The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 722: Cooking Lamb and Lamb

Ningguta.

It was early winter, with dark clouds covering the sky. A north wind blew overnight, and heavy snow once again covered this bitterly cold land.

At daybreak, the Balipu military station opened its gates early, and a team of soldiers walked out of the barracks and immediately got busy clearing the snow and dumping horse manure.

The surroundings gradually became lively, wisps of smoke rose from the earth, and carriages and horses began to enter and exit this small imperial military station.

Since the end of the Eastern Expedition to Japan, there has been no war in the north and south of Da Qi for more than a year. Like other military stations, Balipu Military Station has lost its former bustle and hustle and bustle.

In May of the sixth year of Guangde, the newly enthroned Emperor Guangde issued an edict to disband the army. In addition to the major military corps, nearly a thousand military stations and more than 30,000 soldiers at the stations were also included in the disbandment.

It remains to be seen whether among these more than 30,000 postmen there is a Li Zicheng from a parallel universe. However, what is certain is that the status and role of military stations are no longer as good as before.

In extremely cold places, the days are short in winter and it is noon very quickly.

The soldiers who had been busy for half a day put down their work and sat around the square table, chewing meat patties and drinking hot mutton soup. After a few bowls of hot soup, everyone's face flushed and waves of warmth rose from the soles of their feet.

"Being able to drink a bowl of steaming hot mutton soup and eat meat pie on such a snowy day is truly a blessing from my past life."

A portly postman laughed.

"Fatty Wang, you have to thank Zhongtouer. Without him, we would be as poor as the military station next door."

Another bucktoothed postman said this while nodding to the flag captain sitting next to him.

Captain Qi looked at Bucktooth with a complicated expression, and the scar on his face trembled slightly. Bucktooth immediately stopped talking, picked up a meat pie, and handed it to Zhongtou respectfully.

"Hour, please."

Zhong Dafa took the meat pie, stuffed it into his mouth, pulled it hard, tore off a piece, and threw the rest of the pie on the table. He lowered his voice and said to the few trusted postmen around him:

"The emperor has changed, the limelight has changed, and we must also change with him. This is what we relied on in the past."

Zhong Dafa patted the musket hanging on his waist and pointed at the scar on his face and said:

"This was when I followed the retired emperor to fight against Korea and was shot by Korean arrows."

Even though Zhong Dafa had described his arrow wound at least a thousand times, if not eight hundred times, his men still showed looks of astonishment on their faces.

"Thanks to this arrow! Transfer me back from Pyongyang to the interior of the country. After I recover from my injury, I will come to Ningguta and serve as your postmaster."

"In the past, the imperial court valued military achievements, so the people of Da Qi thought about war day and night. Now, they value white silver and clear gold. The new emperor is now selling land and mines. I heard that he even wants to rent out military stations..."

All the men laughed heartily after hearing this, and Bucktooth echoed inappropriately:
"Of the eighteen military stations in Ningguta, twelve were laid off. Of the remaining six, we're the ones doing the best. Thanks to a talent like Zhong, he can kill enemies in battle and do business when he's off the horse. Well, he's a master of both civil and military affairs."

Zhong Dafa gestured with his hand to signal Bucktooth to stop talking.

"A horse cannot grow fat without wild grass, and a man cannot become rich without unexpected wealth. In Ningguta, if you want to get silver, you have to be ruthless and ruthless. You can follow me, Zhong Dafa, to eat meat and drink soup, but don't smack your lips. Not only will it make people jealous, but it will also easily cause trouble, understand?"

All the confidants agreed.

"No more talking, let's eat meat and drink wine."

The postmen were enjoying a hearty meal and wine when they heard the clatter of horse hooves outside. Zhong Dafa frowned. It was snowing heavily and the mountains were blocked, yet someone came to the military station to deliver a letter so early?

He put down his wine bowl and motioned for Bucktooth to go out and take a look. Bucktooth muttered, "I'm afraid it's the foal that ran away the other day and has come back on its own..."

