MLMD -Chapter 69 The Meeting

Yue Yang asked, “Are you sure the officer who came is from the prefectural office?”

The soldier replied, “Yes, Young Master. The person who came is that Luban Head who delivered the message last time!”

“Ah, it’s him.”

Hearing this, Yue Yang couldn’t help but smile. This Luban Head was the very officer who had put on a stern face the first time Yue Yang visited the prefectural office. Yue Yang still remembered how that expression of his had infuriated Shunbao and Old Hu at the time. Later, when bandits besieged Yingzhou Prefecture, Luban Head had been sent to request reinforcements, and Shunbao and Old Hu kept insisting on driving him away. In the end, it was Yue Yang who overrode everyone’s objections and decisively sent troops, resulting in the great victory outside Yingzhou City.

Seeing that Yue Yang remained silent, the soldier thought Yue Yang didn’t want to see him and asked, “Young Master, should I send him away?”

Yue Yang shook his head and said casually, “No, let him come. I want to see what this is about.”

“Yes!” The soldier saluted Yue Yang and ran back.

Luban Head followed behind the soldier to the training ground. From there, he could see squads of soldiers clad in full armor practicing formations or assassination drills under the command of junior officers. Although it was still cold in February, the entire training ground echoed with the sounds of battle. Many soldiers shouted hoarsely, white mist puffing from their mouths. Watching these vigorous, energetic soldiers, fear flickered in Luban Head’s eyes, and at the same time, his mind raced. Yue Yang’s recent large-scale recruitment had become widely known, and many wondered just how many men he had gathered.

As a local figure, Luban Head naturally knew that Yue Yang’s militia numbered at least four to five thousand. For a landlord who relied on the weather for income or a salt merchant, such numbers were extraordinary. But Luban Head didn’t want to meddle in such affairs. Yue Yang was no longer the timid scholar he once could sneer at. Luban Head understood that if Yue Yang wanted to deal with him now, it would likely be no harder than crushing an ant. Moreover, he knew Yue Yang didn’t favor him, so he usually avoided him. But today, having received the prefect’s orders to summon Yue Yang to the office, Luban Head steeled himself and came to Wuli Village.

Soon, the soldier brought Luban Head to the viewing platform of the training ground. There, he saw the young man who now held the greatest influence in Yingzhou City standing with his hands behind his back, looking at him coolly. Luban Head noticed that although Yue Yang’s appearance hadn’t changed much, being fully armored like the soldiers around him gave off a subtle pressure. This authority was different from the cultured dignity of Prefect Zheng Fakui; it carried a hint of sharpness and iron-willed energy.

Seeing this, Luban Head instinctively bent one knee and performed the kowtow usually reserved for audiences with the prefect. He shouted loudly, “Luban Head of Yingzhou Prefecture humbly greets Young Master Yue!”

Yue Yang was momentarily taken aback by the deep bow, but quickly stepped forward, helping him up with a smile. “Luban Head, you’re too kind! How can a mere scholar like me deserve such a ceremony? If anyone saw this, they might report me to the Academic Authority for not knowing my place!”

Luban Head, used to serving officials, quickly flattered him, “Young Master, you overstate it. This bow is not from me personally—it represents all the people of Yingzhou. Last time, you saved tens of thousands of citizens in Yingzhou City. How could it not be a great merit? Would it not be right for me to bow on behalf of the people?”

Yue Yang shook his head with a wry smile. Whether in ancient times or the present, officials and civil servants had a remarkable habit of acting on behalf of others—was this some sort of tradition?

Shaking off the thought, Yue Yang didn’t want to argue with this oily official and asked, “Luban Head, I heard you were sent by the prefect to summon me. What does the prefect wish to discuss?”

Luban Head smiled awkwardly. “Young Master, please understand, I am only a humble messenger. The prefect is a person of great standing—how could he reveal matters to someone like me? Please do not put me in a difficult position.”

Yue Yang noticed that though Luban Head’s face wore an obedient smile, he didn’t believe a word. Such low-ranking men in the prefectural office often had the fastest access to information. There was no way Luban Head knew nothing.

Yue Yang’s expression darkened, and he sneered, “So today you don’t intend to tell me the truth? Do you know where you are? This is the training ground, a place for soldiers. If you try to fool me, do you think you’ll leave here alive? Men!”

“Yes!”

At his command, a thunderous roar came from dozens of nearby soldiers, catching Luban Head completely off guard.

Seeing dozens of spear-wielding soldiers glaring at him with murderous intent, as if at Yue Yang’s order they could tear him apart, Luban Head knelt quickly, his voice quivering with tears. “Young Master, spare me! I’ll speak… isn’t it enough if I speak?”

Yue Yang shook his head, suppressing a wry smile, though he had to maintain a stern face. “Speak quickly!”

Luban Head said, “This morning, two distinguished guests arrived at the prefect’s residence. I overheard them at the gate asking to see you, so the prefect sent me to summon you… the troops, they request that you come to the office for a discussion.”

“Distinguished guests?”

Muttering to himself, Yue Yang thought that anyone deemed a distinguished guest by Prefect Zheng Fakui must hold considerable status, certainly not below the prefect himself. But why would they want to see him? Could it be for something unfavorable?

Thinking it over, Yue Yang shook his head. Recently, he hadn’t done anything out of line—he had merely recruited some soldiers, and he held official documents from the Datong Military Inspector. By all rights, his militia was a legitimate private force; he had violated no taboo.

Unable to figure it out, Yue Yang decided to stop worrying for now. “Luban Head, you may rise. I won’t make things difficult. Wait a moment; once I change, I’ll follow you immediately.”

“Thank you, Young Master!” Luban Head rejoiced. Just as he rose, he wanted to kneel and kowtow again, but Yue Yang stopped him.

Even after more than half a year in the Ming dynasty, Yue Yang was still unaccustomed to the habit of kneeling at every opportunity. “Enough, don’t kowtow all the time. A man’s knees shouldn’t be that weak!”

Since the prefect had requested his presence, and the guests were named personally, Yue Yang was curious to see who was so eager to meet him. He didn’t delay, removing his armor before mounting his horse with Shunbao and several dozen guards, galloping toward Yingzhou City.

After more than an hour, Yue Yang arrived at the Yingzhou Prefecture office. Luban Head led him in, bypassing formalities and bringing him directly to the inner residence.

Yue Yang was surprised. Luban Head had told the truth—ordinary guests would never be allowed into the inner quarters where women lived.

They arrived at a study. After notifying the occupants, Luban Head invited Yue Yang in. “Young Master Yue, the prefect has requested your presence!”

Yue Yang opened the door, and a wave of warmth greeted him. The stove inside burned brightly, quickly dispelling the cold from his body.

Shaking snow from his coat, Yue Yang looked up and saw three men seated inside. The man at the center appeared to be around fifty, with a square face and a short beard. His expression combined scholarly elegance with a hint of authority. He wore a pale blue brocade robe and thick official boots, his eyes sharp and focused on Yue Yang.

Scanning quickly, Yue Yang saw that the host, Zheng Fakui, and another man in his forties sat at the center man’s left and lower left positions.

Yue Yang’s heart sank slightly. The man before him clearly held a status higher than Zheng Fakui.

His mind raced, but Yue Yang acted swiftly. He stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said, “Your student Yue Yang greets the Prefect!”