of Wuyang is no fool. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t send these people to their deaths. I worry this is an enemy plot!” Huang Renlong said with a nod.

Power struggles in officialdom were nothing strange, but the identities of the men below the city walls were special.

They were either from the families of imperial in-laws or the houses of the titled nobility; each had a background more formidable than the last.

In the past, if even one of these dandies died in their jurisdiction, the local officials would be frantic enough to jump into a river.

Sending so many of them out as cannon fodder all at once looked like a conspiracy, no matter how you sliced it.

“Attack the city!”

Seeing no movement from the enemy, Commander Rong immediately issued the order.

However, given his history of bizarre commands, which had caused them to suffer many setbacks along the way, the commanders around him did not act immediately.

“Lord Commander, we don’t have any siege equipment!

The military treatises say that you need siege equipment to attack a city.

The last time the rebel army attacked Yangzhou City, they used a lot of equipment,” Shi Haifu spoke up, trying to reason with him.

As a fellow profligate from the capital, he felt a strong sense of superiority compared to a complete military novice like Commander Rong.

As a scion of the titled nobility, though he himself was a good-for-nothing, he had still been forced to read a few military treatises as a child.

He had forgotten most of what he had read, but he still understood some of the basics.

Deep down, he had always harbored a dream.

He dreamed that one day, he could lead troops on a grand expedition, achieve legendary military glory, and show those who looked down on him who was truly the most outstanding member of the family.

But since it was a dream, it was confined to his sleep.

Once he woke up, it was back to his usual life of indulgence.

The court ministers weren’t fools. While the Great Yu army couldn’t be said to be teeming with famous generals, there were still competent military officials. No one would hand command of an army over to a good-for-nothing profligate.

His dream of glory shattered, he had gone to offer advice to the Marquis of Wuyang when the defense of Yangzhou began, only to be met with a cold shoulder.

Compared to a notorious profligate like him, people were much more willing to trust commanders who held important posts in the army.

After a burst of indignation, he had finally gotten his chance.

Compared to the Marquis of Wuyang, the Commander Rong before him didn’t look very smart and was clearly much easier to fool.

“The rebels had siege equipment, but they still failed to breach Yangzhou City.

This proves that having siege equipment isn’t the key to conquering a city.

However, we have come from afar, and the soldiers are tired. Let’s rest for two days first.

Remember to have someone deliver letters into the city to persuade them to surrender. The highest art of a general is to subdue the enemy without fighting!” Commander Rong said, struggling to save face.

Although Taizhou was not as grand as Yangzhou, its walls could not be scaled with bare hands.

Forgetting the siege equipment was his mistake, but it was also the mistake of the many commanders under him.

For such an important matter, no one had told him in advance. It was clear they just wanted to see him make a fool of himself.

They all moved in the same circles; he knew perfectly well what they were made of.

There were no good people among profligates, and a good person could never become one.

Plenty of people were jealous that he was the commander-in-chief; he didn’t believe for a second that these guys would put in any real effort.

It was just like when the Marquis of Wuyang had been in command, and he himself had caused no small amount of trouble.

Letter after letter urging surrender flew into the city. They failed to have the desired effect and instead provoked a torrent of curses from the defending soldiers.

Ever since their falling out with the aristocratic families, the Rebel Army had transformed into a peasant army, with ninety-nine percent of its members being illiterate.

Sending letters to persuade a group of illiterates to surrender was more like an insult, mocking them for their inability to read.

Most couldn’t read, but there were some who could.

“The opportunity to defeat the enemy is here. I’m preparing to arrange a feigned surrender to lure the enemy army into the city.

If the enemy is unwilling to enter, we’ll use negotiations as a pretext to get close to their commander and seize him at the opportune moment.

There are many important figures in the enemy army outside the city. Everyone, try to capture as many as you can alive.

These people will be of great use later. Perhaps when attacking other cities, we can even use them to trick the gates open!” Huang Renlong declared, high-spirited and full of vigor.

The chance to turn the tables had arrived, and he couldn’t miss it this time.

If they could annihilate this government army, they would recover all the prestige they had lost.

Only when morale was restored could they consider their next move.

Reason told him that Taizhou was not a place to stay for long; in fact, there was no place for him in the entire Yangzhou Prefecture.

If he didn’t want to die at the hands of the imperial court, he had to break out of the Yangzhou encirclement as soon as possible to have any chance of survival.

Gaoyou Prefecture.

Under the fierce assault of the capital garrisons, the heavily battered defenders of Baoying finally collapsed.

When the terrible news arrived, Wen Feiyang was completely stunned.

The fall of Xinghua could be considered an accident, but Baoying had been lost to a direct enemy assault.

According to the initial plan, the Rebel Army’s defenses in Baoying should have been able to hold for at least a month.

Overnight, the Wen Family Army, which had once occupied one prefecture and two counties, was left with only a single, isolated city.

Defending Gaoyou was just waiting to die. With the court’s manpower and resources, they could easily lay a long-term siege.

Leaving Gaoyou Prefecture City and encountering the enemy in the open would only lead to a quicker death.

It was death either way; there was no escape route in sight.

Neither the mainstream faction advocating for amnesty nor the unconventional faction supporting a northern expedition possessed their former arrogance.

“General, the imperial army has completed a pincer encirclement. Strategically, we have already failed.

Gaoyou is no longer a place we can remain; we must leave as soon as possible.

The Great Yu Dynasty has lasted for over two hundred years. By my count, it’s about time for a change of dynasty.

We were just unlucky to have risen up a little too early, but the final outcome is unchanged: Great Yu will eventually be destroyed.

Without the shackles of a home base, we have many paths to choose from.

We can retreat into the mountains to temporarily avoid the government army’s spearhead and strike back when the time is right.

We can also choose to become roving bandits and throw the Great Yu empire into chaos.

As long as we run fast enough, the imperial army won’t be able to catch us!”

Hearing Wen Feiyun’s words, everyone present rolled their eyes.

He had built it up with such momentum, they thought he had some brilliant strategy, but it all boiled down to a single word—run!

However, it was indeed a solution. If you can’t win, run. That’s a universal strategy.

As scions of aristocratic families, they had all read the history books.

Throughout history, no matter the rebel army, when facing encirclement and suppression by heavy imperial forces, they spent most of their time on the run.

Even their victories against the government army were achieved while fleeing.

Rebellion was never smooth sailing.

An uprising that began by crushing the government army, sweeping across the land, steamrolling all rivals, and unifying the realm simply didn’t exist in reality.

“It’s easy to talk about running, but without our foundation in Gaoyou Prefecture, what will so many of us eat?

You’ve all read the history books; you should know that being roving bandits is not easy.

Our clansmen have never suffered the hardship of a wandering, displaced life. Once we abandon our family estates, I’m afraid they won’t be able to endure it!” an old man spoke up in rebuttal.

It is hard to leave one’s homeland, especially for old men like them.

Leaving their home at this time would most likely be a final farewell.

Vying for the throne was purely a grand promise, meant to unite the people and fool the soldiers.

As the architects of the plan, they themselves didn’t believe their family could actually contend for the Central Plains.

The reason was simple: they had read too many books.

Since ancient times, those who were first to rise in rebellion were always forerunners for the true king.

They had scoured the history books and could not find a single successful example.

“Clan Elder, this is a hardship we must endure,” Wen Feiyun said with a helpless expression.

“Those willing to fight for the realm can come with the army.

Those who don’t want to take the risk should be sent away as soon as possible, while the family still has the means to do so.

In fact, besides us, the other families have all chosen to arrange for their younger generations to leave in secret.

Some will flee overseas, some will become bandits in the mountains, and some will change their identities and start new lives.

But all land under heaven belongs to the king; where could they possibly run?

Even if they escape disaster for now, if their identities are ever exposed in the future, they still can’t avoid a reckoning from the imperial court.

Besides, our reputation precedes us. The whole world knows that salt merchants are wealthier than nations.

In the eyes of others, our families are mountains of gold and silver.

Even if just for the money, many people will secretly hunt us down.”

“Since ancient times, wealth has always stirred the hearts of men, and our names are simply too famous,” Wen Feiyun said with a helpless expression.

Even if our properties everywhere are confiscated by the court, the outside world won’t believe we’re broke.

According to the traditions of great families, for the sake of future generations, which family wouldn’t set up a few secret treasuries?

“If there is no better way, then we will follow Feiyun’s suggestion and abandon Gaoyou Prefecture,” Wen Feiyang announced, his heart heavy.

“To avoid being rounded up by the enemy in one fell swoop, I have decided that for this withdrawal, we will split the Rebel Army into three, breaking out south, north, and west.

Counting Jianping, who has already departed, that’s actually four armies,正好族中四房各领一军. just enough for each of the clan’s four branches to lead one.

Clansmen unwilling to follow the Rebel Army will be given some travel money, and I will arrange for them to be sent away secretly.

From now on, unless the Wen family conquers the realm, the scattered branches must never contact each other again!”

Their strength was already insufficient; splitting their forces would only weaken the Rebel Army further.

But there was no other way. They had to run.

The strength of the Rebel Army was secondary; the key was to preserve the family’s bloodline.

If they didn’t disperse and withdraw, they would face total annihilation once the enemy cornered them.

“You young people should go!

The government army is coming on strong. Someone needs to stay behind to hold the rear guard and buy time for the main force to retreat.

We old bones have lived long enough. This is a fitting final contribution to the family!”

The old man who volunteered to stay behind and hold the rear was the very same clan elder who had just opposed the retreat.

Chapter 87: A Huge Mess

Xinghua City.

After passing around the intelligence report, all the generals of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions wore expressions of utter disbelief.

Commander Rong had led his army to recapture Taizhou and was inviting them to a victory banquet.

What was the difference between such explosive news and the sun rising in the west?

“My Lord, since Commander Rong is in such high spirits, why not indulge him? The battle for Gaoyou Prefecture is nearing its end anyway. Once we’re finished here, we can attend his victory banquet!”

Li Mu said with a chuckle.

He didn’t believe the sun could rise in the west, and by the same token, he didn’t believe that rabble led by Commander Rong possessed the strength to recapture Taizhou.

Knowing something was amiss was one thing, but as a decent colleague, he couldn’t just voice his suspicions directly.

True or false, they would find out once they got there.

The bragging in the battle report was particularly egregious: fought bitterly for three days and three nights, slaying tens of thousands of enemy soldiers.

Anyone who didn’t know Commander Rong might think the Hegemon-King had been reborn.

Plenty of people exaggerated their military achievements, but few dared to boast so extravagantly.

When he bragged in his own battle reports, he would at most embellish the kill count.

Even if he were to exaggerate the outcome of a battle, he would claim his soldiers fought a bloody battle for three days and nights, never that he personally fought for three days and nights.

The officials at the imperial court weren’t fools. An army fighting a bloody battle for several days was still within the realm of comprehension.

If he was so formidable, why hadn’t he taken the military examination to become a Martial Champion?

It was no exaggeration; the Martial Champions of the Great Yu Dynasty were truly formidable fighters.

They were nearly perfect marksmen in mounted archery, wielded weapons weighing over fifty kilograms like they were toys, and killing a bull with a single punch was a basic feat.

Every Martial Champion possessed the strength to kill a ferocious tiger with their bare hands.

But martial prowess alone wasn’t enough; they also had to be masters of military strategy and tactics.

Although the military examinations were held once every three years, very few managed to become Military Palace Graduates, and Martial Champions were as rare as exotic animals.

Simply placing first didn’t guarantee the title of Champion.

One had to possess an overwhelming advantage and receive the Emperor’s personal recognition to earn the title.

In all the years since the founding of Great Yu, there had only been a handful of Martial Champions.

With such formidable individuals in existence, clever generals never deliberately emphasized their own martial prowess when reporting their achievements.

“Indulge him? I think you just want to stir up more trouble!

Forget it. Since he’s so formidable, let the Ministry of War verify his achievements.

My only fear is that instead of defeating the rebels and recapturing Taizhou, he has been defeated by them. That would bring great shame upon my Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions!”

Though his words expressed concern, the smile playing on his lips betrayed the Marquis of Wuyang’s good mood.

The last little blemish had been patched up with the arrival of this victory report.

With this battle report in hand, no one could ever say he had intentionally assigned a suicide mission.

As for the truthfulness of its contents, or even whether Commander Rong and his men were dead or alive, it no longer mattered.

Bait is only needed when fishing.

When the water has been drained, you can just go in and grab the fish directly.

With the battle for Gaoyou Prefecture ending ahead of schedule, the rebels’ situation was now like that of fish out of water.

The rebels in South Tongzhou had failed in their attempt to cross the river. The Jiangnan Naval Force, atoning for their past crimes, had them tightly sealed on the northern bank.

The allied rebel-suppression armies formed by the southern provinces launched river-crossing assaults every so often, making their lives miserable.

Having missed the optimal window for expansion, the imperial court’s encirclement was now complete.

No matter how the rebels struggled, they could not change their fate of annihilation.

The court’s overall strategy was unaffected, so victory or defeat on a local battlefield was of little consequence.

As for the reputation of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, that was purely a joke.

If they truly cared about the division’s reputation, they wouldn’t have let a group of profligates lead an army on campaign.

“My Lord, Commander Rong knows what’s at stake. He wouldn’t send a false victory report. Since he has already recaptured Taizhou, there’s no need for us to rush south. Let’s finish off the remaining enemies in Gaoyou Prefecture first!”

Zhao Yawei said, deliberately playing dumb.

He was now in more desperate need of military merit than ever before.

In the army, strength gave you a voice, but military merit was the decisive factor.

With Li Mu’s sudden rise, his own position as the top-ranking Chiliarch in the division had become very awkward.

Juxtaposed against his colleague, his strength and military merits seemed mismatched, making him appear incompetent in the eyes of outsiders.

When it came to military merit, just wanting it wasn’t enough; you also needed a good deal of luck.

In the past few days of hunting down rebel remnants, the other Thousand-household Forts had all made gains. His squad, however, hadn’t even seen a shadow of the enemy.

In any case, he had to get in on the action for the remainder of the war in Gaoyou Prefecture.

…

Taizhou City.

One moment, Commander Rong had been the picture of imposing authority; the next, he was a prisoner in chains.

Falling with him were a host of generals from the titled nobility.

They never would have dreamed that after both sides had agreed on the terms, these rebels would suddenly turn on them.

Prosecute only the leaders, absolve the followers.

Such generous terms were decidedly lenient.

If they weren’t in such desperate need of a great achievement, they wouldn’t have risked being held accountable by the imperial court to offer such bountiful surrender terms.

“Let go of me! You can’t go back on your word!”

Commander Rong couldn’t help but curse angrily.

He truly couldn’t understand. The rebels had already presented the heads of the Zong family, so why would they suddenly turn on them at the victory banquet?

“Lord Rong, Commander Rong!

It’s not that we brothers are faithless; our hands were forced.

Frankly, the terms you offered were very tempting.

But unfortunately, we are the true commanders of the Rebel Army!

As for the Zong family, they’re just a bunch of rats. What right do they have to command us?

Of course, you didn’t know these behind-the-scenes details, so we brothers don’t blame you.

The problem is, while you didn’t know, the Jinyiwei know, and all our brothers in the Rebel Army know.

Something that everyone knows cannot be kept a secret.

The imperial court’s stance on the Rebel Army has always been consistent.

If we were to surrender to the court, we brothers would not escape the fate of death by a thousand cuts.

Left with no alternative, we could only invite you to be our guest.”

Huang Renlong explained with a chuckle.

The feigned surrender had gone more smoothly than he could have ever imagined.

If it hadn’t already succeeded, he would never have known the Zong family’s name was so renowned that even their severed heads were this useful.

“Impossible!

This official made thorough inquiries. The Zong family is one of the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai, and they are incredibly powerful.

You’re nothing but a salt boss. By what right can you command the entire army?”

Commander Rong said in disbelief.

He had heard so many stories about the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai while carousing in Yangzhou that his ears had practically grown calluses.

The rebel leaders listed by the imperial court were precisely the patriarchs of the Seven Great Families.

Minor figures like the Huang brothers weren’t even qualified to be on the list of rebels, so how could they possibly be the rebel chiefs?

“If the Zong family were really as powerful as you claim, would we have been able to cut off their heads?

Even when their heads were presented to you, you didn’t bother to check the time of death yourself. Who’s to blame for that?

Smuggling salt is a business that can get you beheaded. Without taking a few precautions, we brothers would have been dead long ago.

As it happened, the imperial court is stingy, and the soldiers in the government garrisons were about to starve to death.

We brothers couldn’t bear to see people suffer, so we sponsored them with some money.

You gathered intelligence from our men. It’s quite impressive that you managed to find out that much!”

Huang Renlong mocked.

If all government troops were of this caliber, his great cause of rebellion might actually have a chance.

Even he, an outsider, knew that the court designating the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai as the rebel chiefs was a political necessity.

Without pinning a serious crime on them, how could the court purge the vested interest groups that were sucking the salt industry dry?

If the Seven Great Families had been designated as mere accomplices, the scholars they had sponsored would surely find ways to help clear their names.

Those court officials who regularly accepted their money would have a hundred ways to help them evade punishment.

If the main culprits weren’t eradicated, the salt industry reforms would be a joke.

By labeling them rebel chiefs, the nature of the situation changed entirely.

Never mind helping to overturn their cases; people would now avoid them like the plague at the mere mention of their names.

“Despicable!”

After spitting out the curse, Commander Rong collapsed where he stood.

Even with his dim wits, he knew he was finished.

Having fallen into the hands of the rebels, his status and his connections were all useless.

Even if he got lucky and was rescued by the government army, he was still a dead man.

That boastful “victory report” was his death warrant.

…

News of the incident in Taizhou was quickly relayed by the Jinyiwei.

Upon receiving the message, the Marquis of Wuyang immediately began cursing all of Commander Rong’s ancestors.

In his towering rage, he even spat out curses about seductive concubines bringing ruin to the nation.

The capture of a large number of imperial in-laws and sons of the titled nobility was a major event, far more serious than the previous assassination attempt.

For the titled nobility and imperial in-laws, these men could lose battles, they could die on the battlefield, but they absolutely could not be taken prisoner.

“My Lord, these men are from our Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. We must be the ones to handle the aftermath. We cannot let the civil officials get involved, no matter what. Otherwise, the consequences will be endless!”

With the interests of their entire group at stake, Li Mu lost his usual composure.

He knew Commander Rong’s group would stir up trouble, but he had never imagined they would be so adept at it—not only handing their army over to the enemy but also getting themselves captured.

He wasn’t hoping they would all die fighting, but at least a few of them should have died to prove their integrity.

Since no one had died, they would have to find a way to help them die.

Fortunately, the Eunuch Faction and the titled nobility and imperial in-laws were temporary allies, so the Jinyiwei had passed on the news immediately.

If there had been a delay of a few days and the news had spread, dealing with it would have become much more difficult.

“Issue the order! The entire army is to prepare to move out. This Marquis is going to clean house!”

The Marquis of Wuyang said, his voice brimming with killing intent.

As their leader, he had to take responsibility for cleaning up the mess his subordinates had made.

Chapter 88: The Attempt to Trick the City Fails

Taizhou City.

After defeating Commander Rong’s grand army, the Rebel Army once again found itself adrift.

This was a common affliction among the various rebel forces.

When the imperial court sent armies to suppress them, they all knew to focus their efforts on fending off the attack. But after the battle was won, they had no idea what to do next.

Their vision was limited, and they lacked any long-term strategic planning.

Staring at the map of the Great Yu hanging on the wall, the Huang brothers were overcome with worry.

Compared to the common soldiers, they had traveled to many places as salt smugglers and were considered worldly.

Taizhou was but a small corner of the realm; hoping to stand against the entire empire from here was simply impossible.

Worst of all, the chaos of war had led to a sharp decline in food production.

If they continued to hole up in Taizhou, it wouldn’t be long before the Rebel Army ran out of provisions.

“Eldest brother, it’s not time to give up yet. Let’s stake it all on one more push,” Huang Renliang proposed.

“That fellow surnamed Zong is a treacherous bastard, but he did have some strategic vision. Since we have no better options, let’s just stick to the original plan. Take Yangzhou, conquer Zhenjiang, and seize Nanjing. If we succeed, our path to supremacy will be clear. If we are unfortunate enough to fail, we can just change our names and hide away in the mountains. This world is vast—surely there’s a place for us brothers to live!”

Whether they could achieve supremacy was just a grand promise meant to fool people. The most pressing matter at hand was to break out of Taizhou before the army starved.

“You’re right. That Zong fellow does have some strategic sense, but his plans are often detached from reality,” Huang Renlong said approvingly. “The court’s navy has blockaded the river. Crossing the Great River to conquer Zhenjiang and seize Nanjing is pure nonsense.”

“However, we still have a chance to take Yangzhou. Things are different now. The army from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions has left, leaving Yangzhou City vulnerable. The imperial commissioner stationed there is a member of the Pure Stream Faction, who are at odds with the Eunuch Faction. Even if the Jinyiwei receive news, they won’t pass it on to him immediately. If we’re lucky, we might even be able to use the identity of the government army to trick our way into Yangzhou City. If the assault is blocked, we’ll bypass Yangzhou and head straight into Luzhou Prefecture.”

Choosing Yangzhou as the breakthrough point was a decision born of necessity.

The path south was blocked by the Great River. Even if the court’s navy didn’t intercept them, crossing the river with the few small boats they had would take far too long.

To the north, the court’s main armies were gathering. The Rebel Army in Gaoyou Prefecture was in a precarious situation, and going there would be simply offering up their heads.

Thus, attacking Yangzhou a second time became their only option.

“Grand General, since we’re attacking Yangzhou again, should we call on those other rebel bands from South Tongzhou?” a simple-faced, middle-aged general suggested. “Their situation isn’t great either. I heard they lost a great number of their elite troops after their failed river crossing, and now they’re being pushed around by the government army. If we extend an invitation, they’ll most likely agree. If we join forces to attack Yangzhou, our chances of success would be even greater.”

With a common enemy, all the rebel forces in the Lianghuai region were potential allies.

“No!”

“There’s no time. That scoundrel official Rong’s false victory report won’t fool the government for long. Once the court officials discover the truth, they will surely send troops. The key to taking Yangzhou is speed; there can be no delays. Pass down the order: the entire army is to prepare to move out. Tomorrow, we march on Yangzhou. Second brother, you will lead the veteran battalions, change into government army uniforms, and take a few of those damned officials with you to scout ahead. See if you can trick them into opening the city gates.”

