The common people, under duress, naturally dared not utter a word. Yang Shen, sharing a scholarly kinship, had already provided clandestine notice, and could not be implicated further. As for the local militias, being from the area, and this place being layered with patronage, the common folk truly did not dare to oppose the powerful families. Most of these militias would likely remain neutral. Since Wang Daren had decided to turn hostile, he must have been resolute. Even if Mu Chaobi retreated, this man would persevere to the end.
As for You Jujing, since they intended to deal with him, they would likely leave him be. The officials of the Great Ming always followed the wind, and would be neutral at the opportune moment, or even flee and stay out of it. Thus, the only reliance at this moment was the three hundred arquebusiers, and a small contingent of local militias.
After hesitating for a long while,
He couldn't help but recall how Gao Gong, in league with the Yan family, had cornered him, leaving him in a similar predicament of no advance or retreat. It was only later, with He Xinyin and others pleading on behalf of the people, that Xu Jie was forced to intervene, giving him the opportunity to turn the tables.
It seemed,
His influence truly lay in the hearts of the people.
He actually had a few ideas, though none were certain. After pondering for a moment, he repeatedly considered them and decided to risk it all. He immediately said,
"Zhuo Wu, let us make a stand. I have an idea, though I don't know if it will work. If you feel it's unfeasible, leave tonight, go first to Wusa, then change course northward, through Hanzhong to Xuanda. Once in Xuanda, perhaps we can find some peace."
Li Zhi smiled and said,
"Zi Xuan, I was always a wild scholar. Even if I escaped, this world would not tolerate me, and I would die sooner or later. Speak on, let us make our stand!"
Excellent!
Zhu Mo breathed a sigh of relief and began to explain,
"The people of Yunnan and Guizhou all admire Zhuge Kongming, and there is a Wuhou Shrine here. Let us stage a Wuhou commemoration ceremony, a counter-performance to Mu Chaobi's Jianwen Emperor commemoration, and see who truly wins the hearts of the people. Under everyone's watchful eyes, could they still harm us? What do you think?"
Li Zhi thought for a long time and suddenly said,
"Zi Xuan, have you forgotten about the reforms? Let us announce the reforms at the Wuhou commemoration ceremony, declaring that the reforms in Yunnan and Guizhou begin from Yongchang!"
Mmm-hmm,
Zhu Mo, who had been exhausted, had considered announcing the reforms long ago, but had never thought of combining the two matters.
"If You Jujing agrees, that would be best. He is the Governor, it would be legitimate. I can announce it as well. If Mu Chaobi does not act foolishly, then the reforms will truly be implemented in Yongchang. At that time, Zhuo Wu, you might as well stay here. In a year or so, once the situation stabilizes, then you can leave?"
Good!
Li Zhi smiled, "I am a Zhongshu Sheren after all, it is perfectly legitimate."
With their plan decided, the two immediately began to make preparations.
Meanwhile,
Liu Zhangkuan's mansion was filled with distinguished guests.
Mu Chaobi sat comfortably in the tiger skin grand tutor chair in the center, surrounded by a group of meritorious officials, including Fu Youde's great-grandson Fu Yingfang, Liao Yongzhong's descendant Liao Yue, Yu Tongyuan's descendant Yu Chaosheng, and others. There were also two civil officials close to the Yan family. One was named Wang Cai, who had been dismissed and lived in retirement. He was present as a scholar at the request of Yan Shifan; the other was Hu Rulin, the current Governor of Gansu, who was in mourning at home, also present at Yan Shifan's request.
Also present was a famous figure, naturally Yang Shen. After Mu Chaobi's great victory, everyone had been flattering him for a while. Wang Cai had even written a seven-character regulated verse on the spot, praising the Marquis of Yongchang's great achievements in pacifying Burma. Yang Shen was displeased in every way but managed to keep his composure. Years of setbacks had thoroughly changed him, making him well-versed in the art of blending in and maintaining harmony, no longer the proud poet of the past. Moreover, the matter they were discussing today was of great importance, so it was best to remain silent.
At this moment,
Wang Cai smiled and said,
"My Lord, in terms of pacifying the borders of the Great Ming, besides the Marquis of Yongchang, it is you! Alas, if Duke Mu had still been alive, how could the rebel Yan have been so rampant? I also witnessed it firsthand yesterday; the military bearing of your troops is truly second to none in the Great Ming, far superior to that so-called Qi family army!"
Indeed!
Duke Mu's family has been fighting for two hundred years!
What is Qi Jiguang?
The crowd chimed in with their praises.
