MLMD -Chapter 274 An Unpleasant Meeting

Seeing who had arrived, the corner of Yue Yang’s mouth curled upward slightly. He strode forward and said to the visitor with a half-smile that was not quite a smile, “Eunuch Gao, long time no see. You’ve really made this official miss you.”

The newcomer was tall, with sparse eyebrows and a pale complexion, perpetually wearing an expression as though someone owed him eight hundred copper coins and refused to pay—altogether the sort who looked chronically insecure. He was none other than Gao Qiqian, the same man who had clashed with Yue Yang at the military camp outside the capital some days ago.

Today’s Gao Qiqian, however, was different from that day. He was dressed in a robe interwoven with black, red, and yellow—a round-collared garment reaching the shoulders, right-closing lapel, wide sleeves with flowing cuffs, hem trailing to the feet, slits under the sleeves, and embroidered all over with river cliffs and sea waves in silver thread and colored silk. Yue Yang stared at it for a while before realizing that it was, in fact, a mangpao.

Clad in the python robe, Gao Qiqian was a far cry from the man in blue eunuch attire that day. Not only was his expression far more arrogant, he practically looked at people with his chin.

Gao Qiqian snorted softly through his nose and said with a fake smile that didn’t reach his eyes,
“Indeed, Lord Yue. We meet again. Today this servant has brought an imperial edict. I’ll have to trouble you—kneel and receive the decree.”

Seeing Gao Qiqian like this, Yue Yang chuckled and did not argue. He took the lead in kneeling on one knee and announced loudly, “This subject, Yue Yang, receives the edict!”

As Yue Yang knelt, the elderly matron behind him, several daughters-in-law, as well as all the soldiers and servants, also knelt in unison.

Seeing the crowd kneeling, Gao Qiqian indulged in a moment of smug fantasy before taking a vermilion-lacquered, gilt dragon-patterned box from a young eunuch beside him. From it he withdrew the imperial edict wrapped in yellow silk embossed with hidden dragons and slowly unfurled it. Then, swaying his head, he began to read:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
The slave bandits bring calamity to the realm; the common people are plunged into misery. All our subjects gnash their teeth in hatred. General Who Pacifies the State, Assistant Regional Commander of the Northern Shanxi Route, Yue Yang, loyal and devoted to the state, has followed Governor-General of Xuan-Da, Lu Xiangsheng, in battle against the slave bandits and rendered distinguished service. We are greatly gratified. He is hereby promoted to the rank of General Who Serves the State, awarded two thousand taels of snow-silver; all officers under his command are each promoted one rank. Respect this.”

When Gao Qiqian finished reading, the great hall fell into silence. After quite some time, it remained the same. Curious, Gao Qiqian lowered his head to look—and saw that the people who had been kneeling were now wearing expressions mixed with confusion, puzzlement, and suppressed anger.

Gao Qiqian sneered inwardly, then said casually, “Yue Yang, the edict has been proclaimed. Why do you not give thanks?”

Yue Yang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the negative emotions surging in his heart. Only then did he look up and say clearly, “This subject, Yue Yang, receives the edict and gives thanks.”

With that, without waiting for Gao Qiqian to speak, Yue Yang stood up on his own and, before Gao Qiqian could even react, took the edict straight from his hands.

“You… you dare!”

Seeing Yue Yang’s discourtesy, Gao Qiqian flew into a rage. Did this man think this was nothing? This was an imperial edict! To receive it, one was supposed to kneel reverently, raise both hands above one’s head, and wait for the imperial envoy to bestow it on behalf of the Emperor. To snatch it from the announcer’s hands so crudely—Gao Qiqian had never seen such a thing, nor even heard of it.

Watching Gao Qiqian’s chest heave with rage, Yue Yang acted as though he hadn’t noticed. He opened the edict, glanced at it, and suddenly laughed. “So this is what an imperial edict looks like.”

With that, he casually handed it to Hai Lanzhu behind him. “Wife, put this away properly. This is the first imperial edict our family has ever received—quite commemorative. Don’t lose it.”

Hai Lanzhu took the edict, looked it over, and smiled with pursed lips. “Got it. Tomorrow I’ll lock it in my cabinet. No chance of losing it.”

Seeing the couple behave as though no one else existed, Gao Qiqian felt his lungs were about to explode. The dozen or so tíqí and capital garrison soldiers behind him—men who were used to swaggering around the capital—were equally furious. To see a mere assistant commander show such contempt for the Emperor’s decree made them burn with anger. One of the leading tíqí even placed his right hand on the hilt of his embroidered spring saber.

Yue Yang, as if oblivious, said to Gao Qiqian, “Eunuch Gao, where is the two thousand taels of snow-silver His Majesty awarded me? I don’t seem to see it.”

Gao Qiqian glared at Yue Yang, flames practically shooting from his eyes. Yue Yang spoke as though he suspected Gao Qiqian of embezzling the silver.

Well… to be fair, Gao Qiqian really had been eyeing those two thousand taels.

Gao Qiqian stared at Yue Yang, his nostrils flaring like an enraged bull. Gritting his teeth, he said, “Rest assured—mere two thousand taels is nothing to me! The silver is right behind me. Take it away at once!”

