MLMD -Chapter 264 The Jurchens March Out

It had to be said—Yue Yang’s words were terrifying. He even used the word “eunuch,” which immediately made Yang Guozhu hurriedly cover his mouth.

Yang Guozhu, still trembling, glanced around. Fortunately, no one else was nearby. He quickly pulled Yue Yang aside and whispered harshly, “You’ve gone mad! If Grand Eunuch Gao hears that, you’ll instantly become his mortal enemy. He’s the emperor’s personal appointee, renowned as the most knowledgeable about military affairs, and may very well be appointed as supervisor over our army in the future. How can you afford to offend him?”

Yue Yang looked at Yang Guozhu and let out a light sigh. “Commander Yang, why are you being so foolish? I’ve already offended the emperor himself—should I really be afraid of offending a eunuch too?”

“Uh…”

Yang Guozhu fell silent. Indeed, this man’s courage knew no bounds. He didn’t even fear offending the emperor—how could he possibly fear offending one of the emperor’s eunuchs?

While Yang Guozhu tried to calm Yue Yang, Wang Pu took Gao Qiqian aside, smiling awkwardly to apologize. Coming from a merchant family, Wang Pu was skilled in handling people, but his usual clever words were useless today. Gao Qiqian, still furious, insisted on returning to the emperor to report Yue Yang’s supposed crimes. Meanwhile, the generals loyal to Yue Yang tried to mediate, but the Liaodong generals, led by Wu Sangui, stood aside making snide remarks. The camp descended into chaos.

“What are you all doing?”

A voice rang out. Everyone turned to see Lu Xiangsheng returning, the one who had gone to submit the thanksgiving memorial. Known for his strict discipline, Lu Xiangsheng’s sharp gaze immediately fell on the disorderly scene in the camp, and his anger flared.

“You are all commanders in this army, meant to set an example for the soldiers, yet you act like unruly ruffians in the marketplace?” Lu Xiangsheng held the memorial in one hand, his other hand resting on his sword at his waist. His piercing eyes swept over the men, and at his arrival, the previously chaotic officers froze as if under a spell.

“What happened here?” Lu Xiangsheng strode forward, his gaze sharply assessing everyone before landing on Yang Guozhu and Yue Yang. “Commander Yang, explain!”

“Sir… I… I…” Though Yang Guozhu was a famous general in Xuanda Town with considerable respect in the army, under Lu Xiangsheng’s overwhelming presence, he stammered and lowered his head, ultimately helplessly glancing at Yue Yang.

Seeing Yang Guozhu’s expression, Lu Xiangsheng furrowed his brow and asked, “Yue Yang, you explain!”

“I…” Yue Yang cleared his throat to speak, but Gao Qiqian’s shrill voice cut in at just the right moment. “Lu Xiangsheng, I didn’t expect you really do run your army well. Today I’ve learned a thing or two. I came to the camp to declare the emperor’s orders, representing His Majesty and the court, yet someone dared insult me. What do you intend to do about it?”

“What? Someone dared insult you?” Lu Xiangsheng blinked in surprise, scanning the area until his eyes landed on Yue Yang. Smart as he was, he immediately guessed the cause of the commotion. His face darkened as he asked, “Yue Yang, what happened? Did you offend Grand Eunuch Gao?”

At this, everyone except the Liaodong generals, including He Kegang and the Xuanda generals, worried for Yue Yang. Lu Xiangsheng was famously strict—if Yue Yang had truly angered the eunuch, he could face military punishment.

Unexpectedly, Yue Yang shook his head like a rattle. “Sir, you must not wrongly accuse me. I have never spoken ill of Grand Eunuch Gao. Where is this so-called insult?”

“Yue Yang, how dare you shirk responsibility?” Gao Qiqian shouted, pointing at him.

Yue Yang’s expression turned cold. “Grand Eunuch, you may eat carelessly, but you cannot speak carelessly. You claim I insulted you? Fine. Repeat what I supposedly said so everyone can judge. How exactly did I insult you?”

