Ming Dynasty: I, Yan Maoqing, am truly radiating auspicious energy!

Chapter 261 Bah! Tyrant! [Requesting monthly votes]

Two days later.

Datong.

"What did you say?!"

General Zhou Shangwen slammed his fist on the table and grabbed the messenger's shoulder, his face contorting in disbelief.

"General, it's absolutely true."

The messenger was in excruciating pain from being gripped, but he could only grimace and repeat himself.
"General Yan led the Heroic Battalion and fought his way into the court of Anda."

"When our cavalry arrived, Anda's cavalry had suffered more than three thousand casualties, and the royal city tower had collapsed and caught fire."

"Anda and all the Tatar tribal leaders under his command have perished in the fire. His cavalry have no fighting spirit and collapsed at the first contact, scattering and fleeing in all directions!"

"General Zeng and Captain Ma suggested that they press on while the enemy was winning, following the road that Anda had previously opened up to the mine at Langjuxu Mountain, and go to Langjuxu Mountain to emulate the Han Dynasty's sealing of Langjuxu and inherit the reputation of being the bravest in the army."

"However, General Yan refused, and only ordered General Zeng and Captain Ma to each lead their cavalry, together with Assistant General Shen and Assistant General Gao leading the soldiers of the Hero Battalion, to go to Langjuxu Mountain to inscribe their names on a stone."

"I, along with General Zeng's supply and infantry, will escort several hundred members of the Anda royal family, along with the royal treasures, back to Datong. We are already on our way back!"

Just as he was recounting these words, the messenger's blood was surging, his breathing was rapid, and his face unconsciously radiated an indescribable sense of pride and arrogance.

To seal the wolf's lair and dwell in the Xu!

Inscribed on Yanran Mountain!

These are heroic stories that countless men from the Central Plains, especially those soldiers and civilians in border towns who have fought against the Tatars for many years, have heard since childhood.

However, since the Tumu Crisis, the Ming Dynasty had long since turned to a passive defense. For many years, the soldiers and civilians of the Ming border towns had been harassed by the Tatars. Sometimes, even the sound of Tatar arrows could stop children from crying and terrify adults.

Who could have imagined that such an inspiring heroic story would happen in my lifetime?
Even if one couldn't participate in it personally, even if one only heard about it secondhand, even if one's name couldn't be left on Mount Langjuxu, this matter could still make every person in the Central Plains shudder.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

Zhou Shangwen still gripped the messenger's shoulder tightly, even unconsciously using more force. His pupils trembled incessantly in his old eyes, yet he still couldn't accept this fact.

"Ah... General, you're hurting me."

The messenger couldn't help but let out a cry of pain.

"Hi!"

Zhou Shangwen then realized how out of control he had been, and finally released the messenger, but he was still stubbornly questioning him.
"You must know that this matter is of utmost importance. If my memorial to the capital concerning this matter is flawed, it will be a grave offense."

"Tell me again in detail, after you arrived at Anda's court, did you see Anda's body with your own eyes, did you see the bodies of those Tatar leaders with your own eyes, or... did anyone see Anda and those Tatar leaders die with their own eyes?"

"This……"

This question startled the messenger for a moment, before he finally answered with some hesitation,

"No, that's not true. When my cavalry arrived at Altan Khan's court with Captain Ma, the corpses of Altan Khan and those Tatar leaders had already been burned to ashes along with the gate tower. All that could be seen were some ruins of the city tower and some charred corpses that were unrecognizable."

"These things were learned through the Heroes' Battalion; none of my men witnessed them firsthand."

"..."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shangwen immediately frowned, a hint of worry rising in his heart.

Without a clearly identified body, could this be a case of someone falsely claiming credit...?

Such things happened frequently among the border generals and commanders of the Ming Dynasty. Every time the Tatars crossed the pass and raided southward, although those incompetent border generals and commanders were afraid of the enemy and did not advance, it was not uncommon for them to take credit for the corpses of the Ming people who had been slaughtered by the Tatars.

