MLMD -Chapter 380 Leading Troops into the City

For Yue Yang, who had grown up under the red flag, life was precious. Since the court had summoned him back to the capital to report for duty, he naturally had to plan carefully, doing everything possible to maximize his own safety.

Troops had to be brought along—otherwise, how could his safety be guaranteed? The question now was how many men to take back with him. Most of the generals under Yue Yang were originally from the Xuan–Da Army. He had worried that they would be unwilling to remain behind in Liaodong. Yet when he asked who was willing to stay and garrison Liaodong, he was surprised to find that quite a few were actually scrambling to do so. In particular, when it came to the post of defending Jinzhou, they were nearly at each other’s throats. Yang Guozhu, Hu Dawei, Shun Bao and others argued until they were spitting foam, all clamoring to stay behind in Jinzhou. Even Wang Pu—who had always preached “safety first”—raised his hand high, eager to remain in Liaodong.

Perplexed, Yue Yang asked them, “Liaodong is bitterly cold and harsh. Compared with places like Datong, Taiyuan, or Hunyuan Prefecture, it’s far worse. Why are you all so eager to stay here?”

Yang Guozhu gave him the answer: “These days there are no Tatars left in the Xuan–Da region. We have nothing to do there anymore. But here, there are chances to fight the Tatars at any time, and it’s much easier to earn merit.”

Only then did Yue Yang understand. These fellows thought Xuan–Da had no wars left to fight, while Jinzhou stood on the front line, where opportunities for merit were far greater. That was why they were all shouting and scrambling to stay. Damn it—were these really the same Ming troops who used to flee at the mere sight of the Tatars? In another timeline, if the late-Ming generals had possessed even half the courage of these men, the Ming dynasty would never have been beaten bloody by the Tatars for decades.

What Yue Yang did not realize was that history itself had already begun to change beyond recognition because of his arrival. An army is a beast that must be constantly fed with victory. Only continuous victories can cultivate the spirit of meeting the enemy head-on, daring to fight and daring to die. Yue Yang’s forces were arguably the best-equipped army of this era. Ample supplies and pay, fine weapons, and strict discipline were all guarantees of victory. Coupled with the string of dazzling triumphs Yue Yang had achieved over the years, the Xuan–Da Army now faced the Qing troops with tremendous confidence. By contrast, the Qing soldiers often lost half their morale the moment they encountered the Xuan–Da Army—even before fighting began. The situation was exactly the reverse of what it had been in the other timeline.

Since all the generals were eager to stay behind in Liaodong to build their achievements, matters became much simpler. After careful consideration, Yue Yang ordered Yang Guozhu and Wu Chengfeng to lead twenty thousand infantry and ten thousand cavalry to garrison Jinzhou; Chu Di was to command ten thousand infantry to hold Shanhai Pass; and He Kegang, assisted by Tang Tong, was instructed to recruit fifty thousand new troops in Liaodong. Yue Yang himself would lead thirty thousand infantry and cavalry back to the capital to report for duty.

On the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth month of the tenth year of Chongzhen, Yue Yang led more than thirty thousand troops in a vast procession toward the capital…

“Hyah—hyah!”

Hundreds of fine horses galloped along the frozen, snowbound official road, kicking up shards of ice. The thunder of hooves pounded endlessly against the earth, echoing across the silent plains.

By mid-morning, several thousand cavalry reached their destination. Gazing at the towering city gates in the distance, the leading rider exhaled deeply, his breath heavy with moisture that instantly turned into white mist in the icy wind.

Looking at the lofty, unbroken city walls, Wu Qing—riding beside Yue Yang—could not help saying, “So this is the capital? Truly magnificent.”

Yue Yang laughed heartily. “Of course. This is the capital. San Shi, it’s your first time here, isn’t it? You’ll get used to it. Come—let’s go in.”

As the capital of the Great Ming Empire, the city gates were naturally guarded. The guards, dressed in shabby cotton coats, stood at the gate holding spears or wearing sabers at their waists, collecting entrance fees from the common folk. The fee here was a bit higher than elsewhere—after all, this was the imperial capital. How could it not be expensive?

The arrival of several thousand cavalry caused quite a stir. The gate guards had long noticed them. One soldier, startled, nearly shouted “Enemy attack!” before he saw the Sun-and-Moon banner raised by the lead rider and realized they were Ming troops.

As the cavalry slowed, a gate soldier stepped forward to question them—only to feel his collar tighten as someone yanked him back. Turning his head, he saw his superior, a ninth-rank gate officer, already bent at the waist, smiling obsequiously as he hurried forward. “My lord, please report your identity and purpose, so that this humble one may register it.”

The leading rider was a young man in his twenties. He said calmly, “We are the Xuan–Da Army, returning to the capital on imperial orders to report for duty. My name is Yue Yang.”

“Yue… Yue Yang…”

The gate officer shuddered all over. He looked again carefully, his knees going weak, nearly unable to stand. Even his speech began to stutter. “Yue… Marquis Yue… You… you’ve returned to the capital?”

“Yes. Why? You know me as well?”

