MLMD -Chapter 253 The Dark Arrow from Behind (Part Two)

Having been steeped in officialdom for more than twenty years, Chen Xinjia naturally understood just how deep and murky the waters of the capital were. One could say that the level of filth in that pool was enough to give even the Chongzhen Emperor a splitting headache.

Ever since he had been jointly taken to task by Chongzhen, Yang Sichang, and Wen Tiren last time, Chen Xinjia had lain low for quite some time. But that did not mean he had admitted defeat, nor had he let go of his grudge against Yue Yang. He was merely waiting—waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity to send Yue Yang plunging into the abyss. And today, that opportunity had finally arrived.

Chen Xinjia knew full well that once Chongzhen accepted his proposal, Yue Yang’s misfortune would not be far off. The wealthy households and powerful elites of Beijing were all figures with eyes and hands reaching everywhere. They had always been the ones reaching into other people’s pockets for silver; anyone who dared snatch food from their mouths would be courting the impossible.

That said, Chen Xinjia never believed that his petty scheming could truly fool Chongzhen or the ministers present. Anyone who could stand here had spent most of their lives rolling around in officialdom—put bluntly, the moment you so much as stuck your backside out, they already knew what kind of fart you were about to let loose. But whether they saw through him or not didn’t matter; he had never intended to hide it in the first place. Now it all depended on whether the Chongzhen Emperor was willing to sacrifice Yue Yang alone to weather the crisis at hand.

At this very moment, Chongzhen himself was hesitating inwardly. Chen Xinjia’s intentions were plain as day; he had barely bothered to conceal them at all. It was almost as if he were openly saying: I’m pushing Yue Yang into the pit—your Majesty, you decide. Do you want Yue Yang, or do you want to get through this crisis?

As an emperor, decisiveness in killing and judgment was essential. Chongzhen scarcely deliberated before letting out a long sigh and saying, “Very well. Since that is the case, Minister Yang, draft an edict. Have Yue Yang enter the capital to take charge of this apportionment.”

“This minister obeys the decree!”

……

“Imperial Edict: The Shanxi Northern Route Vice General and Zhen’guo General Yue Yang is resolute and brave, loyal and decisive in character, qualities which greatly please Us. Now there is a matter which, after much consideration, none but the Zhen’guo General can accomplish. We hold that all under Heaven belongs to the Son of Heaven, and all within the realm are Our subjects. At present, the Eastern Barbarians have invaded our borders. The officers and men, together with those in the capital, desire to fight them to the death. We should reward the three armies, yet the national treasury is empty. We have pondered this day and night, to the point of restless sleep, until ministers proposed levying contributions from the wealthy households within the city. This requires a man of swift and decisive action to preside over the matter. We believe none other than Our beloved minister fits this task. Upon receiving this edict, you are to enter the capital immediately and must raise the required silver and provisions within two days, lest you fail Our expectations… Respect this.”

Inside the main tent, with Lu Xiangsheng taking the lead, the assembled generals knelt as one. As the young eunuch finished reading the edict, the expressions on their faces varied—some shocked, some furious, some secretly delighted. Their emotions differed, yet all their gazes converged on the same place: where Yue Yang stood.

After slowly finishing the proclamation, the young eunuch folded up the edict and shrilled, “Where is Yue Yang? Come forward at once to receive the decree!”

“Where is Yue Yang? Hurry and receive the decree!”

“Yue Yang—”

The eunuch called out three times in succession, yet no one stepped forward. A trace of anger surfaced on his face as he was about to curse. At that moment, Hu Dawei, who was kneeling beside Yue Yang, reached out and poked him. Only then did Yue Yang snap back to his senses. He hurriedly stood up, strode to the eunuch, lowered his head, raised his hands high, and said loudly, “Your subject Yue Yang receives the decree and thanks His Majesty for his grace!”

The eunuch cast a sideways, unfriendly glance at Yue Yang and said in a sharp voice, “Very well. Since you have received the decree, my business here is done. I take my leave!”

With that, the eunuch turned and walked out. Seeing this, Wang Pu quickly followed after him……

It was only when the eunuch’s figure disappeared beyond the entrance of the tent that Yue Yang’s expression finally relaxed, though it remained grim. He stood there in silence. Lu Xiangsheng sighed, stepped forward, and patted Yue Yang on the shoulder. “Zhenghong, this time it was I who harmed you. If I had not requested funds and provisions from His Majesty, you would not have been assigned this task. This… this is pushing you straight into a pit of fire. How could His Majesty be so unwise?”

Yue Yang shook his head. “There’s no need for the Governor-General to blame himself. This matter was, nine times out of ten, engineered by someone targeting me. I haven’t offended many people at court—thinking it over, there are only one or two possibilities.”

At this point, Wang Pu, who had chased after the eunuch earlier, returned. His expression was solemn as he walked up to Lu Xiangsheng and Yue Yang and said in a low voice, “Governor-General, just now I went out to sound out that eunuch. He told me that this affair was cooked up by Chen Xinjia. He whispered slander into His Majesty’s ear, proposed this plan, and recommended Brother Yue as the person in charge. His Majesty agreed, and that’s how this came about…”

“I knew it. Apart from Chen Xinjia, no one else could harbor such vicious intentions.” Yue Yang let out a cold laugh, a deep killing intent surging in his heart. That Chen Xinjia was like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike the moment an opportunity arose. It seemed that his hatred toward Yue Yang would never be extinguished in this lifetime.

With that thought, Yue Yang turned and looked at Wang Pu with gratitude. This historically infamous “runaway general” was, in truth, quite loyal to his friends. He patted Wang Pu on the shoulder and said, “Brother Wang, I’ll remember this favor today.”

“Heh heh…” Wang Pu grinned. “Don’t mention it. If you need any help, just say the word.”

Lu Xiangsheng nodded as well. “Indeed. This matter may not be without room for remedy. Perhaps I could submit a memorial asking His Majesty to rescind the order.”

“No need, Governor-General. His Majesty has already made up his mind—there’s no avoiding this trip to the capital.” Yue Yang sighed. By now, he was a mid- to high-ranking official of the Great Ming; some things simply could not be dodged.

Suppressing the gloom in his heart, he smiled at Lu Xiangsheng. “Governor-General, this trip to the capital will offend many people. Could you assign me an assistant?”

Lu Xiangsheng inclined his head. “As it should be. Whom do you want? Say the word.”

Yue Yang gave a sly smile. “I don’t want anyone else—just that Right Commander-in-Chief from Liaodong, He Kegang.”

“What? You want him?” Wang Pu stared at Yue Yang in shock, his mouth agape wide enough to fit a duck egg. “Do you realize he’s from the Liaodong Garrison? Aren’t you afraid he’ll mess things up for you?”

Lu Xiangsheng frowned slightly. “Zhenghong, are you trying to drag the Liaodong Garrison down with you?”

Yue Yang sighed inwardly. Faced with the same matter, Lu Xiangsheng and Wang Pu had reacted in completely different ways—revealing the gap in their temperaments and strategic insight. But Yue Yang paid it no mind and said with a smile, “Whether it’s stirring up trouble or dragging others down, I’m doing this to secure provisions and pay for our army. Why should only our Xuan–Da Garrison bear the burden? The Liaodong Garrison has a share too. If we’re going into the water, then let’s all go in together!”