Huang Renlong made his decision decisively.

There is strength in numbers, but large numbers also make for a larger target.

After the failure of their last joint offensive on Yangzhou City, he had come to realize just how unreliable allied rebel operations were. The chaotic command and inability to unify orders were secondary; the real problem was that everyone had their own agenda. No one could guarantee they wouldn’t be stabbed in the back by an ally at a critical moment.

…

Yangzhou City.

After a period of frantic work, Xu Wenyue had finally gotten Yangzhou’s affairs in order.

He was only managing a single prefecture city, yet he felt more exhausted than when he was a Provincial Governor.

The devastation wrought by the rebels had left behind a complete mess. Not only was there a severe shortage of officials, but money, grain, and all manner of supplies were also desperately lacking.

A considerable amount of illicit funds had indeed been confiscated from the government office’s treasury, but unfortunately, the day before he entered Yangzhou, the Marquis of Wuyang had secretly loaded it onto ships and sent it to the capital.

Just as he had taken control of Yangzhou City, the rebels broke into the prison. By the time he collected himself, the goods were already well on their way to the capital.

What he could have appropriated for his own use now required a formal request for allocation from the imperial court. Even though he was a Cabinet member, he still had to go through the proper procedures. All the back and forth had produced a pile of memorials to the throne, but not a single coin or grain of rice.

Fortunately, Xu Wenyue’s reputation was great enough that the Zhejiang Provincial Administration Commissioner’s Office allocated some emergency supplies, which prevented any major disasters.

“Cabinet Elder, Commander Rong of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions has returned with his troops,” Hou Huaichang said with a grin. “They were delayed, so the city gates have already been closed. The guard captain on duty is asking whether to open the gates and let them in.”

The Marquis of Wuyang had given his lord a great deal of trouble. Now that his subordinate was delivering himself to their doorstep, he was clearly asking for it.

Never mind that the gates were already closed; even if they were wide open, they could find a reason to refuse him entry.

“Let them stay outside,” Xu Wenyue said disdainfully. “Tell them Yangzhou City is too small to accommodate such important figures. If that Commander Rong has any objections, tell him to first inquire about what the Marquis of Wuyang has been up to.”

As it turned out, one had to vent their frustrations. After that outburst, his mood instantly improved.

“Cabinet Elder, for Commander Rong to return so quickly, he most likely suffered a defeat at the front,” Hou Huaichang added smoothly. “To let a profligate lead troops, the Marquis of Wuyang is truly bold!”

One’s position determines one’s stance. The Marquis of Wuyang had caused them no end of trouble recently. Now that the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had suffered a defeat, a perfect excuse had fallen into their laps. They had to find a way to reclaim the face they had lost.

“Hmph!”

“How many of those imperial in-laws are ever competent! The Marquis of Wuyang is merely a slightly more presentable one among a pack of scoundrels. When it comes to appointments, he can’t help but practice nepotism. It’s no surprise that he was defeated. Pass down my order: not only will they not be allowed into the city tonight, but these defeated troops are also forbidden from entering tomorrow!” Xu Wenyue said with a cold smile.

On the surface, he was mocking the Marquis of Wuyang, but in reality, his words were veiled criticisms of Emperor Tianyuan.

The practice of appointing cronies was clearly something the Emperor himself had started. If not for being the national uncle, a scholar like the Marquis of Wuyang who repeatedly failed the imperial examinations would not even be worthy of a glance from him.

…

Outside Yangzhou City.

The soldiers guarding the city had tact; Xu Wenyue’s words were not relayed verbatim. For a common soldier to get involved in a contest of power between great figures would be absolutely irresponsible with one’s own life.

The provocative words could not be repeated, but the order to keep the city sealed had to be carried out.

After masquerading as government troops and hurling a stream of curses at the city guards with no response, Huang Renliang knew the plan had failed. Although he didn’t know what had gone wrong, it was clear that tricking them into opening the gates was hopeless.

“Commander Rong, they’re not giving you any face. Aren’t you going to do something about it?”

Upon hearing his name called, Commander Rong, now a prisoner, was so frightened he nearly collapsed to the ground. His days in the rebel camp had not been pleasant. The soldiers guarding him would punch and kick him whenever they were the slightest bit displeased. If he hadn’t been forced, he never would have come along.

Even if he was a bit slow-witted, he knew that if he helped the rebels trick their way into the city, the court’s reckoning would be swift, and he would not escape death. Not only would he die, but his entire Rong family, including the imperial consort in the palace, would likely be implicated. He had considered suicide several times, but ultimately gave up because he was afraid of the pain.

“General, my lord, I really can’t do anything! Why don’t you let me go to the foot of the gate and negotiate with the guards? If I run into an old acquaintance, maybe they’ll do me a favor and open the gates.”

Hearing Commander Rong’s words, Huang Renliang felt a brief stirring of hope, but it was quickly followed by the crack of a whip.

“You think I’m that easy to fool, Rong? This is Yangzhou City! The men from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions have all left. What damned acquaintances could you possibly have here? Besides, looking the way you do now, do you think anyone would recognize you even if you did run into an acquaintance? If you’re hoping to warn the guards, you must be dreaming!”

Commander Rong wore a wronged expression after the unprovoked beating. If he weren’t so afraid of dying, he never would have shown his face. Once the fact that he had been captured was made public, the entire Rong family would be shamed along with him.

“Grandfather Huang, I really wasn’t trying to trick you! The one in charge of Yangzhou now is Cabinet Elder Xu. He’s a civil official, and I’m an imperial in-law—we were never on the same side. I was forced to come on this expedition. You can rest assured, as soon as I get back to the capital, I’ll definitely get someone to rough him up…”

Commander Rong’s performance sent the rebel generals into roaring laughter. They had seen fools before, but never one this foolish. To think he could return alive after falling into the hands of the Rebel Army was simply a dream. They were keeping him around for now, making use of a worthless object. Once he lost his value, it would be his time to die.

“Fine. As long as the imperial court is willing to pay a ransom for you, this general will let a grandson like you go back!”

With that, Huang Renliang waved his hand, signaling for his men to drag him away. He was afraid that if he spent too long with this idiot, he might catch his stupidity.

Without siege equipment, taking Yangzhou by storm was impossible. The value of Commander Rong and his men was not as high as they had anticipated. Perhaps their identities could fool an ordinary local official, but when faced with a Cabinet Elder from the court, they were utterly disregarded.

The key to tricking a city into opening its gates was speed. Once the initial attempt failed, subsequent success became much more difficult. A fake was a fake, and the longer they dragged things out, the greater the risk of exposure.

The failure of the plan to take Yangzhou was an absolute disaster for the Rebel Army.

“Huang Sihai, hurry back overnight and tell eldest brother the situation has changed. We failed to trick our way into the city. If he still wants to attack Yangzhou, he needs to prepare siege equipment immediately. While the city’s defenses are weak, we still have a sliver of a chance.”

Just as he finished speaking, a guard came rushing over.

“Second General, terrible news! We’ve spotted traces of the government army ten kilometers away. Judging from the banners, it should be the troops from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.”

This devastating news made Huang Renliang’s head spin.

How could the enemy have arrived so quickly?

Where had they been exposed?

His mind was filled with questions, but there was no one to answer them.

“Send more men to scout. Find out the enemy’s strength as soon as possible. Huang Sihai, take this news to eldest brother as well!” Huang Renliang ordered with a frown after a moment’s hesitation.

Regardless of where the problem had occurred, judging from the enemy’s actions, they had clearly come prepared. If their position hadn’t been leaked, the army of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions would have headed straight for Taizhou on their way south, not returned to Yangzhou for a trip down memory lane.

Chapter 89: A Bizarre Twist of Fate

Night fell.

The camp of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was brightly lit. Though they had a force of only seven thousand, they had built a stockade large enough to hold over ten thousand men.

From a distance, the formation looked quite intimidating.

“The enemy army has stopped outside Yangzhou City. It seems our Cabinet Elder Xu has some ability after all. He wasn’t fooled by the rebels. Our forced march wasn’t in vain!” the Marquis of Wuyang said with a chuckle.

They certainly hadn’t force-marched all this way to rescue Cabinet Elder Xu. Given the relationship between them, not stabbing him in the back was already a testament to their consideration for the greater good.

From the perspective of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, Yangzhou City could fall to the rebels, but it absolutely could not fall because of Commander Rong and his men. They had rushed over to clean house.

Now that they learned the rebels’ attempt to trick the city into surrendering had failed, everyone was in high spirits. If not for the fact that the soldiers were exhausted from the forced march, which had affected their combat strength, they probably wouldn’t have even bothered with this meeting and would have just charged the few thousand rebels outside the city.

Having witnessed how useless the rebels were, he no longer paid any mind to an enemy of comparable numbers.

“Lord Commander, Cabinet Elder Xu just got lucky. The rebels’ disguise was so obvious, yet he somehow didn’t notice. If we told him the truth, I wonder if he’d be able to get a wink of sleep tonight!”

As Zhao Yawei’s words fell, the crowd broke into roaring laughter.

Mocking a Cabinet Elder was no small matter. If word reached Cabinet Elder Xu’s ears, even though the civil and military paths were different, it would still be a simple matter for him to deal with a minor Chiliarch.

But everyone here was one of them. Chiliarch Zhao was clearly demonstrating his loyalty to the Marquis of Wuyang, so naturally, the news would not leak out.

“Chiliarch Zhao, that’s an excellent idea. The safety of Yangzhou is of great importance. To ensure there are no mistakes, we must let Cabinet Elder Xu know the truth immediately so he can reinforce the city’s defenses in time!” Chiliarch Tang chimed in.

What had started as a joke was instantly transformed into a necessary official duty with his embellishment.

Once the bad precedent was set, the assembled generals all began to find their own reasons, leaving Li Mu dumbfounded. From the looks in their eyes, he could tell that everyone was desperate for military merit. They were willing to cast aside their integrity and shamelessly flatter the Marquis of Wuyang to vie for the main assault mission.

Li Mu did not join the fun. He had already claimed top honors several times; if he took it again, others would start to complain. The main body of the rebel army was still on its way. Even if they cut down all of the few thousand rebels outside the city, it wouldn’t amount to much military merit.

“Alright, since you all say so, then send someone to inform Cabinet Elder Xu. For secrecy’s sake, let’s not tell him we’re nearby for now!”

Though inwardly ecstatic, the Marquis of Wuyang forced himself to remain calm.

As long as Yangzhou City hadn’t fallen yet, there would be no problems later. Facing the main rebel force with only his own troops might have involved some uncertainty. But things were different now. The capital garrisons’ cavalry was already heading south and, by his calculations, would arrive tomorrow.

With the coordination of the cavalry, an army with ten-tenths of its strength could unleash twelve-tenths of its power.

…

In the Rebel Army camp.

The moment he heard the dreadful news, Huang Renliang wanted to take his troops and run. After verifying the information, his desire to flee only intensified. If not for the late hour and the Rebel Army’s inability to march at night, he would have ordered an immediate retreat.

No matter how much he might verbally despise the government army, he had to admit one thing: when their forces were comparable, the Rebel Army’s elites were no match for the government army’s elites. Morale and daily training weren’t the biggest problems; the real disparity lay in their equipment.

One side was fully clad in armor, while the other wore single layers of linen cloth. A single head-on clash would result in devastating losses for them. The most effective way for the Rebel Army to achieve victory was through human-wave tactics. As long as they had enough men, they could overwhelm the enemy.

“Are you sure the enemy has over ten thousand men?” Huang Renliang asked, refusing to give up hope.

He already wanted to run when facing a force of equal size. If he was at an absolute numerical disadvantage, there was no way he could fight.

“General, we observed the enemy camp. It can accommodate at least ten thousand men. If they were packed in tightly, perhaps even twenty thousand could fit. The enemy camp’s defenses are extremely tight. Our men couldn’t get close to verify their true numbers.”

The young officer’s words extinguished Huang Renliang’s last sliver of fantasy. The small force he had with him wasn’t worth the enemy’s effort to put on a false show of strength. The government army had built such a large camp either because they truly had that many soldiers or because reinforcements were on the way.

Either way, the military pressure they would face next would be immense.

“Pass down the order: the entire army is to prepare to move out. We retreat first thing tomorrow morning!” Huang Renliang ordered decisively.

His years as a salt smuggler had taught him one thing: if you can’t win, run. So long as you were alive, there was always hope.

…

Inside the Prefecture office.

“What? The government army outside the city was impersonated by the rebels?” Xu Wenyue asked in terror.

Yangzhou City was devoid of soldiers at the moment. The group of temporary-hire yamen runners could barely maintain public order. Once the rebels launched an attack, the city’s true weakness would be exposed in an instant.

“Yes, Cabinet Elder! The soldiers guarding the city walls recognized several of the court’s wanted fugitives among the enemy soldiers. No matter how reckless Commander Rong is, it’s impossible that he would recruit these people into his ranks. To verify the truth, this student arranged for men to risk approaching the enemy camp to investigate, and they also discovered that something was wrong. Commander Rong, the commander of a great army, has been reduced to a prisoner. Several other generals from the court were imprisoned along with him.”

Hou Huaichang replied with certainty. When it came to matters of life and death, he dared not be careless. If the rebels were to breach Yangzhou, his time as a Cabinet Elder’s advisor would be over.

“What are you standing around for? Quickly summon the gentry of the city to conspire on a defense strategy!” Xu Wenyue said with a frown.

If he had known earlier how thorny Yangzhou was, he wouldn’t have been in such a hurry to come here. From seizing power until now, he hadn’t seen any of the expected benefits, only a heap of troubles.

“Cabinet Elder, you mustn’t!”

“Yangzhou has always been a gathering place for the Salt Merchant Cartel. This rebellion in Lianghuai was spearheaded by the Seven Great Families, and who knows how many of their spies are within the city. When things are going well, it’s fine, but once the battle enters a difficult phase, this bunch of gentry cannot be relied upon. Right now, our only choice is to lock down all information, strengthen our guard, and do everything possible to prevent an attack from both inside and out. At the same time, we must send for aid from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, the capital garrisons, and the Ministry of War in Nanjing. If the worst comes to pass and Yangzhou cannot be held, Your Excellency can retreat to Zhenjiang to escape the brunt of the rebel advance!” Hou Huaichang hastily advised.

He didn’t know how to wage war, but he knew how to learn from experience. During the last defense of Yangzhou, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had managed it all on their own, excluding all local officials and gentry. To not use available help clearly meant they felt these people were unreliable.

Since there was a risk, it had to be avoided. Otherwise, if they were betrayed by collaborators from within, they wouldn’t even have a chance to run.

“There is no need to mention retreating to Zhenjiang. This official is not one of those imperial in-laws, who have no sense of shame. They have achieved no merit, yet the court has supported them for so many years, and still they show no gratitude. They are even capable of something as disgraceful to their ancestors as siding with the rebels. It is truly a betrayal of their forefathers.

“Pass down my order! Seal all the city gates. This official will live or die with Yangzhou. Issue a proclamation to the public in my name as the imperial commissioner. All gentry, scholars, merchants, and officials who flee from Yangzhou will be dealt with as rebel sympathizers. Anyone who dares to intercede or appeal for them will be considered a remnant of the rebels. Send this document out along with the requests for aid. I want the world to know that there will be no good end for those who side with the rebels!”

Xu Wenyue’s order sent a chill down everyone’s spine. Their Cabinet Elder was too ruthless. Not only was he determined to live or die with the city, but he had also cut off everyone else’s chance to escape.

If he truly died for his country in Yangzhou, this Cabinet Elder would surely be commended by the imperial court. His final dispatch would become a legendary testament, revered throughout the court and the country. As for the unlucky souls bound by this proclamation, if they dared to run from Yangzhou City, they would become the villains in this epic tale. If their nine relations weren’t exterminated, their entire clan would at least be executed.

After a brief moment of shock, everyone instantly understood.

The act of cutting off all retreat, while seemingly perilous, was in fact the best way to find a chance of survival in a desperate situation. A prominent status brought not only power and position but also corresponding responsibilities. If Yangzhou was lost, others could run, but Xu Wenyue could not. Retreating to Zhenjiang would mean the end of his political life. The good name he had built over a lifetime would be destroyed in an instant.

Rather than waiting for death, it was better to forcibly drag everyone else down with him and risk everything in one last gamble. If he succeeded, his reputation as a leader of the Pure Stream faction would shine even brighter. If he failed and died for his country, he would have a crowd to accompany him to the grave and could still claim a heroic posthumous reputation.

The most harmed were the Yangzhou gentry, who were now forcibly tied to his war chariot, left with no choice but to bring the lives of their entire families to the gambling table.

…

The next day, at dawn.

Just as a sliver of light appeared in the sky, the sound of drums echoed from the camp of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. The fully equipped soldiers advanced with steady steps, pressing relentlessly toward the enemy camp.

At almost the same moment, horns blared from the Rebel Army’s camp. But they were not horns of attack, but horns of retreat.

Setting out one after the other, the two armies were less than five kilometers apart. But it was precisely those five kilometers that became the final obstacle.

“Break formation and give chase!” Zhao Yawei ordered in frustration.

Military honors had been right there for the taking, yet they had managed to escape. It was truly infuriating.

Chapter 90: Cavalry

In the main army camp.

Gazing at the distant battlefield, unable to even spot the enemy’s rearguard, the Marquis of Wuyang couldn’t help but sigh with emotion.

“To pursue the enemy, you really need cavalry!

Chiliarch Li, you all maintain so many household retainers. Why not maintain a cavalry unit?”

Hearing the question, Li Mu felt quite awkward.

If they had the means, who wouldn’t want to maintain a cavalry unit? The problem was, they truly couldn’t afford it.

A warhorse was far more valuable than a soldier. It couldn’t subsist on mere fodder; it needed grain as well.

Its standard of meals was even higher than a soldier’s.

The daily maintenance of cavalry equipment was also a considerable expense.

Compared to infantry, cavalry were veritable gold-devouring beasts.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, the expense of a single cavalryman was roughly five to ten times that of an infantryman.

The smaller the scale of the cavalry, the higher the amortized costs.

Not every assignment was as lucrative as the trip to Yangzhou.

Most of the time, military officials were engaged in grueling, thankless work.

For a Chiliarch from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions like Li Mu, supporting a few dozen infantry was easy.

But if he were to support a few dozen cavalry, he could be eaten into bankruptcy at any moment.

The power of cavalry could only be brought to bear once it reached a certain scale.

A few lone cavalrymen could do little more than act as scouts.

For such a precious type of soldier, losing even one would be heartbreaking.

Against this backdrop, apart from the Nine Borders military clans who fought the Hu people year-round, very few military officials kept cavalry as household retainers.

Properly established cavalry units were primarily funded and supported by the imperial court.

“My Lord, this subordinate is poor!

To form a cavalry unit, an individual’s strength is too insignificant. It requires the centralized power of an entire government office.”

Li Mu said, spreading his hands.

This answer clearly didn’t satisfy the Marquis of Wuyang, but it was indeed the truth.

It was too difficult for a single military official to maintain a cavalry unit.

Even for a government body like the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, if they wanted to form a cavalry unit, they would have to assign quotas to the various officers for everyone to complete together.

For example, the Commander would take the lead and raise fifty cavalrymen, the Vice-Commander would raise thirty, a wealthy Chiliarch fifteen, a poor Chiliarch five, a Centurion two…

By forcibly assigning these quotas, a cavalry unit could be formed quickly.

The price would be a drastic reduction in the personal income of the officers.

It could very well lead to increased exploitation of merchants within their jurisdictions, affecting the development of the local economy.

If it were a local garrison post, without sufficient sources of revenue, it would be difficult to raise a cavalry unit even with mandatory assignments.

“The official establishment of government offices is fixed, and the Ministry of Revenue is particularly strict with military expenditures.

The court will not approve the addition of a cavalry battalion.

We can’t trouble the Emperor with everything. There are some things that we, as his subjects, need to figure out how to solve ourselves.”

The Marquis of Wuyang shook his head.

It was clear that he had his heart set on cavalry.

It was just unclear whether this was a fleeting idea or if he was genuinely planning to pursue it.

Li Mu wasn’t particularly concerned about the Marquis of Wuyang’s thoughts.

There were no vacant positions in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, so his next promotion would certainly take him elsewhere.

If the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were to form a cavalry unit in the future, it would be a headache for his successor, not his problem.

“Your Lordship’s lesson is well-taken. If conditions permit, I will certainly train an elite cavalry unit for the court!”

Li Mu immediately played along.

No general ever complained about having too many soldiers under his command.

If he were truly transferred to a wealthy government office, he wouldn’t mind building a cavalry unit of his own.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, possessing fifty cavalrymen would make one the most impressive among Chiliarchs.

With five hundred cavalrymen, one would be invincible at the level of a Commander.

With a thousand cavalrymen, one would be a Regional Commander at the very least, and one of the most powerful at that.

And if one possessed five thousand cavalrymen, their family would be the most formidable military clan in Great Yu.

They would have a certain voice in the court and could influence the empire’s military decisions.

If one commanded over ten thousand elite cavalry, it would go beyond simple political influence.

Advancing, they could dominate the court; retreating, they could carve out their own territory.

At that stage, everyone in the court, from top to bottom, would have to handle them with care, and even the Emperor would often lie awake at night, troubled by them.

“The thought counts!”

The Marquis of Wuyang nodded in satisfaction.

Whether or not a cavalry unit could be formed wasn’t important; what mattered was having the right attitude.

…

Yangzhou City.

Upon receiving the news, Xu Wenyue was half dead with anger.

The men from the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had arrived too quickly, rendering all his efforts useless.

If they had been just a few hours later, allowing the public notice he had drafted to be posted, he could have gained considerable prestige in the court and among the public.

Unfortunately, reality was cruel.

With the rebels already driven away, declaring that he would live or die with Yangzhou would seem far too deliberate.

His plan had been foiled, yet he still had to lead the local gentry to welcome them with smiling faces.

One could only imagine the frustration in his heart, having to express gratitude for the timely rescue.

Watching the high-spirited and full of vigor Marquis of Wuyang, Xu Wenyue gnashed his teeth in hatred for this “life-saving grace.”

The man had clearly arrived long ago but had waited until this moment to appear, obviously to see him make a fool of himself.

His intuition told him that the Marquis of Wuyang was also behind the discovery that the rebels were masquerading as government troops last night.