The man before him was indeed Yue Yang, summoned back to the capital to report. Seeing the shock in the gate officer’s eyes, Yue Yang was surprised that such a minor official had even heard his name.

He had asked casually, but the gate officer was nearly frightened to tears. Who in the Great Ming didn’t know your name these days? The bloodstains from over a hundred capital garrison soldiers slaughtered by your men on Qianmen Street not long ago hadn’t even dried yet. Rumors were flying around the capital that this lord before them had to eat at least five human hearts with wine every night just to fall asleep. How could he not be terrified?

“Y-you… please don’t joke with this humble one. Y-you are such a heroic figure. How could a small fry like me know you?”

Seeing the gate officer stammering uncontrollably, Yue Yang frowned. “Enough. Since you’ve recognized me, I won’t waste words. We’re entering the city now—how much is the gate tax?”

“The gate tax? No, no need…” The officer shook his head like a rattle drum. Collect tax from this killing star? Was he courting death? Besides, which official ever paid tax?

“That won’t do. How can the tax not be paid? It must be paid.” Yue Yang seriously took out more than ten silver coins and tossed them to the officer. “Rules are rules. We have many men, so I’ll pay for everyone together. Is this enough?”

“Enough, enough…” The gate officer was so frightened he scarcely knew what he was saying. Damn it… today I actually collected tax from this killing star.

Having grown up under the red flag, Comrade Yue Yang had the principle of paying taxes according to law engraved deep in his bones. Dare not pay taxes? In that other world, the tax bureau uncles and aunties would fine you until your pockets were turned inside out—and that was an agency even fiercer than the so-called ‘relevant departments.’

Just as Yue Yang was about to spur his horse forward, a timid voice sounded from the side.

“M-Marquis…”

“What else?” Yue Yang asked, halting his horse.

The gate officer said tremblingly, “Well… according to the rules… Marquis, you can’t bring so many troops into the city.”

Yue Yang frowned again. “Then how many can I bring in?”

“F-fifty…”

As soon as the words left his mouth, the gate officer felt countless tangible gazes fall upon him—undisguised, chilling killing intent that nearly made him wet himself. With a thud, he dropped to his knees, crying, “Marquis! It’s not that I mean to make things hard for you. These are the capital’s rules! Without Ministry of War documents or an imperial edict, troops are not allowed to enter the city!”

“Nonsense!” Yue Yang exploded. There were at least eight or nine thousand people in the capital who wished him dead. Letting him bring only fifty men inside—if Zhu Youjian suddenly turned against him, wouldn’t he be completely helpless?

Seeing Yue Yang enraged, the gate officer kowtowed repeatedly. “Marquis… please show mercy. If you really bring so many men into the city, my head will be forfeit. Since the founding of the Great Ming, no general has ever brought thousands of troops into the capital. There’s no such rule in this dynasty!”

Though furious, Yue Yang knew the man wasn’t entirely wrong. If every general entered the city with thousands of troops, wouldn’t chaos ensue?

After cooling down, Yue Yang also felt that bringing thousands of fully armed cavalry into the capital was far too conspicuous and would invite criticism. He said, “How about this—we’ll each take a step back. I won’t bring everyone in. I’ll take five hundred men into the city. The rest can stay outside the gate and help you guard it. How does that sound?”

“Th-this…” The gate officer hesitated, but after glancing at Yue Yang and then at the murderous-looking soldiers around him, he knew that if he refused again, his head might truly roll.

Seeing the officer bow his head in tacit agreement, Yue Yang turned to his bodyguard captain, Chen Dazhi, and ordered, “I’ll enter the city with Wu Qing and five hundred men. You take the rest and secure the gate. Until I come out, no one is to close it. Keep the radios open. Also, send word to the main army to move two li away from the gate and camp there. If anything happens, storm in and kill your way through. Understood?”

“Yes, sir!” Chen Dazhi nodded. He summoned a thousand-captain and whispered a few instructions. The man immediately dismounted and led troops to occupy the gate and the gate tower. Only after more than three thousand soldiers had taken control of the entire gate area did he report that all preparations were complete. Watching this, the gate officer nearly burst into tears. Was Marquis Yue planning to seize the capital? I’m just a gatekeeper—must you make things so hard for me?

After securing the entire northern gate, Yue Yang finally led five hundred men into the capital.

This was Yue Yang’s second time entering the capital. The last time had been the previous year, when he had been ordered to enter the city to procure grain to solve his army’s supply crisis. Back then, he had charged through the city with his troops, killing many people before securing enough grain for the army. Since then, his name had surely left a deep impression in many hearts.

The same streets, the same people—but his mood was entirely different. Last time, Yue Yang had only been a vice general, a mid-level officer at best. Now he was a marquis commanding massive forces, his might shaking the frontier. Every move he made could have a profound impact on this vast empire.

Wu Qing rode close behind Yue Yang. Years of military life had stripped him of the frail, scholarly air he had when he first joined Yue Yang. In its place was a sharp, capable, and resolute presence.

