MLMD -Chapter 95 Different Opinions

As the saying goes, “a mouth that eats from someone becomes soft; a hand that receives favors becomes short.” After receiving benefits, Tang Xueying and Zheng Fakui treated Yue Yang with increasing warmth. Zheng Fakui even patted Yue Yang on the shoulder repeatedly, affectionately calling out Yue Yang’s courtesy name to show closeness—he was just short of slapping his chest and saying, “From now on, I’ve got your back.”

The three chatted for a while longer. Yue Yang then informed them once again that his wedding would take place in ten days and insisted that they attend. Only after that did he politely refuse Zheng Fakui’s entreaties and take his leave to go home.

Once Yue Yang left, the smiles on Zheng Fakui and Tang Xueying’s faces gradually faded, returning to their usual calm expressions.

After a moment, Zheng Fakui exhaled heavily and said, “Finally, we have fulfilled the Viceroy’s orders and gathered all the salt taxes.”

“Mm, and we even collected an extra thirty thousand taels—a truly unexpected bonus,” Tang Xueying nodded, took a long sip of tea, and then exhaled deeply.

After a brief silence, Zheng Fakui, looking puzzled, asked, “Master Tang, what do you think Yue Zhenghong’s intentions are? Not only did he pay the salt tax in full, he even paid an extra thirty thousand taels. Could it be that he really has so much silver that he doesn’t know what to do with it, as the rumors claim?”

Tang Xueying fell silent for a moment, then slowly set down his teacup and said, “It’s not that he has more silver than he can spend—he wants to ingratiate himself with the Eastern Viceroy.”

“Ingratiate himself with the Viceroy?” Zheng Fakui was silent for a moment before saying in disbelief, “He spent thirty thousand taels just to curry favor?”

It was not surprising to Zheng Fakui. Thirty thousand taels was no small sum. The entire Ming Dynasty’s annual revenue was only around four million taels of silver. To spend thirty thousand taels just to flatter someone was a considerable cost.

“Exactly why this man is not ordinary,” Tang Xueying chuckled lightly, as if it were nothing. “Ever since the Eastern Viceroy took office in Shanxi, his every step has been difficult. Now, almost all military authority in Shanxi is in the hands of Governor-General Zhang Zongheng. Although the Viceroy has lofty ambitions, he is constrained by the lack of troops, and in some matters must yield to Zhang. These things are no secret in official circles, and Yue Zhenghong surely knows it too. His display of loyalty is partly gratitude for the Viceroy’s support, but it is also opportunism. As long as the Viceroy remains in power, Yue naturally has a patron. As the saying goes, ‘It’s good to enjoy shade under a big tree.’”

“Mm, what Master Tang says makes sense,” Zheng Fakui nodded. Humans are creatures who seek benefit and avoid harm; Yue Yang’s actions were perfectly normal from the perspective of officials. In fact, it would be abnormal not to act this way.

“Looks like Yue Zhenghong will certainly receive significant cultivation from the Viceroy in the future,” Zheng Fakui said, a hint of envy in his tone.

“No need to envy him, Lord Zheng,” Tang Xueying smiled. “Yue Zhenghong, although talented, is only a xiucai. He won’t go far on the orthodox civil service path. If he wants to advance further, he’ll have to pursue a military career. So he will never conflict with you.”

“Master Tang, you wound me!” Zheng Fakui’s face flushed slightly, realizing that his inner thoughts had been seen through.

“Hehe, it’s nothing serious, Lord Zheng,” Tang Xueying waved dismissively. “The Eastern Viceroy would not mind such trivialities. But there is one matter I must remind you of.”

“Please speak, Master Tang!” Zheng Fakui immediately straightened. Though Tang Xueying held no official rank, as the Viceroy’s chief aide, his position in Xu Dingchen’s mind was unquestionable. Such a person might not help you succeed, but ruining your efforts could be done with ease. A single word before the Viceroy could nullify years of work. Zheng Fakui therefore did not dare to act haughty in his presence.

Tang Xueying gazed deeply at Zheng Fakui and said, “I observe that Yue Zhenghong is quite shrewd. He is generous with money and not stingy; without surprise, he should achieve something significant. But for some reason, he insists on marrying a Mongol woman in ten days. From what I know, she is the eldest daughter of Zaisang, chief of the Khorchin tribe, and her younger sister is a consort of Khan Huang Taiji. If no one investigates this matter, it may be fine, but if anyone uses it to create trouble, it will be very disadvantageous for him. Lord Zheng, if you wish to get close to him, you must exercise caution!”