“You…” Gao Qiqian froze, then fell silent. Indeed, Yue Yang had not used words to insult him, but his gaze and demeanor had clearly shown disdain. Yet such subtlety could not be conveyed in words. Gao Qiqian, greedy and cunning but not foolish, knew that if he explained it to Lu Xiangsheng, it would make him look ridiculous.

His face flushed red and blue, his anger surged but could not fully manifest. Finally, he took a deep breath and sneered, “Fine… fine… Yue Yang, you are impressive. If fate allows, we shall meet again. I hope you remain as arrogant then. I’ll remember this today. Farewell!”

Turning sharply, he strode out, followed quickly by a few Imperial Guards and over a dozen capital soldiers.

Only after Gao Qiqian and his group disappeared from sight did Lu Xiangsheng turn to Yue Yang and say calmly, “Yue Yang, come with me.”

Inside the command tent, Lu Xiangsheng took his seat at the general’s position and watched Yue Yang for a while before sighing. “Yue Yang, I have always valued you. Originally, after this battle, I planned to recommend you to the court as deputy commander, perhaps even as general. But you have deeply disappointed me.”

Yue Yang remained silent for a moment before responding, “Sir, now that things have come this far, I also wish to ask you something. May I inquire why our Ming Empire suffers both internal and external troubles? Is it because of corrupt officials or treacherous ministers? Or perhaps the emperor’s negligence?”

Lu Xiangsheng was momentarily at a loss. Though he was a scholar-official familiar with the state of the Ming, he had never arrived at a definitive answer. Yue Yang’s questions left him speechless.

Seeing Lu Xiangsheng stammer, Yue Yang continued, “Sir, I have pondered this in recent years. Why does our vast Ming Empire, with its millions of people, repeatedly suffer invasion from the Qing, a small state with barely a million population? The reason is simple: the root of our empire is rotten.”

“Scholar-officials constantly claim that the gentry should co-govern with the emperor, but in truth, they never regard Ming as their country. They control ninety percent of the land and wealth but pay nothing to the court, shouting against maritime trade while secretly amassing silver from overseas commerce. Meanwhile, the court spends three million taels annually just on Liaodong, plus funds for border troops, disaster relief, and maintaining administration. Where does the silver come from? Ministers then pressure the emperor to tax the people more, driving countless peasants to flee, increasing banditry year after year. If one day the homeless flood the entire Ming, that will be the empire’s end!”

“Yue Yang… your audacity!”

Lu Xiangsheng’s voice roared in anger. His hair standing on end, he shouted, “Do not think that because I value you, I won’t punish you! If you speak such treasonous words again, I will immediately draw the imperial sword and execute you on the spot!”

But Yue Yang did not flinch. Chest out, he smirked coldly. “Sir, I must respectfully disagree. You are learned in the classics. I ask: we shout ‘Long live the emperor!’ endlessly, but have you ever seen an emperor live ten thousand years? Since the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors, has any dynasty lasted forever? Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang—these were great rulers, yet the Han and Tang dynasties eventually fell. Is the Ming somehow different?”

“You… you scoundrel… how dare you speak such treason! I… I…” Lu Xiangsheng was too angry to continue.

Though furious, he had to admit Yue Yang’s reasoning was sound. Being well-read himself, he knew that every dynasty eventually fell. He might not want to admit it, but Yue Yang had stripped away the veneer of the Ming, exposing its rot.

Gripping his sword, Lu Xiangsheng’s expression flickered. Several times he wanted to call his guards to drag Yue Yang out for execution, but reason told him that the consequences would be disastrous. Even if he succeeded in killing Yue Yang, the army would likely fall into chaos. Executing a general before battle was strictly forbidden. And if Yue Yang survived, he would surely rebel. Thinking of Yue Yang’s destructive potential made Lu Xiangsheng shiver.

After a long pause, a wave of helplessness washed over him. He slumped in his chair, exhausted, closing his eyes.

