Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 546 Comes and goes in a hurry
The arrival of Yuan Keli and his party extended the originally short meeting to nearly three hours.

After a hastily prepared welcoming banquet, the sun had already completely set, with only the last ray of sunset glow remaining in the distant sky.

This ray of sunset not only cast a mottled layer of lavender gold leaf on the brick-clad outer walls of the city, but also added a layer of light golden shimmering to the winding surface of the Daling River. The river flowed around the city like a black dragon inlaid with golden scales, hovering beside the giant, quietly sleeping.

Yuan Keli declined Li Guangrong and Wang Shizhong's offers to accompany him, but he could not refuse Yang Lian's offer to go with him. After all, Yang Lian had to return to the military preparation office to rest, so unless their time was different, he would have to go with him.

"Lu Shangcha and Jie Huan Gong plan to stay in Guangning for a few days." Turning his head, Yang Lian's gaze shifted from the increasingly approaching Yizhou Wei City to Yuan Keli's profile.

"I want to leave tomorrow," Yuan Keli also turned his head, but looked at Lu Wenzhao on the other side. "What do you think of Lu Shang?"

"It's all right. You arrange it." Lu Wenzhao could sleep on horseback, so he had no objection even if he had to travel day and night.

"There's no need to rush, right?" Yang Lian was a little surprised. "It's not too late to rest before leaving."

"They're waiting for me in Zhenjiang," Yuan Keli said, looking at Yang Lian. "I took a detour to come to Yizhou. It will take some time to get back to Jinzhou."

Yang Lian's gaze passed over Yuan Keli and reached Lu Wenzhao. "Why don't Lord Jie Huan wait three days until the negotiations with the Chahan tribe are complete before leaving?"

Lu Wenzhao's heart skipped a beat. He really wanted to see what results Guangning could achieve in their negotiations with the Tatars. This would enrich his report. However, Lu Wenzhao knew he wasn't on a mission; the most important task was to travel with Yuan Keli to Zhenjiang and then south to Korea. Yuan Keli would have to visit Haizhou and Liaoyang, and maybe even Shenyang. This trip would take at least two weeks. So he said nothing, just smiled.

Yuan Keli glanced at Lu Wenzhao and saw that he was still calm and composed, so he said, "I have said everything I need to say and heard everything I need to hear. Staying any longer will only be a waste of time."

"Lord Jiehuan is known for his great wisdom, and Lu Shangcha is also a young talent." Yang Lian said sincerely, "If we keep Guangning as an advisor, we will surely expose the barbarians' cunning schemes."

"I'm just adding unnecessary details." Yuan Keli waved his hand and said humbly, "Guangning's affairs are not my responsibility. Wenru and Li Zhenshuai, you can patiently tell me so much and listen to me, an outsider, pointing fingers at you. I'm already very happy." Lu Wenzhao also smiled and waved his hand.

"Master Jie Huan, you are truly humiliating me," Yang Lian said, holding the reins and bowing humbly. "I have admired Master Jie Huan for many years. It is truly an honor to receive your guidance today."

"I wouldn't dare. I'm just a humble scholar, undeserving of the emperor's favor. Now I can only devote my life to the mountains and rivers. How dare I call you my teacher?" Yuan Keli was also too modest. The two of them soon began to tug at each other again.

Yuan Keli and Yang Lian chatted back and forth, the atmosphere harmonious. When they were less than a mile from the west gate of Yizhouwei, Lu Wenzhao suddenly interrupted. "Central Minister Yang, before we part, I have one last question to ask. I hope you can provide me with some guidance."

Yang Lian's face darkened. "Feel free to ask anything from Lu Shangzhao. I'll tell you everything I know." He had already vaguely guessed what Lu Wenzhao was about to say.

Sure enough, Lu Wenzhao turned his head and asked, "How much of the cases that Wan Youfu committed in Guangning was General Li Guangrong involved in?" When he asked this, the smile on Yuan Keli's face gradually faded.

"It's worse on land. I thought you already understood." Yang Lianqiang smiled.

"Central Minister Yang," Lu Wenzhao replied with a smile, "of course I understand, but I hope you can explain it more clearly. You can rest assured that I am not the kind of person who would lie against my conscience. I will report it as clearly as you explain it. You must understand me, this is my duty."

Yang Lian frowned slightly. "There are too many people here, let's go back to the yamen and sit down to talk."