The probability of city-guarding soldiers recognizing a wanted criminal from hundreds of meters away was, in itself, a small one.

Thankfully, the Marquis of Wuyang declined to enter the city for a victory banquet, citing the need to pursue the remaining enemy forces, otherwise it would have been even more awkward.

“That fellow is my nemesis!”

After seeing off the army of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, Xu Wenyue couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Cabinet Elder, there is no need to be angered by such trivial matters.

The Marquis of Wuyang is indeed detestable, but this is the most he can do. He is not our true enemy.

If we waste too much energy on him and neglect the Eunuch Faction hiding behind the scenes, that would be the real blunder!”

Hou Huaichang stepped forward to remind him.

It was common for imperial in-laws and civil officials not to get along, but it was mostly for show. Pushing things this far was very rare.

Considering the current situation, he had reason to believe that the Marquis of Wuyang’s provocative actions were a cover for the Eunuch Faction.

Once their attention was focused on the Marquis of Wuyang, their focus on the Eunuch Faction would inevitably decrease.

The Emperor had initiated the salt administration reforms, but it was the Eunuch Faction responsible for its specific implementation.

The imperial in-laws and the titled nobility were just helping out and getting a piece of the pie.

The Marquis of Wuyang’s behavior was suspiciously intended to attract their attention.

If they mistook the secondary conflict for the primary one and remained entangled with the Marquis of Wuyang, they would fall right into the enemy’s trap.

“Despicable Eunuch Faction, to dare to plot against me!

No wonder that bastard Zuo Guang’en didn’t come to Yangzhou. It seems he had already made arrangements, just waiting for this official to walk into his trap.

If I’m not mistaken, the Eunuch Faction has already extended its tentacles to the salt fields.

These recent events in Yangzhou City were just something they concocted to tie this official down.

It was easy to enter Yangzhou, but it will be difficult to leave.

If I leave now, in the eyes of the outside world, it will look like this official was frightened off by the rebels and dared not stay in Yangzhou.

The Eunuch Faction is truly vicious!”

Thus reminded, Xu Wenyue immediately understood.

His conflict with the Marquis of Wuyang was nothing more than a dispute over face, driven mostly by emotion.

The salt administration reform was the true focus of the struggle between the major power blocs.

One misstep, and he had fallen for the enemy’s scheme.

He had only been thinking of Yangzhou as the main trading center for salt, but had overlooked the various salt fields.

“Cabinet Elder, it’s not too late to realize this now.

You entered the Lianghuai region alone; it’s only natural that you couldn’t defeat the Eunuch Faction in the contest over the salt production sites.

We made a mistake earlier, but we can find ways to make up for it later.

No matter what, once the salt is produced, it must be sold.

Geography dictates that the future of the salt trade cannot be separated from Yangzhou.

If we keep a close eye on the reforms of the Salt Administration Yamen and plant our people inside, this trip south will not have been a failure!”

Hou Huaichang persuaded tactfully.

In a political struggle, winning or losing a single battle means little.

As long as the final outcome is favorable, any failures along the way can be completely ignored.

However, Xu Wenyue was clearly not so optimistic.

Under the old rules, controlling Yangzhou City meant controlling the lifeblood of the salt industry.

But the situation was different now; the salt administration reform was imminent.

If the rules of the game changed, Yangzhou, as the largest salt trading center, would inevitably be affected.

As salt was a monopolized business, the court could simply use an administrative decree to designate a new salt trading location.

From the Eunuch Faction’s standpoint, changing the rules to exclude them was entirely worth it.

…

Gallop, gallop, gallop…

The sound of approaching horse hooves grew louder, making the very earth tremble.

“The enemy’s cavalry is here!”

Realizing this, Huang Renliang, who was leading his troops in retreat, was so frustrated he felt like spitting blood.

If he had known the government army had a large cavalry force, he wouldn’t have ordered a retreat.

On the open plains, two legs could never outrun four.

Fleeing from the enemy’s pursuit, the army had run for more than six hours, and the soldiers were all exhausted.

To turn their backs to the enemy cavalry now was to be completely irresponsible with their lives.

“Pass down the order! The entire army is to halt its advance! Push all the wagons in the army to the front and form a wagon laager to fight the enemy cavalry!”

Huang Renliang braced himself and gave the order.

Reason told him this was not a good choice.

A wagon laager could withstand a cavalry charge, but it couldn’t stop enemy infantry.

Once the enemy infantry caught up from behind, they would have a hard time even trying to escape.

But he had no choice. Continuing to run would only lead to a quicker death.

With their backs exposed, the enemy needed only to follow and hunt them down slowly to annihilate their entire army.

For now, he could only hope that the enemy infantry would be slow to arrive, giving them some time to resist.

The soldiers under his command were all elites from the Rebel Army’s veteran battalions. As long as there was a glimmer of hope, Huang Renlong would do everything in his power to rescue them.

If they could hold out until the main force arrived and engage the enemy in a decisive battle, they still had a chance of survival.

Swish, swish, swish…

In the end, Huang Renliang’s order came a step too late. The soldiers at the rear were pierced straight through by arrows.

Those who were lucky enough to dodge the volley of arrows were met with cavalry lances.

Under the immense force of the impact, entire bodies were sent flying.

The screams made the already chaotic ranks even more disorderly.

Dominated by panic, the soldiers paid no heed to their orders, scattering madly in all directions.

Realizing that all was lost, Huang Renliang could no longer be bothered with his troops. He took a small number of his trusted men and galloped away.

…

“Reinforcements are here!

Hurry up! If we’re any slower, all our efforts will be for nothing!”

Seeing the cavalry ride past, Zhao Yawei urged his men on anxiously.

It wasn’t easy to get the main assault mission. Now that he finally had one, he hadn’t even made contact with the enemy.

If word of this got out, he would become a laughingstock.

Although from the current situation, it was highly likely they couldn’t beat the cavalry.

But if they were just a bit faster, they could still get some results.

After all, this battle was the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions’ battle to clean house.

If they didn’t participate and let their allies do all the fighting, the Marquis of Wuyang would lose face, and he, as the commander of the main assault, would certainly be looked upon differently.

Deep down, he could only hope that his colleagues from the capital garrisons would show him some courtesy and leave a few heads for him to cut down, so he would have something to report when he returned.

Chapter 91: Fairness

The arrival of the capital garrison’s cavalry accelerated the course of the war.

Not only were the fleeing rebel troops brutally slaughtered, but the rebel reinforcements rushing to their aid were also crushed midway.

The cavalry held a firm grip on the battle’s tempo. Having suffered heavy losses in the field battle, the remaining rebel forces could only hole up in Taizhou City, clinging to a desperate existence.

Their allies performed so exceptionally well that the troops of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were reduced to playing a supporting role, trailing behind.

Their only battle achievements were occasionally killing a few scattered, defeated troops.

Sweeping the battlefield was nothing but a beautiful dream.

When it came to snatching kills for credit, infantry simply couldn’t compare to cavalry.

With the task of cleaning house snatched away by the capital garrison’s cavalry, the Marquis of Wuyang’s expression was incredibly foul.

The generals in his camp all had to tread carefully, fearing his anger would be redirected at them.

Chiliarch Zhao, who was leading the main assault, was especially miserable. He was tasked with the hardest work and received the harshest criticism.

To make matters worse, he was the one who had fought for this thankless mission, so he could only carry on with tears in his eyes.

…

The cavalry encampment.

“Your nephew pays his respects, Uncle!”

Upon seeing the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Li Mu hurriedly stepped forward to bow.

On this trip to Yangzhou, he had managed to make a fortune, and he had certainly borrowed the Marquis’s Mansion’s name to fool people more than once.

Compared to the capital, the name of the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan was clearly more effective in the provinces.

Limited by the slow transmission of information, the local gentry only knew that he was the nephew of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

Exactly how distantly related they were was beyond their knowledge.

By putting on an act, he had become the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s direct, favored nephew in the eyes of the Yangzhou gentry.

“There is no need for such formalities in the army!”

“I have heard about your performance in the military. You’ve done very well.

Compared to others your age, you are already a step ahead.

The Marquis of Wuyang holds you in high regard. In all the victory reports, he has listed you for top honors.”

Li Yuan said with a cheerful smile.

Compared to making money in Yangzhou, his focus was clearly on military merit.

Li Mu had distinguished himself from the other young nobles who had come south, which had earned Li Yuan a great deal of face among his colleagues.

“If not for Uncle’s support, the Marquis of Wuyang would not have given your nephew so many opportunities.

Compared to Uncle leading a grand army to victory on the battlefield, your nephew’s achievements are truly not worth mentioning.”

Li Mu replied with a hint of apprehension.

Having witnessed the power of the cavalry, he was well aware of how little the rebels weighed in the court’s eyes.

Defeating a group of insignificantrabble wasn’t a great accomplishment, and no one would be convinced otherwise.

Since the merit wasn’t that great, it was better to be modest.

“Hmph!

Don’t try to flatter me.

Leading three thousand cavalry against a group of rebel soldiers was an unfair fight from the start.

It would only be a problem if we couldn’t win.

I am well aware of my own capabilities.

When my late father was alive, his assessment of me was: lacking flexibility, only able to build sturdy camps and fight straightforward battles.

I couldn’t agree more!

Since entering officialdom, the few times I’ve led troops on expeditions, I’ve only chosen to act when I had an absolute advantage.

If I ever encountered a strong enemy, who knows how disastrous my record would be.

Your situation is different.

So many people were stationed in Yangzhou City, yet you were the one who discovered the rebels’ weakness and seized the opportunity in time.

Later, when you crushed the Xinghua rebels, you also chose to strike when the enemy was at their most exhausted.

Seizing a battle opportunity once might be a coincidence, but to do so repeatedly is a sign of ability.

For a general, being able to seize opportunities in time is key to achieving victory in war.

The Marquis of Wuyang is willing to give you chances primarily because you are the most outstanding general in the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

With these military merits as a foundation, once this matter is over, you can at least secure a position as a Mobile Corps General.

If you’re lucky, you might even be assigned to be a Garrison Commander in one of the major prefectures.

If you were sent to a prefecture with poorer conditions, you might even be promoted directly to the position of Regional Commander.”

Li Yuan said with a complicated expression.

As a military official, he too had once wanted to prove himself, but he eventually gave up the idea.

The heir to a founding duke or marquis didn’t need brilliant military achievements; being steady was enough to protect the family’s legacy.

From then on, he learned to hide his true abilities, always presenting an image of being more than adequate at maintaining the status quo, but lacking in initiative.

When he had the chance to lead troops, he would only pick on the weak.

His by-the-book performance allowed him to rise smoothly through the ranks and become a core figure among the titled nobility.

Conversely, the most brilliant rising stars of his generation constantly fell by the wayside.

Seeing Li Mu’s outstanding performance reminded him of his peers who had fallen in their prime.

He knew that showing off one’s brilliance was fraught with risk, but he couldn’t ask Li Mu to hide his abilities.

Their statuses were different. As one of the twelve founding marquises, he only needed to lie low and avoid mistakes, and he could eventually enter the center of power just by biding his time.

If Li Mu didn’t strive, the position of Commander of the Hanzhong Guard would be his ceiling.

But after taking this gamble, the situation had changed.

Whether it was a substantive appointment as a Mobile Corps General, a Garrison Commander of a major prefecture, or a Regional Commander of a remote prefecture, the actual power of these positions far surpassed that of a garrison post commander.

Reward was proportional to risk. Having taken a gamble on his official career once, he now had no choice but to continue down that path.

Having become a promising candidate promoted by the titled nobility, even if Li Mu wanted to retreat, the titled nobility would not allow it.

“Uncle, a Mobile Corps General can be Junior or Senior Fourth-Rank, a Garrison Commander can range from Senior Fifth to Senior Third-Rank, and a Regional Commander is Senior Third-Rank.

The span between these positions seems a bit too large.

With my meager merits, if I were to be appointed to a substantive Senior Third-Rank position, would I be sent to the front lines of the Nine Borders?”

Li Mu asked weakly.

The official ranking structure of the Great Yu Dynasty was very complex.

The same post could have different ranks depending on the location of the appointment.

If he were an ordinary general, he could only wait for the result.

But as someone with connections, he didn’t think his uncle was bringing this up for no reason.

Listing these positions was a clear hint that he could choose from among them.

Otherwise, besides these, there were other posts for military officials like Vice-Commander or Commandery Aide that would also be suitable for his next promotion.

“Look at you, what a coward!

There is a long line of generals at the Nine Borders waiting for promotion. Actual vacancies for mid-to-high-level generals there are precious.

The major military family clans have long considered those positions their own. How could it be your turn, an outsider?

The place will just be a bit more barren, but any place where you can form a force of recruited soldiers can’t be all that bad.”

Li Yuan said, exasperated.

How could he send a promising young talent he had cultivated to the Nine Borders to be cannon fodder without being properly tempered first?

In fact, with the recent trend of military officials raising their own household guards, the Nine Borders military clans were showing increasingly obvious signs of becoming warlords.

Emperor Tianyuan was very dissatisfied with this situation.

The military reforms he had pushed forward were, to some extent, intended to counterbalance the Nine Borders military clans.

The titled nobility, having been put in their place, were also seeking ways to save themselves.

They didn’t have the courage to change the existing system, but cultivating a few capable generals was certainly possible.

“Thank you for your guidance, Uncle. Your nephew feels he still needs more experience and is unsuited for such a high position right now!”

Li Mu replied, suppressing the temptation with great effort.

Deep down, his heart was bleeding.

A Senior Third-Rank Regional Commander—this was a position many military officials strived for their entire lives without ever reaching.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, the third rank was a watershed. While Junior Third-Rank and Senior Third-Rank were only separated by half a rank, their status and influence were worlds apart.

Crossing that line meant entering the upper echelons of military officials, gaining a certain degree of recognition at court, and requiring a personal edict from the Emperor for appointment. One would no longer be an inconsequential nobody.

But high position and authority were no match for the power of “money.”

Aside from funding from the imperial court, recruited soldiers also required supplementary funds from the local government offices.

If he were assigned to a poor, remote region where the local government office was itself destitute, that supplementary funding would be a joke.

In theory, he could raise his own military funds, but if no one else could solve that problem, Li Mu didn’t think he would be the exception.

For a military official, having troops was what truly mattered. If he lacked financial resources and was forced into pocketing salaries for non-existent soldiers, his post, no matter how high, would just be a nominal position.

“Mm!

As long as you understand, that’s what matters. Remember not to be fooled by others.

The capital garrisons will not participate in the upcoming siege of Taizhou. It will be entirely in your hands, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

You have enough merit for now. Don’t compete for it this time; leave the credit for your colleagues!”

Hearing his uncle’s instructions, Li Mu felt quite helpless.

He truly wasn’t trying to steal credit intentionally. He had stood out before purely because his teammates had bad luck.

In the Battle of Xinghua, the rebels had run straight into him. He couldn’t refuse the opportunity even if he wanted to.

During the battle to clean house, he had consciously given up the lead role in the attack and stayed beside the Marquis of Wuyang to watch the drama unfold.

Unfortunately, his teammates weren’t up to the task and managed to let a victory, served to them on a platter, slip away.

If they had been a bit more cautious, sent out scouts to watch the enemy camp beforehand, and immediately dispatched troops upon noticing something was amiss, they would not have let the rebels escape.

…

Taizhou City.

After the Marquis of Zhenyuan decided to do them a favor, he led the capital garrison’s cavalry straight to South Tongzhou, leaving the momentous task of retaking Taizhou once again in the hands of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

“The rebels’ morale is broken. I don’t want any more accidents in the upcoming siege.

Don’t you all frequently complain that This Marquis never gives you a chance?

Now, your chance has come. Your performance will be what matters next.

Don’t say This Marquis is unfair. Here are four bamboo slips, marked with East, South, West, and North.

Excluding Chiliarch Li, the four of you will come forward and draw lots. Whichever gate you draw is the one you will attack from.

As for the specific tactics, This Marquis will still not interfere. In any case, whoever breaches the city walls first will receive the top honors for this siege!”

The Marquis of Wuyang said, his face dark and gloomy.

Chapter 92: Salt Administration Reform

“Lord Commander, rest assured, we will wipe away our previous shame!”

The four Chiliarchs responded in unison.

Their previous failure could be considered an accident.

However, in the military, a failure is a failure. No matter how valid the reason, it could not change the fact that they had made errors in their command.

Having connections and a strong background simply meant they had a few more chances for trial and error. Once they proved themselves to be useless, like mud that can’t be plastered on a wall, they would still be abandoned by the powers behind them.

Now that the main force of the Rebel Army had been wiped out, if they couldn’t even deal with a group of remnants, they might as well give up their careers in the army.

It was clear that the Marquis of Wuyang was quite adept at managing people. The goading tactic, though old-fashioned, was effective.

As a prime example of its effect, Li Mu wished he could turn invisible on the spot.

Being held up as the model “other person’s child” was a surefire way to attract resentment.

Even if they had all been on good terms before, after something like this, it was inevitable that feelings would be complicated.

To eliminate this kind of rift, either everyone had to develop well, or the gap between them had to become insurmountably large.

The ceremony of drawing lots quickly concluded. The four who received their assignments took their leave one by one.

If they didn’t vent the fire pent up inside them, it could easily lead to trouble.

…

“Chiliarch Li, how long do you think it will take them to capture Taizhou?” the Marquis of Wuyang asked with concern.

It was evident that the accident of letting the Rebel Army escape last time had directly affected his confidence in the commanders under him.

“My Lord, the rebels have just suffered a major defeat. Their morale is shattered.

Those conscripted soldiers will not be willing to lay down their lives for them.

The Huang brothers’ massacre in Taizhou has grievously offended the gentry.

Those deeply rooted local powers are not so easily uprooted.

Now that the Rebel Army is showing signs of decline, the hidden remnants of these gentry families will also be waiting for an opportunity to retaliate.

The smaller rebel factions they previously absorbed will also become a significant hidden danger now that the rebels are in dire straits.

The enemy’s current situation can be described as being beset by troubles both internal and external. All it will take is a gentle push for this dilapidated house to collapse.

Breaching Taizhou will not be difficult; it is merely a question of the scale of our losses. I speculate that the rebels can hold out for about three to five days.

In fact, even if we were to forgo an attack and simply besiege them, the rebels would be hard-pressed to last more than two months.

According to intelligence from the Jinyiwei, the enemy missed this year’s autumn harvest, and the grain stores in Taizhou City are not plentiful.”

Li Mu analyzed the situation objectively.

A hastily assembled army of rebels was inherently a mixed bag.

When the fighting was going their way, they could remain united.

But once they faced adversity, all the hidden internal conflicts would erupt.

Compared to the rebels’ previous hasty siege, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were much better prepared.

Not only had they transferred a batch of heavy cannons from Nanjing, but they had also dispatched a large number of artisans to build siege equipment. In addition, they had the cooperation of the Jiangnan Navy.

Even if they couldn’t breach the city walls, they could drag things out until the enemy collapsed on their own.

“I understand your meaning. Employing a siege and blockade until the rebels collapse on their own is indeed the most prudent choice.

However, the battle for Taizhou concerns the reputation of my Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. This battle must be fought!”

The Marquis of Wuyang declared solemnly.

When one navigates the imperial court, some things must be insisted upon.

If the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had achieved no victories before this, then choosing the most stable option of besieging the enemy would certainly be the best choice.

But the situation was the exact opposite. Apart from one mistake, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had performed well on the battlefield.

People can accept never having something, but they cannot accept having it and then losing it.

The simplest way to wash away the stain of failure was to win it back quickly.

The rebel army in Gaoyou Prefecture had split up to retreat. Although many Wen family disciples escaped, it also hastened the rebels’ collapse.

There wasn’t much time left for the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions. They had to capture Taizhou City before the capital garrisons annihilated the rebels in South Tongzhou.

“Boom, boom, boom…”

The dense roar of cannon fire marked the beginning of the siege.

On the city walls, the Huang brothers had lost their former bravado.

Unlike their previous defeats, this time their expedition had run into the court’s cavalry, and they had suffered devastating losses in a state of utter confusion.

The losses among their veteran battalions, in particular, had the greatest impact on the Taizhou Righteous Army.

To stabilize morale, they had no choice but to personally walk the city walls and direct the soldiers in the defense.

“Eldest brother, the enemy is thoroughly prepared. They’re about to cross the moat.

It’s only a matter of time before Taizhou falls. We need to find a chance to break out!”

Huang Renliang urged anxiously.

He was only in his twenties and still had a long life to enjoy; he was not about to die in Taizhou City.

However, within the Rebel Army, it was Huang Renlong who ultimately commanded the most prestige.

Even if they were to flee, the decision had to come from the eldest.

“Second brother, the city is short on food. A retreat is certain.

But you have witnessed the power of the enemy’s cavalry.

If we encounter those gods of death on the open plains, we are no match for them.

Even if we are to break out, we must wait until we can confirm that they have left before we can act.

It’s a pity we can’t contact our connections in the Navy. Otherwise, escaping by water would be the best option!”

Just as Huang Renlong finished his lament, a cannonball came flying toward them.

With a deafening “bang,” the three guards beside him were blown to pieces.

The Huang brothers, who had narrowly escaped death, felt as if half their souls had left their bodies. Instinctively, they scrambled down from the gatehouse tower.

With the commanders leading the retreat, the nearby defending soldiers blindly followed suit.

In the blink of an eye, a vacuum of forces appeared on the gatehouse tower.

After coming to his senses, Huang Renlong immediately roared in fury:

“What are you doing down here? Get back up there for me!”

Fortunately, the moat was there to block the enemy. Otherwise, given the chaos among the defenders just now, the enemy could have seized the city wall.

The soldiers were driven back, but the terrible impact of the incident was impossible to erase.

From the resentful gazes of the soldiers, one could see that their awe for their commanders had changed.

With no time to soothe the army’s morale, the Huang brothers’ minds were now completely occupied with how to escape.

Having walked the line between life and death once more, the two of them felt their confidence in the great cause of rebellion dwindling.

Reason told them that if they didn’t flee soon, they would be left here forever.

…

Huai’an City.

“Left Prime Minister, this is a map of the salt fields in the Lianghuai region.

We have audited the accounts of several salt fields in Huai’an Prefecture, and the contents are truly shocking.

Taxed according to the court’s salt laws, these salt fields alone should contribute no less than one million four hundred thousand taels in revenue annually.

Extrapolating from this, the salt tax revenue for the entire Lianghuai region should be between two and a half million and three million taels.

