MLMD -Chapter 165 Inspection (Part 2)

After bidding farewell to the Linglong sisters and Hai Lanzhu, Yue Yang went to the front courtyard hall. The moment he entered, he saw Zheng Fakui pacing anxiously inside. Shunbao and Hu Laosan also looked unable to sit still.

As soon as Zheng Fakui saw Yue Yang, he hurried over. “Zhenghong… quick… make preparations!”

Yue Yang asked in confusion, “Why is Lord Zheng in such a hurry? What are we preparing for?”

Zheng Fakui said urgently, “Just now, Steward Tang sent an emergency report. Lord Xu, Governor Lu, and the newly appointed Xuanfu Circuit Inspector Chen Xinjia, together with all the senior officers of Xuan–Da, are already on their way to Wulizhai. We’re told to prepare at once!”

“What? They’re all coming?” Yue Yang was shocked. If it were only Xu Dingchen, Lu Xiangsheng, or any one of them individually, he wouldn’t have been this startled. But if they came together, it meant something huge. These people represented almost the entire top military and civil leadership of Shanxi. If anything happened to them, the whole of Shanxi—indeed, the entire Xuan frontier defense line—would be thrown into paralysis.

Thinking of this, Yue Yang could no longer sit still. “Then what are we waiting for? Quickly gather the men and go welcome them!”

Ten li north of Wulizhai, Yue Yang and Zheng Fakui stood at the head of the welcoming party. With them were the chief clerk, the assistant prefect, the vice magistrate, various clerks of Yingzhou Prefecture, as well as Shunbao, Hu Laosan, Wu Chengfeng, and other battalion and company commanders under Yue Yang. Even minor officials like Hailou and Yue Laifu had secretly slipped to the back of the line.

For people like them, governors and grand coordinators were figures they normally only saw in operas. Now those great officials were coming together to inspect their little Wulizhai—something they could boast about for a lifetime.

But even Yue Yang, who came from an age that claimed “all men are equal,” found it hard to stay calm. Xu Dingchen might not count, but Lu Xiangsheng and Chen Xinjia were famous figures recorded in the history books of the late Ming. Together with the many generals of Xuan–Da, nearly the entire high command of Shanxi was here.

Yue Yang glanced around. Beside him, Zheng Fakui straightened his clothes and beard. Though he tried to appear calm, the tension showed in his movements. Shunbao, standing behind, looked pale with nervousness. Hu Laosan gripped the hilt of his long saber so tightly that the veins stood out on his hand. Farther back, Hailou, who was in charge of the garrison farms, kept muttering to himself while tidying his appearance.

Everyone else looked much the same—tense and uneasy. Yue Yang felt no contempt for them. After all, in China the system of official hierarchy had existed for thousands of years. In the hearts of common people, being an official meant honor and a bright future. Even five hundred years later, in Yue Yang’s own time, if ordinary people or low-ranking officials suddenly met the provincial party secretary, the governor, or a military region commander, who wouldn’t be nervous? Only children who knew nothing, or fools.

Shunbao leaned toward Hu Laosan and whispered, “Good thing we have my lord standing in front. If it were us, I’d probably be so scared I couldn’t even speak properly.”

Hu Laosan nodded in agreement.

Another hour passed. On the main road from Datong Prefecture to Yingzhou, a magnificent procession of banners and insignia appeared.

“Bestowed with the Imperial Sword,”

“Imperial Grand Coordinator of Xuan–Da and Shanxi Military Affairs and Provisions,”

“Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War,”

“Right Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate,”

“Governor-General of Shanxi,”

“Xuan–Da Inspecting Censor,”

“Commander of Datong,”

“Commander of Xuan–Da”—

a dense forest of ceremonial plaques led the way. Behind them came several enormous crimson banners embroidered with huge characters: “Lu,” “Xu,” “Chen,” “Yang,” and so on. Following the banners were ranks of tall, armored personal guards.

At their head rode Lu Xiangsheng on a fine Five-Bright Steed. Xu Dingchen and Chen Xinjia also rode beside him, though half a horse’s length behind. After them came Yang Guozhu, Tang Tong, Wang Pu, and more than a dozen other mid- and high-ranking Xuan–Da generals. Still farther back were officials of lower rank. Surrounding them were burly guards—the Tianxiong Army personally trained by Lu Xiangsheng, his most loyal and devoted troops, now serving as his direct headquarters battalion.

Lu Xiangsheng’s eyesight was keen. From afar he saw Yue Yang’s group waiting by the road. After surveying the surrounding scenery and buildings, he said, “Lord Xu, Lord Chen, although the Tatar invasion this time was extremely fierce, it clearly did not enter Yingzhou’s territory. It seems our roaming general here deserves considerable credit.”

Xu Dingchen stroked his beard and smiled. “What Lord Lu says is quite right. I’ve inspected Yingzhou many times, and every time I come, Wulizhai looks different. This Yue Zhenghong is always coming up with new tricks—he really does make me look at him with fresh eyes.”

Hearing Xu Dingchen’s casual praise, Lu Xiangsheng glanced at him thoughtfully. Chen Xinjia, on the other hand, smiled inwardly. Everyone knew Yue Yang was Xu Dingchen’s protégé. Xu and the former Xuan–Da grand coordinator Zhang Zongheng had been at odds; during the bandit troubles two years ago, Zhang’s scheming had left Xu in an awkward position. Yue Yang had boarded Xu’s ship at that time. Xu Dingchen had spent great effort to promote him, and now that Lu Xiangsheng was also showing interest, Xu was naturally taking the chance to show off their connection.

Lu Xiangsheng, however, acted as if he hadn’t caught the subtext. He nodded and said, “Indeed. Before I took office a few months ago, I also visited Wulizhai. Its prosperity truly opened my eyes.”

“What? Lord Lu was here a few months ago?” Xu Dingchen was shocked, a sharp light flashing in his eyes. When had Lu Xiangsheng come to Wulizhai? Why hadn’t he heard of it? And why had Yue Yang never mentioned it to him?

Lu Xiangsheng noticed the change in Xu’s expression and smiled lightly. “Lord Xu need not think too much. I merely passed through Wulizhai by chance. There was nothing important, so I instructed Guard Yue not to publicize it.”

“Oh… Lord Lu is being too considerate. I was only thinking that I haven’t seen Wulizhai for several months and was wondering what new wonders Yue Yang might have created this time.” Xu laughed it off, letting the matter pass.

“Gentlemen, the officials of Yingzhou Prefecture are already coming up to greet us,” a guard reported from the front.

Lu Xiangsheng nodded. “Good. Have them come forward.”

When Yue Yang, Zheng Fakui, and the others stepped forward, the overwhelming display of banners and insignia struck them with awe. Yue Yang sighed inwardly—this was the majesty and power of authority.

As the leading banners reached them, they parted to reveal Lu Xiangsheng, Xu Dingchen, and the others on horseback. Yue Yang and Zheng Fakui hurried forward, knelt, and saluted loudly:

“This subordinate (this humble official) respectfully welcomes Lord Lu, Lord Xu, Lord Chen, and all the honored lords. May you all enjoy blessings and peace!”

Behind them, a great swath of people knelt as well.

Lu Xiangsheng’s steady, commanding voice rang out, “No need for ceremony. Rise.”

“Thank you, my lord!”

As Yue Yang stood up, he found that not only Lu Xiangsheng and Xu Dingchen, but many others behind them were all looking straight at him.

Under those gazes—each carrying its own hidden meaning—even Yue Yang, confident in his own mental fortitude, began to feel uneasy.