Chapter 160: Hello Chang’an
"IF YOU LIKE THE TRANSLATIONS, CONSIDER SUPPORTING US ON PATREON ads free with exclusive updates."
**Chapter 160: Mobilizing Troops for Suppression**
"The Changshi of the Grand General's office was executed in prison," Chang Kuo said.
Chang Suining's expression subtly changed. "Someone has framed him and falsely transmitted the imperial decree?"
The position of Changshi held significant weight, comparable to that of a Prefect Magistrate of a province. The various jails in Yangzhou did not have the power to execute the Changshi privately, so the only possibility left was the forging of an imperial decree.
Chang Kuo paused, slightly surprised by her deduction. "Suining guessed correctly; that's exactly what happened."
Seeing that Chang Suining was waiting for him to continue, Chang Kuo suppressed his other emotions and continued, "The Marquis of Ying, Li Zhengye, and his men went to Yangzhou and accused Changshi Chen of treason to the Censor-in-Chief Xue Ren, claiming they had irrefutable evidence. As a result, Chen was imprisoned."
Chang Sui'an was shocked. "The Censor-in-Chief actually believed Li Zhengye so easily and executed the Grand General's own Changshi?"
Even someone as reckless as him thought the Censor-in-Chief had acted too hastily!
....
This novel is translated by the Eternal Novel Hits translators. Please read it at https://eternalnovelhits.blogspot.com
....
It was the Changshi of the Grand General's office; how could he be imprisoned and executed just like that? Even if Li Zhengye and his men had forged an imperial decree, why would they carry one? And as the Censor-in-Chief, shouldn't Xue Ren have verified the matter first before carrying out an execution?
Chang Suining replied, "The forged imperial decree wasn’t for the Censor-in-Chief. It was actually to assist him in taking action, so there was a formal excuse to remove Changshi Chen."
Chang Sui'an gasped. "So, you mean... the Censor-in-Chief, Xue Ren, is also in league with Li Zhengye?!"
Chang Kuo nodded gravely. "Exactly. Xue Ren has been secretly colluding with Li Zhengye."
"Three months ago, Xue Ren went to Jiangdu on a self-recommendation mission," Chang Suining explained. "It seems that Li Zhengye and his associates had already been planning this for a long time."
The news of the rebellion seemed sudden, but the plotting and preparation behind it had clearly been in the works for a long time.
"How did Suining know... that Xue Ren went to Jiangdu three months ago on a self-recommendation?" Chang Kuo couldn’t help but ask.
Since he first mentioned the matter, it was obvious that his daughter was extremely well-versed in the affairs of the government, and her reactions were sharp.
"I heard it from the Society. My classmates often discuss these matters casually," Chang Suining replied without hesitation.
This was indeed the truth. She had made connections with those studying in the Imperial Academy and had always intended to gather information from them. This was one of the reasons she had sought out her teacher Qiao Yan and entered the Imperial Academy.
Chang Kuo nodded in understanding, and with a hint of reflection, he realized that even playing polo in a society could have its uses...
He looked at his daughter and said, "They may talk, but Suining’s ability to listen, remember, and apply the information to the present situation... is truly impressive."
Praising his daughter, Chang Kuo continued.
After the Changshi’s execution, Li Zhengye and the Censor-in-Chief Xue Ren worked in tandem again, forging another imperial decree. Li Zhengye replaced Changshi Chen and took over the Grand General’s office, thereby seizing control of the military and political power there.
Before the news could reach the capital, they used the excuse of "the Prefect Magistrate of Gaoshu plotting rebellion" to call for military mobilization under the pretense of an imperial edict.
"...Some officials noticed that something was wrong, but anyone who raised doubts was branded as a 'traitor of Gaoshu' and executed on the spot," Chang Kuo said. "Even the clerk in Yangzhou was put to death, so other officials dared not resist."
Chang Sui'an asked, "Are they really going to attack the Prefect Magistrate of Gaoshu?"
Chang Kuo sneered, "The Prefect Magistrate of Gaoshu is sitting comfortably in his home. There’s no rebellion to speak of. This is just a pretext fabricated by Li Zhengye and his faction. They used it as an excuse to gather troops and take control of the area. Once they had control of the military and treasury, they changed their story."
"Li Zhengye now claims that the current Emperor, Ming Shi, has been monopolizing power for years without any intention of returning power to the Crown Prince. He is now raising an army to overthrow the Ming family and restore the Li family’s dynasty, claiming this is for the sake of the state!"
These words quickly spread, igniting widespread attention.
Li Zhengye had already declared himself the Grand General of Yangzhou and set up the Ying Marquis’s residence in the city. He appointed Xue Ren as the Changshi, and two months ago, the former Imperial Censor, Luo Guān Lín, who had been demoted after publicly criticizing the Ming royal family for monopolizing power, had joined forces with Li Zhengye. Luo had now become Li Zhengye's military strategist.
