MLMD -Chapter 97 Xu Dingchen’s Worries

As the charming spring breeze swept across the land of Shanxi, the once withered earth began to sprout green shoots. By May, the weather had turned hot, and the number of travelers on the roads started to increase.

Today, atop Longshan Mountain, about forty li southwest of Taiyuan City, a group of visitors arrived. There were roughly forty or fifty people in the group. Most of them wore black-and-red robes, each with a Yanxiang saber hanging at their waist. Their movements were agile, and they frequently glanced around, their expressions sharp and alert. In the middle of the group were two small palanquins, draped in dark green silk, hiding whoever sat inside.

The group stopped outside the Longmen Grottoes and began unloading the palanquins. Two people emerged. Leading them was a middle-aged man in his fifties with a dignified appearance and an aura of authority that radiated without anger. This was none other than Xu Dingchen, the governor of Shanxi.

From the other palanquin emerged a man in his forties, wearing a deep blue robe, with a pale, clean-shaven face. After stepping down, he glanced around and smiled at Xu Dingchen.

“Governor Xu, although my family has just arrived in Shanxi, we’ve already heard of the fame of the Longmen Grottoes. Upon stepping foot here today, a sense of solemnity immediately struck me—it truly is extraordinary.”

The man’s tone was sharper than most men’s, which might sound odd to an ordinary listener. Xu Dingchen, however, seemed accustomed to it. Stroking his long beard, he looked around and smiled.

“Lord Wei has lived in the capital for many years and has seen countless sights. The Longmen Grottoes are fine, but to you, perhaps they are just ordinary.”

It turned out that the pale, clean-shaven man was Wei Tonghe, the newly appointed military eunuch in charge of Shanxi. During the late Ming, eunuchs in charge of military affairs held significant power—they could supervise generals, assist in military campaigns, and enforce border defense.

Normally, Wei Tonghe, as a stationed eunuch, should have been based in Datong, a key military city. However, he considered Datong too close to the border and found a reason to submit a report to the Chongzhen Emperor, requesting to move his station to Taiyuan instead. Xu Dingchen was displeased by Wei Tonghe’s arrival but dared not offend the eunuch. As a veteran official, he understood that eunuchs might not help him achieve his goals, but if they wanted to sabotage him, it could be done with a word. Thus, he specially set aside time to accompany Wei Tonghe on a visit to the Longmen Grottoes.

Wei Tonghe wandered into the grotto, initially unimpressed by the simplicity of the scenery outside. But as soon as he entered, he was struck by the plain, refined, and solemn statues inside.

Xu Dingchen, following behind, explained: “Lord Wei, there are sixty-six Taoist stone statues, eight reliefs of clouds and dragons, double-phoenix coffered ceilings, cranes, and many other carvings in this grotto, all created during the reign of Emperor Taizong of the previous dynasty. The craftsmanship is exquisite and these are rare treasures indeed!”

Looking at the statues, Wei Tonghe nodded in admiration. “Indeed. Had I not seen them with my own eyes, I would not have believed such exquisite work could exist. It’s a pity we can’t bring the Emperor here to appreciate them.”

Xu Dingchen laughed. “The Emperor is occupied with the affairs of the realm every day; he has no time for leisure. As his ministers, we cannot ease his burdens—this is truly our shame.”

The two chatted casually, wandering through the grotto. Wei Tonghe, visiting for the first time, could not help but marvel at the lifelike statues. After about half an hour, they left the grotto.

Atop the mountain, attendants had already set up a low table and two stools, with a steaming pot of tea on the table. Xu Dingchen and Wei Tonghe sat down, enjoying both the scenery and the tea.

Taking a sip, Wei Tonghe said, “Governor Xu, before arriving, I heard the Emperor praise you. He said that the swift pacification of the Shanxi rebels was thanks to two people: Governor-General Zhang Zongheng and you, Governor Xu. With both of you stationed in Shanxi, the Emperor need not worry!”

At the mention of Zhang Zongheng, a flash of displeasure crossed Xu Dingchen’s eyes but vanished quickly. He chuckled lightly. “The Emperor overpraises me. I merely did my duty as a minister. Moreover, I am just a governor, without a single soldier—how could I have quelled the rebels alone?”

Wei Tonghe, having spent years in the palace, could easily read between the lines. In any dynasty, the two most dangerous and treacherous places were the imperial court and the brothel. He immediately sensed Xu Dingchen’s fleeting resentment.