"No need to bother." Lu Wenzhao made a gesture, and the Jinyiwei who had been following them immediately rode forward, forming a circle around the three of them. "You can speak now."

"Haha, you're worthy of being called such." Yang Lian narrowed his eyes and spoke slowly, "On the sixth day of last month, I led the imperial edict and Zu Youji's cavalry to a hasty raid on the trading site and caught the servants of Yangwu Marquis and Wuqing Marquis in the act of smuggling. Afterwards, I also led my men to arrest Wan Youfu, who was in the Liaohai Dongning Circuit Office. At the time, Marshal Li was in his own camp, but he didn't shy away from his crime, let alone act inappropriately. Before I could issue the patrol warrant to summon Marshal Li, he had already found his way here, all by himself."

In fact, Yang Lian had already prepared for the worst-case scenario, which was to deploy his troops for a direct confrontation with Li Guangrong's general battalion. Yang Lian wasn't worried about Li Guangrong leading the entire Guangning Road garrison in rebellion, as the commanders of the surrounding forts weren't Li Guangrong's personal subordinates. Li Guangrong relied solely on the emperor's edict to command his troops; if he dared to raise the flag of rebellion, he would immediately become a target of public criticism.

Li Guangrong was also a shrewd man. After learning that the inspector had brought troops to seal off the tribute market, he immediately understood what was going on. So Li Guangrong, without even taking any followers with him, took off his weapons, changed into official uniform, and went to find Yang Lian with the seal of the general.

"He came to you to apologize?" Lu Wenzhao asked.

"You could say that," Yang Lian nodded. "General Li Zhen was, after all, the commander-in-chief in Guangning for over two years. No one would believe him if he said he didn't know what Wan Youfu was doing. He knew about it, was implicated, and even had some financial dealings with Wan Youfu. But I've investigated carefully, and he didn't actively assist in the smuggling, much less engage in smuggling himself. To put it more bluntly, in the Guangning case, General Li Zhen did shield and condone, and he may have benefited indirectly from it. But he didn't collude with the powerful, secretly communicate with the Western Tartars, or engage in smuggling. Removing him from office for these things is not a good idea."

Yang Lian's reason for letting Li Guangrong go was simple. In the face of the powerful interests of officials from Guangning and the imperial family in Beijing, Li Guangrong, a general from outside the province, was little more than a mediocre commander of the troops, no better than the blacksmiths who supplied the smugglers with ironware. It was already a blessing that Li Guangrong wasn't deeply involved; asking him to take the risk of offending those involved by reporting the case was simply too much of a burden.

Yang Lian continued, "The land envoys are aware of the current situation. Guangning needs an experienced general to guard it. It's not impossible to replace him, but it will take a long time just to understand the situation among the Chahan tribes, the Chaohua tribes, the Nu tribe, and the North and South Gates. If the land envoys want to make it clearer, then I suggest that we don't remove General Li because of the smuggling case."

"Okay," Lu Wenzhao nodded gently, looking at the wide-open west gate of Yizhouwei. "I understand what you mean."

--------

Beneath, bee, bee.

It was already midnight, the night as dark as pitch black. A gentle knock on the door startled Tang Yicheng, who was half asleep. He had just fallen asleep half an hour ago, and now that he was awake, he was afraid he would have to toss and turn for a while before falling asleep again.

Tang Yicheng struggled to open his tired, dry eyes and groped his way down to the floor. The concubine sleeping beside him felt the commotion and struggled slightly, but ultimately didn't wake up. Tang Yicheng looked toward the door. There was no light or candle. Just as Tang Yicheng began to think he was hallucinating, there was another gentle knock on the door.

Tang Yicheng hurriedly slipped on his shoes and turned to tuck in his concubine's blanket. Then, he reached for his coat, which was hanging on the rack, and slipped it on as he headed for the door. He opened the door and saw a tall, muscular figure standing there, looking vaguely familiar. In the moonlight, Tang Yicheng could clearly discern the contours of the man's face, and he quickly remembered that this was one of the guards who had accompanied Yuan Bingxian to Li Zhenshuai's camp earlier.

"General, do you have any instructions?" Even though he woke up in the middle of the night, felt dizzy and hoarse due to phlegm stuck in his throat, Tang Yicheng still instinctively forced out a flattering smile.

"Put on your clothes and follow me." The man's voice was very soft, but his tone was so natural and unquestionable.

"Is it Yuan Bingxian who is looking for me?" Somehow, Tang Yichen's heart suddenly started beating restlessly, and he couldn't help but have wild thoughts.