"They've taken control of Yangzhou, opened the treasury to mint coins, recruited soldiers, gathered provisions, and are spreading inflammatory propaganda..." Chang Kuo’s tone darkened. "I’ve heard that many are responding to his call beyond Yangzhou as well."
Chang Suining’s mood sank as she listened.
Among those joining Li Zhengye, aside from officials discontent with the Ming royal family’s rule, there were undoubtedly many with their own ulterior motives.
The Ming royal family’s departure from the orthodox line left an opening for anyone to use it as a platform, claiming righteous indignation while stirring up trouble. With Li Zhengye leading the charge, many had followed.
But even aside from those followers, could Li Zhengye himself truly be aiming to "restore the Li dynasty" as he claimed?
At such a moment, one could not afford to view human nature too optimistically.
Chang Suining’s thoughts turned to the Censor-in-Chief, Xue Ren. "Xue Ren is quite the figure. He volunteered to go to Jiangdu for inspection, pretending to be a righteous official. In reality, he was just pretending to catch thieves while becoming one himself..."
Chang Kuo agreed. "Indeed!"
"Li Zhengye had long held the title of Marquis of Ying. His connections over the years were not limited to just Xue Ren and Luo Guān Lín... He must have been trying to win over anyone useful to his cause," Chang Suining said thoughtfully. Then, raising her eyes, she asked Chang Kuo, "Father, I heard that Xue Ren is related to the Changsun family?"
Chang Kuo paused for a moment, surprised. "I see the Polo Society has all kinds of information..."
He nodded. "Yes, Xue Ren is the cousin-nephew of the wife of Lord Changsun Yuan, the Left Prime Minister."
Chang Suining’s eyes gleamed. "With this connection, do you think the Emperor might suspect the Changsun family’s involvement in Li Zhengye’s rebellion?"
The Changsun family had long opposed the Ming royal family’s monopolization of power and had always sought to support the Crown Prince’s early accession to the throne.
Now, Xue Ren, the cousin-nephew of the Left Prime Minister’s wife, had become an ally of Li Zhengye and was helping him rebel in Yangzhou.
"The Emperor hasn’t shown any suspicion toward the Changsun family yet," Chang Kuo replied. "Lord Changsun was present at today’s meeting, and the Emperor specifically instructed him, along with the officials of the Secretariat, to quickly determine a strategy for dealing with Li Zhengye."
Chang Suining reflected on this.
The Emperor’s decision to involve Lord Changsun in formulating a strategy for the suppression of Li Zhengye might be a test. Without concrete evidence linking the Changsun family to the rebellion, this could be a way to gauge their stance on the matter.
"How long will it take to finalize the strategy?" Chang Suining asked.
"Today, the officials argued so much that it seemed like the roof of Ganlu Hall might fall off..." Chang Kuo sighed at the thought of the chaotic scene. "But the Emperor has ordered that a plan must be determined within three days. A military campaign is certain, and preparations are already underway. The imperial edict has been issued to the various regions, ordering the military forces in Huainan, Jiangnan, and the Eastern and Western regions to be ready for action."
Chang Suining nodded.
The situation was escalating like wildfire, and no time could be wasted, but the three days were not for delay. A war could not be started on a whim.
While light cavalry could be dispatched first, the preparation for a full army required much more—food, weapons, and supplies. Even with expedited efforts, they could not be prepared in a single day.
It was wise to have the various armies prepare for action while also finalizing a more viable strategy.
She then asked, "Father, do you know who the Emperor intends to send to lead the army?"
Chang Kuo shook his head. "It’s not decided yet, but I did offer myself for the position in today’s meeting."
"Father..." Chang Suining immediately protested, "You can’t go back to the battlefield!"
Her father had an old injury on his leg and was no longer fit for battle. His last campaign, when he fought alongside Grand General Cui against the southern barbarians, had already been an exception. Despite Grand General Cui’s care, her father had visibly aged over the past two years. Moreover, he had only just returned and hadn’t fully recovered.
"Stop talking nonsense. Why can’t I go to the battlefield?" Chang Kuo shot a glare at his son. "I still have legs, I can still ride a horse and walk!"
Chang Suining could only stay silent, not daring to argue further.
Chang Suining’s eyes showed concern as she looked at her father. His health was not what it once was.
Noticing the hesitation in his daughter’s gaze, Chang Kuo’s tone softened. “This situation is special... If we don’t quell this internal trouble quickly, external enemies might take advantage. And Li Zhengye is no ordinary person; he will be difficult to handle. Since I’ve had some dealings with him, it’s better for me to go. My involvement increases the chances of success.”
It wasn’t for the sake of the Emperor, but for the stability of the Da Sheng dynasty.
This was the wish of the late Crown Prince, and also his own. Once he had served in the Xuanzhe Army, it was a commitment he would uphold for life.
Moreover, he was still a general at heart. It was entirely normal for a general to take to the battlefield when war came. There was nothing to discuss about it!