Now that we can no longer see the corpses of Anda and those Tatar leaders, only charred bodies whose identities cannot be identified, there are some suspicious aspects to this matter.

Then the messenger continued:
“But General, it’s not just the Heroic Battalion that’s saying this; the captured Tatars are saying the same thing. Do you think the Tatars would cooperate with the Heroic Battalion to fabricate facts?”

"Furthermore, it is an indisputable fact that Yan Maoqing led only two thousand soldiers in a lone battle and fought his way into the royal camp."

"When my cavalry arrived at the royal camp, they saw the corpses of Tatar cavalry stretching for two or three miles. This cannot be faked, can it?"

"..."

Zhou Shangwen's brows furrowed even more.

Therefore, Yan Maoqing ultimately had no need to claim credit for the work.

After all, he was able to accomplish such a feat, defeating the enemy with fewer troops and storming into the Tatar court. Whether he actually killed Altan Khan and those Tatar leaders was no longer important.

Even such merit was enough to make Yan Maoqing a figure of great prestige among the Tatars, shock the court and the public, and leave his name in history.

In this situation, there is really no need to fabricate merits and claim credit.

Moreover, the truth cannot be hidden forever. Anda is no nobody. If he is not dead, he can easily expose the lie by simply showing up again in the future, which will bring great trouble to Yan Maoqing.

and so……

These are all true; I was just being petty and judging others by my own standards!
this moment.

"boom--!"

A surge of heat that had been suppressed in his chest suddenly burst forth from his heart, instantly filling Zhou Shangwen's entire body, making every pore of his body feel numb and hot as if being gnawed by ants!
Yan Maoqing got it done!

This young man has accomplished an incredible miracle!

I knew it!
I knew Yan Maoqing could do it, which is why I cooperated with him!

It was definitely not because he threatened me; I was simply willing to give the young man a chance!
From today onwards.

The shame of the Tumu Crisis will be washed away completely. Every soldier and civilian in every border town, every subject of the Ming Dynasty, will no longer be afraid when facing the Tatars. They can stand tall, raise their heads, and be upright and honorable citizens of the Ming Dynasty.

This was the Tumu Crisis of the Tatars, where Yan Maoqing used the muskets and cannons of the Heroic Battalion to avenge the arrow wound from years ago!
"Heaven has eyes... With Yan Maoqing by our side, Heaven blesses our Great Ming!"

Zhou Shangwen suddenly tilted his head back, keeping his face at a 45-degree angle. He didn't want the tears that were already filling his eyes to fall, and he didn't want his subordinates to see them.

But how could this be controlled so easily...? Two streams of hot tears still welled up in his eyes, but because of his tilting his head back, they flowed down his temples and into his ears.

This forced him to pick at his ear and turn his back instead of continuing to look up.

The Han Dynasty had its own Huo Qubing.

The Ming Dynasty had its own Yan Maoqing...

Thinking of this, Zhou Shangwen suddenly became inexplicably worried again.

This analogy is very bad, very unlucky.

Because Huo Qubing was a limited-time cheat code for the Han Dynasty, and the heavens were jealous of his talent, causing him to die young.

Yan Maoqing's age at this time is not much different from Huo Qubing's. Could he also be a limited-time cheat code for the Ming Dynasty, and be envied by the heavens?

Just at this time.

"Report!"

Suddenly, a shout came from outside the door.

Zhou Shangwen finally managed to regain his senses and quickly wiped the tears from his face with his sleeve. His trusted guard had already strode in and whispered in his ear:
"General, the Emperor's secret envoy has arrived and is currently outside the gate."

"Emissary?"

Zhou Shangwen's eyelids twitched, and he immediately recalled the memorial he had submitted jointly with Guo Xun.

After all, Yan Maoqing's unauthorized leadership of his troops to launch a surprise attack on Anda was no small matter and had a significant impact on the Emperor's plans.

The Emperor should indeed have reacted, but this time it seems to have been faster than expected.

but.

Yan Maoqing has accomplished such a remarkable feat. If this news were to reach the capital, I wonder how the Emperor would react, and whether he would be as moved to tears as Yan Maoqing was.
……

After a while.

