MLMD -Chapter 287 Establishing a Command and Raising a Guard

Today, a dusty and weary guest arrived outside the General’s Mansion. Upon the guest’s arrival, the gate guards reported it, and Yue Yang quickly came out to greet him and usher him inside.

Yue Yang led the guest into the study in the inner courtyard and smiled lightly at him: “Eunuch Cao, why don’t you stay quietly in the capital? How is it that you’ve come all the way here to visit me?”

It turned out the visitor was none other than Cao Huachun, the current Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Looking at Yue Yang’s composed demeanor, Cao Huachun forced a bitter smile and said, “Lord Yue, your boldness knows no bounds! You’ve stirred up such a tremendous calamity. Do you really intend to rebel against the court and the emperor?”

“Rebel against the court?” Yue Yang let out a cold laugh. “Eunuch Cao, it’s not that I wish to rebel against the court. Rather, the court simply cannot tolerate me. Pray, what wrong have I committed that the emperor would dispatch Chen Xinjia and Gao Qiqian together, determined to bring me to my death? Truth be told, even if you didn’t tell me, I would know: the court covets only my fields, my silver, and the troops under my command. But let me make this clear—these are all things I’ve accumulated bit by bit. Let alone the court, even if the emperor himself came, he would never take them from me!”

“You…”

Though Cao Huachun was known for his mild temperament, he could not help but be angered by Yue Yang’s forceful tone. Serving in the palace for so many years, he had come into contact with countless officials, yet he had never met anyone so arrogantly unreasonable.

Taking a deep breath and forcing himself to swallow his frustration, Cao Huachun spoke more calmly: “Lord Yue, the emperor knows that this matter has indeed wronged you. This affair was privately orchestrated by Gao Qiqian and Chen Xinjia; the emperor himself was unaware. But since it has already happened, there is no point in saying more. I have come on the emperor’s orders to speak with you.”

After saying this, Cao Huachun stood there composed, staring at Yue Yang, who merely remained seated. Time slowly passed, and Cao Huachun’s face gradually darkened.

Yue Yang, feeling slightly bewildered, asked, “Eunuch Cao, if you have questions, just ask. Why are you staring at me like this?”

Cao Huachun could no longer restrain himself and shouted, “Lord Yue, I am here on the emperor’s behalf! Shouldn’t you kneel and answer?”

“Kneel and answer?” Yue Yang’s expression turned cold. If it were Emperor Chongzhen himself standing before him, that would be one thing. But now a eunuch comes merely to ask a few questions and expects him to kneel? How childish.

“Eunuch Cao, I will not kneel to answer. If you truly do not wish to speak with me, then you may leave,” Yue Yang said calmly. Ever since receiving the imperial edict from the court, his last sliver of hope in Emperor Chongzhen had vanished. Naturally, he would not kneel for someone so far away.

“You… you…” Cao Huachun finally saw another side of Yue Yang. He had never encountered someone so arrogant and unreasonable. To refuse to kneel before a eunuch representing the emperor was tantamount to placing oneself on equal footing with the emperor.

Cao Huachun’s face fluctuated between red and blue. Honestly, he wanted to turn and leave in frustration, but he restrained himself, recalling the words and expression of Emperor Chongzhen when he had departed.

“All right, if he won’t kneel, he won’t kneel. The bigger matter takes precedence,” Cao Huachun kept telling himself.

“Lord Yue, the emperor asks: why did you stop sending grain taxes to the court?”

“Because I intend to use the grain taxes to provide relief for fallen soldiers and to reward meritorious officers. Naturally, that money is no longer available,” Yue Yang replied.

…I can’t…

“The emperor also asks: why humiliate officials Chen Xinjia and Gao Qiqian so?”

Hearing this, Yue Yang’s face bore a trace of mockery: “Because they wanted me dead. That I haven’t killed them is only out of consideration for the court.”

Cao Huachun inhaled deeply. “Lastly, what would it take for you to resume sending grain to the court?”

Yue Yang smiled lightly. “That depends on what kind of compensation the court is willing to offer me.”

Cao Huachun’s heart leapt at this and he quickly responded, “That’s easy. Before leaving, the emperor specially approved your promotion to Cavalry General and Shanxi Military Governor. Will that satisfy you?”

“Shanxi Military Governor?” Yue Yang asked in surprise. “If I am made Shanxi Military Governor, what about General Hu Dawei? Will he be dismissed?”

Cao Huachun said awkwardly, “Not exactly. General Hu has other appointments; you needn’t worry about that.”

Hearing this, Yue Yang slowly shook his head. Cao Huachun became anxious. “Lord Yue, the emperor has granted you a great favor! What more do you want?”

“It’s still not enough!” Yue Yang said firmly. “A mere Military Governor and the Tiger-Dragon Generals are like asking me to resume taxes. Impossible!”

“What do you want then?” Cao Huachun also grew anxious and shouted, glaring at him. “You don’t mean to become Grand Chancellor, do you?”

“Grand Chancellor?” Yue Yang laughed. “I wouldn’t even care to hold that worthless position.”

“Lord Yue, let’s speak frankly. Just tell me: what exactly do you require to continue sending taxes to the court?” Cao Huachun was now flustered. Before leaving the capital, Emperor Chongzhen had privately instructed him—though not explicitly—suggesting that as long as Yue Yang could be appeased and taxes resumed, reasonable requests could be granted. The suppression of bandits in Henan and Hubei was at a critical stage, urgently requiring grain. These supplies could not be taken from Liaodong, or instability would ensue there. After careful consideration, only Yue Yang in Shanxi’s northern route had the capability—hence the emperor’s urgency in sending Cao Huachun to reconcile with him.

Seeing Cao Huachun so anxious, Yue Yang shook his head inwardly. This Cao Huachun was simply unfit for negotiation, already revealing his hand after a few words. In another timeline, Ming’s fall was partly due to poor personnel management, and here was yet another example.

With matters at this stage, Yue Yang no longer wasted words. He extended a finger and said calmly: “First, I require a noble title—not too high, a marquis will suffice.”

Hearing this, Cao Huachun’s face immediately turned green, but he forcibly restrained himself and continued to listen.

“Second, spare me the Shanxi Military Governor post; the court only needs to appoint me Northern Route Commander. Third, I require the authority to establish a command and raise a guard!”

“Yue Yang… you are too presumptuous!” The moment Yue Yang spoke, Cao Huachun leapt to his feet, shouting in anger, “What are you saying… absolutely impossible!”