Seeing the refugees filling the streets and beggars everywhere, Wu Qing’s initial awe faded into a different emotion. He rode up beside Yue Yang and asked in confusion, “Marquis, this is the capital, beneath the Son of Heaven’s feet, where nobles gather. How can it be so… so…”

“So miserable?” Yue Yang said calmly, as if long accustomed to it. “The capital may be where the Son of Heaven resides, but it isn’t paradise. The court’s finances are empty, rebels infest the Central Plains, and the little tax revenue that remains has all been poured into a bottomless pit. Where would the money come from to relieve the disaster victims? Besides, you know the court’s habits. Whatever silver reaches local officials gets skinned layer by layer. By the time it reaches the refugees, only twenty or thirty percent remains.”

Looking at the disaster victims shivering in the cold wind, and children frozen to the point of silent sobbing, Wu Qing fell silent. Then he suddenly asked, “Marquis, if one day you were to replace them… would these people’s lives be better?”

Yue Yang was silent for a long while, riding slowly before finally saying, “I don’t know. Don’t imagine me as some lofty saint. I’m just a mortal too. And is that seat really so easy to sit on? As the saying goes, only the one who drinks the water knows whether it’s cold or warm. Whether that seat is comfortable—perhaps only the one who sits on it truly knows.”

After saying that, Yue Yang fell silent again. Now a marquis commanding hundreds of thousands, he could make the Great Ming tremble with a single sneeze. Yet in the stillness of night, he often asked himself: if one day he sat on that throne, would he truly be satisfied? Was that seat really so alluring?

Look at Zhu Youjian—on the throne for so many years, rising earlier than the roosters and sleeping later than the dogs, eating poorly, living in constant fear. After barely more than a decade, not even thirty years old, half his hair had turned white. What meaning was there in such a life? Yue Yang had pondered this question for a long time, yet never found an answer.

As Yue Yang sank into thought, news of his entry into the capital spread rapidly. Zhu Youjian, holding court in the morning audience, soon learned of it.

“What? Yue Yang has entered the city?”

Not only Zhu Youjian, but all the civil and military officials in the hall heard the news. Hundreds of them exchanged glances. Most faces showed shock, astonishment, even panic and resentment. Some met each other’s eyes, a flicker of killing intent passing between them.

As the ultimate boss, Zhu Youjian himself was deeply shaken. The envoy sent to summon Yue Yang had departed only half a month ago. It would take eight or nine days to reach Jinzhou, and Yue Yang would need another ten days or so to return. Less than a month would be impossible—yet he had arrived so quickly.

A eunuch knelt and asked, “Your Majesty, Loyal and Brave Marquis Yue is on his way to the palace. Shall this servant go out to welcome him in?”

Zhu Youjian fell into contemplation. Yue Yang’s early arrival had disrupted his plans, leaving him hesitant.

Seeing the emperor hesitate, Shang Zhouzha grew anxious and stepped forward, shouting, “Your Majesty, why welcome him? Yue Yang has disrupted the court and commands troops for himself. Now that he’s come to the capital, it is precisely the moment to display Your Majesty’s authority! Order the Jinyiwei to seize him, throw him into the imperial prison, and immediately hand him over to the Three Judicial Offices for trial. He must be severely punished! Then send capable men to Shanxi and Liaodong to pacify his subordinates, and escort his family to the capital. Thus, the matter will be settled!”

As he spoke, Shang Zhouzha thought of Yue Yang’s wealth—nearly rivaling the state itself—and an unusual gleam flashed in his eyes. Once Yue Yang fell, countless people would rush to carve up his riches and power. As the foremost opponent of Yue Yang, he himself would surely get a share.

Hearing this, even Zhu Youjian’s eyes flickered with temptation. If Yue Yang’s power—especially his vast wealth—could be smoothly absorbed, it would indeed be a boon for the financially strained Ming. But would things truly go so smoothly?

Seeing the emperor still hesitant, Shang Zhouzha grew anxious and stepped forward to continue persuading him—only to hear the eunuch’s weak voice again.

“Your Majesty… Lord Shang… the Loyal and Brave Marquis did not come alone.”

“Oh?” Shang Zhouzha raised an eyebrow and sneered. “As expected. That traitor, being a marquis, would not enter the city alone. How many men did he bring? Thirty? Or fifty?”

The eunuch lowered his head and stammered, “He brought… brought… five hundred personal guards.”

“What? Five hundred!” Shang Zhouzha flew into a rage and shouted, “By the ancestral law of the Great Ming, external officials entering the capital may not bring more than fifty soldiers. Exceeding that number is tantamount to rebellion! What exactly does Yue Yang intend to do?”

“And… and that’s not all…” the eunuch added.

Before Shang Zhouzha could finish, the eunuch dropped another bombshell.

“The Loyal and Brave Marquis not only brought five hundred cavalry into the city—he left three thousand cavalry at the gate. They even drove away the gate officials and seized control of the gate themselves.”

“Boom—”

The eunuch’s words exploded like a bomb, shaking everyone present. Yue Yang had barely arrived—and he was already making a tremendous commotion.