"Bah! A tyrannical ruler! A tyrannical ruler who has ruined the country!"

After seeing off the secret envoy sent by Zhu Houcong and dismissing his trusted guards and messengers, Zhou Shangwen slammed his fist on the table and cursed through gritted teeth.

Guess what kind of secret edict the Emperor's envoy delivered?
In a secret edict, Zhu Houcong ordered him to seize an opportunity to assassinate national heroes like Yan Maoqing, leaving the Heroes' Battalion to be at the mercy of the Tatars on the grasslands!
Is this the speech of an emperor, or rather, the speech of a human being?
"If the Ming Dynasty were to perish, it would surely be because of this incompetent ruler!"

Zhou Shangwen could not hide the resentment and disheartening in his heart; his eyes were bloodshot and his face was ashen.

He doesn't accept it!

Making such a minor decision without understanding the situation is no different from Emperor Gaozong of Song issuing twelve imperial edicts to recall Yue Fei.

Although he knew that Zhu Houcong was probably unaware that Yan Maoqing had accomplished such a remarkable feat, he only knew that Yan Maoqing had led his army out of the pass to launch a surprise attack on Anda's court.

Even if Yan Maoqing said nice things, that it was to ensure the smooth progress of the tribute exchange, even if Anda intended to sabotage it, it would not be an exception.

But in truth, both he and Guo Xun knew that Yan Maoqing's actions would be seen by the Emperor as recklessly provoking border conflicts, and would inevitably affect the tribute system, especially the coal trade that the Emperor was most concerned about.

This was exactly what Zhou Shangwen, who had always opposed paying tribute, hoped for, and even regarded Yan Maoqing as a wise man who shared the same ideals as himself.

Therefore, after being threatened by Yan Maoqing, he chose to go along with it...

Unexpectedly, the Emperor issued a secret edict to punish Yan Maoqing in such a dishonorable manner.

There's a saying: "Your position determines your perspective."

From Zhou Shangwen's perspective, he felt that even if Yan Maoqing had lightly provoked a border conflict, and even if the emperor was unaware of the astonishing feat Yan Maoqing had accomplished, he was still wholeheartedly devoted to the country and its people, and should not be dealt with in such a manner.

Even if Yan Maoqing had acted in a pretentious or deceitful manner, he should have been escorted back to the capital and handed over to the three judicial departments for joint trial and sentencing.

Moreover, there are those two thousand soldiers of the Heroic Battalion. The emperor actually ordered him in a secret edict to leave them on the grasslands to be at the mercy of the Tatars. What else could this be but a foolish ruler who colluded with the enemy and betrayed his country?
Does the Emperor really think that by making such a concession to the Tatars, they will appreciate his kindness?

If the tribute system were to proceed smoothly, would the carbon tax office become a continuous source of revenue for the emperor?
The Emperor is dreaming!
Zhou Shangwen had been stationed in Datong for many years and knew these Tatars very well.

They are used to bullying the weak and fearing the strong. If we don't make these Tatars afraid, the border troubles will never stop. Whether we pay tribute or not, it doesn't matter!

This is how the Han Dynasty resolved the northern border troubles.

The Tang Dynasty also resolved its northern border troubles in this way.

This is the only way.

Only under these circumstances would Zhou Shangwen have no objection to paying tribute.

And Yan Maoqing did indeed do so, so Yan Maoqing was definitely a loyal minister who served the emperor faithfully, a capable minister, and a ruthless minister.

Although Zhou Shangwen no longer has any objections, the fact that Anda, who had previously maintained tributary relations with the Ming Dynasty, has now completely disappeared is indeed a problem...

"No, I'm afraid I don't know this foolish ruler well enough. I'm afraid we'll have to rely on the Duke of Yi to mediate this matter!"

Zhou Shangwen clutched the secret edict tightly and hurriedly left the house.

He needed to inform Guo Xun of Yan Maoqing's astonishing feat and the emperor's secret edict, to see if Guo Xun, the emperor's close advisor, had a way to smooth things over with the emperor.

(End of this chapter)