Before Bucktooth could finish his words, a eunuch's shouting was heard outside.

"Where have all the dead people gone? The imperial envoy is investigating the case, and you haven't come out to greet him yet!"

When Zhong Dafa heard this, he sobered up a bit, kicked over the wine table, straightened his clothes in a hurry, and went out with a group of postmen.

As soon as I walked out of the military station gate, I saw seven or eight eunuchs in black robes with black python tattoos on their cuffs, surrounding a carriage that had been waiting in the snow for a long time.

After all, Zhong Dafa was knowledgeable and had been to the capital in his early years. He could tell at a glance that these people were all from the palace, and each of them was of a high rank. As for the people in the sedan chair, they were extremely noble.

He quickly knelt on the ground, saying that he deserved to die.

The postmen behind them, still unable to figure out what was going on, also knelt down in a large group. After a while, a shrill, hoarse voice came from the carriage:

"They say Ningguta is the gate to hell. The several military stations here are the Naihe Bridge on the gate to hell. Even gods and ghosts would have to shed a layer of skin if they walked through it. It seems that after being in the palace for a long time, I still know too little."

With that, he got off the carriage with the help of the two eunuchs, walked straight to Zhong Dafa, and whispered:
"Zhong Dafa, you dare to take money from our family? Do you want to take money from the emperor too?"

Zhong Dafa quickly explained: "It's all because the subordinates don't know the rules. They didn't know the two in front were your men..."

As Zhong Dafa spoke, he looked around hurriedly, and all his subordinates turned their heads away tactfully.

"Eunuch Li, this is a small gift from this humble official. It can be regarded as a welcome for you. Eunuch Li is here on official business, and this humble official has given me some other gifts these days."

Li Juying took the Dongzhu handed to her by Zhong Dafa from her sleeve and weighed it in her hand. It was quite heavy.

Then his expression softened slightly and he said with a smile, "That's why I say you, Zhong Dafa, are sensible."

After saying this, he walked straight towards the wing room without even looking at the person kneeling in front of him.

Zhong Dafa shouted from behind, "Clean up five rooms for the officers!"

~~~~
That night, Zhong Dafa hosted a grand banquet to entertain Li Juying and her group.

After eating and drinking, Li Juying asked everyone to leave and only left Zhong Dafa.

"Eunuch, who are you going to take this time? Is it Zhang Dai or..."

Eunuch Li shook his head and smiled:
"This time we came to Ningguta, we didn't come to take anyone away,"

"What is that?" Zhong Dafa respectfully presented a stack of dried fruits.

Li Juying picked up an apricot from the plate and put it in her mouth.

"To check a letter, to be more precise, a letter of great treason,"

Zhong Dafa was surprised and wanted to ask again, but Li Juying said coldly:
"Old Zhong, what did you rely on to rise from an auxiliary soldier to a postmaster?"

Zhong Dafa quickly knelt down and said, "It was all thanks to Emperor Guangde's cultivation. Without Emperor Guangde, there would be no Zhong Dafa today."

Li Juying smiled and helped Zhong Dafa up.

"The Suoyi Guard discovered an official inside the pass writing a letter to a certain criminal in Ningguta. That criminal was exiled there because he opposed the emperor's new policies. The official advised him to be cautious and not to be too ostentatious, but he refused to repent and became even more rampant. The official inside the pass has already confessed. We are here to find the original letter, which should still be at your military depot."

Zhong Dafa was surprised and said, "It's just a letter. Why does Eunuch Li need to go in person? Just send a straw raincoat guard."

Eunuch Li shook his head and said, "This matter is of great importance. Someone in the imperial court has been implicated, and it concerns the safety of the new policy. The emperor's intention is to make an example..."

~~~~~
A letter sent from Ningguta to Nanjing was now held in Li Juying's hand.

Zhong Dafa stood under the bright whale oil lamp, listening to Eunuch Li's reading with trepidation.