The Lianghuai salt industry accounts for roughly one-third of the nation’s total. Taking a middle-ground figure, the theoretical national salt tax revenue should be around eight million taels.”

As Gu Yuansong finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

The court’s salt tax revenue last year was one point three million taels. Compared to eight million taels, it was the difference between heaven and earth.

If this figure reached the Emperor, there was no telling how furious Emperor Tianyuan would become.

More than eighty percent of the tax revenue was being divided up by the bureaucracy and the Salt Merchant Cartel. It was a clear case of bullying the Emperor for his lack of knowledge.

“Everyone outside says we are corrupt and break the law, but compared to these people, we are truly nothing.

The salt industry is already immensely profitable, yet these people are still not satisfied.

When the court established the tax laws, the interests of the salt merchants were fully considered.

The Great Yu Dynasty has eighty million people on record. To say the real number is double that, I do not believe would be an exaggeration.

Everyone must eat salt. The annual consumption of salt exceeds two billion catties.

Even if they only made a profit of one copper coin per catty, that would still be two million taels of silver in profit.

Moreover, besides people, livestock and various workshops cannot do without salt.

The true annual consumption must surely be four to five billion catties.

The total output of all the salt fields in the country also corresponds to these figures.

This one has lived for more than half a lifetime and has never heard of a salt surplus; it’s likely all sold.

Even by the most conservative estimate, it wouldn’t be excessive for the court to collect ten million taels in salt tax annually, would it?”

When Zuo Guang’en spoke, everyone present was stunned.

Mathematically, a salt tax of ten million taels was certainly not excessive, but in practice, it was a different matter.

The profits from the salt industry were too enormous; various factions couldn’t help but reach their hands into it.

If they reported the situation truthfully to the Emperor, who knew if Emperor Tianyuan would tolerate this model of profit-sharing.

Even if the current emperor could accept it, what if a future emperor felt he wasn’t getting enough and wanted a larger share?

“Left Prime Minister, a comprehensive reform of the salt administration carries too great a risk.

The Lianghuai salt industry alone has caused such a huge commotion. If this were to be implemented nationwide, the resistance from below would likely be immense.

Why don’t we compromise? The court’s salt tax will continue to be collected as usual.

With the example set by the Lianghuai salt merchants, I imagine the local Salt Administration Yamens will be able to meet whatever collection target we set.

As for the shortfall, we could simply have the salt merchants across the country make voluntary contributions to the court.”

Pang Chengjie, the Vice Minister of Revenue, quickly interjected with his advice.

The purpose of reforming the salt administration was to solve fiscal problems, not to flip the table.

The events in the Lianghuai region had already severely damaged the interests of the Civil Official Bloc.

If this was replicated across the country, none of them would be able to live comfortably.

Essentially, it was a matter of distributing interests. When some took more, others naturally took less.

Under the behemoth of the salt administration, the number of large and small interest groups hiding was simply countless.

The court was able to proceed smoothly in the Lianghuai region because the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai had rebelled.

Although they were forced into rebellion, a rebellion was a rebellion, which directly compelled the officials in the court to abandon them.

A similar operation could only be done once.

Once others were on their guard, it would not be so simple to play the same trick again.

“Vice Minister Pang’s proposal is not entirely without merit.

However, for something like this, it’s not enough for just this Prime Minister to be willing. We need everyone’s cooperation.

If the salt administration officials in various regions continue to be derelict in their duties, and the salt merchants below them remain reckless, then even this Prime Minister can do nothing!”

As he spoke, Zuo Guang’en deliberately spread his hands.

With the precedent of annihilating the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai, his reverence for aristocratic families had vanished without a trace.

If the salt merchant interest groups, known for their martial strength, were so fragile before the court’s military might, then other purely literary aristocratic families were even less of a concern.

Once they left the imperial court, aside from their prestige among the literati, these people were nothing more than frail scholars.

In any case, as the head of the eunuchs, he didn’t need to worry about his reputation.

This shift in mentality directly influenced Zuo Guang’en’s decisions.

“Left Prime Minister, there are more intelligent people in this world than foolish ones.

If a few idiots are unable to comprehend your goodwill, then we’ll just have to send them on their way!”

Gu Yuansong said with a faint smile.

With the Eunuch Faction’s power greatly increased, the Jinyiwei’s prestige had also risen.

Realizing the weakness of the Civil Official Bloc, he, the Commander of the Jinyiwei, had also become more forceful in his actions.

It seemed that there were many factors behind this trip south, but the fundamental goal was one and the same—to get money!

Whoever could handle this task well would be Emperor Tianyuan’s most trusted minister.

Whoever obstructed the court from getting money would be a thorn in the Emperor’s eye, a thorn in his flesh.

Even Cabinet Elder Xu, a representative of the Pure Stream faction, had not demonstrated the level of political struggle expected of a Cabinet member after entering the Lianghuai region.

It wasn’t that he was incapable, but that he had long seen through the essence of the problem.

As a major figure in the imperial court, one had to consider not only the interests of one’s own faction but also the interests of the empire.

When these two interests conflicted, it was a great test of political wisdom.

The actions of the two Pure Stream faction leaders in the Grand Secretariat at this critical moment were a successful case in point.

Cabinet Elder Pang’s method was to feign illness to avoid trouble, while Cabinet Elder Xu’s response was to play dumb.

They clamored about overthrowing the Eunuch Faction, but in actual practice, they deliberately avoided them.

The members of the Pure Stream Faction also had their own political ambitions. It was just that, being caught in the situation, they could not betray their own class.

His position and standpoint dictated that he could not raise funds for the court like the Eunuch Faction, but that did not mean Xu Wenyue didn’t want to solve the court’s financial problems.

During the upheaval in the Lianghuai region, the fact that the Pure Stream Faction did not stir up a political storm was largely because they were led astray by their two leaders.

With a shrewd master like Emperor Tianyuan, an official who cared only for factional interests would never be able to enter the Grand Secretariat.

…

Chapter 93: The Breakout

Taizhou City.

By the third day of the siege, the city was teetering on the verge of collapse.

The long-neglected city walls had crumbled in multiple places under the government army’s cannon fire. Only through the desperate efforts of the soldiers were the breaches barely plugged.

To hold the line, the enforcement squads were stretched to their limits. Every day, the number of soldiers who died by the blades of their own men exceeded three digits.

With the situation having reached this point, everyone in the Rebel Army, from top to bottom, knew things were dire.

Sensing the change in their subordinates’ morale, the Huang brothers, who had long wanted to flee, lost any will to defend the city.

“Brothers, I, Huang, have failed. I cannot lead you to victory over the government army. I have betrayed the trust of so many brothers, and for that, I apologize to you all here.

I’m sure you’ve all realized by now that the fall of Taizhou is inevitable. I cannot lead you to achieve the great cause of overthrowing the Great Yu, nor will I force you to stay and be buried with this city.

These chests here are filled with treasure, all that we have gained in recent days. I haven’t distributed it because I was saving it as capital for our fight for the realm, to build a future for our children and grandchildren.

Now, the situation has changed. It must be that the Great Yu’s Mandate of Heaven is not yet at an end. To go against the will of Heaven is unwise. Let all the sins fall upon me; it has nothing to do with any of you brothers.

This treasure will be distributed among you all shortly. Consider it severance pay for our time as brothers. Take this money and leave this heartbreaking place of Yangzhou. Live out your lives in anonymity! If you spend it wisely, it should be enough for you to live carefree for the rest of your days. Our brotherhood will not have been in vain.

At midnight, I will personally lead a charge to break out, fighting to carve a bloody path for all of you.

I will say no more. Let us drink this final bowl of wine together!”

Huang Renlong declared with a look of tragic heroism.

Reaching this point had been completely beyond his expectations. His current display of sorrow was partly to deceive his men into fighting to the death for him, but more so, it stemmed from a genuine uncertainty about his own future.

Others could go into hiding and start a new life elsewhere, but he, the rebel chief, could not. Even if the rebellion was quelled, the imperial court would never stop hunting him. The gentry in every region also despised his very existence. Too many people in the world wanted him dead; he couldn’t fully trust anyone around him now.

“Grand General! When a man dies, he dies facing the heavens. If he doesn’t, he’ll live for ten thousand years! We’ve come this far, so what’s this talk of parting ways?

All land under heaven belongs to the king. Even if we go into hiding, where could we possibly run? Don’t forget, every one of us has the blood of court officials on our hands. They will never let us go.

From the day we raised the banner of rebellion until now, have we ever heard of the court offering us amnesty and enlistment? No matter what we do, the court wants to annihilate us. We might as well fight them to the death!

If we can’t hold Taizhou, then we’ll find another place to continue the rebellion. Jiangnan, this land of milk and honey, is not suited for rebellion, so we’ll go to the barren lands of the northwest. Perhaps most of us will die along the way, but as long as we brothers persist, someone will surely live to see the day the Great Yu falls!” a man with a scarred face proclaimed heroically.

Unfortunately, such a performance was destined to be futile. Once confidence was lost, it couldn’t be restored with a few words. If it could, the phrase “collapsing morale” wouldn’t exist.

Even those who paid no attention to current affairs knew that the once-mighty Lianghuai Uprising was now nearing its end. Rebel armies across the region were being crushed one after another. Their battered remnant force alone was powerless to turn the tide.

It was already late autumn, and the climate no longer hindered the government army’s combat effectiveness. Favorable timing, geographical advantage, and popular support—the Rebel Army possessed none of these. With what could they possibly overthrow the court’s rule?

Realizing that he could not sway their hearts, Huang Renlong raised his bowl, drained the wine in one gulp, and then smashed the bowl on the ground.

With a loud crash, Huang Renlong gave a cold command, “Distribute the money!”

As a rebel commander who had grown up terrified of poverty, he would never have parted with money that had fallen into his hands if he had any other choice.

But things were different now. Weighed down by a great amount of wealth, they wouldn’t be able to escape. He chose to distribute the money to his men partly to buy their loyalty one last time, and partly to set them up as decoys.

Having been in the smuggled salt business for over a decade, he had dealt with the government army countless times and knew very well that these men wouldn’t lift a finger without profit.

He wasn’t some famous figure known throughout the land. Based solely on the portrait on a wanted poster, it would be difficult for a government soldier to recognize him at a glance. With a bit of disguise, he could pass as a common soldier and escape with his life.

When it was impossible to distinguish the rebel chief, whoever carried the most money would become the primary target for the government soldiers.

A single person carrying a large sum might not be noticed, but a group of people carrying heavy riches would definitely be exposed. If his personal soldiers were all laden with treasure, the government army could easily mistake them for rebel leaders.

Even if the plan failed, it didn’t matter. When fleeing for one’s life, traveling light always allows one to run faster. There were still nearly one hundred thousand men, women, and children in Taizhou City. The government army couldn’t possibly capture them all in a short time.

It didn’t matter if you couldn’t outrun the government soldiers. As long as you could outrun your comrades, that’s all that mattered.

Midnight.

“What’s happening outside?”

Li Mu, jolted awake from his sleep, hurriedly asked a guard.

“Lord Chiliarch, the rebel army is breaking out!”

Upon hearing this news, Li Mu could no longer be bothered with sleep.

“Pass the order! Tell all officers and soldiers to prepare for battle!”

As he gave the command, he stood up and donned his armor.

Although his role in the siege of Taizhou had been that of a spectator who doubled as the reserve force, he wasn’t supposed to act without a direct order from the Marquis of Wuyang under normal circumstances. His colleagues responsible for the assault wouldn’t want him interfering in the main battle either.

But on the battlefield, it was never wrong to be cautious. It was better to be prepared and waiting for the commander’s order than to still be asleep when it arrived. The Marquis of Wuyang might seem easygoing, but if military operations were truly delayed, his expression would change in the blink of an eye.

The sounds of shouting and killing grew louder. From the commotion outside, it was clear that nearby friendly troops had clashed with the escaping rebels.

“Big Wu, please bring Mr. Zhou over. I have something to ask him.”

Amidst the chaos outside, Li Mu suddenly remembered that there was someone in his camp who knew the rebels well.

“Mr. Zhou, the Lord Chiliarch has summoned you!”

Hearing this, Zong Guangtai, who had just been woken up, jumped in fright.

Ever since his last meeting with Li Mu, he had been on pins and needles. His intuition told him that Li Mu had discovered there was something amiss with his identity but, for some reason, hadn’t exposed him on the spot.

They hadn’t met again in the following days, but deep down, Zong Guangtai’s terror grew. A person who saw through his identity but chose not to expose him must have some other motive. He had tried to escape several times, but the camp’s security was too tight, and each attempt ended in failure.

“Sir, may I ask why the Lord Chiliarch has summoned me?” Zong Guangtai asked tentatively.

His time in the camp had not been spent in vain. He had managed to find out about Li Mu’s background. Although the Great Yu Dynasty subscribed to the societal attitude of valuing civil pursuits over martial ones, this was a general trend and didn’t apply to every individual. A military official like Li Mu, with a significant background and real power, was someone even the Zong family, at its zenith, could not afford to slight.

Fallen to his current state, the only thing of value on him left to covet was the Zong family’s hidden wealth. Unfortunately, this wealth was scattered and hidden, managed by multiple people. In his position, he only knew the location of one such cache. It consisted mainly of books; the gold, silver, and jewels within would be an astronomical sum for a commoner, but it was nothing to an aristocratic family.

It wasn’t that the Zong family had no money, but they simply hadn’t anticipated their family would meet such a swift and catastrophic end. The family’s wealth was mainly tied up in their businesses and properties, and there had been no time to transfer it.

“He told you to come, so get a move on. How the hell would I know what the Lord Chiliarch is thinking? Calling you Mr. Zhou is me giving you face. Don’t you start thinking you’re actually a scholar!”

Hearing the soldier’s grumbling from outside, the courage Zong Guangtai had just mustered instantly evaporated.

There was nothing he could do. Li Mu paid him no mind. Advisor Lan, who had initially treated him with respect, had also decisively distanced himself after realizing there might be a problem with his identity. Without anyone looking out for him, Zong Guangtai’s position in the camp had suddenly become awkward.

“This student will go at once. I’ll trouble you to lead the way, Sir!” Zong Guangtai said in a panic.

When under another’s roof, one must bow one’s head.

Even though he was once famous throughout Jiangnan, he was now nothing more than a prisoner. If he angered the brutish soldier before him, he might even get a beating. He had already experienced the fists of the patrol soldiers after a failed escape attempt.

He arrived before Li Mu, trembling with fear all the way, only to be met by a pair of sharp eyes.

“Mr. Zhou, have you been getting used to your stay in the camp recently?”

Hearing that familiar yet alien voice, Zong Guangtai’s body suddenly swayed, and he nearly fell to the ground.

It would be a cold day in hell before he could get used to life as a prisoner. It was safe to say that he had endured more hardship recently than in the first thirty-plus years of his life combined. Even in the rebel camp, he had been the high and mighty Mr. Zong, whom no one dared to provoke.

“Thank you for your concern, Lord Chiliarch. This student has been doing fine!” Zong Guangtai replied, forcing back the urge to complain.

Reason told him that complaining was pointless. His miserable life in the camp would never have happened without the tacit approval of the man before him.

“Since you’re accustomed to it, Mr. Zhou, there’s no need to change your accommodations for now. The rebels are breaking out. With a mind as brilliant as yours, I’m sure you can guess where Huang Renlong will go next. If you can help us capture the rebel chief, it would count as atoning for your crimes with meritorious service,” Li Mu said with a half-smile.

With the formidable support of the Great Yu Dynasty, he had gathered a great deal of intelligence on the rebels recently. Piecing together information from various sources, he was almost certain that this Mr. Zhou was none other than the Zong family’s great scholar who had gone missing from the rebel camp.

He deliberately didn’t expose his identity because the moment he did, it would be the end for the man before him. As a scion from a loyal and upstanding family of the Great Yu, Li Mu could not possibly associate with conspirators. No matter how talented Zong Guangtai was, the moment his identity was revealed, he would have to die. The only question would be whether he was executed on the spot or handed over to the court for execution.

“Lord Chiliarch, the rebel Huang Renlong is cunning by nature, and he has many hideouts. I am not certain where he intends to flee now. However, this student knows of several of his secret hideouts and can provide them to you, Your Excellency!” Zong Guangtai said, gritting his teeth.

The Zong family had been Huang Renlong’s benefactor. If not for their patronage, Huang Renlong would have been a mere salt boiler, and he never would have risen to such prominence. But in the end, the subordinate they had single-handedly supported not only usurped his patrons’ position but also massacred the entire Zong family.

At the thought of his wife, children, and elders, Zong Guangtai could no longer contain his hatred for Huang Renlong. Even if it meant cooperating with the imperial court, he had to see that traitor dead.

“Bring a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone. I’ll have to trouble Mr. Zhou to write down all of the rebel chief’s secret hideouts on this paper!” Li Mu said with a smile.

Some things were always good to have prepared in advance. If it proved useless, it would only be a waste of some ink and paper. But if it proved useful, it would be another meritorious deed to his name.

Chapter 94: The Court Does Not Support Useless Officials

The night was the best cover. Faced with a ceaseless tide of rebels, the limited government army simply couldn’t kill them all.

This was especially true of the elderly, weak, women, and children who fled; they would drop to their knees and beg for mercy, severely impeding the government army’s pace.

It was clear that these people were providing cover for the able-bodied men to escape.

But the young officers, whose moral compasses were still intact, still ordered that their surrender be accepted.

Time ticked by. As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, the great battle gradually drew to a close.

“Reporting to the Lord Commander, the Eastern City’s Thousand-household Fort killed over three thousand rebels and captured more than twenty thousand last night.”

“Lord Commander, the Western City’s Thousand-household Fort killed over two thousand eight hundred rebels and captured more than twenty thousand last night.”

“Lord Commander, the Central City Fort killed over two thousand rebels and captured more than sixteen thousand last night.”

…

Hearing that all four of the Thousand-household Forts had reaped great rewards and turned the tide of the battle, the smile never left the Marquis of Wuyang’s face.

Although they hadn’t captured the rebel chief, Taizhou City was retaken.

The reputation of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was saved, and by extension, so was his reputation as its commander. The rest were just minor details.

Huang Renlong was the de facto rebel chief, but for political reasons, the Zong family were the ones officially wanted by the authorities.

The members of the Zong family had died in rebel infighting. With a little artistic license, this could be spun into a victory for the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

“The battle was well fought. Send word to Cabinet Elder Xu and the Six Ministries in Nanjing, and tell them to immediately dispatch men to take control of Taizhou City,” the Marquis of Wuyang ordered with a smile.

Taizhou was now an empty city with nothing of value to take over, but the captured prisoners were a huge problem.

The four Thousand-household Forts had taken nearly seventy thousand prisoners in total. Over ninety percent were elderly, weak, women, and children—mostly the families of the rebels.

He couldn’t just ignore them, but he didn’t have the heart to have them all taken out and executed.

Unable to find a perfect solution, the best choice was to pass the buck.

Governing localities was the responsibility of civil officials; they had to take this blame.

“Lord Commander, while cleaning up the remaining rebels, we found in the city the captured…”

Before Chiliarch Zhao could finish, the Marquis of Wuyang’s face suddenly darkened.

“Your men must have been mistaken!

The nobility of our Great Yu are all men of unyielding integrity. How could they possibly become prisoners of rebels?

It must be that some people were impersonating them, trying to ruin their reputations.

If you encounter such despicable villains, just deal with them directly. Spare our eyes the sight of them!”

It would be one thing if one or two were defeated and captured. But for a whole group of sons from noble and imperial in-law families to be taken prisoner would be a colossal joke if word got out.

For their respective families, it was better to have such a son who disgraced the family name die than to let him live.

At the very least, if they had died for their country in battle, they could have received commendations from the court.

From the moment they were sent out, these pawns had already been considered dead in the eyes of those in power.

To put it bluntly, killing all these fellows would drastically improve public order in the capital; the crime rate would drop by at least thirty percent.

“The Lord Commander’s lesson is right. This is all a rebel conspiracy.

Unable to defeat us on the battlefield, they resort to such despicable means to slander our comrades who died in battle!” Zhao Yawei hastily added, correcting himself.

This brief exchange sealed the fate of the crowd of profligate sons.

Of all those present, not a single one spoke up for those unlucky bastards.

From the empire’s perspective, a purge like this was far from enough.

If all the profligate sons in the realm could be eliminated, the Great Yu Dynasty’s fortunes could last at least another thirty years.

Most of the miscarriages of justice among the common people were caused by this bunch.

Without these parasites, the quality of the ruling class would rise by a whole level.

As the meeting concluded, the southern campaign of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions also came to an end.

Local governance was a forbidden territory for military officials; they certainly couldn’t meddle in it.

Even the Marquis of Wuyang was not qualified to interfere directly in the matter of salt administration reform, let alone an inconspicuous Chiliarch like Li Mu.

It was enough for him to have made a fortune along the way.

The huge prize that was the salt industry was a dish for the big shots; he didn’t covet it in the slightest.

With time on his hands, Li Mu began to consider his next steps, a concern shared by all the commanders of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions.

For the sake of the war, everyone had privately expanded their forces.

Now that the fighting was over, the excess soldiers posed a considerable problem.

They were reluctant to simply disband them.

As military officials who could be sent to the battlefield at any time, having a combat-ready force on hand was invaluable.

But keeping them all as household retainers would be a heavy financial burden.

It would be fine if their next post was a lucrative one, but if they were sent to a poor government office, maintaining soldiers would be a troublesome affair.

Aside from a small few who had been terrified by the war and wanted to return to their posts in the capital, most of the men got busy.

All sorts of connections were put into motion. For a time, letters flew back and forth, all in an effort to secure a good position.

As the most accessible patron, the Marquis of Wuyang’s tent was as crowded as a marketplace.

Li Mu keenly noticed that the atmosphere in the camp had changed.

The southern campaign of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had become a merit production machine.

Even an ordinary officer had dozens, if not hundreds, of severed heads to his name.

According to Great Yu law, all of them had undoubtedly met the basic requirements for promotion as military officials.

With so many officers awaiting promotion at once, there certainly weren’t enough desirable positions in the court to go around.

Moreover, besides the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, the capital garrisons were also a stronghold for the sons of the nobility.

While this side had reaped great rewards, the other side’s combat record was even more impressive.

Everyone got their position through connections, so the competition would only be more intense.