Yue Yang glanced behind Gao Qiqian and saw two large wooden chests placed at the feet of the dozen tíqí and capital soldiers—presumably the silver.

“Good, then!” Yue Yang laughed. “Since Eunuch Gao has no such intentions, that’s excellent. Dazhi, why are you still standing there? Quickly take some men and help Eunuch Gao move the silver over. Holding so much silver isn’t safe for him.”

“Yes!”

Chen Dazhi replied loudly and led five or six personal guards over to carry the two chests away, not pausing for even a moment, as if afraid someone might stop them. The sight made the Jinyiwei and capital soldiers’ eyes blaze with fury. As the Emperor’s personal troops, they had never suffered such humiliation. The atmosphere instantly congealed.

Gao Qiqian’s lips trembled with rage before he finally sneered, “Lord Yue truly cuts an imposing figure. Before coming to Shanxi, I heard that in the Northern Shanxi Route, Lord Yue’s word is law—that your prestige is unmatched. I didn’t quite believe it then. Now it seems the rumors were well-founded indeed.”

The expressions of everyone in the hall changed. These words were deadly. “One word, nine tripods” was a phrase normally reserved for the Emperor. For Gao Qiqian to use it on Yue Yang—if word got out, Yue Yang would be in deep trouble no matter how he explained it.

Yet Yue Yang’s response was even more unexpected. He smiled faintly. “Thank you for the praise, Eunuch Gao. It’s rare for you to commend me so highly; I’m truly flattered. However, before that, I do have something I’d like to ask. Last time I led troops into battle and captured over six thousand enemy heads—when does the court plan to issue the reward silver for that?”

At this, Gao Qiqian choked, then replied in embarrassment and anger, “You should ask the Ministry of War about reward silver. This servant is merely a courier—how would I know such matters?”

“Oh… I see.” The little flame in Yue Yang’s heart grew ever larger. Finally, he sneered.
“In that case, forget I asked. By rights, since Eunuch Gao has come from afar, I should host a welcoming feast. But I know you are a busy man of great importance, so I won’t keep you for lunch. Eunuch Gao, take care. I won’t see you out.”

“You… you… fine, Yue Yang!”

At this point, Gao Qiqian could no longer hold back. He raised his orchid fingers and pointed at Yue Yang, his hand trembling violently. Ordinarily, officials or eunuchs sent out to proclaim edicts represented the Emperor himself. Local officials treated them little worse than their own fathers. When such people arrived, not only were they wined and dined lavishly, but if you didn’t slip them a thousand or eight hundred taels of silver, you’d be embarrassed.

But Yue Yang? The moment he finished receiving the edict, he turned hostile—no red envelope, not even a cup of water. To receive an imperial edict like this was practically unheard of in the Ming.

Yet Yue Yang had his own reasons. Ever since the ruckus he caused in the capital, he had known that Chongzhen disliked him. Thus, after driving Ajige and the others beyond the passes, he bade farewell to Lu Xiangsheng and returned to Shanxi.

Still, deep down he had harbored a sliver of hope—that no matter how much Chongzhen disliked him, he wouldn’t be so heartless as to deny him all face. After all, Yue Yang had rendered great merit; even if silver wasn’t issued, surely he would at least be promoted. Today’s edict completely shattered that illusion.

He had led troops to reinforce the capital region, fought the Qing for so long, annihilated thousands of enemies—yet in the end, he received nothing more than a consolation prize. Even the silver was only two thousand taels, not even enough to cover the army’s food expenses. As for rank, it was laughable: he had already been a General Who Pacifies the State, a junior second rank. Being “promoted” to General Who Serves the State was still junior second rank. Chongzhen was burning paper offerings at a grave—fooling ghosts.

Yue Yang had no doubt that if he made the slightest mistake now, what would be sent would not be an edict but a large contingent of tíqí with cold manacles and shackles. His entire family would be thrown onto prison carts and escorted to the capital, where a grim fate awaited.

Since things had come to this, Yue Yang had no interest in pressing his warm face against Gao Qiqian’s cold backside.

With that thought, the look in Yue Yang’s eyes grew colder still. “Eunuch Gao, do you have any other business? If not, please help yourself. This official still has duties to attend to and will not accompany you.”

“Good… good!” Since all pretense had been torn away, Gao Qiqian no longer held back.

Pointing at Yue Yang, he sneered, “Lord Yue truly wields immense authority. I’ve learned a great deal today. But don’t be too pleased with yourself. Lu Xiangsheng has gone to Hubei to suppress bandits. When the new Governor-General of Xuan-Da takes office, I’d like to see who will still be able to protect you!”

“The new Governor-General of Xuan-Da?” Yue Yang was taken aback. “Does that mean Governor Lu will no longer hold the post?”

“Hahaha—” Seeing Yue Yang’s startled expression, Gao Qiqian thought he was frightened and burst into arrogant laughter. Pointing at Yue Yang, he said loudly, “Yue Yang, don’t rush. You and I will meet again. But when we do, I hope you’ll still be able to act so arrogantly!”

With that, Gao Qiqian laughed loudly and strode out the door…