"You'll understand when you come." The visitor pointed at Tang Yicheng's still loose ties and said softly, "It's just a few words. After I've explained it, you can come back and continue sleeping."

"Yes." Tang Yichen didn't dare to ask any more questions and put on his clothes in a hurry.

Tang Yicheng arrived at a room that wasn't luxuriously furnished, but still had a table, chairs, benches, and the four treasures of the study. As a postmaster, he certainly recognized this room; it was the single room he had assigned to the military officer who served alongside Yuan Keli.

At this time, Tang Yicheng thought that it was Yuan Bingxian who was looking for him. But he looked around and did not see the elegant figure.

"Don't look anymore, I'm looking for you." Under the candlelight, Lu Wenzhao raised his head.

Tang Yicheng bowed at the door. "I don't know the general's name or where he works."

So far, Tang Yicheng's only impression of Lu Wenzhao was that he was Yuan Keli's escort officer. Based on his own experience, Tang Yicheng guessed that this officer should be of a high rank, at least a lieutenant general.

"Take off your badge and show it to him." Lu Wenzhao looked at Lu Jianxing who was standing next to Tang Yichen.

"Yes." Lu Jianxing took off his badge and handed it to Tang Yicheng.

Tang Yicheng took the badge and tried to observe, but it was too dark and the whole room was only illuminated by the candlelight, so he couldn't see clearly.

Tang Yicheng walked forward a few steps, stroking the ground as he walked. By the unevenness of the ground, he first discerned Lu Jianxing's name and some instructions for the standard. When he touched the three characters on the top, Tang Yicheng also walked near the shadow of the lamp.

Tang Yicheng had a keen sense of touch, and before he lowered his head, he had already clearly felt out those three words. But those three words were so terrifying that Tang Yicheng couldn't even believe it.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating the badge, and the next moment, Tang Yicheng knelt down.

"It turns out that it was an angel on duty! Please forgive my ignorance!" Tang Yicheng kowtowed while holding the badge in his waist, his whole body trembling.

"Stand up and talk." Lu Wenzhao raised his head towards Lu Jianxing. Lu Jianxing immediately walked forward, picked up the badge and hung it back on his waist.

"May I ask what instructions you have?" Postmaster Tang was trembling and didn't dare to get up.

For those harboring hidden grievances, the phrase "Jinyiwei are approaching" could be enough to frighten them to the point of suicide. While even a lowly official like Tang Yicheng wouldn't be the target of the Jinyiwei's long-distance arrest, their sudden appearance was terrifying in itself. If they were caught up in a major ongoing case, even the slightest involvement could mean the end of their family. And right now, within Guangning Dao, there was indeed such an unresolved case hanging over everyone's head.

"Stand up and talk." Lu Wenzhao repeated what he had just said expressionlessly.

"Yes." Tang Yicheng dared not disobey. He propped himself up and stood up, his breathing disordered. "Yes, if there is anything I can do for you, please, please give me your instructions. I will do my best to carry it out."

"Heh. I just asked you to deliver a letter, why are you so nervous?" Lu Wenzhao's lips curled up slightly, and then he hooked his finger at Tang Yicheng. "Come here, closer."

"Yes." Tang Yicheng breathed a sigh of relief and came to Lu Wenzhao's desk trembling.

"It's for the capital. Send it urgently, directly to the Jinyiwei Command Headquarters." Lu Wenzhao took a thick, sealed envelope from a nearby location and pushed it to the edge of the table. Inside was the report he had just written. Although he had tried his best to shorten the text, it still covered every detail.

"Yes, I'll do it right away." Tang Yicheng took the envelope and held it in his hand like a treasure. "May I ask if there are any other instructions for you, sir?"

"No more." Lu Wenzhao's cheeks moved, and he bit down the yawn that was spreading to his mouth. "You go."

"Yes." Tang Yicheng turned around and just walked to the door when Lu Wenzhao's voice came from behind him again.

"Wait a minute."

Tang Yicheng stopped immediately and turned around so fast that he almost broke his waist. "What are your instructions, sir?"

"Keep your mouth shut. Just pretend you didn't know we were here." Lu Wenzhao said, "If the news gets out, it will be hard to say what will happen to you if it doesn't happen to you."

"Yes!" In an instant, all the hairs on Tang Yicheng's body stood up. The envelope in his hand seemed to have become much heavier.

(End of this chapter)