The next morning, before dawn.
Zhu Mo, Li Wenjin, Wang Chonggu, Ma Fang, Ma Lu, Zhang Yue, and others jointly assessed that Anda should be very close to Desheng Fortress. The reason he was not attacking forcefully was likely to be to surround and strike reinforcements, deliberately dragging his feet and using his momentum to force the Ming army into a decisive battle around Desheng Fortress.
And within the city, Yang Xuan and his faction had originally planned to coerce Zhu Mo under the name of the Prince of Dai, and then deploy the entire Right Guard, four to five thousand strong, to Desheng Fortress to die. Once news of defeat arrived, they would legitimize the volunteers. In the imperial court, Yan Song and his son immediately proposed a decisive battle, requiring the allocation of national resources to confront Anda. However, in private, both sides were negotiating peace.
And Emperor Jiajing, forced by circumstances, could only prioritize pacifying external threats and had no other recourse! Consider that during the Tumubao Incident, Emperor Yingzong was reduced to a retired emperor. Therefore, His Majesty could only acquiesce to the Yan family for the time being.
The crucial point was that during this standoff period,
Zhu Mo's reforms would be purged, and those in the Qing faction close to Zhu Mo, like Zhang Juzheng, would surely be in trouble. Even Xu Jie, Gao Gong, and Li Chunfang would not fare well.
Everyone analyzed the problems together, and many details became completely clear. Moreover, everyone present was either a lifelong sworn friend or Zhu Mo's sworn uncle, and they were deeply grateful for Zhu Mo's efforts on behalf of the old soldiers. After this candid discussion, everyone understood the ailments of the Great Ming even more deeply and gained a profound understanding of Zhu Mo's reforms.
Zhu Mo immediately set the steps to accomplish the major tasks in the latter half of the night.
This is what is called: striking fast against slow!
...
Clang, clang, clang...
At dawn,
The sound of gongs echoed throughout the city.
The backyard of the Provincial Governor's Yamen.
Yang Xuan suddenly jolted awake and blurted out:
"What's going on? Has Anda breached the city?"
The servant stammered, "Reporting to Your Excellency, many officials have arrived in the main hall... On the streets, soldiers are posting notices..."
Oh,
Yang Xuan hastily threw on his cloak and came out. He saw soldiers and yamen runners in a panic. The Deputy Generals, Assistant Generals, and orderlies of the Twelve Guards, as well as subordinate officials and clerks of the yamen, were all in chaos.
Li Chong, flustered, rushed over with several squad leaders of the volunteers and shouted, "Lord Yang, something has happened! The soldiers of the Right Guard throughout the city are causing trouble!"
Yang Xuan glanced at the civilians on the street and saw that they were as calm as usual, apart from a slight hurriedness. He couldn't discern any abnormality. Why were his own men in such a panic?
He was always a meticulous person, and he also noticed that the civil officials who had arrived at the yamen were all disheveled, just like himself. They must have also been woken by the sound of the gongs...
"Alas, it seems we have fallen into a trap..."
He inwardly cursed his misfortune but feigned extreme calmness, saying sternly:
"Don't panic! What's there to panic about?"
"Why have you all come to the Provincial Governor's Yamen so early in the morning? What has happened?"
He sat majestically in the main hall, and under the intimidating presence he exuded, everyone quieted down.
Wu Ying's face was ashen, and he sighed, "Lord Yang, this subordinate came from the south city and saw that notices were posted all over the city... uh, they are signed by Li Wenjin, Zhu Mo, and the Prince of Dai..."
What?
Yang Xuan was greatly bewildered and said, "Li, Li Wenjin? The Grand Commander of XuanDa, Li Wenjin?"
"Yes, it is the Grand Commander of XuanDa, Li Wenjin..."
How is that possible?
He had already defected and should be beyond the frontier at this time...
But then he thought—
Ge Jin said he had defected with three thousand men. They likely went to meet Ma Fang. The messenger from Anda reported encountering Ming troops in the Desheng Fortress and Xiaoshishan areas, so it must have been them... This means Li Wenjin, Ma Fang, and Wang Chonggu have all arrived in Datong...
The more he thought, the more confused he became, and a chill ran down his spine—
This time, he was too careless!
At the critical moment, he was still sound asleep, and was overturned by that brat Zhu Mo.
However, he was a seasoned veteran and knew clearly in his heart that if he lost his composure now, disaster would strike immediately.