Smiling, Wei Tonghe said, “Governor Xu, you are too modest. As far as I know, Zhang Zongheng dispatched Yang Guozhu to suppress the rebels. Yang was a brave general, but even he had limits. Before his arrival, Gao Yingxiang and others captured several cities including Daning, Xizhou, Zezhou, and Shouyang, and even advanced toward Yingzhou Prefecture, only to be repelled by local forces. The rebels suffered a major defeat, their arrogance crushed—all thanks to your efforts!”

During the last rebel incursion, the Chongzhen Emperor had ordered Zhang Zongheng and Xu Dingchen to eliminate the rebels within a deadline, assigning defensive regions accordingly. Most of Shanxi’s military power was under Zhang Zongheng, leaving Xu Dingchen frustrated. Yingzhou Prefecture was his jurisdiction, so the victory there naturally counted as Xu Dingchen’s achievement. Wei Tonghe’s flattery warmed his heart.

He smiled and said, “Lord Wei overpraises me. The victory was truly due to the unity of the military and civilians of Yingzhou. But I won’t hide it—this triumph also owes much to one person. Without him, Yingzhou might not have been saved, let alone achieved victory!”

“Oh? Who is this person? What position does he hold?” Wei Tonghe asked, curious. It was rare to hear a governor praise someone so highly.

Xu Dingchen stroked his beard and smiled. “His surname is Yue, given name Yang, courtesy name Zhenghong. He is from Wulizhai, Yingzhou Prefecture, and holds the title of xiucai. When the rebels ravaged the land, he led 500 militia to Yingzhou and decisively defeated over 10,000 bandits outside the city. Even the notorious rebel Zhang Xianzhong had to retreat in disarray, lifting the siege of Yingzhou!”

“Oh! Our dynasty truly has loyal and heroic men like this?” Wei Tonghe was astonished.

It must be noted that Wei Tonghe, like most eunuchs, was greedy and timid, but he had one virtue: loyalty to the Emperor, as his interests were tied to the throne. Upon hearing of such talent, he could not help but be impressed.

“Governor Xu, if this man is truly talented, why not recommend him to the court? The Emperor is eager for capable men and would surely make good use of him!”

Xu Dingchen shook his head and smiled bitterly. “Lord Wei, don’t forget—Yue Yang, though accomplished, is only a xiucai. How could I recommend him to the Emperor? Reluctantly, I appointed him as the Defense Officer of Yingzhou Prefecture to oversee the area. This was the greatest authority within my power.”

“Tsk tsk, what a pity!” Wei Tonghe shook his head repeatedly, lamenting aloud.

After another sip of tea, Wei Tonghe asked, “Governor Xu, on this mission, the Emperor asked me to attend not only to the rebels but also to another matter. How is that progressing?”

Xu Dingchen sighed inwardly. The moment had come, as expected. He put down his teacup and said with a wry smile, “Lord Wei, I would have reported this to the Emperor regardless. His directive to clear the arrears in salt tax was well-intentioned, but there is always a matter of priorities. These old arrears are decades-old problems, yet the Emperor wants them resolved within months—it is… difficult.” Xu Dingchen shook his head without continuing.

Wei Tonghe gritted his teeth. “Even if it cannot be done, it must be done, or we will all face the Emperor’s wrath.”

Xu Dingchen replied irritably, “But how can we collect the silver? Lord Wei, you know as well as I do—trying to take silver from those salt merchants is like burning down their houses. I am a provincial governor, yet I dare not risk committing such an egregious act by seizing it forcibly!”

“What then? Shall we just wait for the deadline to pass and then be punished by the Emperor?” Wei Tonghe also grew anxious. As a military eunuch, it was his duty to oversee officials and the treasury. Failure here would affect his standing before the Chongzhen Emperor.

Xu Dingchen sighed again, shaking his head. His only hope now rested on Tang Xueying, who had left just a few days ago.

At that moment, the sound of galloping hooves grew louder. Soon, a black-robed runner appeared at the foot of the mountain, riding a horse. He leaped down and ran up the mountain. The surrounding guards recognized him and did not stop him.

The runner arrived before Xu Dingchen, kneeled, and shouted, “Your Excellency, I pay my respects! By order of Master Tang, I deliver this letter to you!” He then produced an envelope sealed with beeswax and handed it to Xu Dingchen with both hands.

Xu Dingchen took the envelope, briefly examined the seal, and quickly tore it open. Reading through it at a glance, a smile of restrained joy immediately spread across his face.