Seeing Lu Xiangsheng’s troubled demeanor, Yue Yang quietly relaxed, slowly withdrawing his hands from his sleeves. His words had been partly a test—to gauge Lu Xiangsheng’s limits. If the general had immediately ordered his execution, Yue Yang had means to escape, having traveled between the modern era and Ming for years. While he could not transport large quantities of modern firearms, he could have acquired a few pistols for self-defense.

Fortunately, Lu Xiangsheng proved a rational commander, not easily shaken even with enemies at the gates.

After a long silence, Lu Xiangsheng spoke, his voice tired: “Yue Yang… do you truly hate the Ming?”

“Hate the Ming?” Yue Yang replied in shock. “Sir, how can you say such a thing? I have never done anything disloyal to the empire. Do you truly think I am ambitious, scheming to rebel?”

Lu Xiangsheng paused, realizing Yue Yang had quietly been managing the northern route for years. Despite successive droughts in Shanxi and Shaanxi, the northern Shanxi region under Yue Yang’s governance had flourished, producing abundant crops. Refugees flocked to seek survival, and last year Yue Yang’s taxes and grain contributions accounted for thirty percent of the Ming’s revenue. Without him, the empire’s finances would have been dire.

Lu Xiangsheng shook his head, laughing bitterly. From this perspective, Yue Yang’s contributions were immense, enough to warrant recognition from the court.

Finally, Lu Xiangsheng said, “Very well. As long as you do not rebel or act recklessly, I will not interfere. Take care of yourself.”

Yue Yang’s heart leapt. The implication was clear: from now on, Lu Xiangsheng would turn a blind eye, provided Yue Yang did not go too far.

Bowing, Yue Yang said, “Sir, I have never intended harm against the Ming. My actions are for self-preservation. As long as the court treats me fairly, I will obey your commands.”

Lu Xiangsheng smiled bitterly. Yue Yang’s words essentially meant: “As long as the court stops targeting me, I won’t overstep and will follow orders—but only under your leadership, not someone like Gao Qiqian.”

Just as Lu Xiangsheng was about to speak, a mournful trumpet sounded faintly from outside.

“Woo… woo woo…”

Both their faces changed. The rhythm was clearly a signal used by the Qing army. Could it be…?

Before they could speak, the tent flap was lifted and an imperial guard rushed in to report:

“Reporting, Commander… the Qing forces have fully mobilized and are advancing toward our camp!”

Lu Xiangsheng’s face darkened. “Order the drums to sound, raise the tents, summon all generals!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Boom… boom… boom…”

The drums outside soon thundered across the camp. Officers hurried inside the tent, and within moments, dozens of fully armored generals had gathered before Lu Xiangsheng.

Returning to his usual commanding demeanor, Lu Xiangsheng addressed them: “Generals, according to the latest report, the Jurchen army is leaving their camp, advancing toward us. Clearly, they are probing our strength. What are your recommendations?”

The generals exchanged glances. A Liaodong officer stepped forward and saluted: “Commander, our troops number sixty thousand, while the enemy claims one hundred thousand. I suggest we remain in the camp to wear down the Jurchens and wait for reinforcements before taking action.”

“General Luo speaks wisely,” some Liaodong officers agreed. Xuanda generals, though silent, showed approval. The Ming army had long suffered against the Qing, and their inferior numbers now left them uneasy.

At that moment, Yue Yang spoke: “General Luo, with respect, the Jurchens may claim a hundred thousand, but even counting detachments sent out for raiding, there are barely eighty thousand in their main camp. The numerical difference isn’t overwhelming. Warfare is ultimately a test of courage and morale. Our troops, freshly supplied with rations, are at high morale. Why fear a mere raiding force? I volunteer to lead the vanguard and inspire our army!”

At Yue Yang’s words, General Luo’s face flushed with embarrassment. He glared at Yue Yang but dared not speak. After all, if he himself did not volunteer, it would be unreasonable to mock someone who did.

The other officers looked at Yue Yang with complex expressions. Xuanda generals, while aware of Yue Yang’s prowess, had never fought alongside him. Now, they were eager to witness the man whose reputation was rapidly growing.