He coughed dryly, put on an air of confidence, snorted, and said slowly,
"Look at how flustered you all are! Humph, spineless! Someone, go to the street and fetch a notice. I, your Governor, will personally examine it..."
But at the same time, he cursed inwardly hundreds of times—
"This Zhao Zi, who pretends to be sophisticated all day, is utterly useless at a critical moment! And why has the Prince of Dai switched sides again?"
After all, he had handled many important and urgent matters. He understood the situation in Datong. Being active or passive depended entirely on the Prince of Dai's choice. As long as the key point was grasped, one could remain invincible even amidst chaos. At this moment, his top priority was to ascertain whether the Prince of Dai's situation was true.
But when it rains, it pours.
Yang Xuan picked up his hot tea, but before he could bring it to his lips, a figure rushed in hurriedly.
It was Zhao Zi!
"Lord Yang, this subordinate, alas, this subordinate was careless. I should have dispatched more men to watch the Prince of Dai's mansion... Alas, Lord Yang..."
He leaned over and whispered in Yang Xuan's ear:
"Last night, the Prince of Rao and the Consort met privately at Guanyin Temple in the back mountain, and they were caught red-handed by Zhu Mo, who brought the Prince of Dai with him..."
*CRASH!*
Yang Xuan's teacup shattered on the floor, and he blurted out, "Really?"
"This subordinate begs your pardon..."
It's over,
It's all over,
Yang Xuan shot to his feet, his face instantly turned pale.
And at this moment,
The yamen runner also brought back a notice. It read—
"To the citizens of Datong:
Anda's army of eighty thousand has approached Desheng Fortress. The White Lotus Sect villains are colluding with the enemy, and the situation is critical, with urgent military matters. For complete security, all males aged fifteen to sixty are ordered to assemble at the North Training Ground at the Hour of Si today. All the elderly, weak, women, and children are forbidden to leave the city after seeing this notice, nor are they to gather, hoard grain, or spread rumors. Violators will be dealt with by military law.
Prince of Dai Zhu Tingqi,
Imperial Envoy Zhu Mo,
Grand Commander of XuanDa Li Wenjin.
Urgent Notice."
*Hoo...*
Yang Xuan let out a long sigh. After a moment of thought, he felt there was no flaw.
The opposing side was too formidable. They struck in the latter half of the night while everyone was asleep... At this very moment, Zhao Quan and others of the White Lotus Sect had probably also been apprehended, and perhaps irrefutable evidence had been obtained...
Although the Prince of Dai could not be involved in military and political affairs, at a time of survival, it was reasonable for him to step forward to mobilize the military and civilians. The most critical factor was Li Wenjin. This Grand Commander of XuanDa was real, and who among the soldiers of the Twelve Guards would dare disobey his military orders?
Moreover, this man had fought in XuanDa for over twenty years, with a far-reaching reputation, coupled with the distinguished General Ma Fang, the strategist Wang Chonggu, and Zhu Mo, who wrote Qing Ci and reforms... Everything indicated that at the final moment of his imminent success, he had been overthrown by the opponent.
For the present,
The only way was to confront them head-on with the generals of the Twelve Guards. As long as Zhu Mo did not replace his men, they would follow suit, and then make plans after the front line suffered defeat.
After all, in this war, even if Li Wenjin and Zhu Mo mobilized the entire city, it was likely they would lose. As long as they were defeated, a reversal might still be possible.
"You, all the Deputy Generals, come with me. All those below the rank of Examiner shall patrol the Twelve Guards and inform the soldiers that the imperial court has laws. Although Li Wenjin has the authority to intervene in Datong, the actual command of the troops rests with myself, Commander Wu, and you Deputy Generals! Tell them not to panic, and only await the orders of myself and Commander Wu!"
"Your command!"
The crowd had now stabilized and responded in unison. A great stone in Yang Xuan's heart finally fell.
However,
At this moment,
The sound of urgent hoofbeats approached, and a messenger ran in in the blink of an eye and shouted:
"By order of Commander Yu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard: Patrol Commander Li Chong is colluding with Zhao Quan of the White Lotus Sect, the Prince of Rao, and others to betray the Tartars and conspire to create internal and external cooperation. He is to be arrested immediately. Provincial Governor Yang Xuan, Grand Commander Wu Ying, Deputy Generals Yin Shangzhi, Tian Shiwei, and others are suspended pending investigation."