“Oh? Is that so?” Zheng Fakui was astonished. “This shouldn’t… shouldn’t happen! I thought this man was clever. How could he commit such an unwise act?”

“This is also what I cannot comprehend,” Tang Xueying said bitterly. “Our Ming Dynasty and the Jurchens are already mortal enemies. And yet this man dares to establish a familial tie with the Khan. I truly don’t know if he is genuinely foolish or pretending. Doesn’t he fear impeachment by the Censorate for colluding with an enemy chief?”

The two discussed Yue Yang’s reasoning for a long time but could not come up with a satisfactory answer. In the end, they could only helplessly categorize him as a Li Houzhu-type figure—loving a woman more than his country. Tang Xueying quickly wrote a letter and sent it at full speed to the Viceroy’s office in Taiyuan.

Meanwhile, back at home, Yue Yang finally found a moment of leisure. He first spent time in the backyard with Hailanzhu, chatting quietly, and then slipped into the Linglong sisters’ courtyard. With their help, he took a bath, and then held the sisters in his arms, engaging in activities far from suitable for children.

As dusk fell, a faint sound echoed in the previously dim room. A soft orange-red glow lit up, casting everything in hazy light, accompanied by the sisters’ gentle breathing.

“Master… I can’t take it anymore! You’re just too amazing!” Yuling, sweat glistening on her body, sprawled over Yue Yang. The aftershocks of her climax had not yet faded, and her fair skin was flushed. She licked Yue Yang’s chest while pleading teasingly with her man.

“Master, you’ve been getting stronger recently,” Yuling murmured, breathing heavily in Yue Yang’s arms, her eyes showing deep fascination.

“Hmph… let’s see if you dare tease me again!” Yue Yang smacked Yuling’s tender rounded bottom proudly. For some reason, with each time-travel experience, Yue Yang’s physical fitness had gradually improved. His formerly weak body was becoming stronger, and even faint abdominal muscles were beginning to show. The most immediate effect of this increased fitness was in his sexual performance. Even combined, the Linglong sisters were no match for him.

At that moment, a rustling sound came from under the covers, and a dazzlingly fair body slowly emerged, swallowing a bit as she did so. She rested in Yue Yang’s arms, panting lightly, and after a while coquettishly said, “Master, you’re truly wicked, making me do such an embarrassing thing.”

It was Yulong. Her face was flushed, and her well-developed curves rose and fell gently, showing the physical exertion from their earlier activities.

“It’s nothing, husband and wife are one after all!” Yue Yang proudly held the beautiful, obedient sisters, feeling immense satisfaction. He only wished life could continue like this forever.

After regaining their strength, the sisters clung to Yue Yang like octopuses. A month apart had made these young women, new to such experiences, unusually clingy.

Yue Yang held the sisters and casually asked, “Ling’er, Long’er, did anything happen at home while I was away?”

“Nothing, everything at home is fine!” Yuling, completely relaxed in Yue Yang’s arms, answered lazily.

“Good!” Yue Yang nodded in satisfaction. The longer he stayed here, the stronger his attachment to this home grew. The matriarch, his sister Yueying, and these two girls who had completely given themselves to him had become inseparable family.

“But while you were away, someone was quietly gossiping about Sister Hailanzhu,” Yulong suddenly said.

“Oh? What did they say?” Yue Yang asked indifferently.

“They… they said, why does Master insist on marrying a Mongol woman as the primary wife? If this spreads, it could greatly harm Master’s prospects.”

“What nonsense!” Yue Yang immediately became angry. He knew someone had been speaking ill in front of the Linglong sisters; otherwise, given their innocence, they could never have come up with such a complicated matter themselves.

Hearing Yue Yang’s stern tone, the sisters’ faces fell. Yuling quickly said, “Understood.” Only Yulong, mustering courage, nestled into Yue Yang’s arms and coquettishly said, “I’m only concerned for Master.”

“You two should focus on more important things!” The hot, steamy air in the room made Yulong’s fragrance fill the space, and Yue Yang felt a surge of heat.

Suppressing that inner fire, Yue Yang spoke seriously: “You are both innocent and don’t understand how complex some matters are. But you must remember, my marriage to Hailanzhu as my primary wife has its reasons. I will continue to care for you as always. As for those petty people, if they come running to gossip in front of you again, order the guards to beat them away. Our Yue family does not tolerate such people. Understood?”

“Yes, we understand!” The sisters obediently nodded. Yue Yang rarely used a stern tone, but when he did, it was always serious.

After comforting them, Yue Yang fell into thought. It seemed that Dorgon’s words were not without effect; there really were differing opinions at home about his bringing Hailanzhu into the family.