Those from families with few sons were in a better position; as long as they showed some potential, they would receive the full support of their clan.

The worst off were those with many brothers. Siblings, cousins, uncles, and nephews—many were serving in the military and all happened to be facing promotion at the same time.

Limited resources could not cover everyone, and the court would not allow a single family to become too dominant. It was fated that some would have to make sacrifices in their careers.

Even blood brothers would find their private relationships affected by their personal careers.

The impact was even greater when yesterday’s colleagues and friends suddenly became rivals on the path of officialdom.

Compared to most of his peers, Li Mu’s situation was relatively good.

Although he was not from the main line of the Marquis’s Mansion, his undeniable potential had earned him the attention of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

The distribution of a family’s political resources depended on bloodline, but also on the potential of its scions.

The head of the family had a great deal of say in who received support and who didn’t.

Prioritizing the cultivation of the most outstanding sons in the clan was in the family’s best interest, and no one else could object.

As the one who earned the top honors for the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, he represented the reputation of the government office to some extent, as well as the personal preference of the Marquis of Wuyang.

The Ministry of War and the Chief Military Commission would certainly take these factors into account when considering appointments.

Which specific position he would get still required behind-the-scenes maneuvering, but at least it wouldn’t be too bad.

While others scrambled and schemed, Li Mu found himself with time to spare.

Even the operation to capture Huang Renlong was postponed indefinitely.

It wasn’t that he was derelict in his duties; it was simply the rules of the military.

Without authorization from the commander-in-chief, a subordinate general had no right to mobilize troops.

Besides, the limited clues he had couldn’t guarantee the capture of the rebel chief.

Volunteering for a task and then failing to complete it was a major taboo in official circles.

Especially at a critical juncture before a promotion, it was better to do less than more, and making no mistakes was a merit in itself.

…

Yangzhou City.

Upon receiving the report of the victory, Cabinet Elder Xu felt a massive headache coming on.

He had been in the south for so long, and not a single good thing had come his way, only one trouble after another.

The government army’s recapture of Taizhou City was a joyous event, but the more than seventy thousand prisoners left behind were a hot potato.

The military officials hadn’t killed the surrendered prisoners, so as the leader of the Pure Stream faction, he certainly couldn’t.

Pardoning them was out of the question. No matter how conciliatory one wished to be, there was no sense in pardoning rebels.

According to past practice, the court usually subjected accomplices in rebellions to exile and military servitude.

After all, those who could rebel were usually able-bodied men; the old, weak, women, and children would have long perished in the chaos of war.

Killing them directly would be too much of a waste. It was better to make use of them, which would also demonstrate the court’s benevolence.

But the situation with the prisoners captured by the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was special. They hadn’t caught many able-bodied men, but they had rounded up a whole crowd of the elderly, weak, women, and children.

If they were exiled to serve in the army, they would probably all drop dead before even reaching their destination.

Even if some were lucky enough to survive, the border army wouldn’t take them.

“Huaichang, what do you think should be done with these people?”

Xu Wenyue asked, putting down the document in his hand.

“Cabinet Elder, our dynasty has no precedent for such a matter.

They are rebels, after all. If we are too lenient, we cannot justify it.

But the people of the world sympathize with the weak, so if we are too harsh, it will damage your esteemed reputation.

Why don’t we lock them up for now and report it to the court to ask for His Majesty’s decision?” Hou Huaichang said with some hesitation.

A major reason why the Pure Stream Faction officials were not favored by the Emperor was that whenever they encountered a difficult problem, they would often shift the blame to him.

Natural disasters were due to the Emperor’s lack of virtue, the court’s financial deficit was due to the Emperor’s extravagance, and defeats on the frontline were due to the Emperor’s failure to appoint worthy ministers…

Yet this group of “worthy ministers” was only responsible for identifying problems, never for solving them.

“Inappropriate!”

Xu Wenyue shook his head in disappointment.

As a member of the Grand Secretariat from the Pure Stream faction, Xu Wenyue was not a simple Pure Stream official.

Compared to his colleagues, he had political ambitions.

He couldn’t dedicate his life to the country until his last breath, but he still wanted to get things done when it was within his power.

When faced with a problem, shifting the blame to the Emperor was the easiest path, but it would also cause him to lose the Emperor’s trust.

Emperor Tianyuan was not an easy man to fool. The few Pure Stream grandees who had tried that before were all now back home farming.

“Cabinet Elder, if we do not report this to the court, then we might as well wait and see for a bit.

We’re not the only ones with prisoners; Huai’an Prefecture must have its share as well.

We can first see what the Eunuch Faction does. If it’s appropriate, we can follow their example.

Even if it leads to undesirable consequences, we can, if necessary, frame the Eunuch Faction to take the blame!”

Hearing Hou Huaichang’s new suggestion, Xu Wenyue nodded in satisfaction.

Shifting the blame to a colleague was much safer than shifting it to the Emperor.

Even if the matter were to be exposed, the Pure Stream Faction would insist that the Eunuch Faction was responsible.

“Send a message to the Marquis of Wuyang. Tell him to guard the prisoners on my behalf for the time being. I will send the necessary grain and fodder to him as soon as possible.

Send someone to press the Nanjing Ministry of Revenue. Tell them to hurry up and gather the grain. I’ll give them seven more days at most.

If they still haven’t gathered three hundred thousand shi of grain by the deadline, they can just go home.

The court does not support useless officials!

Tell the Minister of Personnel that if he still can’t find a suitable candidate, I, as a Cabinet Elder, will submit a memorial to the court recommending him for the position of Yangzhou’s prefect.”

Xu Wenyue said coldly.

The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel were the most powerful departments in the Great Yu, but that applied to the ones in the capital, not these retirement sinecures in Nanjing.

As a Cabinet member, it wasn’t difficult for him to deal with these marginalized, pension-drawing officials.

Having climbed the ladder step by step himself, Xu Wenyue understood the thinking of these officials better than anyone.

The reason for the delay was simply that none of them wanted to take responsibility.

And if his subordinates didn’t take responsibility, then that responsibility would be transferred to him, the Imperial Commissioner.

The current trouble was, in essence, caused by the inaction of these two departments, which was why the trouble had found its way to him.

If the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel had appointed officials as soon as vacancies appeared in the prefectures below, then all these matters could have been thrown to his subordinates to handle.

As the Imperial Commissioner, he would only need to supervise their work.

If things went wrong, it would be his subordinates’ responsibility, and he would only bear supervisory responsibility.

He wouldn’t be in his current situation, where he had to handle every single matter personally, not to mention carrying a mountain of responsibility on his shoulders.

…

Taizhou City.

After ten long days of cleanup, the bodies were finally cleared from the city.

Stepping into this ancient city, all he could see were scars and wounds. Li Mu’s eyes couldn’t help but moisten.

The destructive power of war was simply too immense.

A single rebellion had utterly destroyed a prefectural city.

To restore its former prosperity, it would be difficult to recover without several decades of recuperation.

“Lord Chiliarch, in the neighboring camps, the number of sick prisoners has increased dramatically.

Many have started vomiting. According to the army physician, it might be a plague!”

Hearing the news from Lan Linjie, Li Mu’s face instantly turned dark.

The battle of Taizhou had been fought by the other four Thousand-household Forts, and they were the ones responsible for guarding the prisoners they had captured.

In his heart, Li Mu had already cursed his colleagues and their entire families.

In this era of backward medical conditions, the lethality of a plague was no less than that of war.

They knew how terrible a plague could be, yet they failed to take timely preventative measures.

If even he had received the news, the plague must have emerged in the camp more than a day or two ago.

Li Mu had no way of knowing whether it was due to their lack of experience in dealing with plagues, or if they were too busy jockeying for promotions and had neglected camp management.

In any case, he knew the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were in big trouble.

The prisoner camps were mostly filled with the elderly, weak, women, and children, and a plague’s lethality was greatest among these people.

If a large number of prisoners were to die, the censors, who spent their days picking faults with every official, would certainly not let go of this opportunity to cause trouble.

“Pass down my orders! From now on, no one is to drink unboiled water. All food must be thoroughly cooked.

Anyone found to be ill must be immediately isolated for treatment.

Tell the soldiers not to wander around visiting other places when they have nothing to do, and especially forbid them from going to the barracks where the plague has broken out,” Li Mu commanded at once.

Chapter 95: No Permanent Enemies

“You lot are really something else!”

“A plague breaking out in the camp is such a critical matter, yet you failed to report it at the earliest opportunity.

Could it be that with your promotions imminent, you think your current positions no longer matter, so you might as well shirk your duties altogether?

It seems This Marquis, your Commander, carries no weight at all.

Fine, your wings have grown stiff.

This Marquis will grant you your wish right now. Any of you who don’t want to do your job can just get lost!

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions might be short on some things, but never on people who want to be officials.

…”

Facing the Marquis of Wuyang’s incessant tirade, the officers all lowered their heads.

Having made such a colossal blunder, a scolding was well-deserved.

They couldn’t even find a suitable excuse if they wanted to defend themselves.

“Lord Commander, please calm your anger!

What’s done is done. The most urgent task now is to organize plague control and do everything possible to contain its spread to the outside.”

Under the pleading gazes of his colleagues, Li Mu braced himself and stepped forward to mediate.

He felt quite vexed himself. He bore no responsibility for this, yet not only did he have to endure the scolding alongside them, but he also had to help put out the fire.

Now that the plague had broken out, it would inevitably lead to a large number of prisoner deaths.

A reasonable person would know that a great plague often follows a great war.

The real fear was that some unscrupulous individuals would seize upon the incident, refusing to let it go and pinning a heap of accusations on them.

Slander couldn’t kill a man, but it was incredibly irritating.

“Hmph!”

With a cold snort, the Marquis of Wuyang said irritably.

“This Marquis will give you one more chance to atone for your crime by performing a meritorious service. If you fail to contain the spread of the epidemic, you know the consequences.

Perhaps This Marquis cannot decide which post you are promoted to, but I damn well have the power to stop you from being promoted at all.

The front lines in Liaodong are short on men. His Majesty has always hoped for his courtiers to recommend worthy talents.

If any of you believe yourselves to be exceptionally talented, This Marquis wouldn’t mind helping you achieve your ambitions!”

It was clear that the Marquis of Wuyang was truly enraged now, even resorting to direct threats.

The scene was indeed a bit awkward, but the effect was immediate and overwhelming, extinguishing any thoughts the officers had of slacking off.

If they were thrown to the Liaodong front, people really did die there.

Even Li Mu, who was not directly involved, was startled by the Marquis’s extreme reaction.

Especially upon hearing the words “exceptionally talented,” Li Mu felt as if they were a veiled jab at him.

He wasn’t sure if his colleagues had been messing around, but he himself had done nothing.

However, such feelings weren’t always one hundred percent accurate, so he certainly couldn’t step up and claim the accusation for himself.

“Rest assured, Lord Commander, we will do our utmost!” the generals responded in unison.

Back in the capital, they dared to disregard the Marquis of Wuyang because he had no leverage over them.

But now, their career prospects for the rest of their lives were on the line here. No one dared to test the waters.

“Since you have the will, then hurry up and get to it!”

The Marquis of Wuyang waved his hand irritably, gesturing for them to leave.

Just as he was about to leave with the others, Li Mu was held back by the Marquis’s gaze.

“My Lord, you asked me to stay. For what matter, may I ask?”

Li Mu inquired with apprehension.

His direct superior was in a foul mood, and he had been kept behind for no clear reason. He felt completely uncertain.

“After the plague was discovered, your camp began to move. Why did you not report it at the first opportunity?”

Faced with the Marquis of Wuyang’s question, Li Mu immediately understood the problem.

When the commander-in-chief delegated authority, a minor repositioning of a camp wasn’t a major issue.

The real mistake was that when he moved his camp, he hadn’t immediately asked the commander-in-chief to move with him.

When a plague wreaked havoc, it never discriminated based on status. Whoever caught it would have to walk through the gates of hell.

His choice to relocate the camp was purely an instinctual desire to distance himself from the plague.

He never imagined that such a small matter would be held against him by his direct superior.

“My Lord, is it possible that I sent someone with a formal document, and you simply haven’t had a chance to read it yet?”

Li Mu replied in a hushed tone.

Fortunately, he was a cautious man by habit. When he ordered the camp to be moved, he had also sent someone to deliver a formal document.

Otherwise, he really would have had a hard time explaining himself today.

“Foolish!”

“For a matter of such importance, how could you use a formal document? Don’t you know that speed is paramount in war?!”

The Marquis of Wuyang reprimanded him irritably.

Confirming that he hadn’t been backstabbed by a subordinate, most of his anger had already subsided.

Being notified and not being notified were two entirely different concepts.

No one could tolerate a subordinate they had cultivated abandoning them to save his own skin at the first sign of trouble.

“Your Lordship’s lesson is well-received. I have learned from it!”

Li Mu decisively chose to back down.

Defying one’s direct superior was never the act of a wise man.

“Forget it. This Marquis won’t hold this against you this time.

Later, draft a military report on Yangzhou Prefecture, as well as a plan for handling the post-war situation.”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s words made Li Mu startle slightly.

A report of this level was not something a minor Chiliarch like him was qualified to draft.

Especially since his current status was that of a visiting force; the aftermath in Yangzhou Prefecture had nothing to do with him.

Either the Marquis of Wuyang was acting on a whim, or this was related to his new appointment and he needed to be tested.

The probability of it being a whim was low; there was no point in doing so.

“My Lord, is there a chance for me to remain in Yangzhou for a post?”

Li Mu asked nervously.

As one of the ten great prefectures in the realm, Yangzhou, even after being ravaged by war, was still a hot commodity.

In its heyday, any single county under Yangzhou Prefecture was more prosperous than many remote prefectures.

Serving in such a highly developed economic region was far better than being in an inland prefecture.

Even if the assigned position was slightly less desirable, in an economically developed area like this, making money was very convenient.

In the capital, Li Mu didn’t dare to make waves, as there were too many powerful and noble figures. The slightest misstep could bring disaster upon him.

But things were different in Yangzhou Prefecture. In the provinces, he himself would be among the powerful.

The Seven Great Families of the Lianghuai region had been uprooted, a large number of gentry had been slaughtered by the rebels, and a massive power vacuum had opened up in the local interests.

With his connections to the local gentry of Yangzhou and his own background, if he could secure a post here, he could definitely take a piece of the pie.

When he had met his uncle earlier, he had already expressed his wish to stay in Yangzhou.

The ideal position was Commander of the Yangzhou garrison.

Although its potential for advancement was not high, the position was incredibly lucrative.

After the war, the military lands of the Yangzhou garrison that had been seized were all returned with interest.

If he could secure the position, Li Mu wouldn’t mind enclosing the surrounding unclaimed lands near the military farms as well.

Hundreds of thousands of mu of prime fertile land could more than support a full-sized garrison post.

Combined with the geographical advantages, he could run a few small businesses on the side. Life would be blissfully prosperous.

However, the probability of success was not high. He had his eye on this prize, but so did others.

Snatching food from a tiger’s mouth in front of numerous sons of dukes and marquises was no simple task.

Even if the Marquis’s Mansion were to pull strings for him, it would come at a great cost.

After all, a nephew was still a step removed. It might be a different story if he were a son.

Li Mu had also tried to lobby his current direct superior.

Unfortunately, the Marquis of Wuyang was a seasoned old hand in the court. He only promised to recommend him to the court.

He never gave a clear promise about what specific position he could get, nor did he guarantee that he could stay in Yangzhou.

“Why do you ask so many questions? If I tell you to write it, then just write it.

Where you serve is naturally for the court to decide.

As a general, one must…”

Li Mu automatically tuned out the rest of the Marquis of Wuyang’s words, his mind completely filled with the thought of staying in Yangzhou Prefecture.

“Thank you for your patronage, My Lord!

In the future, if Your Lordship has any command, I will do my utmost to carry it out!”

Li Mu immediately pledged.

Compared to directly offering gifts, he felt that making grand promises to his superior was a more viable approach.

His political intuition told him that with the Marquis of Wuyang’s influence, he would most likely be able to claim a slice of the cake from the Lianghuai salt industry.

Since he had interests here, he would need someone to watch over them, lest others coveted them.

The foundations of Great Yu’s imperial in-laws were not deep. The Marquis of Wuyang’s branch had risen to prominence after Emperor Tianyuan ascended the throne, and he didn’t have many followers in court.

A subordinate like Li Mu, who had followed him through campaigns north and south, could barely be considered a confidant, despite the short time they had known each other.

To arrange for someone to look after his family’s interests, the flexible and resourceful Li Mu was definitely a good choice.

If the Marquis of Wuyang was willing to put in the effort, it was highly probable that he could secure the position of Yangzhou’s Garrison Commander.

Even if the competition in Yangzhou was fierce, settling for a position in Huai’an Prefecture would also be acceptable to Li Mu.

Failing that, a post in a neighboring prefecture would also be a good choice.

There were few poor prefectures in the Jiangnan region.

“Mm, you may go and prepare,” the Marquis of Wuyang said, waving his hand with a neutral expression.

He hadn’t refused directly, so Li Mu knew the matter was halfway to success. The other half depended on who his competitors were.

With that small interlude over, plague prevention suddenly became the main task in the army.

After Li Mu moved his camp, the Marquis of Wuyang followed suit, moving his command camp far away from Taizhou City.

The other four Thousand-household Forts, mired in the plague, were in a miserable state. Their camps were filled with sick soldiers, and there were simply not enough resources to treat them all.

Even though the Marquis of Wuyang sent multiple dispatches to Nanjing’s Six Ministries requesting famous physicians and medicinal herbs, it couldn’t solve the dire shortage of medical resources.

The treatment efforts progressed slowly, but the prevention work was done rather well.

Li Mu had little to do. The bit of knowledge he possessed wasn’t any kind of secret.

The experience of his ancestors in preventing plagues could be traced back a thousand years, and by the Great Yu Dynasty, it was already relatively well-developed.

After speaking with several famous physicians, Li Mu was astonished to discover that their research on plagues was far deeper than he had imagined.

According to them, plagues were caused by a “baleful aura,” which was generated in specific natural environments.

Because plagues often occurred after wars and major disasters, these men believed the “baleful aura” was related to the decomposition of corpses.

The preventive measures they proposed included cremating the bodies of patients and quarantining the sick.

Not only was slaked lime scattered throughout the camp, but after contact with patients, they also used high-proof alcohol for disinfection.

At the strong insistence of these physicians, all water for daily consumption and bathing was boiled.

Even everyone’s changed clothes were required to be thrown into water and steamed at high temperatures.

After witnessing this series of procedures, Li Mu began to suspect he had run into a fellow transmigrator.

Only after interacting with several of these distinguished physicians and seeing how accustomed they were to these measures did Li Mu confirm that this was simply the normal level of plague prevention in the Great Yu Dynasty.

The biggest problem in preventing and controlling a plague had never been a technical one, but one of execution.

An authoritarian institution like a military camp didn’t have so many people asking why. It didn’t matter whether the measures were accepted or not.

A single order from the commander was enough to make those below obey without question.

The captives in the prisoner-of-war camp had even less right to say no.

This wouldn’t work in other regions. The executive power of local governments could never be this high.

In an era where imperial power did not extend below the county level, if the local clans refused to listen, the government offices were often powerless.

After a month of struggle, Taizhou, where the plague was first discovered, also became the first area to bring the epidemic under control.

On the contrary, places like Yangzhou, Huaian, and South Tongzhou, where the plague was discovered later, became the hardest-hit areas where the epidemic ran rampant.

For a time, the mere mention of the plague in the Lianghuai region made everyone’s face pale with fear.

Just as the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions were gradually restoring order, a formal document arrived, shattering the peace.

“My Lord, why would Cabinet Elder Xu think of inviting us into Yangzhou City?”

Looking at the document in his hand, Li Mu’s first reaction was that it was impossible.

Although they say a prime minister’s heart is big enough to sail a boat in, that was best treated as a story. Apply it to the official world, and you would most likely end up dead and gone without a trace.

Li Mu had personally witnessed the conflict between Cabinet Elder Xu and the Marquis of Wuyang. There was no way the two would reconcile so easily.

“What’s so strange about it? The situation in Yangzhou City is far from ideal right now.

The plague is rampant throughout the Lianghuai region. We military men have managed to contain it.

As a court Cabinet Elder, he has allowed the plague to spread unchecked under his governance. What will the people of the realm think of that?

He can’t possibly admit that he, the Cabinet Elder, is an incompetent fraud whose actual ability to govern is worse than us military brutes, can he?”

The Marquis of Wuyang said with a chuckle.

It was obvious that he was in a very good mood.

Forcing a sitting Cabinet Elder to bow his head first was a matter of great face.

“My Lord, in that case, do you think we should dispatch troops?”

Li Mu asked with concern.

Because of the trap the Marquis of Wuyang had laid before, Cabinet Elder Xu’s control over Yangzhou had always been superficial.

Not only was he at odds with the local gentry, but the soldiers in the government offices were also mostly feigning compliance while acting in opposition.

To put it bluntly, even with the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions fifty kilometers away, the Marquis of Wuyang’s influence over Yangzhou was greater than Cabinet Elder Xu’s.

This influence was earned through slaughter and had nothing to do with official rank.

Everyone in Yangzhou City knew that if you offended the Marquis of Wuyang, he could send troops to slaughter your entire family.

Even though the Marquis had never done such a thing, everyone believed he was capable of it, which was as good as having done it.

Even though the Ministry of Personnel had sent officials to fill the vacant posts in the government offices, this influence could not be diminished in the short term.

A Cabinet Elder with insufficient control over his subordinates was bound to have low executive power.

To change this predicament, the first thing he needed to do was reconcile with the Marquis of Wuyang.

Otherwise, with the two magnates constantly engaged in a contest of power, the people below wouldn’t dare to serve Cabinet Elder Xu with their full hearts.

“Of course we’re going!

There are some things you haven’t been exposed to yet. In the future, when you hold a high position, you will understand that there are no permanent enemies in officialdom.

The other Chiliarchs all have official duties. This time, you will lead the men and accompany me on a trip to Yangzhou.”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s reply left Li Mu feeling rather speechless.

To hell with “no permanent enemies.” It was simply a case of both sides having a common interest that required a short-term alliance.

The Emperor wanted to see the imperial in-laws and the Civil Official Bloc at odds with each other.

Teaming up once in a while was acceptable, but if they truly formed a political alliance, the Emperor would turn on him without a second thought, regardless of whether he was the national uncle or not.