"I am of low ability, my conduct vile, and my outward appearance and inner qualities uncultivated. Fortunately, thanks to the merits left by my ancestors, I was able to serve as the commander of a corps. I encountered extraordinary events, which led to my being granted the title of Marquis, but I never lived up to my duties and ultimately suffered disaster. You took pity on my ignorance and wrote to me to teach me about my shortcomings. Your sincere feelings are profound. But I privately blame you for not thoroughly investigating the matter and rashly following the world's criticism and praise. If I were to express my shallow views directly, it would seem to contradict the purpose of your letter and cover up my own mistakes; if I were to remain silent, I fear that I would violate Confucius' principle that everyone should express their own aspirations. Therefore, I dare to briefly share my humble opinions, hoping that you will consider them.

When the Pu family was at its peak, I held a position among the Nine Ministers, earned the title of Marquis Tong, commanded a fifty-thousand-man army, and participated in the great affairs of state. Yet, I was unable to achieve anything at this time to promote the emperor's virtuous policies, nor could I work with my colleagues to assist the court and remedy its shortcomings. For a long time, I was accused of usurping a high position and reaping the benefits without paying. I was greedy for position and power, unwilling to resign voluntarily. Finally, an unexpected incident led to my being denounced without proof. First, I was imprisoned in the towers north of the palace, along with my wife and children.

Now, exiled to Ningguta, I feel that even the execution of my entire clan wouldn't be enough to atone for my crimes. I never imagined I'd be able to keep my head and worship at my ancestors' tombs again. I prostrated myself, contemplating the immeasurable grace of the Holy Lord. A noble man, immersed in righteousness, is so happy he forgets his sorrows; a villain, having saved his life, is so happy he forgets his sins. Privately, I reflect on my mistakes: they are too great, my actions have been flawed, and I will have to spend the rest of my life as a farmer. So, I personally led my wife and children to this bitter cold land, working tirelessly to cultivate the fields, plant mulberry trees, raise silkworms, irrigate the orchards, and manage our businesses to pay taxes to the government. I never expected to be criticized and condemned for doing so.

What human emotions cannot restrict, the sages do not prohibit. Therefore, even for the most noble king and the closest father, mourning must eventually come to an end. A year has passed since I sinned. Farmers toil hard, and during the annual sacrifices on the dog days and the twelfth day of the lunar calendar, they cook and roast mutton and lamb, pouring a pot of wine to comfort themselves. My hometown is in Chu, so I am proficient in Chu musical instruments. My wife is a woman from Zhao, and she is an expert at playing the zither. Several of my servants can sing. After drinking, my ears burn, and I raise my head to the sky, casually striking the earthenware pot, humming to the rhythm.

The lyrics are: "I work hard farming on the South Mountain, but there are so many thorns and weeds that I can't clear them away. I planted a hectare of beans, but only harvested a useless bean stalk. Life is best enjoyed while it lasts, because who knows when wealth and prosperity will arrive!"

On days like these, I'm so excited I fling my sleeves high and low, stomping my feet as I dance with abandon. It's true I indulge in unbridled pleasure, but I don't see what's wrong with that. Fortunately, I still have a salary to spare, and I'm running a business, buying low and selling high, chasing a meager profit of one-tenth. This is something a gentleman would disdain, something reserved for businessmen. It's something I'm despised and humiliated by, yet I'm doing it myself. People of low status are targets of universal slander, and I shudder at the thought. Even those who know me well follow the wind and mock me. How can anyone praise me? Didn't Dong Zhongshu say, "To hastily pursue benevolence and righteousness, constantly worrying about not being able to influence the people with them, is the mind of the nobles. To hastily pursue wealth and profit, constantly worrying about poverty and want, is the mind of the common people." Therefore, people of different beliefs have no business to discuss. How can you now use the demands of the nobles to criticize me?

Now the prosperous Great Qi is at its peak, the emperor is wise and the officials are honest. I hope you will work hard and I won’t say more.

蒲刚
On the eighth day of the tenth month of the sixth year of Guangde, at Ningguta

(End of this chapter)