Chang Suining didn’t try to stop her father after hearing his words.
She couldn’t advise a general not to go to battle, and if she were in his place, she would likely make the same decision.
When danger was near, everyone had family, and no one wanted their loved ones to be the ones at risk. But if everyone thought that way, how could a country survive, let alone a family?
Chang Suining's brother, Chang Sui'an, was still too young. He had not yet become a soldier or a general. While he harbored a desire to serve Da Sheng, he had not yet experienced the hardships and sacrifices of war. His concerns were more personal; he was worried about their father's health. He feared for his father’s safety, knowing there were other generals who could lead the army against Li Zhengye, but there was only one father.
However, not daring to argue with Chang Kuo, Chang Sui'an secretly prayed, lighting incense and asking the Buddha to protect their father from being chosen for the campaign.
He knelt in front of the family altar, earnestly explaining, “Buddha, you don’t know... My father has grown old, and his temper has worsened. His legs are weak, and he moves with difficulty. He consumes too much food and wasteful resources, making him unfit to lead an army.”
“I’ve already passed the initial selection for the Xuanzhe Army. After one more examination, I’ll join the Vanguard Regiment... If my father’s fate is to fight many battles and take many lives, I will take his place. I’ll fight for him, and I’ll kill for him!”
He bowed deeply in prayer. “Please, Buddha, grant me success.”
Jiantong, who was standing by, silently looked at the Buddha statue.
In his mind, he thought: This request is a difficult one for the Buddha to fulfill.
Such talk of killing, even the Buddha must be pondering why he’s sitting there listening to this.
The young master was very filial, but his deeds might cancel out his merits.
The repercussions of his “current karma” quickly arrived the next day.
Chang Kuo found out about his son’s secretive actions in the family shrine. He dragged him out and punished him by making him kneel in the ancestral hall for the entire day.
After the rain, the news of Li Zhengye’s rebellion spread, and it seemed as though the entire court was shrouded in a silent, oppressive cloud.
That night, Changsun Yuan returned to his residence after leaving the palace. As he arrived home, his wife, Kuang Shi, greeted him. “My lord, I heard that Xue Ren has joined Li Zhengye’s rebellion... Has His Majesty taken action against you?”
Xue Ren was the son of one of her cousins, and while their families were not particularly close, the connection was still there.
Changsun Yuan, who had spent the night at the Secretariat and appeared weary, raised his hand to signal his wife to stop speaking. “Help me change out of my official robes first.”
Kuang Shi had no choice but to help him out of his court attire.
Not long after, Changsun Xuan came in. “I heard Father has returned.”
She entered the room, saluted, and appeared uneasy. “Father, I heard about the Xue family…”
“I have my own plans regarding this matter. You don’t need to ask more,” Changsun Yuan interrupted his daughter, instructing her, “In the coming days, be especially careful about your words and actions. After the Chongyang Festival, I will send someone to bring up the matter of selecting the Crown Princess. By then, we should be able to make a decision.”
No matter how things changed outside, the Crown Prince would remain unchanged. Even if things did change, it would only be a matter of transition from heir apparent to ruler.
Changsun Xuan responded obediently, “Yes.”
Changsun Yuan summoned his eldest son, and the two father and son went to the study to speak.
Changsun Xuan and her mother, Kuang Shi, entered the inner room.
The maids and servants were dismissed, and Changsun Xuan lowered her voice to ask, “Mother, about the Xue family’s involvement… Does Father know?”
The phrase "knows" was a subtle way of asking whether her father was secretly involved in the rebellion in Yangzhou.
Kuang Shi shook her head and replied seriously, “I don’t know, but since your father isn’t willing to speak about it, you and I should not probe any further.”
She patted her daughter’s hand. “Just follow the arrangements made by your father and brothers. The daughter of the Chang family no longer poses any threat to you. Though there has been some debate about the selection of the Crown Princess in the court these past few days, the discussions have largely been in your favor. His Majesty may not have openly agreed yet, but your father seems confident in his position. This matter is secure.”
“As for the rest, leave it to your father and brothers. We have no say in this, nor can we help.”
Kuang Shi gazed out the window toward the study, her expression carefully concealing any worry.
---
Three days later, the strategy to suppress Li Zhengye and his faction was finalized. The imperial edict was issued, announcing the dispatch of 200,000 troops to subdue the rebel Li Zhengye and revoke his honorary title, returning him to his original surname, Xu.
The general to lead the campaign was also decided during the morning court session.
Chang Sui'an had been waiting for news since dawn. As midday approached, he finally saw the sword attendant returning.
Chang Sui'an hurriedly asked, “Has it been decided? Who will lead the army?”
Chang Suining also turned her gaze to the sword attendant.
Before Jiantong spoke, Chang Suining could already read the answer from his expression.
►►CLICK HERE FOR ADVANCE CHAPTERS◄◄
Comments
Post a Comment