Throughout history, countless imperial in-laws who had fallen from power did so because they had fundamentally misunderstood their own positions, leading to political disaster.

With so many lessons from past failures, the clever ones who came after learned to be more astute.

They knew what they could and could not do.

If he hadn’t understood all this, the Marquis of Wuyang wouldn’t have kept tormenting Cabinet Elder Xu just for the sake of a petty dispute.

Chapter 96: The Great Explosion in the Capital

Stepping into Yangzhou City again, the sight that greeted him was a completely different scene. The once bustling streets had become deserted.

Under the ravages of the plague, merchants and travelers had long since vanished from Yangzhou, and the city’s residents no longer dared to venture outside.

Except for a few merchants dealing in grain, oil, and daily necessities, who were ordered by the authorities to remain open, business on the streets had long since dried up.

Leading his soldiers into the city, Li Mu skillfully took over Yangzhou’s defenses and began directing the plague prevention efforts.

The soldiers under him were all familiar faces; many were men he had recruited himself.

Those who dared to feign compliance while acting in opposition had all been sent to be cannon fodder. By now, grass was growing on their graves.

The gentry within the city were also very cooperative, not stepping out to cause trouble.

The same plague prevention orders, after a change in the person in charge, were implemented with instantly greater force.

The officials of the Yangzhou Prefecture watched this, feeling quite resentful.

“Cabinet Elder, the people below only recognize the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions, not the Yangzhou Prefecture office.

If this continues, I fear it will lead to a great disaster!”

Ren Renming said with a frown.

As the prefect of Yangzhou, he was deeply resentful of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions for this power grab.

In his vision of plague prevention, the soldiers of the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions would listen to his commands and carry out the preventive measures.

Not this current situation, where all matters in the city, big or small, had been taken over by those brutes, turning him, the prefect, into a mere figurehead.

“What great disaster could there be?

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions is the capital’s garrison force. They can handle daily affairs in the capital, so why can’t they manage affairs in Yangzhou!”

Xu Wenyue said irritably.

Looking at this acting prefect appointed by the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel before him, he was filled with rage.

If it weren’t for this fellow’s incompetence, which led to the plague ravaging the city, he wouldn’t have had to bow his head to the Marquis of Wuyang.

By convention, the army is not allowed to interfere in local government affairs, but the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions was no ordinary army.

This was their job in the capital. Resuming their old trade in a local area was no big deal.

As for overstepping their authority and sidelining the Prefect of Yangzhou, that was just his bad luck. After all, the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions answered directly to the Emperor.

Xu Wenyue didn’t think he had enough influence to force them to obey a local prefect.

“Cabinet Elder, that’s not what I meant.

You are the Imperial Commissioner, yet they act on their own accord without seeking your instructions.

Such arrogance and dominance is a clear sign that they’re using their troops to build their own power…”

Before Ren Renming could finish, Xu Wenyue’s teacup flew towards him.

With a crash, the splashing water drenched him, chilling him to the bone.

Ignoring the blood trickling from his forehead, Ren Renming knew he had thoroughly and utterly offended Cabinet Elder Xu; otherwise, he would never have received such treatment.

“Forgive me, Cabinet Elder!”

“Forgive me, Cabinet Elder!”

…

Ren Renming hastily knelt and begged for mercy.

The other officials present were all terrified. Not a single one dared to step forward to help.

Anyone with any sense knew that Ren Renming had broken a taboo.

In order to vent his own frustration, he had tried to play his games of sowing discord on his own superior.

Using such tactics subtly might have been fine, but this fool didn’t know when to quit, trying it again and again.

“Get out!”

“Don’t let this Cabinet Elder see you again!”

Xu Wenyue said coldly.

He hadn’t shown his authority for a while, and now the people under him dared to treat him like a fool.

This trip south was to achieve results and pave the way for his further advancement, not to get into petty squabbles.

The conflict with the Marquis of Wuyang was just for show, something for the Emperor to see.

Fighting him to the bitter end would bring him no benefit whatsoever.

For the Prefect of Yangzhou, his entire world was the Yangzhou Prefecture, but in the eyes of a Cabinet member like him, it was the entire realm.

Local gains and losses were fundamentally insignificant.

In the depths of his heart, Xu Wenyue’s dissatisfaction with the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel had also reached its peak.

He had asked them to send people over to help get things done, not to stir up trouble.

Ren Renming not only had limited ability, but his judgment was also lacking.

Weren’t they just trying to pile on by sending this kind of person?

If he hadn’t reacted quickly enough to see this man’s true nature, and had kept him by his side in an important position, sooner or later, he would have caused a huge disaster.

Having formed a bad impression, Xu Wenyue also lost any intention of placing the other officials sent by the Nanjing Ministry of Personnel in important positions.

The Pure Stream Faction’s failure in political struggles was primarily because there were too few people willing to do actual work.

It wasn’t because they were incompetent, but simply because doing things meant making mistakes.

Their colleagues wouldn’t look at their achievements; instead, they would fixate on their mistakes and kick them while they were down.

The internal strife seriously affected everyone’s motivation to get things done.

As a result, many officials did absolutely nothing, relying on spouting pleasing bullshit that everyone liked to hear to gain a good reputation and hold high positions.

This kind of game might work with an incompetent ruler, but it stopped working after Emperor Tianyuan ascended the throne.

The Emperor favored pragmatic officials, so those below were forced to change their ways.

That bunch of old-timers from the Six Ministries in Nanjing obviously hadn’t recognized the situation and were still playing the same old game.

After dismissing everyone, Xu Wenyue felt a headache coming on.

The situation in Yangzhou was tricky. Whoever became prefect would have to clean up a huge mess.

Frankly, he really didn’t want to place a trusted subordinate in such a difficult position. The probability of a spectacular failure in the future was just too high.

But now, it seemed he had no choice but to use one of his own men.

Anyone recommended by others would be completely unable to grasp his intentions and follow his lead in governance.

“Huaichang, draft an official recommendation for me. Recommend Hanlin Academy Scholar Gu Youwen for the position of Prefect of Yangzhou, and Vice Director of the Ministry of Revenue Ma Cunchong for Vice Prefect of Yangzhou…”

Xu Wenyue rattled off a string of official appointments in one breath, startling Hou Huaichang.

“Cabinet Elder, I’m afraid this might be improper!”

Hou Huaichang hurriedly advised.

It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with the people he was recommending. On the contrary, they were all quite capable.

If they didn’t have outstanding abilities, they wouldn’t have caught Cabinet Elder Xu’s eye.

The troubling part was that all these people were Xu Wenyue’s protégés and former subordinates.

Placing them all in the Yangzhou Prefecture would be too blatant an act of nepotism and would easily provoke criticism.

“Don’t worry. The Yangzhou Prefecture of today is not the same as before.

Outside of Yangzhou City, the three subordinate prefectures and seven counties have all been breached by rebels, leaving behind a super-sized mess to be cleaned up.

None of the factions would place their promising officials in such hot-potato positions.

For me to take the initiative to recommend people is also a way of sharing the court’s burdens.

Never mind. Given my status as a Cabinet Elder, it is indeed unsuitable for me to recommend them.

Send an invitation to the Marquis of Wuyang. I wish to host a banquet for him!”

In the end, reason prevailed, and Xu Wenyue gave up the idea of recommending them himself.

However, the men still had to be brought over. Otherwise, if the cleanup work couldn’t be completed, he, as a Cabinet Elder, couldn’t hope to extricate himself.

“Cabinet Elder, the Marquis of Wuyang is also an Imperial Commissioner. It would be appropriate for him to step forward and recommend officials for the vacant positions in Yangzhou.

However, he is not on good terms with you. Without sufficient reward, I fear he will not agree easily.”

Hou Huaichang stepped forward to remind him.

Political deals are nothing new in officialdom.

Even old rivals can cooperate when necessary.

The fear was that Xu Wenyue’s need was one-sided, and if the Marquis of Wuyang had no need to make a deal, the price to pay would be high.

“Don’t worry, the needs of those imperial in-laws are different from ours.

The Marquis of Wuyang isn’t enjoying a comfortable life in the capital; he traveled a thousand li to Yangzhou for nothing more than a family enterprise that he can pass down.

There are so many salt fields in the Lianghuai region. If the government manages them directly, they will all be running at a loss within a few years.

Rather than letting the Eunuch Faction ruin them, it’s better to sell them to private operators.

With the Marquis of Wuyang’s status, it wouldn’t be excessive for him to get one or two of them.

Besides, I need people to come and clean up this mess in Yangzhou. Do you think he doesn’t have trusted followers he wants to place?”

Xu Wenyue said disdainfully.

If there’s no need, then create one.

The alliance of the titled nobility, imperial in-laws, and the Eunuch Faction, besides being pushed by the Emperor from behind the scenes, was also about getting a slice of the pie from the salt industry.

The imperial court is in financial difficulty and needs more tax revenue.

Either plunder it from the common people, plunder it from the merchants, or plunder it from the officials.

The first option has already reached its limit. Any further levies would cause the cost of ruling to skyrocket.

The Emperor doesn’t dare to try that lightly, so he can only settle for the next best thing.

The Great Yu Dynasty is a typical example of collusion between officials and merchants. If the Emperor wants to make money, he can only choose to win over one faction to attack another.

It’s like that at the top, and it’s no different at the bottom.

If Xu Wenyue wants to achieve political merits in the salt administration reform, he also needs to bring in more allies.

If he doesn’t break up the alliance between the Eunuch Faction and the imperial in-laws and nobility, who would pay any heed to him, an Imperial Commissioner with no real backing?

…

RUMBLE—!

A deafening roar that soared to the heavens shattered the silent night sky, and the entire capital shuddered.

Under the massive shockwave, countless houses were reduced to rubble, and raging flames illuminated the entire Capital City.

The earthquake triggered by the explosion spread from the capital to Hebei, and the surrounding prefectures all felt the ground shake.

Inside the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Tianyuan, who was busy trying to produce an heir, was thrown clean off his bed by the massive aftershock, his head striking the ground heavily.

“Ah!”

“Summon the Imperial Physicians, quickly!”

…

The Emperor was injured and unconscious. Upon receiving this terrible news, the Empress and the Empress Dowager also fainted.

The numerous imperial concubines in the rear palace were scared into trembling, completely incapable of taking charge of the situation.

The leaderless Imperial Palace instantly fell into chaos, with only a group of eunuchs left to manage affairs.

…

Emperor Tianyuan wasn’t the only unlucky one. Under the violent shockwave, the numerous mansions of the powerful and noble near the epicenter of the explosion were all reduced to rubble.

The Duke of Xing’s Mansion, the Marquis of Nanyang’s Mansion, the Marquis of Pingyuan’s Mansion…

One after another, these illustrious and great noble families all became history along with the great explosion.

Only the raging, burning fires proved that they had once existed.

Chapter 97: Reactions from All Sides

The capital, Wenyuan Pavilion.

The Senior Grand Secretary of Great Yu, who had nearly been killed in last night’s massive explosion, appeared before everyone, supported by his son.

However, his complexion was much worse than before.

“I know what you all want to say, but right now, we need to stabilize the situation.

Everything else can wait until this matter has settled down.

Especially you, Lord Lu. You must keep a close watch on the Censorate during this time and not allow them to stir up trouble.

If anyone tries to cause problems, there’s no need to be polite. Have the Jinyiwei arrest them directly.

The more critical the time, the less we can afford to be soft. Maintaining the stability of the imperial court is our top priority!”

Song Haidong spoke with a murderous air.

To have become the Senior Grand Secretary, he naturally possessed extraordinary qualities.

In normal times, he acted like an affable old man because he was advanced in years and had no desire for further turmoil.

But not wanting to act and not being able to were two different concepts. When he set his mind to something, he was still that decisive and ruthless Senior Grand Secretary of the empire.

His repeated emphasis on stability was undoubtedly a declaration of his resolve to all factions.

Even if he was old and decrepit, liable to pass away at any moment, as long as he was alive, he was still the most powerful old man in the Great Yu Dynasty.

“Rest assured, Senior Grand Secretary. We will do our utmost to stabilize the court!

I’m sure Lord Lu will not disappoint us, either.”

The moment Lu Shoutong finished speaking, Lu Zhifan was completely stunned.

What had he done to deserve being singled out by two members of the Grand Secretariat in a single day?

If he dared to refuse, he probably wouldn’t make it out of there alive today.

“Rest assured, Your Excellencies, I will do my utmost!

Anyone who dares to cause trouble at a time like this is surely a traitor with malicious intent. I, your subordinate, and such disloyal, unfilial villains will fight to the death.”

The declaration from the Left Censor-in-Chief, Lu Zhifan, instantly silenced many officials who had been harboring other ideas.

While vying for power and profit was important, the prerequisite was to stay alive.

The attitude of these high officials made it clear: whoever started trouble would be the first to be eliminated.

To risk one’s life at this juncture was simply too great a gamble.

Countless eyes turned to the Second Grand Secretary, Pang Hengsheng. In the current situation, the Pure Stream Faction had the most to gain from stirring up trouble.

As the losers of the last round of political struggle, a reshuffling of power was most aligned with their interests.

“It’s not just the Censorate; the Imperial Academy must also be closely monitored.

And the various academies throughout the land need to have their administration tightened as well.

With such a catastrophe, those ambitious men will surely be unable to restrain themselves.

These young scholars are the easiest to incite, and we cannot stand by and watch them make a mistake.

I propose that the Grand Secretariat issue an edict in its name to the principals of all academies, ordering them to strictly discipline the students in their regions.

Anyone who dares to recklessly discuss matters of state will be stripped of their official rank and barred from service for life!”

Pang Hengsheng’s move stunned countless people.

The scholars across the land were the very foundation of the Pure Stream faction. In past factional struggles, these scholars had been their most important tool.

For a leader of the Pure Stream faction to take the initiative to restrain the scholars was absolutely unprecedented.

After a brief moment of surprise, everyone quickly came to their senses.

The greater good took precedence!

No matter how tempting the current opportunity might be, as the Second Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, Pang Hengsheng had to first consider the overall stability of the imperial court.

If he failed to do so, not only would the Emperor not tolerate him, but the discerning members of the court would eliminate him first.

The Great Yu Dynasty had cultivated its scholars for so many years; a single, unexpected explosion was not enough to change their hearts and minds.

…

News of the calamity in the capital reached Yangzhou with the utmost speed.

Upon hearing the dreadful news, Li Mu was completely stunned.

What kind of massive explosion could possess such immense power?

He reckoned that even if all the gunpowder in the Great Yu Dynasty were gathered in the capital and detonated in a sealed space, it might not cause such devastation.

Human involvement could be mostly ruled out. Anyone who possessed such power could overthrow the dynasty with ease.

“My Lord, as long as His Majesty is fine, everything will pass!”

Li Mu forced himself to suppress his shock and stepped forward to offer comfort.

The full extent of the losses from the explosion had not yet been calculated.

But from the information gathered so far, both the titled nobility and the imperial in-law factions had suffered devastating losses this time.

The losses for the eunuch and civil official factions were also not small, but their numbers were large enough that there were plenty of candidates to replace them.

The titled nobility and the imperial in-laws, who relied on bloodlines for succession, were not so fortunate. It was already difficult to groom talent; losing a whole wave of them was like pouring salt on a wound.

It was a catastrophe for the groups, but for individuals, it was an opportunity.

In the bureaucracy, every post is filled. With positions opening up at the top, they would naturally need to be filled.

With more posts available, the competition would be less intense.

As for the resulting imbalance of power, that was a concern for the high and mighty. For now, it wouldn’t affect a minor Chiliarch like him.

“It’s not that simple. A sudden natural disaster and strange phenomenon will inevitably cause turmoil throughout the realm.

I had thought that once we reformed the Lianghuai salt administration and filled the court’s fiscal deficit, we could usher in an era of prosperity.

It seems that will be difficult now. The Tianyuan reign has truly been fraught with disaster!”

The Marquis of Wuyang couldn’t help but sigh.

From the moment Emperor Tianyuan ascended the throne, he had inherited a mess.

It was only through a series of political maneuvers that he managed to pull the Great Yu out of the abyss, bringing it to the brink of the Tianyuan Restoration.

Unfortunately, Heaven was not on their side, and a disaster had suddenly befallen them.

In an age that revered the philosophy of cosmic resonance between Heaven and man, even droughts and floods could be blamed on the Emperor’s lack of virtue, let alone a massive explosion in the capital.

Compared to its effect on the people’s morale, the direct losses from the explosion were secondary.

From now on, the court’s focus would no longer be on reform, but on how to solidify its rule.

“My Lord, there is nothing we can do about the situation in the capital for now.

Why don’t we first concentrate our efforts on resolving the Lianghuai salt administration issue?

At a time like this, I imagine both Eunuch Zuo from the Directorate of Ceremonial and Cabinet Elder Xu will want to return to the capital as soon as possible to manage the situation.

This is the best time to discuss the salt administration reforms with them, as they will be most amenable to reaching a quick consensus.

If we can complete our mission swiftly, we can all return with honor!”

Li Mu advised.

These were all words from the bottom of his heart. As an official of the Great Yu Dynasty, he genuinely hoped the court could reverse its decline.

The common people did not ask much of the court; they just wanted those in power to refrain from causing unnecessary trouble.

If a few corrupt officials could be executed occasionally to vent the people’s frustrations, that would be even better.

All the problems, big and small, that the Great Yu now faced could ultimately be boiled down to one thing: money.

Money was needed to support the vast bureaucratic system, and the Nine Borders in the north was a veritable money pit.

Solve the money problem, and most of the other problems would be solved as well.

The terrible impact of the disaster could be faded with time.

As long as the court remained strong enough, the hearts of the people would not waver.

If things truly came to a head, they could always let the Eunuch Faction take the blame.

Their reputation was already the worst, so what was a little more infamy?

“You’re right. This Marquis can’t afford to just watch any longer.

Xu Wenyue sent me an invitation a few days ago, but I just issued a ban on banquets to prevent the plague from spreading.

This Marquis must lead by example, so I didn’t accept his invitation.

Now that the situation has changed, I will send a man with my reply. You will come with me then.”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s words made Li Mu’s head spin.

So all this time, these two apparent rivals had been in contact privately.

All that talk about leading by example was pure nonsense.

It was simply that they hadn’t reached an agreement on their interests, so it wasn’t convenient for them to meet in person.

In the Great Yu Dynasty, a meeting between powerful figures was in itself a political statement.

Real negotiations over interests were always conducted in private, mostly through communication and squabbling between their respective advisors.

When the bigwigs themselves came to the negotiating table, it was mostly for show, a performance put on for their subordinates.

“My Lord, wouldn’t it be inappropriate for me to go?”

Li Mu asked hesitantly.

He, a mere Chiliarch, had no standing to participate in such a high-level meeting.

Although he had met many powerful figures while in the capital with his uncle, those had been social gatherings between families with long-standing ties.

Besides him, there had been other young descendants of noble houses present.

He had socialized with other youths of his age, merely to become a familiar face to those great men.

To be brought along to such a high-level meeting as a subordinate carried a completely different meaning.

“Cut the nonsense. If I tell you to come, you just come along.

This time, you are representing the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

Remember to write a letter to your uncle later and tell him I’ve now repaid the favor I owed him!”

The Marquis of Wuyang cursed impatiently.

With the calamity in the capital, his mind was no longer in Yangzhou City.

For an imperial in-law like the Marquis of Wuyang, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager in the palace were his first priority.

Even though his own family had suffered no small loss in the explosion, it was nothing compared to the slightest chance of harm to those two.

As long as his patrons were safe, he would remain the esteemed Imperial Brother-in-law.

He was bringing Li Mu along partly to repay a favor, but mainly because he needed someone to advise him.

When it came to political maneuvering, the Marquis of Wuyang did not believe he was a match for a Cabinet Elder.

He did have some talented men around him, but they were always so timid and cautious in his presence, afraid of saying a single wrong word.

If he brought them to meet Cabinet Elder Xu, they would likely be overwhelmed by the man’s presence alone.

…

Inside the Prefecture Office.

“Impossible!”

“This is impossible!”

Tossing the letter forcefully onto the ground, Xu Wenyue still found it hard to believe it was true.

A massive explosion had nearly wiped out the Great Yu Dynasty. It sounded like something out of a fantasy.

“Cabinet Elder, no one would dare to joke about such matters,” Hou Huaichang reminded him gently.

The pain of losing a son combined with the upheaval in the court—under this double blow, it would be difficult for anyone to accept.

However, a man eventually had to face reality.

Especially during a time when power was being completely reshuffled, the faster one reacted, the greater the advantage one could seize.

Compared to the unfortunate souls who died in the explosion, those like them who had left the capital in advance were the lucky ones.

“Heaven does not protect our Great Yu!”

Xu Wenyue’s lament scared Hou Huaichang half to death.

Such treasonous words were not to be spoken lightly.

Although deep down he felt the same, some things could only be thought, not said.

“Cabinet Elder, guard your words!”

Hou Huaichang urged hastily.

He was terrified that Xu Wenyue, in his grief, would utter something even more shocking.

“Rest assured, I, this old man, haven’t lost my mind yet.

Send a reply to the capital. Tell them to proceed with my son’s funeral; they don’t need to wait for me!

As for the court’s affairs, let me first collect myself. We will discuss them tomorrow.”

Xu Wenyue said, his face etched with sorrow.

He had more than one son, but the one who had died was the most capable.

He had earned the rank of Provincial Graduate at a young age, and it would have been a matter of course for him to become a Palace Graduate in a few years.

For a family like his, an official rank alone didn’t mean much; what mattered was one’s skill in navigating the world.

In this respect, his eldest son had happened to follow in his footsteps.

It might have been unrealistic for him to lead the Xu family to greater heights, but he was more than capable of protecting the family’s legacy and continuing its prosperity.

The heir he had painstakingly cultivated for twenty years… now, everything was gone.

For a moment, he felt a sense of despair, but he quickly recovered.

Having climbed to the pinnacle of the bureaucracy, Xu Wenyue was a man of firm will, not one to be so easily defeated.

The dead were gone, but the living still had to go on.

…

Huai’an Prefecture.

“Pack our things. This Prime Minister is returning to the capital!”

Zuo Guang’en said with a grave expression.

The Emperor had been gravely injured. To him, this was as if the sky had fallen.

In his view, no matter how important the Lianghuai salt administration reform was, it wasn’t worth a ten-thousandth of Emperor Tianyuan’s well-being.