However, having mentioned the term "rebel Yan," everyone's heart skipped a beat, though they pretended nothing was amiss. Wang Cai, believing himself to be merely a dismissed official, thought, what difference could a few words make? He continued to smile.
Mu Chaobi subtly observed everyone's expressions and suddenly smiled,
"That's not entirely true! In battle, who can be certain? Perhaps if troops had been dispatched back then, it would have been the same as for all of you..."
Hahaha,
Yu Chaosheng scoffed and said,
"Who cares! What good comes from those who risk their lives? Let's not mention it..."
Come, come,
Let's drink, drink!
The crowd again offered earnest invitations.
However, Yang Shen could already see that their grievances were beginning to surface again. He rose and said, "My Lord, esteemed sirs, Yang Shen has been feeling weak lately and cannot hold my liquor. I hope you will forgive me..."
Oh?
Don't leave!
Yu Chaosheng grabbed him and smiled, "Sheng'an, we still need you for tomorrow's sacrificial text. Among us, where can we find someone who can write such an immortal piece of writing?"
Yang Shen truly wished not to be involved this time, but considering Mu Chaobi's domineering nature, if he refused, it would likely be unpleasant. He had no choice but to sit down again.
At this moment,
Hu Rulin finally got to the main point and said,
"My Lord, your meritorious service in pacifying Burma is outstanding. Elder Xu, who is now presiding over the Grand Secretariat, will naturally report the victory with fairness. Even if there are some idle rumors from the capital officials and the common people, if Elder and Young Elder do not speak, Prince Yu will naturally silence them. My Lord, rest assured, the soldiers' contributions will not be lost!"
As the current Governor of Gansu, although he was in mourning, as long as the time came, he would be a second-rank official. His words carried considerable weight. Everyone could hear that he was hinting at Zhu Mo vying for credit, and behind it, it was implicitly a question of the reformist stance.
Yu Chaosheng was the most enthusiastic and said,
"Lord Hu speaks well! The merit in pacifying Burma is due to Prince Yu's proper guidance, and the public and the soldiers' shared resolve. This is a universal principle since ancient times! If anyone speaks idle rumors, the world will naturally pass judgment! Surely a civil official cannot snatch the military achievements of a renowned general?"
Yes,
Liao Yue also said, "The poem Master Wang wrote just now was truly excellent! The merit in pacifying Burma is precisely the result of Prince Yu and the elder statesmen in the court's well-planned strategy. When the four seas are peaceful, a sage emerges... What excellent lines! That means Prince Yu will be the true dragon emperor to revitalize the Great Ming in the future!"
Yes, yes, yes!
This subtly revealed the focal point of the current conflict, and the atmosphere immediately became fervent.
At this time, Yang Shen sighed inwardly, deeply regretting having gotten involved with them in his past frustrations. Now, he was sinking deeper and deeper, unable to extricate himself.
Just then,
Mu Chaobi cleared his throat and said,
"Zhu Mo, he naturally has merit, but since ancient times, battles are not fought with words, are they? They are fought with the soldiers' blades and blood! As for me, I have no merit. If I have merit, it belongs first to the fallen soldiers! Everyone, what I want to say is not this..."
Hm?
He pondered for a moment and said,
"What Old Liao said just now was good. What will it take to revitalize the Great Ming in the future? This is what we should be thinking about! As for the rights and wrongs, the merits and demerits, why bother talking about them? Now, the Great Ming has Qings, and Prince Yu has risen as a wise Crown Prince. If we diligently assist him, the revitalization of the Great Ming can be seen. Moreover, the elder officials in the court are also wise. The general trend and the will of the people are on our side, and revitalization is within sight!"
With that said,
Even the dullest person would understand the situation clearly.
Wang Cai, long disappointed, was already dissatisfied. He said,
"My Lord, esteemed sirs, I have been living in seclusion in the countryside for these past few years without anything to do, and I have gone over everything from beginning to end. To be honest, I have a small opinion, though I don't know if it's correct. Tonight, under the influence of wine, I will share it with everyone to hear?"
Good, good!
Speak!
Mu Chaobi nodded.
Wang Cai immediately said,
"What has always puzzled me is the temple name of the King of Yan! Everyone, after the King of Yan passed away, his temple name was always Taizong. How did it suddenly become 'Chengzu'? Have you ever thought about this? Could there have been some treacherous officials instigating it?"
Hiss!
Wow!
The crowd immediately became solemn. Even the learned Yang Shen couldn't help but be startled. He looked at Wang Cai several times, thinking to himself: This Wang Cai's poetic talent is average, how does he have such insight?