For the civil and military officials, even if the emperor changed, they could continue to serve as before.

But it was different for eunuchs. For them, it was truly a new emperor, a new court.

It was not uncommon for officials to be veterans of two or three reigns; they could even last long enough to become veterans of four or five reigns.

But one never heard of eunuchs who could span multiple reigns.

If they were lucky and encountered a benevolent emperor, they might be transferred to an idle position to live out their old age.

But if they encountered a ruthless ruler, powerful eunuchs like them would be the first to be purged.

“Godfather, we can’t leave now!

You are the Imperial Commissioner. According to the rules, you cannot return to the capital without an imperial edict before your mission is complete,” the young eunuch at his side quickly advised.

He was also burning with anxiety over the Emperor’s accident.

But the more critical the time, the more important it was not to make a mistake.

The great patron he had finally managed to latch onto could not be allowed to fall just like that.

“With such a disaster, if This Prime Minister doesn’t go back to take charge, who knows what those bastards will get up to.

If I had known the Lianghuai salt industry was this much trouble, I would never have gotten involved!”

Zuo Guang’en couldn’t help but complain.

He had come south to score a major political achievement. Now, the achievement was within his grasp, but a disaster had struck in the capital.

Fortunately, Emperor Tianyuan was only injured and hadn’t died outright, otherwise the consequences would have been even more severe.

“Godfather, this is of the utmost importance. Why don’t you gather everyone to discuss a counter-strategy?” the young eunuch suggested.

This matter was far too complex, far beyond his scope of understanding.

He had no idea how to even begin to offer advice, so he could only place his hopes in the various leaders of the Eunuch Faction.

“You’re right. This matter indeed requires careful consideration.

If I’m not mistaken, His Majesty’s imperial decree is already on its way.

Knowing His Majesty as I do, what he hates most is leaving things unfinished.

He spent years laying the groundwork for the salt administration reform; he would never abandon it so easily.”

Zuo Guang’en nodded.

Although he wanted to return to the capital immediately, the work still had to be done.

For the Emperor, the more panicked the people were, the more he needed to project an image of strength.

If the salt administration reform succeeded, it would be of great strategic importance for the court in stabilizing the situation.

With money, soldiers, and righteousness on its side, the realm could not fall into chaos!

…

Chapter 98: Acting Governor of Yangzhou

Everyone was eager to return to the capital, so many problems ceased to be problems.

When negotiations are conducted in good faith, the efficiency of problem-solving can often exceed all expectations.

The Lianghuai salt administration, which had been thought to be a thorny issue, saw all parties reach a preliminary agreement in just half a month.

Li Mu was not qualified to participate in the specific distribution of profits.

He only knew that the matter was settled, the imperial commissioners were all returning to the capital, and he had unfortunately been left behind.

The plague in Yangzhou had just been brought under control, the acting prefect had been sent home by Cabinet Elder Xu, and the imperial court had not yet confirmed a candidate for the new prefect.

A major city like Yangzhou could not be left without someone in charge.

Under normal circumstances, before the new prefect arrived, the affairs of Yangzhou would be managed by the imperial commissioners.

Unfortunately, both the Marquis of Wuyang and Cabinet Elder Xu were anxious to return to the capital and had no desire to handle the aftermath in Yangzhou.

After the two of them passed the buck back and forth, this unwanted task fell into Li Mu’s lap.

It was not unprecedented in the Great Yu Dynasty for a military official to temporarily oversee local administrative affairs, but such instances had only occurred in the dynasty’s founding years.

Ever since The Civil Official Bloc grew powerful, this sort of oddity had only happened in border regions that suffered from constant foreign invasions.

“My Lord, this is improper!

If I were to take charge of Yangzhou City, it would surely cause a huge uproar at the imperial court. At that time…”

Before Li Mu could finish his refusal, the Marquis of Wuyang cut him off with a wave of his hand:

“Rest assured, there are plenty of troublesome matters in the court right now. Who has the time to bother with something so trivial?

The appointment was jointly issued by This Marquis and Xu Wenyue. Anyone who makes trouble for you over this matter will be slapping This Marquis and Cabinet Elder Xu in the face.

There seem to be many factions at court, but they can be broadly divided into a few major camps.

You yourself are a son of the titled nobility. In a matter like this, they will certainly support you.

Given your private dealings with the Factory Guards, the Eunuch Faction won’t cause you trouble.

And if the Pure Stream Faction wants to stir things up, we still have our Cabinet Elder Xu!

If he can’t even suppress a trivial matter like this, he might as well stop being a Cabinet Elder and go home to farm.”

Hearing this nearly flawless explanation, Li Mu just felt weary.

If it were just a small fry like him, he would most likely be safe.

The factional struggles at court weren’t madness; they didn’t just bite at anyone they saw.

Most conflicts were started with a specific purpose.

The problem lay with the two bigwigs.

An imperial in-law like the Marquis of Wuyang, not currently holding a sensitive position, was unlikely to become a target.

But it was a different story for Cabinet Elder Xu, who was at the center of power.

Once a factional struggle erupted, it would only be a matter of time before the fire reached him.

All sorts of fault-finding would be inevitable.

It wasn’t impossible to hope that personal connections might allow one to avoid the heart of the storm, but the problem was, he didn’t have any!

His previous dealings with the Factory Guards had relied half on shared interests and half on borrowing the might of others.

And this was precisely the kind of thing Li Mu couldn’t explain.

If the Marquis of Wuyang found out that his name had been used every time Li Mu dealt with the Factory Guards, he would certainly not be pleased.

He might even demand a renegotiation of the profits.

The share of profits one could get through personal connections was a completely different concept from the gains of a mere messenger.

“My Lord, how about you choose someone else? I must return to the capital to…”

The words caught in his throat. It seemed that the few elders of the Li family who had passed away were all outside the five degrees of mourning.

According to ritual, he wasn’t required to observe a mourning period for relatives beyond the five degrees.

“Alright, stop making excuses!

It’s not just you; all the other Chiliarchs in the government office are staying behind too.

Even the capital garrisons will leave a third of their men to ensure the stability of the Lianghuai region.

Besides Yangzhou City, the other prefectures and counties in the Lianghuai region will also be placed under military control.

With so many people to keep you company, don’t you feel much better?”

The Marquis of Wuyang’s teasing left Li Mu speechless.

If he had known that everyone would be staying behind to handle the aftermath, he wouldn’t have wasted his breath.

While returning to the capital was convenient for political maneuvering, the biggest problem was that the Lianghuai region was far from peaceful.

The rebel army had been annihilated, but a considerable number of stragglers who had escaped the net were scattered among the populace.

In particular, the large number of captives held by the government army was a hidden danger that could explode at any moment.

With so many unresolved issues, the salt fields, which had halted production due to the war, also needed to resume operations as soon as possible.

Not to mention the complex post-war reconstruction work. If all of this was piled on him alone, Li Mu simply couldn’t bear the weight.

But with a group of fellow unfortunate souls to share the burden, it was a completely different story.

Everyone was on the same starting line; no one was at a disadvantage.

With colleagues to help share the load, he was actually only responsible for Yangzhou City and its immediate suburbs; the other prefectures and counties were someone else’s job.

His workload was greatly reduced, and the responsibility on his shoulders became much lighter.

…

In their haste, the two imperial commissioners departed by boat the very next day after assigning the tasks.

With no one above him to give orders, Li Mu suddenly felt unaccustomed to the situation.

Temporarily managing Yangzhou City did not mean he was the Prefect of Yangzhou.

The things the imperial commissioners could do did not mean he could do them as well.

If the future prefect didn’t approve and completely overturned his actions, there was no telling how much trouble it would cause.

After weighing the pros and cons, Li Mu tragically discovered that he could only continue the measures previously taken when the imperial commissioners were present.

This was the case for Yangzhou City, and he estimated it was much the same in other regions.

No wonder those important figures dared to leave with such peace of mind. They had clearly anticipated that their subordinates wouldn’t dare to stir up trouble.

The only benefit was that he could temporarily live in the Prefecture office and get a taste of being the Lord Prefect.

Barring any surprises, this would likely be the only chance in his life to issue commands from the Prefecture office.

“Lord Chiliarch, these are all invitations from the Yangzhou gentry.

The rebel rampage caused many land deeds to be lost. They hope you can help them with the paperwork to reissue them.”

Hearing Lan Linjie’s words, Li Mu immediately rolled his eyes.

Reissue paperwork? It was clearly an attempt to annex land on the sly.

According to the laws of Great Yu, ownerless land was to be reclaimed by the state.

Afterward, a decision would be made on whether to sell it off, depending on the circumstances.

At that time, besides the local gentry, the surrounding aristocratic clans would also come to get a piece of the pie.

It was even possible that the powerful and noble figures from the court would also get involved.

The local gentry obviously didn’t want to see this happen. The two imperial commissioners had just left, and they were already unable to restrain themselves from taking action.

They had cooperated once before, and Li Mu had left a deep impression on them. Now they were hoping for a repeat performance.

“Decline on my behalf. Just say that the plague has not yet dissipated, so it’s not a suitable time for gatherings.

Once the epidemic is over, we can all get together to drink and chat.”

Li Mu decisively refused.

He was very clear about what money he could accept and what he couldn’t.

His previous “fundraising” in Yangzhou had been to appease the gentry, and was semi-official in nature.

Most of the wealth collected would go into the Emperor’s pocket; he only earned a small fee for his hard work.

Even if someone dug up the old accounts, they would obediently shut their mouths after discovering where the money ultimately went.

But colluding with the local gentry now to forge land deeds would be embezzling state assets.

Once exposed, it would become a ticking time bomb for his future.

He could very well end up being blamed for all the corrupt dealings of the entire Yangzhou Prefecture.

Similar schemes were common during the infighting among civil officials.

“This student will refuse them right away.”

“By the way, Lord Chiliarch.

You ordered men to keep an eye on Huang Renlong’s lairs. There has been some activity at one of them recently.

Last night, a group of people secretly emerged from Hongze Lake. They are suspected to be rebel remnants.”

Lan Linjie added.

This was not the first time they had detected the movements of rebel remnants.

However, in the past, without complete certainty, Li Mu hadn’t wanted to give his superiors the impression that he was reckless and greedy for merit.

“Have our men make preparations and choose an opportune time to strike.

Arrange for a thorough sweep of the lakes within Yangzhou’s borders. While we’re at it, wipe out the water bandits as well.

I will send a dispatch to the Jiangnan Naval Force and have them send men to act with us.

In private, go see that Mr. Zhou again and see if you can obtain any valuable intelligence.

If there’s nothing to be gained, then after we’ve captured Huang Renlong, send him on his way!”

Li Mu ordered coldly.

Yangzhou was a vast plain with no room for mountain bandits to survive, but there was no shortage of water bandits.

These people usually hid in the countryside, only striking when they had locked onto a target.

With the cover of their neighbors, it was difficult for government-organized encirclements to catch them.

However, no matter how deeply hidden these people were, they were all flushed out during the Lianghuai rebellion.

Whether willingly or not, they had all joined the rebel army.

Branded as rebels, they were no longer ordinary bandits and had to be completely eradicated.

This was a long-term project, and it would be difficult to see results in a short time.

The Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions had no naval forces and were powerless against these gangs; they could only rely on the Jiangnan Naval Force.

In the past, the imperial court had mobilized naval forces to suppress bandits on more than one occasion.

The final result was always failure, at best having a minimal short-term effect.

As soon as the navy withdrew, they would rise from the ashes.

Li Mu had no faith in the Jiangnan Naval Force, but some things had to be done, regardless of the chances of success.

If the water bandits remained rampant after the official dispatch was sent, that would be the responsibility of the Jiangnan Naval Force.

If no dispatch was sent, then it would be considered lax governance on the part of Yangzhou Prefecture.

Although no one would hold him accountable for local governance at a critical juncture like this, the necessary work still had to be done.

“Lord Chiliarch, could Mr. Zhou be one of the Zong family?”

Lan Linjie asked with some hesitation.

To avoid suspicion, he had never involved himself in the investigation of “Mr. Zhou’s” identity.

In his understanding, his lord was someone who greatly cherished talent.

If the issue wasn’t too serious, his lord would surely find a way to recruit a talented man like “Mr. Zhou” for his own use.

“Your guess is correct. Mr. Zhou is the missing Zong Guangtai, one of the rebel chiefs with a high bounty on his head from the imperial court.”

Li Mu’s answer extinguished any desire he had to plead for the man.

A rebel leader must be killed. This was a matter of principle.

Let alone a newfound kindred spirit, even if it were a friendship of several decades, one had to be ruthless at a time like this.

“Damn that rebel, to be so insidious and cunning!

This student was deceived. Fortunately, Your Excellency is exceptionally perceptive, or else a grave mistake would have been made!”

…

Chapter 99: A Marriage Alliance

In the Imperial Palace.

Emperor Tianyuan, having barely escaped with his life, was lying in a grand tutor’s chair, basking in the sun, his eyes gazing lifelessly into the distance.

The gauze wrapped around his forehead proved he was still an injured man.

The great explosion had struck him not just physically, but mentally as well.

“Your Majesty, the Duke of Cheng, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, the Marquis of Wuyang, Cabinet Elder Xu, and Eunuch Zuo have returned!”

Hearing the eunuch’s words, Emperor Tianyuan’s eyes flickered slightly.

“The Lianghuai salt administration was dealt with so quickly. It seems they put their hearts into this assignment.

“Zhen does not wish to move. Just bring them all here.”

At any other time, after accomplishing such a great feat, even if he didn’t have all the officials welcome them outside the city, he would at the very least have thrown a grand banquet to celebrate.

Unfortunately, Emperor Tianyuan was in no mood for it now, and the situation in the capital was not suitable for celebration.

A great explosion had directly claimed more than twenty thousand lives, and the number of injured was even greater.

Now, the entire city was draped in white mourning banners.

Even though nearly a month had passed, funeral processions still frequently clogged the streets.

For disaster relief, the Great Yu Dynasty had spared no expense this time.

The Ministry of Revenue had scraped together two million taels, and Emperor Tianyuan had also taken out five hundred thousand taels from the Imperial Treasury.

The vast majority of this huge sum was spent on funeral arrangements.

For the families of dukes, marquises, and officials who were completely wiped out, the imperial court handled all their posthumous affairs.

The common people who died also received a coffin.

The most difficult problem wasn’t the dead, but the people who were injured and disabled by the explosion.

The capital’s medical system faced an unprecedented challenge.

That the situation did not collapse was entirely due to the extraordinary performance of the Great Yu’s bureaucratic system.

“We officials pay our respects to Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty, this slave has returned…”

Zuo Guang’en’s eye-catching performance, bursting into tears and complaints the moment he arrived, made the faces of his colleagues turn very ugly.

A eunuch could cast aside all dignity and run to cling to the Emperor’s thigh, but they, as ministers, could not.

If looks could kill, Zuo Guang’en would have been drawn and quartered by now.

Vying for favor was one thing, but to be so exaggerated about it—what were the rest of them supposed to do?

In that instant, the others realized that coming to have an audience with Emperor Tianyuan alongside Zuo Guang’en was definitely the wrong choice.

“Enough, you simpleton. Why are you always acting like a child!”

Emperor Tianyuan chided him with a faint smile.

It was clear he was not angry.

The head eunuch, capable of establishing the Eunuch Faction and suppressing the Pure Stream faction, was by no means a simple and honest person.

But the outside world’s perception was useless; in Emperor Tianyuan’s eyes, Zuo Guang’en was indeed a simple and honest person.

There was no other reason. All the officials had their own calculations, but only these eunuchs regarded the emperor as their “heaven.”

“What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and bring chairs for my beloved ministers. Must Zhen do it myself?”

Perhaps realizing the occasion was inappropriate, Emperor Tianyuan immediately changed the subject.

The few eunuchs and palace maids, scolded for no reason, could only aggrievedly run off to get chairs.

According to protocol, there were designated places for the emperor to receive his ministers. The inner palace was a forbidden area for officials.

However, Emperor Tianyuan was not one to follow the rules. In the Imperial Palace, his rules were the only rules; the rules left by his ancestors could only restrain others.

“Your Majesty, your health is paramount. There is no need for you to rise!”

The Marquis of Wuyang tactfully reminded him.

Favoring eunuchs was acceptable, but it had to be kept within limits.

One look at the ministers’ murderous glares was enough to know they were displeased with the emperor’s recent actions.

If Emperor Tianyuan weren’t injured, they might have started railing at him.

Ministers scolding the emperor was nothing new in Great Yu.

Dukes and marquises had to give the emperor some face and generally wouldn’t scold him in public, but once provoked, there were no guarantees.

“My beloved ministers, your trip south this time was a job well done.

“Zhen has already read the memorials. We will implement your proposed methods and promote them throughout the nation.

“Zhen is a little weary. We cannot hold a celebratory banquet for you for the time being. We shall hold it together once the salt tax is collected.

“As for the rewards for all meritorious officials, all of you shall discuss and decide with the Grand Secretariat.

“Zuo Guang’en, you keep an eye on this for Zhen. We cannot let our meritorious officials be wronged.”

Emperor Tianyuan said, his spirits low.

The new salt tax system was almost a carbon copy of the old one, except that it could now collect more money.

As a pragmatic emperor, as long as it could bring in money, Emperor Tianyuan had no strong opinions about the system remaining unchanged.

From now on, salt merchants everywhere would have to hand over two sums of silver.

One was the tax silver for the imperial court, and the other was a “donation” to show loyalty to the emperor.

The official tax was five million taels, and the donation was three million taels, making a total of a full eight million taels.

This enormous sum was already close to half of the Great Yu Dynasty’s previous total revenue.

Compared to the previous one million three hundred thousand taels in annual salt tax, which the Salt Administration Yamen constantly complained about, it was the difference between heaven and earth.

As the price for this reform, the original officials of the Salt Administration Yamen would certainly have to be dismissed.

Otherwise, if those parasites were kept, it wouldn’t be long before the current eight million taels slowly dwindled again.

In order to ensure the plan proceeded smoothly, even though he had no heart for state affairs at the moment, Emperor Tianyuan forced himself to rally his spirits and make grand promises to them.

“Rest assured, Your Majesty, we will do our utmost!”

…

The brief report concluded, and everyone tactfully took their leave.

As they left the Imperial Palace, they exchanged glances, their eyes filled with worry.

Emperor Tianyuan’s physical condition was far worse than they had anticipated.

If they hadn’t noticed something was wrong in time and tacitly sped up their report, he might not have been able to keep up the pretense today.

The political fallout from the great explosion was severe. To stabilize the situation, the Emperor had to endure the pain and pretend everything was normal.

Such an act was clearly not conducive to his recovery.

Yet, even if they wanted to persuade him otherwise, they didn’t know how to begin.

There was certainly more than one or two clever people who saw through the emperor’s facade, but everyone tacitly played dumb and went along with the act.

It was not that they were disloyal, but that the current situation required this play to continue.

Emperor Tianyuan was childless. Once it was discovered that there was a problem with the emperor’s health, those ambitious vassal princes would inevitably start getting restless.

A few vassal princes having ideas of their own wasn’t scary; what was scary was them colluding with regional military commanders.

Once trouble was stirred up, it would be a great upheaval.

…

Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan.

“Has anything major happened at home recently?”

Li Yuan asked, looking somewhat weary.

While in the south, the letters he received from home all said that everything was well.

Considering the tradition of reporting good news but not bad, the family would have deliberately omitted anything that wasn’t particularly important.

“The household has been relatively peaceful. Our mansion is quite far from the explosion site, so the impact wasn’t severe.

“Only a few buildings were damaged, and a few servants were injured, but no lives were lost.

“However, some of our relatives and allied families suffered terribly, with many deaths.

“The worst was the Duke of Xing’s Mansion. The entire family, over a hundred people, all died. I’m afraid their estate and legacy are lost.

“The Marquis of Nanyang didn’t fare much better. Apart from a son of a concubine who was studying abroad, only a few servants escaped.

“Then there are the Marquis of Pingyuan’s Mansion and the Count of Xiangcheng’s Mansion. Each was more tragic than the last, with only a group of women and children left.

“Oh, and Cabinet Elder Wang’s mansion also met with disaster. Only a five-year-old grandson survived.

…”

Hearing the Marquise’s reply, Li Yuan felt a lingering fear.

Thankfully, their ancestors had the foresight back then to choose an auspicious location to build the residence, allowing them to escape this calamity.

Otherwise, like those unlucky souls, his entire family would have been buried alive, and he wouldn’t have been able to bear it.

“It’s all in the past now. As long as we’re safe, that’s what matters.”

Li Yuan said slowly.

Compared to the safety of his own family, the heavy losses suffered by the titled nobility faction were nothing.

Although this thought was a bit unscrupulous, human nature is inherently selfish.

For a family whose direct line was completely wiped out, even if a branch line continued the family name, it was basically doomed to decline.

According to the laws of Great Yu, if the direct line has no heir, one can apply to adopt a son from a branch line, who would then have legal inheritance rights after the emperor’s approval.

Now that the relevant parties were all dead, this application for adoption couldn’t even be made.

Historically, there were more than one or two cases of titles being revoked by the imperial court because the emperor did not approve the adoption.

Now, since the procedure couldn’t even be initiated, it was completely in accordance with the rules for the imperial court to revoke the titles.

Even if by the emperor’s immense grace, a descendant from a branch line was allowed to be adopted and inherit the title, they could not inherit the power.

They wouldn’t even be able to hold on to the family’s current foundation.

“By the way, my lord, when I met with the Duchess of Cheng a few days ago, I looked into a marriage prospect for Mu’er.

“Because time was so tight, I didn’t have a chance to tell you.

“If you don’t see any problem with it, then let’s find a time and settle the matter.

“Although it’s not a suitable time for a celebration, some of the necessary steps cannot be skipped.”

Hearing the Marquise speak, a faint smile played on Li Yuan’s lips.

“I was wondering why the Duke of Cheng spoke so highly of Mu’er when we were discussing rewards for meritorious officials.

“Now that you mention it, it all makes sense.

“A girl from a branch of the Duke of Cheng’s family would be a good match for Mu’er in terms of status. I agree to this matter.”

Marriage alliances within the titled nobility had long been a common practice.

Now that the titled nobility faction had suffered such heavy losses, he and the Duke of Cheng were the only ones left who could shoulder the responsibility.

At a time like this, they needed to band together for warmth more than ever.

Although a marriage alliance with a branch family had less influence, it was still a way to advance their relationship.

“My lord, you seem to have misunderstood.

“The one betrothed to Mu’er is not from some branch family, but the Duke’s Mansion’s legitimate second daughter.”

Hearing the Marquise’s answer, which was clearly seeking praise, the Marquis of Zhenyuan, Li Yuan, was stunned on the spot.

The difference in their family status was too great. Even if the two families needed an alliance, arranging for a daughter of a concubine would have been sufficient at most.

“My lady, are you joking?”

Li Yuan asked gravely.

If it was the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s Mansion, then this marriage was not just Li Mu’s personal affair but a marriage alliance representing the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhenyuan and the Duke of Cheng’s Mansion.

The things it would influence behind the scenes were numerous.

“My lord, do I look like someone who doesn’t know the gravity of things?

“When the Duchess of Cheng proposed it, I was taken aback as well, but after thinking it over, I understood.

“Previously, she was considering the eldest son of the Duke of Xing for her daughter. Unfortunately, that boy was ill-fated and died in the great explosion.

“As you know, my lord, after something like this happens, any new marriage discussions will inevitably involve lowering their standards.

“So many of the capital’s titled nobility have died, including the heirs of many families. There aren’t many eligible candidates left to choose from.

“Most of the ones worth considering were taken south with you all.

“I suspect it was because Mu’er’s name appeared most frequently in the victory reports sent back to the capital, which caught the Duchess of Cheng’s attention.”

The Marquise spun this tale with a straight face, completely hiding her own contribution.

Secretly arranging a marriage alliance between two great families behind her husband’s back was not something she should have done.

With the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s astuteness, he would easily discover that this was aimed at the sons of the concubines.

To avoid trouble, she simply threw the blame onto the Duchess of Cheng.

If the other party proposed the marriage alliance and she then agreed, the nature of the act would change from targeting the sons of concubines to considering the bigger picture.

At the very least, from the perspective of family interests, this marriage alliance held great strategic importance for both families.

“You did the right thing, my lady. At a time like this, we cannot refuse the goodwill from the Duke of Cheng’s Mansion.

“It’s just that with this development, some of my previous arrangements will have to be adjusted.

“I will write to Mu’er about this later. You pick a suitable date and settle the matter as soon as possible.”

Li Yuan said, nodding slowly.

Things had already come to this; there was no going back.

The only option was to find a way to maximize the benefits of this marriage alliance.

With the titled nobility group having suffered such devastating losses, he estimated the emperor would also find ways to let them recover, otherwise the balance of power in the imperial court would be upset.

At this juncture, it wasn’t a taboo for the two most powerful factions among the titled nobility to form a marriage alliance and band together for warmth.

However, with this, the Marquis’s Mansion’s resources in the military would have to be tilted more towards Li Mu.

The political resources allocated to other clan members would inevitably be greatly reduced.

There were many vacant positions now, so the impact wouldn’t be significant in the short term, but over time, everyone would surely notice.

For the sake of the family’s interests, it wouldn’t be difficult to persuade everyone to accept it.

The resources allocated would decrease for a period, but the family’s power would grow. In the long run, it was still a net gain.

The real trouble was the several sons of concubines in the family.

Their academic performance was not up to expectations. The goal of transitioning from a military to a civil career was most likely unachievable.

According to the previous plan, after three to five years, they would be arranged to join the military to develop their careers.

In the future, if there was no legitimate son, the most capable among them would be chosen, adopted under the Marquise’s name as the legitimate son, and inherit the family estate.

Now there was one more person to be groomed as a priority, one who was also the bond of a marriage alliance between two great families. This would inevitably affect the future allocation of resources.

After a brief moment of worry, Li Yuan quickly regained his composure.

It was still too early to speak of future matters.

Only when one’s descendants were outstanding enough would fierce internal competition for resources occur. Encountering such a situation was a happy problem to have.

More often than not, families couldn’t even find a single capable member.

Chapter 100: The Yangzhou Regional Commander

Yangzhou Prefecture.

“What are you all good for?”

“I told you to make full preparations before acting, so why did you let the criminals slip away right under your noses?”

Li Mu scolded, his face a mask of fury.

They had finally located the enemy’s den, only to let the rebels escape when they finally made their move.

If word of this got out, it would make all his colleagues laugh their heads off.

“Lord Chiliarch, the criminals are all excellent swimmers.

“The moment we made our move, they jumped into the lake…”

Centurion Deng’s explanation did not satisfy Li Mu.

The fact that the criminals were excellent swimmers was entirely predictable.

If they were poor swimmers, they wouldn’t have hidden in the lake.

This battle had alerted the enemy. No matter how bold the bandits were, they wouldn’t stay put.

They might have already left Yangzhou Prefecture by now.

The world was so vast; trying to fish the Huang brothers out of a sea of people would be no simple task.

Letting the rebel chief escape was a small matter. The crucial issue was the performance of his subordinates, which left Li Mu deeply dissatisfied.

They had even managed to bungle a task he had repeatedly emphasized.

It was obvious these officers were busy scheming for promotions, their minds no longer on their work.

“Enough with the nonsense. No matter how valid the reason, the fact is the criminals still escaped.

“There are more than one or two fish that slipped through the rebel army’s net.

“Next, set up checkpoints on all major routes. I don’t want to hear about any more criminals breaking through!” Li Mu said irritably.

When morale is scattered, the team is hard to lead.

It was at times like these that the importance of confidants became clear.

No wonder officials liked to promote their own people. When facing a tricky situation, only one of your own would step up.

Everyone understood that with a failed arrest mission like this, Li Mu had no choice but to cover it up.

Otherwise, if the matter escalated, the subordinates who carried out the mission would certainly be punished.

As the commanding officer, he would also have to bear responsibility.

“Your Excellency’s lesson is well taken. We will go all out and not let a single rebel escape!”

Seeing Li Mu’s anger, Centurion Deng immediately gave his assurance.

They were all about to go their separate ways, but for now, they hadn’t left yet.

Angering their superior at this moment was not a wise choice.

If it caused some trouble and affected their promotions, it would be too late for regrets.

“You are dismissed!”

After putting them in their place, Li Mu immediately waved his hand.

It was better to stay still than to make a move. This applied not only to his subordinates but also to himself.

There were simply too many rebels in the Lianghuai region. The number of rebel leaders on the imperial court’s wanted list was in the triple digits.

Rarity creates value. When anything becomes too numerous, it loses its worth.

Capturing rebels was a great merit for low-ranking soldiers, but for military generals, it was already of little consequence.

Going all out to arrest the conspirators was not for merit, but a political necessity.

The scale of the results didn’t matter. What was crucial was to let the imperial court see that they were serving the Great Yu with utmost devotion.

“My lord, a letter from home has arrived from the capital.”

Taking the letter from Big Wu, Li Mu opened it and froze in shock.

Without knowing a thing, he had been informed that his marriage had been arranged.

He had long heard about the feudal system of arranged marriages, and now he was experiencing it firsthand.

Refusal was out of the question. An order from one’s parents and the words of a matchmaker—this was the normal process for discussing marriage arrangements.

With his parents gone, it was entirely in line with protocol for his uncles to handle the arrangements.

Even if the Marquis of Zhenyuan didn’t arrange it, other elders in the family would have stepped in.

As the person involved, Li Mu himself had the least say in the matter.

If it weren’t for the mourning period, his marriage would have been arranged long ago.

According to the customs of the Great Yu, men generally married between the ages of sixteen and twenty.

Women married even younger, mostly between fifteen and eighteen.

Unless there were special circumstances like a mourning period or national mourning, these age ranges were rarely exceeded.

Early marriage and childbearing were born entirely of necessity.

In an era where the average lifespan was just over forty, if one didn’t reproduce quickly, the family lineage could easily face problems.

There was nothing wrong with a political marriage alliance, but the problem lay with the other party’s status.

A pie falling from the sky could crush a person.

If the letter hadn’t provided an explanation, Li Mu would have suspected there was something wrong with the duke’s daughter.

But her status spoke for itself. Even if there really was a problem, she would not lack for suitors.

After a brief hesitation, Li Mu braced himself and wrote a reply.

Things had already come to this; he would accept it even if she was a dinosaur.

Beautiful women were never a scarce resource in high society.

If he weren’t disciplined enough, the world-famous ‘Slender Horses of Yangzhou’ would have long since filled his prefecture office.

The previous Prefect Hao, who was investigated, had taken eighteen concubines, a serious violation of Great Yu law.

However, the regulations regarding the system of concubinage had long existed in name only.

From princes and nobles down to wealthy merchants and yamen clerks, few abided by them.

By changing the title, as long as one didn’t go through the official process of taking a concubine, it wasn’t considered illegal.

The only ones truly constrained were the common folk.

Of course, for them, it made no difference whether there were regulations or not.

They struggled just to survive and had to give their all simply to marry a wife; taking a concubine was completely out of the question.

The capital, Wenyuan Pavilion.

“Gentlemen, I’ve just received news. Cabinet Elder Song fainted on his way here and will not be able to attend today’s meeting.

“If no one has any objections, I, this old man, will preside over the rest of the meeting,” Pang Hengsheng said, suppressing his inner excitement.

Between the Second Grand Secretary and the Senior Grand Secretary, there seemed to be only a single step, but the difference in their power was heaven and earth.

He had been in the Grand Secretariat for many years, constantly suppressed by Song Haidong, and had long been filled with frustration.

He had endured until now, when that fellow was finally at the end of his rope.

According to convention, after the Senior Grand Secretary left office, the Second Grand Secretary would directly fill the vacancy.

Once Song Haidong succumbed to his illness, the Grand Secretariat would enter his era.

“Everyone understands the imperial court’s system. Lord Pang, you should hurry up and start the meeting. We are all busy!” Zuo Guang’en, who was also present, said irritably.

According to convention, the head of the eunuchs had no business in a Grand Secretariat meeting.

However, today’s agenda was special, and as one of the involved parties, he had to be there.

“Eunuch Zuo, since you are in such a hurry, let us begin!

“The first item on the agenda: Salt administration.

“The rebellion of the Seven Great Families of Lianghuai has been quelled, and the region is now in a state awaiting reconstruction.

“For the sake of the people’s livelihood and stability, we must restore order there as soon as possible.

“Let’s first discuss the vacant official positions. Does anyone have candidates to recommend?”

After Pang Hengsheng finished speaking, everyone’s spirits lifted.

In this Lianghuai affair, the imperial court had acted ruthlessly.

All local officials with a rank were caught in one fell swoop.

Yangzhou Prefecture and Huai’an Prefecture were among the most prosperous regions in the realm and had always been fiercely contested territories for the various factions in the court.

“Cabinet Elder Pang, didn’t everyone already submit memorials to the throne?

“In this one’s opinion, we can just pick a suitable candidate from the existing list.

“There’s no need to start all over again and waste everyone’s time!” Zuo Guang’en said with a smirk.

From the Eunuch Faction’s perspective, to maintain their current political advantage, they had to prevent a member of the Pure Stream Faction from becoming the Senior Grand Secretary.

However, the court had its system. According to the normal order of promotion, Pang Hengsheng was the leading candidate for Senior Grand Secretary.

Choosing to stir up trouble at this moment was precisely to make things difficult for Pang Hengsheng.

“Eunuch Zuo, you’re as impatient as ever.

“Since you’ve put it that way, let’s just choose from the candidates!

“If anyone has new candidates, they can also propose them now.

“Let’s start with the Prefect of Yangzhou. The candidates recommended by everyone include Hanlin Academy Scholar Gu Youwen, Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue Yan Bao, Secretary of the Ministry of War Qu Zongmin…”

Pang Hengsheng said unhurriedly, as if he paid no mind to Zuo Guang’en’s provocation at all.

He was using his actions to show everyone that a Prime Minister’s heart is big enough to sail a boat in, and he wouldn’t deign to bicker with a eunuch.

“Hanlin Academy Scholar Gu Youwen was a Palace Graduate from the Special Grace Examination of the first year of the Tianyuan era.

“He has been in the Hanlin Academy for some years now; it is time for him to be posted outside the capital.

“Sending him to Yangzhou Prefecture to gain experience seems perfectly suitable!” Xu Wenyue was the first to speak up and advocate.

From a purely self-interested standpoint, now that the Yangzhou campaign had ended prematurely, vying for the position of Yangzhou Prefect was far less valuable to him than before.

But a reduced benefit for the boss didn’t mean the benefits for his followers were also shrinking.

To be transferred from the Hanlin Academy to the post of Yangzhou Prefect—a position of immense power—was a step up not just in rank, but also in political prospects.

The Hanlin Academy was indeed a prestigious and noble posting, but that only applied to young Hanlin scholars.

If one couldn’t get out in time, they would remain a prestigious scholar for their entire life.

The promising candidates nurtured by the major factions would all be sent to the provinces at the right time to gain experience. After achieving some accomplishments, they would return to the capital to further their careers.

Yangzhou Prefecture had great troubles, but it also presented great opportunities.

If the realm were at peace and there were no problems, there would be no accomplishments to be made.

An official who lacked achievements, even if in a high position, could not be convincing.

“Gu Youwen is indeed a candidate, but I feel that Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue Yan Bao is more suitable.

“Yangzhou Prefecture has just suffered from the ravages of war and is at a critical moment of reconstruction. The requirements for the chief official are very high.

“Secretary Yan has spent many years in the Ministry of Revenue, dealing with money every day. He is an expert in financial management.

“If he can serve as the Prefect of Yangzhou, he can perfectly leverage his strengths and rebuild Yangzhou at the lowest cost,” Cabinet Elder Lu, who was beside him, immediately put forward his own subordinate.

After these two started, the various parties put forward their own candidates, arguing until they were red in the face.

The selection of candidates reached a deadlock, causing the Grand Secretariat meeting to end on a sour note.

Although no result was reached, there was not a trace of panic on anyone’s face.

According to the Great Yu’s custom, problems that couldn’t be resolved above the table could be negotiated under it.

The arguments between the great figures were all for show, for the Emperor and their subordinates to see.

If political deals weren’t made behind the scenes, a single personnel appointment could be argued over until the end of time.

This was the price that had to be paid for political balance.

Duke of Cheng’s Residence.

“Brother Jing, have you made up your mind?” Marquis of Zhenyuan, Li Yuan, asked with concern.

Since the marriage alliance between their two families, the two men, who were already hereditary friends, had grown even closer.

“Brother Li, to tell you the truth, I have no confidence in this at all right now.

“Theoretically, among the titled nobility, the two of us now have the highest prestige. It would be a matter of course for us to serve as the Left and Right Chief Military Commissioners.

“But the Emperor has yet to express his attitude, and no one knows what he is thinking.

“If he has a change of heart, it is also possible that he might promote someone from the border army’s military families,” Jing Guoliang said with a troubled expression.

With the rise of the Civil Official Bloc, much of the power of the Chief Military Commission had been usurped by the Ministry of War.

But this body still controlled the capital garrisons and had a say in the appointment and dismissal of regional generals, making it the nominal supreme military authority.

Theoretically, the Chief Military Commission was an institution parallel to the Grand Secretariat.

As the Right Chief Military Commissioner, he was already second to only one man and above tens of thousands in the Great Yu military.

Now that the Left Chief Military Commissioner was dead, according to convention, it was his turn to fill the position.

Unlike the fiercely competitive Grand Secretariat, there was no competition this time for the Chief Military Commission.

The candidates qualified to compete, aside from the two lucky survivors, had all gone to see King Yama.

“Brother Jing, you are completely overthinking it. A situation like that is impossible!

“Since the founding of the Great Yu, has a person chosen from the provinces to serve as a Left or Right Chief Military Commissioner ever been given real power?”

Hearing Li Yuan’s words, Jing Guoliang fell into deep thought.

For the Emperor, when choosing someone for such a vital department, ability was secondary; the key was that loyalty must be guaranteed.

Summoning a general from the Nine Borders to the capital wasn’t out of trust, but a means to sideline them to prevent them from becoming too powerful and overshadowing the throne.

With such suspicion already in his heart, he would naturally not grant them real power.

It would be a nominal appointment, similar to an honorary title. Their actual role would just be that of an advisor.

When consultation was needed, the Emperor would summon them for advice. When not needed, they would be honorably retired.

“Brother Li, you’re right. I was indeed overthinking things.

“However, we shouldn’t be too proactive in this matter. Let’s drag it out and see first.

“Although the Chief Military Commission’s authority is not what it used to be, there are still many official duties to handle. They can’t just be left to pile up indefinitely.

“If it drags on for too long and gives the Ministry of War more ideas, I imagine His Majesty wouldn’t want that either.

“The current emperor is a master of balancing power; he will not allow a situation where one faction becomes dominant.

“However, the other personnel appointments can be settled as soon as possible.

“The titled nobility faction suffered heavy losses this time. We must quickly cultivate our own successors to make up for the previous losses.

“To strengthen control over the Lianghuai region, it is necessary to establish a unit of recruited soldiers to deter the southeast,” Jing Guoliang said slowly.

Seeing through the fog, the Duke of Cheng instantly recovered his usual wisdom.

“Brother Jing, you mean to establish a Regional Commander position in Yangzhou.

“Plant our own man there to oversee the Lianghuai region and exert influence over the entire southeast.

“Although Mu’er is in Yangzhou, his position is still a bit too low.

“Even with the military merits he earned previously, it would be difficult to promote him so quickly.

“I wonder if Brother Jing has a candidate in mind?”

Hearing Li Yuan’s words, Jing Guoliang rolled his eyes on the spot.

It sounded like a question, but it was obviously a recommendation.

‘Difficult to promote him so quickly’ didn’t mean it was impossible; it was just a matter of the price that needed to be paid.

They were all winners in this southern campaign, successfully taking a slice of the pie from the Lianghuai salt industry.

But this benefit wasn’t stable. If no one was there to watch over it, it would be hollowed out before long.

For both families, it was necessary to plant a stake in the Lianghuai region.

Li Mu was Li Yuan’s nephew and also his future son-in-law. For both families, he was an excellent choice.

A lack of seniority had never been a problem for great figures.

Bringing it up now was clearly a move to have him settle on the candidate before the news of the marriage alliance was publicly announced.

UNTITLED

Chapter 1: Entering the Capital

Chapter 2: Night Banquet at the Marquis’s Mansion

Chapter 3: A Pie from the Sky
Chapter 4: Urgent Report from the Frontier
Chapter 5: Chaos in the Teahouse
Chapter 6: Prince Fu
Chapter 7: The Rescue
Chapter 8: The Aftermath
Chapter 9: The Eve of the Storm
Chapter 10: Factional Strife
Chapter 11: Each With Their Own Agenda

Chapter 12: The Young Master of the Marquis’s Mansion

Chapter 13: Assuming Office at the Five Wards’ Military and Horse Divisions

Chapter 14: The Dengwen Drum
Chapter 15: A Hot Potato
Chapter 16: The Lid That Won’t Stay On
Chapter 17: The Chief Eunuch
Chapter 18: The Vicious Tiger

Chapter 19: The Ferocity of the Factory Guards

Chapter 20: The Unwritten Rules
Chapter 21: Trouble Comes Knocking
Chapter 22: The Art of Shifting Blame
Chapter 23: The Experienced Marquis of Wuyang
Chapter 24: The Scholars’ Protest
Chapter 25: Imperial Statecraft
Chapter 26: Broken
Chapter 27: The Efficient Eastern Depot
Chapter 28: Dragging Others In
Chapter 29: Extortion
Chapter 30: In Full Swing
Chapter 31: Lodging a Complaint
Chapter 32: The Art of Dividing Money
Chapter 33: The Eunuch Faction’s Vicious Ploy

Chapter 34: Living in the Capital is No Easy Feat

Chapter 35: Investigating the Military Lands

Chapter 36: The Deep-Rooted Problems of the Garrison Posts

Chapter 37: The Rascal Emperor

Chapter 38: Almost Made it into the History Books

Chapter 39: A Feint in the East, an Attack in the West

Chapter 40: A Motley Crew
Chapter 41: Conflict on the Ship
Chapter 42: The Undercurrents of Yangzhou
Chapter 43: An Unpleasant Meeting
Chapter 44: Ambushed
Chapter 45: Sweeping Up
Chapter 46: Surfacing
Chapter 47: An Invented Crime
Chapter 48: Storm Over Yangzhou City
Chapter 49: The Fall of the Yin Family
Chapter 50: Cleansing the Court
Chapter 51: Widespread Implications
Chapter 52: The Rebel Army Attacks
Chapter 53: The Art of Spending Money
Chapter 54: Expanding the Army
Chapter 55: Quantifying Combat Power
Chapter 56: The Taizhou Rebels

Chapter 57: The Master of Making Grand Promises

Chapter 58: The Army at the Gates
Chapter 59: The Assault
Chapter 60: Establishing Credibility
Chapter 61: The Frustrated Commander
Chapter 62: Ten to One, Surround Them
Chapter 63: The Accident
Chapter 64: Throwing Corpses into the River
Chapter 65: A Brutal Battle
Chapter 66: Night Raid on the Camp
Chapter 67: The Grand Melee

Chapter 68: A Single General’s Success is Built on the Bones of Ten Thousand

Chapter 69: Breaking the Siege of Yangzhou
Chapter 70: Disbelief
Chapter 71: Aftermath
Chapter 72: Taking the Blame
Chapter 73: The Growing Private Army
Chapter 74: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival
Chapter 75: Putting Everyone to Use
Chapter 76: Sabotaging Teammates in Progress
Chapter 77: Taking a Political Stance
Chapter 78: A Contest of Power
Chapter 79: The Cannon Fodder Departs
Chapter 80: A Starkly Different Departure
Chapter 81: Prison Break
Chapter 82: The Detachment
Chapter 83: Volley Fire Tactics
Chapter 84: The Decisive Battle
Chapter 85: Courting Death in Progress
Chapter 86: Fleeing
Chapter 87: A Huge Mess

Chapter 88: The Attempt to Trick the City Fails

Chapter 89: A Bizarre Twist of Fate
Chapter 90: Cavalry
Chapter 91: Fairness
Chapter 92: Salt Administration Reform
Chapter 93: The Breakout

Chapter 94: The Court Does Not Support Useless Officials

Chapter 95: No Permanent Enemies

Chapter 96: The Great Explosion in the Capital

Chapter 97: Reactions from All Sides
Chapter 98: Acting Governor of Yangzhou
Chapter 99: A Marriage Alliance
Chapter 100: The Yangzhou Regional Commander